PRESENT: Cllr S Millar, Cllr M Sharp, Cllr N Tyson (elected Chair), Cllr S Wilson, Cllr A Fell (arrived 1950 hrs),
Lesley Cooper Clerk
Cllr A Pratt – Cumberland Council
18 members of public
21/25 Election of Chair for the meeting.
In the absence of both the chair and the vice chair, Cllr Tyson was elected as chair amongst those councillors present.
22/25 Apologies for Absence
Cllr M Cumming (Holiday) Cllr R Jopson (Personal)
23/25 Exclusions of Press and Public
Press and Public were excluded from Agenda item 22 Closed Session
24/25 Declarations of Interest
None
25/25 To approve the Minutes of the meetings 7 May 2025
The Chair was authorized to sign the minutes as a true record of the meeting.
26/25 Police Liaison Report
Circulated. The matter of speeding was again raised. Public to be encouraged to report all incidents to police.
27/25 Clerks report
The Clerk reported that she is seeking quotes for the war memorial lettering. A quote had been received for the new noticeboards totaling £2348, this was approved.
28/25 Public Participation
A member of the public raised concerns about not knowing anything about a potential GDF before moving into the area.
A member of the public raised concerns re the process.
29/25 Report from Unitary Authority Councillor
Cllr Pratt stated that there had been a reshuffle at portfolio level. There was to be a launch for the upgrading of footpaths (Public rights of way) and some funding will be available. Suggested that the council may wish to identify some footpaths.
Whicham valley road works later on in the year.
The Chair thanked Cllr Pratt for his report
30/25 Applications for Development
30/25.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority
The Clerk had received notification of a planning application that had been submitted on behalf of the parish council for the cafe and for which the PC had no knowledge or had given authority to submit. This had been raised with LDNP.
30/25.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers
None
30/25.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications:
None
31/25 Financial Records
31/25.1 Payment of invoices
The following invoices were approved for payment:
Waterplus Direct Debit £ 10.69
J Hillier Toilet cleaning May £390.00
A Bowden Toilet cleaning Changing Places £273.00
L Cooper Clerks Salary & expenses & £454.78
HMRC PAYE £ 88.60
L Cooper Reimburse purchase of tennis net £ 66.79
Thomas Graham Cleaning supplies £ 78.43
Fell Emptying septic tank £192.00
31/25.2 Receipts
Beach car park £ 446.66
Church car park £ 141.71
Cumberland reimburse electricity cost £ 150.67
The clerk reported that a Vat return had been submitted totaling £3998.18
31/25.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement dated 30 April 2025
Checked by Cllr Millar
31/25.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 31 May 2025 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget.
None required
31/25.5 To note that all documents pertaining to AGAR 2024/25 have been submitted and displayed on website and noticeboards. Acknowledgment from the external auditors had been received and they were requiring further information re the purchase of the new play equipment.
32/25 Village Matters
32/25.1 Silecroft car park and toilets
Cllr Sharp to look at filling in the potholes on the car park. Toilets had now been unblocked. Awaiting BNG report to submit to planning.
32/25.2 Café
The Clerk reported that the snagging had still not been completed. An email had been sent requesting who was now leading on this project since the departure of Jon Hall as the permanent lease had still not been signed off.
32/25.3 Play inspection reports and actions
A replacement net had been purchased for the tennis court. The gate at Kirksanton had been repaired.
32/25.4 Environmental issues
Cllr Millar reported that the wildflowers had now been planted around the war memorial. 2 members of the community had assisted
32/25.5 To note response from Cumberland re concerns of community re nonattendance at APM. The Clerk read out the response and its comments were noted.
32/25.6 Co-option of councillor
An application to be co-opted had been received from Louise Thomson
Proposed by Cllr Sharp, Seconded by Cllr Fell that she be co-opted. Cllr Thomson completed the acceptance of office and Declaration of Interest forms
32/25.7 Cllrs Tyson and Millar proposed the following motion that “WPC makes representation to NWS and Cumberland Council objecting to the siting of an area of focus for construction of a GDF within our parish, and requesting that said area of focus be removed from the process.”
Motion accepted and resolved that the Clerk write to Cumberland Council and NWS
32/25.8 Parking Kirksanton Village Green and around Village Hall
Clerk to write to Care Home requesting them to open the land at the rear of the King Billy to create car parking.
33/25 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
34/25 CORRESPONDENCE:
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion:
All other correspondence to be circulated in the normal manner for Council’s perusal
35/24 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
36/25 DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 2 July 2025 at Silecroft Village Hall commencing at 7.30p
There be no further business the meeting closed at 2037 hours
Signed………………………………………………… Dated………………………………………