PRESENT: Cllr A Fell (Chair), Cllr M. Cumming, Cllr V Bradley, Cllr P Rand
County Cllr K Hitchen
70/17: APOLOGIES: Cllr S Wilson., Cllr C Lowery, Cllr R Jopson Cllr M Sharp,
71/17: Exclusions of Press and Public
Item 10.5 HR issues on the Agenda would require the exclusion of press and public
72/17 Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest
73/17 Minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2017
The minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2017 were approved and signed by the Chair.
74/17 Police Liaison Report
A report had been received from PCSO Booth and circulated to the Councilors prior to the meeting. There was nothing of significance to report.
75/17.1 Benches
Cllr Rand reported that the seat had been replaced at Hartrees. Letter of thanks to be sent for donation.
76/17 Public Participation Session
No public present.
77/17 County Councilor and Borough Councilor Report
Cty Cllr Hitchen reported that the cats eyes and white lining on the Whicham Valley road had been promised 2 weeks ago, still awaiting the contractor to undertake the works.
78/17.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority
Notice of Appeal had been received re Parsonage Farm, Silecroft for an agricultural workers dwelling.
16
Minutes 4/10/17
The Council did not wish to make any additional comments to their original submission.
78/17.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers since the last meeting.
None undertaken
78/17.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications
None received
79/17.1 The following payments were approved:
J Hillier Toilet cleaning September £216.00
Zurich Insurance Additional premium for toilets £ 56.00
Thomas Graham Toilet supplies £ 19.06
Dream Landscapes Grass cutting – Silecroft £420.00
Marmax Replacement bench – Hartrees £430.92
Waterplus Water bill toilets to Sept 2017 £157.53
Bleasdale Solicitors Disbursements for toilets £175.00
St Marys Church – grass cutting Sept £ 70.00
It was noted that Mr Hillier had been undercharging on the Cleaning invoice. The Clerk has written to Mr Hillier asking him to identify how many hours were voluntary contributions to the cleaning of the toilets
79/17.2 To note the receipt of payments
Donation for replacement bench at Hartrees £500.00
79/17.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement
None received`
79/17.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 30 September 2017 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget.
None were required
79/17.5 To determine the Clerk’s salary and hours for 2018/19
It was agreed to defer this to the next meeting to allow all Councilors’ to discuss. The Chair reported that an appraisal of the Clerk had been undertaken.
80/17.1 Silecroft Beach Front and Toilets
A request has been received from the CIC to keep the toilets open during the winter months as it was planned to have the café open some of the time. The Council resolved that the proposed shutdown would go ahead until more definite information regarding opening hours were received, it was difficult to determine whether this would be acceptable. The CIC to be requested to forward information by 23 October 2017.
80/17.2 Car park issues
It was reported that on the weekend of the 23rd September 2017 that 87 cars were left on the beach front car park from Friday evening (22nd September) until Sunday 24th September. Cllr Rand had investigated this and it was due to a mountain marathon being held at Beckside Farm, Whicham,
No permission had been sought from the council and no notification had been received by the council that this event was taking place. The parking of these cars had an impact on other potential users of the car park in that it deterred visitors and other users from visiting the area. The events management to be contacted by the Clerk expressing concerns and invoicing the organization for £5 per night per car.
80/17.3 Silecroft Pop-up cafe
See 80/17.1 above
80/17.4 Silecroft Play area phase 2
The Clerk reported that work was planned for week commencing 23rd October 2017. Any spoil will be removed by Cllr’s Fell and Sharp. Quotations are being sought for the rendering and top coping of the wall. It was resolved to have signage made to direct casual visitors to the play area.
The tennis net to be taken down at the end of the season and Councilors’ to look at other multi-use schemes and how to manage it. It was proposed to purchase a lockable box for the storage of tennis nets/posts. The Clerk to contact Cumbria Highways and Lake District National Park for advice on size and lettering for the signage.
Cty Cllr Hitchen stated that he would find examples of multi-use play areas for the Councilors’.
80/17.5 Common Land
The Clerk reported that she had now obtained a list of Common Land within the Parish. Permission was granted to apply for the maps.
80/17.6 Whicham Church Grass Cutting
A request had been made for the Parish Council to contribute to the cost of grass cutting at Whicham Church. After discussion, it was agreed that the Parish Council already contributed by donating 50% of the income from the car park to the Church.
It was suggested that when the Parish plan was reviewed that one of the questions be “do the community consider churches within the parish a community asset” and this may provide a mandate in the future for requests such as this.
80/17.7 HR issues
Cllrs Fell reported that the Clerk’s appraisal had been undertaken by himself and Cllr Lowery.
Cllr Rand reported that he had attended the 3 tier meeting.
18
Minutes 4/10/17
The HiM system was proving to be useful although there were still glitches. Everyone to be encouraged to use the management system and not the hot line.
Empty homes – there are reportedly 900 located within Copeland. Not sure how many there are in the Whicham area. There is a drive to bring them back into use and some funding is available.
CCC – design guide consultation are looking at planning requirements.
Transparency fund – there is money available of up to £25k back dated to April 2015 to help set up web sites, buy computers etc.
The Clerk was instructed to submit a claim for the setup costs of the web site.
It was also resolved to purchase a fire resistant filing cabinet for the use of the Clerk.
82/17 CORRESPONDENCE All correspondence had been circulated to councilors and there were no items for discussion.
An invitation had been received to welcome the new vicar at Bootle
84/17 DATE OF NEXT 6EETING – to confirm the next meeting will be Wednesday 1st November 2017 at 7.30pm in Silecroft Village Hall
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.50
Signed………………………………………………… Dated………………………………………
19