Heversham Parish Council

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the Athenaeum, on Monday, 26th February, 2007, which started at 7.30.p.m.

 

Present: Councillors Peter Shaw, Tony Parker, Andrew Lucas, Ailsa Hulme, Jenny Pearson-Snape, District Councillor Brenda Woof, County Councillor Roger Bingham, the Clerk and one member of the public.

 

458  Apologies for absence were received from Chairman G Capstick.  Cllr. Shaw took the Chair.

 

459  The Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 27th November, 2006 were approved and signed at a true record.

 

460  Matters arising from the Minutes.

·        Cllr. Shaw has spoken to Ivan Hodgson who will attempt to remove the moles from the childrens playground.

·        Cllr. Lucas has now composed the Councils submission to Mr B Jackson, SLDC’s Planning Officer and Mr Mike Jones, Chief Executive of SLDC, regarding Gateway.  He read it to the Councillors who approved and instructed the Clerk to forward the letter on to the aforementioned officers.

·        The Clerk has contacted DEFRA regarding the complaint submitted about the “Field of Dreams”.  They have no record of the complaint and she has had to complete a new form. They have, as a result, tried to contact Mr Cleeves of ELS but have had their letter returned.  They have asked the Council for a new address.  Cllr. Parker will investigate and contact the Clerk regarding it.

·        The Clerk has reported the four areas of Heversham in need of attention to Capita and have received job numbers regarding them.

·        A reply has been received from the Headteacher of Dallam School to confirm that the boarders will be informed that they should not be using the children’s playground.

·        Mr Bell from Capita has written to say that 20 mph signs outside the school are not being included in the traffic works programme for 2007/08 but that flashing lights might be available: are they still required?  The Clerk is to reply that they are. (Ref. Minutes 413,390 & 406)

 

461  Cllr. Shaw, reported on a presentation by Cumbria County Council to explain their bid for unitary status for Cumbria. A decision by the Secretary of State is expected by the end of March. CALC has written to the Secretary of State urging her to allow the bid to go to stage 2 for further consultation.

He had also attended a meeting organized by the District Councils to discuss their alternative proposals which will be entitled ‘Better Government for Cumbria’.  This will also be finished by the end of March and will form an alternative if the Cumbria County Council unitary bid is rejected, or will be a basis for further discussion if it is allowed to go to stage 2.

There is also a CALC  meeting on 1st March 2007.

 

462  The arrangements for the Annual Assembly to be held on 26th March 2007.

An item on the White Paper, entitled ‘Strong and Prosperous Communities’ will be included but there is some doubt about how much will be known by 26th March. 

The Clerk will forward the draft Agenda for the meeting to Cllr. Parker, who will finalise the layout and pass it to Cllr. Hulme who will photocopy them.  Cllr. Parker will then arrange for delivery. 

 

463  Equipment Report.

Cllr. Shaw passed the playground inspection book to Cllr. Lucas, who will take the duty for two months.  There are no issues of concern. 

The Clerk will investigate the possibility of acquiring a litter picking stick for use when doing the playground inspections.

 

464  Playground Financial Report.

The finances remain at £840.72 available from the Leasgill Quarry Trust Fund.  This is to be spent on a picnic bench.  Mr John Cushnie has agreed to look into obtaining the next piece of equipment and Adrian Bland  and Thomas Grindey will help with the fund raising.

 

465  The Athenaeum Financial Report

The accounts show £4,312.39 as the total sum at bank, £901.86 of which is in the servery account. Cllr. Shaw has sought advice from Mr Glynn about rules on reclaiming the VAT back, following the recent servery renovations and believes that it would not be in order to do so. Cllr. Hulme questioned the validity of this information and said that she was unhappy because so much of the money the fund raisers had collected would go to pay the VAT when she had expressed her belief to them that it could be reclaimed by the Council.  The Councillors agreed that it was regrettable and indeed very difficult to interpret the rules, hence the discussion with Mr Glynn.  Unfortunately, his advice was not as expected.  The Clerk is to contact the treasurer to inform him that the Council will need the Athenaeum to pay the VAT of 975.40.

 

466  Payments authorised:

  • Rent for use of Athenaeum for the year - £118.50.

 

467  The Clerk is to approach Mr E Schofield to be the Council’s internal annual auditor of the accounts with the fee payable being £25.  If Mr Schofield is unable to oblige she is to approach Mr Fell.

             

 468  Planning Applications since the last meeting:

·        SL/2007/0122 Infield, Woodhouse Lane, Heversham - Conservatory.- No objections.

·        SL/2007/7017 Curlew Cottage, Haverflatts Lane, Heversham. – External Chimney for Log/Coal Burner (Retrospective) No objections, providing the fumes will not have a detrimental effect on the neighbours’ well being.

·        SL/20070127. Deepthwaite Barn, Woodhouse, Heversham. Garage, store and garden room. – No objections.

 

469  Correspondence received since the last meeting:

·        Mr Gott writes, complaining about the condition of Woodhouse Lane near Tristrams and making certain suggestions. – The Clerk is to write to Mr Nick Raymond, Chief Road Engineer at County Hall, Kendal regarding the condition of the road.  She is also to seek the support of Dallam School, to encourage its speedy repair.  Mr Gott is to be informed of the actions taken and also be informed that the reduction of the speed limit  to 20mph is unlikely to be included in the programme of roadworks for Financial Year 07/08.

·        A resident of Hincaster invites the Council’s opinion and suggestions on her proposal to encourage the conversion of the disused railway line from Hincaster to Marsh Road, Milnthorpe into a multi user path for the shared use of all abilities on foot, cycle or horseback. – The Council supports the idea, though they have some concerns that it may reduce security for some householders.  They also feel it will be a big task with obstacles to remove, drainage etc, and it could require on-going maintenance.

·        CCC writes to request that the Council help with the purchase and installation of street lights outside St Peter’s CE School. – The Clerk is to suggest that the school installs a passive infra-red light in the school grounds and that the Council will look favourably on any necessary planning application.

·         CALC’s Quality Parish Co-ordinator sends information leaflets for the Councillors, suggesting that the Council takes part in a Roadshow - the Council does not wish to be involved in one.

·        Royal Garden Party 2007. An opportunity to nominate the Chairman to be put into a draw to attend. – The Council supports the nomination.

·        NALC write’s about the White Paper’s possible effects on the Quality town and Parish Council Scheme.

·        Appointment of External Auditor. Response required only if the Council objects to the intention to extend the appointment of the current auditor.  – No objections.

·        Future of Local Government in Cumbria. Copies of two letters emailed to Councillors 7/2/07 for information.

·        CALC notice of 131st Meeting on 1/3/07 t 7.15pm at the Stonecross Manor Hotel, Milnthorpe Road, Kendal. – Cllr. Shaw will attend.

·        Explanation of the proposed electoral cycles for District and Parish Elections.

·        Consultation on Revised Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members.  The Consultation Paper can be found on the Department of Communities and Local Government website and from the Clerk. Deadline for responses is 9/3/07.

·        Bruno Peek, OBE, MVO writes to encourage the Parish to Celebrate St Georges Day on 23rd April, 2007 – information booklet enclosed. – No wish to celebrate.

·        Highways Agency sends it’s leaflet to help plan journeys within the region.

·        Cumbria Rural Housing Trust Newsletter – January 2007.

 

470  Items for information.

·        Councillor Pearson-Snape has received some complaints from residents living near Dallam School, about the inconsiderate parking of the school users. – To be an Agenda item at the next Parish Council meeting.

 

471  The date of the next Parish Council meeting is 30th April 2007.

 

Clerk: Denise Challenor, Tel. 01524 761824