Minutes
Ordinary
21st February 2023

MINUTES OF THE 352 nd MEETING OF ASKAM AND IRELETH PARISH COUNCIL, HELD TUESDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2023 AT 7.15 PM IN THE RANKIN HALL, ASKAM IN FURNESS

Present : Members of the Parish Council Councillor Harry Barker, Chairman, Bill Wilson, Vice Chairman, Councillor Alan Mason, Sandra Hadwick, Mike Cumming, Trevor Hughes, Susan Orrell and Rebecca Knagg; Clerk Mrs Janice Cumming; Borough, Westmorland & Furness Councillor Daniel and 2 members of the public,

1/02/23: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
Cllr Harry Barker and Trevor Hughes item Roanhead Eco-Lodge Development. Both members would leave the room while this item was being discussed.

2/02/23: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None received.

3/02/23: APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED PARISH COUNCILLOR
The Chairman welcomed Rebecca Knagg to the parish council meeting. Rebecca made her declaration of office.

4/02/23: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

4/02/23/1: Blea Beck. Concerns were raised regarding flooding at Blea Beck in 2022, and the issues with the Environment Agency. The Chairman said that this had already been discussed at a parish council meeting in November 2022. The Clerk had contacted the Environment Agency at the time and spoken to Andy Knipe (see minute 3/11/22/1). It was agreed that the issue with the supporting wall on the road side of the beck could cause a problem, it was stated by the Environment Agency that this was a matter for Cumbria Highways. The Clerk would contact Cumbria Highways. The Clerk would also contact Andy Knipe of the Environment Agency regarding the flooding into the homes of the residents and what was being done about the support banking at Blea Beck.
Action Clerk

4/02/23/2: Planning Application B18/2021/0935 – Land at Sharp Street, Askam. Concerns regarding this proposed development, which if it is granted, will obstruct access to the allotments at the rear of the site for allotment holders to access the beach with their vehicles and boats for fishing in the estuary. This has been a right of way for many years for allotment holders. The applicant is also planning to encroach onto the right way in front of the area, some 2 metres in front of any of the other garages. Neither land to the front or the side access road belongs to the applicant. From the Borough planning portal it seems there will be a site visit by the planning committee to the site in March and the parish council advised that a representation should be made and asked the Clerk to respond on behalf of the parish council.
Action Clerk

5/02/23: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 17 JANUARY 2023
These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Sandra Hadwick
Agreed

6/02/23: PROGRESS REPORTS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

6/02/23/1: Memorial Wall. Cllr Trevor Hughes gave an update on the plans for the memorial wall. Cllr Hughes shared an image of the statue and the quotation for the work from Furness Fluid Power. The parish council were impressed with the image and that the work had come into budget with the funding offered by BAE. The Clerk was asked to contact Barrow Borough Council for permission to erect this statue in the memorial garden before contacting BAE.
Action Cllr Hughes

6/02/23/2: Community Speed Watch. The Clerk made contact with the Fire Brigade regarding erecting the speed watch signs. Members of the Ulverston Fire Brigade came on Sunday last, unfortunately there was a problem with the sign fixings. Cllr Mike Cumming will try to source other fixings and the Clerk would then contact the Fire Brigade to ask if they could come to the village again.
Action Clerk/Cllr Cumming

6/02/23/3: Precept 2023/24. The Clerk has informed the Finance Officer of the precept for 2023/24. Closed

6/02/23/4: Replacement Litter Bins. These have not been ordered as there are insufficient funds in this year’s budget. The Clerk asked if the parish council would consider waiting for next year’s budget. This was agreed.

6/02/23/5: Eco-Lodges at Roanhead Farm. Cllr Bill Wilson gave an update on the open event which was held by the Development ILM Resort Management in the Rankin Hall on 16 February 2023. It was agreed that the event was extremely well attended and with residents interacting with the Developer. The parish councillors who attended felt there were mixed feelings some for, some ‘sat on the fence’ and others fundamentally against. As a parish council we will be consulted should a planning application be lodged by the Developer. This application will be viewed by the parish council. Obviously, the parish councillors will each have their own opinion, but as a parish council the response from the parish council will express the comments of the residents of Askam and Ireleth. It was important to stress that anyone wishing to respond to any planning application should do it through the Barrow Borough website. Of course, residents can also contact the parish council.

7/02/23: REPORT FROM COMMUNITY POLICE TEAM
2 reports of ASB youths kicking rugby ball at door and window, 1 public order male being aggressive, 1 theft of money from family safe, potentially family member, 3 domestic, 1 malicious communication, 4 concern for welfare, 1 report of lamping, 1 dog left in house for around a month, 1 vehicle stopped male OPL cannabis, 1 rail crossing not working, 1 vehicle broken down causing obstruction on Ireleth Road.

8/02/23: TO REPORT AND DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Cllr Alan Susan Orrell report on planning applications received. Reference Number: B21/2023/0046 Location : 162 Ireleth Road, Ireleth, Askam-in-Furness Proposal : Single storey rear extension forming kitchen, utility, dining and living area, front dormers forming extensions to two bedrooms, porch, additional parking and garden outbuilding forming study and garden room (resubmission of 2022/0258 in a revised form). There were objections or adverse comments. The Clerk was asked to respond on behalf of the parish council. Action Clerk

9/02/23: KING CHARLES III CORONATION
Cllr Alan Mason asked if the parish council had been made aware of any plans within the village to celebrate the coronation. No-one had been aware of any planned events but had heard of people planning street parties. The parish council agreed to decorate the memorial garden and jubilee fountain area and purchase a coronation flag for the flagpole in honour of His Majesty. Action Clerk

10/02/23: POLICE POD
Cllr Mike Cumming attended a TEAMS meeting with the Police and members of Cumbria County Council regarding the Askam police pod which all agreed was beyond economical repair due to water ingression impregnating the walls and the electrics. The damage to the walls and the flooring is extensive and it was deemed that the POD was beyond economical repair and that an agreement had been reached, because of limited attendance, to site the Police Presence in Askam at the Library on the days that they do attend the village.

11/02/23: UPDATE FROM BOROUGH AND WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLOR
Cllr Daniel Edwards reported on the trees within the memorial garden at the Park Avenue side which were being dealt with by Barrow Borough Council. There had been positive steps towards getting a street cleaner back in Askam and Ireleth, hopefully as from 1st April 2023. Cllr Edwards had continued his efforts to get the A590 cleared of litter, and it was hoped that with Streetcare being taken in house to Barrow BC this would help the situation.

12/02/23: REPORT FROM CLERK (INCLUDING MONTHLY FINANCES)
The monthly expenditure spreadsheet was made available to the parish councillors. These were accepted.
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Mike Cumming
Agreed

13/02/23: CORRESPONDENCE All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting.

14/02/23: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT
Aqua Pro Jet monthly landscape contract £685.00, Park Play £100.00.
Proposed Cllr Sandra Hadwick Seconded Cllr Alan Mason
Agreed

15/02/23: DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 21 March 2023 at 7.15pm in the Rankin Hall, Duke Street, Askam.

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