Present:- Cllrs. A.J. Markley, R.W. Allison, C. Baty, I. Baty, S. Hart, W. Jefferson, A. Proud, M. Snaith, E. Wannop & A. Weightman. Also Ken Wannop & Wendy Jameson.

434 Apologies:- Cllrs. G. Wilkinson. Also PC Andy Robertson & Yvonne Benson.

Cllr. Allison re: Allison Designs.

It was agreed to discuss items 25 & 26 at the end of the meeting after the Press & Public have been excluded.

None

Clerk to get a second opinion on the proposal to split the roles of Mayor and Chairman. Matter to be deferred until the next meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2006 had not been circulated with the Agenda and therefore could not be approved by the Town Council. Deferred to the next meeting.

PC Andy Robertson & Yvonne Benson were unable to attend the meeting. PC Robertson had provided a 2 page report on incidents of crime since the last meeting.

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

a) Cumbria Playing Fields Association - Annual Report 2005-2006.

b) Overhead Wires Project Newsletter Summer 2006.

c) Local Policing Summary West Cumbria.

d) Watchtree News - Watchtree Nature Reserve.

e) Allerdale Borough Council - A - Z Guide to Services.

f) CALC - Quality Parish Development Programme Update 7 (July 2006)

g) DigitalUK - Switchover to Digital Television in Cumbria.

h) Cumbria Highways - Working Together - Issue Four - Summer 2006.

i) Solway Coast AONB - Annual Review 2005-2006.

j) CALC Circular - July/August 2006.

k) Clerks & Councils Direct - July 2006.

l) Local Council Review - July 2006.

m) Solway Coast AONB Joint Advisory Committee - Minutes of AGM held on 17 June 2005.

n) Silloth Vintage Rally - Letter of thanks for contribution of £3000 towards the Vintage Rally weekend. Also enclosing a copy of last years accounts.

o) Cumbria Highways - re: Waver Street. Inspector will instruct the works to be carried out within the next 2 months. Response team to attend in the meantime and make it safe.

p) Cumbria County Council - “Getting Around Questionnaire”.

q) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Street Drinking Bans. Consultation on the effectiveness of the street drinking bans. Council in support of the ban but more enforcement is required by the Police.

r) Cumbria County Council - re: Solway Coast Neighbourhood Forum. Copy of minutes from the meeting held on 19 June 2006.

s) Letter from Margaret Forster concerned about the condition of the memorial seat on the Green. Seat is being attended to and reply has been sent.

t) Letter from Mr Johnston of Wigton Road about the poor visibility for vehicles leaving Causewayhead Cemetery. Letter passed to Allerdale Borough Council for their attention.

u) Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West. The Examination in Public (EiP) into the RSS will commence on 31 October at various venues. Invitation to attend a Preliminary meeting to explain EiP procedures at 11.00 on Thursday 27 July at the Investment Centre, Wigan.

v) Bank Mill Nursery & Visitors Centre - Newsletter Summertime 2006.

w) Cumbria Highways - Width restrictions in Wigton & Surrounding Area. Restrictions have now been made permanent and will become operative on 16 July 2006. Restrictions in the centre of Wigton will apply from 8am to 7pm on Monday to Saturday inclusive, while those on surrounding rural roads will apply full time.

x) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Policy for granting street trading consents. Councils letter will be considered when the next review takes place. Section d) of the revised policy is intended to be used to consider the conflict and competition with local traders. The additional policy for Silloth is intended to be considered along with the general policy and to give additional guidance for the sale of ice cream. It would not be reasonable to have a policy which did not allow such trading. Each application will be considered on its own merits and the Town Council will continue to be consulted.

y) North Allerdale Partnership - Agenda for meeting held on 27 July 2006 at the Royal Oak, Wigton and copy of the minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2006.

z) Allerdale Borough Council - copy of the proforma Closing Order in respect of the Carnival on Monday 28 August 2006.

aa) Silloth Carnival Committee - Invitation to Mayor and other members of the Council to take part in the Carnival on August Bank Holiday Monday and take part in the judging of the floats.

bb) Cumbria Constabulary - Letter of introduction from PC Yvonne Benson, the Community Liaison Officer for Wigton.

cc) Voluntary Action Cumbria - AGM will be held on 8 September at Crosby-on-Eden Village Hall at 9.30am.

dd) ENCAMS - Local environmental quality - a town and parish council guide.

ee) Carrs Flour Mills - re: Overnight vehicle parking on Lawn Terrace. Suppliers have been informed that this is causing a nuisance. Signs have been displayed on the weighbridge to ask that drivers park at alternative locations. Also asking that Town Council look at the road markings on Lawn Terrace and seeking guidance on where vehicles could park. The problem is basically a Highways matter. Having double yellow lines down Lawn Terrace would prohibit the public as well as lorries. Council are concerned about the concerns of local residents. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Highways Dept to ask for guidance re: signage for “no overnight parking”. Back on the Agenda next month. Letter also to Carrs to say that we are looking into it further.

ff) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Gambling Licensing Policy. New regime is to be introduced from 1 September 2007. Allerdale are seeking views on its draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy. Responses required no later than 22 September 2006. The policy seems fairly standard. No comments to make.

gg) North Cumbria NHS - Foundation Trust Consultation. Noted by the Council.

hh) Wigton Swimming Pool - Letter requesting on-going support for the Wigton Swimming Pool for 2006/07 financial year. It was agreed that a donation of £100 be provided.

ii) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Public conveniences. Email from Ernie Davidson asking if the Town Council would consider managing the cleansing of the facilities in the town. The Town Council would be interested in the proposal if we were paid properly and the terms were agreeable. Need more information about maintenance and insurance etc. Letter to be sent to Mr Davidson.

jj) Cumbria County Council - re: Cumbria Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Comments requested by 30 September 2006. The plan is for the improvement of existing Rights of Way. The money is earmarked for this and can’t be spent elsewhere. Contents of plan were noted by the Town Council.

kk) Allerdale Association of Local Councils - Invitation to the AGM at Castle Inn, Bassenthwaite on Thursday 21 September 2006 at 7.00pm. Chairman to be asked to attend.

ll) Letter from Mr Cooper of the Crofts letting the Council know about his experiences of moving to Silloth. The Town Council sympathised with Mr Cooper but this is a private matter and the Council cannot get directly involved. Letter to be sent to Mr Cooper advising him to write to his local MP, write to the landlord of the property in question and contact the Community Law Centre for advice. Copy of Mr Cooper’s letter to be sent to Inspector Barr for his comments.

The Town Council have approved the following:-

* Erection of porch/extension at 21 Waver Street, Silloth

* Re-roofing of mill building (resubmission 2/2005/0763) at Solway Mills, Silloth

* Proposed Porch and loft conversion at Verona, Blitterlees, Silloth

* Conversion of store to 3 storey town house at Store at rear of 8/10 Eden Street Silloth

* Erection of 5 detached dwellings at West Silloth Motors, land at rear of Beaconsfield Terrace, Silloth

* Listed building consent for installation of mock sash timber window frames to front elevation (retrospective) at 4 Marine Terrace, Silloth

* Change of use to traditional bakers shop at 10 Criffel Street, Silloth

Allerdale Borough Council approved the following:-

* Erection of pair of semi-detached dwellings at Plots 12 & 13 Acre Bank Close, Skinburness, Silloth

* Erection of dormer bungalow at Plot 17 Acre Bank Close, Silloth (resubmission)

* Erection of dormer bungalow at Plot 14 Acre Bank Close, Silloth ( resubmission)

* 5 type A and 4 type B dormer bungalows at Plots 7,8,9,10,11,15,16,18 & 19 Acre Bank Close

* Proposed garage at The Bungalow, Blitterlees, Silloth

* Extension to join existing garage to house for kitchen alterations and erection of new detached garage (Resubmission 2/2006/0326) at Acredayles, Blitterlees, Silloth

* Extension to dwelling at Carabella, Blitterlees, Silloth

* Change of use of land for permanent stationing of refrigeration unit (retrospective) and temp (3years) stationing of portacabin for use as fishmongers shop at Unit 3d Station Road Ind Estate, Silloth

* Advertising signage at 9 Station Road, Silloth

* 34 bedroom extension (resubmission to 2/2005/0860) at Chichester hall, Dicktrod Lane, Silloth

* Erection of porch/extension at 21 Waver Street, Silloth

* Re-roofing of mill building (resubmission to 2/2005/0763) at Solway Mills, Silloth

* Proposed porch and loft conversion at Verona, Blitterlees, Silloth

Allerdale Borough Council refused the following:-

* Conversion of store to 3 storey town house at rear of 8/10 Eden Street, Silloth

* An appeal has been made against an Enforcement Notice relating to a “Breach of Planning Control” in respect of the unauthorised erection of a shed at 42 The Crofts, Silloth

* An appeal has been made against the refusal to grant Listed Building Consent for “Erection of Conservatory in Rear Garden (Retrospective)” at East Cote Cottage, Skinburness.

None

None

Primary School School goes back tomorrow. Work was to be carried out to the middle bit of the school over the summer holidays.

Joint Advisory Committee Meeting coming up. Cyclists were grateful for the welcome they received from Silloth. Nic Ashby has resigned for personal reasons. Trying to recruit a new Educational officer.

Silloth Tourist Action Group STAG has lost a Secretary with Nic leaving. Local food & produce fair was a great success. Website linking with Cumbria Tourist Board is ongoing. What’s on brochure is still ongoing for next Spring.

Silloth Regeneration Partnership Waiting for a response from the Heritage Lottery re: Green project. Arranging a meeting for later this month.

North Allerdale Partnership Next meeting is on Thursday. Cllr. Baty to report back following the meeting.

Sea Dyke Charity No meeting.

Silloth Health Matters Hope to report back following a successful pensioners tea party which is to take place on Saturday. Funding has been received from SOS Community Shop.

Longcake Education Trust No report.

Allerdale - Allerdale still exists. Cllrs. are not allowed to speak to the Press - only John Reynolds is allowed to speak. Scrutiny is keeping a keen eye on things. There is a problem with a multi-storey shop mobility scheme in Workington. Scrutiny are looking at it and assessing suitable locations at present. Bill Jefferson no longer belongs to the Independent Alliance. George Scott accepted a seat on the Executive Committee. Thankful that there is a Scrutiny and that questions are being asked. Accountable body status is ongoing.

County Council - Cllr. Markley has been made Chairman of Cumbria Sea Fisheries. Meeting of the Neighbourhood Forum on Tues 26 September at Holme St Cuthbert’s. Discussing fostering and waste management. Also giving out grants. Further Education Classes - glossy brochure recently put through every door although there is no mention of Silloth at all. It was agreed that a letter be sent to both schools. Also ask about when the Sports facility is to be opening and available for use by the community.

There has not been too much damage to the Green following the Carnival. There are a few tyre rack marks which will get rolled out over the winter months. Complaints have mostly been about the damage caused by the quad bikes. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Carnival committee, Vintage Rally committee and Festivals committee to ask that no quad bikes be allowed on the Green and that the Council are looking to charge a bond to cover any damage in the future. Item on next Agenda re: Bond. Damage has been done to the Putting Green. The temporary fence has been so badly damaged that it had to be taken down and then trucks drove over the Putting Green causing damage. It was suggested that the Council look to putting a decent fence around it like the one at the Co-op. Item to be put on next Agenda. Bouncy Castle also needs to be replaced in the near future. Improvements could be incorporated in the Regeneration plans for the Green.

Nothing to report.

The Town Council approved the list of cheque payments to 4 September 2006.

The Town Council considered the application for financial assistance received from Silloth 8-14 Youth Club. It was agreed that a donation of £750 be given.

Service 300/301 : Whitehaven - Carlisle via Workington; Maryport and Wigton & Service 38/38A : Silloth/Wigton - Carlisle. Due to insufficient extra traffic, the service is to return to the hourly timetable operated before March, from Monday 16 October.

Email received from Inspector Barr offering the use of a Speed Indication Device in the area for a week to enable the Council to assess their usefulness. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Inspector Barr taking him up on his offer. A meeting is taking place on 21 September at Wigton Town Council offices at 7.00pm.

454 Item 20 on the Agenda was deferred to the next meeting.

455 Item 21 on the Agenda was deferred to the next meeting.

The Town Council have spent £7000 on fencing for the tennis courts and no rent has been charged for a number of years. It was discussed whether or not to charge the club for the use of the Courts. Other sports clubs pay rent and therefore why not the tennis club. After some discussion it was decided to defer the matter until the November meeting when rent for all the sports clubs is reviewed. There is a problem with people playing football in the tennis courts and it was agreed that signs be put up saying “No ball games other than tennis”.

The Council had agreed to provide a prize of £400 this year but there had been no report back from the school as to the criteria for giving the prize. However it had been reported in the Press that a prize of £600 was to be given annually, which was to be used to send a student and his parents on a trip to London. Cllr. Snaith has been liasing with the school and thought the prize was £600. The school are grateful to the Council for acknowledging the achievements of the students. It is a commitment to the school and the community that is being recognised. The prize was well received. The Council agreed that the prize be increased to £600. The prize is to be awarded to a group next year.

The Council received notification about the street closure which was amended but knew nothing about the £5 charge for the park and ride scheme. The Carnival is planned year to year and the Council needs to be kept informed about what is planned. The Carnival Committee have various meetings throughout the year which are open to the public. The Chairman attended the last 3 meetings. The Carnival committee needs to be congratulated on a successful event which put Silloth on the map. Luckily we were blessed with the weather. The event is organised by 4 main people. Silloth would not have coped with the volumes of traffic had there not been a park and ride scheme in operation.

459 Review Clerk’s wages for 2006/07

As Cllr. Wilkinson was not present, it was agreed to defer the matter until the next meeting.

There is £2883.25 outstanding which relates to the Grounds Maintenance contract at Solway Community Technology College.

Allonby are looking to for someone to do their grass cutting/grounds maintenance. Item to be included on next month’s Agenda.