Mungrisdale Parish Council Annual Report 2008/9.
In the last twelve months, the Parish council will have met six times, but also councillors have attended four Saturday morning surgeries in Mungrisdale Village Hall in an effort to be more accessible to the people of the parish. These have not proved terribly popular and so for the moment we have discontinued them.
During the year a decision was taken for some councillors to have specific responsibilities and then to report back to the whole council. These are:
Planning: Michael Bohling, Ernie Teasdale, Ronnie Wilson
Recycling: Alan Bird, Michael Bohling, Ronnie Wilson
Highways: David Huxley
Conservation: Adam Beeston, Ernie Teasdale
Parish Land: Alan Bird, Michael Bohling, Lesley Smith
At the same time it was decided that we should submit a brief bulletin to The Parish magazine and also to The Cumberland & Westmorland Herald following a Parish Council meeting.
The village of Mungrisdale and Hutton Roof were both entered for the Cumbria in Bloom Tidy Village Competition. Mungrisdale won a silver medal, whilst Hutton Roof won a silver gilt. New fencing has been erected around part of the green at Hutton Roof. This was financially supported by Friends of the Lake District.
The Parish Council applied for a grant from The Eden Vale Neighbourhood Forum to enable us to replace some of the Parish notice boards. We were successful in being granted £500 towards the costs. We have now been able to replace two notice boards, and were very pleased that the work was undertaken by a local tradesman.
During the year, we appointed David Brammer as Parish tree warden. He will supply updates and reports to the council on a regular basis.
Following the introduction of Highway Stewards by Cumbria County Council, our parish steward, Alan Hewer, started work in the parish in August.This consists of one week’s work every ten weeks or so. Our councillor David Huxley keeps him supplied with a never ending list of jobs. More than he obviously has time to achieve in his allocated time to our Parish.
During the year we have, in conjunction with Cumbria Rural Housing Trust undertaken a Parish housing survey. 42.48% of the survey forms issued have been returned, which is considered to be a good uptake. We await the results with interest.
Unfortunately the council do not seem to be making any progress on the provision of our own parish recycling centre. There appears to be no money available from Eden District Council, despite the efforts of some of our councillors.
During the latter part of the year, Mr Les Wilson left the council. He had been a very long serving member. Mr Bob Watt, the only candidate standing for election, was duly elected at the November meeting.
The Parish council have been involved with Eden District Council for months now over the siting of a caravan on Berrier. An enforcement order was made last September by EDC ,but the caravan remains on site awaiting an appeal.The council continues to monitor the situation.
There have been a number of road accidents around the Parish involving horses. The Police,The Lake District National Park and the RSPCA have become involved as well as Caldbeck Commoners.The increase in the horse population has been of concern generally.The LDNP and various horse charities are hoping to undertake a gelding programme over the next twelve months.
During this last year 2008/2009 the parish precept was set at £2500.We have had £474 in income from land lets, and just under £1000 from the honesty box for car parking on the Bannerdale track. The box and sign were unfortunately stolen in December and had to be replaced. The council have supported Mungrisdale PCC with a £300 grant towards the upkeep of the churchyard grounds.,and expect before March 31st again to financially support the mini bus of the Northern Fells Group.
Details of all the Parish Councillors and clerk are on all the notice boards and also on the village website where you can look up agendas and past minutes. www.mungrisdale.com
Lesley Smith Chairman Mungrisdale Parish Council