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 28TH FEBRUARY 2024 COMMENCING 07.00PM IN MILLOM TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES
PRESENT: Cllr G McGrath (Chair), Cllr S Faulkner (Mayor), Cllr R Kelly (MTC & Cumberland Authority), Cllr B Crellin, Cllr D Billing, Cllr B Amos, Cllr A Gager-Leibhart, Cllr D Barry, Cllr J Kellett, Cllr J Micklethwaite, Cllr A MacDonald, Cllr E Ormesher, Cllr A Pratt (Cumberland Cllr), Clerk Mrs Cath Jopson and Assistant Clerk/RFO Mrs Gillian Hoyle.
Two members of the public were present.
Prior to the start of the meeting Cllr Micklethwaite asked if the Council could have a minute’s silence in remembrance of former mayor/councillor Christine Lovell. This was seconded and agreed by all. Cllr McGrath gave thanks for all the hard work Christine carried out while she was a member of the Millom Town Council.
Following the minute’s silence, the chair asked the council if he could bring forward item 15 on the agenda – Presentation on Haverigg Feasibility Study by Mr Des Metcalf of Hough Tullett Ltd prior to the opening of the meeting.
Everyone agreed that the presentation showed how Haverigg could re-develop into something to be proud of. The council acknowledged that proposals had to be in conjunction with Natural England etc.
Apologies were received from Cllr J Brown (Holiday commitments)
The Chair asked the members of the council to be allowed to move item 19 on the agenda to the end of the meeting, thus allowing members of the public to leave the meeting. This was agreed by all present at the meeting.
Chair:
The chair informed the meeting that it was being recorded for the purpose of the minutes. He also welcomed the representative of Hough Tullett (who is going to give a presentation on the proposed Haverigg beach re-development) and two members of the public. The chair reminded the councillors of the 7-Nolan Principles and to ensure that comments made via social media are in line with the Code of Conduct and Standing Orders.
The Chair informed the meeting that things were moving on quite rapidly with the library building and at present they are trying to make it water tight. He remarked that it was going to cost around £1.5 million to put the building back fit for purpose. The chair then went on to thank Mr Dean Myers for the work he had carried out in regard to the HMO issues.
The mayor gave a short presentation of the work that she had been carrying out throughout the months of February (copy attached to the minutes). She went on to thank Cllr Kellett for all of her hard work in organising the Dedication at the Cenotaph to all fallen servicemen and women since World War II.
No declaration of interests were received.
It was proposed by Cllr Faulkner that the minutes be signed as a true and correct record, this was seconded by Cllr Gager-Leibhart and agreed.
The clerk informed the council that all the actions from the office had been carried out. Cllr McGrath reported that contact had been made with the Home Office in regard to the proposed HMO properties. Cllr Amos stated that he was still waiting for a second quotation for installing CCTV in the town area.
Two members of the public informed the council that they had set up a Community Action Group and had replied to the Church leaders in regard to comments on the group and on social media which at the time had resulted from wrong information. They also informed the councillors that they were going to hold a meeting in the pensioners hall and would let the council know the date.
Cllr Kelly proposed that all the accounts be signed as a true and correct record, this was seconded by Cllr McGrath and agreed.
Action: RFO to pay all outstanding invoices accordingly.
Cllr Amos informed the council that a public group were in the process of setting up a CIC to look at social housing. Cllr Amos asked the council if any further information had come regarding the new housing on Queens Park. Cllr Amos proposed that Cumberland Planning be asked to withdraw their planning to ensure that a larger number of social housings would be made available.
A lengthy discussion took place about lack of social housing etc. Cllr Barry had been informed that a housing group had been set up in Grasmere and wondered if it would be worthwhile contacting them to find out in more detail about social housing. The chair asked Cllr Barry if he would be willing to look into this and he agreed.
The Chair informed the council that at present this was something that a local council would not be able to do but if Cllr Amos wanted to sign up a CIC on his own with a group as an outside body he could but not as a councillor.
The Chair voiced his concerns about going about this in a proper and legal manner and forming a proper plan to go forward. The Chair proposed that a sub group be formed to try and look into the way to go forward with this. This was seconded by Cllr Amos.
The following councillors agreed to be members: Amos, Barry, Ormesher, Micklethwaite, and McDonald.
Action:
Cllr Barry reported he had been in touch with a vulnerable veteran member of the community who has been housed outside of the Millom area and his mental health was now starting to become an issue. Cllr Barry informed the councillors that he was looking into this to try and get him re-housed in Millom.
The Chair informed the council that following them receiving response from Home Office he wanted clarification from the Home Office as there was still a big question on how this town was identified and who takes responsibility for it and giving this information to a number of developers to be used for HMO/Asylum properties. This has caused undoubtedly anguish and heartache that has gone through this town over the last few weeks.
The Chair stated he has written to the Minister for Illegal Immigration to come back and inform what the actual number of dispersal beds for Cumberland to achieve.
Cllr Pratt informed the council that he has a scrutiny meeting and Asylum of all types is on the agenda. He will be asking what Cumberland Council’s policy is on Asylum. If they don’t have a policy he will be recommending that Article 4 is inserted to ensure these issues do not happen again.
Cllr McGrath proposed that we re-write to Serco. This was seconded by Cllr Ormesher and agreed.
Action: Clerk/Chair to write to Serco
The Clerk informed the council that flags have been ordered.
Cllr Kellett stated the Royal British Legion would help with the clerk to arrange a celebration. Cllr Barry informed the council of a curry night offer for veterans. Clerk informed that gas beacon purchase would cost £540 exc VAT.
It was proposed by Cllr Faulkner, seconded by Cllr Barry and agreed to proceed with the purchase.
Action: Clerk to order beacon and liaise with Events Group
The chair stated a review was needed to potentially change structure before AGM in May. Several councillors agreed things have gone well under the current structure. The idea of introducing a deputy mayor was also floated.
Cllrs supportive of progressing to public consultation stage.
Action: Chair/Mayor/Clerk to arrange for public consultation
Cllr Kelly reported completion should be by March 2026. Various projects discussed including Iron Line visitor centre, Community Health Centre and Connecting Millom and Haverigg.
Action: Chair to write to Chair of Town Deal requesting further consultation dates
Art project planned for Millom Station now at Ravenglass. Other changes to be detailed.
Action: Letter to be written to Sarah Mitchell
Action: Clerk to defer IT Policy to next meeting
Letter from parishioner requesting GDF Project survey presented. Council decided no survey needed at this time.
Action: Clerk to write to parishioner with outcome of meeting
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 21.30pm
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APRIL 30TH: Methodist Church meeting room
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JULY 30TH: Methodist Church meeting room
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