Minutes of the Meeting of 17th March 2008

GUEST SPEAKER: Andy Lloyd, Community Land Trust Project Officer, Cumbria Rural Housing Trust spoke about Community Land Trusts - A new option for local affordable housing: ? Putting the community in the driving seat - Community ownership of assets like affordable housing - form a local trust with local membership. ? Stronger local priority / permanent protection / ensuring affordability ? Versatility - can also own and manage workspaces, village shops, farms, recreational areas. ? Better community engagement / involvement - therefore support (more effective dialogue between community / Planners and Landowners) ? Assets locked in to provide much greater social & economic return over time ? Funded through the receipt of rents and sale of shared ownership plus local fund raising or charitable grants. ? Housing associations available to provide expertise ? Add to the overall supply of affordable housing ? Encourages more sustainable communities ? Advice and support - CRHT draft booklet - Salford uni' technical guide ? London event 30th April ? www.clt-conference.co.uk He supplied the Meeting with a handout, a leaflets and an information pack. He responded to a number of questions from councillors and the public. The Chairman thanked him.

PRESENT: Councillors – P Hill (Chairman), D Coxon (to 9pm), Mrs A Hall, Mrs E Kelly, H Lakin, J Stoddart and L Tarr; the Clerk; and, 8 members of public (D Adams, E Barrow, B Bateman, Mrs E Brown, Mr & Mrs Hegarty, J Loxham and Mr de Millom).

1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The Chairman welcomed the public but there were no matters for discussion other than those on the agenda.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Hill (all matters relating to E.ON), Cllr Coxon (all matters relating to LDNPA and Cumbria Landscaping) and Cllr Lakin (Plan. App. No.7/2008/5097)

4. MINUTES OF LAST MEETINGS: The Chairman was authorised to sign, as correct records, the minutes of the Meeting of 18th February 2008.

5. MATTERS ARISING from those Meetings:

5.a. Dow How: Cllrs Coxon, Hill and Stoddart, with the help of Bill Bateman, Nigel Coe and Janet Pawsey and a tractor and trailer provided by Alan Wilson of Coniston Hall, completed the clearance and tidy-up.

5.b. Policing in Coniston: The clerk reported that at the Neighbourhood Forum Meeting held in Hawkshead on the 20th February Inspector Ian Maclymont said the new PCSO, Kayleigh Largue, was receiving her initial training.

5.c. Playground: Nothing to report.

5.d. Highways: i. Cllr Mrs Kelly said the Highways Response Team had carried out about 50% of the list of jobs she had submitted. It is due to return in August. ii. Although she had been told that repairs to the A593 through Park Coppice could not be completed because of lack of funds, she confirmed potholes on the stretch were being filled.

5.e. Church Beck Bridge Signs: Nothing seems to have been done yet.

5.f. Twinning: Cllr Mrs Hall said further contact had been made with Solto Collina.

5.g. Library: Cllr Mrs Hall said the membership of the Library had increased and a computer had been acquired. One volunteer helper has come forward.

5.h. Bus Shelters and Playground Maintenance: In Cllr Coxon’s absence, the council resolved to accept: i.Cumbria Landscaping’s tender for Grass Cutting in Coniston Children’s Playground for the season 2008 at £650.00, and, ii.R J Airey,s tender for the maintenance of the bus shelters for the season 2008 at £500.00.

5.i. Quality Parish Status: The clerk is working to complete the submission.

5.j. Rawdon Smith Trust: The clerk had received two letters from the Rosemary Hext, Secretary to RST: i.Re: Speed Records Week (15 Feb): “Thank you for your e-mail/letter dated 14 February 2008 concerning the above. The Trustees are always extremely keen to hear the views of the Parish Council, and have taken note of their comments.” ii.(8 March): “Further to your e-mail dated 25 February 2008 concerning the clearing of debris from the head of the lake shore, I am pleased to confirm that the Trustees have agreed to assist with the funding for this project and enclose herewith a cheque to the value of £250.00. The Trustees would, however, like to know if once the initial clearing up has been done using heavy plant machinery, could future clearance be done on a more regular basis by a group of community volunteers? Perhaps this is not feasible? Many thanks for your e-mail acknowledging this assistance, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.” iii.RESOLVED for the Chairman to respond to the Secretary of the RST: I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 8th March and, on behalf of this council I thank the Rawdon-Smith Trust for the grant of £250.00 to support the work of the local National Trust to hire plant to clear the debris on the shore at the Northern end of Coniston Water. The council recognises the question raised by the RST: “The Trustees would…like to know if once the initial clearing up has been done…, could future clearance be done on a more regular basis by a group of community volunteers?” In the light of it the council is resolved to: 1. Publish a regular plea in the Newsletter for people to avoid tipping garden waste into the feeder becks, and, 2. Establish a “task force” to meet regularly to tackle a variety of maintenance jobs (many of which in the immediate past the Bloom Group has looked after) including the Head of the Lake (in tandem with the NT). The R-ST’s help and support is much appreciated.

6. MATTERS ARISING Since that Meeting:

6.a. Low Field House: In the light of LDNPA’s decision to grant planning permission contrary to the observations of the parish council, Cllrs Hall, Lakin and Stoddart with the clerk attended a meeting on 27 February at Murley Moss with planning officers D McGowan, M Lock and B Long. It was an informative and positive session.

6.b. Parish Council Election: Confirmation has been received from SLDC of 1st May Election Day.

7. FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS: RESOLVED:

7.a. To issue cheques:

101394 to Flower Basket for Dr Wood flowers £150.00

101395 to SLDC for Public conveniences (4th Quarter) £664.72

101396 to E.ON Energy for Street Lighting (Feb) £80.00

101397 to P&L Lighting Ltd for Christmas Lights £528.75

101398 to Coniston Xmas Lights for VAT Refund £78.75

101399 to R J Airey for bus shelter maintenance £24.00

101400 to Amenities Fund for Playground Fund £9,456.06

101401 to Amenities Fund for Coniston Community Enterprise£925.55

101402 to National Trust for Grant from RST £250.00

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

7.c. To sign form for the closure of the Defibrillator Fund.

8. PLANNING ISSUES:

8.a. Planning Applications: RESOLVED: to support all 5 applications below:

8.a.i. Planning Application: 7/2008/5071 Location: Northern End of Coniston Water Observations: The council saw this as a logical extension to the work already carried out, making a welcome safe-link to the footpath at GR: 316 978. It acknowledged the care to make the extended path identical in all respects (construction details and materials) to the existing section.

8.a.ii. Planning Application: 7/2008/5077 Location: The Estate Office, The Bridge, Coniston LA21 8HJ Observations: The council agreed the amended shop sign involving the reduction in size of the existing large sign, the removal of the existing smaller sign and the redesign and re-siting of the spot lights was a significant visual improvement to a building in the centre of the village. The council thought it unfortunate that the photograph accompanying the application showed how much the permanently parked cart containing the flower display was an access obstruction to the junction of the A593 and the road to The Sun Hotel.

Planning Application: 7/2008/5083 Location: Yorkshire Ramblers Club, Low Hall Garth, Little Langdale, LA22 9NT Observations: The council considered this a sensible conversion of a small, disused, storage barn. It acknowledged the care taken to conform to listed building status, to make the alterations, for much of the time, invisible from the outside, and to avoid changes to present access.

Planning Application: 7/2008/5084 Location: Yorkshire Ramblers Club, Low Hall Garth, Little Langdale, LA22 9NT Observations: The council accepted this as a necessary companion application.

Planning Application: 7/2008/5097 Location: 33, The Garth, Coniston LA21 8EQ Observations: The council accepted the design and access statement. It acknowledged that it supported the former application (7/2007/5604) for a single storey extension and viewed the resubmission as a subtly improved application. N.B. Cllr Lakin declared an interest and withdrew from consideration of this application.

8.b. Planning Decisions:

8.b.i. Notice of Grant of Planning Permission: Planning Application: 7/2007/5682 Location: Lowfield House, Bowmanstead, Coniston LA21 8PY

8.b.ii. Notice of Grant of Planning Permission: Planning Application: 7/2007/5700 Location: Browside, Little Arrow, Coniston LA21 8AU

8.b.iii. Notice of Grant of Planning Permission: Planning Application: 7/2007/5738 Location: The Estate Office, The Bridge, Coniston LA21 8HJ

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

80219 CALC – Chris Bagshaw Email Quality Parish and Town Council Scheme - update

80220 SLDC Agenda Meeting 28 February

80220 Skelwith PC – Kath Stevens Minutes 12 November 2007

80221 Celebrate St George’s Day Magazine Enjoy England

80221 CALC – Guy Richardson Email Highways Stewards/Parish Lengthsmen scheme

80221 Kay Shepherd Email thanks for Dow How clearance

80222 LDNPA – Nick Thorne Letter etc. Closure public Rights of Way 1 March Malcolm Wilson Rally

80222 Mike Salts Email Brow steps off Station Road, Coniston Lamp No. 217 malfunction

80223 Dr R A B Wood Letter of thanks

80225 Information Commissioner’s Office Letter Confirmation of Renewal of Data Protection

80225 Mencap Letter requesting financial support

80225 Hawkshead PC – John Poole Minutes of 19 February 2008

80226 SLDC – Sean Helly Letter & doc. Guidance to Members on Gifts and Hospitality

80227 Southlakes Housing Letter end of Area Panel Meeting/Discussion Group in May

80227 Southlakes Housing Minutes of Meeting 3 December 2007

80227 Southlakes Housing Doc. Area Discussion Groups

80301 Great North Air Ambulance Service Letter requesting financial support

80301 Local Council Review Magazine March 2008

80303 Governance Hub Governance Resources March 2008

80303 Governance Hub Magazine Trustee Voices March 2008

80303 Cumbria Rural Housing Trust News Update March 2008

80304 Clerks & Councils Direct Magazine March 2008

80305 Cumbria CVS Magazine Your News March 2008

80305 Cumbria CVS Leaflet Computers an asset…or a problem?

80305 NT – Moira Herring Email visit to CPC Meeting 21 April

80305 LDNPA – Nick Thorne Email Consultation on rights of way diversions - Tarn Hows

80306 HM Revenue & Customs BACS Remittance Advice

80306 Cumbria Tourism – Richard Greene Email Enterprising Britain Competition 2008

80307 SLDC – Claire Wheatman Letter Parish Council Elections – 1 May 2008

80307 The Clerk Magazine March 2008

80307 SLCC – Harry Isaac Email reminder Scotby Meeting 15 March

80308 Hawkshead PC – John Poole Agenda for 18 March 2008

80311 LDNPA – Nick Thorne Email Consultation on rights of way diversions - Shepherd Bridge, Coniston

80311 Allan Parsons Email Petition to 'Save Parish Councils' on No. 10 Downing Street Website

80312 CALC Email Royal Garden Party 2008

80313 CALC – Amanda McCleery Letter & doc. Allotments Survey

80313 CALC Advance Notice Election of Parish Member to the LDNPA

80313 SLDC – Hazel Major Email March Electoral Updates

10. PUBLIC QUESTIONS: Mr Loxham drew attention to the parlous state of the track climbing from A593 at Parkgate to fells. RESOLVED: Cllr Kelly to make report.

11. REPORTS:

11.a. Police Report: None.

11.b. Housing Report: Email correspondence Alastair Cameron (15 March 2008): Since the last Council meeting there has been quite a bit of progress with the Coniston housing projects. A meeting of the Project Team was held on Friday 14th March which generated a huge amount of data on our schemes and on housing in the National Park in general. I am still trying to sort through the information and this summary has been put together rather quickly so please excuse poor grammar / rubbish English etc. Church Field site (Cemetery overspill): Planning permission had already been obtained for the whole scheme and, within the past three weeks funding has also been obtained from the Housing Authority. The agents for the church are still dragging their feet over the release of the land but Nick Monks is hoping that this can be sorted out soon. It is planned to develop the site in two phases but it would be much easier for all concerned if all the development could be completed at the same time. It is very likely that the funding for the second phase would be withdrawn if there was a gap in time between Phase 1 being completed and Phase 2 being started. Also it would be very unfortunate if construction teams were working on Phase 2, spreading mud everywhere, after residents had moved into the Phase 1 houses. There has been concern expressed about the fact that there may not be sufficient grave space available if Phase 2 is carried out although there does not seem to have been a proper calculation carried out on this. To try to ‘bottom’ this concern a small group will meet in April to look at the areas of land available and calculate exactly how much area for burials is needed in the next 80 years and how much is available. Church Rooms: Full funding has also been received for this project in the past three weeks. Work will probably start in early 2009 and it will probably be the first of the current projects to be completed. Old Furness Road site: Despite the recent ‘doom and gloom’ it seems that this project may yet be completed. The argument between the authorities over ownership of the rock-face looks as if it may be resolved within the next three weeks thanks to some very considerable encouragement from on high. Planning permission, funding and Section 106 agreements have all been obtained. Other sites and projects: The above projects will generate a third of Coniston’s calculated housing needs. So we are still working on finding other sites suitable for development for village homes. A very useful way of doing this is to develop privately on family-owned land, something we have been pushing for ages. The National Park is still a bit unsure about this and I can see the reason why. A recent appeal by an owner of a relatively new property in Caldbeck against his Section 106 agreement was successful. This means he can now sell the property on the open market to who ever he wants and it need not be ‘affordable’ or for permanent occupancy. This is a great concern. I don’t think we should encourage any private development in Coniston until there are better safeguards as it could easily happen here. However on a positive note there are now good ‘models’ established for private development of shared equity property. Andy Lloyd is an expert on this and will be talking at the CPC meeting on Monday. Suggest you ask him about it if he doesn’t mention it. It would be good if Coniston was the first to trial this in the Lake District.

11.c. CLLR HALL: (i) Urged action on Brow steps off Station Road, Coniston Lamp No. 217 malfunction.

(ii) Gave notice of visit from Kendal Town Council on Thursday 20 March.

(iii) Urged action on Border TV closure.

(iv) Reported JR Museum acquisition of ‘Swallows & Amazons’ boat.

(v) Urged action to commemorate Mrs Fleet’s 100th birthday.

(vi) Requested letter to Mrs Bradley to congratulate her on acquiring £1,500 for lighting in Little Moss Close.

11.d. CLLR STODDART: Reminded the Meeting that a slate still missing from the roof of the Ruskin Avenue bus shelter. RESOLVED: the clerk to seek repair.

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

Meeting closed at 9.45pm.

SIGNED: Peter Hill, Chairman DATE: 21st April 2008