Broughton Town Hall

Duddon Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 23 October 2003 in the Green Room, Victory Hall, Broughton-in-Furness

Present Cllr H J Barker (in the chair) Cllr J Batten, Cllr J W Curwen,

Cllr Mrs V Glessal, Cllr A Harrison, Cllr Mrs J Johnson, Cllr Mrs E Knowles

Apologies Cllr Mrs L Burch, Cllr D Hoggarth

The following amendments to the minutes were requested, before they were accepted as a true record: 102/03 amend to read "…. there has been just one response to the posters …………"; 103/03 add "Cllr Curwen reported that the planning applications for a temporary surgery and a new surgery building had been approved by SLDC."

Re 102/03 Cllr Harrison reported that he had discussed the fencing in Wilson Park with Mr Fox and given him Cllr Hadwin’s number to contact.

Re 104/03 Cllr Curwen reported that he had discussed the matter of a station-side set-down and pick-up point at Foxfield with the Ministry of Transport, which considered the spot to be too close to the corner.

Re 105/03 Cllr Batten reported that the first cut to the bracken in the Duddon Valley had only been made on 22 October, when it was believed to be due on 1 August. The clerk was requested to write to point this out to the Authority.

Mrs Morgan asked if it would be possible to improve lighting in The Square. Councillors pointed out that it would be difficult and expensive to connect a power supply and also expressed concerns that residents in The Square might object to further lighting.

109/03 Correspondence

The clerk presented the following correspondence received:

653 LDNP                    Minutes June - Sept 2003

After considering the correspondence it was decided to take the following action:

674 Clerk to seek clarification from Mr Barlow and pursue an appeal about the non-inclusion of common land on the map, if appropriate.

The following application was recommended for approval:

7/2003/5573 Knott Lane, The Square Private detached dwelling (appears to replace previous application for two dwellings)

111/03 Financial Matters

It was RESOLVED to pay the following from the main account:

The clerk presented a budget proposal for 2004/2005 on which to base the precept. Following examination of the figures and discussion, it was RESOLVED to accept the proposal and request the sum of £7,627 from SLDC. It was further RESOLVED to open a separate 90-day account as a structural fund for the Victory Hall and to transfer £1,000 into the account.

Cllr Batten had downloaded from the web information about how to apply to the ‘Living Spaces’ fund for a grant of up to £100,000. This was passed to Cllr Knowles to investigate. It was agreed that Cllr Knowles would seek advice from Voluntary Action Cumbria and Richard Weeks on how to complete the application.

In view of this is was RESOLVED to put on hold moves towards the possible transfer of the park to SLDC and the clerk was instructed to write to the Authority to this effect.

113/03 Any Other Business

Cllr Harrison reported that young people had been lifting drain grids and removing stopcocks, causing problems similar to those recently experienced in New Street and creating a danger of people falling in. People needed to be vigilant and note who the perpetrators were. He also enquired about progress on strengthening Shop Bridge. The clerk had received no further information about this and undertook to enquire.

Cllr Glessal reported continuing problems with trees overhanging the highway in Five Arches Road. Cllr Curwen undertook to investigate and take up the issues with the relevant landowners. Cllr Glessal also enquired about the seat which had gone missing from the corner of Foxfield Road. It transpired that this had been removed without permission.

Cllr Knowles reported that the milk delivery waggon had been seen driving dangerously through the village on several occasions. The waggon was thought to come from Ulpha Farm, Meathop, and the clerk was instructed to phone Mr Coates to point this out.

Cllr Batten undertook to order a Christmas tree to put up in The Square from 1 December.

Cllr Curwen reported the following: he had requested AmeyMouchel to improve verge cutting at Wreaks End and along the Causeway; problems were being caused at Foxfield crossing by motorists parking their cars there to go walking and blocking the way for large vehicles to pass; the Community Speedwatch public meeting had been successful, with several volunteers coming forward; the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting was to take place on 30 October and more co-ordinators were needed; SLDC had emerged as a weak authority within Cumbria, Carlisle being the best.

Cllr Barker drew the Council’s attention to a way of concealing metal poles/antenna by disguising them as trees, which he had seen in Italy, and suggested the same device could be used here.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.15pm and the next meeting set for Thursday 27 November 2003.