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 25TH SEPTEMBER 2024 HELD IN THE METHODIST HALL, MILLOM
PRESENT: Cllr G McGrath (in the Chair), Cllr S Faulkner (Mayor), Cllr J Brown, Cllr R Williamson, Cllr B Kelly (Cumberland and MTC Cllr), Cllr J Kellett, Cllr A Gager-Liebhart, Cllr E Chatterton, Gillian Hoyle RFO/Assistant Clerk and 5 members of the public were in attendance.
Prior to the start of the meeting the Chair called for a minute’s silence due to the death of a former councillor and mayor Margaret Cloudsdale.
Apologies were received from Cllr P Brown, Cllr B Crellin and Cllr D Myers.
The chair informed the councillors that Cllr E Ormesher has requested a dispensation request for a 6-month period due to family issues. All councillors present agreed to this. Action: Clerk to inform Cllr Ormesher that her request was successful.
A letter of resignation had also been received by the clerk from Cllr Micklethwaite, this is due to family issues. Action: Clerk to arrange the necessary instructions for removal of councillor with Cumberland Authority.
There was nothing on the agenda to exclude the public or press from the meeting.
The Chair proceeded to thank everyone for their attendance.
Following this the chair gave a short description about the reasoning for the South Copeland GDF Community Fund letter that had been emailed out in regard to renumeration for the chair. It was left that the councillors would contact Cllr Billing (MTC representative on the group) to give a collective decision on the council’s vote either for or against this motion. Action: All Cllrs to contact Cllr Billing.
The mayor’s announcements for the months of August/September are appended to these minutes and have been placed on the MTC website for information.
Cllr Faulkner asked that the council consider that Cllr Williamson and herself look into the possibility of a pump track to be situated in Millom Park. Cllr McGrath proposed that this was a brilliant idea and that Cllrs Faulkner and Williamson investigate and report back their findings to the council, this was seconded by Cllr Kelly and agreed. Action: Cllrs Faulkner/Williamson to investigate possible pump track in the Millom Park and report back to the council with their findings.
Cllr Faulkner also informed the council that herself and Cllr Williamson had been looking into a modular type building for a possible youth zone. Cllr Kelly did inform the Council that Cumberland Council were looking into specialist areas for youths to go to. Action: Leave until further information is received from Cumberland Council.
None received
It was proposed by Cllr Faulkner, seconded by Cllr J Brown that the minutes be signed as a true and correct record of the meeting held on 31st July 2024.
The clerk informed the council that all actions had been completed apart from a response from RSPB regarding the no fishing signs – Action: Clerk to chase up more information.
Resident Mr Simon Donnelly gave a short insight into the project Willow of Millom CIC that Millom Carers and Disability Group were looking into. Their idea is to hold a couple of pop-up cafes to gauge the response from the general public and if successful will help them to continue training disabled bodies to set up a permanent café which will be able to give them an opportunity to work.
The chair thanked Mr Donnelly for his information and wished the group well. It was proposed by Cllr J Brown and seconded by Cllr B Kelly that a letter of support be sent to Mr Donnelly, this was agreed. Action: Clerk to write letter of support.
It was proposed by Cllr B Kelly to accept the accounts for payment along with the bank reconciliation as a correct and true record, this was seconded by Cllr J Brown and all agreed.
A copy of the draft finance meeting held on 23rd August had been circulated for councillors’ information.
The chair, Cllr G McGrath requested that the reserves section on the bank reconciliation be split so that it was more informative as to what grant monies and actual reserves were in the bank. The RFO agreed to do this for the next meeting. Action: RFO to re-align bank reconciliation.
A donation request from Slagbank Playground Association had been received and it was unanimously agreed to pay the insurance and safety inspection at a total of £
A donation request had also been requested from South Cumbria Musical Festival, Cllr B Kelly proposed that the sum of £200 be donated, this was seconded by Cllr J Brown and agreed.
Cllr Faulkner gave a short report on the up-and-coming town deal projects. The council were also informed of the upcoming pop-up events that will be held for the public to go along and get any questions answered by the Town Deal board.
The clerk informed the councillors that to date no specific dates had been sent to the clerk arranging training sessions. Action: Clerk to chase up CALC regarding training.
Cllr Kelly informed the council meeting that Cumberland were proposing to place 6-hubs in and around Cumbria for children services which will include health and education needs. Cllr Kelly stated that at this moment in time no actual areas for these have been allocated.
Cllr Williamson spoke of his ongoing concerns in regard to Queens Park Development. Cllr Williamson proposed that the clerk write again to Home Group asking what and when the new development will be commencing and what does it entail. This was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed. Action: Clerk to write to Home Group.
Cllr Leibhart informed the council that the CCTV that is presently insitu in the Millom Park is failing with some cameras in need of attention. Cllr Leibhart proposed that new tenders be sought in regard to updating the CCTV. This was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed. Action: Cllr Liebhart to get quotations for upgrading of the CCTV.
Cllr Chatterton had drafted copies of a proposed newsletter for council’s information. Cllr Liebhart proposed that a draft 1st Edition be carried out for approval at the November meeting subject to distribution to the public. This was seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed. Action: Cllrs Chatterton/Liebhart to carry out work on a 1st draft edition.
Cllr Billing gave information on the letter that had been received from the South Copeland GDF Community Partnership regarding a proposed honorarium for the Chair of this group (letter had been circulated prior to the meeting within the working papers). Cllr McGrath gave a short report of how this would work, and it was proposed by Cllr Faulkner that all councillors should contact Cllr Billing prior to the next GDF meeting where this is to be discussed with their thoughts. Following receipt of these Cllr Billing to take forward the majority of councillors thoughts to the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Williamson and agreed. Action: All councillors to give their thoughts and decision to Cllr Billing
No further correspondence had been received other than that which was within the working papers.
The councillors were concerned with the latest newspaper (Daily Express) stating that Haverigg beach was the number one dirtiest. Cllr Faulkner informed the council that a local resident was forming a group called Save Our Sands and that she would be attending the meetings when arranged. Cllr Faulkner proposed that the council write to the Environment Agency & Enforcement Authority to ask what their plans are to deal with the issues around the Haverigg beach area. Action: Clerk to write to EA & Enforcement Authority.
Cllr Kellett informed the councillors that the war memorial in Millom would be celebrating its 100-year on 24th May 2025. Cllr Kellett also stated that the Bishop would re-dedicate the memorial on this special occasion. Action: Cllr Kellett, Cllr Faulkner & Clerk to make further arrangements.
Cllr Faulkner gave a short presentation in regard to the allotment that is currently not being used. Cllr Faulkner proposed that the council make the empty allotment a community allotment and that funding would be available if this was to come to fruition. Cllr Liebhart seconded this and it was agreed to go ahead. Action: Cllr Faulkner to look further into making this a community allotment.
Two proposed new chains were within the working papers for the council to decide if they would be suitable due to the condition of the current regalia. Cllr Liebhart proposed that the council go ahead and purchase these, this was seconded by Cllr Chatterton and agreed. Action: Clerk/RFO to purchase.
Cllr Faulkner informed the council that she had been made aware of the new proposed bus service by Cumberland Authority at another meeting she attended. Cllr Faulkner then proceeded to contact Cumberland Authority to ask why MTC had not been included in the talks as they currently run a bus service twice weekly. Cllr Faulkner also was concerned that until proper information had been received by the town council, we should still keep our bus service active. Following confirmation from Cumberland Authority the Chair would then approach our current service provider to cease the running of the town council bus service. Action: Cllr Faulkner to chase up information / Chair to liaise with current bus service provider.
Nothing for addition.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 09.08pm.
Signed: ………………………………….. Chair Dated: 30th October 2024
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