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 27TH NOVEMBER 2024 HELD IN THE METHODIST HALL, MILLOM
PRESENT: Cllr G McGrath (in the Chair), Cllr S Faulkner (Mayor), Cllr J Brown, Cllr B Kelly (Cumberland and MTC Cllr), Cllr A Pratt (Cumberland Councillor), Cllr J Kellett, Cllr D Myers, Cllr A Gager-Liebhart, Cllr P Brown, Cllr B Crellin, Clerk Cath Jopson, Cllr Gillian Hoyle (RFO/Assistant Clerk) and 10 members of the public were in attendance.
Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Chair informed all present that the meeting and any future meetings would be recorded for the purpose of the minutes and then deleted after the minutes had been agreed. All councillors agreed with this.
Apologies were received from Cllrs Chatterton, Williamson, McDonald and Billing. Sergeant D McDonald also gave apologies.
There was nothing on the agenda to exclude the public or press from the meeting.
The Chairman welcomed everyone present to the last meeting of the current year and thanked members of the public for also attending.
The chair gave a short update regarding the Palladium Gardens lease from Cumberland Authority and the documents that had been received. Cllr Myers proposed that we go ahead and agree to the terms and conditions and the clerk sign on behalf of the council. This was seconded by Cllr Kelly and agreed. Action: Clerk to arrange for necessary paperwork to be completed and sent back to Cumberland Council.
The Chair informed the meeting that several parishioners had requested that some form of hedging be installed around the fence line to the new part of the cemetery. It is approximately 150m of hedging that would be required. Contact would first be made with the Church wardens. Cllr Myers proposed that the clerk look into this and come back with prices etc. This was seconded by Cllr McDonald and agreed. Action: Clerk to look at costings etc for hedging.
The Chair also informed the meeting that the lease for the Palladium from Cumberland Authority had now been received. The chair proposed that we accept the terms and conditions. Seconded by Cllr P Brown and agreed. Action: Clerk to respond to Cumberland Authority and get the relevant paperwork agreed and signed off.
The Mayor summarized her work during the month of November and gave a short presentation on her visit to Maryport and the impressive work by a group there working with the town council.
Cllr Faulkner then gave a presentation about the formation of Millom and Haverigg Together CIC, a new group set up to help revitalise the parish and apply for funding.
Cllr McGrath, Cllr Kelly and Cllr Pratt declared an interest in Item 11 of the agenda: South Copeland GDF Partnership.
It was proposed by Cllr J Brown, seconded by Cllr Myers, and agreed that the minutes be signed as a true and correct record of the meeting held on 30th October 2024.
The clerk reported replies had been received from Home Group regarding Queens Park and from Cumberland Authority about Lapstone House referring to no current plans for refurbishment. Copies were circulated to councillors.
Cllr J Brown proposed a monitoring group be set up to keep pressure on the situation at Lapstone House. Seconded by Cllr Myers and agreed. Action: Clerk to monitor and keep requesting further updates.
Cllr Faulkner gave an update on the library building; progress is slow, partially due to conservation area regulations.
Cumberland Authority have contacted the owner of the empty building on Town Head, who has agreed to tidy and maintain the area.
It was proposed by Cllr Faulkner, seconded by Cllr Kelly, and agreed to approve the accounts for payment and acknowledge the bank reconciliation as accurate.
Cllr McGrath provided an update from the Finance Meeting. Cllr Liebhart proposed, seconded by Cllr Kelly and agreed, that the precept rise of 5.59% (£182,150.00) be accepted. Action: RFO to submit the precept form accordingly.
Quotations from Playdale for repairs: Haverigg (£2134), Millom (£1101), based on ROSPA inspections. Proposed by Cllr Faulkner, seconded by Cllr J Brown, agreed. Action: Clerk to contact Playdale to carry out repairs.
Quotation received from contractor excludes new areas. Cllr McGrath proposed to defer decision until February 2025. Seconded by Cllr Faulkner and agreed. Action: Clerk to seek new quotations in February 2025.
Cllr Faulkner reported low public attendance at a recent Town Deal session. She provided an update on ongoing Town Deal projects and encouraged visiting the website. The 3G all-weather pitch will commence in January 2025, and a contractor has been appointed for the Iron Line project.
Cllr Faulkner raised concerns from the recent meeting and proposed withdrawal from the GDF Partnership while continuing to support public decision-making. Concerns included:
Motion to withdraw proposed by Cllr Faulkner, seconded by Cllr McDonald, passed 9–1 with one abstention. Action: Clerk to write to NWS confirming withdrawal.
Councillor training session set for 12th December at 6.30pm covering “Effective Councillor Modules 1 and 2” over 3 hours. Action: Clerk to book training.
To take place on 14th December 2024 at 1.30pm, following the Christmas Coffee Morning at 10.00am in the Pensioners Hall.
Briefing received from Cllr Pratt concerning Article 4 (appended). Cllr Myers expressed concern that some questions remain unanswered. Action: Cumberland Cllrs to seek further advice.
The Coffee Morning is to be held on Saturday 14th December at the Pensioners Hall, followed by the park opening at 1.30pm.
Clerk raised issue about collection of rubbish by prison workforce — not being accepted by Cumberland Authority due to possible contamination with soil. Action: Cllrs Kelly and Pratt to investigate.
All correspondence had been circulated to councillors via email prior to the meeting.
Action: Clerk to submit council’s comments on planning applications.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21:15pm.
Signed: ……………………………………… Dated: 29th January 2025
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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
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