LEVENS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the Methodist Meeting Room
on Tuesday 8 February 2011 at 7:30pm
Present: R Mason (Chairman), J Watson (Vice Chairman), C Hammond, S Bagot, D Martin, H Burrow, R Atfield, J Watson, County Cllr J Bland and A Kerr (Clerk) 7 members of the public
THE MEETING BEGAN WITH A MINUTES SILENCE IN MEMORY OF DISTRICT COUNCILLOR BRENDA WOOF
26/11 To receive apologies for absence
None
Resolved that the apologies be noted.
27/11 To authorise minutes of meeting held on 11 January 2011
Resolved that the Chairman sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2011 as a true record.
28/11 To receive any declarations of interest in items on the Agenda
The following councilors declared a prejudicial interest in:-
Item 32/11 i
a) Cllrs Bagot & Mason
b) Cllrs Hammond & Burrow
c) Cllrs Hammond & Thacker
Item 34/11 a) Cllr Mason declared a personal interest in planning app SL/2011/0045
Cllr Bagot declared a prejudicial interest in planning app SL/2011/0045
29/11 Adjournment of meeting to receive any matters from the public
Mr Steward asked if members of the Parish Council were to attend a Housing Conference from SLDC, Cllrs Burrow and Watson are due to attend. He also advised that figures for the number of dwellings planned for Levens in the Local Development Framework by SLDC are not consistant throughout their recent documentation.
Mr Kay spoke about planning application SL/2011/0045 advising that he would be objecting to the planning application on the following grounds:
- The proposed building is too big and will be visible for miles
- Pollution – the strong smell
- Building on a flood plain – it is a concern that by building up that level of land this would displace water which could lead to flooding of nearby dwellings.
- Access – the road is in bad repair and extra vehicles would make it worse.
Mr Baines advised that some of his land has been included in the LDF (RM71) by SLDC, he has notified SLDC in writing with a copy to the Parish Council
30/11 To receive any police matters
No crime report has been given by the Police this month. Re-organisation has taken place within the local Police, the clerk will ask for an update.
31/11 To consider correspondence received
The following items were discussed:
- SLDC – Housing conference 18/3/11, Cllrs Burrow and Watson to attend
- CALC – Next District Association Meeting – 3/3/11
- CALC – Royal Garden Party – Cllr Mason’s name will be put forward
- SLDC – Copy of a Tree Preservation Order – for information
Update on correspondence items from the last meeting:
- Allotments – nothing further to report
- Mr Johnson – Cllr Mason has met with the Environment agency who have advised that if evidence of the banking can be provided they will look into it further. The clerk will investigate
Email correspondence
- South Westmorland LAP – clarification of membership required, the clerk will advise that Levens Parish Council are members of the LAP and will provide contact details.
- Overview and Scrutiny waste collection review – consultation on waste collection services – service provided to Levens is sufficient.
-
32/11 Local Development Framework
i) To discuss the Allocation of Land proposals
Individual sites were not discussed. The number of proposed dwellings were discussed, and the different figures being provided by SLDC.
Allocations of Land map:-
Housing Development sites:-
a) R51M – Land off Greengate Crescent
b) R682LVM – Land off Brigsteer Road
c) R71M – Land off Hutton Lane
Employment Land:-
d) RN121M
ii) Public consultation from 21/1/11 – 15/4/11
To be discussed further after SLDC meeting and public meeting to be held on Monday 28/2/11
iii) Any further developments
Comments on the lack of services now in Levens were given now that the Post Office has closed.
A residents meeting will take place on 14/2/11
SLDC drop in session followed by public meeting will take place on 28/2/11
33/11 To receive County/District matters
None.
34/11 To consider planning applications
a) To consider the following planning applications:
SL/2011/0038 – 4 Church Close, Levens: change of double glazing – no comments
SL/2011/0016 - Sampool Park - alterations of layout to eastern section together with environmental improvements and additional landscaping – no comments
SL/2010/1084 – Greymists -single storey rear extension to form annexed accommodation – no comments
SL/2011/0045 – High Sampool, Erection of poultry unity with manure store – Councillors looked at the plans during the meeting but felt that more time was needed to make a decision. Councillors are to send their comments to Cllr Watson (Vice Chairman) who will advise the clerk of any comments to be made to SLDC. Cllrs Mason and Bagot will not comment.
b) To be informed of the following granted planning application:
SL/2010/1010: School House, Levens - two storey extension and single storey extension
c) Report from the clerk on SLDC Parish Council planning forum, SLDC are wanting to use electronic versions of planning applications as from April 2011. The clerk will respond with comments that this is not satisfactory as plans need to be looked at in detail at meetings, A4 would not be adequate.
35/11 Levens Brownies celebrating 80 years
The clerk has contacted the Brownies who are happy to go ahead with the competition, Cllr Mason will judge entries.
36/11 Registering Parish Land
a) Sizergh Quarry - ongoing
b) Other quarries within the parish - Cllr Mason advised that Hayton and Winkley have sent in information to Land Registry about Nelson Square from the Enclosure award.
37/11 Annual Meeting
To be held on Tuesday 8 March 2011, the clerk will contact Christine Knipe to ask her to be the speaker for the evening. The Parish Council will not hold a normal Parish Council meeting after the annual meeting – this has now been arranged for 15/3/11. The clerk will send out invites to local groups
38/11 Parish Council Notice Board
The clerk advised that Mr Medcalf would be carrying out the work towards the end of March.
39/11 Parish Council Seats in the village
Cllr Mason advised that this work is going ahead.
40/11 Request for two new bus shelters at Heaves
Cllr Mason will meet with Enterprise Mouchel to agree about the size and site of any bus shelter. The date is to be arranged.
41/11 Maintenance Work
Deferred until the next meeting
42/11 Review of Tenancy Agreements for 2011
Several changes to the Tenancy agreements for allotments were approved by the Parish Council.
43/11 Broadband
Cllr Watson advised that he had attended a meeting held recently to discuss broadband provision in Cumbria. A paper will go to cabinet in March to discuss ways of providing broadband to rural areas. Cumbria has been identified as one of 4 pilot areas.
44/11 Levens Post Office Closure
Discussions are still taking place between local retailers and the Post Office.
45/11 Parish Council Newsletter
The winter newsletter has now been delivered. The next newsletter will be produced in time for
Spring.
46/11 Highway Matters
a) Better Highways – new system to replace the Highway Steward. Information including dates and contact number is included in this months circulation folder.
b) Levens Lane – Cllr Mason has spoken with Cumbria Highways and has resolved this matter, the lines will be extended as the Parish Council requested.
c) Levens Lane – slip road off the A590 – the clerk will contact Cumbria Highways.
d) Main Street – potholes, the clerk will report to Highways
47/11 Review of Clerks Contract & Salary Review
It was resolved to change the clerk’s contract to spine increments yearly and to pay £5 per month towards the cost of broadband. The clerk will investigate costs of a mobile phone to use for Parish Council business instead of the clerk’s home phone.
48/11 Review of Risk Assessment and Asset Register
A review of the Parish Council’s risk assessment and asset register took place. No changes were made.
49/11 To Appoint an Internal Auditor
Mr Paul Cheesbrough has been appointed to carry out an internal audit of the Parish Council’s accounts for 2010-11. Mr Cheesebrough has carried out the internal audits for the past 5 years.
50/11 Finance
a) Resolved that the following accounts be approved:
A Kerr – Salary £ 641.52
Citizens Advice Bureau – donation £ 100.00
P Cheeseburgh – audit of Charity Accounts £ 45.00
Levens Playing Fields – grant £ 600.00
Levens Institute – grant £ 450.00
EJ Ward & Sons – gritting £ 73.43
R Mason – refreshments expenses £ 5.00
H Burrow – flower expenses £ 10.00
b)The council were informed of the current bank balances.
51/11 Matters of information and agenda items for the next meeting
a) The following items will be put on the next agenda:
b) The following matters of information were reported:
None
52/11 Date of next meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 8 March 2011 at 7:30pm in the Levens Institute, the next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 15 March 2011 at 7:30pm in the Methodist Meeting Room.
The meeting closed at 21.55pm.
Signed……………………………………………………….Date…………………
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