Millom Town Council
Millom Town Council was formed in 1974 when the parish boundaries changed from Cumberland.
Meeting held on Wednesday 24th April 2024 commencing 07.00PM in the Millom Council Offices
Apologies were received from Cllr Ormesher, Cllr A Gager-Liebhart, Cllr D Billing, Cumberland Cllr A Pratt and RFO/Assistant Clerk Mrs G Hoyle.
No matters arising from the exclusion of press and public.
The Chair welcomed councillors and members of the public to the meeting. Once again, he reminded councillors of the Civility and Respect and the Code of Conduct especially when posting on social media and within emails to a large number of recipients. The chair also gave a vote of thanks to Cllrs Faulkner, Kellett, the clerk and RFO for the celebratory events of the 50th Anniversary attended by both past and present councillors and the public. The past councillors really enjoyed the opportunity to meet up and reminisce about their time on the council.
Cllr Faulkner (Mayor) gave a short talk regarding her civic duties during the month of April (copy of this attached to the minutes) and stated that her goal as Mayor was to build a more positive community and embrace every opportunity.
Cllr Faulkner also raised concern regarding the Cumberland Authority’s Social Services as when gathering information for the Community Plan and the 2021 Census figures it was evident that with an aging population as a Town Council clarity is needed of future services in Millom as local residential homes at present can only accommodate 55 from a population of 7,241. Cllr Faulkner proposed that permission be granted to invite Cumberland Social Services to a meeting with a view to map out future delivery of such services. This was seconded by Cllr McGrath and agreed.
Action: Clerk to write letter to Cumberland Social Services.
No declaration of interests was received.
It was proposed by Cllr Myers that the minutes from the meeting held on 27th March 2024 be signed as a true and correct record. This was seconded by Cllr Brown and agreed.
The clerk informed the council that all the Clerk’s actions arising from the meeting held on 27th March 2024 had been completed. Cllr Faulkner confirmed that her action to take the proposed concept for Haverigg Beach was now being displayed within the premises of Make Do and Mend. In regard to the action for Cllr Gager-Liebhart as she was absent due to illness nothing had been arranged as yet for training etc.
Two members of the public were present and the following questions and concerns were asked in regard to the Queens Park Housing Development:
Action: Clerk to ask Home Group for clarification on the scheme.
Questions relating to road issues as follows:
Swimming Pool:
Dog Fouling:
Cllr J Brown proposed that the accounts be signed as a true and correct record, this was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed.
Action: RFO to ensure all payments are made accordingly.
NALC/CALC Subscription of £835.37. Cllr J Brown proposed that this be paid, it was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed.
Action: RFO to pay subscription.
Cllr Faulkner again gave thanks to Penny Chubb of Make Do and Mend for hosting the Haverigg concept in her premises for members of the public to comment on. The clerk is awaiting design concept for the park area and will forward this on when received to all the councillors for information. The cost of this is circa £181k. Cllr Faulkner informed the meeting that she was meeting again with Playdale to get plans/quotations for the teenage area. Cllr J Brown stated that she would also attend this meeting with Cllr Faulkner.
Action: Clerk to send out Playdale Vision to Cllrs when received.
The clerk informed the meeting that the application had now been submitted for Government Levelling Up Grant.
Cllr Kelly gave a short update with the Town Deal. He informed the group that the plans for the Art & Craft Centre have now been submitted to Cumberland for approval and it is hoped that work will commence shortly.
Cllr Kelly stated that Cumberland have now agreed on a policy for the Common Licensing Policy and that procedures were now in place to ensure that all uniformed policies are all together for all the areas of Cumberland.
He went on to inform the meeting that the chevron parking for Market Street had been withdrawn as only a low number of residents had replied to the proposal and that it did not signify enough to carry out the works. Cllr McGrath stated that he did not think that this small number constituted a proper survey of all the residents and it would appear that it was a flawed survey. Cllr McGrath proposed that the council do not support this and think that the idea was an excellent one and that 12 residents does not constitute a good sample and of those residents 6 supported this and the other just raised concerns about oversized vehicles. This was seconded by Cllr Myers and agreed.
Action: Clerk to write to Cumberland Authority asking them to carry out further investigations.
Cllr Barry had a meeting with officers from Cumberland to talk about Cumberland Coast Energy Rail Plan. The government states that there is no money for enhancements and that he had requested to see the submission from Cumberland and returned stating that it was a Network Rail document and that he was not able to have this. Cumberland stated that they have a large pot of money to provide bus routes but they are now working on an integrated transport plan for Cumberland but does not include rail. Cllr Barry proposed that a FOI be requested from Cumberland Authority to get a copy of the Energy Coast Rail Plan, this was seconded by Cllr Myers and agreed.
Cllr Barry was concerned in regard to the Cumberland coast lines needing room for improvement. Cllr Barry stated that his child had enjoyed their time at the Park Play on a Saturday morning. Cllr Barry proposed that MTC write for a FOI to Network Rail, this was seconded by Cllr J Brown and agreed.
Action: Clerk to write Cumberland with this request.
Cllr Crellin informed the council that the Disability Group is trying to get disabled toilets for the Beggars Theatre. Cllr Crellin will update as and when information is available.
Cllr Myers informed the council that he was preparing an Environmental Policy for the Environment Workstream Group which in turn will go to full council to adopt the policy.
Cllr P Brown disappointed that speeding issues were not added onto the agenda and was concerned regarding the state of the roads. Cllr Brown also asked if they had heard who actually nominated Millom for the HMO.
The clerk read out response from resident asking for a survey in regard to the proposed GDF facility. The clerk went on to state that a further 5 have requested a survey making a total of 88 people. At a previous meeting the council stated that their decision has been made and a response sent noting their comments.
The clerk informed the council that MP Trudy Harrison had sent a letter of support for the Haverigg Concept Re-Development.
The clerk informed the council that the tender process had now closed for the re-development of the sensory area. There was only one application received and that it had now gone to a local contractor and hopefully would be commencing shortly.
The clerk informed the council that the application for the asset transfer of the Palladium Gardens had now been submitted and was waiting for written confirmation of this. Once the clerk has had confirmation of the asset transfer/lease she will submit application for the Green Spaces grant.
Cllr McGrath informed the meeting that the architect had been in to the office to do the plans for the improvements to be made within the office.
Cllr Faulkner reported that a parent had spoken to her and stated that they will not use the Millom Park due to a large number of teenagers appearing to claim the park belongs to them. It has been reported to the police to identify these areas of bullying. Cllr Faulkner stated that a youth centre is needed for groups of children especially the older teenage ones. Cllr McGrath proposed that the council look at premises to go forward with this project. This was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed.
Cllr Faulkner proposed that letters be sent to Millom Secondary School and Blackcombe School asking for their help in trying to stop this behaviour.
Action: Clerk to go forward and look for premises and write to schools accordingly.
Cllr Brown raised her concerns and that of residents in regard to the large numbers of holiday homes and Air B&B especially in the Haverigg area which is having a knock-on effect with village life/residents decreasing.
As Cllr Billing was unable to attend the meeting this has been delayed until the next meeting.
Cllr J Brown proposed that an honour for the New Years Honours List a member of the Haverigg Coast-Guard be looked into as they currently have 47-years’ service which takes approximately 2-years. This was seconded by Cllr Kellett and agreed.
Action: Clerk to look into this further and report back.
Cllr Kellett proposed that due to the Town Council’s 50-year celebration Roll-of-Honour Certificates be looked at for their service to the town etc. This was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed.
Action: Events Working Group to look into taking this forward.
As Cllr Gager-Liebhart was absent from this meeting this to be placed on the June agenda.
The following applications had been received for council comments:
Action: Clerk to write to Planning with council’s comments.
Cllr P Brown raised his concerns with regard to the speeding of vehicles in and around the town, Haverigg and surrounding areas and proposed that the town council do something about this. Cllr McGrath suggested that Cllr Brown identify the roads especially in question and give the list to the clerk to submit to the police for action. This was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed.
Action: Cllr P Brown to identify hot spots for speeding and submit his findings to clerk who will submit to Cumberland Highways and ask for traffic calming measures and inform the local police of the findings too copying Cllr Kelly in to all correspondence.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20.35pm.
Signed: ……………………………. Chair Dated: 15th May 2024
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