Present:- Cllrs. A.J. Markley, C. Baty, S. Burns, S. Hart, W. Jefferson E. Wannop. Also Ken Wannop & Wendy Jameson. Also PC Andy Robertson and PC Yvonne Benson.

611 Apologies:- Cllrs. G. Wilkinson (unwell), R.W. Allison (working), A.Weightman (working), M. Snaith (meeting) & I. Baty (holiday).

Cllr. Jefferson - re: NPower Renewables planning application, as he is on the Development Panel at Allerdale and Chairman of AONB JAC.

Cllr. Markley re: NPower Renewables planning application, as he is a County Councillor.

Cllr. Wannop re: Ken

It was agreed to discuss item 8 without the Press & Public present.

Notices have been put up to advertise the vacancy. Confirmation was received today from Allerdale that no election has been called. Mr Wilson of Lawn Terrace, who has recently moved here, is an Allerdale Councillor and is currently Chairman of Aspatria Town Council has expressed an interest in joining the Council.

No report. Cllr. Wilkinson is on the mend.

Minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2007 were approved by the Town Council and signed as a true record.

Guy Richardson of CALC attended the meeting to advice the Council on the new salary recommendations by NALC/SLCC. Guy to liase with the Clerk and provide a written report to the Chairman.

The public rejoined the meeting.

PC Andy Robertson and PC Yvonne Benson attended the meeting and gave a report on incidents of crime since the last meeting. A survey has been done to find out main concerns of members of the public which were as follows: Youth disorder, boy racers, police presence, rogue traders, crime information, parking and litter.

Street Drinking signs - there is a shortage of funding for replacement signs. 50 stickers have been obtained which will be stuck on sign posts. It was suggested that prices be obtained for two replacement signs which could be fixed to the ‘Welcome to Silloth’ signs where they are less likely to be vandalised. Clerk to email Insp. Barr to obtain price from the original supplier of the signs and report back to the Council. Speed Indication Device scheme is up and running and working quite well. Silloth will be getting a PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) who is undergoing training, under the guidance of PC Blain. She should be in post by the middle of April.

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

a) CALC Circular - February 2007. Put on circulation.

b) Enjoy England Magazine - Celebrate St George’s Day. Put on circulation.

c) Local Works - Sustainable Communities Bill passed its 2^nd reading on 19 January.

d) DEFRA - Review of the Quality Town & Parish Council Scheme.

e) Audit Commission - Audit Commission was appointed as auditor for all local councils and joint committees within Cumbria. Appointment has now been extended to cover 2006/07.

f) Home Housing - Wooden benches on Esk Street will be pressure washed and treated with preservative.

g) Carlisle City Council - Better Government for Cumbria - Consultation Event, Saturday 24 February 2007, Penrith.

h) Letter from Mr & Mrs McNamee objecting to the planning application for the wind turbines at Park Head Farm, Silloth.

i) CALC - Future of Local Government in Cumbria. Further consultation meetings to be held of the CALC District Associations in March. Allerdale Association on 22 March at 7pm in Bothel Village Hall.

j) Cumbria County Council - re: Application for grant aid for Christmas lighting. The grants panel made recommendations and the final decision will be made by Allerdale Local Committee on 6 March.

k) Communities and Local Government - A revised model code of conduct for local authority members. Any comments to be in by 9 March 2007. Comments of individual comments to be given to the Clerk.

l) Letter from Mrs D. McNamee of SOSAC asking how the Town Council will inform residents of the proposed new wind turbine development at Park Head Farm, Silloth. Allerdale inform people in the Press, notices and consultations etc. Town Council don’t inform the public as it would set a precedent. SOSAC was set up against the wind turbine application. Reply to be sent.

m) The Longcake Educational Foundation - Jim Snaith’s four year term of office as trustee has now ended, although he has indicated that he would be willing to act again if the Council decided to re-appoint him. It was agreed to ask Jim to stay on as our representative.

n) Silloth RUFC - Letter from Jimmy Lettice regarding the increase in rent and recent application for financial assistance. It was agreed to invite him and the Rugby Club to our next meeting to discuss the matter.

o) Silloth Vintage Rally - Request for permission to use the Green on 16 and 17 June 2007. The Town Council agreed to grant permission for the use of the Green.

p) Childline North West - Request for financial assistance. It was agreed to give a donation of £38.

q) Solway Fitness Centre - Letter from Colin Baty to ask if the Council would reimburse him for the cost of some electrical work carried out on the external lighting of the Fitness Centre amounting to £69.09. It was agreed to reimburse the £69.09, as the building belongs to the Town Council and the work done was to the outside of the property.

r) Email from Margaret Churchill about the hard pruning of shrubs and trees in Silloth. Guidance was taken on the best way to maintain the shrubs etc. Holly bushes were pruned to make way for the Rhododendrons.

The Town Council have approved the following:-

* Change of use from mixed use café/domestic dwelling to domestic dwelling and replacement shop front with domestic frontage to match neighbouring properties at 14-16 Eden Street, Silloth.

* Erection of a traditionally constructed single storey pitched roof children’s centre with associated landscaping. Accommodation briefly comprises child and adult rooms together with associated toilets, offices and circulation spaces at Silloth Primary School, Liddell Street, Silloth.

Allerdale Borough Council have approved the following:-

* Change of use to residential mobile home site at Land at Silloth Lido, Silloth.

* Erection of conservatory and garden shed to rear of property at 20 Acre Bank Close, Skinburness, Silloth.

Allerdale Borough Council have refused the following:-

* Change of use to residential mobile home site at Land adjacent to Silloth Lido, Silloth.

* Outline application for new build of holiday apartments at Skinburness Hotel, Dicktrod Lane, Skinburness, Silloth.

Notification from Allerdale Borough Council that:-

* An appeal has been made against the refusal to grant Planning Consent for Outline application for new build of holiday apartments at The Skinburness Hotel, Dicktrod Lane, Skinburness, Silloth.

* An inquiry for the appeal made against the Enforcement Notice ’Erection of a shed without the grant of permission’ re: 42 The Crofts, Silloth was held in Christ Church Hall, Caldew Street, Silloth on 20 February 2007 at 10.00am.

The Town Council considered the following planning application:-

Ref No: 2/2007/0076

Applicant: NPower Renewables Ltd

Proposal: Erection of four wind turbines and associated infrastructure and services including site road, crane pads, substation control building and temporary construction compound

Location: Park Head Farm, Silloth

Park Head Farm is not within our Parish but the Town Council are being asked for their opinions. The Planning Committee have referred the matter back to the full Council. Things change and wind turbines may be the way to go but not enough is known about them. Research has been done into wind power and it seems to be a pretty uneconomic source of power. Silloth is sitting in the middle of the AONB. Maximum publicity would be made if Silloth approved the application - possibly nationally. The Solway is the dumping ground for all sorts. At a public meeting at the Golf Hotel which was called by Holme Low Parish Council, four votes were taken. One for everyone in the room and three separate votes for Holme Low, Silloth and Abbeytown. The overwhelming majority were against the planning application. A straw vote was taken at a Neighbourhood Forum meeting which was in favour but this cannot be taken into account. The Town Council took a vote on the Planning Application. 3 against, 1 agreed and 2 abstained.

None

None

Primary School No meeting. Headmaster has been off ill.

Joint Advisory Committee Good meeting on Friday. Brian Irving is back after having his heart operation after Christmas. Final signature going on the document transferring the building to Allerdale. Ranger service has 180 volunteers and is a strong point for the AONB, which is run by Graeme Proud. Went into accountable body status with Allerdale. Graeme works 2 days for Allerdale at a cost of £9K. Allerdale will give him back if AONB pay them the £9K. The Ranger is a full-time position and AONB want him back.

Silloth Tourist Action Group Agreed the consultants at Lancaster University who will be looking round the town on Friday.

Silloth Regeneration Partnership No report.

North Allerdale Partnership No report.

Silloth Health Matters No report.

Sea Dyke Charity No meeting.

Longcake Education Trust No report.

Allerdale - Full Council meeting on Wednesday at Maryport. Scrutiny have been looking into a couple of matters. Car Park and Market Towns Initiative will be discussed. Election time in Allerdale etc and there are a lot of worried people.

County Council - Budget set at 4.99%. Potholes between Silloth and Wigton are in need of being done, especially at Seaville road ends. The money is in the budget to do the work. A map has been drawn up showing the work that is being done. “Hot box” scheme was trialed in Eden which is a system on the back of a lorry. Highways have not been asked to make proper repairs rather than just patching. There has been £30-£60K investment in clearing drains as they have managed to get match funding.

Ken gave a brief report on the work done over the last month. General Maintenance. Ken had consulted the Council on cutting the holly bushes back. They were last done 20 years ago which is why it looks harsh. The bushes were severely overhanging. The Rhododendrons in the bed opposite the church are the only ones which flower every year. Holly had to be cut back to allow light to the Rhododendrons.

Elections are coming up in May. Nominations will have to be in by the beginning of April.

The Town Council approved the list of cheque payments to 5 March 2007.

Soldiers in Silloth - No further information received, therefore deferred.

The Clerk had produced an up-to-date financial report. Various areas of under spending were identified and the Council considered what action to take.

Community Hall - It was agreed that money should be spent on painting the outside of the building and also to renew the carpets in the entrance hall and back room.

Christmas Lights - Separate bank account to be opened to build up a fund towards the cost of the Christmas Lights.

Play Areas - Maintenance & Equipment. A meeting was held and various repairs/replacements are underway which will utilise the unspent budget.

Youth Provision - Waiting to hear from MOBEX.

Silloth Regeneration Partnership - Town Council have already agreed to pay £1600 towards the consultants fee with the remainder in the budget to be given to Regeneration Partnership.

Meals on Wheels - County Council are asking for an extra £1 per meal which will have a serious affect on the elderly. It was questioned whether this is something the Town Council would consider contributing towards. Co-ordinated by someone in Cockermouth. It was agreed the Town Council would consider making a donation but the necessary application would need to be completed. Suggested that Health Matters should also be contacted.

Bought small John Deere tractor 7 years ago and due to its age it could need some sizeable repairs in the future, such as tyres etc. Coming up with some reasonable offers against a newer machine. Allonby contract is not yet sorted out. Allonby does not have a contract with Allerdale and they currently precept residents of Allonby to get the grass cut. Probably need a trailer and a flail cutter to do the contract costing approx. £2000. Could buy a 7 yr old tractor for £7,500 or a brand new ex demo tractor, with a cutting deck and guarantee for £12,300. Probably looking at £10,000 for a newer one. Old tractor worth approx. £2500. Two year guarantee on a new one. The Council agreed that it would make more sense to get a new machine. It was agreed that up £12,000 be spent, with the Clerk, Chairman and Ken delegated to get the best deal.

Vandalism is an ongoing problem with kids congregating down there. The two doors have been broken and the locks smashed off. A quote has been received from W. Scott & Sons to replace the two doors with metal frontage for a cost of £250. The Council agreed that the work be done at the price quoted. More lighting is needed in the area of the changing rooms and it was agreed that quotes be obtained to install 2 or 3 security lights

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.

Nothing of any concern