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The meeting
was attended by 17 residents, together with Councillor Ladhams.
1 Apologies: Apologies were received from Annie Hamilton-Gibney,
Tony Sawyer, Councillors Raw and Stoddard, Mike and Mary Langley, Sue
Bradley, Lynne Wade, Margaret Carver and Ros Bousfield.
2 Project Access (Broadband): The Chairman introduced Richard
Walters and Pamela Miron from Project Access. Mr Walters began by
acknowledging that Mallerstang is in the 5% of Cumbria not covered by
Broadband. The parish is number three on a list of eight areas in the
county where there is still work to be done to extend coverage. Due to the
distance from the nearest exchange, wireless technology would need to be
deployed. Provided there is sufficient demand, particularly from
businesses, there is provision to draw down money from the Department of
Trade and Industry to install the infrastructure. An ariel on each house
would be required to receive the signal. There may be a need for an
additional radio mast in the valley or a modification to the existing one.
At this stage, before the research has been carried out, the work involved
is unclear. Mr Walters said that he would provide a pro-forma letter which
residents could use a model for individual letters expressing an interest,
although potential customers would not have committed themselves on the
basis of such a letter. In answer to questions, Mr Walters said that
installation costs would be under £100 per household and customers would
have discretion over choice of ISP. Infrastructure costs for the parish
must not be more than 5% above average costs. It was thought that 20 or so
letters would probably be sufficient to establish a case. Pamela Miron
circulated a pad on which those interested were asked to enter their
details ( and those of any residents not present who are known to be
interested), so that tests could be carried out. It was emphasised that
the provision of these details was not a substitute for letters of
interest. It was agreed that Mr Walters’ pro-forma letter should be
copied to every household in the parish.
3 Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting Held on 23 March 2006: The
minutes were proposed as a correct record by Gordon Hutton, seconded by
Greta Naysmith and approved nem. con.
4 Matters Arising: Gordon Hutton raised again the issue of the
hazard presented by unrestricted parking on the road outside Kirkby
Stephen Primary School. Councillor Ladhams said that obtaining a traffic
order was a very long drawn out process, but he would chase the matter up.
The Clerk reported that the early safety cut requested by Nigel McWhirter
at the previous meeting, had been carried out. The Chairman asked for the
Parish Meeting’s thanks to be recorded for Keith Beven’s hospitality
for once again hosting a very successful musical evening for the entire
parish.
5 Correspondence: The Clerk reported that he had received a reply
to his letter to Network Rail Community Relations complaining about the
litter left on the road verges adjacent to the Aisgill railway access
point by Network Rail’s contractors. Although the response was not as
robust initially as the letter from Network Rail indicated, the litter was
eventually cleared up. The Clerk itemised the circulars which had been
received since the previous meeting, none of which appeared to require any
action.
6 Upper Eden Community Plan: The Clerk said that some of the
questionnaires which had been sent out with the meeting notice had already
been returned, adding that he hoped for further returns before the end of
the month. The UECP Group’s next meeting is on 20 July.
7 Charities Reports:
a) Mallerstang
Consolidated Charities: The Chairman, Gordon Hutton, thanked the trustees
for their work during the past year, before going on to outline the
Charities’ policy, which is broadly to safeguard the value of the fund
while at the same time investing for growth, awarding grants only out of
income. This had resulted in the fund standing at £16,584 on 15 March
2006, an increase of £634 on the previous year. Mr Hutton reported that
the trustees had been looking for a way to make a contribution to the
community as a whole, as well as their usual policy of making donations to
individuals. As a result, it had been agreed that £50.00 would be given
to Rob Bradley to cover the cost of fuel used in cutting the grass on the
Green at Outhgill. Mr Hutton passed the Clerk a copy of the accounts for
the year to 15 March 2006 for filing with the minutes. The Chairman
thanked him and the other trustees for their work.
b) The
Chairman reminded the meeting that as the sole trustee, it is his duty to
report on matters relating to the Travers Institute. He also reminded the
meeting of the Charity Commissioners’ stipulation that the site of the
former Institute must be kept vacant for possible future use. The meeting
was also reminded that the Parish Meeting had agreed that the matter
should be reviewed every five years. No proposals had been put forward
during the current five year period, which ends this year, and he
therefore announced that the next review would be in 2011, although it
would of course be open to anyone to make a proposal in the intervening
period. The Travers Institute account currently stands at £251.69. The
Chairman read out an email from Keith Beven regarding the misunderstanding
which had arisen over both the number and the siting of the trees which it
had been agreed would be planted adjacent to the site of the Travers
Institute. Nigel McWhirter reported that he had had an amicable discussion
with Professor Beven, as a result of which it had been agreed that six to
eight trees would be moved back from the site during the next planting
season, thus leaving the site clear.
7 Report from the Red Squirrel Protection Group: The Chairman said
that in the absence of Annie Hamilton-Gibney, there was no report. Annie
Gregory said that red squirrels were possibly being lost via ferret
predation and that any ferrets sighted needed to be dealt with.
8 Parish Meeting Accounts 2005/2006: The Clerk tabled copies of the
accounts. He pointed out that the Parish Meeting’s public liability
insurance had increased by £10.00 and drew attention to the one off
payment of £50.00 to the Kirkby Stephen Community Centre. Mr O’Connor
said that at £400, the precept was 25% higher than it had been in
2004/005 and reminded the meeting that the precept had been increased in
anticipation of a fee charged by the Audit Commission. In the event, the
Audit Commission had waived its fee for organisations with a low turnover
and as a result it is possible that a lower precept figure would be
proposed for 2007/2008. Wyn Hamilton proposed that the accounts be
approved, seconded by Rob Bradley. The accounts were approved nem. con.
9 Centenary of the Riding of the Parish Bounds: The Chairman
distributed an account of the riding of the parish bounds in 1906 and
urged those present to mark the centenary by joining him for a walk round
the parish boundaries on 24 and 25 June. The walk would start at Watter
Yat at 10.00 a.m. on the Saturday covering the eastern boundary and
finishing with refreshments at Springthwaite, Aisgill Moor. On Sunday the
western boundary over Wild Boar Fell would be walked.
10 Any Other Business: Graham Carver reported that cars were being
parked on the Green, now that it is being cut on a regular basis and
wondered whether “no parking” signs would be appropriate. Gordon
Hutton suggested that for the time being the situation should be
monitored. This was agreed.
Stephen Alderson expressed concern about the number of speeding motorbikes
on the B6259, drawing particular attention to the hazards farmers faced,
due to tractors and other farm vehicles entering and exiting fields up and
down the valley. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the police
traffic division to see what action could be taken.
11 Dates of Future Meetings: Already agreed: 2 November 2006 and 22
March 2007 (AGM).
The Chairman
proposed that the meeting after that be scheduled for 21 June 2007. This
was agreed.
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