Mallerstang Parish Meeting

Minutes for 1999

MINUTES OF AN EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF MALLERSTANG PARISH MEETING 


HELD ON 21st JANUARY 1999 AT 7.30PM, IN THE BLACK BULL HOTEL KIRKBY STEPHEN
1. ATTENDANCE
Twenty--four members of the Dale were present under the Chairmanship of Mr Ian Smart. In addition Mr Alan Hunter, the Planning Officer responsible for Mallerstang as in attendance.

2
(a) Mr Hutton explained that he had been the prime mover in calling the meeting by organising a petition, which was presented to the clerk with 17 names. He explained that planning applications had been made recently for more than one new house in the Dale and that he had heard a rumour that there was to be a commercial development in the Dale and a further rumour about 22 new houses being built. He felt that this would have been a fundamental change for the valley and he wished to call a meeting to discuss it.
(b) Mr Alan Hunter then addressed the meeting and explained that he had not heard of any proposed commercial developments in the valley nor of any proposed application to build 22 houses. He explained to the meeting that the local plan is the bible of the planners and that development in the valley could only take place in accordance with it. He did however, say at some stage it was always likely there would be some development in Outhgill. He explained that within the local plan, there was provision for the building of up to a maximum of 4 new houses in Outhgill but that such houses could only be built in in-fill sites.
Mr Hunter explained that the plan was being reviewed at the present time and in the event that the Parish Meeting wished to make representations as to any policy changes to the local plan it could do so.

3. Following the outline of planning policy to the residents, Mr Alan Hunter was thanked by the chairman and left the Meeting A discussion thereafter took place on whether it was appropriate for the Parish Meeting to become involved in planning matters. Mr Stephen Alderson put forward a strong view that it was not appropriate to do so and a number of residents present concurred. Mr Gordon Hutton put forward the view that it was appropriate and other residents present concurred with his view. Mr Alderson said that he thought that the Meeting had been inappropriately called and this view was shared by Mr Nigel McWhirter.

The Meeting discussed taking a vote on whether or not at future meetings planning should be discussed and whether or not the Parish Meeting should make representations on planning matters in the future. Mr Paul Watson the Parish Clerk advised the Meeting that in his view it would not be appropriate to take should a vote at this meeting as the Meeting had not been called for that purpose as it had just been called to deal with the narrow issue set out in the petition provided by Mr Gordon Hutton. To take such a vote at the Meeting would be unfair to those residents who may have attended had they known such a vote was going to take place. 

The Parish Clerk was instructed however, to include on the Agenda for the Annual General Meeting to be held at the end of March 1999, the issue as to whether or not in future the Parish would revert back to its former position of taking a neutral stance in respect of planning applications unless they were of absolutely wholly exceptional nature.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 25th MARCH 1999 

AT THE BLACK BULL HOTEL KIRKBY STEPHEN 

1.         16 residents attended the meeting and in addition Councillor Trevor Ladhams. A minute’s silence was observed out of respect for John Morphet and Peter Shotton who had died since previous meetings.

2.         Apologies were tendered on behalf of Violet Chesham.

3.         The minutes of the last meeting were approved

 

The Clerk outlined the procedure with respect to the library service in the event of breakdowns as requested by Mr Howard.

The meeting requested that the Clerk notify the highways department with respect to various areas of frequent flooding within the dale and a new hole beyond Watergate Bottom.

 

Officers Report

The Chairman reported that the millennium wood project had been approved and that 1000 trees were to be planted on the 30th March 2000 between 11.45 and 12.30 p.m. Publicity had been arranged through the herald and messenger and gazette; and any resident that wished to attend would be welcome. Mr Stephen Alderson suggested that the fence between the wood and the fell needed to be repaired straight away. It was essential because even if one sheep was to get into the wood amongst the young trees the effect could be devastating.

 

Wyn Hamilton put forward a suggestion that there should be a publication compiled “a snapshot of Mallerstang in 2000”. it was decided not to send a questionnaire for residents to fill in, and that it would be up to individuals to decide if they wanted to participate. Mr Alderson thought that the project would probably not get off the ground.

The meeting discussed whether it would be appropriate to take a photograph for the millennium and that suggestion received approval.

Gordon Hutton suggested that a letter be sent to each household but not a questionnaire and Wyn Hamilton agreed to organise that, which the meeting approved.

It was decided the date for the photograph would be fixed at the next meeting; it was also decided Sebastian Vamplew would be asked to do the photograph. The Clerk reported that up to £200 of precept could be used for the purpose of marking the millennium.

 

Election of Officers

The Chairman Mr Smart was re-elected unanimously, as was the vice-chairman Mr Alec McWhirter (in his absence). The clerk and treasurer Mr Paul Watson was also re-elected unanimously

 

Accounts

The Accounts were approved, together with the Clerk's expenses

 

Planning

Mr Alderson put the proposal forward that the meeting does not involve itself with planning matters at all. This was seconded by Mrs Halliday.

A formal motion was put to the meeting as follows:­

1.      " The Parish Meeting should not be involved at all in planning issues except in the ordinary course of business".

 

A second motion was proposed by Gordon Hutton and seconded by Marjorie Spargo as follows:­

2. " The parish Meeting should retain the mechanism to call an extraordinary general meeting to discuss planning matters as passed at the meeting on the 3rd December 1998.”

A secret ballot was held, and motion no.1 was passed by 11 votes to 5 -    motion 2 was refused by 5 votes to 11.

 

Finally it was reported that the "bread fund" Consolidated Charity required 5 trustees; an election is to be held for 4 new trustees at the next meeting.

 

The meeting closed at 9.50 p.m.

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9th DECEMBER 1999, 

AT THE BLACK BULL HOTEL KIRKBY STEPHEN 
1. ATTENDANCE: Ten residents of the Dale were present plus Trevor Ladhams. Apologies were received from Mr John Hill and Greta Naysmith.


2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: These were approved unanimously by the meeting.


3. MATTERS ARISING
    a. Flooding: The problem of flooding within the Dale was discussed and the Clerk was instructed to contact the Council to ask them to clear the culverts particularly in the area of Southwaite.
    b. Boggle Green: Ian Smart was to try to obtain funding to repair the fencing in the vicinity of the trees planted at Boggle Green.
    c. Photograph: The date for the photograph was to be fixed at the next meeting but it was resolved that the photograph would, in all probability, be taken on a Sunday in June with residents to be notified in due course in a letter from the Clerk. Marnie Atkinson suggested that perhaps the photograph could be taken in front of the new wood. No final decision was made.
    d. Millennium: There was a discussion as to whether each resident should receive a mug for the Millennium and whether or not £200 set aside in the precept previously should be used for that purpose. The meeting did not reach a decision on the issue as to whether each resident should receive a mug.
    e. Village Green: There was a discussion as to whether the village green could be improved. Mr Hutton said that the village green was not even mowed last year. Alex McWhirter said that Nateby Parish pay to have it done but Mrs Atkinson said the difficulty with that is that if you employ somebody they need to be insured. Gordon Hutton said that perhaps a boon day could be organised before the photograph was taken.
    f. Consolidated Charities: Marnie Atkinson said that Jane Scott had resigned and Giles Thompson was not put back on as a Trustee after his illness. Gordon Hutton offered to be a Trustee and the meeting appointed him. Other volunteers were to be asked for in due course. Linda Alderson and Phil Ready had tendered their resignations which have been accepted. Marnie Atkinson agreed to stop on as Trustee. The meeting also appointed Ian Wade as Trustee. Gratitude was expressed to Phil Ready and to Linda Alderson for the work they have done in the past.


4. PRECEPT: The Clerk suggested £200. The Notice Board was to be the main item of expense. Ian Wade seconded the proposal and the meeting agreed the precept should be £200. The Officers obtained permission from the meeting to spend up to £250 on a Notice Board and it was noted to be extremely urgent.

5. OTHER BUSINESS
    i) Aisgill Moor Quarry
A resident pointed out that stones blocked off the Aisgill Moor Quarry and that there was material dumped behind it. Steve Alderson said that the gravel belonged to him and that it was clean stone. He said the quarry was part of common ground. Steve Alderson pointed out that he had cleared it out on a few occasions and that if he moved the stone the area was likely to attract rubbish. The meeting decided that it was reasonable for the stone to be kept there and that it was keeping the area free from rubbish.
    ii) Signage within the Dale
The Clerk was instructed to write to the Council for a new sign for Outhgill.
    iii) Grasscutting
Gordon Hutton raised the point that the verges were not cut until very late. The Clerk was requested to complain to Tim Stoddard, County Councillor.
    iv) Rubbish Collection
Trevor Ladharns said that no rubbish would be collected between the Christmas and New Year period.


The meeting closed and a further meeting was arranged for March 2000

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