St Bees

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Draft Minutes of the Meeting of St Bees Parish Council held on Monday 19 June 2006 in the Village Hall

PRESENT: Cllr P Smith(Chairman), N Bettinson, M Clarkson, J Haile, D Millington,

C Robson, J Rowlands, D Sim, V Turpin, D Warbrick, H Wilson and the Clerk.

372.1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllrs R Mayow and M Richards

372.2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were received.

372.3 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15 MAY 2006

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 15 May 2006 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

372.4 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

(a) Drain at Gutterfoot

Cllr Wilson reported that he had attended a meeting on site with Mr Fyfe of CBC who had agreed to arrange for repairs to be done.

(b) Allotment Water Supply

Plans of gas mains in the area had been received and similar plans for water and sewer pipes and electricity cables were being ordered. Formal permission was still awaited from Home Housing.

(c) Drainage problems – Station Road

Checks are being made with utility companies and Network Rail before work can begin.

(d) Flooding

A meeting with Capita had been arranged for 31 May but had been cancelled because of the engineer’s sickness. A new date is being arranged.

(e) Repairs to Beach Road Footpath

Estimates were being obtained for the materials etc and the work would be undertaken by local volunteers.

It was RESOLVED that the expenditure limit for this work be raised to £500.

(f) Other items from the Action List

• Litter problems, Seamill Beach – CBC had agreed to look at the problem of litter being caught in the gabions. CBC was hoping to organise beach cleaning shortly.
• Parish Paths leaflets – the Clerk would discuss the stocking of leaflets with the new owner of the Post Office.
• Review of interest rates – in hand
• Annual Parish Meeting actions – a letter had been sent to United Utilities to ascertain progress with installing a new underground supply.

372.5 CASUAL VACANCY

Cllr Rance had submitted her resignation following the last meeting. Notices are being posted on the noticeboards. If no election is claimed within the statutory period the vacancy can be filled by co-option.

It was RESOLVED that if no election is claimed, expressions of interest be invited to be considered at the next meeting.

372.6 PARISH PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Tourism – It was RESOLVED that the draft policy be accepted.

Built Environment – It was RESOLVED that the draft policy be accepted.

Services & Facilities – Cllr Warbrick reported that he had discussed the lack of awareness of the CDC with the new Head of the Village School who had agreed to look at the issue.

373

The suggestion of creating a bowling club in the village would be put to the next meeting of the Adams Recreation Ground Committee. Notices would be put on the web-site and noticeboards inviting those interested in forming a bowling club to contact the Chairman of the Adams Committee.

Environment – Cllr Turpin would be working with the Chairman to produce a draft policy for approval. Village in Bloom had provided tubs of flowers at Seamill beach.

373.1 RIGHTS OF WAY ORDERS

(a) Moorclose

The objector to the order had contacted CCC offering his agreement to the track being designated as a footpath but not as a byway open to all traffic. The Inquiry had been postponed to allow this offer to be considered.

It was RESOLVED that

• The principle of maintaining vehicle access to the common for maintenance purposes remains a priority
• an approach be made to the new owners of Moorclose to enquire whether, in principle, this could be achieved by the granting of an easement
• in the event that this cannot be agreed within the required timescale the matter be allowed to proceed to an Inquiry.

(b) Green Lonning

It was noted that an objection had been received to the order made by CCC to list Green Lonning as a byway open to all traffic. The next step was that an Inquiry would be held.

It was RESOLVED that Cllr Sim liaise with Cumbria County Council to provide any additional information required and that the Clerk be authorised to obtain any information necessary from the Land Registry.

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373.2 ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ISSUES

Toni Magean of CBC had provided a report from the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership which showed that very few reports had been made to the police in recent weeks of problems at the beach car park. This seemed inconsistent with the experience of local residents and it was suggested that residents may not be reporting incidents because they believe it will not result in any action or that some calls may not be officially logged.

It was RESOLVED that:-

• representatives of CBC and the Crime and Disorder reduction Partnership be invited to the September meeting
• in the meantime as much information as possible be collected about the issues and local residents be encouraged to report all incidents.

373.3 FUTURE OF THE LIBRARY

Cllr Sim reported on the public meeting which had been held on 12 June to discuss the future of library services in St Bees. Poor signage, inconvenient location, lack of car parking, restricted opening hours and lack of stock had all been highlighted as factors affecting the usage of the library. The mobile library visits may also account for some reduction in visits to the village library.

It was RESOLVED that a response be sent to CCC, recording the Parish Council’s concern that the library usage is falling at a time when the village population is growing and suggesting that more flexible opening hours, promotional events, better signage and car parking would help and that further exploration is required of the issues and possible solutions.

373.4 MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE IN BLOOM COMMITTEE

The minutes of the meeting of the Village in Bloom Committee held on 23 May 2006 were received. Cllr Clarkson offered to carry out the repair work to the paths at Stonehouse Gardens.

It was RESOLVED that chippings be ordered to repair the paths at Stonehouse Garden at a cost not exceeding £50.

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374.1 REPORT TO COPELAND BOROUGH COUNCIL

The following items were noted for report to CBC:-

• The dog toilet area needs more sand
• The sign by the lifeboat station which indicates lifeboat parking only is broken
• The dog litter bin adjacent to the beach shop is missing and needs to be replaced
• The sign to the Station car park is now in place but the wording needs to indicate public parking
• The ramp is in need of further attention as the reinforcing bars are still exposed despite recent repairs
• There are still street lights missing on Coach Rd. Cllr Bettinson to clarify the numbers of the lights
• The bolt on the door of the disabled toilet is sharp and dangerous
• The street name at The Crofts has rusted away
• The galvanised bridge at Gutterfoot which is often in a poor state of repair could be removed without causing inconvenience

It was noted that the repairs to the car park lights are now complete. A favourable report was received of the work done by the cleaner at the Beach toilets. It was agreed that this be passed on to CBC.

374.1 REPORT TO CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL

The following items were noted for report to CCC:-

• The white lines on the B5345 towards Whitehaven are in need of repainting
• There is a pothole near Cross Hill
• A hawthorn hedge near the bend by Abbots Court is overhanging the road, scratching cars and causing traffic to move towards the centre of the road.
• The dangerous erosion at the edge of the B5345 has not yet been repaired although Cumbria Highways has said that urgent work is being scheduled.

374.2 PLANNING

(a) New Applications

• 4/06/2322/OF1 Linethwaite Hall – renewal of permission for chalet

• 4/06/2379/OF1 St Bees Lighthouse– installation of 2 pole mounted antennae and cabling

• 4/06/2222/0F1 Rottington Hall – subdivision of farmhouse

• 4/06/2262/0F1 Eaglesfield – conversion to 11 flats

(b) Planning Training

CBC Planning Department had agreed to provide a training session. It was suggested that the session take place at 8.00pm on 16 October with a brief Parish Council meeting taking place at 7.00pm.

(c) Draft Spatial Strategy for the NW Region

Cllr Millington reported on the response to the consultation on the draft strategy. Six comments had been submitted, three objections and three supporting proposals in the strategy.

374.3 FINANCE

(a) Payments

It was RESOLVED that the following accounts be approved for payment:-

• Cheque no 001180 Grafix Signmakers – View Plan Table £834.25
• Cheque no 001181 J Donaldson – salary & expenses June 2006 £336.21
• Cheque no 001182 United Utilities – search fee (allotment water supply) £41.75

• Cheque no 001183 United Utilities – search fee ( Station Rd drainage issue) £41.75
• Cheque no 001184 Open Spaces Society – annual subscription £30.00
• Cheque no 001185 Stuart Graham – electrical testing £4.20
• Cheque no 001186 Joe Geer – Repairs to Tomlin Pill Box £495.00

• Cheque no 001179 R A Stout, Station Garage – trailer repair £22.51

(b) Concurrent Services Scheme 2006/7

Bids were being sought by CBC for grants for concurrent services. £349 had been provisionally allocated to St Bees Parish Council for 2006/7.

It was RESOLVED that a grant be sought to assist with expenditure on grasscutting and car parking as approved in the budget for 2006/7.

375.1 CORRESPONDENCE

(a)Letter received from Open Spaces Society seeking a donation towards their ‘Removing Path Paraphernalia’ campaign. It was RESOVED to make no donation on this occasion.

(b) Notification received of Joint CBC/Parish Council Meeting to be held on 20 June. The Clerk to attend.

(c) Consultation document received on issues and options for the Cumbria Minerals and Waste Management Framework. No action to be taken.

(d) Notification from CBC of the adoption of the replacement Copeland Local Plan 2001-2016.

It was RESOLVED that 4 copies of the plan be purchased at a maximum cost of £100.

(e) Letter received from Mr K Ross seeking information on progress with action to deal with high speed driving at the beach car park, the resurfacing of ground in front of the beach café and replacement of the caravan park sign. The Clerk to reply with the information requested, drawing attention to the invitation to CBC and CDRP to attend the September meeting.

INFORMATION ONLY

CALC Circular June 2006 Open Spaces Summer 2006

Cumbria Community Foundation Newsletter ‘Fieldwork’ June 2006

North West Best Practice Design Guide Cumbria Second Local Transport Plan

375.2 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(a) It was noted that the public telephone box at the beach could only be used for emergency calls. As mobile phone reception in this area is poor it is important that public telephone facilities are available. The Clerk will investigate the position with BT.

(b) Work is still needed on the base of the statue of St Bega. Colin Telfer of Maryport had agreed to do the work some time ago. The Clerk will contact Mr Telfer.

(c) Conerns were expressed about litter on the beach at Fleswick Bay. The Clerk will take the matter up with the relevant department at CBC.

(d) It was suggested that the next project to be considered from Heritage and Tourism funding could

be interpretation boards for the Priory Paddock. Preparatory work was done for this some time ago. Cllr Sim will provide further details.

(e) There had been reports of incidents of rowdyism and vandalism in the beach area, possibly linked to under age drinking. The Clerk would take this up with the relevant authorities.

.375.3 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

It was RESOLVED that the next meeting take place on Monday 17 July 2006 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Mrs J Warbrick will attend to present a report on Village School activities.

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