December 2020

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes
CALDBECK PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the ‘virtual’ Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held via Zoom on Monday 7 December 2020 at 7:30pm.

Cllrs Attending: Tim Cartmell (Chairman), Norman Atkinson, John Brown, Angela Glendinning, Paul Graham, Alastair Macfadzean, Ian Shaw, Alan Tyson, Alison Young Poole

Also: Mike Johnson, County Councillor and Acting Leader Allerdale Borough Councillor (Items 5 to 8), Elspeth Mackenzie and Rosemary Bailey (Item 10), Ewan Macfadzean (Item 15), Simon Smith (Clerk).

1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Paul Doherty and Tony Annison, Allerdale Borough Councillor.

2.  Minutes

The Chairman was authorised to sign the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held via Zoom on 19 October 2020 as a true record, pp’d by the Clerk

3.  Declaration of Interest

Alastair Macfadzean declared an interest in Item 15 as his son had submitted the planning application.

4.  Public Participation

There were no specific reports from County and District Councillors. Subjects proposed by members of the public for discussion were included as separate agenda items (Items 10 and 18).

5.  Hesket Lonning Footpath

Mike Johnson reported that Allerdale officers were in continuing discussions with landowners to see if agreement might be reached as regards the footpath. He and Allerdale officers would meet the Footpath Working Group to discuss progress.

6.  Caldbeck Public Toilets

Mike Johnson reported that Allerdale would transfer the facilities to the Parish Council unless public toilets might be provided elsewhere. He advised that the Parish Council should budget for operating facilities in the new financial year.

7.  Street Lighting 

The Clerk reported that Allerdale had not been able to progress matters with Electricity North West because of other priorities and COVID demands. However, It seemed highly unlikely that Allerdale would be able to negotiate a reduction in ENW’s costs for a conventional street light. Mike Johnson agreed to see if there were other options for Allerdale to pursue.

Paul Doherty had circulated further information on a solar/wind power alternative. Costs looked attractive compared to a conventional light but there were questions about the aesthetics, the illumination provided, and whether Allerdale as street lighting authority would accept such a light on its asset register.  The Parish Council emphasised the need for adequate street lighting.

8.  Parish Maintenance

The Parish Council noted the following issues:

1. Hesket Newmarket surface water/flood mitigation including work around the Green and development site. Alison Young Poole reported on the appearance of a swallow hole on the development site and agreed to monitor it;
2. Hesket Bridge land slippage;
3. Possible repair work on Banks Lane – Hesket Bridge to Millhouse. Agreed to close the item;
4. Barriers obstructing pavement at Riverside, Caldbeck, opposite the Oddfellows;
5. Warning signs at Faulds Brow and Wath Brow – issues raised with County Council.

Other issues

1. Caldbeck Parish Highways priorities. The Clerk reported that Hesket Lonning is being patched and then surface dressed in Summer 2021, along with The Street and Upton to The Street. The patching date is yet to be confirmed (probably March 2021) and will be undertaken by an external contractor. The works will be carried out under a road closure and the County Council will notify the Parish Council/send letters to residents before the work is to begin. The Parish Council was concerned that repair standards achieved in recent years have seemed poor in comparison to those achieved in neighbouring parishes on relatively minor roads. The Parish Council agreed to monitor progress and flag up areas of concern in preparation for repairs and during repair work. 
2. Fair Trade shop tarmac repairs. Norman Atkinson reported on the repairs successfully completed since the last meeting. Elspeth Mackenzie had sent her thanks.
3. Hedge clippings. The Parish Council discussed reports of bicycle and car tyre punctures as a result of hedge clippings. The Parish Council considered that little could be done this year as hedging had been completed and noted that hedge trimming helped maintain visibility on the narrow lanes. The Clerk would record the number of instances reported with a view to drawing attention to problems.
4. Caldbeck Autumn tidy. The Chairman reported on the Caldbeck tidy undertaken on 23 November and thanked those who had taken part.
5. Midtown blocked gulley. The gulley had been cleared but was again blocked. The Clerk agreed to report this and other blocked gullies on HIMS and notify Highways of more general problems requesting the gulley team inspect the Parish.
6. Road south from Calebreck and other lanes. Norman Atkinson reported on numbers of pot holes – Woodhall to Pasture Lane, Howbeck to Pasture Lane, Pasture Lane to Lonning Head, Pasture Lane to Calebreck, and Calebreck to Stone Ends. The Clerk would report these on HIMS and again notify Highways of the general concerns. 
7. Gritting between Hesket Newmarket and Millhouse. The Clerk reported that Highways had confirmed that Highways West (Lillyhall) grits from Caldbeck to Howbeck and Highways East (Dalston) grits from the B5305 to Howbeck via Millhouse. 
8. Overhanging branches at Ratten Row House. The Chairman reported he would contact the owner.
9. Faulds Brow off road driving. Alison Young Poole reported serious problems with off road drivers. The National Park and police had been notified.
10. Alison Young Poole reported that the historic road sign at Hesket Bridge had been damaged. The Clerk agreed to report the damage and liaise with Castle Sowerby Parish Council.

9.  Coronavirus

The Parish Council noted the various COVID reports and following discussion it agreed to update the notice displayed in car parking areas in preparation for Christmas following the Government’s review of Tiers expected on 16 December.

10.  Caldbeck Green

The Chairman invited Elspeth’s Mackenzie to introduce her proposal for increasing biodiversity on Caldbeck Green. During discussion there was a concern that the proposals were far reaching and would lead to major change to the appearance of the Green. Changes in grass cutting arrangements were likely to require much heavier machinery which was more expensive and might result in significant rutting, Some areas would be difficult to get to with larger machinery. By a majority vote, the Parish Council agreed that it would form a Working Group to scope a pilot project. That group would talk to experts, see what other parish councils have done, and identify a well defined area on the Green where a different approach to its management and grass cutting might be taken to encourage greater biodiversity. The group would need to explain in detail how that area would be managed and talk to Mark Binney, contractor, about any proposals, their operational implications and costs. There would be a need to consult Cumbria County Council as landowners. The group would make a recommendation to the Parish Council and it would be for the Parish Council to say whether the pilot project should go ahead. 

11.  Lake District National Park land disposals and car parking on common land

The Chairman reported on progress since the last meeting:

1. Finance and Legal

• finance – an anonymous £10,000 donation had now been received covering the purchase price of the land. The Parish Council would need to cover legal costs and draw on earmarked reserves;
• instruction of solicitors – the Parish Council agreed to appoint a solicitor;
• re-instruction of land agent for final advice – the Parish Council agreed to request final advice;
• instruction of barrister on common land issues – the Parish Council agreed to instruct Counsel.

2. Proposals to install collection boxes at car parking sites – electronic payments were considered and Paul Doherty who was not at the meeting would have more information. Further work was required regarding collecting boxes for cash donations;
3. Investigating installation of electric charging points. Preliminary work has been initiated and Norman Atkinson agreed to undertake further work, drawing on local experience (Dalston) and seeing what grants might be available;
4. Offering the management of Stadledykes and land at Howbeck, Hesket Newmarket to local conservationists or Cumbria Buzz on a trial basis. The Parish Council thought this worth following up once the purchase is complete. 

12.  Standing Orders

The Parish Council approved minor revisions to Standing Orders to recognise that where a value for money case can be made, the Parish Council need not seek tenders for contracts: 

11 f) Where a value for money case is made, the Council can determine to award a contract or extend a contract without seeking tenders. Such circumstances may arise where specialist expertise is required, where there is an evident track record of value for money, or where there have been difficulties in attracting tenders.

13.  Parish Lengthsman and grass cutting arrangements for 2021 to 2023

The Clerk reported on progress on the Lengthsman’s contract since the last meeting. Parish Councillors expressed their satisfaction with what had been achieved and agreed that the Parish Council should continue funding the service. Given the recent tendering exercise for the Lengthsman’s contract and the competitive prices quoted for grass cutting, the Parish Council agreed that the existing contracts should be extended, subject to confirmation of prices. As part of January’s budget meeting the Parish Council would confirm arrangements for grass cutting and the lengthsman’s contract. If the Parish Council approved a pilot project for encouraging greater biodiversity, any changes to contract specification and impact on costs would be dealt with through an amendment to the contract.

14.  Hesket Newmarket Speeding Traffic

The Clerk had not received news of when the CRASH team would be installing a vehicle activated speed display in Hesket Newmarket.

15.  Planning applications and decisions

Applications

1. FUL/2020/0249  Land East of Mill Row, Friars Row, Caldbeck  Change of use of land to allow the siting of tents and a temporary shower/toilet block. Note this an Allerdale planning application. Following discussion the Parish Council agreed to support the planning applications, highlighting the additional local spend for businesses. It would request that approval should be subject to conditions: that the campsite would be tied to the owners of Millview; that a maximum number of 45 campers should be set; and that camper vans and caravans should not be permitted.

2. 7/2020/2270 (Full Planning application) and 7/2020/2271 (Listed Building Consent application)  Burkley Cottage, Hesket Newmarket, CA7 8JG Conversion of former cottage and barn to living accommodation added to existing house following the withdrawal of planning application 7/2020/2105 and 2106 No objection.
3. 7/2020/2258  Evening Hill, Hesket Newmarket, CA7 8JG  Proposed conversion of garage / ancillary accommodation to local occupancy dwelling. Following discussion the Parish Council no objection to the planning application but requested the National Park to consider placing a restriction which would ensure that the new residential accommodation will remain tied to Evening Hill to prevent the establishment of unauthorised independent dwelling houses.
4. 7/2020/2243 (Full Planning application) and 7/2020/2244  (Listed Building Consent application)  Howbeck Cottage, Howbeck, Hesket Newmarket, CA7 8JG Relocation of an internal partition wall and a door opening, the removal of an internal porch, replacement of all windows and front door, works to boundary wall to allow the widening of the parking area and associated works. The Clerk reported that he had submitted a response following email exchanges with Parish Councillors. The Parish Council had no objection to the application in relation to improvements to the external fittings and internal layout. It expressed a concern regarding the extension of the parking area which sits in a dip in the road, not shown on the visibility splays, and where traffic approaching Howbeck from Millhouse may be confronted by a car either reversing into the parking area or reversing onto the road from the parking area. The access to the parking area is some 10 metres into the 30 MPH limit but it is unlikely that many vehicles will have reduced their speed at this point. Traffic monitoring has regularly highlighted concerns regarding excessive speeds of vehicles approaching Howbeck from Millhouse. The Parish Council trusted that the National Park would seek responses from Highways for an expert opinion regarding this aspect of the application. The Parish Council asked the Clerk to draw a further concern regarding parking during building work to the National Park’s attention. 

Decisions notified

1. T/2020/0141  Dyke Nook, Caldbeck, CA7 8EW  Tree Work in Conservation Area  No objection
2. T/2020/0124  Dyke Nook, Caldbeck, CA7 8EW Reduce height and thin growth on yew trees No objection
3. 7/2020/2203  Lonning Foot, Hesket Newmarket, CA7 8JU  Rear utility extension and associated ramp to give disabled access. Alterations to sun-room fenestration  Approved with conditions

16.  Community Led Affordable Housing

The Clerk reported that on 5 November, the Parish Council’s working group met Eden and Mitre Housing Associations and Stuart Woodall, the Parish Council’s architect/consultant. They considered that a detailed scheme could now be developed which would provide for 8 houses, all classed as affordable, a mix of 2 and 3 bedroom houses, and a flexible range of rented/shared ownership houses. The Parish Council has invited people to express interest on two fronts: those who would like to become involved in forming a Community Led Group to provide community leadership and help access grants; and those who would be interested in potentially owning/renting affordable housing. The scheme would take at least a year in planning and perhaps two years before the first residents would move in. There would be a local occupancy clause but people who had a past connection with Caldbeck Parish may be able to express interest, giving opportunity to families to move back to Caldbeck. The Parish Council wanted to ensure that the landowners were content with the proposals, including land sales arrangements, and agreed that more should be done to publicise the project now the updated website was live and that links should be made with Caldbeck Being Sociable. The Clerk was asked to action these points.

17.  Report on Parish Website

The Clerk reported that the Parish Website had been updated and was now live. Parish Councillors liked the new design and was pleased to see the updating which had taken place. Further work was underway to ensure all pages had been reviewed and that future minutes were fully compliant with requirements. 

18.  Memorial bench or tree on Caldbeck Green

The Chairman reported that Emily Heath wished to provide a memorial bench in Caldbeck and that sites were being considered.

19.  Caldbeck Post Office

The Chairman reported that Caldbeck Post Office would not reopen and that a post office service would continue to be provided on Wednesday mornings. Hesket Newmarket Post Office provided facilities.

20.  Monthly Accounts 2020-21

The Parish Council approved the receipts and payments since the last meeting, noted bank balances and reviewed the budget monitoring report:

Receipts

• 8 November Interest £0.92
• Interest Cumberland Building Society for 2019-20  – tbc

Payments

• 17 October 2020 Mark Binney Grass cutting £207.75
• 16 November 2020 Mark Binney Lengthsman’s contract work £408.00 
• 16 November 2020 St Kentigern’s contribution to grass cutting £750.00 
• 16 November 2020 Northern Fells Group Minibus £300.00 
• 16 November 2020 First Responders £70.00
• 28 November 2020 Great North Air Ambulance £200.00
• 28 November 2020 First Responders £70.00

Bank Balances as at 5 December 2020

• Current Account £18,801.89
• Deposit account £108,553.69 including £98,627.80 for Hesket Lonning footpath

21. Draft budget 2021-22 

The Clerk introduced the draft budget for 2021-22 which would need to be approved at the meeting on 11 January, together with the precept.In January 2020 the Parish Council had set a two year provisional budget that would allow for electricity charges for street lighting (£1,500). But as Allerdale has decided to retain full responsibility for street lighting and not to charge for electricity, this is no longer required. However, there were likely to be extra costs if the Parish Council were to operate Caldbeck public toilets. Parish Councillors agreed to email comments or questions about the budget before the next meeting.

22.  Correspondence

The Parish Council noted the following items of correspondence received since the last meeting:

1. Cumbria Constabulary, County Council: various coronavirus updates (discussed at Item 9)
2. Lake District National Park: Geoff Davies November report.

23.  Next meeting – 11 January 2021

The meeting ended at 10:10pm

AGENDA

Zoom Meeting ID 851 2473 0100 (passcode 122130) on Monday 7 December which takes place at 7:30pm.

1.  Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

2.  Minutes

To authorise the Chairman to sign the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 19 October 2020 as a true record.

3.  Declaration of Interest

1. Request for Dispensations: the Clerk to report any requests received since the previous meeting for dispensations to speak and/or vote on any matter where a member has a disclosable pecuniary interest.
2. To receive any other declarations by members of interests in respect of items on this agenda.

4.  Public Participation

At the Chairman’s discretion, to allow members of the public an opportunity to ask questions and raise matters of interest. 

1. Report from Mike Johnson, County Councillor; 
2. Report from Tony Annison, Allerdale Borough Councillor; and
3. Questions or matters of interest raised by residents.

5.  Hesket Lonning Footpath

Update on progress since the last meeting.

6.  Caldbeck Public Toilets

Update on transfer of public toilets from Allerdale Borough Council and ongoing arrangements. 

7.  Street Lighting 

Update on progress since last meeting – reinstallation of light near Calva/Parish Hall

8.  Parish Maintenance

1. Past issues for noting

• Hesket Newmarket surface water/flood mitigation including work around the Green and development site;
• Hesket Bridge land slippage;
• Possible repair work on Banks Lane – Hesket Bridge to Millhouse;
• Barriers obstructing pavement at Riverside, Caldbeck, opposite the Oddfellows;
• Warning signs at Faulds Brow and Wath Brow – issues raised with County Council.

2. Other issues

• Caldbeck Parish Highways priorities
• Fair Trade shop tarmac repairs
• Hedge cuttings
• Caldbeck Autumn tidy
• Midtown blocked gulley
• Road south from Calebreck
• Gritting between Hesket Newmarket and Millhouse
• Overhanging branches at Ratten Row House
• Faulds Brow – off road damage to common

3. To consider any other urgent matters regarding parish maintenance.

9.  Coronavirus

Update on coronavirus pandemic from Cumbria Constabulary, County Council and Allerdale Borough Council and consideration of Notices.

10.  Caldbeck Green

To consider Elspeth’s Mackenzie’s proposal for increasing biodiversity on Caldbeck Green and alternatives.

11.  Lake District National Park land disposals and car parking on common land

1. Update on progress since last meeting including:

• finance;
• instruction of solicitors;
• reinstruction of land agent for final advice;
• instruction of the barrister on common land issues;

and subject to completing the purchase:

2. proposals to install collection boxes at car parking sites;
3. investigating installation of electric charging points;
4. offering the management of Stadledykes and land at Howbeck, Hesket Newmarket to our local conservationists or Cumbria Buzz on a trial basis.

12.  Standing Orders

To consider a report on Standing Orders and approve updated draft Standing Orders 

13.  Parish Lengthsman and grass cutting arrangements for 2021 to 2023

Update on progress since last meeting and consideration of contracting arrangements.

14.  Hesket Newmarket Speeding Traffic

Update on progress since the last meeting.

15.  Planning applications and decisions

1. Applications

• FUL/2020/0249  Land East of Mill Row, Friars Row, Caldbeck  Change of use of land to allow the siting of tents and a temporary shower/toilet block. [Note this an Allerdale planning application and Allerdale’s website is not currently available – papers will be added to the Caldbeck Parish website.]
• 7/2020/2270 (Full Planning application) and 7/2020/2271 (Listed Building Consent application)  Burkley Cottage, Hesket Newmarket, CA7 8JG Conversion of former cottage and barn to living accommodation added to existing house following the withdrawal of planning application 7/2020/2105 and 2106
• 7/2020/2258  Evening Hill, Hesket Newmarket, CA7 8JG  Proposed conversion of garage / ancillary accommodation to local occupancy dwelling
• 7/2020/2243 (Full Planning application) and 7/2020/2244  (Listed Building Consent application)  Howbeck Cottage, Howbeck, Hesket Newmarket, CA7 8JG Relocation of an internal partition wall and a door opening, the removal of an internal porch, replacement of all windows and front door, works to boundary wall to allow the widening of the parking area and associated works

2. Decisions notified

• T/2020/0141  Dyke Nook, Caldbeck, CA7 8EW  Tree Work in Conservation Area  No objection
• T/2020/0124  Dyke Nook, Caldbeck, CA7 8EW Reduce height and thin growth on yew trees No objection
• 7/2020/2203  Lonning Foot, Hesket Newmarket, CA7 8JU  Rear utility extension and associated ramp to give disabled access. Alterations to sun-room fenestration  Approved with conditions

16.  Community Led Affordable Housing

Update on progress since last meeting.

17.  Report on Parish Website

To receive a report on the updating of the Parish Website.

18.  Memorial bench or tree on Caldbeck Green

To consider Emily Heath’s offer to place a memorial bench or tree in Caldbeck

19.  Caldbeck Post Office

To consider a report on Caldbeck Post Office arrangements.

20.  Monthly Accounts 2020-21

To approve the receipts and payments since the last meeting and note bank balances and review budget monitoring report and to consider a draft budget 

1. Receipts

• 8 November Interest £0.92
• Interest Cumberland Building Society for 2019-20  – tbc

2. Payments

• 17 October 2020 Mark Binney Grass cutting £207.75
• 16 November 2020 Mark Binney Lengthsman’s contract work £408.00 
• 16 November 2020 St Kentigern’s contribution to grass cutting £750.00 
• 16 November 2020 Northern Fells Group Minibus £300.00 
• 16 November 2020 First Responders £70.00
• 28 November 2020 Great North Air Ambulance £200.00
• 28 November 2020 First Responders £70.00

3. Bank Balances as at 5 December 2020

• Current Account £18,801.89
• Deposit account £108,553.69 including £98,627.80 for Hesket Lonning footpath

21. Draft budget 2021-22 

To consider a report on the draft budget and precept for 2021-22 to be approved at the meeting on 11 January.

22.  Correspondence

To note items of correspondence received since the last meeting:

• Cumbria Constabulary, County Council: various coronavirus updates
• CALC: 
• Lake District National Park: Geoff Davies November report

23.  Meeting Dates

11 January 2021

15 February 2021

22 March 2021 (Easter Monday is 5 April)

10 May 2021 (early May bank holiday is 3 May)

14 June 2021

26 July 2021

6 September 2021

18 October 2021

6 December 2021

10 January 2022

The intention is for the meeting to end by 9:30pm