Minutes of a Meeting held on Wednesday 11th July 2007 in Newbiggin-on-Lune Public Hall
Present
Councillor John Bull (Chairman) Councillors Hilary Mirrey and James Richardson.
Clerk, Chris Elphick.
County Councillor Tim Stoddard and District Councillor George Boustead.
Declarations of Interest
Cllr Mirrey declared an interest in the Scandal Beck playground project as a partner in T A Law, contractors.
Apologies for absence
were received from Cllrs Paul Capstick, Caroline Morris, Alison Morriss and Ernest Leach.
Minutes of the Meeting
held on Thursday 14th June 2007 had been circulated and were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
Adoption of Standing Orders
All councillors had received a copy of the proposed Standing Orders for Ravenstonedale Parish Council. These were based on the Model Standing Orders published by NALC. The Chairman and Clerk had studied the Model and made minor amendments as appropriate for Ravenstonedale.
It was resolved that the Standing Orders as circulated to all members be adopted.
A signed copy to be appended to the Minute Book.
Adoption of Financial Regulations
All councillors had received a copy of the proposed Financial Regulations for Ravenstonedale Parish Council. These were based on the Model Financial Regulations published by NALC. The Chairman and Clerk had studied the Model and made minor amendments as appropriate for Ravenstonedale.
It was resolved that the Financial Regulations as circulated to all members be adopted.
A signed copy to be appended to the Minute Book.
Adoption of New Standards Board Code of Conduct
All councillors had received a copy of the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007.
It was resolved that
1. Ravenstonedale Parish Council adopts the model code of conduct contained in Statutory Instrument No. 1159 (2007) as it applies to Parish/Town Councils, with the addition of paragraph 12(2) as the code of conduct which is expected of members and co-opted members of the authority in place of the existing code of conduct with effect from 11th July 2007.
2. That the Council adopt the ten General Principles as a non-enforceable annex to the Code to remind members and the public of the principles underlying the code.
3. That members of the Council renew their registrations of interests in the light of the new Code and the Monitoring Officer be notified accordingly within 28 days of the adoption of the Code.
4. That the Clerk be authorised to arrange publication of a notice of the adoption of the Model Code of Conduct in a joint advertisement organised by the Cumbria Association of Local Councils.
CCC & EDC & Local Councils Charter
A draft of a proposed Charter between Cumbria County Council, Eden District Council and Parish/Town Councils had been copied to all councillors.
It was resolved that no alterations be requested to the draft.
Bus Services
Cllr. Morris was to have reported on proposed changes to the local timetables which had been discussed at a Neighbourhood Forum Meeting on 25th June 2007.
Cllr Stoddard explained that the changes had resulted from the re-allocation of bus operators’ contracts by county council officers and had not been approved by the councillors. The former timetables have now been reinstated pending further consultations.
Children’s Playgrounds
A detailed financial report had been prepared showing the total funding currently available and the breakdown of specifically allocated sums.
Work on the Ravenstonedale site has again been delayed by the wet weather making the ground too soft.
A draft Play Strategy had been received from Eden Play Partnership. Ravenstonedale has been represented by the Clerk at the Partnership meetings. Eden will be submitting a bid for £200,000 to Play England and the strategy is being developed to ensure equitable distribution of funds throughout the district. It has been suggested that, due to the advanced state of planning, the Newbiggin site could receive a significant grant as a pilot for the scheme. Sufficient funds are currently available to install some of the proposed equipment at Newbiggin but authorisation from EDC is needed to allow the work to be carried out in two phases without jeopardising our eligibility for funding.
A generous donation of £400.00 has been received from Ravenstonedale and Newbiggin-on-Lune Women’s Institute.
Upper Eden Community Plan
Cllr. Morris was not available to report.
Ravenstonedale High Chapel
A Draft lease has been requested from the North-West Synod but not yet received.
Finance
Sum Received
Breathing Places £10,000.00
R-dale & N-o-L W. I. (Playground) £400.00
Accounts for Payment
CALC – Model Code Advert. £15.00
Viking Direct - Printer Ink £44.32
G Boustead (Grasscutting play areas) £272.00
The foregoing three items were authorised for payment.
Conclusion of Audit 2006-2007 has been advertised. There were no comments from the External Auditor.
Highway Matters
A water leak in the road outside the Shrubbery, R-dale has been reported to the Highways Hotline and is Fault No. 140389. The current status is “the problem has been inspected and will be included in a future programme of work”.
Planning Applications
No. 070211 CHANGE OF USE OF HATCHERY TO SHOP & KITCHEN FOR PRODUCTION OF TROUT PRODUCTS
Type Full Application
Location Bessy Beck Trout Farm, Newbiggin-on-Lune
Applicant Mr I Riddell
Parish Council No objections. GRANTED
Eden Response to Unitary Cumbria Proposal.
A copy of Eden District Council’s response to the County Council bid for a Unitary Cumbria had been received and was noted.
Public Participation
There were no contributions from members of the public
Correspondence received
Cumbria Funding Links – July 2007
Cumbria Police Authority – Meeting Wed 11th July – Penrith RC
Community Waste Prevention Fund - Leaflets
Open Spaces Society Annual Report
Rights of Way – New Book by Riddell & Trevelyan
Clerks & Councils Direct
Clerk Magazine
Eden LSP Community Strategy Action Plan
CRISP Project Funding from CCC
EDC – Decent Homes Grants
Eden Re-cycling – Confirmation of Garden Waste Skip dates
CCC – Cumbria R o W Improvement Plan summary
Appleby New Fair Meeting Tuesday 10th July – Supper Room, Appleby
What Future for the 21st Century Village – 13th July – Cumbria Rural Enterprise agency, Penrith
The foregoing items of correspondence were noted or circulated as appropriate.
Date of next meeting: Thursday 13th September 2007
Signed Chairman Date 13th September 2007