Millom Town Council
Millom Town Council was formed in 1974 when the parish boundaries changed from Cumberland.
PRESENT: Cllr B Kelly (in the Chair), Cllr S Faulkner, Cllr G Brace, Cllr J Brown, Cllr D Burness, Cllr G McGrath, Cllr T Lees, Cllr B Crellin, Cllr R Peter, Cath Jopson Town Clerk and RFO/Assistant Clerk Liz North. No members of the public were in attendance.
Apologies were received from Cllr D Billing and Cllr E Ormeshar.
No press or public were in attendance.
Cllr Faulkner announced the following, standing in for the Mayor Cllr Kelly who was absent for the June meeting.
This month has been an extremely busy one!
An important community event was the Millom in Bloom Competition! There were some fantastic floral displays and it was a privilege to visit the gardens and see the passion and pride these local horticulturists have tending their creations.
I was invited to open St George’s Summer Fayre. This was the first fayre to be organised since the Covid Pandemic stopped everything for two years. Although extremely wet, the dedicated staff made sure a good time was had by all.
Sunday 31st July, I attended, with Councillor Brown, the Barrow Civic Sunday event. This was a most enjoyable afternoon. Seeing all the gold chains on show was certainly a reflection of how affluent some of these Councils are in comparison to others!
During the month of July, our clerk Mrs Cath Jopson and I met with the British Legion representative to discuss the organisation for Remembrance weekend.
Staffing – all staff appraisals have now been completed and signed off. A new job description is now in place combining the cleaning of both Millom and Haverigg public toilets.
We also held an extraordinary meeting to agree as a Council a GDF Statement. This has now been published on the Town Council website. The website is now becoming more and more of a platform for disseminating information and clarifying issues to the community.
Going forward – GDF is a hot topic and will remain so until results are published. However, we must not allow it to consume our meetings. More pressing as a Council is the Energy/Food crisis looming this winter for our most vulnerable in the community.
Finally, I would like to thank our clerk Cath Jopson for her direction and advice on many issues that have arisen while I have been acting Mayor.
Councillor Simone Faulkner (Deputy Mayor)
Councillors Kelly and Burness declared an interest in Item 10 on the agenda.
Councillor Peter declared an interest in Item 11 on the agenda.
The clerk informed the council that all actions had been completed by herself and the RFO. Cllr Peter informed the council that she had spoken to Millom Network Centre in regard to the Podiatry situation. Unfortunately, the clerk informed the council that it could not pay for a podiatry service as this would be a double taxation on the public.
Following distribution to the councillors of the minutes from the meeting held on 29th June, Councillor Brace proposed that these be signed as a correct and true record. This was seconded by Councillor McGrath and agreed. Minutes were duly signed by Cllr Faulkner.
The minutes had been circulated to the councillors for their information. Following this, Councillor Faulkner proposed that they be signed accordingly. This was seconded by Councillor Lees and the minutes were duly signed by Councillor Kelly.
As no members of the public were present, the meeting continued.
The clerk had been approached by some members of the council asking if the meeting start time could be changed to 07.00pm. Councillor Brown proposed that this be changed, it was seconded by Councillor Peter and agreed. Action: Clerk to arrange for website times to be updated.
Councillor McGrath stated that all payments had previously been signed and agreed prior to the meeting due to time constraints for payment.
It was proposed by Councillor Faulkner and seconded by Councillor Peter that this was indeed correct.
The Annual Subscription for CALC was due for the sum of £742.95. It was proposed by Councillor Faulkner and seconded by Councillor McGrath that this be paid. Action: RFO to arrange payment.
A donation request had been received from Millom Bowling Club. Councillor Kelly informed the council that the money would be used to provide a prize for the Millom Town Council Sponsored Bowling Competition. It was proposed by Councillor Faulkner that the RFO look to see what had been donated previously and donate this amount. This was seconded by Councillor McGrath and agreed. Action: RFO to look at previous donation and arrange for the same to be sent again.
The clerk informed the council that she had only received 1 further application for one of the vacancies in the Millom area and that was from Mr Stephen Peter. A copy of his application had been circulated in the working papers for councillor’s perusal. Councillor Brown proposed that the council accept Mr Peter’s application to be co-opted onto the council. This was seconded by Councillor Crellin and agreed. Action: Clerk to arrange paperwork for Mr Peter.
There was nothing to report.
Councillor McGrath informed the council that the Local Government Reform was working toward the final Copeland Plan and that it would be out for consultation shortly.
With regard to the Cumberland New Authority, he stated that it would be taking over the surplus/deficit of all council authorities. It is believed that CBC deficit is around £5million.
Councillor Kelly informed the council that Andrew Seakins had been appointed as the South Lakes Chief Executive and a corporate plan is to be submitted. It is believed that the Fire Service will also come under the realm of the Cumbria County Police & Crime Commissioner.
The clerk informed the council that there was a new Code of Conduct to be adopted by the Council. This will be placed on the agenda for approval at the next council meeting. Copies had been circulated to all councillors for their perusal. Action: Clerk to place on agenda for next council meeting.
The clerk informed the council that to supply new uniforms for the two staff would be in the region of £190. It was proposed by Councillor Kelly and seconded by Councillor Brown that the clerk go ahead and purchase these items. Action: Clerk to arrange for purchase of new uniforms and when given to staff they must adhere to wearing them at all times.
The clerk also indicated that she was looking into the cost of getting lanyards for councillors and office staff. Action: Clerk to look into costs of purchasing lanyards for members of office staff and councillors.
Councillor Kelly informed all councillors that the Millom Towns Fund Bid information has been updated on their website. All the councillors acknowledged the disappointment in the size of the swimming pool and wanted this noted in the minutes.
Councillor Burness informed the council that the 2021 Census figures were now available and stated that the demographics of the census had hardly changed. Once updated, Councillor Burness will call a meeting to take the town plan forward. Action: Cllr Burness to update town plan and then to call a meeting to discuss.
All working group papers (if meetings had been held) were circulated in the working papers.
All correspondence received from the above partnership had either been circulated via email or with the working papers. Councillor McGrath informed the council that all information was also available to everyone via the GDF Partnership website.
A reply to the council letter regarding the seismic studies had been received and will be placed on the council’s website along with the minutes of this meeting. Action: Clerk to attach reply letter with minutes on MTC website.
Haverigg Play Area:
The clerk informed the council that remedial works on Haverigg park area was due to start around the 22nd August 2022.
Tannery Road – Hedgerows:
Councillor Brown informed the council that the hedgerow along the road from Marine View to along the sea front was now that badly overgrown people were catching themselves on the briers etc. and that the road is diminishing in width due to the hedgerows encroaching onto the road. Action: Clerk to get in touch with CCC Highways Authority.
Millom Guide Hall/Motion to Accept Proposal of Ownership:
Cllr McGrath gave a short summary in regard to the possible taking over of the Millom Guide Hall. The Town Council would be responsible for all legal fees. Cllr Kelly proposed that we take up this proposal subject to all the legalities being put in place. Concern was raised in regard to the car parking spaces that would be available, this to be discussed once the transfer was completed with the new tenants of the adjoining building. It had been confirmed by the committee of the guide hall that access had to be provided at all times in their land registry document. This was seconded by Councillor Faulkner and agreed. Action: Clerk to arrange a meeting with Guide Hall Committee to go over details for the takeover of the asset.
Podiatry Services:
The clerk had investigated further into the provision of the council helping with funding towards a podiatry service in the area. Unfortunately, the clerk reported that it would be classed as double taxation and would not be able to assist in this funding. Concern was raised about the lack of services that are being provided in the Millom and Haverigg area and it was proposed by Councillor Faulkner, seconded by Councillor Peter that the clerk write to our local MP and ask for a meeting with her and perhaps the Millom Doctor’s surgery to discuss the lack of services in the area. Action: Clerk to write to local MP.
Tree Preservation Order:
The Chair of the Environment Working Group has forwarded information in relation to the trees in the Palladium Gardens owned by Copeland Borough Council. The group felt that it was necessary to try and get a tree preservation order on the row of Hornbeam trees that are situated in the gardens. It was proposed by Councillor Brace and seconded by Councillor Brown that a TPO be submitted to CBC. Action: Clerk to submit TPO.
All correspondence received had been circulated for Council’s information either by email or in the working papers.
Millom Striders Running Club:
The clerk informed the council that a request for support from Millom Striders Running Club to hold a Halloween 10k run in and around the area. It was proposed by Councillor McGrath and seconded by Councillor Brace that the clerk write a letter of support. Action: Clerk to write letter of support.
Defibrillators:
An email regarding funding for a defibrillator had been received by the clerk and placed in with the working papers for a grant towards purchasing a defibrillator for outside of the office. Councillor McGrath proposed that the clerk look further into this and that it would be of benefit to the community to place one outside of the Town Council office. This was seconded by Councillor Brace and agreed. Action: Clerk to look into costs of purchasing a defibrillator for installation outside of office.
The following planning applications had been received for Councillor’s information and comments:
Action: Clerk to inform CBC Planning Authority of its comments on the above planning.
None
Prior to closing of the meeting, the Mayor Councillor Kelly thanked Deputy Mayor Councillor Faulkner for all of the tremendous work that she has carried out during his absence.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 08.40pm.
Signed: …………………………………….. (Acting Mayor)
Dated: 28th September 2022
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