27th March 2023

Meeting Minutes

CALDBECK PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Parish Hall on Monday 27^th March at 7:30pm.

 Councillors Present: Tim Cartmell (Chairman), Norman Atkinson, John Brown , Paul Doherty , Sue Robson, Ian Shaw, Mark Telford, Alan Tyson, Alison Young Poole

Also Present: David McGuffie (Clerk), Mike Johnson (County Councillor, Cumberland Unitary Authority Councillor and Leader Allerdale Borough Council), Karen Atkinson, Clare Reynolds, Jenae Dalton, Gareth Wilding, Gilbert Liddell, Nicola Wilding.

Apologies

Angela Glendinning (Family) was absent and the Council accepted her apologies.

2. Minutes

The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 13^th February 2023 as a true record.

3. Declaration of Interest

Norman declared an interest in the planning application for the Bungalow, Friar Row.

4. Public Participation

Reports – none

i) Xmas tree holder – The Council agreed to the installation of a Xmas tree holder in Hesket Green provided that it would not impact the grass cutting.

ii) Emergency Plan – The Council decided that the Northern Fells Group could take the lead with the emergency plan and that it would review the data on the emergency sheet produced in July 2022.

iii) Coronation – The Council approved £500 for Coronation memorabilia that the Jubilee committee had suggested (coins and badges). The Council decided to leave the final designs to the Jubilee committee but liked the suggested wording for the back of the coins.

iv) Hesket vintage motorbikes. Permission given to use Hesket greens and market cross with no fee on end of May bank holiday weekend.

5. Hesket Lonning Footpath

The public meeting to discuss the footpath options will take place on Monday 17^th April at 7:30pm and Mike Johnson will chair it. The consultation documents and questionnaires will be printed and distributed prior to Easter with the closing date for returning questionnaires being 2^nd May 2023.

6. Caldbeck Public Toilets

The Clerk explained that only one tender for the refurbishment of the toilets had been received. The Council agreed to award the refurbishment to the tenderer.

7. Street Lighting

There is a light spillage issue into Greenways from the Upton streetlight near the Parish Hall. A timer was fitted when the Parish Hall clock was installed.

The streetlight (13) located on the first house (1 Beech Cottage) on the corner of The Street and the road leading to Wood Hall was made safe. Mike Johnson agreed to speak to Dave Bryden about what could be done to disconnect the light and remove the cable/fitting. Sue agreed to ask the Warren’s what they want done.

8. Caldbeck Green and other conservation issues

a) Caldbeck Green – nothing beyond routine grass cutting.

b) Stadledykes – The dyke fellings have not been removed yet but should be this Spring. An ash tree has been felled onto the land. No permission was sought.

c) Hesket Green – All the funds for Hesket pond works have been received. The planning application for the tree work has been submitted and LDNPA approval is awaited. Alison to speak to contractors about the disposal of the chippings from the branches, the larger logs and the spoil from the pond.

Millennium plot – Alison working on planning application for the tree work.

9. Property Matters

a) Update on car parks

Alan to supply gravel so Mark Binney to fill holes on Caldbeck car park. Hesket car park needs existing old tarmac repaired. The Council agreed to accept the Cumbria Surfacing Ltd quote. The Clerk and Paul to review the use of QR codes and report back to the Council.

b) Property Working Group.

BT have paid the annual wayleave payment for Caldbeck. The Council is still awaiting information on Hesket Newmarket wayleave payments from their Survey Team.

Howbeck House has made enquiries about purchasing their frontage off the Council. Tim explained that unless an application to deregister the land is submitted that it would still be common land with the restrictions that that imposes.

c) Solar Bollard

The Council agreed that the bollard needed additional fixing. Paul said he will stabilise with postcrete when the weather allows.

d) Fellside car park

H&H have been asked to prepare a specification and it is still awaited.

e) Hall Clock – The clock has been installed.

10. Speeding Traffic in Hesket Newmarket and Caldbeck

Mike Johnson to follow up about the Police speed enforcement actions undertaken in January. The Council agreed to await the outcome of the actions.

11. Parish Maintenance

Caldbeck Parish Highways priorities – The Parish Council’s ability to help identify Highways priorities will not change prior to the formation of the Unitary Authorities.

EI/18856 – Upton potholes/resurfacing. Requested: 9/10/21, Last followed up: 17/1/22. Progress reported: Complete 19/1/23.

EI/18937 – Historic sign post Hesket Bridge Requested: 10/10/21, Last followed up: 2/11/22. Progress reported: 2/11/22 Sign installed but not firmly fixed in place

EI/21838– Sign on road near Park End. Requested: 26/10/21, Last followed up: 23/1/23. Progress reported: 23/1/23 New sign installed – Keswick finger to fix

EI/40652 – Beckstones/Stadledykes. Requested: 17/1/22, Last followed up: 2/3/23. Progress reported: 2/3/23 Road closed for investigation.

 EI/43092 – Pothole – East of Hesket Newmarket. Requested: Last followed up: 17/1/22. Progress reported: Complete 17/1/23.

EI/43366 – Pothole The Street. Requested: 28/1/22, : Last followed up: 17/1/22. Progress reported: Complete 17/1/23.

EI/49466 – Pothole opposite Old Rectory. Requested: 21/2/22, Last followed up: 28/3/22. Progress reported: 28/3/22 Already aware task assigned.

EI/55483 – Blocked drain B5299 Requested: 15/3/22, Last followed up: 28/3/22. Progress reported: 28/3/22 Already aware task assigned – Same as 40652?

EI/57769 – Damage to wall nr Hesket Bridge. Requested: 27/3/22, Last followed up: 8/3/22. Progress reported: Complete.

EI/83028 – Blocked gully on The Street, Watery Lonning, Nether Row crossroads. Requested: 26/8/22, Last followed up: 26/8/22.

EI/88867 – Broken bus stop sign. Requested: 5/10/22

EI/94247 – Blocked Drain on road near Green Close. Requested: 3/11/22 Last followed up 8/3/23: Progress reported – Report received awaiting further assessment.

EI/109297 – Blue Gates – Broken Glass. Requested: 9/1/23 Last followed up: 10/2/23. Progress reported: Complete.

EI/112314 – Pasture Lane – Pothole Requested:15/1/23 , Last followed up: 8/3/22. Progress reported: Complete.

EI/114334 – Upton – Blocked Gully Requested: 17/1/23 , Last followed up: 8/3/22. Progress reported: Complete.

EI/114817 – The Street – Blocked Gully Requested: 19/1/23 , Last followed up: 8/3/22. Progress reported: Complete.

EI/116154 – Park End sign – broken Requested: 20/1/23 – Added into 21838

EI/118664 – Speed sign – broken – Requested: 27/1/23 Progress reported: Complete 2/2/23

EI/118666 – Street light 30 not working Requested: 27/1/23, Last followed up: 8/3/23. Progress reported: Complete.

EI/123239 – B5299 between Park End and Snow Hill – Road surface Requested 10/2/23. Closed see 127095

EI/127095 – Fell Road road edge disintegration – Requested 21/2/23, Last followed up: 8/3/23 Assigned.

EI/128642 – Potholes at Calebreck – Requested 26/2/23, Last followed up: 8/3/23 Assigned.

EI/132671 – Broken sign, nr Muddy Duck. Requested 13/3/23

Notice boards – Paul explained the different types and sizes of boards available to replace the notice boards – Opposite the shop and near the school. The Council agreed to spend up to £1,000 to replace the notice board by the school and to try and maintain the one opposite the shop. Mike stated that he still had c£1400 of funding available that if applied for, prior to the end of March, the Council could use towards replacing both notice boards. It was agreed to apply and if successful replace the large notice board opposite the shop as well.

12. Planning applications and decisions

a) Applications

i) 7/2023/2023 Elm Lodge, Hesket Newmarket, CA7 8JG – No Objection submitted.

ii) T/2023/0014 Trees near and around pond, Hesket Newmarket, Cumbria, CA7 8JG – No Objection submitted.

iii) T/2023/0030 Ratten Row Gate, Caldbeck, Cumbria, CA7 8EE – No Objection

iv) HOU/2023/0042The Bungalow, Friar Row, Caldbeck, Wigton, CA7 8DS – The Council heard representations from local residents.

In summary all of them had issues with the size of the proposed extension in that it approximately doubled the footprint. They were concerned that it was only linked to the original dwelling by a corridor and could easily be made into a separate dwelling. They felt that the presented plans didn’t accurately represent the existing situation with regard to relative building heights and included a shed to justify the footprint of the new build that was demolished 5 months ago. The application states that no hedges will be removed or new vehicle accesses will be created but the plans show that they will. They were concerned that it may impact the flood map for the area because of its size, position and through the removal of land available to absorb water.

They felt that the proposed extension was out of alignment with the existing properties and would overlook neighbouring gardens. This wouldn’t be in keeping with the conservation area and would impact on the views from lane and the bridge. It would also impact the residential amenity of its neighbours through loss of privacy and light through its position and the large windows shown in the gable ends.

Based on the representations the Council voted to object to the application. It was agreed that Norman would draft the submission.

v) 7/2023/2038 Woodlea, Hesket Newmarket, Wigton CA7 8HR – No Objection

b) Decisions notified

i) 7/2022/2303 Quarry Barn – granted

ii) FUL/2022/0275 Doctors Surgery – granted with conditions

iii) 7/2023/2009 – Long Lea – permission not required

iv) T/2023/0017 – Old Rectory (Actually at Brewery House) – granted

v) 7/2023/2053 – Crammond Cottage – permission not required

13. Lengthmans Activities

Norman had generated an updated activities list which he had just circulated.

14. Monthly Accounts 2021-22

i) The Council approved the receipts and payments since the last meeting, noted bank balances and reviewed the budget monitoring report. It noted that John had completed a periodic account reconciliation.

Receipts

13 February 2023 – Car parks £29.86

16 February 2023 – Car parks £48.13

7 March 2023 – Car parks £125.12

8 March 2023 – Interest £90.15

Payments

20 February 2023 – Allotments – £90.00

1 March 2023 – Clerk salary £606.85

1 March 2023 – Bank Charges £5.00

3 March 2023 – Lengthsman £562.61

3 March 2023 – Toilets £93.00

12 March 2023 – Streetlight timer £105.60

12 March 2023 – Parish Hall Clock £1,850.56

Cheque for 2022 Parish Hall use (£140) still to be presented.

Bank Balances as at 24/3/23

Current Account £31,096.62

Deposit account £109,015.35 including £98,627.80 for Hesket Lonning footpath.

The receipts and payment account is here: https://www.caldbeck.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/RP-Mar23.pdf

The budget monitoring report is here: https://www.caldbeck.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/Bud-Mar-23.pdf

ii) 2023-24 precept – will be paid ~6^th It was paid by Allerdale on 1^st April.

iii) Budget 2023-24 update – Income will be higher than forecast due to the interest rate increases. Expenditure will also be higher due to carryover items from 2022-23.

iv) Asset Register – The register was noted. The toilets and the new land registry titles were included.

v) AGAR – Documentation for the 2022-23 review have been received.

15. Correspondence

To note items of correspondence received since the last meeting:

Cumbria Constabulary reports.

CALC: newsletters, updates.

Lake District National Park: Geoff Davies monthly report. Election of Geoff’s replacement will start shortly.

16. Document reviews

The subcommittee of Tim, Paul and the Clerk reviewed the Standing Orders, Code of Conduct, Complaints and GDPR policies and provided recommendations to the Council. The Council accepted the review recommendations.

Additionally, it was agreed to reword Standing Order 10 e) from “… The Council shall nominate a member to verify the bank reconciliations produced by the Clerk … “ to “…The Council shall nominate a parishioner to verify the bank reconciliations produced by the Clerk … “.

17. Meeting Dates

Upcoming meeting dates – 19^th June, 31^st July, 11^th September, 23^rd October, 4^th December.

18. Date of Next Meeting

9^th May 2023 in Caldbeck Parish Hall – The Council noted that the May meeting may need to be moved if the local government elections on May 4^th are contested dependent upon when the results are declared.

19. The Chairman mentioned this was the last meeting for Councillors John Brown and Ian Shaw, who were not standing for re election in May. John Brown had been a Parish Councillor for 4 years and Ian had served for 8 years. Both were thanked for all their contributions and efforts to represent the community as Councillors.

The meeting ended at 9:30pm