Millom Town Council
Millom Town Council was formed in 1974 when the parish boundaries changed from Cumberland.
Present: Cllr J Micklethwaite (JM) (in the Chair), Cllr A Dixon (AD), Cllr B Crawford (BC), Cllr R Kelly (RC), Cllr D Burness (DB), Cllr P Altree (PA), Cllr T Gilmore (TG), Cllr J Park (JP), Cllr G McGrath (GMc), Cllr D Wilson (DW), Cllr F Wilson (FW), Cllr J Brown (JB), Cllr F Gleaves (FG), Clerk D Moorhouse, RFO Vicky Bradley, Police Inspector Smillie, Sergeant McDonald and 3 members of the public.
The Mayor led a one minute silence in respect for former Millom Town Councillor Francis Cairns who passed away earlier this month.
Apologies – Cllr R Costelloe (RC), Cllr R Peter (RP)
The Mayor attended numerous Christmas functions including the Town’s Christmas Market, Church services and the Salvation Army Carol service. The Mayor laid a wreath at Millom’s baby grave. Thanks were given to Cllr Felicity Wilson for her work on the Christmas Tree Festival and to the Council for donating £200 towards the New Year celebrations in the Market Square. This year’s Mayor’s Ball will be held on 30th March.
GMc Item 20 War Memorial; DW Item 12, 17 Park pavilion and Planning.
RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a True Record – AGREED
RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a True Record – AGREED
RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a True Record – AGREED
No questions were raised for the police at this time.
DW stated that members can view minutes of the CCC Local Area Committee online at the CCC Website. The CCC community drop-in sessions are now being held and will be ongoing. Cllr Wilson’s next surgery will be in the Pensioners Hall to coincide with the surgery being held by MP Trudy Harrison on Saturday 2nd February 10-12noon. The draft Cumbria Joint Health and Wellbeing strategy consultation will run until 31st January. Local committee grant applications are still being considered – contact is Maria Hewitt at Cleator Moor. At the CCC meeting in Kendal, Cllr Wilson asked Cllr Southward, portfolio holder for property, to provide assurances with respect to Millom Network Centre. DW told Cllr Southward that there was grave concern that the facility may be closing or otherwise ceasing to provide services. Cllr Southward explained that there were ongoing legal arguments; however, the services would be secured and sustained, and whatever the outcome he would supply a detailed written reply.
TG proposed that MTC formally ask CBC and CCC if they have provision in their precept for providing a swimming pool in Millom. ACTION: Clerk to write a letter to CBC and CCC. GMc agreed to contact Mike Starkie for confirmation.
FW is attending the Mayor of Copeland briefing on Children’s Services. Millom Children’s Centre approached Cllr F Wilson regarding concerns over possible changes to contractual arrangements. FW said that the Copeland Hub does not reflect what goes on in Millom. In response to the TG proposal to ask CBC for information on their precept arrangements, FW said that there is a meeting 5th February and ratification on 19th February. GMc said that he will ask the Mayor at the budget meeting about funds towards a new swimming pool. GMc also said that CCC launched a consultation on 24th December on how Children’s Services are delivered across the county. ACTION: Clerk to email Cllrs details of consultation.
The Clerk informed the Council of 2 letters of thanks received for donations made to South Cumbria Music Festival and Great North Air Ambulance. Noted.
Minutes were noted for the meetings held 13th November and 11th December 2018. It was said that at the Christmas Market, the Disability Group carried out a survey on the proposed Millom Park play equipment and 300 questionnaires were completed.
Cllr D Wilson left the room.
It was PROPOSED and AGREED that the £231 planning application fee be paid. Resolved.
Cllr D Wilson returned to the meeting.
It was said that RK and RP met with members of Millom School Council, since then 2 applications have been received for the Youth Cllr vacancy. It was AGREED that RK and RP will discuss applications and meet with applicants.
GMc confirmed that the Finance Committee has not met in January. The deadline for submission is 31st January. It was suggested that monies for the CCTV and Cemetery planting can be accrued to this financial year as an overspend of £6,675; therefore it is not included in the 19/20 Precept. It was PROPOSED and AGREED that the 19/20 Precept figure is £120,505. Resolved.
It was said that when Millom and Whitehaven branches close, there will be no Barclays Bank in the whole of Copeland. Concerns were raised over the jobs and the removal of another ATM. It will have a huge impact on the town and add further pressure on the Post Office. It was PROPOSED and AGREED that a formal letter opposing the closure be written to Barclays. ACTION: Clerk
It was said that more research is needed to establish the best days for the bus to run. It was said that we cannot apply to CCC for a rebate and contract needs to be finalised by the bus company. It was PROPOSED and AGREED that MTC support the initiative.
A member said that there are still concerns over retrospective planning applications. The local caravan park has built 18 new van sites with no plans received, and has concerns that the correct drainage is in place. It was said that the drainage should be checked before, during, and after by building regulations. It was said that plans could be signed off by officers and may not be presented at a meeting; as a Town Council, we can only consider it once we receive it. DW abstained from the vote. It was PROPOSED and AGREED that a letter be sent to the CBC Planning Department and Building Regulation Department raising concerns over drainage, waste disposal, and potential flooding at the Wyldecrest site, Haverigg. ACTION: Clerk
It was said that Millom has a lot of heritage in the town and would like to help protect this (the Council) building. It has been suggested by local town members that a Millom Civic Society be formed, with trustees and charitable status to enable access to funding. It was said that in principle MTC could support the idea but asked that once Terms of Reference and Constitution for the group is established then return to MTC.
A report of the Millom Christmas Market 2018 was received and noted. It was said that it was very well organised, well attended despite the poor weather, and proved little cost to the Council. It was PROPOSED and AGREED that Millom TC organise a similar event for 2019.
It was said that in order to ensure all the funding is in place for the path restoration project, it was PROPOSED and AGREED that a task group (FW & TG alongside Joan Hobbs) check the correct paperwork is in place.
No updates as the last meeting of the group was postponed until late February. It was said that we need to know the impact for Haverigg. It was also said that any decision to be made is to be done by Town parishes and Haverigg couldn’t be made part of the national park without Millom.
It was said that with the agenda Cllrs were provided with an overview of the group and its safeguarding policy to support their request for charitable status. Cllrs were emailed further information on the group – Constitution, details from FMG consultancy and a request for financial support on Monday 28th January; copies were also handed out around the table. As this information was received after the agendas were approved (24/01/19), the request for financial support was not stated on the agenda and therefore cannot be discussed at this time. The agenda item is to request a letter of support for the group’s bid for charitable status. MTC all agree there is a need for a new swimming pool facility, but concerns were raised over some points in the constitution – for example, no chairperson and 3 trustees to make decisions. It was PROPOSED and AGREED that MTC writes a letter of support for the Around the Combe Health & Wellbeing Alliance for their bid for charitable status. ACTION: Clerk
DB distributed a spreadsheet for all Cllrs to add their ideas for additions to the stakeholder invitation list.
It was asked if MTC are involved or is it a community led project. It was confirmed that there are no trustees of MTC on the ATC Health & Wellbeing Alliance.
Cllr McGrath due to attend the next meeting 1.2.19
Members met with Westmorland Fire & Security, waiting for quote.
RESOLVED that the accounts presented be passed for payment, cheques signed by Cllr D Wilson and Cllr D Burness. AGREED
None
The meeting closed at 9.29pm
D.Moorhouse, Clerk
Cllr J.Micklethwaite, Mayor………………………………………………………………………….
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