Broughton Town Hall

Duddon Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 26 February 2004 in the Green Room, Victory Hall, Broughton-in-Furness

Present Cllr Mrs L Burch (Chairman), Cllr H J Barker Cllr J Batten, Cllr J W Curwen, Cllr Mrs V Glessal, Cllr B Hadwin, Cllr D Hoggarth, Cllr Mrs J Johnson, Cllr Mrs E Knowles

Apologies None. All present.

It was RESOLVED that the Chairman sign the minutes as a correct record.

Re cable laying in the Duddon Valley, Cllr Batten fed back from a public meeting that he, Cllr Hoggarth and the clerk had attended and reported that the road from the former Travellers Rest to the bridge at Hall Dunnerdale would be closed seven days a week from 19 April for 21 days. It was noted that this would result in increased traffic through Broughton Mills.

Mr Richard Weeks reported that the Victory Hall drain problem had been sorted. An inspection revealed a compression fracture caused by a digger. The damage had been repaired and the matter placed in the hands of the insurance company.

Mr W Atkinson noted that a local estate agent was advertising Broughton as a ‘village’, whilst it should be described as a ‘market town’. The Council instructed the clerk to write to the estate agent concerned pointing this out.

15/04 Correspondence

The clerk presented the following correspondence received:

16/04 Planning Applications

The following planning applications were recommended for approval:

J Clucas per Victory Hall furniture for manager’s office £560.85

There being no other candidates for the councillor vacancy, Roger Webster was proposed by Cllr Barker, seconded by Cllr Batten and duly co-opted onto Duddon Parish Council to represent Broughton West. The clerk was instructed to make the necessary arrangements.

Cllr Curwen reported that the application, as amended, was to be submitted to the planning board for approval in early March. Other local sites were being considered should the application be rejected. It was noted that the planning authority had been very tardy in dealing with the application and in trying to resolve objections. This was only an outline application and a full application would next need to be submitted. It was RESOLVED to write to the head of planning at LDNPA, noting the delay and pressing for subsequent decisions to be delivered within the statutory timescale.

It was RESOLVED to write to Tony Beaty, requesting that the warning signs be fixed to existing speed limit signposts on the approach roads at the High Cross, Broom Hill and Bush Green, and to the ‘road bends’ warning sign close to Wreaks End.

The clerk reported a helpful response from LDNPA, which had ordered from SLDC anti dog fouling signs relating to byelaws and agreed to install these at appropriate locations by the railway line bridleway once they were received.

The Council agreed in principle to the request from SLDC to run sports activities for children in Wilson Park in the summer, subject to the playing field being in adequate condition and to the insurance situation being clarified.

Cllr Knowles fed back on her meeting with Cumbria Woodlands. The park qualified for 90-100% funding for the renewal and replacement of shrubs and trees plus improved access measures. The work would need to be carried out by a competent professional. A map of the park had been sent, as requested, and she was waiting to hear back.

It was RESOLVED to request, via Cllr Hadwin, a quote from Fish Landscapes to replace essential top soil. It was further RESOLVED to apply to the CGP Duddon Parish Trust Fund for money to replace the embankment slide in line with the quote received.

The clerk reported that Network Rail wanted to know if the proposed set-down/pick-up point at Foxfield station would be funded as part of the improvement programme to be carried out by the Highways Agency. This had been put to both AmeyMouchel and the Highways Agency and a response was awaited. The need for improved access barrier arrangements and a carpark was restated. It was RESOLVED to write to the Furness Line Action Group to seek their support for these proposals.

A reply from the Highways Agency about a possible speed restriction was noted. It stated that the area did not meet the qualifying criteria – having developments on both sides of the carriageway for at least 500 metres or having a higher than average recorded accident rate - for a speed restriction to be considered.

Cllr Barker reported: i) that he had received an excellent presentation from Nigel Williams of Forest Enterprises on plans for Broughton Moor and felt the organization should be congratulated. It was RESOLVED to send a letter which Cllr Barker had drafted on behalf of the Council. ii) that he had attended the Cumbria County Council development of services consultation meeting, chaired by Pauline Halfpenny and led by Stuart Pate. He fed back on issues raised and described the meeting as "interesting" but "not satisfactory" as no-one was present to take notes.

Cllr Batten reported: i) that he had filled four sacks of rubbish at the layby at Bank End. SLDC needed to remove or rebuild the area where the bins are situated, he suggested, and ii) that the cattle grid at Rawfold needed attention. A call to the Highways Hotline six weeks previously had produced no action.

Cllr Curwen reported: i) that English Nature had completed the footway at the Mosses and was continuing to develop circular walks, ii) that at the County meeting on highways matters it was agreed that the stretch of road by Dove Ford would be monitored, surveyed and upgraded. Footways from Bush Green along Foxfield Road and from Syke House to the High Cross had been put back into the programme of work.

After reports from each councillor, the following actions were agreed:

i) Cllr Curwen to pursue problems with potholes reported at various sites and the poor road surface by West Park.

ii) Cllr Curwen to discuss with highway officers the need to tidy up the side of Dunnerdale Fell where pipes had been laid.

iii) Cllr Hoggarth to pursue the matter of fencing removed from a house in The Square. This had exposed a cellar, causing potential danger at night.

iii) Clerk to contact Debbie Storr at SLDC regarding declaration of interests and dispensations.

It was RESOLVED to discuss this item in camera. After discussion, it was RESOLVED to carry out the action previously advised. The clerk was instructed to confirm this to Mr Atkinson and make the necessary arrangements for the action to proceed.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.40pm and the next meeting set for Thursday 25 March 2004.