Minutes
Ordinary
18th February 2025

MINUTES OF THE 373rd MEETING OF ASKAM AND IRELETH PARISH COUNCIL, TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2025 AT 7.30 PM IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, DUKE STREET, ASKAM

Present: Members of the Parish Council Councillors Harry Barker, Chairman, Mike Cumming, Alan Mason, Elizabeth Donachie, John McLean and John Shields; Clerk Mrs Janice Cumming, W&F Councillor Ben Shirley, PC Chloe Dixon and 3 members of the public.

1/02/25: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

2/02/25: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr Bill Wilson, Susan Orrell and Cllr Daniel Edwards.

3/02/25: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

3/02/25/1: Fly tipping on Askam beach. A member of the public said that there had been further fly tipping near the Duddon Inshore Boathouse, which had potential of encroaching into the stream running nearby. Cllr Ben Shirley suggested that they contact the Environment Agency who should be checking the stream.

4/02/25: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 21 JANUARY 2025

These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and were duly signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr John McLean Seconded Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Agreed

5/02/25: PROGRESS REPORTS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

5/02/25/1 Dog Fouling. There had been further reports of dog fouling around the village. W&F have put up signs around the village and will be monitoring areas. They have produced a leaflet outlining the risk to health from dog excrement with details of how to report incidents of dog fouling and the risk of fines. These will be distributed around the village by W&F Officers and Councillors. Thanks were expressed to Cllr Shirley and the Officers at W&F council. DON’T RISK A £100.00 FINE, BAG IT AND BIN IT.

6/02/25: REPORT FROM BARROW NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM

PC Chloe Dixon reported there had not been any reports which should concern the parish council during the month. PC Dixon was continuing to monitor Sandscale Haws, Roanhead and Askam beach for illegal off-roading, she asked for help from the community with reporting these activities. Cllr Harry Barker mentioned that a vehicle had been parked at entrance to Greenscoe for approximate 3 weeks. This vehicle is not taxed. Cllr Shirley said he would report this to W&F council as an abandoned vehicle and ask for it to be removed.

7/02/25: TO REPORT AND DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Reference Number : B13/2024/0546 Location : Land at Crossley Street, Askam-in-Furness
Proposal : Application for Outline Planning Permission with all matters reserved. Erection of new dwelling (Bungalow) following demolition of existing buildings. There were concerns regarding access, dimensions of the site and encroaching on the privacy of neighbouring properties. The Clerk would respond.

Reference Number : B21/2024/0548 Location : The Bungalow Crossley Street Askam-In-Furness Cumbria LA16 7AS Proposal : Erection of detached side garage (following demolition of existing garage). There were no objections, a comment was made regarding the height of the garage.

Reference Number : B21/2025/0062 Location : Rainbows End Saves Lane Askam-In-Furness Cumbria LA16 7DY Proposal : Erection of single storey side and rear extensions (following demolition of existing garage and alterations to existing side extension). Concerns were raised regarding the provision for parking and objections were made regarding the removal of the hedgerow, which it is believe is part of the ancient hedgerows in Ireleth.

8/02/25: RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE WEBSITE DOMAIN AND CREATE SECURE EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR PARISH COUNCILLORS

Cllr Mike Cumming received a communication from our website management (Whamos) to explain that it was a requirement for a parish council to have a secure, accessible and complaint website and a registered provider with Parish Council Domain Helper Service. It was also a requirement for each parish councillor to have a secure email address. Whomas would be invited to attend the meeting in March to set up the email addresses for each Councillor. Cllr Cumming would liaise with Whamos. Action Cllr Cumming

9/02/25: ASKAM AND IRELETH HISTORY GROUP

The history group are planning an exhibition to celebrate 160 years since Askam was founded and 155 years of the Methodist Church being part of our community. This event was planned for Saturday 12th April between 10.30 am and 4.00 pm and would be free of charge. The history group asked if the parish council would sponsor the refreshments with a grant of £100.00. This was agreed.
Proposed Cllr Harry Barker Seconded Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Agreed

10/02/25: UPDATE FROM WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLOR

Cllr Ben Shirley reported on the budget increases proposed by W&F council which included a 5% rise for the police and crime commissioner. Cllr Shirley said that he was working with W&F regarding dog fouling in Dalton North and would be carrying out ‘walk-abouts’ to engage with dog owners. The W&F initiative on pollinators and wildflowers in Askam and Ireleth had been well received by the community and 2 areas were to be looked at to assess their suitability – an area within the Lots Field (with kind permission of the Lots Committee, Askam Village Hall Charity) and Duddon Road Car Park. Cllr Daniel Edwards had allocated his W&F grant to the Lots Committee to purchase picnic benches for the Lots Park area. Cllr Shirley had met with Mr Thompson of Queensland Developments.

11/02/25: REPORT FROM CLERK INCLUDING FINANCES

A copy of the monthly expenditure spread sheet was made available. This was accepted.
Proposed Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Seconded Cllr John Shields Agreed

12/02/25: CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting.

14/02/25: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT

Aqua Projet monthly landscape £866.15.
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Mike Cumming Agreed

15/02/25: DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 18 March 2025 at 7.30 pm in the Community Centre, Duke Street, Askam.

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