Millom Town Council
Millom Town Council was formed in 1974 when the parish boundaries changed from Cumberland.
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF MILLOM TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 29th MARCH 2023 COMMENCING 07.00PM IN THE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES
PRESENT: Cllr B Kelly (in the Chair), Cllr S Faulkner, Cllr G Brace, Cllr J Brown, Cllr D Billing, Cllr D Burness, Cllr McGrath, Cllr Brace, Cllrs S & R Peter, and Cath Jopson Town Clerk, Gillian Hoyle RFO/Assistant Clerk
Apologies were received from Cllr B Crellin due to ill health.
No members of the press or public were in attendance.
Mayor’s Report – Cllr B Kelly
The most significant event this month was ‘The Meet Your Councillor event’ in Tesco foyer. Firstly, I would like to thank Tesco for providing the space, table and chairs to enable this to happen, and they agreed to allow us to sell raffle tickets for the Mayor’s Charity Appeal. I had several people asking questions about the changes that would occur with the creation of Cumberland Unitary Authority. There were also several people expressing concerns about and raising objections to proposed parking restrictions in Albert Street. As this is the responsibility at the moment of Copeland District all that could be done is to note the concerns, but clearly there is a whole set of traffic, road and parking issues that need to be addressed by a combination of Millom Town Council and Cumberland Authority in the near future. In summary while relatively few people did actually raise issues, this was a useful exercise which needs to be repeated in future.
Deputy Mayor’s Report – Cllr S Faulkner
During the month of March, the following was covered:
Further question I would like you to answer this evening: Kings Coronation is looming. Do we as a Council decorate the Market Square and purchase lamppost signs? Need to start preparing soon!
Millom Rugby League celebrate 150 years. Any suggestions for recognising this fact as a Council?
Again, many thanks for all the support from Mrs Jopson. Special thanks also to Mrs Hoyle for doing a sterling job covering Mrs Jopson sick leave. Very much appreciated!
Cllr B Kelly declared an interest in agenda items 11 and 14 as being member of both committees. Cllr G McGrath declared an interest in item 18 on the agenda as being a member of the committee.
The clerk informed the council that all actions had been completed by herself and the RFO.
Cllr Kelly proposed that the minutes from the meeting held on 22nd February 2023 be signed as a true and correct record, this was seconded by Cllr Brace and all agreed.
No members of the public were present.
The RFO presented the following to the Council for approval:
Cllr Kelly proposed that all the above be signed as a true and correct record, this was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed.
Action: RFO to make payments
Cllr Kelly proposed that Vicky Bradley be elected to carry out the internal audit for the year end, this was seconded by Cllr McGrath and agreed.
Action: RFO to liaise with Mrs Bradley to complete the year end internal audit.
The clerk informed the council that she no information had been reported this month for councillors’ information.
Cllr McGrath informed the council that he had attended the last meeting of CBC prior to the new Cumberland Unitary Authority taking over on 1st April and that there was nothing else to report.
Cumberland Executive have now approved the plan to establish right localities with panels made up of the local Cumberland Councillors who will work with local groups to develop plans for their areas. Millom is initially linked with Millom Without, Gosforth, Cleator and parts of Egremont but this can be changed if it does not prove successful. There will also be scope for the north and south of this area to develop separate plans. Democratic services will provide the assistance needed but it remains to be seen what finances will be allocated in the future.
The clerk had circulated all correspondence received to the councillors for their information but informed the council of the following:
Cllr Faulkner had circulated a document with the pros and cons of a structural change to the constitution of Millom Town Council. Following a short discussion Cllr Faulkner made the proposal that Millom Town Council adopt structural changes to the constitution. This was seconded by Cllr Kelly and after a vote was taken it was unanimously agreed, Cllr R Peter being the only objector to this.
Action: Clerk to amend the constitution to enable a chair and mayor to be placed on the town council and this to be submitted for adoption at the next meeting in April.
On the Towns Board it has been stated that an outside firm asked to check the financial situation of the four projects for Millom has stated that all four are financially sound despite inflationary pressures. All councillors felt that the meeting held on 23rd March in the council office with the new chair of the Town Fund and his associate Chris Gill had been an informative one. Cllr Faulkner distributed notes that she had taken from this meeting to all councillors for their information.
Cllr Burness had nothing new to report to the meeting at this present time.
The Clerk informed the councillors that all the signed papers had been submitted and received by the elections team at Whitehaven.
All working group papers (if meetings had been held) were circulated in the working papers. Updates from the following working groups had been circulated for information:
Cllr Billing went on to give a short report on the meeting of the GDF Working Group held on 29th March 2023 and informed the councillors that details of the meeting will be circulated accordingly.
Cllr McGrath informed the council that changes were being made regarding membership and boundaries now that the Cumberland Authority would be coming into force. The council were also informed that the developer has started on a number of desk top studies to see if the area has the potential to host the surface works required for a GDF to be sorted off the coast of South Copeland.
Haverigg Feasibility Study:
The clerk informed the council that the proposed meeting with the contractor for the feasibility study did not arrive and, therefore, another date is being confirmed.
Action: Clerk to chase up meeting date.
Line Painting outside of Inshore Rescue:
The clerk had received an email from Inshore Rescue to re-paint the line markings outside the inshore rescue at Haverigg. Quotation for this work was £800 and the contractor did make a point of stating that the road surface was in a state of disrepair. Cllr Faulkner proposed that we arrange for the line painting to be carried out, this was seconded by Cllr Brown and a vote was then taken and the motion defeated as councillors felt the surface needed renewing before any works are carried out. It was then proposed by Cllr Faulkner that the clerk could contact HMP and ask if it would be possible for them to paint them on, this was seconded by Cllr Brown and agreed. Cllr Billing proposed that the area be looked at for signage/line painting etc and place this item on the next agenda. This was seconded by Cllr Brown and agreed.
Action: Clerk to contact HMP Working Parties regarding the line painting around the Inshore Rescue area to deter parking and report back to council at the next meeting when a decision would be taken regarding line painting and signage in this area.
Dogs off Leads:
Cllr Brown reported to the council that people were letting their dogs off leads on the pathway opposite Sea View in Haverigg. Cllr Brown proposed a new sign be placed reminding people to keep their dogs on leads. This was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed.
Action: Clerk to liaise with Cllr Brown regarding the placement of signs)
All correspondence received for action/information had been forwarded either via email or placed within the working papers.
Cllr Faulkner circulated the following for councillors’ information:
Cllr McGrath reminded councillors that when they are contacting or replying to various issues as a councillor then this should always go through the office via the clerk. Cllrs can respond/send correspondence on their own merit but not as a councillor or on behalf of the council.
The following to be added to the next agenda:
There being no further business the meeting closed at 08.15pm
Signed: …………………………………. (Mayor)
Dated: 26th April 2023
© Millom Town Council. All rights reserved
APRIL 30TH: Methodist Church meeting room
MAY 28TH: Methodist Church meeting room
JUNE 25TH: Methodist Church meeting room
JULY 30TH: Methodist Church meeting room
All meetings will commence at 07.00pm unless otherwise stated on
the agenda.