St Bees

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Draft Minutes of the Meeting of St Bees Parish Council held on Monday 4 June 2007

in the Village Hall

PRESENT: Cllr P Smith (Chairman), N Bettinson, J Haile, I Hill, F Kennedy, D Millington, J Rowlands, D Sim, V Turpin, H Wilson and the Clerk.

In Attendance: Hilary Mitchell, Copeland Borough Council

93/07 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr C Robson.

94/07 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Millington declared a non-prejudicial interest in planning applications for Westlakes Science Park (agenda item 9a).

95/07 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 MAY 2007

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2007 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

96/07 FUTURE STRUCTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN CUMBRIA

The Chairman welcomed Hilary Mitchell, Head of Policy and Performance for Copeland Borough Council, and invited her to explain the district council’s view on the unitary bid submitted by Cumbria County Council.

Ms Mitchell explained that the County Council’s proposal was the only one submitted within the deadline set by central government and that it was this bid which was the subject of the current consultation. It was the view of CBC and the other district councils in Cumbria that a unitary authority was not the best way of achieving the objectives set out in the White Paper. The district councils had jointly produced an alternative model which they believed illustrated a more workable arrangement. Ms Mitchell outlined the key points of the district council model which was based on an enhanced two tier system and answered questions from Councillors.

The Chairman thanked Ms Mitchell for her presentation and she then left the meeting.

It was noted that the deadline for submission of comments to central government was 22 June. Following a discussion of the unitary bid and the alternative model put forward by the district councils it was RESOLVED not to support the County Council proposals on the following grounds:-

• The size and rural nature of the County makes a unitary authority unworkable. The centre would be too remote.
• The individual identity of West Cumbria would be lost within a unitary structure.
• The case for achieving financial savings is unconvincing.
• The aims of the White Paper could be better achieved by an overhaul of the existing structure rather than a change to a unitary authority.

97/07 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

(a) Committee Membership

It was RESOLVED that Cllr Hill be appointed to the Finance Committee.

(b) Seacote Licence Review

The Licensing Panel had met to review the licence and had been critical of the overall management. They had agreed that additional conditions would be attached to the licence. If there were further problems in the future, the licence could be subject to a further review.

98/07 ALLOTMENTS

(a) Water Supply

The Chairman reported that the pipe had been laid and an up to date quotation had been requested from United Utilities for the connection to the mains.

It was RESOLVED that a sum not exceeding £600 be approved for connection of the supply.

421

(b) Untended Plots

Cllr Kennedy reported that a number of plots remained in poor condition and little improvement had taken place despite a letter being sent to all tenants in March. The state of these plots was causing problems for other tenants and adjoining property owners had also expressed concern.

It was RESOLVED that a letter be sent to tenants warning that tenancies would be terminated if plots were not kept tidy and weed free.

99/07 REPORT TO COPELAND BOROUGH COUNCIL

The following items were noted for report to CBC:-

• The litter bins at Beck Edge garden and by Pow Beck bridge are full
• There are still 3 lights with tops missing at the beach car park
• The bridge at Gutterfoot remains in a dangerous condition
• The missing lamps on Coach Rd (Station Rd) have not yet been replaced
• The surface of the prom south of the lifeboat ramp is breaking up
• Light no 37 on Nethertown road is not lit

It was RESOLVED that a letter be sent to the Chief Executive of CBC about the delay in progressing repairs.

100/07 REPORT TO CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL

The following items were noted for report to CCC:-

• The sign to the caravan park has still not been replaced
• The Rottington sign has not yet been replaced
• The hedge on Abbey Rd has still not been trimmed despite earlier assurances
• There is only one 20mph sign in place at the northern entrance to the village on the B5345 and this is obscured by overgrown vegetation and the village entrance sign has been damaged.

101/07 PLANNING

(a)New Applications

• Ref 4/07/2325/0F1 Office development, Plateau 4B Westlakes Science Park

It was RESOLVED that there was no objection to this application.

• Ref 4/07/2326/0F1 Installation of 4 pairs of air conditioning units, Banna Court, Westlakes Science Park

• Ref 4/07/2339/0F1 Demolition of plumber’s store and new dwelling, 116A Main Street

• Ref 4/07/2335/0F1 Remove worn out cladding and roof and replace and extend with new building, Loughrigg Farm

• Ref 4/07/2346/0F1 Layout rearrangement, Land adjacent to Seacote Hotel

(b) Future Development

There was some concern that the area around the Priory could be the subject of future development proposals. The Council had previously agreed that they would wish to see this area protected from development. No response had been received from CBC to the request for information on whether this could be included in the next revision of the Local Plan. Other possible sources of information and advice were discussed.

It was RESOLVED that information on the ownership of the land be obtained from the Land Registry and that the Governors of St Bees School be asked whether they were aware of any restrictive covenants on this land.

102/07 FINANCE

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

422

• Cheque no 001247 J Donaldson Clerk’s salary June 2007 £269.73 and postage £7.66

• Cheque no 001248 CALC – Course fee £15.00

• Cheque no 001249 Viking Direct – stationery £47.20

103/07 CORRESPONDENCE

(a) Letter received from CBC seeking views on the future of enforcement of dog fouling, fly tipping etc. In view of the short deadline for responses the Chairman had responded on behalf of the Council.

(b) Letter received from CBC enclosing a copy of the new model Code of Conduct and suggesting a draft form of resolution. Training was being arranged for Parish Councillors. It was agreed to include the Code of Conduct on the agenda for the next meeting.

(c) Invitation received from CBC for a representative to attend a breakfast meeting on 22 June to launch the CBC 5 year corporate plan.

(d) Invitation received from St Bees Priory PCC for Councillors to attend the celebrations on 10 June to mark the completion of the work on the roof and stonework.

(e) Letter received from CBC enclosing a copy of the Submission Draft Statement of Community Involvement which has been sent to the Secretary of State for independent examination. Cllr Sim agreed to review the document.

(f) Report received from British Nuclear Group on the results of recent beach monitoring trials.

(g) Copy of correspondence received from Mr D Allen between him and CBC about an application for a premises licence at Fairladies Barn. It was noted that this would be a significant change in the use of the premises which are currently used as bed & breakfast accommodation. It was RESOLVED that a letter be sent to CBC objecting to the granting of a licence which allowed entertainment as this would cause nuisance to residents nearby and would add to the already difficult parking situation.

(h) Letter received from Mr D Allen about the proposed footpath from the Fairladies estate to the Main Street.

.

INFORMATION ONLY

CALC Newsletter June 2007

Open Space Summer 2007

Fieldwork June 2007

104/07ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(a) The CALC Roadshow would take place on Monday 25 June at 7.00pm in the Village Hall.

(b) The plants screening the water treatment works appear to be dead. It was agreed that Richard Mellor be asked to look at the situation as the planting was a condition of the planning consent.

(c) It was reported that some residents were concerned about the fortnightly bin collections. However, others appeared to have no problem with the system. It was agreed that no action was required.

(d) A reply had been received from United Utilities about sewage getting into Pow Beck. United Utilities had investigated but could find no evidence of sewage escaping into the beck. They believed that this was probably due to brown algae.

(e) Cllr Kennedy had spoken to Rev Nowen about his interest in youth activities and it was agreed that Rev Nowen be invited to attend the next meeting.

105/07 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

It was RESOLVED that the next meeting take place on Monday 16 July 2007 at 7.30pm.

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