Minutes – 12th March 2025

Minutes (unconfirmed) of the meeting of Gosforth Parish Council held on 12th March 2025

Cllrs. present: Cllrs. John Owens, Jackie Atkinson, David Gray, Tyson Norman, Elizabeth Hutson and Graham Hutson

Others present: Cllr. David Moore (Cumberland Council), Jacqueline Williams, Clerk

023/25 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr. Rachel Unsworth who is unwell and Cllrs. Plent and Hatton who have other commitments.

024/25 Declarations of Interest – none received.

025/25 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12^th February 2025

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th February 2025, pages 240 to 243 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chair. Proposed Cllr. Graham Hutson, seconded Cllr. Atkinson and carried unanimously.

026/25 Public Participation

David Marsden joined the meeting via zoom on behalf of Muncaster Microbus. David said they were keen to help with a weekly service from Gosforth to Seascale, but they would need to recruit a volunteer driver. David agreed to produce and distribute a flyer to go out with their leaflet. The Parish Council agreed to publicise on their website, Facebook pages and notice boards. Volunteer drivers need to have a D1 category on their licence. David to send the flyer to the Clerk.

027/25 Cumberland Councillor Report

Cllr. Moore reported on the roadworks on the road between Gosforth and Seascale which will include 4-way traffic lights at the crossroads.

028/25 Planning Applications:

Applications:

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

4/25/9001 and 4/25/9002 Peel Place Quarry, Holmrook – vary existing planning consent to enable workings beyond 26/04/25 to 2045 – extend quarry workings by 6.5 hectares to the north of the site. Cllr. Norman agreed to deliver letters to neighbouring properties. The clerk to request an extension to the response date to allow time for responses.                                                      

Planning Decisions:

TPO 483 Land at Stoneleigh, Gosforth

7/2024/4064 Stoneleigh, Gosforth – outline for two housing plots – Granted.

Other planning matters: 

029/25 Financial Reports

RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation to 28^th February 2025 be received and noted.

Payments made in February are listed in the appendix.

RESOLVED that the schedule of payments be approved for payment.

RESOLVED that the alterations to the reserves suggested by the Clerk be approved.      

030/25 Geological Disposal Facility

Cllr. Atkinson reported that the event in February had good attendance with new faces appearing. Several Councillors had attended the February event to gather more information on the areas of focus. Whilst the Parish Council has not taken a position on the proposed areas, Councillors agreed that they should be mindful of neighbouring councils’ opinions. There will be a ‘meet the funders’ event in the public hall on 27^th March.

031/25 Car Park &Toilets

Cllr. Norman sent photos and information regarding the remedial work required to rectify the repair on the collapsed drain. The Clerk will inform the contractor.

The Clerk had been contacted by a firm who specialise in public toilet refurbishment who have agreed to visit once the new lease has been decided. The Clerk noted the low amount of donations being collected due to people not carrying cash. Cllr. Atkinson recommended the RingGo app which the Clerk will investigate.

The Clerk noticed eighteen cars parked at the playing field with no obvious users. Others noticed it was being used as a pick-up point by contractors. The Clerk to contact Sellafield.

032/25 Parcel Locker

Cllrs. Norman and Gray were concerned about the impact a parcel locker could have on local post offices. Cllr. Moore said that Seascale Parish Council had voted in favour of installing a parcel locker.

RESOLVED that progress be paused and a decision be postponed until the June meeting.

033/25 Minibus Service

Funding is in place to operate the minibus service until 24/04/25. A weekly Muncaster Microbus service may be a more feasible alternative providing a volunteer driver can be recruited.                                       

034/25 Playground & Playing Field

Cllrs. Unsworth and Owens had attended the Scouts Celebration event. The Scouts have been working on ideas for a new Scout hut including extending the pavilion to accommodate them. They are currently obtaining quotations from architects and the GDF are supportive.

The Clerk had been contacted by Anthony regarding the installation of an internet aerial on the pavilion roof and she tried to clarify why this was needed but no further understanding. It was decided that a face-to-face meeting between Cllrs. Unsworth and Owens with Anthony would be more effective. The Clerk to contact Anthony.

035/25 Public Hall

Cllr. Atkinson reported that the consultation period for the planning application is finished. Historic England have placed the library building on the Heritage at Risk register. This is a positive move as it will help with funding from HE as well as other heritage funders. HE has offered to advise when government capital funding comes on stream. An Expression of Interest (EOI) application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund was unsuccessful and Cllr. Atkinson will be meeting them to discuss. The new CVS adviser has offered to review an amended EOI and to help with other applications. The Clerk has submitted an EOI to the Mid-Copeland GDF Partnership. Cllr. Atkinson met with Copeland Community Fund who were very supportive and advised of larger grants up to £250K. Cllr. Atkinson is pressing the architects to breakdown the project into smaller phases to help with funding.

The Clerk asked if the Parish Council would agree to open a separate bank account to hold the funds raised. This would ease the work of the committee treasurer and would be subject to the committee agreeing. The Clerk will raise this at the next committee meeting.

036/25 NDA Properties

The Calderbridge & Ponsonby Clerk has been advised that Cllr. Norman will attend the meeting with the NDA to discuss the list of properties.         

037/25 Connecting Communities

Cllr. Norman was unable to attend the meeting with Josh McCallister, MP however, representatives from LDNP, NDA, Sustrans and Calderbridge attended. LDNP are supportive and Sellafield are prepared to do some of the work. The project is progressing quickly, and funding is being sought. 

038/25 Parish Plan

Cllr. Owens is receiving the online questionnaires and will analyse and produce charts once the consultation period has ended on 31^st March. Cllr. Hatton had been approached by residents of Guards Lonning who have not received questionnaires – Cllr. Unsworth has been informed. Cllr. Norman is to deliver to some of the outlying properties.                                                                             

039/25 Planting for Pollinators

The Clerk sent updated maps and has offered to meet on site with Cumbria Wildlife Trust who are working on behalf of Fibrus.

040/25  Correspondence & Communications

The Parish Council congratulated Cllr. Gray who has been selected to attend a Royal Garden Party.

The Clerk confirmed that all three defibrillators are now registered on the Circuit following communications from NW Ambulance.

The WI have written to enquire whether there are any plans to celebrate VE80 and have offered to tidy up the War memorial and put flowers in the WI memorial vase. The Clerk to respond, thanking the WI for their work and to advise that the Parish Council does not have the capacity to organise an event this year.

041/25 Meetings

Cllrs. Owens, Unsworth and Graham Hutson had attended the Scout Celebration event and the GDF event. Cllr. Atkinson had meetings with CVS and Copeland Community Fund. 

042/25 Councillor Administration – none.

043/25 Councillor Matters

Cllr. Elizabeth Hutson said there needs to be more street lighting in two areas: on Whitecroft near the carpet shop and on Wasdale Road, opposite the new housing development. Clerk to contact David Moore.

044/25 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 met with the shop owners to discuss the provision of a pop-up shop. Local businesses are to be contacted, and the Parish Council will help with the funding application form.

045/25 Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of Gosforth Parish Council is scheduled for 9^th April 2025 at 6.30pm at Gosforth Library.

The meeting closed at 8.30pm.