Minutes
Ordinary
17th July 2019
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ESKDALE PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 17 JULY 2019 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, ESKDALE GREEN COMMENCING AT 7.30PM
Present: Cllr M Shaftesley (Chair), Cllr A Vickars, Cllr R Brown, Cllr I Kirkby, and Cllr L Hunt
3 members of the public
36/19 Apologies: Cllr C Ashall, Borough Councillor G McGrath and Cty Cllr K Hitchen
37/19 Co-option of Councillor
A letter of application to be co-opted onto the council had been received by Mr M Watson.
It was proposed by Cllr Shaftesley and Seconded by Cllr Hunt and supported by the council that Mr Watson be co-opted on.
Mr Watson signed the Declaration of Acceptance.
The Chair welcomed Cllr Watson to the Council.
38/19 Exclusion of Press and Public
Agenda Item 11.8 – To approve the Interim Clerk’s Contract of Employment would require the exclusion of press and public.
39/19 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Hunt declared in interest in Agenda item 10.1, planning matter 7/2018/4109
40/19 To Approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2019
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2019 were approved and signed by the Chair.
41/19 Police Liaison Report
The Clerk stated that she would write to the Rural Sergeant to ascertain who could provide a report.
42/19 Progress Reports
None
43/19 Public Participation
43/19.1 A resident spoke about his concerns regarding the development at Fairfield. He had written to LDNP about his concerns but had not received any response. He felt that other residents were intimidated by the developer and he was seeking support from the Parish Council with regards to this development.
The Chair thanked the resident and stated that as it was an agenda item it would be discussed and his points taken into consideration.
43/19.2 Mr Pennington-Frost gave a brief presentation on the proposed development of the Devoke Boat House and explained what the long term plans were for this
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building to ensure its future. The purpose is to restore it, so that it becomes a self-funding/employment opportunity. He issued an invitation for councillors to have a look around the boat house in late August (date to be arranged), when it was hoped that the plans would be drawn up to enable councillors to properly assess the project before they were submitted in September.
This would be a sustainable project wherever possible, but doing nothing to the building was not an option.
He was asked if there would be an electric car charging point at the premises. Mr F-P responded that the whole issue of generating electricity responsibly was being investigated at the moment.
The Chair thanked Mr Frost-Pennington for his presentation and also the invitation to visit the site. Mr F-P then left the meeting.
44/19 County Councillor/District Councillor reports
Cllr Vicars agreed to contact Cty Cllr Hitchen to give directions to access the disabled access to the hall.
45/19 Applications for Development
45/19.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority
7/2019/4042 Youth Hostels Association, Eskdale Youth Hostel, Boot
Erection of demountable land pods and the mobile showers/wc at YHA Eskdale
The Council resolved to support the application, but were concerned that there was no numbers of pods stated within the application. The plan indicated that it may be 5.
7/2018/4109 10 Gatesyde Place, Eskdale
Appeal to refusal of planning permission.
After discussion, the council resolved that they did not support any change to the original refusal for the removal of the local occupancy clause and felt that lifting the clause would set a dangerous precedent.
7/2019/4069 Longrigg Green, Eskdale Green
Variation of condition 2 (plans) on planning application 7/2019/4011 – Alterations and extensions to existing two storey dwelling
The council resolved to support the application
45/19.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers since last meeting.
None undertaken
45/19.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications
7/2019/4035 Fairfield, Randlehow, Holmrook, Eskdale
Proposed single bedroomed, affordable, local occupancy dwelling to fulfil a def
Withdrawn
7/2019/4054 Whillan Beck, Boot, Holmrook, Eskdale
Approval of details reserved by condition no 9 on approval ref 7/2017/4081 – details of stonework, lintels and features associated with the intake and the powerhouse. (Confirmation of compliance with condition attached to planning permission)
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46/19 FINANCIAL RECORDS
46/19.1 To approve the following payments:
Discussion took place regarding the quality and range of works undertaken. It was proposed by Cllr Kirkby and seconded by Cllr Vicars that only 80% of the bill be paid and the contractor be asked to undertake the grass cutting of the area that was completed by a 3rd party without the approval of the Parish Council or the contractor in September.
The Clerk was asked to locate the original contract with the contractor with regards to the scheme of works.
The grass cutting specification to be added to the September agenda for discussion.
46/19.2 To note the receipt of payments
None received
46/19.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statements
None received
46/19.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 30 June 2019 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget
There were no deviations required.
46/19.5 Bank Account – Change of Signatories and contact details
Cllr Shaftesley reported that he and Cllr Vicars attended the Barrow-in –Furness branch and all paperwork was completed to add them as bank signatories.
Bank signatories currently Cllrs Shaftesley, Vicars and Watson. Cllr Watson to get address details changed to the new Clerk.
46/19.6 Report from Clerk on findings of investigation
The Chair proposed that this item be moved to the end of the Agenda when the public would be excluded. This was agreed
47/19 Parish Matters
47/19.1 Training for Councillors
The Clerk to contact to arrange Councillor training for the w/c 30/9/19.
47/19.2 Japanese Garden – Forestry Commission
Councillors expressed concern as to the state of this garden,. The Clerk to invite a representative of the Forestry Commission to the September meeting to discuss how this can be brought back up to standard.
47/19.3 Devoke Water Boathouse
See item 43/19.2
47/19.4 Consultation on Proposed temporary closure of footpaths, Stanley Ghyll
The Council resolved to support the works to be carried out
47/19.5 Consultation on LDNP Landscape
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The Council resolved not to comment on this.
47/19.6 Fairfield Randle How
A letter had been received from a resident regarding this matter, which the Clerk read out to the meeting. The letter expressed concerns regarding the deviations to the original planning applications that had taken place and was requesting support from the Parish Council in raising these with LDNP.
The Clerk was instructed to write to LDNP and invite a member of the planning team to attend a meeting with the Parish Council and concerned residents to discuss resident’s concerns.
47/19.7 To approve the following policies:
All Policies had been previously distributed to Councillors for their attention.
It was proposed by Cllr Kirkby and Seconded by Cllr Brown, and agreed by the full council that the policies be accepted.
The Clerk to produce a review schedule for all policies commencing July 2020.
All approved policies to be uploaded onto the website.
Members of the public left the meeting
47/19.8 To approve the Interim Clerk’s Contract of Employment
A Contract of Employment was approved and will be signed by the Chair and forwarded to the Clerk.
48/19 Deferred item 46/19.6 Report from Clerk on findings of investigation
The Clerk reported that no VAT claim had been submitted by the previous Clerk since financial year 2010/11. The Clerk had applied to HMRC for a VAT126 number so that claims could be made and was awaiting a response.
A police investigation into the financial anomalies has been undertaken and further actions are being considered.
49/19 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
None
50/19 Correspondence
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion
Correspondence had been received from Copeland BC requiring some councillors to re-submit their Declarations of Interest on a new form.
51/19 Councillor Matters
52/19 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council to be held on 10 September 2019 at Eskdale Green Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
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There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.55pm
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
Tuesday, 13 October 2026
Tuesday, 10 November 2026