Minutes of a meeting of Cockermouth Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Cockermouth on Wednesday 21 October 2009 at 7.00pm


Members


S Coates (Mayor)


C M Jackson I Burns

A Kennon D Newton E Nicholson A Smith

S Standage A Tyson M Wood

Apologies: Councillor L G Lytollis & C Smith


Also present: 1 press representative and 1 police representative.


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

Last meeting held on 16 September 2009.


Resolved – That the minutes of the last meeting held on 16 September 2009 be

signed as a correct record.


78 Declaration of Interest


Councillors A Tyson and A Smith declared a personal interest with regard to item 6a

due being members of the development panel.


Councillor E Nicholson declared a personal interest with regard to item 9h due to

being a governor at the school.

79 Mayors Announcements


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


These included:-



80 Attendance by Police


The Community Police informed those present that 3 residential burglaries had

been undertaken during September. There were also 2 incidents during which cars

were being overturned.


Crime in All Saints ward has increased from 25 to 38 offences, an increase of 52%.


Total crime in Christchurch ward had also increased from 44 to 70 offences, an

Increase of 59.1%.


Several initiatives were planned including drop in surgeries in the foyer at

Sainsbury’s, the community display vehicle will be outside Sainsbury’s

on 2 November and using the drugs dog again in the town centre.


81 Public Participation


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


82 Planning Applications


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

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


2/2009/0356


Variation of condition 2 of planning approval 2/2003/0637 to all storage of materials

Travis Perkins Trading Co Ltd, New Road Cockermouth


This application has already been refused.


2/2009/0659


Proposed first floor bedroom/bathroom extension over existing garage.

66 Harrot Hill, Cockermouth


No objections


2/2009/0668


Conversion of loft space including the installation of two dormer windows, two roof

lights to front and replacement of wooden windows with UPVC windows.

25 Crown Street, Cockermouth


Recommend Refusal not in keeping with Conservation and Design Guide.


2/2009/0673


Change of use from former toy museum to dwelling.

Former Toy Museum, Banks Court, Market Place, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval


2/2009/0682


Change of use from physiotherapy clinic to office

2B Lakeland Business Park, Lamplugh Road, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval


2/2009/0686


Listed building consent for new signs to the shop front -1 no. part illuminated fascia

sign and 1 no. hanging sign non illuminated.

56-58 Main Street, Cockermouth


Recommend Refusal – Not in keeping with Conservation and Design Guide.


2/2009/0695


Advertisement consent for 1 No. part internally illuminated fascia sign and 1 non

illuminated hanging sign.

56-58 Main Street, Cockermouth


Recommend Refusal – Not in keeping with Conservation and Design Guide.


2/2009/0698


Replacement of existing windows and doors with upvc sliding sash, casement and

composite door.

12 Rubbybanks road, Cockermouth


Recommend Refusal – Not in keeping with Conservation and Design Guide

unsympathetic to the traditional character of the dwelling and wider terrace grouping.


2/2009/0721


Single storey extension to enlarge kitchen

9 Meadow Grove, Cockermouth


Recommend Approval


2/2009/0731


Removal of condition 6 on planning approval 2/2003/0332

Land adjoining Longcroft, Cockermouth


Recommended – That the condition not be removed.


2/2009/0228


The Developers gave a presentation outlining the proposed amendments. Miss J

Elliot, Allerdale Borough Council also attended the meeting.


Mixed use residential development of a continuing care retirement community, C2

Apartments with care for persons aged 55 and over), 51 townhouses and apartments

and outline consent for 34 affordable units.


Former highway and gas holder, Sullart Street, Cockermouth


Recommend Refusal for the following reasons:-

  1. Overdevelopment

  2. Lack of parking

  3. Proven need in Cockermouth for rented accommodation for locals

  4. Care home should have a local occupancy condition


83b 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.


83c Manor Court


Agreed – That the submission of an appeal in respect of planning applications

2/2009/0141 and 2/2009/0142 be noted.


84 Highways Matters

84a Highway Response Team


Agreed – That the Clerk reports the following:-


  1. Loose kerbs, High Sand Lane and Waterloo Street

  2. Damaged flag outside Wendy’s hairdressers

  3. Blocked drain bottom of Hill Street

  4. Cracked flags outside Christchurch Rooms

  5. Unwanted signage


85 Financial Matters


85a Schedule of Payments


Resolved – (a) That the schedule of payments in the sum of £16,262.94 as set out

In the amended expenditure transactions approval list be formally approved for

payment.


85b Salary Award


Agreed – That the 2009/10 final salary award be noted.


85c VAT


Agreed – That it be noted that the standard rate of VAT will revert to 17.5% on

1st January 2010.


86d Audit for year ended 31 March 2009


Resolved – That the annual return be approved and accepted by the Council.


86e Allerdale Disability Association


Resolved – That a grant of £200.00 be given to Allerdale Disability Association.


86f Financial Budget Comparison

Resolved – That the budget comparison be noted and that a further report relating to

Victoria Hall be submitted to a future meeting.


86g All Saints School


Resolved – That no grant be given.


86h Closing Order, Switch on Day


Agreed – That the substantial increase in advertising costs be noted.


86j Internal Audit


Agreed – That the recent quarterly audit be noted.

87 Schedule of correspondence, notices and publications


87a Cumbria Minerals and Waste Development Framework


Resolved – That no comment be made regarding the draft site allocations policies

and proposals map.

87b Brewery Lane


Resolved – That Jennings be informed that our current lighting requires upgrading

and that further consideration will be given to their request in future.

87c Cockermouth Rotary, Golf Tournament


Agreed – That the letter of thanks be noted.


87d Rural Services Network


Resolved – That Cockermouth Town Council does not join the Rural Services

Network.


87e Derwent Owners Association Meeting


Resolved – (a) That the minutes of the 11 September 2009 meeting be noted.


(b) That Town Permit Holders try the new 4ft limit during next season and if it proves too restrictive the Town Council will re-consider it at the end of the 2010 season.


87f Chestnut Tree, 39 Kirkgate


Resolved – That the chestnut tree is not attended to under the same agreement as

the one on the other side of the road.

87g Calc Circular


Agreed – That the content of the circular be noted.

87h CALC


Agreed – That the date of the Annual General Meeting be noted.

87i Bus Shelters


Resolved – That the offer of a presentation be noted.


87j Climate Change


Members considered the content of Mr Baron’s letter dated 19 September 2009 with

regard to the town council signing up to the 10:10 campaign and leading a town

meeting where the issue could be debated further.


Resolved – That Cumbria County Council be asked if Climate Change could be the

subject of discussion at a future Cockermouth and District Neighbourhood Forum

meeting.


87k Cockermouth and District Neighbourhood Forum Meeting


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


88 Clerks Report


Those present considered the content of the Clerks report.


Resolved – (a) That it be noted that the path resurfacing works have been

completed in the Memorial Gardens.


(b) That it be noted that the unauthorised gate in the Memorial Gardens is to be

blocked up.


(c) That it be noted that 4 large green waste bins will be located at each allotment

and collected as part of the three bin system.


(d) That it be noted that the Town Hall has been re-valued to £1.125 million.


89 Lighting and Footpath Improvements Works at Dale View


A quick update was given regarding progress to date.


Agreed – That progress be noted.

90 Date of the next Meeting


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

The meeting closed at 9.35pm