Present: Parish Councillor Bill Wilson, Alan Mason, Mike Cumming, Elisabeth Donachie, John McLean and
John Shields; Clerk Mrs Janice Cumming; Westmorland and Furness Councillor Daniel Edwards.
ITEM 1: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None
ITEM 2: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Harry Barker, Cllr Susan Orrell
ITEM 3: CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR YEAR 2024/2025
Councillor Bill Wilson gave the report. This year the parish council said goodbye to Councillor Sandra Hadwick and Rebecca Knagg, who had both played an active role in the parish council, Sandra over many years and Rebecca spent a little less time with the parish council. We welcomed John McLean and John Shields to the parish council and hope they will feel they can play an active role in the parish council.
The parish council played an active role in organising and funding the Christmas Tree Light switch on this year. Supported by our Westmorland and Furness Councillors, Platform 1, Askam Town Silver Band, Duddon Inshore Rescue and our Neighbourhood Police Team. The event was extremely well supported by the village and was a great success.
The parish council have again been supported by our Westmorland and Furness Councillors Daniel Edwards and Ben Shirley.
After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing the statue funded by BAE and manufactured by Furness Fluid was erected in the Memorial Garden and is a very welcome addition to the memorial garden. The main issuing was obtaining a lease agreement from Westmorland and Furness Council to site the statue in the memorial.
The Service of Remembrance went, and as always it was well supported by the community, even though the weather was not kind. The parade was led by Kirkby British Legion and Askam Town Silver Band provided the music and band member Robert Tyson played the last post and reveille. Many local groups supported the event. Thanks to Duddon Inshore Rescue for providing first aid cover and the Scouts and Beavers for their help. Thanks also to the neighbourhood police team who supported the event.
There has been a large demand on parish council time from a planning perspective due to re-consultations from both Roanhead Eco Lodges and Queensland Development with reviewed objections required to both with Cllr Mike Cumming taking the lead with support from Alan Mason, myself. There was also the application for the Blea Beck solar farm and again Cllr Mike Cumming lead the response from the parish council. For the 2nd year running responding to planning and the time it demands has featured more and more.
The parish council continue to support youth groups in the village and donations were given to Scouts, Cubs and Beavers, Brownies and Rainbows, Drop Zone and Askam Youth Action. The parish council also made a grant donation to Askam and Ireleth History Group towards their ‘Looking Back’ History Exhibition. The exhibition was a huge success, and it was estimated that around 200 people visited during the day.
The parish council have continued to fund the landscaping maintenance contract in the village. Keeping areas within the village looking tidy. Thanks to Wayne Smith and his team at Aqua ProJet. Further work was carried out at Steel Street/Sharp Street Park area with pollarding of trees and tidying around the parking area.
ITEM 4: ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD TUESDAY 14 MAY 2024
These were agreed as a true and accurate record and duly signed and dated.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr John McLean Agreed
ITEM 5: ACCEPT AND ADOPT UPDATED MODEL STANDING ORDERS AND REVIEWED
FINANCIAL REGULATIONS FOR 2025
These were circulated prior to the meeting, and it was proposed and accepted that they be adopted for the coming year.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Agreed
ITEM 6: CONFIRMATION OF PARISH COUNCIL INSURANCE
Zurich Municipal Insurance Policy was confirmed and accepted.
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Mike Cumming Agreed
ITEM 7: APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN & ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Councillor Mike Cumming was proposed and seconded. Cllr Cumming made and signed his declaration of acceptance of office and agreed to comply with the code of conduct.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr Alan Mason Agreed
ITEM 8: APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN & ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Councillor Bill Wilson was proposed and seconded. Councillor Wilson made and signed his declaration of office and agreed to comply with the code of conduct.
Proposed Cllr Mike Cumming Seconded Cllr John Shields Agreed
ITEM 9: DECLARATIONS OF ALL PARISH COUNCILLORS
All the parish councillors then made and signed their declaration of acceptance and office and agreement to comply with the code of conduct.
ITEM 10: APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Planning Councillor Alan Mason and Councillor Elisabeth Donachie
Responsible Finance Officer Clerk Mrs Janice Cumming
Proposed Cllr John McLean Seconded Cllr John Shields Agreed
ITEM 11: DATE AND TIME OF 2026 ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
It was agreed that the date and time of the 2026 annual assembly would be on Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 7.30 pm in the Community Centre, Duke Street, Askam in Furness.
Signed …………………………………………………………….. Date ……………………………….
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