Broughton Town Hall

Duddon Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 24 June 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 B Hadwin, Cllr D Hoggarth, Cllr Mrs J Johnson, Cllr Mrs E Knowles, Cllr R Webster

Apologies Cllr Mrs V Glessal

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

Re 55/04 item 871, Cllr Batten reported that he had received: a letter from Tim Collins MP in support of retaining public payphones in the Duddon Valley, a response from BT, and a copy of a letter of objection to BT from Eric Robson, Chairman of Cumbria Tourist Board. It was RESOLVED that Cllr Batten forward a copy of the BT response to Tim Collins and that the clerk contact the Police regarding BT’s proposals.

Re 62/04 iii), Cllr Barker reported that he had sent a site plan for a prospective additional street light to Mr Harper at Cumbria Contract Services to get a price for the job.

Re 62/04 iv) Cllr Curwen reported that a County Court order had been requested to enforce the repair of the damaged wall at Rawfold.

Re 62/04 v) Cllr Curwen reported that details of repairs required to Hill Bridge had been passed to the relevant authority.

Mrs Morgan noted that the verge at the Wreaks End junction of the A595 was overgrown and restricting visibility. Cllr Curwen had been in contact with the Highways Agency regarding cutting back required along the A595 and would pursue this further. She acknowledged and welcomed the planting of flower containers in The Square. Mrs Morgan also enquired whether planning permission was needed to erect a satellite dish. This was not required unless it applied to a listed building.

Mrs Morgan and Ms Townsend drew attention to rubbish and the danger presented by broken glass in The Square. It was agreed that the area needed a good clean-up. This should have been done at the time the flowers were planted and at regular intervals but it was difficult to keep the place tidy. Cllr Barker had painted and swept out the bus shelter but noted that rubbish had been left there immediately afterwards.

The clerk presented the following correspondence received:

After considering the correspondence, it was decided to take the following actions:

882 Cllr Webster to attend tour on 15 September, Cllr Barker to attend on 19 August, with Cllrs Burch and Johnson as reserves for the 14 July tour.

884 Cllr Batten to attend the appeal hearing.

899 Clerk to write to Mr Allcock, confirming that a traditional right exists to trade in The Square without a licence.

901 Clerk to write requesting that the fingerpost be removed and a site visit called to agree and mark a suitable site.

902 Clerk to reply outlining the objections made to BT to its proposals.

67/04 Planning Applications

The following planning application amendment was noted:

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

Terry Chemicals per Victory Hall – vacuum cleaner £104.98

It was further RESOLVED to pay the £728.22 insurance premium to Allianz Cornhill by the due date unless a favourable alternative quote was received in the meantime.

Cllr Barker had visited the park to go through the items on the inspection report. The catch on the newly-installed gate did not work and the contractor needed to be contacted to put this right. Cllr Hadwin undertook to untwist the swing chains and fix flat-seat swings. Cllr Hoggarth had cut the outside perimeter grass and this needed to be kept in check. A working party of councillors to cut the other grass using Cllr Batten’s equipment and tidy the area was organised for 25 June.

The Council considered Mr Atkinson’s letter. It rejected claims that criminal action or damage had taken place and dismissed the suggestion that compensation be payable. The clerk was instructed to reply, pointing out that the removal of the fence from Parish Council-owned land was in accordance with its letter of 26 January 2004.

It was agreed that children could take part in the Charter day procession.

Cllr Burch reported a complaint from a visitor about medical services in the Duddon Valley.

Cllr Hadwin reported that he had cut grass and brambles between Bush Green and the ‘jampots’ in Foxfield Road which had been left in a neglected state.

Cllr Barker reported that the land-owner had undertaken to cut back trees obstructing the road at Bush Green – but not until next spring.

Cllr Hoggarth reported that fencing around the cellar entrance at a property in The Square would soon be reinstated.

Cllr Curwen reported a) that United Utilities had done a good job in tarmacing the road at Skelly Crag and Greety Gate and b) that he had attended the Neighbourhood Watch AGM in Barrow. A meeting was planned for Broughton but more volunteers were needed.

The clerk reported a) that LDNPA had erected anti dog fouling signs on the railway bridleway and b) that the Countryside Agency was doing a case study on Broughton, highlighting the benefits of Vital Villages grants to the community.

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

i) Clerk to contact United Utilities requesting a Council visit to the new Ulpha water treatment plant.

ii) Cllr Curwen to pursue the need for grass cutting at Bank End.

iii) Cllr Curwen to contact the contractors about the emptying of the can bank.

iv) Cllr Curwen to pursue the problem of potholes in Woodland.

v) Cllrs Barker and Webster to speak to owners of dogs seen fouling and disturbing litter.

vi) Clerk to put Foxfield signal box on the agenda for next month’s meeting.

vii) Clerk to put information in the Parish Pump about free fire safety advice available from the Fire Service.

72/04 Date of Next Meeting

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.10pm and the next meeting set for Thursday 22 July 2004.