Present:- Cllrs. G. Wilkinson, A.J. Markley, R.W. Allison, C. Baty, I. Baty, A. Emmerson, E. Wannop, A. Weightman & D. Wilson. Also present Wendy Jameson (Town Clerk), Ken Wannop & PC Andy Robertson.

906 Apologies:- Cllr. W. Jefferson, M. Snaith & S. Hart.

Cllr. R.W. Allison - re: Allison Designs.

Cllr. A.J. Markley - re: County Council, West Lakes Renaissance, Cumbria Vision etc

Cllr. Wannop - re: Ken.

Cllr. Wilson - re: North Allerdale Partnership

It was agreed to exclude the Press & Public whilst items 21,22 & 23 are discussed.

The Chairman attended the following:-

12 March - CALC Chairman’s meeting at Penrith.

13 March - Junior school choirs at Stanwix.

20 March - Pool league presentation night.

28 March - Hopes Auction Co lunch.

Minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2008 were approved by the Town Council and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

Mike Phillips attended the meeting to explain in more detail how the transition from NAP to NADT will take place. There is a lot of need and demand for community led regeneration initiatives. North Allerdale, Silloth, Wigton & Aspatria need support. Silloth Regeneration do really well and make a positive contribution to the needs of the town. Spending is well over 90%. £1.5m will have been spent by the end of June in North Allerdale. Market Town Initiative ended in March but it is not the end of things. It is a starting point, with the next 3 months being important. NWDA said money had to be spent by end of March but have agreed that projects can go on but money has to be spent by 30 June now. They need evidence that money and match funding has been spent by the end of June. Development at seafront, refurbishment of Discovery Centre, signage strategy and stage 1 lottery bid are all projects within Silloth. Money is coming in from West Lakes. Lottery has confirmed funding for the scheme o refurbish the market hall at Wigton. Development trust will be a community owned and managed enterprise. It will be a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, managed by trustees. The development trust will be working with Silloth and Aspatria to identify relevant projects. It will manage and own buildings and therefore have an income. It will be able to give grants to community projects and will continue the work of NAP. West Lakes Renaissance will be producing an action plan for North Allerdale. West Lakes Renaissance and Cumbria Vision need a framework to identify relevant projects. £10K of the £40K will be for projects in Silloth. Need to put forward some ideas on priorities but these will have to meet West Lakes and Cumbria Vision criteria. Mike will be project managing the exercise. The Development Trust will act as project managers for the projects and find funding etc. Awaiting the results of the impact study for Wigton in relation to Hopes moving and Tesco coming on to site. Need to get regeneration gain out of developments. Duncan Spilsbury will be working with the development trust. Town Council had agreed to provide funding of £1000 to help set up the trust. A feasibility study was put together on attractions in Silloth which will attract further funding. Without the help of NAP, the regeneration projects would not have got where they have. There has been an agreement in principle for the County Council to act as accountable body. It was questioned whether the Council would want a dignitary to open the Green project or to mark the end of the project.

PC Andy Robertson provided a report of incidents of crime since the last meeting. It has been a fairly quiet month. Lindsay Knoblet is due to come back in late summer but she is looking to join the regular Police in 2009. There is a new inspector in post at Wigton, Inspector Allen. PC Robertson will ask whether the town could have more of a Police presence, with a PCSO to cover while Lindsay is not here.

Tommy Akitt and Peter Wise attended the meeting to request permission to dig for old bottles on Council land. They would need to consult with the football and rugby clubs as the Town Council leases the pitches to them. The land involved would not include the existing pitches. The Solway Diggers would need public liability insurance. The footpath would not be dug up. security fencing would be erected and the ground would be reinstated. Work would be done at a time best with the Council. The Council would need a start and finish time. A test pit would be dug to see whether it is worth proceeding with. Confirmation is needed that the football and rugby clubs are in agreement with it and that public liability insurance is in place.

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

a) Friends of the Lake District - Open Green Spaces - A guide to common management issues.

b) BDO - Local Council Briefing - Spring 2008.

c) Highways Agency - Helping you with your journeys - Planned roadworks on England’s major roads - March to May 2008.

d) Local Council Review - March 2008.

e) Town & Parish Standard - March 2008.

f) Clerks & Councils Direct - March 2008.

g) “The Cumbria & Lakes Rider” Passenger Transport Guide.

h) Government Office for the North West - Draft North West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) - Proposed changes published for consultation. Opportunity to comment on the proposed changes which are available at www.gos.gov.uk/gonw. Consultation will last until 23 May 2008.

i) Audit Commission - Letter to confirm the appointment of BDO Stoy Hayward LLP as auditor to Silloth Town Council which covers the audit of the accounts for the financial years 2007/08 to 2011/12.

j) House of Commons - re: B5300 between Allonby & Silloth. Work to start on the road after the high tide on Thursday but unfortunately would take some weeks and road would be closed over Easter.

k) AGM of the Allerdale District will be on 9 April 2008 at The Village Hall, Plumbland at 7.00pm.

l) Email from Claire Bradshaw at Allerdale Local Committee - re: Esk Street, Silloth. Matter will be raised with the Area Engineer and the Council will be contacted again.

m) Allerdale Borough Council - re: B5300 between Allonby & Silloth. Responsibility for the reinstatement of the road rests with the Highways Authority. Work has already commenced to carry out the necessary repairs. The Borough Council will continue to monitor the progress.

n) Information Commissioners Office - Data Protection Act 1998 - Confirmation of Renewal.

o) Cumbria Highways - re: Esk Street, Silloth - Request for One-way Street. Creating a one-way street would involve a Traffic Management Order (TRO). Request will be included in the next review of the TRO for Wigton, Aspatria & Silloth, which they anticipate will take place in about 12 months from now.

p) House of Commons - re: B5300 between Allonby & Silloth. County Council’s highways team worked extremely hard to get one lane of the road open for Easter. There is still work to do on the sea wall itself, but at least the road can be used again.

q) MENCAP - Request for financial support. The Town Council tries to support things locally rather than on a national level. It was agreed to make a donation of £100.

r) Letter from Jimmy Lettice asking when repairs are to be done to the road leading to the sports area, who threw the football posts under the bridge and whether the sports pitches can be made a dog free area. The Town Council are currently awaiting confirmation as to the ownership of the land before we can proceed with the repairs to the road. For an area to be ‘dog free’ the area must be completely enclosed for it to come under the Environmental Acts. Signage is up to tell owners not to let their dogs foul the area. The Allerdale dog warden can be called upon to take action but details of when offences are committed would be of assistance. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Allerdale to ask that they regularly Police the area for dog fouling. The football goal posts were replaced by the football club and have now been disposed of environmentally.

s) Cumbria County Council - Cumbria Minerals & Waste Development Framework - Regulation 28 Consultations on the submission Draft Core Strategy and Generic Development Control Policies. Comments to be received between 21 April and 30 May 2008. The only thing that concerns this area is the traffic volumes on the B5301. Allerdale have objected to the volume of vehicles.

t) Great North Air Ambulance Service - Request for financial support. It was agreed that the Council give the same amount as last time.

u) North Allerdale Partnership - Update on the current position regarding community led regeneration. Project Managers (Mike & Denise) can come to a Council meeting to explain in more detail how the transition from NAP to NADT will take place.

v) Letter from Mr C Baty of Silloth AFC. New water tank has been installed in the loft of the Changing Rooms as the old one had become porous and would’ve eventually collapsed through the roof. Cllr. Baty declared an interest. It was agreed to pay the bill but advice the club that the Council should be asked before any work is done.

w) Letter from Mr C Baty of Silloth AFC to ask if the entire interior of the changing rooms can be repainted in the near future and asking if the Council can fund an extension of the Referee Changing room. Before the Town Council can agree to fund an extension of the Referee Changing Room, details of how much the work is going to cost would be required. With regard to the painting of the changing rooms, it was questioned whether the football club would be willing to do the painting if the Council provides the materials?

x) Request from the Solway Diggers antique bottle club for permission to dig on an area of land within the town’s playing field area. Dealt with earlier in the meeting.

y) Allerdale Borough Council - Progress in the Local Development Framework. Currently trying to build up a picture of land available for housing across the Borough. The following were suggested as suitable areas for housing:- Fisons (Harvest Industrial Estate), former garage on Waver Street and land at Fell View. Need a copy of settlement lines to check these areas are within the boundaries.

z) Silloth Festivals Ltd - Letter asking for permission to use the Green for the 2008 Music & Beer Festival. Cllr. Wilson declared an interest. It was agreed that permission be granted.

aa) Silloth Vintage Rally Ltd - Letter asking for permission to use the Green for the Vintage Rally on 21 - 22 June 2008. Cllr. Allison declared an interest. It was agreed that permission be granted.

914 Planning Applications

Allerdale Borough Council have approved the following:-

Ref No: 2/2008/0023 Applicant: Mr & Mrs R & K Bervoerts Proposal: Loft conversion including formation of dormer windows Location: 22 Skinburness Road, Silloth.

Allerdale Borough Council have refused the following:-

Ref No: 2/2008/0055 Applicant: Mr I Gosling Proposal: Erection of 6 dwelling houses Location: West Silloth Chippy, Greenrow, Silloth

None.

None

Primary School Attended choir performance at Stanwix which was a credit to Silloth Primary. This is the fourth year that various schools have got together and done a performance.

Joint Advisory Committee No report.

Silloth Tourist Action Group Cllr. Hart sent his apologies but provided a report for the meeting. STAG website is under construction. 30,000 leaflets have been distributed.

Silloth Regeneration Partnership No meeting.

North Allerdale Partnership No meeting.

Sea Dyke Charity Chairman John Graham was re-instated. Rents were reviewed. Also looked at the possibility of building a new cattle shed.

Silloth Health Matters No report.

Longcake Education Trust No report.

Solway Community Technology College Representative from Town Council wanted on sports committee. Cllrs. S. Hart and I. Baty were nominated.

Allerdale - No reports.

County Council - Road at Dubmill was re-opened within a week which was a credit to County Council and the contractors. This was good for Silloth, the businesses and the communities. A temporary repair was done to the road at Calvo for Easter. The work is to be done properly and the road re-laid. The zebra crossing is in hand and will be done in the coming months. Feasibility study for tourism projects has been done which is a good thing and will hopefully move things forward. Cllr. Markley spoke to Prince Charles and rural aspects were a topic of conversation. NADT want support. Cllr. Markley is putting together proposals so that rural areas will have a voice.

Nothing to report. Rabbits are becoming a menace on the Green.

Reports are needed for the Town Report a.s.a.p.

The Town Council agreed to the renewal of the following annual subscriptions for 2008/09:-

a) CALC at a cost of £284.50.

b) Local Council Review at a cost of £13.50.

The Town Council considered the following requests for financial assistance:-

a) Silloth Football Club - It was agreed to provide funding of £650 towards the cost of tracksuits/jackets etc on proviso that the Silloth Town Council logo be put on the kit.

b) Silloth Vintage Rally - Cllr. Allison declared an interest. It was agreed to provide funding of £500 towards the costs of this years Vintage Rally.

The Town Council approved the list of cheque payments to 7 April 2008.

The Town Council reviewed various matters which remain unresolved with Cumbria County Council, Allerdale Borough Council etc and decided on what action to take.

North View toilets - toilets have been closed over the winter months as is the norm. Drain has been blocked due to roots in the drain. Allerdale are awaiting the outcome of proposals for the Green. Improvements to the Green will not start for at least a couple of years. The problem was first raised back in September. The toilets need to be open. There should be a proper sign telling people which toilets are open.

Cemetery bridge at Causewayhead - tenders have been sought by Allerdale for repairs to the bridge and HCL has been appointed as the contractor. Need approval from the Environment Agency re: water course which could take a few weeks.

Lighting - various letters sent to David Bryden at Allerdale regarding additional lighting and repairs to existing lighting. Cllr. Wilson to chase the matter with Allerdale.

Name sign and name plates - letters sent to Eric Hilland at Allerdale but still waiting for signs. Cllr. Wilson to chase the matter with Allerdale.

Tourist signs - in hand.

Signs - various signs around the town are needing attention. Further letter to be sent to Cumbria Highways.

Trees - Work was started on 27 January but there is still a lot of work needing done to the trees. Letter to be sent to Clive Pickering, Corporate Director at Barras Lane, Dalston to ask that the work be completed as a matter of urgency.

Resurfacing of footpath behind Station Road industrial estate - Email received to say that funding is not available from County Council Countryside Access Section as the footpath is not on the Definitive map of rights of way in Cumbria.

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.

The lease between the Town Council and the County Council of the playing fields, Silloth has expired but we are in a holding over position. The question is whether the Town Council wish to own the land. It looks as if the Town Council are going to have to carry out repairs to the road. Need to contact contractors and get prices to get the road tarmaced, although it doesn’t need to be as wide as the existing roadway. 5 ½ metre width would be sufficient. Need a plan of what is needed down there. It was agreed that the lease be renewed.

Funding of £47,350 has been received - £25,000 from HLF and £22,350 from NWDA. From this, bills of £14,570 have been paid, leaving funding of £32,780. In recent weeks final invoices from the various consultants have been received, amounting to £75,291.75. The Clerk questioned how these bills are to be paid. There is a further £25,000 to come from Heritage Lottery. The Town Council are also still awaiting payment from Allerdale for the grounds maintenance of the Green. Liz Carlisle is coming to Silloth on Wednesday. Interim bills will be submitted. The precept is for Town Council activities and should not be used for the HLF project. The project should stand alone and finance itself. The Council’s precept has gone up and the Chairman produced a report explaining the reasons for the increase and a comparison with other councils. Liz Carlisle will come to the next meeting on 12 May. There is a problem with the lease of the Green as we don’t own the car parks or toilets. This needs to be sorted out before the application can be submitted. The lease also needs to be extended. A meeting to be arranged with Ian Payne and John Windsor. Should the Town Council take over the car parks and toilets it should be written into the lease that there be some financial contribution from Allerdale towards the costs. A letter needs to go with the application from Allerdale to agree that they will extend the lease.

Amounts are outstanding from Allerdale Borough Council for both bills for the grounds maintenance of the Green.