Minutes of the New Hutton Parish Open Meeting held on Tuesday 29th May 2012
1. Present
Pat Bell, Henry Robinson, Martyn Welch, Tony Porter (Chairman), Arthur Robinson (clerk), and 23 parishioners
2. Apologies
Tony Ellis, Peter Thornton (SLDC councillor) and Stan Collins (CCC councillor) and 4 parishioners
3. Parish Council site visits
A parishioner thanked the Council for its good response to SLDC Planning Department about the application to erect a wind turbine on Hawkrigg Hill. He asked whether the Council’s site visits are open to the public. The chairman replied that all meetings in the Institute are open to the public as are most site visits but in the case of the Hawkrigg application it was decided that a private visit was appropriate.
4. Killington Angling Society
A parishioner reported that when Killington Lake was formed it deprived local people of the right to cut peat there. They were given the right to fish for a reduced subscription. Periodically, a proportion of the total subscriptions is given to the Institute.
Minutes of the AGM of New Hutton Parish Council held on Tuesday 29th May 2012
1. Present
Pat Bell, Henry Robinson, Martyn Welch, Tony Porter (Chairman), Arthur Robinson (clerk), and 23 parishioners
2. Apologies
Tony Ellis, Peter Thornton (SLDC councillor) and Stan Collins (CCC councillor) and 4 parishioners
3. Election of the Chairman of New Hutton Parish Council for 2012 to 2013
Tony Porter was elected Chairman (proposed by Pat Bell and seconded by Martyn Welch).
4. Election of the Vice-Chairman of New Hutton Parish Council for 2012 to 2013
It was decided that a Vice-Chairman is not needed.
5. Minutes of the last AGM held on Tuesday 17th May, 2011
These minutes were confirmed to be a true and accurate record on 11-07-2011
6. Chairman’s report for 2011/12
The chairman’s report for 2011/12 was received – see below.
7. Review and adoption of appropriate standing orders and financial regulations
Revised standing orders were adopted on 19-04-2010; financial regulations were adopted on 04-08-2009
8. Review of inventory of land and assets
The inventory was reviewed and consists of:
- The parish field
- The bus shelter on the A684
- The original painting of the parish map (now hanging in the Institute)
- Copyright of the parish map
- Copyright of the parish walks leaflet
- The sculpture in the Millennium Garden (the garden itself belongs to the church)
- Road gritter (value £1000)
- The large notice board attached to the Institute wall
9. Review and confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insured risks
The parish council currently has the standard policy from Zurich Insurance (premium £225.00) for the period 13-10-2011 to 12-10-2012.
10. Review of the Council’s membership of other bodies
These are CALC [current subscription £121] and the Upper Kent Local Area Partnership [no subscription].
11. Review of the Council’s procedures for handling requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Data Protection Act 1998
None was received in 2011/12.
New Hutton Parish Council
Chairman’s Report for the Year 2011 – 2012
The past year has been a challenging one for the Parish Council, with local activity continuing apace and again I have to say with an ever increasing amount of effort required to satisfy events and demands.
Local planning been a major subject throughout the year with the Ashes field being successfully de-listed for development, Mineral rights agreements by agents of the Lowther estates and Land registry, wind turbine applications at Crooks Plantation & Town House, and a fair number of the more usual property extensions & alterations. The year has ended with major planning issues of the Hawkrigg wind turbine, a proposed major housing estate for the Ashes Field, the potential for housing for locals and the imminent Killington wind farm application. Issues with the Raw Green development also continue to require address. So much for a quiet year.
The Parish Council has continued to support the Upper Kent LAP, and provided much input in helping CCC & SLDC improve the highways and byeways in the Parish. A job that will never be complete or satisfactory but problems do seem to get fixed a lot quicker now. . Again, many thanks to our Broadband Champion Michael Burke for his efforts in keeping us up to date on the LAP Broadband initiative.
The Parish plan created in early 2011 has action points for Roads maintenance and advancing broadband access, these continue to be addressed primarily through the LAP. In addition substantial funds have been awarded to help set up our First Responder in the Parish. The impact of the Localism bill now passed into law continues to be assessed.
The Parish has benefitted from fund raising efforts, smart new notice boards being purchased with grants received from the Upper Kent LAP and the Wind Farm Community Fund. Last years road gritter saw brief action and is ready and waiting with a full pile of salt. We have attended the Armistead wind farm liaison meetings to keep the parish informed of progress, later in 2012 we will have representation on the community grant committee, which will have around £12,000 per annum to award across a number of parish’s including New Hutton. The proposed Killington wind farm could generate a much more substantial award.
Looking forward I would like the Parish Council to consider ways to use the increasing access to community grants, such as continued improvements to the Parish amenities and services or perhaps supporting wider social issues. Later on we will need to update the Parish Plan and residents input will need to be sought.
I would like to end be expressing my thanks and appreciation for the parish council team of councillors and especially Arthur our clerk and to Jean who maintains the busy parish website. Although one of the smallest councils in Cumbria and uniquely entirely voluntary I am proud to say we have a near 100% attendance record and considerably more than the normal requirement of meetings. Although we all have jobs and other responsibilities the team works hard for the community and with great conscience. Thank you.
Tony Porter
Chairman, New Hutton Parish Council
29th May 2012
Minutes of the New Hutton Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 29th May, 2012 at 7.30pm
120529-1 Present
Pat Bell, Henry Robinson, Martyn Welch, Tony Porter (Chairman), Peter Thornton (SLDC councillor)(late), Arthur Robinson (clerk), and 23 parishioners
120529-2 Apologies
Tony Ellis, Stan Collins (CCC councillor) and 4 parishioners
120529-3 Acceptance of the minutes of the last meetings
The chairman signed the minutes of the council meeting held on 18-04-2012 and the extraordinary council meeting held on 02-05-2012 as true records
120529-4 Chairman’s announcements
The chairman said that the Parish Plan will be reviewed in autumn including two fundamental questions - does the parish want low cost affordable housing for locals, and if so how can it be provided?
120529-5 Declaration of interests None
120529-6 Open session
No matters were raised.
120529-7 Planning applications
Applications submitted requiring council comments:
a) From Garner Planning Associates – preliminary ideas for the development of the field between the church and The Ashes for 10 houses – see minute 120529-13 below.
b) SL/2012/0350 – erection of an 80m high wind monitoring mast at Killington Lake [deadline 12-06-2012]
c) SL/2012/0444 – Scoping material to be covered by the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed Killington Wind Farm. It was agreed that a meeting would have to be arranged to discuss items (b) and (c).
The progress of applications submitted since the last meeting:
SL/2012/0289 – erection of a wind turbine at Hawkrigg Hill [deadline 22-05-2012] – see minute 120529-14 below
SL/2011/0717 – construction of a building for the storage of vintage agricultural machinery at Low Butterbent Barn – comments submitted
SL/2012/0069 – Conversion of a field barn into an agricultural worker’s dwelling and siting of a pre-fabricated residential caravan at Hutton Park Barn - comments submitted
120529-8 Payment of accounts
Payment of the following amount was authorisd:
£50.00 - MBE Accountants – for the internal audit of the 2011-12 parish accounts
120529-9 Financial report
a) In his report the new internal auditor stated the need to attach values to items on the assets register which has now been done. He also noted that cheques should be included in the accounts for the date they were written, not the date when money is withdrawn from the account. He agreed that a cheque written on the 29th March and not included in the 2011/12 accounts should be included in the 2012/13 accounts.
b) It was noted that the Audit Commission wishes to appoint BDO-LLP to be external auditors for small Cumbrian local authorities for 2012/13 to 2016/17 unless the Council objects. There would be no audit fee as income/expenditure is less than £10,000. The Council did not object.
120529-10 Correspondence
The following items of correspondence received since the last meeting were noted:
02-05-2012 – from Banks Renewables – minutes of the Armistead Liaison Committee meeting held on 12-04-2012 [forwarded to councillors]
02-05-2012 – from CALC – May newsletter [forwarded to councillors]
10-05-2012 – from Debbie Storr (SLDC) [forwarded to chairman]
11-05-2012 – from National Grid – consultation about extension of the grid in the north west [the Parish Council has been registered for the consultation]
11-05-2012 – from FELLS – offer to speak at any meeting about Killington wind farm that the parish council organises [filed]
May – from parishioners – many e-mail copies of submissions sent to SLDC about the proposed Hawkrigg Hill turbine
17-05-2012 – from the Audit Commission – see minute 120529-9(b)
21-05-2012 – from the Ramblers Association – an enquiry for information about the path from St Sunday’s Beck to Ewebank through Old Croft yard [relevant minutes from previous parish council meetings were returned]
120529-11 Purchase of two small notice boards
An order has been placed with Walkwood for the construction of the boards. They will be ready in a few weeks.
120529-12 Response to the SLDC Monitoring Officer
The Chairman summarised the problem concerning planning application SL/2010/1109. It was noticed in March 2012 that minute P/130 2.SL/2010/1109 of the Planning Committee meeting on 28th April 2011 is wrong and has caused a reduction of confidence in, and reduced credibility of, the New Hutton Parish Council. The minute states:
“However, in view of additional information they [New Hutton Parish Council] had received relating to the particular circumstances of the applicant, the Parish Council now wished to support the application”
The Parish Council did not receive such additional information and did not change its stance in order to support the application. All evidence submitted by the Parish Council states clearly its strong objection to the application. Subsequent to a meeting with Debbie Storr, the monitoring officer for SLDC, a letter has been received from her stating that there is no evidence for the false statement in the minutes, the presenting officer has no recollection to the contrary, and that the Parish Council’s position is clearly in opposition. An apology was also expressed. The parish council does not believe the reply is adequate.
It was agreed that:
a) The Chairman will write a letter to the SLDC Chief Executive requesting a public apology
b) A meeting should be sought with the chairman of the Planning Committee in July or August to discuss the need to have a new minute or addendum to correct the error.
120529-13 The field between The Ashes and the church
a) It was noted that Garner Planning Associates sent a preliminary sketch of the proposed development and asked the Parish Council to return its views by 1st June
b) After much discussion, it was agreed that the response should be:
'In reply to your letter dated 2nd May 2012 and following a formal meeting of the Parish Council last night New Hutton Parish Council has decided that it is not in favour of the proposal to build on the field as shown in the Preliminary Layout sketch plan No 5127 - SK01 attached to the letter.
c) Parishioners who have also been asked to comment were urged to send copies of their responses to the parish clerk so that a file could be compiled for possible use when the formal planning application is submitted to SLDC.
120529-14 Planning Application SL/2012/0289 – erection of a wind turbine at Hawkrigg Hill
It was noted that 160 to 170 letters of objection to the proposal have been placed on the SLDC website.
The application will be considered at the Planning Committee meeting on either the 28th June or the 31st July. The speaker to represent the Council will be decided when the date is confirmed.
Members of the Parish Council were asked to comment on the draft speech, which has already been distributed, by the 7th June. The Council and the Hawkrigg Turbine Action Group (which will also speak at the meeting) will then endeavour to co-ordinate their comments.
It was decided that the Parish Council should not be involved with future action to influence general planning policy about wind turbines on land but should continue to concentrate on matters to do with the parish.
120529-15 Consultation about the North West Coast Connections project – preliminary strategic options
a) It was noted that National Grid needs to build new capacity to transmit power from the new Moorside nuclear power station and wind farms in the Irish Sea. Six options exist. NG wishes to have feedback on issues for its Preliminary Strategic Options Report; the deadline is the 19th July. Further consultation about the preferred option will be held later. The impact of option 5 on New Hutton was described but it is not an option favoured by NG. [details of the six options and NG’s preliminary conclusions can be seen at www.northwestcoastconnections.com ]
b) It was agreed that NG should be asked to give a presentation to the Parish Council, preferably at the next meeting. [They are now considering the request.] Local opposition to a new power line and reasons why it should not be constructed were listed.
120529-16 Date of the next meeting
The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10th July at the Institute.
Arthur Robinson, Parish Clerk
Over Bleaze, Old Hutton, Kendal, LA8 0LU
Telephone – 01539-725955
E-mail – nhpclerk@googlemail.com
1. Present
Pat Bell, Henry Robinson, Martyn Welch, Tony Porter (Chairman), Arthur Robinson (clerk), and 23 parishioners
2. Apologies
Tony Ellis, Peter Thornton (SLDC councillor) and Stan Collins (CCC councillor) and 4 parishioners
3. Parish Council site visits
A parishioner thanked the Council for its good response to SLDC Planning Department about the application to erect a wind turbine on Hawkrigg Hill. He asked whether the Council’s site visits are open to the public. The chairman replied that all meetings in the Institute are open to the public as are most site visits but in the case of the Hawkrigg application it was decided that a private visit was appropriate.
4. Killington Angling Society
A parishioner reported that when Killington Lake was formed it deprived local people of the right to cut peat there. They were given the right to fish for a reduced subscription. Periodically, a proportion of the total subscriptions is given to the Institute.
Minutes of the AGM of New Hutton Parish Council held on Tuesday 29th May 2012
1. Present
Pat Bell, Henry Robinson, Martyn Welch, Tony Porter (Chairman), Arthur Robinson (clerk), and 23 parishioners
2. Apologies
Tony Ellis, Peter Thornton (SLDC councillor) and Stan Collins (CCC councillor) and 4 parishioners
3. Election of the Chairman of New Hutton Parish Council for 2012 to 2013
Tony Porter was elected Chairman (proposed by Pat Bell and seconded by Martyn Welch).
4. Election of the Vice-Chairman of New Hutton Parish Council for 2012 to 2013
It was decided that a Vice-Chairman is not needed.
5. Minutes of the last AGM held on Tuesday 17th May, 2011
These minutes were confirmed to be a true and accurate record on 11-07-2011
6. Chairman’s report for 2011/12
The chairman’s report for 2011/12 was received – see below.
7. Review and adoption of appropriate standing orders and financial regulations
Revised standing orders were adopted on 19-04-2010; financial regulations were adopted on 04-08-2009
8. Review of inventory of land and assets
The inventory was reviewed and consists of:
- The parish field
- The bus shelter on the A684
- The original painting of the parish map (now hanging in the Institute)
- Copyright of the parish map
- Copyright of the parish walks leaflet
- The sculpture in the Millennium Garden (the garden itself belongs to the church)
- Road gritter (value £1000)
- The large notice board attached to the Institute wall
9. Review and confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insured risks
The parish council currently has the standard policy from Zurich Insurance (premium £225.00) for the period 13-10-2011 to 12-10-2012.
10. Review of the Council’s membership of other bodies
These are CALC [current subscription £121] and the Upper Kent Local Area Partnership [no subscription].
11. Review of the Council’s procedures for handling requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Data Protection Act 1998
None was received in 2011/12.
New Hutton Parish Council
Chairman’s Report for the Year 2011 – 2012
The past year has been a challenging one for the Parish Council, with local activity continuing apace and again I have to say with an ever increasing amount of effort required to satisfy events and demands.
Local planning been a major subject throughout the year with the Ashes field being successfully de-listed for development, Mineral rights agreements by agents of the Lowther estates and Land registry, wind turbine applications at Crooks Plantation & Town House, and a fair number of the more usual property extensions & alterations. The year has ended with major planning issues of the Hawkrigg wind turbine, a proposed major housing estate for the Ashes Field, the potential for housing for locals and the imminent Killington wind farm application. Issues with the Raw Green development also continue to require address. So much for a quiet year.
The Parish Council has continued to support the Upper Kent LAP, and provided much input in helping CCC & SLDC improve the highways and byeways in the Parish. A job that will never be complete or satisfactory but problems do seem to get fixed a lot quicker now. . Again, many thanks to our Broadband Champion Michael Burke for his efforts in keeping us up to date on the LAP Broadband initiative.
The Parish plan created in early 2011 has action points for Roads maintenance and advancing broadband access, these continue to be addressed primarily through the LAP. In addition substantial funds have been awarded to help set up our First Responder in the Parish. The impact of the Localism bill now passed into law continues to be assessed.
The Parish has benefitted from fund raising efforts, smart new notice boards being purchased with grants received from the Upper Kent LAP and the Wind Farm Community Fund. Last years road gritter saw brief action and is ready and waiting with a full pile of salt. We have attended the Armistead wind farm liaison meetings to keep the parish informed of progress, later in 2012 we will have representation on the community grant committee, which will have around £12,000 per annum to award across a number of parish’s including New Hutton. The proposed Killington wind farm could generate a much more substantial award.
Looking forward I would like the Parish Council to consider ways to use the increasing access to community grants, such as continued improvements to the Parish amenities and services or perhaps supporting wider social issues. Later on we will need to update the Parish Plan and residents input will need to be sought.
I would like to end be expressing my thanks and appreciation for the parish council team of councillors and especially Arthur our clerk and to Jean who maintains the busy parish website. Although one of the smallest councils in Cumbria and uniquely entirely voluntary I am proud to say we have a near 100% attendance record and considerably more than the normal requirement of meetings. Although we all have jobs and other responsibilities the team works hard for the community and with great conscience. Thank you.
Tony Porter
Chairman, New Hutton Parish Council
29th May 2012
Minutes of the New Hutton Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 29th May, 2012 at 7.30pm
120529-1 Present
Pat Bell, Henry Robinson, Martyn Welch, Tony Porter (Chairman), Peter Thornton (SLDC councillor)(late), Arthur Robinson (clerk), and 23 parishioners
120529-2 Apologies
Tony Ellis, Stan Collins (CCC councillor) and 4 parishioners
120529-3 Acceptance of the minutes of the last meetings
The chairman signed the minutes of the council meeting held on 18-04-2012 and the extraordinary council meeting held on 02-05-2012 as true records
120529-4 Chairman’s announcements
The chairman said that the Parish Plan will be reviewed in autumn including two fundamental questions - does the parish want low cost affordable housing for locals, and if so how can it be provided?
120529-5 Declaration of interests None
120529-6 Open session
No matters were raised.
120529-7 Planning applications
Applications submitted requiring council comments:
a) From Garner Planning Associates – preliminary ideas for the development of the field between the church and The Ashes for 10 houses – see minute 120529-13 below.
b) SL/2012/0350 – erection of an 80m high wind monitoring mast at Killington Lake [deadline 12-06-2012]
c) SL/2012/0444 – Scoping material to be covered by the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed Killington Wind Farm. It was agreed that a meeting would have to be arranged to discuss items (b) and (c).
The progress of applications submitted since the last meeting:
SL/2012/0289 – erection of a wind turbine at Hawkrigg Hill [deadline 22-05-2012] – see minute 120529-14 below
SL/2011/0717 – construction of a building for the storage of vintage agricultural machinery at Low Butterbent Barn – comments submitted
SL/2012/0069 – Conversion of a field barn into an agricultural worker’s dwelling and siting of a pre-fabricated residential caravan at Hutton Park Barn - comments submitted
120529-8 Payment of accounts
Payment of the following amount was authorisd:
£50.00 - MBE Accountants – for the internal audit of the 2011-12 parish accounts
120529-9 Financial report
a) In his report the new internal auditor stated the need to attach values to items on the assets register which has now been done. He also noted that cheques should be included in the accounts for the date they were written, not the date when money is withdrawn from the account. He agreed that a cheque written on the 29th March and not included in the 2011/12 accounts should be included in the 2012/13 accounts.
b) It was noted that the Audit Commission wishes to appoint BDO-LLP to be external auditors for small Cumbrian local authorities for 2012/13 to 2016/17 unless the Council objects. There would be no audit fee as income/expenditure is less than £10,000. The Council did not object.
120529-10 Correspondence
The following items of correspondence received since the last meeting were noted:
02-05-2012 – from Banks Renewables – minutes of the Armistead Liaison Committee meeting held on 12-04-2012 [forwarded to councillors]
02-05-2012 – from CALC – May newsletter [forwarded to councillors]
10-05-2012 – from Debbie Storr (SLDC) [forwarded to chairman]
11-05-2012 – from National Grid – consultation about extension of the grid in the north west [the Parish Council has been registered for the consultation]
11-05-2012 – from FELLS – offer to speak at any meeting about Killington wind farm that the parish council organises [filed]
May – from parishioners – many e-mail copies of submissions sent to SLDC about the proposed Hawkrigg Hill turbine
17-05-2012 – from the Audit Commission – see minute 120529-9(b)
21-05-2012 – from the Ramblers Association – an enquiry for information about the path from St Sunday’s Beck to Ewebank through Old Croft yard [relevant minutes from previous parish council meetings were returned]
120529-11 Purchase of two small notice boards
An order has been placed with Walkwood for the construction of the boards. They will be ready in a few weeks.
120529-12 Response to the SLDC Monitoring Officer
The Chairman summarised the problem concerning planning application SL/2010/1109. It was noticed in March 2012 that minute P/130 2.SL/2010/1109 of the Planning Committee meeting on 28th April 2011 is wrong and has caused a reduction of confidence in, and reduced credibility of, the New Hutton Parish Council. The minute states:
“However, in view of additional information they [New Hutton Parish Council] had received relating to the particular circumstances of the applicant, the Parish Council now wished to support the application”
The Parish Council did not receive such additional information and did not change its stance in order to support the application. All evidence submitted by the Parish Council states clearly its strong objection to the application. Subsequent to a meeting with Debbie Storr, the monitoring officer for SLDC, a letter has been received from her stating that there is no evidence for the false statement in the minutes, the presenting officer has no recollection to the contrary, and that the Parish Council’s position is clearly in opposition. An apology was also expressed. The parish council does not believe the reply is adequate.
It was agreed that:
a) The Chairman will write a letter to the SLDC Chief Executive requesting a public apology
b) A meeting should be sought with the chairman of the Planning Committee in July or August to discuss the need to have a new minute or addendum to correct the error.
120529-13 The field between The Ashes and the church
a) It was noted that Garner Planning Associates sent a preliminary sketch of the proposed development and asked the Parish Council to return its views by 1st June
b) After much discussion, it was agreed that the response should be:
'In reply to your letter dated 2nd May 2012 and following a formal meeting of the Parish Council last night New Hutton Parish Council has decided that it is not in favour of the proposal to build on the field as shown in the Preliminary Layout sketch plan No 5127 - SK01 attached to the letter.
c) Parishioners who have also been asked to comment were urged to send copies of their responses to the parish clerk so that a file could be compiled for possible use when the formal planning application is submitted to SLDC.
120529-14 Planning Application SL/2012/0289 – erection of a wind turbine at Hawkrigg Hill
It was noted that 160 to 170 letters of objection to the proposal have been placed on the SLDC website.
The application will be considered at the Planning Committee meeting on either the 28th June or the 31st July. The speaker to represent the Council will be decided when the date is confirmed.
Members of the Parish Council were asked to comment on the draft speech, which has already been distributed, by the 7th June. The Council and the Hawkrigg Turbine Action Group (which will also speak at the meeting) will then endeavour to co-ordinate their comments.
It was decided that the Parish Council should not be involved with future action to influence general planning policy about wind turbines on land but should continue to concentrate on matters to do with the parish.
120529-15 Consultation about the North West Coast Connections project – preliminary strategic options
a) It was noted that National Grid needs to build new capacity to transmit power from the new Moorside nuclear power station and wind farms in the Irish Sea. Six options exist. NG wishes to have feedback on issues for its Preliminary Strategic Options Report; the deadline is the 19th July. Further consultation about the preferred option will be held later. The impact of option 5 on New Hutton was described but it is not an option favoured by NG. [details of the six options and NG’s preliminary conclusions can be seen at www.northwestcoastconnections.com ]
b) It was agreed that NG should be asked to give a presentation to the Parish Council, preferably at the next meeting. [They are now considering the request.] Local opposition to a new power line and reasons why it should not be constructed were listed.
120529-16 Date of the next meeting
The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10th July at the Institute.
Arthur Robinson, Parish Clerk
Over Bleaze, Old Hutton, Kendal, LA8 0LU
Telephone – 01539-725955
E-mail – nhpclerk@googlemail.com