Minutes
Ordinary
18th July 2023

MINUTES OF THE 357th MEETING OF ASKAM AND IRELETH PARISH COUNCIL, HELD TUESDAY 18 JULY 2023 AT 7.15 PM IN THE RANKIN HALL, ASKAM IN FURNESS

Present : Members of the Parish Council Councillor Bill Wilson, Vice Chairman, Councillor Alan Mason, Sandra Hadwick, Mike Cumming and Rebecca Knagg; Clerk Mrs Janice Cumming, 28 members of the public

1/07/23: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST None.

2/07/23: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Harry Barker and Susan Orrell, PC Lydia Howard, W&F Councillor Ben Shirley and Daniel Edwards.

3/07/23: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 20 JUNE 2023
These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chair.
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Sandra Hadwick
Agreed

4/07/23: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

4/07/23/1: Rubble and bricks on Askam beach. Mr Robinson brought to the attention of the parish council the issue of bricks and rubble along the beach from the outflow to Dunnerholme. It was agreed that this is an eyesore and spoils what is a beautiful area. An offer was made by Mr Steven Sharpe to help collect these bricks and dispose of them. The Clerk will contact Natural England to ask for permission to do this work. Cllr Rebecca Knagg spoke of the Youth Justice Service who have a number of young people who are ordered to give back to the community. If there are any projects such as cleaning, painting, clearing bushes, washing signs etc that need doing. She can pass this on to the team. The young people would be fully supervised, and the parish council would just need to provide them with paint etc. The rubble clearing on the beach could be something they would like to be involved with.

4/07/23/2: Parking on double yellow lines, Duke Street. A resident of Blea Beck has again contacted the parish council will regards to vehicles parking on double yellow lines opposite the shops on Duke Street. Although representations have been made to the parking officers by Councillor Ben Shirley this continues to be a problem with motorist blatantly ignoring the lines, blocking people’s driveways. This was agreed by other members of the public, who pointed out other areas in the village where parking was an issue. The Clerk was asked to contact Cllr Shirley to ask if an Officer from Highways could attend the village and look at all these areas. Cllr Wilson said he was willing to meet the Officer to show him the areas of concern.

5/07/23: PROGRESS REPORTS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

5/07/23/1: Quiet Lanes. Joanne Sharp gave an interesting presenting on the work she has been carrying out Quiet Lanes. She has received information from other Counties in England who have successfully adopted this initiative. She has also found evidence that there were schemes for areas in the Borough of Barrow in Furness started some years ago by CAPITA. She is working with Cllr Ben Shirley to try to get this information.

5/07/23/2: Memorial Garden Commemorative Statue. Cllr Bill Wilson said that a meeting had been held with Marie Richardson from W&F. Marie had questions regarding the statue and asked that Cllr Wilson reported back to her once he had spoken to the manufacturer Furness Fluid Power. Cllr Wilson has spoken to FFP, who were extremely helpful and explained how the statue would be made and fitted in the memorial garden. This information has been sent to Marie and the parish council are awaiting a response. BAE have ring-fenced the grant for this statue, and they will purchase this directly from FFP.

5/07/23/3: Sign for Memorial Garden. W&F Council have fitted a sign at the memorial garden.

6/07/23: REPORT FROM COMMUNITY POLICE TEAM
Report of a person on the railway tracks - this ended up being a MH episode, report of a domestic incident whereby a female was arrested for assault and criminal damage. 1 report of a male having been hit by a car due to being seen on the side of the A590 holding his head. However, checks were negative by officers, and this was the night of Askambury so could be due to intoxication. 1 report of an elderly male wandering Askam due to dementia - officers located male and was returned home. 1 report of insecure load on the Elliscales roundabout. 1 report of a deer having been hit near Furness Cars and Commercials. 1 report of speeding on Sharp Street. 1 report of cattle on Askam bypass.

A Street safe operation was carried out at Steel Street. The parish council hope to receive the results from this on Thursday. The police ask that residents report any incidents or concerns to the police, because without reports their hands are tied. You can report by phoning 101 or emailing 101emails@cumbria.police.uk.

7/07/23: TO REPORT AND DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Reference Number : B06/2023/0307 Location : Roanhead Farm, Hawthwaite Lane, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria Proposal : Application for Outline Planning Permission for a new resort including up to 450 eco lodge units, re-location of existing farmhouse, estate management facility, residential student training academy, staff accommodation, supporting indoor and outdoor leisure and retail facilities and associated works with access included at this stage (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale reserved for subsequent approval) (application includes Environmental Statement). A response to this planning application was discussed and formulated by a sub-committee of the parish council on Thursday 6 July. This response will be sent to the planning authority.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr Alan Mason
Agreed

Reference Number : BSS/2023/0429 Location : Land at Roanhead Farm, Hawthwaite Lane, Barrow in Furness. Proposal : The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 - Request for Screening Opinion pursuant to Regulation 6 (1): Proposed Development for a solar farm with maximum export capacity of 10 MW for an operational period of 40 years, comprising ground mounted solar panel in the forefront of the energy transition arrays with associated infrastructure and equipment plus associated planting, boundary fencing, security cameras, cabling and access tracks. Response sent regarding the scoping option. Heard prior the meeting that the planning officer has made a decision on this. The parish council will contact the planning officer for clarification.

8/07/23: VILLAGE CHRISTMAS TREE
It has been agreed that W&F for this year, as a one-off, will undertake the same arrangements has in previous years by Barrow Borough Council. For the next and future years this service will not be provided, and costs will have to be covered by the parish/town councils. Costs and contacts will be provided. For Askam and Ireleth this will mean raising the precept paid by residents of Askam and Ireleth. This will be discussed once the parish council receive costings.

9/07/23: DEAD SEA BIRDS ON ASKAM BEACHES
There have been incidents over the past few weeks of dead birds being washed up on Askam beaches. These have been confirmed by DEFRA of having bird flu. W&F Environmental Health are trying to find a specialist contractor to dispose of these birds. The guidance is not to touch these birds and keep dogs away. Notices have been put up around beach access areas.

10/07/23: UPDATE FROM WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLORS
None present at the meeting.

11/07/23: CHANGE OF DATE FOR PARISH COUNCIL MEETING IN SEPTEMBER
It was agreed that the meeting will now take place on Tuesday 12 September.

12/07/23: REPORT FROM CLERK (INCLUDING FINANCES)
The monthly expenditure spread sheet was made available to the councillors. This was agreed and accepted.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr Alan Mason
Agreed

12/07/23: CORRESPONDENCE All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting.
Letter of invitation to the Barrow Town Council Civic Sunday on 27th August.

13/07/23: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT
Aqua Projet Monthly Landscaping and maintenance £717.85 Grant donations to Friends of X7 bus service
£200.00 Archie Workman £40.41 painting jubilee fountain, Aqua ProJet £150.00 for watering planters Broxap
2 replacement litter bins £821.88, hire of Methodist hall for planning meeting £20.00, copying paper £14.25,.

Proposed Cllr Mike Cumming Seconded Cllr Sandra Hadwick
Agreed

14/07/23: DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 12 September 2023 at 7.15pm in the Rankin Hall, Duke Street, Askam in Furness.

Signed ……………………………………………………………. Dated ……………………………..