Millom Town Council
Minutes
Minutes of a Zoom Meeting of Millom Town Council held on Wednesday 29th July 2020 at 7.30PM
Present: Cllr A Dixon (Mayor), Cllr T Dixon, Cllr S Carter, Cllr R Pattinson, Cllr J Brown, Cllr T Fitzwilliam, Cllr R Cummings, Cllr R Kelly, Cllr D Billing, Cllr G Brace, Cllr J Jakubowski, Cllr S Donnelly, Cllr S Faulkner, Clerk V Bradley and Assistant Clerk C Jopson
Members of the Public: Mr R Morris-Eyton (Chair of the Towns Fund Bid) and two others
013/20 Apologies for Absence
Cllr B Crellin, Cllr R Peter
014/20 Mayor’s Announcements
The Mayor began her address to the Council. She stated that there were around 200 empty houses in the Millom area and she felt that this was unacceptable and needed to be looked into further with perhaps a councillor taking on this task. The Mayor has been informed by ACT that we cannot legally stop houses being purchased for holiday homes. Action: Cllr Billing/Clerk – to forward CBC contact to Cllr Billing
The Town Plan has been revisited by Cllr A Dixon and Cllr S Faulkner. They noted that a few things needed updating. Another household survey would be beneficial to update this and it was proposed to carry out this survey along with Around the Combe Group. Action: Cllr Jakubowski/Cllr A Dixon
Planning permission needs to be submitted for the stone work that was given to the Council for situating down the bottom of Lancashire Road. Action: Clerk
It was suggested that it might be a good idea to plant wild flowers in and around the areas of Millom and Haverigg. Action: Cllr R Pattinson
It was reported that the Millom & Haverigg Civic Society have requested that the large boulders on the dunes be removed. Action: Cllr S Faulkner/Haverigg Inshore Rescue
Inspection of Millom Park is to be carried out Thursday 30th July at 9.00am. Action: Cllr Cummings & Cllr Kelly
015/20 Declarations of Pecuniary Interest
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.
016/20 Actions Update from Previous Meeting Minutes
Ward Inspections – Cllr T Dixon and Cllr G Brace are yet to co-ordinate a date to carry out ward inspections. Cllr Billing was also asked if he would be able to help with this. Action: Cllr T Dixon, Cllr G Brace, Cllr D Billing, Cllr S Carter, Cllr R Pattinson and Cllr R Kelly
Millom Park Inspection – Due to unforeseen circumstances this has not been carried out. A new date has been arranged. Action: Cllr R Kelly & Cllr R Cummings
017/20 To Approve as a Correct Record the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 24th June 2020
Cllr T Dixon proposed that the minutes from the meeting held on 24th June 2020 be signed as a true and correct record. This was seconded by Cllr T Fitzwilliam.
018/20 To Note the Minutes from the A&R Meeting Held on 17th July 2020
- Pavilion – Cllr Cummings gave an update on the Pavilion and had written up a business plan which was ready to go. Copies will be sent out to all councillors for their consideration when the clerk receives it.
- Park Funding Bid – Cllr Jakubowski gave an update following the distribution of her business plan which had been circulated to all councillors. She informed the councillors that it would be possible to split the works into phases. Phase 1 being the largest project costing in the region of £100k. There was grant money available from FCC Communities Foundation and the park fell within grant-applicable areas. One criteria is the need to match fund approximately £10,750, which was confirmed in the budget. It was unanimously agreed to go ahead and submit the proposal for grant aid. Action: Cllr Jakubowski
019/20 Open to the Public: Item 27 Stronger Towns Bid
Robert Morris-Eyton, Chairman for Millom Stronger Towns Fund Bid updated councillors on proposals. He noted that a Strategic Report needed to be submitted by 31st January. Copeland Borough Council is the accountable body for the report. Initial key points are:
- Tourism
- Environment
- Derelict buildings
- Historical Heritage
- Transport
- Industry
- Leisure
- Training
The Mayor thanked Robert Morris-Eyton for his contribution. He agreed to attend future meetings as required. Robert Morris-Eyton left the meeting at 20.11pm.
020/20 Cumbria County Council
CCC Cllr Hitchen had emailed the clerk that there was nothing to report at present.
021/20 Copeland Borough Council
The Clerk had received no reports back. Cllr Jakubowski is to make contact with CBC councillors once a month.
022/20 Millom Town Councillor & Clerk’s Update
- Accounting Statements and Annual Governance – Cllr T Dixon proposed that the forms be signed. Seconded by Cllr Fitzwilliam.
023/20 Queens Park Redevelopment Update
- Removal of Plants – Uncoordinated efforts to remove plants have led to the decision to leave the project. Action: Clerk
024/20 Haverigg Issues
- Main Street Road – Cllr Faulkner highlighted hazardous road conditions due to utility work. Action: Clerk to arrange meeting with Highways Authority.
- Camper Van Parking – Cllr Brown noted complaints regarding overnight camper parking. The Clerk is in discussions about updating bins and signage (No Overnight Parking). Action: Clerk
- Haverigg Park Playground – Cllr Brown raised concerns; item referred to A&R. Bin issues are in hand with CBC. Action: Clerk
- Dynamic Dunescapes Project – Cllr Faulkner shared project info starting in autumn backed by National Heritage Fund. Look into John Muir Award. Action: Cllr Faulkner
- Millom & Haverigg Civic Society – £40k bid planned to improve access around Hodbarrow. Involves Cllrs Faulkner, Kelly, Billing. Action: As and when required
025/20 HMP Working Party
The Clerk to arrange a meeting with the Prison Authority to discuss working parties. Action: Clerk
026/20 Care/Residential Homes in Millom
Concerns raised about local access to care homes. Clerk to arrange meeting with Trudy Harrison MP and CCC rep. Action: Clerk
027/20 Stronger Towns Fund Bid Update
Discussed under public section.
028/20 Social Housing
Cllr T Dixon to circulate document on Social Housing. Proposed working group: Cllrs T Dixon, A Dixon, R Peter, D Billing. Action: Cllr A Dixon/Cllr T Dixon to co-ordinate meeting
029/20 Newton Street Property
All councillors agreed to lease property for 10 years. Action: Clerk to write to Home Housing
030/20 Public Realm Update
Deferred until next meeting.
032/20 South Copeland Partnership Update
The Duddon Estuary Partnership is to be dissolved. New committee set-up hoped for in future.
033/20 Installation of Musical Equipment in Millom Park
Suggested location near disability swing or old exercise equipment site. Cllr T Dixon to liaise with Play Dale and STEM group. Action: Cllr T Dixon
034/20 Farmers Market
Scheduled for 30th August at the Industrial Estate. Organised by Cllrs A & T Dixon. Action: Cllrs A & T Dixon
035/20 Removal of Unsafe Play Equipment in Millom Park
Metal monkey bars corroded. Taped off by Clerk until removal. Action: Clerk
036/20 Planning
- CH/4/20/2229/OF1 – Change of use of two shops to two 4-bedroomed dwellings – 14 Main Street, Haverigg. No objection in principle, concerns with parking.
- CH/4/20/2257/0F1 – Extensions at 4 Moor Park, Millom – No objection.
- CH/4/20/2275 – Rear extension – No objection.
037/20 Accounts
Cllr T Dixon proposed accounts for payment be signed. Seconded by Cllr T Fitzwilliam. Action: Clerk
038/20 Any Other Business
- Church Walk – Cllr R Pattinson raised overgrowth concerns. To be added to Town Plan. Action: Cllrs A Dixon/S Faulkner
- A&R Committee – Suggestion to form sub-committee for ward inspections. CBC to be contacted about street maintenance. Awaiting end of isolation for CBC worker. Action: Clerk
- Mr Clark commended for cleaning work. Clerk to chase spray certificate training. Action: Clerk
- Road Sweeper – Ordered, expected in 6 weeks.
- Website – Cllr D Billing urged update. Already underway. Action: Clerk
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.19hrs.
Signed: ………………………………. Cllr A Dixon, Mayor
Dated: ………………………
Actions
- 014/20 – Cllr D Billing – To obtain figures/details of empty/holiday houses
- 014/20 – Cllr J Jakubowski – Household survey for Town Plan
- 014/20 – Clerk – To obtain planning for stone work
- 014/20 – Cllr R Pattinson – Wild Flowers
- 014/20 – Cllr Faulkner – to liaise with Haverigg Inshore Rescue
- 016/20 – Cllrs R Kelly & R Cummings – Millom Park inspection
- 018/20 – Cllr J Jakubowski – To submit park funding bid
- 023/20 – Clerk – Letter regarding Queens Park planting
- 024/20 – Clerk – Meeting with Highways Authority
- 024/20 – Clerk – Signage for Haverigg Beach
- 024/20 – Clerk – Large bins on beach
- 024/20 – Cllr Faulkner – Civic society updates
- 025/20 – Clerk – Meeting with HMP
- 026/20 – Clerk – Meeting with MP and CCC on care homes
- 028/20 – Cllrs T & A Dixon – Social Housing group coordination
- 029/20 – Clerk – Lease acceptance letter
- 033/20 – Cllr T Dixon – Musical equipment siting
- 034/20 – Cllrs A & T Dixon – Farmers Market
- 035/20 – Clerk – Playground equipment removal
- 036/20 – Clerk – Planning application letters
- 037/20 – Clerk – Accounts payment
- 038/20 – Cllrs A Dixon/S Faulkner – Data for Town Plan
- 038/20 – Clerk – A&R sub-committee for ward inspections
- 038/20 – Clerk – Website update