Minutes 7th December 2009

SHAP PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting

Monday 7th December 2009 at 7.30 pm

Venue: Market Cross

Attendance:

 

Chairman:                                 Mrs J Jackson

 

Councillors:                              Mrs A Bindloss, Mr D Mallinson, Mr H Harrison,

                                               Mr E Hodgson, Mr A Sowerby, Mr G Stainton,

                                               Mr W Warburg, Mr M Weightman, Mrs P Watson

 

District Councillor                      Mr N Hughes

 

Police                                      PCSO S Brownrigg

 

Public                                      Seven

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

121/12/09          Apologies for absence  County Councillor: Mr T Lowther

 

122/12/09          The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of 2nd November 2009 were signed as a true and accurate record.

 

123/12/09          Declarations of interest  None

 

124/12/09          Football Pitch.  The Chairman asked members of the public representing the Football Club to give the Council an update on the current state of the drainage on the field.  The latest position is that the problems are still not solved, and replacement now seems to be the only way forward.  The club is looking at grants to provide the major funds required, and hope that their Charter Status will help with securing these.  The new club chairman is looking at what may be available, such as the Football Foundation, and the club is asking for Parish Council support.  The Chairman suggested the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, and asked what sort of cost is likely to be involved. The club expect the amount to be into five figures.  Cllr Warburg suggested the County Council Neighbourhood Forum, as well as contacting Eden CVS for advice.  He agreed to pass on CVS contact details.  After a general discussion, Council RESOLVED to support the project in principle.  Proposed Cllr Weightman, seconded Cllr Sowerby

 

125/12/09          Drains/Flooding.  The Chairman summarised the outcome of meetings to date.  Some work had been done in Shap over the previous 2 weeks, such as gully emptying and work on Kirk Bank.  There were still a number of problems, such as broken drains under the crazy paving and elsewhere.  It was hoped that repairs could be in-hand from April onwards in the new financial year.  Kirk Bank is a more complex problem involving multiple landowners, Network Rail and the Highways department.

 

Following the recent flooding on the line, Network Rail have provided an update.  One and a half miles are currently being improved.  Contrary to previous reports, there is no sluice by the Memorial Ground but two overflow pits which flow into a pipe above the field.  They plan to block the pipe and divert the water to the south.  They have a general rule that they cannot knowingly flood a neighbour’s land.  Members then discussed the issues involved.

 

Council received a letter from a resident about flooding in their driveway and adjacent properties driveways, the sources of water, and the threat flooding posed to their property.  Members discussed issues such as the height of the water table, and the reduced flood plain due to building in the West Lane area.  However, while sympathetic to the problem and happy to add their weight with other authorities if relevant, they did not feel that they had any powers to be able to help directly.

 

126/12/09          Finance

 

126.1                      Council RESOLVED to approve the statement of accounts to 30th November 2009.  Proposed Cllr Mallinson, seconded Cllr Bindloss.

 

126.2                      Council RESOLVED to authorise payment of the following accounts:

 

Payments made between meetings:

 

Wages – 6th Nov to 27th Nov 2009 [Litter Act 1983, s5; Public Health Act 1987, s144]                           £408.32

Total                       £408.32

 

Payments for approval this meeting:

 

Ron Thomson – Bus shelter repairs                                                                                    £111.07

Royal British Legion – Poppy wreath                                                                                    £16.50

Shap Local History Society 2nd payment                                                                             £500.00

Total                       £627.57

 

Proposed Cllr Sowerby, seconded Cllr Hodgson

 

127/12/09          Planning applications

 

127.1                      09/0950 – Erection of stable building on agricultural land at Brackenber Lodge – Some members felt that the location of the proposed stable should be on the edge nearest to Brackenber Lodge on grounds of visual amenity, while others thought it was appropriate where it was proposed.  Council RESOLVED by a majority vote to make no comment.  Proposed Cllr Warburg, seconded Cllr Hodgson.

127.2                      06/0972 – Amendments to plans for toilets and store at The Bower, Shap Memorial Park – No comment.

127.3                      2009/3090 – Application to replace various telecommunication poles – Notification only.

127.4                      09/0710 – Application withdrawn 7 Foster Street – The Chairman said that clarification as to the reasons for the withdrawal were not yet available.

127.5                      Notice of Decision 09/0700 – Proposed agricultural building, Nook Farm, Shap – Approved.

 

128/12/09          Police Report.  PCSO Brownrigg reported that the October half-term week had seen a large increase in calls to the police.  These were for general nuisance / abuse etc.  On every occasion they had managed to catch those responsible as a result of identification information etc.  They had confiscated fireworks, alcohol etc from a number of 12-15 year olds.  Some of those caught had come from Penrith, and the comment had been made that “they didn’t think they would be caught in Shap”.  The police are hoping to hold a residents’ meeting in January, although the exact format is still to be decided.  Cllr Stainton asked whether it was legal for a motorhome to be kept for hire.  PCSO Brownrigg said that it would only be a police matter if it was causing an obstruction, and Cllr Warburg said that running a business was likely to be a matter for either Eden District Council (EDC) or Revenue and Customs.

 

129/12/09          Correspondence

 

129.1                      Council acknowledged receipt of a letter about dog fouling which would be passed to the Community Warden.

 

130/12/09          Matters for report

 

130.1                      Cllr Warburg reported that the flooding on the Bampton Road on the corner past High Buildings seemed to be worse than before, and wondered if there was a blocked drain.

130.2                      District Cllr Hughes commented on the factory closure at New Balance, and asked if Councillors knew of the likely impact on employees.  He also said that he did not think that EDC would be able to provide any help for rural swimming pools such as Shap.

130.3                      Cllr Watson reported overhanging trees in a couple of locations.  Some members commented that it was the landowners responsibility if they were more than 2ft from the road.

130.4                      Cllr Weightman asked for it to be noted that he did not want the concrete road to be closed.  He also asked whether it would be possible to provide pedestrian access to the new Health Centre from the footpath on the south side.  Cllr Warburg said that this issue had been raised when the plans were being discussed, but the location of the secure area on that side had prevented this.

130.5                      The Chairman reported that the clothing bank was to be moved to the corner because of drainage problems.  The recycling centre was cleaner, although there were still examples of careless dumping.

130.6                      The Chairman also reported that stone traffic through the village was increasing.  Generally, the wagons were behaving well.

 

131/12/09          Appointment of Clerk  The Council RESOLVED to appoint Mrs Scott-Smith as the new Clerk to the Council.  Proposed Cllr Weightman, seconded Cllr Sowerby.

 

132/12/09          Date of next meeting  4th January 2010

 

 

The meeting closed at 9.20 pm.