Minutes of the New Hutton Parish Council meeting held on 29th October, 2009
091029-1 Present:
Pat Bell (Chair), Tony Ellis, Tony Porter, Henry Robinson, Arthur Robinson (clerk), one member of the public
091029-2 Apologies:
Ann Thompson, Peter Thornton
091029-3 Minutes of the previous meeting:
It was resolved that the minutes of the previous parish council meeting held on 16-09-2009 be signed as a true record.
091029-4 Chairman’s announcements:
(a) The potholes on Hayclose Lane have been repaired.
(b) The planning permission for Armistead wind farm is subject to High Court action. New Hutton parish council offered its expertise to Old Hutton in the setting up of a community fund but this has now been held up.
(c) Cumbria County Council (via Capita) will supply a new footpath finger post for Hayfellside and one for Long Lane where the previous one has been removed. The chairman asked parishioners to inform the council of any other locations where signs are missing or where the route of a path is not clear. The parish will try to obtain the definitive footpath map from CCC in paper and electronic forms.
(d) The Local Area Partnership Strategy meeting on 22-10-09 at Burneside was well attended by councillors, officers, agencies and 8 of the 13 parishes in Upper Kent. There was much detailed discussion about what a partnership of parish councils could do and how it would do it. Actions to do with roads and footpaths, broadband provision, promotion of economic activity and planning were supported. It was proposed that the venue for partnership meetings every 3 months or so should move around the area with the host parish chairing the meeting. SLDC will provide secretarial assistance for the taking of minutes and an officer to implement decisions. It was felt that the usefulness of such a partnership should be reviewed after one year. The next meeting will be at Old Hutton in January.
091029-5 Declaration of interests:
None
091029-6 Open Session:
No comments were made.
091029-7 Planning applications:
The progress of applications submitted since the last meeting:
23-09-09 Erection of a stable block and tack room at Hayfellside – a modified application has been submitted with a final deadline on 10-11-09. Having already made a site visit, the council was able to express concern that the location of the block could pose a safety issue for walkers on the public footpath and suggested that the owner should apply to have the footpath moved to the western side of the hedge.
Applications submitted requiring council comments:
18-09-09 Erection of 2m high fencing at Fisher Tarn [final date 27-10-09] – the council has not been informed of this application which was brought to the council’s attention by chance. A complaint was made to SLDC on 16-10-09 to which there has been no response. This will be followed up.
14-10-09 Removal of the local occupancy condition from the 2007 planning permission at Holme Park, Hill Top [final date 09-11-09] – The council objected to this application on the grounds of creating a precedent in the current economic conditions. This is the only building in the parish with a local occupancy condition and the properties in it have been on sale for only about six months so far.
091029-8 Payment of accounts:
None
091029-9 Financial report:
It was noted that the financial position is satisfactory.
091029-10 Correspondence:
The following items of correspondence were received since the previous meeting:
08-09-09 from Jenny Draper – consultation about crime reduction recommendations [agenda item 10]
17-09-09 from CCC – Minerals and waste development framework consultation [agenda item 14] [Comments to be sent after the meeting on 29-10-09]
21-09-09 from Cumbria Action – community led planning [a website source to use if we proceed with a parish plan]
21-09-09 from CALC – advice about the parish-owned land [agenda item 21]
21-09-09 from SLDC – notification of the next LAP meeting at 7pm on 22nd October at the Bryce Institute, Burneside. [forwarded to councillors]
23-09-09 from SLDC – invitation to attend a local democracy week event on 13-10-09 [forwarded to councillors]
23-09-09 from CALC – notice of the next meeting of the district association on 26-11-09 [forwarded to councillors]
25-09-09 from Judith Quigley, SLDC – notification of four priorities of the SL Strategic Partnership [forwarded to councillors]
26-09-09 from SLDC – notification of replacement of cheque payments by BACS [NHPC account details were sent]
28-09-09 "Clerks & Councils Direct" magazine September issue
07-10-09 from Kendal Festival of Food – poster advertising the festival [placed on the notice board]
07-10-09 from CALC – booking form for the AGM [agenda item 16]
07-10-09 from Citizens Advice South Lakeland – request for £50 grant as last year [agenda item 19]
12-10-09 from Rural Services Network – introduction to the organisation [forwarded to councillors]
13-10-09 from SLDC – request for issues of allowances or expenses for councillors to be considered by the Parish Remuneration Panel
13-10-09 from Cumbria Highways – autumn 2009 newsletter
13-10-09 from SLDC – notice of a meeting of the standards committee on 20-10-09 [councillors were notified]
13-10-09 from SLDC – annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny committee for 2008-9
13-10-09 from SLDC – planning application for Holme Park, Hill Top
13-10-09 from CCC – Hydro events in South Lakeland [forwarded to councillors]
14-10-09 from CALC – notification of the e-mail address of the local neighbourhood police team
14-10-09 from SLDC – parish council precept form [agenda item 19]
15-10-09 from CCC – police websites [forwarded to councillors and parishioners]
16-10-09 from SLDC – a list of all planning applications received between 21-09-09 and 11-10-09
091029-11 Consultation about crime reduction recommendations:
The consensus of the council was that the priorities for crime reduction are, firstly, burglary and, secondly, road safety issues caused by poor roads rather than excessive speed. Other categories were not appropriate to rural New Hutton. They were anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, domestic violence, violent crime, re-offending, business crime, drug offences, counter-terrorism and vehicle crime.
091029-12 Spring bulbs:
It was resolved that 1000 snowdrop and daffodil (Narcissus lobularis) bulbs be ordered. They will be divided equally between: Peter Knowles (Cragg Farm), Alison Mason (Ashes), Marjorie Baker (High Garths, just daffs), Martyn Welch (Millholme), Christine Kingsley-Chase (Hawkrigg Cottage), Barbara Ellwood (Raw Head Cottage), Janet Whitwell (Speight Bridge Cottage), Liz Cottam (Hagg Farm), Gillian Green (The Old Smithy), Julia Porter (Mill Lodge) and two portions for the parish council.
Martyn Welch and Gary the postman have also volunteered to help the parish council plant bulbs.
Thanks were expressed to Janet Whitwell for suggesting the idea.
091029-13 Bank signatures:
One councillor has not yet completed the paperwork to update the list of signatories for the council’s bank account. It is hoped that it will be done within a week.
091029-14 The Parish Field:
No progress has been made in registering the parish field as the updated list of bank account signatories must be completed first.
091029-15 Minerals and waste development framework consultation:
The parish council was asked by CCC to comment on the inclusion of site M30 in the minerals and waste development framework over the period up to 2020. This is an area of preferred search for suitable stone bordering the southeastern edge of Roan Edge Quarry. It is 130m by 500m in area.
It was resolved that there was no objection to the proposal providing that when work takes place at the site the footpath through it is moved to the east and the area is securely fenced.
091029-16 South Lakeland Strategic Partnership:
The parish council was asked by SLDC for volunteers to join a task group to help implement one or more of the four priority action plans on tackling climate change, developing local area partnerships, regenerating service centres and finding sites for affordable housing.
No volunteer was forthcoming but the council noted that it is actively supporting the local area partnership strategy.
091029-17 CALC AGM:
No one wished to attend the CALC AGM on Saturday 14th November.
091029-18 Parish/community plan:
A community plan will provide the council and organisations in the parish with a framework to guide decision-making over the next four years. It will also be a means to facilitate successful applications for grants to implement developments.
It was resolved that the council should instigate the formation of a community group to consult local organisations and parishioners in order to create a community plan. The following groups were identified: the parish council, Miles Tarn Trustees, the church, the village Institute, Old Hutton WI, Grayrigg Young Farmers, Old Hutton School, Helm Youth Group, Killington Anglers Association, Old Hutton Pre-school Nursery, New Hutton Children’s Committee, the Indoor Bowling Club and the Snooker Club.
Arthur Robinson agreed to be clerk for the group and names were suggested for the chairman.
It was agreed that representatives of the organisations should be invited to attend a meeting at the Institute on Thursday 3rd December at 7.30pm to discuss the actions to be taken to formulate a community plan.
091029-19 Points from the Clerk’s Induction Course:
The council considered the following ways to make its procedures more efficient and effective:
(a) There must be an Annual Parish Meeting between 1st March and 1st June. It can be followed on the same evening by the Parish Council AGM and an ordinary parish council meeting, in that order. The council agreed that having three meetings in one evening and clearly differentiating the purposes of each was a desirable approach.
(b) Councillors have an obligation to attend council meetings. If they are absent from meetings for 6 months, they lose their office. For this reason, it is good practice for the clerk to keep a confidential record of reasons for absence. The council agreed that this should be done.
(c) The council could encourage wider participation of parishioners in the planning process by giving three clear days public notice of meetings which are site visits and meetings additional to normal council meetings to consider planning applications. This could be done by means of the notice board, the parish website and direct e-mailing to parishioners. It was agreed that this should be done and should be widely publicised via The Grapevine.
091029-20 Budget:
It was agreed to grant £50 to Citizens Advice South Lakeland for the 2009-10 financial year. It was also agreed to include this sum in the budget for 2010-11 on the understanding that the council will decide at that time whether actually to grant it.
It was resolved that a parish precept of £451 was required [proposed by Cllr Porter; seconded by Cllr Ellis]. This is the same precept as in 2009-10. It is equivalent to the payment of £2.75 per year for a Band D property for parish purposes.
It was resolved that the draft budget for 2010-11 be adopted [see attached sheet - proposed by Cllr Robinson, seconded by Cllr Porter]. It is hoped that grants will offset some of the expenditure but the council acknowledged that any deficit could be easily met from the council’s reserve funds.
091029-21 Date of the next meeting:
The next parish council meeting will be on Monday 11th January, 2010
091029-1 Present:
Pat Bell (Chair), Tony Ellis, Tony Porter, Henry Robinson, Arthur Robinson (clerk), one member of the public
091029-2 Apologies:
Ann Thompson, Peter Thornton
091029-3 Minutes of the previous meeting:
It was resolved that the minutes of the previous parish council meeting held on 16-09-2009 be signed as a true record.
091029-4 Chairman’s announcements:
(a) The potholes on Hayclose Lane have been repaired.
(b) The planning permission for Armistead wind farm is subject to High Court action. New Hutton parish council offered its expertise to Old Hutton in the setting up of a community fund but this has now been held up.
(c) Cumbria County Council (via Capita) will supply a new footpath finger post for Hayfellside and one for Long Lane where the previous one has been removed. The chairman asked parishioners to inform the council of any other locations where signs are missing or where the route of a path is not clear. The parish will try to obtain the definitive footpath map from CCC in paper and electronic forms.
(d) The Local Area Partnership Strategy meeting on 22-10-09 at Burneside was well attended by councillors, officers, agencies and 8 of the 13 parishes in Upper Kent. There was much detailed discussion about what a partnership of parish councils could do and how it would do it. Actions to do with roads and footpaths, broadband provision, promotion of economic activity and planning were supported. It was proposed that the venue for partnership meetings every 3 months or so should move around the area with the host parish chairing the meeting. SLDC will provide secretarial assistance for the taking of minutes and an officer to implement decisions. It was felt that the usefulness of such a partnership should be reviewed after one year. The next meeting will be at Old Hutton in January.
091029-5 Declaration of interests:
None
091029-6 Open Session:
No comments were made.
091029-7 Planning applications:
The progress of applications submitted since the last meeting:
23-09-09 Erection of a stable block and tack room at Hayfellside – a modified application has been submitted with a final deadline on 10-11-09. Having already made a site visit, the council was able to express concern that the location of the block could pose a safety issue for walkers on the public footpath and suggested that the owner should apply to have the footpath moved to the western side of the hedge.
Applications submitted requiring council comments:
18-09-09 Erection of 2m high fencing at Fisher Tarn [final date 27-10-09] – the council has not been informed of this application which was brought to the council’s attention by chance. A complaint was made to SLDC on 16-10-09 to which there has been no response. This will be followed up.
14-10-09 Removal of the local occupancy condition from the 2007 planning permission at Holme Park, Hill Top [final date 09-11-09] – The council objected to this application on the grounds of creating a precedent in the current economic conditions. This is the only building in the parish with a local occupancy condition and the properties in it have been on sale for only about six months so far.
091029-8 Payment of accounts:
None
091029-9 Financial report:
It was noted that the financial position is satisfactory.
091029-10 Correspondence:
The following items of correspondence were received since the previous meeting:
08-09-09 from Jenny Draper – consultation about crime reduction recommendations [agenda item 10]
17-09-09 from CCC – Minerals and waste development framework consultation [agenda item 14] [Comments to be sent after the meeting on 29-10-09]
21-09-09 from Cumbria Action – community led planning [a website source to use if we proceed with a parish plan]
21-09-09 from CALC – advice about the parish-owned land [agenda item 21]
21-09-09 from SLDC – notification of the next LAP meeting at 7pm on 22nd October at the Bryce Institute, Burneside. [forwarded to councillors]
23-09-09 from SLDC – invitation to attend a local democracy week event on 13-10-09 [forwarded to councillors]
23-09-09 from CALC – notice of the next meeting of the district association on 26-11-09 [forwarded to councillors]
25-09-09 from Judith Quigley, SLDC – notification of four priorities of the SL Strategic Partnership [forwarded to councillors]
26-09-09 from SLDC – notification of replacement of cheque payments by BACS [NHPC account details were sent]
28-09-09 "Clerks & Councils Direct" magazine September issue
07-10-09 from Kendal Festival of Food – poster advertising the festival [placed on the notice board]
07-10-09 from CALC – booking form for the AGM [agenda item 16]
07-10-09 from Citizens Advice South Lakeland – request for £50 grant as last year [agenda item 19]
12-10-09 from Rural Services Network – introduction to the organisation [forwarded to councillors]
13-10-09 from SLDC – request for issues of allowances or expenses for councillors to be considered by the Parish Remuneration Panel
13-10-09 from Cumbria Highways – autumn 2009 newsletter
13-10-09 from SLDC – notice of a meeting of the standards committee on 20-10-09 [councillors were notified]
13-10-09 from SLDC – annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny committee for 2008-9
13-10-09 from SLDC – planning application for Holme Park, Hill Top
13-10-09 from CCC – Hydro events in South Lakeland [forwarded to councillors]
14-10-09 from CALC – notification of the e-mail address of the local neighbourhood police team
14-10-09 from SLDC – parish council precept form [agenda item 19]
15-10-09 from CCC – police websites [forwarded to councillors and parishioners]
16-10-09 from SLDC – a list of all planning applications received between 21-09-09 and 11-10-09
091029-11 Consultation about crime reduction recommendations:
The consensus of the council was that the priorities for crime reduction are, firstly, burglary and, secondly, road safety issues caused by poor roads rather than excessive speed. Other categories were not appropriate to rural New Hutton. They were anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, domestic violence, violent crime, re-offending, business crime, drug offences, counter-terrorism and vehicle crime.
091029-12 Spring bulbs:
It was resolved that 1000 snowdrop and daffodil (Narcissus lobularis) bulbs be ordered. They will be divided equally between: Peter Knowles (Cragg Farm), Alison Mason (Ashes), Marjorie Baker (High Garths, just daffs), Martyn Welch (Millholme), Christine Kingsley-Chase (Hawkrigg Cottage), Barbara Ellwood (Raw Head Cottage), Janet Whitwell (Speight Bridge Cottage), Liz Cottam (Hagg Farm), Gillian Green (The Old Smithy), Julia Porter (Mill Lodge) and two portions for the parish council.
Martyn Welch and Gary the postman have also volunteered to help the parish council plant bulbs.
Thanks were expressed to Janet Whitwell for suggesting the idea.
091029-13 Bank signatures:
One councillor has not yet completed the paperwork to update the list of signatories for the council’s bank account. It is hoped that it will be done within a week.
091029-14 The Parish Field:
No progress has been made in registering the parish field as the updated list of bank account signatories must be completed first.
091029-15 Minerals and waste development framework consultation:
The parish council was asked by CCC to comment on the inclusion of site M30 in the minerals and waste development framework over the period up to 2020. This is an area of preferred search for suitable stone bordering the southeastern edge of Roan Edge Quarry. It is 130m by 500m in area.
It was resolved that there was no objection to the proposal providing that when work takes place at the site the footpath through it is moved to the east and the area is securely fenced.
091029-16 South Lakeland Strategic Partnership:
The parish council was asked by SLDC for volunteers to join a task group to help implement one or more of the four priority action plans on tackling climate change, developing local area partnerships, regenerating service centres and finding sites for affordable housing.
No volunteer was forthcoming but the council noted that it is actively supporting the local area partnership strategy.
091029-17 CALC AGM:
No one wished to attend the CALC AGM on Saturday 14th November.
091029-18 Parish/community plan:
A community plan will provide the council and organisations in the parish with a framework to guide decision-making over the next four years. It will also be a means to facilitate successful applications for grants to implement developments.
It was resolved that the council should instigate the formation of a community group to consult local organisations and parishioners in order to create a community plan. The following groups were identified: the parish council, Miles Tarn Trustees, the church, the village Institute, Old Hutton WI, Grayrigg Young Farmers, Old Hutton School, Helm Youth Group, Killington Anglers Association, Old Hutton Pre-school Nursery, New Hutton Children’s Committee, the Indoor Bowling Club and the Snooker Club.
Arthur Robinson agreed to be clerk for the group and names were suggested for the chairman.
It was agreed that representatives of the organisations should be invited to attend a meeting at the Institute on Thursday 3rd December at 7.30pm to discuss the actions to be taken to formulate a community plan.
091029-19 Points from the Clerk’s Induction Course:
The council considered the following ways to make its procedures more efficient and effective:
(a) There must be an Annual Parish Meeting between 1st March and 1st June. It can be followed on the same evening by the Parish Council AGM and an ordinary parish council meeting, in that order. The council agreed that having three meetings in one evening and clearly differentiating the purposes of each was a desirable approach.
(b) Councillors have an obligation to attend council meetings. If they are absent from meetings for 6 months, they lose their office. For this reason, it is good practice for the clerk to keep a confidential record of reasons for absence. The council agreed that this should be done.
(c) The council could encourage wider participation of parishioners in the planning process by giving three clear days public notice of meetings which are site visits and meetings additional to normal council meetings to consider planning applications. This could be done by means of the notice board, the parish website and direct e-mailing to parishioners. It was agreed that this should be done and should be widely publicised via The Grapevine.
091029-20 Budget:
It was agreed to grant £50 to Citizens Advice South Lakeland for the 2009-10 financial year. It was also agreed to include this sum in the budget for 2010-11 on the understanding that the council will decide at that time whether actually to grant it.
It was resolved that a parish precept of £451 was required [proposed by Cllr Porter; seconded by Cllr Ellis]. This is the same precept as in 2009-10. It is equivalent to the payment of £2.75 per year for a Band D property for parish purposes.
It was resolved that the draft budget for 2010-11 be adopted [see attached sheet - proposed by Cllr Robinson, seconded by Cllr Porter]. It is hoped that grants will offset some of the expenditure but the council acknowledged that any deficit could be easily met from the council’s reserve funds.
091029-21 Date of the next meeting:
The next parish council meeting will be on Monday 11th January, 2010
