MATTERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
RECORD OF 2014/2015/2016/2017/2018/2019/2020/2021 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
NOTE: The latest minutes are positioned at the top and will usually be a draft subject to appropriate approval at the next council meeting. Previous approved minutes can be viewed by scrolling down.
Draft Minutes Matterdale School Foundation 2023-03-6
Minutes 2023-01-09 Matterdale School Foundation
Minutes 2022-11-14 - Matterdale School Foundation
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 5th September 2022 in Matterdale Church Room.
Present: Cllrs Mrs Gore (in the chair), Lloyd, McAlpine, Holder, Harrison, Crofts, Mrs Bray, Mrs Beaumont, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson and Firth. In attendance: Eden District Cllr Mrs Derbyshire, the Clerk and County Cllr Hughes.
1. Apologies accepted: Cllr Shaw (away on holiday)
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 4th July 2022 were approved as circulated (but amended, in the third paragraph of item 9, to delete “has been stifled by one of the landowners whose approval was crucial” and inserting “not possible at the present time”) and signed as a true record.
3. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting.
3.2 There were no notified public questions relating to Parish Council business.
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
5.1 The Council had agreed to buy an “Honesty Box” inviting donations towards the maintenance of the Green from those using the car park by Dockray Green. Cllr Gore had pursued this but had second thoughts, as a report of vandalism elsewhere had reached her; it was agreed to review the principal of this proposal when mobile reception there would allow a QR code to be used and donations made other than in cash,
5.2 The footpath between Dockray and Matterdale Church has been cleared of overgrowing vegetation; the collapse by A592 reported at the last meeting is now protected by a warning barrier.
5.3 Ullswater Together for Oct/Nov 2022 is likely to be produced and distributed in the Parish before the next meeting. The Clerk has taken on responsibility for the Watermillock news and Cllr Bray for Matterdale news.
5.4 The Recreation Field will be used as a car park for the Orienteering Event on 10th September 2022; neighbouring graziers have been informed.
5.5 The Clerk still awaits response from Mr P Harrison to the draft grazing licence for the Troutbeck land sent to him (and the agreed fee); he will chase Mr Harrison. The availability of grazing on Council land at Troutbeck, Rushmire and the Recreation Ground for 2023 is to remain noted on the Council website.
5.6 A592 closures from now until 23rd December are likely to inconvenience many residents and businesses but the proposed closing of sections of the road from 8am to 5pm are particularly troubling in relation to Glenridding surgery and Patterdale school. The outcome of consultations last week is not yet clear. The Clerk was asked to raise the Council’s concerns with the contractors.
5.7 Dockray Village Green has been cut already but not on the Council’s instructions. Local opinions differ as to whether to let the grass grow uncut during the period of summer growth as intended in 2022. The policy will need to be reviewed in early 2023; in the meantime the Council’s control of the Green will need to be reasserted by an appropriate note in Ullswater Together. The fence having been cut (again without Council authority), work is required to stabilise the fencing (but access direct from the parking area should be maintained).
5.8 The grass by the Council seat at Matterdale End needs cutting; it is not clear if the area is Council owned.
5.9 Cllr Bray reminded the meeting that the footpath near Greenrow and Greenbarn had been wrongly diverted; the Clerk will need to press LDNPA for action.
6. Finance
6.1 The Clerk reported on the state of the Council’s accounts (HSBC £7,587.87cr: Skipton Building Society £66,396.04).
6.2 The Council approved expenditure as follows:-£12.80 HSBC bank charges, £20.00 to Matterdale PCC for use of the meeting room, £112.46 for an advert in the Herald advert for a new Clerk, £576(PC) and £288(Recreation Fund) to the Clerk for his half year salary and £144 and £72 respectively for PAYE thereon, £58.80 to T W Relph & Sons Ltd for the new stop tap fitted in the Recreation Field and £500 to Judi Allen for SITU services.
6.3 Expenditure in the year to date in comparison to the annual budget for the year to 31st March 2023 included repairs of £150 (budget £200) and £989.08 paid from the Recreation Fund for grass cutting and fencing at Dockray Green. Also the SITU payment (from the related grant) and the advert costs referred to above are outwith the 2022/23 budget.
7. The Clerk reported on Planning matters, including committee reports (7/2022 unless otherwise stated):-
3055 Windrush, Hutton John, annex to house-granted with conditions.
3044 Gowbarrow Old Hall, WM, refurbishment, infill extension and water treatment plant- and 3047 Gowbarrow Old Hall, WM, water treatment –granted.
3074 Lyulph’s Tower, WM, new windows-granted.
3101 Wreay Farmhouse, WM, revised proposals for alterations- to be referred to a special meeting of the Council.
3086 Tast Barn (formerly Fox Hill) referred to Matterdale Planning Committee.
3097 Ulcat Row Farm extension referred to Matterdale Planning Committee.
3106 Gillsrow House, Troutbeck alteration and extension referred to Matterdale Planning Committee.
8. Standing Orders
The updated Standing Orders to take account of April 2022 amendments to the NALC recommended form as circulated to Councillors were adopted with immediate effect.
9. New Clerk
The Clerk reported that Becx Carter had been interviewed and offered the position but had decided not to take it. Mr Nick Phillips (clerk to Kirkoswald and Hayton Parish Councils) had applied for the position. It was agreed that he be interviewed by Clls Gore, Holder and Firth and offered the position (subject to satisfactory references) if thought fit.
10. For training opportunities Councillors were referred to the CALC website.
11. SITU
Cllr Firth reported that the proposed “open road day” has been deferred to a date in March 2023.
12. Correspondence.
12.1 Mrs Helen Holland had asked for Council support for her Ten Thousand Daffodils project. If the funds can be raised to cover the cost of production of the proposed 10,000 daffodils (intended then for sale following display at Lowther Castle), it is intended that the sale proceeds benefit four charities. Cllr Bray declared an interest as Another Way is expected to be one of the four.
The Clerk advised that it would be unlawful to apply Parish Council funds to help finance the project (it would be ultra vires). The Council were happy to declare its support as a suitable community project; it was recommended that Mrs Holland apply to Crr Hughes who has discretion to apply £1,800 in County Council grants in his constituency. £300/£500 pounds is the amount of any grant usually, he said, but he advised early application. It was also felt that Cumbria Community Foundation may be able to provide a grant.
12.2 There was no objection to the proposed Tree Preservation Order No 453 at Castlehow Close, Watermillock,on which the Council had been consulted by LDNPA
13. Other business- it was agreed that a Council dinner be considered for March 2023, by which time the new clerk is expected to have been in place for nearly six months.
14. Next meeting-7.00pm on 14th November 2022 at Watermillock Village Hall was agreed.
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 4th July 2022 in Matterdale Church Room.
Present: Cllrs Mrs Gore (in the chair), Lloyd, McAlpine, Holder, Beaumont, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson and Firth. In attendance: Mr Nick Ratcliffe, Ms Jane Newport, Cllr Mrs Derbyshire, the Clerk and County Cllr Hughes.
1. Apologies accepted Cllrs. Crofts, Mrs Bray (both unwell) and Harrison (clash of dates).
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 23rd May 2022 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
3.2 There were no notified public questions relating to Parish Council business.
3.3 Mr Ratcliffe asked for the Parish Council’s support for an application to NW Electricity under its “Powering Our Communities”scheme. His suggestion is that a consultant should be paid for by grant under the scheme, who would carry out a feasibility study, to establish whether there is scope for a renewable energy scheme in the Parish. That could be followed by establishing a community interest company to provide and manage the scheme.
There was enough support from Councillors for Mr Ratcliffe to take this forward in consultation with Cllr Holder (and Cllr Beaumont if her time allows). The draft application will be put to the Clerk for signing off and submission by 19th July.
The Clerk is to inform neighbouring parishes that an application is to be made, in case colaboration with either of them might be recommended.
3.4 Ms Newport explained her proposals for Dockray Village Green. She suggests pathways (which she will cut to the seating on the Green) but otherwise letting the natural growth of flora proceed until September when there should be a cut, the cut flora lying there for three weeks or so for seed to set before the loose material is raked and the whole area trimmed.
In later years it may be that similar principles will be applied to increase the bio-diversity of the area.
She was asked to arrange that information be displayed to explain why all the grass is not being mown short, as has been the custom.
Councillors were generally supportive of these proposals but asked the Clerk to arrange for the fence wire (severed to allow easier ungated access from the adjacent parking area to the Green and beyond) to be tightened. Also, the older bench seat on the Green might be repositioned so as to be more convenient.
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature, save Cllrs Lloyd and Beaumont re Gowbarrow Hall.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes.
5.1 The Council agreed to buy an “Honesty Box” inviting £2 donations from those using the car park by Dockray Green towards the maintenance of the Green. Cllr Gore will pursue this (and the emptying of its contents-to be passed to the Clerk meeting by meeting).
5.2 The Clerk raised the possibility that speed warning signs might be bought from the Recreation Fund to, hopefully, reduce traffic speeds through Dockray village. The Councillors were not persuaded that the considerable expense would be effective in the long term and it was resolved to take no action on this.
5.3 Rev Cathy Helm is hoping to revive “Together” as Ullswater Together for bi-monthly distribution in the Parish. The Clerk offered to take on responsibility for the Watermillock Correspondent’s role as part of his duties.
5.4 The Clerk reported that Mr Alan Mackenzie had prevailed in the election of a parish representative to LDNPA.
5.5 The Recreation Field will be used as a car park for the Orienteering Event on 10th September 2022 if conditions allow.
5.6 A Grazing licence for Rushmire and the Recreation field has been issued to Scott Wilson and he has paid the £100 fee; the Clerk awaits response from Mr P Harrison to the draft grazing licence for the Troutbeck land sent to him (and the agreed fee).
5.7 The Clerk has arranged a PSGA licence for the Council with Ordnance Survey; it had been thought that it would serve for the habitat survey proposed by Cllr Bray but the licence seems not to cover such use.
5.8 Pothole repairs at A5091 to Hope Springs are reported as attended to but the road subsidence effecting A5091 (reported to CCC under ref EI/70732) c150 yards south of Matterdale Church still seems to be outstanding.
5.9 Growing vegetation over the footpath Dockray to Matterdale Church needs routine trimming; the Clerk will report this.
5.10 Drainage work at Brackenrigg Hotel to “Floshgate” on A592 is ongoing and it is hoped will be followed by highway repairs.
6.1 The Clerk reported on Planning matters, including committee reports (7/2022 unless otherwise stated)
3066 Horrockwood Cottage, WM, extension and alteration-no objection (Wat Pl Com)
3055 Windrush, Hutton John, annex to house-no objection but local needs condition suggested (Matt Pl Com)
3063 Leeming Cottage, WM, house rebuild-no objection but local needs condition suggested (Wat Pl Com)
3044 Gowbarrow Old Hall, WM, refurbishment, infill extension and water treatment plant- no objection (Wat Pl Com)
3047 Gowbarrow Old Hall, WM, water treatment-no objection (Wat Pl Com)
3074 Lyulph’s Tower, WM, new windows-no objection (Wat Pl Com)
3023 Wreay Farmhouse, WM, alterations and extension-withdrawn
3080 the Greaves, Dockray, drainage detail-for Matt Pl Com for information only.
6.2 It was agreed that three Councillors would be a quorum for the two planning committees.
Finance
6.1 The Clerk reported on the state of the Council’s accounts (HSBC £9,187.93: Skipton Building Society £66,396.04 ).
6.2 The Council approved expenditure, including £800 plus Vat to Dodd & Co for accounting and audit charges for 2021/22, £7.80 HSBC bank charges, £20.00 to Matterdale PCC for use of the meeting room, Water Plus £10.98 for water charges, CALC £15 for a course fee, £147 plus Vat for an advert in the Herald advert for a new Clerk (if required), and c£20 each for new mobile phones needed to comply with audit requirements and additional monthly payments on PAYG contracts.
6.3 Expenditure in the year to date in comparison to the annual budget for the year to 31st March 2023 included repairs of £150 (budget £200) and £989.08 paid from the Recreation Fund for grass cutting and fencing at Dockray Green..
7. Standing Orders etc
The Clerk has updated Standing Orders to take account of April 2022 amendments to the NALC recommended form. These have been circulated to Councillors on email with a view to adoption at the next Council meeting, if thought fit.
He will also revise the Risk Assessment for approval if thought fit at the next meeting.
The Inventory of Assets has been brought up to date and posted on the website. As to access to title documents, the Clerk will check that these are held by Arnison Heelis in Penrith; it was agreed that the Clerk could withdraw documents from their custody for good reason, if authorised by the chairman to do so, and that any Councillor had authority to examine any documents held there.
8. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website. Cllr Gore attended a course on the new Code of Conduct, which she found helpful.
9. SITU
Cllr Firth reported that the proposed closure of part A592 had been retimed to six hours on (he expected) 9th October 2022. Widespread communication is planned when the date and times of closure are confirmed; the diversion will be well sign posted.
The suggested “Hopper Bus” is thought more likely to be arranged for 2023.
Cycle crossings on A66 are to be improved but the hoped-for cycle route from Penrith to Pooley Bridge has been stifled by one of the landowners whose approval was crucial.
10. Correspondence.
The Clerk had circulated the LDNPA invitation to highlight buildings, sites and features which make the Lake District “special”. He asked Councillors to respond as individuals if thought fit.
11. Other business
The Clerk has had no contact from anyone willing to take over as Clerk from 1st October 2022. He has arranged for the vacancy to be included in the next CALC newsletter and will advertise in the Herald if necessary. Cllr Derbyshire has a contact who may be interested; she will invite her to contact the Clerk.
12. Next meeting-7.00pm on 5th September 2022 at Matterdale Church Room was agreed.
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council Meeting which took place on Monday 23rd May 2022 at Matterdale Church Meeting Room.
Present: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Beaumont, Holder, Mrs Gore, Mrs Bray, Mrs Wilson and Mr Dobinson. In attendance: Mr B Clark, Mr D Trelease, Cllr N Hughes and five other residents plus the Clerk, Mr Brown.
Annual Parish Meeting
1. No apologies had been received, save from Cllr Firth.
2. The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting on 17th May 2021 were approved.
3. Matterdale School Foundation- Clerk’s report
3.1 New Education/Community Building. The Architect’s design for the building for which planning consent had been granted (having been estimated in April 2011 to cost c £500k) had been put to a Quantity Surveyor for assessment in October 2011; he had assessed the cost as £1m plus (2021 having seen very substantial and unexpected increases in the cost of labour and materials). The Council, having concluded that grants could not be expected to make up the difference between available cash (c£450k) and the expected cost of even a reduced size building, had appointed a steering committee to look at alternatives to the Architect-designed building. The steering committee had met several times already and would be making its recommended alternatives known to the Parish Council in early course.Further consultation with local residents is likely to take place.
3.2 Land adjacent to the Knotts, Matterdale.
Planning consent had been approved by LDNPA Development Control Committee and a s106 Agreement entered into, selling agents had been appointed and instructed, but the requirement for a Habitat’s Regulations Assessment had been recently introduced at National level (nutrient neutrality being a national concern in relation to developments) and LDNPA were having to follow the new guidelines before any planning consent can be given.
4. Parish Council-Chairman’s report
The Council had worked very hard during the year and Councillors had given their time to be involved in many initiatives. The number of planning applications considered and the work of the steering group had added to the work load, for which he thanked all Councillors and the Clerk, who had all played their part in the Council’s work.
5. Other business.
5.1 Cllr Hughes invited comments on any highway problems. Cllr Mrs Wilson referred to earlier reported areas of the “new” Douthwaite head to A5091 road and also part of the A5091 between Matterale Church and Dockray. Cllr Hughes asked that these be reported to the County Council via the recently introduced on-line reporting facility.
5.2 Cllr Mrs Wilson also was concerned at the traffic speeds on A5091, particularly through Dockray . Cllr Hughes could give no assurance that any suggested speed limit would be introduced, speed limits on A5091 having been rejected several times by the County Council. Flashing speed signs or other measures might be introduced by the Parish Council, if funds were available, it was thought; it was left to the Parish Council to investigate such possibilities.
Annual Parish Council meeting.
1.There were no apologies to record, save that of Cllr Firth.
2. There were no changes to Councillors’ declaration of interests, though Cllrs Lloyd and Beaumont were personally interested in Gowbarrow Hall Farm (one of the properties for which planning consent was being sought) and Cllr Wilson’s grandson was interested in the grazing licences which might be awarded for 2022.
3. Cllr Lloyd wished to step down as Chairman, the Council expressing its thanks for his period of service. Cllr Mrs Gore was elected in his place: she then took the Chair.
4. Cllr Firth was elected Vice-Chairman.
5. Open Forum
5.1 Mr B Clark asked that what he was reported to have said at the previous Council meeting as to his intended articles be corrected; he promised the Clerk an email of his suggested correction.
He also asked for support of the Jubilee Event on 3rd June centred on the Royal Hotel at Dockray and starting at 12 noon. Money raised would be added to the fund for humanitarian relief for those suffering from the war in Ukraine.
He also urged action from the County Council to repair potholes in the area, having himself suffered damage from such highway defects.
5.2 Mr Trelease asked the Council to make good the difference between his bill for the new fencing and gate at Dockray Green (£969.08- £570 labour: £399.08 materials) and his estimate of £450 (which had already been paid). He attributed the cost increase after his estimate was given (some of which, he admitted, arose from his delay in dealing with the work), and in part to the renewal of the gate (which his estimate did not provide for) and in part to the increase in the cost of building materials generally.
5.3 Wreay Farmhouse- Application 7/2022/3023
(The five objectors who had stayed on from the Annual Parish Meeting to voice their concerns, were supplemented by an additional objector during the course of the open forum)
The Chairman asked if anyone of the objectors had anything to add to the objection as lodged with LDNPA. There were no extra objections put forward, concerns over the size of the development and the likely increase in traffic and parking resulting from increased use of the building being particular fears when taken with the difficult egress to the highway (where a driver’s view to the right is very limited).
Mr Peter Harrison expressed his long term worries that the development would open the way for more commercial exploitation of Ullswater valley of the sought now seen in Keswick where a large new hotel has been permitted. He also criticized the design of the alterations proposed and the failure to provide accommodation for young families wishing to live and work in the area.
The Clerk informed the meeting that he intended to advise that the application be reconsidered; he advised that it be delegated to a committee comprised of those Councillors who had not been party to the April site inspection and who had given instructions to the Clerk to comment to LDNPA on the application.
5. 1.Mr Brown was re-appointed as Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer. He had given notice that he intended to retire as Council Clerk at 30th September 2022.His pay was fixed at £15 per hour. He is expected to require 10 hours a month on Council duties and 10 hours a month as Clerk of Matterdale School Foundation. His actual, recorded working hours in 2021/22 had almost tallied with the 20 hours set at the 2021 AGM.
5.2 It was agreed that Cllrs Gore, McAlpine and Firth would serve on a task and finish group to identify a new Clerk, who might be recommended, if possible to the Council meeting on 4th July, to serve from 1st October 2022 as Council Clerk and, if thought fit, Clerk to Matterdale School Foundation.
6. Planning committees were appointed: for the Watermillock area, Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), Shaw, Mrs Beaumont, Firth, Holder and Mr Dobinson; for the Matterdale area Cllrs McAlpine, Gore, Crofts, Harrison, Bray (in the Chair) and Wilson. They will have delegated responsibility to instruct the Clerk how to respond to applications sent by LDNPA for consultation.
It was agreed that planning committee meetings would in general be called about seven days before the date by which comments to LDNPA were sought; this would allow any objectors’ concerns to be addressed and notice of the date, place and time of the proposed meeting to be posted on the relevant parish board.
8. Accounts for 2021/22 prepared by Dodd & Co had been circulated to all Councillors, with a covering note from the Clerk. “Donations” were that to Great North Air Ambulance, the Clerk explained in answer to the only concern raised before the Annual Accounts were approved as circulated.
9. The Annual Return was approved as drafted by the Clerk (p5 of the draft having been read to the meeting and Councillors being asked to disclose any matter which needed to be reported in that section, other than the liability to Mr Trelease referred to above and the sum required to complete payments due to the Clerk for his services in 2021/22). The Certificate of Exemption and Annual Governance Statement were approved as part of the Annual Return
10. The budget for 2022/23 agreed at the Council’s November meeting had been amended to show the actual cost of renewing the Council’s subscription to CALC and its insurance. The former had come in slightly under budget: the latter slightly over budget. With these variances, the 2022 Budget was agreed.
11, 12 and 13. Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, Risk Assessment, the Inventory of Council Assets and arrangements for the holding of (and access to ) title deeds needed to be reviewed; the review was deferred until the July meeting.
14. The Code of Conduct for Councillors had been reviewed and amended in 2021 and that version was adopted by the Council in place of the outdated version.
15. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting on 7th March 2022 were approved and signed as a true record, subject to possible amendment at Mr Clark’s request as referred to in Annual Parish Meeting as referred to above.
16. Matters arising
16.1 Dockray Village Green: fence and gate. After discussion, it was agreed to pay Mr Trelease’s bill for £969.08 in full, it being accepted that building costs generally increased considerably in 2011/22 and more work than that estimated for had been needed. Mr Trelease is to be asked in future to warn the Council if work estimated for could not be done within the amount if the estimate.
16.2 Cllr Gore will look into the practicality (and cost) of providing an “honesty box” and seeking donations to the Council’s repair costs in relation to the car park by Dockray Village Green.
16.3 Cllr Gore will discuss with Ms Newport the Council’s desire to allow grass to grow on parts of the Dockray Village Green until its natural seeding has set and before the whole area is cut in September. The Clerk will hold off instructions to Mr Trelease pending clarity of the cutting required of him.
16.4 MCA is to provide an additional seat for use on the Green.
17. Grazing in 2022 season.
It was agreed to accept Mr Peter Harrison’s offer of £600 for a grazing licence at Troutbeck and Mr Scott Wilson’s offer of £50 for grazing at Rushmire and £50 for grazing at the Recreation Field, (with a further £50 for 2023 grazing if the Council’s needs at the Recreation Field allow).
18. Finance
The Clerk reported that the current balances were HSBC Bank plc £9,686.11cr and Skipton Building Society £66,396.04.
Expenditure was approved: to CALC for the annual subscription £159.96, to Matterdale PCC £20 for use of the meeting room, to BHIB Insurance for the insurance renewal £321.78, to Mr C Gaskell £150 for the repairs to the bench seat at Folly Lane (he had also repaired the bench seat by Cove Caravan Park at no expense to the Council: both jobs well done) and £52.50 to R Gordon Consultancy for PAYE services.
19. Planning.
19.1 The arrangements to delegate the response to Application 7/2022/3023 re Wreay Farmhouse, Watermillock, outlined to objectors at the preceding Open Forum were agreed; the Clerk will fix a site inspection for 10am on Monday 30th May, if possible, to be followed at 10.30am that day by the special Committee’s meeting at the Quiet Site (by kind invitation of Cllr Holder). It was agreed that the four Councillors who attended the April site inspection and subsequent abortive meeting would take no part in the further inspection or meeting, lest it lead to a suggestion of improper prior determination.
19.2 Other Applications reported by the Clerk :-
7/2002/3037 re Lobbs, Troutbeck (new garage, store and games room) had been granted.
7/2022/3042 re Belle Grove, Watermillock (rebuilding of boathouse): Watermillock Planning Committee had no objection.
7/2022/3040 re Gowbarrow Farm, Watermillock (proposed education room and exhibition space): Watermillock Planning Committee had no objection.
7/2021/3145 re Another Place, Watermillock-granted.
7/2022/3063 re Leeming Cottage was delegated to Watermillock Planning Committee but site inspection would be required.
7/2021/3212 re Finkle Laithe, Matterdale End (extension of dwelling): granted.
7/2022/3055 re Windrush, Hutton John (annex for additional family accommodation): the Matterdale Planning committee will hope to meet on 30th May.
20. Highways
No further issues were raised, issues of concern having been reported at the Annual Parish Meeting before Cllr Hughes left for another Council meeting
21. Training opportunities
Councillors were referred to the CALC website; Cllr Gore will attend re the new Code of Conduct adopted as above.
22. and 23. Items re Internal Audit adjourned. Dodd & Co had carried out the 2020/21 Internal Audit satisfactorily and the Clerk will ask them to carry out the 2021/22 Internal Audit.
24. Correspondence and Other Business
24.1 Councillors whose email address has not been provided to CALC did not wish it to be provided for future reference.
24.2 Cllr Bray asked for the Council’s support (not financial) for the Phase 1 Habitat Survey Project to be carried out under the guidance of Prof Mansfield mostly in the Matterdale Valley initially. Landowners affected are to be approached and a public meeting held. There may be a small cost for printing and meeting expenses. If thought fit, the survey work would be extended to the whole of the Ullswater Valley, she said. No objections to her wish for support were raised.
24.3 Kevin Jackson having retired as the Eastern Distinctive Area parishes’ representative on the LDNPA, Cllr Derbyshire (who had joined the meeting earlier) reported that Mr Colin Hindle’s name is to be put forward; there were no nominations from the flor of the meeting.
24.4 The Clerk reported that Rev Cathy Helm was intending to revive “Together”; she needs a Watermillock correspondent. None of those present volunteered.
24.5 The gardening group recently established and meeting at Watermillock Village Hall, have offered three silver birch trees (japonica) to the Council. It was agreed that two would be planted on the Recreation Field and one on Dockray Village Green; Cllr Gore will liaise with Ms Newport on this.
24.6 Mr Hamilton had suggested to Cllr McAlpine that an additional bench seat should be sited by the public right of way above their houses at Matterdale End; the siting proposed had not been agreed with the landowner and it was too late to expect grant funding, perhaps. Cllr McAlpine will check the condition of the little-used seat at the Matterdale End A5091 junction to see if it could possibly be resited there as suggested.
24.7 Part of the boundary wall of the Council’s land by the Knotts (which will hopefully be soon sold) is defective. There is no current grazing there. The Clerk will check the deeds to see if there is a defined ownership declared there and consider what action(if any) the Council should take.
24.8 It was reported that “Hope Springs” ( formerly known as the New School” was on the market for sale, the particulars stating that there is potential there for further development.
Cllr Wilson remains concerned that the right of way across the front part of the property is ill defined.
25. Future meeting dates were agreed as set out on the Agenda (which means that the next scheduled Council meeting is to be held at 7pm on Monday 4th July 2022 in Matterdale Church Room).
The Certificate of Exemption and Annual Governance Statement were approved as part of the Annual Return
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 7th March 2022 in Watermillock Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Crofts, Mrs Gore, Holder, Mrs Bray, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson,.
1. Apologies accepted Cllrs.Firth (in London) , Mrs Beaumont , Shaw (away on holiday), and Harrison (clash of dates). In attendance: Mr Michael Jones, Mr Brian Clark, the Clerk and County Cllr Hughes.
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 10th January 2022 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
3.2 There were no notified public questions relating to Parish Council business.
3.3 Mr Jones is keen to identify any local people with an interest in its archaeology.
3.4 Mr Clark said he hoped, in the next two years or so, to produce a series of articles about land use in the local area
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature, save Cllr Gore as trustee of MCA in relation to item 11.2 on the agenda.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes.
5.1 The Clerk had not heard back from LDNPA on the informal rerouting of the public footpath referred to at item 11 of the minutes of 10th January 2022.
5.2 The Clerk will contact with Mr Chris Gaskell, to ask him to restore the bench seat at Folly Lane at least by Easter.
6. Planning matters
6.Applications approved by LDNPA included 3192 (extension to Brackenhill, Watermillock)), 3216 (building for Kids’ club at Another Place, Watermillock),3232 (agricultural building and hardstanding at Croft Head, Thackthwaite), 3211 (five new pitches, an amenity block and storage shed at Troutbeck Caravan Park)and 3014 (agricultural building at Racy Ghyll).
6.2 3030 (erection of garden machinery store at Horrockwood, Watermilock) was referred to the Watermillock Planning Committee.
6.3 It was agreed that the Parish Council (sic) as freeholder should execute the proposed s106 Agreement in relation to the housing site by the Knotts, Matterdale if Matterdale School Foundation required it to be executed and completed.
7. Finance
7.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc was £3,551.34cr at 7th March 2022 and at Skipton Building Society £66,396.04cr.
7.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £16 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee, £370 to Mr. D Trelease for grass cutting at Dockray, £28.66 to Cllr Bray to reimburse her for a website hosting fee and £200 to Jili Allen for development of the SITU website (both out of SITU funds),£40.00 to the Information Commissioner for the Data Protection Registration, c£12.00 to Water Plus for water charges at the Recreation Field, £206.86 to Matterdale School Foundation from the Recreation Fund as a contribution to its expenses re proposed Matterdale Education /Community Centre and on or after 1st April £1,211.40 to D L Brown (half year net salary- £343.80 of which falls on the Recreation Fund), £156 for use of home as office for 2021/22 (£52 of which falls on the Recreation Fund) and £49.95 for travel in 2021/22 at 45p a mile (£16.65 of which falls on the Recreation Fund) and HMRC £216 for Paye on the above salary (£72 of which falls on the Recreation Fund).
Mr Trelease had submitted a bill for £989.08 for replacing the post and wire fence around Dockray village green. This was felt to be excessive; the Clerk will take the matter up with him.
There were no unbudgeted expenses to report, save that the work to the fence at Dockray Village Green had not been budgeted.
Also, the Clerk had objected to HSBC’s recently introduced monthly charges but to no avail. Other banks’ are believed to make similar charges, so the Council reluctantly decided to accept them.
Highways
8.1 There is to be an informal consultation affecting A592 and A5091 to which Councillors have been invited to contribute as individuals.
8.2 The A5091 between Dockray and Matterdale Church is giving way; it is to be reported to the Highway Authority, which should also be asked to clear surface water drains (though Cllr Hughes said that, to his regret, the regular twice yearly clearing of such drains had been reduced to once a year, to save money).
8.3 Cllr Wilson also drew attention to the serious damage to the road from High Row, which Cllr Gore offered to report to the highways authority.
9. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website.
10. SITU
Conversations are on-going. Tim Clarke is addressing the lack of electric vehicle charging points in the Ullswater valley: a hopper bus is planned, hopefully to start operating in summer 2023, if not sooner: Cllr Bray is looking into a car share scheme for the Matterdale valley: hire of e-bikes from Glenridding is planned, possibly from summer 2022: an intern has been appointed to work on an Ullswater Valley transport carbon audit: a Safe Cycling Sunday on 25th September 2022 (10am to 4.30pm) is taking shape, involving closure of A592 to motor vehicles between Knotts and Aira Force- Eden District Council are helping with a grant and a professional organiser has been engaged: an Eamont Bridge to Pooley Bridge footpath is being planned, though an off-road cycling track has been dropped, landowners not giving permission for it: Cllr Firth is taking part in a Cumbria Net Zero Transport Group: the SITU website will go live very soon.
11. Grazing land
The Clerk will enquire whether graziers of Rushmire, Troutbeck and the Recreation Field wish to renew. The Recreation Field is expected to be used in August 2022 for a sports day to be organised by MCA.
12. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
12.1 The Council approved in principle the purchase by MCA of one or two further bench seats for Dockray Village Green, if grants can be obtained (eg from the “Welcome Back” fund).
12.2 The planned celebration in Dockray on 3rd June will take place on Royal Hotel land, not the village green.
13. Correspondence
13.1 Jane Newport has suggested an alternative mowing pattern at Dockray Village Green, aimed at encouraging wild flower growth. Her proposal was agreed for 2022 and can then be reviewed for 2023 and following growing seasons; the Clerk is to ask her to tell him when the area for paths has been marked up, so Mr Trelease can be advised and asked to quote for a reduced expense (also, if he has equipment to enable long grass to be cut at the end of the growing season).
13.2 Arising from the above, the Clerk is to look into the possibility of an “honesty box” (aimed at those parking by the Green or using it),in the hope of collecting contributions to the expense of maintaining the village green.
14. Other business
Cllr Lloyd intends to stand down as Parish Chairman at the AGM in May 2022.
15. Next meeting (AGM)-7.00pm on 23rd May 2022 at Matterdale Church Room was agreed.
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 10th January 2022 in Watermillock Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Gore, Holder, Mrs Bray, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, Mrs Beaumont and Harrison.
1. Apologies accepted Cllr.Firth (Covid 19 concerns). In attendance: Mrs Judith Derbyshire, the Clerk and County Cllr Hughes.
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 1st November 2021 were approved as circulated (amended at Para 7: Readman, not Redmond) and signed as a true record.
3. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
3.2 There were no notified public questions relating to Parish Council business and there was no public forum.
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature, save Cllrs Harrison and McAlpine as members of Matterdale PCC.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes.
5.1 The Clerk will remind Mr Trelease again that the posts and fencing around Dockray Green need replacing.
5.2 A response had been received on 30th November 2021 to the request to impose a 30mph speed limit on the A5091 Matterdale End to Dockray. In short, Cumbria County Council data shows neither excessive speeds nor accidents are sufficiently common to warrant a speed limit. It was resolved to investigate other means of asking motorists to reduce their speed.
5.3 Cllr Lloyd has yet to examine the extent to which changes are required to make the Council website conform to the latest regulations on accessibility.
5.4 The Clerk reported that a licence to graze the Recreation Field from 1st November 2021 for six months has been entered into and the fee of £50 paid.
5.5 Cllr Harrison had checked what public right of way may have been affected by Hope Springs; it is a public footpath west of the highway leading to Hope Springs from A5091.
5.6 Cllr Gore reported that no action is required in relation to work at Lowthwaite Guest House.
5.7. The intention is to create a dedicated website for the Sustainable Transport Group, Cllr Bray confirmed. The expense which the Council will be asked to contribute has not yet been established but is most unlikely to exceed £200, she said.
5.8 The Clerk has been in contact with Mr Chris Gaskell, who has recently removed the bench seat at Folly Lane for repair.
6. Planning matters
6.1 Approved applications included 3190 (Penfold Farm, Dockray), 3181 and 3184 (Another Place, Watermillock),3182 (Pencil Mill, Watermillock), 3136 (the Quiet Site,Watermillock), 3176 Rushgill),3179 Knotts Hill, Watermillock and 3170 (Dowthwaite Head Farm, Dockray).
6.2 Matterdale Planning committee had not objected to revised proposals for Finkle Laithe, Matterdale End (3212).
6.3 An extension of the temporary car park at Waterfoot had been refused; it was not known if the decision is to be appealed.
6.4 There is an appeal against refusal for permission at Dodds Lee, Dockray.
6.5 The two planning committees are to meet after the MSF meeting following to deal with alleged contravention of planning regulations at Ivy House, Matterdale End, 3129 re Laburnum Cottage, Dockray and 3003 and 3232 re Croft Farm, Thackthwaite (all referred to Matterdale Planning Committee) and 3192 re Brackenhill, Watermillock and 3228 re Land Ends, Watermillock (both referred to Watemillock Planning Committee).ead Farm Thackthwaite
7. Finance
7.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc was £5,206.94cr at 3rd January 2022 (this includes a recently received VAT refund part of which is due to MSF) and at Skipton Building Society £66,396.04cr (including interest to 31st October 2021).
7.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £16 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee and £21.36 to Water Plus. There were no unbudgeted expenses to report, save that HSBC plc were imposing bank charges which were c£5 a month. He will ask HSBC to remove further charges.
7.3 It was agreed that any Parish Council expense in relation to the Queen’s prospective jubilee should not impact on the 2022/23 budget. Tree planting (perhaps in a Matterdale Churchyard) and/or a bench seat (perhaps on Dockray Green) were worth considering; Cllrs Shaw and Gore will liaise on this(and any other ideas) with a view to decisions being taken when the Council next meets.
7.4 The Council felt obliged to reject an application from the treasurer of Watermillock Parish Church to contribute to the expense of maintaining the churchyard and cemetery there. (Matterdale PCC had not requested a contribution) The Clerk quoted from “Clerks and Councils Direct” November 2018 edition to the effect that NALC did not agree with the government that such payment would be within a parish council’s lawful powers; moreover the PCC surely had other resources.
7.5 A precept requirement of £4,000 for the year 2022/23 was agreed.
8. No highway matters were raised.
9. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website.
10. Correspondence
10.1 A letter of thanks for the £100 donation to the Great North Air Ambulance had been received.
10.2 The Eden Rivers Trust Annual report recently received was passed to Cllr Shaw, for circulation if any Councillor required.
10.3 A request from Matterdale Community Association to use the Recreation Field for an event on 16th July 2022 was agreed to; it will mean that any grazing will be interrupted from 13th July to 19th July to allow for set up and clearance.
10.4 It was agreed that Cllr Gore’s address should be provided to HM Land Registry in place of the Royal Hotel, Dockray.
11. Other business
Part of the footpath leading to Brownrigg Farm from the road serving (inter alia) Lownthwaite Guest House may have been informally diverted by the farmer; it is hence over excessively marshy ground and walkers using it have complained. The Clerk will ask LDNPA to look into this.
12. Next meeting-7.00pm on 7th March 2022 at Watermillock Village Hall was agreed, with further dates/venues as set out on the agenda.
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 1st November 2021 in Watermillock Village Hall, following a presentation by Mr and Mrs Tim Clarke of displays linked to the Ullswater Heritage Site.
Present: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Gore, Holder, Mrs Bray, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, Firth, and Harrison.
1. Apologies accepted Cllr. Mrs Beaumont (suffering from a heavy cold).In attendance: the Clerk and County Cllr Hughes until item 8.
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 6th September 2021 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
3.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes.
5.1 The Clerk will remind Mr Trelease that the posts and fencing around Dockray Green need replacing.
5.2. Cllr Firth has submitted (on behalf of the Council) comments on future policy to the Sustainable Transport Group; these have been circulated and Councillors were asked to contact him, if there were any material changes to suggest. The intention is to create a dedicated website for the Group, the expense of which the Council will be asked to share (on the other hand, the costs of the related survey will not fall on participating Councils).
5.3 The Clerk has re-inspected the work done to the public right of way at Hope Springs; it is indicated by appropriate signs in his opinion. Cllr Harrison will check if it is a bridleway or footpath only but it is not believed that any action is required of the Council.
6. Highway matters
Cllr Holder reported that the road repairs needed urgently by the Quiet Site had been attended to; he had used the new automated reporting system successfully. Cllr Hughes will take up any serious delay or other complaints about the new system if necessary.
7. Local Government Reorganization
Cllr Hughes reported that the Chief Executive of Cumbria County Council has resigned; from the end of November, John Redmond (Head of Social Care) will act as chief executive.
8. Finance
8.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc is £2,782.27cr and at Skipton Building Society £66,362.86cr (plus interest to 31st October 2021).
8.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £16 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fees and £100 to the Great North Air Ambulance. There were no unbudgeted expenses to report, although the latest regulations may require increased expenditure on the Council’s website (Cllr Lloyd will advise what recorded “hits” have been to date, if that information is available).
8.3 The Clerk had circulated a draft budget for 2022/23 (as attached), including a precept requirement of £4,000 for the year and estimated expenses totalling £3,805. The draft budget was agreed.
9. Planning:-
9.1 Committee reports (from Watermillock Planning Committee)
3093 re Land Ends: following a site meeting, the Watermillock Committee supported the proposal (consent for which has now been granted).
3124 re housing on the former tennis court at Wreay Mansions: the Committee objected to the proposal; the application has been withdrawn.
3106 re Grove Foot Farm: there was no objection and permission has now been granted for the proposed barn conversion.
3134 re Pencil Mill, Watermillock: there was no objection and permission has now been granted.
9.2 Planning Applications pending referred to the Watermillock Planning Committee meeting which followed that evening:-
3179 re Knotts Hill Caravan Park; 3181 re Another Place; 3187 re Bennet Head Farm and 3182 re Pencil Mill (to none of the first three were there any objections: the last was adjourned pending a site visit).
Those referred to the Matterdale Planning Committee were 3170 re Dowthwaite Head Farm and 3190 re Penfold Farm, Dockray (to neither was there any objection).
9.3 The Council agreed to continue to lend its support to the Application to permit the Waterhead Car Park to continue in use for a further two years.
9.4 At Lowthwaite Guest House a building is reported to have been knocked down and rebuilt. Cllr Gore will take this up with LDNPA if the Matterdale Planning Committee agrees that it is necessary to do so. The work may have been covered by the consent for development recently granted (7/2021/3086)
10. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website.
11. Correspondence-
Councillors were invited to comment to the Clerk on visitor management by the LDNPA in 2021 as requested by Suzi Hankin on behalf of LDNPA.
12. Other business taken as a matter of urgency
Scott Wilson has asked for grazing to be permitted on the Recreation Field for six months from 1st November 2021. It was agreed to offer him a grazing licence for a fee of £50, he taking responsibility to fence the reported gap in the boundary wall. The Clerk will write to him with a draft licence. Cllr Mrs Wilson’s interest as his grandmother was disclosed and the permission was approved without her vote being required.
13. Next meeting-7.00pm on 10th January 2022 at Watermillock Village Hall. It was agreed that the winter meetings should be at Watermillock Village Hall, but by May 2022 it would be possible to meet at Matterdale Church Room.
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 6th September 2021 in Watermillock Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Beaumont, Holder, Mrs Bray, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, Firth, and Harrison.
1. Apologies accepted Cllr. Mrs Gore (away from home).In attendance: the Clerk and Mr B Clark (and County Cllr Hughes until item 6).
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 5th July 2021 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
3.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. Highway matters
5.1 A592 Safety Improvements and Local Government reorganization.
The most recent booklet circulated by the County Council did not indicate any measures effecting the A592 within the Parish but Cllr Hughes believes that extra barriers and signs may be provided.
5.2 Cllr Holder will report to Cumbria CC the road repairs needed urgently by the Quiet Site.
5.3 Cllr Hughes updated the Council on the proposed “E and W Cumbria” single tier authorities, names for which had yet to be decided. The time scale to affect changes is short in relation to the administrative changes to be brought about, he said.
6. Matters arising from previous minutes.
6.1 The Clerk had reminded Mr Trelease again that the posts and fencing around Dockray Green need replacing; he has promised that the work will be done later in the year. An estimated £450 is needed to cover work and materials.
6.2 The Clerk pointed out that the decision not to offer pre-application site visits is inconsistent with para 12 of the Neighbourhood Plan. The Council will not however be at liberty to reverse its decision until 6th January 2022.
6.3 The Clerk will re-inspect the work done to the bridleway at Hope Springs, which the Council want to be indicated by appropriate sign(s).
7. Finance
7.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc is £5,002.27cr and at Skipton Building Society £66,362.86cr.
7.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £48 to Watermillock Village Hall for meeting fees, , £12.00 to Water Plus for water charges, £1,080.00 to Dodd & Co for preparing the annual accounts and carrying out the internal audit, £864.00 to the Clerk for his half year salary and £216 to HMRC for PAYE thereon..
7.3 The Clerk reported that his hours to date (including work as clerk to Matterdale School Foundation) were 18.7 over budget. He will keep his hours under review and report again in November. There was as yet no need to review the budget for Clerk’s salary.
8. Planning:-
8.1 Committee reports (both from Watermillock Planning Committee)
3136 re Quiet Site, Watermillock- change of use of 7 existing pitches. LDNPA informed that there was no objection.
3134 re Pencil Mill, Watermillock-improvement of equestrian facilities. LDNPA informed that there was no objection.
8.2 Planning Applications pending referred to the Watermillock Planning Committee meeting on 8th September 2021-
3124 former tennis Court at Wreay Mansions, Watermillock- new house plus one affordable house
3093 Land Ends, Watermillock-demolitions, refurbishments and new builds
8.3 Decision notices had been received (all granted except where otherwise stated):
3043 Finkle Laithe, Matterdale End-rear extension-withdrawn
3087 and 3088 re Leeming House, Watermillock - extensions
3101 re Hudsons Allotment, Troutbeck- forest access road
3113 re Walthwaite Farm, Troutbeck- new stables
3086 re Lowthwaite Guest House, Matterdale-conversion/extension of outbuilding “for existing bed and breakfast business”
9. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website.
10. Correspondence- Cllrs Beaumont and/or Bray agreed to represent the Council at the licensing of Rev Catherine Helm as Priest in Charge of Dacre, Matterdale and Watermillock on 26th September 2021 (9.30am at St Andrew’s, Dacre).
11. Next meeting-7.00pm on 1st November 2021 at Watermillock Village Hall.
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 6th September 2021 in Watermillock Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Beaumont, Holder, Mrs Bray, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, Firth, and Harrison.
1. Apologies accepted Cllr. Mrs Gore (away from home).In attendance: the Clerk and Mr B Clark (and County Cllr Hughes until item 6).
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 5th July 2021 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
3.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. Highway matters
5.1 A592 Safety Improvements and Local Government reorganization.
The most recent booklet circulated by the County Council did not indicate any measures effecting the A592 within the Parish but Cllr Hughes believes that extra barriers and signs may be provided.
5.2 Cllr Holder will report to Cumbria CC the road repairs needed urgently by the Quiet Site.
5.3 Cllr Hughes updated the Council on the proposed “E and W Cumbria” single tier authorities, names for which had yet to be decided. The time scale to affect changes is short in relation to the administrative changes to be brought about, he said.
6. Matters arising from previous minutes.
6.1 The Clerk had reminded Mr Trelease again that the posts and fencing around Dockray Green need replacing; he has promised that the work will be done later in the year. An estimated £450 is needed to cover work and materials.
6.2 The Clerk pointed out that the decision not to offer pre-application site visits is inconsistent with para 12 of the Neighbourhood Plan. The Council will not however be at liberty to reverse its decision until 6th January 2022.
6.3 The Clerk will re-inspect the work done to the bridleway at Hope Springs, which the Council want to be indicated by appropriate sign(s).
7. Finance
7.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc is £5,002.27cr and at Skipton Building Society £66,362.86cr.
7.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £48 to Watermillock Village Hall for meeting fees, , £12.00 to Water Plus for water charges, £1,080.00 to Dodd & Co for preparing the annual accounts and carrying out the internal audit, £864.00 to the Clerk for his half year salary and £216 to HMRC for PAYE thereon..
7.3 The Clerk reported that his hours to date (including work as clerk to Matterdale School Foundation) were 18.7 over budget. He will keep his hours under review and report again in November. There was as yet no need to review the budget for Clerk’s salary.
8. Planning:-
8.1 Committee reports (both from Watermillock Planning Committee)
3136 re Quiet Site, Watermillock- change of use of 7 existing pitches. LDNPA informed that there was no objection.
3134 re Pencil Mill, Watermillock-improvement of equestrian facilities. LDNPA informed that there was no objection.
8.2 Planning Applications pending referred to the Watermillock Planning Committee meeting on 8th September 2021-
3124 former tennis Court at Wreay Mansions, Watermillock- new house plus one affordable house
3093 Land Ends, Watermillock-demolitions, refurbishments and new builds
8.3 Decision notices had been received (all granted except where otherwise stated):
3043 Finkle Laithe, Matterdale End-rear extension-withdrawn
3087 and 3088 re Leeming House, Watermillock - extensions
3101 re Hudsons Allotment, Troutbeck- forest access road
3113 re Walthwaite Farm, Troutbeck- new stables
3086 re Lowthwaite Guest House, Matterdale-conversion/extension of outbuilding “for existing bed and breakfast business”
9. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website.
10. Correspondence- Cllrs Beaumont and/or Bray agreed to represent the Council at the licensing of Rev Catherine Helm as Priest in Charge of Dacre, Matterdale and Watermillock on 26th September 2021 (9.30am at St Andrew’s, Dacre).
11. Next meeting-7.00pm on 1st November 2021 at Watermillock Village Hall.
D. L. Brown
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Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 5th July 2021 in Watermillock Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, Firth, Mrs Gore and Harrison.
1. Apologies, Cllrs. Mrs Beaumont , Holder and Mrs Bray .In attendance: the Clerk (and County Cllr Hughes until item 5.3).
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 14th June 2021 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
3.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes.
5.1 It was noted that Cumbria County Council had set up a new Highways Representation Scheme.
5.2 Consultations on the A592 Safety Improvement programme were ongoing; the Stybarrow Crag part of the road would be considered, and possibly financed, separately (the options for protecting pedestrians, who currently have to use the highway, are to be considered further, with the Council being consulted, it is expected).
5.3 The Clerk will remind Mr Trelease again that the posts and fencing around Dockray Green need replacing.
5.4 Two parish benches are to be repaired by Mr Gaskell, who has been informed that the Parish Council will pay for the materials needed.
5.5 The Matterdale Community Association event on the Recreation Field has been deferred until 21st August 2021.
5.6 Cllr Harrison has arranged that posts mark the recreation area on Matterdale Common.
5.7 The County Council have indicated that it will not intervene to restore the road on the south-east side of Hope Springs to its former state. The Clerk will express the Council’s concern and check the boundary of Hope Springs.
6. Finance
6.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc is £85,133.27, which includes £80,000 which is MSF (Matterdale School Foundation) cash and will need to be appropriately transferred, and at Skipton Building Society £66,362.86.
6.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £48 to Watermillock Village Hall for meeting fees, £20 to CALC for a course on village greens booked for the Clerk, £16.27 to Water Plus for water charges and £43 to the Clerk for expenses relating to the two mobile telephones required by the External Auditor as dedicated numbers for the Chairman and the Clerk.
6.3 The expense for mobile phones was not budgeted for; in a full year at present rates it will cost the Council £108. It was agreed that the extra expense should be taken up with CALC and NALC and ultimately with the External Auditor, who may not have authority for requiring dedicated mobile numbers for Chairman and Clerk.
6.4 The costs of maintaining parish benches will need to be assessed when the 2022/23 budget is prepared in November and the precept may need to be increased accordingly.
7. Planning.
7.1 The Clerk reported on report on various Planning Decisions namely :-
3078 -New School (aka Hope Springs), Matterdale- permission granted for revised rear door.
3086- Lownthwaite Guest House- permission granted for proposed additional accommodation.
3087/88- Leeming House Hotel-permission granted for proposed alterations and extensions.
3094-permission granted for new barn at Lobbs, Troutbeck (agricultural purposes).
7.2 It was agreed that the Council should not be party to pre-planning site visits or discussions with prospective applicants or objectors
8. The Clerk had tabled a draft Declaration of Trust and Cross Option Agreement which, if approved, would allow MSF to buy the Recreation Field from the Council, so it would fulfil the relevant grant condition required for a grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation (MSF is seeking £25k in support of the cost of building the proposed new Education/Community Building on the Recreation Field). The Council delayed further discussion of these proposals, the correct procedure, and fairness to Watermillock residents causing concern. Further consideration is required.
9. Garfield Weston will ask for sight of the Council’s safeguarding policy. The Clerk had circulated a suggested draft. This was approved, with the addition of “training” to “DBS checks” (p2-penutimate paragraph), and adopted for both the Council and MSF.
10. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website.
11. Correspondence-none
12. Next meeting-7.00pm on 6th September 2021 at Watermillock Village Hall (unless Matterdale Church Room can resume hosting alternate meetings).
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 14th June 2021 in Watermillock Village Hall.
“Present”: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Beaumont, Firth, Holder, Mrs Gore, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson and Mrs Bray.
Apologies Cllr Harrison (isolating for medical procedure)
In attendance: the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. The Minutes of the meetings on 17th and 26th May 2021 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
2. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
2.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
2.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
3. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
3.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
3.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
3.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
3.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
4. Finance
4.1 The Clerk reported that the Internal Audit had been completed by Dodd & Co; no issues had been raised. The draft accounts previously circulated were accordingly approved. The Annual Governance Statement and Annual Accounting Statements included in the Annual Return were approved and the Certificate of Exemption was also approved. The Clerk is to forward the Certificate of Exemption to the External Auditor, and the completed Annual Return, analysis of variances, bank reconciliation and notice of the period for exercise of public rights of inspection (from 21st June to 30th July 2021 inclusive), as well as the above, are to be published on the Council website as required by the 2015 regulations.
4.2 Dodd & Co were appointed as Internal Auditors for the current financial year.
5. Updated Code of Conduct for Councillors.
This had been circulated in advance of the meeting and was adopted by the Council.
6. Highways
Cllr Firth will represent the Council at the meeting in Glenridding Hall on 23rd June re Stybarrow Crag and Cllr Lloyd will attend the presentation on 24th June on the new Highways Representation Team (the Clerk being out of the area on these dates).
7. Future meeting dates in 2021 are agreed as follows:-
5/7, 6/9, and 1/11, all 7.00pm, at Watermillock Village Hall, at least until Matterdale Church Room can resume hosting alternate meetings.
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the adjourned Annual Parish Council Meeting which took place on Wednesday 26th May 2021 at Watermillock Village Hall .
Present: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Beaumont, Firth, Holder, Mrs. In attendance: the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. Apologies had been received from Cllrs Mrs Gore, Harrison, Mrs Bray, Mrs Wilson and Mr Dobinson.
2. Draft Accounts for the year to 31st March 2021
These had been received from Dodd & Co that afternoon and circulated in advance of the meeting to those Councillors on email. The Clerk agreed to add notes to the draft accounts and to process the Annual Return based on the draft accounts as received. It would be necessary to have a further meeting before 30th June 2021to receive the result of the Internal Audit, approve the Accounts and deal with the Annual Return. It was agreed to meet again on 14th June 2021 for these purposes at least.
3. Road Safety Issues
The offer from Laura McClennan (Traffic Management Team Leader- Cumbria County Council) to arrange traffic counts on A5091 Aira Green to Dockray was noted. It was agreed that she should be asked to extend the relevant part of A5091 to Matterdale End and also to cover A592 from the Parish boundary at Floshgate to Aira Force.
The concerns expressed were around safety for pedestrians and cyclists. For the most part, there are no speed restrictions and at various points, the highway is too narrow for larger vehicles to pass each other; there are driveways with limited sight lines, and no or little facility for pedestrians to walk on verges off the highway. Traffic levels, especially cyclists, and pedestrian use are believed to have increased in recent years and are forecast to increase further. The 40 mph limit on A592 around the Aira Force region needs to be extended to cover A5091 Aira Force to Matterdale End and A592 Aira Force to Floshgate (the Council limited discussion to parts of these two reads within the Parish boundary).
Community action then needs to follow, using speed guns and/or speed display signs, to monitor compliance; these have been found effective in other areas and open the way to police action if needed.
In the longer term, a plan is needed to provide footpaths and cycle lanes off the current highway (as found in many parts of South Lakes); the safety assessment will not be complete without such a plan.
The Clerk is to report these views to Cllr N Hughes as part of the ongoing safety review.
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council Meeting which took place on Monday 17th May 2021 at Watermillock VillageHall .
Present: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Beaumont, Firth, Holder, Mrs Gore (from item 14 of the Parish Council Agenda), Harrison, Mrs Bray, Mrs Wilson and Mr Dobinson. In attendance: Mr B Clark and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
Annual Parish Meeting
1. No apologies had been received.
2. There had been no Annual Parish Meeting in 2020 (so no minutes required).
3. Matterdale School Foundation- Clerk’s report
3.1 New Education/Community Building.
The planning consent for development of the Recreation Field had been granted and 2030 Architects instructed to progress the detailed design work; tenders were expected to be sought later in 2021. Some fundraising would be required to fund what is proposed.
3.2 Land adjacent to the Knotts, Matterdale.
The further information required by LDNPA had been furnished and a decision on the application to build four new homes was anticipated in the short term.
3.3 Thanks were due, to the steering committee in particular, for all Councillors’ work over several years on both these projects.
4. Parish Council-Chairman’s report
Cllr Lloyd reported that there had been three vacancies filled in the past twelve months: the Council had welcomed Emma Bray, David Harrison and Claire Beaumont.
The Council had worked very hard during the year and Councillors had given their time to be involved in many initiatives. The number of planning applications considered and the work of the steering group had added to the work load, for which he thanked all Councillors who had played their part. He thanked the Clerk also for his work during a very difficult year for Council administration due to Covid-19.
5. There was no other business.
Annual Parish Council meeting.
1.There were no apologies to record.
2. There were no changes to Councillors’ declaration of interests.
3. Cllr Lloyd was re-elected Chairman.
4. Cllr Crofts was re-elected Vice-Chairman.
5. Mr Brown was re-appointed as Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer. His pay was fixed at £15 per hour. He is expected to require 10 hours a month on Council duties and 10 hours a month as Clerk of Matterdale School Foundation. It was agreed to review his work load later in the year, as he expects that in 2021/22 the hours required may exceed the total of 20 hours owing to the impact of the new Education/Community Building on his working time.
6. Planning committees were appointed: for the Watermillock area, Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), Shaw, Mrs Beaumont, Firth, Holder and Mr Dobinson; for the Matterdale area Cllrs McAlpine, Gore (in the Chair), Crofts, Harrison, Bray and Wilson.
As the Accounts were in course of preparation and owing to the length of the agenda items 7-13 inclusive and item 15 on the Agenda were deferred to a subsequent date.
14. It was agreed to amend the contribution required in dealing with any Freedom of Information Act requirements from £5 per hour to £15 per hour.
16. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting on 12th April 2021 were approved and signed as a true record.
17. Matters arising
17.1 It was agreed that Eden District Council consent should be sought to enable the grant of £5,000 paid to the Council in 2013 to be used to assist the funding of the new Education/Community building.
17.2 The Clerk is to remind Mr Trelease that new fence posts and wiring are required at Dockray Village Green.
17.3 Cllr Harrison will press the stint owners of Matterdale Common to re-instate the posts marking the recreation area; he may need to find out from archives at Carlise where the ten posts were previously.
17.4 The Clerk has provided notices deterring dog fouling to Matterdale Councillors for display at and on the minor road out of Dockray.
17.5 Cllr Firth asked the Council to approve his proposal that safety at Stybarrow Crag should be accepted as the no1 priority for use of the £7.44m fund available for work on A592 safety. This was agreed.
17.6 The Clerk reported that the two orienteering events in May would bring in a total of £165 for use of the Recreation Field. Mr M Potter had expressed concern that the event might have affected his stock, as he had not been warned about the Borderliners event.
18. Finance
The Clerk reported that the current balances were HSBC Bank plc £5,050.04cr and Skipton Building Society £66,362.86.
Expenditure was approved: to CALC for the annual subscription £150.00, to Watermillock Village Hall for meeting fees £48.00, to BHIB Insurance for the insurance renewal £277.17 and to CALC for the annual subscription to Local Council Review £17.00.
19. Planning.
19.1 Watermillock Planning Committee members had attended at Wreay Mansions at the request of Ms S Bunting for a pre-application site meeting. That had prompted c15 objectors, who owned part of Wreay Mansions (or Wreay Lodge), to contact the Clerk to put their case against any housing on the former tennis court there (one of them also raising questions of the Clerk under the Freedom of Information Act 2000).
The objectors had been given the opportunity of a Zoom meeting with the committee immediately following the site meeting, at which their spokesman put to the Council the substance of the objections.
In view of the substance of the objections, in particular the proposed development’s impact on the landscape, the Clerk had asked the applicant to arrange a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment and a computerised representation of how the proposed housing (one dwelling for Ms Bunting and family and one affordable home on the site) would appear in context.
The Council were assured that the committee had expressed no opinion on the merits of the application; that had been made clear to both sides. The Clerk was asked to add to a future Council agenda the question of whether pre-application site meetings should be arranged if on a future occasion an applicant sought such a meeting.
19.2 The Clerk reported on report on various Planning Applications (all 7/2021) namely :-
Matterdale Planning Committee:-
3078 New School (aka Hope Springs), Matterdale- application for amended access door for the proposed ancillary office and studio building: no objection.
3033 Hollin House, Dockray-rear extension: no objection.
3043 Finkle Laithe, Matterdale End- extension at rear: objection lodged.
3036 Dodds Lea, Dockray-garage conversion: objection lodged.
Watermillock Planning Committee:-
3031 Land south of Bennett Head-new agricultural buildings: objection lodged.
3042 Fellside Knotts, Watermillock-modifications to existing house: no objection.
20. Highways
No issues were raised
21. Training opportunities
Councillors were referred to the CALC website; Cllr Harrison is to attend a course on planning matters.
22. and 23. Items re Internal Audit adjourned.
24. Correspondence and Other Business
24.1 Cllr Shaw had raised with LDNPA the work done to trees adjacent to the highway north of Bennett Head. The complaint was reckless tree surgery to a number of trees there. He had been informed that a tree preservation order could not be made and LDNPA were unable to take any action.
24.2 Mr C Gaskell has offered to repair Parish bench seats on Folly Lane and beside the road on the bend above Watermillock Church. He will not charge for his time but asked £150 to reimburse him for the cost of materials. This offer was gratefully agreed.
24.3 It was agreed not to allow a link re Universal Credit on the Council website.
24.4 The Clerk reminded Councillors that the government consultation on rural broadband closes on 11th June 2021.
24. 5 Matterdale Community Association had asked permission to use the Recreation Field for a village event on the weekend of 10/11 July 2021. It would arrange event insurance. Cllr Gore was advised that the Council had no objection.
25. Future meeting dates were agreed as follows:-26th May for items adjourned as above and 5/7/21 (both 7.00pm at Watermillock Village Hall).
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 12th April 2021 at Watermillock Village Hall but allowing access by Zoom.
Present in person or virtually: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, Shaw, Crofts, Firth, Mrs Gore, Harrison and Mrs Bray. County Councillor Neil Hughes joined the meeting up to and including item 5. Cllrs McAlpine, Holder and Mrs Beaumont were unable to take part.
In attendance: the Clerk.
1. The Minutes of the meeting on 1st March 2021 were approved as circulated.
2. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
2.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
2.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
3. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
3.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
3.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
3.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
3.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 The planning application for the proposed Community/Education building on the Recreation Field has been granted with conditions (ref no 7/2020/3163). The steering group will meet on 19th April to progress matters.
4.2 The Parish’s grazing land at Rushmire and Troutbeck has been let at a combined sum of £1,100 for the grazing period 1st April 2021 to 30th November 2021.
5. Keswick Town Council having asked for support from the Parish Council for its call for a feasibility study by Cumbria County Council on charging visitors for access to the Lake District National Park, Cllr Firth had produced a paper raising questions to be addressed in setting the parameters for such a study, and suggesting issues that should be included in the proposed terms of reference, which had been circulated to all Councillors together with a paper in support of the proposal by the Mayor of Keswick. After discussion, the Council resolved to support the proposal provided there was clarity on the objective(s) for any scheme, on how any money which might be raised would be spent in the attainment of the agreed objective(s) and on the terms of reference and how they would be set. The cost of the study, and how it would be paid for, would need to be identified and agreed.
6. Cllr Wilson brought to the attention of the Council frequent dog fouling on highway verges near Dockray, particularly on the road leading to Dowthwaite Head. It was agreed that, as a first step, notices should be displayed calling upon dog owners to clear up after their dog.
7. It was agreed to allow Borderliners to use the Recreation Field on 15th May 2021 for participants and officials taking part in an orienteering event that day.
8. Cllr Harrison will provide details of the conservators of Matterdale Common so that they can be asked to reinstate the posts said to be marking the recreational area there.
9. Future meeting dates as follows:-
Special meeting 17/5 (AGM), 5/7, 6/9, and 1/11, all 7.00pm, if possible at Watermillock Village Hall, at least until Matterdale Church Room can resume hosting alternate meetings. (Zoom facilities will continue).
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 1st March 2021 by “Zoom”.
“Present”: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Beaumont, Firth, Holder, Mrs Gore, Harrison and Mrs Bray. County Councillor Neil Hughes joined the meeting for item 7. Mrs Wilson and Mr Dobinson were unable to take part.
In attendance: the Clerk.
1. The Minutes of the meeting on 4th January 2021 were approved in the amended form circulated.
2. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
2.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
2.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
3. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
3.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
3.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
3.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
3.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 Mr Trelease’s estimate for renewal of the posts and fencing around Dockray Village Green having been accepted, the Clerk will remind him to attend to the work. “Danger” signs will then be required on the open boundary with the stream on the north east side of the green.
4.2 The planning application for the proposed Community/Education building on the Recreation Field has been put on the LDNPA website under ref no 7/2020/3163; it is expected to go to the LDNPA Development Committee at its meeting on Wednesday 7th April or Wednesday 6th May.
4.3 The Clerk had reported on the A592 Safety Programme briefing for Council Clerks; the design and consultation phases are to follow shortly. It was agreed that the Cumbria County Council could have a link on the Parish Council website for purposes of public information.
5. Finance
5.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc was £2,941.05cr; at Skipton Building Society £66,362.86.
5.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £40.00 to the Information Commissioner for the Data Protection Registration,£10.29 to Water Plus for water charges, £90 plus VAT to PFK for valuation advice re the Troutbeck Land, £1,220.88 to D L Brown (half year net salary £1031.40, £156 for use of home as office for 2020/21 and £33.48 for travel in 2020/21 at 45p a mile and HMRC £216 for Paye on the above salary and £207.17 to 2030 Architects as a contribution to their fees (invoice 1942) of £6,215 plus VAT (the balance to be paid by MSF from grant or other capital). The insurance renewal premium would fall due before 31st March 2021 and should be paid assuming it is within budget.
5.3 The Clerk had reviewed expenditure in the year to date against the current year’s budget. Nothing additional had been paid since his report to the meeting on 2nd November 2020.
5.4 The draft update of the Clerk’s employment contract was agreed as circulated. The Chairman, Cllr Lloyd, was authorised to sign it for the Parish Council. The Clerk will note a copy of it for reference upon the appointment of his successor.
6. Planning.
6.1 The Clerk reported on various Planning Applications received for consultation (all 7/2020) namely :-
3163 re proposed Education/ Community Building on the Recreation Field: the Clerk had confirmed that the Parish Council were strongly in favour of the proposal.
3146 re Greaves Farm, Dacre: Matterdale Planning Group had reviewed the application and the Clerk had reported its view to LDNPA, namely that the development proposed should be permitted provided the site is used for one dwellinghouse only.
3017 re Grove Farm, Thackthwaite: Watermillock Planning group had considered this and had no objection (as the Clerk has reported to LDNPA).
6.2 Decision notices received the Clerk reported included:-
3131 Hope Springs (former Residential Centre) Matterdale: granted.
3020 Knotts Hill Caravan Park, Watermilock: granted.
3151 Limes, Watermillock: granted.
7. Highways
County Councillor Neil Hughes reported that road closures planned for early March on A5091 had been staggered; email contact had been made with and by the Clerk. Flooding in the vicinity of Tongue Farmhouse, Watermillock, appeared to have resulted from a blocked watercourse.
8. Sustainable Transport Group
8.1 The views of the working group (Cllrs Firth, Bray, Gore and Holder), which had been formed in response to an Ambleside initiative and is led by Cllr Firth, had been circulated to Councillors; the Council confirmed that it backed the aims of the group and that the views expressed had the Council’s full support.
8.2 A survey of local residents and businesses is intended; how and when is not yet clear but the Council agreed that the working group should accede to a survey if it thinks fit and that (if a contribution from the Parish Council to the expense of a survey is necessary) up to £100 would not be a problem.
8.3 Suzi Hankin of LDNPA had drafted a Visitor Action Plan for summer 2021, which the Clerk had circulated. It was agreed to delegate the Council’s response to this same working party.
8.4 Keswick Town Council had asked for support from the Parish Council for its call for a feasibility study by Cumbria County Council on charging visitors for access to the Lake District National Park; its proposal had been received and circulated very shortly before this meeting; it was agreed to hold a special Parish Council meeting (if possible at Watermilliock Village Hall as well as by Zoom) at 7.00pm on Monday 12th April to discuss the Keswick Town Council paper and, if there is support in principle, what questions should be addressed by such a study.
9. The Council, having agreed to accept the informal notice given by Mr R Wilson to end his farm business tenancy of the Council’s Troutbeck holding with effect on and from 1st January 2021, the Clerk had received advice from PFK on the appropriate sum to charge for a grazing licence and that very little more was to be gained in the short term from an agricultural business tenancy. It was agreed that the Clerk should limit any advert to “Matterdale Nextdoor” and seek a fee as near as possible to that advised by PFK. Any newspaper (eg Herald”) advert was ruled out, the cost of an advert there being excessive when compared to the fee likely to be achieved.
If any prospective licensee wished to take the Rushmire land under a similar grazing licence, the Clerk was at liberty to offer it also.
10. For training opportunities, Councillors had been referred to the CALC website. Cllr Harrison suggested that he might attend the planning course(s) offered; he was encouraged to do so.
11. Correspondence
11.1 The Council acknowledged a letter received from Mrs Abrahams about poor broadband at her home.
11.2 The Clerk dad been approached to allow a website link to information on Universal Credit; that link was considered unnecessary.
12 Other Business
Cllr Harrison suggested that the conservators of Matterdale Common be asked to reinstate the posts said to be marking the recreational area there. The recreation area should be shown on their map. The Clerk agreed to investigate.
13. Future meeting dates as follows:-
Special meeting 12/4, 17/5 (AGM), 5/7, 6/9, and 1/11, all 7.00pm, if possible at Watermillock Village Hall, at least until Matterdale Church Room can resume hosting alternate meetings. (Zoom facilities will continue until the relevant legislation requiring Zoom facilities to be made available is repealed).
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 4th January 2021 by “Zoom”.
“Present”: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Beaumont, Firth, Holder, Mrs Gore, Harrison and Mrs Bray. County Councillor Neil Hughes joined the meeting by phone. Mrs Wilson and Mr Dobinson were unable to take part.
In attendance: the Clerk.
1. The Minutes of the meeting on 16th November 2020 were approved as circulated.
2. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
2.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
2.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
3. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
3.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
3.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
3.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
3.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 Mr Trelease’s estimate for renewal of the posts and fencing around Dockray Village Green was accepted. It is expected that the expense (not budgeted) will be £380, including both labour and materials. Danger signs are required on the open boundary with the steam on the north east side of the green.
4.2 The planning application for the proposed Community/Education building on the Recreation Field has been submitted to LDNPA; the identification number is to be circulated to all Councillors.
4.3 Cllrs Firth and Mrs Bray have reviewed the update of the Clerk’s employment contract; the Clerk will liaise with them, in expectation that the draft can be submitted to all Councillors for approval at or before the next Council meeting.
5. Finance
5.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc was £3031.34; at Skipton Building Society £66,362.86.
5.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £16.48 to Water Plus for water charges at the Recreation Field, £40.00 to CALC for a course fee and £370.00 to Mr Trelease for grass cutting in 2020.
5.3 The Clerk had reviewed expenditure in the year to date against the current year’s budget. Nothing additional had been paid since his report to the meeting on 2nd November 2020.
5.4 The 2021/2 precept was agreed in the sum of £3,500.
6. Planning.
The Clerk reported on report on various Planning Applications (all 7/2020) namely :-
3115 Windrush, Hutton John-decision: granted
3124 Rooking House Farm-change of use of part of existing field barn to form single local needs dwelling- decision: granted
3031 New School (aka Hope Springs), Matterdale- application for revised ancillary office and studio building referred to Matterdale Planning Committee.
Matterdale Planning Committee:-
3161 Emmers Farm, Thackthwaite: barn conversion to provide living accommodation and alterations to farmhouse-No objection
3132 Rushgill House, Dockray: extension-no objection.
Watermillock Planning Committee:-
3109 Knotts Hill Caravan Park, Watermillock: extended site occupation dates-no objection
3151 The Limes, Watermillock: new sewage treatment plant-no objection
7. Highways
7.1 The public consultation on the proposed A592 safety works, delayed by the further Covid related lockdown, is expected go ahead in part by virtual process, with a face to face meeting at Glenridding Village Hall when covid regulations allow.. The section from Waterfoot to Hartsop, which includes that part of the highway within the Parish is to be one stage of the process.
7.2 The proposal by central government to introduce a scheme for unitary government in Cumbria will be subject to public consultation involving parish councils. The proposal is to divide Cumbria into two unitary authorities but how is not yet known.
8. Cllrs Gore, Firth, Holder and Bray had met five times to discuss how the Council should respond to the issues raised by the initiative from an Ambleside group, aimed at reducing current and future traffic problems in the National Park. They had also met once with the representatives of other Ullswater parishes and Tirrel/Sockbridge Parish. Following a Zoom call between the Ambleside group and representatives of the LDNPA Sustainable Transport Working Group, Cllr Firth has drafted a letter to the latter, giving feedback at their request on the issues the Ullswater group consider should be addresses in the LDNPP’s forthcoming consultation paper on sustainable transport issues, which he will circulate to all Councillors when it has been finalised. He was warmly thanked for his work to date on this.
9. The Council agreed to accept the informal notice given by Mr R Wilson to end his farm business tenancy of the Council’s Troutbeck holding. Cllr Harrison spoke strongly against offering any of the Council’s holdings for sale. The Clerk will seek advice from PFK on the possibility of granting grazing licences for that and the Rushmire holding. Environmental and historical information is to be sought and the future of these holdings will be discussed at the next meeting.
10. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website, which would be especially useful for new Councillors. Cllr Harrison reported that he had benefitted from attending a two part course.
11. Correspondence
11.1 The Clerk has received sales literature from ElanCity who supply various Evolis Radar Speed Signs; the cost of suitable signs on A5091 at Dockray would be at least £1,200 (assuming two interactive solar beacon devices were to be installed). The website www.elancity.co.uk provides the detail Councillors need if they agree on the need for signs to slow traffic there and funds can be made available for the purpose.
11.2 The Clerk was authorised to permit use of the Council’s website to provide information about the 2021 Census.
12. Future meeting dates were agreed as follows:-
1/3, 17/5 (AGM), 5/7, 6/9, and 1/11 if possible at Watermillock Village Hall, until Matterdale Church Room can resume hosting alternate meetings. (Zoom facilities will continue until the relevant legislation requiring Zoom facilities to be made available is repealed).
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 16th November 2020 in Watermillock Village Hall.
All “Present”: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine (by Zoom), Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Beaumont, Dobinson, Firth, Holder, Mrs Gore, Harrison and Mrs Bray.
No apologies
In attendance: the Clerk.
1. The Minutes of the meeting on 2nd November 2020 were approved.
2. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
2.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
2.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
3. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
3.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
3.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature, save Cllrs Gore, Crofts, Bray and Harrison as member/trustees of Matterdale Community Association.
3.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
3.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
4. The meeting received a written report from Cllr McAlpine pertaining to the proposed planning application for development of an Education/Community Centre on the Recreation Field. The Clerk laid on the table a draft of the proposed application; documents to accompany it had already been circulated. A revised budget had also been circulated (although it was not clear whether the budget allowed for any ground or air source heat pump and the planning fee was misstated as £1,200).
Sundry minor modifications/corrections to the Heritage Design and Access Statement and to the Landscape and Visual Assessment were needed, which Cllr McAlpine will ask 2030 Architects and Motmot Consuting Ltd to make.
All agreed that the planning application should be submitted once the minor modifications/corrections had been made.
6. Finance
Expenditure was approved, namely £17 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee, £297.54 to Wilde Ecology for the ecology report and £858.75 to Motmot Consulting Limited for the Landscape and Visual Assessment (both prepared to accompany the planning application), £693 to Lake District National Park Authority for the planning application fee and £125.73 to Cllr Lloyd to reimburse his expenses in relation to the Council’s website.
7. Next meeting date: 4th January 2021 7.00pm (at Watermillock Village Hall if possible and/or virtual).
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 2nd November 2020 in Watermillock Village Hall.
All Present: Cllrs Lloyd (in the chair), McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Beaumont, Dobinson, Firth, Holder, Mrs Gore, Harrison and Mrs Bray. No apologies, save those of County Councillor Neil Hughes, who had a meeting elsewhere on the night.
In attendance: the Clerk.
1. Cllr Lloyd welcomed Cllrs Mrs Bray and Harrison who had joined the Council as co-opted members since the last meeting. They each signed Declarations of Acceptance of Office.
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 5th October 2020 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
3.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes.
5.1 It was agreed to allow links to the parish website from Matterdale Community Association and Watermilock Village Hall (also the new Matterdale Community Hall when set up); otherwise, further links will need approval of the Council.
5.2 The pot hole at Racey Ghyll has been repaired.
6. Finance
6.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc was £4,857.54, at Skipton Building Society £66,119.70.
6.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £34 to Watermillock Village Hall for meeting fees, £14 to CALC for the Local Council Guide taken by the Clerk and, £106.72 to the Clerk for his petty expenses (mainly postage stamps).
6.3 The Clerk had reviewed expenditure in the year to date against the current year’s budget. He reported that accountancy charges were £400 up (-ex VAT), the Zoom facility needed cost £78.40 for a full year (not provided for) and the CALC Annual subscription was £28.38 down.
6.4 The Clerk had circulated a draft budget for the year to 31st March 2022 (as attached). This was approved.
7. Planning.
The Clerk reported on report on various Planning Applications namely :-
3093 The Bothy, Watermillock- no objection
3079 Tethera, Watermillock- granted
3082 Sparket Farm, Thackthwaite- granted
3082 New School (aka Hope Springs), Matterdale- refused
8. Highways
8.1 The public consultation on the proposed A592 safety works is likely to be further delayed by the further Covid related lockdown expected to take effect from 5th November.
8.2 It was agreed that Cllrs Gore, Firth, Holder and Bray would meet before the 4th January 2021 Council meeting to suggest how the Council should respond to an initiative from an Ambleside group aimed at reducing current and future traffic problems in the National Park. It was left open to them to work with other Ullswater groups if they wished, before making their report.
9. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website, which would be especially useful for new Councillors.
10. Correspondence
10.1 The Clerk reported that Watermillock Village Hall has again been listed as a Community Asset.
10.2 The Clerk asked Councillors to be aware that Dockray Village Green is not available for purposes inconsistent with its status as village green. Also, the post and wire fence is defective and there may be a risk if users of the green are not warned of the dangers inherent in its proximity to the stream running approximately parallel to it. It was agreed to seek a quotation on the cost of remedying the posts and their wire and that warning notices should be displayed between the green and the stream.
11. Future meeting dates: 16th November 2020 and 4th January 2021 7.00pm (both at Watermillock Village Hall if possible and/or virtual).
11.2 The Council agreed the schedule for further 2021 meetings as follows:-
1/3, 17/5 (AGM), 5/7, 6/9, and 1/11 at Watermillock Village Hall until Matterdale Church Room can resume hosting alternate meetings.
(Zoom facilities will continue until the relevant legislation requiring Zoom facilities to be made available is repealed).
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 7.00pm on Monday 5th Occtober 2020 in Watermillock Village Hall and by Zoom.
Present: Cllrs Lloyd, Mrs Gore, McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Beaumont, Dobinson, Firth and Holder.
In attendance: the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. There were no apologies; all Councillors being in attendance.
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 7th September 2020 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. Co-options, Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
3.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature; Cllrs Gore and Crofts interest as trustees of Matterdale Community Association was noted.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. The Chairman of Matterdale School Foundation had reported to all Councillors progress regarding the proposed Education/ Community Building on the Recreation Field. His report was received. It was agreed to adjourn the resolution to apply to LDNPA for planning consent until the full documents to be presented to LDNPA were available to the full Council for approval.
6. Co-option of two additional Councillors
The Clerk had circulated four CVs and summarized the professional experience of the fifth applicant. Following a show of hands, the Council agreed to co-opt Mrs Emma Bray and Mr David Harrison.
7. Finance
It was agreed that Dodd & Co’s account for their work on the 2019/20 Parish Council accounts and its internal audit should be paid in the sum of £960 (inclusive of VAT).
8. Correspondence
The Clerk had circulated information about the consultation on changes to the Highway Code (which closes on 28th October 2020); it was agreed that individual councillors should respond as each thought fit and that it would be in order for the response to include reference to previous efforts of the Parish Council to have speed restrictions applied to parts of A5091 (Matterdale End to Dockray) and A592 as it passes through the parish.
The Lake District wide review of road and footpath provision, emanating from an Ambleside group, was referred to the next Parish Council meeting
9. Next meeting dates: 2nd November 2020 7.00pm (at Watermillock Village Hall and virtual), with an extra meeting on a date to be fixed (probably 16th November 2020) to deal with the planning application for the proposed Education/ Community Building on the Recreation Field.
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
Draft minutes of the meeting which took place at 8.00pm on Monday 7th September 2020 in Watermillock Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs Lloyd, McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Beaumont, Dobinson, Firth and Holder. Apologies: Cllr Gore.
In attendance: the Clerk, one resident and Cllr Hughes (who left after item 9).
1.Cllr Lloyd was elected as Council Chairman in succession to Dr Castles and Cllr Crofts as Vice-Chairman.
2.Minutes of meetings on 6th and 13th July 2020 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record (with those of 9th March and 11th May).
3.Co-options, Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
3.1 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting by Zoom or otherwise.
3.2 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
3.3 The Clerk reported that there were five applications for co-option to the two places vacated by Dr Castles and Mr Marshall. He had circulated to all Councillors a paper (18th August 2020), suggesting criteria for potential co-optees to the two places available. This was agreed and the Clerk is to ask applicants for their brief CV as pertinent to the criteria he will forward to them. The Council will then be able to select the two co-optees at its next meeting.
4. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
4.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
4.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
4.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes.
Cllr Shaw and others had been contacted by two residents in the Thackthwaite area whose broadband is very poor and whose telephones have been out of action for about four weeks. On the first aspect, Cllr Shaw has suggested 4G should improve their communications, in the absence of progress with fibre broadband, and on the second aspect repairs were believed to be in hand (any remedy for the disrupted service being for individuals to pursue with their supplier).
7. Finance
7.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc was £6,930.54, at Skipton Building Society £66,119.70.
7.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £16 to Watermillock Voillage Hall for the meeting fee, £11.61 paid to Water Plus for water charges and £94.08 to CALC for the improved Zoom service, £15 to CALC for 5 “Good Councillor Guides”, £864 to the Clerk for his half year net salary and £216 to HMRC for the PAYE thereon.
8. Planning
8.1 The Watermillock Planning Committee had approved applications re Tethera, Watermillock (3079), and Lake View Farm, Watermillock (3096), in each case following site visits.
8.2 Matterdale Planning committee had no objection to application 3104 re Lucy’s Barn, near Douthwaite Head
8.3 Planning consents have been granted for development at Another Place (3061), Thorneythwaite Cottage(3062), Mill Cottage, Hutton John ((3078), Ullswater Holiday Park (3050), High Meadow (3060), Sparket Farm (3083) and the Limes (3089).
9. Highways
9.1 Cllr Hughes expects there will be a public consultation on the proposed A592 safety works but awaits the date; it is likely that almost all of the available funds will be applied outside the parish area.
9.2 Cllr Crofts asked the Clerk to report to Better Highways the dangerous pothole at Racey Gill (OS 403242)
9.3 Concerns were expressed about the parking problems, mainly over the summer months, in various areas of the parish but especially on A5091 above Aira Force. Cllr Hughes will take this up with Cumbria Highways.
10. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website.
11.1 The burden of compliance with The Public Sector Bodies (Website and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (applying to Parish Councils from 23rd September 2020), including the extent to which the website currently fails to comply and the appropriate form of the Accessibility Statement (which must from 23rd September 2020 be added as a page on the website) has been examined by Cllr Lloyd. His recommendation that a statement be added to the Council’s website, to the effect that anyone wishing a larger print version of any document should contact the Clerk, was accepted. It was agreed that it would be disproportionate to incur what would be a significant and unbudgeted expense if all aspects of disability had to be taken into account in a revised website.
11.2 The facility for the Council’s website to have links to other websites (and to establish, if thought fit, a delegated authority to allow or disallow such links) will need to be discussed at a later meeting.
12. The Clerk had circulated to all Councillors an updated Equality and Diversity Policy, based on the NALC recommended form; that was agreed.
13. Correspondence
An email had been received by the Clerk asking for Council support for an application to Eden District Council Community Fund for funds to enable the Patterdale Tennis Courts to be refurbished to a usable standard. The Clerk advised that, as the courts are outside the Parish, the Council has no power to support or oppose the application. That advice was accepted. Any individual Councillors wishing to express support as individuals were invited to do so.
14. Cllr Crofts enquired about the Douthwaite Head area and any proposals affecting its future; no information had been received.
15. Next meeting dates: 2nd November 2020 7.00pm (at Watermillock Village Hall if possible and/or virtual), with an extra meeting on a date to be fixed to deal with co-options.
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
A “Zoom meeting” took place at 7.00pm on Monday 13th July 2020.
Cllrs Lloyd, McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Mrs Beaumont, Mrs Gore, Firth and Holder joined “the meeting”, hosted by the Clerk. Cllr Lloyd took the Chair.
In short:-
1.Cllrs Mrs Wilson and Dobinson had given apologies. It was noted that Cllr Marshall had resigned from the Council by email to the Clerk. The Clerk will put in hand the procedure to co-opt to the Council and express the Council’s thanks for his past years of service.
2.Minutes of meetings on 6th July 2020 were approved as circulated.
3. Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting. There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
4.1 The draft accounts for 2019/20 , as received by the Clerk from Dodd &Co on 6th July, had been annotated by the Clerk and, as such, were approved for both Parish Council (sic) and its Recreation Fund.
4.2 The Council confirmed that it met the relevant requirements for, and approved the signature of, the certificate of exemption from a limited assurance review.
4.3 Dodd & Co will now be asked to carry out the internal audit.
5. The Council agreed that the annual subscription to CALC should be paid in the sum of £146.62. Payment of £175 for the tear to 31st March 2021 had been budgeted.
6. The Council agreed the next meeting date: 7th September 2020 7.00pm (at Watermillock Village Hall if possible and/or virtual).
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
A “Zoom meeting” took place at 7.00pm on Monday 6th July 2020.
Cllrs Lloyd, McAlpine, Shaw, Crofts, Gore, Firth and Holder joined “the meeting”, hosted by the Clerk. Cllrs Gore and Crofts had to leave early. Cllr Lloyd took the Chair.
In short:-
1. It was resolved to adopt supplementary Standing Orders to meet the statutory requirements for the holding of remote meetings until 07.05.2021 or the repeal of relevant legislation, whichever is earlier.
2. Cllrs Mrs Wilson, Marshall and Dobinson had given apologies. It was noted that Cllr Marshall had been absent from all Council meetings since 13th January 2020. The Council accepted his reason for absence, he having been away from the area without access to access to remote or other meetings; however, the Clerk was asked to find out from him whether he was likely to be able to attend all or the majority of further Council meetings.
3. Minutes of meetings on 9th March and 11th May 2020 were approved as circulated.
4. Appointment of Chairman,Co-options, Exclusion of Press and requests for public participation/open forum
4.1 Mrs Claire Beaumont was co-opted to the Council in place of Mrs Gaskell.
4.2 The resignation of Dr Castles was noted with regret; by common consent he had been an extremely good chairman. He has to concentrate on his business, which had been closed for several months due to Covid-19 regulations, but would hope to rejoin the Council in year or two if a vacancy arises.
The Council will need to appoint a new Chairman, but, after discussion, it was agreed that the new Chair of the Parish Council should not serve also as Chair of Matterdale School Foundation.
The Clerk will initiate the process of co-option of a Councillor to replace him, by inviting those who would wish to serve to contact him and will seek other means of contacting those who are eligible to serve and might wish to do so.
4.3 No members of the press or public had sought to participate in the meeting.
4.4 There were no notified public questions and there was no public forum.
5. Declarations of interest by Councillors/ requests for dispensation.
5.1 No Councillors needed to update their declaration.
5.2 None declared any personal interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
5.3 None declared any prejudicial interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
5.4 The Clerk reported that no dispensation had been sought or granted.
6. No matters arising from previous minutes were raised.
7. Finance
7.1 The Clerk reported that the balance at HSBC Bank plc was £6,540.04, at Skipton Building Society £66,119.70.
7.2 Expenditure was approved, namely £12.69 paid to Water Plus for water charges and £11.90 per month to CALC for the improved Zoom service needed to hold compliant meetings during the Covid-19 crisis. This expenditure had not been budgeted but some saving on the £120 budgeted for meeting fees in the current year could be expected.
The grass cutting contract with Mr Trelease had been renewed.
7.3 The draft accounts for 2019/20 had been received by the Clerk earlier in the day and circulated. To give time for Councillors to study these and for the Clerk to add appropriate notes and draft the Annual Return, it was agreed to fold an extra meeting by Zoom on 13th July 2020 starting at 7.00pm.
7.4 It was noted that the 2020 financial regulations required Parish Councils to consider the need for an investment policy. The Council funds, it was agreed, should remain in cash to meet its short term expenses (particularly its contribution to those incurred by the project to replace the Matterdale Village Hall with a building on the Recreation Field). The Clerk was asked to seek an improved interest rate, perhaps in a fixed term or notice account.
7.5 The dates for public inspection of the 2019/20 Annual Accounts and Return were fixed at 25th August 2020 for 30 days.
8. Planning
The Watermillock Planning Committee had approved applications re High Meadows, Watermillock, and Another Place, Watermillock, in each case following site visits
9. No reports were brought to the Council from LDNPA, National Trust, District, County or Highway Authorities
10. For training opportunities, Councillors were referred to the CALC website.
11.1 The burden of compliance with The Public Sector Bodies (Website and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (applying to Parish Councils from 23rd September 2020), including the extent to which the website currently fails to comply and the appropriate form of the Accessibility Statement (which must from 23rd September 2020 be added as a page on the website) is to be examined by Cllr Lloyd and the Clerk, with a view to reporting to the 7th September 2020 Council meeting.
11.2 The facility for the Council’s website to have links to other websites (and to establish, if thought fit, a delegated authority to allow or disallow such links) will need to be discussed at the 7th September 2020 meeting.
11.3 The “Digital Borderlands” initiative recently announced has improved contributions for home and business broadband provision but the response to the 100 or so emails which Cllr Shaw has sent since taking responsibility as the Council’s digital champion suggests that there is insufficient appetite for the considerable costs which even the improved grants would not cover, so no action will be taken.
11.4 There were no objections to the revised Code of Conduct for Parish Councillors which the Clerk had circulated.
11.5 The AGM of EALC is at 7.00pm on 9th July 2020 (virtual)
12. The Council agreed the next meeting dates: 13th July 2020 by Zoom (7.00pm) and 7th September 2020 7.00pm (at Watermillock Village Hall if possible and/or virtual).
D. L. Brown
Matterdale Parish Council
The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council would have taken place at 7.00pm on Monday 11th May 2020. However, the Covid-19 outbreak (and consequent regulations and advice) made it necessary to suspend face-to-face meetings for the time being.
As a result of these regulations, there will be no 2020 Annual Parish Meeting.
The law requires that meetings of the Parish Council be open to the public; until there is a facility available to allow public participation via the internet or telephone, it will not be possible to hold a lawful Parish Council meeting.
All elections, referendums and polls have been suspended until 6th May 2021. Unless a bye-election is demanded (which is not the case in relation to the replacement of Mrs Gaskell as a Parish Councillor), the Parish Council can (indeed must) fill that vacancy as soon as is reasonably practicable. A proposal has been received to co-opt Mrs Claire Beaumont of Gowbarrow Farm, Watermillock; she is willing to be co-opted and the proposed co-option will go to the first available Parish Council meeting. In the meantime, the Clerk will provide her with the material he sends to Parish Councillors.
Having regard to the above, all Parish Councillors had been invited to receive reports, and comment on those, at a “Zoom meeting” which was arranged at 7.00pm on Monday 11th May 2020. Cllrs Lloyd, Shaw, Crofts, Gore, Firth and Holder joined “the meeting”, hosted by the Clerk.
In short:-
1. None of those “present” required any changes to the Declarations of Interest completed by them on or shortly after 13th May 2019.
2 There were no objections to the draft minutes of the last Parish Council meeting on 9th March 2020. Cllr Holder had apologized for his absence.
3. The Clerk reported that the County Council had visited the site of the access to Great Mell Fell, where parked cars were frequently causing traffic dangers; it was reported that those who visited were prepared to consider whether there might be an alternative parking area, but it could not be financed in the short term.Cllr Hughes is asked to pursue this, when he judges it is appropriate to do so.
4. The draft Annual Accounts (Parish Council and its Recreation Fund), Annual Governance Statement and Annual Return were not yet available, the matter being in the hands of Dodd & Co. These will be circulated to Councillors when available and put to the next available Parish Council meeting.
5. It was not considered that any changes, arising from Covid-19 or otherwise, would be required to the 2020/21 Parish Council Budget.
6. Pursuant to the 2020 Financial Regulations, the need for an Investment Strategy and Policy was considered; it was agreed that, as the Parish Council, sic, had a reserve of less than the Annual Expenditure budgeted, such a policy was unnecessary. The Clerk agreed to look into the possibility of increasing income on the Recreation Fund’s reserves (much, if not all, of which would be needed if and when the proposed Education/ Community building on the Recreation Field could be financed).
7. It was accepted that the Clerk should review the draft amendment to standing orders to allow future virtual meetings. He is to report to the Council when he is able to do so.
8. There were no objections to the Clerk’s remuneration of £15.00 per hour plus travel and home-working allowances continuing for 2020/21; the budgeted 20 hrs per month are expected to be paid as to 3/5ths by the Parish Council- 1/5th falling on the Recreation Fund as in the past.
9. The HSBC Bank balance is currently £6,626.98, £35.52 for a wayleave payment, the precept of £4,000 and Vat refund of £415.78 plus £55.00 for the Recreation Fund having been received (and D Trelease £365 for 2019/20 grass cutting, Gordon Consultancy £114 for payroll services, Cllr Lloyd £74.25 to reimburse his website costs and BHIB £274.21 for insurance renewal having been paid).
The Clerk was asked to consider whether a substantial part of the sum in hand could be invested in an account which would bear a rate of interest above the 0.05% now being earned at Skipton Building Society. Depending on progress expected at the Recreation Field, this might mean an account without instant access might be appropriate. It was agreed that Cllrs. Firth, Lloyd and Castles would be asked to review the possibilities.
10. The Parish Council’s credit balance at Skipton Building Society is currently £66,119.70, the Clerk reported.
11. Planning matters.
11.1 The Clerk reported that the application for use of the annex at Emmers Farm, Thackthwaite, as holiday accommodation had been granted (7/2020/3012).
11.2 No comment had been made on the enforcement notice appeal at Lambgill, Watermillock (container sited in front of the dwelling).
11.3 None of those attending had any objection to the application (7/2020/3050) re Ullswater Holiday Park to remove or vary conditions relating to the period of its use or the requirement to remove caravans during the closed period (LDNPA ask for a response by 2nd June 2020)
12. The Clerk reported that works were expected to require footpaths to be temporarily closed at Seldom Seen and Grisedale (the works falling outside the boundaries of the Parish).
13. Training opportunities: the Clerk expects to “attend” Zoom training laid on by CALC in the near future, so that future virtual meetings can comply with the regulations requiring parish council meetings to be open to the public. If any Councillor wishes to join the training, he/she should tell the Clerk as soon as possible.
14. Tim Clarke has progressed his proposal to create further Ullswater Valley heritage information for the education and information of residents and visitors. He has had offers to join him in a core progress group from five local residents already; more will be sought, so that, he hopes, all areas surrounding the lake are contributing. Cllr Gore has offered to join the group in a few months’ time (it remains a potent part of the role which the proposed Education/ Community Building on the Recreation Field can play).
15. A water leak at or by the Recreation Field has been reported to Water-Plus. It is understood that they have visited the site but whether the problem is one they will attend to is not known. Cllr Crofts will pay a visit to the site and report back to the Clerk.
16. Mr John Harris has asked if the Parish Council would agree to add to its website a link to ”walking in Cumbria”; it was agreed that the principle of adding links to other sites should be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting and no decision made until then.
17. Those present noted the following schedule of meeting dates 6/7/20 (WM or virtual), 7/9/20 (Matt or virtual), 2/11/19 (Matt or virtual), 4/1/21 (WM or virtual), 1/3/21 (Matt or virtual), 17/5/21 AGM (Matt or virtual), 5/7/21 (WM or virtual), 6/9/21 (Matt or virtual) and 1/11/21 (Matt or virtual) -all starting at 7.00pm.
THE ABOVE WILL NEED TO BE PUT THE FIRST AVAILABLE PARISH COUNCIL MEEETING FOR RATIFICATION WHERE NECESSARY.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 9th March 2020 at Watermillock Village Hall
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Mrs. Wilson, Lloyd, Crofts, McAlpine and Mrs Gore . In attendance: Mr Brown, as Clerk, Cllr Hughes (CCC), Cllr Smith (EDC) and one resident.
1. Apologies accepted: Cllrs Firth, Marshall, Dobinson and Shaw.
2. Declarations of interest: none
3. The minutes of the meeting on 13th January 2020 were corrected to show the payee of the meeting fee as Watermillock Village Hall, and then approved as circulated.
4. Open Forum
The resident present raised two road safety points- a)The speed of traffic on A5091,especially by Matterdale Church and b)The danger caused by cars parked near to the Great Mell Fell access point. It was agreed that there was serious concern on both counts but earlier attempts to persuade Cumbria CC, as highway authority, to take action had failed and there is no reason to expect any change in its response any time soon. There have been no reported accidents and that weighs on the allocation of its over-stretched resources. Cllr Hughes is aware of both concerns and will again raise them with Cumbria CC.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 The Clerk reported that Mr Pattinson was not willing to have the footpath through his land at the rear of Townend Farmhouse rerouted to allow safer pedestrian use of A592 between Watermillock House and Townend; his concern is the intrusion the use of the track suggested would cause those occupying the various houses there. There had been no evident response to the Clerk’s letter suggesting that guests of Another Place walking on A592 wear high vis. jackets.
5.2 HSBC Bank had been satisfied by the Clerk’s response to its enquiries and the threat to close the Council’s account had been lifted.
6. Planning
Permissions granted included 3161 Troutbeck Caravan Park, 3153 Another Place and 3141 Rampsbeck Lodge
7. Financial
7.1 Current credit balances are HSBC Bank plc £1,632.52 and Skipton Building Society £68,574.70.
7.2 Expenditure was approved as follows:- to Water Plus £8.03 for water charges, to Information Commissioner £40.00 for the annual registration fee, to the Clerk £1,031.40 for his half year net salary and including £167.40 as annual allowance for house used as office and mileage on Council business, HMRC £216 for PAYE on the half year salary, to the Clerk £80.11 to reimburse the cost of stamps bought for Council use, and £16 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee. A bill for £370 is expected from D Trelease for grass cutting in 2019/20, which it was agreed should be paid when received. It was agreed to continue the arrangement for him to cut grass in 2020/21.
7.3 On the advice of the Clerk, £1,843.77 is to be transferred to Matterdale School Foundation, being 1/9th of the expenses borne by Matterdale School Foundation in relation to the proposed Education/ Community Centre on the Recreation Field.
7.4 The updated financial regulations circulated by the Clerk were approved , subject to the suspensions noted in the draft (for the reasons there given). They were adopted with effect from 1st April 2020.
8. No candidate to be adopted as a Councillor in place of Mrs Gaskell has come forward for co-opton, the Clerk reported.
9. It was agreed that the Council should apply to have Watermillock Village Hall listed as a community asset under the Localism Act, 2011.
10. Highways
10.1 Various potholes had been noticed by Councillors; Cllr Hughes asked that their exact location be reported to Cumbria CC highways department by Councillors themselves.
10.2 Highway flooding due to blocked drains is also causing problems. Cllr Hughes expects that there will be extra resources put into highway drains in 2020/21 at a meeting later in the week.
10.3 20 and 21 March have been allocated for a county wide litter pick; the Clerk will ask for an entry in Together asking for volunteers to pick litter in their locality.
10.4 The public consultation on A592 safety measures is expected to be postponed from 1st April to Monday 20th April (3pm to 7pm in Glenridding Public Hall).
11. Correspondence
11.1 It was agreed to support the initiative for a Local Electricity Bill.
11.2 Cllr Holder is expected to attend the Climate Change Action day on 13th March. The agreed next meeting date (AGM) is Monday 11th May 2020 at 7pm in Matterdale Church Room.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 13th January 2020 in WATERMILLOCK VILLAGE HALL:-
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Shaw, Marshall, Firth, Ms Gore, Dobinson, Holder and Mrs Wilson.
In attendance: the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr MacAlpine (unwell).
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting on 4th November 2019.
These were approved and signed as a true record.
4. Open Forum: none.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes
5.1 Another Place had responded to the Clerk’s warning of the dangers to pedestrians on A592. They suggested landowners be approached so that there were adequate off-road footpaths. It was agreed to approach the owner re the footpath at the rear of the Townend houses to see if the track around the field edge could be used, instead of the track across the field to A592 by Watermillock House; also that the Clerk should suggest to Another Place that their guests use high viz jackets.
5.2 The Clerk and Cllr Holder will be attending the meeting on 15th January with Cumbria C C re A592 safety improvements.
5.3 Cllr Holder will look at costs of secure fixing re the bench seat near the Quiet Site.
6. Planning matters— the five applications received for consultation were referred to the respective planning committees of the Parish Council.
7. Financial
7.1 The Clerk reported on the state of the Council’s bank and building society accounts- HSBC Bank plc £1,766.55cr at 3rd January 2020; Skipton Building Society £68,574.70.
7.2 Approval of any expenditure:-
The Council approved the following: £16 to Watermillock Parish Council for the meeting fee and £45 to CALC for the training course the Clerk had attended.
7.3 It was agreed that the 2020/21 precept be set at £4,000.
7.4 The Clerk will arrange to open a new current account if the threat by HSBC to close the account there on 31st March 2020 is not withdrawn.
7.5 The Clerk and Cllr Firth are working on a draft of new financial regulations which the Clerk suggested be adopted to come into force on 1st April 2020 which will be the start of the new financial year.
7.6 It was agreed that there would not be an increase sought in the rent paid for the Council’s Troutbeck land, there being insufficient evidence of grazing rents in the area having increased since it was last reviewed in 2013.
8. Mrs Gaskell having resigned from the Council, the Clerk will put in hand the necessary display of a notice inviting residents to stand as a co-opted member in her place. He is also hoping to publicise the vacancy in Together.
9. Highway matters
No fresh issues were raised, save the state of the old Coach Road beyond Dowthwaite Head.
10. Training.
No requests for training were made.
11. Correspondence.
The suggested VE Day celebration was referred to the Watermillock village hall committee.
12. Any other business : none.
13. Next meeting date: 9th March 2020 in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.00pm.
Further meeting dates as set out in the Agenda were agreed.
D. L. Brown (Clerk to the Council)
15th January 2020
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 4th November 2019 in Matterdale Church Room
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Marshall, Shaw, Mrs Gaskell, Dobinson, Mrs Gore, Firth, Holder and MacAlpine.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk, one resident and (from item 8) County Cllr Hughes.
1. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Mrs Wilson.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None (those of Cllrs Gore and Crofts as committee members of Matterdale Community Association having already been noted).
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 2nd September 2019 were approved as circulated. They were then signed.
4. Open Forum- Cars (sometimes as many as twelve) parked at the foot of Great Mell Fell were a continuing problem, causing danger to motorists This was drawn to Cllr Hughes attention under item 8, so that he could initiate action by the highway authority or the police.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
5.1 The salt piles and bunkers have not been replenished; Cllr Hughes was asked to contact the highway authority asking for early attention.
5.2 Mrs Warmisham has provided a bench seat in memory of her husband within Cove Caravan Site, so will not be pursuing her request to provide a replacement for the Parish Council to adopt.
5.3 Cllr Holder will look at the bench seat between the Quiet Site and Bennethead with a view to stabilising it, as promised at the last meeting.
6. Planning matters, including committee reports.
6.1 Applications (all 7/2019) 3086 re Gilsrow Bridge, 3061 re Foxhill Barn, 3018 re Bank House Farm and 3097 re Little Melbeck House, Watermillock had all been granted.
6.2 The concerns of the Matterdale Planning Committee had been expressed to LDNPA re 3115, the former New School.
6.3. The respective planning committees of the Parish Council had raised no objection to 3017 re Greening House, Penruddock, 3124 re Lake Brow, 3133 re Another Place or 3030 re Langthwaite Farm.
6.4 3012 re Lake View Farm House, Watermillock is to be referred to Watermillock Planning Committee
7. Approval of any expenditure and report on bank balances:-
7.1 The balances at 3rd November 2019 on the Council’s accounts were HSBC Bank plc £1,790.96 and £68,046.02 at Skipton Building Society (interest rate now 0.7%, down from 0.8%).
7.2 The following expenditure was approved: £15.00 to Matterdale PCC for the meeting fee and £45 for the Clerk to attend the CALC training day on 13/12/19 (2pm to 4.30pm at Penrith Fire and rescue Centre) on parish response to planning applications. Committee chairmen were encouraged to join him.
7.3 The Clerk’ salary was reviewed; it is to be unchanged at £15 per hour for an estimated 20 hrs a month (2/5 Parish Council sic, 1/5 Recreation Fund and 2/5ths Matterdale School Foundation).
7.4 The 2020/21 budget had been circulated in draft to all Councillors in advance of the meeting and was approved as drafted.
7.5 The Clerk has recently received comment from Cllr Firth on revised financial regulations. The Clerk will review the comments and circulate a considered draft in advance of the January Parish Council meeting.
8. Highways
8.1 The culvert by Bald Howe End has disintegrated; Cllr Hughes will ask for restorative action.
8.2 Consultation on improvements required to A592 is due to begin soon, Cllr Hughes reported. He urged Councillors to take part in the consultation.
8.3 The Council is concerned that the guests at “Another Place” are being encouraged to walk along the A592 road from Watermillock House north wards to and beyond the Brackenrigg Hotel. There are no footpaths; the road is very busy at times. It is narrow in places; the speed limit is 60mph and in places there is limited view and no verge to stand on to let traffic pass. The Clerk was asked to draw this source of clear danger to the attention of the owners’ of “Another Place”.
8.4 The landowner needs to carry out work to the fence adjoining the highway by Beauthorn, Watermillock to remove danger of damage to passing vehicles.
9. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details). The members’ section of the CALC website is accessible to Councillors user name “calcmember”: password River1”. For the NALC website the user name is “cumbriamember” and password “hewiv31”.
10. Correspondence
10.1 Cllr Gore offered to take part in CALC’s climate change group (with Cllr Catles as her deputy).
10.2 Cllr Shaw has joined the committee of the Friends of Ullswater Way CIO.
10.3 It was decided that there was no objection to the proposed removal of public telephone boxes from Dockray and Townend, Watermillock.
11. Other Business
Cllr Dobinson had received a complaint of a container recently placed by one of the Lambgill Houses. The Parish Council was advised that it had no power to compel its removal.
12. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 6th January 2020 at Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.00pm.
D.L.Brown Clerk to Matterdale Parish Council 5th November 2019
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 2nd September 2019 in Matterdale Church Room
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Mrs Gaskell, Dobinson, Mrs Gore, Firth, Holder and Mrs Wilson.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk (and County Cllr Hughes for part of the meeting).
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs. Shaw, Marshall and McAlpine.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None (those of Cllrs Gore and Crofts as committee members of Matterdale Community Association having already been noted).
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 1st July 2019 were approved as circulated, with additional words inserted at the end of paragraph 6.1 “provided that a local needs condition is imposed”. They were then signed as so amended.
4. Open Forum- None.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes-None.
6. Planning matters, including committee reports.
6.1 Applications (all 7/2019) 3068 re Bennethead , Watermillock; 3070 re the Hill, Matterdale and 3017 re Todgill, Matterdale had all been granted.
6.2 Application 3099 re Lake View, Watermillock, is not to be proceeded with.
6.3 Matterdale Planning Committee had no objection to application 3056 re Gillsrow Bridge, Troutbeck.
7. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
7.1 The balances at 2nd September 2019 on the Council’s accounts were HSBC Bank plc £80,295.79 (of which £80,000 is to be transferred to Nationwide Building Society for Matterdale School Foundation) and £70,046.02 at Skipton Building Society (£2,000 of which is to be transferred to HSBC Bank plc in view of anticipated future expenditure).
7.2 The following expenditure was approved:
£15.00 to Matterdale PCC for the meeting fee
£9.83 to Water Plus for water supplied at the Recreation Field
£864 to the Clerk for his half year salary to 30th September 2019
£216 for the PAYE thereon
£105 had been paid to Eden District Council as the required contribution to the May 2019 election expenses.
The payment of £990 made to Dodd & Co following the last meeting was in excess of the budgeted accountancy fees but the excess is covered by the underspend on 2019 election expenses, budgeted at £627 in case of a contested election.
8. Highways
8.1 The tree in the copse by Dockray Village Green which has fallen across the beck is not endangering the highway; the owner of the copse is not believed to be Matterdale Parish Council. The Council resolved to take no action.
8.2 The road bridge at Pooley Bridge will be out of action from 9th September 2019: the footbridge facility there will be available the following week, it is expected.
8.3 Consultation on improvements required to A592 will begin in autumn 2019, Cllr Hughes reported. He urged Councillors to take part in the consultation. The Council’s wish to see a 40 mph restriction on the entire length within the parish remains unchanged.
8.4 Cllr Crofts is still concerned that the reflectors on A5091 by his property are not fixed where best: he will email Cllr Hughes about this.
8.5 It is hoped that in October 2019 road-side salt piles will be refreshed in all places (as provided late last winter), ideally with additional piles by the road to Dowthwaite Head and by Watermillock Village Hall.
9. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details).
10. Correspondence
The Clerk had consulted Matterdale PCC (Mr Nixon) re the future use of the church meeting room as a polling station; he assured the meeting that Watermillock Village Hall would again be available. The Council accordingly had no desire to change polling places within the Parish and Eden District Council should be so advised.
11. Other Business
11.1 Mrs Warmisham, a regular visitor to Cove Caravan Site, would like to present a bench seat to the Parish Council in memory of her late husband, to replace that on the roadside above Watermillock Church. The Council have no objection, provided the replacement is of at least equivalent quality and will then accept the seat as parish property. The Clerk will arrange for the existing seat to be relocated if practicable.
11.2 The bench seat between the Quiet Site and Bennethead needs work to ensure its stability. Cllr Holder will seek a price for the work. The Clerk was given authority to approve the cost, which is expected to be c£100.
12. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 4th November 2019 in Matterdale Church Room starting at 7.00pm.
D.L.Brown Clerk to Matterdale Parish Council 3rd September 2019
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 1st July 2019 in Watermillock Village Hall
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Marshall, Mrs Gore, Shaw, Firth, Holder, Mrs Wilson and McAlpine.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk, Cllr.Darrell Smith (Eden DC) and County Cllr Hughes (Also Mr T McGee for part of the meeting).
1.Apologies for absence: Cllrs. Mrs Gaskell and Dobinson; also Mr Kevin Jackson (LDNPA-tel 07387 956523)
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None (those of Cllrs Gore and Crofts as committee members of Matterdale Community Association having already been noted).
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 3rd June 2019 were approved as circulated and signed.
4. Open Forum
Mr McGee read his statement (attached) re planning application 7/2019/3061: conversion of barn at Fox Hill, Matterdale, to residential use. His intention, he told the meeting, was to convert the barn to a home for his wife and himself. He accepted that the LDNPA would, if minded to grant the Application, insert a local needs condition, binding on him and his successors.
He then left the meeting.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
Cllr Shaw had circulated his report (attached) re Better Broadband. The cost for individuals being excessive as matters stand, he will not ask householders to contribute but will put progress on hold, awaiting any possible improved incentives for individuals still needing an upgrade.
6. Planning matters, including committee reports.
6.1 The Council discussed the Application re barn at Fox Hill, referred to above. The Matterdale Planning Committee had objected but were unaware that the Application was for local needs housing. After discussion, it was agreed (nem con) to withdraw the objection provided a local needs occupancy is stipulated by LDNPA.
6.2 Two applications (3050 and 3051) re Another Place, Watermillock, had been approved by LDNPA since the last meeting.
6.3 Matterdale Planning Committee had no objection to applications 7/2019/3070 re the Hill, Matterdale, or 7/2019/3082 re Old Filter House, Douthwaite Head
7. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
7.1 The balances at 1st July 2019 on the Council’s accounts were £1,456.79 at HSBC and £70,046.02 at Skipton Building Society (£5,000 having been transferred to Skipton B S from HSBC following the May 2019 meeting).
7.2 The following expenditure was approved:
£16.00 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee
£272.10 to BHIB for renewal of the Council’s insurance for 2019/20
£11.86 to Water Plus for water supplied at the Recreation Field
£17.00 to CALC for the annual subscription to Local Council Review
£15 to Matterdale PCC for the June meeting fee
And £990 to Dodd & C0 for accountancy services including production of accounts for the Recreation Fund and Parish Council, the Internal Audit (which was completed in June) and the set up, at the Clerk’s request, of Excel entries for the 2019/20 Accounts.
This was in excess of the budgeted accountancy fees but the excess is covered by the underspend on 2019 election expenses. In the longer term the use of Excel for the Parish accounts was expected to produce a saving in accountancy fees.
8. Highways
8.1 The footpath between the Royal Hotel and Materdale Church is again very overgrown. Cllr Hughes will draw this to the attention of John Banks (Cumbria C C).
8.2 There is a fence too close to the highway on A592 by Beauthorn: Cllr Lloyd will investigate this ; it is intended to draw the landowner’s attention to the need for him/her to take remedial action.
8.3 There is a load of chippings preventing access to the land west of the former New School. Cllr Mrs Wilson has informed Val Edmondson of LDNPA with a view to early action.
8.4 Cllr Crofts is concerned that the reflectors on A5091 by his property are not fixed where best: he will email Cllr Hughes about this.
9. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details).
10. Correspondence
It was agreed to refer a circular about VE Day celebrations in May 2020 to Watermilock Village Hall and Matterdale Community Association.
11. Other Business
11.1 Cllr Lloyd had circulated a letter from “Fasthosts” about the Council’s domain name: it was agreed to take no action.
11.2 The Clerk has been contacted about investigation by North West Electricity of the service poles by the Old Schoolhouse but has not yet been advised of the outcome.
11.3 Cllr Mrs Wilson has received a complaint about the condition of the Recreation Field: Cllr Castles will look to see that there is no need for Council action.
12. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 2nd September 2019 in Matterdale Church Room starting at 7.00pm (Cllrs Marshall and Hughes gave their apologies)).
D.L.Brown-Clerk to Matterdale Parish Council 2nd July 2019
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 3rd June 2019 in MATTERDALE CHURCH ROOM following the Matterdale School Foundation meeting.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs Gore, Firth, Shaw, McAlpine, Marshall and Gaskell
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: none
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting on 13th May 2019: these were approved as circulated and signed.
4. Election of Parish Member to LDNPA for the East Destinctive Area. There were two candidates: Mr Miles MacInnes and Mr Kevin Jackson. A secret ballot was held and the chairman and secretary signed the return (as required by CALC).
D. L. Brown (Clerk to the Council)
Matterdale Parish Annual Meetings
The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council were held from 7.00pm in Watermillock Village Hall on Monday 13th May 2019.
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls Lloyd (from item 25), Shaw , Holder, Marshall, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, McAlpine, Ms Gore and Mrs Gaskell.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk.
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting are as follows:-
1. Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllr Firth (cycling).
2. The Minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting were read and approved, and signed as a true record.
3. Cllr Castles gave his report, which is to be circulated.
4. The Clerk reported on the Council’s role as sole trustee of Matterdale School Foundation, the annual meeting of which was due to follow the Annual Parish Council Meeting:-
4.1 The consultation with those on the electoral roll for the polling district of Matterdale, required by the Charity Commission before making a new Scheme containing revised objects of the charity, resulted in overwhelming support for the new objects proposed. The Scheme had been made and will enable a new Education and Community building to be provided in the Matterdale Valley and educational grants to be made.
4.2 Architects had been engaged to advise on the design of the new building and its landscaping, with a view to a planning application being made later in 2019 to site the building on the Recreation Field, already owned by the Parish Council.
4.3 The charity had received the net sale proceeds of the New School, which exceeded £400k, so providing the greater part of the sum needed to provide a suitable new building..
4.4 A planning application had been made to site four houses (two affordable and two local occupancy) on the land owned by the charity west of The Knotts and east of the Old Schoolhouse. There had been several local objections and various detailed amendments to the scheme will be made before a planning decision can be expected. Interest in buying the land has been expressed by two housing associations and it is hoped to progress a sale (if planning permission is granted), so that additional funds will be available to meet the cost of providing the new Education and Community building and/or educational grants.
4.5 Discussions are ongoing with Matterdale Community Association about the detail of the proposed lease which will enable Matterdale Community Association to run the facility, once construction work has been completed.
4.6 The Parish Council (sic) remains both the sole trustee of Matterdale School Foundation and the freehold owner of the Recreation Field.
His report was received.
5. Dr Darrell Smith is the new Eden District Councillor for the area including the Parish and hopes to attend the 1st July Council meeting (he has apologised that he is unable to attend the Annual Meeting).
The Annual Parish Meeting was followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting, the minutes of which are as follows:-
1. Present and Apologies for absence: as above.
2. Declarations of interest and acceptance of office: it was noted that new declaration forms were required in duplicate from all Councillors. The Clerk will keep one and forward the other to Eden District Council. Also, Councillors will need to sign the Acceptance of Office form in the presence of the Clerk.
3. Election of Chairman of the Council: Cllr Castles was elected unopposed.
4. Election of Vice-Chairman of the Council: Cllr Lloyd was elected unopposed.
5. Appointment of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer: Mr Brown was appointed and his rate of pay was fixed at £15.00 per hour for 2019/20. He expects to work c 20 hrs a month on Parish Council work (including that of Matterdale School Foundation).
6. Planning Committees appointed:
Matterdale- Cllrs Marshall , Gore (chair), Castles, Crofts, Mrs Wilson and McAlpine. Watermillock- Cllrs Lloyd (chair), Gaskell, Shaw, Firth, Holder and Dobinson.
Their delegated powers are those set out in Standing Orders.
7. Presentation and Approval of Annual Accounts (Parish Council and its Recreation Fund). These were presented (as attached), having been prepared by Dodd & Co. They were approved, with omission of note 2 to the Recreation Fund accounts.
8. Completion of Annual Governance Statement and Annual Return. The Annual Governance Statement was completed, and the completion and submission to external auditors of the relevant part of the Annual Return delegated to the Clerk, once the internal audit had been carried out.
9. Presentation and approval of Annual Parish Council Budget. This was presented and approved (as attached).
10. Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. It was agreed that no change was required.
11. Risk Assessment and Insurance requirements. It was agreed that no change was required.
12. Review of Inventory of Assets. It was agreed that no change was required.
13. Review of Council’s Complaints Procedure. It was agreed that no change was required.
14. Review of Freedom of Information Statement and Transparency Code requirements. It was agreed that no change was required.
15. Revised Data Protection Requirements. It was agreed that no change was required.
All Councillors agreed that their email details could be retained by the Clerk and that he is permitted to use email to contact them and provide them with relevant information and documents.
16. Approval of minutes of last Parish Council meeting on 4th March 2019: these were approved as circulated and signed.
17. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
17.1 Better Broadband. Cllr Shaw reported that he had received the quote from Open Reach for 83 properties currently with poor or no broadband; the quote was £827,900, which worked out at a contribution requirement for each property (assuming all contribute) at c£10k per property. Cllr Shaw will inform those concerned.
17.2 Rushmire Land
The Clerk has taken no action to obtain a grazier; the policy remains to have the land available to sell if the proceeds are needed to fund the proposed Education and Community Centre.
18. Report of bank balances and authorization of any expenditure:-
Balances: HSBC Bank plc at 3rd May 2019 £6,773.75, including the £4,500 precept recently received : Skipton Building Society: £65,046.02 (interest due 31/10/2019). It was agreed that £5,000 should be transferred from HSBC to Skipton B S.
Expenditure authorized was as follows:- to Gordon Consultancy for payroll services £108 and to CALC for the 2019/20 Annual Subscription £141.98 (both retrospective); to Watermillock Village Hall £16 for the meeting fee and to CALC £17 for “Local Government Review”.
19. Planning matters, including committee reports. The Clerk agreed to circulate all Councillors with a summary of Applications made and Decisions taken since the last Parish Council meeting.
20. Highway matters. None.
21. Training opportunities: CALC courses are detailed on its website.
22. Appointment of Internal Auditor: Faye Armstrong of Dodd & Co was appointed for the year 2019/20.
23. Review of effectiveness of Internal Audit.
Ms Armstrong of Dodd & Co had carried out the Internal Audit for 2018/19 satisfactorily.
24. Appointment of Parish Member to LDNPA.
Councillors were asked if they wished to stand: none did.
25. Correspondence
25.1 Eden Housing Association lettings policy is to be circulated to all Councillors; comments are sought but it is not expected to require amendment.
25.2 The consultation period for the LDNPA Pre-submission Local Plan ends on 3rd June 2019: Councillors were asked to make individual submissions if they wished to do so.
25.3 The Council welcomed the proposal of Penrith Action for Community Transition (PACT) to tackle single use plastic in the Ullswater Valley, which has resulted in pollution of the lake water with microplastics.
25.4 There is to be a further meeting about the replacement of the temporary bridge at Pooley Bridge at 6.30pm on Wednesday 15th May in the Pooley Bridge, Parkin Memorial Hall.
26. The schedule of Parish Council meeting dates as set out in the Agenda was agreed .
The Parish Council meeting was then adjourned to allow the Matterdale School Foundation meeting to proceed. When it resumed following the end of the Matterdale School Foundation meeting, all that was reported to, or agreed, at that meeting was accepted and agreed by the Parish Council
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 4th March 2019 in Watermillock Village Hall
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Mrs Gaskell, Firth, Dobinson, Holder, Mrs Wilson and McAlpine.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk (and County Cllr Hughes for part of the meeting).
1.Apologies for absence: Cllrs. Marshall, Mrs Gore and Shaw.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None (those of Cllrs Gore and Crofts as committee members of Matterdale Community Association having already been noted).
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 7th January 2019 were approved as circulated and signed.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 Planning Applications for public viewings now go to the Royal Hotel, Dockray, where they are kept behind the bar (save on Council meeting dates, when they will be removed by the Chairman for report to the meeting).
4.2 Cllrs Crofts and Castles have looked at the trees on Council land at Troutbeck; they do not consider that professional inspection would be a justified expense; the Council accepted their view.
4.3 The new Charity scheme for Matterdale School Foundation had been made, which opened the way for progress to be made with the proposed new Education/Community building on the Recreation Field to be financed, as previously proposed. An initial meeting had taken place with 2030 Architects (the Clerk and Cllr Gore attending); Cllrs Gore and McAlpine, with the Clerk, were charged with moving matters on. 2030 Architects are arranging for the site to be assessed (in particular, to determine how water drainage should be dealt with); they have presented their draft Design Brief for consideration.
4.4 Cllr Hughes reported that the temporary footbridge (to serve while the road bridge at Pooley Bridge was being replaced) could not go ahead as planned, owing to refusals of permissions required for footings. A revised solution is to be sought.
5. Planning matters, including committee reports.
5.1 Matterdale Planning Committee is expected to lodge no objection to the proposed hydro scheme at Dockray Mill, the further consent sought by the owners of Hope Springs or the extension at Kate Brow, Dockray.
5.2 Watermillock Planning Committee is to meet following the two Council meetings to consider the application to further develope High Barton, Watermillock.
5.3 The decision notice approving work at High Barton (7/2019/3200) has been received.
6. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
6.1 The balances at 4th March 2019 on the Council’s accounts were £7,252.99 at HSBC and £65,046.02 at Skipton Building Society.
6.2 The following expenditure was approved (the Council expenditure continuing to be within budget):
£32.00 to Watermillock Village Hall for two meeting fees
£49.49 to the Clerk for his postage expenses
£40 to the Data Commissioner for the renewal of the Council’s registration
£17.98 to Water Plus for water supplied at the Recreation Field
£1,105.86 to the Clerk for the balance of his 2018/19 Salary (£864 net of income tax), the 2018/19 charges for use of his home as his office (£156) and travel by car (£85.86); also PAYE on the half year’s salary (£216).
6.3 There has been no material departure from the Council’s budget.
7. The Clerk had circulated to all Councillors a draft heads of terms for an Agreement for Lease and Lease to Matterdale Community Association. This had been submitted to Matterdale Community Association committee at a meeting on 28th February 2019 which the Clerk had attended.
Two points had been made by Matterdale Community Association: a) there might be cost benefits in insuring building and contents on one policy; it was agreed that should be considered at the time when quotes were being sought and b) there ought to be an annual meeting of representatives of Landlord and Tenant, possibly each year after the Matterdale Community Association yearly accounts were available.
Cllr Firth was concerned that (as the rent proposed is one peppercorn a year) the Matterdale School Foundation would not have recourse to any funds generated by the operation of the building, which might be made available to Matterdale School Foundation for grant making in accordance with the new scheme. This led to a discussion, which ended with agreement in principle to a proposed additional paragraph defining the circumstances in which any surplus available for grants could be allocated. The Clerk is to settle a suitable paragraph to put to Matterdale Community Association. Otherwise the heads of terms were satisfactory to the Council.
8. It was reported that the 2018 grazier did not wish to renew his licence for grazing on the Council’s Rushmire land: the possibility of using it for willow planting is to be considered by Cllr Crofts; unless he recommends otherwise, it is to be re-let for grazing via public advertisement. Cllr McAlpine had noticed a leak to water trough there but hopes to have turned the supply off.
9. It was agreed that Cllr Shaw would represent the Parish Council on the proposed new CIA for Friends of the Ullswater Way; Mr Chris Gaskell and Cllr Holder would also be interested in being involved.
10. The Council reviewed the arrangements for the local council elections on 2nd May 2019. The Clerk invited sitting councillors to complete the form required to stand for re-election and pass the completed form to him for delivery to Eden district Council by 3rd April 2019.
11. Better Broadband
Cllr Lloyd indicated that he wished to step down as “Broadband Champion”: he had spoken to Cllr Shaw, who is willing to replace him; this was agreed.
Cllr Lloyd had submitted a community fibre application to Open Reach since the last Council meeting and expects a response. His view is that the areas worst served (ie those around Little Mell Fell- Tongue, Sparket, Thackthwaite, Brownrigg and upwards towards the Hause) had most to gain from such a scheme. Speeds in the Matterdale End area vary but download speeds seem adequate there. Cllr McAlpine had circulated 22 houses in the Matterdale End area; 9 replies had been received of which 6 expressed interest and 3 were negative.
The Council agreed with Cllr Lloyd’s view of the priority area, although it was noted that under the Gigabyte Scheme the risk to the Council was very much a factor.
12. Highway matters.
Grit stocks had been renewed very shortly after the last meeting but Cllr Wilson asked that the supplies for the Dockray to Dowthwaitehead be delivered.
13. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details). The Clerk reminded Councillors who wish to receive emails from him that a dedicated email address is advisable under GDPR.
14. Correspondence
14.1 The Clerk had circulated consultation details of Eden District Council’s proposed Local Plans to Councillors, in case any individuals wanted to submit a comment to Eden D C.
14.2 The “Working Together” proposal received from Cumbria County Council was of future interest, it was agreed, but, in the short term, it was agreed that the Council should not put itself forward for consideration of any partnership with the County Council; its precept does not provide for any cost involved and the Council will have other business in 2019/20 which should take priority.
13.3 The Outward Bound conference on 23/24 March 2019 was noted.
14. Other Business: none
15. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 13th May 2019 (the AGM) in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.00pm).
D.L.Brown-Clerk to Matterdale Parish Council 5th March 2019
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 7th January 2019 in Watermillock Village Hall
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Holder, Firth, Mrs Gore, Crofts, MacAlpine, Shaw , Mrs Gaskell and Dobinson.
In attendance: Mr Brown, as Clerk, County Cllr Hughes, Mr Miles Macinnes (to the end of item 4)and two parishioners.
1. Apologies accepted: Cllrs.Marshall and Mrs Wilson.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: Cllrs. Gore and Crofts re Matterdale Community Association.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 5th November 2018 were approved and signed.
4. Open Forum:
Mr Macinnes brought the Council up to date on the proposed new bridge at Pooley Bridge, due to be installed between September 2019 and Easter 2020. He also reported that the LDNPA consultation on its new Local Plan had c2,700 responses; the consideration of these is likely to mean that the draft Plan will be ready later in 2019 than had been anticipated.
He was asked to press LDNPA to send to the Clerk a complete set of drawings with any planning application sent for consultation; the web only process is not satisfactory, as not all councillors have good home broadband and there is no broadband available in the Matterdale Church Room.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
5.1 Better Broadband. Cllr Lloyd reported on the well-attended meeting held on 3rd December 2018 at the Royal Hotel. Mr P Cretney of Open Reach had been present and had reported on progress to date. In short, it was decided to put in one or more applications to Open Reach for those properties in the Parish currently having poor or no broadband. Finance is still a major concern. Optic fibre to the premises remains the best solution, it was agreed.
5.2 The Clerk had spoken with Mr Andy Nichol about the need for inspection of Council woodland. He had quoted an annual cost of £500 for inspection and report for a small copse. Inspection of trees both in leaf and bare (in alternate years) was his advice. Cllrs Crofts and Castles will look at the Troutbeck copse, which adjoins a highway and revert to the Clerk on the need for expert inspection
6. Planning matters
Applications 3150 re Half Moon Wood, 3189 re Leeming Farm, 3184 re Beauthorn Cottage, 3185 re Outward Bound, 3165 re Glencoyne Information Board, 3200 re Hope Springs, 3199 re Bennethad Farm, 3204 re Denton Hill and 3206 re Aira Force had been (or were that day) looked at by committee members and to none of these did the Council have any objection.
7. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
7.1 The balances at 7th January 2019 on the Council’s account at HSBC were £2653.52 and £65,046.02 at Skipton Building Society
7.2 The following expenditure was approved: £50 to the Clerk for printer ink and paper: £95.10 to Cllr Lloyd for web expenses.
7.3 The year’s expenditure to date has been within budget, save for the payment for costs of title registration re the Recreation Field, which was not budgeted for.
7.4 It was agreed that the 2019/20 precept should be fixed at £4,500, based on the budget approved at the last Council meeting.
8. New Community/Education Building
Provisional upon Charity Approval of the proposed new Scheme for Matterdale School Foundation, it was agreed to (a) authorize an application in the Council’s name for planning permission to site a new building for education and community use on the Recreation Field (including the preparation of architects’ drawings and a landscaping scheme for approval by the Council and Matterdale Community Association in advance of submission for planning consent): 1/9 of the cost to be met by the Parish Council (sic) if MSF agreed to meet the balance and (b) progress heads of terms (and then agreement for lease) of the completed development to Matterdale Community Association (the Clerk was asked to obtain solicitor’s input before putting any terms to Councillors and then MCA).
9. Highway matters
Cllr Hughes agreed to take up with the County Council the need to replenish grit supplies on the minor roads in the Parish, where bins were usually filled before winter. Also, he was asked if the former practice of providing various piles of grit could be resumed. A pot hole between Matterdale End and Dockray on A5091 needed attention again.
10. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details). The Clerk had attended a GDPR update, which suggested (inter alia) that Councillors should have a dedicated email address for Council emails. A training course locally for all Councillors would cost £100; no decision was made on this possibility.
11. Correspondence
Great North Air Ambulance has written thanking the Council for its £100 donation.
12. The Clerk was authorized to renew the grazing licence for the Rushmire Land.
13. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 4th March 2019 in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.00pm. The other 2019 meeting dates proposed were agreed as set out on the agenda.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 5th November 2018 in Matterdale Church Room
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Holder, Mrs Gore, Crofts, Marshall, MacAlpine, Shaw, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Gaskell and Dobinson.
In attendance: Mr Brown, as Clerk, and two parishoners.
1. Apologies accepted: Cllr. Firth and County Cllr Hughes.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: Cllr Lloyd and Holder re Watermillock Village Hall and Cllrs. MacAlpine, Crofts, Gaskell and Shaw re Better Broadband.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 3rd September 2018 were approved and signed.
4. Open Forum: no business raised.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
5.1 Title to the Recreation Field has been registered at H M Land Registry; the address the Land Registry hold is that of Mr Brown; when he ceases to be Clerk, the address on this, and other Land Registry tiles, will need to be changed, he pointed out.
5.2 Cllr Lloyd reported that he is pursuing with BT Openreach proposals aimed at improving broadband in areas of the Parish not yet well served. He had circulated a map of those properties still without good broadband. The Gigabit Voucher Scheme provides for £3k grants for those carrying on a business from home and £500 grants for up to five nearby houses. He is planning to arrange a meeting for those affected in early December, probably at the Royal Hotel. He asked that the Parish Council agree to be the accountable body for this new scheme; this was agreed.
5.3 The Clerk had had passed to him an email from the Friends of the Ullswater Way. They are looking into incorporating as a Charitable Incorporated Organization. The Parish Council agreed that it would not expect to object to the revised constitution.
5.4 Watermillock Village Hall have applied for a major grant; the result of the application is expected to be known in January 2019.
5.5 The outcome of discussions between CALC and LDNPA on the revised procedure for consulting Parish Councils on planning applications received appears to have confirmed the LDNPA’s expressed intention to expect Parish Councils to view applications on line. It was agreed that this was most unsatisfactory but inevitably it will affect the procedure Matterdale Parish Council will need to follow.
In short, if the Clerk refers an application to Matterdale Planning Committee, he will print the supporting documents and deliver the printed documents to the Royal Hotel. Councillors will be advised by email (Cllr Mrs Wilson by post) that the documents are there to view. Councillors will email any comments to the Clerk. If there is any objection, the Clerk will call a meeting of the Committee; if there is no objection, he will so notify LDNPA. Whilst Cllr Marshall is abroad, Cllr Gore will chair any meeting of the committee.
Cllrs on Watermillock Planning Committee will be told by email when an application has been notified to the Clerk and generally will be prepared to view documents on line before commenting. Any objection will need to be dealt with in meeting.
6. Planning matters, including decision notices and committee reports.
6.1 Decision Notices received and noted (all conditional approvals)
7/2018/3045 re Rushmire Hall (erection of storage building)
7/2018/3073 re Parkgate Farm, Dockray (alterations)
7/2018/3086 re Glencoyne Farm (bridge repairs and rebuilding)
7/2018/3085 re High Barton, Watermillock (alterations), and
7/2018/3080 listed building consent re Calley Bridge, Hutton John (repairs)
6.2 Applications (all 7/2018)
3133 re Stonecroft Farm,Thackthwaite,
3130 re Chapel Hill, Matterdale,
3143 re Rushmire Hall (annex),
3122 re Fox Hill Farm (new shed),
3149 re Matterdale Old Schoolhouse,
3087 re Gilslow Bridge, Troutbeck,
3156 re Rushmire Hall (stable),
3160 re Matterdale Former Residential Centre, now “Hope Springs” (alterations), and
3170 re Glencoyne Hydro Scheme had been received and considered by the respective planning committees. To none were there any objections.
6.3 Cllrs Lloyd, Holder, Dobinson and Shaw representing Watermillock Planning Committee had met with Mr Peter Harrison at his request immediately before the meeting. His family have recently bought Bennethead Farm, intending to farm it and the two 30 acre parcels which go with it.
They have obtained permission already for demolition of some redundant farm buildings. They now intend to put in a planning application which will allow for a barn to be converted to form a house for him to live in, and, out of existing farm buildings, to create on each side of the main farmhouse (which is intended to be occupied by his parents) self catering holiday accommodation. He had showed the drawing of these proposed changes to them. It was agreed that the application, when received, should be dealt with by the Watermillock Planning Committee: on the face of it, an objection was unlikely, it was agreed.
Mr Harrison was sympathetic to the suggestion put to him by the Clerk, that a new public notice board, located by the road used as part of the Ullswater Way, should replace the dilapidated notice board by the rear farm entrance.
7. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
7.1 The balances at 4th November 2018 on the Council’s account at HSBC were £2,870.52 and £64,532.41 at Skipton Building Society (£1,500 having been transferred following the last meeting to boost the HSBC balance).
7.2 The following expenditure was approved:
£15.00 to Matterdale Parochial Church Council for the meeting fee and £152 for solicitors’ fees and expenses to Gaynham, King and Mellor who had registered the Council’s title to the Recreation Field at H M Land Registry.
7.3 The year’s expenditure to date has been within budget, save for the above payment to “Gaynhams” which was not budgeted for.
7.4 It was agreed to donate £100 to the Great North Air Ambulance.
7.5 The Clerk had revised the draft budget for 2019/20 to take account of a possible contested election in May 2019. The budget (as revised 4th November 2018) was agreed as circulated.
8. Highway matters
Cllr Marshall suggested that the road serving the Knotts, the Old Schoolhouse and Hope Springs should be named “Keith Clark Lane”, in recognition of Keith’s outstanding service to the Council over many years. It was agreed that this posthumous honour would be well deserved but that any request for that name to be adopted should be held in abeyance and would need extensive consultation, in particular with those served by the road, if the Council were to make such request.
9. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details).
10. Correspondence.
10.1 The CALC AGM is on Saturday 10th November 2018 at Newbiggin Village Hall starting at 10.30am; the agenda has been circulated.
10.2 The need for a recorded inspection of any trees on any un-let Council land which is accessible to the public was noted. The Clerk is to arrange with Cumbria County Council that any necessary inspection takes place and to record the result and any action to be taken.
11. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 7th January 2019 in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.00pm.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 3rd September 2018 in Matterdale Church Room
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Holder, Mrs Gore, Crofts, Marshall, MacAlpine, Mrs Wilson, Firth , Gaskell and Dobinson,.
In attendance: Suzi Hankin and Dillon Jackman (both LDNPA) until the close of item 4, County Cllr Hughes, Mr Brown, as Clerk, and one parishoner.
1. Apologies accepted: Cllr. Shaw.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: Cllr Firth re Ullswater Way and Watermillock Village Hall.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 2nd July 2018 were approved (amended as per the agenda) and signed.
4. Open Forum.
The two LDNPA representatives present explained the proposal put together by LDNPA to repair and improve the footpaths used by those walking the Ullswater Way. Their proposal had been circulated before the meeting. They asked that the Council apply for a CWMET grant which was needed to fund the scheme. LDNPA would manage the scheme and the Council, on receipt of the grant, would be responsible for ensuring that the grant funding was appropriately applied. No funds were sought from the Council. It was agreed that the paperwork should be passed to the Clerk and, if he saw no legal objection, the Council would do as asked.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
Town End Notice Board
The Clerk had spoken with Mr N Meadwell; it seemed that the only suitable improvement was a full replacement at a quoted cost of £785. It was agreed to defer a decision on this until the Council knew its contribution to the 2019/20 expenses for the election due in May 2019. If the election is uncontested, surplus funds could well then be available to meet this cost.
6. Planning matters, including decision notices and committee reports.
6.1 7/2018/3097 re Swinburn Park, Watermillock, and 3117 re Undercrag, Watermillock, had been considered by the Watermillock Planning Committee, who had no objection. Matterdale Planning Committee had had no objection to 3076 re the Hill, Matterdale.
6.2 Various Councillors reported that they were unable to consider recent planning applications properly, as the links provided by LDNPA (in place of full drawings and background papers, as provided prior to 1st August 2018) were not available to them. It was agreed that the Council should require the LDNPA to revert to the supply to the Clerk by post of full drawings and background papers, so that the detail could be properly considered. The availability to all Parish Councillors of full size drawings, in particular, is necessary to enable a proper view to be formed; those Councillors with no or insufficient broadband should not be prevented from taking a considered view of applications. The meeting room used in Matterdale is without a broadband connection.
The action taken by LDNPA appears to have been taken without consultation with Parish Councils, contrary to its stated policies on community involvement.
The Clerk is to take this up via CALC as well as directly with LDNPA.
6.3 Application 7/2018/3133 re Stone Croft, Croft Head Farm, Thackthwaite, was considered at the meeting. On the limited amount of information available, there was no objection.
7. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
7.1 The balances at 3rd September 2018 on the Council’s account at HSBC were £1,502.52 and £66,032.41 at Skipton Building Society.
7.2 The following expenditure was approved (the Council expenditure continuing to be within budget):
£15.00 to Matterdale Parochial Church Council for the meeting fee
£11.80 for water charges at the Recreation Field
£1,287 to the Clerk (£254.40 of which is PAYE) for salary to 30th September 2018
£540 (including £90 VAT) to Dodd & Co for their accountancy services re 2017/18 accounts and internal audit.
Also, an estimated £152 for solicitors’ fees and expenses, if, as the Council agreed, Gaynham, King and Mellor of Penrith were to be asked to register the Council’s title to the Recreation Field at H M Land Registry.
7.3 The Clerk is to arrange a withdrawl from Skipton Building Society to keep the HSBC account sufficiently in credit.
7.3 The Internal Audit by Dodd & Co has been completed, the Clerk reported.
8. Highway matters
8.1 The County Council will provide signs on A592 to indicate the turning to Watermilock Village Hall and also is to arrange repairs to the bridge at Town End.
8.2 Funding to improve the safety of A592, part of which runs through the Parish; the Clerk is to repeat the Council’s commitment to a 40mph speed limit on A592 and a 30mph speed limit on A5091 Matterdale End to Dockray.
8.3 Work agreed by Mr David Whipp (chair of Eden Local Committee) at the meeting with him on safety on A5091 has not yet taken place; the County Council needs a reminder of its commitment.
8.4 Cars parked at the foot of Great Mell Fell continue to cause danger to motorists at busy times; the Chair will report to the police if dangerous and obstructive parking is reported to him.
8.5 There is flooding, caused it is believed by a blocked highway drain, at Fox Hollow (grid ref 404241); the County Council should be asked to clear the drain.
8.6 Work is to take place for four weeks from 28th August on A66 Sportsman to Beckses Junction to reconstruct the carriageway.
9. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details).
10. Correspondence.
10.1 E-mails had been received from Mr Tony Molyneux of Chapel Hill, Ulcat Row, who objects to the proposal to site a new building on the Recreation Field; the Clerk was asked to respond to him and Mr Lumsden of Thorneythwaite Cottage, who is also an objector.
10.2 CALC is to reform the way in which it assesses the contribution sought from Parish Councils. It is expected to result in a revised basis of contribution starting in May 2019. The Matterdale Parish Council contribution for 2019/20 on the revised basis will be £130.49-cf the 2018/19 figure of £165.
11. Marquee Sale
It was agreed to accept an offer of £600 for the marquee, including its floor and other accessories, from Mr Nick Hall, who had been in contact with MCA. The marquee is not likely to be used by MCA again nor is it expected to be used in conjunction with the proposed new building. It is time consuming to erect, awkward to store and no longer new. It was agreed that the payment should be received into the Recreation Fund, but a fraction representing its contribution of £500 paid to MCA.
12. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 5th November 2018 in Matterdale Church Room starting at 7.00pm.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 2nd July 2018 in Watermillock Village Hall
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Holder (from item 6), Mrs Gore, Crofts, Marshall, MacAlpine, Mrs Wilson, Firth, Shaw, Gaskell and Dobinson,.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk, Mr Gaskell and (until item 6) Mr Miles MacInnes.
1. Apologies accepted: County Cllr Hughes (all Parish Councillors present).
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 14th May 2018 were approved as circulated and signed.
4. Open Forum
Mr MacInnes referred to the consultations which had taken place on the new LDNPA Local Plan: there had been in excess of 1k responses, he said. The LDNPA will be reviewing the results of its consultation and the likelihood is that the new Plan will go to public enquiry, but not for at least 18 months.
He mentioned the proposed Ullswater Valley Showcase Area which is aimed at improving the visitor experience for the Ullswater Valley. Expansion of the facilities linked to Aira Force, better facilities for small craft to use the lake and improved transport were among the proposals. The possibility of small scale housing developments in the Parish were part of the draft Plan, he had noted.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
5.1 The valuation of the Recreation Field received on 25th June 2018 from Mr Green of PFK had been circulated to Councillors: it was noted and accepted for the credit of the Parish Council in ascribing the respective contributions of the Parish Council and Matterdale School Foundation to the proposed community hall on the Recreation Field. It was agreed that a second valuation was not required.
5.2 Progress with BT on improving broadband in Watermillock has been made; their next stage is to come forward with proposals aimed at those whose service remains poor.. Revised routing has been put to BT for its approval.
5.3 Cllr Shaw has inspected the Parish Council’ bench seats; only that at Folly Lane requires attention, in that its legs are badly rusted. Cllr Holder will check it and remove it for repairs.
5. Planning matters, including decision notices and committee reports.
7/2018/3084 and 3085 re High Barton, Watermillock,had been considered by the Watermilock Planning Committee, who had no objection. Matterdale Planning Committee had had no objection to 3073 re Parkgate Farm or 3080 re Calley Bridge.
6. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
6.1 The balances at 2nd July 2018 on the Council’s accounts were £2,948.79 at HSBC and £66,032.41 at Skipton Building Society.
6.2 The following expenditure was approved (the Council expenditure continuing to be within budget):
£16.00 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee
£17.00 to CALC for the Local Council Review received monthly by the Clerk
And £10.11 for water charges at the Recreation Field
6.3 The Clerk will enquire of Mr Meadwell the cost of refacing the notice board at Town End.
6.4 The Internal Audit by Dodd & Co has not yet been completed, the Clerk reported.
7. Highway matters
7.1 The Council noted the proposed footpath diversion at Fox Hall.
7.2 The Clerk asked the Council to note the announcement of funding to improve the safety of A592, part of which runs through the Parish; he suggested that the Council review its commitment to a 40mph speed limit and consider what more could be done in the parish to improve its safety.
7.3 Cllr Holder drew attention to the number of dead trees along the lake side of A592; the visual improvement their clearance would affect, more than justified the minimal cost of the work required, in his opinion
8. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details).
9. Correspondence: none 10. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 3rd September 2018 in Matterdale Church Room starting at 7.00pm.
Matterdale Parish Annual Meetings
The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council were held from 7.30pm in Matterdale Church Room on Monday 14th May 2018.
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls Lloyd , Shaw , Marshall, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, McAlpine, Ms Gore and Firth.
In attendance: Prof Brian Clark, Mr Brown as Clerk and County Cllr Hughes
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting are as follows:-
1. Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllr Holder (work) and Mrs Gaskell (ill).
2. The Minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting were read and approved, and signed as a true record.
3. The Clerk reported on the Council’s role as sole trustee of Matterdale School Foundation, the annual meeting of which was due to follow the Annual Parish Council Meeting:-
3.1 The consultation with those on the electoral role for the polling district of Matterdale, required by the Charity Commission before making a new Scheme containing revised objects of the charity, was then ongoing, Action with Communities in Cumbria having been engaged to carry out the consultation.
3.2 The Clerk thanked all who had helped to arrange the consultation and to settle the information provided to consultees (particularly Cllrs Gore, MacAlpine and Firth).
3.3 He said he hoped that the Council were on the cusp of substantial progress towards replacement of the former Matterdale Village Hall by a replacement building of which the Council and its electors will be proud.
3.4 By 1st June 2018, he said, the charity should have received the net sale proceeds of the New School, which he expected to exceed £400k; that sum, he said, when taken together with the c£65k of Council reserves, will assure the Parish Council that a purpose built building can be provided, without borrowing or increasing the precept.
3.5 As to where the building will be erected, the Parish Council is dependent on planning consent if it is to be on the Recreation Field, which the Parish Council (sic) owns. At present, he said, no alternative site presents itself.
3.6 Progress had also been made in the past year towards a planning application to site four houses (two affordable and two local occupancy) on the land owned by the charity west of The Knotts and east of the Old Schoolhouse. It remained to be seen, he said, whether in the ensuing twelve months, this land could be sold for development.
His report was received.
4. The Chairman gave his report in which he outlined the continuing wok of the Council in reviewing planning applications and raising highway issues. He referred also to the endeavours made (some of which had proved abortive) to find a new site on which to build a facility to serve the community and fulfil the educational purpose of the Matterdale School Foundation.
He paid tribute to the very active work and involvement of Councillors, to the way in which the Clerk had attended to the extra work which had fallen on him and to the involvement and support of County Cllr Hughes, especially in relation to highway matters.
His report was received.
5. County Cllr. Hughes was thanked for his input, particularly in relation to highways. With regard to the ongoing work to repair the section of A5091 from Matterdale End to Aira Force, he would ask the County Council to report to the contractors the concerns expressed by councillors at the meeting in relation to the signing of the road closures, required while the work was being carried out. He asked the Parish Council to bear in mind the budget constraints, which continue to restrict the County Council’s programme for necessary highway maintenance.
The Annual Parish Meeting was followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting, the minutes of which are as follows:-
1. Present and Apologies for absence: as above.
2. Declarations of interest: none.
3. Election of Chairman of the Council: Cllr Castles was elected unopposed.
4. Election of Vice-Chairman of the Council: Cllr Lloyd was elected unopposed.
5. Appointment of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer: Mr Brown was appointed and his rate of pay was fixed at £15.00 per hour for 2018/19. He reported that his work load had increased in 2017/18, in that he had recorded 23 hours above the anticipated 20 hours a month (including that for Matterdale School Foundation). The Chairman asked that he be paid for these extra hours.
6. Planning Committees:
Matterdale- Cllrs Marshall (chair), Gore (v-chair), Castles, Crofts, Mrs Wilson and McAlpine. Watermillock- Cllrs Lloyd (chair), Gaskell, Shaw, Firth, Holder and Dobinson.
Their delegated powers are those set out in Standing Orders.
7. Presentation and Approval of Annual Accounts (Parish Council and its Recreation Fund). These were presented, as prepared by Dodd & Co, and approved (as attached). The Council noted the reduction in its reserves, largely caused by non-recurring expenses related to a replacement for the former Matterdale Village Hall.
8. Completion of Annual Governance Statement and Annual Return. The Annual Governance Statement was completed, and the completion and submission to external audit of the Annual Return delegated to the Clerk once the internal audit had been carried out.
9. Presentation and approval of Annual Parish Council Budget. This was presented and approved (as attached).
10. Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
The Clerk had circulated a draft of standing orders, based on the updated NALC Model. He recommended an alteration to the draft at para. 9b (p16), to require fourteen days’ notice (rather than seven) from Councillors requiring an item to be included in an agenda for the next following Council meeting; also the addition of a heading to refer to the Parish Council and the date of the adoption of the new Standing Orders. All this was agreed and the Standing Orders adopted as so amended.
11. Risk Assessment and Insurance requirements.
The Clerk reported that he had reviewed the Risk Assessment. Cllrs Castles and Crofts agreed to carry out the required inspections of the Council’s grazing land and Cllr Shaw its bench seats.
A-on were not offering renewal of the Council’s insurance.On the recommendation of NALC, BHIB were engaged as brokers and the Clerk (having circulated details of the policy offered) recommended that insurance from 1st June 2018 be placed through BHIB at a premium cost of £270.67. This was agreed.
12. Review of Inventory of Assets. This had been amended to refer to the contract for the sale of the New School. Cllr Lloyd will put the revised version on the Council’s website.
13. Review of Council’s Complaints Procedure. It was agreed that no change was needed.
14. Review of Freedom of Information Statement and Transparency Code requirements.
The first should stand unchanged but the second may require additional documents to be put on the Council’s website; this the Clerk will arrange with Cllr Lloyd.
15. Revised Data Protection Requirements
The Clerk had circulated a draft Data Protection Policy and Privacy Statement to accord with the General Data Protection Regulations coming into effect on 25th May 2018. It was agreed that any amendments arising from Cllr Firth’s comments (which had also been circulated) should be incorporated in the approved draft and that these documents should then be put on the Council’s website.
The Clerk agreed to serve as Data Protection Officer, if the regulations continue to require a Data Protection Officer and if, as Clerk, he is permitted to so serve (a bill is expected to go before Parliament, he explained, which will remove the requirement for a local council to appoint a Data Protection Officer). It was to be expected, the Clerk said, that any complaint of breach of the regulations would be dealt with under the Council’s complaints’ procedure.
The Clerk emphasized the need for all Councillors to be aware of, and comply with, the new regulations.
All Councillors agreed that their email details could be retained by the Clerk and that he is permitted to use email to contact them and provide them with relevant information and documents.
Whilst Councillors need email addresses for all other Councillors, they should be careful, it was agreed, not to forward emails to others, unless the email or other data pertaining to other Councillors were absent from the forwarded email.
If any Councillor should cease to serve as a Councillor, the data he/she holds will need to be erased.
The Council will also need to safeguard residents’ data (eg that held by Cllr Lloyd in relation to Watermillock Broadband).
16. Approval of minutes of last Parish Council meeting on 5th March 2018: these were approved as circulated, with correction of Mr Cretney’s name (not “Cerney”) in para 5.1. They were then signed as a true record.
17. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
17.1 Better Broadband. Cllr Lloyd reported that a further meeting would be held at Watermillock Village Hall on Thursday, 31st May 2018 (6.00pm). This had been made necessary by the addition to BT/Open Reach’s provision of two new cabinets, and the consequential reduction in the number of households likely to support a Community Broadband scheme as previously proposed. Mr Jonathan Harris of Connecting Cumbria and Mr Cretney are expected to make presentations at this meeting and Cllr Lloyd hopes to display maps showing which properties in the Watermillock section of the Parish will or will not benefit from these new cabinets. Councillors were urged to attend.
17.2 Rushmire Land
The Clerk reported that a grazing agreement for 2018 had been completed with Mr Tom Blease and the £150 fee received.
18. Report of bank balances and authorization of any expenditure (including cost of insurance):-
Balances: HSBC Bank plc at 14th May 2018: £5,324.07, including the £4,000 precept received in April: Skipton Building Society: £64,032.41 (interest due 31/10/2018).
Expenditure authorized was as follows:- to the Clerk for stamps bought £50.40, to Gordon Consultancy for payroll services £90.00, to D. Trelease £415 for 2017 grass cutting and to CALC for the Annual Subscription £165.00 (all retrospective); to the Clerk £62.50 to reimburse his payment to Beacon Computers for Data Protection work; to Matterdale PCC £15 for the meeting fee and to BHIB £270.67 for the insurance premium required (as above).
It was agreed that part of the HSBC balance be transferred from HSBC Bank to the Council’s account at Skipton Building Society and £2,981.85 be transferred to the Matterdale School Foundation’s account there (or such other sum required to maintain in that account the correct balance as shown by the annual accounts).
19. Planning matters, including committee reports
19.1 the Clerk reported on decision notices received from LDNPA (both consents under ref 7/2018):-
3027 re Mill Cottage, Hutton John: house extensions.
3025 re High Brow, High Row, Dockray: alterations to barn and extension of curtilage.
19.2 Application 3045 further information had been sought, and provided, re Rushmire Hall: change of use of land to equestrian ménage and stables and erection of an agricultural building: the application was referred to Matterdale Planning Committee (which subsequently approved the application).
19.3 An email of 13th May 2018 from the owners of Aira Cottage was considered. In relation to applications 7/2017/3109 re Brownhills ,they had made a complaint to LDNPA. A further application (7/2018/3040) had been made in relation to outside decking at Brownhills to which the owners of Aira Cottage objected. They asked whether the Parish Council needed “a more robust way of looking at plans for residents that are unable to respond to planning applications because of short term absence”.
The Council considered their suggestion but concluded that, as the Council is not made aware of residents’ absences, and is in each case working to a strict timetable imposed on it for its response to any planning application, it was not able to revise its procedures to meet the point at issue.
Moreover, the Council is principally concerned with the public effect of any proposal. The individual affected generally makes any comment direct to LDNPA and should do so, in the opinion of the Council. As well as the relevant letter from LDNPA advising neighbours of a relevant application and the notice LDNPA routinely posts on the applicant’s property, all planning applications are published on the LDNPA website, a regular inspection of which should provide householders with details of any application affecting them.
20. Highway matters.
These had been dealt with in the Annual Parish Meeting at County Cllr Hughes’ request.
21. Training opportunities: CALC courses are detailed on its website.
22. Appointment of Internal Auditor: Faye Armstrong of Dodd & Co was appointed for the year 2017/18.
23. Review of effectiveness of Internal Audit.
Ms Armstrong of Dodd & Co had carried out the Internal Audit for 2016/17 satisfactorily.
24. The Council considered whether the marquee purchased for, and loaned to, Matterdale Community Association (and its related equipment) should be retained or sold. Storage would become a problem, whilst the marquee was unused, and its erection and dismantling had proved to be very labour intensive.
It was agreed that Cllrs Castles and Gore would try to sell, and proceed with the sale if they both agreed, provided the sale raised at least £100 for the Council.
25. The Clerk awaited the requested valuation of the Recreation Field sought from Mr Green of PFK. He will report the valuation to Councillors when received.
26. There was no correspondence which required consideration by the Council or other business, though Councillors’ attention was drawn to the review of the LDNPA local plan covering the next fifteen years, to which Councillors were invited to contribute their individual views. The consultation runs from 8th May to 29th June 2018. There will be a “drop in” consultation event at the Crown Inn, Pooley Bridge, on Thursday 7th June 2018 (3pm-7pm). If Councillors require the Parish Council to take a view on any part of the draft Plan, a special meeting could conveniently take place on Wednesday 27th June 2018, when the Parish Council is due to meet as trustee of Matterdale School Foundation.
27. The schedule of Parish Council meeting dates as set out in the Agenda was agreed but, in accordance with the wish of a majority of Councillors, the meetings will start at 7pm (not 7.30pm).
The Parish Council meeting then closed.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 5th March 2018 in WATERMILLOCK VILLAGE HALL:-
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Firth, Ms Gore, Dobinson, Holder, Mrs Wilson and MacAlpine.
In attendance Cllr N Hughes and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs Shaw and Marshall.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting on 8th January 2018.
These were approved, as amended in para 7 to exclude reference to Mr Bennett and para 10.3 to correct “Bleaze” to “Blease” and “Thorneythwaite Farm” to “Thorneythwaite Cottage”. The final paragraph was renumbered to 12. The minutes were then signed as a true record.
4. Open Forum: none.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes
5.1 Watermillock Broadband
Cllr Lloyd reported that he had received a revised quotation from Openreach but omitting one or two properties, which he had hoped the Community Broadband would serve. He was due to meet Mr Paul Cerney of BT Openreach the following day.
However, Cllr Shaw has reported that his enquiries revealed that his property would be served by a new cabinet, which had not yet been connected. He had been told that its connection had been put on hold pending progress with the Community Broadband proposal.
Also EE (owned by BT) were marketing improved broadband by 4G. That service would not be available universally in the Watermillock area and might well be more expensive to use and slower, Cllr Lloyd believed.
Cllr Lloyd is asking for confirmation of individuals’ commitment to Community Broadband and will need to contact landowners to confirm that the necessary easements will be granted.
5.2 The Clerk reported that he expected a Grazing Agreement with Mr Tom Blease to be entered into for the Rushmire Land. A nine month period would begin on 1st March 2018 at a price of £150. The contract is expected to be entered into in the next seven days, he said.
6. Planning matters—
6.1 Committee reports:-
6.1.1 7/2018/3016-replacement of dwelling at Folly Cottage approved by Watermillock Planning Committee.
6.1.2 7/2017/3141-replacement of dwelling at Lakefield approved by Watermillock Planning Committee.
6.1.3 7/2018/3012-new ground floor window at 4 Wreay Mansions approved by Watermillock Planning Committee.
6.1.4 7/2018/3009-agricultural building at Thorneythwaite Farm approved by Matterdale Planning Committee.
6.1.5 7/2018/3003- timber cabin at Ghyll Head Farm approved by Matterdale Planning Committee.
6.1.7 7/2018/3027 re Mill Cottage, Hutton John approved by Matterdale Planning Committee.
6.1.8 7/2017/3158 replacement garage doors and office at Foxhill Farm, Penruddock approved by Matterdale Planning Committee
6.1.9 7/2018/3023 re High Brow, High Row approved by Matterdale Planning Committee
6.2 Planning Applications- none requiring response.
7. Financial
7.1 The Clerk reported on the state of the Council’s bank and building society accounts- HSBC Bank plc £2,392.60cr at 5th March 2018; Skipton Building Society £65,032.41.
7.2 Approval of any expenditure:-
The Council approved the following: £16 to Watermillock Parish Council for the meeting fee,
£12.01 to Water Plus for water supplied to the Recreation Field
£1,440.00 to the Clerk for the balance of his 2017/18 salary (net) plus PAYE thereon of £288, both to be paid as to 2/5 from MSF funds, 1/5 out of the Recreation Fund and 2/5 by the Parish Council sic
£160.20 to the Clerk for his 2017/18 travel expenses
£260.00 to the Clerk for use in 2017/18 of his home as his office
£35 to the Information Commissioner for renewal of the Council’s registration
£50 to CALC for the VAT course attended by the Clerk
£70 to CALC for the course on the new data protection regulations he is due to attend on 7th March.
£22.80 to reimburse the Clerk for the £22.80 paid to LawMan for the grazing licence used re Rushmire Land as above.
8. Progress with the proposal to apply to site a new building for education and community use on the Recreation Field was to be considered at the following MSF meeting.
9. Highway matters
9.1 Serious potholes were reported in the road leaving Matterdale End for Walloway and on A5091 between Matterdale Church and Dockray: Cllr Hughes will report these for urgent attention.
9.2 The drainage between the Knotts and A5091 has been much improved.
9.3 Cumbria Highways were congratulated on the efforts made in the recent wintry conditions to keep open A5091 Dockray to Troutbeck.
9.4 The Council asked the Clerk to suggest that grit piles should be dumped at Town End, Watermillock, the informal parking area adjacent to Dockray Village Green and an appropriate area at Matterdale End (if one can be identified-Cllr MacAlpine will look into possibilities).
9.5 Cllr Hughes referred to a government report which had identified A592 as one of Britain’s most dangerous roads. Cash is to be made available for improvements to its safety. Areas to be improved may be mainly those in Patterdale Parish; details should be available before work starts in October 2018.
10. Training.
Cllr Gaskell is awaiting the opportunity of attending an “effective Councillor” course with CALC.
11. Correspondence.
Eden District Council is distributing information pertaining to safety in the home.
12. Any other business : none.
13. Next meeting date: 14th May 2018 (AGM) in Matterdale Church Room (if available) starting at 7.30pm.
D. L. Brown (Clerk to the Council)
6th March 2018
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 8th January 2018 in Watermillock Village Hall
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Marshall, Shaw, Firth, Ms Gore, Dobinson, Holder, Mrs Wilson and MacAlpine.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk, Mr Paul Lewis (until and including item 6.1), Mr and Mrs Gaskell, Ms Nicky Jackson (until and including item 6.2) and Cllr N Hughes (from item 10).
1. Apologies for absence: None.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: Cllr Dobinson re item 6.2 and Cllr Ms Gore re item 7.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 13th November 2017 were approved as circulated and signed.
4. Open Forum: Not needed.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
5.1 Mrs Gemma Gaskell, whose cv had been circulated prior to the meeting, was unanimously co-opted to serve as a Parish Councillor and as a member of Watermillock Planning Committee.
5.2 Better Broadband: Cllr Lloyd had no substantial progress to report.
6. Planning matters, including committee reports.
6.1 Mr Paul Lewis distributed background and design and site drawings of the proposed new clubhouse and associated facilities for Ullswater Yacht Club. It has, he said, c800 members, about one third of whom reside locally. The existing clubhouse has twice been hit by flooding and is no longer insurable. The siting of a building above predicted future flood levels is therefore a necessity if the Club is to continue to prosper.
He wanted to have the opinion of Matterdale Parish Council, as the buildings’ visual impact would be more apparent to residents of Matterdale Parish than those of Barton Parish, where the development would take place.
The Council was generally sympathetic and supportive of the design of the main building. However, concerns were expressed (a) as to how the building and environs would be lit and (b) about the design and finish of the proposed adjacent wet classroom.
As to (a), Mr Lewis assured the meeting that the clubhouse lighting would be thrown downwards and that the grounds were not intended to be lit. He himself was concerned that the lighting should not be an eyesore or increase light pollution.
As to (b), he believed that the stretched fabric covering the wet classroom would be of a colour that was unobjectionable and that might lessen Councillors’ concern about its impact on the landscape.
It was agreed that the Clerk should communicate the Council’s view to Barton Parish Council in time for its view to be taken into account by members of that Council
5.2 Ms Jackson spoke to the previously circulated email which the Council had received from Mr Will Ripley about the development they proposed at Longthwaite Farm, Watermillock. In short, the costs of providing a new house on the site of a small outbuilding on their site were prohibitive and they were considering alternatives which would accommodate their needs. Plan A was to proceed as intended to demolish the outbuilding at the south of their site and build a new house as approved by LDNPA already, but omitting any affordable accommodation. Plan B was to extend the old barn to its north by a double storey extension on its south gable end, demolishing the outbuilding as part of the work.
Cllr Lloyd, as Chair of Watermillock Planning Committee had viewed the site with the Clerk and Mr Ripley and had spoken to Mr Long of LDNPA; Mr Long’s strong view was that Plan A was inconsistent with LDNPA strategy and the Matterdale Neighbourhood Plan, and any such application would be refused by LDNPA. In the view of Cllr Lloyd, and of Cllr Firth, who had also viewed the site, the outbuilding is of poor quality and might even be described as an eyesore. Accordingly, Cllr Lloyd’s view was that the Council would be likely to support Plan B if satisfied with the detail when the planning application was received for consultation.This view was supported by the Council.
5.3 Notices of planning consents have been received from LDNPA as follows (all 7/2017):-
3114 re Dockray Mill: changes to use, windows and internal layout
3117 re Lower Hollows, Matterdale: variation of condition to allow continuous slate finish roof
3109 re Brownhills, Dockray: alterations and extensions
3137 re Gill Head Farm, Troutbeck: revised local occupancy conditions.
5.4 Applications 3137 re Ghyll Head Farm, Troutbeck, 3139 re Kilncroft, Thackthwaite, and 3148 re Todgill, Matterdale, had been to Matterdale Planning Committee which had no objection to any of them.
5.5 Applications 3151 re holiday lets at Thorneythwaite Farm, Matterdale, and 3158 re Fox Hall Farm, Thackthwaite, were passed to Matterdale Planning Committee. Applications 3124 and 3159 re Lake View, Watermillock, were passed to Watermillock Planning Committtee.
6. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
6.1 The balances at 8th January 2018 on the Council’s accounts were £2,034.14 at HSBC and £66,050.36 at Skipton Building Society. Receipts and expenditure were substantially as budgeted.
6.2 The following expenditure was approved (the Council expenditure continuing to be within budget):
£16.00 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee
£15.00 to Matterdale PCC for the November meeting fee
£10.03 to Water Plus for water supplied to the Recreation Field and
£125.73 to Cllr Lloyd for website expenses he had paid on behalf of the Council.
6.3 The 2018/19 budget had been circulated to all Councillors in advance of the meeting and was agreed. Accordingly the Council fixed the 2018/19 Precept at £4,000.
7. The Clerk reported that Mr Bennett had pulled out of the negotiations to sell part of his land at Dockray for a new Education/Community building; it had been decided by Messrs Castles, Gore and Brown, in consultation, not to pursue the proposed purchase further, as the Recreation Field, which the Council already own, was an alternative site and Mr Bennett would be very unlikely to change his mind. Their views were endorsed by the Council, who delegated detailed progress with the design, layout and planning application to build on the Recreation Field to Messrs Castles, Gore and Brown.
8. Highway matters.
8.1 The proposed closure on five days in the next six months affecting the road at Moorend Farm was noted.
8.2 Modifications on A5091 (High Cascades Car Park to Matterdale End), to improve the safety of pedestrians, were in the main not expected until 2018/19 but Cllr Hughes will see if he can get the signage improved in the meantime.
8.3 Cllr Wilson reported that work is required on the road gutters at the New Road and leading down to Dockray; they appear to be blocked and causing treacherous conditions in sub-zero temperatures and flooding, in particular where Dr Smith lives.
8.4 Surface water is also causing lethal conditions on A5091 adjacent to Matterdale Church.
Cllr Hughes noted the above and will ask for the necessary actions.
9. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details). The Clerk has attended a course on VAT, the main lesson of which was the need to assess the VAT impact of any new Education/Community Building; it is likely to be a case where VAT exemption should be waived at the appropriate time to enable contractor’s and professional expenses to be incurred effectively free of VAT.
The Clerk is also intending to attend a course on the new Data Protection regulations.
10. Correspondence:
10.1 Mr Mark Lightburn’s email of 29th November 2017 on signpost repairs was noted but the Council can reasonably expect the restoration of old signposts to be carried out and paid for by the highway budget of Cumbria CC.
10.2 The Council took note of the Police Commissioner’s wish to increase the budget for policing Cumbria but was reluctant to express a corporate view; such individuals present who expressed a view were generally in favour of the increase sought.
10.3 The Clerk reported interest from Mr William Tyson of Thelkeld in taking a lease or licence for grazing the Council’s land at Rushmire. Cllr Mrs Wilson had been asked by Mr Thomas Bleaze of Thorneythwaite Cottage if it could be made available to him. As he is a resident of the Parish and had shown early signs of wanting to remain in the valley and dedicate his working time to sheep farming it was agreed that he should be offered a grazing licence for the 2018 grazing season at a fee of £150; if he is not willing to agree terms, then the Clerk should offer it on the same terms to Mr Tyson.
11. The Clerk agreed to check the 2017 receipts from Mr Potter for use of the Recreation Field.
10. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 5th March 2018 in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.30pm
D.L.Brown-Clerk to Matterdale Parish Council 9th January 2018
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 13th November 2017 in Matterdale Curch Room
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Marshall , MacAlpine, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Firth, Shaw and Dobinson.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk and Mr Chris and Mrs Gemma Gaskell of Folly Cottage, Watermillock; also Cllr Neil Hughes from item 8.
1. Apologies accepted: Cllr. Mrs Gore.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None, save Cllr Mrs Gore on matters affecting Matterdale Community Association and Mr Castles on matters affecting the Royal Hotel.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 4th September 2017, as circulated, were amended to include Cllr Holder’s apologies and excise the second sentence of the second paragraph of p2, beginning “Mr Castles said”, and were then approved and signed.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 Guidance from CALC on the new Data Protection regulations was expected before the Parish Council’s planned meeting on 8th January 2018; consideration of the new regulations was therefore deferred.
4.2 Purchase of land at Dockray from Mr and Mrs Bennett. It was agreed to consider this as part of the business of Matterdale School Foundation at the meeting following the Parish Council meeting.
4.3 The noticeboard at Sparket Cross roads has been renewed thanks to Mr N Meadwell. It is a major improvement on the previous notice board there.
4.4 There remains a place for a Watermillock resident to be co-opted to the Council.
5. Planning matters, including decision notices and committee reports.
5.1 Committee reports:-
7/2017/3111 re Park House Watermillock (see below): approved by Watermillock Planning Committee (Cllr Lloyd having taken no part in the approval).
7/2017/3109 re Brownhills Dockray: extension and alterations: approved by Matterdale Planning Committtee.
7/2017/3096 re Lower Hollows, Matterdale, amended design of house alterations approved by Matterdale Planning Committtee.
7/2017/3031 re Ullswater View, Watermillock: approved by Watermillock Planning Committee
7/2017/3114 re Dockray Mill, Dockray: approved by Matterdale Planning Committee.
7/2017/3126 re Lake View Farm, Watermillock: extension to front of house: recommended for refusal by Watermillock Planning Committee, after site visit, as out of keeping with the existing building and highly visible.
5.2 Decision notices (all granting permission) have been received as follows:-
7/2017/3052 re Lylulph Tower: repointing.
7/2017/3048 re Troutbeck Head Caravan Park: work to traffic island and round-about.
7/2017/3076 re Quiet Site, Watermillock: five further camping pods.
7/2017/3096 re Lower Hollows, Matterdale, amended design of house alterations:
7/2017/ 3092 re Foxhill Farm, Thackthwaite: amended condition requiring use as principal home and preventing use as holiday home.
7/2017/3089 re Ghyllside House, Thackthwaite: installation of 9 new roof windows and replacement of failed roof window.
7/2017/3111 re Park House, Watermillock: restoration of former dwelling, agricultural store and outbuildings.
7/2017/3104 re Halsteads Garden Cottage, Watermillock: 2 storey side extension.
7/2017/3113 re Ulcat Row vergeside: telecomm apparatus.
7/2017/3112 re Chapel Hill, Matterdale: conversion work.
7/2017/3068 re High House Farm, Watermillock: conversion of ground floor stable to holiday letting accommodation.
7/2017/3105 re High Barton, Watermilllock: alterations and extension.
5.3 An email of 2nd November 2017 from Mr Will Ripley re Lownthwaite House, Watermillock, approved development (7/2016/3173) was received. He is seeking the Parish Council’s view on amendment of his housing development scheme to exclude construction of an affordable dwelling ,which he has calculated would be uneconomic. It was agreed that he should be invited to the next Parish Council visit to explain his intended revisions to the scheme, with a view to a view then being formed.
5.4 An application 7/2017/3137 re Ghyll Head Farm Troutbeck was referred to the Matterdale Planning Committee.
5.5 The Council’s application 7/2017/3136, to extend the residential part of the former New School/Residential Centre, Matterdale, into the school part of the building was approved; the Clerk was instructed to inform LDNPA of the urgency of an early approval, it being understood that there is still the need to replace it with a suitable new community building.
5.6 An email from Mr Lumsden re the new telecomm mast at Ulcat Row had been received. However, the Council did not agree with his opinion that the Council had acted with “almost undue haste” in approving the application without allowing time for local objectors to express their opinion.
6. Finance
6.1 The balance at 3rd November 2017 on the Council’s account at HSBCplc was £2,435.31 . £66,050.36 was then the Parish Council balance at Skipton Building Society (interest of £456.41 having been credited on 31st October 2017).
6.2 The following expenditure was approved:-
£540 to Dodd & Co, Accountants, for their preparation of accounts to 31st March 2017 and services as internal auditor.
£1,155 to LDNPA for the planning application fee if it was thought fit to put in a planning application for a new Education/Community facility on the Bennetts’ land in Dockray.
£240 to BDO LLP, Accountants, for the external audit.
£100 to Great North Air Ambulance, as a donation.
Departures from budget were those reported at the last meeting.
6.3 The 2016/17 Annual Return and Audit Certificate as received from BDO LLP was approved; Cllr Lloyd has put it on the website. The Chairman expressed the thanks of members to the Clerk for his continuing work as Responsible Financial Officer. The historic cost of the Dockray notice board will need to be included in the 2017/18 and subsequent Annual Returns, as it should have been in the 2016/17 Annual Return.
7. Cllr Lloyd updated the Council on improved broadband for Watermillock; in short, he is still awaiting progress and recosting from Openreach. He will express the Council’s concern at the slow progress. Parts of Watermillock are now effectively served by a new cabinet at the entrance to Leeming Farm.
8. Highways
8.1 Proposed 30mph limit on A5091 from Matterdale End to Dockray Highway
Cllr Hughes and the Clerk attended a site meeting on 19th October 2017 to discuss with Cumbria County Council a possible future introduction of such a speed limit. The case for a limit was not accepted but the Cumbria County Council intend to introduce road markings, signs and edge road markings, though in financial year 2018/19. The County Council would expect that such measures will have a positive effect on pedestrian safety; parish councillors did not accept that these measures would go far enough.
8.2 The signpost at High Row has been damaged.
8.3 The Nab End to Thackthwaite Road is in a bad state.
8.4 Parts of the path from Dockray to Matterdale Church are affected by mud spills.
8.5 The road from the Quiet Site passing “Gatesgarth” is disintegrating.
Cllr Hughes will do what he can on the various reported problems, but recommended problems are reported immediately by Councillors or others to John Banks of Cumbria Highways, Penrith, for attention.
9. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details). It was agreed that the Clerk should attend the course on VAT for Parishes on Tuesday 21st November.
10. Correspondence
10.1 The CALC AGM is on Saturday 18th November, when the Police Commissioner for Cumbria (Mr Peter McCall) will be the guest speaker.
10.2 There is a consultation (closing on 8th December 2017) on the Cumbria Police budget for 2018/19 and the proposed 1.92% increase. Views can be sent to commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk.
10.3 Eden District Council is calling for interest to be expressed in a Community Governance Review by parish councils in its area. It was decided not to express an interest.
10.4 LDNPP are calling for suitably qualified applicants for the Chairman vacancy to submit their application for consideration
11. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 8th January 2018 in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.
D.L.Brown Clerk to Matterdale Parish Council 15th November 2017
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 4th September 2017 in Matterdale New School
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Mrs Gore, MacAlpine, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Firth, Shaw and Dobinson,.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk and Prof B. Clark
1.Apologies accepted: Cllrs. Marshall.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None, save Cllr Mrs Gore on matters affecting Matterdale Community Association and Mr Castles on matters affecting the Royal Hotel.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 8th August 2017 were approved as circulated and signed.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 The letter to Mr Weir re Ulcat Row Aerial is still to be sent.
4.2 Purchase of land at Dockray from Mr and Mrs Bennett. The Chairman and Clerk had met Mr Bennett and his agent, Mr Bashall, on site the previous Friday. Mr Bennett was not at all happy with the site plan the Clerk had provided; his main objection was the extent of the area shown as to be bought for the agreed price. It was agreed that Mr Bashall would contact Mr Cleasby, who prepared the plan, with a view to Mr Bashall preparing a plan which Mr Bennett and the Council might be expected to accept and responding to the draft Heads of Terms sent to him by the Clerk for his approval on 18th July 2017.
Details had been discussed as follows.-
(a) the west boundary will need to be defined to allow a 7 to 10 metre wide corridor for access to running water for animals on the retained land.
(b) the access from the highway needs to be gated, so that (i) the land bought is enclosed when necessary (eg when sheep are being driven onto the retained land) and (ii) Mr Bennett can use a gate at the south end of a 4.5 metre fenced access/egress strip, west of the roadside boundary (he wishes to retain the freehold in his access/egress strip).
(c) the gate to the land bought needs to be set back from the highway, sufficiently to allow vehicles to stop off the highway if the gate to the land bought needs to be opened.
(d) visibility splays will be needed each side of the access/egress point from/to the highway.
(e) the existing gate and hardstanding used by Mr Bennett are part of the area registered at H M Land Registry with the Royal Hotel. Mr Bennett claimed that as his own, but Mr Castles said that, in view of the admitted fact that there was no written record of a boundary variation being agreed with Mr Castles’ next-but-one predecessor (now deceased), his solicitor had advised him that Mr Bennett’s claim was specious.
The Clerk commented that legal arguments over issues relating to adverse possession were often difficult to resolve amicably. Mr Castles said he would gift the relevant area to the Parish Council if the purchase from Mr Bennett could be concluded.
Neither of them would object to visibility splays if required by the highway authority.
(f) agreement on the area for a new hardstanding on the Bennetts’ land east of the A5091 was still a problem; Mrs Bennett does not want it near the farmhouse: Mr Bennett wants it near the highway for operational reasons. The Clerk had tentatively suggested it might be on the retained land, immediately north of the area to be bought, by the end of the Bennetts’access strip. The Council regarded this as a possible solution if any potential seepage problem could be overcome.
The Chairman, Mrs Gore and the Clerk will continue the negotiation as delegated by the Council.
5. Planning matters, including decision notices and committee reports.
5.1 Committee reports:-
7/2017/3052 re Lylulph Tower repointing: approved by Watermillock Planning Committee
7/2017/3076 re Quiet Site, Watermillock five further camping pods: approved by Watermillock Planning Committee
7/2017/3096 re Lower Hollows, Matterdale, amended design of house alterations: approved by Matterdale Planning Committee
5.2 Decision notices (all granting permission) have been received as follows:-
7/2016/3173 re Longthwaite Farm Watermillock: new local occupancy dwelling and barn conversion to form affordable local occupancy dwelling for rent
7/2016/3023 re Denton Hill, Lowthwaite: house and woodstore (outline)
7/2017/3038 re Low House, Thackthwaite: demolition of office and rebuild to form garage/workshop
7/2016/3174 re Hesket Farm, Dacre: use of land to station 10 camping pods
7/2017/3008 re Mountain View, Dockray: conversion and extension of barn
7/2017/3072re Penfold Cottage, Dockray : extension to existing agricultural shed.
5.3 Cllr Shaw was appointed to the Watermillock Planning Committee.
6. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
6.1 The balance at 3rd August 2017 on the Council’s account at HSBCplc was £1,821.24 but subsequently £2,200 has been transferred from Skipton Building Society (Parish Council account) and £767.99 from Matterdale School Foundation‘s account at Skipton Building Society to meet expenditure (anticipated or already incurred). £66,593.98 was thus the current Parish Council balance at Skipton Building Society.
6.2 The following expenditure was approved (the Council expenditure continuing to be within budget, save for the fencing repairs and trough replacement at Rushmire and £1,800 paid as previously agreed to Muckles, Solicitors, re funds which might be made available from Matterdale School Foundation for a new Matterdale education/community building):
£36 to PFK for an extract from the OS map showing (inter alia) the land intended to be bought from the Bennetts.
£1,474 to the Clerk for his net salary from April to September 2017 (inclusive) plus £34.38 for stamps (the salary to fall 2/5 on the Parish Council as such, 1/5 on the Recreation Fund and 2/5 on Matterdale School Foundation).
£360 to HMRC for income tax on the above salary payment.
£70 to CALC for two “Good Councillor” course fees.
£927.36 to Mr Bashall for his interim bill as valuer for the Bennetts.
And £11.05 to Water Plus Ltd for water charges at the Recreation Field.
7. The possible co-option to the Council of Mr Owen Lightburn was deferred until his meeting with the Clerk had taken place and his commitments to the Watermillock Pantomime clarified.
8. Cllr Lloyd updated the Council on improved broadband for Watermillock; in short, he had achieved c80% support from house owners but awaited progress and recosting from Openreach.
9. Highway matters
9.1 Eden District Council have not recommended the proposed 30mph limit through Dockray. Cllr Hughes efforts to have this approved are continuing but finance and other schemes regarded as more pressing have thwarted his efforts to date [he spoke to Councillors after the meeting and suggested that a petition be signed in support of the proposal and that an appropriate question be put at the meeting on 25th September of the relevant Eden D C Committee (expected to start at 10am at Penrith Fire Station- Cllr Castles agreed to attend)].
9.2 Prof B Clark asked the Council to support his initiatives:-
(a) to have the sign at the end of the public highway serving “The Knotts” and the two former schools changed to “No Through Road” from “Matterdale Centre” (those not familiar with the area were using the road in the mistaken belief it accessed Douthwaite Head, or, in some cases, a shopping centre). His neighbours agreed, he said.
(b) to improve the surface water drainage which still gives rise to serious problems, especially worrying in cold weather, as a lethal ice patch will form at the junction with A5091 unless the drainage can be improved. He is working with neighbouring owners, who can help on this, but needs the main highway drain enlarging.
The Council agreed to support both these efforts.
9.3 Parking at the base of Great Mell Fell, opposite Brownrigg Farm, continues to cause danger. There has not yet been a serious incident, but one is to be expected if there is no restriction on the road and verge there being used.
10. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details). It was agreed that Cllr Firth and the Clerk should attend the course on investment of Council funds (1pm to 4pm on 4th October 2017).
9. Correspondence
9.1 The CALC AGM is on Saturday 18th November, when the Police Commissioner for Cumbria (Mr Peter McCall) will be the guest speaker.
9.2 The Clerk had been contacted by Mr Nick Meadwell of Under Mell House, Thackthwaite; he had offered, at his own expense, to replace the notice board at Sparket Cross Roads with a board of the type he had made for churches in the Rutland area. The Council gratefully agreed that he should be asked to do so.
10. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 13th November 2017 in Matterdale Church Room starting at 7.30pm.
D.L.Brown Clerk to Matterdale Parish Council 5th September 2017
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 3rd July 2017 in Watermillock Village Hall
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Holder, Mrs Gore, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Firth, Shaw and Dobinson,.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk and Mrs R N Lloyd and Stas Kubasiewicz, her architect, until conclusion of item 5.2.
1.Apologies accepted: Cllrs. Marshall and MacAlpine.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None, save Cllr Mrs Gore on matters affecting Matterdale Community Association and Cllr Lloyd re item 5.2
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 15th May 2017 were approved as circulated and signed.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 Rushmire: the fence repairs and the replacement trough have now been effected and the bills are due for payment.
4.2 The Clerk will progress the assessment of risk and insurance cover in consultation with Cllr Firth.
4.3 The Clerk will provide Cllr Lloyd with the further information needed to make the Council’s website compliant with the recently introduced transparency code.
4.4 Progress with BT on improving broadband in Watermillock continues to be slowly made. Revised routing has been put to BT for its approval.
4.5 Despite Cllr Hughes’ efforts it is not likely that any speed restrictions on A5091 will be introduced in the Dockray area this financial year; financial restraints and competing schemes are to blame.
4.6 Proposed terms of purchase of land at Dockray from Mr and Mrs Bennett had been circulated in advance of the meeting and would be put to their agent when a suitable site plan is available. The Clerk will instruct Latimer Hinks Limited of Darlington to act for the Parish Council in the purchase.
5. Planning matters, including decision notices and committee reports.
5.1 Decision notices (all granting permission) have been received as follows:-
7/2017/3021 and 3022 re Leeming House Hotel bar extension and new terraces/balcony for the east wing
7/2017/3044 bio-security measures re new jetty at Rampsbeck Hotel
7/2017/3065 and 3036 amendment to application 7/2015/3123 and rebuilding of barn and change of use at Leeming Farm
7/2017/3034 change of use of part of field to garden at Lake House, Watermillock
7/2017/3055 extensions at Rookin House Farm
7/2017/3007 extension of garden and new access at 2 Mell View, Troutbeck
7/2017/3040 alterations and additional floor at Floshgate Cottage, Watermillock
7/2017/3049 greenhouse at Plum Tree House, Sparket.
5.2 Park House, Watermillock
Cllr Lloyd had circulated, at the suggestion of LDNPA, a note of his family’s proposal to re-develope a former dwelling and barn (Park House) forming part of Gowbarrow Hall Farm. Their architect produced some early sketches of possible designs and materials. The Lloyds judgement was that a farming business for their daughter and son-in-law would be viable there. The Parish Council agreed unanimously that the proposal met the criteria for development contained in paragraph MNP1 of the Neighbourhood Plan and accordingly supported the proposal in principle.
5.3 It was agreed that the Parish Council should prepare and submit a planning application for a new Education and Community building on the land proposed to be purchased from Mr and Mrs Bennett; progress on this was delegated to Cllrs Castles and Gore with the Clerk.
6. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
6.1 The balances at 3rd June 2017 on the Council’s accounts were £3,646.75 at HSBC and £68,793.95 at Skipton Building Society.
6.2 The following expenditure was approved (the Council expenditure continuing to be within budget, save for the fencing repairs and trough replacement at Rushmire):
£16.00 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee
£510 and £920 plus Vat to Mr Keith Golding for the above fence repairs and trough replacement at Rushmire (£510 of which is expected to be reimbursed by Cocklakes Farm)
And £33.92 for water charges at the Recreation Field
6.3 The Parish Council will ask Muckle LLP to advise it on how funds received by Matterdale School Foundation from the sale of its land and building can be used to fund the purchase of the Bennett site referred to above, and the costs and expenses of constructing the proposed new Education and Community building, including ancillary expenses such as professional fees and planning fees.
6.4 The Internal Audit by Dodd & Co has just been completed, the Clerk reported. It is not expected to be qualified.
7. Highway matters
7.1 Repairs to Folly Lonnin have been agreed by the County Council but not yet affected.
7.2 There are notices indicating closures on A592 in the next few days but whether these will effect traffic, and precisely when, is not clear.
8. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details).
9. Correspondence
9.1. The Clerk reported that a former Councillor had contacted him in regard to land between Bennethead Farm and the house until recently occupied by Mr Gordon Lightburn. The area is unfenced and used as access/egress land with the farm, with no obvious current public amenity. The Clerk had contacted Cartmell Shepherd, the solicitors to the Lightburn family instructed to act in the sale of Bennethead Farm. They had checked the land registry plan and informed the Clerk that the land in question is within the registered title and does not appear from their searches to be subject to any public rights. The Council decided to accept the position as it appears from the title register and searches. The Clerk will inform the solicitors accordingly.
9.2. ACT have provided Household Emergency Plan leaflets, which the Clerk distributed. It was agreed that the leaflet should be referred to in “Together” and on notice boards
10. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 4th September 2017 in Matterdale starting at 7.30pm.
D.L.Brown Clerk to Matterdale Parish Council 4th July 2017
The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council were held from 7.30pm in Watermillock Village Hall on Monday 15th May 2017.
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls Lloyd , Marshall, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, McAlpine and Holder.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk and Mr Stuart (aka Ben) Shaw.
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting are as follows:-
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr. Ms Gore and Cllr Firth.
2. The Minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting were read and approved and signed as a true record.
3. The Clerk reported on progress since the Council was appointed trustee of Matterdale School Foundation, the annual meeting of which was due to follow the Annual Parish Council Meeting.
4. The Chairman gave his report (as attached). It was received.
5. There was no other business.
The Annual Parish Meeting was followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting, the minutes of which are as follows:-
1. Present and Apologies for absence: as above. Cllr Hughes joined the meeting at item 16.5 below.
2. Declarations of interest: none, save as declared at previous Council meetings.
3. Election of Chairman of the Council: Cllr Castles was elected unopposed.
4. Election of Vice-Chairman of the Council: Cllr Lloyd was elected unopposed.
5. Appointment of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer: Mr Brown was appointed and his rate of pay was fixed at £15.00 per hour for 2017/18.
The Council agreed that Dodd & Co should be retained as accountants to the Council and that the Clerk should agree terms of business with them, based on their quote of £400 for 2017/8 and £300 thereafter (both figures ex VAT).
6. Planning Committees:
Matterdale- Cllrs Marshall (chair), Castles, Gore, Crofts, Mrs Wilson and McAlpine. Watermillock- Cllrs Lloyd (chair), Firth, Holder and Dobinson.
Their delegated powers are those set out in Standing Orders.
7. Presentation and Approval of Annual Accounts (Parish Council and its Recreation Fund). These were presented and approved (as attached).
8. Completion of Annual Governance Statement and Annual Return. The Annual Governance Statement was completed, and the completion and submission to external audit of the Annual Return delegated to the Clerk once the internal audit had been carried out.
9. Presentation and approval of Annual Parish Council Budget. This was presented and approved (as attached).
10. Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. It was agreed that no change need be made (subject to any audit comment).
11. Risk Assessment and Insurance requirements. Cllr Firth and the Clerk are to review the Aon renewal terms and, unless they consider otherwise, the Aon insurance is to be renewed for one year from 1st June 2017.
12. Review of Inventory of Assets. This is to be updated by the addition of bench seats.
13. Review of Council’s Complaints Procedure. It was agreed that no change was needed.
14. Review of Freedom of Information Statement and Transparency Code requirements.
The first should stand unchanged but the second requires additional documents on the Council’s website, which the Clerk will arrange with Cllr Lloyd.
15. Approval of minutes of last Parish Council meeting on 27th March 2017: these were approved as circulated. They were then signed as a true record.
16. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
16.1 Better Broadband. Cllr Lloyd reported that his group had continued to work on cable routing and participating properties. New routing maps were due to be agreed and property owners’ support sought.
16.2 Rushmire Land. Cllr Wilson had spoken to Mr Smith of Cocklakes and Mr Coyx as fencing contractor. She understands Cocklakes will pay Mr Coyx direct for making good the damage their driver caused to the roadside fence and water trough, leaving the Parish Council to arrange a contractor for the fencing damaged subsequently.
16.3 Cllr Gore had attended the funding event on 4th May.
16.4 Mr Potter had paid £110 towards the water charges for the Recreation Field. No grazing agreement is proposed until the site for the new hall is determined.
16.5 Cllr Hughes reported that speed limits on A5091 from Matterdale End through Dockray were under consideration. Further evidence is to be collected for the County Council and, hopefully, the matter will be before committee in July 2017. He warned that resources are stretched and other parishes may be given priority in the allocation of such funds as are made available.
16.6 It was noted that both Mr Brunt and Mr Lightburn had ceased to be members of the Council, so that two places were vacant. The Clerk was asked to thank them for their service.
17. Report of bank balances and authorization of any expenditure (including cost of insurance).
Balances: HSBC Bank plc at 3rd May 2017: £5,173.40, including the £4,000 precept received in April: Skipton Building Society: £68,793.95 (interest due 31/10/2017).
Expenditure authorized was as follows:- to D. Trelease £450 for 2016 grass cutting and to CALC for the Annual Subscription £160.14 (both retrospective); to CALC for one copy of the monthly "Local Council Review" £17.00 and for three copies of the Good Councillor Guide £10.50; to Watermillock Village Hall £16 for the meeting fee.
It was agreed that £3,000 (part of the HSBC balance) be transferred from HSBC Bank to the Council’s account at Skipton Building Society and £674.63 to the Matterdale School Foundation’s account there, to maintain in that account the correct balance as shown by the annual accounts..
18. Planning matters, including committee reports
18.1 the Clerk reported on decision notices received from LDNPA (all consents)
(under ref 7/2017 save as otherwise stated):-
3005 re Ulcat Row Farm: lean-to extension.
3015 re Bank House, Dockray: use of annex has holiday let.
18.2 The following applications had been reviewed in committee, without any being objected to:-
3036 re Leeming Farm, Watermillock: rebuilding of former barn,
3034 re Lake House, Watermillock: extension of garden area
3055 re Rooking House, Troutbeck: extensions
3034 re Floshgate Cottage, Watermillock: enlargement including additional floor (though in this case the Watermillock committee had asked the LDNPA to consider whether the height proposed was appropriate).
18.3 The LDNPA had invited the Council to take part in its “call for sites” exercise. It was agreed that the Neighbourhood Plan should be considered (where relevant to future development) and that there were no sites in the Parish which the Council would, at this stage, wish to identify for development (the identification of a site for a new Matterdale Community Hall having already been discussed at some length with Mr Ben Long of LDNPA).
19. The Clerk drew attention to the East Distinctive Area Tour on 6th June, starting at 4.30pm from Mungrisdale Village Hall, and invited any Councillors who wished to take part to notify LDNPA.
20. Highway matters.
20.1 The possibility of spasmodic diversions being in place in the Walthwaite area south of A66 was noted
20.2 Cllr Hughes will enquire further about the repairs needed to make good the water damage to Folly Lonnin.
21. Training opportunities: CALC courses are detailed on its website; in particular, new Councillors were invited to attend a “Good Councillor” course (either 16th May at Penrith or 20th June at Cockermouth).
22. Appointment of Internal Auditor: Faye Armstrong of Dodd & Co (whose CV was read to the meeting) was appointed for the year 2016/17.
23. Review of effectiveness of Internal Audit. The report of the Internal Auditor was awaited, Mr Foster having resigned due to personal circumstances. The Clerk was asked to express the Council’s thanks to him for his work over the past six years or so.
24. Co-option to fill two Council places: Stuart (aka Ben) Shaw expressed his willingness to be co-opted, having recently retired and made his home at Tongue Farmhouse, Watermillock. His experience is as a surgeon in NHS. It was agreed that he be co-opted.
25. Site for New Matterdale Community Hall. It was agreed that the Council’s offer to Mr Bennett for c1 acre of land adjoining the Royal Hotel, be increased.
26. There was no correspondence which required consideration by the Council or other business.
27. The schedule of Parish Council meeting dates as set out in the Agenda was agreed.
The Parish Council meeting then closed.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 27th March 2017 in Matterdale New School
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Mrs Gore Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, and MacAlpine.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk and (until item 6) Mr D Garner .
1.Absent: Cllrs. Lightburn, Marshall, Holder, Firth and Brunt.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 6th March 2017 were approved as circulated and signed.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 Better Broadband
The Clerk reported that (as an alternative to the Parish Council being a party to the Watermilock scheme) he had raised with Clrs Lloyd and Firth the possibility of forming a Community Interest Company, as a company limited by guarantee, of which they and others who had worked with Cllr Lloyd on the proposed scheme for Watermillock may be directors. The Clerk had discussed this possibility with CALC and Action for Communities in Cumbria; the former had agreed that the advantage in risk management for the Council and Councillors, and the ability of those affected by the proposed scheme to control the project, were significant advantages of the CIC format: also, contributors would be safeguarded in the unlikely event of a claim against the Parish Council, which might otherwise affect the expenditure of funds contributed on the proposed scheme. The rough estimates of £242k for BT work and £20k on other contractors for trenching meant that the sums involved were far in excess of the resources of the Council.
Cllr Lloyd will raise with BT the possible change of contracting party from the Parish Council to the proposed CIC and, if that format is acceptable, the Parish Council agreed that it would not be involved. However, if a CIC is not an acceptable party, the scheme will proceed with the Parish Council as contracting party. In either event the Parish Council does not expect the scheme to involve any significant financial commitment.
4.2 Recreation Field. It had been agreed that a grazing agreement with Mr Mark Potter could be entered into for 2017, but the Clerk has received no response to the offered terms. Mr Potter had agreed to bear the 2016 water charges if the Council would pay for a replacement gate. The Council believe that Mr Potter was responsible for the damage to the previous gate, gateposts and near-by wall, so expect him to replace the gate at his cost. The whereabouts of the meter and stop tap is still not clear; the Chairman will look on and about the site again to see if the water can be turned off.
4.3 It appears that the horse muck has ceased to be deposited in Mill Lane, Dockray, after the Clerk’s complaint letter to Ms Lucy Stockdale.
4.4 The Clerk has been told that consultation on Eden District interim local plan will end on 10th April at 5pm; Councillors were invited to take part if any wished to do so.
4.5 It was agreed that the Council should pay the Gordon Consultancy Ltd fee of £75 plus Vat for payroll services in 2016/17.
4.6 It was agreed that the Council should support the Farmers’ Flood Group, as requested by Mr Barnes, but without financial commitment.
4.7 Cllr Gore will attend the CVS Eden Funding event on Thursday 4th May.
4.8 Rushmire
The Clerk has again contacted Cocklakes Farm about its contribution to the cost of making good fence damage and replacing the water trough. He has not received the funds, or the promise of funds. Mr Peter Smith had emailed him to the effect that he would not pay until the fence was replaced. The Council agreed that his delay was unacceptable and payment should not be conditional on the fence being replaced. However, the Clerk should arrange the fence repairs and the replacement trough, if an acceptable quote could be obtained for the work to be done at an early date.
5. Planning matters
5.1
7/2016/3023 re Denton Hill
Mr Garner explained that he had submitted this application as an outline application, LDNPA having indicated that in view of the 2016 Neighbourhood Plan, the application had a greater prospect of success than the proposal rejected pre Plan. The Council were unanimous in supporting the new application.
5.2
7/2017/3021 re Leeming House Hotel
Cllrs Lloyd, Holder and Dobinson have payed a site visit; they are of the view that, although in principal there is no objection to the proposal, the scheme was not in keeping and unattractive in context. The Council agreed that LDNPA should be so informed.
6. It was agreed to defer any possible sale of land holdings at Troutbeck or Rushmire or the Matterdale Recreation field pending clarity of whether all possible funds would need to be raised for the Council to pay for a new Matterdale Community Centre.
7. The Clerk reported on his correspondence with Mr Bennett’s agent, Mr Bashall. Mr Bennett’s response to the increased offer made on behalf of the Council was awaited.
9. Highway matters
Cllr Hughes is addressing the Council’s concern at traffic speeds on A5091, especially through Dockray. Speed figures are expected to result from information to be gathered by the Highway Authority over the Easter holiday period and a response from the highway authority is then expected.
(The agreed next meeting date (the AGM) is Monday 15th May 2017 in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.)
D.L.Brown Clerk to Matterdale Parish Council 28th March 2017
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 6th March 2017 in Watermillock Village Hall
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, and MacAlpine.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk.
1.Absent: Cllrs. Lightburn, Marshall, Holder, Mrs Gore and Brunt.
The Clerk had reminded members that the Council can only approve the absence of a Councillor from a meeting if he has requested this in writing and given the reason for his absence. A Councillor cannot continue in office if he fails to attend a meeting for a period of six consecutive months and the reason for his absence has not been approved before the end of the six month period. The Council has no discretion to allow membership of the Council to continue.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None save Cllr Castles re Item 6.3 on the Agenda: new tea room at the Royal Hotel, Dockray.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 9th January 2017 were approved as circulated and signed. The Clerk asked Councillors to note that Parish Councils are excluded from the provision in s100 (C) of the Local Government Act, 1972, allowing a Council to keep confidential minutes (see “Local Government Review”, March 2017- correspondence section)
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 The Clerk has again contacted Cocklakes Farm; Mr Peter Smith had phoned him earlier in the day to promise a contribution of £1,014 to the cost of making good fence damage and replacing the water trough but the Clerk has not received the funds, or the promise of funds to make good the subsequent damage at Rushmire caused by a bus driver. It was agreed that further effort to pursue any other third parties was not cost efficient and that, on receipt of those funds from Cocklakes, the Clerk should arrange the fence repairs and the replacement trough.
4.2 Recreation Field. It had been agreed that a grazing agreement with Mr Potter could be entered into for 2017, but the Clerk has received no response to the offered terms. The offer needs to be repeated, with words to the effect that, without a new agreement, Mr Potter should not graze the land.
4.3 The Clerk awaits hearing from the Lightburn family about the proposed renewal and resiting of the noticeboard at Bennethead.
5. Planning matters, including decision notices and committee reports.
5.1 The Matterdale Planning Committee have considered and approved:-
7/2016/3174 re Hesket Farm, Dacre-ten camping pods and related development
7/2017/3013 tea room at Royal Hotel, Dockray
7/2017/3015 change of use at Bank Farm, Dockray, to allow holiday let of annex there
And 7/2017/3016 telecomms equipment at roadside verge, Ulcat Row.
5.2 Consents have been issued by LDNPA as follows:-
General Purpose Portal Framed Agricultural Building near Half Moon Wood, Watermillock (7/2017/3001)
New Jetty at Rampsbeck Hotel, Watermillock for use of hotel guests (7/2016/3156)
Camping Pods etc at High Gate Close, Troutbeck (7/2016/3147)
Rebuilding of former barn at Leeming Farm, Watermillock (7/2016/3183)
And EE communications equipment at Moorend Farm, Matterdale (7/2016/3176)
6. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
6.1 The balances at 3rd February 2017 on the Council’s accounts were £2,664.59 at HSBC and £68,279.10 at Skipton Building Society. Its interest rate was reduced to 0.65% on 3rd January 2017.
6.2 The following expenditure was approved (the Council expenditure continuing to be within budget):
£35 to the Information Commissioner for the renewal of the Data Protection Registration
£16.00 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee
£316 to the Clerk for his travel, home use and computer and other costs for 2016/17 year,
£1,056 for the balance of his net salary for 2016/17 and £264 to HMRC for related Paye
And £66.71 for water charges at the Recreation Field (this was out of line with the usual quarterly payment: the Chairman will investigate).
7. Co-option
Mr Firth was co-opted to fill the vacancy for a Parish Councillor unfilled at the last Parish Council election in 2015.
8. Broadband
8.1 Cllr Lloyd distributed a note of proposals to improve broadband in parts of the Parish area still suffering poor speeds. Considerable progress had been made since the last meeting, largely due to his hard work. Wayleaves for landowners through whose land cable is to be laid, still are to be submitted to relevant landowners and further funds are needed (Cumbria Community Foundation should be approached for grants).
8.2 The Council approved, in principle, the Parish Council as contracting party for an upgrade in areas not already benefitting from Better Broadband and appointed Clls Lloyd and Firth to a Council Committee, working with the Clerk to (a) investigate further the costs of participation and any risks to the Council from its participation, (b) consider and if thought fit approach those potentially benefitting from the scheme and (c) deal with preliminary negotiations with BT on the form of any contract to which the Parish Council will be party. The Committee should consider approaching suitable solicitors, if necessary, for advice on any agreement to which the Parish Council is asked to be party. Otherwise, the Council’s participation is expected to be cost neutral.
9. Highway matters (9.2 and 9.3 to be reported to Cllr Hughes).
9.1 The Chairman had had his attention drawn to dumping of horse waste on the lane opposite the Royal Hotel; the Clerk was asked to write to Ms Lucy Stockdale about this, and to the Environment Agency if there were to be no suitable response.
9.2 A5091 has been damaged during recent days as a result of heavy traffic using that route to remove spoil from Jenkins Field, Glenridding. Danger to walkers, cyclists and drivers will continue until there is urgent work to make good the road surface, verges and drainage. The damage is particularly worrying in the vicinity of Mings Brow and Kitty House.
9.3 New Road, Matterdale needs attention to make good damage (including that to drains) believed to have arisen from tree felling operations.
10. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details).Cllr Firth was encouraged to attend a new councillor training session.
11. Correspondence: the LDNPA Parish Forum is to be held on 13th March; the Clerk will circulate details in the hope that Matterdale Parish Council might be represented there.
12. The Council’s insurance is due for renewal on 1st June; the Clerk and Cllr Firth will review the risk profile and insurance and report to the May Council meeting.
13 The agreed next meeting date (the AGM) is Monday 15th May 2017 in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.30pm (Cllr. Firth will need to give apologies).
D.L.Brown Clerk to Matterdale Parish Council 7th March 2017
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 9th January 2017 in Watermillock Village Hall
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Lightburn, Marshall, Mrs Gore, Dobinson, Holder, and MacAlpine.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk.
1.Apologies for absence: Cllrs. Mrs Wilson and Brunt. Cllr Lightburn will move to Skye before the next meeting; he had offered to resign but as there is already a vacancy for a Watermillock ward councillor, he had been asked to continue for the time being, keeping in touch by internet.
The Clerk reminded members that the Council can only approve the absence of a Councillor from a meeting if he has requested this in writing and given the reason for his absence. A Councillor cannot continue in office if he fails to attend a meeting for a period of six consecutive months and the reason for his absence has not been approved before the end of the six month period. The Council has no discretion to allow membership of the Council to continue.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: None
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 14th November 2016 were approved as circulated and signed.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 Better Broadband. Cllr Lloyd is making progress but further information is needed before a plan, of those in Watermillock who would be able to take advantage of new facilities provided by BT, can be assembled. A cabinet is to be provided at the foot of the Leeming Farm drive; this should help properties to its west. Lonsdale Net have plans to use a new aerial on Birk Crag to service some parts of Watermillock.
4.2 The Clerk has again contacted Cocklakes Farm but has not received the funds to make good the damage at Rushmire caused by its driver. He will try again to resolve this.
4.3 Recreation Field.It was agreed that a grazing agreement with Mr Potter could be entered into for 2017, even though the land there is still under consideration as the possible site for a new Community Hall.
4.4 The meeting was resumed, after the following meeting of Matterdale School Foundation to consider whether to bid for land at Dockray (which may be available to buy from Mr Bennett) for a replacement of the former Matterdale Village Hall
5. Planning matters, including committee reports.
5.1 Watermillock Planning Committee had had no objection to Applications 7/2017/3004 re Rampsbeck Hotel (cabin for creche), or 7/2006/3183 re Leeming Farm (garage rebuild) and had supported 7/2016/3173 Longthwaite Farm (new build local occupancy dwelling and barn conversion to provide affordable local occupancy dwelling for rent).
5.2 Matterdale Planning Committee had no objection to 7/2016/3176 re the proposed telecoms. apparatus at Mooorend Farm, Matterdale.
5.3 Notices of planning consents have been received from LDNPA as follows (all 7/2016):-
3157 re Moorend Farm, Matterdale: extension of steel framed cattle sheds.
3160 re Rampsbeck Hotel, Watermillock: 3 cabins for hotel accommodation.
3137 re Croft Head Farm, Thackthwaite: livestock building.
3170 re Birk Crag, Watermillock: mast and cabinet for superfast broadband.
3130 re Brackenrigg Cottage: single storey extension.
3144 re Highgate Close Bridge: strengthening work.
3138 re Faulds Cottage, Dockray: conversion of garage to bedrooms.
3162 re New Lodge, Watermillock: erection of boat store.
3159 re Gill Head Farm, Troutbeck: proposed road.
6. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
6.1 The balances at 3rd January 2017 on the Council’s accounts were £2,960.39 at HSBC and £68,279.10 at Skipton Building Society. Its interest rate reduced to 0.65% on 3rd January 2017.
6.2 The following expenditure was approved (the Council expenditure continuing to be within budget):
£16.00 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee
£10.44 to the Clerk for his postage expenses
7. Highway matters.
7.1 Cllr.Mrs Wilson had reported two instances of water running onto highways which should be reported as dangers in cold weather; first at the junction between A5091 and the road to Matterdale Residential Centre and secondly at High Row and down to at least Ann’s Cottage. It was agreed that urgent attention should be sought through Coun. Hughes.
7.2 The road A592 for c4 km from U3136 (Knotts) south west by Dobbin Wood to just east of Aira Force Car Park will be closed for resurfacing for c2 weeks from 27th February 2017 (Monday to Friday only).
8. Training opportunities continue to be made available through CALC (see their website for details).
9. Correspondence: NE Air Ambulance has written to thank the Council for the £100 donation received following the last meeting.
9. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 6th March 2017 in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.30pm (Clls Gore and Marshall will need to give apologies).
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 14th November 2016 in Matterdale Church Room
Present: Clls. Castles (in the Chair), Lloyd, Marshall, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Gore, Dobinson and Holder.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk and Cllr Neil Hughes for item 8.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs. Lightburn, Brunt, Crofts and MacAlpine.
2. Declarations of interest: None, save by Cllr Gore re Fauld Riggs planning application.
3. The Minutes of the meetings on 12th September 2016 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
4. Open Forum: None.
5, Matters Arising from previous minutes
5.1 Broadband: Cllr Lloyd is continuing to negotiate with BT and Lonsdale Net. Dockray and Matterdale End are benefitting from the new cabinet at Dockray (but not so Parkgate Farm and Ulcat Row)
5.2 The National Trust have accepted responsibility for strimming the area in front of the parish bench at Park Brow.
5.3 The revised budget 2016/2017 for the Recreation Fund had been circulated and was approved.
5.4 The Clerk reported that he had not been able to progress repairs to fencing and the water trough on the Rushmire Land; he will continue his efforts.
5.5. The Clerk has written to Mr Mark Potter suggesting a meeting to address the request for a new gate to the Recreation Land; he had no response. The Council believe that a replacement metal gate has been provided by Mr Potter, sufficient to prevent stock wandering. No further action may be required but for 2017 the Council would be willing to renew the grazing licence at the 2015 fee, with no charge being made for 2016 when the grazing right was suspended in case the land was required for a replacement of the village hall.
6. Planning matters
6.1 Decision Notices received under reference 7/2016 since the last meeting (all granting permission)
3092 Moor End, Matterdale (mast, antennae and transmission dishes)
3083 Nab End, Matterdale (alterations and sub-division of existing property)
3098 Brant How, Matterdale End (replacement sun room)
3077 Glencoyne Farm, Glenridding (replacement bridge)
3101 Pine Trees Cottage, Troutbeck (alterations)
3109 Ullswater Caravan Park, Watermillock (ten pods)
3143 Leeming Farm, Watermillock (amendments to approval 7/2015/3123)
6.2 the respective committees had no objection to Applications 3157 re Moorend Farm, Matterdale (new cattle sheds), 3138 re Fauld Riggs, Dockray (house extension),3162 re New Lodge, Watermillock (new boat house), 3156 (new jetty) and 3160 (three new “cabins”) at Rampsbeck Hotel, Watermillock or 3144 re High Close Railway Bridge, Troutbeck
6.3 The Watermillock planning committee had decided to object to the Application 3130 re Brackenrigg Cottage, Watermillock, on the grounds that the enlargement of the cottage was unsuitable as proposed; the outcome of the objection was awaited.
6.4 The Application 3147 re High Gate Close, Troutbeck (camping pods and conversion work to existing buildings) was considered by the Council and it was decided there was no objection.
6.5 Details of the two Appeals relating to enforcement notices served on the owner of Denton Hill were circulated at the meeting. It was agreed that the inspector should be told that the Parish Council remained strongly in favour of the old farmhouse there being restored to use as a dwelling (in accordance with the Neighbourhood Plan) and had had no complaints from members of the public on the matters to which the enforcement notices relate.
7. Financial
7.1 The Clerk reported that the Parish accounts stood at £68,793.95 at Skipton Building Society (the interest for the year to 31/10/16 of £514.85 having been added) and £3,726.22 at HSBC Bank plc (VAT of £1,287.47 having been repaid on 23/09/16).
7.2 Expenditure is broadly as budgeted, save for the Audit Fee which has been billed at £240 (as the income of the last year put the Parish Council into a higher fee scale).
7.3 Expenditure was approved as follows: £21.24 to e-on for electricity charges re the New School (to be paid out of School Foundation receipts), £15 to Matterdale PCC for the meeting fee and £158.08 to Cllr Lloyd for the expense of a hosted website and domain name.
7.4 The draft 2017/18 budget for the Parish Council (excluding the Recreation Fund) had been circulated and was approved. The precept required in 2017/18 would be £4,000 as shown in the budget.
8. Highways
8.1. The request for speed limits on A5091 at Dockray to Matterdale End had been lodged but early action is not expected.
8.2 The road in the vicinity of Mistal Cottage, Matterdale End, has been patched but needs attention; Cllr Hughes has asked Cumbria Highways to include it in works to be done this financial year if funds available will permit.
8.3 Folly Lonnin, Watermillock, badly needs attention, at least in part; Cllr Hughes doubts if his intervention will produce the necessary action, despite the risk of injury to those using the way.
9. Training opportunities: Councillors were referred to CALC’s website.
10. Correspondence
10.1 The Clerk had been asked by Watermillock Village Hall Committee to provide a replacement noticeboard at Town End and by Cllr Lightburn to do likewise at Bennethead. It was agreed that a resited noticeboard adjacent to the Ullswater Way was highly desirable, if grants were available to cover the cost and the landowner’s permission for the resiting could be obtained: that at Town End should be simply refurbished. The Clerk is to follow up those suggestions.
10.2 The forum for CALC members to meet with National Park officials, intended to be held on 7th November, had been cancelled; it was hoped that similar meetings could be arranged in March and in September/October 2017.
10.3 The Clerk drew attention to the leaflet received from Aon Insurance on the disclosure burden place on Councillors prior to insurance or its renewal.
10.4 Letters had been received from Great North Air Ambulance and Penrith Red Squirrel Group asking for funds to support their work. It was agreed to make a donation of £100 to the former but Councillors felt it inappropriate to support the latter.
11. Any Other Business: none
12. The next meeting date is to be Monday 9th January 2017 in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.30pm. Cllr Hughes gave his apologies.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 12th September 2016 in Matterdale “New” School
Present: Clls. Castles (in the Chair), Lloyd, Marshall, Mrs Wilson, Lightburn, Brunt, Crofts, Mrs Gore, Dobinson, Holder and MacAlpine.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk, Mr Will Ripley and partner until close of item 4, and Cllr Neil Hughes from item 5.5.
1. Apologies for absence: None
2. Declarations of interest: None
3. The Minutes of the meetings on 4th July and 3rd August 2016 were approved as circulated, with the deletion of “Eden District ” in item 4.1.1 line 1 in the minute of 4th July.
4. Open Forum: Mr Will Ripley outlined his proposals for Longthwaite House, Watermillock, and its land and outbuildings. He works at Outward Bound Centre, Ullswater, and expects to continue working there. He wants to stay in the area but downsize. He proposes to build a new house for himself on the site of a former cow shed. LDNPA have told him that he will need to provide an Affordable Local Needs House as referred to in para MNP2 of the Neighbourhood Plan and this he intends to do. He showed the layout proposed as drawn for him by Stuart Woodall of Day Cummins, Cockermouth. The nearby owners have not voiced any objection and his next step is to produce the drawing in further consultation with LDNPA. None of the Councillors expressed any objection in principle to his proposal.
5, Matters Arising from previous minutes
5.1 Broadband: Cllr Lloyd is due to meet with Mr Craig Brass of Lonsdale Net to explore the option of that company siting a mast on Birk Crag (part of Gowbarrow Farm); Cllr Holder has used that company for his mast on the Quiet Site. There seems no hope of BT laying fibre sufficient to serve the whole Parish, so the Lonsdale Net proposal seems worth exploring, even though they will not be able to serve all residents and businesses in the Parish.
5.2 The Annual Return for the year to 31st March 2016 was presented following receipt of the BDO audit opinion. The Annual Return, including BDO’s certificate, were approved and accepted. The only issue arising concerned the updating of the Charity Commission Register to show the Council as sole trustee of Matterdale School Foundation: the Clerk agreed to continue his efforts to effect the update.
5.3 The postbox adjacent to Matterdale Church has been made good by Royal Mail.
5,4 The vegetation impeding the footpath between Dockray and Matterdale Church was cut back shortly after the July meeting, and nearby pot holes repaired; the vegetation will need cutting back again in the next month or so.
5.5 The Clerk reported that he had obtained an estimate for repairs to fencing and the water trough on the Rushmire Land. He was in touch with Cocklakes, who admit liability to repair part of what was damaged, but liability for the subsequent damage in July 2016 is proving difficult to establish. The Clerk will continue his efforts.
5.6 There remains a vacancy for co-option of a Councillor from Watermillock.
6. Planning matters
6.1 Application 3130 re Brackenrigg Cottage was referred to Watermillock Planning Committee.
6.2 the respective committees had no objection to Applications 3098 re Branthow, Matterdale End, 3109 re Ullswater Camping and Caravan Park, 3075 re Matterdale Old School, 3016 re Pine Trees, Troutbeck and 3077 re Glencoyne Farm.
6.3 Approvals received: 3075 re Old School, Matterdale,3053 re Lambgill, Watermillock, 3063 re Rampsbeck Hotel, Watermillock, and 3062 and 3078 re Ullswater Caravan Park.
7. Financial
7.1 The Clerk reported that the Parish accounts stood at £68,279.10 at Skipton Building Society (the interest rate from 12th September 2016 having reduced to 0.75%) and £3,793.75 at HSBC Bank plc.
7.2 The Clerk had circulated a budget for the Recreation Fund as recommended by the Internal Audit but it would need amending to take account of insurance costs re the old village hall (not included as bourne by Mark Nixon originally).
7.3 The expenditure is broadly as budgeted, save for the Audit Fee which has been billed at £240 (as the income of the last year put the Parish Council into a higher fee scale).
7.4 Expenditure was approved as follows: £22.99 to the Clerk for printer ink, £13.92 to the Clerk for stamps, £38 to United Utilities Water for water charges, £240 to BDO for the Audit fee,£720 to the Clerk for a quarter’s salary to 30th September 2016 and £180 PAYE thereon, £135.84 to Mrs J Newport for marquee coverings bought for the virtual village hall, A further £45.74 for water charges to United Utilities Water, £20.58 to e-on for electricity charges and £285 plus £188.10 to Mr M Nixon for the expense he incurred to insure the old village hall for two years.
8. Highways
8.1 The closure of A5091 from Rooking House to the junction with U3130 will be for three days from 26th September.
8.2 The road in the vicinity of Mistal Cottage, Matterdale End, needs attention; Cllr Hughes agreed to pursue this.
8.3 Folly Lonnin, Watermillock, needs attention; Cllr Holder will email Cllr Hughes about this.
9. Training opportunities: Councillors were referred to CALC’s website.
10. Correspondence
10.1 The Clerk passed round details of footpaths created as part of Ullswater Way.
10.2 The Ullswater Association will meet on 20th September.
11. Any Other Business
11.1 The National Trust should be asked to strim the area by the parish bench at Park Brow.
11.2 The speed limit on A5091 through Dockray and Matterdale End should be reduced from the present 60mph to at most 30mph. The danger from excess speed is a greater problem as a result of increased numbers of pedestrians in the area. Children especially are at risk. Cllr Hughes agreed to raise this again.
11.3 Mr M Potter has asked the Council to renew the gate to the Recreation Field; the Clerk will ask him to bear the expense.
12. The next meeting date is to be Monday 14th November 2016 in Matterdale Church Room starting at 7.30pm.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 4th July 2016 in Matterdale New School
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Marshall, Mrs Gore, Dobinson, Mrs Wilson, Holder, and MacAlpine.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs. Lightburn and Brunt.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: Messrs Gore and Crofts as trustees of Matterdale Community Association (“MCA”) and Cllr. Dobinson re Outbarn, Watermillock and its proposed conversion.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 28th June 2016 were approved as circulated.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 In relation to the Internal Auditor’s report received at the last meeting, it was resolved as follows:-
4.1.1 Para.3. The grant of £8,000 referred to in para.3 was from the Eden office of Cumbria County Council. The Clerk reported that it had been recalled, as the money made available for works at the New School, expected to be required to convert it to Community Hall use, had not been expended in the two year period for which the grant was made available, and in any event the Parish Council had decided to proceed with a new build elsewhere instead. It was agreed that it should be repaid unless the Clerk could obtain early agreement to its retention for the new build project.
As the Recreation Fund is not a charity, its funds would continue to be retained in the Parish Council accounts at HSBC and Skipton Building Society.
4.1.2 Para 7A) The Clerk reported two expressions of interest in the Rushmire Land from potential tenants or graziers, neither of whom had made a firm offer; it was agreed that it might still need to be sold to finance a new Community Hall; in any case the repair of the damaged fencing and water trough should be a priority there.
4.1.3 Para 7B) No early termination of Mr I.R.Wilson’s tenancy of the Troutbeck holding was considered appropriate, as it brings in a useful £600 annually at present.
4.1.4 Para.8. The Clerk will bring a draft Recreation Fund budget to the next meeting.
4.1.5 Para 9. It was agreed that the budget for the Clerk’s salary should be provisionally allocated as to 2/5ths to the Parish Council sic, as to 1/5 to the Recreation Fund and as to 2/5ths to Matterdale School Foundation. The Clerk will keep a note of how his time is required month by month and the allocation will, if appropriate, be revised when the annual accounts are prepared.
4.1.6 Para 10. It was agreed that the expenditure in relation to the Matterdale School Foundation incurred from 10th July 2015 (when the Parish Council became its trustee) should be taken from Matterdale School Foundation funds, such expenditure to include a proportion of the Clerk’s salary calculated on the above basis.
4.2 Better Broadband
4.2.1 Cllr Lloyd is making progress on the work required to identify land owners and obtain an indication of their consent or objection to fibre optic cable being laid through their land. He needs help in the Matterdale Valley; Cllrs. MacAlpine and Wilson will help with contacts and local knowledge. Cllrs. Holder and G.Lightburn hope to enlist Mr Frank Lightburn’s help in the Watermillock area. Areas served by the Greystoke exchange will be difficult, if not impossible, to fit into the scheme he is working on, Cllr. Lloyd said.
4.2.2 The new live cabinet at Dockray provided initially a great improvement in broadband speeds at the Royal Hotel, but speeds have fallen back in the last two days, Cllr Castles reported. This loss of speed is expected to be a temporary problem. It is too soon to say whether the new cabinet has brought improvement in speeds at Matterdale End.
4.3 The Clerk had circulated a summary of the Recreation Field title; in short it is freehold, held by the Parish Council as such, without trusts or restrictions fettering it and comprises approximately 2.5 acres.
5. Planning matters, including committee reports.
5.1 Watermillock Planning Committee had had no objection to Applications 7/2016/3063 re Rampsbeck Hotel, Watermillock (amended plans for extensions), 7/2006/3078 re Outbarn at Ullswater Camping and Caravan Park, Watermillock (conversion into bunk barn) and 7/2016/3053 re Lambgill, Watermillock (erection of shed).
5.2 The Council had had no objection to Application 7/2016/3092 re new mast at Moor End, Matterdale for EE telecommunications.
5.3 The Council had no planning objection to Application 7/2016 3075 re land adjacent to the Old Schoolhouse, Matterdale (car parking and turning area), provided that any fencing was on the boundary of the land acquired (or to be acquired) by the applicants.
5.4 The Council objected to Application 7/2016/3083 re Nab End, Matterdale.
6. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
6.1 The balances at 4th July 2016 on the Council’s accounts were £39,567.31 at HSBC and £55,279.10 at Skipton Building Society. The HSBC figure will reduce if the £8,000 grant is repaid as referred to above and a separate account opened for Matterdale School Foundation monies. However £13,000 should be available for transfer to Skipton Building Society in the short term.
6.2 The following expenditure was approved (the Council expenditure continuing to be within budget):
£16.00 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee
£55.50 to the Clerk for his postage expenses
£900 (less PAYE) to the Clerk as the first instalment of his 2016/17 salary (three months having elapsed in the current year)
£29.50 to CALC for the course fee due the following day (Clerk attending a course on Asset Transfer).
7. Highway matters.
7.1The Dockray to Matterdale Church Footpath is again overgrown and road repairs are required in the vicinity of Thorneythwaite. These matters are to be brought to Cllr Hughes attention (He arrived shortly after the close of the meeting of MSF which followed and agreed to raise these issues as priorities for attention).
7.2 The road C3038 from Town End junction with A592 for c325 metres to a point outside High Meadow will be closed for kerbing works for c4 days from 6th September 2016.
8. Any other business.
8.1 It was agreed that the Watermillock Councillors would meet with the Clerk in an effort to find a suitable person to propose to the Council as a co-opted councillor.
8.2 The front of the postbox near Matterdale Church has been removed. The Council was not clear whether the post office has decided to close its use or whether it has been vandalised. The Clerk was asked to take this matter up with the Post Office.
9. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 5th September 2016 in Matterdale New School starting at 7.30pm.
Matterdale Parish Annual Meetings
The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council were held from 7.30pm in Matterdale Village Hall (formerly the New School aka Residential Centre)on Monday 9th May 2016.
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls Lloyd, Ms Gore, Marshall, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, Brunt, McAlpine and Holder.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk.
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting are as follows:-
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr. G. Lightburn.
2. The Minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting were read and approved and signed as a true record.
3. The Chairman gave his report (as attached). It was received.
4. There was no other business.
The Annual Parish Meeting was followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting, the minutes of which are as follows:-
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr. G Lightburn (absent until item 17 of these minutes).
2. Declarations of interest were made by Cllrs Gore and Crofts as trustees of Matterdale Community Association
3. Election of Chairman of the Council: Cllr Castles was elected unopposed.
4. Election of Vice-Chairman of the Council: Cllr Lloyd was elected unopposed..
5. Appointment of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer: Mr Brown was appointed and his rate of pay was fixed at £15.00 per hour for 2016/17.
6. Review of effectiveness of Internal Audit. The report of the Internal Auditor, Mr Foster, was awaited (he having asked that the internal audit be delayed for his personal reasons); it was to be dealt with when available.
7. Appointment of Internal Auditor: Mr Foster was appointed for 2016/17.
8. Co-option to fill one Council place (Watermillock ward): no names were put forward. 9.Appointment of:-
Planning Committees:
Matterdale- Cllrs Marshall (chair), Castles, Gore, Crofts, Mrs Wilson and McAlpine. Watermillock- Cllrs Llloyd (chair), Lightburn, Brunt, Holder and Dobinson.
Their delegated powers are those set out in Standing Orders.
10.Presentation and Approval of Annual Accounts (Parish Council and its Recreation Fund). These were presented and approved (as attached).
11. Completion of Annual Governance Statement and Annual Return. This item was adjourned pending completion of the Internal Audit.
12. Presentation and approval of Annual Parish Council Budget. This was presented and approved (as attached).
13. Report of bank balances and authorization of any expenditure (including cost of insurance).
Balances: HSBC Bank plc at 3rd May 2016:£5,256.04, including the £4,000 precept received in April: Skipton Building Society: £53,279.10 (interest due 31/10/2016).
Expenditure authorized was as follows:- to CALC for the Annual Subscription £157.00; to CALC for one copy of the monthly "Local Council Review" £17.00 and for four copies of the Good Councillor Guide £10; to Cllr Gore for reimbursement of the expense of buying a marquee to serve as a community facility £1,607.68 and further equipment £791.72; to HMRC for extra PAYE on the Clerk’s salary £99.62; to Gordon Consultancy Ltd for PAYE work and advice £78.00; to E.On for electricity supplied to the Matterdale New School £24.00 to United Utiliies re Matterdale New School for water charges £110.73; to Matterdale Community Association for village hall expenses £200.00: to the Clerk to reimburse the fees for the Energy Performance Certificate required to market the Matterdale New School £204.00.
It was agreed that part of the HSBC balance be transferred from HSBC Bank to Skipton Building Society.
14. Approval of minutes of last Parish Council meeting: these were approved as circulated. They were then signed as a true record.
15. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
15.1 Fence damage re Rushmire land. The Clerk will pursue this.
15.2 Cllr Lloyd reported that he was working, with his working group, on possible routes for fibre optic cabling in the vicinity of A592 and considering how the cabling might be effective in the Matterdale End and other outlying areas.
16.Risk Assessment and Insurance requirements: these were reviewed but no changes made.
17.Review of Standing Orders: there is no current change required.
18. Actions required re Neighbourhood Plan: none were identified as required.
19. Planning matters, including committee reports
19.1 the Clerk reported on decision notices received from LDNPA (all consents)
(under ref 7/2016 save as otherwise stated):-
3012 re Hag Wood, Watermillock:
3010 re Lake House, Watermillock:
3002 re Rampsbeck Hotel, Watermillock:
3045 re Lower Hollows, Matterdale:
7/2015/3158 re Rookin House Farm, Troutbeck.
19.2 Cllr Lightburn had tabled an updated version of the Terms of Reference and Task Group Terms of Reference for the creation of “enigmatic points of culture and heritage” along the Ullswater Way. The Council endorsed the versions circulated to Councillors on 4th May 2016. The obligations of maintenance and insurance of those within the parish boundaries would need to be considered at a later date.
19.3 Information was provided about works proposed to High Close former railway bridge and diversion and creation of footpaths to form the Ullswater Way.
20. Highway matters.
20.1 The attention of County Councillor Hughes had been drawn to various repairs required to A5091.
20.2 Cllr Holder will email Cllr Hughes about the water damage to Folly Lonnin.
20.3 “Penrith Today” had referred to parking for cars adjacent to the access to Great Mell Fell. Parking there is excessive and habitual, and causes danger. Cllr Castles will complain that car parking there should not be encouraged until there is safe off road parking available there.
21. Training opportunities: CALC courses are detailed on its website.
22. Correspondence and any other business:-
New arrangements at Glenridding Health Centre were noted.
23. The schedule of Parish Council meeting dates as set out in the Agenda was agreed.
The Parish Council meeting then closed.
Matterdale Parish Annual Meetings
The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council were held from 7.30pm in Matterdale Village Hall (formerly the New School aka Residential Centre)on Monday 9th May 2016.
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls Lloyd, Ms Gore, Marshall, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, Brunt, McAlpine and Holder.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk.
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting are as follows:-
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr. G. Lightburn.
2. The Minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting were read and approved and signed as a true record.
3. The Chairman gave his report (as attached). It was received.
4. There was no other business.
The Annual Parish Meeting was followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting, the minutes of which are as follows:-
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr. G Lightburn (absent until item 17 of these minutes).
2. Declarations of interest were made by Cllrs Gore and Crofts as trustees of Matterdale Community Association
3. Election of Chairman of the Council: Cllr Castles was elected unopposed.
4. Election of Vice-Chairman of the Council: Cllr Lloyd was elected unopposed..
5. Appointment of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer: Mr Brown was appointed and his rate of pay was fixed at £15.00 per hour for 2016/17.
6. Review of effectiveness of Internal Audit. The report of the Internal Auditor, Mr Foster, was awaited (he having asked that the internal audit be delayed for his personal reasons); it was to be dealt with when available.
7. Appointment of Internal Auditor: Mr Foster was appointed for 2016/17.
8. Co-option to fill one Council place (Watermillock ward): no names were put forward. 9.Appointment of:-
Planning Committees:
Matterdale- Cllrs Marshall (chair), Castles, Gore, Crofts, Mrs Wilson and McAlpine. Watermillock- Cllrs Llloyd (chair), Lightburn, Brunt, Holder and Dobinson.
Their delegated powers are those set out in Standing Orders.
10.Presentation and Approval of Annual Accounts (Parish Council and its Recreation Fund). These were presented and approved (as attached).
11. Completion of Annual Governance Statement and Annual Return. This item was adjourned pending completion of the Internal Audit.
12. Presentation and approval of Annual Parish Council Budget. This was presented and approved (as attached).
13. Report of bank balances and authorization of any expenditure (including cost of insurance).
Balances: HSBC Bank plc at 3rd May 2016:£5,256.04, including the £4,000 precept received in April: Skipton Building Society: £53,279.10 (interest due 31/10/2016).
Expenditure authorized was as follows:- to CALC for the Annual Subscription £157.00; to CALC for one copy of the monthly "Local Council Review" £17.00 and for four copies of the Good Councillor Guide £10; to Cllr Gore for reimbursement of the expense of buying a marquee to serve as a community facility £1,607.68 and further equipment £791.72; to HMRC for extra PAYE on the Clerk’s salary £99.62; to Gordon Consultancy Ltd for PAYE work and advice £78.00; to E.On for electricity supplied to the Matterdale New School £24.00 to United Utiliies re Matterdale New School for water charges £110.73; to Matterdale Community Association for village hall expenses £200.00: to the Clerk to reimburse the fees for the Energy Performance Certificate required to market the Matterdale New School £204.00.
It was agreed that part of the HSBC balance be transferred from HSBC Bank to Skipton Building Society.
14. Approval of minutes of last Parish Council meeting: these were approved as circulated. They were then signed as a true record.
15. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
15.1 Fence damage re Rushmire land. The Clerk will pursue this.
15.2 Cllr Lloyd reported that he was working, with his working group, on possible routes for fibre optic cabling in the vicinity of A592 and considering how the cabling might be effective in the Matterdale End and other outlying areas.
16.Risk Assessment and Insurance requirements: these were reviewed but no changes made.
17.Review of Standing Orders: there is no current change required.
18. Actions required re Neighbourhood Plan: none were identified as required.
19. Planning matters, including committee reports
19.1 the Clerk reported on decision notices received from LDNPA (all consents)
(under ref 7/2016 save as otherwise stated):-
3012 re Hag Wood, Watermillock:
3010 re Lake House, Watermillock:
3002 re Rampsbeck Hotel, Watermillock:
3045 re Lower Hollows, Matterdale:
7/2015/3158 re Rookin House Farm, Troutbeck.
19.2 Cllr Lightburn had tabled an updated version of the Terms of Reference and Task Group Terms of Reference for the creation of “enigmatic points of culture and heritage” along the Ullswater Way. The Council endorsed the versions circulated to Councillors on 4th May 2016. The obligations of maintenance and insurance of those within the parish boundaries would need to be considered at a later date.
19.3 Information was provided about works proposed to High Close former railway bridge and diversion and creation of footpaths to form the Ullswater Way.
20. Highway matters.
20.1 The attention of County Councillor Hughes had been drawn to various repairs required to A5091.
20.2 Cllr Holder will email Cllr Hughes about the water damage to Folly Lonnin.
20.3 “Penrith Today” had referred to parking for cars adjacent to the access to Great Mell Fell. Parking there is excessive and habitual, and causes danger. Cllr Castles will complain that car parking there should not be encouraged until there is safe off road parking available there.
21. Training opportunities: CALC courses are detailed on its website.
22. Correspondence and any other business:-
New arrangements at Glenridding Health Centre were noted.
23. The schedule of Parish Council meeting dates as set out in the Agenda was agreed.
The Parish Council meeting then closed.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 7th March 2016 in Matterdale Church Room
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls. Lloyd, Crofts, Mrs Gore, Dobinson, Mrs Wilson, Holder, Lightburn and MacAlpine.
In attendance: Mr M Toulmin, Prof B Clark, Mr Brown as Clerk and County Councillor N Hughes (but not in his case for items 7 and 10 to 13 below).
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs Marshall and Brunt
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: Messrs Castles, Gore and Crofts as trustees of Matterdale Community Association (“MCA”), Cllr Gore as potential buyer of the New School and Cllr Lloyd re Park House, Watermillock and its proposed new agricultural building..
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 4th January 2016 were approved as circulated.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes. The Clerk explained that, although for the time being, at least while Matterdale School Foundation (“MSF”) had no cash, it was convenient for that Charity’s business to be conducted, and minuted, within Parish Council meetings, it would be inappropriate to do so if Councillors decided otherwise, and that, whenever confidential business was being conducted, the Chair of the meeting should consider deferring that business to a special Matterdale School Foundation meeting, if appropriate to follow immediately after conclusion of the Parish Council meeting.
5. Planning matters, including committee reports.
5.1 Watermillock Planning Committee had had no objection to Application 7/2016/3010 re Lake House, Watermillock, 7/2006/3012 re Hagg Wood, Watermillock or 7/2016/3007 re Rampsbeck Hotel, Watermillock.
5.2 Matterdale Planning Committee had had no objection to Application 7/2015/3158 re Rooking, Troutbeck.
5.3 Positive decision notices had been received as follows:-7/2015/3127 re telegraph poles at Matterdale, 7/2015/3123 re Leeming Farm, Watermillock, 7/2015/3017 re Branthow, Matterdale End, 7/2015/3136 re Ullswater Caravan Park, Watermillock, 7/2015/3145 re Clarkgate, Watermillock, 7/2015/3146 re boathouse at Beauthorn, Watermillock and 7/2015/3147 re the Quiet Site, Watermillock.
5.4 The Council had been notified of compliance with conditions in 7/2016/3003 re Outward Bound, Watermillock and of a proposed new barn at Park House, Watermillock under reference 7/2016/3027.
5.5 The Council were informed of planning consent refusal re 2 Mell Fell View, Troutbeck re site for camper vans.
6.1 The Clerk reported that £25,000 had been received on 21st January 2016 (less planning fees of £577.50 re New School), being the compensation to the Parish Council for the surrender of its tenancy of the hall part of the Old School. The net sum had been transferred to Skipton Building Society following its receipt and the sum credited to the Matterdale Recreation Fund in the Council’s books of account.
A draft transfer to the Ogilvie Family of the land behind the Old School, which the Council agreed at its last meeting to sell for £14k, was under negotiation between the Clerk and the Ogilvies’ solicitors.
Insurance of the New School building had again been sought but Zurich Insurance, after investigation, refuse to insure it. The Council discussed the insurance of debris removal only, but decided that the cost would not be justified having regard to the perceived risks.
6.2 Cllr Gore reported that Matterdale Community Association preferred to take a lease of a new purpose built building to conversion of the school part of the New School. The architects’ opinion was that the costs were comparable but they expected the running costs of a new building to be substantially less. The costs had in each case been estimated at £300k (plus the cost of any groundworks needed on site which would need to be undertaken if the site north east of the Old School were chosen).
6.3 The Parish Council accepted the report of Cllr Gore and ( to assist with the cost of providing a new community centre)resolved to sell the New School, its adjacent house and car park and land at the side and rear on the open market at a price of at least £250k. The PFK commission of 1.5% of the sale price plus advertising expenses not exceeding £400 (in each case excluding VAT) were agreed. Before proceeding to market, the Council would need a favourable response from the Charity Commission to the amended Albermarle Scheme submitted to it for approval in February 2016 and from LDNPA re the site of a new building (via Ben Long who has replaced Andrew Smith as the planning officer for this area).
6.4 MCA had considered the rival merits of the MSF site north east of the Old School and the former recreation ground (grazed in the past by Mr Potter) as a site for the new community centre. It concluded that access to the site, and its level nature for hall, car park and camping area, all pointed to the latter. LDNPA are to be approached for their view and a planning application submitted by the Parish Council for one or other of these two sites (no alternative site having been identified). In either case, the site investigation would need to be undertaken as soon as possible and the costs of bringing electricity to the former recreation ground.
6.5 Cllr Gore submitted on behalf of MCA an application for assistance in the provision of a marquee, to serve as a village hall pending the new community centre being available for such use. The Parish Council agreed to buy the marquee, its flooring and other ancillary equipment out of the Matterdale Recreation Fund, provided that £5k or less was required. Cllr Hughes suggested that a grant might help with the expected purchase costs.
The hope is that the purchase costs will be substantially less, but a marquee of sufficient size and quality is needed. Cllr Holder’s experience is that after one season about half the cost price of similar bell tents can be obtained on the open market. However, it may be decided to retain the marquee as a facility which can be hired out (eg for parties or wedding receptions within the parish).
Cllr Castles can make a site available in the short term and will look into insurance costs (particularly re public liability). The Clerk indicated that he would expect the Parish Council to cover the cost of insurance against theft but not to charge MCA for use of the marquee etc. until the new community centre is available for use.
6.6 The Council delegated power to progress all the above to Cllr Castles and the Clerk. Cllr Mac Alpine asked that progress and costs of provision of the marquee be reported to Councillors once costs had been established
7. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
7.1 The balances on the Council’s accounts were £1,558.42 at HSBC at 3rd February 2016 and £55,279.10 at Skipton Building Society
7.2 The following expenditure was approved (the Council expenditure continuing to be within budget):
£12.00 to Matterdale PCC for the meeting fee
£89.00 to P Ashworth (to reimburse him from the grant received) for the cost of external lights for Watermillock Village Hall
£498.10 to the Clerk for his 2015/16 expenses (home office use for 52 weeks at £7 a week was agreed and 298 miles travel by car at 45p per mile).
£754.32 to the Clerk as the balance of his 2015/16 net salary
£188.58 to HMRC for PAYE thereon
£35.00 to the Information Commissioner for the annual data registration fee
£540.00 to 2030 Architects for their fees re the costs estimated for refurbishment of the New School as a community hall and the cost of providing a new building as the alternative.
7.3 It was agreed (a)that telephone banking should be arranged with HSBC to enable the Clerk to obtain up to date figures when needed and (b) to amend the Council’s Standing Orders to comply with new financial regulations expected to apply from 1st April 2016.
8. Cllr Lloyd had circulated a report of the meeting re better broadband held at Watermillock Village Hall on 5th February 2016. He expects BT OpenReach to put their plans for improvement to him in the next two weeks. The Council asked him to continue working on behalf of the Council and agreed that he, Cllrs Holder, Lightburn and MacAlpine, with Mr Rainer Burchett of Watermillock House, should form a working party to look at such plans and consult with BT on them, before reporting to the Parish Council, who may be asked to contract with BT in due course.
9. Highway matters.
A592 will remain closed from Dodd Wood to Aira Force, probably until the Easter holiday weekend. Diversion and “Road Closed”signs had caused motorists to assume they could not reach Watermillock Caravan Sites from Rheged via A592; Cllr Hughes had succeeded in having the signs supplemented to avoid such misunderstandings..
Training 10.1 The next convenient CALC “Good Councillor” course is on 18th April at Penrith Fire Service HQ (6pm)
10.2 Cllr Lloyd will attend the CALC course on websites and social media at Cockermouth on 11th March.
11. Correspondence
11.1 Cllr Lightburn briefed the Council on the intended “UllswaterWay” footpath and the new artwork to be provided in association with it.
11.2 Sunday 24th April is the amended date for litter picking around Ullswater arranged by Distant Horizons
11.3 Cllr Lightburn will update the Clerk as to progress with the new field entrance at Watermillock Village hall (the grant period is being significant).
12. Any other business.Mr David Harrison is holding at his house at Ulcat Row a projector which can be made available to MCA
13. The agreed next meeting date (the AGMs) is Monday 9th May 2016 in Matterdale Church Room starting at 7.30pm.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 4th January 2016 in Watermillock Village Hall
Present: Clls. Lloyd (in the Chair), Marshall, Crofts and MacAlpine.
In attendance: Prof B Clark, Mr I Burke, Mr Tim Cartmell, Cllr N Hughes and Mr Brown as Clerk.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs Castles, Brunt, Mrs Gore, Mrs Wilson, Holder, Dobinson and Lightburn.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: Cllr Crofts as a trustee of Matterdale Community Association.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council, meeting as trustee of Matterdale School Foundation: those of 18th December 2015 were approved as circulated. They will not be put on website as confidential matters were under discussion.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes
4.1 The Matterdale Neighbourhood Plan was brought into legal force by LDNPA on 16th December 2015, the Clerk reported. Thanks were again expressed, to Mr Toulmin and the Clerk in particular, for the work done in relation to the Plan.
4.2 The “Question Time” with Rory Stewart, MP, on 20th November 2015 had been a useful event for those attending. Cllr MacAlpine suggested that he be asked back, perhaps later in 2016.
4.3 Cllr Lloyd had arranged a meeting with BT on Friday 5th February 2016 at 2pm in the Watermillock Village Hall to make progress in improvement of broadband in the Parish. Rory Stewart is expected to attend. Cllr Lloyd has a list of those in the Parish potentially willing to take up an improved service; the meeting is for those interested to attend and Parish Councillors will be welcome there.
5. Mr Cartmell and Mr Burke were introduced; both are trustees of Cumbria Community Foundation (“CCF”). Mr Cartmell outlined the relevant aspects of its work in investment and administration of charity funds. CCF acts as “mother hen” to various charities, providing these and grant making services (the latter often with a local committee involved in approval of grants, on a “donor advised” basis if the fund exceeds £50,000). Should the Matterdale School Foundation (“MSF”) have funds to invest for grant making, CCF would be able to provide those services, but it would not want to take responsibility for the days of free use of a Community Hall by local children, as envisaged in the proposed Albermarle Scheme.
6. Matterdale Schools
6.1 The Clerk reported that the Council had received (and it then considered) a report from PFK (Mr Kyle Blue) to the effect that Mr Ogilvie’s offer for land behind the Old School was the best that could be reasonably obtained in the circumstances. It was considered sufficient and so s119 Charities Act, 2011, had been satisfied and the sale to Mr Ogilvie could proceed, although there were detailed issues to be resolved with him (he has asked for access over a 1 to 2 metre strip of land to the north east of the building he has bought where an electricity pole would otherwise make access for his works difficult and he has suggested that he should take responsibility for the brick wall on the south west side of the land he is buying- neither of these requests met with Council objection). The Clerk hopes to progress matters to completion without the Council needing to engage solicitors.
6.2 Matterdale Community Association (“MCA”), it was reported, are some way short of deciding whether to ask the Parish Council to sell Matterdale New School to finance ,or assist in financing, a purpose built new Hall. It was agreed that, if progress has been made sufficiently at MCA meetings in February, a special meeting of the Parish Council as MSF trustee may be needed in late February, so that the building (and some land with it) can be ready for market by Easter 2016.
7. Planning matters, including committee reports.
7.1 Applications 7/2015/ 3146 re Beauthorn Boathouse, 3147 re the Quiet Site and 3145 re Clarkgate had been considered by Watermillock Planning Committee: in no case were there any objections.
7.2 The Owners of Rampsbeck Hotel had invited pre-submission consultations on a major scheme which would have the effect of doubling the number of bedrooms there and providing a pool and other spa facilities. The Clerk and Cllr Lloyd (and other Councilllors) had seen the plans displayed there. Their discussions with LDNPA are ongoing.The application was awaited and might be made before the Council’s next meeting.
8. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
8.1 The following expenditure was approved:
£16 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee
£12 to Matterdale PCC for the last meeting fee
£25.39 to United Utilities Water plc for water charges
£80 plus VAT to H&H Land and Property Ltd for valuation advice re Mr Ogilvie’s offer
£25 plus VAT to PFK for their s119 report as referred to above
£60 as a donation to the Great North Air Ambulance
£80 (est) to Cllr Lloyd re the Council’s website.
8.2 The balances on the Council’s accounts were £29.21 o/d at HSBC at 3rd December 2015 (subsequent to which £500 had been transferred to HSBC from the Council’s Skipton Building Society Account) and £33,354.60 at Skipton Building Society (including £353.39 interest credited on 31st October 2015). A further transfer from Skipton Building Society to HSBC may be needed to meet expenditure as above.
8.3 Parish Council expenditure and income was in line with the budget for 2015/16.
8.4 It was agreed that the Council would not opt out of the Sector Led Body set up by NALC and partners to procure an External Auditor for 2016/17 and future years
9. Repairs at and possible sale or reletting of Rushmire Land
The fence repairs have not yet been carried out by Mr Cowx. The Clerk had not progressed with a sale or letting as requirements for funding the new community centre had not yet been established.
A recent e-mail suggests that the land is registered as common land or village green; the Clerk will investigate.
10. Highway matters.
10.1 A particularly dangerous pothole by Goose Green had appeared: Cllr Hughes will report it.
10.2 A592 (Aira Force to Knotts) will be closed for up to 14 days from 29th February for drainage and resurfacing work. It is not clear whether the closure will be night-time only.
11. Training
11.1 Cllr McAlpine had attended the CALC “Good Councillor” course on 15th September 2015 aimed at new Councillors; it had been very useful. Reference was made to the extended powers of Parish Councils in circumstances, in particular, where the Parish is to provide services previously provided by the District or County Council
11.2 CALC website continues to provide detail of training courses relevant to Parish Council work.
12. Correspondence
None, although flood related information had been retained by the Clerk, he being unaware of any flooding of properties in the Parish
13. Any other business.
None
14. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 7th March 2016 in Matterdale Church Room starting at 7.30pm.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 2nd November 2015 in Matterdale Church Room
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls Marshall, Brunt, Lloyd, Crofts, Mrs Gore, Dobinson, Mrs Wilson and Holder. In attendance: Prof B Clark, County Cllr Hughes, Mr and Mrs Aptil and Mr Brown as Clerk
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs MacAlpine and Lightburn
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: all re draft budget (as it would determine precept for 2016/17, all Council taxpayers were given a dispensation to speak and vote) and Cllr Dobinson re Planning Application 7/2015/3136.(Also as recorded below)
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 7th September 2015 were approved as circulated.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes
Rory Stewart, MP, had been invited to Watermillock Village Hall on 20th November 2015; his secretary has confirmed the date and time (6.00pm to 7pm).The Hall has obtained a licence from 5.30pm to 9pm. The Clerk had circulated an email of the arrangements he proposed; these were agreed and it was also considered appropriate to invite the press (“Herald”).
5. Open Forum
Mr and Mrs Aplin were introduced, their interest in the New School having been circulated to Councillors in advance of the meeting. The Chairman allowed them to speak when that item was reached.
6. Neighbourhood Plan
The referendum took place on 15th October 2015.There was a 40% vote of which 73% were in favour. The Chairman expressed thanks to all for their part in ensuring a satisfactory turn out and was pleased that the majority in favour was so substantial. The Clerk is to write to Mr Toulmin to thank him for his work as chairman of the working party.
7. Matterdale Schools
7.1 The interest of Mr Ogilvie and his family in part of the land at the rear of the Old School had been made clear by a letter from his solicitors, Wright Hassall, dated 27th October 2015, which the Clerk had circulated to all Councillors in advance of the meeting. His offer of £12,000 for part of the land offered for sale by the Parish Council being substantially less than the £18,000 to £20,000 informally assessed by the Parish Council’s valuer, the Parish Council could not properly accept his offer, the Clerk advised. After discussion, it was agreed that a second opinion on the value of the land he wishes to acquire should be taken as soon as possible and before any decision on Mr Ogilvie’s offer is taken. The Clerk will inform Wright Hassall that negotiation on issues raised in their letter (other than price) will depend on reaching agreement on the area to be sold and its price.
7.2 Mr and Mrs Aplin confirmed their interest in the New School if their bid for the Old School fails. It was agreed:-
7.2.1 that Cllr Castles should raise with LDNPA the possibility of siting the village hall within the area acquired with the New School. He had been told that the recreation field (which the Council hold as part of the Matterdale Recreation Fund) would certainly not be acceptable to LDNPA as the site of a village hall. The siting of a new hall on New School land might open the way to a sale of the New School building, thus raising funds for Village Hall site works and construction costs.
7.2.2 that if the response of LDNPA was sufficiently positive, the Clerk would have the New School valued, with a view to a decision being made by the Parish Council at a later date on the possibility of selling the New School (which the Clerk advised should be an open market sale).
7.3 Cllr Gore reported that an open meeting to discuss the prospects for a Matterdale Village Hall had been held at the Royal Hotel on 30th October, attended by 36 people. She had presented her group’s report as circulated prior to the last Parish Council meeting. There had been many questions raised but all attending wished the possibility of a Matterdale Village Hall to be looked into in more detail.
The Council were clear that its duty was as trustee of the Matterdale School Foundation, the majority view of electors not being the criterion on which its decision to proceed or not should be based. The Council agreed that the possibility of a new hall should be explored further by Matterdale Community Association (MCA-Cllrs Castles, Crofts and Gore declaring their interest as members or trustees of that charitable incorporated organization). The Charity Commission having confirmed that in certain circumstances an Albermarle Scheme would be appropriate, it was agreed that the Council could properly take the matter forward if a sufficiently persuasive case for proceeding could be made by MCA. The possibility of creating a fund from which grants could be made for educational purposes to local children and young persons was not ruled out.
8. Planning matters, including committee reports.
8.1 7/2015/3123 re Leeming Farmhouse. Cllrs Lloyd and Lightburn and the Clerk had viewed the site and plans. Cllr Lloyd and the Clerk had attended with the Applicant and her Architect on 26th October at the Committee meeting called to deal with the application. The decision was to support the Application and the Clerk had been instructed to so inform LDNPA, which he had done.
8.2 Matterdale Planning Committee had had no objection to Applications 7/2015/3127 re Pole at Ulcat Row or 7/2015/3120 re staircase at Royal Hotel (Cllr Castles having taken no part in its deliberations).
8.3 Applications 7/2015/3136 and 3137 were referred for decision to Watermillock and Matterdale Planning Committees respectively.
9. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
9.1 The following expenditure was approved:
£12 to Matterdale PCC for the meeting fee,£260 to Mr D. Trelease for grass cutting, £29.50 to CALC for the “Good Counsellor”course attended by Cllr McAlpine and £46.60 to the Clerk for postage re the Neighbourhood Plan
9.2 The invoice for £577.50 for planning fees re the New School paid by Cumbria County Council is to be questioned and borne, if at all, by the Matterdale School Foundation
9.3 The balances on the Council’s accounts were £597.49 at HSBC at 7th October 2015 and £33,501.21 at Skipton Building Society, £1,000 having been transferred from Skipton Building Society to HSBC.
9.4 Parish Council expenditure and income was in line with the budget for 2015/16.
9.5 The draft Budget for 2016/17 having been circulated by the Clerk to all Councillors, it was approved as circulated and the 2016/17 precept would be maintained at £4,000 as recommended
10. Highway matters.
10.1 There are two reports of damaged signposts.
10.2 The A5092 road from “the Hollows” in the direction of Bald How End, in which Cllr Crofts has an interest, is still suffering problems from the effect of bad drainage: Cllr Hughes will see if the Highways Authority will do remedial work.
11. Training
11.1 Cllr McAlpine had attended the CALC “Good Councillor” course on 15th September
11.2 Cllrs Castles and Crofts had attended the “Funding Fair” arranged by Cumbria CVS on 8th October.
12. Correspondence
Cllr Lloyd had received a recent Broadband update which he will pursue; Cllrs Castles, Holder and Lloyd are to attend a meeting at Glenridding on 3rd November when progress is to be reviewed.
13. Other Business
Cllr Wilson reported that a new highway access had been made by her neighbours. She will seek clarification of the highway (and possibly planning) issues this raises
14. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 4th January 2016 in Watermillock Village Hall starting at 7.30pm. Cllrs Gore and Brunt tendered their apologies.
Draft minutes of a meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 7th September 2015 in Matterdale Church Room
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls Marshall, Brunt, Lloyd, Crofts, Mrs Gore (at item 6 and ff), Dobinson and MacAlpine.
In attendance: Prof B Clark, Mr Brown as Clerk and (until item 4.2 below) Mr Miles MacInnes as LDNPA representative, attending his first meeting since appointment and welcomed by the Chairman.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs Mrs Wilson, Holder and Lightburn
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: none.
3. Approval of minutes of the last Parish Council meeting: those of 1st September 2015 were approved as circulated.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes
4.1 Mr MacInnes reported that the application by the National Park that it be declared a World Heritage Site was on course and a favourable decision was anticipated to take effect in 2017. The section in the 600pp proposal on the Ullswater Valley was informative reading for its parishes.
The Ullswater Valley group was to meet the following Wedneday.
He recommended the East Area Distinctive Tour arranged by LDNPA :Clls Crofts and McAlpine expect to attend.
He asked that his contact details be circulated (“Beulah”, Pooley Bridge,CA10 2NG- tel 01768 486243- Miles.Macinnes2@lakedistrict.gov.uk).
4.2 Some work had been done to repair the road to the New School but potholes had reappeared. The Clerk requested evidence of its adoption as public highway to produce to any Old School buyer.
4.3 The fence damage at Troutbeck has not been made good yet.
4.4 The Clerk reported that BDO had completed the Annual Audit for 2014/15.The Council approved and accepted the Annual Return which had been accepted as completed at the May AGM. An “issue arising” had been drawn to the Clerk’s attention; the Auditors require the bank cash to be stated as shown in the reconciliation, not as the bank statement.
4.5 It was agreed that the Dockray Community would use Dockray Village Green for a Barbeque to coincide with the Tour of Britain Cycle Race on Thursday 10th September.
4.6 Rory Stewart, MP, had been invited to Watermillock Village hall on 20th November 2015 but his secretary had not yet confirmed the date or time.
4.7 National Trust had agreed to repaint the seat at Park Brow.
4.8 The phone box at Dockray was working for reverse charge calls.
4.9 The fingerboard at High Road/A5091 junction had been removed (hopefully for restoration and refixing).
5. Neighbourhood Plan
5.1 The referendum is expected to take place on 15th October 2015.
5.2 The Clerk has the proof copy of the Plan to amend and return to the printers. He tabled a covering letter, prepared by Mr Toulmin as Chair of the working party: that was approved for circulation to electors with the Plan.
5.3 It was decided that a further public meeting before the referendum was unnecessary but Mr Toulmin should be invited to contact the Herald with a view to press coverage on the Saturday preceding the referendum.
6. Matterdale Schools
6.1 The Clerk reported that he had exchanged a conditional contract with Mr and Mrs Aplin (as prospective purchasers of the land at the rear of the Old School) at a price of £45,000. He had received a cheque for the deposit which he was to hold as stakeholder. He expected that Mr Aplin would contact him a soon as he had had a response from Cumbria County Council to his tender for the Old School, which was to be sent to him that week. No other buyers had contracted to buy the land offered for sale by the Parish Council.
6.2 The Clerk was authorized to obtain the required surveyor’s report (to comply with Charity Act requirements) and approve the form of transfer if the land was sold, also, to proceed to completion of the sale (any two Councillors being authorized to execute the transfer on behalf of the Council).
6.3 Cllr Castles reported that he had contacted the Charity Commission, who had indicated that if free use of the proposed community centre on one day a week was available to children, that would satisfy their requirements and allow an Albermarle Scheme to be made. That had not been confirmed in writing; he and the Clerk would follow up Cllr Castles’ recent contact with the Charity Commission.
6.4 Cllr Castles as a trustee of Matterdale Community Association (“MCA”) had strengthened the trustee board; to add to Mr Mark Nixon (as Chairman) and himself, Cllrs Gore and Crofts, Mrs Jane Newport and Mr John O’Neill (who had assisted Cllr Gore’s working party) and Prof Brian Clark, had accepted invitations to become trustees and he hoped that Mr Richard Farncombe would do likewise. MCA intends to arrange a further public meeting to report progress and develop support for the project.
MCA will seek quotations for the cost of making the house part of the New School fit for a tenant and present their recommendations to the Parish Council.
MCA will also assess the work to be done and costs involved in making the hall part of the New School fit for use as a community centre, with a view to the Parish Council seeking grants to cover part of the costs (grants being needed to cover the difference between funds available and such costs).
The Clerk will seek to have the funds said to be available from its former use as a residential centre paid to the Parish Council as such, so that the Council as such can play its part in helping to establish the new community centre.
7. Planning matters, including committee reports.
7.1 Ms Lindsay Pownell has approached the Clerk for the opportunity of consulting with the Parish Council on her plans to extend Leeming Farmhouse. It was agreed that this should be dealt with by the Watermillock Planning Committee. Cllr Lloyd and the Clerk would arrange the consultation, probably over the 26/27th September weekend.
7.2 Consent had been given to the proposals submitted by Outward Bound under ref 7/2015 3072.
7.3 Watermillock Planning Committee had had no objection to Application 7/2015/3056 re Tongue House, Watermillock.
7.4 Matterdale Planning Committee had had no objection to Applications 7/2015/3092 re Ghyllside House, Troutbeck, 7/2015/3113 re Mill Cottage, Hutton John or 7/2015/3099 re Red Syke, Troutbeck.
8. Approval of any expenditure, report on bank balances and comparison with budget.
8.1 The following expenditure was approved:
£14 to H M Land Registry for office copies of the title to the Rushmire land
£60 to HM Land Registry as the fee to register the transfer of the New School title acquire by the Council as trustee of Matterdale School Foundation (“MSF”)
£24 to Matterdale PCC for meeting fees
£120 to BDO for the audit fee
£1,152 to the Clerk as half his 2015/16 net salary: he will show this in the Parish Cash Book as 2/5ths MSF, 2/5 Parish Council as such and 1/5 Matterdale Recreation Fund, although the split of his further salary payments would need to be considered at a later date.
£288 to HMRC for PAYE thereon
£27.18 to United Utilities Water plc for water charges
£300 plus VAT to Edwin Thompson & Co for valuation advice to date
£275 plus VAT to Edwin Thompson & Co for its Charity Act report, if the sale of land at the rear of the Old School is to proceed
£445 to H&H Printers for printing 600 copies of the Neighbourhood Plan and £69 for 300 copies of the accompanying letter from Mr Toulmin
8.2 The balances on the Council’s accounts were £2,146.52 at HSBC at 3rd August 2015 and £34,501.21 at Skipton Building Society. It was decided to transfer £1,000 from Skipton Building Society to HSBC to meet expenditure already due.
8.3 Parish Council expenditure and income was in line with the budget for 2015/16.
9. Repairs at and possible sale or reletting of Rushmire Land
The fence repairs have not yet been carried out by Mr Cowx. The Clerk had not progressed with a sale or letting as requirements for funding the new community centre had not yet been established.
10. Highway matters.
10.1 Works on A66 nearby the turnings to the Sportsman Inn and Cocklakes Farm are to start on 14th September and last about 8 weeks
10.2 A592 will be closed 7pm to 7am for five days from 12th October for drainage and resurfacing work.
11. Training
11.1 Cllrs Gore and McAlpine will attend the CALC “Good Councillor” course on 15th September
11.2 The Council will pay the course fees so that two of the MCA trustees can attend the “Funding Fair” arranged by Cumbria CVS on 8th October.
12. Correspondence
12.1 Nobody offered to fill the vacancy on CALC committee.
12.2 The Council were happy to take up Mr M Hunter’s offer to refurbish the Townend bench seat.
12.3 The Council had no objection to the proposed upgrade of the Vodafone mast at Matterdale as proposed in the consultation letter of 15th July
13. Any other business.
Cllr Dobinson enquired whether the recycling facility at Leeming House Hotel had been closed and, if so, whether an alternative site had been found; in any case a note should go into “Together”.
14. The agreed next meeting date is Monday 2nd November 2015 in Matterdale Church Room starting at 7.30pm.
Draft minutes of the meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held on Monday 6th July 2015 at Watermillock Village Hall starting at 8pm
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls Marshall, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Gore, Dobinson, MacAlpine and Lightburn.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk and (for items 6 and 10 on the Agenda) Mr Hughes as County Councillor.
1. Apologies for absence were recorded for Cllrs. Lloyd, Brunt and Holder.
2. Declarations of interest by Councillors: none.
3. Approval of minutes of last Parish Council meeting: the minutes of the meeting on 18th May 2015 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
4.1 Meeting at Melmerby VH 7pm on 2nd June re Tour of Britain Cycle Race: Cllrs Castles and Holder had attended. The meeting was informative but did not give rise to any action by the Parish Council.
4.2 Grant for Watermilock Village Hall: a grant to the Parish Council of £1,048 from Eden District Council Community Fund has been approved for improvements to the field access and external lighting there; Cllr Lightburn will liaise with Mr P Ashworth (the Hall Committee Chairman) to have the work done.
4.3 Submission of Annual Return: the Clerk reported that it had been submitted.
4.4 LDNPA Parish Representative: Mr Miles Macinnes has been elected unopposed; he has been given details of the Council meeting dates and invited to attend whenever he wishes.
4.5 Woodland at Troutbeck: Cllr Castles and Crofts have inspected. Cllr Mrs Wilson has asked Mr Mark Steel to clear the fallen timber, which he will take in payment; when this has been done, Cllrs Castles and Crofts will do the limited work needed to mend the fence to the adjoining field. The fence, though damaged, remains stock proof, they reported.
4.6 The pinfold at Watermillock will not be restored, as the LDNPA apprentice scheme is no longer current, Cllr Lightburn reported. The Parish Council need take no further action.
5. Actions required re Neighbourhood Plan:
5.1 The Clerk has resolved the text of the Plan to the satisfaction of LDNPA. It and the supporting documents have been sent to Eden District Council so that it can hold the referendum. The Clerk will suggest it be held on Thursday 8th or 15th October, using Matterdale Church Room and Watermillock Village Hall as the polling stations.
5.2 The Clerk has had quotes from H&H Reeds Printers for printing the Plan. It was agreed to order from them 600 prints at a cost of £445. The letter from the Clerk, to distribute to electors with a copy of the Plan, will cost £69 for 300 prints: this also was agreed. The Clerk will put printed copies of the Plan in the Royal Hotel, The Brackenrigg Inn, and Matterdale and Watermillock Churches. It will also be on the LDNPA, Parish Council and Eden District Council websites.
5.3 The Clerk will liaise with Mr. M Toulmin to put information in September "Together", and provide details to the "Herald" near to the referendum date. He will also inform the Council's insurers.
6. Matterdale Schools report and actions required:
6.1 Cllr Mrs Gore reported that her working group, reviewing the need for a village hall at Matterdale, had received responses from 47 households, covering 95 people (6 of the 47 households were second homes): 59 of the people responding felt there was a need for a village hall in Matterdale:13 disagreed and 23 were equivocal. Offers to help had come in but not yet been analysed, she said.
The visits to other nearby halls were under way; Newbiggin and Watermillock had already been visited and Greystoke, Penruddock and Glenridding would also be visited. Mungrisdale too might be worth a visit, it was suggested.
Cllr Crofts had attended a useful presentation arranged by ACRE.
6.2 The Clerk reported that, despite contacting two insurers and two insurance brokers, he had been unable to obtain a quotation to insure the New School building as an unoccupied building. One broker had estimated the premium for insuring Fire, Lightning, Earthquake and Explosion ("FLEE") at £2,000; in the event even that amount was not quoted; he could only suggest approaching the London Insurance Market with a likely minimum of £5,000 cover for FLEE cover. AON, as Council insurers, had indicated to him that the Council's existing policy would cover its public liability risk, he said.
As the Matterdale School Foundation has no cash and the Council considered that its intended contribution to the project of £18,000 from the Recreation Fund would not be well spent on FLEE insurance at even the estimated £2,000, it was decided, for the time being, not to pursue any insurance except public liability cover. ACRE may be able to help source future insurance, it was said.
6.3 The Clerk and Cllr Crofts had removed from the Old School to the New School what they felt might be of benefit when the New School was being used as a village hall.
Cllr Crofts had cleared any timber he could use, which the Council were happy to let him have in exchange for his time and expense. Cllr Crofts will ask Mr Barrie Quinney to remove any chairs left in the Old Hall, which Mr Quinney might want for their scrap metal; he would neither pay or be paid for this. When that had been done, the Old Hall would be almost cleared and completion of the transfer could go ahead.
6.4 The Clerk was instructed to complete in the following days the transfer to the Council of the New School with its land and the surrender of the tenancy of the hall in the Old School. The sale of the Old School is to be handled as a sale by tender by PFK, Penrith.
6.5 Mr Richard Moss of Edwin Thompson & Co, Keswick, will be asked to negotiate with any prospective or actual purchaser of the Old School, who wants to buy any of the land which the Council will acquire as trustee on completion of the transfer of the New School and its land.
6.6 The Clerk urged the Council to move as fast as reasonably possible to get the house ready to let. It was agreed to instruct a building surveyor or architect to make early inspection of the New School following completion a) to identify any urgent work to protect the building from rain, frost or storm damage and b) to review the estimated costs for the work to make the house part ready to let on the open market and c) to prepare, if necessary, a planning application for part of the hall kitchen to be incorporated into the house.
Cllrs Castles and Gore will meet with the Clerk in the following seven days to progress this, with a view to the recommendations and estimated costs to be ready for discussion and decision at the next Council meeting.
Cllr Hughes will ask the County Council to make available to the Clerk the details of works carried out about two years ago when a substantial sum was spent by the County Council to preserve the building.
7. Planning matters:
7.1 Watermillock Planning Committee had no objection to Application 7/2015/3072 re Outward Bound (variations to cladding and canopy roof)
7.2 7/2015/3080 re Filter House, Dockray, was referred to Matterdale Planning Committee (variation of condition 2 in Planning Consent 7/2015/3002)
7.3 Planning approval notices had been received re 7/2015/3032 (works at Rushgill House, Dockray), 7/2015/3027(replacement extension at 2 High Birch Close, Penruddock) and 7/2015/3060 (demolition of pole barn and extension at Bank House Farm, Matterdale End)
7.4 A certificate of lawful use had been issued re dwelling at High Brow, High Row, Dockray, under reference number 7/2015/3065 .
8.1 Approval of expenditure: £16.00 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee and £50 plus £10 VAT to PFK for renewal of the Potter grazing licence.
8.2 Report on bank balances: £1,063.96 at HSBC Bank at 3rd June 2015 and £35,501.21 at Skipton Building Society
8.3 Expenditure to date was in line with budget
9. Repairs at and possible sale or reletting of Rushmire Land (4.64 hectares)
9.1 PFK had no interest to report from advertising the land to let, though it was believed that Mr R Edmondson was willing to renew his tenancy.
9.2 PFK had written to suggest the land might be sold by auction.
9.3 The Council considered that the land might best be sold, if, as expected, extra funds were required to carry out the Matterdale New School project. It was agreed that the matter would be brought to the next Council meeting.
9.4 It was agreed that the Clerk should ask Mr Coyx to proceed with the repairs to the fencing of the land damaged in two separate motor accidents.
10. Highway matters
10.1 The road to the New School from A5091 requires repair as there are several potholes.
10.2 The footpath from Dockray to Matterdale Church is again overgrown.
Cllr Hughes will take up both these with the County Council
11. Training opportunities
Councillors were referred to the CALC website.
12. Correspondence:
12.1 Revision of car parking charges by LDNPA was noted.
12.2 The Council supported the invitation to Mr. Rory Stewart, M.P., to attend a public meeting at Watermillock Village Hall: he has indicated that the Council's experience of Neighbourhood Planning would be of interest to him.
13. Any other business.
13.1 Cllr Marshall asked the Clerk to have the National Trust paint the bench at Park Brow.
13.2 The public telephone at Dockray seemed out of action; Cllr Castles will check it and report it as faulty if it is so.
13.3 Attention is needed to the signpost at New Road End on A5091; it points away from Dowthwaite Head.
14. The Council agreed that the next Council meeting should be on Monday 7th September 2015 at Matterdale Church Room to start at 7.30pm.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.45pm
Matterdale Parish Annual Meetings
The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council were held from 7.30pm in Watermillock Village Hall on Monday 18th May 2015.
Present: Cllr Castles (in the Chair), Clls Lloyd, Marshall, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Dobinson, Lightburn (who left after item 21 on the Parish Council agenda) , Brunt, McAlpine and Holder.
In attendance: Mr Brown as Clerk and (for a short time at item 22 on the Parish Council agenda) Mr Hughes as County Councillor.
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting are as follows:-
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr Ms Gore.
2. The Minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting were read and approved and signed as a true record.
3. A Report by the Clerk was given on progress re Neighbourhood Plan. In short, the Independent Examiner had recommended that the Plan, put forward by the Parish Council for consultation at its meeting on 1st December 2014, go to referendum with amendments. The Plan, incorporating the Examiner's required amendments, and corrected, will be considered at the following Parish Council meeting and, if approved by the Parish Council, will then go to referendum via LDNPA and Eden District Council.
4. A Report by the Clerk was given re Matterdale Schools. He expected legal completion of the transfer of the New School and its land by 1st June 2015. Cllr Ms Gore had convened a working group and reported its progress to Councillors. An open "day" had been held on 17th May and a further open "day" was planned for 5.30pm to 7.30pm on 20th May. The viability of a Village Hall within the former "New School" building was under consideration by the working group, who would report to a future Parish Council meeting. The Clerk reiterated that the Matterdale School Foundation, of which the Parish Council is due to become sole trustee, is a charity for the education of school age children; that purpose should not be overlooked in any proposals for future use of the building.
5. The Chairman gave his report (as attached). It was received.
6. There was no other business.
The Annual Parish Meeting was followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting, the minutes of which are as follows:-
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr Ms Gore.
2. New declarations of interest were made by Councillors present and they consented to serve as Councillors.
3. Election of Chairman of the Council: Cllr Castles was elected unopposed.
4. Election of Vice-Chairman of the Council: Cllr Lloyd was elected unopposed..
5. Appointment of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer: Mr Brown was appointed and his rate of pay was fixed at £12.00 per hour for 2015/16. It was agreed that the Parish Council would pay the revenue approved £10.00 per month for the use of his home as his office and travel costs on a mileage basis.
6. Review of effectiveness of Internal Audit. The report of the Internal Auditor, Mr Foster, was distributed and considered (see attached). His recommendations were accepted. The standard requirements for the audit were met and the Council agreed that the Audit had been effective.
7. Appointment of Internal Auditor: Mr Foster was appointed for 2015/16..
8. Co-option to fill one Council place (Watermillock ward): no names were put forward but Cllr Lightburn had approached a Watermillock resident, who was to let him know if she agreed that her name should be put forward..
9.Appointment of:-
(a)Planning Committees: Matterdale- Cllrs Marshall (chair), Castles, Gore, Crofts, Mrs Wilson and McAlpine. Watermillock- Cllrs Llloyd (chair), Lightburn, Brunt, Holder and Dobinson. Its delegated powers are those set out in Standing Orders.
(b) Matterdale School Foundation Committee: Cllr Crofts, Marshall and Gore. Its delegated powers will need to be defined before its work begins.
10. Election of LDNPA representative: the Clerk reported that the closing date for nominations to fill the place for a parishes representative vacated by Mrs Judith Cooke was 25th May (noon). None of the Councillors present wished to be nominated or to nominate a representative The Clerk had received a nomination; that of Mr Miles Macinnes of Barton Parish Council. It was agreed that, if any other nomination was received, the Clerk would arrange Councillors' voting by post or email: otherwise, the Council would support Mr Macinnes. The Clerk would need to send a completed ballot paper to CALC to be received at its office by noon on Mon 8th June.
11.Presentation and Approval of Annual Accounts (Parish Council and its Recreation Fund). These were presented and approved (as attached).
12. Completion of Annual Governance Statement and Annual Return. The Clerk read through the Annual Governance Statement required of the Council: it was agreed as prepared ("yes" to all paragraphs save the last, which was "not applicable"). The Clerk was given authority to submit the Annual Return to BDO as external auditors.
13. Presentation and approval of Annual Parish Council Budget. This was presented and approved (as attached), although the cost of the recent election of Parish Councillors was as yet an unknown figure.
14.1 Report of bank balances and authorization of any expenditure (including cost of insurance).
Balances: HSBC Bank plc at 3rd May 2015:£4,577.37, including the £4,000 precept received in April: Skipton Building Society: £31,501.21 (interest due 31/10/2015).
Expenditure authorized was as follows:- to the Clerk for printer ink £35.46; to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee £16.00; to CALC for the Annual Subscription £157.00; to CALC for one copy of the monthly "Local Council Review" £17.00; to Cumbria County Council for legal costs re the easement for Matterdale Schools (one half of the grantors' legal costs): £365.60 and to AON Insurance plc for the renewal premium £287.95.
It was agreed that £3,000 be transferred from HSBC Bank to Skipton Building Society.
14.2 Arrangement for a new Matterdale School Foundation Bank Account and its signatories: it was agreed that a new account should be opened at HSBC Bank plc, Penrith, with Mr Brown (as Clerk), Cllrs Lloyd and Dobinson as signatories (any two to sign).
15. Approval of minutes of last Parish Council meeting: these were approved with two corrections (Skipton Building Society balance £32,501.21, not £34,501.21 in para 7.2-Mr and Mrs Petrie, not Pettit, in para 10.1).They were then signed as a true record.
16. Matters arising from previous minutes:-
16.1 Fence damage re Rushmire land. The Clerk had received estimates via PFK- £650 re first damage to be paid for by Cocklakes Farm Shop (or its insurers): £300.00 for second damage to be paid for by the car driver who caused the damage (or his insurers). The estimate had been received from Mr Adrian Cowx. It was not clear whether the £650 included the cost of replacing and connecting the water trough. The Clerk is to enquire further and inform Cllr Castles, who will endevour to obtain the agreement of Mr Smith of Cocklakes to the work proceeding at their cost.
There were no persons reported as willing to take a new tenancy there, notwithstanding its further advertisement by PFK.
16.2 Community Grant to assist Watermillock Village Hall: the Clerk had submitted the application to Eden District Council: the outcome was awaited.
16.3 Pinfold at Watermillock: Cllr Castles has spoken to Mr Petrie; he is not willing to transfer the land to the Parish Council, but is willing to discuss possible reinstatement work there if a grant from LDNPA is available. Cllr Lightburn will pursue the matter with the LDNPA ranger, Suzi Hankin, but not as a Parish Council project.
17.Risk Assessment and Insurance requirements: these will change upon the former "New School" and its land being transferred to the Parish Council. The extra insurance was delegated to Cllr Castles and the Clerk to agree and arrange.
18.Review of Standing Orders: there is no current change required but the Clerk will consider what changes are needed when the "New School" has been acquired..
19. Actions required re Neighbourhood Plan.
It was noted that the former "MNP1" section of the Plan (seeking an allocation of 25 new houses in the parish in the period to 2030) and "MNP11" (seeking additional weight for the Parish Council response where the Plan applied) had been struck out by the Independent Examiner. Various further amendments had been made at his behest.
The Council resolved (9 in favour:1 abstention) that it wished to proceed to referendum, notwithstanding the amendments required by the Independent Examiner and that (subject to the advice of H&H Land and Property Ltd) the Clerk should correct the manifest errors in the latest version of the Plan and provide LDNPA with the corrected version upon which the referendum will be called.
The following steps would be to have the Plan and covering letter printed for distribution to electors. The Chairman asked that electors be discouraged from assuming that the Parish Council would get its way on future Planning Applications referred to it. Eden District Council would arrange the referendum at its expense.
20. Matterdale Schools report and actions required: Cllr Gore's report was received (as attached); the Clerk will complete the legal steps and proceed to register at HM Land Registry the Parish Council as Proprietor of the land and buildings of Matterdale School Foundation. He will endevour to arrange insurance, in consultation with Cllr Castles.
21. Planning matters, including committee reports
21.1 an oral complaint re Sharrow Bay lighting had been made to the Clerk but not followed up by letter, as invited. It was decided to take no action.
21.2 a consultation re a proposed hydro scheme at Threlkeld and Matterdale Commons had been referred to Matterdale Planning Committee but no response had yet been received by the Clerk.
21.3 Matterdale Planning Committee had met on 2nd April 2015 to consider Application 7/2015/3020 re Riverside Farm, Troutbeck- proposed machinery storage shed: an objection had been lodged with LDNPA, the Committee considering that the proposed building would be excessively large.
21,4 Applications 7/2015/3060 re Bank House Barn, Matterdale End, and 7/2015/3032 re Rushgill House, Dockray, were referred to Matterdale Planning Committee.
21.5 Notices of planning consent given had been received from LDNPA as follows (7/2015 save as otherwise stated):-
3002 re Filter House, Dowthwaite Head:
3158 re Knotts Mill Country Lodge, Watermillock:
3013 re Pine Trees Cottage, Troutbeck:
3006 and 3009(listed building consent) re Outward Bound, Ullswater:
7/2014/3172 re Park Brow Car Park, Aira Force:
7/2014/3149 re Gill Head Caravan Park, Troutbeck (certificate of lawful use).
21.6 Consent was refused re 7/2015/3020: LDNPA agreed with Matterdale Planning Committee (see above). Also 7/2015/3057 re energy supply at High House Farm, Watermillock- amendment of condition 4 of7/2014/3113
22. Highway matters. The Parish Council noted with approval the extensive resurfacing of minor roads in the last few weeks.
23. Damage to Woodland and land at Troutbeck: Cllr Mrs Wilson has asked Mark Steel to remove the fallen trees. Cllrs Castles and Crofts will examine the damaged fence. Mr Cowx's estimate of £550 for repairs to the fence is to be evaluated and possibly an alternative quotation sought. It was agreed that Mr I R Wilson, as tenant of the adjoining land, should not be asked to pay for, or contribute to the cost of, repairs to the damaged fence between the land he rents and the Parish woodland.
It was agreed that PFK should be asked to serve notice that his rent is due for review in June 2016.
24. Training opportunities: detail of CALC courses was passed round and Councillors invited to inform the Clerk if a place is to be booked for a Councillor to attend.
25. Meeting at North Lakes Hotel (not Melmerby VH) 7pm on 2nd June re Tour of Britain Cycle Race: Cllrs Castles and Holder will attend.
26. Representation at meetings re Affordable Housing in Ullswater Valley. Cllr Holder will represent the Council (with Cllr Lightburn as his substitute).
27. Correspondence and any other business:-
27.1 Cumbria Community Foundation have enquired whether any local charitable trusts would wish to appoint it as corporate trustee in place of the existing trustees: further details are available via the Clerk (a former trustee of the Community Foundation).
27.2 The next CALC Parish Forum is on 1st June at Thirlmere Recreation Hall at 7pm. The Partnership Plan, Proposed World Heritage Site and a planning update are on the agenda.
28. A schedule of Parish Council meeting dates was agreed as follows: 6/7/15 (WM), 7/9/15 (WM), 2/11/15 (Matt),4/1/16 (WM), 7/3/16 (Matt), 9/5/16-AGM (Matt), 4/7/16(WM), 5/9/16 (WM) and 7/11/16 (Matt) to be proposed-all starting at 7.30pm, except July and September meetings to start at 8.00pm.
The Parish Council meeting then closed.
Applications 7/2015/3060 re Bank House Barn, Matterdale End, and 7/2015/3032 re Rushgill House, Dockray, were considered by Matterdale Planning Committee at a meeting immediately following the Parish Council meeting. All members except Cllr Gore were present. Both were approved..
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held in Matterdale Church Room on Monday 2nd March 2015
Present: Cllrs Castles (in the Chair), Mrs V Gore, Mrs Wilson, McAlpine, Hunter, Lightburn, Crofts, Brunt and Lloyd .
In attendance: County Councillor N Hughes (for the first part of the meeting), Mr B Clark and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. Apologies for absence were recorded for Cllrs Dobinson, Marshall and Holder.
2. The draft minutes of the meeting of 5th January 2015 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. There were no declarations of interest.
4. No open forum was required.
5. Matters arising
5.1.1 Work on the A5091 to address the drainage problems referred to at the last meeting had been carried out; further work is still needed adjacent to the Royal Hotel at Dockray to provide a drain under the road which is effective.
5.1.2 The road to Matterdale Schools is badly potholed
5.1.3 Between Brownrigg House and Wallaway there is a dangerous blind summit, made worse when cars are parked nearby; warning signs are needed.
Cllr Hughes agreed to take these matters up with the highway authority.
5.1.4 It seemed that there was no action which the Parish Council could take, without substantial expense, to have the wooden speed limit posts by Aira Force Main Car Park replaced with metal posts
5.2 The Neighbourhood Plan (amended following the previous Council meeting), having been submitted with the supporting documents to LDNPA, the consultation period ran until 27th February. The Independent Examiner (Mr Collinson) has been appointed.
It was not yet known if an oral hearing would be required by the Examiner. The referendum is to be arranged by Eden District Council for a date in June or July 2015.
The revised plan on which the vote will take place is to be printed by the Parish Council, with any modifications arising from independent examination. It is to be distributedby Councillors and/or members of the working party (each taking it to c10 households); otherwise it will be sent to electors by post. The Clerk was asked to prepare a short letter to go with it, emphasising the relevant procedure and urging electors to use their vote.
5.3 Matterdale Schools. The Clerk laid on the table the transfer of the new school and its land, the appointment of the Parish Council as sole trustee and the Surrender of the Old School Hall tenancy. These were to be signed by two Councillors in readiness for legal completion. The new Easement was still in the hands of the Wincott solicitors but its form had been agreed with the County Council and it would be to sign when satisfactorily received. There was also a side letter which the Clerk would sign to eliminate dilapidation claims in relation to the Surrender. Once all the documents were ready, it would be for the Clerk to arrange legal completion.
Cllr Castles (now the only continuing member of the Matterdale Community Association committee) had asked Cllr Gore to lead a small group of her choice, from among Matterdale residents, in preparing a feasibility study for the proposed new Village Hall. This will cover potential capital costs, as well as provisional income and expenditure when a hall was up and running. It will review the need for a new Hall and its potential uses. It was agreed that the Clerk should act as clerk to the working group if Cllr Gore so required.
Cllr Gore will need up to three months to complete a feasibility study; then the report will come to the Parish Council. Also a public meeting for consultation and explanation will be needed.
No dates were set, but it was agreed that any further meetings should follow as soon as practicable following legal completion.
5.4 Work to Watermillock Village Hall
The £1,500 grant offered via County Councillor Hughes, for local community projects, has been applied for. It is to be requested to enable the entrance to the field adjoining the Hall to be widened (as necessary to accommodate larger tractors) and ancillary work to be carried out there. It is also asked that money be available to provide emergency lighting of part of the fieldnearest the hall, so that in emergency, if the hall had to be cleared when in use, an assembly point in the nearby part of the field would be safe. This proposal was welcomed by and acceptable to the committee of Watermillock Village Hall. Estimates are needed for the work (two for each project, if possible). The Parish Council would get the work done and recover any incidental VAT.
5.5 The Clerk had still not heard from Mr Bruce Murray of PFK re the Rushmire Land since his inspection with Cllr Lightburn last December . It was reported that (a) Mr Murray had left PFK and joined Hope's Land Agency, based in Wigton. The Clerk is to contact PFK to get an update and copies of any relevant notes or other documents, and (b) there was damage to c36 yards of roadside fencing (and a nearby water trough) caused by a vehicle delivering for "Cocklakes" farm shop. Mr Smith (of "Cocklakes"), Mr Derek Wilson (husband of Cllr Wilson) and Mr Adrian Cowx ( a fencing contractor contacted by "Cocklakes") had looked at the damage that day. The Council agreed that Mr Cowx should do the repairs at the cost of "Cocklakes" or its insurers.
There were other works to be done there, which Mr Murray was to require of Mr Robin Edmondson. Most of these, if not all, would be work that Mr Cowx could do at the expense of Mr Edmondson while on site for "Cocklakes". Cllr Lighburn will speak to Mr Edmondson to encourage early repair action. The Clerk will advise Cllr Lightburn of the rent arrears, with a view to obtaining payment from Mr Edmondson at the same time.
The Clerk is to prepare a briefing note for all Councillors to inform them about the three lettable landholdings (and Binks Moss, if pertinent).
5.6 Mr Trelease has agreed to carry out the 2015 grass cutting without substantial increase in the cost to the Council
6. Planning.
6.1 Reports of planning committees re 7/2015/3005 and 3009 re Outward Bound and 7/2015 re Pine Trees Cottage, Troutbeck. The Watermillock and Matterdale Planning committees respectively had had no objection or comment.
6.2 The decision granting conditional permission for National Trust work at High Cascades Car Park ((7/2014/3157) had been received.
6.3 There was no objection to Application 7/2015/3012 re Filter house, High Row (amended condition).
6.4 Application 7/2014/3172 by National Trust for signs at Park Brow car park: views were expressed that the signs were too many and unnecessary but no formal objection could be made.
6.5 There was no objection to Application 7/2015/3019 (replacement windows at 6 Wreay Mansions, Watermillock).
6.6 Notification 7/2015/3020 had been received of a proposed machinery storage shed at Riverside Farm, Troutbeck.
6.7 The Eden District Council had supplied a "Planning Services Parish Charter", which, although not effective in Matterdale Parish, made useful reading for the chairmen of the Council's planning committees.
7. Financial
7.1 The Council approved the following expenditure: Clerk's expenses for 2014/15 (Travel £77.40, Use of home as office £120, Printer ink £25.64): Total £223.04 , Clerk's Salary for 2014/15 (balance) £1,182.60, PAYE thereon £236.52, Meeting fee £12.00, Rent for Matterdale Village Hall £150 (part of which may come back on completion of the proposed Surrender), United Utilities £22.32, Information Commissioner £35.00 and Gordon Consultancy Ltd £72.00 including VAT
7.2 Account balances were HSBC plc £467.33 at 3rd February 2015:Skipton BS £34,501.21; it was agreed that money should be transferred from the latter to the former to meet the above expenditure and maintain a suitable balance at HSBC.
Budget comparison: Expenditure to date was in line with budget, save in relation to expenditure related to the proposed Neighbourhood Plan, which was about £400 less than had been budgeted for in the 2014/15 budget, savings having been made on postages, printing and sundries.
8. Training
The Clerk referred Cllrs. to the CALC website for opportunities for further training.
9. The Clerk informed the Council of the time table pertinent to the 7th May local council elections and distributed nomination forms to all Councillors present (save Cllr Hunter who is not proposing to seek re-election).
10. Other Business
10.1 Ranger Suzy Hankin had enquired whether the restoration of the Watermillock pinfold was to go ahead; the Council decided it would like to do so and was prepared to meet the expected cost of land transfer (estimated at £400) if Mr and Mrs Pettit, the new owners of the former Watermillock Vicarage, were prepared to transfer the land for no consideration other than the payment of their solicitors' costs. Cllr Lightburn will contact Ms Hankin to agree detail of work to be done and a display notice (all of which could possibly be done without cost to the Council).It was agreed that the subsequent costs of maintenance and insurance falling on the Council were likely to be acceptable and, as part of the area's history, the pinfold should be a feature of the landscape again.
10.2 The Council agreed to support the objection by the Clerk and others to the NHS funding cuts threatened to affect the Glenridding Health Centre (40% reduction staggered over 7 years)
11. The next meeting
7.30pm on Monday 18th May 2015 at Watermillock Village Hall (AGM and first meeting of newly elected Council).
NB No additional meeting re Matterdale Schools on 13th April 2015
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Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held at Matterdale Church Room on Monday 3rd November 2014
Present: Cllrs Castles (in the Chair), Hunter, Holder, Marshall, Crofts, Dobinson, Mrs Wilson and Lloyd .
In attendance: Mr P Brunt, Mrs J Cooke, Mr D Harrison and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. Apologies for absence were recorded for Cllr. Lightburn and County Councillor N Hughes
2. The draft minutes of the meeting on 1st October 2014 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. There were no declarations of interest .
4. Matters arising
4.1 Matterdale Old and New School. The Clerk reported that he had no further response from the solicitors to the Wincott Estate. It was agreed that he should contact the senior partner of the firm to protest at the apparently gross and unnecessary delay.
The County Council having objected to all the estimated £5k cost of repairs to the pumping station falling on it, the Council agreed to bear 2/3 of the actual cost (assuming (a) that the Parish Council becomes the trustee of Matterdale School Foundation as proposed, so that the cost will not fall on precept payers (b) it were able to place a suitable contract with its contractor and at a price approved by it and (c) the County Council (or its successor as owner of the Old School) would meet the other 1/3 of the actual cost).
4.2 Cllr. Lloyd reported that improvements to the available Broadband service, in at least part of the parish, might emerge from upgrading of the service to Outward Bound. He is also in contact with Martin Butcher of Patterdale to obtain any advice he may be able to give
4.3 Cllr Lloyd has worked up a new website for the Council which will be much easier to update than the existing site. He would need to obtain a different domain name (ie "matterdaleparishcouncil.org"). The proposal which he had circulated would cost the Council £8.60 per year inclusive of domain name and VAT. The cost of the current site is £93.48. It was agreed to proceed as Cllr Lloyd had proposed.
4.4 The Clerk reported that he had been asked for two hard copies of the Pre-submission Draft of the proposed Neighbourhood Plan but the updates in November's "Together" and "Grapevine" may result in further requests for hard copies. Mr.Tom Woof had been contacted by two electors to date; the consultation closes on 17th November and the Council's working party will meet with Mr Woof that night to review all submissions, with a view to its report being ready for the 1st December Parish Council meeting.
4.5 The Clerk had not heard from Mr Bruce Murray of PFK re the Rushmire Land. He will chase him for early inspection and report.
5. Planning
5.1 There had been no planning committee meetings since the 1st September Council meeting, although the Application 7/2014/3133 re 3 Horrock Leas, Watermillock (proposed extension and alterations) had been seen by the Watermillock committee members.
5.2 Planning consents had been granted by LDNPA as follows:-
7/2014/3086 re Mill Cottage, Hutton John (storage shelter)
7/2014/3099 re Knotts Mill Country Lodge, Watermillock (garage plus car and trailer port)
7/2014/3014 re Fox Hill, Penruddock (replacement of garage doors)
5.3 Application 7/2014/ 3140 re cottages adjacent to Mell Fell House, Watermillock was considered. The application was to lift the restriction to the holiday use of the six cottages, so that they could (as an alternative) be used as residences by local people. The Council approved the Application, provided the occupation as a residence was for Local Needs Housing (as defined from time to time for planning purposes).
6. Financial
6.1 The Council approved the following expenditure: to the Clerk £400 on account of his 2014/15 Salary, £12.00 to Matterdale PCC for the meeting fee and £23.37 to Cllr Lloyd for the website expenses he had borne.
6.2 Account balances were HSBC plc £3,096.86 at 3rd October 2014:Skipton BS £34,213.88 (£1,000 having been transferred to HSBC in October to enable the expenses approved at the last Council meeting and anticipated November expenses to be funded).
Expenditure to date was in line with budget.
6.3 The 2013/14 Annual Return, as amended, was approved and agreed.
6.4 The Clerk circulated the draft of a Budget for 2015/16 (as attached). The budgeted election costs were based on an uncontested election; if the election due in May 2015 is contested the estimated cost to the Council is £800. However, the extra cost could be covered from reserves. The printing and postage budgeted for included an estimated £500 to print and post the Neighbourhood Plan in the form to go to referendum. The budget as drafted would enable the Precept to remain at £4,000. The draft budget was approved as circulated.
8. The Council approved the Complaints Procedure drafted by the Clerk and circulated in advance of the meeting (see copy attached).
9. Rev Prof. Peter Brunt was coopted to the Council to fill the remaining place available as a result of the resignations of Messrs. Bowman and Holmes. He and Mr Holder were appointed to the Watermillock Planning Committee.
10. Training
The Clerk referred Cllrs. to the CALC website for opportunities for further training.
11. Correspondence
11.1The Clerk had received a letter from Mr Nick Grundy of Ullswater Marine about a tree, alleged to be dangerous, adjacent to the main entrance to the Marine. The Clerk had asked if he had any evidence from a tree surgeon or otherwise as to its condition. The Council is not responsible and those present did not know whose land the tree was on or whose responsibility any works needed would be.
11.2 The Council approved the continuation of polling stations in Watermillock and Matterdale for electors of those respective wards. It suggested Watermillock Village Hall and Matterdale Church room would be suitable.
11.3 Cllr Castles will attend the LDNPA meeting on 20th November re Housing Need in the Ullswater Valley.
12. Highways
Flooding on A5091 is a continuing problem. The Council was concerned that winter conditions, especially any ice, would add to the dangers caused. The problems at Matterdale End, and adjacent to Matterdale Church and the Royal Hotel were obvious areas needing attention. Also, the New Road from A5091 to Dowthwaite head is flooding, probably because the gutters and drains for surface water are not being maintained. The Clerk is to ask Cllr Hughes to raise these matters with the Highway Autority as requiring urgent attention.
13.1 The next meeting will be on 1st December (7.30pm) at Watermillock Village Hall.
13.2 The dates for 2015 meetings (those after 18th May 2015 to be fixed differently if the newly elected Parish Council so wishes) were set as follows:-
5th January at Watermillock Village Hall ("WMVH"),2nd March at Matterdale Church room ("MCR"),18th May at WMVH(AGM), 6th July at WMVH, 7th September at WMVH and 2nd November at MCR (all Mondays, starting at 7.30pm, except July and September meetings which will start at 8.00pm).
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held at Matterdale Church Room on Monday 1st December 2014
Present: Cllrs Castles (in the Chair), Lloyd, Marshall , Crofts, Dobinson, Brunt and Holder.
In attendance: Mr M.Toulmin, Mr P. Goodman, Mr J. Foster, Cllr Neil Hughes and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
The meeting observed one minutes silence in memory of Keith Clark who had died since the last meeting. His long service as a Councillor, and particularly his work on the Matterdale New School/Village Hall project, were recognized as outstanding contributions to the Matterdale community.
1. Apologies for absence were recorded for Cllrs. Lightburn and Mrs Wilson. It was noted that Mr C.B.Quinney had ceased to be a Parish Councillor (having been absent from all 2014 Council meetings).
2. The minutes of the meeting on 3rd November 2014 were approved as circulated .
3. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations: all present declared that they had an interest in the proposed Neighbourhood Plan and were given a dispensation to speak and vote.
4. Open Forum: Mr Toulmin enquired whether the Council's strategy in relation to the Matterdale New School/Village Hall project was to be reviewed. The Clerk informed him that he had been in touch with Mr Brian Clark (Keith Clark's executor) and asked to see the files Keith Clark had maintained relevant to this project and had been promised early sight of them. The Clerk also said that he believed that the completion of the transfer of trusteeship, with its related surrender of the tenancy of the Old School, drainage easement and land transfer, would go ahead, notwithstanding the death of Keith Clark, but an early meeting with the Matterdale Community Association committee would be needed to review progress and assess the viability of the scheme which Keith Clark had worked so hard to achieve. The Council recognized the huge amount of work (and money) required to bring the project to fruition.
5. Neighbourhood Plan
5.1 The Clerk reported that the working party had met on 17th November, with Mr Woof, to review the results of consultations on the pre-submission draft of the proposed Plan.
The working party had also been able to review the inspector's report on the Denton Hill planning application (the appeal against refusal of consent to change of use had been dismissed). The inspector, in the view of Mr Woof, had been mistaken to consider the remoteness of the site from public transport and services (with consequential dependence on the private car) to be as significant as he had made them in coming to his decision. The wider aspects of sustainability should have been given greater weight in Mr Woof's view. The working party had agreed. In consequence Mr Woof had revised paragraph 18 in the submission version of the Plan which had been circulated to Councillors and was laid on the table by the Clerk.
The LDNPA in its response to the pre-submission consultation draft of the Plan had changed its position and had given the opinion that no part of the Parish met its test for a "cluster community". Hence paragraph 17 in the submission version of the Plan had been amended.
The Clerk read to the meeting these two paragraphs as amended.
There were other detailed changes as Councillors would have seen.
The Clerk had also circulated the Basic Conditions Statement and the Consultation Statement which Mr Woof had prepared for the Council. The Clerk recommended that, in the Consultation Statement, there should be a correction in the third line of the paragraph headed "Background", to remove the word "hand", as some of the Questionnaire referred to had been posted to electors. This was agreed.
Mr Toulmin suggested that the words "intense and particular" should be removed from paragraph 13 of the Basic Conditions Statement; this also was agreed.
5.2 The motion was then put that, pursuant to section 15 of the Town and Country Planning Neighbourhood Planning (General ) Regulations, 2012, the Parish Council agreed to submit, through H&H Land and Property Ltd, the Matterdale Neighbourhood Plan Proposal together with the Basic Conditions Statement and the Consultation Statement to the Lake DIstrict National Park Authority, which were all considered and approved for this purpose. This motion was carried unanimously.
5.3 The Clerk reported that he expected to receive a further bill from "H&H" for £1,412 plus VAT for services to 30th November 2014; Mr Woof had removed c£2,000 from the time based fees which would otherwise have been incurred.
5.4 The Parish Council noted that in conversation with the Clerk, Mr Woof had agreed that he would not incur more than a further £1,000 (ex VAT) in fees unless the Council agreed to additional costs being incurred.
5.5 The Parish Council also agreed to appoint H&H Land and Property Ltd to act on its behalf in relation to (1) the appointment of the examiner and (2) any further representations to the examination, for the Matterdale Neighbourhood Development Plan as required under Schedule 4B of the Town and Country Planning Act,1990.
5.6 The Chairman thanked Mr Toulmin, especially, but also Mr Brown and indeed all members of the working party, for all the hard work done to bring matters to the present stage. There was a possibility that further work would be needed from them, depending on the outcome of the further consultations and the examination, but unless it was asked to meet again its work was done.
5.7 The Council asked the Clerk to press Eden District Council to arrange the referendum for 7th May to coincide with local and national elections; it was recognized that this might not be the date (a date in June 2015 being more likely).
6. Matterdale Schools
6.1 The repairs to the drainage system serving the respective properties would be undertaken by the County Council but 65% of the cost would fall on the Parish Council as trustee of the Matterdale School Foundation: the County Council had agreed to discuss with the Parish Council, when repairs are to be commissioned, how best to have them done at reasonable cost.
6.2 Mr Wincott's solicitors have at last commented on the draft of the easement sent to them in March 2013 by the Clerk. None of their suggested amendments are so significant that the Clerk would advise refusing them; the County Council's comments on the amendments are awaited but expected in early course.
6.3 Cllr Marshall suggested that the Hall be named "the Keith Clark Memorial Hall": the Chairman replied that in due course the naming of the hall would be a matter which the Matterdale Community Association would wish to consider. It would be expected to propose its suggested name to the Council; at present it would be premature to make any decision.
7. Expenditure
The Council approved the following payments: to H&H Land and Property Ltd for consultant's fees £1,694.40, to the Clerk £400 on account of his 2014/15 salary, to HMRC £300 for PAYE on the £1,200 paid to the Clerk, £20.90 to United Water Utilities plc for water charges and £12 to Matterdale Parochial Church Council for the meeting fee.
8. Planning
The Council objected to Application 7/2014/3157 re High Cascades Car Park on the grounds (1) that the area opposite the former quarry should remain available for parking, (2) that free parking, as at present enjoyed, was desirable to reduce parking elsewhere and (3) the proposals were more suitable for an urban than a rural situation.
9. Highways
9.1 The allegedly dangerous tree by the entry to Ullswater Marine from A592 had been referred to Electricity North West, Cllr Hughes reported.
9.2 Cllr Hughes had passed on the Council's views that the recently erected 40mph signs (or rather the wooden posts on which they had been erected), on the A592 by the junction with A5091, were amateurish and that the 40 mph area should at least be extended further towards Glenridding. His representations had not met with success.
9.3 On the other hand, his representations relevant to drainage on A5091 had resulted in the necessary work being included in the County Council's programme for early action.
9.4 Cllr Hughes was thanked for his assiduous work on matters raised by the Parish Council.
10. Grants Available
Cllr Hughes reminded the Council that he had earmarked £750 for each of the Council's two wards in his 2014/15 support funding, but he advised early application. It was agreed that Cllrs Marshall, Crofts, Castles and Holder would meet under Cllr Holder's chairmanship,
with a view to reporting its proposals to the Council meeting on 5th January for immediate action.
11. Co-option
In view of the vacancies on the Council caused by Mr Quinney ceasing to be a Councillor and Mr Clark's death, it was agreed to give notice that the Council intended to co-opt two Councillors.
12. Next meeting
5th January 2015 at Watermillock Village Hall, starting at 7.30pm.
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held at Watermillock Village Hall on Monday 5th January 2015
Present: Cllrs Castles (in the Chair), Hunter, Lightburn, Marshall, Crofts, Dobinson, Brunt and Lloyd .
In attendance: Mrs V Gore, Mr B Clark and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. Apologies for absence were recorded for Cllr Mrs Wilson, Cllr Holder and County Councillor N Hughes
2. The draft minutes of the meeting on 1st December 2014 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record.
3. There were no declarations of interest, save in relation to item 9.3 on the Agenda (setting the 2015/16 precept), in which all Councillors had an interest and all were given dispensations to speak and vote.
4. No open forum was required.
5. Mrs V Gore and Dr W McAlpine were co-opted to the Council to take the places vacated by Messrs Quinney and Clark.
6. Matters arising
6.1 Work on the A5091 to address the drainage problems referred to at the last meeting had been carried out; further work is needed adjacent to the Royal Hotel at Dockray.
6.2 The Neighbourhood Plan (amended following the previous Council meeting) has been submitted with the supporting documents to LDNPA. The consultation period runs until 20th February. The procedure to identify an Independent Examiner has begun. Thanks to the work of Cllr Lloyd the Plan in its submission form is now on the Parish Council website, as well as that of LDNPA.
6.3 Cllr Crofts has been told that wooden posts were chosen for the new 40mph signs on A592 at the request of LDNPA; replacement by metal posts would cost c£600, which the Parish Council would have to pay if the replacements were to be done as the Parish Council would prefer. The Clerk was asked to contact LDNPA to ask why wooden posts had been requested.
6.4 The listing of Watermillock Village Hall as a community asset has been made by Eden District Council on the application of the Parish Council.
6.5 Cllr Holder had spoken with Cllr Lightburn (who was known to have an interest as a committee member of Watermillock Village Hall management committee, as had Cllr Lloyd as its treasurer). They proposed that the £1,500 offered via County Councillor Hughes, for local community projects, should be requested to enable the entrance to the field adjoining the Hall to be widened (as necessary to accommodate larger tractors) and drainage and ancillary work to be carried out there. This proposal was agreed unanimously. The Clerk will write to Cllr Hughes as a matter of urgency.
7.1 The Clerk had reported that he had received the £200 from Mr Mark Potter due under the 2014 grazing licence for the Recreation Land at Matterdale. The Council are willing to grant a further one year licence but Mr Potter should be required to keep rushes down.
7.2 The Clerk had not heard from Mr Bruce Murray of PFK re the Rushmire Land since his inspection with Cllr Lightburn last month . The Parish Council had terminated the tenancy of Mr Robin Edmondson at 31st December 2014. Cllr Lightburn reported that there was 50 to 100 metres of fencing which Mr Edmondson should be required to repair and a gatepost. The Clerk will ask Mr Murray to write to Mr Edmondson accordingly. The Council favoured reletting the land and would expect little or no rent if the subsidy from the Rural Payments Agency were claimed by the tenant and paid to the Council. Cllr Lightburn would step in if there are no other takers. The Clerk will ask Mr Murray to advertise the land as available to let.
7.3 The easement for the Matterdale Schools is not yet agreed; the Clerk awaits the comments of the County Council on the current draft.
The Council confirmed that it would proceed to completion of the proposed transfer of the New School and adjacent land to the Parish Council as trustee of the Matterdale School Foundation, on the terms already approved.
The Clerk is to prepare a briefing note for all Councillors, to include what he sees as the options for further progress following completion of the transfer. This is intended to open the way for a meeting with Matterdale Community Association members, in the hope that the way forward and identity of the individual(s) responsible for what needs doing, with a timetable, can be worked out between the Parish Council as freeholders and the Community Association as prospective tenant.
8. Planning
There had been no planning committee meetings since the 1st December Council meeting, although the Application 7/2014/3158 re Knotts Hill Guest House, Watermillock (proposed formation of self catering cottage from three existing bedrooms) had been seen by the Watermillock committee members, none of whom had any objection to the proposal.
9. Financial
9.1 The Council approved the following expenditure: to the Clerk £400 on account of his 2014/15 Salary, £16.00 to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee and £1,227 to H&H land and Property Ltd for the fees of Mr Woof to 31st December 2014
9.2 Account balances were HSBC plc £4,111.67 at 3rd December 2014:Skipton BS £34,213.88
Expenditure to date was in line with budget.
9.3 The Precept requirement for 2015/16 was set at £4,000.
10. Training
The Clerk referred Cllrs. to the CALC website for opportunities for further training. It was agreed that, in general, reasonable travel expenses to local training courses would be reimbursed if Councillors attended although the Clerk pointed out that nothing had been included in the budget to cover training fees or expenses.
Other Business
11.1 The Chairman requested that Mr Ken Holmes be invited to be the Council's nominee for a Buckingham Palace Garden Party place.
11.2 It was agreed that Mr D Trelease would be asked to quote for the 2015 grass cutting contract but to include two cuts of the area by the seat at Matterdale End as well as the Dockray Green and area by the nearby signpost.
11.3 The Clerk had details of the proposed Transparency Code, which, if introduced as expected, would require a good deal further detail of the Council's expenditure and assets to be put on its website.
12. The next meeting
7.30pm on 2nd March 2015 at Matterdale Church Room.
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held at Matterdale Church Room on Wednesday 1st October 2014
Present: Cllrs Castles (in the Chair), Mrs Wilson, Crofts, Dobinson and Holder.
In attendance: Cllr Neil Hughes and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. Apologies for absence were recorded for Cllrs. Lloyd, Lightburn, Clark, Marshall, Hunter and Quinney, and for Mrs J Cooke and Mr S Simpson.
2. The minutes of the meeting on 1st September 2014 were approved as circulated .
3. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations: all present declared that they had an intesest in the proposed Neighbourhood Plan and were given a dispensation to speak and vote.
4. Open Forum: none was required.
5. Neighbourhood Plan
5.1 The draft Pre-Submission plan was tabled, in the form received from Mr. T Woof, with amendments tabled by the Clerk as circulated in advance of the meeting. Cllr Holder suggested that the references to "Caravan Parks" should be to "Holiday Parks", so that (eg) camping sites would be covered. This was agreed and, with further amendments to accommodate Cllr Holder's suggestion, the motion on para 5 of the Agenda was passed unanimously. The Clerk will circulate the amended draft and inform Mr Woof that it should be put on his firm's website.
5.2 The Clerk will arrange a further press release in consultation with Mr Toulmin.
5.3 The Clerk will inform those who responded in writing to the June Questionnaire that they may view the Pre-Submission Draft (a)on the H&H website, (b)at the five agreed inspection locations or(c) by obtaining a copy from the Clerk at a fee of £3 to cover printing and any other associated costs.
5.4 The result of the pre-submission consultations will be reported to the Parish Council at its meeting on 1st December.
6. Matterdale Schools
The Clerk read out the report received by the County Council on repairs required to the pumping part of the drainage system serving the Old and New Schools. The estimated cost of repairs was put at £5,000.
It was agreed that the County Council should bear these costs in full.
7. Expenditure
The Council approved the following payments: to H&H Land and Property Ltd for consultant's fees £2,381.40, to BDO for audit fees £156, to the Clerk £400 on account of his 2014/15 salary, to Matterdale Parochial Church Council £12 for the meeting fee and £60 to Great North Air Ambulance as a donation. It was agreed that £1,000 should be drawn from the Skipton Building Society account to ensure that the HSBC account had a suitable credit balance.
8. Planning
8.1 The Council had no objection to the Application 7/2014 re Aira Force Cafe
8.2 The Council had no objection to the Application7/2014/3113 re High House Farm, Watermilock, but queried whether the foul drainage system would be adequate for the increased load.
9. Highways
Cllr Hughes took note of the Council's views that the recently erected 40mph signs (or rather the wooden posts on which they had been erected) on the A592 by the junction with A5091 were amateurish and that the 40 mph area should at least be extended further towards Glenridding.
10. Next meetings
3rd November 2014 at Matterdale Church Room and 1st December 2014 at Watermillock Village Hall, both starting at 7.30pm.
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held at Watermillock Village Hall on Monday 1st September 2014
Present: Cllrs Castles (in the Chair), Mrs Wilson, Lloyd, Crofts, Lightburn, Dobinson and Marshall.
In attendance: Mr. David Harrison, Mr Daniel Holder and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. Apologies for absence were recorded for Cllrs. Clark, Hunter and Quinney, and for Mrs J Cooke, Mr N Hughes (although he appeared briefly at the meeting) and Mr S Simpson.
2. The minutes of the meeting on 7th July 2014 were approved as circulated (although amended in para. 10 to refer to Drs. Dixon and McAlpine) and signed as a true record.
3. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations: None, except Cllrs Lloyd and Lightburn re item 12 (they were granted dispensations to speak and vote notwithstanding their interests as members of Watermillock Village Hall Management committee and Mrs Lloyd's trusteeship).
4. Open Forum: none was required
5. Matters Arising
5.1 Matterdale Schools
The easement the County Council were requiring as a condition of completion had made no significant progress, the Clerk reported, The Clerk had again asked the Wincott Estate solicitors to progress the approval of the draft deed submitted to them by the County Council Solicitors.
5.2 Mr Edmondson has been served with notice to vacate the Rushmire land by 31st December 2014. It was agreed that the Clerk should ask Mr Murray of PFK to inspect, with either or both of Cllrs Crofts and Lightburn, with a view to serving a schedule of any disrepairs to be made good before the tenancy expires.
5.3 The signatories to withdrawls from HSBC and Skipton BS are now Messrs Dobinson, Lloyd and Brown (any two to sign).
5.4 No response has been made to the Council's letter asking the Owner of Goosegreen to label the former GPO post box as private; it was decided not to take further action.
5.5 Cllr Lloyd is looking into the possibility of having a new website which he or SOE could up-date from time to time, without the comparatively high set up and other costs which would result from instructions to a specialist to set up and run a new site for the Council.
5.6 40mph speed limit signs have been erected on A592 in the vicinity of the expected passenger crossing, from the proposed new jetty at Aira Field to the main Aira Force car park; the Council were of the view that the 40mph stretch should be extended further south west on the Glenridding side of the existing limited area and that "pedestrians crossing" signs should be erected on each side of the crossing point.
6. Planning
6.1 There had been no planning committee meetings since 7th July 2014.
6.2 Decision notices received since the last meeting (all conditional approvals) were
7/2014/3058 re Nab End,Matterdale
7/2014/3037 re Kirkgate House, Watermillock
7/2014/3067 re Rampsbeck Hotel, Watermillock
7/2014/3053 re Nab End, Thackthwaite
7/2014/3066 re Silver Birch Cottage, Watermillock
7/2014/3078 and 3079 re Leeming House Hotel, Watermillock
6.3 Application 7/2014/3118 re 3 Horrock Lees, Watermillock was considered at the meeting. There were no objections.
7. Finance
7.1 Payments were approved to United Utilities Water plc for water charges £23.70 and to Watermillock Village Hall for the meeting fee £16.
7.2 The Council's HSBC account at 3rd August 2014 stood at £3,136.56 and Skipton BS at £35,213.88.
7.3 Expenditure was in line with budget.
8. Neighbourhood Planning
8.1 The Clerk read the report on progress published in "Together" and "Grapevine" September 2014 editions.
8.2 On finance, he reported that he awaited the H&H Land & Property Ltd bill for services subsequent to 30th June 2014. Assuming that the grant received covered their fees, the £771 spent on printing the questionnaire is the main expense to fall on the Council this year, though postage expenses will rise if, as planned, responders are notified when the draft plan is on LDNPA and H&H websites.
8.3 Once the draft plan has been agreed by the working party, a copy will be provided to all Parish Councillors.
8.4 Largely as a result of his involvement with the working party, the Clerk's hours to date are 28 hrs more than budgeted for; he expects his hours to be more in line with budget by the financial year end.
9. Highways
9.1 U3136 is to be closed from its junction with A592 at Knotts Road End to C3038 at High Close from 15th September for 5 days.
9.2 A592 is to be closed from its junction with A5091 at Aira Force to a point o/s "Glenwood" south west of that junction from 2100hrs to 0700hrs 29th September 2014 for 4 days and 6th October 2014 for 2 days.
9.3 The Council agreed to respond to the concerns about rural road safety by suggesting a 40mph speed limit on A592 throughout the parish and a 30mph limit on A5091 from Matterdale End through Dockray to High Cascades Car Park.
10. Co-options to the Council
The Clerk reported that he had received applications from Mr Daniel Holder and Dr William McAlpine to fill the two places n the Council vacated by the resignations of Messrs Holmes and Bowman. Dr Dixon had indicated that she would not pursue her enquiry and Mr P Airey had not responded to the Clerk's invitation to put his name forward.
It was agreed that Mr Holder should be co-opted forthwith and Dr McAlpine's application be kept on the table in case a suitable appointment of a Watemillock resident cannot be made before the May 2015 local elections.
11. Training
The Clerk referred members, including Mr Holder, to the CALC website.
12. Listing of Community Assets
It was agreed that application should be made to Eden District Council to add Watermillock Village Hall (and its adjoining land) to its register, but not the proposed Matterdale Village Hall in the "new school", as that is likely to become the property of the Parish Council (albeit as charity trustee), it is not yet in community use and the exact identity of the community asset has not yet been established (the adjoining house and its curtilage not qualifying for registration).
13.Complaints procedure
The Clerk was asked to draft a complaints form and the following procedure.
It was agreed that the procedure should provide for complaints to be dealt with by a committee of the Parish Council comprising the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Clerk, with an independent third party to be appointed by them as and when a complaint was made, and with liberty to co-opt up to three other persons as substitutes for any of them unwilling or unable, in the particular circumstances, to serve, or in any case where any one or more of them had a personal interest in the matters complained of.
The Council agreed that the draft procedure should be circulated in advance of its 3d November meeting, with a view to its adoption at that meeting, if thought fit.
14. Recording of Council meetings
The Clerk referred to recent regulations which entitle the press or public to record all or part of any Council or Committee meeting, save any part of the meeting at which the Council had properly excluded the press or public. He read the attached (the recommended protocol), which the Council adopted.
15. Other Business-Broadband
Cllr Lloyd reported that he had been party to a discussion with Outward Bound; it may be that arrangements can be made between Lonsdale Net, Outward Bound and the landowner for a mast to be erected on Birk Crag which would improve broadband in parts of the parish. He will report further when the discussions have gone further.
16. Next meetings
3rd November 2014 at Matterdale Church Room and 1st December 2014 at Watermillock Village Hall, both starting at 7.30pm.
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held at Watermillock Village Hall on Monday 7th July 2014
Present: Cllrs Castles (in the Chair), Hunter, Marshall, Crofts, Dobinson, Mrs Wilson and Lloyd .
In attendance: County Cllr. Hughes (for the latter part of the meeting),Mr W McAlpine and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
1. Apologies for absence were recorded for Cllrs. Bowman, Lightburn, Clark and Quinney.
2. The draft minutes of the meeting on 11th May 2014 were approved and signed as a true record.
3. There were no declarations of interest ( save Cllr Lloyd as Treasurer of Watermillock Village Hall).
4. Matters arising
4.1 The Clerk reported that the insurance had been renewed.
4.2 He had also closed the Scottish Widows account and transferred funds to Skipton Building Society as instructed at the last meeting.
4.3 Matterdale Old and New School. The Clerk reported that he had at last received a response from the Wincott estate solicitors; matters of detail were raised. The Council agreed that it had no reason to insist that the payment by the County Council to the late Mrs Wincott in c2002 be recorded in the proposed Easement of drainage.
4.4 Cllr Crofts had kindly put up the former Catstycam notice board in replacement of that at Matterdale End.
4.5 The Clerk had delivered a letter to Goosegreen asking that the former Post Office letter box be clearly labelled that it is no longer such.
5. Planning
Applications had been received and considered by Councillors on the relevant planning committee as follows:-
7/2014/3037 re Kirkgate House Watermillock
7/2014/3049 re Fox Hill, Penruddock
7/20143058 re Nab End, Penruddock
7/2014/3067 re Rampsbeck Hotel, Watermillock
To none of these were there any objections.
7/2014/3078 and 3079 re Leeming House Hotel Watermillock were referred to the Watermillock planning committee (but there was no objection).
Notification had been received of a new agricultural shed adjacent to Folly Cottage, by Cove, Watermillock
6. Financial
6.1 The Council approved the following expenditure: to D Harrison 28 pounds for photocopying re Plan Response forms; to H&H Reeds Printers 771 pounds re Plan Questionnaire printing; 1537 pounds to H&H Land & Property re Tom Woof's services; 32 pounds to Watermillock Village Hall for meeting fees; 31 pounds 16 to Cllr Bowman re the Council website and 106 pounds 04 to the Clerk for his postages and other miscellaneous expenses.
6.2 Account balances were HSBC 5653.96 at 3rd June 2014:Skipton BS 35,213.88
Expenditure to date was in line with budget.
6.3 It was agreed that the signatories to the two above accounts should in future be Cllr Lloyd and Dobinson plus the Clerk(any two to sign)
6.4 The External Auditor, BDO, asked that the Annual Return be amended to show the assets at 933 pounds (932 re Dockray notice board ex VAT cost and 1 re proxy cost of land holdings acquired otherwise than by purchase). This was agreed.
7. Neighbourhood Plan
Mr Brown reported that he had received to date just short of 100 responses to the Questionnaire sent to all electors in the Parish. Mr Toulmin and he would report in detail on these at the two planned public meetings, on 9th and 15th July. The drafting of the Plan would start after 15th July. The Parish Council meeting arranged for 1st December is expected to be presented with the Plan, amended following further consultations.
8. Highways
8.1 The road U3136 from Gowbarrow Road end to C3038 at High House is due for 5 days closure from 15th September.
8.2 The condition of C3038 below the Ullswater Caravan Site is still being eroded by surface water, Cllr Hughes will raise this with the Highway Authority again.
9. Website
Cllr Lloyd had agreed to take over as administrator of the Council website.
10. Possible Co-option(s) to the Council
The Clerk reported that he had received expressions of interest from Daniel Holder, Paul Airey, Anne Dixon and Mr McAlpine. It was agreed that they be invited to attend the next Council meeting as observers and that the Clerk ask them to complete an information form. The decision on who (if anyone) to co-opt could then be made at the November Council meeting.
11. Training
The Clerk referred Cllrs. to the CALC website for opportunities for further training.
12. Correspondence
The Clerk had received a letter from Cllr Bowman tendering his resignation with effect from 14th July. The Chairman asked that he be warmly thanked on behalf of the Council for his many years of diligent service, including in particular his time spent chairing meetings of the Council.
13. The next meeting will be 1st September ( 8pm) at Watermillock Village Hall
Draft Minutes of the Annual Matterdale Parish Meeting held at Matterdale Church Room on 12th May 2014.
Present: Cllrs Castles (who took the Chair), Bowman, Marshall, Lloyd, Hunter , Mrs Wilson and Crofts. The Clerk, Mr Brown, was also present.
Cllrs Clark, Lightburn, Dobinson and Quinney gave their apologies.
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The minutes of the 2013 Annual Parish Meeting were approved as circulated.
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Cllr Castles presented the Chairman’s annual report (as attached) which was received.
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There was no other business.
Draft minutes of the Annual Meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held immediately following the conclusion of the Annual Parish Meeting (with the same Councillors present. Mr Brown , Mr Fergus McMorrow and (from 8pm) Mr Jeremy Barlow (National Trust) were in attendance.
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Apologies for absence were received as above.
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Cllr Castles was elected Chairman of the Council and Cllr Lloyd as Vice Chairman. Mr D. L. Brown was appointed Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer. His remuneration was fixed at £12 per hour for the estimated 20 hours a month he is asked to work.
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Mr J Foster was appointed Internal Auditor and thanked for his work on the recent audit. His report of 9th May 2014 (see attached) as Internal Auditor was read and paras 3,4,5 and 6 of its content noted for future action. The effectiveness of internal audit was revisited and approved.
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The planning sub-committees were re-appointed with the same terms of reference (Watermillock sub-committee under the chairmanship of Cllr Lloyd, with Cllrs Bowman, Dobinson, Hunter, and Lightburn as members and Matterdale sub-committee under the chairmanship of Cllr Marshall with Cllrs Clark, Crofts, Mrs Wilson, Castles and Quinney as members). Cllrs Crofts, Marshall and Lightburn are to act, in an advisory role initially, to assist the Council in its expected role as trustee of the Matterdale School Foundation, particularly in relation to the "New School" holding.
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The Clerk presented the Annual Accounts of the Parish Council and Matterdale Recreation Fund, as audited by the Internal Auditor, Mr Foster (see attached). These were approved as circulated.
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The Annual Governance Statement and Annual Return for 2013/14 were approved.
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The Clerk presented the budget for 2014/2015 (as attached) which was approved.
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The balances on bank accounts were reported as follows: HSBC £28,956.77 at 3rd May 2014: Scottish Widows £647.37: Skipton Building Society £13,213.88. The Clerk was authorised to transfer cash from HSBC to Skipton Building Society (at least £20,000;more if he thought fit). Also to close the Scottish Widows account (both actions being in accord with Mr Foster's recommendation in his report as referred to above). Mandates for these and the proposed Matterdale School Foundation Charity account should allow any two from Cllrs. Dobinson, Bowman and Lloyd to sign. The Council did not intend to take advantage of new regulations allowing the mandates to permit one signature only.
The following expenditure was approved: to Aon for insurance renewal £287.95; to Matterdale Village Hall to assist with insurance costs £40.00; to Matterdale PCC for the Meeting Fee £12.00; to CALC for the subscription for 2014/15 £152.00; to United Utilities Water plc for water charges £15.10, to CALC for "Local Council Review" £15.00 and to H&H Land & Property Ltd £1,440 for Mr Woof's services during April 2014 (including £240 VAT to be recovered).
10.The Minutes of the Council meeting on 3rd March 2014 were approved as circulated and signed as a correct record.
11. Matters arising from those minutes were considered as follows:-
11.1 The Clerk had received an email from Mr Murphy of Land Ends in response to the complaint passed on by Cllr. Hunter, that the public footpath passing through Land Ends from Grove Foot Farm was impassable. He read the email to the meeting. It was agreed to notify the Access Officer at LDNPA and the local Ramblers Association of the complaint.
11.2 LDNPA have agreed to provide the labour if the Parish Council provide the materials, to enable the Council to renew the notice board at Matterdale End. Cllr Crofts agreed to liaise with Rec Cathay of LDNPA on this. Cllr Bowman suggested that Watermillock Village Hall might be able to release the notice board it holds in store (donated to it by "Catstycam").
12. The risk assessment statement prepared some years ago was revisited. It was agreed that it remained satisfactory and there were no additional risks to be covered by insurance, which should be renewed with Aon Insurance. However, it was agreed, this would need to be revisited if and when the Parish Council becomes trustee of the Matterdale School Foundation. Also, that legal costs insurance might be arranged if the proposed Neighbourhood Plan takes effect.
13. The Council's standing orders would remain unchanged, until the above trustee appointment required a change. Cllr. Lloyd would need a copy as Vice Chairman.
14.1 The Clerk reported to Councillors on progress re Matterdale Old and New Schools (see attached).
14.2 The Clerk reported on progress made in relation to the proposed Neighbourhood Plan (copy attached). His report was received.
15.Planning Applications received:-
15.1 7/2014/3009 and 3043 re High Cascades Car Park.
As to the former, Mr Barlow said that the National Trust were not obliged to cater for lorries needing to turn there and would discourage overnight parking of mobile homes by signage. Car park charges were needed to help defray the cost of maintaining the Aira Foce area and its environs (c£500k will have been spent there when all the intended work has been completed). He commented that the amended lay out plan for High Cascades Car Park was submitted after discussion with the Highway Authority and is designed to conform to the Highway Authority's requirements.
That part of the car park on the north east side of A5091 would not be laid out safely if laid out in bays as proposed , the Council contended. The Clerk was asked to suggest that it should not have marked bays.
There were no objections to the proposed 5 non-illuminated signs.
Mr Barlow said that the new jetty at Aira Green is to be constructed in September 2014 and, after trialling, is expected to be brought into public service at the following October half term. Mr Barlow then left the meeting.
15.2 7/2014/3038 re Mell Fell Barn, Thackthwaite: there had been no objection from Matterdale Planning Committee but the Committee had asked that its objection to lack of enforcement action by LDNPA be reiterated and suggested that a s106 Agreement be required to ensure the premises are not used for residential purposes.
15.3 Watermillock Planning Committee had met on 31st March and 17th April 2014. At the former, the application for extension of Sharrow Bay Hotel was considered, at the invitation of LDNPA, notwithstanding that it is not located in the Parish; it was agreed that there is cause for concern that inappropriate external illumination of the extended hotel would be added to the already offensive lighting of the site but otherwise there was no cause to object.
On 17th April, its meeting approved Application 7/2014/3023 re proposed micro-brewery at Brackenrigg Inn, had no objection to proposed alterations at Brackenville, Watermillock (7/2014/3034) but wished to comment re 7/2014/3032 that the proposed removal of a cast iron balcony from the main Outward Bound building would result in loss of part of the inherent character of the building.
16.The Clerk reported
16.1 that planning permission had been granted re Dyms, Matterdale End (replacement sun room and garage-7/2014/3005).
16.2 that part of U3132 (for c1.1km from its junction with A5091 in Dockray Village) would be closed to traffic on 3rd July 2014 for one day.
16.3 that he had received from LDNPA a copy of the Creation Agreement of 24th April 2013 re public footpath 345055 over Gowbarrow.
16.4 that there was to be a planning appeal relating to the proposed infilling of a former railway bridge known as Highgate Close Bridge, Troutbeck; it was decided to make no further representations.
17. The Clerk had at the start of the meeting invited all Councillors to disclose any interests not previously disclosed but none had any new interests to declare. The Clerk asked that declarations of interest be reviewed when a draft of the Neighbourhood Plan is brought before the Council later in the year.
18.Highway Matters
18.1 Cllr Crofts referred to the A5091, part of which adjacent to his cattle grid had been washed away but still no remedial action had been taken.
18.2 At Town End, Watermillock, the grassed triangle had been badly torn up but not restored. The Clerk' s information was that the damage had been done by contractors working on A592 by Leeming House Hotel.
18.3 The highway below Ullswater Caravan Site continues to suffer from rain washing debris onto its surface, making the bend there dangerous.
18.4 Mr Kerrs of "Goosegreen"should be asked to label the former GPO mail box he has fitted into his boundary wall as a private letter box.
18.5 Signposts by Ulcat Row and Dowthwaite Head have lost arms and one side of an arm at Sparket Cross Roads has been painted black.
19. Other business
19.1 Cllr Holmes' resignation as a Councillor had not been filled by co-option. In view of the elections in 2015,it was decided not to take action to fill the vacancy but it remains open to Councillors to put a name forward for co-option if any so wish
20.It was agreed that the Council would next meet at 8pm on Monday 7th July 2014 at Watermillock Village Hall.
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held at Matterdale Church Room on Monday 3rd March 2014
Present: Cllrs Castles (in the Chair), Hunter, Mrs Wilson, Lloyd, Crofts, Dobinson and Marshall.
In attendance: Cllr N Hughes (for the first part of the meeting), Cllr S Simpson, Mr. David Harrison and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
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Apologies for absence were recorded for Cllrs. Clark, Bowman, Lightburn and Quinney.
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The minutes of the meeting on 6th January 2014 were approved as circulated and signed as a true record. The accompanying report from the Clerk was received.
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Declarations of Interest and Dispensations: none
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Open Forum: Cllr Simpson reported that Eden District Council had invited parishes to bid for street lighting; the formula proposed would have allowed the Parish to bid for up to 14 street lights. After discussion, the Council decided not to bid.
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Matters Arising
5.1 Matterdale Schools
5.1.1 The easement the County Council were requiring as a condition of completion had made no significant progress, the Clerk reported, The County Council had again asked the Wincott Estate solicitors to progress the approval of the draft deed submitted to them.
5.1.2 A grant from Eden Community fund for roof repairs has been applied for and a grant of £10,000 offered, Cllr Clark reported. £8k will come initially and the balance of £2k when the work has been completed.
5.2 Mr Potter's grazing licence: the Clerk had asked PFK to proceed with the proposed renewal.
5.3 A precept payment of £4k is expected for 2014/15.
5.4 The Clerk has written to the Planning Inspectorate in support of the Denton Hill planning appeal; he has not been told the outcome.
5.5 Cllr Lloyd is awaiting further information on the provision of faster broadband in the Parish.
5.6 The signpost at Matterdale End is expected to be altered as asked.
5.7 Cllr Crofts has been prevented from repairing the notice board at Matterdale End; the Clerk will pursue a possible replacement with the aid of LDNPA.
6. Planning
6.1.1 The Council considered the Application 7/2014/3009 re High Cascades Car Park, Aira Force. It resolved to object to the proposal; the appearance proposed would be more in keeping with an urban setting and the opportunity for large vehicles to turn round would be lost. Cllr Marshall was concerned to retain the Parish Bench seat in situ and about long term maintenance.
6.1.2 The Council had no objection to Application 7/2014/3005 re Dyms, Matterdale End (replacement sun room and garage).
6.2 The Clerk reported the following decision notices received:-
7/2013/3121 Approval boat store at New Lodge, Watermillock
7/2013/3116 Refusal reinstatement work at Denton Hill
7/2013/3123 Approval boiler house at Mountain View, Dockray
7/2013/3128 Approval of barn conversion at Emmers Farm, Thackthwaite
7/2013/3071 Approval of alterations and extensions at Outward Bound, Watermillock (and associated listed building consent 3072)
7/2013/3125 and 3124 consents for signs and information boards at Glencoyne and Aira Force car parks
7/2013/3043 Approval of new jetty and associated work at Aira Green. The Council noted the conditions relevant to the A592 road crossing, in particular that a 40 mph speed limit should be imposed adjacent to the crossing.
7. Finance
7.1 Payments were approved to:-
Development Planning Solutions Ltd £521.50 from the grant received from Community Development Foundation (£6,168 having already been received, the Clerk reported)
£950.80 to the Clerk for travel and home office use for the period of four years.
£22.24 to United Utilities Water PLC for water charges
£35 to the Information Commissioner for renewal of the Data Protection Act licence and
£12 to Matterdale PCC for the meeting fee
7.2 The Council's HSBC account at 3rd February stood at £18,879.88, Scottish Widows at £647.39 and Skipton BS at £13,050.75.
7.3 Expenditure was in line with budget, save for payments already reported.
8. Neighbourhood Planning
8.1 The grant applied for, on behalf of the Council, offered subject to conditions: the Council members of the working party had accepted the conditions, having agreed with Mr Woof that he would bill his firm's work monthly and write off any unpaid work if the grant had to be repaid under the condition of grant referred to in minute 8.1 b) (p2) of the 6th January 2014 Parish Council meeting. The offer of grant had been accepted.
8.2 The working party had met and appointed Mr M Toulmin as its Chairman and Mr P Ashworth as its Vice-Chairman.
8.3 It was satisfied with its terms of reference, which the Council confirmed as set out in the letter of 26th November 2013 from the Clerk to Cllr Castles (previously circulated).
8.4 Initial Plan Headings had been identified, in particular Housing, Communications, Employment and Tourism issues. Forestry had been mentioned but as LDNPA have no power to prevent new forests being planted, that would not be pursued.
8.5 A time table would be proposed which would see the writing and consultation phases concluded in time for the Parish Council to review the Plan in November 2014, the hope being that the referendum would coincide with the May 2015 Local Elections.
8.6 Cllr Castles asked that any Councillor wishing to attend a working party meeting should do so, the next being due on 10th March at the Royal Hotel at 7.30pm.
9. The final report of the Ullswater Valley Planning group is awaited, though nothing proposed in the plan is likely to conflict with matters contained in the proposed Matterdale Neighbourhood Plan, in the opinion of the Clerk and Cllr Lloyd who had each attended reporting sessions on 11th February.
10. Training
The Clerk referred to CALC's February 2014 circular. It was agreed that he should attend the workshop on changes to the planning system on 15th May and that he should order 12 copies of the "Good Councillor Guide".
11. Other Business
11.1 Cllr Hughes was asked to take up again the need for maintenance work on the Dockray to Matterdale Church footpath.
11.2 Cllr Hughes expects to have £750 per Parish(and our parish might be counted as two- Watermillock and Matterdale) at his disposal for grants, to be allocated by 31st March 2015
11.3 Cllr Wilson asked that the accumulation of surface water c50x west of Sparket Crossroads/ Four Road Ends be addressed.
11.4 Cllr Hunter repeated his request that work be done on the footpath linking Land Ends to his Grove Foot farm.
11.5 Mr David Reed has arranged a litter pick on Sunday 16th March; it was agreed that no formal arrangements involving the Parish Council need be made.
11.6 Outward Bound are holding a staff party on the evening of 22nd March and late night noise is to be expected, they have warned local residents.
12. Next meeting: 12th May (AGM)- Matterdale Church Room 7.30pm
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Matterdale Parish Council held at Watermillock Village Hall on Monday 6th January 2014
Present: Cllrs Castles (in the Chair), Hunter, Mrs Wilson, Lloyd, Lightburn and Marshall.
In attendance: Mr D Garner (until item 6 below had been dealt with), Mr. Peter Ashworth, Mr. Barry Watson Mr. David Harrison, Mrs J Cooke(from item 8.4 below) and the Clerk, Mr Brown.
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Apologies for absence were recorded for Cllrs. Clark, Crofts, Bowman, Dobinson, and Quinney, and for Mr N Hughes and Mr S Simpson.
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The minutes of the meeting on 4th November2013 were approved as circulated (although in the accompanying report the name of Cllr Crofts was deleted from para2.3) and signed as a true record.
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Declarations of Interest and Dispensations: all Parish Councillors present (as council tax payers) sought dispensation on agenda items affecting the 2014/15 Precept and were granted dispensations by the Clerk
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Open Forum: none was required
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Matters Arising
5.1 Matterdale Schools
5.1.1 The easement the County Council were requiring as a condition of completion had made no significant progress, the Clerk reported, The Clerk will again ask the Wincott Estate solicitors to progress the approval of the draft deed submitted to them by the County Council Solicitors.
5.1.2 The layout plan for the New School showing the division between house and hall has been revised on the advice of 2030 Architects, Cllr Clark reported. The revision will need planning consent, which is expected to be forthcoming. The plan was laid on the table by the Clerk and approved. 2030 Architects will make application for such consent.
They have provided estimated costs, divided between essential repairs and conversion costs. The estimated repair costs are £40,000 and Cllr Clark and the Clerk have submitted, on behalf of the Parish Council, an application to Eden District Council for a grant of £20,000 towards these costs. Conversion costs are estimated at £123,020.
5.2 Mr Edmondson has been served with notice to vacate the Rushmire land by 31st December 2014; £50 is owing for rent due 1st August 2013, which the Clerk was asked to press for.
5.3 Mr Potter's grazing licence having expired, it was agreed that it should be offered to him again in 2014 on the same terms as the 2013 Agreement.
6. Planning
Cllr Clark had asked the Clerk to refer Application 7/2013/3116 re Denton Hill to the meeting. This is an application for various reinstatement works there. Mr Smith, the relevant LDNPA Planning Officer, had prepared a report recommending refusal. Mr Garner was asked to speak to Cllr Clark's request that the Parish Council should support the Application. He briefly outlined the proposed works. The Clerk reported that the proposals had been circulated informally among all Matterdale Planning Committee members and they were all happy with them. However, no meeting had been called for. The Council unanimously agreed to support the Application and would wish to see it successful. The Clerk was instructed to notify this decision immediately to LDNPA, whose Development Control Committee was due to meet on 8th January.
7. Finance
7.1 Payments were approved to Mr D. Trelease for grass cutting £390; to PFK for advice and other services in 2013 relating to the Council's three agricultural "lettings" £330; to 2030 Architects for work in relation to the Matterdale "New" School £1,838.88; to Cllr Clark in reimbursement of the rent he had paid for Matterdale Village Hall in the "Old" School £150; to CALC for a copy of the publication "Local Councils Explained" £42.19 and to Watermillock Village Hall for meeting fees £32.
7.2 The Council's HSBC account at 3rd December stood at £15,110.95, Scottish Widows at £647.39 and Skipton BS at £13,050.75.
7.3 Expenditure was in line with budget, save that £238 had been paid to Cllr Quinney for painting two signposts and £45 to Mr Whitehead for mole related work at Dockray. Cllr Mrs Wilson drew attention to the unnecessary and ineffective work carried out, she believed, by Cumbria County Council to the signpost adjacent to Brook House, Matterdale End; one side is painted black and cannot be read; the Clerk was asked to require Cumbria County Council to carry out the required remedial work.
8. Neighbourhood Planning
8.1 The grant applied for, on behalf of the Council, by Mr Woof has been offered subject to conditions. The Clerk has reviewed these; they are generally what he finds acceptable but
a) there is a possible need to obtain quotes for the consultant's work from two other suitable firms and
b) the right has been reserved to call upon the Council for immediate repayment of any grant monies paid to the Council in circumstances where no breach of condition or other fault by the Council has occurred. There is an unavoidable risk thereby imposed on the Council, as the repayment could be as much as £6,853 (the sum being equivalent to Mr Woof's quote). This sum is substantially more than the Council's cash reserve, if the Recreation Fund is left out of account. Moreover, there is no saying that an increase in the Precept in future years would be acceptable as a means of recovering monies to be paid back.
Mr Ashworth commented that, in his experience, the condition referred to is universal in grant offers from government bodies but he had no knowledge of any repayment being required under such a condition. The Council also took into account the political will to encourage Parish Councils to engage in the Neighbourhood Planning process and the strong adverse message that any such call would send to other Parish Councils contemplating preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan.
It was agreed that
a) further quotes from Consultants should not be sought unless necessary to meet the grant conditions. Mr Woof has relevant (particularly local) experience, having been involved in the preparation of the Upper Eden Neighbourhood Plan and currently working with Heversham and Hincaster Parish in South Lakeland; he has been strongly recommended to the Parish Council by Cllr Bowman, whose working experience included work with planning consultants; he has already met twice with Councillors and is acquainted with the Council's general intention in proceeding towards a Plan.
b) some comfort should be sought that the repayment of grant monies is at the very extreme low end of any risk the Council would be taking if the conditions were accepted, it being agreed that the condition would have to stand if a grant was to be obtained as offered. Also, the Clerk should sound out Mr Woof to see if his firm would agree that, in the event of such a call, work in progress and bills unpaid would be written off.
So that progress can be made and the grant conditions accepted, if thought fit, before the next scheduled Parish Council meeting, it was agreed that the decision to accept these conditions, or not, could be made on the Council's behalf, by the Councillors who are members of the Working Party.
8.2 Cllr Clark had invited Mr Michael Toulmin to put his name forward for appointment to the proposed working party. Mr Harrison had also agreed to serve if appointed. Cllr Lloyd had sounded out Messrs Watson and Ashworth. Those present agreed to serve if appointed and the Clerk had spoken to Mr Toulmin, who also agreed to serve if appointed. The Council proceeded to appoint those four, to serve with Cllrs. Crofts, Castles, Lloyd, Lightburn and Bowman.
The first meeting of the working party will be at 7.30pm on Monday 3rd February at the Royal Hotel, Dockray.
9. Clerk's terms of employment
The Clerk's letter to the Chairman of the Council of 15th October 2013 had been circulated to all Parish Councillors. The Clerk reported that he had kept a note of time spent from September to December 2013 inclusive and the record showed that 4hrs a week on average had been needed for him to fulfil his duties as Clerk. He also had received recent information from CALC: Dacre Parish requires a new clerk to work 15 to 18 hours a month; this was further evidence that 2hrs a week is an under-estimate of hours currently required in a Parish such as ours.
He had also estimated (difficult though it was at this stage) that an additional 2 hrs a week on average would be required of the secretary to the Working Party whilst the proposed Neighbourhood Plan was being formulated, assuming a consultant was sharing the burden as outlined in Mr Woof's fee proposal.
The Clerk then left the room to enable Councillors to come to a decision.
The decision was that from 1st April 2014 the Council should budget for 20 hours a month on average for the Clerk's work at the appropriate rate of pay (£12 per hour at present).
The Recreation Fund should continue to bear 2/5ths of the Clerk's pay, it was agreed, as the work he will be required to carry out in relation to the Old and New Schools in the short term is likely to involve, with other Recreation Fund work, about 2/5ths of his hours. However, that split will need to be reviewed in the relatively short term, as, when the bulk of his work relative to the former schools is finished, the burden imposed by Recreation Fund matters is likely to be substantially reduced.
Also, the Clerk should be asked to work as secretary to the Working Party, at the same rate of pay, it being accepted that 2 additional hours a week on average should be budgeted for (equivalent to 104 hours for the full year).
The Clerk agreed to variation of his terms of employment in accordance with these decisions.
10. Precept for 2014/15
The Clerk had prepared a paper, which was circulated as attached, inviting the Council to require a Precept of £4,000.He made the Council aware that restrictions on increased Precept payments might be introduced at any time by central government. The basis of the £4,000 Precept proposal, which the Chairman made and which was unanimously agreed, was also accepted.
11. Standing Orders
It was agreed that the updated version the Clerk had prepared and submitted to the Chairman for approval, should be adopted from close of the current meeting. The Clerk will copy the updated Standing Orders to the Vice Chairman (and any other Councillor who requests a copy).
12. Other Business
12.1 Councillors have details of two intended road closures affecting the Parish:-
A592 Horrock Wood Farm to Knotts Mill will be closed from 1700hrs to 0700hrs for four days from 3rd March 2014 for resurfacing work and
A5091 by Kitty House, Troutbeck, will be closed for 5 days from 17th February for drainage work
12.2 The Clerk has a police report of a man of c25years called Tom, who went missing the previous night, after a works party at the Inn on the Lake.
12.3 To enable the meeting to be concluded it was agreed that matters not reached, on which the Clerk needed to report, would be summarized in a report to be circulated.
13. Next meetings
The dates, places and times of the 2014 Parish Council meetings were agreed (partly in variation of the detail on the Agenda)as follows:-
(All Mondays): 3rd March 2014-Matterdale 7.30pm, 12th May (AGM)- Matterdale 7.30pm, 7th July-Watermillock 8pm, 1st Sept-Watermillock 8pm and 3rd Nov-Matterdale 7.30pm.