Minutes
Ordinary
11th March 2025

Eskdale Parish Council

Minutes

Ordinary Meeting – 11 March 2025

Reference: EPC/MINUTES/11/3/25

Original Title: 11 March 2025 Signed

Meeting: Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 11 March 2025 at St Bega’s Village Hall, Eskdale Green commencing at 7.30pm

Present: Cllr R Brown (Chair), Cllr M Shaftesley, Cllr J Kirby, Cllr L Hunt, Cllr D Porter

Also present: Mrs L Cooper – Clerk; Will Livesey – Forestry Commission; 1 member of public

82/24 Apologies for absence

Cllr A Rutherford (work), Cllr T Postlethwaite (work), Cllr J Harrington (family)

83/24 Agenda Order

The Chair proposed that Agenda item 11.4 Japanese Garden/Giggle Alley be brought forward. This was agreed.

84/24 Japanese Garden / Giggle Alley

Will Livesey, Forestry Commission, gave an update on the removal of the diseased Larch trees. Some will be felled, others killed standing where they are harder to fell safely. Replanting with broad leaf’s and conifers. 10 year plan for the forest.

Japanese Garden – looking at grants to bring the garden back. Volunteers will be used by the Recreational Team to clear the worst of the invasive growth. Grants difficult to get as it is not a scheduled ancient monument.

The Chair thanked Mr Livesey for his report. Mr Livesey left the meeting.

85/24 Exclusion of Press and Public

None

86/24 Declarations of Interest

There were no Declarations of Interest.

87/24 Minutes of the Previous Meeting

To approve the Minutes of the meetings held on 14 January 2025

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair.

Proposed Cllr Kirby, Seconded Cllr Porter.

88/24 Police Liaison Report

A report had been previously circulated by the Clerk.

89/24 Progress Reports

89/24.1 Clerk’s Report

Cumberland to distribute additional grit bins.

Clerk has raised the issue of the grit lorry not going down as far as the King George as promised. Awaiting a reply.

New 30mph signs will hopefully be erected before the start of the tourist season.

90/24 Public Participation

The member of public is organising an inclusive relay fell race on 19 July 2025 with any profits going to Eskdale School. Expected c.280 runners commencing at Woolpack. Parking on adjoining field. Toilet facilities and rubbish collection.

91/24 Cumberland Councillor’s Report

None

92/24 Applications for Development

92/24.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority

7/2025/4014 Fell View Garage, Eskdale
3 New Dwellinghouse – Variation of conditions 2, 3 & 4 and removal of condition 8 on planning permission 7/2024/4088 to amend the design of the dwelling.
Supported.

7/2025/4016 Fell View Garage, Eskdale
Change of use from Class E – Commercial Business and Service to C3 Dwelling House. Part demolition of garage and erection of new dwelling, and renovation of remaining garage building, on the former site of Fell View Garage, Eskdale – variation of condition 7 (remediation scheme), condition 9 (ground investigation report) and condition 10 (existing and proposed floor levels) on planning permission 7/2024/4004.
Supported.

92/24.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers since last meeting

None

92/24.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications

7/2024/4088 Fell View Garage, Eskdale
Change of use from Class E – Commercial, Business and Service to C3 Dwelling houses. Part demolition of garage and erection of new dwelling, and renovation of remaining garage building, on the former site of Fell View Garage, Eskdale – variation of condition 2 (approved plans) and condition 4 (finish of external walls) on planning permission 7/2024/4004.
Granted.

93/24 Financial Records

93/24.1 To approve the following payments

93/24.2 To note the receipt of payments

None

93/24.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statements dated 31 January 2025

Verified by Cllr Kirkby.

93/24.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 28 February 2025 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget

None required. Resolved that £5k be allocated to Community Plan Projects.

93/24.7 To consider S137 donations

It was suggested to make a donation to the 1% responders. Cllr Kirkby to investigate.

94/24 Parish Matters

94/24.1 Hard Knott Telephone Box

Glass has now been replaced by Lengthsman. Suggestion that could display school artwork.

94/24.2 Community Plan

Clerk produced a detailed survey questionnaire that had been compiled with ACT. To contact Village Hall Committee to see if they wish to add any additional questions. Once changes made Cllr Hunt to arrange printing. All responses to be in by 4 October 2025.

94/24.4 Environment

None

94/24.5 Nominations for Police Neighbourhood Scheme

Cllr Hunt to represent the Parish Council.

94/24.6 Annual Parish Meeting

To be held on 13 May 2025 commencing at 7pm at St Bega’s Village Hall.

94/24.7 Policies

a) The following new policies were approved

• Risk Management Policy
• Retention of Documents Policy
• Complaints Procedure
• Data Protection Policy
• Disciplinary Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Subject Access Request
• Freedom of Information Policy
• Press and Media Policy
• Grant Awarding Policy
• Safeguarding Policy
• Co-option Policy
• Lone Working Policy
• Vexatious Complaints Policy
• Anti-bullying and Harassment Policy
• Equality and Diversity Policy
• Sexual Harassment Policy
• Social Media Policy
• Environment and Sustainability Policy

Proposed Cllr Kirkby, Seconded Cllr Shaftesley.

b) Noted that the following policies have been reviewed and no changes made

• Standing Orders
• Biodiversity Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Equal Opportunity Policy
• Protocol for the recording and filming of Council and Committee meetings
• Appraisal Policy
• Recruitment Policy
• Sickness Absence Policy
• Training and Development Policy

95/24 Reports from representatives on outside bodies

Village Hall – Cllr Shaftesley reported that the Village Hall were seeking legal advice as the Charities Commission had not accepted the latest application. Obtaining a quote for the repainting of the village hall. Clerk to send a Grant application form.

96/24 Correspondence

To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion:

• Email requesting assistance in identifying ownership of Boot School.
• Email re lack of mobile network during electricity power cuts.

97/24 Councillor Matters

• Cllr Kirby has been approached by residents concerned as to what the new council tax bill will be and not being able to budget for it.

98/24 Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Parish Council 13 May 2025 at St Bega’s Village Hall, Eskdale Green commencing at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 20:53 hours.