Minutes
Ordinary
16th March 2021

MINUTES OF THE 330th MEETING OF ASKAM AND IRELETH PARISH COUNCIL, HELD
TUESDAY 16 MARCH 2021 AT 7.15PM VIA ZOOM

Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic the parish council are unable to hold a public meeting. A meeting of the parish council was again held via Zoom. Members of the public are invited to attend.

Present: Members of the Parish Council: Harry Barker, Chairman, Bill Wilson, Vice Chairman, Parish Councillor Mike Cumming, Alan Mason, Sandra Hadwick, Steve Smalley, Susan Orrell and Trevor Hughes; Borough Councillor Daniel Edwards; Clerk Mrs Janice Cumming. Guest: Eve Mulholland, Engagement Officer Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Dynamic Dunescapes Project

1/03/21: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST None

2/03/21: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE PCSO Louise Perry, Borough & County Councillor Ben Shirley.

3/03/21: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Correspondence received from members of the public will be discussed under planning.

4/03/21: DYNAMIC DUNESCAPES PROJECT – EVE MULHOLLAND
The Clerk introduced Eve Mulholland, the Engagement Officer for the Cumbria Dynamic Dunescapes Project. Eve gave a presentation to the parish council on the details of the project which is being conducted by Natural England and involves 11 different sites along the Cumbrian Coast. This project’s goal is to protect and
rejuvenate the sand dunes. These sand dunes are home to rare species such as toads, birds, lizards, bees and
orchids. Over time many of the dunes have become covered by grass, scrub and invasive species which.
have over-taken the native ones. It is hope that work will commence in the area from Askam pier South to
and include Roanhead. Eve showed a slide of Roanhead in 1946 and the same area in 2014, it was
astounding the difference in the dunes area. There will be opportunities for volunteers to help with this work and
it is hoped to involve schools and children in an education programme about the importance of protecting these
areas. If anyone wants any further information you can go to the website www.dynamicdunescapes.co.uk. Work
in Askam and Roanhead should begin in October 2021. The parish council thanked Eve for sharing this
information.

5/03/21: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and will be signed and dated by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr Alan Mason Agreed

6/03/21: PROGRESS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
6/03/21/1: Coastal Erosion & 6/03/21/2: Parking and traffic issues at St Peter’s Ireleth. These actions were
for Cllr Ben Shirley. Cllr Shirley will send in a written report to the parish council.
6/03/21/3: Keep Clear markings at Askam Station. This work is scheduled to be completed by the end of this
month, weather permitting.

7/03/21: REPORT FROM POLICE AND ROAD TRAFFIC MATTERS
Crime Report for February 2021 sent in by PCSO Louise Perry. 4 anti-social behaviour 1st Feb motorcycles on
beach, 21st Feb scrambler bike on Sandscale Haws, 21st Feb abandoned vehicle on beach, 21st Feb possible Covid
breach. 3 crimes 2nd Feb malicious communications and harassment, 4th Feb engaging and coercive behaviour
domestic related, 25th Feb vehicle interference.

8/03/21 TO REPORT ON AND DISCUSS ANY PLANNING ISSUES – CLLR SUSAN ORRELL
Reference Number: B21/2021/0220 Location : St Anthonys Lodge Crossley Street Askam-in-Furness Cumbria
LA16 7AS Proposal : Proposed side extension forming sun room and bedroom 4. Roof ridge raised above
bedroom 1 to be in line with existing roof line. No objections or comments.
Reference Number: B18/2021/0114 Location : Land at Sharp Street Askam Proposal : Demolition of existing
garage (retrospective) and construction of new detached garage with pitched roof and mezzanine storage. The
parish council have received a number of objections to this application and have objections and comments
regarding this application which were discussed. The Clerk was asked to respond/

9/02/21: VISIT TO THE CHILDREN’S HOME, IRELETH ROAD
Cllr Orrell gave a report on the visit to the Children’s home at 252 Ireleth Road. She said it had been a very
informative visit and had been welcomed by the Manager and had been shown around the property. The plan for
the home was that they would initially have 2 children with staff who would be at the home 24/7. The aim was to
provide a home environment to these children. It was difficult to say the type of children who would be living at
the home until it was fully open and had received an Ofsted inspection. A matched profile would be carried out
to ensure the children were able to live together in the home. NWChildrenCare hoped that the children would
integrate into the community and hoped to alleviate any fears the community had about this home. To this end
they would attend the Zoom parish council meeting on Tuesday 20 March 2021 to which any interested members
of the community could attend and ask questions.

9/03/21: ACCESS THROUGH ASKAM PIER
Cllr Trevor Hughes is concerned about the access through Askam pier, especially potential problems for Duddon
Inshore Rescue which use this point to access the beach area to Roanhead and beyond. This is the responsibility
of Cumbria Highways as this is part of the ByWay 602031. It was suggested that DIR contact Highways. The
Clerk will contact DIR with this information. Concerns were also raised regarding the coastal erosion in the area
South of Askam pier underneath Avocet Crescent. The Clerk will contact Cllr Ben Shirley to ask this area can be
monitored. Action Clerk

10/03/21: ROAD SURFACE, DUDDON ROAD
Cllr Susan Orrell said that the road surface in a few areas on Duddon Road near the London House are in a poor
condition. She would report these to Cumbria Highways Action Cllr Orrell

11/03/21: UPDATE FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Daniel Edwards reported that a new Police Officer has been allocated to Dalton North Ward and will be
based at Dalton Drill Hall. The parish council hoped that this Officer would have a physical presence in Askam
and Ireleth.

12/03/21: REPORT FROM CLERK INCLUDING FINANCES
All parish councillors were sent a copy of the monthly finance spreadsheet. This was accepted and agreed.
Proposed Cllr Susan Orrell Seconded Cllr Bill Wilson Agreed
12/03/21/1: End of Year Accounts. The end of year accounts would be completed at the end of March. Roger
Brailsford had agreed to act as the internal auditor.
12/03/21/2: Parish Council Lengthsman. The parish council agreed to have Archie Workman continue to do
work around the parish. The Clerk asked for ideas on work Archie could do around the parish.
12/03/21/3: Youth Groups in Askam and Ireleth. The parish council agreed to give financial support to the
groups who work with young people in Askam and Ireleth. It was hoped that these groups would be able to open
up this year. £100.00 would be given to each of the 4 groups – Askam Youthy, Drop Zone, Scouts & Cubs,
Brownies.
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Sandra Hadwick Agreed

13/03/21: CORRESPONDENCE
All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting via email. No questions or comments.

14/02/21: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT
Aqua Projet monthly landscaping and maintenance £570.84, 2nd class stamps £7.92, confidential shredding
£17.10, Toilets seats for Ireleth Cemetery £69.58, 123 reg website £1.20, Paper and Envelopes £6.70.

14/02/21: DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 16 March 2021 at 7.15 pm via Zoom

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