PRESENT: Cllr A Fell (Chair) Cllr M. Cumming, Cllr P Rand, Cllr S Millar, Cllr R Jopson,
Cllr M Sharp and Cllr S Wilson
B. Cllr G McGrath
Kelly Anderson RWM and 1 other
121/21: APOLOGIES: Cllr C Lowery (isolating),
122/21: Public Participation
It was resolved that Agenda item 5 Public Participation be brought forward to
enable the business raised to be conducted.
Kelly Anderson from RWM gave an overview of the GDF project with the focus of
the facility being underground out at sea and the surface facility taking up
approx. 1 square kilometer.
Information was given about the proposed Community Partnership, the initial
proposed participants and how it was envisaged how the Partnership would
work in the future. Meetings would be monthly with bimonthly meetings of a
sub group who would be tasked with managing the community investment fund
of £1m, She stressed that the Community Partnership was there to put forward
the views of the communities involved and the funding was for the benefit of
the community.
The test of public support would happen only once and that would be triggered
by Copeland Borough Council.
The Community Partnership would be formed and carried on even if parishes
did not get involved.
A survey of the sea bed geology was to be undertaken in the summer 2022 and
that would determine whether the GDF would go ahead or not, off the
Cumbrian coast.
Ms Anderson concluded with encouraging the Parish Council to be part of the
proposed Community Partnership.
Ms Anderson was thanked for her presentation and left the meeting.
123/21 Exclusions of Press and Public
Agenda item 9 – Human Resources required all press and public to be excluded
124/21Declarations of Interest
None
125/21 To approve the Minutes of the following meetings:
3 November 2021
22 November 2021 – extraordinary meeting
The Chair was authorized to sign the minutes as a true record of the meetings
Proposed Cllr Rand, Seconded Cllr Millar
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Minutes 1/12/21
126/21Reports from County Council and Borough Councillors
None
127/21 Applications for Development
None received
128/21 Financial Records
128/21.1 Payment of invoices
The following invoices were approved for payment:
Copeland BC Light Maintenance £ 106.10
J Hillier Toilet cleaning & replacement hose £ 365.99
S A Jopson Repairs to Kirksanton play area fencing £2760.00
Royal British Legion poppy wreaths £ 36.00
A Fell Empty Septic tank £ 288.00
The contractor reported that there was still significant evidence of fat being
disposed of via the septic tank from the café operator
128/21.2 Receipts
Beach Car park £41.24
Church Car Park £50.29
129/21 Village Matters
129/21.1 To determine if the Parish Council is to join the proposed Community
Partnership
After discussion it was resolved that the Parish Council considered it had no
option but to join the proposed Community Partnership to enable it to represent the
Community better as part of the process of identifying a location for a GDF.
Vote: For 5, Against 1, Abstention 1
The vote was carried.
129/21.2 To elect a representative to the proposed Community Partnership
Proposed by Clr Rand, Seconded by Cllr Sharp and resolved that Cllr Cumming would
be the representative for Whicham Parish Council, with the Clerk deputizing.
130/21Human Resources
The Clerk was asked to remain to hear the outcome of the independent investigation
into complaints against her conduct.
B. Cllr McGrath reported that the investigation concluded that the Clerk had no case to
answer. The recommendation was that the Complaints Procedure be reviewed.
131/21DATE OF NEXT MEETING – the next meeting will be Wednesday 5th January 2022
commencing at 7.30pm in Silecroft Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 2115 hrs.
Signed………………………………………………… Dated………………………………………
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