Minutes of a meeting of Cockermouth Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Cockermouth on 20 July 2011 at 7.15pm

Members

C Smith (Mayor)

I Burns S Coates L Davies A Kennon A R Graham C M Jackson J Laidlow E Nicholson A Smith S Standage
Apologies: P Graham

Also present: 1 press representative, 1 police representative & 3 members of the
public.

34 To authorise the Mayor to sign as a correct record the minutes of the last
meeting

Resolved – That the minutes of the Meeting held on 15 June 2011 be signed as a
correct record subject to J Laidlow being added to the list of attendees.

35 Declaration of Interest

Councillors Jackson, C Smith and Standage declared a personal interest
regarding item 7 due to being members of the development panel. Councillor A
Smith declared a personal interest in any item relation to Allerdale Borough Council
due to being the Council Leader.

36 Mayors Announcements

Agreed – That the list of activities attended since the last meeting be noted.

37 Attendance by Police

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

Total crime in All Saints had increased from 41 incidents to 51 incidents
Total crime in Christchurch had decreased from 88 incidents to 74 incidents
A successful Youth Cafe had recently been established on Friday and Saturday evenings in Jordan’s Jungle

38 Public Participation

There was no public participation at the meeting.

39a Planning Applications

2/2011/0189

Listed building consent for the creation of two fire escape doors side elevation using window openings and brick up internally an existing external doorway. Re roof part of internal court yard to include a glazed roof light. Form a first floor level walkway in internal yard. Internal structural alterations to include creation of openings within the existing masonry and brick walls form a goods lift and food hoist. New glazed external door to internal yard.

Globe Hotel, 23 Main Street, Cockermouth

Amendment, Proposed internal sectional elevation

This application had already been approved by Allerdale Borough Council

2/2011/0374

Change of use from joiners workshop to residential

The Stable, Sullart Street, Cockermouth

Recommend – Approval

2/2011/0379

Conversion of existing lock up shop into an office

Building adjacent to 1-5 Lorton Street, Cockermouth

Recommend - Approval

2/2011/0381

Change of use of existing craftshop, cafe and 2 offices to 5 additional flats resubmission of 2/2010/0939

Anderson Court, Sullart Street, Cockermouth

Recommend – Refusal due to insufficient car parking being provided.

2/2011/0386

Construct second floor extension to side and conservatory to rear

21 Willow Lane, Cockermouth

Recommend – Approval

2/2011/0396

Change of use of sheep auditorium, stage and back stage area to 15 en-suite bedrooms to replace extant planning permission 2/2008/0416

Lakeland Sheep and Wool Centre, Waterloo Lane, Cockermouth

Recommend - Approval

2/2011/0399

Erection of summer house on the garden terrace

Wordsworth House, Main Street, Cockermouth

Recommend - Approval

2/2011/0400

Listed building consent for new fascia signage, projecting signage and lighting

Spice Club, 25 Main Street, Cockermouth

Recommend - Approval

2/2011/0410

Advertisement consent for new fascia and hanging sign including new lighting

Spice Club, 25 Main Street Cockermouth

Recommend - Approval

2/2011/0410

Advertisement consent for new fascia and hanging sign including new lighting

Spice Club, 25 Main Street Cockermouth

Amendment- Lighting Contrast + C1 & Lighting Cesar 1

Recommend - Approval

2/2011/0411

Replace existing windows and door with timber sliding sash windows and timber doors

7 Croft Terrace, Cockermouth

Recommend – Approval

2/2011/0430

Variation of conditions 2,3 and 5 of planning application 2/2009/0470 for a change of use to residential

The Stable, Sullart Street, Cockermouth

Recommend – Approval

2/2011/0437

Listing Building Consent for solar panel PV system on south facing front roof

26 & 28 South Street, Cockermouth

Recommend - Approval

2/2011/0454

Alterations and repairs to existing workshop/garage and erection of wall

3 Skiddaw View, Cockermouth

Recommend - Approval

2/2011/0456

Demolition of existing single storey garage and rebuilding of 2 storey extension with integral garage

26 Sunscales Avenue, Cockermouth

Recommend – Approval

2/2011/0457

Listed Building Consent for repair of existing shop front and installation of new sign

21 Market Place, Cockermouth

Recommend - Approval

2/2011/0462

Proposed 4 bedroom dwelling with detached double garage

Land Adjacent to Victoria Road and Kirkbank, Victoria Road, Cockermouth

Recommend - Approval

39b Tree Works

Recommended – (a) That no objection be raised to the pollarding of a horse
chestnut tree outside 47 Kirkgate, Cockermouth. However works had been carried
out without the benefit of permission being obtained.

39c Tree Works

Recommended – That the approval of tree works at 59 Kirkgate & 25 Kirkgate be
noted.

39d Public Participation Scheme at Development Panel

Agreed – That the Planning Manager’s response regarding the limitation of
speakers to 3 objectors on each application was introduced to ensure the effective
management of Panel Meetings be noted. Members were still unhappy with his
answer and hoped that this issue would be raised again when the procedures were
reviewed in December 2011.

39e Trees at Strawberry Howe

Agreed – That the Planning Manager’s response confirming that a professional
tree report justified the trees removal and that as part of the approval 4
replacement trees will have to be replanted. Members were still unhappy with his
answer as the trees looked perfectly healthy.

39f Unauthorised felling of a horse chestnut, Kirkgate

Agreed – That it be noted that the householder has a duty to replant.

40 Highway Response Team

Town Clerk to report the following:-

Councillor Nicholson to investigate the lack of dropped kerbs
Two street lights on Brigham Road which are constantly on

41 Financial Matters

41a Schedule of Payments

Resolved – That the schedule of payments in the sum of £38,586.51 as set
out in the expenditure transactions approval list be formally approved for payment.

41b Financial Budget Comparison

Agreed – That the financial budget comparison report be noted.

42 Schedule of correspondence, notices and publications

42a Lioness Golf Competition

Agreed – That the letter of thanks be noted.

42b MRWS E-BULLETIN No.6

Agreed – That the content of the circular be noted.

42c Landscape Character Supplementary Planning Document – Draft for
Consultation.

Agreed – That the Landscape Character Supplementary Planning Consultation
Document be noted.

42d Calc Circular

Agreed – That the June Edition of the CALC circular be noted.

42e Police Community Liaison Forums

Agreed – That the abolition of these quarterly meetings be noted.

42f Allerdale District Broadband Board

Calc is committed to the establishment of broadband boards in each of their five
district association areas. Cumbria County Council were hoping that every parish
will appoint a broadband champion.

Agreed – That the contents of the letter be noted.

42g Private Sewer Ownership

Agreed – That it be noted that the law on private sewer ownership will change from 1st October 2011, after this date, you will be responsible only for the drainage pipe which serves your own property, sewer pipes which are shared by more than one property or run beyond your property boundary will become United Utilities responsibility.

42h A66 – Scour Repairs

Agreed – That it be noted that Enterprise Mouchel will be carrying out scour
repairs to the base of the retaining walls at Melgramfitz and Broughton Cross on
the A66 Trunk Road. Works will commence on the 15 August 2011 and will last
for 2 weeks.

42i Application to hold an event on Council land

Resolved – That SK Events be granted permission to use the Memorial Gardens
between the 23 – 26 September for the Taste Cumbria Food Festival subject to no
alcohol being sold and the appropriate licences being obtained.

42k Refurbishment of the Kirkgate Centre

Agreed – That the development of plans to refurbish and extend the Kirkgate
Centre be noted but that the matter be not discussed at a future Town Council
Meeting.

43 Clerks Report

Those present considered the content of the Clerks report.

Resolved – (a) That the content of the report be noted.

(b) That the former bar area on the first floor be leased to 118 Events for a 12
month period commencing on the 1 August 2011.

(c) That the plans for the new entrance to the Memorial Gardens be revised.

44 Main Street Improvement Group

Agreed – That the notes of the Main Street Improvement Group held on 15 June
2011 and 5 July 2011be noted.

45 Town Centre Flood Recovery Co-ordinator

Members were pleased to note that Dr Tickner had been tasked with resolving the
long standing infrastructure issues in Market Place as well as being more involved
in the overall environmental maintenance in Cockermouth.

Dr Tickner to clarify whether the Police can assist in enforcing unauthorised parking
on the mosaic area of Market Place.

Resolved – (a) That the content of Dr Tickner’s report be noted.

46 Community Organisers Programme

Kate Parry gave a detailed presentation regarding a pilot scheme being undertaken
by the Kirkgate Centre in relation to the Community Organisers Programme.

Three community organisers had been appointed and for the next 12 months they
would be encouraging and facilitating residents to address their concerns on a one
to one basis.

Agreed – That the content of the presentation be noted and that the Kirkgate be
wished every success.

46 Flood Prevention Scheme

The Environment Agency/Cockermouth Flood Action Group had approached the
Town Council with regard to increasing its precept to assist in raising funds
to upgrade the Town’s flood defences.

It was estimated that a community contribution of £200,000 was required to assist
in securing £5.2 million of Payment for Outcomes Funding to improve existing
flood defences within the Town.

CFAG had already raised £88,000 of funding towards the scheme. Other ways of
raising money would also need to be explored and the opening up of a charity
account, gift aid and pursuing a Business Improvement Scheme had also been
suggested.

Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 enables local councils to spend a
limited amount of money (currently £6.64 per elector, the relevant population is the
number of persons on the electoral roll for the town as at 1 April) for purposes for
which they have no other specific statutory expenditure as long as the purpose
directly benefits its area, or part of its area or all or some of its inhabitants and that
the direct benefit accruing to its area or residents is commensurate with the
expenditure incurred.

The Town Council can raise a maximum of £44,063.04per year under Section
137 of the Local Government Act 1972 (based on elector figures obtained from
Allerdale Borough Council on 1 July 2011).

An initial poll of 335 people undertaken by CFAG suggested that 86% of those
taking part in the survey would support the idea.

Members agreed that this was a community problem which required a community
solution.

Resolved – (a) That subject to the majority of householders in Cockermouth
supporting expenditure being incurred under Section 137 of the Local Government
Act 1972 for the purposes of a contribution towards a £5.2m flood prevention
scheme for the direct benefit of Cockermouth, it be agreed in principle that
expenditure of £40,000.00 be raised via the precept each year for the next 3 years
(if still required).

(b) That the setting of the final precept figure be delayed until January 2012 when
the Environment Agency will be in a position to confirm that the Government will
contribute to the scheme.

(c) That the Town Council be furnished with a written statement of how the money
has been spent within 12 months of the assistance being given.

48 Main Street Improvement Scheme

Dr Tickner informed those present that 230 questionnaires regarding the Main
Street Improvement Scheme had been returned.

A broad spectrum of views had been obtained.

The main issues raised were as follows:-

Replanting of trees in same place, mature size requested
Surfacing/textures natural stone or cast stone?
Improved and standardised lighting
Reservations/objections about widening footway
Support for Wordsworth Rose in roundabout
Bespoke Signage wanted
Bus Shelters wanted
Additional seating on Main Street wanted

The questionnaires would now be analysed and a more focussed design drawn up
for further consultation.

Agreed – That the content of the presentation be noted.

49 Next Meeting

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

Resolved – That under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the public be removed from the following item of business due to the possibility of legal action being taken.

50 Memorial Gardens

Resolved – That Counsel be instructed to draft an appropriate letter for submission
to Court.

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm