August 2021

Dalton with Newton Town Council

Minutes of the meeting held Monday 16^th August 2021 in the Town Hall, Station Road, Dalton in Furness at 7pm

Present Councillors C Fox, S Ronson, A Fox, N Perie, A Thurlow, W Maddox, A Bowe.

Apologies Councillors C Stainton and R Crossley
Minutes of the Previous Meeting It was agreed that the minutes of the previous meeting were a true record and the chairman was authorised to sign.
Declarations of Interest Councillor Maddox and Cllr Ronson declared an interest in any matters relating to Barrow Borough Council, Councillor Perie and Cllr Thurlow declared an interest in any matters relating to Dalton Community Association

Police There was no police presence at the meeting and no crime figures had been submitted.
Reports from District/County Councillors Councillor Ronson reported that the site of the former Brocklebanks greengrocers which was subject of a planning application for the erection of 4 dwellings had now been approved by the Borough Council planning committee.
Matters Arising

Tree at the Community and Wee Garden – The Town Clerk reported that the contractor had commenced work and had removed three smaller conifers from the wee garden and clearance of overgrown trees and shrubs in the raised banking had been completed. The planning application for the felling of the Ash tree and the crown raise of the Sycamore with the TPO has been submitted and the outcome had to be awaited before the trees could be dealt with.
Community Gardening Project – The Town Clerk reported that the council had approved the setting up of a community gardening project which would see volunteers help maintain smaller but visible areas through the town and the Council would provide the tools, plants etc. Following an appeal and advertising one volunteer had come forward and offered help and two further volunteers had approached the Tidy Town Group directly. The Scouts were keen to help and Councillor Perie had liaised with them and they will be attending the Community Garden on Saturday 21^st August to plant spring bulbs in the newly cleared banking. A large box of bulbs had been provided by the Borough Council.
Community Garden Resurfacing – It was reported that now the garden had been cleared it had become apparent that the block paving surfacing was in a very poor state having been installed 15 years ago. The Chairman and clerk will be looking at costings for resurfacing costs and will report back to council when further information is available.
Marking the death of a senior national figure – Councillor Maddox had now looked through documentation issued to local councils on the protocols marking the death of a senior national figure and extracted details relevant to the Town Council. The document will be kept in the council office for reference when necessary. Councillor Maddox was thanked for her work.

Councillor Maddox left the meeting at 8.00pm

Dalton Market – Following the success of the newly re-introduced Tuesday Market there had been a request for signs to be erected on lighting columns advertising the market. It was agreed that bollard covers would be a better alternative to permanent signs, these could be placed t various locations through the town on the day of the market. It was agreed that the Council purchase 8 bollards covers at a cost of £498.00.
Unitary Authority – There were several issues which were of question regarding the recent decision by the Secretary of State to create two unitary authorities in Cumbria to replace the Borough Councils and the County Council, however the Town Council had now been informed that CCC had submitted a Pre-Action protocol for a Judicial Review, this had been forwarded to councillors by email prior to the meeting, when further information had been received it would be reported back. In addition CALC had arranged an online session on 2^nd September 2021 aimed at larger town and parish councils in Cumbria to discuss the issues that are uppermost in the minds of councils. Councillors are invited to attend and log in details for the session had been forwarded to individual councillors.
Local Business Grants – Councillor Ronson discussed the possibility of the repeat of the Local Business Grants fund or Shop front Grant Scheme which the Council had run previously. It was agreed that the scheme be repeated in the current year, this would be backdated to April 2021. An upper limit of £200 per premises would be available for capital expenditure only. Public Houses and Take away food shops would be excluded. The total fund to be allocated to the grant scheme would be £5000 in this financial year.
Parking Initiatives Scheme – Councillor Ronson suggested that the Town Council could consider introducing a parking initiatives scheme which would see householders apply for a grant to aid in the installation of dropped kerbs to provide additional off-street parking. Councillor Ronson is to conduct further research and report back to council when appropriate.

Correspondence

Rural Services Network – Parish Councillors Guide to Rural Housing. This will be kept on file for information.

Highways Councillors Perie and Ronson provided a list of highways issues that had previously been reported to CCC Highways and Barrow Borough Council and were still awaiting action. Staff will follow up the issues and provided responses to Councillors Perie and Ronson when available.
Appointment to Committees This item was deferred to the next meeting.
Finance

Tythe Barn Nurseries £216.00
FTS Fire Extinguishers £105.12
CALC Annual Subs £794.14
DCA (Grant previously agreed) £700
HTB £2572.94
Maxxia £2564.37
Cumbria Tree Surgery (Community Garden) £850.00
H F Thomson (Re-imburse) £146.03
A J Bennett £136.00
Cumbria Tree Surgery (additional Planting) £225.00

The above invoices were approved for payment

Grant Application – Dropzone. Following consideration a grant of £150.00 was approved.

Reports Councillor A Fox reminded Councillors that the recent litter pick which had been arranged had been postponed and suggested that a new date be set. It was agreed that a litter pick be organized for 1^st September 6pm. The date is to be advertised so members of the public could volunteer to help. Councillor A Fox also requested that the provision of High Viz bibs with the Council logo be considered. Staff are to cost and report back.
Planning

B21/2021/0667 7 Elliscales Avenue, Dalton

Demolition of existing kitchen and external store; construction of new rear single storey flat roof extension and associated interna layout alterations to create open-plan living/kitchen/diner, snug, utility room and WC