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 31st JULY 2024 COMMENCING 07.00PM IN THE METHODIST HALL, MILLOM
PRESENT: Cllr G McGrath (in the Chair), Cllr S Faulkner (Mayor), Cllr J Brown, Cllr D Myers, Cllr R Williamson, Cllr B Crellin, Cllr D Billing, Cllr B Kelly (Cumberland and MTC Cllr), Cllr J Kellett, Cllr A McDonald, Cllr A Gager-Liebhart, Cllr A Pratt (Cumberland), Gillian Hoyle RFO/Assistant Clerk and 5 members of the public were in attendance.
Apologies were received from Cllr P Brown, Cllr E Ormesher and Cllr E Chatterton
There was nothing on the agenda to exclude the public or press from the meeting.
The Chair proceeded to thank everyone for their attendance.
The Chair informed councillors he had been to a meeting in Grizebeck Village Hall, regarding the new bypass project. The Funding has been received and the works are due to start in August 2024. There was a map showing the new road layout, and it is expected the project will take 2 years to complete.
The Chair thought the project will benefit all, as Millom people travel towards Barrow, for work, leisure and medical reasons.
Cllr Faulkner (Mayor) had circulated her mayoral civic duties and announcement for July and they are attached to the minutes.
The Mayor spoke of her meeting with potential Youth Councillors, and her plans to follow this with an assembly planned September.
The mayor also highlighted her meeting with the SEND co-ordinator for Millom School, and the struggles the service is under. More so since Covid.
There are also issues of children opting out or refusing to attend mainstream schools and being home schooled. This approach is not monitored, and should the pupils wish to rejoin in secondary school, they are falling well below the national targets.
Action: Councillors to be DBS checked for us to be enable to work and engage with the young people.
Cllr A Gager Liebhart declared an interest in item 19 on the agenda ‘Website’
Cllr McDonald proposed that the minutes from the town council meeting held on 26th June 2024 be signed as a true and correct record, this was seconded by Cllr Billing and agreed
The assistant clerk informed the councillors that we were still waiting to arrange a meeting with HMP regarding the working party.
We still await a response from Cumberland regarding derelict buildings.
All other office actions had been completed.
Ms Chubb who is a member of the public and also a business owner, spoke of the need for a paper newsletter, to be printed and available to collect in the town. Ms Chubb informed of police statistics showing 46% of Millom are not tech savvy or have internet availability.
She would like to include bullet points from various groups in Millom, Police and MTC to alert the public of up to date, factual information, if you are unable to see websites or social media.
Cllr McGrath thanked Ms Chubb for the presentation, and thought it a good idea. Cllr McGrath added the council would like to help and would keep in touch.
Irene Rogan, who is a member of the public who was present asked if she could present a short summary about the Millom Stones, the sites and what they symbolise. (Document Attached)
Ms Rogan informed that Cumberland Authority will list them on their new tourist leaflets. Ms Rogan asked if there was a way to publicise or showcase the stones with a marketing campaign?
The Mayor informed the councillors that she had visited the old NatWest Bank building as part of the Town Deal meeting. There is work going on in the background, and hopefully the project will start to move forward.
Cllr Kelly informed the council that RSPB and Natural England had also slowed up the progress with requests for the site.
Cllr McGrath also added that GDF had been approached to fund a shortfall within the project.
Cllr Williamson brought it to council of newly erected signs on RSPB land at Hodbarrow Reserve. These stipulate NO Fishing/Boating Paddle Boarding etc.
Cllr Williamson highlighted the area as a recreational facility, and a long-standing area for the people to go fishing, especially our youth.
Action: Clerk to write to RSBP, aware of signage for nesting bird protection, but the community rely on the area for recreational activities. Can we find an amicable solution.
Cllr Brown informed the council of the issues with dog fouling on Haverigg Beach. Cllr Brown highlighted the sandy beach area, to the left of the ramp, as a nice area for families to sit and relax with children, and been ruined by dogs.
Can the area be made a dog free zone?
Cllr Pratt explained, we can approach Cumberland to ask for a Protection Order be placed on the section of beach, prohibiting dogs.
Action: Cllr Pratt and Cllr Kelly to approach Cumberland Authority on how to move forward with this.
The Clerk had circulated paperwork regarding the training options.
Councillors decided that the training over 2 nights was the better option, rather than a weekend.
Action: To go ahead and book training on 2 nights and let the councillors know the dates.
Environmental and Sustainability Policy – This had been circulated to all councillors.
Cllr McGrath thanked Cllr Myers for his work on this policy.
Nothing to discuss
Cllr Kelly has arranged to meet with the public on Saturday 10th August from 10am to 1pm, in Council Offices.
Action: To share on social media. To put on September agenda to schedule more meetings in public places.
Cllr Gager-Liebhart has received some paperwork but is awaiting more details
MTC does not meet the criteria with elected councillors or community plan.
This is something we will monitor and apply when the criteria can be met.
The following planning applications had been received for consideration by Millom Town Council:
There being no further business the meeting closed at 08:50pm.
Signed: …………………………………….. Chair
Dated: 25th September 2024
© 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.