Minutes
Ordinary
11th November 2025

Eskdale Parish Council

Minutes

11th November 2025 Draft

EPC/MINUTES/11/11/25
9

ESKDALE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2025 AT ST BEGA’S VILLAGE
HALL, ESKDALE GREEN COMMENCING AT 7.30PM

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

51/25 APOLOGIES : Cllr J Harrington (personal), Cllr D Porter (family), were accepted.

52/25 Exclusion of Press and Public
None

53/25 Declarations of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest

54/25 To Approve the Minutes of the meetings held on 9 September 2025
The Minutes of the meeting of the meeting held on 9 September 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair

55/25 Police Liaison Report
A report had been previously circulated by the Clerk. It was raised that the police had never visited a Parish Council meeting.

56/25 Progress Reports

56/25.1 Clerks Report
None.

57/25 Public Participation
None

58/25 Cumberland Councillor’s Report
Cllr Pratt had submitted a report (Attached to these minutes) which had been accepted

59/25 Applications for Development

59/25.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority
None

59/25.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers since last meeting.

7/2025/4068 Forge Farm, Eskdale,
Four work packages. a) Internal kitchen floor removal and relaying. b) Removal of flaking paint from window surrounds and porch. c) Removal of interior porch. d) Like for like replacement of windows
Supported

7/2024/4097 at Fairfield, Eskdale,
Appeal against decision
Council determined to stand by original objections

7/2025/4076 Eskdale Campsite. Boot
4 x Air Source Heat Pump units and associated works
Supported

7/2025/4081 Low Birker Farm, Boot,
Proposal: Construct a chimney to West elevation and dormer to North elevation
Supported

59/25.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications

7/2025/4059 Muncaster Head Farm, Eskdale,
Erection of sheep penning and roof over midden
Granted

60/25 FINANCIAL RECORDS

EPC/MINUTES/11/11/25
10

60/25.1 To approve the following payments

To approve the following payments made under Financial Standing Order:

• C Hasley – Refurbishment of war memorial £1191.00 (previous invoice incorrect)
• Marmax – 2 x benches for war memorial £1082.40
• Community Heartbeat – Annual Support for defib £198.00

To approve the following payments

• L Cooper – Clerks Salary & Expenses £
• HMRC – PAYE
• Whamos Ltd – Annual Support for website £220.00
• Whamos Ltd – 50% cost of Website rebuild £1000.00
• Whamos Ltd – Final payment £1000.00
• J Harrison – installing benches £105.00
• J Harrison – Lenghtsman Duties £119.00

60/25.2 To note the receipt of payments
None

60/24.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statements dated 30 September 2025
Checked by Cllr Kirby

60/24.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 31 October 2025 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget
None required. C/Act £8189.47, D/act £6545.47

60/24.5 To accept the budget report for the financial year 2026/27 and approve the budget spend.
RESOLVED Spend approved at £11156 for next financial year.

60/25.6 To approve the Precept for the Financial Year 2026/27
RESOLVED the precept will be £9500 for the next financial year. An increase of £3.63 per annum on a Band D property

61/25 Parish Matters

61/25.1 Hard Knott Telephone Box
Windows replaced, future glass to be sourced locally. Leaflet stand to be screwed to back wall to prevent further vandalism.

61/25.2 Community Plan
Clerk reported that she had received 36 responses to date and would produce a detailed analysis for the January meeting. A detail of responses re Village Hall will be presented for the VH committee.

61/25.3 Environment
None

61/25.4 Japanese Garden
To arrange a meeting with Forestry England before end of year if possible to discuss. No objections to felling programme for Giggle Alley

61/25.5 Village Hall – Grants for Decorating
Still no progress re ownership. 2 quotes received for re-decorating of hall. Clerk explained could not apply for grants on behave of VH committee as the PC has no involvement. Village Hall meeting w/c 17 November

61/25.6 To approve the meeting dates for 2026
Approved

61/25.7 Community Governance Review
Anomaly properties on junction of Bower Bank/Gosforth Road/Chappelton currently in Irton parish but live within Eskdale community. To seek for them to be included within EPC boundary. No other changes.

62/25 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies.
None

63/25 Correspondence
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion.

EPC/MINUTES/11/11/25
11

• Nominations required for a new CALC director for south Cumberland. No nominations made.

64/25 Councillor Matters

• Cllr Shaftesley raised the issue of future road closures and difficulty in knowing exactly where they are.
• Cllr Brown stated that the Bridleway from Eskdale Green Station to Randlehow is very overgrown and nearly impassable, Clerk to report
• Cllr Kirkby reported that walkers having problems locating Esk Trail near King George.
• Cllr Postlethwaite asked in the old metal road sign by the Birkby Road could be repainted. Clerk to ask Lengsthman to undertake works.

65/25 The next meeting of the Parish Council 13 January 2026 at St Bega’s Village Hall, Eskdale Green commencing at 7.30pm

There being no other business the meeting closed at 2035 hours.

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