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MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD IN VICTORIA HALL, COCKERMOUTH ON MONDAY 9 MAY 2011 AT 7PM Present: Councillor A Tyson, Town Mayor/Chairman Retiring Councillors also present: Mrs M Wood There were also approximately 10 members of the public present. Apologies: Councillor S Standage & retiring councillor D Newton Minutes The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Monday 10 May 2010 were received as a correct record. Annual Report of the Town Council The Town Mayor, Alan Tyson presented his report as follows:- 2010/2011 has once again been a very busy year with 12 Council meetings and 2 Town Twinning Advisory Committee Meetings having been held. The Police have been regular attendees at our meetings providing the Council with updates on crime statistics and other matters and answering queries. The Council continues to appreciate the help given by the Police for Town events such as the Christmas Illuminations Switch On Day event and the Malcolm Wilson Rally. The Town Council continues to work closely with Dr Les Tickner, the
Town Centre Flood Recovery The Town Council is consulted by the Borough Council on all planning applications within the town of Cockermouth and in all cases comments have been forwarded to the Borough Council setting out the Town Council's views. The final decision on planning applications does not always agree with the views of the Town Council however the majority of decisions do agree. Social Regeneration Consultants were appointed to prepare a locality plan for Cockermouth and the surrounding parishes. This involved establishing a baseline of current information, involving a wide range of local people and interested organisations, building a consensus about our town's future direction and producing an action plan setting out the steps required to tackle the towns' priorities as well as identifying funding opportunities. The refurbishment of the Town Hall continues. The drainage system was replaced last year following collapse and blockage. Works are currently being undertaken on the roof, guttering, external surfaces and windows and the building will receive a much needed lick of paint. The basement was severely affected by the flooding and remedial works are now completed. The space has been transformed and a new disabled access has been installed via the rear boundary wall from Riverside Car Park ensures DDA compliance. Victoria Hall remains in the ownership of the Town Council with Joe Jackson as the caretaker. Victoria Hall was also severely affected by the flooding, remedial works are now complete. The Town Council hopes that the newly refurbished facilities will attract even greater usage - the hall represents excellent value for a venue in the centre of town for meetings, social events, coffee mornings etc. and there is always plenty of availability. The Tourist Information Centre received 29,208 visitors in 2010/11 (78 down on last year), the centre continues to be managed by Mrs Julia Hindle assisted by a number of part time staff. The Town Council web site at www.cockermouth.org.uk is provided by Instinct Training, a local South Street based firm, and this is much appreciated. The Town Council pages on the web site are being continually updated, dates of meetings, minutes of meetings, budget etc are now available on line. Wi-Fi access is available within the tourist information centre and payments are now able to be made using debit/credit cards. Twinning links continue to flourish with official school exchanges and student exchanges being part of the continuing links which take place. The 27th Anniversary week was held in Cockermouth between the 24 October and 30 October 2010. Over 74 Marvejolais travelled to Cockermouth to take part in the celebrations. Highlights of the trip included:- A visit to Skipton Initial preparations are underway in respect of the 28th Anniversary visit to Marvejols in the October half term, we hope to take up to 59 Cockermouthians to Marvejols via coach. As a result of the town being awarded the Europe Prize in the year 2000 a Europe Prize Scholarship Fund was set up and has now become established and a great help to Cockermouth 6th form youngsters pursuing their studies in Europe. The Committee continues to raise money to keep the fund going for the foreseeable future and the Council continues to actively support the Association of Towns Awarded the Europe Prize of which it is a proud member. Despite discussions with Egremont Estates the Council has still not managed to find any additional allotment land to supplement the allotments it provides at St. Helen's Street and the Gote and at the moment there are 66 people on the waiting list for an allotment. The Council continues to support the Allotment Association and continues to meet monthly to discuss matters of mutual interest. A successful presentation evening was held in the Council Chamber on 9 September 2010 for winners of the Garden and Allotment Competition. Donations to various charities and local organisations were made during the year in the sum of approximately £2000. The Council will once again, sponsor The Kirkgate Centre in its annual arts programme in Cockermouth during 2011/12. The re-vamped Cockermouth festival held between 19/6/10 - 3/7/10 provided a programme of nationally renowned artists that brought our community together. Preparations are well underway for this year's event. The fireworks display held in the Memorial Gardens was a resounding success and will be repeated again this year. The Council continues to be the owner of Cockermouth Youth Hostel and rent income amounting to £2974 was received from the Youth Hostel Association during 2010/11. This was slightly down on last year due to flooding. The Christmas lights were re-vamped last year and looked amazingly beautiful. The use of one watt led lamps will more than half our electricity bill in future years. The Council organised the usual Best Dressed Window Competition, Window Spotting Competition, Best Dressed Private House Competition and organised a tour of the lights for elderly. The Council continues to be grateful for the donations made by businesses, local organisations and individuals towards the cost of the lights. Civic events organised included the annual Civic Dinner, Civic Service and the Cenotaph Service on Remembrance Sunday. The BBC Children in Need event held on the 19 November 2010 provided a fabulous evening of free family fun and once again put Cockermouth on the map. The Council's Internal Auditor, Jean Airey, a former Town Clerk of Keswick, regularly audited the Council's accounts and reported back to the Council. This year's annual accounts have been prepared and the Clerk will shortly be sending off the required Annual Return to the External District Auditor. The Council continues to employ ISS Waterers Landscapes as their Maintenance Contractor for works at the Memorial Gardens. Flood damage to the gardens was extensive. We anticipate that funding will be forthcoming from several major funding over the next few months and that work will commence on our Master Plan. The Council supported Cockermouth Carnival by participating with its float and providing music on it to add to the atmosphere. Tarn Close Sports Ground continues to be managed by the Town Council and has been used by Cockermouth Titans Rugby League Club and Cockermouth Rugby Union Club for their juniors over the past season. The Town Council spent £2000 on pitch improvements last year. Following concerns about Town Waters being abused it was agreed that as of 1 April 2010, new conditions, increased fees and charges and an enforcement system should be introduced to help alleviate matters. The Localism Bill published on the 13 December 2010 aims to shift power from central government back into the hands of individuals, communities and Councils by lifting the burden of bureaucracy, empowering communities and strengthening accountability to local people. A range of new powers and reforms will be introduced as a result of the Bill. The Council continues to be represented on the Cockermouth and Papcastle
Recreational Charity. Sheila Brown, the Responsible Financial Officer gave a brief summary of the accounts for 2010/11. Annual Report from All Saints' CE Primary School We had a wonderful start to our year with the official opening of our Sensory Garden. The sun shone, our choir sang and Robbie Dee from CFM opened the garden, before everyone explored the innovative project. The garden has proved very popular and has been used by many community groups - it is a huge hit with our Parent and Toddler group and the local playgroups. We have been successful in many of our bids to obtain grant funding for the variety of projects that we run in school. We were particularly delighted when we obtained a large bid which has enabled our older children experience adventurous sports. The children were thrilled when they participated in kayaking, ghyll scrambling, sailing and archery. They have other activities still to come in the summer and autumn terms and are especially looking forward to the day away in Yorkshire caving. We are very proud of our children's many academic achievements which only last week included Chloe Sanderson winning the overall Rotary prize for the Cockermouth Primary Schools for the letter writing competition. She wrote a letter to William Wordsworth telling him about the recent events in Cockermouth e.g. the flooding in 2009, as well as asking him questions about when he lived in the town. The school continues to work with Nrich from Cambridge University and their problem solving skills and mathematical enthusiasm have developed even more. Our choir continues to go from strength to strength and we have had many requests to open and attend community events. The children are currently rehearsing for singing at The Sage in Gateshead and look forward to entertaining the community at the next community event. Nicola Smallwood B Ed (Cambs), MA, Headteacher As your representative on the County Council this year I have been
the Local Committee Chair, Chair of Personnel and served as a member
of the Highways Scrutiny Board. The Capita contract has now come to an end and all staff that were on dedicated work for the County Council have transferred back in house which we hope will provide saving in the future The ICT contract with Agilisis is now under review to see if we can achieve further savings with improved ICT between departments and other Councils. A new method of roads maintenance has been rolled out, called better highways. This involves having 3 man teams with a dedicated area for them to look after. This new way of working will I believe only come into its own once the Amy contract ceases next year where these staff will then be under direct control of the council, and the local highways depot team at Lillyhall. It is envisaged that major patching works will be put out to tender to local contractors giving the Council better control of the quality of the works undertaken and better control of budgets. Single Status is proving to be a very emotive issue particularly for
teaching assistants. We have delivered a 0% increase in Council Tax due to additional support from Government to achieve this. We have had an additional 24 grit bins located throughout town for self help. The Council have agreed to procure the works for the impending Main Street improvements being delivered jointly with the Borough Council and the Town Council. I urge everyone to get involved in the design stage of this process as I have some real concerns about some of the proposals which would impact on the town for many years to come. Questions: An elector complained about the St Helens Street bus service. He stated that certain drivers would not go up St Helens Street as they could not turn at the top. Other drivers were able to turn at the top. Councillor Nicholson promised to contact the operator, Stagecoach regarding the matter. The same elector thanked Councillors Nicholson and Kennon for the new salt bin on St Helens Street. He reported that the salt bin at Waste Lane had been turned over and that despite reporting the matter there was still salt all over the road. Councillor Nicholson promised to have this cleared up by the end of the week. The new bin at St Helens Street was one of 34 bins placed around the town to assist self-help in adverse conditions. The lack of gritting in Market Place was also discussed. Councillor Nicholson stated that there had been a £4 million overspend by the County Council last year. It was suggested that allowing the street cleaner to grit pavements etc in adverse weather when he could not clean the pavements would ease the situation. The same elector also complained about pot holes. St Helens Street was particularly bad. Councillor Nicholson stated that the Highway Teams had been firefighting but were now doing their routine tasks. Observations from County Councillor A Kennon Now into my 3rd year as a County Councillor things in and around Cockermouth are still revolving around the aftermath of the flood. After the initial flood recovery meeting the now formed Main Street Improvement Group has been formed to over-sea the repair and improvement of the area for further generations. I am involved in this as the official County Council Member. The work is gathering pace now and the Town will see more public meetings in the next six months as to assess the implementation of any outcomes. So it is hoped the people will take an interest in the scheme and become involved in how your town centre will look going into the future. Still involved with the Cockermouth Flood Action Group with the hope we get the proposed upgraded flood defences for the town centre implemented as soon as possible but big effort will be needed by the whole team to raise matched funding with the Environment Agency to make this happen. I sit on the Cumbria Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee which has a large over seeing eye on the workings of the N.H.S and are actually pushing hard to make sure the changes happening in our area go smoothly with improvement to services and as little loss of amenities as possible. Our remit covers the West Cumberland Hospital re-generation, the closer to home development of delivery services, The Cottage Hospital development various other health issues. I meet regularly with Sustrans, Allerdale and Copeland Council on the Cycle Path Group which covers the whole cycle path network in the County. This in conjunction with the Allerdale Highways and Transport Working Group ensures our towns voice is heard in the right places. These meetings along with parish meetings of Dean and Greysouthen help me, hopefully to deliver the outcomes of my locality. Yours in Service Questions: An elector expressed concern that health services were being moved to Carlisle. Councillor Kennon stated that the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee were keeping a close watch on the situation; some services had been moved to Carlisle temporarily due to the refurbishment of West Cumberland Hospital. Report by retiring Borough Councillor Alan Tyson How time flies! I have now spent 3 years as an Alliance Councillor for Allerdale. This year I have served on 4 Council Committee's - Scrutiny Board, Scrutiny Panel 2, Audit and the Development Panel plus Nuclear Issues Working Group and the Transformation Working Group. Being thrown in at the deep end has been a great learning experience in a short time but I still feel I have a lot to learn. Scrutiny Looks at Allerdale's performance both externally and internally. In 2009 it re-organised into the board and 2 panels. The Board covers all aspects of the Councils plan and challenges the Executive if necessary. It delegates specific tasks for the 2 panels to investigate. With the new constitution giving more power to the Executive, Scrutiny's role becomes more important. Audit Shadows and supports internal audit in monitoring the financial and non financial performance of key departments and services with regard to risk. We also oversee the Council's annual reporting and approve the annual Governance Statement. The Development Panel Considers both large planning applications and more difficult smaller applications which have not been resolved in house by the planning department. With flood recovery in our conservation area there have been many small Cockermouth applications this year. Infrastructure restraints (eastern access, water/sewage) on house building and lack of affordable homes for the young are key local issues. The Nuclear Issues Working Group Meets with Nuclear Agencies, NDA, representing Decommissioning, waste storage and disposal, and the new operators of Sellafield and Drigg sites. With 25 years work on Nuclear Wastes I am 'at home' with such issues. The Transformation Working Group Was set up last year in respect of Government Funding cuts and achieved the savings needed. Systematic Service Reviews are underway to identify future savings. Last cutting is still important but the real purpose of Transformation is to meet the new corporate improvement plan 'A better Climate for Change'. Localism is the 'in word' these days. I feel it's important to pull my weight both for Cockermouth and All Saints Ward. If re-elected in May, I hope to be involved in the Cockermouth Locality Plan and in the Vanguard Scheme to create a 'Local Development Order' to give Cockermouth more say in its planning matters. A Tyson Question: Retiring Councillor Tyson was asked if he had been satisfied with Scrutiny's review regarding car parking. Retiring Councillor Tyson stated that he had not been satisfied with the outcome but that he was no longer a member of Allerdale Borough Council. Report from Allerdale Borough Councillor Mrs C M Jackson I have been a representative on Allerdale Borough Council for the Christ Church Ward in Cockermouth for the last 12 years. For the last 4 years I have been a member of the Executive Committee with the Portfolio for Business. My responsibilities within the Portfolio are Housing Services, Planning, Planning Policy and Building Control. Housing Services The Housing Department works with the Registered Providers and the Private Rented Sector to provide Sustainable Communities. Homelessness Homelessness is a statutory function which the Council must deliver. The presentation of homeless people is on the increase and in the present financial climate it will not get any better. We are working alongside RP's to find provision of housing for the homeless. Recently Cumbria Choice has been launched. This is the new County Wide Choice Based Lettings Scheme which all 6 Local Authorities and 8 Registered Providers are working in partnership to deliver a more transparent lettings scheme. This should hopefully help with our homeless presentation as they fall in the top banding. Financial efficiencies and smarter ways of working continue to be identified
and implemented. Additional areas that are currently being investigated
include the following: Housing Needs This is a very important part of the section and can act as a catalyst to enable the Authority to tap into more strategic areas that require research and development. The Strategic Housing Market Assessments, which include Workington, Maryport, Silloth, Wigton, Cockermouth and Keswick, have recently been formally adopted. This provides the necessary evidence for developers, registered providers and our planning department when determining planning submissions and determinations. The need in Cockermouth is still for affordable rented properties. Disabled Facilities Grants Another statutory function which housing services deliver is the Disabled Facilities Grant. Demand for this scheme continues to grow. All Cumbria Local Authorities continue to lobby Government on the need to receive an increased award of DFG's. These grants enable people to stay in their homes longer. Planning The Planning Department over the last 12 months has continued to be
a key player in assisting the public, architects and property owners
on restoration planning issues arising from the flood events of 2009.
The Planning Enforcement Section deals with a wide range of complaints relating to potential breaches of planning control, each of which is independently investigated. Building Control Building Control have over the last 12 months also been heavily involved with the flood restoration effort. They have worked with householders, businesses, builders, loss adjusters and other agencies involved in the flood recovery. Their main involvement relates to the replacement of internal linings, floors, windows, electrical works and heating systems. I am a member of the Supporting People Commissioning Board, Cumbria Housing Executive Group and the West Cumbria Housing Group. As a member of the Cumbria Housing Executive I was nominated by this group as the Gypsy and Travellers Champion and I am working with Officers from all the six Districts in Cumbria to oversee the bid which has recently been submitted to the Homes and Communities Agency, to enable each District provide a permanent site or sites for the Gypsy and Travellers community. I have also dealt with a large number of problems reported to me by the people of Cockermouth. Margaret Jackson. An elector asked Councillor Jackson what she had done for social housing over the last 4 years? Councillor Jackson stated that additional social housing was vital
for the town and that representations had The same elector asked why Sullart Street was not purchased by Allerdale Borough Council? Councillor Jackson replied that the Alliance had not been in power
at the date of purchase. The outline An elector thanked Councillors Jackson and Standage for their assistance
on the Main Street Improvement Report from Allerdale Borough Councillor Alan Smith I am still the Leader of the Labour Group, and Opposition Leader, my committees include various Working Groups, Executive Committee appointments :- " Port of Workington Board member I have attended meetings of the Executive Committee, in capacity as Opposition Leader, under Standing Order 36, but recently have stopped attending, as this meeting can last as little as 10min's I am still campaigning for more affordable rented housing, there is a still a great need for rented accommodation, the debates for future home building is beginning to hot again, but there a problems that need to be sorted, the sewerage works are at capacity, the road infrastructures are at crisis point, especially on the All Saints ward. Alan Smith Questions: Councillor Smith was asked if he intended to change the length of the time taken at Executive Meetings? Councillor Smith replied that it was his intention to do so. I am pleased to serve Cockermouth on All Saint's Ward as a representative on Allerdale Borough Council. I currently serve on the Allerdale's Executive as Portfolio holder
for Places. I also serve on the Risk My responsibilities as Portfolio holder for Places cover all aspects
of from Waste Management, recycling, I can say that the work involved as an portfolio holder is quite time
consuming as it involves many meetings Nuclear Issues Working Group The Group meets on a regular basis with representatives of such agencies
as Nuclear Decommissioning S Standage An elector asked why extra money was given by Allerdale Borough Council to Maryport and Wigton Pools when both pools belong to Cumbria County Council? Councillor Jackson stated that at the time it was felt very important that all children in the area benefitted from the 'free swimming' programme. Extra funding had been available at that time. Cockermouth and Papcastle Recreational Charity Committee The Clerk circulated a report received from Cockermouth and Papcastle Recreational Charity together with the accounts for last year. The Clerk indicated that the Committee was always happy to receive applications from local organisations who might qualify for funding. Agreed - That the report be formally received. Resolutions of which Written Notice had been Given None received.
Mr Carr submitted the following questions on the day of the meeting. 1. An additional charge per household on the rates/precept was suggested
to aid the flood prevention requirement. What is the Council's position
on this? The following answers were given. 1. Cockermouth Flood Action Group had only just formally approached
the Town Council that morning. Research was needed to establish is this
was lawful. The Mayor then closed the meeting by thanking everyone for their attendance
and the meeting closed at 8.20 pm
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