Minutes of a meeting of Cockermouth Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Cockermouth on Thursday 19 August 2009 at 6.30pm


Members


S Coates (Mayor)


I Burns C M Jackson A Kennon L G Lytollis

D Newton A Smith

C Smith S Standage M Wood

Apologies: Councillors E Nicholson & A Tyson


Also present: 1 press representative


45 To authorise the Mayor to sign as a correct record the minutes of the

meeting held on 16 July 2009.


Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2009 be signed as a

correct record.


46 Declaration of Interest


None declared.

47 Mayors Announcements


The Town Mayor gave details of the events he had attended since the last meeting.


These included:-



48 Cittaslow


D Keir, Allerdale Borough gave a detailed presentation regarding the history of

Cockermouth’s Cittaslow accreditation and the merits of remaining a Cittaslow town.

Resolved – (a) That the Town Council supports in principle taking the lead with

regard to Cittaslow.


(b) That trader support be investigated.


(c) That raising the £1500 yearly subscription charge through membership charges

also be explored.


49 Attendance by Police


The Community Police informed those present that PC Sue Wheelhouse had been

nominated as Cumbria Constabulary Community Officer of the year and would be

attending an awards ceremony in London this year.


For the next 6 weeks, the Special Constabulary will be providing a carrier full of

officers on Friday nights to help tackle anti-social behaviour issues.


Total crime in All Saints ward had decreased by 20.6% however, total crime in

Christchurch ward had increased by 46.9% (23 extra incidents).


Police had dealt with 9 road traffic collisions during the last period, all were damage

only accidents.


Councillor Jackson requested that the Derwent Mills area be included in the list of

priority areas for youth disorder and anti-social behaviour.

.

50 Public Participation


No questions or petitions were received from members of the public.


51 Cockermouth Rugby Club Proposals


Darren Ward, Red Raven Contemporary Design outlined Rockford Holdings

provisional proposals in relation to the development of land adjacent the Rugby

Club, Lorton Road, Cockermouth.


Provisional proposals included the relocation of the existing tennis courts and the

provision of a new 42 space parking area for the Rugby Club and the erection of a

mixture of open market and social housing (13 of the proposed 27 houses

were earmarked for social housing).


Members expressed concern that the site was outside the town development

boundary which currently ran around the old school and that without another road

out of All Saints ward, the proposed development would only add to existing

congestion.

52a Planning Applications


Resolved - That the Council’s observations on the following planning

Applications received to date be forwarded to the Chief Planning Officer:-


2/2009/0474


Replace existing front door with a timber door with fan light vertical upper double

glazed obscure glass panels.


3 The Croft, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval


2/2009/0484


Alterations and extensions to provide additional living accommodation on the ground

floor and a master bedroom on the first floor.


38 Lowscales Drive, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval


2/2009/0497


Demolish derelict store and replace with new store integral to premises


12 Market Place, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval subject to proposal being in keeping with the conservation

area.


2/2009/0516


Replace timber windows at rear of property with pvcu, windows in similar

appearance and design. Retrospective consent for two pvcu windows at rear of

property already installed.


1 The Laurals, Rubbybanks Road, Cockermouth


Recommend Refusal in a conservation area.


2/2009/0517


Replace existing timber doors and windows with pvc-u doors and windows


18 The Fallows, New Street, Cockermouth


Recommend refusal – in a conservation area.


2/2009/0521


Change of use of former fire station building (vacant) to B8 storage facility for

domestic furniture.


Former Fire Station, 24 Lorton Street, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval


2/2009/0542


Provision of parking space using area currently used as a garden


34 Fell View, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval


2/2009/0545


Change of use of office space to beauty treatment rooms


76 Main Street, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval


2/2009/0550


Advertisement consent for 1 No. fascia sign, 1 No, conservation projecting sign 1 No.

set window lettering.


9 Station Street, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval


2/2009/0559


Erection of a new two storey extension to rear of property, with internal alterations to

existing structure.


18 Windmill Lane, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval


52b Notification of decisions from Allerdale Borough Council and Cumbria County

Council


Agreed - That the various notifications of planning decisions as received from the

Borough Council and County Council be noted.


52c Tree works at 13 Challoner Street and Land at Rope Walk Cottage, Kirkgate


Resolved – That the approval of the removal of a lime tree at 13 Challoner Street

be noted and that no objections be raised to the cutting back of branches from a

sycamore tree, land at Rope Walk Cottage, Kirkgate.


52d Tree Works, 2, Challoner Court


Agreed – That the refusal to either fell a pine tree or reduced the pine tree by 60%

be noted. The proposed works were felt to be too excessive and no evidence was

provided to justify the work.


53 Highways Matters

53a Highway Response Team


Agreed – That the Highway Response Team be requested to cut back the trees

surrounding the post box on Gable Avenue.


54 Financial Matters


54a Schedule of Payments


Resolved – That the amended schedule of payments in the sum of £9121.22 as set out in the amended expenditure transactions approval list be formally approved for

payment.


54b Tarn Close


Resolved – That the annual rate for the season ahead be set at £350.00.

55 Schedule of correspondence, notices and publications


55a Partial Revision of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West published

In September 2008


The draft submission document contained two new policies L6 and L7 to deal with

accommodation needs for Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling show people

communities and a revision to existing RSS policy RT2 covering specific matters on

regional car parking standards.

Agreed – That the partial revision be noted and no comment made.


55b Cumbria Association of Local Councils


Agreed – That the training prospectus for September 2009 – March 2010 be noted

and that the Clerk be authorised to attend the Health, Safety and Risk Assessment

course on 1st December in Newton Rigg at a cost of £49.00.

55c Closing Order Jennings Charity Open Day – 12 September 2009


Agreed – That the closing order be noted.


55d Gambling Act 2005 – Proposed amendments


Resolved – That the draft policy and summary of amendments be noted.


55e Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS)


From 12 October 2009, new measures will be introduced to help prevent unsuitable

People from undertaking paid or volunteer work with children or vulnerable adults.

All new employees, those moving jobs and volunteers must by ISA registered from

July 2010. Until they have been registered (it is the employee’s responsibility to

register) they cannot legally be employed.


Agreed – That the new measures be noted.


55f CALC Circular


Agreed – That the contents of the circular be noted.

55g Action for Market Towns


Action for Market Towns (AMT) has been granted funding from the Lottery Fund, in

order to draw down these funds and implement a programme of support. The Rural

Development Programme for England (RDPE) may match this funding if ‘evidence

of support’ is obtained in relation to the training and networking opportunities on

offer.


Resolved – That due to the lack of suitability of the programme of training no letter

of interest be sent.


55h Cumbria Highways – Issue 14


Agreed – That the content of issue 14 be noted.


55i All Saints’Church Open Day


An invitation was received from the Church Warden regarding an open day to take

place on Saturday 22 August following an extensive re-ordering of the church

interior.


Agreed – That the open invitation be noted.


55j Workington Police Area Community Liaison Forum


Agreed – That the meeting scheduled to be held on 8 September 2009 in St.

Michaels Conference Centre be noted.


55k Cumbria Housing Group – Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA)


The Cumbria Housing Group (CHG) through the Research and Information Group

has been preparing county wide strategic housing market assessments (SHMAs) for

each District Local Authority Area in Cumbria. Based upon the SHMA evidence and

other local evidence, each Local Planning Authority will be in a position to choose

the levels of new housing provision and the policies appropriate for their area. The

town council was being invited to comment upon the information contained in the

SHMAs set out for each Housing Market Area. Consultation ends on 11 September

2009.


Agreed – That the SHMA for Allerdale be supported.


55l CIEP Training Event


Resolved – That the Town Clerk be allowed to attend this free event on 12

November 2009 in Wigton Market Hall and that Councillor Smith also be allowed to

attend this free event on 24 November at The Wave in Maryport.

56 Clerks Report


Those present considered the content of the Clerks report.


Resolved – (a) That the low and rough areas of the path in the Memorial Gardens be

filled at a cost of £280.00 plus vat.


(b) That ISS be paid for the urgent repair to the safety surfacing in the play area.


(c) That the gate leading to the Memorial Gardens be re-painted black at a cost of

£100 and that the Clerk enquires if the pedestrian access could also be painted.


(d) That the clerk explores the viability of locking the play ground.


(e) That the change of broadband provider be authorised.


(f) That progress to date regarding the removal of the horse chestnut be noted.


(g) That worming be extended to the end of October.


57 Town Hall Lighting Suggestions


Members considered two schemes by Gala Lights to illuminate the Town Hall over

the festive period.


Resolved – That neither scheme be progressed.


58 Proposals to secure the rear and side of the Town Hall


Members considered a scheme to secure the rear and side of the Town Hall to

prevent youths causing further damage.


Resolved – That the scheme as outlined be progressed and planning permission

obtained.


59 Second Footbridge over the River Derwent

Members considered the contents of the recent validity study and accompanying

letter from the Bridge Project.


Resolved – (a) That the contents be noted.


(b) That the Town Council does not manage the adoption of a second footbridge

over the river Derwent in principle.


60 Devolution of Services


Councillor Smith informed those present about Allerdale Borough Council’s

transformation programme. Discussions presently taking place could result in

services such as toilet provision, grass cutting etc being devolved to Town and

Parish Councils.


Cumbria Association of Local Councils would be holding a special meeting to

discuss the implications of devolution in the very near future.


Agreed – That the information provided be noted.


61 Date of the next Meeting


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


The meeting closed at 8.48 pm