Heversham Parish Council

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the Athenaeum, on Monday, 30th April 2007, which started at 7.30.p.m.

 

Present: Councillors G Capstick, P Shaw, T Parker, A Hulme, A Lucas, A Shepherd, District Councillor B Woof, the Clerk and two members of the public.

 

472  Apologies for absence were given by Cllr. Pearson-Snape and Cllr. Bingham who arrived too late due to having two other meetings to attend that evening.

 

473  The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 26th February, 2007, were signed as a true record.

 

474  Matters arising.

·        Athenaeum Finances.  Following the Council’s request to treasurer Mr John Smith to supply a cheque for payment of the VAT for the servery refurbishment, Mr Smith decided to contact Customs and Excise to obtain clarification.  He has been told that the Parish Council should be making the enquiry and has received a form to complete.  A copy of the completed questionnaire has been circulated to the Councillors.  Cllr. Shaw had a query with the figures and will speak to John Smith personally. The Clerk is to send it in to Jayne Harris, Customs and Excise. Cllr. Hulme queried who should hold the £3,500 designated for the Athenaeum.  It is felt that the Parish Council should but the Clerk will check.

·        The “field of Dreams”.  The Clerk is to request a progress report from Natural England (DEFRA).  If nothing has been done by the May meeting, the Council will consider involving the ‘press’.

·        The “White Paper”.  Cumbria County Council got an amber light to further their consultation.  Final date is 22nd June.

·        Litter picking.  The Clerk produced a stick for the purpose but is to return it, as Cllr. Parker has one he doesn’t need, which he will donate.

·        The Sports Day is now arranged for 16th June.

·        The moles are still busy in the children’s playing field, Cllr. Shaw will remind Ivan.  The inspection book has been passed from Cllr. Lucas to Cllr. Hulme, nothing significant to report.

 

475  Matters raised by members of the public for future consideration.

The old road sign on Woodhouse Lane still needs renovating, even though the Clerk and Cllr. Bingham have reported it.  There is also a stile in need of repair.  Cllr. Parker will supply the Clerk with the map reference, so she can report it.

 

476  Action required following issues discussed at the Parish Assembly.

·        Some residents didn’t receive an invitation to the Parish Assembly.  Next year it might be possible to publicise it in the Parish Magazine or alternatively ring the residents who tend to get missed.

·        Gateway.  The Highways Agency directed SLDC that they will not go to planning until July.  The delay is due to Capita not having finalised their report.

·        Following concerns about hazardous parking around St Peter’s School at certain times of the day, the traffic warden’s have been asked to visit.

·        Cllr. Parker suggested that the Council pursues the installation of flashing lights outside the school itself.  However, it is not thought to be necessary to fund them as Capita have said that they may be able to install them.  The Clerk will check on progress.

 

477  Insurance cover required for the village. – To remain as specified by Allianz Cornhill.

 

478  2006/07 Accounts. – Cllr. Shaw raised a query about VAT which the Clerk will check on. The accounts will be finalized next time, as the Clerk hasn’t received them back from the Internal Auditor.

 

477  Payments requested:

 Annual Subscription CALC – £142.50, cheque 100043.

 Mr E Schofield -  £25, cheque 100044.

Audit Commission. - £141 for 2006, cheque100045.

Clerks salary and expenses, Jan, Feb, Mar – £502.40, cheque 100046.

Chairmans allowance and expenses – £60, cheque100047.

Annual Playground Inspection 2006/07 - £85.29, cheque 100048.

Allianz Cornhill -  £625.90, cheque 100049.

Cumbria Playing Fields Association - £15, no payment to be made.

 

478  Planning Applications:

SL/2006/0999 No.1, Woodhouse, Milnthorpe – single storey extension. – No objections.

SL/2007/0321, Smith Cottage, Heversham.  – Two storey extension & detached store. – Replies submitted by 10/4/07; No objections.

Infield, Woodhouse Lane - Conservatory. Permitted.

Deepthwaite Barn, Woodhouse – Garage.  Permitted.

Curlew Cottage, High Haverflatts – External chimney. Permitted.

There is a new gateway to Leasgill House, a query was raised as to whether planning permission had been obtained.  The Clerk will check.

 

479  Parking problems.  A letter has been sent to the Council stating that inconsiderate parking by parents of the children of St Peter’s are causing difficulties and hazards for local residents. Athenauem users are also finding it impossible to park in the car park sometimes.  The Clerk will write to the head teacher of the school and Cllr. Hulme will suggest that the Athenauem Committee have a removable sign such as an ‘A’ board to request parents who are not using the Athenaeum, have moved out of the car park by 9.15 a.m. The Clerk will also contact SLDC to ask if we can have a traffic warden visit before 9 am. and after 3 pm.  Cllr. Shepherd will inform the writer of the letter what actions are to be taken.

 

480  Correspondence received since February: -

·        Proposals for the establishment of a Group Ministry for the surrounding area – views sought. – The Council does not wish to influence the decision.  

·         Cumbria Highways Survey, March 2007 – Cllr. Lucas will complete.

·        Remuneration for Parish Councillors and Travelling and subsistence Allowances. –  Petrol allowance remains at 40p per mile.

·        Decision on British Energy Generation Limited’s nuclear power station authorizations. www.environment-agency.gov.uk/benar.

·        A request from SLDC to support parcels to British Forces overseas. – No instructions.

·        RE: South Lakeland employment and Housing Land Search Study.

·        Connexions. – Wheels 2 work.  A scheme where young people can borrow for a period of up to nine months a scooter.  There may be a charge.

·        SLDC Open Space, sport and recreational study.

·        Clerk and Councils Direct

·        CCLA Annual report and Accounts

·        SLDC Customer Access Strategy – aiming to provide a service that is easy to access.

·        CALC March and April circular.

·        CALC Consultation on Unitary Cumbria proposal.

·        The Local Authorities (model code of Conduct) order 2007 (sI No 1159) The order will come into effect on 3/5/07.  - CALC offers guidance.

·        CALC Minutes of the 131st meeting held on 1/3/07 at Stonecross Manor Hotel, Kendal.

·        Parish Housing Needs Survey 2007/8 – to take place, contact will be made in due course to arrange. Cllr. Capstick attended a meeting on the subject last week at Endmoor.  It was very poorly attended and the content did not really apply to us.

 

481    Items for information.

·        The village barbeque will be on 16th June, 6 pm. until late, in the Athenaeum car park, or Athenaeum if wet, £2.

·        Some money has been donated to the Athenaeum in memory of Eve Tilbury so new crockery is going to be purchased.

·         The pram race will be on 20th May at 11ish.  Marshalls are needed to cover from George Handley’s to the hump back bridge and back.  The road will be closed.

·        The pothole outside ‘Sunnyside’ on Woodhouse lane has not yet been attended to. – The Clerk is to remind Capita, emphasizing the risk to children. 

·        There is to be a pilot scheme to put Community notice boards up in six surrounding areas.

·        Unitary Authority Plans.  Cllr. Woof explained that it seems to be all about devolving power to parishes, but how and who will do what, is unclear at present.  It all seems too complicated.

 

482  The date of the Annual Parish Council Meeting is 21st May 2007.

 

Clerk: Denise Challenor Tel. 01524 761824