Minutes of the meeting of Gosforth Parish Council held on 11th December 2024 at Gosforth Library
Councillors Present: Rachel Unsworth (Chair), John Owens (Vice-Chair), Jackie Atkinson, David Gray, Tyson Norman, Alex Plent and Jack Hatton
Others Present: Jacqueline Williams (Clerk)
809/24 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs. Elizabeth Hutson, Graham Hutson and from Cumberland Cllr. David Moore. All apologies were approved.
810/24 Declarations of Interest – none received.
811/24 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13th November 2024
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13th November 2024, pages 234 to 236 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chair.
812/24 Public Participation
No members of the public were present.
813/24 Cumberland Councillor Report – not present.
814/24 Planning Applications:
Applications:
RESOLVED that the following applications have been considered and the Planning Authority be advised of the Council’s observations as follows:
7/2024/4091 61 Meadowfield, Gosforth – first-floor extension over existing garage, amended windows and rendering to entire property – no objections from neighbouring properties – Parish Council supports this application.
Planning Decisions:
7/2024/4083 Bridge Petton, Gosforth – roof over existing midden – Granted.
Other planning matters:
Cllr. Gray had been advised that the application regarding the trees at Fell View has been rejected.
815/24 Financial Reports
RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation to 30th November be received and noted.
General payments made during November are listed in the appendix. Payments on funded projects were £144 for printing minibus service timetables.
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments be approved for payment.
816/24 Geological Disposal Facility
Cllr. Atkinson reported on the last meeting of the mid-copeland community partnership stating that the funding for year 3 had all been distributed and a new £1m funding pot was introduced in November. In 2026 two areas for consideration are to be submitted to government. The areas will be selected mainly on geology but also on public support and the government will ultimately make the decisions. The selected area will have access to a £3m per year fund. It is anticipated that all government permissions will have been granted by 2030 but it is unlikely that any construction will commence before the late 2030s or early 2040s. Cllr. Atkinson added that a nominated deputy can now attend the meetings in her absence.
817/24 Car Park &Toilets
After a short discussion on the correspondence from Cumberland, Cllrs. requested the Clerk respond and query the suggested 20% turnover rental which seems excessive.
Cllr. Norman offered to have a look at the disabled toilet and make a repair if possible.
Cllr. Hatton noted a fence adjacent to the car park had blown over during the last storm. The Clerk is requested to contact the owner of the land.
Cllr. Norman asked if a builder had been contacted about the drain. The Clerk had contacted the builder suggest but had not received a reply. Clerk to contact other builders.
818/24 Parcel Skip
Cllrs. discussed the provision of a parcel skip and decided that it could be located at the Pavilion. The Clerk to complete the online form on the Inpost website.
819/24 Minibus Service
Cllr. Unsworth passed the passenger record sheets to the Clerk. Cllrs. discussed the correspondence received from the WI regarding additional pick-up points. The Clerk was requested to apply for funding for a further 3 months with two additional pick-up points; one at the entrance to Ellerslie Park and another at the entrance to Meadowfield.
820/24 Playground & Playing Field
Cllr. Unsworth reported that Caloo had completed an annual inspection of the outdoor gym.
821/24 Public Hall
Cllr. Atkinson, Cllr. Owens and the Clerk had met with the Architect who has prepared the planning application. The architect has broken down the costs under specific headings which may match funding organisations priorities so funding applications can now be prepared and submitted.
822/24 NDA Properties
No updates have been received regarding NDA properties.
823/24 Parish Plan
Cllrs. Unsworth had circulated an updated questionnaire for comment. It was suggested that a question on provision of an ATM be included.
824/24 Planting for Pollinators
The Clerk reminded Cllrs. about the Fibrus scheme and asked for suggestions on suitable locations. The entrance to Meadowfield, land adjacent to the car park, entrance to the village and on the edge of the playing field were all mentioned and Cllr. Hatton agreed to provide a map.
825/24 Correspondence & Communications
Josh McCallister’s office have been in touch offering to attend a meeting to discuss any issues affecting the community. The Clerk to respond and highlight the village shop fire.
826/24 Meetings – none attended not already mentioned above.
827/24 Councillor Administration – none.
828/24 Councillor Matters
Cllr. Gray said it was important to get Cumberland Council on board regarding connecting communities. Cllr. Norman said they were not quite at that point yet and Ponsonby and Calderbridge Parish Council were leading on this.
829/24 Items in Camera
Items in camera are dealt with in private in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.
Cllrs. Unsworth and Owens met with the shop owners who are still waiting to hear from the insurers. Concerns have been raised regarding the state of the building and it was reported that some slates came off the roof during the last storm. Other concerns about vermin and security were raised. The Clerk is to write to Cumberland to request a structural report.
830/24 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of Gosforth Parish Council is scheduled for 12th February 2025 at 6.30pm at Gosforth Library.
The meeting closed at 8.30pm.
Appendix 1 – Gosforth Parish Council Expenditure | |||
November 2024 Payments | Amount £ | ||
01/11/2024 | Cleaning Contract – Oct | £613.80 | |
11/11/2024 | Water & Drainage | £253.34 | |
20/11/2024 | HSBC – Bank Charges | £8.00 | |
20/11/2024 | Clerk – Nov24 + backpay | £808.06 | |
£1,683.20 | |||