Heversham Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the Athenaeum, on Monday, 22nd August, 2005, which started at 7.30.p.m.

 

Present: Councillors T Parker, G Capstick, P Shaw, A Hulme, A Lucas, District Councillor B Woof, County Councillor R Bingham, the Clerk and one member of the public.

 

269  Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. A Shepherd and J Pearson-Snape.

 

270  The last sentence of the first bullet point of Minute number 258, of the meeting held on Monday 27th June, was changed to read: The Council felt that it would not be acceptable, to offer so much more than the valuation and decided not to continue, however they wish to thank Mr Clancy and Mr Hulme, for their generous offers to help fund the purchase. 

The Minutes were then signed as a true record.

 

271  Matters arising from the Minutes.

§         The Clerk gave the Council the job numbers from the last six months and reported that the rights of way work, has been passed to Carlisle office and she has requested further follow up information from them.  The drains apparently have been looked at and found to be fine, however, a further check would be made.  Cllr. Capstick informed the Council that they are actually full of debris from Levens to the Blue Bell on Princes Way.

§         Councillor Parker says that the second phase of the playground is now complete and that he has spoken to the Inspector about his requirement to cut down the nettles and shrubs, to explain that the Council feel these things are acceptable in a rural setting.

§         Following enquiries about putting a Notice Board for the Village on the Church wall, the Clerk is to write formally for permission to Mr Peter Clark, the Secretary of the PCC.

§         The Clerks new Contract has been emailed to the three Councillors working on it and is now awaiting approval.  Cllr. Shaw will check it before the Chairman finalises things. It was agreed that the Clerk should continue at the salary point she had reached under her old contract.

 

272  The Annual Audit has been returned following the ‘in depth’ audit.  The External Auditor suggests a revised Risk Assessment.  The Clerk has obtained some examples from CALC and will draft one out for Heversham in time for the next Audit.  The unpresented cheque will be put back into the accounts as a receipt.

The Internal Auditor advises that the Asset register shows a depreciation for playground equipment.  It was felt that under the receipts and payments accounts system, it was not necessary to show depreciation and clearer to use the insurance values placed on the assets.

 

273  The folllowing payments were authorised:

Michael C L Hodgson – land valuation - £117.50, cheque 100015

 

274  Equipment Report.  The swings have now been inspected and the Clerk has received the documentation to add to the Engineers Report.  It advises that the bark be topped up in certain areas.  Cllr. Parker is dealing with the matter and expects it to cost around £250. 

Andrew Lucas has taken the Playground Inspection book.  Cllr. Shaw reports that one of the posts on the Burma Bridge is wobbly and needs packing.  Cllr. Parker will ask if Martin Tyson will attend to it.

 

275 Planning Applications and correspondence:

SL2005/0788/JCH – High House, Woodhouse. Extension and Alterations to Dwelling and Detached Double Garage.  – Approved duringt he summer break. Permit  now granted.

SL/2005/0886. 1& 2 Plumtree Bank, Heversham. Single storey extensions. – No objections.

SL/2005/0887.  39 Dugg Hill, Heversham.  Conservatory. – No objections.

SL/2005/0918/JCH. 4 Church View Cottage, Heversham. Change of use of part of dwelling currently used as a Post Office back to domestic dwelling. – No objections, as no-one has complained to the Council about the discontinuation of service.

Permit granted to The Old Blue Bell, Heversham. Barn Conversion.

Change of use of Field No 6059 application withdrawn.

The Clerk is to write to CALC to enquire how long it is necessary to keep applications.

 

276  Plans for the Trafalgar Weekend 21st-23rd October.  County Councillor Bingham will approach George Handley to ask if the village can hold a bonfire on his land.  Councillor Hulme will explore the possibility of having refreshments available at the Athenaeum.  Arrangements to be finalised at the next meeting.

 

277  To receive the Athenaeum Financial Report. It seemed that the forecast deficit is due mainly  to lack of bookings for the hall and a greater expenditure.  The Councillors, not keen to put up the precept to cover the losses anticipated, asked if the money collected for the new servery could be used.  Representative Cllr. Hulme explained, that it was felt, a better servery could encourage more patrons.  The Council asked why the committee feel that an updated servery could help, as the facilities are not so old that they would discourage clients.

 

278  The Playground Financial Report.

Following the provision of the swings there is a deficit of £259.23.  This will hopefully be covered from grants being applied for.

 

279  Correspondence.

§         Further Electoral review.  The District council is seeking representations from Parish and Town Councils.  The Council is seeking preliminary views by the end of August.  The Clerk is to write to suggest no change be made for this parish.

§         Lake District National Park Local Development Framework - Draft Statement of Community Involvement. (Questionnaire and booklet) Comments by 23rd September. - No response, as Heversham is not in the National Park.

§         Cumbria Local democracy Commission, give an opportunity for Councillors to express their views on the current methods of engagement with local communities. Responses by 12/9/05. – The Council is very happy with the way things are at the moment, both County and District Councillors regularly attend their meetings and provide helpful information.

Assorted information booklets tabled - Local Transport Plan 2001-06. – Taken by Cllr. Parker.

 

280  Items for information.

§         There has been a planning application to put mobile telecommunications base station at St Thomas C of E Church of Milnthorpe.

§         It is thought that Ronnie Messenger’s memorial plaque is now in place.

§         Although Heversham is complete, Liz Fell on 015395 36935 would be grateful of volunteers to survey rights of way in nearby areas.

§         Cllr. Capstick introduced the Council to Adrian Bland who would like to become a Councillor should a vacancy arise.

 

281  The date of the Leasgill Quarry Annual Meeting is 19/09/05 at 7.30.p.m. at Cllr. Bingham’s home; The Smithy, Ackenthwaite.

 

282  The date for the next Parish Council Meeting is 26th September 2005.

 

Mrs Denise Challenor, Clerk to the Council. Tel: 01524 761824