Minutes – 10th September 2025

Minutes of the meeting of Gosforth Parish Council held on Wednesday 10th September 2025

Cllrs. Present: Rachel Unsworth (Chair), Tyson Norman, David Gray, Graham Hutson, Elizabeth Hutson, Jackie Atkinson, Alex Plent, Jack Hatton

Others Present: Cllr. David Moore (Cumberland), Jacqueline Williams (Clerk), and one member of the public

114/25 Apologies for Absence

Apologies have been received from Cllr. John Owens who is unwell.

RESOLVED that the apology is approved, and the reason noted.

115/25 Declarations of Interest – None received. 

116/25 Minutes of the Annual General meeting held on 11^th June 2025.

The July 2025 meeting was not quorate and was cancelled.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th June 2025, pages 257 to 260 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chair.

117/25 Public Participation/Open Session

A member of the public requested a new flag, and details were passed to the Clerk.

118/25  Cumberland Councillors’ Report

Cllr. Moore reported that Asset Transfers will now be subject to consultation with the various Community Panels and he suggested pausing the new lease until the South Cumberland Community Panel had been consulted. Cllr. Moore said the Viking Way has received a second cut and there will now be two cuts per year. There was a discussion regarding removing the hedge to reduce maintenance, but Councillors were against this as the hedge provides a barrier, reducing sound, blocking headlights and spray from the road. Cllr. Moore said he has been in contact with Building Control regarding the condition of the fire-damaged shop.

119/25 Planning

RESOLVED that the following applications have been considered, and the Planning Authority be advised of the Council’s observations as follows:         

Applications:

7/2025/4063 5 Ellerslie Park, Gosforth – Removal of existing garage and UPVC glazed porch and construction of single-storey side and rear, plus two-storey side extensions – no objections.

Decisions:

7/2025/4006 – Gosforth Public Hall – listed building consent for remedial and refurbishment works, alterations and extension. Granted.

7/2024/4098 – Gosforth Public Hall – refurbishment, alterations, and extension. Granted.

TPO 483 – Land at Stoneleigh, Gosforth – confirmation of tree preservation order.

Other Planning Matters:

Cllr. Unsworth had been approached by a resident about a wooden fence around the drainage ponds at the new Summerscales development.

120/25 Financial Reports

The Clerk presented a bank reconciliation to 30^th August 2025 and noted a cheque for architect’s fees in the sum of £55,200 cleared the bank account in September and a VAT refund has been received.

RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation to 30^th August 2025 be received and noted. Payments made in August 2025 are listed in Appendix 1.

The Clerk presented a schedule of payments made in July and August.

RESOLVED that the schedule of payments be ratified and approved for payment.

The Clerk said she would arrange a Finance Committee meeting to appoint and remove bank signatories and to review and adopt financial regulations.

121/25 Geological Disposal Facility

Cllr. Moore reported that the South Copeland Community Panel was operational again with Andy Pratt as Chair for both Copeland panels. Feasibility work is being undertaken towards a decision consent order (DCO). The engagement team held an event for businesses, but nobody attended.

122/25 Car Park & Toilets

HFT Gough & Co. Solicitors have been appointed to act on behalf of the Parish Council regarding the new lease. The Clerk read out an email from Cumberland saying that it would have to be advertised at a cost to the PC of £845. Cllrs. agreed to pause progress on the lease until after the South Cumberland Community Panel had been consulted.

The second proposal for using the Ring-go app to collect donations was acceptable. Cllr. Atkinson requested the Clerk check the terms and conditions before proceeding. The Clerk to draft and circulate proposed wording for the signs.                                                                        

123/25 Playground & Playing Field

Cllr. Unsworth reported that a quotation for a new MUGA from Caloo was much lower than the previous quotation and she had submitted a funding application to GDF and hopes for a positive decision within two weeks.  Signage about dogs on leads vs no dogs was discussed. The Clerk said she had checked, and playground is no dogs. Cllrs. said it was important that dogs should not be allowed on the playing field/football pitches as there are seventy children using it in the junior football teams. Cllr. Unsworth said the football teams are growing with five teams and a development team.

Cllr. Hatton reported that the trees in the playing field car park need attention. He has consulted a local tree surgeon who has recommended the removal of three cherry trees. Cllr. Hatton to forward the quotation to the Clerk for circulation.

124/25 InPost Parcel Locker

The InPost parcel locker has been installed and is operational.

125/25 Public Hall

Cllr. Atkinson reported that the application to Historic England had been successful and a further grant from Copeland Community Fund had also been awarded making a total of £526,444. The grants will cover Phase 1 of the project, concentrating on the listed part of the hall. Invitation to tender was posted on the Government website and seven tenders were received, and a contractor has been selected. Cllr. Atkinson and the Clerk will be attending a pre-start meeting with the architects and contractor this Friday 12^th September. Work is anticipated to commence in early October. The library will be closed but the main hall will remain open for activities.

126/25 NDA Properties

Cllr. Norman said a meeting has been arranged for 1^st October at Calderbridge. Demolition of Calder Town End has begun.

127/25 Connecting Communities

Cllr. Norman reported that the Chair of Calderbridge and Ponsonby is meeting with our MP and Sustrans and he will feedback after the meeting.

128/25 Parish Plan

Cllr. Unsworth said that she has received the questionnaires from Cllr. Owens.

129/25 Planting for Pollinators

Cllr. Hatton has liaised with Cumbria Wildlife Trust and organised planting sessions on the playing field with the Scouts, Brownies, and Cubs & Beavers on three evenings next week starting Monday 15^th September.                                                                                                 

130/25 Flagpole Expenses

No reimbursement necessary. 

131/25 Local Transport

Cllrs. requested the Clerk write to Josh MacAlister, MP in support of the proposed new bus service connecting Gosforth to Egremont and Whitehaven.                                                                  

132/25 Correspondence & Communications

Residents had contacted the Parish Council on the following issues:

• Thanked Cllrs. for their work on clearing the footpath from the school to Wellinton.
• Info on the village shop.
• Request to purchase a parking space.
• Regarding speeding cycles on the Viking Way, signage including ‘cows crossing’ signs had been removed. Cllr. Moore agreed to chase.
• Several emails had been received regarding the van behind the Kellbank, and the Clerk had reported it to the Police, Environmental Health, Cumberland Enforcement and LDNP Rangers. After a discussion Cllrs. agreed the most compassionate approach was to go to enforcement so that Cumberland Council would have to provide temporary accommodation for the gentleman as the Winter approaches. Clerk to write back to LDNP Ranger.

133/25 Meetings

Cllr. Atkinson attended a coffee morning held at the public hall by Josh MacAlister, MP.

Cllr. Atkinson and the Clerk had attended a meeting with the architect to review the tenders for the public hall project, and both have been invited to attend an event by Copeland Community Fund to celebrate 15 years of giving grants.

134/25 Councillor Matters

Cllr. Norman had been approached by a resident regarding the new bungalows at Harecroft which he requested be discussed under ‘any other planning matters’ at the next meeting.

Cllr. Norman expressed his disgust with the way the Police had handled the vehicle that had been abandoned near the schoolhouse, parked facing the wrong way on a one-way system and with an expired licence.

Cllr. Elizabeth Hutson reported an overgrown pathway and area near Denton Park and will send photos. Cllrs. Hatton and Plent offered to help.

135/25 Items in Camera

Items in camera are dealt with in private in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

Local Government Services Pay Agreement 2025-26

RESOLVED that the Parish Council accept the pay award recommended by the NJC backdated to 1^st April 2025. Clerk to advise accountants.

136/25 Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 8^th October 2025 at 6.30pm.

Meeting closed at 8.30pm.

Chairperson……………………………………………………….…………  Date: ………………………………………