8
WHICHAM PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH
COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2025 AT SILECROFT
VILLAGE HALL COMMENCING AT 7.30 PM
PRESENT: Cllr Fell (Chair) Cllr S Millar, Cllr M Sharp, Cllr N Tyson, Cllr M Cumming, Cllr L
Thomson
Lesley Cooper Clerk
1 member of public
37/25 Apologies for Absence
Cllr S Wilson (working) Cllr R Jopson (working) Cllr A Pratt – Cumberland Council
38/25 Exclusions of Press and Public
None
39/25 Declarations of Interest
None
40/25 To approve the Minutes of the meetings 4 June 2025
The Chair was authorized to sign the minutes as a true record of the meeting.
41/25 Police Liaison Report
Circulated. Cllr Tyson had attended a regional police meeting and raised the issues
of speeding in Silecroft and vandalism of beach toilets. As a result, there has been
an increased police presence in the area. Residents are encouraged to report any
incidents to police on phone 101 or email 101, in an emergency dial 999
https://www.cumbria.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/
42/25 Clerks report
The Clerk reported that the letters had been sent to NWS and Cumberland re stating
that Whicham was not a willing community. A response had been received from
Cumberland directing comments to NWS and a late response had been received
from NWS directing comments to Cumberland Council.
A cheque had to be re-issued to HMRC due to words/figures not matching.
43/25 Public Participation
A member of the public raised concerns re the process and requested that links be
placed on the website re Health and Wellbeing and that all correspondence should
be on the website.
44/25 Report from Unitary Authority Councillor
None
45/25 Applications for Development
45/25.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to
the Planning Authority
7/2025/4042 Silecroft Beach Cafe, Silecroft Beach Car Park, Silecroft
Approval of details reserved by condition 7 (hard landscaping details) on application
7/2020/4031 – Construction of a new cafe including public toilets and changing
places facility
No response required
7/2025/4045 Whicham Hall Farm, Whicham
Installation of a new Slurry Store
Supported
45/25.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved
powers
None
45/25.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards
to recent applications:
7/2025/4044 Whicham Hall Farm, Whicham
Extension to cattle cubicle shed
Prior Approval Not Required (NOI) Notice of Intention (Agricultural, Q6g)
Minutes 2/7/2025
9
46/25 Financial Records
46/25.1 Payment of invoices
The following invoices were approved for payment:
Waterplus Direct Debit £ 34.75
J Hillier Toilet cleaning June £ 390.00
A Bowden Toilet cleaning Changing Places £ 221.00
L Cooper Clerks Salary & expenses £ 291.60
HMRC PAYE £ 64.40
Thomas Graham Cleaning supplies £ 15.74
Noticeboards Online 2 x noticeboards £2817.82
Sharpe repairs to Silecroft car park £ 615.00
46/25.2 Receipts
Beach car park £ 287.17
Church car park £ 105.72
The Clerk requested that the noticeboard at the entrance to the car park be replaced
with a new one. Agreed
46/25.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement dated 31 May 2025
Checked by Cllr Millar
46/25.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 30 June 2025 and
determine action need to address deviations from the budget.
None required
46/25.5 The Clerk reported that an explanation as to why the reserves were so low
had been received from the External Auditors. The clerk has submitted a report to
the External Auditors showing where reserves had had to be used as a direct
consequence of the build of the new café.
47/25 Village Matters
47/25.1 Silecroft car park and toilets
Clerk still awaiting BNG report. Cllr Fell to contact contractor re road planings from
Whicham valley road works. Clerk reported that she had sought clarification re
Cumberland Council’s drive to have more water sports from the beach including jet
skis and water skiing. Councillors reiterated that the beach was for the quiet
enjoyment.
47/25.2 Café
The Clerk reported that the café had closed for a week and the contractor failed to
attend to complete the snagging issues.
The Clerk reported on the zoom meeting held on 26 June 2025 with Michael Barry,
Andrew Higson and Jane Taylor (Cumberland Council representatives). A lease for
approval was promised by 30 June, this had not yet been received.
47/25.3 Play inspection reports and actions
Notification had been received that the annual inspection would be undertaken in
August.
47/25.4 Defib – Silecroft
Cllr Sharpe stated that there was no electrical isolation unit in the phone box. Clerk
to contact BT for more information.
47/25.5 Environmental issues
Cllr Millar requested that the banking to the entrance of Silecroft be scraped.
47/25.6 Parking Kirksanton Village Green and around Village Hall
Clerk report that a response from the owners of King Billy re providing additional
parking to rear had been received. Clerk to follow up
The clerk reported the grass contractor had complained that visitors to a property
close to the village green had parked on the grass preventing the contractor from
cutting the grass.
47/25.7 Commons Register
Notification had been received that the deadline for correcting anomalies on the
commons register was in 2027
Minutes 2/7/2025
10
48/25 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
49/25 CORRESPONDENCE:
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion:
All other correspondence to be circulated in the normal manner for Council’s perusal
50/24 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 investigations and/or they may be placed on a future agenda of the Council
51/25 DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 3 September 2025 at Kirksanton Village
Hall commencing at 7.30p
There be no further business the meeting closed at 2130 hours
Signed………………………………………………… Dated………………………………………