PRESENT: Cllr A Fell/Chair, Cllr M Cumming, Cllr S Millar, Cllr M Sharp, Cllr N Tyson, Cllr S Vision,
Lesley Cooper Clerk
Cllr P Arth – Cumberland Council
3 members of public
161/24 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Jepson (Family) were accepted
162/24 Exclusion of Press and Public
Press and Public were excluded from Agenda Item 18 Closed Session
163/24 Declarations of Interest
None
164/24 To approve the Minutes of the meetings 12 March 2025
The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes as a true record of the meeting.
165/24 Police Liaison Report
Circulated. Cllr N Tyson reported that complaints had been received of cars speeding through Silecroft towards the beach. The information is to be passed on the Police. The Clerk had reported speeding motorbikes on A595 to the police.
166/24 Clerks report
The Clerk had checked and the website bin was not in close proximity to the bench within the Silecroft car park
Advertising the new play area had been put up on Facebook
167/24 Public Participation
A member of the public raised concerns that local Estate Agents had inflates the value of the property due to the possible location of the GDF and the financial impact on that property due the compensation scheme.
Mobile Phone has still be clustered why the Parish Council was still awaiting a new SIM and headset. Cllr Cumming gave an explanation and reminded the member of the public the PC will make a decision on the issue after the Annual Meeting to be held on 25 April 2025.
1 member of the public then left the meeting.
168/24 Reports from Parish County Councillor
Cumberland Council
Cllr Arth gave a verbal report including the following:
Patrol of Silecroft toilets during W3 by 45% plus 3.5% F/R to/Rescue Authority
It was noted that the 3% increase in council tax cover a long time is c picking up. Enforcement of anti-social behaviour in towns is being investigated and there is an intention to provide additional cctv of town and anti-social behaviour reported in this particular vicinity.
Cllr Arth reported that Major improvements had been made to leisure services and all new facilities were being made available.
Consultation on library provision will take place and Cllr Arth welcomes observations to put forward.
CALC/Cumberland are doing a joint venture to encourage working between Cumberland and Town and Parish Councils
Nuclear Board met and briefly spoke re areas of focus.
The Chair thanked Cllr Arth for his report.
169/24 Applications for Development
169/24.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority
7/2025/2047 Moor Green Farm, Whitbeck
Siting of two number water butts for rainwater harvesting
Supported
[handwritten, see original document]
Minutes 2/4/2025
169/24.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers
None
169/24.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications:
None
170/24 Financial Records
170/24.1 Payment of invoices
The following invoices were approved for payment:
J Huller Toilet cleaning March 8 repairs £ 66.00
A Bowden Toilet cleaning Changing Places £ 259.90
L Cooper Clerks Salary & expenses £ 291.60
HMRC PAYE £ 84.40
Thomas Graham Cleaning supplies £ 12.31
170/24.2 Receipts
Beach car park £ 259.77
Church car park £ 123.63
The Clerk reported that the piecer for 25%was paid early but had since been realised this could have a cost implication for the council. Clerk to check bank statement.
170/24.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement dated 28 February 2025
To be verified by Internal Auditor
170/24.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 31 March 2025 and determine action need to address any balancing issues.
Cllr Fell noted some of the budget fund for contingencies had not been spent.
170/24.5 To approve the annual direct debit/standing orders
The Clerk had circulated these and was endorsed by the council. The cost of the mobile phone contract was discussed and it was noted the PC ought to have a mobile phone as it was used for cctv an effective tool for certain residents who may not use emails etc.
In respect of the difference between the benchmark of £/£#, the council had not sufficient other grants for the play equipment.
170/24.5 To approve the Risk Management/Risk Assessment for 2025
Proposed by Cllr Cumming, Seconded Cllr Tyson
170/24.6 To approve the Asset Register as at 31.3.25
Approved. Proposed by Cllr Cumming, seconded by Cllr Millar
171/24 Village Bylaws
171/24.1 Silecroft beach car park
The Clerk recorded that the potholes were worse where it narrows by the café. The Clerk was still trying to set up the PayPal account for the QR codes, problems with documentation not being recognised by PayPal.
There had been a complaint from a motorised wheelchair user that the car park surface was not suitable and it was difficult to access the toilets from the existing disabled car park. Clerk has pursued with Cumberland re the lack of the 2 disabled car parking spaces that formed part of the planning application for the café. Clerk to obtain quotes for installing 2 tarmacked car park spaces.
The Cafe has agreed to have a car park donation box within the café. The Clerk to purchase a suitable box.
171/24.2 Café
There had been a complaint re the changing places being used as a store. This has been resolved, the bin store is now being used and the tin stored outside. No response received re the lease agreement.
171/24.3 Toilets
The cleaner reported that he had to replace the flush handle in the gents.
171/24.4 Play Inspection Report
Clerk reported that she had received 2 quotes for fencing at Silecroft, to obtain further quote for picket fencing. Tennis courts need weed killing. Netting around tennis courts ok apart from that closest to entrance.
[handwritten, see original document]
Minutes 2/4/2025
171/24.5 Enforcement issues
Clerk to contact M Miller in late planning the bungalow. Cllr Millar reported the sale decent plot adjacent to 6175 from the calendar sales for the two churches had been received and banked.
Cllr Cumming noted that advice had been given that fireworks should not be fired towards houses. The Clerk to write to the Broughton Village hall firework display to remind them of this.
171/24.6 Flooding
No issues reported.
171/24.7 New Council Guidelines
There was nothing to report.
171/24.8 Annual Parish Meeting 26 April 2025 Kirkstanton Village Hall 2pm
Michelle Stephens, NW for had confirmed attendance
Martin Walkingshaw, NWS Chief Operating Officer to attend
The Clerk had invited Andrew Seekings, Cumberland to attend, a letter of refusal was read to the council. The Clerk was instructed to send the meeting agenda and request that a note representative of Cumberland Council would see attending the meeting to hear the concerns/findings of the community re the proposed area of interest for the siting of the GDF.
Light refreshments will be provided.
2 members of the public left the meeting
172/24 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
None
173/24 CORRESPONDENCE:
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion:
All other correspondence to be circulated in the normal manner for Council’s perusal
• Email received from LIND on complaint of locked gates on PROW at Silecroft – on the round
• 4 emails had been received from members of the public asking for the council to withdraw from the partnership
174/24 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 investigation and/or they may be placed on a future agenda of the Council)
• Cllr Tyson enquired when the defib would be fitted in the phone box at Silecroft. Cllr Sharp to investigate.
• Cllr Cumming had received complaints of parking on grass margins, by hall, Bully. Cllr Pratt to chase re white lining.
• The Clerk asked to order replacement notecards. Clerk to obtain quotes for printing.
175/24 DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 7 May 2025 at Silecroft Village Hall commencing at 7.30 pm
There being no further business the meeting closed at 2144hrs.
Signed……………………………………………………….. [handwritten, see original document]
Dated……………………………………………………….. [handwritten, see original document]