Present: Members of the Parish Council Councillor Mike Cumming, Chairman; Bill Wilson, Vice Chairman; Alan Mason, Elisabeth Donachie, John McLean and John Shields; Clerk Mrs Janice Cumming; Westmorland and Furness Councillor Daniel Edwards.
1/05/25: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST None
2/05/25: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Susan Orrell, Cllr Harry Barker and Cllr Ben Shirley
3/05/25: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
3/05/25/1: A letter has been received from residents seeking the parish council’s support regarding their pending application to vary the occupancy conditions relating to their lodge property, this was discussed in detail, and it was agreed that the parish council would support this application. The Clerk was asked to respond.
4/05/25: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 15 APRIL 2025
These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and were duly signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr John McLean Agreed
5/05/25: PROGRESS REPORTS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
5/05/25/1: Email addresses. Cllr Cumming apologised for lack of progress in having Whamos come to the village to set up the new email addresses. He will set something up in the next few weeks.
5/05/25/2: Esk to Barrow Active Travel. Cllr John McLean gave an update from his communications regarding this project. The meeting agreed on the members and function of the steering committee (note 1) as had volunteered. The meeting also agreed that work on 2 route sections (Askam to Kirkby and Millom to Silecroft) is a priority for continuation. The meeting endorsed the proposal for assembling a website. Cllr McLean said that part of the route would encompass the King Charles III coastal footpath. Cllr McLean would keep the parish council updated on this project.
5/05/25/3: Dog Fouling in Askam and Ireleth. Cllr Ben Shirley and Peter Buckley, Westmorland and Furness Officer visited Askam and Ireleth and spoke to dog owners regarding the ongoing issues with dog fouling in our village. The parish council were disappointed to hear that even after a member of our community visited to the jubilee garden on the headlands and cleared the area of full dog waste bags and empty alcohol bottles, it would seem someone is still throwing full dog waste bags into the garden. The parish council will take further action with guidance from Westmorland Furness Enforcement Officer. This is unacceptable and the parish council cannot understand why someone would do this, especially as there are bins close by.
6/05/25: REPORT FROM BARROW NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM
Statistics from 1 April to 16 May. 1 crime of harassment, 2 fail to stop road traffic collisions, 1 log relating to off road bike causing concerns, 1 blackmail. PC Dixon has spoken to a youth and their parents regarding the use of e-scooters not on private land, and they are aware the scooter will be seized should she see them again. If there are still any concerns regarding off-road bikes in the village, could you please contact PC Dixon.
7/05/25: TO REPORT AND DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Reference Number : B23/2025/0154 Location : Low Brookside Saves Lane Askam-In-Furness Cumbria
Proposal : Listed Building Consent for replacement windows and doors.
Reference Number : B23/2025/0106 Location : Low Brookside Saves Lane Askam-In-Furness Cumbria
Proposal : Listed Building Consent for proposed repair works to roof, chimney stacks, guttering and downpipes, replacement windows and doors, painting, plastering, electrical and plumbing works.
The parish council had a full discussion regarding these applications. The parish council feel that Low Brookside is a significant part of the history and heritage of Ireleth and are keen to see this property restored and renovated and hope that support can be given to the applicant to achieve this. The Clerk was asked to respond.
Reference Number : B21/2025/0193 Location : 52 Caspian Road Askam-In-Furness Cumbria
Proposal : Erection of first floor side extension and single storey rear extension. There were no objections or adverse comments.
Consultation on an Application for a Non-Material Amendment to Planning Permission Reference No. 6/24/9002 Development: Section 73 planning application to amend conditions 1 and 2 of planning permission 6/22/9001 to extend the timescale for restoration of the site from 30 June 2024 to 30 June 2026 for cessation of importation of restoration material, and 30 June 2027 for the completion of restoration Location: Bennett Bank Landfill Site Hawthwaite Lane Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria LA14 4QH. Comments from the parish council were that this work has been extended a few times. The Clerk was asked to contact the Planning Officer to ascertain their view on how much longer the restoration work would take.
8/05/25: UPDATE ON WESTMORLAND & FURNESS LOCAL PLAN
Cllr Donachie and Cllr Cumming attended the update on TEAMS. A summary of the meeting was given explaining the requirements for the new Local Plan. Briefly there is a call for land to be put forward by land owners and property developers to satisfy the building requirements from the Government over the next 5 years details and an interactive map available on W&F Website with consultation opening in September 2025.
9/05/25: ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
The parish council were asked to review and approve this document, which had been sent to each Councillor prior to the meeting. This was agreed unanimously and would be signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Bill Wilson Agreed
10/05/25: ACCOUNTING STATEMENT 2024/25 – SECTION 2
The parish council were asked to review and approve this document, which had been sent to each councillor prior to the meeting. This was agreed unanimously and would be signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Seconded Cllr John Shields Agreed
11/05/25: STANDING ORDERS, FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
These were agreed and accepted.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr Alan Mason Agreed
12/05/25: UPDATE FROM WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLORS
Cllr Daniel Edwards reported that himself and Cllr Shirley had held a surgery at Duddon Road Methodist Church. Sgt Paul Holmes from the Neighbourhood Police Team had attended prompted by complaints by residents of Greenhaume regarding speeding traffic and parking. Cllr Edwards had again brought to the attention of W&F council the problems with litter on the A590. Cllr Edwards asked that the parish council could advertise that Ireleth St Peter’s school are looking for someone to join the Governors at the school. Anyone interested should contact the school directly.
13/05/25: REPORT FROM CLERK (including Finances)
The monthly expenditure sheet was made available. This was accepted.
Proposed Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Seconded Cllr John McLean Agreed
The Clerk mentioned that there were areas of the village that would benefit from a clean and asked if the parish council would consider doing this. She also mentioned that the gazebo in the memorial garden needed painting. Cllr Bill Wilson mentioned that some of the seats and litter bins in the village needed some repairs, painting or renewing. He asked if the Clerk had a list of these items and their locations. The Clerk would look into this.
The Clerk asked if the June meeting could be changed from 17th to 10th as she would be on annual leave. This was agreed.
14/05/25: CORRESPONDENCE All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting.
15/05/25: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT
Aqua Projet monthly landscaping and grass cutting £866.15, Copier Paper £9.00, Chocolates for Mrs Cain for cleaning jubilee garden area £7.00, Liam Ellis Joinery replacing Headlands Gate £315.00, VE Day flag £7.99. Zurich Municipal Annual Insurance £1614.03, Annual Microsoft Subscription £104.99, Soil for planters £34.00.
16/05/25: DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 10 June 2025 at 7.30 pm in the Community Centre, Duke Street, Askam.
Signed ……………………………………………………………. Dated ……………………………..
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