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CONISTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Coniston Parish Council held in the Library on Monday 17th August 2009.

PRESENT: Councillors David Coxon (Chairman), Dist Cllr Mrs Anne Hall, Mrs Elaine Kelly, John Stoddart and Lee Tarr; the clerk, C Sargeant; PCSO Kayleigh Largue; and, 4 members of the public (D Adams, D Johnson, J Loxham, and A Robinson).

1. Public welcoming and receipt of matters for debate: Chairman welcomed the public. Mr Robinson thanked the parish council for its support and wished to inform it of the current status of his Planning Application 7/2009/5179 for Coniston Lodge Hotel, Station Road, Coniston LA21 8HH (See Minutes of Meeting 8 June 2009, Item 8.c.). He explained that the application had not been successful and was to be resubmitted with a new application number. The parish council decided that it would do nothing more until that resubmission had been sent to it for observations. However, in the meantime, the clerk was instructed to explore the relation of H20 to commercial properties.

2. Apologies: Cllrs Ms Hext (other commitment) and Hill (other commitment); Co Cllr Mrs Salisbury.

3. Declarations of Interest: of members’ personal and prejudicial interests in respect of items on the Agenda: Cllr Coxon (matters relating to LDNPA). Cllr Mrs Hall (matters relating to planning). All councillors as Trustees of the Coniston Institute and Ruskin Museum.

4. Minutes of the Meeting 20th July 2009 were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

5. Matters arising from that Meeting with reports of action taken:

5.a. Item: United Utilities See planning application below (Item 9.b.).

5.b. Item 5.A.a. Campbell House entrance protection On-going.

5.c. Item 5.A.b. Council tour of inspection Date and format still to be decided.

5.d. Item 5.A.c. Locality Working On-going.

5.e. Item 5.A.d. Commemorative blocks New block in place (on Yewdale Road near Curdle Dub) and new plates attached to all three blocks. Thanks given to Alec at Stonecraft, and Bob Airey.

5.f. Item 5.A.e. Audit Nothing from BDO Stoy Hayward to confirm completion.

5.g. Item 5.A.f. Business Survey Not all grants from funding bodies have been received.

5.h. Item 5.A.g. Wall above High Hollin Bank Discussions about responsibility on-going (See Item 11.c. below).

5.i. Item 5.A.h. Housing Association homes in The Garth No progress as yet.

5.j. Item 5.A.i. The visit of the people from Illiers-Combray No communications this month.

5.k. Item 5.A.j. Playground safety blocks All have been removed from the Playground.

5.l. Item 5.A.k. Insurance in flood-risk area No further response from the public.

5.m. Item 5.A.l. The Cumbria Way No progress as yet.

5.n. Item 5.A.m. Industrial Units on Old Furness Road Nothing new though publicity has highlighted unethical legality.

5.o. Item 5.B.a Income Bonds transfer Completed: money transferred to Amenities Fund account.

5.p. Item 5.B.b. Lakeland Trials – 3 October Nothing new.

5.q. Item 6.a. Commemorative Bench (H. Carroll) for Playground Installed and ready for Playground opening on 15 August. RESOLVED: to make a financial contribution (£80.74) to the cost and include the bench in the parish council’s insurance schedule.

5.r. Item 6.b. Land Restoration Trust to renovate Victorian Garden No progress as yet.

5.s. Item 6.c. Parish Plan revision Delayed by preoccupation with other important issues.

5.t. Item 6.d. Empty Homes in Coniston No word on progress of action.

5.u. Item 6.e. Hawkshead Rd cycle way No further progress. Mr Loxham explained the path was not currently on maps as a designated cycle way but that the distribution of a NT leaflet about cycle ways in the Coniston area would help.

5.v. Item 6.f. Low Hall Garth Road Exchange of communications between Yorkshire Ramblers and Highways suggests work will be carried out. County Cllr Mrs Salisbury is monitoring the situation (see Item 11.h. below. Cllr Coxon to visit site.

5.w. Item 6.g. Bridge conveniences No progress as yet.

5.x. Item 6.h. Great North Swim Exchange of communications between interested parties suggests greater care will be taken to manage the event so there will be less disruption to the area.

6. Matters arising since that Meeting:

6.a. Coniston Water Conference 11th Sept Cllr Coxon said he was unable to be at this meeting. Cllrs Mrs Hall and Mrs Kelly to attend.

6.b. Coniston Christmas Lights The council acknowledge the ten years of excellent work that the present committee had done to make the Coniston Christmas Lights such a success. RESOLVED: to defer a decision until next meeting but to investigate the possibility of a new committee to assume the responsibility.

6.c. Training Plan: The council acknowledged the new rules for Quality Parish status that include a requirement to have a “Statement of Intent” with regard to training that includes: 1. A brief statement of your commitment to training; 2. A brief outline of who your commitment to training includes and what types of training it will cover; 3. How you will identify training needs; 4. How you will resource training to meet those needs; and, 5. How you will measure the impact of the training carried out. RESOLVED: to create a “Statement of Intent”.

7. Reports and minutes of outside bodies:

7.a. The Coniston Institute & Ruskin Museum The Annual Report has not been audited but will be published soon.

7.b. Coniston Water Association No report.

7.c. Looking forward to: i. District Association AGM – Gilpin Bridge, 3 September

ii. Coniston & Crake Partnership – Waterhead Hotel, 11 September

iii. LDNPA Parish Council tours – 17 September

iv. Lake District Parish Councils – Brockhole, 17 September

v. New Grizedale Opening – 18 September

8. Financial transactions:

8.a. Receipt of grants: None.

8.b. The following orders for payment: Authorised:

E.ON for Street Lighting (Nov) £160.00

R J Airey for bus shelter maintenance and block erection £88.49

C Sargeant for clerk’s salary & expenses £300.00

Hayes Garden World for memorial bench £639.10

Allianz Insurance for additional premium £151.09

8.c. A statement of accounts: Approved, and signed by the Chairman.

9. Planning:

9.a. Plan.App.7/2009/5405 5, Forest Cottage, Townson Ground, Coniston LA21 8AA – two storey extension Site visit to be made 19th August at 5.30pm

9.b. Plan.App.7/2009/5390 Coniston Boating Centre LA21 8EW – provision of phosphorous removal plant RESOLVED: to support.

9.c. Rights of Way Consultation: Public Footpath 512014, Little Arrow Noted Alastair Cameron’s email (14 August): For many years I lived close to Little Arrow and between 1960 and 1990 regularly used the track you describe up onto the fell. This was a preferred way onto the high common and was also very popular with climbers camping at Hoathwaite Farm heading for Dow Crags. On most weekends during the summer there was a steady stream of people making use of the route up to the crag from Little Arrow Farm. The track was also used frequently by the tenant farmer and also, from time to time, by picnickers who would take their cars up to an area below Bannishead Quarries (the road was much better then!) The route was also used quite often by the quarry operators as a means of getting slate down to Coniston. Bannishead Quarry was a 'flag' quarry and there were numerous disputes between the various operators over the use of the road down to Scar Head and Torver station. The route down to Little Arrow was the preferred alternative and allowed the operators to load at Coniston station where there were much better facilities. You can find out much more about this in Slate From Coniston, by A Cameron, 2005. This route is clearly a public right of way and has, in the past, been recognised as such.

9.d. Rights of Way Confirmation: Public Footpath 512048, Shepherds Bridge Noted.

9.e. Definitive Map Modification Order 2007: Walna Scar Road Noted.

9.f. Temporary Road Closure on the C5018 East of the B5285, Coniston From Sheena Woodend, Technical & Business Assistant, Cumbria CC: Wednesday 16 September 2009 for 2 days.

10. Correspondence: RESOLVED: to note that since the last meeting the clerk had received and informed councillors of the following items. (Items marked ** were taken as read.)

1 4NW Consultation on submitted draft NWPPR

2 4NW SA Report July 2009

3 CALC Training Prospectus Sep.09 – Mar.10

4 CALC Do the police attend your parish council meeting?

5 CALC SL District Association Agenda for 3 September

6 CALC SL District Association List of representatives to other bodies

7 CALC SL District Association Minutes of 18 June

8 Capita Symonds Temporary Road Closure on the C5018 East of the B5285, Coniston 16-18 September

9 Colton Parish Council Summer 2009 Newsletter

10 Cumbria Constabulary Local Policing Summary 2009

11 Cumbria Housing Group SHMA Consultation August 2009

12 Forestry Commission Invitation to official opening of new Centre and re-launch of Grizedale 18 September.

13 LD Local Access Forum Annual Report 2008 to 2009

14 LDNPA Great North Swim

15 NWRDA Strategy Update August 2009

16 Rural Services Community Rural News Focus – 31 July 2009

17 Rural Services Community Rural News Focus – 12 August 2009

18 Satterthwaite PC Agenda and draft minutes 29 June

19 Skelwith PC Draft Minutes 6 July

20 SLCC Book catalogue

21 SLCC CPD Courses 2009

22 SLCC Shaw’s catalogue of forms, records& registers

23 SLDC Policy Consultation Letter – Parish Councils July 09

24 SLDC Electoral Updates

25 SLDC CIEP – Free Event – ‘How Parish Councils can Win Friends and Influence People’ – Various Dates and Venues

26 Tim Farron MP Advice Surgeries Autumn/Winter

27 CALC Local Councils and VAT Workshop

28 Cumbria CC Coniston Fire station action plan 2009-10

29 CALC Training and Advice Sessions for Chairman

30 Barclays Changes to agreement re Community Acc.

31 Local Develop’t Framework Advance Notice of Consultation

32 Rural Services Community Rural News Focus – 17 August 2009

11. Reports:

11.a. Police Report: PCSO Largue reported: i. a vehicle fire on the fell below the Old Man - nothing suspicious; ii. damage to cars in Yewdale Road – culprit/s undetected as yet; iii. number of thefts and attempted thefts in Lakes parish; iv. complaints made about speeding and parking; v. use of speed gun being considered; Cllr Stoddart asked about use of cones in Shepherds Bridge Lane: PCSO Largue said that the police had no objections.

11.b. Housing Report: Alastair Cameron submitted (17 August) this: A brief update. Due to financial problems, Home Housing is not able to go ahead with the Butcher Moss (Torver) project and the Old Station Site scheme and it will have to hand them back to SLDC to find another housing corporation to take them both to completion. There are a number of other schemes in the area that it is also abandoning. I will be talking to Tony Whittaker (SDLC) tomorrow. At the meeting this morning at Brockhole (to sort out the issue over the Old Furness Road rock face) we debated the news and it was generally agreed that Home Housing's problems shouldn't affect the overall outcome of the Old Furness Road scheme as the background work is all complete apart from the issue of the rock face. It will just delay it further. However the Butcher Moss scheme is probably more dire. I have also talked to Eden Housing and was told that John Hext House is progressing well and the date for starting Church Fields is now 19th October.

11.c Highways Report: Throughout the month Cllr Mrs Kelly had continued negotiations with Highways about issues: i. From Debbie Ferguson, Development Technician, Capita Symonds, 13 August: In respect of the wall around the quarry hole I have more information which may be helpful. We recently received a complaint from the National Trust regarding the growth of Himalayan Balsam in the quarry. Investigation revealed that the quarry hole is owned by Cumbria County Council & maintained on their behalf by Property Services. We are only responsible for retaining walls. I don’t think that the walls around the quarry retain the highway. They are just boundary walls & as such are the responsibly of the landowner, Cumbria County Council. As Property Services are sorting out the treatment of the Balsam on behalf of the County Council they will presumably also be responsible for arranging any maintenance required to the walls. ii. 6 August: the hedge in Tilberthwaite Avenue has been cut back, not a great deal but it is better, so we will watch it for now and see if it is done regularly. iii. 31 July: I have put the requested clearance work on the Brow steps and the path to Days Bank, and the “plantation” between Mike Myers and Station Road on the Highway Steward’s list for next time.

11.c. Playground Report: Following a successful opening event on 15 August, the Chairman thanked the organisers. Cllr Tarr said work would now begin to raise the money to complete the toddlers section.

11.d. National Trust Report: Mr Loxham spoke about work in the walled garden at Monk Coniston: a water gallery and tank with a tool shed on top; a composting loo; 10 growing plots (4 already being worked) will be made available for local people to apply for when the Trust has produced an appropriate Licence agreement, which, hopefully, wll be in place by end of September. A fee will be payable to the Trust for this growing space and its use will be subject to successful applicants agreeing to work within the parameters set by the licence and within the spirit of a historical walled garden. More information will be forthcoming over the next couple of months.

11.e. Cllr Mrs Hall: Said: i. there was money for the Playground coming from Henkel, County Councillor Mrs Salisbury and SLDC; ii. the NT were to be thanked for the work done on the Hawkshead Road footpath and clearing the rubbish from the shore at the head of the lake; a bid had been submitted to the BBC SOS scheme on behalf of the Institute; and, she had spoken on Radio 3 Counties in favour of holidaying in the Lake District.

11.f. Cllr Tarr: Drew attention to the barriers still being on Devonshire Terrace though the work had been completed some time ago. Cllr Mrs Kelly said she had been promised that they would be moved soon.

11.g. Cllr Mrs Kelly: Asked about local occupancy regulations with regard to renting property. Cllr Mrs Hall said she had spoken to the Enforcement Officer about the address in question.

11.h. Co Cllr Mrs Salisbury: Telephoned (17 August) to give her apologies and to give an update for this evening: i. Nick Raymond may be seconded for six months (when and a covering officer to be decided); ii. She needs to know a cost figure for the second phase of the playground development and an idea of time-scale to completion in order to help with the funding; iii. Low Hall Garth Road repair needs to be monitored; and, iv. Any other business to let her know.

12. Public questions and comments: Mr Adams said there was a need for the vegetation on the Old Furness Road rock face to be cut back. Cllr Coxon immediately texted the responsible officer.

13. Date of next Meeting: RESOLVED: that the next meeting will be on Monday 21st September 2009 at 7.00pm in the Library.

Meeting closed at 9.00pm.

Minutes of the Extra-ordinary Meeting of Coniston Parish Council held in the Library on Wednesday 19th August 2009 following a site visit to Townson Ground at 5.30pm.

PRESENT: Councillors David Coxon (Chairman), Dist Cllr Mrs Anne Hall, Ms Rosie Hext, Peter Hill, Mrs Elaine Kelly, John Stoddart and Lee Tarr; and, the clerk, C Sargeant.

1. Public welcoming and receipt of matters for debate: Not applicable.

2. Apologies: None.

3. Declarations of Interest: of members’ personal and prejudicial interests in respect of items on the Agenda: Cllr Coxon (matters relating to LDNPA). Cllr Mrs Hall (matters relating to planning). All councillors as Trustees of the Coniston Institute and Ruskin Museum.

4. Minutes of the Meeting 17th August 2009 to be considered at 21st September Meeting.

5. Matters arising from that Meeting with reports of action taken: deferred.

6. Matters arising since that Meeting:

6.a. Audit: i. Annual Return, following receipt of Audit opinion, was approved and accepted. ii. Issues arising from the Audit report were considered and it was agreed that an action plan to address those issues was not required.

6.b. Cemetery Field Housing Development: Building work is expected to begin on 19th October and to correspond with that Lynne Mackenzie, Eden Housing, will address the CPC Meeting scheduled for that evening.

6.c. Fireworks: Councillors Coxon, Hill and Tarr requested the backing of the council to order fireworks. This was given on the understanding that fund-raising will meet the cost of the fireworks and appropriate insurance.

7. Reports and minutes of outside bodies: None.

8. Financial transactions:

8.a. Receipt of grants: None.

8.b. The following orders for payment: Authorised:

To BDO Stoy Hayward for Audit fee £155.25

8.c. A statement of accounts: None.

8.d. Barclays CPC Playground Account RESOLVED: to close and transfer money to Community Account.

9. Planning:

9.a. Plan.App.7/2009/5405 5, Forest Cottage, Townson Ground, Coniston LA21 8AA – two storey extension Having notified the agent, the clerk received this response: Both the applicant and myself are abroad on holiday at present but I will copy your email to the letting agents so that they can make any tenants aware of your visit, if they feel it necessary. The site is quite open and easily viewed from the communal car park and paths. Regards, William Sutherland RIBA, WS Architecture Ltd, Cluan Rydal Road, Ambleside LA22 9BA Mr Richard Nelson was on site to show councillors around and to answer questions. RESOLVED: to support the application. Councillors, having seen the amount of water from the site flowing across the road, were concerned about the drainage system that will be covered by the development but were reassured by Mr Nelson that it will not be adversely affected.

9.b. Plan.App.7/2009/5427 Coniston Lodge Hotel – resubmission The council has until 14 Sept to submit observations; the package of materials that was sent to it was taken by councillors for individual absorption and reflection.

10. Correspondence: RESOLVED: to note that since the last meeting the clerk had received and informed councillors of the following items. (Items marked ** were taken as read.)

1 Resources Cumbria Review No.13 August 2009

2 Cumbria CVS Your News August/September 2009

3 Cumbria CVS Annual review 2008-09

11. Reports: None.

12. Public questions and comments: None.

13. Date of next Meeting: RESOLVED: that the next meeting will be on Monday 21st September 2009 at 7.00pm in the Library.

Meeting closed at 6.15pm.

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