Ravenstonedale - Probably the best parish in the world
RAVENSTONEDALE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 12th January 2006
in Newbiggin-on-Lune Public Room at 7.30 pm

Present: Councillor John Bull (Chairman) Councillors Caroline Morris, Ernest Leach,
Fanny Jackson, Hilary Mirrey, Janet Brownrigg.
District Councillor, Michael Metcalfe-Gibson and County Councillor Tim Stoddard.
Clerk, Chris Elphick.
Winston Collinge – Deputy Chairman of Cumbria Association of Local Councils
Tom McMullen, MBE., Quality Parish Co-ordinator, CALC
Clive Moth, Quality Parish Area Co-ordinator, CALC.
1 member of public – John Jackson

Presentation of Quality Parish Status Certificate

The Clerk had prepared a portfolio of evidence of the activities of the parish council and submitted it for examination by the County Accreditation Panel on 22nd November 2005.

Winston Collinge, Deputy Chairman of the Cumbria Association of Local Councils (CALC) presented the Chairman with a framed Certificate of Accreditation, confirming Ravenstonedale Parish Council’s competence in accordance with DEFRA specification. Mr Collinge noted that, since the start of the scheme in 2003, only 236 of approximately 10,000 parishes nationally had received accreditation. Ravenstonedale is the first in Eden District.

Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of personal or prejudicial interest in any agenda item.

Apologies for absence had been received from Paul Capstick

Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 10th November 2005 had been circulated.
Resolved that the minutes be signed by the Chairman as a correct record

Public Participation
There were no contributions from members of the public

Children’s Playgrounds
It was reported that the highly acclaimed fund-raising Variety Show held In N-o-L Public Hall on 10th December 2005 had raised the sum of £600. towards the fund.
The Clerk has received Grant Application forms from some likely sources of funding and will be making applications as soon as quotations for works are received.
Children from Ravenstonedale Endowed School have visited the wooded area of the Scandal Beck site and will be suggesting ways in which it may be developed as a nature reserve to help with their studies within the national curriculum.
The Scandal Beck site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the whole of Ravenstonedale is a Conservation Area. It is, therefore, necessary to consult with several bodies to avoid inappropriate development. To date, site meetings have been held with representatives of the Environment Agency, and English Woodlands as well as potential contractors who have added their advice. A meeting with Maggie Robinson of English Nature is also programmed.
The lease for N-o-L site has still not been received. The Clerk has again written to the landlord’s agent.
Ravenstonedale Parish Council Website
The Clerk has been submitting information to Stan Frost for inclusion on the website. It is hoped to have the site ready for launch very soon.

Winter 2006 Newsletter
The Winter edition of the Parish Council Newsletter is expected to be ready for distribution by the end of January. The possibility of including advertising is being considered. This would contribute to the production costs.
It is hoped to be able to announce the Website address in the Newsletter.
Chairman and Clerk will refine the distribution address lists.

Proposed inclusion of Howgills including Ravenstonedale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Following the publication of “Our Forgotten Landscapes” by Friends of the Lake District (FoLD), the Clerk had been in contact with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) and the Countryside Agency in order to ascertain the current situation and to enquire about the local consultation process.
The response from both agencies was that the FoLD publication was solely the opinion of FoLD rather than a definitive document. The Countryside Agency has now engaged consultants to develop ideas gained during the initial assessment of the area. This will include local consultation – probably starting in February 2006.

Planning Applications
No. 05/0783 CHANGE OF USE FROM AGRICULTURAL FIELD TO VEHICLE TURNING/PARKING AREA
Type Full Application
Location Land at Hill Cottage, Ravenstonedale
Applicant Mr MT & Mrs SE Metcalfe-Gibson
Parish Council No objections GRANTED

No. 05/0784 REMOVAL OF, AND NEW PARTITION WALLS; NEW INTERNAL DOORWAYS AND NEW WINDOWS
Type Listed Building Consent
Location Hill Cottage, Ravenstonedale
Applicant Mr MT & Mrs SE Metcalfe-Gibson
Parish Council No objections GRANTED

No. 05/0772 CREATION OF ADDITIONAL WINDOW; INSERTION OF THREE ROOF LIGHTS; CREATION OF ROOMS WITHIN ROOFSPACE; CREATION OF W.C. WITHIN STORE ROOM and REPLACEMENT OF METAL GARAGE DOOR TO WOODEN DOORS
Type Listed Building Consent
Location Coldbeck Farmhouse, Ravenstonedale
Applicant RP & JM Johnson
Parish Council No objections GRANTED

No. 05/0885 CONVERSION OF BARN TO 3 HOLIDAY LETS
Type Listed Building Consent
Location High Lane, Newbiggin-on-Lune
Applicant ME & DM Boustead
Parish Council No objections GRANTED

No. 05/0813 CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING REDUNDANT SCHOOL TO FORM ADDITIONAL ANCILLARY ACCOMMODATION FOR THE DISABLED, TO EXISTING OUTWARD BOUND CENTRE
Type Full Application
Location Green Slack Outward Bound Centre
Applicant Dr H Frankland
Parish Council No objections GRANTED
No. 05/0912 UTILISATION OF ADJACENT STORAGE AREAS AND REAR CONSERVATORY
Type Full Application
Location Scandal Beck Cottage, Mill Street, Ravenstonedale
Applicant Mr & Mrs G Ashworth
Parish Council No objections WITHDRAWN

No. 05/0965 EXTENSION TO EXISTING DWELLING INTO ADJOINING VACANT BUILDING TO CREATE ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES
Type Full Application
Location Ash Pot, Ravenstonedale
Applicant Mr & Mrs S Manoucheri GRANTED

No. 05/1002 DISABLED ACCESS RAMP TO ROADSIDE ELEVATION OF CHAPEL
Type Full Application
Location Ravenstonedale Methodist Chapel
Applicant Ravenstonedale Methodist Chapel
Parish Council No objections or observations

No. 06/1117 CHANGE OF USE OF PART OF FARMHOUSE TO B&B USE AND USE OF BYRE TO ANCILLARY ACCOMMODATION. CONVERSION OF EXISTING BARNS TO PROVIDE FOUR SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY UNITS.
Type Full Application (No. 06/0118 – Listed Building for same items)
Location Low Stennerskeugh, Fell End, Ravenstonedale
Applicant R Greaves and D Temple
Parish Council No objections. Appears to comply with local plan.

Finance
Accounts for payment
C J Elphick (overtime re: QPS) £250.00
C J Elphick (50% SLCC Subscription) £ 42.00
Viking Direct £ 58.68
The foregoing three accounts were approved for payment.

Account Balances at 04/01/2006
Treasurer Account £ 37.63
BMM Account £2,837.29
£2,874.92
Playground Account £6,924.19

Joint Parishes Plan Proposal for Kirkby Stephen & District
Cllr Morris reported that, at the meeting held on Wed. 30th November 2005, a start had been made on compilation of a questionnaire. The draft would be circulated to all parishes for comment at the next meeting in January.

Highways
Damage to the road surface in Weasdale and potholes in Scar Sykes road had been reported to the Highway Authority. Some repairs had been effected but not all. Clerk to follow up.
A letter had been sent to Baroness Young of Old Scone supporting elements of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Bill relating to use of mechanically propelled vehicles on green roads.
Confirmation of Definitive Map & Statement Orders made since the original publication has been received from Cumbria County Council.

Cumbria Police
The council has been notified of a change to the Cumbria Police Non-emergency Telephone Number to: 0845 33 00 247
Correspondence received
NALC Local Council Review
Notice of Trailquest event, 19th March, on behalf of Ravenstonedale School – Ray Morriss
VAC Annual Report
CALC Survey of Local Council functions in Cumbria
Cumbria Countryside Access Strategy – Consultation Document
Cumbria Highways – Working Together
Two Castles Housing Association “Dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour” leaflet
Glasdon Enviroscape – Surface matting catalogue
WRVS ` Funding policy survey
Highways Agency Traffic information & Roadworks leaflet
SLCC Regional one-day conference – Chorley, 31st January
CALC Circular December 2005
CALC Feedback from Eden Clerks’ Meetings
Great North Air Ambulance 2001-2005
Standards Board Revision of Code of Conduct

The foregoing items were noted and circulated as appropriate.

Date of next meeting: Thursday 9th February 2006 at Ravenstonedale High Chapel Room

Signed Chairman Date 9th February 2006