Minutes – 9th April 2025

Minutes (unconfirmed) of the meeting of Gosforth Parish Council on 9th April 2025

Cllrs. present: Rachel Unsworth (Chair), John Owens (Vice-chair), David Gray, Tyson Norman, Elizabeth Hutson, Graham Hutson, Alex Plent and Jack Hatton

Others present: Jacqueline Williams (Clerk/RFO)

046/25 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr. Jackie Atkinson who is on holiday.

047/25 Declarations of Interest – none received.

048/25 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12^th March 2025

Actions were reviewed – Clerk to contact Sellafield regarding parking, WI in response to their letter about VE80 celebrations and Cllr. Moore regarding street lighting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th March 2025, pages 244 to 247 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chair. Proposed Cllr. John Owens, seconded Cllr. Jack Hatton and carried unanimously.

049/25 Public Participation

See Items in Camera 066/25 below.

050/25 Cumberland Councillor Report – not present.

051/25 Planning Applications:

Applications:

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

7/2025/4026 InPost Parcel Locker at Pavilion, Gosforth Playing Field – the Parish Council will declare an interest and not comment.

4/25/2111/0F1 Sellafield – retention of modular building – no objections.

4/25/9009 Minerals & Waste – Sellafield – removal of conditions – no objections.

4/25/9010 Minerals & Waste – Sellafield – removal of conditions – no objections.

4/25/9011 Minerals & Waste – Sellafield – removal of conditions – no objections.

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 – object.

Planning Decisions: – none received.

Other planning matters: – none.

052/25 Financial Reports

The Clerk reported the completion of the AGAR 2024-25 which is now with the internal auditor.

RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation to 31^st March 2025 be received and noted.

Payments made in March are listed in the appendix.

RESOLVED that the schedule of payments be approved for payment.

053/25 Geological Disposal Facility

Cllr. Atkinson is currently away.

054/25 Car Park &Toilets

The Clerk confirmed that the remedial work to the drain repair had been completed. The Clerk had contacted Ringgo and was informed that they could not directly assist as it would be loss-making. However, they have provided contact details for a company who operates through Ringgo to help smaller car parks with a small management fee – Clerk to contact.

Cllrs. Unsworth and Owens had been at the Pavilion and noticed Balfour Beatty minibus using the playing field car park as a drop-off/pick-up location – Clerk to write to Sellafield.

055/25 Minibus Service

After talking to the GDF grants manager at an event on 27^th March, the Clerk submitted a further funding application for 3 months to end of July. Muncaster Microbus has delivered flyers to households in Gosforth and Seascale but require two volunteer drivers to offer a service. Cllr. Unsworth asked the Clerk to update Gosforth Taxis about the current situation.                                                               

056/25 Playground & Playing Field

Cllrs. Unsworth and Owens had met with Anthony Millard to discuss the proposed ariel installation and discovered it was an arial to boost smart meter readings.

RESOLVED that the ariel installation can proceed.

Cllr. Unsworth has contacted the contractor regarding the work to the car park.

A post failed at the MUGA (Multi-games-area) leaving a basketball hoop hanging. The Clerk contacted Playdale and received a quote for removing it. Anthony contacted a local farmer who has agreed to remove it. Cllr. Unsworth said that a new MUGA needs to be installed as Anthony is continually having to replace bolts etc. The Clerk requested a quote and Playdale have offered a meeting with the area manager on 24^th April at 12.30. Cllr. Unsworth agreed to attend – Clerk to confirm.                                                                                                                         At their meeting with Anthony, Cllrs. Unsworth and Owens heard that one of the football teams are ruining the field and will be asked to find an alternative. Another football team are interested.

057/25 Public Hall

The Clerk has submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) to GDF which was considered at a panel meeting on 31^st March. They are supportive but suggest applying in October or November at the start of their fourth year. Historic England sent a link regarding the launch of a £15m capital grant scheme for heritage at risk properties. Cllrs. Atkinson, Owens, and the Clerk will be meeting the architects on 17^th April to discuss phasing the project.

058/25 NDA Properties

Cllr. Norman had nothing to report.

059/25 Connecting Communities

Cllr. Norman had nothing to report.

060/25 Parish Plan

Cllr. Owens said around 150 completed questionnaires have been received and estimates that the results will be available by September.                 

061/25 Planting for Pollinators

The Clerk will be meeting with Cumbria Wildlife Trust on 28^th April at 1pm at the Pavilion. Cllr. Hatton offered to attend – Clerk to send confirmation.

062/25  Correspondence & Communications

Cllr. Unsworth had asked our flag volunteer about a VE80 flag, but she preferred the Union Jack, Cllr. Gray agreed.

Information regarding the public inquiry into the footpath along the River Irt had been received.

Cllr. Unsworth asked Cllrs. Hatton and Plent whether they had set a date for clearing the path to Wellington. Cllr. Hatton said he was thinking about the 3^rd and 4^th May.

063/25 Meetings

Cllrs. Gray and Norman will not be available to attend the next WCSSG meeting. Clerk to inform Sellafield.                                                                                                                                       

064/25 Councillor Administration – none.

065/25 Councillor Matters

Cllr. Elizabeth Hutson said there were no stewards for the Lakeland Loop Cycle race making it dangerous for pedestrians. The event is run by Epic Events – Clerk to contact.

066/25 Items in Camera

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

David Ancell updated the meeting on progress regarding the village shop recovery.

The Clerk contacted local businesses regarding a ‘pop-up’ shop. One has declined but offered advice, another has suggested a meeting – Cllrs. Unsworth and Owens to liaise.

067/25 Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of Gosforth Parish Council will be the Annual Parish Meeting followed by the Annual General Meeting and is scheduled for 14^th May 2025 at 7pm at Gosforth Library.

The meeting closed at 8.15pm.