PRESENT: Cllr A Fell (Chair), Cllr M Cunning, Cllr S Millar, Cllr M Sharp, Cllr N Tyson, Cllr S Wilson, Cllr S Pidgeon, Cllr C Lowery
Lesley Cooper Clerk
Cllr P Armit – Cumberland Council
7 members of public
144/24 Apologies for Absence
In the absence of the Chair Cllr Cumming took the meeting
145/24 Exclusion of Press and Public
2/4/24 Press and Public were excluded from Agenda item 16 Closed Session
146/24 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Wilson declared an interest in planning application N7/2025/4011
147/24 To approve the Minutes of the meetings 5 February 2025
The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes as a true record of the meeting.
148/24 Police Liaison Report
Cllr Wilson, Cllr N Tyson and Jooges agreed to be the councils representatives on the Police Liaison committee, provided that it was held in an evening.
149/24 Clerks Report
None in paper form
150/24 Public Participation
A member of the public raised concerns re the recent announcement of the area being a test centre for the siting of a GDF what this would have on property prices and that local Estate Agents and Solicitors may not add this development.
After discussion the members of public left the meeting.
151/24 Planning
Cllr Fell joined the meeting at 19.45hrs and took over the Chair.
152/24 Report from the Planning Authority Cumberland Council
Cllr Pratt gave the following report:
Proposals for 100 and 140 houses, would have existing schools at 80% of their capacity if no new school was submitted, which if approved would bring in c£50m to the area
Election for mayor will be in 2027.
26 June 2024 – Retail, Join the Chapel Illini – meeting of South Cumberland Panel.
153/24 Applications for Development
153/24.1 Submission of observations for development and submission under delegated powers
14/2022 Land north of Sorpen area of search for nuclear development
Proposed by Cllr Sharp, seconded Cllr Smith.
13 in favour 1 abstention
Clerk to inform Planning officer.
153/24.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers
None
153/24.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications:
None
154/24.1 Payment of invoices
The following invoices were approved for payment:
| J Hillier | Toilet cleaning February | £ 325.00 |
[handwritten, see original document]
J Bowden
Toilet cleaning Changing Places
£ 195.00
L Cooper
Clerks Salary & expenses
£ 291.60
HMRC
PAYE
£ 64.30
Waterplus
Direct Debit
£ 13.01
Thomas Graham
Cleaning supplies
£ 107.11
Talktalk
data search
£ 50.00
Silcroft Village Hall
donation
£ 250.00
Kirkstanton Village Hall
donation
£ 250.00
Winsdor St Mary’s
donation to maintain grounds
£ 800.00
Information Commissioner
Data Protection fee
£ 62.00
Playdale
New equipment Kirkstanton
£12155.58
154/24.2 Receipts
Beach car park
£ 151.40
Church car park
£ 57.47
154/24.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement dated 28 February 2024
Not checked
154/24.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report: as at 28 February 2025 and determine action needed to address deviations from the budget.
No actions required
155/24.1 Silecroft beach car park
The Chair reported that the potholes were worse where it narrows by the café. It has also been reported that overnight parking in the Car Park is taking place.
Clerk instructed to contact the Forestry and arrange the potholes.
155/24.2 Kirksanton stone stacking area
No issues raised
155/24.3 To receive reports from outside bodies
None
155/24.4 Play Inspection Report
Cllrs reported that Kirkstanton had now been completed and she was awaiting further quotes for new fencing for Silecroft.
155/24.5 Environmental issues
None
155/24.6 GDF
Cllr Cumming reported that still awaiting the review of the partnership to be published
Annual Parish meeting to be held on 28 April 2025. MP Michelle Strouland invited to attend to answer questions re GDF
155/24.7 Fencing around Septic tank – Whickham School car park
Clerk had received a response that the owner would undertake the replacement fencing.
155/24.8 War Memorial
Awaiting permission to proceed
155/24.9 Policies
a) The following new Policies were approved:
Safeguarding Policy
Co-option Policy
Lone Working Policy
Vexatious Complaints Policy
Anti-bullying and Harassment Policy
Equality and Diversity Policy
Sexual Harassment Policy
Social Media Policy
Environment and Sustainability Policy
b) Noted that the following policies have been reviewed and no changes made
Biodiversity Policy
[handwritten, see original document]
Minutes 12/3/2025
Appraisal Policy
Recruitment Policy
Sickness Absence Policy
Training and Development Policy
156/24 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
None
157/24 CORRESPONDENCE
Section 1 – Correspondence received for open discussion:
All other correspondence to be circulated in the normal manner for Council’s perusal
• An email had been received from a resident regarding Sasco as a nest a residence.
• An email had been received from a resident requesting that a motion be placed on the agenda. It was explained by the Clerk that a motion cannot be put forward by a member of the public.
158/24 Councillor Matters
An opportunity for Councillors to raise minor matters, not on this agenda, on behalf of residents
(Note: No discussions or decisions can be made on these matters but the Clerk may make investigations and/or they may be placed on a future agenda for the Council to consider)
Cllr Sharp reported that there is no isolator Silcroft Phone Box, to investigate further
Cllr Fell reported that a member of public had complained that the dog waste bin is located too close to the bench in Silecroft play area.
Cllr Tyson asked if an age related sign be placed for new equipment. An article to be placed on This is Silecroft Facebook page.
Cllr Wilson had received a complaint that the PROW by the tennis courts is blocked. Clerk to contact LDNP
Cllr Cumming requested confirmation of the times that Duddon Bridge will be closed overnight. Confirmed it will be 10pm to 6am for 5 nights.
159/24 DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 2 April 2025 at Kirkstanton Village Hall commencing at 7.30p
160/24 Closed Session
Discussion took place in the proposed Licence with Cumberland Council re the café. A number of changes were noted and the Clerk to respond.
Cumberland Council also wished to locate a bin store for the café.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.45hrs.
Signed………………………………………. [handwritten, see original document]
Dated………………………………………. [handwritten, see original document]