Minutes of a meeting of Cockermouth Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Cockermouth on 21 April 2011 at 7.00pm

Members

A Tyson (Mayor)

I Burns S Coates
A Kennon C M Jackson
D Newton E Nicholson A Smith C Smith S Standage M Wood

Also present: 2 police representatives

171 To authorise the Mayor to sign as a correct record the minutes of the
meeting held on 16 March 2011.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2011 be signed
as a correct record.

172 Declaration of Interest

Councillor A Tyson declared a personal interest regarding item 7 due to being
members of the development panel

173 Mayors Announcements

The Town Mayor had attended the following events since his last report:-

Lakes College Annual Dinner
Round Table Charter Night
Cockermouth Town Council Civic Dinner
Allerdale Borough Council Civic Dinner
Meeting with Jeff Downham regarding the devolution of services
Presentation of Mayors Fund cheques to charities

174 Attendance by Police

The main issues arising from the policing report were as follows:-

Total crime in All Saints Ward decreased from 62 to 61 incidents as compared with the same period last year
Total crime in Christchurch increased from 118 to 126 incidents as compared with the same period last year
Anti-social behaviour and speeding vehicles in Sainsbury’s car park were highlighted and adopted during February’s Safer Stronger Community Meeting.

175 Public Participation

There was no public participation at the meeting.

176a Planning Applications

2/2011/0151

The development of 63 town houses and 38 apartments (including 25% affordable)
and use class C2 residential accommodation with care, comprising 55, one, two and
three bedroom apartments for persons aged 55 and over with associated works.

Former highways depot and gas holder site, Sullart Street, Cockermouth

Recommend Refusal – Massing, overdevelopment, unneigbourly development, strongly feel that the affordable housing on this site should meet the needs of the household survey and waiting list data i.e. 2 bed social rented houses.

2/2011/0186

Resubmission of application 2/2010/0966. Erection of attached roof

4 Culgarth Avenue, Cockermouth

Recommend Approval

2/2011/0187

Extension to provide additional accommodation

22 Briar Bank, Cockermouth

Recommend Approval

2/2011/0189

Listed building consent for internal alterations, create 2no. door entrances

Globe Hotel, 23 Main Street, Cockermouth

Recommend Approval

2/2011/0197

Advertisement consent for fascia sign, manifestation to windows and hanging sign

70 Main Street, Cockermouth

Recommend Approval

2/2011/0200

Revised dwelling type

Land at Strawberry How, Lorton Road, Cockermouth

Recommend Approval

2/2011/0203

Listed Building Consent for restoration of shop front

24 Main Street, Cockermouth

Recommend Approval

2/2011/0230

Listed building consent for reinstatement works, including partitions with revised
layouts and external retaining walls and steps

Norham House, 71 Main Street, Cockermouth

Recommend – Approval subject to reinstatement of frontage as per original listing.

2/2011/0241

Installation of two velux windows

10a Station Street, Cockermouth

Recommend Approval

176b Notification of decisions from Allerdale Borough Council and Cumbria
County Council

Agreed - That the decisions be noted.

176c Tree Works

Recommended – (a) That lime, sycamore and hawthorne growing within the old
river wall, land at Rubbybanks Cottage be removed to allow the river wall to be re-
constructed.

176d Tree Works, 27 Strawberry How

Agreed – That the approval of the pruning of overhanging branches be noted.

177 Highway Response Team

Town Clerk to report the following:-

Potholes at St Helens Street

178 Financial Matters

178a Schedule of Payments

Resolved – (a) That the schedule of payments in the sum of £23,210.86 as set
out in the expenditure transactions approval list be formally approved for payment.

178b Asbestos Remedial Works

Resolved – (a) That an alternative quote be sought in respect of the asbestos
remedial works identified.

178c Lioness Golf Competition

Resolved – That a raffle prize be donated.

178d ISS Contract

Resolved – That the Town Clerk negotiates a reduction in the 3.5% increase in cost
this year.

178e Derwent Owners’ Association

Resolved – That no contribution be made towards the DOA Habitat Improvement
Fund this year due to existing commitments.

179 Schedule of correspondence, notices and publications

179a Derwent Owners Association

Agreed – That the date of the AGM be noted.

179b CALC Circular

Agreed – That the content of the April circular be noted.

179c Community Transport

Agreed – That the name and contact details of the local volunteer co-ordinator for
Cockermouth be noted.

179d 217 Service to Frizington

Agreed – That the letter of complaint from Dean Parish Council regarding the axing
of this service be received.

179e Local Government Pension Scheme

Agreed – That the progressive increase in employee pension contributions over the
next 3 years be noted.

179f Cockermouth Events Network

Resolved – (a) That the minutes of the 8 March Meeting be noted.

(b) That the appointment of a Town Council representative be deferred until after
the elections.

179g Moota Garden Centre

Agreed – That their very generous offer to sponsor a bench or a tree be noted.

179h Ideas for the future of Cumbria’s Libraries

Cumbria County Council has launched the first stage in a conversation it wants to
have with residents regarding the future shape of the County’s library service.

Agreed – That the contents of the public discussion booklet be noted.

179i Sheep and Wool Signage

Following a letter of complaint regarding the signing of the Sheep and Wool
Centre, Members noted that that it was the intention of Cumbria County Council to
remove those directional signs which are on roads maintained by Cumbria County
Council during the course of this financial year.

With reference to the finger post signs within Cockermouth, Cumbria County
Council were trying to establish ownership.

Agreed – That the contents of the letter from David Bell, Senior Highway Engineer
be noted.

179j Electoral Review of Cumbria

The Commission has consulted upon Council size for Cumbria and is currently
minded to recommend the election of 84 elected members. The next stage of the
review invites town and parish councils to submit proposals for a new pattern of
divisions based on a Council size of 84.

Agreed – That it be noted that comments should be submitted no later than 20
June 2011.

179k Agreed Route Maps for Timber Haulage

Agreed – That the agreed route maps for transporting timber on the local road
network be noted.

179l Cockermouth Traffic Regulation Order

Cumbria Highways are currently collating a list of requests for possible alterations
to our TRO with the intention of assessing these as part of a possible review during
this financial year.

Resolved – That Councillor Nicholson discusses the following requests with
Matthew Reeves –

Introduction of double yellow lines on Bridge Street
Introduction of a disc zone on the top of Lorton Road
Improvements being introduced to allow residents in mobility scooters
Better access to the hospital in the area around Oaktree Crescent

179m Closing Order for Spring Fair

Agreed – That the closing order be noted.

179n Interpretation and Map Boards

The organisers of the Cockermouth Revival Rally would like to donate 6
Interpretation boards for the Town from their proceeds.

Agreed – That Wigton Motor Club be given the contact details of the Civic Trust
who wished to assist in the production of the Town maps.

179o Safety Advisory Group

The County and Borough Councils have recently established a Safety Advisory
Group to ensure that public event are organised and managed with a minimum of
risk.

Agreed – That the formation of the Group be noted.

179p Cockermouth Events Network

Agreed – That the contents of the 30 March 2011 minutes be noted.

180 Clerks Report

Those present considered the content of the Clerks report.

Resolved – That:-

(a) The content of the report be noted.
(b) That the leasing of the former cash office at a rental of £2000 per annum be formally endorsed.
(c) That the existing memorial benches in poor condition be replaced by the new style bench. New style bench to be placed in exact or similar location and wording on existing benches to be replicated.
(d) That the Gardening Competition Awards Evening be held on Thursday 8 September 2011
(e) That a Civic Reception be held in the Town Hall for our French visitors on 2 June 2011
(f) That the content of the minutes of the Friends of Cockermouth Memorial Gardens held on 26 March 2011 be noted.

181 Main Street Public Realm Improvement Scheme

Resolved – That the notes of the Main Street Improvement Group held on 30
March 2011 be noted.

182 Reduction of the height of the exterior wall surrounding the Town Hall

Resolved – That the planning and costing issues relating to this project be explored
further.

183 Planning Vanguards Bid

Resolved - (a) That our successful pilot bid be noted.

(b) That a special meeting be held after the elections to discuss how best
to progress this exciting new scheme.

184 Next Meeting

Agreed – That the dates of the next meeting be noted.

Resolved – That under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the public be removed for the following item of business due to tender prices being detailed.

185 Memorial Gardens

Resolved – That phase one work details and anticipated costings be agreed.

The meeting closed at 9.30 pm