Heversham Parish Council

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the Athenaeum, on Monday, 25th October, 2004, which started at 7.30.p.m.

 

Present: Coucillors T Parker, G Capstick, P Shaw, J Pearson-Snape, A Hulme, County Councillor R Bingham, District Councillor B Woof and the Clerk.

 

176  Apologies for absence were received from  Councillor Andrew Lucas and Councillor Adele Shepherd.

 

177  The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 4th October 2004 were corrected by altering the figure £3,182.85 in minute169 to £3,194.75 and also by adding as a reference aid (Minute 140) to the end of the first bullet point of minute 173.

 

178  Matters arising from the Minutes.

The Clerk has received some promotional information from a new firm in Kendal who can supply Ronnie Messengers memorial plaque by post at a very reasonable cost.  The size suitable is 6” x 4” and it is to be stainless steel with black enamelled lettering.  The Council would like her to use this firm.

 

179  The following payment was authorised:

St Peters Heversham PCC - £500, cheque 0560.  The Clerk is to write to ask when St Peters would prefer to have their payment in future and suggest mid May.

 

180  Athenaeum report.

The income has reduced by £531.58: the loss of the After School Club, being substantially responsible for this.

Costs fortunately were £749.86 less than in 2003, due to fewer repairs, maintenance and equipment expenses; however, general costs such as lighting, heating, insurance, cleaning and administration were noticeably higher. 

Overall the cash and bank balances have reduced by £174.35 but it still leaves a healthy bank balance of £3154.97.

 

181  The Budget for next year.  The Councillors were most concerned to keep the costs down to 5% and following much discussion and juggling with figures managed to accomplish this.

In an effort to reduce administration costs the Councillors resolved to have their Draft Minutes and Agenda sent to them by email in future.

The Precept request is likely to be for £4676 and should it be necessary to complete the forms before the next meeting the Clerk has the authority to submit this figure.  Ideally, however, the Council would like to consider it further next meeting.

 

182  Planning Applications and correspondence.

SL/2004/1256 Highfield, Ackenthwaite, Milnthorpe. – Replacement Dwelling.  This is in the neighbouring parish but as it is close to the boundary comments are invited from Heversham Parish Council. The Clerk is to send the following comments:

1. Proper access for the emergency services should be created from the Ackenthwaite to Woodhouse road, NOT Haverflatts Lane, which is very narrow.

2. There should be a ban on further development of the site, so as not to set a precedent.

3. That the development only be approved if the elevations match the original.

 

 

T Mobile 20m Timber Pole Mast on Heversham Head SL/2004/1280 – Amended application. As the amendment is only to change the pole to a 20metre wooden one, the Council are still concerned about the detrimental effect it will have on the beautiful views from Heversham Head.

 

183  Remaining Correspondence.

§         Letter of thanks for the £1,000 Leasgill Quarry Grant from St Peter’s CE Primary School. – Noted.

§          “The Local Channel” bringing the benefits of the internet to the community by use of a free website for the Council.  Free if adopted before 31st October. – As Heversham already has a website it was considered unnecessary to take advantage of the offer.  However, the current site is well out of date and therefore Councillor Parker will speak to John Cushnie about the updating of it.

§         SLDC Concessionary Travel Scheme – NoWcards Application Process. – To be left at the Post Office for display.

§         Letter regarding new Guidance on the Code of Conduct, which can be found on the Standards Board Website.  Comments invited by 12th November 2004. – Noted.

§         Regional Emergency Fire Control informs of a recommendation to change the fire control system from 49 Control Rooms to 9.  They believe it will be a retrograde step and request that we register our opposition with a pro forma reply. – The Council instructed the Clerk to send off the letter of opposition.

§         Various minutes and circulars and magazines for information.

 

184  Items for information.

 

Although the drains on the main roads through the village have now cleared they appear to block every time there is heavy rain.  The Clerk is therefore to contact Peter Allen at Capita by both telephone and letter to see if anything can be done to improve the situation.  It is perceived that the drainpipes connecting the drain holes may need clearing.

The wreath has arrived for the laying of the wreath on Remembrance Day.  Councillor Parker will attend and hopes that others will join him.

County Councillor Roger Bingham asks that the Council think about the suggestion of library links, via the Post Office, for Heversham.  The proposal, still being considered, is to have books requested by the patron, left at the Post Office for collection, and for library books to be returned there also.

The Clerk has explored the possibility of attaining ‘Quality Parish’ status and found that the Council cannot qualify until after the next elections.

 

The date of the next Parish Council Meeting is Monday, November 29th 2004.

 

L. Denise Challenor (Mrs)

Clerk to the Council

Tel: 01524 761824