Minutes of the Meeting of Coniston Parish Council held in the Library on Monday 19th October 2009.
PRESENT: Councillors David Coxon (Chairman), Dist Cllr Mrs Anne Hall, Ms Rosemary Hext, Peter Hill, Mrs Elaine Kelly and Lee Tarr; the clerk, C Sargeant; PCSO Kayleigh Largue; and, 31 members of the public.

Guest Speaker: Lynne McKenzie, Eden Housing, spoke about the EH’s policies and approaches; indicated delays with the Church Field (finance) and Church Rooms developments (drainage); and, answered questions from the public. She was thanked by the Chairman.

Guest Speaker: Steve Evison, Resources for Change, sought comment and opinion on the proposal to create a Coniston-Foxfield Trail. There were both positive and negative responses. He was thanked by the Chairman.

1. Public welcoming and receipt of matters for debate: Chairman welcomed the public. Mr Jonathan Hext presented an extract from the agreement when his grandmother passed the management of the Church Rooms to the Church. The extract reads: “… And it is hereby agreed and declared that it shall not be lawful for the Diocesan Trust to alienate by way of sale exchange charge or otherwise the said heriditaments and premises hereinbefore expressed to be hereby granted and conveyed or any part thereof without the previous consent in writing of the Grantor during her life or after her decease of her daughter Emily Barratt or after the decease of her said daughter of the Bishop of the Diocese for the time being. And such consent may be withheld by the Grantor or her daughter or the Bishop of the Diocese as the case may be without assigning any reason and any money arising from such sale or given on any exchange shall be applied in the purchase of other premises or in the improvement of any premises used or to be used for the purposes of this trust. …” Mr Hext asked if there was “any money arising from such sale or given on any exchange” and, if so, wished to know where such money had gone. The Chairman requested time to consider the matter.

2. Apologies: Cllr J Stoddart (other commitment) and Co Cllr Mrs C Salisbury.

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

4. Minutes of the Meetings 17th & 19th August 2009 were approved, and signed by the Chairman.

5. Matters arising from those Meetings with reports of action taken:

A. 21 September:

5.a. Item 5.f. Empty Homes in Coniston Lynne Gilbertson , SLDC Empty Homes Officer, Community & Housing, wrote (22 Sept): Council Tax records identified 8 empty homes with Coniston addresses, and I originally wrote to those owners on 16th April. Of these 8 owners, I have had a reply from each one, which is a very good return compared to other parishes. As owners' replies to me are confidential, I am unable to name specific addresses, but I can give you a general breakdown of these replies, which may be of interest to you. 1 property had become OCCUPIED. 1 property was a HOLIDAY LET 1 property has been given an SLDC grant for renovating 1 property had applied for change to commercial use 1 property had applied for planning permission for change to commercial use 1 property was undergoing renovations to be completed by the year end and then occupied 1 property was to be occupied in July 1 property was not eligible for a grant as renovations had previously been taking place and grants are not given retrospectively. When a property is not eligible for a grant and where the owner cannot fund or is unable to manage renovation works, I always recommend to the owner that the best route for them may be to sell the property, and not continue to leave it empty. As I have explained to you before, it is only when owners will not actively try to do something with their empty property (such as sell it or renovate it) that I would have to follow the route of enforcement. As I'm sure you agree, long-term empty properties affect the whole community and can attract crime, environmental problems (eg pests) etc. I hope that may help you report back to the Parish Council? Also for your information, these days when I send empty home owners my first letter and empty homes questionnaire, I also email this information to the Clerk of the Parish Council(s) and each Member of that Parish for their information.

5.b. Item 5.g. Bridge conveniences Amanda McCleery summarized Meeting about Public Conveniences, 6th October 2009, Kendal Town Hall Present: Lawrence Conway, SLDC Acting Chief Executive Brenda Woof, SLDC Councillor & Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability Tony Rothwell, District Association Chairman (CALC) Amanda McCleery, District Association Secretary (CALC) Leslie Johnson, Lakes Parish Councillor Michael Johnson, Lakes Parish Clerk Chas Sargeant, Coniston Parish Clerk John Stoddart, Coniston Parish Councillor Ron Shapland, Grange-over-Sands Town Councillor Alex Jagger, Grange-over-Sands Deputy Town Clerk Allan Muirhead, Kirkby Lonsdale Town Councillor Alan Day, Kirkby Lonsdale Town Councillor Alan Baverstock, Milnthorpe Parish Councillor Financial Contribution of Parishes in 2010/2011: Lawrence Conway stressed that the contribution of those parishes (currently contributing) in 2010/2011 will be what they are contributing this year plus inflation. The parishes pay this half yearly. Research, Cabinet Reports & Consultation Proposal: Lawrence then updated those present with respect to a consultants report on SLDC toilets, various reports to Cabinet and now proposals for a consultation exercise to find out what the public at large think of the different options on the table. The Report of the Consultants: “Public Conveniences – Options Study 2009”: The consultants NPS (Northern Property Services) examined 44 toilet facilities in South Lakeland and identified their condition, what is required to upgrade them all to Disability Discrimination Act compliant standards, the extent to which they are used by the public, the cost of maintaining each facility and what options there are for providing alternative or improved facilities in each location. The report listed their comments and recommendations with respect to each facility. The consultants recommended that: 15 toilets should either be closed or transferred to others who may be able to provide the service more cost effectively; 23 facilities are considered for a community based scheme; and 6 public toilets are retained or upgraded to current standards. The report is on the SLDC website as an appendix to Cabinet Report of 8th July 2009 (see below). Note – the report takes over an hour to download! Report to SLDC Cabinet on 8th July 2009 (Agenda Item 10, pages 65 – 72) Cabinet noted the contents and recommendations of the NPS report, and considered the report before it (prepared by officers & members) with its 6 options: i. Retain all toilets – which costs £800,000 pa. So, no savings. This option was dismissed, as savings have to be made; ii. Transfer all toilets to parish & town councils over time – a saving of £478,000 pa; iii. Partnership 50/50 arrangements on all toilets –a saving of £359,000 pa. iv. Partnership 50/50 on all toilets NOT identified for SLDC retention – a saving of £239,000 pa; v. Phased transfer based on NPS options study recommendations (see above) – a saving of £478,000 pa; and, vi. Retain & improve facilities as per appendix attached to Cabinet report (see SLDC website) + introduction of appropriate community schemes – a saving of £430,000 pa. Clearly, public and community consultation needs to be undertaken with respect to these matters. Indeed, at… a.Report to SLDC Cabinet – 16th September 2009 (Agenda Item 12, pages 55 – 58): Cabinet agreed that the following people should be consulted: Visitors (through a face-to-face questionnaire); Residents (through presentations); Local businesses; Cumbria Tourism; Parish and Town Councils (through presentations & meetings); Voluntary organisations (eg. ACT, Age Concern); Local Strategic Partnership; Market traders; CCC councilors; and, SLDC councilors. b.Report to SLDC Cabinet – 14th October 2009 (Agenda Item 12, pages 89 – 91): It contained the proposals for undertaking consultation with stakeholders about the future of toilets operated by SLDC including details of cost and timetable. The report proposed that the consultation take place between December 2009 and March 2010, with a view to then analysing the feedback and reporting back to Cabinet in April 2010. Miscellaneous: The discussion at this meeting about toilets was wide ranging. Community “Loo” Scheme: This is being piloted in Kendal, whereby SLDC give for example £500 pa (I think that the actual amount is yet to be agreed) to a business (café, pub or shop) to let the general public (over and above their customers) use their toilet. Toilets Returning to LDNPA: In April 2010 the following 4 toilets are returning to LDNPA: Waterhead, Ambleside; TIC car park, Coniston; Stock Lane, Grasmere; and, Hawkshead car park. The contact at LDNPA is Martin Curry, Property Manager Is Charging the Answer? It could be part of the solution but will not be the whole solution as only about 15% of the costs of running toilets are recovered through charging, and then there is the cost of emptying the money boxes and banking the money. What are the “True” Costs of Running Toilets? In fact every SLDC service has to contribute to the “centre”, ie. council overheads, members’ expenses etc. But Lawrence Conway promised to provide again the breakdown for parish councils of direct and indirect costs. It is worth remembering that every SLDC council tax payer is contributing to the cost of maintaining toilets, even though only a small proportion of the total number of parishes actually have toilets on their patch. Where should the Toilets be? Some argue that those toilets in car parks are the key facilities for each town as most visitors arrive by car. There may be someway in listing what the car parking charges pay for, such as free toilets. Are Toilets a Mandatory Service for Any Council? Answer – no. Who “owns” Toilets built by a Village with Public Subscription? A 1973 Act (pre-dating District Councils) “gave” all toilets to SLDC. But…Lawrence Conway thinks that SLDC would look favourably at “giving” toilets to parish councils, but council tax is not going to go down as a result because SLDC needs to save £2.5 million over 3 years. Need to Explain “Business Rates” to Local Business: Many seem to be under the belief that some of the money comes to SLDC, so when they hear that toilets, TICs etc. are closing, business people often say but “we pay our rates, why isn’t the council doing anything to help business.” The reality is that all business rates goes back to central government. SLDC merely collects it for central government, and is paid an administrative fee for its trouble. What Next? 1. Anyone interested in the issue to read Cabinet reports and consultants’ report on SLDC website:www.southlakeland.gov.uk - go to “meetings” on the Home page and click on the month you want, and then Cabinet report. 2. Lawrence Conway/Brenda Woof to ensure that parish councils are sent any consultation material in December to comment on over the winter and/or dates and venues organised for presentations/meetings so that parish councils’ views are obtained. Clerk to investigate cost of rates and insurance for the Bridge Conveniences.

5.c. Item 6.a. Grass cutting in The Garth Tony Naylor, SLDC, had contacted the clerk to say the programme was being reviewed and revised.

5.d. Item 6.b. Coniston Christmas Lights Clerk to investigate the costs involved.

5.e. Item 11.c. Usher bench, Little Moss Cllr Tarr had contacted Ushers and bench will be repaired.

B. 28 Sept B. 28 September:

5.f. Item 11.a. Hawkshead Grammar School Management Committee The clerk was to substitute for Cllr Mrs Kelly but mistook the date of the meeting.

5.g. Item 11.a.Police Consultation 17 Oct See Item 11.b. Police Report below.

6. Matters arising since that Meeting:

6.a. a. Coniston – Foxfield Trail Consultation On Wednesday 28th October the consultation team will be in Coniston village centre from 10.30am and outside Coniston Tourist Information Centre between 12.30 and 2pm. Local communities, residents and interested groups are being consulted at meetings, ‘drop-in’ events and through an on-line questionnaire: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=mDu_2bep_2bwOtGuEfhkjkcZvw_3d_3d Views can be expressed through this link or by contacting Helen either on 01938 555759 or helen@r4c.org.uk Available from Coniston TIC is a paper questionnaire that should be completed or returned by Friday 6th November to the same place.

6.b. b. Precept for 2010 – 11 Clerk to prepare figures for next Meeting.

6.c. c. Transfer of Ruskin Avenue conveniences (SLDC to LDNPA) A letter from Simon Rowley, SLDC, confirmed the transfer. Clrs Coxon & Mrs Hall to meet Martin Curry.

6.d. d. Coniston & Torver Housing Group The next meeting of the Housing Group has been delayed to allow the issue of the Old Furness Road project to be resolved.

6.e. Dog Kennel Folly Mr Loxham said recent vandalism was being dealt with.

6.f. Village Agents Penny Pullinger, Village Agents Co-ordinator (email 9 Oct): Six excellent Village Agent recruitment events were held during August and September and I have really enjoyed talking to so many people about the Project and have received some excellent suggestions for community activities which the Village Agents could help facilitate. So I am delighted to be able to announce that the first four Age Concern South Lakeland Village Agents will be in post from October 2009 in the following areas: Jules Drummond-Hay Kirkby Lonsdale & Crooklands Margaret Parker Arnside & Beetham Linda Middlehurst Ulverston Barbara Brown Grange over Sands In addition we are interviewing in early October for Village Agents in Broughton & Crake Valley and Low Furness and hopefully will be able to announce the names of the Village Agents for these two locations shortly. The Village Agents are based in or near the community they work in and will enhance the services currently provided by Age Concern South Lakeland through our Helpline Advisers and Specialist Officers. Village Agents will provide older people, particularly in more rural communities in South Lakeland, with easier access to services and information and will: Provide accurate and consistent information. Provide an easy to access approachable point of contact that is both confidential and non judgemental. Put people in direct contact with the Age Concern Specialist Officers or other Agencies that are able to provide the service they need Carry out a series of practical checks for older people in their homes Help build communities. Once the VAs have completed their induction and training they will be holding events in their communities to introduce themselves. In the meantime if you want to contact one of the Village Agents please ring our Helpline on 01539 728180 Each Village Agent will work in a slightly different way – some will hold regular surgeries in local halls whilst others will make themselves known by attending existing events such as village coffee mornings. An important part of the role of the Village Agent will be to work closely with other voluntary and statutory agencies in South Lakeland. This will ensure that Village Agents are aware of other services available for older people, besides those offered by Age Concern South Lakeland, so they can help the client access the services most appropriate for their needs. Because Village Agents are locally based they will work with their community to try and address identified needs and help prevent isolation – for example helping to organise Chair Based Exercise Classes; setting up a meet and eat lunch or arranging a local transport rota. Village Agents will also encourage people to volunteer with Age Concern – perhaps by joining the Bridge Building Team. We are now starting our recruitment campaign for Village Agents in Sedbergh – information stand will be at the Community Office between 10 am and noon on Wednesday 21 October Lakes Grasmere/Lakes Ambleside (event date tbc) Staveley-in-Westmorland/Burneside (event date tbc) If you want to know anything about the Village Agents Programme please ring me on 01539 728118 or email ppullinger@ageconcernsl.org.uk

6.g. Compliance The clerk wrote to LDNPA (10 Oct): Can you throw any light on this email I received from a Coniston resident, please? “On the way to Brantwood I saw a newly built entrance to a field beyond Thurston entrance and before Knipe Wood on the right hand side of the road. A huge sceptic tank was in the gateway and new foundation footings in the field with newly built walls. I have never seen an application or know who or what this is about or for? Is it a replacement tank or a new one and for what? Does anyone know? Julie Birkett, Compliance Team, responded (12 Oct): Thank you for your email. I saw the septic tank last week, so I have opened an investigation file on this matter. There is no planning permission in place for works on this site. Once I have been to the site and spoken to the owners to find out their intentions I will contact you again.

7. Reports and minutes of outside bodies:

7.a. The Coniston Institute & Ruskin Museum Cllr Mrs Hall said the Committee were waiting for the results of two bids; was disappointed no members of the public attended the AGM.

7.b. Coniston Water Association No recent meeting; Records Week to be held first week in November.

7.c. LDNPA Parish Council tours Coniston PC was not represented. DCllr Mrs Hall said parish council representation in general was poor.

7.d. Looking forward to: i. CALC AGM on Saturday 14 November at the Hundith Hill Hotel, near Cockermouth

ii. LD Parish Councils Thursday 26 November in County Offices, Kendal. Buffet at 6pm; meeting 6.30pm. Hosted by the County Council.

8. Financial transactions:

8.a. Receipt of grants: The HDH 1965 Charitable Trust for Playground £250.00 (Amenities Fund)

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

E.ON for Street Lighting (Aug) £80.00

R J Airey for bus shelters and block erection £34.00

Coniston Institute for room and table hire £28.50

C Sargeant for clerk’s salary & expenses £300.00

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

9. Planning:

9.a. Plan.App.7/2009/5436 Boon Crag Farm, Boon Crag, LA21 8AQ – to replace two septic tanks serving the offices, sawmill and residential properties with a sewage treatment package plant and reed bed and to remove the old tanks on completion RESOLVED: to support. The presence of Mr Jim Loxham, National Trust Property Manager for Coniston and Little Langdale, at the Meeting gave councillors the opportunity to ask questions about the application. Councillors were satisfied that the proposal involved essential improvements that would have minimum impact on the environment.

9.b. Plan.App.7/2009/5507 The Counting House, Monk Coniston, LA21 8AQ - internal alterations to provide en-suite facilities for five existing bedrooms RESOLVED: to submit no objections.

9.c. Plan.App.7/2009/5508 The Counting House, Monk Coniston, LA21 8AQ Proposal: Replacement of existing garage doors with wall and door to staff bedroom conversion RESOLVED: to submit no objections.

9.d. Plan.App.7/2009/5509 The Counting House, Monk Coniston, LA21 8AQ Proposal: Replacement of existing garage doors with wall and door to staff bedroom conversion RESOLVED: to submit no objections. Councillors were puzzled by the triple application, could find only application-form differences in two (5508 & 5509), and were divided in their responses. The majority of them decided to rely on the experience and expertise of planners to decide how best to respond to applications.

9.e. Plan.App.7/2009/5518 9 Collingwood Close, LA21 8DZ Proposal: Re-application for amended dormer – side extension and dormer extension to dwelling RESOLVED: to submit no objections. Councillors were not happy with the building expanding to fill the site, leaving no room for parking spaces. Uncertain about the appropriateness of such a concern, they decided to rely on the experience and expertise of planners to decide how best to respond to this application.

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 CALC AGM Booking Form

2 CALC Circular Oct 09

3 Capita Symonds Ambleside Roadworks w/c 5 Oct

4 Citizens Advice S LakeLand Letter

5 Coniston & Crake Partnership Conference Report

6 Coniston Lodge Letter of thanks.

7 Cumbria CC CYSS Newsletter Sept 09

8 Cumbria CC Working Together Autumn 09

9 Cumbria CVS Your News Oct/Nov 09

10 Friends of the Lake District Update Oct 09

11 Kendal Festival of Food Poster 24-31 Oct

12 LDNPA Coniston to Foxfield Trail Feasibility Study

13 Resources for Change Coniston-Foxfield Trail Consultation

14 Rural Services Community Weekly Rural Focus 19 Oct

15 Rural Services Community Weekly Rural Focus 5 Oct

16 SLDC Code of Conduct Training

17 SLDC High Furness LAP Meeting 23 Nov

18 SLDC Overview & Scrutiny Annual Report

19 SLDC Parish Council Precepts 2010/11

20 SLDC Parish Remuneration Panel

21 SLDC Ruskin Avenue Public Convenience

22 SLDC Standards Committee Agenda 20 Oct

11. Reports:

11.a. Housing Report: Alastair Cameron (e-mail 17 Oct) provided update on the progress of the Coniston housing schemes. Home Housing are not able to continue with the Old Furness Road and Butcher Moss (Torver) projects because they have a serious cash-flow problem. There are several other schemes in the North West they are pulling out of as well. SLDC, the Housing Authority, is looking for another housing association to replace HH and the likelihood is that it will be Eden Housing, as they are already working in Coniston. As far as Old Furness Road goes it may be that Eden will pick up the design and adopt the planning permission but my gut feeling is that they may want to start again with their own architects etc. But the problems with the Coniston scheme is nothing compared to that at Torver where Home Housing has already bought the field and accepted the grant that SLDC provided, which will now have to be paid back. Totally separate to this problem is the issue of the rock face at the station site. The LDNPA is VERY keen to dispose of the rock face as well as their remaining land on the site including the old Victorian landscaped feature below the station (The 'Plantation'). Work to get a fund of money to maintain the rock face in the future is actually progressing well. A small working group consisting of funders, the Land Restoration Trust and the owners of the rock face (LDNPA) was set up to push it forward. Tim Farron got involved which was very helpfull as he has direct links with the departments in Westminster that provide the funding. Work on John Hext House is progressing and Church Fields is due to start very soon. I am not sure whether I can make the meeting on Monday but Lynne McKenzie is coming to talk about the schemes and she should have a firm date for starting the project. The Coniston and Torver Housing Team has not met since May because we have been waiting for a conclusion on Old Furness Road funding. But I am going to arrange a date in November for another meeting.

11.b. Police Report: Successful public consultation on 17 Oct. Crime low in Coniston in September. Anti-social behaviour down. Increased police visibility. Police to visit village schools prior to Halloween and Bonfire Night. Cllr Tarr raised the problem of door-to-door fish sellers: PCSO Largue said not a police issue as such.

11.c. Highways Report: Cllr Mrs Kelly said the Highways budget for both this and next year was already spent.

11.d. Cllr Mrs Hall: Said: i. that grants from SLDC had to be spent before the end of the financial year; ii. a village agent for Broughton, Coniston and the Crake Valley is to be appointed; iii. Judith Derbyshire had informed her of the possibility of a Newcastle University student paper on Coniston; iv. reports received of increased litter around the village; v. it shoulkd be noted that the EA had redisgnated Coniston as a low-risk flood area; vi. previous funding for a Garth car park had been lost and new bid needed.

12. Public questions and comments: Mrs Kilgour expressed concern about the yellow lining in Lake Road: Cllr Mrs Kelly said Highways was investigating.

13. Date of next Meeting: RESOLVED: that the next meeting will be on Monday 16th November 2009 at 7.00pm in the Library.

Meeting closed at 9.35pm.

Signed: David Coxon, Chairman Date: 16th November 2009