PRESENT: Cllr Fell (Chair) Cllr S Millar, Cllr M Sharp, Cllr N Tyson, Cllr L Thomson, Cllr S Wilson, Cllr M Cumming, Cllr R Jopson, Cllr C Lowery
Lesley Cooper Clerk
55/26 Apologies for Absence: None
56/26 Exclusions of Press and Public
None present. Press and Public present would have been excluded from Agenda item 16 Closed Session
57/26 Declarations of Interest
None
58/26 To approve the Minutes of the Meetings
1 July 2026
23 July 2026
The Chair was authorized to sign the minutes as a true record of the meetings.
59/26 Police Liaison Report
Previously circulated
60/26 Clerks report
None
61/26 Public Participation
None
62/26 Report from Unitary Authority Councillor
None.
63/26 Applications for Development
63/26.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority
Reference Number: 7/2026/4048
Location: The Shaw Meadow & Sea Pastures SSSI, West, Seldom Seen Lane, Silecroft
Proposal: Proposed installation of broadband infrastructure, comprising narrow trench, the installation of underground tobies and a chamber – 10.19m of 50mm of narrow trench in the carriageway. 112.93m of 50mm of narrow trench in the grass verge. 4 x tobies in the grass verge. 1 x FW2 chamber in the grass verge
Supported
Reference Number: 7/2026/4051
Location: 11 Main Street, Silecroft
Proposal: Removal of conservatory type structure and the construction of a new mono-pitched roof structure. The new addition will not exceed the footprint of the existing. The proposal also includes the installation of external windows and doors, plus internal works.
Supported
Reference Number: 7/2026/4049
Location: Sledbank Farm. Silecroft
Proposal: Three bedroom dormer bungalow as private dwelling – removal of condition 3 (Agricultural Occupancy) of planning permission 7/86/4075 to remove the Occupancy restriction.
The Council resolved to support the application but requested that condition 3 be modified to a Main Residence Occupancy restriction instead.
63/26.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers.
None
63/26.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regard to recent applications:
Reference Number: 7/2026/4009
Location: Beckside, Silecroft, Millom, LA18 5LU
Proposal: Three stand-alone Anaerobic Digester plants comprising three above ground tanks located within three shipping containers. Separator to be housed in new portal frame building
Granted.
64/26 Financial Records
64/26.1 Payment of invoices
a) The following payments were made in August under Financial Standing Orders
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Waterplus Direct Debit | £253.21 |
| J Hillier Toilet Cleaning (July) | £403.00 |
| L Cooper Clerks salary & expenses | £313.00 |
| HMRC PAYE | £66.40 |
| Thomas Graham Ltd Cleaning supplies | £108.14 |
| Moore External Audit fee | £409.50 |
| Cumberland Council Waste removal | £81.00 |
| Scribe Direct Debit | £39.60 |
| S& B Electrical Ltd Installation of electricity to toilets etc | £17072.91 |
| S Palmer Relief Cleaner | £90.75 |
| J Ruddy Relief Cleaner | £74.25 |
Cllr Thomas queried whether this payment could be paid without full council approval, Cllr Thomas was assured that all procedures had been followed
b) The following payments are presented for payment.
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Waterplus direct Debit | £60.94 |
| L Cooper Clerks salary & expenses | £346.00 |
| HMRC PAYE | £77.40 |
| J Hillier Toilet Cleaning August | £301.99 |
| Scribe monthly fee Direct debit | £39.60 |
| Furness Supply Gate and hangers | £340.02 |
| D Horrocks repairs to toilets | £150.05 |
| Thomas Graham Ltd Toilet supplies | £39.88 |
| ROSPA annual inspections | £204.00 |
| Scribe Direct Debit | £39.60 |
| LDNP Planning Approval of conditions application | £309.00 |
64/26.2 Receipts
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Beach car park | £2274.88 |
| Church car park | £452.40 |
| Stripe – Motorhome overnight fees/online car park fees | £3515.49 |
| NWS Grant for installation of electricity to toilets (1st payment) | £4500.00 |
64/26.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement dated 31 July 2026
Checked and verified by Cllr Millar
64/26.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 31 August 2026 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget.
No actions required
Current A/c £21930.21 Deposit A/c £31329.16 Committed reserves £11138
64/26.5 To receive the external Auditors Report and approve any actions required.
Comment noted.
64/26.6 To approve the National Pay award of 3.3% for Clerks
Noted and approved.
65/26 Village Matters
65/26.1 Silecroft car park
Clerk to obtain additional quotes for the installation of a hot water system in the toilets and also the installation of CCTV cameras.
Barriers to prevent parking – suggested low curb stones to mark out bays.
Clerk to chase for licence.
EHU charges £5 in summer and £10 in winter months. Clerk to monitor usage.
Motorhome bookings – Clerk reported that in July, occupancy rate was 56% and in August 68%
A request had been received to install a memorial plaque on one of the benches. Agreed, fee to be £250 ring fenced for future bench purchase/maintenance. Clerk to respond.
65/26.2 Toilets
Contractor has completed repairs to toilets. Contractor had also been asked to monitor flow to urinals. Feedback had been received from the locum cleaners regarding the state of cleanliness in the toilets.
65/26.3 Café
Deferred to 17 September for discussion.
65/26.4 Play inspection reports and actions
Clerk reported that she was having difficulty obtaining 2 more quotes to resurface the tennis court. Will contact Cumberland Council to see if they had a contractor.
Reports received from ROSPA to be discussed at October meeting and an action plan put in place. Clerk to contact Playdale re concerns raised on a new piece of play equipment.
65/26.5 Defib – Silecroft
Defib requires new pads as the current ones have expired.
65/25.6 Environmental issues
Cllr Millar requested that the banking be stripped in October ready for planting.
65/26.7 Potholes Kirksanton
Cllr Fell to fill with tar planings.
66/26 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies.
None
67/26 CORRESPONDENCE:
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion:
All other correspondence to be circulated in the normal manner for Council’s perusal.
CALC requesting short articles for Annual Report
Consultation on Polling Stations
Email from resident concerned re crossing closures at Silecroft. Clerk to raise concerns with Northern Rail.
Email from visitor complimenting the council on the overnight motorhome parking facilities.
From Kirksanton Village Hall re playing of a film entitled People’s Emergency Briefing and requesting this be a joint venture with the Parish Council. To be placed on October agenda for discussion.
68/26 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 reported that a member of the public had observed vermin around café bins. Clerk to contact operators.
Cllr Fell reported that a meeting with Cumberland representatives had been held and they had requested that the bins be located in front of the septic tank.
Cllr Lowery reported that a request had been received from Whitbeck church to pay for the grass cutting in 2027. To be discussed at the October meeting.
69/26 DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 7 October 2026 at Silecroft Village Hall commencing at 7.30p
70/26 Closed Session
Due to the lateness of the hour the following items were deferred and to be discussed at a meeting to be called on 17 September 2026. Press and Public will be excluded from this meeting.
To approve the changes to the Cleaning Contract
To authorize Clerks o/time payment and approve additional hours
To discuss the proposed new Café Lease
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2201 hours.
Signed……………………………………… Dated……………………………………