PRESENT: Councillors – P Hill (Chairman), D Coxon, Mrs A Hall, J Stoddart and L Tarr; Clerk – Mr C Sargeant; and, 4 members of the public (D Adams, B Bateman, Mrs J Jones and P Martin).

1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The public sought clarification for a number of issues:

1.a. Foxfield-Coniston Route: Mr Martin submitted a recent article from the Evening Mail (undated): “MP backs new Coniston Paths” that reported: “He has tabled a parliamentary motion promoting the Sustrans Connect2 scheme which will see the creation of 79 new cycle and foot paths across the county.” As the owner of a stretch of the old railway track leaving Coniston, that he has owned, maintained and kept open to the public since the closure and sale of the route, Mr Martin was seeking the support of the parish council to maintain the status quo in the village. The clerk had sought clarification from the LDNPA website, Sue Thompson, LDNPA Ranger, and Nick Thorne, LDNPA Rights of Way Officer and he reported that according to the PA’s ROWIP ANNUAL ACTION PLAN (APRIL 2008 – MARCH 2009), relating to Family-friendly cycle routes the intention was to identify, develop, and promote a set of continuously way-marked short (less than half a day), medium (a day), and long (more than 1 day) family-friendly cycle routes. Where possible these will be traffic-free and close to where people live and visit. With specific reference to the Foxfield to Coniston route, a project plan is to be drawn up, a route designed and costed, and consultation undertaken between the LDNPA, Cycle Development Officer, Area Engineer, Parish Councils and Landowners. As this process will take time, it was RESOLVED: to monitor the project.

1.b. Dow-How Verge: i.Mr Martin voiced the concern of several of the residents of Haws Bank who have had to give way horses on the footpath between The Ship and Gateside. The council agreed that this was not satisfactory. RESOLVED: the clerk to approach the horse riders to ask them to use an appropriate route. ii.Mr Martin urged the council to take steps to tidy the verge. RESOLVED: early in the New Year a working party to meet to tackle the untidiness

1.c. Drain maintenance: Mr Martin drew attention to specific drains on the A593 through Haws Bank that are so full of hardened sludge that rainwater flows across them. The council recognised that the problem was evident throughout the village. Mr Adams drew attention to the difficulties experienced recently on the Banks/Devonshire Terrace where blocked drains lead to surface water freezing and travel was made difficult. RESOLVED: to urge Highways to take quick action to avoid surface water freezing in Winter.

1.d. Cemetery Field: Mr Martin thought villagers were confused as to what is to happen to the New Churchyard. The Chairman, who attended the site visit made by the committee of the LDNPA, explained that though a planning application had been submitted for the whole site to be used to build 14 houses, in actuality St Andrew’s Parochial Church Council were adamant that no more than 9 houses should be built along the Old Hawkshead Road end to retain enough burial ground for a hundred years. Reference was made to Alastair Cameron’s Housing Report (Minute 11.b. below).

1.e. Malfunctioning lamps: Mr Bateman said Lamp 78 at the top of Lake Road was on permanently. The Chairman reported that Lamp 25 in The Garth was cutting on and off repeatedly. The clerk said he had encountered the lamp-repair man on the Old Hawkshead Road on 14th December and was assured that the lamps on The Brow footpath would be mended this week. RESOLVED: to report problematic lamps.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr Mrs E Kelly (other commitment) and Cllr Lakin (business commitment); PCSO Judge

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Hill (all matters relating to E.ON), Cllr Coxon (all matters relating to LDNPA and Cumbria Landscaping) and Cllr Tarr (Plan. App. 7/2007/5604).

4. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: The Chairman was authorised to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the Meeting of 19th November 2007.

5. MATTERS ARISING from that Meeting:

5.a. PLAYGROUND: (i) The clerk said he had sent the 2 charity account books in for interest to be added before organising the merging the Defibrillator account with the Amenity account.

(ii) Mrs Jones said the ropes on the climbing frame were fraying and needed attention.

5.b. HIGHWAYS: (i) A notice will have to be erected by the parish council to mark the disabled parking place on Tilberthwaite Avenue: Cllr Coxon agreed to organise this.

(ii) Mr Airey had contacted the clerk to say that on the A593 in front of the bus shelter on Adam Bridge there was a dip that retained water which was sprayed by passing traffic into the building. RESOLVED: to request Highways to remedy the problem.

(iii) Concern was expressed that the hedge between the path and the A5285 from the Nant to the Waterhead Hotel was still uncut. RESOLVED: to remind Highways that it had been its schedule to cut the hedge in October and to urge speedy action.

5.c. SIGNS ON CHURCH BECK BRIDGE: The Meeting was reminded that it is the council’s policy to resist all but temporary signs on the railings of the bridge. RESOLVED: the clerk to request Brantwood to remove the sign as soon as possible.

5.d. COPPERMINES COTTAGES OFFICE: The council had received complaints from locals that the view for drivers coming down Sun Lane to the junction with the A593 was greatly impaired by vehicles parked outside the office. RESOLVED: to request Mr Johnston to remedy the difficulty.

5.e. TWINNING: The Chairman attended the meeting in the Yewdale Hotel on 6th December and reported discussion about the village’s connections with Illiers-Combray and Solto Collina would be continued at the January meeting.

5.f. LIBRARY: Cllr Mrs Hall said the Institute Committee would discuss the Library issue and other matters relating to the development of the Institute at its January meeting.

5.g. HEALTH CENTRE: The accuracy of the statement in Mr Cameron’s report in last month’s minutes was questioned. It would seem that until the new practitioners have arrived there will be a temporary lull in the activities re- the health centre.

6. MATTERS ARISING Since that Meeting:

6.a. BUS SHELTER & PLAYGROUND MAINTENANCE: Mr Airey gave notice of his intended retirement at the end of March. RESOLVED: to advertise for tenders for both bus shelter and playground maintenance for the year 2008-2009.

6.b. QUALITY PARISH STATUS: RESOLVED: to satisfy the criteria and submit an application for QPS as soon as possible.

6.c. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The council are waiting to hear the results of a survey carried out by the County Council but remain committed to a forum to debate the issues.

6.d. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: RESOLVED: the council will extend its good wishes to villagers and express its appreciation of organisations and individuals who have supported it with a large poster on the notice board.

6.e. BENCH REPAIRS: The council complimented and thanked Peter Dixon for the thoroughness of his work in repairing benches on Lake Road and Dow How.

7. FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS: RESOLVED:

7.a. To issue cheques:

101377 SLDC for public conveniences (3rd quarter) £664.72

101378 E.ON for street lighting (November) £80.00

101379 P&L Lighting Ltd for Christmas lights £1,492.25

101380 Coniston Christmas Lights for VAT refund £222.25

101381 R J Airey for bus shelter maintenance £24.00

101382 J N Dixon Ltd for bench repairs £484.86

7.b. To approve statement of accounts for signing by the Chairman.

8. PLANNING ISSUES:

8.a. PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

8.a.i. Planning Application: 7/2007/5604 Location: 33, The Garth, Coniston LA21 8EQ Observations: CPC supports this application, agreeing that the single storey extension is of similar scale and design to neighbouring schemes and will have little or no impact on the location.

8.a.ii. Planning Application: 7/2007/5682 Location: Lowfield House, Bowmanstead, Coniston LA21 8PY Observations: CPC recommends refusal because the development is of an inappropriate size for the site and is not in keeping with the character of the original dwelling. Currently, the property is not permanently occupied and no justification of the need for the extension is offered. Only on the location plan is there any acknowledgement that the building is bordered by the A593 with no pavement (to the north) until the site entrance. The council also questions the red boundary of the site on the location plan which seems to claim ownership of the pavement from the property to Adam Bridge. Access has been a problem and the council is aware of the difficulties caused to pedestrians by visiting vehicles obstructing what it thought was the public pavement at the entrance to the site. The council urges the planning authority to check the accuracy of details of the submission.

8.a.iii. Planning Application: 7/2007/5687 Location: Coniston Corporate Embroidery UK Ltd, The Squash Court, Coniston LA21 8AE Observations: CPC supports this application, accepting the reasons given for the need for the development. Due attention has been given to the design of the extension and the materials to be used. Access does not create any problems. The impact on neighbouring properties and the environment is minimal.

8.a.iv. Planning Application: 7/2007/5687 Location: Sun Hotel, Coniston LA21 8HQ Observations: CPC supports this application, recognising the need for the improvements. Due attention has been given to design and materials. Access is not an issue. The hotel stands in a prominent position between the centre of the village and the Old Man: the council is of the opinion that the altered appearance of the building will not be detrimental to that view.

8.b. PLANNING DECISIONS: None.

9. CORRESPONDENCE: (other than that referred to elsewhere in the Minutes)

John Ruskin School Christmas Greetings

Ton Class Association Christmas Greetings

CALC Circular December 2007/January 2008

Tim Farron MP Letter and poster: Advice Surgeries November 2007 – June 2008

VAC Letter: Increased funds available to your community

VAC The Gazette: Issue 5 Winter 2007

LDNPA Modification Order: Walna Scar Road

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Letter: Public Consultation 15th October 2007 – 13th January 2008

Cumbria CC Letter and document: Annual Report 2006-7

Cumbria CC Letter: Temporary road closure A593 Torver to Coniston 7th-14th January 2008

Cumbria CVS Link Up – Third Sector Network News Issue 3 Autumn/Winter 2007

CALC/SLDA Minutes of 134th Meeting 29th November 2007

10. PUBLIC QUESTIONS: None.

11. REPORTS:

11.a. POLICE REPORT: PCSO Christyne Judge sent her apologies and a list of crimes for November: rowdy/inconsiderate behaviour 04/11/07; theft 24/11/07 of wing mirrors; and, criminal damage 27/11/07 to the value of £150 to the public toilets. She also gave notice that she is leaving her position as PCSO to take up training to become a police constable, starting 7th January, she will begin at head quarters before moving to Barrow. She said she had thoroughly enjoyed her time in the lakes and hoped to return as a police officer in the not too distance future. She thanked everyone for their support and wished all a merry Christmas and the best for 2008.

11.b. HOUSING REPORT: Alastair Cameron submitted the Minutes of the Coniston & Torver Housing Group Meeting, 30th November 2007: Those present: Elsa Brailey – Home Housing; Tony Whittaker – South Lakes District Council; Mairi Lock – National Park Authority; Anne Hall – Coniston Parish Council; Hugh Cameron – Torver Parish Council; and, Alistair Cameron. Apologies: Stuart Woodall – Day Cummins Ltd; and, Judith Derbyshire – CRHT. 1) Review of Coniston projects 1.a) Church Field / Old Cemetery site Stuart Woodall. Day Cummins Ltd, had sent apologies as he was unable to attend the meeting. However some information on the present situation with the Cemetery Site was received. Approval had been obtained for this site and this is now with the Housing Corporation for funding. Negotiations were still underway on the value of the site between Mitre Housing and the agent acting for Coniston PCC (Richard Parker). The initial offer was felt to be too low and a further offer was awaited. 1.b) Church Rooms An agreed price for the Church Rooms was also being negotiated. A suggestion was made that the Church Rooms development should revert back to 2 x 3 bed units rather than 2 x 2 bed plus 1 x 1 bed unit. However the general feeling was that it was too late in the day to make the change. In general the Project Team should rely on the results of the Survey rather than a perceived changing requirement of need from the community although the results of the Housing Needs Survey could be reviewed at the next meeting. TW commented that outside the National Park the housing authority continuously reviewed the requirements between surveys. 1.c) Old Furness Road The District Council had made a significant offer to the Estate Dept of LDNPA to pay towards the maintenance of the rock-face but it had not been accepted. In addition data on the securing of the face had been requested from the contractor who did the work for LDNPA (CAPITA) but had not been received. The Estate Dept wished to dispose of the whole 1/2 Km of the rock face rather than the 150 meters above the development site Because of the uncertainty over the rock face the housing authority, Home Housing, had not been able to bid for funding for this project this year but another bid could be made in April 2008 if the issue was sorted out. Tim Farron MP had become involved and had already written to Richard Leafe, Chief Exec of the LDNPA about the problem. ADC will also write to Mr Leafe. 2) Review of Torver projects Plans for this development have been reviewed by the LDNPA and the application will be submitted within the next two weeks. Terms have been agreed with the land-owner. It is hoped the application will be considered at the February planning meeting after which it should be possible to include it in the April bidding rounds. It is then estimated that work may start on the site in January 2009 and be completed by November 2009. There was discussion about the provision of a play area, as discussed at the previous meeting. This could be included as a result of Section 106 Planning Gains. Two other sites in Torver were discussed: • The old station yard (a brown-field site) would be suitable for development but could not be justified at the moment from the point of view of housing need. However it may be possible to consider it in the future for Coniston over-spill. • The two units proposed by The Lakeland Housing Trust should be progressed to the stage of submission of plans to the LDNPA. Use would be restricted to local occupancy. 3.) Review of other Coniston sites 3.a) Phase 1 - No progress had been made with other identified sites in the parish. 3.b) Phase 2 – consideration of other suitable sites in Coniston: Alastair Cameron and Mairi Lock had checked other potential sites for affordable housing schemes within the village. A number of sites were felt to be suitable for consideration: • Haws Bank, adjacent to Beckside House (Site No 9). • Part of Low How field, Gateside (Site No 24). • Part of Oak Howe field, opposite the Church Rooms. • Vacant land on the existing Barrett’s Croft site. 4) Other points 4.a) The Rural Housing Advisory Group had visited Coniston shortly after the previous Housing Group meeting. Alastair Cameron and Chas Sargeant had made a presentation to the Group on the previous evening at their hotel. The emphasis of the presentation had been ‘problems and solutions’. On 17th Sept Jack Ellerby, Policy Officer of the RHAG, had updated those involved with the results of the visit. AC would contact Jack to obtain a further update. 4.b) The proposal to encourage second home owners to enter into short term leases to provide housing for local families was discussed. Judith Derbyshire of the CRHT would be approached to check on other similar schemes in operation elsewhere in the County. 4.c) TW and AC would discuss setting up a forum during the first half on 2008 to promote the scheme. 5) Next meeting The date of Friday 14th March (10am) was agreed.

11.c. CLLR HILL: Confirmed that the misunderstanding about the trophy for the Grizedale Rally Stage had been resolved when a local business man met the cost of its manufacture. RESOLVED: the clerk to write to the organisers to explain that with the proliferation of events in the village, the council was willing to give support to all but it could not be expected to provide prizes for all and would therefore not favour any.

11.d. CLLR HALL: (i) Urged the council to acknowledge the District Nurse’s retirement after more than 25 years of service in the locality.

(ii) Proposed early advertising of the May elections to encourage new people on to the council.

11.e. CLLR STODDART: (i) Provided a list of jobs relating to the removal of self-set trees and blocked drains.

(ii) Reported 2 acts of vandalism: the water butt in the Primary School grounds had been holed to make it useless; and, the bench in the TIC garden had been uprooted and moved to behind the bus shelter.

(iii) Reported a missing slate from the roof of the Ruskin Avenue bus shelter.

11.f. THE CLERK: (i) Presented the Minutes of Local Consultative Group Meeting 6th December 2007 at the Forestry Commission Offices, Grizedale, submitted by Julie Saunders: Present: Mark Street, Development Manager, Forestry Commission; Julie Saunders, Admin Officer, Forestry Commission; Alan Russell, Community & Business Partnership Officer; Barbara Brown, Hawkshead Parish Council; Paul Townsend, Satterthwaite Parish Council; Charles Sargeant, Coniston Parish Council; Tony Atkinson, Colton Parish Council; and, David Robinson (Dave), Lake District National Park Authority. Apologies: Tania Crockett and Mike Thornley, Forestry Commission; Liz Cringle, Satterthwaite PC; and, Pc David Hall, Cumbria Constabulary. 1.Approval of minutes: The minutes were approved and signed by the chair. 2.Matters arising: Section 3a) (from previous minutes). Mark confirmed that Tania had tried to contact the National Park regarding interpretation but no contact has yet been made. Dave said that Bob Sutcliffe (LDNPA) had been out of the office for most of the summer but is now back in the office. Action: Tania to report any progress on this matter at next meeting Visitor monitoring – Charles revisited the issue of having a recognised footpath to Coniston and asked if this had been looked at further. He has found a Mary Welsh walk on a website that goes from the Visitor Centre via Brantwood (Charles has since emailed details of this to Emma and this has been forwarded to Tania). Mark said that some work had been carried out on bridleways but that this area is being covered by Tania. Action: Tania to feedback progress on recognised walk to Coniston at next meeting. 3.Update From Alan Russell: The minibus shuttle had been put out to tender. There had been 11 requests for the packs with 5 being returned by the 30th November deadline. 2 operators were being invited to a meeting to be held week comm. 10th December. It had been a good response with one coming from outside the county. The bus would run from April to October. There was an option for a staff bus but this may have to be dropped due to the extra cost involve. The bus would fit in with the existing B4 network. There may be an extra trip into Hawkshead but mainly the bus would run down to Haverthwaite and link in with the X35. It would be a 3 year contract. It was hoped that the bus would link in with a round trip. People could come across to Sawrey on the ferry then get the bus to Grizedale and then the bus to Haverthwaite then the steam train back to Lakeside and back to Bowness on Lakes Cruises. A press release went out on Monday so should be in all the local papers in the next week or so. Charles thanked Alan for attending the Coniston Parish Council meeting in October. The FC had been invited to join in the Lake District National Park World Heritage Site Bid – Community Engagement Technical Advisory Group, one of three Advisory Groups. Other agencies/organisations involved are, Cumbria County Council, Natural England, National Trust, Cumbria Association of Local Councils, Voluntary Action Cumbria, LDNPA and Age Concern. The first meeting had been held yesterday and the first formal meeting would be held next month. Alan was happy for all the Parish Councils to go through him if they had any questions. The Old Theatre upstairs had been stripped out. The area for the new wood fuel system had also been demolished. Good progress was being made and the time scale was on track for completion at the end of June 2008. It was hoped that there would be an open day with a VIP to open the completed site. The Resource Centre was still uncompleted. It now had a completion date of the first week in February. The shop and café would move over there for a temporary period and then move back in June. The Orientation building in the Old Hall Car Park was now going to go ahead once funding was found. The canopy was being demolished in the court yard area so there would be FC vehicles on the road outside the office while this work was undertaken. The road crossing point had been completed on one side. They are looking at bringing the visitors through into the yard area via the end store. The rest would probably stay as stores. They may be used to put the Arts Archive into while the development went on which would allow easy access. There is discussion on the Grizedale brand and how we take that forward. Would the boar still be the Grizedale symbol? A planning application for Go Ape for an extended opening period from February to Nov. i.e. closed in December and January was still being considered by the LDNPA. A Communications meeting had been held at Grizedale to look at improving the FC network. This would help to bring broadband into the development. The LDNPA and FC were looking closely at the issue of car parking at Grizedale and the capacity available. This would be constantly monitored. Alan is currently undertaking a staff survey on travel and car parking. An advert would be going out for the Wood fuel contract. This would be on a 3 year term with a look to supply 250 tonnes of air dried woodchip. There would be funding available for business advice and also a grant towards capital investment in equipment. This would hopefully make local contractors interested. The FC did look at buying a chipper but we have a Regional Forestry Framework document which encourages FC to engage with private contractors. The FC is not allowed to compete as this is deemed unfair. The new Education Ranger would be starting at the end of February. There would be no provision for a theatre in the new development. The flashing speed limit signs would probably be put out in the February half term as they need to be brought in at night. David Robinson brought up the issue that Cumbria County Council has developed a Functional Hierarchy Road System. They are trying to tailor traffic to the right roads. Not sure as to how they would achieve this and it would apply to all roads within the county. He would keep the group updated. Paul Townsend was going to contact SLDC about getting the road to Grizedale gritted. The FC offered their support to this proposal. 5.Issues and incidents GMBC Rally – This had been discussed with the local Recreation team and it was felt that the consultation could be improved to include local residents that would be affected by the event. Information to be passed to Liz to put in the local newsletter Footpath link to Brantwood/Coniston – There had been letters in the Gazette as the bridleway was being used by cyclists. There is a National Trust footpath that links to Atkinson Ground which then links into Grizedale. There is funding available within the project to help produce a leaflet to promote this area. 6.Date for next meeting: Thursday 14th February 2pm Grizedale. Action: Attendees to confirm attendance and send any agenda items to Julie by Friday 1sth February 2007.

(ii) Reported that the parishes involved in the lengthsman scheme have been told that there is no money to continue the project and they will have to self-finance the employment of the lenghtsman in the immediate future.

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: RESOLVED: to confirm that the next Meeting will be held on Monday 21st January 2008 at 7pm in the Library.

Meeting closed at 9.35pm.

SIGNED: Chas Sargeant, Clerk
DATE: 17th December 2007