Minutes
Ordinary
8th July 2025

Eskdale Parish Council

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

Held on Tuesday 13 May 2025 at St Bega’s Village Hall, Eskdale Green commencing at 7.30pm

Reference: EPC/MINUTES/8/7/25

Date of document: 8 July 2025

Present: Cllr R Brown (Chair), Cllr M Shaftesley, Cllr I Kirby, Cllr L Hunt, Cllr D Porter, Cllr T Postlethwaite, Cllr A Rutherford
Cllr Pratt – Cumberland Council
Mrs L Cooper – Clerk

20/25 Apologies

Cllr J Harrington (family) were accepted.

21/25 Exclusion of Press and Public

None

22/25 Declarations of Interest

There were no Declarations of Interest

23/25 To Approve the Minutes of the meetings held on 13 May 2025

The Minutes of the meeting of the meeting held on 13 May 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair

24/25 Police Liaison Report

A report had been previously circulated by the Clerk

25/25 Progress Reports

25/25.1 Clerk’s Report

None

26/25 Public Participation

None

27/25 Cumberland Councillor’s Report

Cllr Pratt gave the following report:

• Highways had received additional funding for white lining etc if any was required
• There is a farmers/growers survey to showcase Cumbria produce
• Corney fell road should be finished September/October
• Whicham valley road is closed for replacement of road surface
• LDNP will be consulting on sites suitable for development in 2027
• Cumberland council have requested to govt that the Mayoral elections be put back to 2027
• Any potholes to report on HiMs system and forward job number to Cllr Pratt to chase
• South Cumberland community panel have funds available for community projects
• Hub to you bus are looking for events to attend.

The Chair thanked Cllr Pratt for his report

28/25 Applications for Development

28/25.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority

T/2025/0104 Fisherground Campsite, Eskdale,
Re-pollard 2 ash trees
Supported

28/25.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers since last meeting.

7/2025/4024 at Moor Close, Eskdale
Intallation of solar panels to roof, installation of air source heat pump, insertion of two first floor side windows and alteration of fenestration to ground floor. Internal alterations
Supported

28/25.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications

Reference: EPC/MINUTES/8/7/25

7/2025/4030 Fell View Garage, Eskdale
Proposal: Dwelling – variation of conditions 2 (plans), 3 (roof material and application), 4 (external wall render system texture and colour), 5 (the composite cladding), 7 (remediation scheme), 9 (ground investigation report) and 10 (finished floor levels of new dwelling) on planning permission 7/2024/4088 to change the design of the dwelling
Granted

7/2024/4029 Fairfield, Eskdale
Erection of 3 dwellings – Outline approval ref 7/2020/4077
Refused

29/25 Financial Records

29/25.1 To approve the following payments

29/25.2 To note the receipt of payments

None

29/24.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statements dated 30 June 2025

Not received

29/24.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 30 June 2025 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget

None required. C/Act £15195.59, D/act £6521.95

29/24.5 For information only: All documents have been submitted to External Audit and all documents displayed on the website as required

29/25.6 For Information only: A VAT claim has been submitted for £44.84

29/25.7 Proposed S137 donation to 1st Responders – Deferred to September meeting

29/25.8 To consider Application from St Bega’s School for grant funding towards cost of grass cutting and play area inspections.

Resolved to give a donation of £449.72 towards the cost of play area inspections

30/25 Parish Matters

30/25.1 Hard Knott Telephone Box

Cllr Kirkby reported that “Perfect Daus Out” are keen to use it as a tourist information hub and will service it every 2 weeks. Local farmers remove fly posting.

30/25.2 Community Plan

Cllr Hunt reported that all properties had now been sent out the questionnaire apart from approx. 12 that she still needs to do. Aome response had been received.

30/25.3 Environment

There had been some flooding between Forge Bridge and the George, one motorist having to be rescued, it was noted that the flooding was worse than usual.

30/25.4 Japanese Garden

Clerk to chase for an update and plan of action. To suggest gifted to community.

30/25.5 Consultation on Ward Boundaries

No comment

31/25 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies

Village Hall – No progress on ownership. St Bega’s Church now closed due to falling ceiling.

32/25 Correspondence

To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion

• Letter from resident suggesting a “Little free Library” -issues of location
• Email re Eskdale Mixed Fell Race giving more details of the event.
• Flood resilience survey – Irton Road end and Forge Bridge – Clerk to respond/

33/25 Councillor Matters

• Cllr Kirby reported that the benches at the war memorial were missing – to be placed on September agenda for discussion.
• Reference: EPC/MINUTES/8/7/25
• Cllr Kirby had received complaints that the Wrynose pass had been closed and there had been no signage. Clerk to complain to Westmoreland Highways Dept
• Cllr Postlethwaite that there had been vandalism in Boot churchyard, with a grave stone been vandalised and sound system stolen from the church. Clerk to check with police.

34/25 Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Parish Council 9 September 2025 at St Bega’s Village Hall, Eskdale Green commencing at 7.30pm

There being no other business the meeting closed at 2033 hours.