Present:- Cllrs. R.W. Allison, I. Baty, S. Hart, A.J. Markley, M. Snaith,

E. Wannop & G. Wilkinson. Also Wendy Jameson-Brown.

941 Apologies:- Cllrs. J. Snaith, W. Jefferson, A. Proud, W. Johnston & A. Weightman. Also Ken Wannop & Police.

Cllr. Allison re: Allison Designs

Cllr. Wannop re: Ken

It was agreed that the Press & Public be excluded from the meeting when item 21 is discussed.

The Chairman wished everyone a Happy New Year. In view of the recent disaster in Tsunami and also locally in Carlisle & Cumbria, it was agreed that a letter be sent to Carlisle City Council expressing the Council’s extreme sympathy and support following the recent flooding. Letter also to be sent to other towns affected i.e. Cockermouth & Keswick.

945 Minutes

The Town Council approved the minutes of the Town Council meetings held on 6 December 2004 and the Chairman was authorised to sign them as a true record.

946 Police Report

No report

There had been no requests from members of the public to speak in the meeting.

a) Local Councils Update - Issue 59. Put on circulation.

b) Northern Rock Foundation - Rock Reports - Winter 2004. Put on circulation.

c) Countrywide Magazine - December 2004. Put on circulation.

d) Childline North West - Update Winter 2004/2005. Put on circulation.

e) Local Council Review - January 2005. Put on circulation.

f) CALC Circular - December 2004/January 2005. Put on circulation.

g) West Cumbria Development Agency - Achievements Report 2004. Put on circulation.

h) Solway Coast AONB Ranger Service Volunteers Newsletter - Issue 2 December 2004. Put on circulation.

i) Clerks & Councils Direct - January 2005. Put on circulation.

j) Society Of Local Council Clerks - Subscription renewal form and details of the New Terms & Conditions Agreement for Clerks, Deputy Clerks and Assistant Clerks

k) Clerks & Councils Direct - Suppliers Guide & Yearbook 2005.

l) Cumbria Training Partnership for Town & Parish Councils - Training Programme Winter/Spring 2005.

m) National Association of Local Councils - Legal Update - Freedom of Information Act General Right of Access - January 2005.

n) The Standards Board for England - Lobby groups, dual-hatted members and the Code of Conduct: guidance for members.

o) The Standards Board for England - Local Investigations: guidance for monitoring officers and standards committees.

p) Cumbria County Council - copy of the new opening times for Wigton Baths.

q) Letter of thanks to the Clerk for the spread laid on at the last Council meeting from Cllrs. Proud and Jefferson. Also thanks to the Clerk, Ken and others who have put a lot of work into the new office and meeting room.

r) Zurich Insurance - Re: Leith UK Ltd. Copy of correspondence received passed to Zurich - letter of acknowledgement. Any further correspondence also to be forwarded.

s) Western Lake District Holiday Guide 2005 - Copy of this years guide.

t) North West Air Ambulance - Letter of thanks for the donation of £50.

u) Solway Community Technology College - Letter of thanks for the Council’s support towards the Annual Prize Day.

v) Allerdale Borough Council - Re: Silloth Market & Information Signs. Copy of letter has been forwarded to Market Operating Company - when the market is particularly small, it may be that more reasonable arrangements can be made regarding the closure of Criffel Street. Re: signs and lines etc - most appear to be the responsibility of the County Council. Letter copied to William Carruthers and John Reynolds for their attention re: Tourism signs. Also copied to Ron Denby.

w) Cumbria County Council - Cycling Development Co-ordination Group. Copy of the action notes from the meeting held on 9 December at Penrith.

x) Age Concern - Information requested on parish magazines in the area in which to publicize events & campaigns.

y) The Old Post Office - Letter in response to the article in the Cumberland News on 7 January 2005, regarding the Silloth Childcare Initiative.

z) Society of Local Council Clerks - North West Regional Conference at Chorley on Wed 23 February 2005. The Clerk would like to attend and this was agreed by the Town Council - at a cost of £33.

aa) Letter from Sheona Nicoll about the lack of representation from the Town Council at the Remembrance Day Service. Unfortunately the Chairman and Deputy were both away on the day of the Remembrance Service but it was agreed that Cllr. Wilkinson would attend on behalf of the Town Council. It is up to the individual whether they attend or not. Letter to be sent to Mrs Nicoll. 

bb) Letter from Mr Baxter of Lawn Terrace regarding the spillage of grain and increased volume of traffic etc since Carrs adopted a new method of transport from ship to silo. There had been a small amount of spillage but the problem has since been resolved, as the wagons now go down the Dock side instead of Lawn Terrace. Letter to be sent to Mr Baxter.

cc) Allerdale Borough Council - Town & Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004. Supplementary Planning Document Interim Housing Policy. Comments requested by 24 January 2005. This is as a result of a National Policy, with an allocation given to Allerdale for housing. Silloth has done quite well out of it. There were no further comments from the Town Council.

dd) Cumbria County Council - Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 Application to amend the Council’s definitive map of public rights of way - public footpath no. 253008 Parish of Silloth. The new route makes sense but it was not clear if the route of the existing path was marked on the map correctly. It was agreed that a letter be sent asking for a copy of the Definitive Map for the whole of Silloth, so that this can be checked prior to making a comment on the proposed amendment.

ee) Cumbria County Council - Re: The Future of Acute Health Services in North Cumbria. Comments to be received by 31 January 2005. Silloth would be well catered for by Carlisle but it is important that West Cumbria has access to a similar facility. North Allerdale is too big an area to have only one facility. Letter to be sent supporting the provision of two hospitals.

ff) CAPITA Cumbria Highways - Experimental 6’6’’ width restriction order in Wigton Town Centre. Comments requested.

gg) CAPITA Cumbria Highways - Experimental 6’6’’ width restriction order in Wigton Town Centre. Copy of the Experimental Variation to the Experimental Order. It was agreed that there needs to be pressure for a bypass to the East which would open up access from Penrith with West Cumbria. The experimental order was supposed to start today but there are no signs in place yet notifying drivers. Manor Court is to be used for turning but is far from adequate especially for large wagons. It was agreed that a letter be sent to say that we look forward to the provision of a new bypass as a matter of urgency.

hh) CAPITA re: Signage in Silloth. Funding for the current year is almost exhausted. Request that a site meeting with Council’s representative would be of benefit to enable a list of tasks to be instructed early in the next financial year. It was agreed that Cllr. Wilkinson would meet with the guy from CAPITA.

ii) Allerdale Association of Local Councils. Contact details requested of Council’s representatives. Chairman + 1 other.

Cllr. Allison declared and interest and Cllr. Markley took over the Chair.

The Town Council have approved the following:-

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

* Proposed renewal of shop window at Berry & Sons, 5 Caldew Street, Silloth

* Proposed demolition of bungalow, erection of 31 dwellings & formation of new access at former Wrathall’s garage.

* Proposed erection of a full day care nursery building at Silloth Junior & Primary School, Liddell Street, Silloth

* Proposed demolition of existing substandard timber framed dwelling and erection of dormer bungalow at 280 Skinburness Road, Silloth

Allerdale Borough Council have approved the following:-

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

* Demolition of single storey extension and erection of two storey extension and garage at 102 The Crofts, Silloth

The Town Council considered the following in the meeting:-

* Outline application for two bedroomed house at 9 Moricambe Park, Skinburness. There are no problems with the plans but this will exceed the number of properties allocated for that piece of ground. It was agreed to leave the decision to the planners at Allerdale.

* Extension to provide additional bedrooms and lounge at Little Acre Residential Home, 82 Skinburness Road, Silloth. The application is for an additional 2 bedrooms and a lounge. Concerns have been raised by neighbours re: parking etc. It will be down to the massing of the building and the effect on neighbours. It was agreed to leave the decision to the planners at Allerdale, who will look at the application thoroughly.

None

None

Primary School No report.

Joint Advisory Committee No report.

Silloth Tourist Action Group There has been a shake up of the committee and there is now a new Secretary. Decided to carry on for now. They have been offered the chance to host a tall ship in June, at a cost of £2000 for a day - ’The Grand Turk’, which will be at Maryport for 4 days. Bill Amyes has agreed to pilot it. Could look at charging people to go on it - to recoup the cost.

Silloth Regeneration Partnership 2 new representatives - Ian Baty and Peter McRobert. Margaret, Bill and Peter attended a meeting with Karen Spriggs (NWDA), Victoria and Debbie Kier. Childcare Initiative can get funding from other sources, other than NWDA. It had been difficult to get the Nursery at the Primary School. There is a private enterprise operating in opposition to the Childcare Initiative. Couldn’t agree to further money being spent into investigating whether an additional facility is needed. Plans are now in the hands of the planners and have been approved by the Town Council’s planning committee. Re: NWDA - looking to having them investigated by Scrutiny. £175K funding to come to Silloth - reduced from the original £3M.

North Allerdale Partnership No report. New Chairman - Jerry Sewell.

Sea Dyke Charity No report.

Longcake Educational Trust No meeting.

Silloth Health Matters Continue to support the Childcare Initiative. Concern over the failure rate when electric blankets were checked. Suggestion was made that high quality duvets should be bought. Putting the suggestion to Age Concern and will be looking for funding.

Allerdale No report.

County Nothing to report.

No report

No report

The Town Council agreed to renew the subscription to the Society of Local Council Clerks for 2005 at a cost of £105.

The list of payments to the 17 January 2005 were approved by the Town Council. The Clerk had problems with her own laptop computer and after having consulted the Chairman and Deputy, bought a new laptop and printer - which had been budgeted for within the 2005/06 Budget.

A letter had been received from Bill and Marilyn Amyes thanking the Council for the offer of financial assistance and enclosing receipts to the value of £738.61 for rope lights, bulbs and the hire of a lift for putting the lights up. It was agreed that funding of £750 be provided to cover these bills. The letter also mentioned that Bill and Marilyn will not be involved with the Christmas Lights any longer. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to Marilyn and Bill for all their effort. It was also agreed that letters be sent to other towns to investigate how they organise things. May need to look at hiring a contractor to put the lights up rather than relying on volunteers. Clerk to obtain the relevant information, together with likely costs, insurance etc.

959 Sports Changing Rooms

Cllr. Proud was not present, therefore item 19 was not discussed.

960 Gang mowers

Ken had obtained various prices for a set of gang mowers which ranged from £3500 up to £12000. Rickerby’s were trying to buy a set of gang mowers from Copeland BC which will go through their workshop before being sold for £3500. Their bid has not been successful as yet. It was agreed to go for the gang mowers from Rickerby’s but if that fails then delegate the matter to the Parks committee.

The Town Council agreed to employ an additional member of staff during the summer months on a part-time basis for grounds maintenance duties which would include litter picking, weeding, flower beds and testing the paddling pool. It was agreed to advertise the position in the Buzz, Cumberland News and Job Centre, together with posters around the town. The position would be from the beginning of May to 9 Sept (i.e. 18 weeks) at 16-20 hrs per week at £5 per hour. It was agreed to delegate it to the Parks committee to carry out the interviews.

962 Lease of the Green

Nothing to report.

963 Amounts owing to the Town Council

Nothing outstanding of any concern.

Signed………………………………..................... Date…………………………