Present:- Cllrs. G. Wilkinson, R.W. Allison, I. Baty, S. Hart, W. Jefferson, W. Johnston, A.J. Markley, A. Proud, J. Snaith, M. Snaith & A. Weightman. Also PC Andy Robertson, Wendy Jameson-Brown & Ken Wannop.

102 Apologies:- Cllr. E. Wannop

There was minutes silence as a mark of respect to David Pigeon, who died recently.

None

Item 32 on the Agenda.

Cllrs. J. Snaith, I. Baty & R.W. Allison joined the meeting.

105 Committees

Play Equipment Committee Cllrs. Allison, J. Snaith, Wannop, Johnston & Wilkinson

Allotments Committee Cllrs. Weightman, Allison, J. Snaith, Wilkinson & Markley

Parks Committee Cllrs. Wilkinson, M. Snaith, Jefferson, Hart & Markley

It was agreed to leave the Play Equipment and Allotments committees as they are but Cllr. Wilkinson to replace Cllr. Allison on the Parks Committee.

The Chairman had attended the following:-

12 June - Civic mass at Maryport

19 June - Vintage Rally

20 June - Welcomed artists at Golf Hotel

Attended the CALC Chairman’s meeting

Last Thursday - met with the High Sheriff of Lowick

Friday - attended David Pigeon’s funeral

Saturday - presentation of long service awards at Lifeboat Station to Tom Stalker and Jim Blake.

Discussions had taken place at the Annual Town meeting and in the Town Council about the trees in the Town. Peter Marr will be meeting representatives of the Council at the Golf Hotel on Wednesday at 10.00 to discuss what can be done. Cllr. Wilkinson has written a piece for the Buzz re: the trees.

Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 6 June 2005 were approved by the Town Council and the Chairman was authorised to sign them as a true record.

PC Andy Robertson provided a report on incidents of crime since the last meeting. There are regular visits to the market on the airfield. Pub watch is being initiated in the town and a night safe scheme. Alcohol has been confiscated from a number of youths. Complaints received about cars speeding along road between Causewayhead and Balladoyle - mobile support vehicle will be attending and the radar gun will be used to catch offenders. Broughton PC bought their own speed gun which they use. There has been communication with trading standards re: copy DVD’s. Market operators should keep a register of stall holders so that offenders can be traced. It was questioned what the criteria is for when sirens are being used. Sirens can warn the offenders that the Police are on their way but Police have a duty of care to the public. Speeding cars are a constant problem. Youngsters seem to be doing circuits and timing each other.

PC Robertson has spoken to Insp. Barr. There has been no word back from the Police Authority committee. Need to submit a business proposal for each of the proposed sites for the Satellite Post and want to take the views of the Town Council into account. A presence at the school would help to break down barriers. Parking is available, it is central and would be welcomed by the school. The expenditure would fall to the Police for the building. With the existing Police Station falling into disrepair they want to sell the building. It would make sense to sell the old station to fund the new property. It was questioned why money is being spent when there are rooms available in other buildings. The existing building needs to be sorted out and it was agreed that a letter be sent to the Police Authority re: the state of the existing building and asking for an update.

There had been no requests from members of the public to speak in the meeting. Julia Cooper asked for permission to bring a display re: Solway Mexico Link to the next Council meeting.

a) CALC Circular - June/July 2005. Put on circulation.

b) CALC - Quality Parish Development Programme - Update 2 (15 June 2005). Put on circulation.

c) Pointers to Good Practice - A guide for town & Parish councils. Put on circulation.

d) Tidelines - Newsletter of the Solway Firth Partnership - Issue 24 - June 2005. Put on circulation.

e) Getting Around Cumbria - The Lake District - April 2005 to October 2005. Put on circulation.

f) Solway Coast AONB - Annual Review 2004-2005. Put on circulation.

g) Solway Firth Partnership Conference - Conference to take place on 22 June 2005 at Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton, Dumfries.

h) Silloth on Solway Golf Club - Permission requested to use the parking facilities adjacent to the Rugby Club on Monday 4 July when the R&A Open Qualifier is to be held.

i) DEFRA - Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005. Information about the act and details about the implementation and timetable.

j) Constructionline & NPQS Contract Extension - Copy of the press release re: the extension of the contract with the DTI.

k) North Allerdale Partnership - Change of date for the AGM of North Allerdale partnership which was scheduled to take place on 16 June will now take place on 14 July at 7pm in the Stocksman, Wigton.

l) Silloth Carnival Committee - Letter of thanks for the contribution of £400 towards the cost of the Public Liability Insurance.

m) CALC - Details of the nominations for Executive Committee which are to be elected on 22 June at the General Meeting.

n) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Signage for Silloth Tourist Information Centre. Letter has been passed to Brian Irving of the AONB team who will be responsible for dealing with any signage for both the Discovery Centre and the Tourist Information Centre.

o) Childline North West - Letter of thanks for the donation of £38 towards the service.

p) Allerdale Borough Council - Lease of the Green. New lease between the Borough Council and the Town Council has been completed in respect of the Green. Town Council needs to arrange insurance of the demised premises including the various buildings and pavilions within the Green as a matter of urgency.

q) Post Office - Carlisle Mobile Post Office branch. The branch is to be changed to an agency operation and Mr Kenneth Batey has been appointed to operate the mobile branch on behalf of Post Office Ltd.

r) Crutes Mounseys - re: Lease of the Green. Stamp Duty Land Tax Return for signature by the Clerk.

s) Christ Church Silloth with St Paul’s Causewayhead. Letter from Rev Alan Byrom to confirm that a service of commemoration for the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar will be held on Sunday 23 October at Christ Church. Also inviting the Council to be involved in some way in the Festival events over the weekend of 15-17 July 2005. Cllr. Johnston to attend the service on 17 July and represent the Town Council. It was agreed to offer the old mayoral chain, logo and some flowers as part of the display in the church. It was questioned why people can’t attend the Remembrance Day service but are willing to attend a service for the Battle of Trafalgar. Date to be set for the Silloth Civic service and invitations to be sent to other Town mayors.

t) BT - BT’s proposals to re-align payphone provision to meet consumer demand. Proposal is to retain the payphone which is located at Skinburness Drive but without cash payment facilities. Comments requested by 3 August 2005. In view of the situation, the Town Council regretfully accept BT’s decision re: payphone.

u) Cumbria County Council - Proposed traffic regulation order review in the Borough of Allerdale. C.C.C. would welcome the Council’s comments and requests on our proposals for double yellow lines, parking, width and weight restrictions but not speed limits within the Allerdale area. Comments requested by 14 July 2005. Town Council have repeatedly asked for a crossing on Solway Street between the Co-op and Spar and also on Eden Street. Main problem is when Criffel Street is closed and when the Sunday market is on the airfield, with the extra traffic. Double yellow lines in the town are not policed and need re-instated. Allerdale’s traffic warden have never been in the town but they are not wanted. Bus bays have not been painted. Width restriction round the Marsh needs proper signage to stop coaches and delivery vehicles using Marsh road to get to the Skinburness. Sign at Skinburness needs to be at Dicktrod Lane.

v) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Trading by Mrs Todd. Letter in response to our complaint about trading on the Promenade. Mrs Todd was trading on Criffel Street on the Vintage Rally weekend. Her pitch is actually on the Promenade but when there are events on in the town her pitch is being moved around without permission from Allerdale or the Town Council. It was agreed that Allerdale be asked to take enforcement action and consider withdrawing her licence to trade or prosecution, as she has traded illegally for 2 days.

w) Environment Agency - The Derwent, West Cumbria & Duddon Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy. Views and comments to be submitted by 15 July 2005. This does not affect our area. Cllr. Markley will report back.

x) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Continuation of the WC provision in the town. Letter from Mr E. Davidson in response to our objection to the proposed closure of the public toilets at North View car park. Report that toilets on Criffel Street were closed at 2.30 one afternoon. The Town Council agree with the toilets in the woods being closed but not the ones at North View. The cleaner has said there has not been any damage to those toilets which have never been vandalised. Toilets on Skinburness and Criffel Street are more of a problem. It was agreed that a letter be sent asking how much it is actually costing for repairs and maintenance. Silloth is a tourist town and toilets shouldn’t be closed.

y) Faber Maunsell - re: Rights of Way Improvement Planning in Cumbria. Opportunity to say what the Council would like to see in the Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Questionnaire to be returned by 15 July 2005. Cllrs. to give the Clerk their individual responses which will then be forwarded to Faber Maunsell.

z) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Eyesore Properties. Update in respect of the Old Railway Station Buildings. Allonby reading rooms is being dealt with. The Old Station is getting higher up on the list and will be dealt with. The Town Council needs a list of eyesore properties in Silloth - Agenda item for the next meeting. Cllrs. to give the matter their consideration prior to the meeting.

aa) Silloth Festivals Ltd - re: Silloth Music & Beer Festival 8-11 September 2005. Letter asking for permission to use the Green for the above event. The Town Council agreed to give permission to use the Green. Letter to be sent.

bb) Letter from Mr J.R. Baxter of Lawn Terrace complaining about the damage to the Green caused by the small quad bikes at the Vintage Rally. The quad bikes burn off the top of the grass but don’t damage the roots which means the grass usually grows back within a week and is therefore not a problem. Mess had been left on the grass verge along Lawn Terrace after drains had been cleared. Letter to be sent to CAPITA and also to Mr Baxter.

cc) Letter from Mr Jimmy Lettice asking for permission for the Rugby Club to site a storage container at the end of the squash court/gym. There are plans to regenerate the sports area and the Town Council were not in favour of siting the container at the end of the squash court/gym. The existing container is an eyesore and it was agreed that a new container could be sited next to the trees where the existing container is located, as long as the old container is removed and the new one is painted to blend in with the trees.

a) Allerdale Borough Council have approved the following:-

Proposed living room and porch extension to 14 Skinburness Drive, Silloth

Erection of garage adjoining house at 47 Skinburness Drive, Silloth

b) The Town Council have approved the following:-

Erection of porch and detached summerhouse at 239 Skinburness Road, Silloth

Alteration to provide 2 flats at The Huntsman Inn, Eden Street, Silloth

c) Notification that an appeal has been made against the refusal to grant Planning Consent for ‘Outline application for two bedroom house’ at 9 Moricambe Park, Skinburness, Silloth.

None

A meeting of the Play Equipment Committee was held on 22 June 2005. Minutes had been circulated with the agenda. The annual safety report was considered and things to be attended to were looked at. Disabled swing - awaiting information about a new seat which has been developed. The Town Council agreed the recommendations made by the Play Equipment Committee.

115 Reports from Representatives on outside Bodies

Primary School Meeting tomorrow night. Cllr. Markley will report back after the meeting.

Joint Advisory Committee Bill Johnston was not at the meeting at Port Carlisle. Bill Jefferson gave a report. A 1 year lease has been signed for the AONB to be located in the Discovery Centre. AGM was held at Port Carlisle and was well attended. Annual report was presented - 1^st year of implementation of the 5 year plan. Funding of £60- 70K for the next few years. Funding will be under the control of the JAC and AONB for projects locally. Silloth will be marketed as the centre of the AONB and promoted from the tourist angle.

Silloth Tourist Action Group Sadly Mr & Mrs Hammond died 3 weeks ago in a tragic accident on the way to Stranraer. The Town Council formally acknowledge what they did for the area. They played a major part in STAG and represented Silloth at tourist board meetings. Norman was a member of the JAC and did the Seashell Safari walks for visitors. They were volunteers for the AONB and members of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The environment was important to both of them. Norman was a founder of Shark Watch and a regular contributor to Tidelines magazine. They both put in a lot of work behind the scenes. The Town Council wished to express their deep appreciation of what they did for the area and wished to formally acknowledge this. Clerk to ask Brian Irving who to write to.

Cumbria in Bloom - STAG were contacted and Silloth has been entered in this year’s Cumbria in Bloom. On July 25, the judges will be going round the town with Cllr. Wilkinson and Johnston. It is good free publicity and could develop as time goes on and interest increases.

STAG AGM - only 5 people attended. Jay and Morwen Ansen have taken over the running of it. Tall ship visit took place the week after the AGM. Due to adverse weather conditions the ship could not get into Maryport which didn’t go down too well with Maryport. It had cost them £35K. The captain did a talk at Rotary which was interesting and well worth hearing. West Lakes Renaissance people had refused to give Silloth any money because there was not enough population. The captain was pleased with the turnout and the visit had been well attended. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to Captain Puxley and the Dock Authority for allowing the visit to Silloth and putting the event on at short notice. Vintage Rally was the most successful in terms of entrants and visitors. There had been no complaints.

Silloth Regeneration Partnership There has been one meeting, with money given to the Vintage Rally and Silloth Festivals Ltd. Waiting to hear from NWDA and NAP re: funding.

North Allerdale Partnership Last meeting was cancelled.

Sea Dyke Charity No meeting.

Longcake Educational Trust Meeting a couple of weeks ago. £500 was shared out amongst local schools. Next meeting on 13 October.

Silloth Health Matters Will be seeking funding for projects. There have been requests for courses to be held related to health.

Allerdale - Cllr. Jefferson had nothing to report. Cllr. Snaith reported that the new Chief Executive has now been appointed.

County Council - Cllr. Markley has attended one main meeting and is on a lot of committees. There is a lot of paperwork to get through. Nothing much to report but still pushing for the bypass at Wigton.

Ken gave a brief report on the work carried out over the last month in relation to grounds maintenance - general grass cutting, planting flower beds etc. Ken asked whether he should obtain a price for a fabricated bridge for the fort in the play area - this was agreed by the Council.

Cllr. M. Snaith left the meeting.

There were complaints about rubbish being left in the yard. Beach cleaners are meant to empty bins on a Sunday but the haven’t been and Philip has been doing it. New tractor has now arrived which comes with a loader but no front bucket. Ken to obtain a front bucket. Bins on West Beach have not been emptied and the beach has not been cleaned since 2004. Letter to be sent to Ernie Davidson at Allerdale Borough Council.

A letter has been received from Mr Robin Smith about damage to the rear windscreen of his car which was caused by a stone thrown up by the grass cutter. It was agreed that the letter be forwarded to the Town Council’s insurers, as is the case with all claims against the Council.

The cheque payments to 4 July 2005 were approved for payment.

Cllr. Allison and Baty declared an interest.

An application for financial assistance was received from the Silloth Vintage Rally for £3000. It was suggested that a limit should be put on the amount of money given out to events. The Vintage Rally is going from strength to strength, is good for the town and bring in revenue. They can’t charge an admission, so need to obtain funding from somewhere to pay for the event. The Town Council agreed to pledge to £3000 out of next years budget. The money would be included in the budget for 2006/07 when the budget is set in November.

At 9 o’clock, it was agreed to suspend STO’s and carry on the meeting.

121 Silloth Street Market

Following complaints received regarding the number of stalls and the street closure it was agreed that a letter be sent to Allerdale asking that they review the present situation re: Silloth Street Market. It was agreed that market should be closed on the Sunday but leave the Thursday market as it is.

Following a complaint received from a member of the public about the poor condition of the cemetery at Causewayhead, it was suggested that the Council consider what action to take to remedy the situation. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Allerdale passing on the complaints and asking whether it would be feasible for the Town Council to take over the maintenance of the cemetery.

It was suggested that the Council considers and decides on whether or not to apply for Listed Building status for the Heritage Centre. It was agreed to leave the matter until the next meeting.

It was agreed that the Council seek clarification as to the present position from Allerdale Borough Council. In their letter of the 3 November 2004 to this Council they stated their intention to carry out protection works on or after the 25 October 2004 with a view to removal of scrap vehicles etc.

125 Mayors Charity Fund

Item to be included on the Agenda for the next meeting

To consider whether to stage an event over the weekend of 25 October as part of the Trafalgar Celebrations.

Complaints have been received about the condition of the land at the side of the

Co-op, with the grass needing cut and scrap shopping trollies and pallets etc littering the area. A skip came and the rubbish has been taken away. Letter to be sent to Manchester with a bill for the last two years grass cutting.

It was proposed that the Council be given a key to the Sports Changing Rooms and any other Council properties so that access can be gained to them when necessary. The Clerk and/or Ken have keys for all the properties belonging to the Council, therefore no action required.

Item to be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

Contractors have been in town and have been spraying the pavements and verges etc therefore no action necessary.

Agenda item discussed earlier in the meeting under the STAG report

Agenda item discussed earlier in the meeting under the STAG report

Nothing to report

Signed………………………………................. Date……………………………