Minutes
Ordinary
18th March 2025

MINUTES OF THE 374th MEETING OF ASKAM AND IRELETH PARISH COUNCIL, TUESDAY
18 MARCH 2025 AT 7.30 PM IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, DUKE STREET, ASKAM

Present: Members of the Parish Council Councillors Harry Barker (part time), Chairman, Bill Wilson, Vice Chairman, Mike Cumming, Alan Mason, Elizabeth Donachie, John McLean and John Shields; Clerk Mrs Janice Cumming, W&F Councillor Ben Shirley and Councillor Daniel Edwards, 14 members of the public.

1/03/25: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
Councillor Harry Barker item 7/03/25 Planning – Reconsultation Roanhead Development.

2/03/25: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Susan Orrell and PC Chloe Dixon

3/03/25: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
3/02/25/1: Rankin Hall, Duke Street, Askam. Mr Ged Pickersgill and Mr Ben Mullen attended the parish council meeting to discuss Mr Mullen’s plans for the Rankin Hall, which he recently purchased. It is his intention to seek planning permission to turn it into a dwelling.

4/03/25: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 18 FEBRUARY 2025
These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and were duly signed by the Vice Chairman
Proposed Cllr Mike Cumming Seconded Cllr John McLean Agreed

5/03/25: PROGRESS REPORTS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
5/03/25/1 Website. Website domain has been moved to gov.uk. Changing of parish councillors email addresses will be carried out later.

6/03/25: REPORT FROM BARROW NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM
Report sent by PC Chloe Dixon. I have reviewed the logs from the 15th of Feb until the 15th of March. Of note there were 3 x arrests for driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs in Askam. There was a circulation of counterfeit notes which were reported at multiple stores throughout south Cumbria including Askam, I believe the suspects have now moved on from the area – one for people to be aware of. The abandoned car at Greenscoe was finally uplifted. All other logs were of a personal matter.

7/03/25: TO REPORT AND DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Councillor Harry Barker left the meeting, as he had declared an interest in planning application B06/2024/0024
Reference Number : B21/2025/0066 Location : 2 Alexander Place Askam-In-Furness
Proposal : Erection of rear dormer roof extension and change to front elevation fenestration. There were no objections.
Reference Number : B21/2025/0083 Location : 4 Abbey Heights Ireleth Askam-in-Furness
Proposal : Erection of single storey front extension.
Reference Number : B06/2024/0024 – RECONSULTATION NOTICE
Location : Land at Roanhead Farm, Hawthwaite Lane, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
Proposal : Application for Outline Planning Permission for up to 233 eco lodge units, habitat creation and ecological enhancements, estate management facility, residential student training academy, coastal ecology field study centre, staff accommodation, supporting indoor and outdoor leisure, retail facilities and associated works with access (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale reserved for subsequent approval) (Application includes Environmental Statement) (Re-submission of B06/2023/0307 in a revised form). Councillor Mike Cumming as part of the sub-community will be looking at this re-consultation and formulating a response on behalf of the parish council. The Vice Chairman acknowledged the comments made by the Save Roanhead Group, who were present at the meeting.
Reference Number : B21/2025/0073 – Location : 84 Crossley Street Askam-In-Furness Cumbria
Proposal : Rear/side ground floor extension forming extended kitchen. There were no objections or comments.
Reference Number : B21/2025/0065 – Location : 67 Duke Street Askam-In-Furness Cumbria
Proposal : Formation of vehicular crossover and creation of hardstanding to front with permeable paving.

Concerns were raised regarding this applications, particularly the comments from Highways regarding road safety and visibility which the parish council agreed with. A comment regarding that there was already a rear vehicle access to this property was mentioned.
Reference Number : B03/2024/0551 – Location : Land south of Lots Road Askam-in-Furness Cumbria
Proposal : Construction and operation of a solar farm together with all associated works, equipment and necessary infrastructure. Councillor Mike Cumming and Alan Mason had met to discuss this application and Councillor Mike Cumming is formulating a response. Cllr Cumming gave an overview of the response he was preparing, which will be sent on behalf of the parish council. Cllr Cumming will complete this response and it will be circulated to the parish council before being sent to planning.
Notification of and Consultation on an Application for Planning Permission County Matter Application for Minerals and/or Waste Development Application Reference Number:6/24/9011 Proposal: Land engineering including the creation of a raised bund and an ancillary parking area for use in connection with existing waste management operations (Part Retrospective) Location: Land at Sandscale Park, Park Road, Barrow. The parish council have been contacted on several occasions regarding emission from this site going directly into nearby watercourses which travel through the Nature Reserve and into the Duddon Estuary. This has been confirmed by the W&F Environmental Protection & Public Health Team Leader. The parish council will ask that his recommendations are adhered to and that regular inspections are carried out at this site.
Reference Number : B21/2025/0087 Location : 2 Green Haume Cottages Askam Road Dalton-In-Furness Cumbria Proposal : Erection of part two storey, part single storey rear extensions (following demolition of existing rear extension). There were no objections or comments.
The Clerk was asked to respond to Planning. Action Clerk

8/03/25: CYCLE LANES
Cllr John McLean asked that the cycle lanes on the A595 could be cleared of debris and detritus to make the cycle lanes safer to use. He also said that the cycle lane that travels from opposite the junction at Lots Road to Greenscoe needs cleaning. Cllr Ben Shirley said he would deal with this. Action Cllr Shirley

9/03/25: PARISH COUNCIL POLICIES AND PROCEDURE
These were now available on the website and would be reviewed at the May meeting. A new policy Sexual Harassment was discussed and agreed. It would be added to the website. Action Clerk

10/03/25: GRANT REQUEST IRELETH WITH ASKAM WI
The parish council welcomed a representative from the WI who told them of a project they are working towards by having a monthly craft club to teach each other and members of our community new craft skills. The first aim was to make drawstring bags which will be packed with toiletries to donate to Women’s Community Matters in Barrow. The parish council thought this was an excellent idea and thanked the WI for all they do in our community. As requested, a grant donation of £95.00 was agreed.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Agreed

11/03/25: UPDATE FROM WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLORS
Cllr Ben Shirley gave an update on the pollinator initiative which if the soil samples were acceptable the Lots Play Park field would be used for this scheme. Cllr Daniel Edwards had allocated his W&F grant money to help fund 3 new picnic benches for this area. Cllr Shirley had received several complaints regarding the King Charles footpath which travels through the Lots area to Blacks Pond (SSSI area) over Roanhead Crag (ancient woodland) and to Sandscale Haws (NT land, NNR, SSSI). Cllr Shirley is meeting with NT Ranger on Friday.
He then discussed the road traffic initiatives which have and are still being taking on the A595 through Askam and Ireleth. Sgt Dilks of Neighbourhood Police Team is being very supportive carrying out speed radar patrols. Cllr Shirley reported that he is working with W&F to ascertain where the monies from S106 are being held and when and what they will be used for to improve projects in Askam and Ireleth. Cllr Shirley and Cllr Edwards will hold surgeries both in Dalton and Askam during this year. Cllr Edwards reported that he was following on road line markings around Askam Station. He is asking questions of W&F Furness Council regarding litter on the A595. Dog Fouling patrols in Askam and Ireleth will commence in the next week or so. Both Councillors ask that the community work them to stamp out this antisocial activity. PLEASE PICK UP AND DISPOSE OF YOUR DOG WASTE IN THE BINS PROVIDED OR FACE A FINE.

12/03/25: REPORT FROM CLERK (including Finances)
The Clerk mentioned that Cllr Mason and Mrs Margaret Cain had carried out a litter pick at the Jubilee Garden. The parish council thanked them both and it was agreed to send grateful thanks to Mrs Cain for her sterling work and such community spirit. The monthly expenditure sheet was made available. This was accepted.
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Elisabeth Donachie Agreed

13/03/25: CORRESPONDENCE All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting.
Correspondence received from Askam and Ireleth History Group regarding their first meeting of the year on Thursday 20 March where they welcome Mark MacLean to talk about his research on Ireleth and Askam. Also, there history exhibition ‘Looking Back’ on 12 April in the Methodist Church.

14/03/25: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT
Cumbria Association of Local Councils £60.00 Parish Councillor Training Cllr John McLean, Optech Fibres £2,652.00 Christmas Tree Lights and Decorations, Aqua Projet monthly landscape and maintenance £866.15, History and Ireleth History Group £100.00, Askam and Ireleth Community Centre £75.00 rental for community centre hall January to March 2025, £100 each for Drop Zone Youth Projects, 3rd Duddon Scouts, Cubs and Beavers, Askam Youth Action, Ireleth with Askam Brownies and Rainbows, Stamps £6.80, Hire of Methodist Hall £10.00, Whamos transferring website to gov.uk address £100.00, late addition £3,360.00 South Lakes Tree Surgeons, Steel Street park, toner cartridges black and magenta £179.66, Ireleth with Askam WI £95.00.

15/03/25: DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 15 April 2025 at 7.30 pm in the Community Centre, Duke Street, Askam.

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