10
WHICHAM PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE TELEPHONE CONFERENCE CALL
MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2020 COMMENCING AT
07.30PM
PRESENT: Cllr M. Cumming (Chair) Cllr P Rand, Cllr A Fell, Cllr S Millar, Cllr C Lowery,
Cllr R Jopson and Cllr M Sharpe
Cty Cllr K Hitchen
46/20: APOLOGIES, Cllr S Wilson
47/20 Exclusions of Press and Public
None
48/20 Declarations of Interest
None
49/20 Minutes of the meeting held on 5th August 2020
The minutes of the meeting held on 5th August 2020 were approved
Proposed by Cllr Rand, Seconded by Cllr Cumming. The Clerk stated that all
approved minutes would be signed by the Chair at the first meeting held face to face.
50/20 Police Liaison Report
A report had been previously circulated. The Clerk reported that she had contacted
PCSO Booth re the problem of overnight camping being undertaken on the car park
and asked if checks could be made.
Cty Cllr Hitchen suggested that LDNP be also informed of the problem.
51/20 PROGRESS REPORTS
None
52/20 Public Participation Session
None present
53/20 County Councilor and Borough Councilor Report
Cty Cllr Hitchen reported that he was chasing up of a footpath from Silecroft down to
the beach and putting pressure on for the start of next year. Cllr Sharpe asked if the
path would qualify for the government cycle path grant. Cllr Hitchen stated that it
does not qualify but Highways were currently looking at cycle ways in general and
linking into tourism. It was agreed that a safe access path from the beach to the
station was essential.
Cllr Hitchen stated that installing a footpath would be cost prohibitive but verges
could be mown and a white cycle lane with signage could be made to improve safety
of pedestrians and cyclists
Cllr Millar asked that the 30mph sign be extended right down to the beach. Cllr
Hitchen agreed to get this reassessed. It was noted that the last assessment had
been undertaken in quiet periods.
Cllr Hitchen was thanked by the Chair for his input and left the meeting.
54/20 Applications for Development
Minutes 2/9/2020
11
54/20.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the
Planning Authority
None received
54/20.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved
None
54/20.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to
recent applications:
7/2020/4048 Parsonage Farm, Silecroft,
Erect covered silage and manure store
Approved with Conditions
7/2020/4049 Woodhouse Farm, Silecroft
Agricultural building to cover over livestock feed yard and slurry store
Approved with Conditions
55/20 FINANCIAL RECORDS
55/20.1 To approve the following payments:
J Hillier Toilet Cleaning July £748.20
L Cooper Clerks salary & expenses £581.76
HMRC PAYE £121.20
Playsafety Ltd Annual inspections £164.40
Thomas Graham Ltd Toilet supplies £139.18
Black Combe PCC Grass cutting August £ 75.00
Proposed by Cllr Rand, Seconded by Cllr Jopson
55/20.2 To note the receipt of payment
Donation boxes – Beach £ 322.79
Church £ 335.72
Memorial Bench £ 300.00
Cllr Fell joined the meeting
55/20.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement 5 August 2020
Cllr Millar queried the reconciliation and is to meet with the Clerk.
55/20.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 31 August 2020
The Clerk reported that at the current rate of cleaning (ie twice daily) that the actual
spend on cleaning the toilets by year end would be £7182.
After discussion it was resolved that twice daily cleaning would now only be
undertaken at weekends and half term holidays and at the discretion of the cleaner
and Cllr Rand on other days. This will be reviewed in October.
The Clerk reported that at the current spend that cleaning materials and supplies for
the toilets would incur a spend of approx. £1143 to year end an increase of £843 on
the original budget. It was resolved that the budget be increased by £500 with the
overspend being taken from reserves.
Proposed by Cllr Fell, Seconded by Cllr Rand
56/20 PARISH MATTERS
56/20.1 Silecroft Beach car park and toilets
Cllr Rand expressed concerns re the cost of maintaining the toilets and suggested
that the council consider making a charge for car parking. He had noted that there
had been over 100 cars and a number of camper vans parking each day. After
discussion it was agreed that a donation box be located near the café and at the
entrance to the car park and a review being undertaken over the next twelve months.
Minutes 2/9/2020
12
New plain signs to be made for the existing boxes to show donations for car parking
and toilets.
Cllr Sharpe to look at locations for new boxes.
Cllr Sharpe was thanked for maintaining the car park
Toilets are still being opened 10am – 5pm daily Cllr Rand will continue to liaise with
the cleaner.
56/20.2 Silecroft Beach Café
a) Proposed New cafe
Cllr Cumming reported that the tender document for contractors would be going up
on the Chest on 4 September 2020 and a time scale of 4 weeks to submit tenders
would be in place. Local builders to be encouraged to tender. The Clerk agreed to
put the link up on local Facebook pages once it was received.
An email had been received from Clinton Boyce Solicitor and Eric Barker re
outstanding issues on the agreement. A meeting to be arranged between the
subcommittee and Copeland to discuss final arrangements.
Cllr Fell left the meeting at 20.25pm
Cllr Lowery stated that the council should consider obtaining legal advice once the
agreement had been finalized prior to signing and agreed to source a suitably
qualified solicitor.
Proposed by Cllr Sharpe, Seconded by Cllr Jopson and resolved that a solicitor to be
engaged to assess the document prior to signing.
56/20.3 Community Plan
Cllr Cumming stated that this was in progress.
56/20.4 Attack Kite Flying
The Clerk reported that she had received a copy of their public liability insurance and
had contact numbers and an email address. The group had agreed to notify via
email the council when they were planning to come. The Clerk to notify the riding
school when it is known when they are attending.
56/20.5 Play areas Inspection report
The Clerk had distributed the reports prior to the meeting. Cllr Jopson to chase
about replacing the wooden slats on the seat at Kirksanton.
Cllr Rand to inspect the fencing around the tennis court and determine what repairs
are required.
The Clerk to contact the contractor who mows the grass at Silecroft to ask to weed
kill and reseed under the slide unit.
56/20.6 Church Car Park
Cllr Fell is awaiting a quote for the works. Cllr Sharpe will put a bucketful of stone in
as a temporary fix.
57/20 Reports from outside bodies
None.
58/20 CORRESPONDENCE All correspondence had been circulated to councilors. The
following had not been circulated.
• Clerk to invite Copeland to the next meeting to discuss the Local Plan
59/19 Councilor Matters
• Cllr Rand asked if the next meeting could be held in Silecroft Village Hall with
appropriate social distancing measures in place/
• The Clerk reported that she had contacted Web companies re obtaining
compliance statements for the website to comply with the new Accessibility
Minutes 2/9/2020
13
Regulations, Quotations had been received and it was resolved that Bill Amos be
contracted to undertake the assessment and statement.
Proposed by Cllr Lowery, Seconded by Cllr Cumming
60/19 DATE OF NEXT MEETING – The date of the next meeting will be 7th October 2020
at Silecroft Village Hall
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.11
Signed………………………………………………… Dated………………………………………