Present: Members of the Parish Council Councillor Mike Cumming, Chairman, Alan Mason, Susan Orrell, Elisabeth Donachie, John Shields; Clerk, Mrs Janice Cumming, Westmorland and Furness Councillor Daniel Edwards and Ben Shirley.
1/12/25: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST None.
2/12/25: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Councillors Bill Wilson, Harry Barker and John McLean, PC Chloe Dixon.
3/12/25: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
3/12/25/1: Removal of Litter Bins: Reports received that litter bins have been removed from the village by Westmorland and Furness Council. Response received that these bins are past their serviceable lifetime and will be replaced. Councillor Susan Orrell asked that the one removed from Marsh Street be replaced as soon as possible as this was a well-used bin, particularly for dog walkers using the coastal path. Councillor Daniel Edwards said he would contact the team at W&F.
Action Cllr Edwards
3/12/25/2: Missing Street Plate Names: It had been highlighted that a few street name plates were missing from the village. Both Cllr Edwards and the Clerk have reported this to Westmorland and Furness Council.
Action Cllr Edwards
4/12/25: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 18 NOVEMBER 2025
These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and were duly signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Seconded Cllr Susan Orrell Agreed
5/12/25: PROGRESS REPORTS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
5/12/25/1: Parking at Furness General Hospital. The Clerk had contacted Patient Services at Morecambe Bay Health Authority regarding Cllr Donachie’s query about changes to parking arrangements at FGH. The response received was a little confusing as according to them the parking arrangements for clinics running late had not changed and staff would inform the parking team of an issue. It was stated that the trust would be moving to ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) in 2026, which will record actual timing of parking and provide multiple options for payment on departure. Councillor Shirley said he understood that this was the policy at other hospitals within the Trust but was concerned that special arrangements made for certain departments within hospital were carried over to the new system. The Clerk would contact Patient Services and the ask the question.
Action Clerk
6/12/25: REPORT FROM NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM
Report from PC Chloe Dixon. Dates from 15/11 - 15/12 1 hate incident which was dealt with by NPT, male arrested, 1 robbery taking a vehicle without consent and driving under the influence of drug (all one linked incident, suspect arrested. Investigation ongoing), 1 child neglect – person arrested and investigation ongoing,1 item in the highway, 2 missing persons, found safe and well, 1 harassment (multiple calls to service) linked to antisocial behaviour, kids planning knock a door run. PC Dixon has attended each child’s address, made parents aware. The children have all apologised and will be getting a detention and education at school with PC Dixon regarding their behaviour, 1 harassment under investigation, 1 criminal damage closed by control room at time reported, 1 road traffic collision, minor injuries, 1 broken down vehicle, 1 accidental call, 1 theft, 4 domestic incidents/concerns for welfare at same address which were dealt with alongside ambulance service, 1 antisocial behaviour, linked to the other logs these have been dealt with by PC 2997. Recently joining the team for Dalton North is PCSO Charlie Tomlinson, it is hoped we will see Charlie around the village soon.
7/12/25: REPORT AND DISCUSS PLANNING
There were no new planning applications to discuss.
Councillor Ben Shirley reported that Westmorland and Furness Planning were expecting to receive a challenge to their decision to refuse the Roanhead Lodge Development. They were expected a complaint to the monitoring officer. Councillor Shirley also reported he was expecting to be contacted by the Noventum, regarding their application for a solar farm off Lots Road. Councillor Shirley has objected to this application, as have the parish council.
8/12/25: PRECEPT 2026/27
It was agreed to set the precept at £44,000.00.
Proposed Cllr John Shields Seconded Cllr Alan Mason Agreed
9/12/25: COMMUNITY EMERGENCY HUB
The parish council have been contacted by Westmorland and Furness Council regarding setting up community emergency hubs in a dedicated building in the village. As the parish council do not own any property it is difficult to respond to this request. There are community buildings in the village which maybe willing to provide this facility. Councillor Ben Shirley will speak to the officer and discuss with her.
10/12/25: WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS NATURE RECOVERY
Westmorland and Furness have grants to provide wildflower and pollinators for land/areas around the county. A list of areas within the village were supplied by Councillor Ben Shirley. The area on the Lots was suggested, unfortunately the land was not a chosen because the soil was too rich. Other areas were tested; we are unsure of the results. The Clerk was asked to contact the Officer in charge ask the question and arrange to meet for a walk around the village and look at potential areas.
Action Clerk
11/12/25: UPDATE FROM WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLORS
Councillor Shirley and Councillor Edwards reported. Saves Lane – Highways had carried out a survey and agreed that work needs doing to the road surface. In the first instance they will fill in the potholes and later look at resurfacing the road. Contact with Network Rail regarding the fencing near Askam Railway crossing which was damaged after a vehicle crashed into it. Work would commence shortly. Councillor Shirley has spoken to the police and crime commissioners regarding serious concerns about traffic and accidents on Ireleth Road. There is a major concern that this will worsen when the Grizebeck by-pass is completed with more traffic using Dalton Road/Ireleth Road, particularly more HGVs. Councillor Shirley has contacted Highways with a joint request from himself and Councillor Edwards. He asked that measures be put in place to reduce speed throughout Ireleth and into Askam on Dalton Road. Ultimately, we would like speed cameras on this route, or at least fixed speed indicator devices. Further, we want to continue to press for the 40-mph speed limit along the A595 to be extended to up by Askam brickworks so that it makes the Lots Road/A595 junction safer. Next, I wish to request a traffic management and parking strategy for Dalton with Newton, and for Askam and Ireleth. Finally, making Lots Road safer is another key priority for residents and motorists in Askam. As part of the traffic management survey I am requesting, it may prove that making Lots Road and, therefore, Askam a one-way route is a possibility. Whilst I’m on, please may you expedite repair of the road signs at Askam Railway Crossing ASAP. Both councillors reported on the budget consultation by Westmorland and Furness Council. There is a possibility that W&F council will need to make between £10 and £20 million cuts to their budget. This could have a devastating effect to services, particularly in rural communities.
12/12/25: CORRESPONDENCE All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting. Correspondence received from Age Friendly South Lakeland. It was agreed to invite them to attend a parish council meeting to discuss this project.
13/12/25: REPORT FROM CLERK INCLUDING FINANCES
The monthly expenditure spreadsheet was made available.
14/12/25: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT
Payment for Christmas Tree £100.00, Monthly landscaping and maintenance Arrad Foot Balconies £866.15, Donation to Keswick to Barrow Walk for traffic management at Christmas Tree Light Switch on £100.00, Askam & Ireleth Community Centre £125.00 rental of hall for parish council meetings September to December 2025, Donation to Askam Town Band of £50.00.
Proposed Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Seconded Susan Orrell Agreed
15/12/25: DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 20 January 2026 at 7.30 pm in the Community Centre, Duke Street, Askam.
The Chairman wished every a very Happy Christmas. He thanked everyone for their support over the past year.
Signed ……………………………………………………………. Dated ……………………………..
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