Present:- Cllrs. G. Wilkinson, A.J. Markley, R.W. Allison, C. Baty, I. Baty, A. Emmerson, W. Jefferson & M. Snaith. Also present Wendy Jameson, Ken Wannop & PC Andy Robertson.

738 Apologies:- Cllrs. S. Hart, E. Wannop & A. Weightman.

Cllr. Markley - re: County Council etc

Cllr. Allison - re: Allison Designs

It was agreed to exclude the Press & Public whilst items 20 & 21 are discussed.

The Chairman had attended the following:-

22 July - Civic Service for the Mayor of Wigton, Cllr. Brian Warren.

29 July - Silloth Kite Festival.

5 August - Civic Service held in Christ Church, Silloth, attended by The Mayor of Copeland, The Deputy Mayor of Allerdale, with the Mayors of Maryport, Wigton, Aspatria and Workington. Several of the visiting dignatories along with members of the congregation asked where the other Town Councillors were.

5 August - Food Fayre on Silloth Green.

9 August - Meeting of the Soldiers in Silloth group.

22 & 23 August - Attended meetings with the consultants putting together the HFL bid.

27 August - Silloth Carnival together with MP Tony Cunningham and Deputy Mayor of Allerdale, Cllr. Allan Caine.

2 September - Silloth Community Craft Fair.

Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2007 were approved by the Town Council and signed as a true record. Item to be included on the October agenda re: funding required for signage to the town.

PC Andy Robertson provided a report from the Police on incidents of crime since the last meeting. Carnival was well attended with no trouble reported during the day. A number of bikes have been stolen over the summer from the holiday parks. Youngsters are no longer congregating at the old tennis courts since the fencing has been removed. Mr Marshall is delighted with the efforts by the Town Council and the police. From the beginning of September we will no longer have a Community Steward as Joe Wattleworth’s contract is up. The scheme was a pilot but the Community Board will be looking at the stewardship scheme. It was been a good thing and received a lot of praise. Police surgery was well attended with people coming in with issues which is good to see. Volunteers are needed for putting out the SID’s device. On Carnival day, some alcohol was confiscated. There were no problems from unauthorised traders coming into the town.

A letter has been received from a resident of The Crofts and also a petition put together. Cars are using The Crofts as a rat run and have been speeding. A child was run over 3 weeks ago but luckily not hurt. Residents are asking for speed ramps and/or signage. Cllr. Markley has passed the matter on to Allerdale and the County Council and it currently going through the system. Have been asked what the Police are doing about it. Also needs Town Council backing. Speed ramps can be costly but signage may help. It was suggested that signage warning motorists that children are playing may help. Lindsey Noblet did some work with the youngsters in the school re: road safety. With the Community travel plan it is hoped a pedestrian crossing will be provided over the road to The Crofts. Letter to be sent to Andrew Butler at Cumbria Highways to support the request for signage etc. PC Andy Robertson will report the matter to the Traffic management officer. Town Council may be able to assist with some partial funding towards signage.

Two representatives from the Youth Club attended the meeting to discuss the future use of the Youth Club building. Unfortunately MOBEX were not present. The MOBEX group have taken youngsters away on trips and organised activities in Abbeytown. The Youth Club want to see the building used but unfortunately since Bill Johnston died there are no longer enough volunteers willing to run it. Everything is dependent on volunteers now. It was suggested that the youth club run itself and make the youngsters responsible for it. An advert could be place in the Buzz to ask youngsters to come forward to form a committee to run it themselves. Need advice from MOBEX. Approx 12 youngsters of secondary school age attended the youth club. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the school council and also Susie Shepherd to ask the youngsters what they would like to do and how they would do it.

There had been no requests from members of the public to raise any matters in the meeting.

a) Clerks & Councils Direct - July 2007.

b) Cumbria Highways - Working Together - Issue Seven Summer 2007.

c) CALC Circular - July/August 2007.

d) Quality Parish Development Programme (QPDP) - Update 9 (July 2007).

e) Watchtree News - Summer 2007.

f) Cumbria County Council - 2^nd Local Transport Plan - Update Report.

g) Local Councils Update - Issue 94 - August 2007.

i) Local Policing Summary 2007 - West Cumbria.

j) Allerdale Borough Council - PARCS scheme - Details and details of the summer holiday activities for young people.

k) Cumbria County Council - re: Cumbria Rural Infrastructure Support Programme (CRISP).

l) Allerdale Borough Council - Parish Charter Celebratory Launch at the Greenhill Hotel, Wigton on Thursday 26 July 2007 at 7.00pm.

m) North Allerdale Partnership - Invitation to the AGM on 19 July 2007 at 7.00pm at the Old Convent of Mercy, Burnfoot, Wigton.

n) Cumbria County Council - One Council, One Vision, One Voice - Making it Happen.

o) Halcrow Group Ltd - re: Allerdale Play Strategy. Audit and survey form for completion.

p) Voluntary Action Cumbria - re: New Grant Programme available. Leaflet and information about the new “Strengthening Rural Communities Grant Programme”.

q) Anonymous letter from a concerned pensioner about the traffic at the Golf Hotel cross roads, cars double parking etc and asking where the traffic wardens are.

r) Allerdale Disability Association - Letter of thanks for donation of £100.

s) Allerdale Borough Council - Copy of the road closure order in relation to Silloth Carnival on Monday 27 August 2007.

t) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Dog Control Orders (Procedure) Regulations 2006.

u) Cumbria constabulary - officers will pay attention to the problem of drinking and antisocial behaviour on the green whilst on patrol. Street traders on Carnival day will have their licences checked.

v) Allerdale Borough Council - Copy of the “Playing for real” A play strategy for Allerdale.

w) Cumbria County Council - Summary of the meeting of the North Allerdale SID Partnership on 25 July 2007.

x) Voluntary Action Cumbria - Information about Community and Parish Plans: Action Planning Workshop.

y) Allerdale Borough Council - Miss A Nicholson is happy to attend a meeting about the new Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005. It was agreed to invite Miss Nicholson to the next Town Council meeting.

z) Skinburness Residents Association - re: Repair of the sea gate latches. Letter to be passed to Mike Faulkner at Allerdale Borough Council and a reply to be sent to Skinburness Residents Association.

aa) Letter from Marjorie Harrison asking if the Town Council would consider paying for the restoration of the carrillon bells.

bb) CALC - Invitation to hold a “effective councils road show”. Council are not interested in holding a road show at the present time.

cc) Wigton Sports Partnership - Letter asking for support for the development of artificial multi games area at Wigton RUFC. It was agreed that the Council would not financially support the project.

dd) Allerdale Borough Council - Invitation to sign up to the Parish Charter for Allerdale. Cllr. Markley attended the launch on the Parish Charter at the Greenhill Hotel. It was agreed that the Town Council should be seen to be supporting the Parish Charter, as we are working towards Quality Parish status.

ee) Letter from P Scott regarding the planting of the California Red Wood tree. After some discussion a vote was taken and it was agreed that due to the potential size of the tree it would be inappropriate for the Green and the Council could not accept it. Reply to be sent.

ff) Silloth Community Craft Show 2007 - Letter asking for support. It was agreed that a donation of £50 be provided which would also cover the cost of engraving the Town Council trophy.

The Town Council have approved the following:-

* Ref No: 2/2007/0635 Applicant: Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club Proposal: Replacement of 8 wood windows with UPVC sills Location: The Clubhouse, Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club, Silloth.

* Ref No: 2/2007/0651 Applicant: Mr Lord Proposal: Replacement of existing timber windows and door with PVCU windows and door Location: 27 Waver Street, Silloth.

* Ref No: 2/2007/0666 Applicant: Mr & Mrs Hillhouse Proposal: Extension to provide bedroom and shower room for disabled use Location: 29 Moricambe Park, Skinburness, Silloth.

* Ref No: 2/2007/0701 Applicant: Mr K Warwick, Cavalcade Developments Proposal: Detached dwelling (Resubmission 2/2006/0989) Location: Land Adjacent to 55 Moricambe Park, Skinburness, Silloth.

* Ref No: 2/2007/0685 Applicant: Mr J. Mason Proposal: Reserved matters application to 2/2005/0343 for erection of 2 dwellings Location: Land adjacent to Blitterlees Farm, Blitterlees, Silloth.

* Ref No: 2/2007/0705 Applicant: Mr I Jackson Proposal: Single storey extension Location: 10 Esk Street, Silloth.

* Ref No: 2/2007/0759 Applicant: Malcolm Ruckledge Proposal: Replace existing timber extension with block built extension and re-roof part of existing building (resubmission to 2/2007/0476) Location: Moordale Caravan Park, Blitterlees.

* Ref No: 2/2007/0738 Applicant: Mr Peter Stevens Proposal: Proposed loft conversion with dormer window and dormer access to new external viewing terrace at roof level Location: Grune House, Skinburness, Silloth.

* Ref No: 2/2007/0802 Applicant: Mr A. Markley Proposal: Listed building consent for installation of window and doors - retrospective Location: East Cote Cottage, Skinburness, Silloth.

* Ref No: 2/2007/0831 Applicant: Mr L. Gibson D & D Premier Homes Ltd Proposal: Revised application to ref 2/2007/0621 for erection of a terrace of 5 x 3 bed roomed houses Location: Land to rear of 72 Skinburness Road, Silloth.

Allerdale Borough Council have approved the following:-

* Ref No: 2/2007/0476 Applicant: Malcolm Ruckledge Proposal: Replace existing timber extension with brick built extension and re-roof part of existing building Location: Moordale Park, Blitterlees, Silloth

* Ref No: 2/2007/0537 Applicant: Michael Glass Proposal: Proposed conversion of former Police Station to 5 dwellings including 3 conversions and 2 new dwellings to the rear Location: Police Station, Eden Street, Silloth

* Ref No: 2/2007/0608 Applicant: Punch Taverns Ltd Proposal: Flat roof canopy in rear yard and the siting of three stub out bins to front, side and rear elevations Location: The Balmoral Hotel, Criffel Street, Silloth

* Ref No: 2/2007/0635 Applicant: Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club Proposal: Replacement of 8 wood windows with UPVC sills Location: The Clubhouse, Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club, Silloth.

* Ref No: 2/2007/0651 Applicant: Mr Lord Proposal: Replacement of existing timber windows and door with PVCU windows and door Location: 27 Waver Street, Silloth.

Allerdale Borough Council have refused the following:-

* Plan No: 2/2007/0568 Applicant: Mr & Mrs R.A. Emmerson Proposal: Extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation and attached garage Location: Maxwell House, Blitterlees, Silloth.

Cllrs. Markley and Emmerson declared an interest in respect of planning applications.

A question was raised about where the application for houses to the rear of 72 Skinburness Road is located as this may set a precedent for applications there.

The Balmoral Hotel has applied for an extension to 3 am over the weekend of the Beer Festival. It was questioned why the Town Council and public have not been notified. There is also an application for an Off Licence on Eden Street for which Town Council has not been consulted. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Gillian Collinson to ask why there has been no consultation with the Town Council on either of the above matters.

None.

Primary School Back to school tomorrow. Tarmacing is being done to the playing area in front of the school. Two locals were found to be sleeping in one of the sheds a the school but have been moved on.

Joint Advisory Committee Preparations taking place for the AGM next Friday at the Golf Hotel. There will be three guest speakers attending, with the theme being partnership. Gillian Bishop, Chief Executive of Allerdale and Richard Leaf, Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park will be speaking. AONB does a lot of good work.

Silloth Tourist Action Group No report.

Silloth Regeneration Partnership Regeneration Partnership have agreed to support the early start to the consultants work and have backed them with a bit of money. Will find out in September whether the lottery bid has been successful. Arranged a meeting with consultants who are doing the historical side of things. They have met with some local people and looked around the town. If get the grant it will be an intense programme over 6 months to put the information together. It was questioned about previous funding of £500 from Town Council’s towards NAP. Clerk to check into the matter. Christmas Lights - Town Council agreed to fund the provision of supplies and boxes etc. United Utilities can do the whole job, rather than just providing the supply and then getting another contractor to do the feeder pillars.

North Allerdale Partnership No report as Cllr. Baty missed the last meeting.

Sea Dyke Charity No meeting.

Silloth Health Matters Cheque for £500 received from SOS charity shop towards the Pensioners tea party, with additional funding from the Festivals committee.

Longcake Education Trust Money given to the schools.

Solway Community Technology College No report.

Allerdale - 3 months on from the elections and things are settling down although moving slowly. Development panel are disagreeing with officers regarding a planning application. Complaints have been received about the public toilets and bottle banks at Silloth. The bottle banks are not getting emptied regularly. It was questioned whose responsibility it is to notify them when they need emptied. Allerdale to be contacted about the matter and also re: extension to footprint. Toilets were in a disgraceful state on Carnival Day and after 5.30pm were closed. Town Council may need to consider contributing to the cost of keeping the toilets cleaned etc. Extra time is needed on busy weekends. Over the weekend of the Beer Festival, the Festival committee get the key for the toilets and arrange to have the toilets cleaned etc. There are also problems with overnight parking of caravanettes in the town and on the car parks. Letter to be sent to Allerdale.

County Council - white paper unitary authority bid has not been successful. Community Board - coming to an end of the 3 month trial. There has been a lot of positive feedback regarding the Community Steward and would like to see the Community Steward retained. Abbeytown library is closing but there will be a van visiting the village twice a week. There is to be a review of bus services in Cumbria and Silloth. The hourly service will be changing to 2 hourly as the service is not being used. The after school and breakfast club is to be built at the Primary school and work will be underway shortly. Trees are to be done in the near future. A report needs to come to the Council before any trees are taken away or replaced etc. Some trees are causing pavements to lift which is a health and safety issue. Some trees are protected as they are within the conservation area.

Cllr. M. Snaith left the meeting.

There have been a lot of complaints about the toilets being locked up for the last month on Sea View car park. Various seats have had to be taken away because they are corroded or damaged. These need to be replaced. It was suggested that the Council look to replace these and also look at getting one designed locally to our specification. Quotes to be obtained.

Cllr. Burns has not attended a Council meeting since being elected in May and has not filled in the necessary Declaration of Acceptance of Office or Register of Interest forms despite them having been sent to her. The Clerk had been in touch with Allerdale Borough Council for advice. As the Declaration of Acceptance of Office has not been completed, Cllr. Burns cannot act as a Councillor. By not completing the Register of Interest forms, this is a breach in the Code of Conduct. It is understood that Cllr. Burns has not been well and it was agreed to wait until she got in touch.

The Town Council approved the list of cheque payments to 3 September 2007.

The Town Council consider a request for traffic calming measures up Skinburness Road. Also for additional wooden stumps to be put in and signage to deter motorists from parking on the grass. The SID’s device could be sited on Skinburness Road in a bid to deter motorists from parking. Some of Skinburness Road is identified as overspill parking for the market.

In view of the nature of the business to be transacted it is advisable in the public interest that the public be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw.

Cllr. Wilkinson, Ken and the Clerk had met with Jimmy Johnstone to look at the condition of the fort. To carry out various repairs which includes removing the roof and support legs, patching the floor, replacing side rails etc would cost an estimated £1240. In addition to this the existing paintwork would need to be sandblasted and re-painted at an additional cost. An alternative would be to replace the whole thing with a new piece of equipment. It was agreed that the fort needs to be replaced. Play equipment meeting to be held to see what is needed and quotes to be obtained. Jimmy Johnstone to be contacted to see what can be salvaged from it and to see whether it needs to be removed for safety reasons.

Nothing of any concern.