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WHICHAM PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10 MAY 2023 AT SILECROFT VILLAGE
HALL COMMENCING AT 07.30PM
PRESENT: Cllr A Fell(Chair), Cllr M Cumming, Cllr S Millar, Cllr R Jopson , Cllr S Wilson,
Cllr M Sharp, Cllr C Lowery
Cllr A Pratt, Cumberland Unitary Authority
Lesley Cooper Clerk
3 members of the public
All councillors had signed their acceptance of office in the presence of the Clerk prior to the
commencement of the meeting.
1/23: Election of Chair
Cllr Fell Proposed by Cllr Millar, Seconded by Cllr Sharp
No other nominations put forward and duly elected. Cllr Fell signed the Acceptance
of Office
2/23 Election of Vice Chair
Cllr Cumming Proposed by Cllr Lowery, Seconded by Cllr Jopson
No other nominations put forward and duly elected. Cllr Cumming signed the
Acceptance of Office
3/23 Apologies for Absence
None
4/23 Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on 4 May 2022
The minutes were approved and signed by the Chair
5/23 APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO SERVE ON OUTSIDE BODIES – To appoint
members of the Council to serve on the following outside bodies:
6/23 To resolve that the Parish Council meets the conditions under section 8(2) of
the Localism Act 2011 and The Parish Councils (General Power of Competence)
(Prescribed Conditions) Order 2012 and therefore may act under the General Power of
Competence
Proposed by Cllr Cumming and seconded by Cllr Lowery that the Parish Council fulfilled all
criteria and wished to invoke the General Power of Competence.
7/23 Adjournment of Meeting
There being no other business the AGM meeting was adjourned at 1958 hours and the
normal meeting commenced
8/23 Exclusions of Press and Public
None
9/23 Declarations of Interest
None
10/23 To approve the Minutes of the meetings
10/23.1 5 April 2023 The Chair was authorized to sign the minutes as a true record
of the meetings
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10/23.2 Extra- ordinary meeting of 20 April 2023 The Chair was authorized to sign
the minutes as a true record of the meetings
11/23 Police Liaison Report
Previously circulated.
12/23 Progress Reports
Clerks report
1. The Clerk had spoken to the fishermen and horse riders re parking on Silecroft
beach
2. Not received any response from prison re proposed works – to chase
3. Confirmation that the solar light panel had been relocated
4. Flower tubs – a volunteer had agreed to undertake them. A letter of thanks to go
to Mr Mrs Rand for their hard work
5. Fallen sign on Silecroft beach had been reported.
6. Gate to play area at Silecroft was broken
13/23 Public Participation
A member of the public raised the issue of questions not being answered by the GDF
and requested them to have a frequently asked questions item on their website, The
MOP stated that a FOI request had been submitted to the developers.
The MOP requested that the Council considered withdrawing from the South
Copeland Community Partnership (GDF) and encouraged the new Unitary Authority
to withdraw.
14/23 Report from Unitary Authority Councillor
Cllr Pratt introduced himself to the meeting. In July 8 Community Panels were to be
set up meeting 4 times a year with representatives from the PCs. Some funding for
Community projects/groups. 3-4 priority projects to be put forward common to all
parishes. Suggestions environment and transport. Input from rural parishes required.
20mph/30mphSilecroft – are now on the Highways workplan to be investigated.
15/23 Applications for Development
15/23.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to
the Planning Authority
None
15/23.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved
powers
None
15/23.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards
to recent applications:
7/2023/4015 Baystone Bank Riding School, Whicham
Erection of Lodges, part retrospective on consented existing campsite
Approved
16/23 Financial Records
16/23.1 Payment of invoices
The following invoices were approved for payment:
J Hillier Toilet Cleaning April £ 390.00
Blackcombe PCC Grass cutting April/May £ 150.00
V Falconer Internal Audit Fee £ 90.00
Thomas Graham Ltd Cleaning supplies £ 46.76
A Fell reimburse grass see for play area £ 25.00
16/23.2 Receipts
Beach car park £ 112.37
Church car park £ 266.81
Precept £20616.00
The Clerk reported that the payment of the Precept was late and had to chase the
new Authority for payment
16/23.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement
None received
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16/23.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 30 April 2023 and
determine action need to address deviations from the budget.
None required
16/23.5 To note and approve the Internal Auditor’s Report and note any actions
required
It was noted that an electricity bill had been paid twice and this had now been
credited. No invoices received from Waterplus for February and March. Account in
credit, Clerk to request them. Proposed Cllr Wilson and seconded by Cllr Jopson to
accept the report
16/23.6 To approve the Annual Accounting Statement for the financial year 2022/23
Resolved to approve Proposed by Cllr Jopson, Seconded by Cllr Sharp to submit the
accounting statement.
17/23 Village Matters
17/23.1 Silecroft beach car park, and toilets
Toilets – resolved to leave open on a trial basis.
Car Park – letter to contractors requesting replacement of stone used to put in
temporary roadway
Clerk to seek price of a wagon load of stone.
17/23.2 Silecroft beach proposed new café
Resolved to request to be directly involved in site meetings during the build
Resolved to hold a meeting with Eric Barker on 23 May 2023 to discuss café operator
Clerk to investigate costs of a basic kitchen fit out for cafe.
17/23.3 Play inspection report
Grass re-seeding completed. Clerk to obtain costs of replacing broken gate to
Silecroft play area. Reported that large gate at Kirksanton not closing properly.
Sign required “No Dogs Allowed” to be fixed on bottom gate,
17/23.4 GDF
Cllr Cumming gave a report. Property compensation scheme to be put in place at
the end of summer – detailed summary to be produced after talking with local estate
agents and searches.
Compulsory purchase may be required if the site was designated for the project/
17/23.5 30mph Speed Limit – Silecroft
See 14/23 above
17/23.6 Defib – Silecroft
Defib to be fitted 20 May. Training to be arranged for members of the public
17/23.7 Gabion baskets
Clerk had received an estimate. To request a detailed plan and enquire if it included
reinforcing the ramp
17/23.8 Zero Carbon actions
Cllr Millar to produce a summary of the Rural Grant Scheme
Cllr Millar to attend the Neighborhood Plan course on 22 May
17/23.9 Phone box – Silecroft – repairs
Clerk to chase for cost of parts.
17/23.10 Council Vacancies
There are 2 vacancies for councillors.
Proposed by Cllr Wilson and Seconded by Cllr Millar that N Tyson be co-opted onto
the council. Carried nom con. Cllr Tyson completed the acceptance of office and
was duly elected.
18/23 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
None
19/23 CORRESPONDENCE:
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion:
All other correspondence to be circulated in the normal manner for Council’s perusal
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20/23. Councillor Matters
An opportunity for Councillors to raise minor matters, not on this agenda, on behalf of
residents
(Note. No discussion or decisions can be made on these matters but the Clerk may make
investigations and/or they may be placed on a future agenda of the Council
21/23. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Wednesday 7 June 2023 at Kirksanton
Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm
There being no further business the meeting closed at 2146hrs.
Signed………………………………………………… Dated………………………………………
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