July 2023

Meeting Minutes

CALDBECK PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Parish Hall on Monday 31^st July at 7:30pm.

 Councillors present: Paul Doherty (Chairman), Norman Atkinson, Angela Glendinning, Sue Robson, David Sutherland, Mark Telford, Mike Warren, Alison Young

Also Present: Mike Johnson (Cumberland Councillor) and David McGuffie (Clerk)

1. Apologies

Tim Cartmell (Family) and Alan Tyson (unknown) were absent and the Council accepted Tims apologies.

2. Minutes

The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 19^th June 2023 as a true record.

3. Declaration of Interest

None.

4. Public Participation

Report by Mike Johnson – He explained that the waste collection teams of the three old borough councils all had different terms and conditions. Allerdale’s team was currently on strike and discussions with ACAS had yet to resolve the dispute so the bin collections would continue as they are for present. He added that the waste collection workers in Copeland are being balloted about potential strike action.

1. High Pike – The viewmaster from the trig point on High Pike has been stolen – this has been reported to the police. The template that the viewmaster was made from has been obtained and companies approached to ascertain the cost of a replacement. Paul suggested that Lakeland Mouldings be approached to get a comparative cost for a resin version and the Council agreed that they should be and that if/when a replacement is installed that security fixings should be used. The clerk was asked to contact the LDNPA about the repair of the damage to the trig point.
2. Parking – The clerk to contact the area community police officer about parking during busy weekends and trying to ensure that the roads and pavements aren’t obstructed.

5. Caldbeck Public Toilets

Repair work to Caldbeck toilets is nearly complete. Mike confirmed that at present Dave Bryden is still the person to contact about demonstration that the grant funding received with the toilets transfer has been spent on the toilets. The official title held by the Land Registry has now been updated showing the Councils ownership.

6. Street Lighting

Beech Cottage update – quote from ENWL awaited. This is now a Highways issue due to the reorganisation of services following creation of the Unitary Authority.

7. Caldbeck and Hesket Greens

a) Update on Caldbeck Green – Alison advised the Council that the impact of a variation reducing the mown area north of the Bowling Green would be 14h/y. The Council agreed that a variation should be prepared and signed.

b) Update on Hesket Newmarket – Alison informed the Council that Eden would be back on Friday (4^th Aug) to complete the tree work by the pond and that Vince Parry would be starting the pond work next Tuesday (8^th Aug) with the aim of having all the works and the close out report completed by 31^st August as agreed with Cumberland Council. Tree work application for Howbeck Millennium planting still in progress.

c) Commons deregistration of part of Hesket Green – The Brewery indicated that it is happy with the current arrangements.

d) Alison asked the Council to consider submitting a planning application for four trees in Hesket Newmarket. Three of the trees are at risk of causing damage now and the fourth may if it is allowed to grow much taller. The Council agreed that due to risks posed by these trees an application should be submitted and as the indicative cost of the works was over £500 the Clerk should attempt to obtain 3x quotes as per the standing orders.

8. Property Matters

a) Car parks – QR codes for electronic payments are operational. Paul is looking into adding PayPal as well as QR codes. Signage with the new payment methods will be installed shortly.

Overnight parking – A vehicle parked outside of controlled hours (which need to be properly signed) is parked “in contravention of the regulation”. This makes it a civil matter as it is a contravention and not an offence (Road Traffic Act 1991). As car parks aren’t part of the highway vehicles parked there aren’t committing the offence of obstructing the highway. The LDNPA byelaws relating to car parking don’t apply as they only apply to LDNPA owned or occupied land.

b) Property Working Group – BT Wayleave for Hesket Newmarket a one-off payment figure (£965.86) or an annual payment figure (£70.96) have been offered. LDNPA took £31,500 as a one-off payment in 2005 for most of the equipment. The Council agreed that similar to the Caldbeck equipment it would ask for the annual payment.

c) Fellside car park – H&H specification for parking spaces has been received. Tim is querying the need for the membrane. A waste exemption would be required for the top soil – this would be free.

d) Land at Hesket Newmarket. The Council agreed to accept the three offers. Solicitor fees will be £750 + VAT each. The owners of Canny House are also interested. To be followed up along with impact on fees – if any.

e) Maidens Hill Garage – The construction planning application states that the land was leased. Egremont records haven’t responded whether the lease was rolled over or ended.

9. Speeding Traffic in Hesket Newmarket and Caldbeck

Traffic speed measuring in Hesket Newmarket and Caldbeck reports received and posted on Council website. Update on enforcement actions awaited.

10. Parish Maintenance (updates since last meeting in bold)

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

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/127095 – Fell Road road edge disintegration – Requested 21/2/23, Last followed up: 2/5/23 Assigned? Have had complete from Highways.

EI/132671 – Broken sign, nr Muddy Duck. Requested 13/3/23 Last followed up: 3/6/23 Progress reported – broken sign removed, to be either fixed and reinstated or replaced.

EI/146937 – Road near pond – Requested 24/4/23, Last followed up: 9/5/23 Assigned.

EI/155774 – Fly tipping between Parkend and Whelpo – Requested 8/6/23, Last followed up: 8/6/23 Assigned.

Notice boards – New boards installed. Cork tiles need fixed better – double sided tape to be tried.

11. Planning applications and decisions

a) Applications

i) T/2023/0091 Greenway, Hesket Newmarket, Cumbria, CA7 8JG – Tree work – Not worthy of a protection order therefore No objection.

ii) CS 30702800 – Pre Application Consultation – LAND AT COCKLAKES, CUMBRIA WAY, CALDBECK, WIGTON, CUMBRIA, CA7 8EZ – telecommunications development.

The Council noted a number of potential issues with the proposed development. These mostly stemmed from the location and that accessing the site to build it, maintain it and deliver fuel for the onsite generator would be difficult as there is no engineered vehicle access. The Council also questioned the need for a mast in the area, the visual impact of the mast on the landscape, whether there would be any noise pollution and environmental impact of continuously operating a diesel generator.

It was noted that the clerk had sent copy of the consultation to Mungrisdale PC clerk due to the proposed location being close to the parish boundary.

b) Decisions notified

7/2023/2101Fellside House Farm, Caldbeck, Wigton, CA7 8HA – Silage Clamp – granted.

12. Lengthmans Activities

Norman has generated an activities list.

13. Monthly Accounts 2022-23

a) Approved the receipts and payments since the last meeting, noted bank balances, reviewed budget monitoring report.

b) AGAR update – No questions raised during the public rights period. Explained to the external auditor why the Councils reserves were higher than normal – mainly due to the footpath donation and planned works where funds were obtained in 22-23 for delivery in 23-24.

c) Footpath money – returned.

Receipts

5 July 2023 – Car Park £186.42

8 July 2023 – Interest £140.12

Payments

29 Jun 2023 – Bank Charges £5.00

29 Jun 2023 – Clerk salary £606.85

30 Jun 2023 – Toilets refurb part 1 £2000.00

1 July 2023 – Toilets refurb part 2 £1761.03

7 July 2023 – Clerk q1 expenses £143.20

12 July 2023 – Toilets £150.00

14 July 2023 – Donation repayment £98,627.80

Bank Balances as at 27/7/23

Current Account £1,737.63

Deposit account £36,535.71

The receipts and payment account is here: https://www.caldbeck.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/RP-Jul-23.pdf

The budget monitoring report is here: https://www.caldbeck.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/BM-Jul-23.pdf

14. Correspondence

To note items of correspondence received since the last meeting:

• Cumbria Constabulary reports.
• CALC: newsletters, updates.

• Lake District National Park: Peter Walter report

• Durty Events – Lakes in a Day 7^th October 2023 – The Council agreed that they can set up portaloos on car park and start in front of Oddfellows again.

15. Meeting Dates

2023 meeting dates -, 23^rd October, 4^th December.

16. Date of Next Meeting: 11^th September 2023 in Caldbeck Parish Hall

The meeting ended at 9:30pm