Present:- Cllrs. G. Wilkinson, R.W. Allison, C. Baty, W. Jefferson, A. Proud,

E. Wannop, A. Weightman. Also Ken Wannop, Wendy Jameson-Brown,

PC A. Robertson & Suzie Shepherd.

300 Apologies:- Cllrs. I. Baty, M. Snaith & A.J. Markley. Also Julie Armstrong, Cumberland News reporter.

Cllr. Allison re: Allison Designs.

Cllr. Wannop re: Ken.

None

The Chairman had attended a Chairing skills meeting at Allerdale, the Allerdale Civic Dinner and the march to save Wigton Hospital which took place on Saturday.

He also informed the Council of the visit of HMS Biter which will be taking place at the end of March.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2006 were approved by the Town Council and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

PC Robertson had sent a Police report on incidents of crime since the last meeting. Following the damage to the fence around the Putting Green and the nearby seat, it was felt there is a need for a Policeman to be constantly patrolling Silloth. There is also a problem with cars parking on pavements and wagons parking on pavements on Lawn Terrace. It seems to be Friday nights when there is a problem with vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

306 Suzie Shepherd, Head teacher from Solway Community Technology College

Susie Shepherd attended the meeting and introduced herself to the Town Council. This is her first time as a Head Teacher, after having taught in West Cumbria at Whitehaven, Egremont and Maryport.

She felt that antisocial behaviour is not untypical of kids who don’t have enough to do on an evening. School is looking to alternatives to exclusion such as getting kids to come in from 2-6 pm rather than during normal school hours. The school has just produced a management plan and was OFSTED inspected last week. Report will be available in 2 weeks. Inspectors were impressed by the level of community involvement of the students and impressed by the amount of money raised by the students for the Solway Mexico Link. The school Council is keen to speak with the Town Council and are looking for funding towards a kit for girls football team and for more social seating in the school. There are 25% surplus places in schools in the West of the County. Silloth is in under capacity. Silloth has been at risk twice in the past but has retained it’s school. It was questioned how the school impresses on the kids the importance of their behaviour outside school as well as in school. Restorative justice is a possible option, where the child would be made to make good any damage or harm caused. A lot of the responsibility is on the parents. An inclusion panel has been set up who look at the children who are at risk of being excluded. The Police have been involved in the panel.

The Sports Hall is currently 4 weeks behind schedule but should be up and running by the May half term, with a formal opening in September. The school is currently developing a new school website and are looking to online booking. Sports Hall will be run by the school and it was questioned what involvement there will be from community groups. Management committee of the Governing Body has been set up to look at it. The building needs to pay for itself and not cost money. Susie agreed to look at the Business Plan. Netherhall have done a similar thing which has been very successful. It was suggested that it may be a good thing to have representative of the Town Council on the school Governors. Letter to be sent to the Board of Governors to check the criteria.

The lack of adult education was questioned. This was basically due to a lack of interest in the past.

The Council wished Suzie well and welcomed her.

It was questioned whether there would be anyone from school interested in doing an apprenticeship with the Town Council. Information is currently being obtained from Connexions which will hopefully be available for the next meeting.

There have been fewer incidents of anti-social behaviour. An assault has taken place today on Eden Street between youths. Inspector Barr has put a report in the Solway Buzz. The public need to be reminded that doors/windows need to be kept locked, in view of the sneak burglaries which have been taking place. There are a number of abandoned vehicles which the Police are aware of and are taking action.

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

a) Local Council Review - March 2006.

b) Highways Agency - Northwest of England Road works and journey planner leaflet (March to May 2006)

c) CALC - Copy of verbal report made at last CALC Executive meeting by Chris Shaw re: Health Reviews and Consultations.

d) CALC - Invitation to nominate Chairman to attend Royal Garden Party 2006.

e) SLCC - Larger Councils’ Conference to be held At London 27 April to 28 April 2006.

f) Solway Community Technology College - Letter of thanks for recent support of the Annual Prize Giving Evening.

g) Allerdale Borough Council - Agenda for meeting of the Standards Committee which will be held on 27 February at 2.00pm at Allerdale House.

h) North Allerdale Partnership - Letter of thanks for the contribution towards the costs of the Partnership.

i) North Allerdale Partnership - AGM will take place on 23 February at 7.00pm at Wigton Community Centre.

j) CALC Allerdale District Committee - Invitation to next meeting of Allerdale District Committee which will be held on 23 March 2006 at Castle Inn, Bassenthwaite at 7.00pm.

k) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Vacancy on Town Council. Acknowledge receipt of notice dated 16 February. Will write again after 9 March to let us know whether an election has been called.

l) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Policy for granting street trading consents. Views requested by 17 March 2006. Town Council are not in favour of traders coming in from outside the town and taking trade away from local businesses. When there are applications, the Town Council are consulted and their views are given. The Town Council accepted the recommendations contained in the Policy.

m) Letter from David Whitfield re: hazard of trees obscuring the view of motorists and pedestrians. Mr Whitfield’s comments were noted.

n) Allerdale Borough Council - Letter from Ernie Davidson re: recycling centre. Dog toilet is to be removed due to a lack of use. Any objection to the proposal needs to be made a.s.a.p. There was no objection to the removal of the dog toilet and it was suggested that the other dog toilet next to the Lifeboat Station should also be removed.

o) ABP - re: Forthcoming visit of HMS Biter - 31 March 2006. Public indemnity for ABP needs to be provided, together with safety fencing and temporary directional signs. It was agreed that the necessary arrangements be made.

p) Silloth Festivals Ltd - Letter asking for permission to hold the 2006 Music & Ale Festival on the Green, Silloth. It was agreed that permission be granted for the Music & Ale Festival to take place on the Green from 6 - 10 September 2006.

The Town Council have approved the following planning application:-

Erection of two storey extension at 86 Skinburness Road, Silloth

None

312 Committee Reports

None

Primary School No report.

Joint Advisory Committee Things are going well. Sustainable Development Fund is going well with funding of £100K from the Government every year for 3 years. Educational programme is going well and is attracting a lot of attention. Ownership and future of the Discovery Centre is in question. Workington and Maryport tend to get the vast share of funding and it is difficult to get funding for the rural areas. Allerdale needs to show a real commitment to the AONB with Silloth at its centre. The building was gifted to SRI but SRI are on the point of collapse with debts amounting to £150K. Should maybe look at the Town Council buying the building. With future changes in Local Government, Allerdale may be dissolved. One suggestion was that the SRI building be sold and SRI move into the Discovery Centre - with revenue of £80-£90K from the sale of the building. Allerdale needs to acknowledge that Silloth exists and it has been suggested that Allerdale buy the building.

Silloth Tourist Action Group There are several new members, including David Thomas and Nick, who has taken over the Secretarial work. Cumbria Tourist Board are keen to put money our way in the form of publicity - website and leaflets. Cllr. Hart asked if the Town Council would be willing for STAG to take over the Silloth website. Silloth-on-Solway.co.uk is not a Town Council website but is run by Wendy personally. Cumbria in Bloom - STAG want to see more of a community involvement. Working with Groundwork trust, AONB and kids from school - looking to plant trees in the Pines which would need Town Council involvement. STAG feel there are not enough bins in the town and West Beach is not looked after enough. STAG are writing to Allerdale. Matter needs chased up.

Silloth Regeneration Partnership Silloth is allocated £220K. Funding available from Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery. SRP have appointed Liz Carlisle to help with finding funding. Need to put together a project, led by SRP. Silloth Town Council may need to make the applications. £250K to £5M funding is available to improve public parks in UK to enable people to enjoy the areas. Looking to put a scheme together for the Green. A wish list has been put together. SRP and Town Council need to work in partnership. May need a 30 year lease rather than the existing 25 year lease. Need to get further along with the plans then consider it. It was recommended that Liz Carlisle speak with Brian Irving and David Thomas (portfolio holder for Tourism) who should be an essential part of a partnership. Enquiries to be made at Allerdale about whether they would agree to extending the lease.

North Allerdale Partnership No report.

Sea Dyke Charity No meeting.

Silloth Health Matters No report.

It was agreed to defer the matter until the next meeting when there should be a full quota of Councillors present.

Suzie Shepherd left the meeting. She will be back in touch re: criteria for the Citizenship prize.

Chief Executive visited Silloth but it was kept low key. New Chief Executive is settling in well. Launching the new corporate plan.

Ken gave a brief report of work carried out. General maintenance. Telegraph poles have arrived. Main concern was whose responsibility it is for carrying work out to Dock fencing etc at the Dock entrance. Enquiries to be made regarding the agreement which was set up between ABP, Town Council and SRI.

Annual Town meeting will be held in May and reports will be needed from Town Councillors over the next few weeks for the Annual Town Report.

318 Financial Statement

The Clerk had produced a report showing up to date position regarding the current financial year. The Town Council considered what action needed to be taken to address any deviations from the budget. Tennis Club are looking for the tennis court to be painted and fencing to be replaced. It was agreed that prices be obtained to replace the fencing and the decision to be delegated to Clerk and Chairman to accept the best quote. Money included in the budget for signs to be transferred to Regeneration Partnership who are looking at signage in the town. Prices to be obtained to replace windows in the Community Hall.

The list of cheque payments were approved by the Town Council for payment.

The Town Council considered the request from Silloth RUFC for financial assistance. No funds are available in this current financial year and £3000 has already been given to the Rugby Club this year. It was suggested that the Town Council should consider setting a maximum figure for contributions.

Insurance company have been contacted and any claim would only cover the damage caused by the fire. Price is being obtained for the repair. Renovating the Pagoda could be part of the Regeneration plan for the Green. Cladding the building with steel is an option.

322 Silloth Regeneration Partnership - The matter was discussed earlier in the meeting. See item 313.

Nothing to report from the Police Authority. The building is now on the market for sale at £140K.

In hand.

Next Solway Neighbourhood Forum meeting will be taking place on 16 March at Abbeytown Village Hall at 2-5.30pm.