Minutes of the Meeting of Coniston Parish Council held in the Library on Monday 20th July 2009.

PRESENT: Councillors David Coxon (Chairman), Dist Cllr Mrs Anne Hall, Ms Rosemary Hext, Peter Hill, and Mrs Elaine Kelly; the clerk, C Sargeant; and, 2 members of the public (D Adams and E Clunnan).

GUEST SPEAKERS: Steve Dooley, Project Manager, and Lee Bryce, Operations Manager, United Utilities: briefed the parish council on the proposal to make a planning application to install enhancements to the Water Treatment Plant in Lake Road by building a small pumping station, with disc filter, on the Town tip side. Following directives from the Environment Agency and new European legislation the intention is to reduce the phosphates released and to improve the water quality in the lake. The discharge point will remain where it is. If the application is successful work, with little disruption to the village, will be carried out between October and November for the pump to be operative by 31st March 2010. Speakers responded to questions. The chairman thanked them.

1. Public welcoming and receipt of matters for debate: Chairman welcomed the public. There was no matter for debate.

2. Apologies: Cllrs Stoddart (vacation) and Tarr (other commitment); Co Cllr Mrs Salisbury; PCSO Largue.

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). Cllr Hill (matters relating to E.ON). All councillors as Trustees of the Coniston Institute and Ruskin Museum.

4. Minutes of the Meeting of 8th and 29th June 2009 were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

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

5.A. 8th June 2009:

5.A.a. Item 5.c. Campbell House entrance protection Co Cllr Mrs Salisbury has spoken to John Bell, Principal Highways Engineer.

5.A.b. Item 5.d. Council tour of inspection Still to be determined.

5.A.c. Item 5.e. Locality Working Information was received from Mandy Dixon, Chair of LSP (dated 9th July) saying: “ It is expected that initial LAP meetings are likely to be held over the next few months. In some areas where there is a particular interest, opportunities to pilot different ways of working will be introduced.”

5.A.d. Item 5.g. Commemorative blocks Installation needing completion. RESOLVED: the Chairman to arrange.

5.A.e. Item 5.k. Audit Completed but not confirmed.

5.A.f. Item 5.l. Business Survey Completed and available for distribution. The cost of the work carried out by Housing Heritage was £750. Grants for this amount have been received from SLDC (£500), CT (£200) and LDNPA (£50).

5.A.g. Item 5.m. Wall above High Hollin Bank See Item 10.c. below. RESOLVED: to establish to whom the land belongs to.

5.A.h. Item 5.n. Housing Association homes in The Garth No progress.

5.A.i. Item 5.p. The visit of the people from Illiers-Combray An email from Michel Christiane (7 July) expressed thanks: In the name of the Twinning committee, I would like to thank you very much for all that you have done for us. It was a very busy time and really enjoyable for all of us from France. So much work for you in CONISTON, and so much pleasure for us. We all enjoyed our stay, Illiers-Combray's inhabitants, Proustiens, Footballers, Leaders, and members of the Twinning committee. Once again thank you very much… And now you must come to Illiers-Combray… (as big a delegation as us in July 2009!...) Very sincere thanks and very best wishes in friendship from France.....

5.A.j. Item 5.q. Playground safety blocks These have been moved to near the main entrance for people to take what they can properly use.

5.A.k. Item 5.t. Insurance in flood-risk area A letter (16 June) from Paul Buttle, Flood Risk Mapping & Data Management, Environment Agency, said: We are constantly working to improve the quality of our flood mapping and flood risk information. As a result of this there are soon to be updates to both our Flood Map and the National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) for the Coniston area.

5.A.l. Item 6.a. The Cumbria way A meeting arranged by Kevin Fairclough, NT, for 13 July had to be cancelled.

5.A.m. Item 9.a Industrial Units on Old Furness Road The Chairman reported media interest in this issue. Further developments are expected.

5.B. 29th June 2009

5.B.a Income Bonds transfer Councillors approved the transfer of money in Income Bonds to the Amenities Fund and signed letter to NS&I.

5.B.b. Lakeland Trials – 3 October Information was noted.

6. Matters arising since that Meeting:

6.a. Commemorative Bench (H. Carroll) for Playground RESOLVED: the parish council will pay installation costs and, if they are the purchasers, will refund VAT.

6.b. Land Restoration Trust to renovate Victorian Garden RESOLVED: to support Alastair Cameron’s initiative.

6.c. Parish Plan revision RESOLVED: to invite Alastair Cameron, Chairman, to September Meeting.

6.d. Empty Homes in Coniston Councillors were pleased that action on this issue is being taken.

6.e. Hawkshead Road cycle way In response to an expression of concern about cyclists not using the facility, Tony Hill, LDNPA Ranger, emailed (16 July): I have now discussed this with Kevin Fairclough, NT, and it looks as though he will initiate better signing. We are currently negotiating better access from Coniston Boating Centre to Waterhead Hotel and beyond to Boon Crag. When this is completed, subject to consultation, we will be improving signing anyway, to encourage users to use these routes.

6.f. Low Hall Garth Road RESOLVED: clerk to send Gordon Humphreys, Yorkshire Ramblers, the Chairman’s contact details for Cllr Coxon to make a site visit.

6.g. Bridge conveniences Lawrence Conway, SLDC, wrote (16 July): Cabinet agreed last week to engage in a Public Consultation with Parishes and Towns, on a number of options regards the future sustainability of Public Conveniences in the District. This needs to be carried out during August and September to meet both Parish and District budget setting deadlines. I am sure that we will be contacting you over the next few weeks to discuss this matter and the future of the Conveniences. The Cabinet report and full study are available on our Website, the only option that will not be considered for consultation is the "do nothing" option. The NW Evening Mail article relates to our local MP's decision to raise the issue of Toilets and their lack of Government funding as an early day motion to be raised in Parliament. This would be a medium/long term resolution, but we will be working hard to ensure that where facilities are needed strategically, they are provided, and that where the Community wishes to look at their own plans, we will do all we can to enable that become a reality.

6.h. Great North Swim RESOLVED: to continue support for Lakes & Skelwith parish councils in their efforts to alleviate difficulties caused by event.

6.i. Charity Challenge RESOLVED: to acknowledge the success and benefits of Samworth Brothers visit to Coniston, June 2009.

7. Reports and minutes of outside bodies:

7.a. The Coniston Institute & Ruskin Museum Work underway to display model in Co-op window and to organize a coffee morning to raise public awareness and interest.

7.b. Coniston Water Association Nothing to report.

7.c. CALC Meeting of District Association of Parish Councils – 18 June Minutes of 140th Meeting on 18th June 2009 Part 1 Meeting with South Lakeland District Council 1. Restructuring of Senior Management at SLDC – Lawrence Conway, Corporate Director for Communities, SLDC Lawrence confirmed that the first phase of this is complete with the Corporate Directors and Assistant Directors now all in place. The second phase will be implemented as soon as possible. ACTION: Amanda McCleery to get hold of a list of names and positions to distribute to all parish clerks when minutes and next agenda are posted out. 2. 2009-2012 SLDC Corporate Plan – Philippa Cook, Corporate Director for Vision & Strategy, SLDC Philippa explained that SLDC wants to become a needs-led authority. To this end, they are gathering intelligence (eg. busy times when visitors use services etc) and feedback from customers. They are piloting this needs-led approach through a “streetcare” project in Sedbergh, whereby CCC Highways digging up of the roads is co-ordinated with SLDC cleaning of the roads. The authorities will be asking for parish feedback on this pilot and contacting organisations like CALC for their comments before the initiative is rolled out throughout the district. Philippa gave assurances that SLDC is working closely with LDNPA in general, and that the overall process will be bottom-up (as councils are judged by national government on joint and partnership working). ACTION: Amanda McCleery to get hold of paper copies of the corporate plan to be sent to all on mailing list when minutes and next agenda are posted out. 3. Update on Parish Charter – Guy Richardson, Chief Officer, CALC Guy stated that the original idea had been to bring an officer report to this District Association meeting, but then those present would only have had about 10 minutes or so to comment on it. So, CALC had a re-think and decided that it needed to send a short questionnaire to all parish councils in order to find out what they think of the Parish Charter, for example how effective it is. At the same time need to seek the views of some CCC & SLDC staff and councillors to see if they think that parish councils are undertaking their commitments in the Charter. All these responses will then form the basis of a better informed officer report, which will be presented to a future District Association meeting. ACTION: CALC to develop a short questionnaire to be sent to all parish councils and some CCC and SLDC staff and councillors to find out if the Parish Charter is working or not. 4. Progress on Local Area Partnerships – Philippa Cook, SLDC Philippa explained that, after the Parish summits on local area partnerships (LAPs) last autumn, a joint CCC/SLDC consultation document had been sent to all parish councils this spring for their comments by Easter. The responses have now been collated and formed the basis of a report to SLDC Cabinet and CCC South Lakeland Local Committee in June. The proposals are still talking about 8 LAPs, although the parishes have yet to find out in which LAP they have been placed. The plan is for 4 co-ordinators, so each co-ordinator looks after 2 LAPs. Parish councillors present stressed that the quality of co-ordinators will be vital if the parish agenda is to be pushed forward and heard alongside the needs of the towns and other agencies. The organisations have agreed to establish a multi-agency project board (including a CALC representative) to guide individual LAPs on, for example, rules of governance and legal matters and to help steer the whole process. The project board will report to the Local Strategic Partnership, which is driving the LAP process. The LAPs will decide if the project board only exists for a finite period of time. The plan is to support those parishes and towns which are ready to go with meetings in September, whilst other parishes which are less sure about LAPs can watch how the earlier clusters develop and then decide to group together at a later date. The project board will not prescribe who sits on individual LAPs, although it will recommend that CCC, SLDC, parishes, police and PCT are all represented, with other organisations attending from time to time to make presentations on specific issues. ACTION: CCC and SLDC to give joint and proper feedback to the parish councils on their comments to the spring consultation document. The principal authorities also need to give a joint response to the issues raised by parish councils in their comments. 5. Progress on Toilets – Lawrence Conway, SLDC Lawrence updated everyone that there had been a full evaluation of all toilets in the district, irrespective of their current ownership. This evaluation will go as a report, with options, to SLDC Cabinet in early July. The options include: retaining and improving toilets; community schemes, where by public toilets are provided in shops and cafes; and the current 50/50 partnerships with parish councils are extended. Money within SLDC is limited, so tough decisions will need to be made in order to agree something that is sustainable in the long term. Part 2 Association Business 10/09 Present 11/09 Apologies for absence Coniston Parish Council. 12/09 Minutes The minutes of the 139th meeting held on 5th March 2009 were agreed as a correct record. Hoad Monument in Ulverston altered to read having already received money from Heritage Lottery Fund. 13/09 Matters arising from the minutes Amanda McCleery summarised the long running issue of Impact Housing, Great Orton parish near Carlisle and section 106 agreements (see minutes from September 2008, November 2008 and March 2009 of District Association if you want more details). Impact Housing in South Lakeland said that choosing local people from parishes for housing was already covered by existing section 106 agreements, but the parish councillors had asked the Secretary to investigate further. Guy Richardson suggested that the Secretary contact the Planning and Housing departments of SLDC to discuss section 106 agreements. Planning only had replied and offered for the Secretary to view some section 106 agreements. ACTION: Amanda McCleery to contact SLDC Planning again to agree a date to view some section 106 agreements. Amanda McCleery to write to SLDC housing again requesting their input into this issue. It is still an important issue for parishes, as illustrated by the fact that Kirkby Lonsdale, for example, are not getting contacted by Impact Housing about choosing tenants. 14/09 Election of Representative to South Lakeland Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership At the District Association meeting in November 2008 Allan Green (from Lakes parish) was elected to represent the Association on the South Lakeland Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership. Allan has since retired from Lakes parish and so the Association needed to elect a new representative. Leith Hallatsch (of Windermere town council) was duely elected. ACTION: Amanda McCleery to contact South Lakeland Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership with Leith’s contact details, and vice versa. 15/09 Items of Interest from Parishes Kirkby Lonsdale (Alan Day) – Grass cutting not getting done, for example Booths roundabout, so decided to do it themselves as a town council in order to keep the town looking attractive. Lakes (Leslie Johnson) – They can get their Highway Steward (who is excellent) to do such jobs as grass cutting. Another thing that is going well is their parish handyman, which has been an excellent investment. Blawith & Subberthwaite (Sheena Thompson) – Verges may need to be left uncut for wildflowers and insects. It is alright to cut grass on roundabouts on the grounds of traffic safety. ACTION: Dianne Whitehead will found out from CCC Highways what can and cannot be cut near roads and report back at next meeting. Amanda McCleery will contact Cumbria Wildlife Trust about which verges are protected for wildlife. Kendal Town Council (Rob Boden) – Rob asked if any other parish present started their meetings with prayers. No one did. Tony Rothwell explained that it was all about tradition as Kendal town council has existed for hundreds of years. Guy Richardson offered to advise Kendal town council as councillors are not agreed and letters are being written to local papers. ACTION: Kendal town council to contact CALC for advice if desired. 16/09 Reports from Representatives to Other Bodies A new format for this part of the meeting was agreed in March, whereby representatives would send the Secretary a summary of their report a few weeks before the meeting and the Secretary would email these summaries to all the parish clerks for them to forward to the person attending the District Association meeting. Everyone present had summaries so it appeared to have worked! South Lakeland Area Police Community Liaison Forum (Anita Benson) Anita gave feedback on a meeting of the above forum on 7th April 2009, at which Nicola Booker talked about the role of the Cumbria Police Authority and how feedback was vital. A general discussion about how to reach a wider audience followed. Chief Inspector Ali Duffy spoke of how crime was down 11% as a whole. Every crime category was reduced, with the exception of burglary of buildings, which may be related to the deteriorating economic situation. ACTION: Anita to ask the other District Association representative on the Forum, Medwin Sherriff, to write the report for the next Association meeting. Leslie Johnson (Lakes) mentioned that a Community Police Officer always attends their parish council meetings. The council values his report, and always gives feedback. Many of the parishes present (eg. Kirkby Lonsdale, Ulverston, Windermere, Hawkshead and Upper Allithwaite) said that police officers also attend their parish council meetings. Other parishes (eg. Kendal) said that police officers did not attend. ACTION: Amanda McCleery to contact Cumbria Police Authority about attending meetings of all parish councils because parish councils find it so beneficial. ACTION: Individual parish councils to write to their local police officer inviting him/her to attend future meetings. LSP Affordable Housing Task Group (Mike Whelan) See the summary emailed to clerks before the meeting. SLDC Overview & Scrutiny Committee See the summary emailed to clerks before the meeting for David Peters (Resources). Tony Rothwell announced that he would be standing down from Community at the September AGM. CCC South Lakeland Local Committee (Ron Shapland) See the summary emailed to clerks before the meeting. 17/09 Dates, Venues and Times for Future Meetings 3rd September 2009 AGM 7pm for coffee & tea for 7.15pm start Gilpin Bridge Inn, Levens (just off A590) 26th November 2009 Joint meeting CCC 6pm buffet for 6.30pm start Council chambers, County Offices, Kendal

7.d. South Lakeland Strategic Partnership – 19 June Over eighty individuals representing 40 local organisations came together on June 19, 2009 for the annual South Lakeland Community Conference. This year’s conference attracted delegates from local government, parish councils, emergency services, health, voluntary and faith groups, environment, economic development and many other sectors. One of the main objectives of the day was to agree the priority issues for the LSP to tackle over the coming year. After briefings on a number of topics, delegates agreed the four issues that would be the Partnership’s priorities for the year ahead - Tackling climate change Developing Local Area Partnerships Regenerating service centres Finding sites for affordable housing More information is available on the SLSP website.

7.e. Colton Parish Council Unclassified Roads – Rusland, 6 July Colton PC Chairman wrote: MEETING ON GREEN LANES AND OFF-ROADING The well-attended meeting had two substantive agenda items: i) the condition and maintenance of green lanes (unsurfaced Unclassified Country Roads) of which there are 8 in the parish (one or two so badly eroded that farmers cannot use them to reach their stock), and ii) the behaviour of off-road users. John Robinson of Cumbria Highways Department said that green lanes were part of the County's adopted road network and were therefore the responsibility of his department. However, there is barely enough money in the budget to maintain ordinary roads, let alone unsurfaced routes and he could see no obvious improvement in the situation in the foreseeable future. Tony Hill, our National Park ranger, confirmed that, since the NERC Act, the National Park was now able to implement Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to restrict access, but explained that the process was not straightforward (especially in view of recent legal challenges in the Yorkshire Dales NP). He said that there is money for Rights of Way improvement but that this did not include UCRs. He wondered whether some sort of initiative similar to the Fix the Fells project might be implemented for UCRs and agreed to discuss this with Highways. Steve Pighills of the Cumbria Countryside Access Partnership said that some off-roaders were happy to help with volunteer work parties but these could only achieve temporary improvements. The meeting then considered the behaviour of some off-roaders who were responsible for much of the current track erosion, extensive track-side and fell-side damage and had even delivered verbal and physical abuse towards farmers who had remonstrated with them. Steve Pighills felt that this group was a small minority which was causing problems for everybody but others felt that the problem was more widespread. Our Community Support Police Officers, John Baldwin and Diana Wilcock said that they would act on reports of illegal behaviour but due to the nature of the terrain, and the vehicles involved, it was particularly difficult to apprehend culprits. Nevertheless, they urged the public to report any incidents witnessed. A number of other suggestions were made that might help reverse a deteriorating situation and the Council will consider these at future meetings.

7.f. High Furness Neighbourhood Forum – Lowick Community Hall, 8th July Summary of meeting Claire Salisbury introduced herself as the new County Councillor for the High Furness area and welcomed everyone to the Forum. ‘GREENING’ LOWICK COMMUNITY HALL After welcoming everyone to the refurbished Community Hall, Rob gave some details of its history. Over the years the building had gradually deteriorated. The Church was approached and a phased sustainable development document produced backed by technological information The Hall got £80K in funding, a free heat pump from Scottish Power and match funding from the low carbon group for the photovoltaic roof. Rob explained how the photovoltaic roof produces energy and how the air source heat exchange pump works (like a fridge in reverse). He was unable to say how well the air source heat pump works in winter, as work was still ongoing last winter. The hall ceiling is insulated with herdwick wood and fans move heat from the ceiling back to floor level. Double glazing and thermal blinds and curtains help keep the heat in the main part of the building. There are plans to line the walls with a wetsuit material to prevent heat being lost in this way. Rob stressed alternative technology does work – you just need to insulate and insulate more! He stressed the Hall committee has tried its best to maintain a low carbon, low energy outlook as they have developed the Hall and now have a resource where people can see renewables in action. The next project is tackling the garden to the side and back of the hall. Grizebeck Village Hall Committee expressed interest in liaising with Lowick and tapping into their expertise as they plan to build a new hall incorporating alternative technologies. Rob stressed the need to keep time sheets for volunteer labour, as these are worth £15-£20 an hour when used with match funding applications. QUICKFIRE FEEDBACK Lowick Parish Council – Chair of the Parish Council, Mitch, welcomed everyone to Lowick, thanked the ladies who provided refreshments and explained that he became involved with the Parish Council through the Parish Plan. Having lost the school, Mitch explained the need for a community facility was top of the list, but the burning issue now is the common land at Lowick Green which has been taken away from the community by the present landowner. It was suggested that the Parish Council contact Friends of the Lake District on this issue. The third issue of concern is housing for local people and the results of a recent rural housing survey are expected shortly Greyhound Pub at Grizebeck – Alan Irving explained the village had a ‘failing’ pub 4-5 years ago. The licensee answered an advert from a TV company looking for a failing pub to revitalise. 2 meetings with the TV company followed, generating a lot of local interest and enthusiasm and a committee was formed and took over the pub on 21st January. The pub has since been redecorated and re-opened and serves local food from local suppliers. Volunteers ran the pub initially, but are slowly being replaced with paid staff. It now has two good chefs and hopes to appoint a manager to run the pub on the Committee’s behalf. Alan ended by saying that a lot of work had been involved in the project, but it was worthwhile as Grizebeck still has its local pub and it has drawn the village back together. First Responders – Pete Mundy, volunteer trainer for North West Ambulance, explained that First Responder groups get a pager message as the ambulance is despatched in response to a 999 call, and because of distances the ambulance has to travel, First Responders are frequently at the scene first. He explained the training for First Responders and said the aim would be to have 8 – 10 people in a village who could give CPR. He also gave information on ‘Heart Start’ courses and Councillor Salisbury encouraged anyone who had the opportunity to do this excellent course to take it. Contact Pete on 07740 049511 or petemunday@talk21.com for more information. Lake District National Park – Chris Berry, Park Ranger, highlighted the Park Authority’s aim for more involvement with local communities, mentioning the sustainable development funding provided for Lowick Community Hall, work with volunteers pulling Himalayan Balsam on the Duddon and planting trees with the National Trust at Cockley Beck. Police – P.C. John Baldwin introduced his colleague PCSO Dianna Wilcock and provided an update on the way Neighbourhood Watch information is now circulated. He provided information on current operations – thefts of outboard motors, trailers, trail bikes, mountain bikes, burglaries and poaching activities, and stressed that if people see anything suspicious, they are not wasting police time if they ring 0845 3300247. Satterthwaite Parish Council – is to do its Parish Plan and looking at reducing its carbon footprint. It has funding for a feasibility study for a micro-generation hydro scheme and has received lots of encouragement from government bodies. Broughton tree work – concerns have been raised about planned woodland management work and a drop-in consultation event at which the Forestry Commission will be present, is planned for 3 – 7pm at the Victory Hall on Monday 20th July. Widespread publicity in Broughton should ensure that as many people as possible are aware of this. GRANTS Little Acorns Requested £ 300 - Awarded £300 Lowick Community Hall Requested £ £1,000 - Awarded £1,000 COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD 2 – 8 August – Broughton Walking Festival 15 August – Rusland Valley Horticultural Show 16 August - Lakeland Country Fair, Torver 18 August – Hawkshead Agricultural Show 29 August – Millom & Broughton Agricultural Show 30 August – Grasmere Sports 25-27 September – Coniston Walking Festival DIARY DATE – The next High Furness Neighbourhood Forum will be held at Torver Village Hall, 7pm on Monday 12th October, 2009. All welcome. RIVERS IN THE HIGH FURNESS AREA Ben Lamb, Trust Manager at South Cumbria Rivers Trust, explained the five river catchment areas theTrust covers and explained that the Trust was set up in 2006 with the aim of improving and conserving the rivers in South Cumbria. The Trust was started by anglers concerned by the decline in the number of fish being caught and worried about water quality and habitats in rivers. Ben mentioned issues which can affect water quality: ? Irresponsible recreational use of the lakes which may affect the water quality and shoreline. ? Over-enrichment of the water due to domestic sewage and agricultural run off ? Abstraction and drought, leading to reduced flows and drying up ? Degraded riparian habitat ? Land drainage which accelerates run off, leading to increased siltation and higher river levels ? Acid rain legacy The Trust works in schools with its ‘Experience the River’ project, undertakes ‘electro fishing’ surveys to measure salmonid populations which need good quality water, clean sub strata and a food source and are super sensitive to any form of pollution, and work with anglers on riverfly and invertebrate training (riverflies are also very susceptible to pollution – if they’re not there – neither are the fish! The Trust is also involved in the eradication of invasive species – Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed, skunk cabbage etc. and hopes to appoint an Invasive Species Officer to co-ordinate the efforts of the different groups tackling these problems. Ben mentioned that South Cumbria has one of the best populations nationally of the native white clawed crayfish, but highlighted the dangers to its survival from the bigger, stronger, non-native signal crayfish. Otters have been sighted at Greenodd, on the Lickle, at Kirkby Pool and in Grizedale Beck and Ben confirmed that whilst the Trust was formed by anglers, it looks at wider conservation issues. It was mentioned that when otters appear in the river, mink disappear! Anne Hall explained that Coniston Parish Plan is looking at the carbon footprint of the village and asked whether the Trust had any information on which washing powders etc. would not contribute to a phosphate build-up in lakes and rivers. Ben confirmed that an information leaflet will be produced to help make people more aware of how to look after the water. Anne also mentioned that the Woodland Trust is offering grants for tree planting and suggested it may be possible to plan some alongside the river in Coniston. Ben highlighted a number of volunteer opportunities with South Cumbria Rivers Trust (walkover surveys/balsam pulling/electro-fishing/practical work in rivers/technical and administration) and asked that people contact him on 01539 816311 or via www.scrt.co.uk if interested or for more information.

7.g. CALC Climate Change Workshop – Staveley, 14 July No report.

7.h. Kendal Auction Mart Open Day – 16 July No report.

8. Financial transactions:

8.a. Receipt of grants: From Coniston 14:

Amenities Fund for Playground £500.00

Coniston Parish Council for Commemorative blocks £300.00

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

Coniston Stonecraft for Twinning signs £746.35

E.ON for Street Lighting (Nov) £80.00

R J Airey for bus shelter maintenance £54.00

C Sargeant for clerk’s salary & expenses £300.00

Coniston Institute for room hire £40.00

Housing Heritage for Business Life Survey £750.00

Playdale for Playground furniture £18,472.45

SLDC for election expenses £539.00

8.c. A statement of accounts: Received.

9. Planning:

9.a. Temporary One Way Order: U5014 South of Tarn Hows, Hawkshead

9.b. 7/2009/5316 Lane Head LA21 8AA Observations: RESOLVED: to support the application. However, councilors perceived this application, following so soon after the last addition, as part of a creeping development and were of the opinion that greater care needs to be given to what impact this will have on a sensitive site; and, they noted that no reference was made to the parking difficulties (out spill on to the East-of-the-Lake Road) that the parish council has discussed with the Head of the Centre.

9.c. Notice of Intention: To erect telecommunication pole between Black Beck Cottage and Thurston

9.d. Modification of the Definitive Statement: Footpath near Tarn Hows Cottage

9.e. Notice of Grant of Planning Permission: 9 Collingwood Close

9.f. Notice of Proposal to Modify Definitive Map Order: Walna Scar Road: in all parts of the Order, replace “Restricted Byway” with “Byway Open to All Traffic”.

9.g. Notice of Grant of Planning Permission: 2 Newfield

9.h. Notice of Proposal to Amend Definitive Map Order: Tarn Hows Cottage: by adding a description of the footpath to the south of Tarn Hows Cottage.

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. J Parker Wholesale Catalogue Autumn 2009

2. SMP Playgrounds Publicity letter

3. Local Council Review Magazine Summer 2009

4. Cumbria CC Letter and leaflet X12 service

5. Ton Class Association Ton Talk magazine

6. Ton Class Association Letter and photograph

7. Cumbria CVS Your News magazine

8. Tim Farron MP Letter and poster for Charity Triathlon 11 July

9 LDNPA Notice of Grant of Planning Permission – Monk Coniston Hall

10. Lexis Acknowledgement of order for Arnold Baker’s Local Government Administration

11. Cumbria Highways Working Together Summer 2009

12. National Council for Voluntary Organisations Invitation to become a NCVO member – for as little as £42 a year

13. SLDC Property renaming – 1 -3 John Hext House

14. SLDC Standards Committee Agenda for 23 June

15. Environment Agency Letter in response to insurance difficulties

16. LDNPA Letter reference 2 Newfield

17. Tim Farron MP Letter about Station Yard Estate with copy of NWDA letter 12 June

18. Lakeland Trials Letter reference event in Coniston 3 October

19. Cumbria CVS Invitation to Cumbria Third Sector Census briefing at Redhills, Penrith, 7th July

20. Rural Services Community Weekly Rural Focus 30 June

21. Cumbria CVS Your News July/August

22. Northern Rock Newsletter Summer 2009

23. Rural Services Community Weekly Rural News Focus - 20 July 2009

24. Rural Services Community Primary health care and social exclusion project

25. Clerks and Councils Direct Magazine July 2009

26. RoSPA Notice of Inspection of Playground in August 2009

11. Reports:

11.a. Police Report: PCSO Largue emailed (14 July) to say that she had put dog signs in the alley leading from Collingwood Close to Old Hawkshead Road and on the Coppermines Valley Road; and, (16 July) to say that she had not anything major to report.

11.b. Housing Report: Alastair Cameron submitted (17July) this: A brief update on progress of Coniston’s housing projects, July 09. I have spoken to Lynne Mackenzie of Eden Housing Corporation. She hopes that John Hext House will be complete and ready for occupation by late October. Once completed it is planned for the contractor to start on the Church Fields site. We also understand that the contractors will have to close Old Hawkshead Road to through traffic for a couple of days to allow the main electricity cable to be laid to the site. No doubt they will contact CPC and residents with actual details in good time. Work with the Old Furness Road site is progressing quite well. One ‘spin-off’ of this scheme, as you know, is the fact that the Land Restoration Trust (a charitable trust) is expected to take over ownership of those areas of the Station Site that the LDNPA still owns. This includes the woodland bank above Station Hill. The Trust has become well known for renovating ‘lost’ Victorian gardens in all parts of the country and they feel that this area, which apparently was known as The Plantation, would be a good project. I wasn’t sure how people would feel about this but I have spoken to a few who live close and I’ve been very surprised by their enthusiasm. However I believe it is essential that finance is made available to maintain it once renovation is complete. Housing Needs Survey We need to start thinking about our next housing needs survey. This was mentioned briefly at the last housing group meeting. I have checked up with the contractor (Cumbria Rural Housing Trust) on the best time to do this and they have suggested next March / April would be a good time when some of our existing housing schemes have been completed. I hear that the LDNPA has been considering a Lake District-wide survey and has appointed a planning officer to review this. I will make contact with her. I am not sure whether we would want to get involved in this next time. During the last survey we used the Rural Housing Trust’s survey forms but made some changes to the normal method of carrying out housing needs surveys: • We added a ‘front-sheet’ to their survey form which was drawn up by the Parish Plan Team explaining that it was extremely important that all households completed it. • We then handed forms out to each dwelling, (rather than posting them). • We followed this up by re-visiting houses where there were teenage children etc, asking whether they had remembered to fill it in. • We included a pre-paid envelope for return. If we do go ahead we should try to make sure the survey can be carried out without any cost to the village. One final issue with these surveys is that our area seems to be unique in that those completing them have to include details of the family’s income etc on the form. This must reduce the number of eligible families who bother to complete the form. I know that surveys carried out in Cotswold villages, the South Downs and the West Country do not have to do this. The National Park has requested this is done in the Lakes and we should seriously challenge this.

11.c Highways Report: Cllr Kelly reported (13 July): have had a call of the Highway Steward this morning, we have got him for the whole of this week, and he has asked me to bring to attention any jobs that we think need doing. Today he is doing the wall at Dow How which I told Dave Huck about after our last PC Meeting, so if you can gather any other little jobs, he is coming to see me tomorrow so I can give him a list. This is the reponse from Dave Huck after I e-mailed him about a few problems that arose during our last meeting; - HIGH HOLLIN BANK - I have walked up the B5285 around High Hollin Bank & the walls in question appear to be boundary walls which do not retain the highway. As such they will be the responsibility of the adjacent landowners. WALNA SCAR/OLD FURNESS RD. I will include the junction lining at the bottom of Furness Rd on the next works order for the Lakes Area, I have some work to order for Ambleside/Broughton so I will add it to that. DOW HOW - As you can see that is being attended to today by Steve Brown (Highway Steward) WATERHEAD/ BLUBIRD ENTRANCE - I have had a look at the footway at the Bluebird, this is too much for Steve Brown. I have arranged with Amey to level up the area with stone, this should happen within the next week. This is a difficult area as it is the drive access to the houses down there. Their drives are only surfaced with loose stone & the constant use by there vehicles is the problem. To the best of my knowledge whilst I have been doing this job, this area has never been a formal footway. COPPERMINES ROAD/SILVER BANK - The carriageway patching on the Coppermines Rd to Silver Bank was marked up and ordered in April this year. I know that the order was issued and the gang was working in the Coniston Area, I therefore assumed that the patching had been done. If this is not the case please let me know, & I will find out what is happening.

11.c. Playground Report: New furniture has been added. Fiona Harrison, Senior Housing Officer, South Lakes Housing, emailed (20 July) to Cllr Mrs Hall: At a meeting last week we were shown pictures of the new playground at Coniston. It looks fantastic. The types of items being installed were very appealing to members of the meeting I was at.

11.d. Cllr Hill: Reported that Nick Mortimer was in the process of redesigning and updating the Community website.

11.e. Cllr Mrs Hall: Said: i. that Coniston was to be well represented at the Tatton Garden Show; and, ii.there would soon be developments regarding the Coniston-Torver-Broughton cycleway.

11.f. Cllr Mrs Kelly: Expressed a hope that there would be access from John Hext House to Little Moss. Cllr Mrs Hall said it was likely.

11.g. Cllr Coxon: Expressed satisfaction with the success of the Water Festival.

11.h. Co Cllr Mrs Salisbury: Emailed (17 July): Just a quick update on a few things for PC meeting following on from my meeting with John Bell and Nick Raymond this evening: I have chased John Bell re Campbell House exit visibility. Nick Raymond has agreed to look into United Utilities funding regarding Coppermines Valley Road. Footpath (or lack of it) at Bluebird Lodge / Fir Trees - Nick Raymond is going to get Martin Elson to do a costing for putting in place a new path to link the two existing sections - it will then probably be up to me to locate budget but I hope that will not be problem. I will keep you updated on progress but please let me know if there is anything else that needs chasing. Emailed (20 July): Had a quick look but not familiar with Lower Hall Garth site but will try to look into it later in the week.

12. Public questions and comments: Mr Adams was contented that the UU speakers would pursue the issue of screening around the Water Treatment Plant and said he had received a dvd from Solto Collina of its representatives in Coniston (March 2009).

13. Date of next Meeting: RESOLVED: that the next meeting will be on Monday 17th August 2009 at 7.00pm in the Library.

Meeting closed at 9.00pm.