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WHICHAM PARISH COUNCIL
PRESENT Cllr A Fell(Chair), Cllr M Cumming, Cllr M Sharp, Cllr N Tyson, Cllr S Millar, Cllr S Wilson
Cllr A Pratt, Cumberland Council
Lesley Cooper, Clerk
170/23 Apologies for Absence
Cllr R Jopson, (family), Cllr C Lowery (family) approved
171/23 Following the premeeting with representatives of Cumberland Council Agenda item 16 Closed Session was brought forward by the Chair to enable the Council to formulate a response to Cumberland Council.
172/23 Response to Cumberland Council’s proposals re Silecroft beach café
RESOLVED THAT:
a) A lease for the land occupied by the new café be offered to Cumberland Council for a period of 20 years in line with their funding agreement. To be reviewed at year 7 and every 3 years thereafter until the end of the lease with an option for WPC to extend the lease beyond 20 years. Both parties have to agree to the termination of the lease.
b) Charges for the lease would not come into force until 12 months after an operator commences trading
c) Cumberland Council be responsible for 50% of the cost of maintaining the car park.
d) Opening hours of café restricted between the hours of 8am and 9pm
e) WPC will join the decision making Project Committee and any two of the following councillors have the authority to act on behalf of the council in all matters excluding any matter which has financial implications on the Council or the community. Cllrs Cumming, Sharp, Tyson, Millar, Lowery
f) Legal fees to be paid by Cumberland Council
173/23 Exclusions of Press and Public
None
174/23 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Wilson Planning Application 7/2024/4022
175/23 To approve the Minutes of the meetings 13 March 2024
The Chair was authorized to sign the minutes as a true record of the meeting.
176/23 Police Liaison Report
Not received.
177/23 Clerks report
Clerk reported that she had requested that the dog warden attend and put up signage re dog fouling.
178/23 Public Participation
None
179/23 Report from Unitary Authority Councillor
Cllr Pratt reported that there was a planned Teams Meeting regarding the planned works along the A595. The planned overnight A595 closure at Bootle has now been changed from 7pm-5am to 10pm – 5 am
180/23 Applications for Development
180/23.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority
Minutes 3/4/24
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7/2024/4000 Parsonage Farm, Silecroft
Form improvements to farm access, at junction with A595
Supported
7/2024/4007 Hickory House, Silecroft
Dwellinghouse – removal of condition 3 (local occupancy) of planning permission 7/2016/4023 – remove local occupancy restriction and replace with residential clause allowing only principal dwelling
Supported
180/23.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers
None
180/23.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications:
7/2023/4100 Silecroft Beach Car Park, Silecroft Beach Car Park, Silecroft
Pole mounted notice board
Advertisement Consent Approved
181/23 Financial Records
181/23.1 Payment of invoices
The following invoices were approved for payment:
J Hillier Toilet Cleaning March £ 403.00
CALC Charitable Trusts training £ 30.00
Community Heartbeat Annual support Kirksanton defib £ 162.00
S Wilson Refreshments Annual Parish Meet £ 30.00
Q Waterplus Direct debit £ 23.43
181/23.2 Receipts
Beach car park £ 31.52
Church car park £ 57.34
The Clerk reported that the totals received for the financial year 2023/24 were Beach Car park £1681.38, Whicham old School Car park £1484.58
181/23.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement not received
181/23.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 31 March 2024 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget.
The Clerk reported that the total unaudited expenditure for the year was £35009.68 with an unaudited income of £33815.74.
181/23.5 To approve the Risk Management and Risk Assessment for 2024
Approved
181/23.6 To approve the Asset Register for 31.3.24
Approved.
182/23 Village Matters
182/23.1 Silecroft beach car park, and toilets
New toilet door reported sticking, Clerk reported to joiner. The Clerk reported that the contract cleaner gave notification of holiday on the day leaving. To advertise for a relief cleaner. Cllrs Cumming & Millar volunteered to clean the toilets to enable them to remain open during the Easter holidays.
The Planning application had been withdrawn on the advice of LDNP, a new application to be submitted. Cllrs Fell, Sharp and the Clerk to meet on site on 6 April 2024 to undertake measurements.
The connection of 3 phase to the cabinet is awaited. Clerk to source an electrical supplier.
The Clerk reported that she had been approached by an interested party re installing EV charge points. Clerk to investigate further.
182/23.2 Feedback from Annual Parish Meeting
Positive feedback from community on proposed extension to car park and council’s position on the beach café.
182/23.3 Play inspection report and proposed new equipment
Minutes 3/4/24
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Estimates received for the installation of new play equipment for toddlers. Clerk to apply for funding from CGP, South Cumberland Community Fund and GDF fund.
Cllr Sharp to install replacement cradle seats.
182/23.4 Environmental issues
Cllr Millar reported that she has had 3 volunteers come forward for planting wild flower area. Cllr Millar to mark out area in readiness for works to be undertaken once ground dries.
Cllr Millar has produced a zero carbon factors to be placed on the website
182/23.5 GDF
Cllr Cumming reported that a Community Forum at Drigg was poorly attended
182/23.6 Emergency Plan
Completed and to be circulated
183/23 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
• None
184/23 CORRESPONDENCE:
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion:
All other correspondence to be circulated in the normal manner for Council’s perusal
• None
185/23 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
• Cllr Millar/ Cumming raised that the fencing at the entrance to Kirksanton Village Green required replacing.
186/23 DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 1 May 2024 at Silecroft Village Hall commencing at 7.30p
There being no further business the meeting closed at 2145hrs.
Signed………………………………………………… Dated………………………………………