Heversham
Parish Council
Minutes of the
Parish Council Meeting held in the Athenaeum, on Monday, 26th April,
2004, which started at 7.30.p.m.
Present:
Councillors P Johnson, T Parker, A Shepherd, A Lucas,
G Handley, District Councillor B Woof, County Councillor R Bingham, the Clerk and two members of the
public.
111 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Messenger.
112 The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 23rd February 2004 and the Extra Ordinary Meeting held on the 24th March 2004 were approved and signed as a true record.
113 Matters arising from the Minutes. Cllr. Handley confirmed that he had tightened the loose handrail in the Children’s Playground.
114 The
Accounts for 2003-04 have been checked by the internal Auditor and the Councillors, and found to be correct. The Annual Return –
Statement of Assurance was completed and signed.
The Auditor, Mr Schofield
suggested that the playground equipment values on the Assets Register should be
decreased each year, as the equipment gets older and in addition the Council
should perhaps start to allocate some of the Precept for it’s eventual
renewal. It was resolved to let future
generations fund raise for it’s renewal when necessary, as the present
parishioners had had to do.
The Clerk reported that she had attended the Clerks
Accounts course and discovered there was no need to change procedures; however
the Councillors could opt to check the accounts
periodically in addition to the present system.
This was not thought to be necessary.
115 Chairman’s
Allowance. The Clerk is to explore
alternative ways of meeting the costs involved.
116 Payments
to Authorise:
The Clerk was asked if she also wished to become a member of the ‘Society of Local Council Clerks’ but she felt it an unnecessary expense.
117 Planning Applications since the last meeting: -
SL/2004/0148/LJH/LB - Proposed Development at Dallam School plus correspondence (for information) from Sir Christopher Audland of Ackenthwaite regarding the proposals.
There followed a lengthy discussion, in which the Councillors acknowledged that the traffic around the school, at peak times, is “a nightmare” and very hazardous for children on foot. It was clear that another access route would be a good idea but the need to expand the school and draw in still more traffic seemed unwise. However, the Councillors felt inclined not to comment to SLDC, as the current plans are for Minthorpe; outside their jurisdiction. There is a hope to develop Tristrams within the parish, which the Council felt could be a good thing.
SL/2004/0434/JCH - Caversfield, Woodhouse Lane – Single storey extension. – No objections.
SL/2004/0467/JCH – The Meadows, 2 Lower Haverflatts – Formation of parking area.
Cllr.Lucas declared an interest. The Clerk said that SLDC had received a complaint that the residents haven’t been given adequate warning. Cllr. Bingham informed the Council that SLDC are not obliged to contact the residents, although they usually do. After due consideration the Council wish to advise the Planning Department, that in their opinion, the site lines are inadequate onto the road.
.
118 Correspondence received since the last meeting:
A. Local Council Insurance Policy Renewal Notice – Renewal due 1st June, 04.
The insurance document was checked and the Clerk was instructed to ask that the Playground Gates and posts with information plaques, be added to the items insured, at a replacement value of £2,000 (risk category B). That St Mary’s Well with pump and plaque be insured for £500 (risk category A) The Indicator on the Head and the War Memorial were also considered and the Clerk is to enquire about the cost of insuring these high value items, before the Council make a decision. It is thought that St Mary’s Church may already insure the War Memorial – Cllr. Handley will investigate.
B. Letters from four residents concerned about the pedestrian safety in the village.
The Clerk explained that she had written to the correspondents explaining that the Council had already requested that the speed restrictions for the villages be lowered to 20 m.p.h. and for further safety measures to be taken. This was thought to be adequate action. The request is on the CCC list for investigation and it is on the CCC’s budget for 2005/06.
C. Letter from Cllr. George Handley, informing the Council that he does not wish to stand for re-election in June. The Councillors didn’t want to accept this news but Cllr. Handley explained he had other commitments and had in fact served the community for 25 years, at which point the Chairman thanked him very much for all that he had done.
Cllr. Peter Johnson announced that he too will not be standing for election, after many years service. It is hoped that there will be adequate parishioners interested in becoming Parish Councillors to provide a full Council. The elections will take place on 10th June and interested parties will need to acquire an application form from SLDC beforehand.
D. Minutes from the Athenaeum Management Committee – March 1st 2004: briefly covered by the Chairman. It was noted that the after school club is no longer hiring the Athenaeum and therefore there is a vacancy in the afternoons.
E. Report from the Parish Remuneration Panel for 2004/05. – To retain for reference.
F. Appeal from Heron Corn Mill for Leasgill Quarry Funds. Cllr. Bingham declared an interest, however, the Mill is not within the area to which the fund applies.
G. CALC county circulars for March and April plus Minutes of 119th meeting held on 5th February 2004. Cllr. Johnson took the March edition of the CALC circular to read.
H. Kent Estuary Neighbourhood Forum summary of meeting held on 9th March. - Noted
I. CCC Community Consultative Forum Future meetings information. – It is felt there are too many meetings, no-one wished to attend.
J. Cumbria Rural Forum, invitation to join. – Not interested.
K. Overhead Wires Project Newsletter – February 2004. – It appears the main problem with lack of action is inadequate funding.
L. Standards Board for England communication and booklets. – To file. Unintelligible!
M. Code of Conduct letter regarding a recent Court of Appeal decision. This covered a planning situation and the action taken.
The Clerk circulated an email received from Janinne Fletcher regarding the Code of Conduct and the reply she made. The Coucillors were unhappy with the clerk responding to emails from unidentified addresses and wish to make ‘Clerks Protocol’ and agenda item for the next meeting.
N. Supplementary Planning guidance for South Lakeland Concerning Housing Provision 2004. There is not a shortage of housing in the area therefore the number of new homes to be allowed, has been reduced from 400 to 260.
O. Cumbria Local Transport Plan 2 (2006-2012) – Issues Consultation. Booklets to distribute for Councillors to read at leisure.
P. Notice of 120th Meeting of CALC – Agenda. – No volunteers to attend.
Assorted Circulars and Magazines were tabled.
119 To give any items for information. The recent death of Mr Malcolm Sisson has greatly saddened the Council and they instructed the Clerk to write to Mrs J Sisson expressing their sentiments. There is now no Correspondent for the Westmorland Gazette.
120 The date of the next meeting is 24th May 2004.
Clerk: Denise Challenor
Tel. 01524 761824