Minutes
Ordinary
14th January 2020

Eskdale Parish Council

Meeting 14 January 2020

Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 14 January 2020 in the Village Hall, Eskdale Green commencing at 7.30pm

Reference: EPC/MINUTES/14/1/2020
Page: 19

Present: Cllr A Vicars (Chair), Cllr R Brown, Cllr I Kirby and Cllr C Ashall
Borough Councillor G McGrath

87/19 Apologies: Cllr M Shaftesley, Cllr M Watson, Cllr L Hunt,

88/19 Exclusion of Press and Public
None

89/19 Declarations of Interest
None

90/19 To Approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2019
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2019 were approved and signed by the Chair. Proposed by Cllr Kirby and Seconded by Cllr Brown

91/19 Police Liaison Report
None received. It was resolved to invite the police to attend the Annual Parish meeting on 12 May 2020 and speak about Farm watch.

92/19 Progress Reports

92/19.1 Verge Cutting
A draft specification had been produced by Cllr Shaftesley. It was agreed that the verge cutting would be up to 1 metre maximum from the road. It was noted that an individual had been clearing out gutters and throwing the contents onto the road creating a hazard for cyclists.

92/19.2 Japanese Garden
The Clerk to chase up for a meeting with the Forestry Commission to discuss the future of the garden.

93/19 Public Participation
None present

94/19 County Councillor/District Councillor reports
Borough Cllr McGrath reported that Copeland BC were buying themselves out of the PFI contract on the Copeland Centre with the help of government money.
Footway lighting – this had not gone through full council for approval and CALC were involved.

95/19 Applications for Development

95/19.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority
None Received

95/19.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers since last meeting.
7/2019/4118 Fisherground Campsite, Eskdale, Holmrook
Proposed extension of existing campsite for the months of July and August only. Proposed siting of 12 camping pods
Concerns were expressed regarding the siting of the pods within 20 mtrs of a water course.

Reference: EPC/MINUTES/14/1/2020
Page: 20

95/19.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications:
7/2019/4105 Fairfield, Randlehow, Holmrook, Eskdale
Construction of garage on side of existing dwelling incorporating workshop and lobby access to dwelling
Approved with conditions

95/19.4 Meeting with campsite owners
It was resolved as part of the work on the Community Plan that all camp site owners would be invited to a meeting to discuss their future plans for development

96/19 FINANCIAL RECORDS

96/19.1 To approve the following payments:

96/19.2 To note the receipt of payments
Refund from court action £888.39

96/19.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statements 3 January 2020
The Clerk presented reconciled accounts and these were checked and verified by Cllr Kirby.
It was noted that the previous Clerk’s name was still on the bank statements. It was resolved that a letter be sent to NatWest asking that her details be removed immediately from all correspondence to the Parish Council and that all future correspondence be addressed to the current Clerk.

96/19.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 31 December 2019 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget
The Clerk estimated that there would be a slight underspend on the budget and that reserves would be approximately £2k at the end of the financial year.

96/19.5 Precept 20/21
The Clerk reported that the precept request had been submitted to Copeland BC and the receipt had been acknowledged.
The Clerk was asked to produce a draft letter to be circulated to all residents regarding the 20/21 budget.

97/19 Parish Matters

97/19.1 Parish Plan
Cllr Vicars reported that a meeting was to be held w/c 20 January 2020 and it was hoped that a questionnaire would be ready by the end of March 2020. Cllr Kirby suggested that a stand be had at Eskdale Show so that visitors could be consulted as part of the plan.

97/19.2 Councillor Vacancies
Cllr Kirby suggested that an advert be placed in the Parish Magazine and also advertised at the Community Plan meeting.

97/19.3 VE day 8th May 2020
Cllr Kirby confirmed that the school were going to hold an event to celebrate. It was suggested that a memento for the school could be obtained. To be further discussed at the next meeting.

97/19.4 Copeland BC Plan
Cllr Vicars and Shaftesley to formulate a response

97/19.5 Footway Lighting
It was noted that the proposed changes by Copeland BC would disadvantage those residents that pay council tax.

Reference: EPC/MINUTES/14/1/2020
Page: 21

98/19 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
None

99/19 Correspondence
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion:

• The Clerk reported that a letter had been received from HMRC regarding the previous Clerk’s non-payment of PAYE and a requirement to set the previous Clerk up on the HMRC electronic system.

100/19 Councillor Matters

• Cllr Ashall reported that an email had been received by business regarding the road closures for the Fred Whitton Cycle Event. The date of this event had been moved to 7 June 2020 which was the same weekend of the Boot Beer Festival. Businesses had written to the organisers expressing concerns regarding the impact of this event on their own. The Clerk to write to Keith Hitchen Cty Councillor, and Cumbria County Council expressing concerns with regards to public safety. It was noted that the Fred Whitton event brought no benefits to the community.

101/19 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council to be held on 10 March 2020 at Eskdale Green Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.00pm