Baggrow

Fletchertown

Mealsgate

Watch Hill

Allhallows Parish Council

A meeting of the Allhallows Parish Council was held in the Allhallows Centre, Fletchertown, Aspatria on Wednesday 1st March 2017 at 7.30pm.

PRESENT: Messrs. M. Abbott, J. Mansfield, S. Barton, G. Thompson, L. Read and G. Edmondson.

 Also, Present: T. Gear (Clerk)

Apologies were received from R. Bowness, B. Finlay (Parish and Borough Councillor), D. Wilson, (Borough Councillor) and J. Lister (County Councillor)

Councillor M. Abbott in the Chair

40/2017 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

None

41/2017 MINUTES

On the proposal of G. Edmondson and seconded by J. Mansfield it was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 1st March 2017 be approved and signed as a correct record.

42/2017 POLICE MATTERS

PCSO Peter Crome had tendered his apologies but had supplied a report on how to access the website to view crime data which the clerk had done but the information was only up to December 2016 and too vague to be of any use. It was agreed that this should be brought to the attention of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

43/2017 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

A local resident had brought to the attention of a councilor that human waste was issuing from the Wastewater Works at Watch Hill and running down the B5299. The clerk was asked to bring this to the attention of the appropriate authority.

44/2017 CORRESPONDENCE

An e-mail had been received advising that the presentation on Community Transport will now take place at Allhallows Community Centre on Saturday 5th March 2017 between 2pm and 4pm. All councilors and member of the public are welcome.

A letter of thanks had been received from Wigton Baths Trust for the council’s donation towards its work.

An e-mail had been received from a Susie Ramsden seeking a donation towards her initiative to screen all primary school children for dyslexia. The clerk had obtained additional information but members felt that this was still insufficient information to consider a donation at this time. The clerk to respond.  

Information had been received on the Cumbria in Bloom Pride in Your Community Competition 2017 which was noted.

Posters had been displayed regarding Your Bus Matters which was held on 24th February 2017 10am to 3.30pm at the Hub, Workington

The CALC Circular for February 2017 had been circulated and there were no matters arising.

An e-mail had been received about the support available from Cumbria Community Fund and ACT to support resilience community plans. The clerk was asked to prepare a notice calling for those interested in the process to contact S. Barton.

An e-mail had been received advising of an extension to the notice period for ceasing operations of four land drainage pumping stations in the area.

45/2017 CLERKS REPORT

The clerk gave a report on matters that had arisen since the last meeting which included: -

That he had been contacted by Trading Standards regarding domestic birds being allowed to run free on the allotments.  The officer was advised of the actions taken by the council which he accepted but asked for the allotment holders names and address so he could write to them direct. On balance and in the spirit of co-operation these were supplied.

46/2017 ALLHALLOWS CENTRE

The Chairman addressed the meeting and informed members that the big hall had been re-decorated and had new curtains, the committee were applying for a grant to treat the floor.  The toilets had been re-decorated and there will be a new carpet in the tea room. A lunch club will start on the last Thursday in March and will be held on the last Thursday in each month.

47/2017 DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS

Apologies had been received from all councilors as it was the budget setting meeting of Allerdale Borough Council and no reports had been provided.

48/2017 PLANNING MATTERS

Applications for consultation

None

Decisions

None

(c) Appeals

None

The clerk outlined the Allerdale Local Plan (Part2): Site Allocations The clerk pointed out the proposals for the parish. Members raised concern that the settlement limit for Fletchertown had been reduced which now left Crummock Close outside of the village. After discussion, it was agreed that the old settlement limit at this location should be retained. It was also noted that an area of land at the end of Oglanby Terrace had been included in the new settlement limit. It was agreed that this should be opposed as Fletchertown was already a congested village with an acute shortage of parking and a dangerous access and egress on to the B5299 and any development at this location would exasperate the problems. It was also pointed out that part of the proposed site fronts on to a private road. The clerk to respond.   

49/2017 ACCOUNTS

The following accounts were approved for payment: -

Allhallows Community Centre Rent      £15.00

50/2017 FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Balances at    

01.3.17 Current Account                  2343.54

01.3.17 Deposit Account       4441.30

51/2017 COUNCILLOR’S PORTFOLIO’S

The annual rents for the allotments were coming in and most had been paid

S. Barton was still working on setting up a Flood Action Group.

G. Edmondson gave a short report on the play park which included the fact that it was very wet which probably due to the weather and may be as the result of work by United Utilities on a nearby water main.

52/2017 FLOODING RELATED ISSUES

All issues relating to flooding in the parish were being addressed by the relevant agencies at this point in time. However, it should be noted some of the work will not be carried out until next year’s budget is in place.

53/2017 ALLHALLOWS CENTRE - ESTIMATES

A further estimate was still awaited. Members also asked that the existing estimate need revising to conform the surveyors report which is in hand.

54/2017 HEDGES – BAGGROW LONNING

This was now in the hands of the Highways Dept. but the Chair will check to see if they have been trimmed.

55/2017 VACANCIES

Despite an article in the newsletter there remained two vacancies with no applications for co-option having been received. However, some interest has now been shown by some local residents.

56/2017 BLENNERHASSET AND BAGGROW PLAYING FIELD

The clerk had responded as requested at the last meeting but there has been no further correspondence. The next meeting of the Blennerhasset and Torpenhow Parish Council is not until later this month.

57/2017 RISK ASSESSMENT 2017

The clerk produced a draft Risk Assessment for the council which was discussed and agreed.

58/2017 INTERNAL AUDIT 2016/17

The effectiveness of the internal audit was discussed and it was agreed to appoint Mr. P Wilson as internal auditor for the accounting period ending 31st March 2017.

59/2017 DRAFT ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALLERDALE BOROUGH COUNCIL

The clerk outlined the proposal that Allhallows Parish will no longer be part of the Aspatria Ward but will be included in a new ward consisting of Waverton and Newton Arlosh with one councillor. Members considered the proposal and felt that Allhallows always looked to Aspatria as the hub for doctors and other services (including being a member of Aspatria Rural Partnership) and that there was very little in common the other two parishes. The new ward whilst low in population was extremely large in area and were concerned that as a result there would be very little representation for this parish on the Borough Council. Members appreciated the reasons for reducing the number of councillors but felt that the report should have been carried out by a body who does not rely on the desires of the political parties who are looking after their own interests and the only effective way to reduce the number of councillors and save money would be by the implementation of a Unitary Authority. The clerk to respond.

60/2017 PROGRESS REPORTS

Any items for the next newsletter should be forwarded to the Clerk by mid-April 2017.

61/2017 ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

Parish Newsletter

Flooding

            Vacancies

 Pot holes at Pine Grove

 J. Mansfield apologies for next meeting

 Fletchertown noticeboard

 Best kept Garden Competition

The meeting closed at 8.55pm

Signed……………………………….

  Chairman