Minutes (unconfirmed) of the meeting of Gosforth Parish Council held on 13th November 2024
Present: Cllrs. Rachel Unsworth (Chair), Jackie Atkinson, David Gray, Elizabeth Hutson, Graham Hutson, Alex Plent, Jack Hatton
Others Present: Cllr. David Moore (Cumberland Council)
790/24 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs. Norman and Owens. Both apologies were approved.
791/24 Declarations of Interest – none received.
792/24 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 9th October 2024
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11th September 2024, pages 231 to 233 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chair.
793/24 Public Participation
No members of the public were present.
794/24 Cumberland Councillor Report
Cllr. Moore reported that the consultation on changes to speed restrictions has been completed and a 50mph restriction will be in force between Gosforth and Seascale and 40mph between New Mill and Calderbridge. The restrictions will be implemented with signage.
The lack of yellow lines on Petton Place and outside the school have been reported to our MP by a resident. Cllr. Moore will prompt again and Cllr. Unsworth will prompt her contact.
795/24 Planning Applications:
Applications:
RESOLVED that the following applications have been considered and the Planning Authority be advised of the Council’s observations as follows:
7/2024/4082 Hawkbarrow Farm, Gosforth – new midden – no objections
4/24/2372/0F1 Sellafield – proposed demolition – Windscale advanced gas-cooled reactor turbine hall – A brass plaque to mark the opening of the reactor was installed in the conference room. Cllrs. request the Clerk write to enquire whether it is to be kept safe.
Planning Decisions:
7/2024/4068 Whin Rigg, Gosforth – solar photo-voltaic panels and air source heat pump – Granted.
Other planning matters: – none.
796/24 Financial Reports
RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation to 30th October be received and noted.
RESOLVED that a Finance Sub-committee meeting be held at 6.15pm prior to the next meeting of the full council on 11th December 2024 to discuss the draft budget and to review the Clerk’s remuneration.
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments be approved for payment.
797/24 Geological Disposal Facility
Cllr. Atkinson reported that a ‘visioning’ event is being held and that the annual funds to end of October have been spent and a new £1m is now available for grants.
798/24 Car Park &Toilets
Following correspondence from Cumberland regarding a 50-year lease, Councillors agreed to wait for the outcome of the parish plan questionnaire before proceeding. It was noted that the circumstances had changed since the shop closed following the fire.
799/24 Playground & Playing Field
Cllr. Hatton has installed ‘no dogs’ signs at the playground. The current grass-cutting arrangements will remain in place for another year.
800/24 Public Hall
Cllr. Atkinson encouraged members to us ‘easyfundraising’ to get donation when shopping online and reported that the planning permission application is due to be submitted this week.
801/24 NDA Properties
No updates have been received regarding NDA properties.
802/24 Parish Plan
Cllrs. Unsworth and Owens have been working on a second draft of the questionnaire which is due to be completed next week. The sub-committee plan to hold a meeting in December.
803/24 Correspondence & Communications
Electricity NW had emailed to request permission to prune a tree at the playground which was granted.
A resident has suggested a parcel skip at the car park. After a short discussion Cllrs requested that it be put on the next agenda.
804/24 Meetings – none attended.
805/24 Councillor Administration – none.
806/24 Councillor Matters
Cllr. Moore said a single recycling skip has been returned to Seascale and he will prompt for a skip for Gosforth.
Cllr. Gray passed a gravel pit key and set of library keys to the Clerk and a key for the toilet storeroom to Cllr. Unsworth.
Cllr. Hatton will provide a Christmas tree for the car park and discuss with Cllr. Norman about installation.
807/24 Items in Camera
Items in camera are dealt with in private in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.
Several Cllrs. had attended the meeting with Sustrans and a sub-committee is now in place with members from Gosforth PC and Calderbridge PC. Cllr. Norman to feedback at next meeting.
It was requested that the Minibus Service be put on the agenda for the next meeting and not ‘in camera’.
Cllr. Unsworth suggested a letter to Gosforth Taxis requesting they keep to the timetable as there has been a couple of issues recently.
Cllrs. Unsworth and Owens will revisit the shop owners for an update on any future plans for the shop. Village Shop is requested to be included on the next agenda.
808/24 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of Gosforth Parish Council is scheduled for 11th December 2024 at 6.30pm at Gosforth Library.
The meeting closed at 8.30pm.