001 Apologies for absence from G Capstick and A Rimmer.

002 The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 24^th February 2003 were agreed and signed as a true copy.

b) The playground gates have now been hung and are very pleasing.

c) The official opening of the playground will be held at the Blue Bell Hotel on 22^nd May, 2003, starting with a sherry reception at 1.15.p.m. followed by the ceremony at 2.15.p.m. officiated by Rosemary Tryon-Wilson. Invitations were distributed.

004 The End of Year Financial Report was presented by the retiring Clerk Mr Peter Shaw.

A sum of £11,633.24 has been paid for the playground, the VAT refund of £2,287.13 has been received, over £2000 of which is due to the playground expenditure. The balance in the playground fund now stands at £2146.26; an additional sum of £70 came from the Post Office, however George has been paid roughly that, for seeding and levelling.

005 Thanks were extended to Mr Peter Shaw as retiring Clerk to the Parish Council not only for preparing and presenting the end of year financial report but also for his excellent services during his time in office. Appreciation was also expressed in liquid form by presenting him with a gift of whisky.

006 The contract of employment of the new Clerk, Mrs Denise Challenor was signed and a photocopying allowance of 4p a copy agreed.

007 The following payments were authorised:

T Parker, printing for parish meeting - £14.00. 000518

Mr Peter Johnson, expenses - £24.50. 000519

Coopers (playground gates) - £634.50. 000520

Allianz Cornhill Insurance plc - NALC insurance - £432.42. 000521

Cumbria Association of Local Councils - annual subscription of £124.50. 000522

Cumbria Playing Fields Association - £12.50. 000523

008 Requests for payments from the following organisations:

Cumbria in Bloom entry -£5.00. Resolved, that there is not enough village interest

Society of Local Council Clerks - £48. Resolved, to be addressed at the next meeting.

North West Air Ambulance. Resolved, that donations to this are a personal choice.

Thrift Charitable Trust. Resolved, that donations to this are a personal choice. .

009 Re: Planning Application No. 5/03/0831 - Heversham St Peters C.E Primary School - for a single storey extension, for use as a staff room and associated internal alterations.

Whilst it was agreed that the extension would be an appreciated addition to the school, the external appearance would not be appealing. The Council therefore agreed to recommend that the extension should be Stone faced to match.

010 Re: Planning Application No.5/03/1131 - The Dairy, 1 Lower Haverflatts, Milnthorpe - for a two storey extension to the rear of the dwelling house.

This planning application was received immediately prior to the meeting and therefore too late for the Agenda but its expiry date prompted the committee to deal with it at the meeting. It was resolved that the building was being sympathetically done and that the Parish Council would recommend it’s approval to the District council.

011 Action/Comments following the Annual Parish Meeting.

G Handley to go to the ‘First Responders’ meeting on 29^th April 2003 at the ‘Cross Keys’ to ascertain the level of interest and whether it would be feasible to join with Milnthorpe.

It should be publicised more by the police that one does not always get a speedy response when dialling 999 on mobile phone , a land line is much better.

012 Remaining Correspondence.

c) ‘Rethink’ (National Schizophrenia Fellowship) charity are requesting a meeting with the council to present their current services. - decline the offer.

d) BTCV - Conservation Project Assistance and Funding. A letter to determine whether the parish has any suitable projects that their volunteers can help with; aiming to make a significant contribution to the conservation of wildlife and the countryside. - the Clerk is to request an information pack.

e) Area review of Bus Services - South Lakeland. Suggestions for improvements required by 30^th May - a member of the public took the contact number.

f) New 10 week, Friday night service schedule. 11^th April to 27^th June, 2003 - schedule to be displayed on the notice board.

g) SLDC - new Management team structure - noted.

h) South Lakeland Gateway writes to suggest a meeting with the council in three months time and wishes confirmation of our agreement to have them attend a future meeting.- A lengthy discussion determined that there is strong evidence to support the belief that the meeting in three months time will be to be presented with the ‘fate accompli’ and that the council would like to have a public meeting before the decision is made.

i) Invitation - Power to the Parishes - Conference at Penrith, 14/6/2003, £8.00 including lunch - no-one present wishes to attend.

j) Invitation - Calling all New Councillors - several dates and venues, £5 - not relevant.

l) SLDC - Notice of Grant of Planning Application to I Carruthers, The Stables, High Haverflatts Lane - noted.

p) Clerks and Councils Direct, suppliers yearbook - to file.

A quote from M Tyson has been received, for raking the bark in the playground twice monthly and at £120 per annum it appeared favourable.

A Shepherd gave the Clerk a cheque and cash amounting to £598.00 for the playground committee.

There has been a complaint about a dead Beech tree on Dallam Car Park - G Handley is to suggest to the complainant that they put their complaint in writing.

A new mower was requested - an agenda item for next month.

There appears to be a leak on the A6 into Milnthorpe opposite Kirkgate Lane -

The Council wish to give thanks to C Parker and the Playground committee for their commitment and hard work and the Blue Bell for their fund raising and provision of the commemorative plaques.

014 The date of the next meeting - Monday 19^th May, 2003 at 7.30 p.m.