Minutes – 12 February 2025

Unconfirmed minutes of the meeting of Gosforth Parish Council held on 12th February 2025 at Gosforth Library

Councillors present: Rachel Unsworth (Chair), John Owens (Vice-chair), Jackie Atkinson, David Gray, Alex Plent, Jack Hatton, Elizabeth Hutson, Graham Hutson

Others present: David Moore (Cumberland Councillor), Jacqueline Williams (Clerk) and three members of the public

001/25 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr. Tyson Norman who is on holiday abroad. Approval proposed by Cllr. Owens, seconded by Cllr. Atkinson and carried unanimously.

002/25 Declarations of Interest – none received.

003/25 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 11^th December 2024

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th December 2024, pages 237 to 239 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chair.

004/24 Public Participation

A member of the public raised the footpath to Wellington which has become narrower, the power cut which disrupted a performance at the hall, the need for a central place to advertise events and disturbance by barking dogs.

Two members of the public said that Fibrus had attempted to erect telegraph poles in front of their houses and on private land without any notification. They had expected underground connections which had been the case with their telephone lines and with Denton Park. Cllrs. said that Fibrus had attended a meeting last year to explain what they would be doing and when challenged about the number of telephone poles, Cllrs. were informed that it was not possible to change anything as they were carrying out work under a government contract as permitted development. Cllrs. accepted it is a different when private land is involved. Clerk to send map and info.

005/25 Cumberland Councillor Report

Cllr. Moore had spoken to Building Control about the condition of the remains of the shop. He had been reassured that the building was being regularly inspected and met regulations. Building control will take action after time if the condition worsens or is left for a prolonged period.

Cllr. Moore reported that the works to the A595 have been completed and there is a 2-year snagging period. Parish Councils can add to a list of faults which will be sent to all Clerks.

006/25 Planning Applications:

Applications:

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

7/2025/4006 Gosforth Public Hall – Listed Building Consent for remedial works – support

7/2024/4098 Gosforth Public Hall – Refurbishment, alterations and extension – support

Planning Decisions:

7/2024/4091 61 Meadowfield, Gosforth – extension – Granted.

Other planning matters:

007/25 Financial Reports

RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation to 30^th January 2025 be received and noted.

General payments made during December and January are listed in the appendix.

RESOLVED that the schedule of payments be approved for payment.                                 

008/25 Geological Disposal Facility

Cllr. Atkinson reported that two areas of focus have been identified within Mid-Copeland; East of Sellafield and East of Seascale. Events are being held and one will be at Gosforth Public Hall on Friday 14^th February 10am – 2pm and 5pm – 7pm. Cllr. Atkinson said that in 2026 Nuclear Waste Services will apply to the government to proceed to dig boreholes to investigate the geology. It was noted that Seascale Parish Council were opposed to the East of Seascale area. Cllr. Moore said that they were opposed to both areas. Cllr. Moore clarified that Seascale PC were not opposed to a GDF and that there were better areas for it. A member of the public had asked whether Gosforth PC’S position was on the areas of focus. After a short discussion, Cllrs. agreed not to take a position on the areas of focus at this time. Cllr. Unsworth encouraged all Cllrs. to attend the event on the 14^th.

009/25 Car Park &Toilets

The Clerk had received a quotation for repairing the collapsed drain.

RESOLVED that the quotation be accepted.

010/25 Parcel Skip

The Clerk had contacted the company regarding a parcel locker and they had promised to email detailed information but nothing received to date. Cllr. Unsworth agreed to contact.

011/25 Minibus Service

The Clerk reported that GDF have agreed funding for a further 6 weeks to 24/04/25 with a special condition attached. They would like to see the parish council explore other longer-term options such as a pop-up shop or using Muncaster microbus which requires volunteer drivers. The Clerk agreed to contact Muncaster microbus for options.                                                                                                                  

012/25 Playground & Playing Field

Cllr. Unsworth reported that an annual inspection of the playground had been completed. Work on the car park at the playing field will be carried out in March or April. The Clerk to send new monthly inspection sheets to Cllr. Unsworth.

013/25 Public Hall

Cllr. Atkinson reported that the detailed design work was in hand, and she circulated a document showing research and progress on grant applications. Cllr. Unsworth thanked Cllr. Atkinson for her excellent work. The Clerk said she had spoken to the GDF grants manager and she will complete an ‘Expression of Interest’ form for the next panel meeting.

014/25 NDA Properties

A detailed list of NDA properties has been circulated. Cllrs. agreed it was appropriate to delegate this to Cllr. Norman on his return. Clerk to respond to Calderbridge & Ponsonby Clerk.

015/25 Parish Plan

Cllrs. Unsworth reported that 542 questionnaires have been delivered with only the outlying properties to do. The online survey is on the website and 41 online responses and 16 paper copies have been received. Cllr. Unsworth clarified that it is one questionnaire per person, not per household. Cllr. Gray said it had been one per household previously.                                                

016/25 Planting for Pollinators

Cllr. Hatton had produced plans of the green spaces within the village. Areas at the entrance to Meadowfield and around the perimeter of the playing field were identified as most appropriate. Cllr. Hatton agreed to modify the plans.

017/25  Correspondence & Communications

A representative from the Parish Magazine had contacted Cllr. Unsworth.

A member of the public had emailed regarding the pathway from the school to Wellington. Cllrs. Hatton and Plent offer to promote a village care day to clear the path. Clerk to inform two members of the public who have raised this issue.

Correspondence regarding combining the nursery and school was noted.

NW Ambulance service has been in contact regarding the defibrillators, including Kellbank which is to be registered on the circuit under the Parish Council. Cllr. Unsworth asked the Clerk to add defibs to the monthly inspection sheet.

Cumbria Constabulary had written requesting two representatives to attend twice yearly virtual meetings as part of their Neighbourhood Policing Pledge. Cllrs. Atkinson and Owens agreed to attend if the meetings were out of working hours. Clerk inform CALC.                              

Sellafield had contacted the Clerk regarding a replacement representative for the West Cumbria Site Stakeholders Group. Cllrs. decided to ask Cllr. Norman on his return. Cllr. Gray agreed to if Cllr. Norman was unable to accept appointment.

Cllr. Gray noted a letter received regarding a parcel of land registered to the parish council.

018/25 Meetings

Cllr. Hatton had attended a Tree training session and said the benefits outway the risks, but these cannot be 100% controlled. The parish council is responsible for trees on land in parish council ownership, as soon as any concerns are reported, and action needs to be taken. 

019/25 Councillor Administration – none.

020/25 Councillor Matters – none raised.

021/25 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 agreed to meet with the shop owners.                            

022/25 Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of Gosforth Parish Council is scheduled for 12^th March 2025 at 6.30pm at Gosforth Library.

The meeting closed at 8.30pm.