Heversham Parish Council
Draft Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly, held on 29th March 2004 at the Athenaeum, Leasgill, which commenced at 7.30 p.m.
Present: P Johnson (in the chair), R Messenger, A Shepherd, G Capstick, G Handley, Councillor B Woof, Councillor R Bingham, Mr Richard Greenwood, Constable Belinda Friend, Mr Carl Smith, the Clerk and 30 members of the public.
A copy of the report is held with the minutes. The main points covered were: -
Leasgill Quarry Funds available and the grants awarded, a total of £5,500.
The Village Playground Fund which stands at £2290.77 is a good start towards providing the next phase, which will include swings.
Council Tax, increase regrettably this year above inflation at 3.68%.
Police, Traffic and Speed Limits. Several members of the public expressed their concerns about the speed of traffic, throughout the village, which was a particular hazard for the children at school times, as there was not always a footpath and in the Woodhouse area where the road is particularly narrow. The Clerk added that she had received four letters on the subject. The Council was requested to petition for a change of speed limit.
Cllr. Johnson explained that this had recently been an Agenda item and a request had already been sent to Capita for several traffic control measures to be taken. He read out Capitas replies, which stated that they would require a TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) and would be subject to priority and funding. County Cllr. Bingham said that it was on the Agenda to be discussed at the next meeting but that progress was usually quite slow.
Thanks were extended to Councillor R Bingham and Councillor B Woof for their regular attendance at the Parish Council meetings and for their valuable contributions and guidance. The Clerk was also thanked for her efforts throughout the year.
There are Parish Council Elections on 10th June and parishioners are invited to put up for Council, not all the Councillors wish to be re-elected. Packs can be obtained from the Clerk nearer the time.
Constable Friend explained that she was a substitute for Inspector Duffy who was unable to attend.
Money from the government will soon enable the Milnthorpe Police Station to be manned 24 hours a day and the number of police officers based at the Station will increase from 4 or 5 to approximately 25. There will be a bigger area to cover however.
As regards traffic calming in Heversham, there is not perceived to be a big problem but Constable Friend will see if there could be a session with a speed gun arranged.
Gateway. Mr Greewood explained that South Lakeland District Council are championing the scheme because the economy of South Lakeland is considered to be very fragile, being based largely on Tourism which can be very fickle. There have been several big factory closures and a loss of young people and skilled workmen. The escalation of house prices is a deterrent to young people returning. There is a shortage of business parks. Gateway will offer support to small businesses and be a showcase for branded farm products and will accommodate a new Auction Mart. It will be located close to Crooklands and the A590.
There is still feasibility work to be done until the end of April, covering the impact on traffic, visual considerations, environmental, costs and retail.
The next step after April, will be further considerations with the Councils in May and June, with discussions until late summer.
If is to go ahead, outline Planning Application will be submitted – it is a long process.
Canal Restoration. Extensive work is planned to restore the canal with an estimated cost of 60 million pounds. CCC cannot do this without financial help and is looking for funding elsewhere. It is hoped to create roughly 600 new jobs. The plan is to link the canal to Lancaster Town centre. Pubs and restaurants round the canal head should benefit as would the Crooklands and Tewitfield area.
As the funding is not there at the moment, small restoration projects are being undertaken whilst trying not to jeopardise future restoration.
During the public participation with Mr Greenwood it was made clear that there was a fear that the roads through the Woodhouse area could become busier, which could cause considerable problems, therefore the 20 mph restriction was even more important to obtain. There was great concern expressed for the loss of green space and the disregard for normal planning regulations, together with the visual aspect, cost of the whole project and the viability of the venture. With unemployment being only about 1%, will there be the local workforce available? What positive things would the development bring to Heversham?
Mr Greenwood reassured that the project would boost the local economy and consideration would be given to all concerns. A local farmer stated, that he felt the proposed addition of the Automart, would reduce the discomfort of his farm animals when travelling.
Coucillor Woof asked for the views of residents in her ward to be sent to her in writing; Councillor Bingham also expressed the need for this.
Mr Greenway was thanked for a most informative talk.
The main points the report covered were: -
The Recent areas of Flooding are being attended to and SLDC have submitted a bid for approximately £2 million to find a long-term solution.
Comprehensive Performance Assessment. The score of 35 out of a possible 60 put the Council at the high end of weak, which was obviously disappointing. However, the District Council has been pleased to maintain its debt free status, without selling off its housing stock.
Recycling. This has been well supported and SLDC should reach their target for 2003/04. Unfortunately, plastic cannot be recycled under this scheme.
Planning Delivery Grant £480,039. The Council has received this sum for being the most improved planning service in Cumbria.
Local Development. The South Lakeland Local Plan 2006 is nearing completion of its first alteration. It is anticipated that the plan will be adopted in the summer of 2004. The Local Plan will then be a saved plan until March 2007. There are plans to replace the local plan with a new system.
Information re Planning Applications. All applications have a case file which contains all correspondence generated and this is available to any member of the public on request at the Council’s offices. It is advisable to ring for an appointment to view.
The Council Tax increase is one of the lowest in the kingdom at 4.3%; 15% of the increase going on police tax but of 34 shires, 31 have a higher increase.
Unfortunately the Highways settlement is the lowest in the U.K. with money being ring-fenced to education, which got a 3 star rating from Ofstead. Overall there is a 25% surplus in school places but this is not balanced with some bulging. Many primary schools have serious staffing problems. Coucillor Bingham is paying particular attention to the proposals for Dallam School. It is not though to be good to take up more green space and yet there is a need for a new access route for buses.
The police rate is up to £150 per band D this year but there are 33 more police now, with 40 new recruits and the COPS scheme seems to be reducing crime. There have been call-handling and dispatch problems but it does seem to be improving and reports of crime and violence has increased. He feels we have a good team of police.
Regional Government. The proposals for a new regional government should make it easier to identify who is responsible for what. However, defining the boundaries is a problem as what looks sensible on a map, isn’t always. There will only be two members to represent the region so the rural voice could be lost.
Housing. In Heversham it is castigated as being unsustainable so the much-needed social housing is not allowed.
Social Services received a bad report, as a result the head has retired. Generally the services are good.
The county has acquired a decontamination vehicle, based at Barrow to be used in case of terrorism.
There are currently problems staffing several single manned libraries.
There is a proposal to abolish sixth forms and create a University in the Carlisle area.
There is an enormous expansion in drug crime generally, though not locally.
Neighbourhood Forum is well attended and has given grants to the First Responders and for repair of Heversham Church Clock.
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Local Matters. The flooding on the A6 will be looked at in two places, though it is not compulsory for them to do this.
The proposal to make part of Marsh Lane one way will be considered at the next CCC meeting.
St Mary’s Well plaque is now up, thanks to all concerned.
Mr Bingham listed the various committees’ he is on and with the county being so large, that is why his travelling allowance is high.
There have been problems this year with unofficial car parking in the car park around school times, which has on occasions caused difficulties for the hirers of the hall. As the After School club has ceased, this hall will now be available for hire in the afternoons, so it will be even more important that the car park is clear, as it could otherwise hinder bookings.
The Committee is questioning whether there is a need for a telephone and who should pay the rent. It is another cost to consider. Cllr. Chadwick explained that it is thought to be a necessary safety precaution, as some mobile phones don’t work in the area.
The amount held in the Athenaeum’s current account is £1,465 and £3,817 in the deposit.
Mrs Denise Challenor
Clerk to the Parish Council
Tel. 01524 761824