Present:- Cllrs. G. Wilkinson, R.W. Allison , E. Baty, S. Hart, W. Jefferson,

A.J. Markley, A. Proud, E. Wannop & A. Weightman. Also Ken Wannop, Wendy Jameson-Brown, Lieut. Des Hirons & PC Andy Robertson.

193 Apologies:- Cllr. W. Johnston.

Cllr. Allison - re: Allison Designs

Cllr. Markley - re: Planning Application

No

The Chairman had attended the following:-

Presentation of certificates at Convalescent Home 2 weeks ago re: infection control.

Memorial Service for David Pigeon.

Minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2005 were approved by the Town Council and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

198 Police Report

PC Robertson provided the Council with a Police report which was circulated prior to the meeting. There will be a meeting with someone from the estate management committee and the Fire Service this Friday, with Andy and Insp Barr, to discuss the new access centre at the Fire Station. Meeting to look at the premises and details of use/signage etc. Expect to be running by the end of the year. Andy will take up the issue of the old Police Station and report back to the next Town Council meeting. Mini mopeds have been a problem in the town but seems to be quiet again. 3 notices have been issued re: parking on the pavements. Radar speed gun checks have been done this weekend over west Silloth, though no-one was caught speeding. A couple of people were stopped. The presence of a community Policeman in Silloth was questioned. Insp. Barr intends for Andy to be in Silloth as much as possible. The majority of his shift will be spent in Silloth, although he needs access to IT equipment at Wigton. Time will be taken up wherever incidents occur. Road Closure & Xmas Lights on 24 November. It was too short notice to obtain a road closure but looking to extend the existing road closure order between 5.00 and 9.00 pm.

199 Lieutenant Hirons

Lieutenant Des Hirons thanked the Council for agreeing to the affiliation of HMS Biter with Silloth. HMS Biter and HMS Charger had shared an affiliation with Maryport but very little interest was shown. Accommodation is needed for 6 students, with adult supervision on Saturday evening, prior to the Remembrance Day Service. The Clerk suggested that the group could stay in the Community Hall overnight, which was agreed by the Town Council. There will be a 4 week training exercise in Spring and HMS Biter will be coming back to Silloth at Easter. Arriving late afternoon on 31 March and sailing late on Sunday afternoon. There was a good turnout by the public the last time they visited the town.

200 Adjournment of Meeting

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

a) Friends of the Lake District - Report & Newsletter Autumn 2005.

b) Cumbria County Council - Cumbria Second Local Transport Plan.

c) CALC Circular - October 2005.

d) Cumbria County Council - Roadside verges in Cumbria leaflet.

e) CALC - Annual Report November 2005.

f) Cumbria Highways - Winter Driving leaflet 2005/06.

g) West Cumbria Community Safety Strategy for 2005-2008. Input would be appreciated.

h) Local Council Review - November 2005.

i) Cumbria County Council - Information about the Cumbria Rural Infrastructure Support Programme.

j) United Utilities - More info required regarding the location of the sewer discharge pipe on the Promenade. Broken meter cover on Skiddaw Street is to be replaced.

k) Money for Walking Conference is to be held on 6 December at Guildhall, London.

l) Allerdale Borough Council - letter of thanks for allowing the use of the Green for the PARCS scheme and information about the success of the scheme.

m) Cumbria County Council - re: Wigton width restriction. Link road bypassing Wigton, even if it was added to CCC programme, would take some years to deliver because of the need for design, planning permission and compulsory purchase. Such a scheme is not therefore a short or medium term solution.

n) Lakes College West Cumbria - Information about the range of training and qualifications available.

o) United Utilities - Letter of acknowledgement re: sunken pavement and stop tap box.

p) CALC - Notes of the meeting of larger member councils held on 19 September 2005 at Keswick.

q) Environment Agency - re: Seaside Awards. During the bathing season 2005, the sample results for West Beach achieved the mandatory European standard but the sample taken on 7 September exceeded the required limit due to a period of high rainfall at the time.

r) Cumbria Police Authority - re: Potential re-structuring of police services in Cumbria. Questionnaire completed and returned by the Clerk to pass on the Council’s objections to the proposed re-structuring. Responses required by 27 October 2005.

s) Energising Cumbria 05 - Conference to be held at Solway Business Centre, Kingstown, Carlisle on Thursday 3 November 2005 - 5pm to 8pm.

t) United Utilities - re: Seaside Awards. Silloth was awarded the Seaside Award in 2004 and again in 2005. Silloth has not lost the award, it has retained the standard of last year. These seaside awards are an annual UK award run by ENCAMS for well- maintained resorts and rural beaches that pass the mandatory Standard for water quality.

u) Silloth RUFC - email from Jimmy Lettice. New ceiling is to be finished and ready for painting. Rugby Club are now members of CASC (Community Amateur Sporting Clubs). The playing area/pitch is to be renamed the Jim W. Brough rugby ground on 7 November. No planning permission is needed but ABC and CCC have been informed.

v) Silloth Regeneration Partnership - Letter asking for clarification re: Insurance cover if there were a party of workers willing to put up Christmas Lights.

w) Home Office - re: Restructuring of Police forces. Information and background to the proposed restructuring.

x) Childline North West - Information about the Card-Free Zone appeal.

y) Letter from Mrs Sheona Nicoll - re: Remembrance Day Service. Letter asking if the Council would like to order a wreath at a cost of £15. Reply sent by the Clerk.

yy) The Countryside Agency - Letter sent to Cllr. W. Jefferson. DEFRA have confirmed the SDF for the next two years and are expecting bits from the AONB Partnership in the region of £100K for each financial year.

z) Email from David Whitfield raising concerns about traffic hazards and lack of police etc. Speed gun checks were done at the weekend. If people drive and walk appropriately the height of the trees do not cause a problem. The provision of 30mph repeater signs is dependent on the distance between the street lights. Police Report is given each month and the new access centre will be in operation soon. Clerk to send a response to the email.

aa) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Statement of Community Involvement. Comments requested by 11 November 2005. The Town Council is already consulted on anything to do with Silloth. No action required.

bb) CALC - Invitation to attend the Annual General Meeting on Saturday 12 November 2005 at Cleator Moor Civic Hall at 10.30 am. The Chairman agreed to attend the AGM.

cc) North West Regional Assembly - re: North West Regional Spacial Strategy Consultation. Invitation to participate in the next stage of an online consultation of the Regional Spatial Strategy. No comments.

dd) Silloth Vintage Rally - Letter of thanks for the offer of a grant of £3000 towards the Rally for 2006. Also request for permission to use the Green on 17 & 18 June 2006 and invitation to the Town Mayor and Mayoress to attend the rally. The Town Council agreed to allow permission for the use of the Green on 17/18 June 2006.

ee) Allerdale Borough Council - re: Street Naming & Numbering. Suggested change from Solway Home Park, Silloth to Meadow View Park, Silloth. There were no objections from the Town Council re: the proposed name change.

ff) HMS Biter - Affiliation. Letter of thanks for the support to the proposed affiliation between Silloth and HMS Biter. Also requesting the opportunity to meet the Mayor and Council, and take part in the Remembrance Day parade in November etc.

gg) Silloth RUFC - Letter from Jimmy Lettice asking for the release of the grant towards the cost of the refurbishment of the ceiling. The work has not been done at the Rugby Club and copy invoices provided. The Town Council agreed to provide the £3000 as previously agreed.

hh) Letter from Mr & Mrs Poland of Criffel Street about the excessive noise from the Beer Festival and asking whether relocation could be considered. The Beer Festival is a terrific event and it is a shame people do complain. On the first night, the music was loud because the band brought their own PA. They will be hiring a professional PA on a Thursday from now on. Music is finished by 12 o’clock even though permission is until 1.00am. There is a total of 12 hours of music in the whole year. The tent is sited where it is for Health & Safety reasons - need access to electricity, running water and lighting. Speakers always face away from the town. Need to look at the provision of power in the future as present supply is barely adequate. It was agreed that the letter from Mr & Mrs Poland be passed to the Festival’s Committee.

The Town Council have refused the following:-

* Erection of 21 dwellings on Land at Fell View, Silloth

The Town Council have approved the following:-

* Conversion of Railway Bothy to dwelling at Old Railway Station, Silloth.

* Change of use of shop to create single residential dwelling at Longcakes shop, Golf Villas, Silloth.

* Erection of conservatory at rear of plot 9 Epsom Green, Silloth.

Allerdale Borough Council have approved the following:-`

* Replacement of 3 existing timber sash windows on ground floor front elevation with UPVC windows to match those existing on upper floor at 4 Station Road, Silloth.

* Erection of conservatory at 29 Meadow View Park, Solway Holiday Village, Silloth

* Listed Building consent for refurbishment of 7 bedrooms at Silloth Nursing & Residential Care Home, Silloth

* Replacement of existing conservatory with larger conservatory and erection of hand railing to create balcony on existing flat roof at 219 Skinburness Road, Silloth

* Replacement of existing windows to front and rear elevations with upvc windows at Flat 1, 6 Criffel Street, Silloth

* Alteration to raise height of wall from 1 metre to 2 metre at 9 Prospect Place, Silloth

* Erection of conservatory at rear of Plot 9 Epsom Green, Silloth

Allerdale Borough Council have refused the following:-

* Change of use of shop to create single residential dwelling (resubmission to 2/2004/1102) at Longcakes Shop, Golf Villas, Silloth

Allerdale Borough Council - The following application was withdrawn on 29 September 2005.

* Demolition of existing garage and security fencing and erection of 11 flats - one unit of 4 and one unit of 7 on Land at Beaconsfield Terrace, Silloth

None

None

Primary School Meeting next week.

Joint Advisory Committee Meeting on 7 October. AONB money available for bids. Tourism and education officer in situ and is working with schools and public. First school visit took place, with 30 kids and teachers from Harrington Junior School visiting the centre. There is an issue re: the future of the AONB building. John Collier - Chairman of the County is involved in the venture. Establishing Silloth as the centre of Tourist trade for North Cumbria and Allerdale.

Silloth Tourist Action Group No meetings. First AGM of Silloth Festivals is next Tuesday at the Golf.

Silloth Regeneration Partnership Meeting next week.

North Allerdale Partnership No meeting.

Sea Dyke Charity There was a meeting but Cllr. Proud was on holiday.

Longcake Educational Trust No report.

Silloth Health Matters No report.

Allerdale - Bedding in of the new Chief Executive - Gillian Bishop. Thelma, chief of personnel is leaving. “Turning vision into reality” is the new banner. Putting together a corporate type plan which should be out by Christmas.

County Council - Nothing to report re: Silloth. The extended width restrictions at Wigton have now gone in.

Nothing to report. General maintenance been carried out.

A request was received for the Town Council to place an advertisement in the Western Lake District Visitor guide again. Proof advert was received and due to the short deadline was approved by the Clerk. ½ page advert at a cost of £500 + vat. An advert is placed in the guide every year and this was agreed by the Town Council.

A letter and petition has been received asking for the seat to be replaced in the Eden Street bus shelter, which will be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

Play Equipment Committee - Sunday 27 November at 2.00 pm

Allotments Committee - Monday 28 November at 7.00 pm

Meeting with Sports Clubs & Finance Meeting - Monday 28 November at 7.30 pm

The Town Council considered the request from the North Air Ambulance for financial assistance and it was agreed to provide a donation of £200.

The Town Council approved the list of payments to 7 November 2005.

Cllr. Wilkinson, Ken and the Clerk met with two guys from Northern Electrical Limited. Cllr. Wilkinson had compiled some notes of the meeting. It is likely to cost in the region of £1000 per feeder unit, of which a minimum of 7 will be required just to cover Eden Street and Criffel Street. Letter has been received from Silloth Festivals to say that their insurance covers public liability and putting the lights up. A letter is to come in from the Rotary Club who are going to pay for the hire of a cherry picker. Silloth Regeneration, Silloth Festivals and Rotary have taken over the Christmas Lights for this year.

212 Citizenship Prize at Solway Community Technology College

The provision of a citizenship prize was discussed by the Town Council. It was suggested that something more substantial should be provided, such as paying for a trip in the context of citizenship. It was proposed that £400 should be made a available, as the prize would go to 2 recipients. The prize would be open to the whole school and would be an incentive to encourage kids to be better citizens which would therefore benefit the community. It was questioned what criteria would be used to decide on who would get the prize. Will it be the same kids getting the prize each year? The school should decide who gets the prize and the prize should be tailored to the child. It was agreed to make £400 available this year but the Town Council needs further discussions as to the criteria to be used. The prize could even used for a trip for a whole class rather than just for a couple of individuals.

213 Tennis Hut

It is likely to cost money to have the tennis hut dismantled or alternatively it could be boarded/clad with external ply and the building used for storage. The Town Council agreed that the hut be repaired. Ken to obtain some prices.

Service will be taking place on Sunday 13 November. Chairman will be attending but the invitation is open to all Councillors.

The Town Council considered whether to accept a Long Term Agreement with Zurich Municipal in order to benefit from discounts being offered. It was agreed to continue on a year to year basis, rather than being tied up in a 3 or 5 year agreement.

The Town Council authorised the Chairman to sign the Statement of accounts and the statement of assurance on the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2005.

Various suggestions have been received for items to be included in the 2006/07 Budget which included the following:-

* Christmas Lights - £5000. Funding should be available from other sources. Regeneration Partnership will be discussing the matter.

* Machinery - £6000. The existing mowing machine may need changed next year. There is a 2004 reconditioned model available which would cost £24K new. It will cost £6000 to change machines. This is the time of year to buy machinery. The guy we bought the Tractor from is a getting fleet of mowers in. To put new tyres and blades on our existing machine will cost approx £2000. It was agreed that the mower be replaced now at a cost of £6000, with provision to be made in the 2006/07 Budget to cover the cost. Three quotes are to be obtained. It was agreed that the decision be delegated to the Chairman and the Clerk, in consultation with Ken and other members of the Council.

* Changing Room showers - £1000. 2 years ago showers were replaced in one of the Changing Rooms but the “Away” team showers now need done, as they are almost 25 years old.

* Youth Provision - £1500

* Wooden stumps or boulders for up Skinburness - £750

Finance meeting to be held 28 November 2005.

Cllr. Markley is Chairman of the liaison committee for moving the new quarry. It has been suggested that a liaison committee be set up to look at the upgrading of the B5301 Silloth to Aspatria road. Sand will be taken out of the quarry for the next 60 years and Silloth also uses that road. Dubmill Point is urgently needing done. It will only take one high tide and the road could be washed away. It was agreed that a letter be sent asking for urgent action to be taken to carry out the necessary repairs to Dubmill Point. Silloth could end up being cut off. The B5301 will not sustain the amount of traffic. It was agreed that Silloth would provide support to help push for the B5301 to be upgraded. The road will need to be upgraded as part of the planning application for the quarry. The contract for the quarry is for 15 years.

When the Pier washed away at Silloth, most of the damage was done in one night. The coastal defences system and highways need to be working together on it. Organised retreat is not sustainable. They need to preserve the existing coast road. It was agreed that letters be sent to Paul Gittings (Highways) and Mike Faulkner (Allerdale) regarding the coast road, to find out when it will be repaired.

219 Machinery

The Town Council considered the possibility of replacing the mowing machine. See item 217 above.

Deferred to the Finance Meeting.