HEVERSHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the  Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 27th October 2008 at 7.30pm, in the Athenaeum, Leasgill.

 

Present: Councillors: Peter Shaw; Tom Grindey; Ailsa Hulme; Andrew Lucas; Tony Parker, G Capstick; County Councillor Roger Bingham; District Councillor Brenda Woof; the Clerk and one member of the public.

 

672  Apologies for absence. – None.

 

673  Declarations of Members’ interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda. Tom Grindey declared a prejudicial interest in item : Dallam School (678) and  Mr Tyson’s tender(679).  Andrew Lucas declared a personal interest in item : Dallam Barn (678).

 

674  The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 29th September were signed as a true record.

 

675  Matters raised by Members of the Public for future consideration. Note: Members of the Council are not permitted to respond, except to ask questions for the purposes of clarification only.

The member of the public present wished to have the Council address the problems of parents parking when collecting their children from school and suggested the use of the Athenaeum car park be offered. (This is already being done). 

 

676  Reports

a)      Playground. Equipment, trimming of bushes, moles. - Cllr. Capstick reported that some bolts needed tightening and he would attend to it the next time he inspected.  He has kept the inspection book for another month.  The moles are still there.

b)      WI seat  - Cllr. Hulme said the WI had decided to leave the seat as it is.

c)      Highway Steward. -  Cllr. Parker has been in touch with our Highway Steward and he will be coming to work in Heversham in February and continuing thereafter on a four month cycle.

d)      The moving of the bus stop (Clerk) -  Mr Bell has been to see the residents affected and they are agreeable to the bus stop being made larger.  He is hoping to have it done within three months.

e)      Any relevant matters from District Councillor Brenda Woof. – Land allocation for housing will be looked at by the end of this year and anyone who has written to SLDC will be replied to shortly after that.  Final consultations will be around May 2009.

f)        Any relevant matters from County Councillor Roger Bingham. – Clllr. Bingham reported that he has been heavily involved in trying to alleviate the problems of the incredible flooding we’ve had recently.

g)      Progress with the “Field of Dreams”. – Natural England has informed the owner that they will do the clearance work and invoice him for it.  However, they feel the damage has been done for this year and have decided to take action in the Spring instead.  – The Clerk to remind them in March.

 

677  Correspondence

a) The primary school has written to say that tree surgery in Quarry Wood is necessary.  They have had a quote and have offered to pay for half the work – Cllr. Shaw has had an alternative quote and the school has agreed to pay for the urgent work to be done by Mr Marcus Knipe and the Council will fund the none urgent work which will cost £50.  Mr Knipe is hoping to have the work completed before the school holidays are over.   The Council felt it would be wise to ask him to inspect the rest of the wood for anything else that might need attention.  Cllr. Shaw will approach him to do this.

b)  The ‘Code of Conduct’ training is now arranged by SLDC and the nearest venue is Kendal Town Hall, on 26th January 2009, 7-9pm. – Cllr. Tom Grindey hopes to attend.

c)  CALC invites the Council to their Annual General Meeting on 8/11/08 at Rheged, Penrith at 10.30am. Buffet lunch £10.  Reports enclosed on Parish Council Trends 2001/08 and Employing a Parish Steward. – Cllr. Shaw will try to go to the meeting.

d)    Sent and forwarded by email details of the new legislation about the ‘Freedom of Information Act’ which needs to be available by 31st December 2008.  – The Council resolved to adopt the document as it stands.  Cllr. Shaw and the Clerk will prepare the required paperwork.

 e)  Town and Parish Standard – Sept.08.

f)   The North West of England Plan Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021. – Cllr. Shaw taken to read.

g)   Review of recycling bank facilities. – None will affect Heversham.

h)   Consultation entitled ‘The making and enforcement of byelaws.’- Cllr. Shaw to read.

 

 678  Planning Matters.

a) Planning Applications:

·        SL/2008/0911 Dallam School, Heversham . Erection of three storey student accommodation block.

·        The Chairman read out the reply to his letter, sent by Mr Holdup, Headmaster of  Dallam School; which stated that eventually it is hoped that there will be 220 students in accommodation and that there will be supervision and recreational facilities for them. Cllr. Shaw discussed the reply that he had prepared for SLDC and the Council agreed that this should be sent to Planning Dept.  The reply covered feelings that the building was out of character with it’s surroundings, fears that recreational space could be forfeited; there should be parking and pick-up points within the school grounds and adequate recreational facilities and supervisors on site.    Cllr. Shaw will write again to Mr Holdup and intends to invite him to attend the Parish Assembly in Spring. (Cllr. Grindey declined to make comment having declared an interest.)

·        SL/2008/0993 . Dallam Barn, Haverflatts Lane, - Replacement windows. – No objections.

 

b)  To note the following Planning decisions notified by SLDC:

·        Former Joiners workshop’s site, Heversham. Dwelling – Permitted with conditions.

·        Former Joiners workshop’s site, Heversham. Demolish section of boundary wall and rebuild. – Granted.

·        Horn Cop Cottage, Heversham. Extension. – Permitted.

 

c)  To note that the following Planning Applications were dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 29, and comments made as indicated:  None.

 

      d) To be informed about Wheatclose Enforcement Case 08298.  The roof has not complied with the planning permission given.  Retrospective permission will have to be sought for the changes and the affected residents and Council will have a chance to comment.

 

Cllr. Captick had to leave the meeting to go to another appointment.

 

679  (Cllr. Grindey left the room having declared a prejudicial interest) The tender submitted by Mr. Martin Tyson for the village maintenance 2009 - £1035. – The Clerk to write to say it is accepted.

 

 680  Finance.

a) The budget for 2009-10.

A lengthy discussion about the needs of the Athenauem resulted in the suggested £500 allocated for contingencies, being doubled to £1000. Cllr. Hulme suggested that a set amount be allocated every year to the Atheaeum but it was decided that this should be put to the parishioners at the Parish Assembly.  

The Clerk to insert the figures of the new tender, submitted by Mr Tyson for the coming year.

The figures will be checked at the November meeting before submitting the Precept request.

 

b) The payment of the following was authorised:

·        St Peters Heversham PCC - £575, cheque 100079.

·        British Legion - £30, cheque 100080.

·        Mr Martin Tyson. (Tender ) £1010.

 

681  The damaged seat near the children’s playground is to be photographed and sent to the Clerk to forward to the Parish Council’s insurance company. There is a £125 excess to pay and Cllr. Hulme has kindly offered £100 towards this.  A recycled plastic seat might be a sensible replacement, as the old one is not worth repairing. 

 

682  Items for Information. (no decisions or action permitted)

The Clerk enquired how the Council would feel about changing the night of the Council’s meeting. – P Shaw will discuss it with her.

Cllr. Lucas suggested that a light on the steps at the rear entry of the Athenaeum should be lit to avoid accidents, when the Council is asked to enter that way.

 

683  Items for consideration for a future agenda. – None.

 

684  The date of the next meeting is Monday 24th November 2008.  Items for the Agenda, to reach the Clerk, before Friday 14th November and copies of reports to reach the Clerk, before Monday17th November.

 

Mrs LD (Denise) Challenor

Clerk to the Council