Minutes 3/9/2025
12
PRESENT: Cllr Fell (Chair) Cllr S Millar, Cllr S Wilson, Cllr R Jopson, Cllr M Cumming,
Cllr A Pratt – Cumberland Council
Lesley Cooper Clerk
2 members of public
59/25 Apologies for Absence
Cllr L Thomson (working) Cllr C Lowery (personal), Cllr N Tyson(Personal)
60/25 Exclusions of Press and Public
None
61/25 Declarations of Interest
None
62/25 To approve the Minutes of the meetings 2 July 2025 and 16 July 2025
The Chair was authorized to sign the minutes as a true record of the meetings.
63/25 Police Liaison Report
Circulated.
64/25 Clerks report
The Clerk reported that state of the gabion baskets by the steps had been reported to Cumberland who were disputing ownership of the land. Cllr Pratt to investigate.
There was a water leak on the car park near to where the construction welfare cabin had been located. Water pipe had not been sealed off correctly by contractors. Awaiting a report to send to Cumberland Council to claim cost of repairs back.
65/25 Public Participation
A member of the public requested that the Parish Council seriously consider leaving the South Copeland Community Partnership.
A member of the public enquired whether individuals could input into Cumberland’s consultation on the proposed new Local Plan, this was confirmed.
66/25 Report from Unitary Authority Councillor
Cllr Pratt gave the following report:
Community fund meet on 20 September
He attended an event commemorating Haverigg Airfield
Fibrus have grants up to £2k for local community projects
ACT have funding of £2250 over 2 years to help build community cohesion
Cumberland Family hub will be in Millom on 9 September
A595 works still ongoing please report any issues
Tenders have gone out for a bus service from Millom to the north
Holmrook- be aware that they have now have a fixed speeding camera
Cumberland Local Plan – Drop in Session at Tin Chapel
31 October Options and issues deadline and call for sites open until 31 January 2026
Millom Town Deal – out for tender for an operator for the Old bank. Leisure center at school progressing well. Tender out for works on Iron Line
The Chair thanked Cllr Pratt for his report
67/25 Applications for Development
67/25.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority
7/2025/4042 PROPOSED UPGRADE TO EXISTING RADIO BASE STATION INSTALLATION AT CS_12253523, LAND AT KIRKSANTON, LANGTHWAITE FARM, MILLOM, CUMBRIA, LA18 5LJ (NGR: E315455, N480578)CS_12253523, LAND AT KIRKSANTON, LANGTHWAITE FARM, MILLOM, CUMBRIA, LA18 5LJ (NGR: E315455,
N480578)
The proposed upgrade of an existing telecommunications base station comprising the removal and replacement of 3 no antennas, together with the internal upgrade of 1 existing cabinet, and ancillary development thereto.
For information
67/25.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers
None
67/25.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications:
7/2025/4011 Parsonage Farm, Silecroft,
Slurry Tower
Approved with Conditions
7/2025/4042 Silecroft Beach Cafe, Silecroft
Approval of details reserved by condition 7 (hard landscaping details) on application
Confirmation of compliance with condition attached to planning permission 7/2025/4045
7/2025/4039 1 & 2 Shore Meadow, Whicham, Silecroft
Demolition of 2 semi-detached cottages and garage annex and re-construction of 2 proposed detached cottages and 1 granny flat and replacement septic tank
Refused
7/2025/4045 Whicham Hall Farm, Whicham
New slurry store
Granted
68/25 Financial Records
68/25.1 Payment of invoices
The following invoices were paid under Financial Regulations during August:
Waterplus Direct Debit £ 37.04
J Hillier Toilet cleaning July £ 364.00
A Bowden Toilet cleaning Changing Places July£ 403.00
L Cooper Clerks Salary & expenses £ 291.60
HMRC PAYE £ 64.60
Thomas Graham Cleaning supplies £ 38.93
Moore External audit fee £ 378.00
To approve the following payments for September
Waterplus Direct Debit £ 32.24
J Hillier Toilet Cleaning August & repairs £ 425.99
A Bowden Toilet cleaning Changin places Aug £ 403.00
L Cooper Clerks salary & expenses £ 333.20
HMRC PAYE £ 74.80
Thomas Graham Cleaning supplies £ 63.64
ROSPA Annual playground inspections £ 192.00
JW Plant Solutions Ltd Emergency repairs to water pipe £ 684.00
G Foster Ltd Tar planings for car park £1152.00
L Cooper Purchase of new laptop £ 329.00
68/25.2 Receipts
Beach car park £ 1397.90
Church car park £ 338.29
VAT refund £ 3998.18
68/25.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement dated 31 July 2025
Checked and verified by Cllr Millar
68/25.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 31 August 2025 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget.
None required Current A/c £24484.49, Deposit A/c £11174.16
68/25.5 Resolved to receive and accept the external auditors report and note concerns of lack of reserves, which will be addressed in the 2026/27 budget.
Minutes 3/9/2025
14
68/25.6 To note and approve the Clerk’s hourly rate increase of 0.52p per hour as per the National pay award
68/25.7 Resolved The Clerk is authorized to purchase a new laptop for £329 and a Microsoft software package for £84.99.
69/25 Village Matters
69/25.1 Silecroft car park
Clerk reported that the BNG report and matrix had been sent to LDNP for the planning application. 5,27 units were required as per the matrix with an approx. cost of £110k plus vat. After discussion the council resolved to withdraw the relocation of the grass banking from the planning application, but to continue with the application for the provision of 5 overnight parking spaces for camper vans/motorhomes associated changes to the toilet block and 3 EV charge points.
69/25.2 Toilets
Complaints received re poor state of cleaning in toilets. Ladies toilets leaking. Clerk to contact contract cleaner.
69/25.3 Café
Councillors expressed concerns re the lack of progress with Cumberland Council to complete a permanent licence for the café to occupy the site. Clerk to arrange a meeting with Michael Barry, Cumberland Council to resolve the outstanding issues.
Concerns were expressed at the failure of one of the café shutters, Clerk to contact Cumberland re maintenance records.
69/25.4 Play inspection reports and actions
Inspection reports received and circulated. Clerk to present a summary of works required for the October meeting
69/25.5 Defib – Silecroft
No response from BT re electrical supply
69/25.6 Environmental issues
Cllr Millar requested that the banking to the entrance of Silecroft be scraped.
69/25.7 Parking Kirksanton Village Green and around Village Hall
Unresolved
69/25.8 South Copeland Community Partnership (GDF)
RESOLVED to ratify the Parish Council ‘s decision made on 7 May 2025 minute no 15/25.3 to withdraw from the South Copeland Community Partnership should be applied.
69/25.9 Visitor Accommodation survey for FOLD
Cllr Cumming to respond on behalf of the Parish Council
69/25.10 10. To consider the request by Nuclear Free Councils for contacts to be placed on Council website
Refused
70/25 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
• None
71/25 CORRESPONDENCE:
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion:
All other correspondence to be circulated in the normal manner for Council’s perusal
• Press release re Haverigg Airfield commemoration.
• Letter from bank re changes to interest rates
72/25 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 Cumming reported that Japanese Knotweed had been sighted in Kirksanton to provide Clerk with What 3 word location so it can be reported
73/25 DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Minutes 3/9/2025
15
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 1 October 2025 at Silecroft Village Hall commencing at 7.30p
There be no further business the meeting closed at 2155 hours
Signed………………………………………………… Dated………………………………………
Choose which cookies you are happy for us to use. You can change your mind at any time from the Cookie settings button.
Needed for the website to work and to keep it secure, for example remembering your cookie choices, keeping a basket or booking together and protecting forms from spam. These are always on.
Remember choices you make, such as how a list is displayed, so the site works the way you prefer.
Help us understand how visitors use the website so we can improve it.
Used by third-party services such as maps, videos and social media, which may track you across other websites.