Present: Cllrs. P Johnson, R Messenger, A Shepherd, A Lucas, G Handley, County Cllr. R Bingham, District Cllr. B Woof, the Clerk and two members of the public.

086 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr.T Parker and Cllr. G Capstick.

087 The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 24^th November 2003, were signed as a true record.

088 Matters arising from the Minutes.

A reply has been received from Cumbria County Council Finance department, following Heversham Parish Council’s request for Council tax for Pensioners, only to be increased to be in line with inflation. Whilst being sympathetic, it concludes: "We shall not be able to differentiate between pensioners and other types of council tax payer when setting next year’s council tax."

The wording for the plaque above St Mary’s Well has now been approved and the Clerk will request it to be ordered by Cllr. Baverstock of Milnthorpe Parish Council.

The leaves have still not been removed around St Peters Church, as requested after the last meeting. - Clerk to ask again.

089 A reply to the Council’s request to use some of Dallam School’s land to provide a car park for Heversham, states that the proposal will be considered at the next scheduled Trust Meeting in June of this year.

090 Change of speed limit for Heversham/Leasgill/Woodhouse throughout. The Council has received various requests to improve pedestrian safety in the area and also a copy letter sent to Capita by a Milnthorpe resident requesting a reduction in the speed limit from Levens to Milnthorpe. Following a debate on what was practical and likely to be of benefit, it was decided that the Clerk should write to request that all the villages’ 30 m.p.h. signs be changed to 20 m.p.h. and that solar-powered speed flashes near the school, be installed if possible.

091 The following payments were authorised:

M Tyson £870 (as per tender) Cheque 000541

Audit Commission £293.75 Cheque 000542

L D Challenor £480.68 Cheque 000543

P Johnson £20.00 Cheque 000544

Mr. Tyson submitted a tender to continue his work in the village in 2004 for the same charge as in 2003. This was thought to be very reasonable and the Councillors agreed to accept.

092 Plans for the Annual Parish Assembly to be held on Monday March 29th.

The Clerk is to invite the following guests to the above function.

Mr. Richard Greenwood from the ‘Gateway’ project to inform of the latest developments.

A representative from the police, possibly Sergeant Sean Murphy.

Mr. Carl Smith to give the Annual Report on the Athenaeum.

Cllr. R Bingham and Cllr. B Woof both agreed to attend and speak.

093 Planning Applications. Two planning applications, were circulated amongst the Councillors during the December break, due to the need for comments to be submitted to SLDC before the Councils January meeting, namely: -

SL/2003/2194 - Land at Hillside Woodhouse Lane, Heversham (resubmitted). Coucillors did not have any objections.

SL/2003/2250 – 1 The Croft, Leasgill. Councillors had no objections providing the neighbours were happy with the proposals.

The Councillors gave no strong signals about the proposed Vodafone Base Station on Land at Rowell/Hillcrest Cottage and the various possible locations.

094 The Parish Remuneration Panel has recommended that mileage allowances, or reimbursement of travelling expenses, are payable to Members, as follows: -

Car mileage allowance, for journeys up to 50 miles radius of the Parish: 40p per mile (subject to adjustment in accordance with the Inland Revenue’s ‘no profit’ allowance for vehicles with engines having a cubic capacity not exceeding 1199cc).

Travel by car for journeys extending beyond 50 miles radius of the Parish: second class rail fare.

Bicycle mileage allowance: 20p per mile.

Motorcycle mileage allowance: 24p per mile.

Use of Public Transport: ordinary fare, second class fare, or the cheapest rate for the journey, whichever is the least amount, OR: public transport should be reimbursed at 50% of the car mileage allowance.

Taxi: reimbursement at cost.

The maximum subsistence allowances, be payable to Elected Members.

4 to 8 hours period of absence: £7.12

Over 8 but less than 12 hours period of absence: £9.93

Over12 but less than 24 hours period of absence: £18.75

Overnight stay: Reasonable actual expenses

Bed & Breakfast: Reasonable actual expenses

The Council resolved that these terms are to be adopted by this Council for the benefit of:

1. the Councillors and

2. the Clerk and these rates shall apply in substitution for those specified in the Contract of Employment.

095 Correspondence received since the last meeting.

• Two SLDC play area inspection reports, which inform of a loose handrail. – Cllr. Handley will repair.
• A letter of information from the Minister for the Horse, RT Hon Alun Michael MP. – Contents noted.
• CALC County Circular, which includes an invitation to attend an evening course on ‘The Data Protection Act’ on Wed. 28^th January at 7.00 p.m. at Penrith, cost £10. – Clerk will attend if possible.
• A copy of a letter (for Councillors information) from a resident of Milnthorpe to Capita DBS, asking for a change of speed limit on the A6. – Noted and discussed in conjunction with Heversham’s speed limit proposals above.

• The Boundary Committee Local Government review – Overview report and Recommendations for unitary local government in Cumbria and Lancashire. This asks for comments to be submitted by 23/02/04. - The Councillors will make their comments independently, as it would seem unlikely that they will all have the same views.
• An invitation to a meeting on 11/2/04 at 7.30p.m. at The Hired Lad, Penrith Auction Mart. – Cllr. Handley will attend.
• Highway Verge Maintenance, notice of a meeting on 29/1/04 in Kendal Council Chambers. This information has already been circulated to Councillors. – Cllr. Lucas will attend.

• Milnthorpe Out of School Club write to say thank you for the grant of £500 from Leasgill Quarry Trust Fund. – Well received.
• CALC minutes of 118^th meeting held on 6/11/03. (3 copies)
• Cumbria Coummunity Foundation’s Annual Review with financial statement 2002/03, showing grants awarded. – Cllr. Johnson has taken it to study.
• A bulletin showing all SLDC Planning applications received between 17/11/03 and 30/11/03. – To file.
• M&G Charibond - Managers’ Final Investment Report and Financial Statements. – To file.
• Register of Electors for 2004 available. - Clerk has requested a free copy.
• Kent Estuary Neighbourhood Forum, summary of meeting held on 4/12/03.
• Local Council Review, volume 55, No.5 magazine.
• SLDC – Agenda for 13^th January (for information only).
• 2 copies of Clerk & Councils Direct plus their Yearbook.
• SLDC off street parking - change of parking fees (Objections to be submitted before 5^th March, 04). – Milnthorpe’s fees not thought to be excessive.
• Gateway Project ‘Open Afternoon’, Friday 6^th February, 2-7pm. To show illustrations and design proposals and to discuss the impact. Request for us to publicise. – Cllr. Bingham and Cllr. Handley will attend.
• CALC Notice of 119^th Meeting – Thursday 5^th February 2004. Food Action Pack available by telephoning 01788 242130.

096 Items for information.

Mr.Westwood, the Headteacher of St Peters Primary School, wishes to extend the schools appreciation of the grant awarded and from the ‘Leasgill Quarry Trust Fund’. The extension is now complete and in use. – Councillors pleased to hear.

The Clerk is to inform Cumbria Highways of the following areas in need of attention: -

1. The narrow road that runs behind the Athenaeum at Leasgill, is crumbling especially along the edges.

2. The footpath outside Levens Hall that was tarmaced not that long ago, now has weeds growing through the tarmac.

3. Vicarage Lane, Leasgill, which is believed to be scheduled to be resurfaced soon, is in a very bad state and really needs more than resurfacing. There is some ignorance with regard to whether all of Vicarage Lane is the responsibility of Cumbria County Council, so the Clerk is to investigate.

097 The date of the next meeting is 23^rd of February, 2004.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.20.a.m.

L. Denise Challenor (Mrs)

Clerk to the Council

Tel. 01524 761824