Mallerstang Parish Meeting  

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

Held on 21st March 2002, AT 7.30 p.m.   At The Black Bull Hotel, Kirkby Stephen


At the start of the meeting a minute's silence was held for those people connected with the Dale who had passed away in the previous year.


1. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Ian Smart, Alec McWhirter, Dave Waring.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

These were approved subject to a slight amendment being the deletion of the words "Eden District Council" in relation to the discussion about the two sculptures.

3. MATTERS ARISING

These issues were dealt with in the report of the Officers.

4. OFFICER'S REPORT

i) Chairman - The Chairman proposed that due to the amount of business to be dealt with that there be three meetings a year and his proposal was unanimously accepted.
ii) Clerk/Treasurer's report - The Clerk presented the accounts which had been posted on the notice board in advance of the meeting and which were circulated at the Meeting. The accounts were unanimously approved as were the Clerk's expenses for the year


5. THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS

1. John Hamilton was unanimously re-elected there were no other nominations.
2. Vice-Chairman - There was only one nomination Steven Alderson and he was unanimously re-appointed. The Meeting expressed its thanks to Alex McWhirter who had served as Vice-Chairman for the previous several years.
3. Parish Clerk/Treasurer - Paul Watson had expressed his wish to retire and not seek re-election but there were no other nominations for the post. Paul Watson agreed to continue to serve for another year on the basis that the Chairman had kindly agreed to assist with the correspondence. Paul Watson was therefore unanimously re-elected.
4. Margaret Carver kindly agreed to take the minutes of the meetings in the event that Paul Watson was absent for business reasons. The Meeting unanimously voted to appoint Mrs Carver to take the minutes in those circumstances and expressed its thanks to Mrs Carver

6. CORRESPONDENCE

i) BOGGLE GREEN - The Clerk reported correspondence had been received proposing the routing of the Bridle Way through Boggle Green and notified the Meeting he had written to object in the interim pending the meeting. The Meeting expressed its total opposition to the re-routing as proposed and requested the Clerk's right to express that opposition.

iii) WATERGATE BOTTOM - The Clerk told the Meeting that he had received correspondence from Kirkby Stephen Parish Council purely as a matter of courtesy to inform the Parish Meeting that several members of the public had been in to the community office at Kirkby Stephen to express their surprise that the fence at Watergate Bottom was still in situ. A letter had also been received by the Chairman from Cumbria Classic Coaches expressing its concern that the fence was still in situ.

A discussion followed and then Mr Steven Alderson put the proposition that the Parish Meeting take no further action or make further enquiry in relation to the fence for a year. This proposition was seconded by John Hill and was passed following a vote. Six voted in favour of the proposition five voted against and there were three abstentions.
iv) RED SQUIRRELS Roger Howard agreed to look into the obtaining of a grant to put up signs to warn motorists of the presence of red squirrel and Roger agreed to report at the next meeting as to progress made. Will anyone who sees a grey squirrel please telephone Roger on 72062 and he will arrange for it to be exterminated.
v) CORRESPONDENCE IN GENERAL The Clerk reiterated that he received plethora of correspondence much of which is irrelevant to the Parish but everyone is welcome to contact him and arrange to inspect it or read it but 48 hours notice would be appreciated.


7.CONSOLIDATED CHARITIES - The Chairman said that he 
hoped there would be a report from the Chairman 
of the Consolidated Charities Charity but unfortunately no meeting had taken place in the previous 12 months. The Charity is to be placed on the agenda for the next Parish Meeting when Gordon Hutton the Chairman will provide a report to the Meeting.


8.THE TRAVERS INSTITUTE - The Chairman reported there were just a few lose ends to tie up. Keith Beven had put the Travers Institute land on risk on his own household insurance policy at an additional cost of £35. The meeting thereafter unanimously voted to rent the land on licence to Keith at a rent of £1 per annum on the basis that he had insured it and was able to give the Parish Meeting an indemnity in respect of claims brought by anyone in relation to the land. The Clerk was instructed to forward an agreement to Mr Beven for signature. The Meeting further agreed that the £400 received in rent for the land should be put in a separate Charity Institute Charity account but the Chairman John Hamilton who is one of the two trustees of the Charity indicated that certain of those monies could be utilised by the Charity in respect of a one off insurance premium for public liability of the Parish Meeting and its Officers the details of which are set out below.


9. THE QUEEN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE - Gordon Hutton voiced his concern that no arrangements had been made to celebrate the Golden Jubilee within the Dale and this was met by general apathy however Steven Alderson agreed with Mr Hutton that further consideration should be given to arranging a celebration of the Golden Jubilee within the Dale. It was agreed that the Golden Jubilee would be further discussed at the next meeting. Keith Beven kindly indicted that he would be holding a music evening on the Travers Institute site on either the 25th May 2002 or the 15th June 2002 and that he would circulate details as to the date nearer the time.


10.ANY OTHER BUSINESS 

i) Parish Notice Board - The Clerk reported that in his opinion the notice board was dangerous because it is a heavy frame and fragile glass which could potentially fall on someone's head and the Clerk recommended that the notice board be immediately taken out of commission pending alterations. The Meeting agreed and the Officers were authorised by the Meeting to spend such money as is necessary to adapt the notice board to make it safe.
ii) The Clerk reported that the Parish Meeting urgently required comprehensive public liability insurance in this day and age. The Clerk had made enquiries and ascertained that the insurance cover could be obtained at a cost of approximately £110. The Clerk proposed that such cover be effected immediately and the Meeting unanimously agreed with the proposal and requested the Clerk to obtain cover as soon as possible. The Chairman John Hamilton as indicted above said that as Trustee of the Travers Institute Charity he would be prepared for the Charity to pay a one off payment for the first insurance premium in respect of the public liability having regard to the fact that over the previous five years the Mallerstang Parish Meeting had paid over £500 in insurance premiums to cover the Travers Institute site. For the avoidance of doubt the Clerk pointed out that the public liability insurance would not include the Travers Institute land which was now being separately insured by Keith Beven
iii) TELEPHONES- Mr Roger Howard reported on the poor standard of the telephone cabling system within Mallerstang and asked that appropriate representation be made by the Parish Clerk to British Telecom. Mr Howard proposed that a representative of British Telecom be asked to attend the next Parish Meeting in the event that their proposal was not voted upon.
iv) THE ROAD- Steven Alderson complained that the verges in Mallerstang were of a poor standard and were being eroded and asked that a letter be forwarded to the Highways Department concerning the state of the road generally and the verges and the Meeting agreed that such a letter be written.
v) THE CHURCHYARD - Mr Ian Howard reported that on the 10th March he attended the Churchyard for a service and to visit a graveyard and had been distressed to find the Churchyard under water following a torrential downpour. The Clerk revealed a personal interest in that he was a neighbouring landowner and that the Church had been in discussions with him and that they had asked that he provide an easement to the Church to allow a drain to be constructed across his land to the River Eden at the expense of the Church who would also pay Mr Watson's legal and surveyor's fees. Mr Watson reported that whilst he had not yet had a chance to form a view on that proposal as he had only had a first meeting with the Church regarding the issue on Saturday 16th March but he would do all he could in a public spirited way to help alleviate the problem. Mr Watson did point out however that the Parish minutes revealed flooding in the Churchyard had first occurred over 100 years. Nevertheless the Chairman was asked to write to the church to express the Meeting's concern over the issue of flooding in the Churchyard.
vi) THE NEXT MEETING -The Meeting discussed the time of the next meeting and it was agreed that in accordance with the Chairman's proposal that there be three meetings a year and the next meeting would take place on Thursday 20th June 2002 at 7.30 p.m. and that the next meeting after that would take place in November. 

The meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.

 

MINUTES OF THE MALLERSTANG PARISH MEETING HELD ON 20TH JUNE 2002 

AT 7.30 P.M. AT THE BLACK BULL HOTEL, KIRKBY STEPHEN


14 Residents of the Dale were present.

[1] APOLOGIES.
Apologies were received from Keith Beven, Ann Gibney and Councillor Ladhams.

[2] MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
These were approved with slight amendments as follows:
Para 10 v) - For Ian Howard substitute Ian Eden.
Item 8 - substitute Travers Institute Charity Account for Charity Institute Charity account.
Item 7 - substitute no meeting had been held recently for unfortunately no meeting had taken place in the previous 12 months.
These alterations were proposed by Mr Hutton and seconded by Mr O'Connor.

[3] MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:
[i] Squirrels:
Mr Howard reported that no grey squirrels had been reported to him. Mr Howard indicated that he had been looking into grants for the erection of warning signs for red squirrels for the roadside and suggested that the meeting contact Tim Stoddard at the County Council to see if he could assist.
[ii] Travers Insitute:
It was reported that a bank account was now open in the name of the Travers Institute Charity and details were given of the balance.
Correspondence had been received regarding the foot and mouth enquiry and details would be posted on the Notice Board.
Mr Howard then raised the issue of the condition of the roadway through Mallerstang. He reported that stone chippings had been washed away, the road was cracking and was not suitable for HGVs. Mr Hamilton reported that he was waiting for a reply from Highways regarding the road and the cutting of the grass verges.
[iii] Golden Jubilee:
The Chairman reported that, on behalf of the Parish Meeting, he attended Carlisle Cathedral on the 2nd June for a Jubilee Service.
[iv] Notice Board:
The Clerk reported that the Notice Board now has Perspex in it instead of glass.
[v] The Memorial Stone:
It was reported that this would now be set up in what is to be known as the Mallerstang Millennium Wood. The erection of the stone had been delayed by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
[vi] Pinfold:
Mr Howard complained that the rent of £1 a year had not been paid.
[vii] Insurance:
The Parish Clerk Mr Watson passed out the copy of the public liability insurance policy for the Meeting to approve the terms which it duly did.
[viii] Village Green:
It was requested that the Officers establish the status of the village green.

[4] CORRESPONDENCE:
A letter had been received from British Telecom to say that they would not put a light in the telephone kiosk as it was too expensive. The Chairman Mr John Hamilton was asked to try to arrange for a representative from British Telecom to attend a future meeting to discuss communications in the valley.

It was reported that the Parish Meeting had written to object to the proposed re-routing of the bridle way through the Millennium Wood.

A letter was read from the rector of St Marys regarding the church yard flooding.


[5] WATTER YAT:
The Chairman handed out a map detailing the ownership.

[6] MALLERSTANG CHARITIES:
A report was received from Gordon Hutton on the present situation and suggestions for the future.

[7] ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
[i] It was reported that Travers Institute crockery was still available for use and would be available for community functions.

[ii] It was reported that the top rail of the Jew Stone is broken and it was recorded that the responsibility of the Jew Stone rests with Giles Thompson.

[iii] The date for the next meeting was fixed for the 7th November 2002.

 

 

MINUTES OF THE MALLERSTANG PARISH MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY  7TH NOVEMBER 2002 

AT 7.30 P.M. AT THE BLACK BULL HOTEL, KIRKBY STEPHEN
                
17 residents were in attendance, and Councillor Trevor Ladhams

[1] APOLOGIES: Apologies were received from Keith Beven, Hugh Eadon, Graham Carver & Anne Hamilton-Gibney.

[2] MINUTES: A slight amendment to the Minutes of the Last Meeting [20th June 2002] was made by correcting the spelling of Mr Hugh Eadon's name. The Minutes were then accepted.


[3] EDEN FAST PROJECT: Lindsey Annison from the Eden Fast Project gave a report to the meeting as to the possibility for introducing a Broad Band Internet connection service within Mallerstang. Anybody interested was requested to contact Eden Fast. Lindsey reported that it was likely to cost between £15 and £19 per home for a residential connection, or £35 per month for a business connection. The chairman agreed to write to all residents regarding this possibility.

[4] VILLAGE GREEN:

A map was circulated as to the extent and ownership of the village green in Outhgill. 
The Chairman read a letter from Giles Thompson offering to transfer the Village green and Boggle green to the Parish Meeting. Wyn Hamilton and John Hill proposed and seconded that Mr Thompson's kind offer be accepted and the meeting agreed that the Chairman should visit Mr Thompson in hospital to thank him for his offer, and make arrangements for its acceptance. 
The issue of the village green and the possibility of having the equivalent of a boon day with respect to the village green is to be added to the agenda at the next meeting.

[5] MATTERS ARISING:

[i] A letter from the Highways Authority regarding the B6259 was read out to the meeting and the litter problem was discussed. It was reported that more motor bikes now use the road and that there is a problem with the "narrows". It was also reported that flooding at Dale Foot had been experienced with it also being reported that the Council had put hardcore at the edge of the road in various areas and that it gets washed away and blocks the drains.

[ii] The Clerk reported that the Community Health Council had requested an opportunity to address the meeting regarding the Health Services provided to Mallerstang residents and the chairman indicated that the Community Health Council should be invited to the next June meeting rather than the Annual General Meeting to be held in March.

[iii] With respect to the carving of the memorial stone the meeting was told that this would cost approximately £175 to £200 and the meeting gave authority for its officers to proceed with the project.


[6] SELECTION OF TRUSTEES OF THE MALLERSTANG CONSOLIDATED CHARITITIES:

Mrs Atkinson, Ian Wade and Gordon Hutton were up for re-election. Mrs Atkinson had in the event resigned in March. Ian Wade and Gordon Hutton were re-elected. John Hamilton proposed both and John Hill and Margaret Carver both seconded the proposal. Richard O'Connor was elected as third trustee, he was proposed by Wyn Hamilton and seconded by Gordon Hutton. Gordon Hutton proposed a vote of thanks to Marnie Atkinson; this was agreed unanimously.

[7] WATTER YAT:

Tony Halliday outlined the position and the considerable problems which he had been experiencing with travellers at Watergate Bottom. The Clerk was instructed to write to Fell Kilvington solicitors to press the owners to take action when travellers inhabit the site. The Clerk was instructed also to write to English Nature regarding the issue, to the Police and to Kirby Stephen Parish Council. The Chairman suggested that some residents might also wish to write individually.

[8] THE PRECEPT:

This was proposed by Mr Paul Watson the Parish Clerk at £400 and was unanimously agreed.

[9] INTERNAL AUDITOR:

John Hill was elected to this post unanimously for the remainder of the current year.

[10] CODE OF CONDUCT:

This was adopted.

[11] PUBLICATION SCHEME:

This was also adopted.


[12] ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

[i] Churchyard Flooding:

The Parish Clerk mentioned the issue and indicated that immediately following the previous meeting he had a meeting with Giles Thompson which had been a very positive meeting but that unfortunately the church had made no further contact with him despite several enquiries by him of the church secretary John Hill. John Hill told the meeting that he was embarrassed by the position he was in. He had raised issue with the church officers but despite his efforts Mr Watson had still not received a response and he had therefore resigned in protest.

NEXT MEETINGS: It was decided that the next meeting would be on 20th March 2003 and the meeting thereafter on 19th June

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