CONISTON PARISH COUNCIL
|
Minutes of the Meeting of 18th June 2007 PRESENT: Councillors – Mr P Hill (Chairman), Mrs A Hall, Mr H Lakin (from 8.15pm) and Mr L Tarr; Clerk – Mr C Sargeant; Pc M Maclennan and PSO Christyne Judge; and, 15 members of the public (C Barrow, B Bateman, G Cross, Mrs P Cross, N Dixon, Ms J Fahy, Mrs J Gallimore, Mrs E Hill, D Johnson, Mrs J Johnson, P Johnston (from 8.30pm), Mrs J Jones, P Lowery, J Loxham & Mrs M Oliphant). 1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The Chairman welcomed the public and received on issue for debate:Music with a View: much concern and opposition was expressed about the proposal to hold this event in the Institute and the field next to it on 10 & 11 August. RESOLVED: to support the protest by writing to the organisers, the land owners, the police, the licensing authority and the Institute Committee expressing concern about the disruption to the centre of the village and the recreation ground, the threat to the sheltered housing in Little Moss, the lack of marshalling to contain visitors within the field, the lack of adequate toilet facilities to cater for such an event, the event’s poor record of clearing and cleaning in the last two years, the failure to consult the village about the event, the lack of consideration for the traffic flow along the A593 and the failure to organise adequate parking for all your visitors. 2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr D Coxon, Cllr Mrs E Kelly & Cllr J Stoddart (all on vacation). 3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None. 4. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: The Chairman was authorised to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the Meeting of 29th May 2007. Also: Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting were checked for correctness. 5. MATTERS ARISING from that Meeting: 5.a. NATIONAL TRUST: The Chairman verified that thanks had been sent to the Trust for the visit to the Monk Coniston grounds on Wednesday 2nd May. 5.b. PLAYGROUND: Fund-raising on-going. 5.c. LITTER BINS: The clerk confirmed that he had arranged with Nick Pearson, SLDC, to agree a contract for the regular emptying of the Hawkshead Road bridleway bin. Mr Loxham expressed concern about its misuse. RESOLVED: to monitor the site for problems. 5.d. TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE: Cllr Lakin reported a meeting of the Directors this evening. 5.e. GRIZEDALE PROJECT: The clerk attended the meeting of 23rd May 2007::Present: Mark Street, Development Manager, Forestry Commission, Emma Athersmith, Admin Officer, Forestry Commission, Tania Crockett, Recreation Manager, Forestry Commission, Colin Barr, Colton Parish Council, Barbara Brown, Hawkshead Parish Council, Liz Cringle, Satterthwaite Parish Council, Charles Sargeant, Coniston Parish Council, Helen Houghton, Lake District National Park Authority, Mike Thornley, Local Representative, Forestry CommissionApologies: Graeme Prest, Forestry Commission & David Hall, Cumbria Constabulary1.Appointment of new Chair: Charles nominated Barbara which was seconded by Helen. Barbara agreed to be Chair.2.Approval of minutes: Section 3) e): Helen requested an amendment to the part regarding the Holker motor museum and Whitewater. Action: Emma to amend and re-circulate minutes. The minutes were approved and signed by the chair subject to the above alteration.3.Matters arising: Section 3) a): at the last meeting Helen stated that James Cook (LDNPA) was willing to get involved with the forest design plan. James is no longer available to help and Helen suggested that Tania contact Bob Sutcliffe (LDNPA) to discuss the design plan/interpretation. Section 3) e): The Chair reported that construction of the proposed new hotel in Hawkshead is not due to start for at least 12 months. The Chair also requested that the group send a letter to Ron Mein, thanking him for his time as Chair of the group. Action: Emma to do letter and send to Ron.4.Update of progress to date: Mark updated the group on the progress of the project based on the newsletter circulated on 22/05/07. Mark also updated the group on the Greenwood project: a project to gather and provide information on all the tourist operations in South Furness. Grizedale Forest and the Grizedale project will be involved with this project which has been funded through the Leadership Plus scheme.Helen asked if the interpretation/orientation would include information on the old Grizedale Hall. Tania confirmed that there will be information about Grizedale Hall but it has not been decided yet where this information will be placed.Following on from the newsletter, Charles asked if it was the FC’s original intention to move the wall splays. Liz also asked if Mark had received a letter of complaint from a Satterthwaite Parish Council resident regarding the height of the car park wall and how this differs from the original plans. Mark confirmed that the wall had to be realigned to increase visibility for health and safety purposes. The FC has to satisfy highway access regulations and Mark confirmed that he has written to the planners about his meeting with the highway authority (details in Grizedale project newsletter 22/05/07). If safety has to take precedent over the visual impact of the wall then the FC will have to comply with this. Mark also confirmed that if this is this case then a landscaping scheme, which will not affect visibility, will be introduced next to the wall. Mark stated that he will reply to the letter of complaint when he receives a response from the planners.Liz also raised the issue of the wall being low and that children would be able to climb on it therefore causing a health and safety issue. Mark confirmed that there is a minimum height on the inside of the wall and this will stop this from happening.Charles asked for an update on the bat licence for Phase 2. Mark said that the licence is due back on 24/05/07 but that the National Park is still to comment on this so the final decision may take a while longer.Helen asked if the newsletter could be circulated well in advance of the meeting to give other interested parties time to read it and feedback questions to the members of the group. She also requested that Barney Hill (LDNPA) receive a copy of the shuttle bus proposals when they are issued. Action: Emma/Mark to ensure that newsletter is sent out in advance of meetings. Action: Mark/Tania to ensure that Barney Hill receives a copy of shuttle bus proposals.Helen also asked if the highways agency picked up on the car park wall height issue when the plans were submitted originally. Mark told the group that this was picked up but that the planning conditions were not affected when the original application was submitted 5 years ago.Referring back to the Greenwood project, Helen said that it is her understanding that there will be no more Leadership Plus funding available until 2008 which may affect the progress of that project.5.Recreation Developments: Tania stated that there is not much in the pipeline at the moment regarding new sculptures at Grizedale as the Grizedale Project is taking precedent at the moment. However there are some new ideas which are in the early discussion stage. It is proposed that the new Arts Archivist could take on the development of the sculptures at Grizedale. Tania confirmed that Grizedale Arts have moved to a new office at Lawson Park and that the Forestry Commission will be taking on the lease of the sculptures for a set period of time. Mark asked the group whether the sculptures were seen as important from a local point of view. The general consensus was that the sculptures are seen as positive to be enjoyed by both visitors and locals. Charles asked how the relationship between the Forestry Commission and Grizedale Arts stands at the moment. Mark explained that the relationship has come to a natural end but the link between the two companies is still “Grizedale” without Grizedale Arts needing to be based at the site. Grizedale Arts are looking to new contemporary work and are not necessarily interested in looking after older sculptures. Colin said that he thought that the sculptures were built with a natural life and was that still the case. Tania confirmed that some of the sculptures needed to be maintained for health and safety reasons but the ones that had come to the end of their natural life are being/have been removed.6.Visitor Monitoring: Helen asked if would be possible for the Forestry Commission and LDNPA to formally monitor visitor numbers and keep records of this. Mark told the group that the Forestry Commission has a commitment to show visitor numbers to the funders of the Grizedale project. This will be by calendar year from the start of 2008. This will be done for at least 2 years, until March 2010. At the moment the only way to measure numbers is through car parking tickets, therefore new ways of measuring the visitor numbers will have to be thought of within the next 6 months. The Forestry Commission will be audited on visitor numbers and any information that is not Commercially Confident will be available for partners/members of the public to see. Helen said that it would be preferred if the monitoring was carried out over a longer period of time i.e. 10/20 years. LDNPA volunteers may be able to help with visitor counting if necessary. Helen suggested that it might be a good idea to hold a separate meeting to discuss this further and this was agreed. Colin added that the original plans showed that the Grizedale Project would be of benefit to the local economy and that it will be interesting to see whether this occurs. Mark said that the new ranger (outreach/community/business) will be looking at this in more detail and helping to link business to Grizedale so that visitors know what is available locally. Charles brought up the issue of having a recognised footpath from Brantwood to the Visitors Centre. Tania told the group that she has recently had an initial meeting and discussions with Brantwood to look at this idea. 7.Issues and Incidents: Colin said that there were no new problems to report from Colton PC, just complaints regarding the verges and state of the roads which is an ongoing problem. Mark said that if the Forestry Commission is provided with vehicle details (i.e. registration numbers) of the vehicles that are causing the problems, then this would be followed up immediately. Mark asked if the new lengthsman had started work for Colton and Hawkshead and suggested that it would be a good idea for this person to come and introduce themselves, informally, to the Forestry Commission. Liz asked if the old gates to the main car park were going to be put back on to the pillars. Mark confirmed that the gates have been renovated and are ready to be re-hung. As a final point Helen raised the issue of the state of the unclassified county road between Grizedale and Esthwaite and asked if there was any way in which the Forestry Commission could put pressure on the County Council to improve it. Tania explained that some National Park volunteers have been doing some remedial works to help the drainage down towards Grizedale. Tania will follow this up.8.Date for next meeting: Thursday 12th July 2pm at Forestry Commission offices, Grizedale.Action: agenda items to Emma by Friday 6th July 2007. 6. MATTERS ARISING Since that Meeting: 6.a. THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES (MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT) ORDER 2007: RESOLVED:1.That Coniston Parish Council adopts the model code of conduct contained in Statutory Instrument No. 1159(2007), as it applies to Parish/Town Councils, with the addition of paragraph 12(2) as the code of conduct which is expected of members and co-opted members of the authority in place of the existing code of conduct with effect from 18th June 2007.2.That the Council adopt the ten General Principles as a non-enforceable annexure to the Code to remind members and the public of the principles underlying the Code.3.That members of the Council renew their registration of interests in the light of the new Code and the Monitoring Officer be notified accordingly within 28 days of the adoption of the Code.4.That the Clerk be authorised to publish a notice of the adoption of the Model Code of Conduct in (to be arranged). 7. FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS: RESOLVED: 7.a. To issue cheques:To E.ON Energy for Street Lighting (May) £80.00 To R J Airey for Bus shelter maintenance £26.00 To CCDC for Grant £300.00 To Christmas Lights for Grant £150.00 To Coniston-in-Bloom for Grant £150.00 To Bonfire fro Grant £150.00 To Ruskin Museum for Grant £550.00 To Institute for Grant £550.00 To St Andrew’s for Grant £550.00 To Cumbria CC for printing Annual Report £100.00 To Allianz Cornhill for Insurance extra £50.00 7.b. To approve statement of accounts for signing by the Chairman. 7.c. To approve the statement of accounts for 2006 - 2007: done. 7.d. To approve the annual governance statement for 2006 - 2007: done. 8. PLANNING ISSUES: 8.a. PLANNING APPLICATIONS: 7/2007/5261 9. CORRESPONDENCE: 70529 CALC Circular June 2007 70529 CALC The Model Code of Conduct 70529 CALC Contact Details 70530 CALC / SLD Committee Election of Parish Representatives 70530 Kompan Newton Aycliffe Play Seminar 70530 SLDC Standards Committee Meeting 7 June 70601 Standards Board Members Code of Conduct 70604 CALC Cancellation - Consultation Event 6 June 70604 Oaks from Acorns Homes Affordable Housing - Coniston Parish 70604 Tim Farron MP Advice Surgeries July-Dec 70605 LDNPA Old Post Office & Bridge House 70605 SLDC Parish Register of Interests - Amendment 70606 South Lakeland Strategic Partnership A Distinctive Place to Live, Work and Visit 70607 SLDC Play Strategy - SL Play Partnership 70608 Cumbria CC Temporary Road Closure from 1st Aug East of Lake 70612 SLDC Training on New Code of Conduct 70618 Coniston Cricket Club Music with a View 70618 Mr & Mrs Myers Music with a View 10. PUBLIC QUESTIONS: 11. REPORTS: 11.a. POLICE REPORT: Pc Maclennan reported incidents of theft: a motor from East of the Lake, a generator and tools from the water treatment plant, and four canoes from the Sailing Club; damage to the Bridge toilets, John Ruskin School and St Andrew’s Church wall; and, a quieter month for anti-social behaviour. He introduced Community Support Officer Christyne Judge who was welcomed by the Chairman. 11.b. CLLR HALL: Spoke of arranging a joint parish council and parish plan meeting, possibly 27th July, to make public progress of plans for Church rooms, new churchyard field and Old Furness Road car park site. The clerk requested an invitation be extended to Torver residents and Cllr Hall was in favour and will attend Torver Parish Council meeting on 5th July. She said that Cumbria Vision had offered the Ruskin Museum £250,000 for the ‘Bluebird’ extension if £500,000 could be raised by September. She reminded the meeting of the deadline for responses to the Unitary bid. She expressed her thanks to Mike Salts for his work on the Community Circular and urged a letter from the parish council: agreed. She was delighted that Barbara Hill at the CCDC would continue Mike’s work. 11.c. CLLR KELLY: Reminded the meeting of forthcoming events in the Institute. 11.d. CLERK: Reported on negotiations with David Huck, Highways:i.Sign at top of Lake Road is to be replaced with a new post and fingers to point to Old Man, Boating Centre, Launches, SY Gondola and A593 routes;ii.Sign for Ruskin Museum to be investigated; and,iii.Base for memorial seat at lay by on A593 near Cragg Cottage to be costed.iv.Arrangements for disabled access to house on The Garth across the village green. 12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: RESOLVED: to confirm that the next Meeting will be held on Monday 16th July 2007 at 7pm in the Library. Meeting closed at 9pm. SIGNED: Chas Sargeant, Clerk DATE: 20th June 2007 |