Draft Minutes
Ordinary
15th September 2026

MINUTES OF THE 389th MEETING OF ASKAM AND IRELETH PARISH COUNCIL, TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER AT 7.30 PM IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, DUKE STREET, ASKAM

Present: Members of the Parish Council Councillor Mike Cumming, Chair; Bill Wilson, Vice Chair, Alan Mason, Harry Barker, Elisabeth Donachie, John Shields and John McLean; Clerk, Mrs Janice Cumming, Westmorland and Furness Councillor Daniel Edwards and Ben Shirley.

1/09/26: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST   None

2/09/26: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Susan Orrell, PC Chloe Dixon and PCSO Charlie Tomlinson.

3/09/26: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME   None

4/09/26: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 21 JULY 2026
These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and duly signed by the Chair.

Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson    Seconded Cllr John Shields    Agreed

5/09/26: PROGRESS REPORTS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

5/09/26/1: Dalton Road Construction of Access Road. Cllr Shirley had been in contact with W&F Highways, and this was being investigated by them.   Ongoing

5/09/26/1: Tippins Lane Overgrown Foliage. Cllr Shirley reported that this work had been carried out by W&F Highways.   Closed

5/09/26/2: Missing Street Plate Names: Cllr Edwards reported that new street name plates had now been fitted by W&F.   Closed

5/09/26/3: Grass Cutting in Askam and Ireleth. The grass cutting regime by W&F contractor had improved. Some areas had been missed, and Cllr Shirley had ensured these were now on the contractor’s work list. Cllr Shirley said residents could contact him if areas were being missed.   Closed

5/09/26/5: Dog Fouling Sharp Street/Steel Street Park Area and Community Field. There had been no further reports of dog fouling. Both areas would be closely monitored by the Enforcement Officers.

5/09/26/6: Cycle Path A595. Cllr John McLean said that he was very disappointed that W&F Highways had deemed that the over-growing foliage along the cycle path from Askam to Dalton was not sufficiently over-grown for them to do a cut-back. Cllr McLean disagreed with this, especially as the over-grown shrubs were covering the signage and litter was a problem along the route. Cllr Daniel Edwards said he would again contact W&F.   Action Cllr Edwards

6/09/26: REPORT FROM NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM
1 x dog bite, minor injuries, under investigation, 1 x Child on child assault, under investigation, 1 x threats to cause criminal damage, arrest made, 1 x public order and harassment by a youth, under investigation, 1 x public order, males on bikes shouting, 1 x ASB youths causing issues at the park, 1 x report of gun shots heard, this was found to be with permission of land owner, 1 x theft of moped, youth suspect arrested and charged for this, 2 x logs for motor bikes on the beach, officers unable to locate suspects, 1 x report of youths on mopeds driving erratically, 1 x male arrested for offence of outraging public decency, 1 x vehicle uplifted and driver reported for Driving without due care and attention - Driving without insurance - Driving without a valid licence. The parish council said it was encouraging to see the Neighbourhood Police dealing promptly with crime in Askam and Ireleth and residents having the confidence to contact the Neighbourhood police.

7/09/26: REPORT AND DISCUSS PLANNING

Reference Number : B21/2026/0338 Location : 153 Sharp Street, Askam-In-Furness, Cumbria, LA16 7BW. Proposal : Erection of two storey side extension, first floor terrace and renovations of the existing house and garages. No objections or comments.   Action Clerk

Reference Number : B20/2026/0352 Location : Rankin Hall, Duke Street, Askam-In-Furness, Cumbria, LA16 7AE. Proposal : Application for variation of condition number 4 (replace the approved roofing material of Marley Modern Concrete Interlocking Tiles in Smooth Grey (MA10428) to utilising TAPCO composite slate roof tile 445mm x 295mm) & 8 (remove the requirement for Solar Tiles of planning permission B20/2025/0560. (Conversion and change of use of a recreation hall (Use Class F2) to 1 no. single dwellinghouse (Use Class C3). No objections or comments.   Action Clerk

8/09/26: CHRISTMAS TREE FOR VILLAGE
The Clerk has received a quotation from Optech regarding erecting the lights etc for the village Christmas tree. The quotation is the same as last year £2,210 ex VAT. The Clerk asked if the parish council would agree to fund the tree (which will be an extra cost). This was agreed.   Acton Clerk

9/09/26: SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE 2026
The Clerk is preparing for the Service of Remembrance which will take place on Sunday 8th November. Father Tom Sample has agreed to conduct the service. The necessary documentation has been sent to W&F to use the Memorial Garden and a road closure for Duke Street from Park Avenue to Lord Street while the service is taking place. We will meet at the Community at 2pm and service will commence at 2.15pm. Refreshment will be served in the Community Centre after service. The Clerk thanked Cllr Wilson for his help in carrying out the risk assessment. Cllr Shirley said he intends to purchase large poppies from RBL to put on the lamp posts around the village and asked for support from the parish council to erect these poppies. This was agreed.

10/09/26: WINTER PLANTING FOR VILLAGE PLANTERS
The Clerk asked the parish council agree to have Charnleys carry out winter planting in the village planters. Cllr Bill Wilson said he thought that the summer planting by Charnleys had been exceptional and the best the planters have been for some years. It was agreed to ask Charnleys to do the winter planting, the Clerk would thank them for the work they had done over the summer.   Action Clerk

11/09/2026: EXTERNAL AUDIT REPORT AND CERTIFICATE 2026/26
Cllr Mike Cumming advised that AGAR for 2025/26 had been completed and signed off by the external auditor.

12/09/26: UPDATE FROM WESTMORLAND & FURNESS COUNCILLOR
Cllr Edwards expressed his concerns regarding litter increasing along the A590 from Lindal into Barrow. He will contact W&F regarding this. Cllr Edwards reported that new streetlights had been erected at New Road and on the Lots Road near Askam School and that W&F Lighting Team had added the streetlight missing from Duddon Road onto their work programme.

Cllr Harry Barker raised concerns regarding the recent resurfacing on Tippins Lane, Ireleth where the ironworks had not been raised to the height of the new road surface thereby causing serious depressions in the road. He asked that Cllr Shirley raise this with Highways to see what the plan is to remedy this.   Action Cllr Shirley

13/09/26: REPORT FROM CLERK INCLUDING FINANCES
The monthly expenditure spreadsheet was made available. This was viewed and accepted.

Proposed Cllr Elisabeth Donachie    Seconded Cllr John Shields    Agreed

The Clerk asked that the December meeting be changed from 15th December to 8th December. This was agreed.

The Clerk and Chair would be away for the January 2027 meeting. Cllr Bill Wilson agreed to Chair this meeting and Cllr Elisabeth Donachie agreed to take the minutes.

14/09/26: CORRESPONDENCE   All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting.

15/09/26: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT

Proposed Cllr Harry Barker    Seconded Cllr Alan Mason    Agreed

16/09/26: DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 7.30 pm in the Community Centre, Duke Street, Askam.

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