Minutes – 11th June 2025

Minutes of the meeting of Gosforth Parish Council held on Wednesday 11^th June 2025 at Gosforth Library at 6.30pm

Councillors Present: David Gray (DG) – Acting Chairperson, Tyson Norman (TN), Graham Hutson (GH), Elizabeth Hutson (EH), Jackie Atkinson (JA), Alex Plent (AP)

Others: Jacqueline Williams (Clerk), and one member of the public.  

RESOLVED that in the absence of the Chair and the Vice-chair, Cllr. David Gray be appointed Chair for the meeting.

093/25 Apologies for Absence

Apologies have been received from Cllrs. Rachel Unsworth and Jack Hatton who are unwell and from Cllr. John Owens who has a prior appointment.

RESOLVED that the apologies are approved, and the reasons noted.

094/25 Declarations of Interest – None received. 

095/25 Minutes of the Annual General meeting held on 14^th May 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual General meeting held on 14^th May 2025, pages 252 to 256 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chair. Proposed Cllr. Plent, seconded Cllr Atkinson and unanimously carried.

RESOLVED that the amended minutes of the meeting held 9^th April 2025 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chair. Proposed Cllr. Plent, seconded Cllr. Atkinson and unanimously carried.

096/25 Public Participation/Open Session

A member of the public thanked the Parish Council for their work on clearing the footpath from the school to Wellington. They will be parking a vintage military vehicle on the public hall car park to celebrate Armed Forces Day on 28^th June between 12pm – 4pm. The vehicle will be decorated with bunting and flags and, weather permitting, tea, cake and sandwiches will be served. They are raising funds for ‘Combat Stress’ charity. The member of the public offered to remove and polish the plaque on the flagpole and coat it with lacquer to preserve it. 

097/25  Cumberland Councillors’ Report – not present

098/25 Planning Applications

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

Applications: – none received

Decisions:

7/2025/4026 – Inpost Parcel Locker – Gosforth Playing Field- Granted

Other Planning Matters:

Cllrs. discussed the wall erected outside the Lion and Lamb pub.

RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Cumberland Council to ask their view on the land and to Highways for confirmation on safety.

099/25 Financial Reports

The Clerk reported that the AGAR 2024-25 has been submitted to the external auditors.

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

RESOLVED that the schedule of payments be approved for payment.

100/25 Geological Disposal Facility

Cllr. Atkinson reported that Theddlethorpe have withdrawn from the GDF siting process. The South Copeland partnership is planning to have a meeting to elect a Chair. Safety and other concerns regarding the areas of interest have been addressed and there are documents posted on the website. They are working on an Environmental Impact Assessment, and a youth sub-group is being set up to shadow the community partnership. Cllr. Atkinson said that they are going to be short distributing the £1m funding this year which they put down to ‘filling grant funding forms fatigue’ and they are approaching CVS for assistance. Cllr. Atkinson is unable to attend the next meeting which will be on 3^rd September at Calderbridge. Cllr. Norman is unable to commit to attend currently.

RESOLVED that attendance to the meeting be raised at the next PC meeting.

101/25 Car Park & Toilets

The Clerk had written to Cumbria Parking Services requesting reduced signage and suggested text emphasizing donations rather than tariffs, but they had not responded.

The Clerk has received formal Heads of Terms documents from Cumberland for the new 50-year lease which need the Chair’s signature.

RESOLVED that the Clerk research local Solicitors to act on the PC’s behalf.

102/25 Playground & Playing Field

The quotation for a new MUGA was too expensive and more quotations need to be obtained. Cllr. Norman said the Cherry Trees on the car park may need replacing. It was suggested that Cllr. Hatton may have a view on this. Cllr. Plent had approached the owners of the Wild Olive who said that if a bin could be placed behind their gate, next to the bench, they would be happy to empty it.

RESOLVED that the Clerk obtain a quotation for a bin.

103/25 InPost Parcel Locker

It was noted that planning permission for the locker has been obtained. The Clerk reminded the meeting that the purpose of pausing progress was to see what impact the parcel locker at Seascale had made but no Cllrs. had noticed. Cllrs. said that Anthony Millard should be consulted and requested the Clerk contact him. The Clerk said they need photographs of the electrical box, and the contract needs to be signed.

It was proposed that the installation of the locker be progressed. Proposed by Cllr. Plent, seconded by Cllr. Elizabeth Hutson, and carried by 4 votes, with 1 abstention and 1 against.

104/25 Public Hall

The Clerk reported that the Expression of Interest submitted to Historic England had been successful and she had submitted the full application within the closing date deadline of 30^th June. The application is for 80% of the project costs for the remedial works and refurbishment of the Grade II* listed part of the hall and the outcome will be known on 4^th July. The outcome to the Copeland Community Fund applications will be known on 18^th July and a further application will be made to GDF for the remaining balance.

Cllr. Atkinson had submitted Expressions of Interest to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund which were both unsuccessful. The AHF are focused on urban areas and the NLHF wanted more access to the heritage. Cllr. Atkinson has been in contact with the Lottery Community Fund and will be submitting an Expression of Interest which has a 16-week lead time.

The Clerk reported that a donation from a local business of £2,300 has been received for the refurbishment project and it was agreed that it should be paid to the public hall committee to add to their ring-fenced funds.                                                                                                              

105/25 NDA Properties

Cllr. Norman has received paperwork on property owned by NDA and there will be a meeting on 17^th June at Calderbridge Village Hall at 7pm to discuss. Demolitions of Calder Town End and High Ling Bank will be starting soon. Cllr. Norman to feedback after the meeting.

106/25 Connecting Communities

Cllr. Norman reported that one landowner has been approached and is willing to discuss with Sustrans. Cllr. Norman to monitor and report back.

107/25 Parish Plan

Cllr. Owens has reported that he will have all the surveys electronically inputted by the end of the month which he will share with the sub-committee.

108/25 Planting for Pollinators

Cumbria Wildlife Trust have requested contact details for contractors who can carry out the ground preparation work which includes scarifying the area. Cllr. Norman has emailed the Clerk with contact details. Clerk to respond.                                                                                  

109 Correspondence & Communications

An email had been received from a Wellinton resident, thanking Cllrs. Plent and Hatton for their work on the path and offering to provide refreshments. Cllr. Plent said it was not finished, and another day needs to be arranged. Cllr. Atkinson said she and her husband are planning to do a section. Cllr. Plent to arrange date with Cllr. Hatton.

110/25 Meetings

Cllr. Atkinson met with National Lottery Community Fund and is meeting the architects next week. Cllr. Atkinson will be attending a business plan writing workshop with CVS.

111/25 Councillor Matters

Cllr. Elizabeth Hutson is concerned about speeding within the village. Cllr. Atkinson suggested contacting the Police.

Cllr. Graham Hutson raised parking at the entrance to Denton Park. Cllr. Gray suggested he come back with a proposal at the next meeting. Clerk to put on agenda.

Cllr. Gray said the finger post was still unstable, and we had been told it would be in the 2025-26 budget.

Cllr. Gray requested the Clerk include approval of expenses for the work on the flagpole plaque be included in the next agenda.

112/25 Items in Camera

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

Village Shop: to be discussed at next meeting.

Clerk Recruitment: The clerk reported that there had been a good response so far and a further advertisement is to be published in the July issue Gosforth Parish Magazine with a closing date for applications of 18^th July.

113/25 Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 9^th July 2025 at 6.30pm.

Meeting closed at 8.04pm.