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 26th APRIL 2023 COMMENCING 07.00PM IN THE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES
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, Cath Jopson (Town Clerk), Gillian Hoyle (RFO/Assistant Clerk)
1 member of the public was in attendance.
Prior to the start of the meeting the chair asked for a minute’s silence in honour of a Millom Past Councillor – Brian Crawford.
Apologies were received from Cllr B Crellin due to ill health.
No members of the press or public were in attendance.
For many people the changeover from Copeland and Cumbria to Cumberland for local government purposes may well have gone unnoticed. Probably for some time to come there may be few significant changes for people to experience. However, change will come with new bodies being set up with new priorities and new processes for consultation. It is in this light that I invited the new Chief Officer of Cumberland to visit Millom, a town he had never previously visited. I took him round to see the many good things we have in Millom and Haverigg – the park and its play equipment, the recreation centre, the front at Haverigg, the sports grounds, Hodbarrow and the sites for the Towns Fund Developments. I also raised the various problems we face – lack of employment, lack of bus services, problems of car parking, the shortage of suitable low-cost housing, pot-holes etc. So at least he has some awareness of where we are and what we need – he raised the point that Travelodge has expressed some interest in expanding in the area and that is a possibility for development near to us.
In a similar light I invited two people from the Highways Department to come down and Simone and myself raised a whole series of issues with them. They listened and although they continue to reject ideas of any one-way streets, they were more receptive to suggestions about changing speed limits and parking regulations. They will report back to us in the near future stating what they can do and giving reasons for what they can’t or won’t do so at least a dialogue is developing.
The mayor’s charity event was as successful as I could have hoped with about fifty people in attendance, raising almost £800 for local charities. I want to thank Denise and Cath for all the work they put in to setting it up, the organisers and staff of Millom Cricket Club for providing a friendly and suitable environment (even if the heating did fail!), Dennis Horan for his role in providing music, the Harvest Bakery for providing masses of enjoyable food, Graham, Tony and everyone else who manned the doors and helped with the entertainment, but in particular everyone who attended and set a great spirit for the occasion.
Just one more report before my role as Mayor is over but again, I want to note the incredible amount of work Simone has done during this month and the whole year – she really has been incredible in the support she has given.
Cllr Kelly reported that he and Cllr Faulkner along with representative from South Cumbria Musical Festival on Tuesday 25th April presented a trophy and a bursary award to local boy Ollie Park, they all wished him every success in his music career.
During the month I carried out the following:
I have also been asked to be part of the “Friends of Waterloo House Surgery” panel. Not sure of the title but it is an opportunity to incorporate community input directly to the group of doctors and staff.
Cllr Faulkner informed the council that herself and the clerk had met with a representative from HMP Haverigg to discuss work parties in the area. Cllr Faulkner showed the leaflet from the prison regarding workforces being able to carry out employment in the area if needed. Cllr Faulkner proposed that Millom Town Council support this avenue of help in both Haverigg and Millom. This was seconded by Cllr McGrath and all agreed.
Grateful thanks to both Mrs Jopson and Mrs Hoyle for doing a sterling job keeping us all on the right track. It cannot be easy juggling the everyday tasks as well as finance reports, election papers, Mayor’s Fund Charity Event and the Coronation celebrations. We all appreciate your hard work!
The clerk informed the council that all actions had been completed by herself and the RFO.
Cllr McGrath proposed that the minutes from the meeting held on 29th March 2023 be signed as a true and correct record. This was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and all agreed.
The member of the public who attended asked about the car parking situation in the town and stated that the 1-hour parking was not sufficient for people to shop etc. Cllr Kelly replied that this was being discussed at the new authority and he was pushing for a 2-hour rule in the town. Cllr Kelly acknowledged that parking was an issue and that he would also bring this topic up with the chair of the Town Bid committee.
The RFO presented the following to the Council for approval:
Cllr McGrath 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
A copy of the draft minutes from the Finance Committee meeting which was held on 25th April 2023 was circulated to the council for perusal. Cllr McGrath then gave a short statement of the finances.
Cllr Kelly reported that the new Cumberland Council had now appointed all but a handful of senior officers and these are now being processed. Meetings have been held about the proposed localisation development of setting up eight neighbourhoods with the task of developing local plans. Community Panels and Community Network panels will be formed and expected to meet a minimum of four times a year. The goal is to produce the first development plan by March 2024. Concerns were raised about the size of the area covered and the possibility of splitting the region into separate entities in the future.
Visits by the new Chief Executive and Highways Officers to discuss local issues were mentioned, and the Head of the Council is also due to visit in the coming weeks.
The clerk updated the council on recent actions:
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APRIL 30TH: Methodist Church meeting room
MAY 28TH: Methodist Church meeting room
JUNE 25TH: Methodist Church meeting room
JULY 30TH: Methodist Church meeting room
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