Minutes
Ordinary
21st July 2026

Askam & Ireleth Parish Council

Minutes

MINUTES OF THE 388th MEETING OF ASKAM AND IRELETH PARISH COUNCIL, TUESDAY 21 JULY 2026 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 and John Shields; Clerk, Mrs Janice Cumming, Westmorland and Furness Councillor Daniel Edwards, PC Chloe Dixon. 1 member of the public

1/07/26: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

None

2/07/26: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr Harry Barker, Elisabeth Donachie, Susan Orrell and John McLean, W&F Cllr Ben Shirley, PCSO Charlie Tomlinson.

3/07/26: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

3/07/26/1:

A resident of Dalton Road raised concerns regarding a road being constructed onto the A595, Dalton Road giving access to land near the railway line. This newly constructed road gives access to a large piece of ‘allotment land’ which is being cleared. The parish council have not received any applications from W&F Planning regarding this development or construction of a road onto the A595, which the parish council believe is dangerous and inappropriate. Previous applications have been made to give vehicle access to these ‘allotments’ and have always been refused. The parish council shared the resident’s concerns. Cllr Daniel Edwards said he would raise this issue with Cllr Ben Shirley, who may already be dealing with this. The parish council will also contact Cllr Shirley.

4/07/26: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 16 JUNE 2026

These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and were duly signed by the Chair.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr John Shields Agreed

5/07/26: PROGRESS REPORTS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

5/07/26/1: Tippins Lane Overgrown Foliage.

Cllr Shirley informed the parish council that progress is being made with regards to this issue which was highlighted by Furness Cars & Commercials. Peter Thornton Westmorland and Furness Member of Cabinet for Highways has now picked this up and is dealing with it. Cllr Shirley will keep the parish council informed.

5/07/26/2: Missing Street Plate Names:

Cllr Edwards believes that some plates have been replaced, the parish council informed him that the plate has not been replaced. Cllr Edwards will speak to the Officer dealing with this.

5/07/26/3: Grass Cutting in Askam and Ireleth.

Grass cutting has taken place by W&F contractors. W&F have had meetings with their contractor and hopefully more staff have been sent to Furness to carry out grass cutting and regular meetings will be held with the contractor to make sure their contractual duties are being carried out. Complaints have been made regarding the footpath/cycle path on the A595. Highways visited the area and it seems they do not believe there is a problem, which is not what the people using it believe.

5/07/26/4: Doctor’s Surgery, Parklands Drive.

Cllr Edwards contacted W&F Highways regarding extra double yellow lines across the road from the surgery. The response was that there were no plans to instal further double yellow lines. If this becomes a problem with increased use of the surgery, it will be something we will need to raise with W&F.

5/07/26/5: Dog Fouling Sharp Street/Steel Street Park Area.

The Enforcement Officers have been visiting the area and have seen an improvement, but there is still a dog owner allowing their dog to foul and not picking up.

6/07/26: REPORT FROM NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM

PC Chloe Dixon reported on the Askam Stats June – July. 22 incidents were logged during the period, including concerns for welfare – no issues found, missing child – again no issues, neighbour dispute, 2 verbal domestic abuse, problems with children fighting, 1 hate related incident involving children, 1 RTC, 1 sudden death, GBH recorded arrests made, released on bail, one person injured and air lifted to hospital. Again, e.bikes are an issue, PC Dixon asked for information regarding ownership of these vehicles.

Update from Speed Indicator on Duke Street 12.6 to 21.6 85 percential 20 mph 6,456 vehicles counted in the period. Busiest times 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm. 26.6 to 3.8 85 percential 21 mph 7,648 vehicles counted.

PC Dixon said that there will be an extra police officer for Dalton North PC Henry Wray would be joining the team and was in the process of getting to know the area and PC Dixon would be introducing him to the village and it was hoped he would attend a parish council meeting.

7/07/26: REPORT AND DISCUSS PLANNING

Reference Number : B21/2026/0191 Location : Cuckoos Nest Saves Lane Askam-In-Furness Proposal Side and rear extension. No comments or objections.

Reference Number : B18/2026/0287 Location : National Trust Rangers Compound, Hawthwaite Lane, Barrow in Furness. Proposal : Replacement of Containers for National Trust Ranger Team. No objections, comment – will be an improvement.

Reference Number : B28/2026/0297 Location : Sowerby Wood, Park Road, Barrow-In-Furness. Proposal Application for the approval of details reserved by Condition No. 3 (Badger Survey and BNG Deemed condition) of planning permission B18/2026/0146 (Installation of 20m bridge to cross the valley at Sowerby Wood to establish the approved route of the King Charles III England Coast Path). No objections or comments.

Reference Number : B18/2026/0241 Location : Robbs Water Farm Park Road Barrow-In-Furness. Proposal : Erection of building to house vending machines for the sale of milk produced on the farm and associated car park. Concerns raised regarding access to development from A590.

Reference Number : B18/2026/0240 Location : 252 Ireleth Road Askam-In-Furness Proposal : Continued use of the property as a children’s home (Use Class C2), increase the number of children accommodated from three to four and associated staffing and care arrangements. No objections, supported by the parish council.

8/07/26: WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS NEW LOCAL PLAN

The Chair had responded on behalf of the parish council; he urged members of the parish council and the public to respond.

9/07/26: EXTRA LANDSCAPING IN ASKAM

The Chair had received a quote from our landscape contractor for extra work in the village – to clear overgrown shrubs and ivy at the jubilee fountain area, cut back dogwoods to clear pathways at Stafford Street/New Road, reduce height of shrubs on Wakefield Street at a cost of £1,540.00. This was agreed by the parish council. Work could not commence until the end of September.
Proposed Cllr John Shields Seconded Cllr Bill Wilson Agreed

10/07/26: WOODEN FENCE STEEL STREET/SHARP STREET PARK

The wooden fence where the vehicles park is in a poor condition and needs replacing. The Chair asked that the parish council agree to get quotations for this work.

Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr John Shields Agreed

11/07/2026: HEADLANDS GARDEN AREA

The parish council have received a complaint from a resident of shrubs and trees from the garden over-growing onto their property. The whole garden area needs work, after the nesting season, and the Chair asked that the parish council ask our Landscape contractor to provide advice and a quotation.
Proposed Cllr John Shields Seconded Cllr Bill Wilson Agreed

12/07/26: UPDATE FROM WESTMORLAND & FURNESS COUNCILLOR

Cllr Edwards said that W&F had received a substantial number of complaints with regards to grass cutting and general maintenance of many areas in Furness. The contractors had brought in extra staff to deal with these complaints, and their progress will be closely monitored by W&F.

Meetings of W&F will take place over the next few months regarding budget cuts and savings; it was hoped that frontline services would not be affected. There are plans to sell/re-purpose council owned buildings – The Nan Tait Centre in Barrow is part of this plan.

13/07/26: REPORT FROM CLERK INCLUDING FINANCES

The monthly expenditure spreadsheet was made available. This was viewed and accepted.
Proposed Cllr Bill Wilson Seconded Cllr Mike Cumming Agreed

14/07/26: CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting. Invitation received for the Chair to attend the official opening of the King Charles III Footpath on Thursday 23 July. The Chair has accepted the invitation and has been asked to give a speech.

15/07/26: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT

Rental of Community Centre for PC meetings March to July 2026 £100.00, Monthly Landscaping Maebank Tree and Garden Services £1,100.00, Paint and Linseed oil for village benches £40.00, Liam Ellis Joinery fixing seat at Duddon Road £20.00, Donation to Bowling Club for use of water £40.00, postage for annual insurance £3.80,
Proposed Cllr Alan Mason Seconded Cllr Bill Wilson Agreed

18/07/26: DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 7.30 pm in the Community Centre, Duke Street, Askam.

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