Present: Members of the Parish Council Councillor Mike Cumming, Chair, Bill Wilson, Vice Chair, Alan Mason, Elisabeth Donachie, Susan Orrell, John Shields and John McLean; Clerk, Mrs Janice Cumming, Westmorland and Furness Councillor Daniel Edwards.
1/03/26: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
Cllr Alan Mason item 15.
2/03/26: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
PC Chloe Dixon, PCSO Charlie Tomlinson, Cllr Harry Barker.
3/03/26: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
An item had been received from a public of the public regarding Sellafield Parking in the village. This would be discussed as an agenda item.
4/03/26: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 17 FEBRUARY 2026
These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and were duly signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr John Shields Agreed
5/03/25: PROGRESS REPORTS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
5/03/26/1: Removal of Litter Bins: These litter bins have now been replaced by W&F but need fixing permanently in place. Closed
5/03/26/2: Missing Street Plate Names: No further updates.
5/03/26/3: Garden Waste Collection: The new charges the emptying of garden waste has been agreed by W&F. The charge will be £60 per year, no collections in December, January and February. This charge is for 1 bin, if householders require more than one bin there will be extra charges. The parish council raised concerns that these charges could see an increase in fly-tipping.
5/03/26/4: Bench for Duddon Road: The new bench is on order.
5/03/26/5: Royal Mail. Delivery of letter post to Askam and Ireleth remains poor with post sometimes taking up to 2 weeks to be delivered. Cllr John Shields said that the issue had been discussed at the Prime Ministers question time with concerns raised regarding the performance of the Royal Mail, with the CEO facing questions from the government and select committee.
6/03/25: REPORT FROM NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM
Neighbourhood Police report from 17/2 to 11/3. 1 x crime recorded. Incident involved dispute between young children at school, 1 x civil dispute over contracting work which resulted in verbal argument and crime for public order, 1 x crime for criminal damage & assault following two youths fighting, 1 x Civil dispute resolved, 1 x blackmail over social media, under investigation, 1 x unexpected death, not treated as suspicious, referred to coroner, 1 x concern for mental health, treated in hospital, 1 x positive stop search for cannabis, 1 x immediate response for public order, not as initially reported. No crimes recorded, 1 x cows on the road, no cows hurt in the process.
7/03/26: REPORT AND DISCUSS PLANNING
None
8/03/26: SELLAFIELD PARKING IN ASKAM AND IRELETH
A resident had contacted the parish council regarding issues with vehicles parking in the village by Sellafield employees. This is an ongoing problem and has been for many years. Although both the parish council and our Dalton North Councillors have met with Sellafield Management, attended meetings with both Sellafield and Highways, there has been no solution found. At one stage there was talk of Sellafield purchasing land to provide a car park, but as Askam and Ireleth are not part of the 'Energy Coast' there were no funds available to do this. It is not illegal to park in the village if your vehicle is taxed, with an MOT what is illegal is parking on pavements and blocking an access or highway which can reported to the police and/or the parking enforcement officers. Cllr Daniel Edwards stated that he had received a complaint regarding this subject and had responded. The Clerk was asked to respond.
9/03/26: FLY-TIPPING, DUDDON ROAD
Cllr Bill Wilson reported that a significant amount of wood chippings had been dumped near Duddon Road Car Park. Cllr Wilson produced photographs, it was thought that a white van may have been the offender. Cllr Daniel Edwards would report to W&F Council. The parish council are concerned about the amount of fly-tipping which seems to be on the increase, they believe because of charges at the public tips and the increase in charges for disposing of garden waste. It is a worry that this will further increase with the new charges for emptying property garden waste.
Action Cllr Edwards
10/3/26: ISSUES AROUND RECENT ROAD WORKS ON DUDDON ROAD
Cllr John McLean raised concerns regarding the recent road works on Duddon Road which had caused disruptions and anguish for residents in the area. Cllr McLean said that the traffic was accessing the private road/unadopted from Duddon Road and onto Lord Street and then Duke Street, this was not part of the official diversion, which was not enforced by Highways. 2 vehicles were damaged on Lord Street because of vehicles using this road. Cllr McLean contacted Cllr Ben Shirley to say that he felt the road closure and diversion was badly handled with poor signage and management, Cllr McLean hoped that there would be lessons learned when other works were carried out in the village.
11/03/26: UPDATE ON STREET CLEANING
The new litter barrow ordered by W&F for the Askam and Ireleth Street cleaner as been delivered and is already in use. The parish council would like to thank W&F and our Dalton North Councillors for arranging this. It is heartening to see our village receiving attention from the W&F team in keeping our village clean and clear of litter. It is hoped that as well as the regular street cleaner the village will have the mechanical sweeper to clear the debris from the road gutters. The Clerk was asked to pass on thanks from the parish council. Action Clerk
12/03/26: PARISH COUNCIL LANDSCAPE AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
Cllr Mike Cumming reported that Wayne Smith our landscaping contractor had given notice to the Parish Council. Wayne has done a fantastic job for the parish council for the last 9 years and the parish council asked the Clerk to thank Wayne for all his hard work in keeping our village tidy. A new contractor was approached, Mike Hool, who visited the village and quoted £13,200.00 for the yearly contractor. This was accepted by the parish council. Mike Hool will commence work on 1 April 2026.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr John McLean Agreed
13/03/26: ACCEPTANCE OF RISK REGISTER
The parish council risk register has been updated and a copy sent to the parish councillors. Cllr Mike Cumming asked if it could be accepted. This was agreed.
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Bill Wilson Agreed
14/03/26: UPDATE FROM WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLORS
Cllr Daniel Edwards reported that an agreement had been reached between W&F and National Highways for litter to be removed from the A590 from Dalton roundabout to Park Road. W&F have written to all local skip hire and waste companies reminding them on the law to keep their wagons covered while on the roads. This week will be done in the next few weeks. Cllr Edwards reported that there was an issue with the streetlight on Lots Road which was being investigated by Highways. At the W&F cabinet meeting on Monday at Barrow Town Hall it had been agreed to demolish the Forum 28 and market hall in Barrow. As a Governor of Ireleth St Peter's School Cllr Edwards reported that there had again been issues with parking around the school and surrounding area.
15/03/26: REPORT FROM CLERK INCLUDING FINANCES
The monthly expenditure spreadsheet was made available. This was viewed and accepted.
It had been suggested that the parish council support the groups in the village who provide a social link for our young people and not so young people. This was agreed. Grant funding of £100.00 would be sent to Sisterhood, The Hive Group, Scouts, Brownies, Drop Zone, Askam Youth Action.
Proposed Cllr John Shields Seconded Cllr Bill Wilson Agreed
16/03/26: CORRESPONDENCE
All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting.
Askam and Ireleth History Group, first meeting of 2026 with Kevin Alexander on Thursday 19th March at Askam Methodist Church. Kevin will tell us how he researched his recently published book Askam 1850 to 1930.
Again, at the Methodist Church on Saturday 21st March Spring Get-together craft stalls, activities for children, refreshments. Rev'd Kate Hunt will be organising Sunflower seed planting in memory of Sue Johnson of Drop Zone. All welcome.
17/03/26: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| CALC training | £42.00 |
| Stamps | £6.95 |
| Land Registry | £14.00 |
| Toner Cartridges | £198.46 |
| Askam Sisterhood | £100.00 |
| Askam Youth Action | £100.00 |
| 1st Ireleth with Askam Brownies | £100.00 |
| Drop Zone Youth Projects | £100.00 |
| 3rd Duddon Scouts | £100.00 |
| Busy Beehive Group | £100.00 |
| Askam Community Centre room rental Jan to March 2026 | |
| Arrad Foot Balconies | £866.15 |
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Agreed
18/03/26: DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 7.30 pm in the Community Centre, Duke Street, Askam.
Signed ……………………………………………………………. Dated …………………………….
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