Mungrisdale Parish Council

Troutbeck Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Hutton Moor end, Troutbeck, Penrith, CA11 0SX

Tel: 017687 79149

Minutes of the Mungrisdale Parish Council held on Monday 14th July 2008 in Mungrisdale Village Hall at 7.30pm

Present

Councillor        Lesley Smith (Chair)

Councillors      Adam Beeston, Alan Bird, Michael Bohling, David Huxley,

                        Ernie Teasdale

Judith Kent stood in as clerk for Suzanne Smith who is on maternity leave.

08/052 Apologies for absence

Ronnie Wilson

Jennifer Stevenson

Roy Fisher, Eden District Council

08/053 Minutes

Resolved by unanimous agreement that the minutes of the meeting held on 14th May 2008 be signed by the Chair as a true record

08/055 Cumbria Rural Housing Trust

Judith Darbyshire from CRHT gave a brief presentation. The next surveys to identify whether there is a need for low cost housing within the Parish will be between September and November. The survey is free to the council. The item will be added to September’s agenda so a decision can be taken on whether the council wishes a survey to be completed.

08/054 Public participation

The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow electors present an opportunity to raise issues of concern or interest. The following matters were raised:

i.)                  A report was presented regarding progress of the Pinfold project. The scheme has received a Neighbourhood Forum Grant of £500 and a further £650 from Cumbria Wildlife. It was unsuccessful in its application for funding to Open Spaces. Money spent to date includes physical construction, plant hire and pond liners. Additional funds would provide seating and gates.

ii.)                Concern was raised regarding the apparent flouting of planning laws within the parish, notably the siting of a static caravan at Berrier. This was sanctioned as workers’ accommodation during the lambing season only but remains in situ long after the season has finished. The council was asked to look into the matter and write to Eden District Council. A call has already been made to the enforcement planning officer who is investigating the matter.

iii.)              The council was asked to write to the LDNPA about its policy on advising amendments to plans which are currently not being sent to the council or to neighbours.

iv.)              A discussion was held regarding the ponies on common land within the parish and the following points were raised:

·         RSPCA and World Horse Welfare – who have a reasonable working relationship with the owner – are aware of the ponies and are monitoring welfare. Feet and bodily condition are checked.

·         One of the local residents said his wife has fed one of the ponies and foals during the winter. He disagreed that the RSPCA and the WHW provide adequate welfare monitoring.

·         Owners of ponies in the New Forest are required to hold 3rd party insurance – this doesn’t apply locally.

v.)                Parishioners want the telephone box at Hutton Roof to remain

vi.)              Referring to item 08/069 the owners of Near Howe outlined their planning application for change of use from B & B to self-catering accommodation on the grounds of safety for their children and the lack of disabled access. The council was asked to support the application via letter to the LDNPA.

08/055 Cumbria Rural Housing Trust Housing Needs Survey Presentation by Judith Darbyshire held before public participation.

08/056 News from EDC / CCC

i.)                  Mark Mckay the Community Safety Officer for Eden introduced himself and gave an overview of his role. He is based in Penrith.

The following matters were reported by Bert Richardson from Cumbria County Council.

ii.)                The new chairman of Eden District Council is Tony Brunskill. Resolved by unanimous agreement to accept his invitation to attend a future meeting. The clerk will confirm arrangements.

iii.)              North Cumbria Hospital is applying for Trust status. The new chairman is Mike Little.

iv.)              A highways steward – Alan Brewer - has been appointed for the area. David Huxley is the council representative to meet with him. The issue of the need to cut back gorse bushes will be raised with him.

v.)                Recycling is becoming increasingly important, not least because of heavy fines being incurred if the County Council exceeds its land fill quota. 70% of what was going to land fill is now being recycled.

08/057 Declaration of interest

There were no declarations of interest

08/058 Accounts 

Resolved that the following accounts be paid:   

-                       Clerk’s expenses                                  Undisclosed (copy enclosed for councillors)

            United Utilities Mungrisdale                 £15.78

            United Utilities Liscow                                    £15.78

            Cumbria In Bloom Mungrisdale entry  £ 5.00

            Cumbria In Bloom Hutton Roof entry £ 5.00

An additional £108.76 was received in car park monies making a total of £278.68

08/059 Planning Applications Received

·         7/2008/3045 Messrs Teasdale, Lowside Farm, Troutbeck – Roof over existing midden

·         7/2008/3036 Mr D Miller, c/o Croft House, Berrier – Proposed extension to general agricultural building

No objections were raised to the above applications

08/060 Planning Applications Decisions

·         08/0157 Mr Hunter, Berrier Head Farm, Greystoke – Erection of agricultural building for us as silage store. Permission granted with 2 conditions.

·         7/2008/3011 RL & CP Clark, Stonends Cottage, Hesket Newmarket – Two-storey rear extension. Permission granted with 3 conditions.

 

08/061 Council Surgery Report

Lesley Smith and David Huxley held the surgery on 7th June. A number of parishioners attended and the following issues were raised:

  • There is a problem with an HGV recently getting stuck on Scales Road. It was suggested a sign be put up to warn it is unsuitable for heavy vehicles. The other end of the road is within the Threlkeld parish. LDNPA will be contacted to see if a Planning Application would be required for a sign.
  • Fencing needs repairing on Scales Road beside the village hall in front of Croft House. David Huxley will speak to the highways steward.
  • Concern was raised over the number of rallies being held in Greystoke Forest. Eden Planning have been contacted to check permission is in place.

Next surgery is 9th August between 10 and 12. Ernie Teasdale and Jennifer Stevenson will attend.

08/062 Tidy Village Competition – Cumbria In Bloom

A lot of helpers turned in Mungrisdale village to help tidy up on 30th June. Next year the first cut needs to be made earlier. Judging is on Wednesday 16th July in Mungrisdale and Friday 18th July in Hutton Roof.

08/063 Neighbourhood Forum Grant

A grant of £500 was raised towards parish noticeboards. The budget includes one replacement but the grant may now enable 2 to be replaced. Quotes are required for double-fronted glass boards. It was agreed that Mungrisdale Road End should be the first to be replaced.

08/064 Fell Ponies

Commoners have advised that where raods are unfenced the liability for accidents is with the road user. A suggestion of an additional cattle-grid was made to keep ponies on the common and stop them straying onto the public highway. A possible location would be in Mosedale near to a particularly flood-prone area.

Resolved by a majority of 5 to 1 that the clerk (David Huxley on clerk’s behalf) will contact highways to arrange a meeting on site about the possibility of a new cattle-grid.

The number of ponies has increased and there are a number of stallions. The numbers need to be controlled and the LDNPA’s solicitor will be discussing this with the ponies’ owner.

08/065 Mole Damage in Mungrisdale

Ronnie Wilson was unable to attend the meeting and this item will be carried forward to the agenda of the next meeting.

08/066 Appointment of Parish Tree Warden

Resolved by unanimous agreement to appoint David Brammer as tree warden for the parish. He will provide reports / updates of activities to the council on a regular basis.

08/067 Stray Dogs

A letter from a parishioner was read out expressing her concern that a recent call to the Eden dog warden resulted in a stray dog within the parish being picked up and taken to Workington. EDC has confirmed that this should have been dealt with by the Eden Dog Warden.

08/068 Mungrisdale Parish Car Parking Charges – Bannerdale Track

Resolved by majority with the Chair using the casting vote to increase the car parking charge to £2

08/069 Near Howe Cottages and Guest House

Approval is sought from councillors to submit a letter of support with a planning application for change of use of the guest house to self-catering accommodation.

Resolved by unanimous agreement to support this application. Lesley Smith will write the letter.

08/070 Hutton Roof telephone box

Resolved by unanimous agreement to support the residents’ wish to keep the phone box. Michael Bohling will write to Eden District Council.

08/071 Correspondence

  • Cumbria Primary Care Trust – Consultation document regarding Mental Health Services in Cumbria
  • Local Development Framework – Core Strategies Document
  • CALC Circular
  • Allowances and Mileage Changes for Councillors
  • Eden Area Community Police Liaison Forum Agenda for next meeting Tuesday 29th July
  • Introductory letter from Tony Brunskill, new EDC chairman.
  • Cumbria Police Authority recruitment of independent members
  • Local Access Forum Annual Report
  • Lake District National Park Annual Report
  • Summer roadworks on A66 at Lowside

08/072 Next meeting – 8th September 2008 at 7.30pm in Mungrisdale Village Hall