MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF MALLERSTANG PARISH MEETING 

AT THE BLACK BULL HOTEL, KIRKBY STEPHEN 

ON THURSDAY, 25TH. MARCH 1993,  STARTING AT 7.30 PM.

1. PRESENT were: Mr. J. Morphet (Chairman), 21 other parishioners, and Kirkby Stephen Ward County Councillor, R. Frankland.

2. APOLOGIES from: Mesdames B. Smart and R. Pickard, and Messrs A. Sawyer and C. Alderson.

3. MINUTES: The Minutes of the Meeting on 4th. November 1992 were read by the Clerk. These were accepted as correct by the meeting with the exception of the minute relating to 'Village Appraisals’, which was challenged by Mrs. Spargo. The meeting agreed that this be amended after the end of the meeting to the mutual satisfaction of the Chairman, Clerk and Mrs. Spargo; and the minutes were then signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record. 
The amended minute, dictated by Mrs. Spargo and acceptable to the Chairman and Clerk reads: “The Clerk said that he had heard nothing regarding Village Appraisals and asked Mrs. Spargo whether she had heard anything. She answered in the negative.''

4. MATTERS ARISING: 
1. The Clerk referred to the agreed precept for £100 and reported that he had increased this to £120. At the time when the precept had to he made he had anticipated the audit fees and bank charges would be unexpectedly higher than he had budgeted for. In the event, they had been approximately as originally expected but by then the precept could not be reduced. The surplus would therefore be available to reduce the precept requirements for 1994/95. meeting approved his action
2. Mrs. Spargo raised the matter of the Village Appraisal for which she had volunteered to undertake some of the work including the distribution and collection of the questionnaires. She quoted part of an exchange that she had had with Voluntary Action Cumbria, including the statement that VAC "had heard nothing from Mallerstang”, and she expressed very strong criticism of the Clerk for what she considered his inaction on this matter. She repeated this later in the meeting. Mrs. Spargo reported that she had discussed the matter with Mr. Bob Murray of VAC who was still willing to undertake the survey. When this possibility was discussed during "Any Other Business" the meeting agreed that Mrs. Spargo's offer to act as “co-ordinator'' should be accepted and that she should deal directly with VAC.
3. Although not properly on a "Matter Arising", Mrs. Spargo's comments lead on to an extensive discussion about how the Parish's business should be dealt with and the frequency of meetings etc. This was continued during "Any Other Business" but is minuted here for completeness. Most matters coming to the Parish on which it has the opportunity of commenting have to be responded to within 28 days and therefore a twice yearly meeting can consider only those which have come in shortly before the meeting.
Under the present system, where questions have to be or can usefully be responded to urgently it falls to the Clerk to make the initial decision as to what should be done and who should do it and his decision will not necessarily always be acceptable to a majority in the Parish. He cited 3 recent typical examples: (i) The urgent need, immediately after the November meeting, to nominate a replacement governor for the Primary School - this had been done by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Clerk in consultation. 
(ii) The urgent need in January To raise the precept on the information then available – this he had done personally and without consultation, reporting it to the meeting as minuted above. (iii) The opportunity that had arisen in the previous month to comment on the proposed closure of the registration out-station at Kirkby Stephen with a deadline for comments before the Parish meeting - he had consulted those he knew had recent registration requirements and consequently formally objected to the proposals on behalf of the Parish but would be seeking meeting’s approval or otherwise later in the evening. The Parish is often given the chance to comment on County and District matters and he thought it would be a waste if these opportunities were not taken.

There seemed to be 3 possible courses open: 
(a) To Continue as present and accept that there would occasionally be differences of opinion.
(b) To meet much more frequently. 
(c) To elect something like an executive committee which could more easily meet frequently and could make decisions in between full Parish Meetings. (The legality of that delegated decision-making is doubtful). It was agreed that there should be an extra meeting at about the end of May (preferably the last Thursday), at which the Agenda would include this matter. Advance notice would be given through the Herald and by a notice to each household, including a draft of these minutes.


5. ELECTIONS:

1. CHAIRMAN Mr. John Morphet was standing down after 30 years in office having recently retired from farming and moved out of the Parish. Messrs. S. Alder son and A. Naysmith were nominated for election to succeed him and Mr. S. Alderson was elected on a secret ballot. Messrs. Giles Thompson and Raven Frankland then spoke in thanks and appreciation for all the retiring Chairman had done for Mallerstang over many years and those present responded with warm applause.
2. VICE CHAIRMAN Mrs. M. Atkinson and Messrs. C. Alderson and McWhirter were nominated and Mr. A. McWhirter elected on a secret ballot.
3. CLERK AND TREASURER Mrs. Spargo queried the propriety of these posts continuing to he combined but the Meeting decided they continue to be so. 
Mr. Giles Thompson was the only nomination and his appointment was approved by the Meeting.


6. PARISH FINANCES: The Clark reported on the Parish Finances and particularly on the auditors criticism that some payments, for example for Herald advertising, had not been formally approved and minuted. He therefore sought and obtained from the Meeting approval for the payment of 2 years honorarium to himself of £40, of the auditors fee of £12.37, of Mr. A. Naysmith’s postage and copying expenses etc. for the first Parish Newsletter of £16.91, and of Mounsey's account for the Herald advertising of the Annual Meeting when it was presented in due course provided the amount was in the usual region. 


7. RADIO AND TV RECEPTION: Several parishioners had commented to the Clerk on the inadequate radio and TV reception in the dale and he believed that there might be merit in joint action through the Parish. This was discussed and agreed. Mr. A. Naysmith agreed to take it up and to report back in due course.

8. REGISTRATION OUT-STATION AT KIRKBY STEPHEN: The Clerk reported on the County Council’s intention of closing this [referred to above, in minute 4.3 (iii)] and his action in lodging an objection to be endorsed or withdrawn as the Meeting decided. It was endorsed and he was instructed to write to the County accordingly.

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: 
(a) A proposal to report the Parish's meetings in the Herald was considered and carried by 14 votes.

(b) Concern was expressed about tipping on Birkett Fell, Watergate Bottom and Aisgill Quarry. This is a continuing problem and the Clerk is to discuss possible solutions with Eden District Council. He asked for any available information on those responsible. Particularly the recent tipping on Birkett Fell.

(c) There is still dissatisfaction about certain uncut hedges and un-cleared cattle grids. The Clark is to draw these to the attention of the County Council again and press for action.

(d) The Parish Notice board is deteriorating and the Perspex is broken. The Clerk will ask Bill Hasted whether he will repair it at the Parish’s expense. It is also on an exposed site. The steps in the village might be an alternative. Parishioners will bring any ideas to the next meeting.

(e) Many consider the green metal footpath signs a visual abomination, particularly those at Pendragon Bridge. The Clerk is to tell the County Council so and to make enquiries whether the Herald would back a campaign for replacement with wooden signs.

(f) The need for a heavy vehicle turning point between Outhgill and Aisgill was discussed and the Clerk said that he had no objection to one at the south end of Boggle Green. This was welcomed and he is to write to the County Council to enquire whether they would approve and undertake the simple works necessary.

There being no further business, the Meeting closed at 9.53 pm.