Broughton Town Hall

Duddon Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday, 24 January 2002 in the
Rankin Room, Victory Hall, Broughton-in-Furness

Cllr H J Barker (Vice Chairman), Cllr Mrs R Read, Cllr J S Batten, Cllr Mrs E Knowles, Cllr D Hoggarth, Cllr J W Curwen, Cllr A Harrison, Cllr B Hadwin.

Apologies

Cllr Mrs L Burch (Chairman), Cllr Mrs V Glessal.

RESOLVED that the Chairman sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 December 2001.

The re-siting of the bottle bank was still in hand; Cllr Curwen said that he should know more by the next meeting. There had been suggestions that the glass in the bank was mixed or tipped, Cllr Curwen thought it went to Manchester for recycling. Clerk was asked to find out from Margaret Blackstone at SLDC exactly what happened to the glass and what the finances were.

Cllr Barker asked that the discussion on Kitscar Cottage (agenda item) should be in camera. RESOLVED unanimously that this should be so.

In a discussion with representatives from Cumbria Constabulary, the meeting was told that a number of jackets had been stolen at a break-in at the Mountain Centre; the window glass had been removed to effect entry. There had also been an attempt to steal a quad bike from Syke House Farm, which had been foiled by increased security. It was also stated that layout of the road and road signs had not contributed to the recent bad accident in the Square.

Concern was expressed about the bad flooding on the A595 at Foxfield; Cllr Curwen had contacted the Highways Authority.

Mr D Troughton was concerned about the imposition of the tree preservation order in East & West Parks, and said that any tree cutting had been restricted to trimming to allow tractors and trailers to pass. (To be discussed under correspondence.)

There were concerns about the water table being allowed to rise on the Mosses; Cllr Curwen had objected and insisted on the present level not being exceeded.

Concerns were again raised about the lack of good street lighting down Foxfield Road and Princes Street.

A discussion took place about the perceived lack of housing for young local couple, although it was known that people were not putting their names down on the housing list.

Mr M Stephenson raised the issue of the footpath past Kitscar Cottage being incorrectly drawn on a planning map sent to him. The footpath appeared to be correct on the planning application. Clerk to write to LDNPA planning department to clear this up.

Mr Stephenson also asked whether it was appropriate to sell the parish land at Bleansley Bank to the owner of Kitscar Cottage, rather than lease it. If it were to be sold, there was strong feeling that it should be for the true market value to enable the Parish to benefit.

The Clerk presented the following letters received:

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

015 Clerk to write to LDNPA to assure them that the Council has every confidence in the present farmer’s maintenance of the parks.

019 Clerk to point out that these proposals will result in twice as many lorry journeys by timber lorries and probable increased prices for farmers feed deliveries.

033 All in favour of Mr Hardiker sending the proposed letter to Mr T Atkinson.

Planning Applications

5/01/9029 land at Station House, Foxfield Wastewater pumping station approved

5/01/9028 land north of Foxfield Farm Wastewater treatment plant approved

7/01/5604 Mountain Centre new entrance porch (amended) approved

7/01/5567 Hobkinground Farm BT Emergency Service (amended) approved

7/02/5016 Middle Bleansley convert barn to dwelling approved

7/02/5004 Kitscar Cottage access road, septic tank, water tank,
heating oil tank approved

The Kitscar Cottage application was approved subject to the footpath anomaly being resolved.

RESOLVED to pay the following from main account:

This had already been discussed under Correspondence.

After reports from each Councillor, the following actions were requested:

Highwayman to report potholes on the Coniston road and on the Bleansley road; also road sweeping needed in Woodland.

Clerk to write to Capita to state that the Council will hold them responsible for any claims arising from accidents caused by the long-standing road edge problems near Lane End Farm. This has been reported many times. Also to report problems with the pavement outside Barclays Bank.

Clerk to contact Cumbria Contracting for a quote on street lighting for Foxfield Road.

It was agreed to receive the surplus funds left from previous fund raising for Wilson Park into Parish Council accounts, and to use it to pay for a survey.

Cllrs Barker and Hadwin to obtain a replacement post for the Square and to arrange for it to be fitted.

Clerk to ask Peter Hunt from United Utilities to come to next meeting to clarify alterations to the wastewater scheme; also to address concerns over the jetting of drains down Foxfield Road.

Cllr Curwen reported that, at the meeting in Grizebeck regarding the proposed estuary bridge, there had been unanimous support for the bridge to go ahead.

The Clerk reported that the grant application to the Countryside Agency for a £4500 grant to produce a Parish Plan had been successful.

This discussion was held in camera. The Financial Working Group had met on 15th January to discuss the price to be asked for access across the land. The FWG had decided on a fair price to be asked and would also recommend that the land should be sold rather than leased. Those recommendations were put to the full Council and a discussion ensued.

After discussion, the FWG recommendation on price had been overruled and it was RESOLVED by a majority vote to write to the owner of Kitscar Cottage to offer the land for sale at £30,000.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.05 pm and the next meeting set for 28th February 2002.