Minutes of the New Hutton Parish Council meeting held on Monday 1st October, 2012
121001-1 Present
Pat Bell, Tony Ellis, Henry Robinson, Martyn Welch, Tony Porter(Chairman), Arthur Robinson (clerk), Stan Collins (CCC councillor) and two parishioners
121001-2 Apologies
Peter Thornton (SLDC Councillor)
121001-3 Acceptance of the minutes of the last meetings
The chairman signed the minutes of the council meeting held on 10-07-2012 and the extraordinary council meeting held on 29-08-2012 as true records.
121001-4 Chairman’s announcements
a. The LAP will purchase a grit bin for Kinn Road next to its junction with the A684, and a bin for Hawkrigg Lane at its junction with the A684; next year a bin will be bought for Hawkrigg Lane at the hill next to Hawkrigg End, and a bin for the western side of Rainriggs
b. Hawkrigg Lane – CCC has been asked twice about plans to repair the dangerous condition of Hawkrigg Lane between Moss Head and the junction to the south with Long Lane. No replies have been received.
c. Hayclose Lane has now been upgraded to priority2 for winter gritting which means it will be gritted within hours of snow or ice.
d. It was reported that Hutton Park Barn (whose ancient name is Smurthwaite) has received planning permission for conversion to a house, and outline permission for seven houses on the field between The Ashes and the church was refused. Thanks were expressed for the council’s work in these matters.
e. It was noted that two small notice boards will be ready for erection in the week starting 15th October.
f. As a vote will be taken at the meeting on 17th October about the proposed Killington wind farm, it was decided that voting slips will be issued only to parishioners on the electoral roll. No proxy votes will be accepted.
g. The Parish Council thanked Fergus Macfarlane (at TFM) for his work over many years keeping the verges along Beehive Lane tidy.
121001-5 Declaration of interests
Martyn Welch – item 121001-11
121001-6 Open session
a. Stan Collins asked for a list of drainage problems on roads in the parish. It will be supplied by the clerk.
b. In view of recent successes at Planning Committee meetings, a parishioner urged others to speak there if they had concerns about applications.
121001-7 Planning applications
Applications submitted requiring council comments:
SL/2012/0746 – Cairns Barn, Hayfellside – first floor extension, single storey extension and relocation of shed [deadline 15th October]
The progress of the following applications was noted:
SL/2012/0177 – conversion of Hagg Hill Top Barn to a granny flat and a two-bedroom holiday cottage – granted by SLDC at the August planning committee meeting
SL/2012/0627 – alteration to field access to Brundrigg Moss for safer access to pylons – granted by SLDC
SL/2012/0659 – construction of 4 equipment cabins to add to 2 existing ones within an existing compound east of Paddy Lane at Singleton Park – notice of intention to carry out the development (permitted under a permitted developments act)
SL/2012/0529 – conversion of a domestic garage to a dwelling at Birks Farm [deadline 7th September]
SL/2012/0661 – outline planning permission to build 7 houses on the field between The Ashes and the church [refused on 26-09-2012]
SL/2012/0069 – conversion of Hutton Park Barn to an agricultural worker’s dwelling [granted on 26-09-2012]
SL/2012/0731 – extension and conversion of an agricultural storage building into a classroom at Strickley
From CCC – construction of a path along the B6254 from the Station Inn to the railway station [deadline 21st Sept]
121001-8 Payment of accounts
Payment of the following amounts was authorised:
a. To Zurich Municipal £225.00 for the annual insurance premium 13th October 2012 to 12th October 2013 [in 2011/12 the premium was £225]
b. Up to £25 to the clerk for the copying of documents at Cumbria Records Office, Kendal, to do with the award of land to New Hutton Church in the Killington Enclosure Award Act, 1821; this land is part of the proposed Killington wind farm.
121001-9 Financial report
a. The Audit Commission has appointed BDO LLP to be the external auditor for the five years from 2012/13 to 2016/17.
b. The current account has a balance of £1573.21. Much of this is for the two notice boards which are being constructed at the moment.
121001-10 Correspondence
The following items of correspondence were received since the last meeting:
12-07-2-12 – from SLDC – consultation about new byelaws covering dog control and public urination in all streets where there is a 30mph limit in the District. [forwarded to parishioners]
17-07-2012 – from CALC – notification that the Government is proposing to end the requirement for two signatures on parish council cheques
17-07-2012 – from CALC – notification of a Government consultation about a proposal to allow tractors to use red diesel when gritting roads in winter [consultation replied to in the affirmative]
17-07-2012 – from Connecting Cumbria – latest newsletter [forwarded to councillors]
24-07-2012 – from Upper Kent Neighbourhood Forum – summary of meeting on 10-07-2012 [forwarded to councillors]
30-07-2012 – from CALC – possible changes to winter gritting [forwarded to councillors]
01-08-2012 – from CALC – guidance on the granting of dispensations to speak where the councillor has a pecuniary interest [forwarded to councillors]
02-08-2012 – from CALC – training dates about the code of conduct [forwarded to councillors]
03-08-2012 – from CCC – new Better Highways arrangements [forwarded to councillors]
03-08-2012 – from Department for Communities and Local Government – guide to code of conduct [to be distributed at the next parish council meeting]
17-08-2012 – from the Local Government Boundary Commission – summary of their report on CCC and recommendation that no changes be made.
28-08-2012 – review of Community Led Plans to embed them in SLDC’s Localism Agenda 13 SLDC responses [forwarded to councillors]
31-08-2012 – from the Audit Commission – notification about the external auditor for 2012/13 to 2016/17.
03-09-2012 – from CALC – September circular [forwarded to councillors]
14-09-2012 – from CALC – CCC decisions: BT to provide superfast broadband; Hayclose Lane winter gritting to be upgraded to priority 2 [forwarded to councillors]
18-09-2012 – from SLDC – notification of a further consultation about the Land Allocations Development Plan
18-09-2012 – from CALC – confirmation that, under the new code of conduct, councillors with pecuniary interest in an issue should leave the room without speaking on it.
121001-11 Consultation on SLDC proposed council tax reduction scheme
SLDC proposes to remove the council tax discount for second homes (not holiday homes) which is currently 10% in order to meet the reduced grant to be received from central government. It also considering whether to remove or reduce discounts on empty properties. Further details can be read at www.southlakeland.gov.uk/council-tax-reduction-scheme . The deadline for comments is 31st October 2012.
In view of the fact that there are very few such homes in the parish, the Parish Council decided that it had no view on the issue and urged individual parishioners to express their own opinions if they wished.
121001-12 Code of conduct
It was noted that under the new code of conduct a councillor could be given a dispensation to speak when s/he has a pecuniary interest. This was included in the code of conduct adopted at the meeting on 10th July 2012. However, new advice from CALC is that in all cases the councillor should declare the pecuniary interest and then leave the room without speaking on the matter.
The Parish Council adopted this policy in the code of conduct concerning the granting of a dispensation; it is a continuation of its practice from the old code of conduct.
121001-13 LAP Actions
In view of the fact that funds will soon come in to the parish from the Armistead wind farm as well as the Lambrigg wind farm (and, possibly, the Killington wind farm), it was decided that the next meeting will include a review of the current parish plan and the construction of a provisional “wish list” for the parish. Some items might be suitable for future LAP funding although LAP funds will be reduced next year.
121001-14 Better Highways Programme
a. CCC’s Better Highways team will do road maintenance work in the parish every six months or so. Road problems will be listed on a website administered by Upper Kent LAP and will form the work to be done, if possible. Results of the work will also be reported there.
b. The Parish Clerk (see contact details below) will be the contact at this end. Parishioners should report problems to him.
c. The location of potholes on all the parish’s roads has been noted and will be sent to the website. Stan Collins also asked for a list of locations where drainage is poor.
121001-15 Stones on roadside verges
A parishioner asked the Council to discuss the issue of the increasing number of instances where householders have placed large stones on roadside verges next to their properties presumably to stop vehicles parking or straying on to them.
The problem is that with our narrow lanes driving on to a verge is sometimes necessary for two vehicles to pass. A vehicle hitting large stones might be damaged.
CCC’s chief highways engineer for South Lakes replied to a request for advice as follows:
Stones on the verge are an unlawful obstruction and would not be approved by the County Council. Whether the householder is liable [for damage to vehicles] would be a matter for the courts, but clearly there could also well be contributory negligence on the part of the driver.
121001-16 Date of the next meeting
The next meeting will be on Monday 26th November at 7.30pm at the Institute
Arthur Robinson, Parish clerk
Over Bleaze, Old Hutton, Kendal, LA8 0LU
Telephone – 01539-725955
e-mail – nhpclerk@googlemail.com
121001-1 Present
Pat Bell, Tony Ellis, Henry Robinson, Martyn Welch, Tony Porter(Chairman), Arthur Robinson (clerk), Stan Collins (CCC councillor) and two parishioners
121001-2 Apologies
Peter Thornton (SLDC Councillor)
121001-3 Acceptance of the minutes of the last meetings
The chairman signed the minutes of the council meeting held on 10-07-2012 and the extraordinary council meeting held on 29-08-2012 as true records.
121001-4 Chairman’s announcements
a. The LAP will purchase a grit bin for Kinn Road next to its junction with the A684, and a bin for Hawkrigg Lane at its junction with the A684; next year a bin will be bought for Hawkrigg Lane at the hill next to Hawkrigg End, and a bin for the western side of Rainriggs
b. Hawkrigg Lane – CCC has been asked twice about plans to repair the dangerous condition of Hawkrigg Lane between Moss Head and the junction to the south with Long Lane. No replies have been received.
c. Hayclose Lane has now been upgraded to priority2 for winter gritting which means it will be gritted within hours of snow or ice.
d. It was reported that Hutton Park Barn (whose ancient name is Smurthwaite) has received planning permission for conversion to a house, and outline permission for seven houses on the field between The Ashes and the church was refused. Thanks were expressed for the council’s work in these matters.
e. It was noted that two small notice boards will be ready for erection in the week starting 15th October.
f. As a vote will be taken at the meeting on 17th October about the proposed Killington wind farm, it was decided that voting slips will be issued only to parishioners on the electoral roll. No proxy votes will be accepted.
g. The Parish Council thanked Fergus Macfarlane (at TFM) for his work over many years keeping the verges along Beehive Lane tidy.
121001-5 Declaration of interests
Martyn Welch – item 121001-11
121001-6 Open session
a. Stan Collins asked for a list of drainage problems on roads in the parish. It will be supplied by the clerk.
b. In view of recent successes at Planning Committee meetings, a parishioner urged others to speak there if they had concerns about applications.
121001-7 Planning applications
Applications submitted requiring council comments:
SL/2012/0746 – Cairns Barn, Hayfellside – first floor extension, single storey extension and relocation of shed [deadline 15th October]
The progress of the following applications was noted:
SL/2012/0177 – conversion of Hagg Hill Top Barn to a granny flat and a two-bedroom holiday cottage – granted by SLDC at the August planning committee meeting
SL/2012/0627 – alteration to field access to Brundrigg Moss for safer access to pylons – granted by SLDC
SL/2012/0659 – construction of 4 equipment cabins to add to 2 existing ones within an existing compound east of Paddy Lane at Singleton Park – notice of intention to carry out the development (permitted under a permitted developments act)
SL/2012/0529 – conversion of a domestic garage to a dwelling at Birks Farm [deadline 7th September]
SL/2012/0661 – outline planning permission to build 7 houses on the field between The Ashes and the church [refused on 26-09-2012]
SL/2012/0069 – conversion of Hutton Park Barn to an agricultural worker’s dwelling [granted on 26-09-2012]
SL/2012/0731 – extension and conversion of an agricultural storage building into a classroom at Strickley
From CCC – construction of a path along the B6254 from the Station Inn to the railway station [deadline 21st Sept]
121001-8 Payment of accounts
Payment of the following amounts was authorised:
a. To Zurich Municipal £225.00 for the annual insurance premium 13th October 2012 to 12th October 2013 [in 2011/12 the premium was £225]
b. Up to £25 to the clerk for the copying of documents at Cumbria Records Office, Kendal, to do with the award of land to New Hutton Church in the Killington Enclosure Award Act, 1821; this land is part of the proposed Killington wind farm.
121001-9 Financial report
a. The Audit Commission has appointed BDO LLP to be the external auditor for the five years from 2012/13 to 2016/17.
b. The current account has a balance of £1573.21. Much of this is for the two notice boards which are being constructed at the moment.
121001-10 Correspondence
The following items of correspondence were received since the last meeting:
12-07-2-12 – from SLDC – consultation about new byelaws covering dog control and public urination in all streets where there is a 30mph limit in the District. [forwarded to parishioners]
17-07-2012 – from CALC – notification that the Government is proposing to end the requirement for two signatures on parish council cheques
17-07-2012 – from CALC – notification of a Government consultation about a proposal to allow tractors to use red diesel when gritting roads in winter [consultation replied to in the affirmative]
17-07-2012 – from Connecting Cumbria – latest newsletter [forwarded to councillors]
24-07-2012 – from Upper Kent Neighbourhood Forum – summary of meeting on 10-07-2012 [forwarded to councillors]
30-07-2012 – from CALC – possible changes to winter gritting [forwarded to councillors]
01-08-2012 – from CALC – guidance on the granting of dispensations to speak where the councillor has a pecuniary interest [forwarded to councillors]
02-08-2012 – from CALC – training dates about the code of conduct [forwarded to councillors]
03-08-2012 – from CCC – new Better Highways arrangements [forwarded to councillors]
03-08-2012 – from Department for Communities and Local Government – guide to code of conduct [to be distributed at the next parish council meeting]
17-08-2012 – from the Local Government Boundary Commission – summary of their report on CCC and recommendation that no changes be made.
28-08-2012 – review of Community Led Plans to embed them in SLDC’s Localism Agenda 13 SLDC responses [forwarded to councillors]
31-08-2012 – from the Audit Commission – notification about the external auditor for 2012/13 to 2016/17.
03-09-2012 – from CALC – September circular [forwarded to councillors]
14-09-2012 – from CALC – CCC decisions: BT to provide superfast broadband; Hayclose Lane winter gritting to be upgraded to priority 2 [forwarded to councillors]
18-09-2012 – from SLDC – notification of a further consultation about the Land Allocations Development Plan
18-09-2012 – from CALC – confirmation that, under the new code of conduct, councillors with pecuniary interest in an issue should leave the room without speaking on it.
121001-11 Consultation on SLDC proposed council tax reduction scheme
SLDC proposes to remove the council tax discount for second homes (not holiday homes) which is currently 10% in order to meet the reduced grant to be received from central government. It also considering whether to remove or reduce discounts on empty properties. Further details can be read at www.southlakeland.gov.uk/council-tax-reduction-scheme . The deadline for comments is 31st October 2012.
In view of the fact that there are very few such homes in the parish, the Parish Council decided that it had no view on the issue and urged individual parishioners to express their own opinions if they wished.
121001-12 Code of conduct
It was noted that under the new code of conduct a councillor could be given a dispensation to speak when s/he has a pecuniary interest. This was included in the code of conduct adopted at the meeting on 10th July 2012. However, new advice from CALC is that in all cases the councillor should declare the pecuniary interest and then leave the room without speaking on the matter.
The Parish Council adopted this policy in the code of conduct concerning the granting of a dispensation; it is a continuation of its practice from the old code of conduct.
121001-13 LAP Actions
In view of the fact that funds will soon come in to the parish from the Armistead wind farm as well as the Lambrigg wind farm (and, possibly, the Killington wind farm), it was decided that the next meeting will include a review of the current parish plan and the construction of a provisional “wish list” for the parish. Some items might be suitable for future LAP funding although LAP funds will be reduced next year.
121001-14 Better Highways Programme
a. CCC’s Better Highways team will do road maintenance work in the parish every six months or so. Road problems will be listed on a website administered by Upper Kent LAP and will form the work to be done, if possible. Results of the work will also be reported there.
b. The Parish Clerk (see contact details below) will be the contact at this end. Parishioners should report problems to him.
c. The location of potholes on all the parish’s roads has been noted and will be sent to the website. Stan Collins also asked for a list of locations where drainage is poor.
121001-15 Stones on roadside verges
A parishioner asked the Council to discuss the issue of the increasing number of instances where householders have placed large stones on roadside verges next to their properties presumably to stop vehicles parking or straying on to them.
The problem is that with our narrow lanes driving on to a verge is sometimes necessary for two vehicles to pass. A vehicle hitting large stones might be damaged.
CCC’s chief highways engineer for South Lakes replied to a request for advice as follows:
Stones on the verge are an unlawful obstruction and would not be approved by the County Council. Whether the householder is liable [for damage to vehicles] would be a matter for the courts, but clearly there could also well be contributory negligence on the part of the driver.
121001-16 Date of the next meeting
The next meeting will be on Monday 26th November at 7.30pm at the Institute
Arthur Robinson, Parish clerk
Over Bleaze, Old Hutton, Kendal, LA8 0LU
Telephone – 01539-725955
e-mail – nhpclerk@googlemail.com
