Millom Without Parish Council

Millom Without Parish Council

www.millomwithoutparishcouncil.com

Clerk: Mrs Lesley Cooper, Low Marshside, Underhill
Telephone: 01229 775492
Email: theclerk@millomwithoutparishcouncil.gov.uk

Date: 29 September 2025

Dear Councillor,

You are summonsed to attend the Ordinary Meeting of Millom Without Parish Council on Monday 6 October 2025 commencing at 7.30pm at Thwaites Village Hall, The Green.

Yours sincerely,
L. Cooper
Mrs L Cooper
Clerk to the Council

Agenda

1. Apologies – to receive apologies for absence
2. Exclusion of Press and Public (Public Bodies Admission to Meetings Act 1960)
   To consider whether there are any agenda items during consideration of which the press and public should be excluded.
   All press and public will be excluded from Agenda item 17.
3. Declaration of Interest – to receive declarations, by elected and co-opted members, of interests in respect of items on this agenda.
4. To Authorise the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the following dates:
   1. 1 September 2025
   2. 16 September 2025
5. Police Liaison Report (previously circulated)
6. Progress Reports – to receive for information and/or determine action, as appropriate:
   • Clerk’s Report – road closure The Hill, FOI
7. Public Participation/Open Session (15 minutes) – The Chair will invite residents to make representations on any item on this agenda or to bring matters to the attention of the Council for consideration for inclusion in a future agenda.
8. Unitary Councillors’ Report – to receive for information items relevant to the Parish. (Items raised for decision will appear on the next agenda.)
9. Applications for Development
   1. To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority:4/25/2299/0F1 Mill Farm Barns, The Green – Conversion of existing barns into a single four-bedroom dwelling including the creation of a parking area and installation of a package treatment tank.
      Re-consultation – Amended Description
   2. To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers since last meeting.
   3. To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications.
10. Financial Records
    1. To approve the following payments:
       • L Cooper – Clerk’s salary & expenses
       • HMRC – PAYE
       • L Cooper reimburse Annual Microsoft Plan – £84.99
       • Dream Landscapes – Grass cutting – £660.00
    2. To note the receipt of payments:
       • Garage licence – £75.00
    3. To receive and note the bank reconciliation statements dated 31 August 2025.
    4. To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 30 September 2025 and determine action to address deviations.
    5. To receive the draft budget report and budget for financial year 2026/27.
11. Parish Matters, Council Priorities and Supporting Organisation
    1. Community Plan
       • Audit of Assets – placement of final bench
       • Action plan – Car parking proposals
       • New entrance to play area
    2. Parish Projects
       • Active Transport Routes (Cllr Calsy)
       • Lights
       • Duddon Iron Furnace
    3. Policies and Procedures and Consultations
       • Play inspection report
       • Cumberland Planning and Options consultation – Local Plan (email 1 Sept)
       • Assertion 10 – assessing compliance
    4. Sub-Group Reports
       • Environment Group
    5. Councillor vacancies
12. Reports from Representatives on Outside Bodies
    • Ghyll Scaur Quarry meeting
    • GDF meeting
13. Correspondence – to discuss any correspondence received for open discussion.
    All other correspondence to be circulated in the normal manner.Press release from Nuclear Free Local Authorities – re memorial at Haverigg old airfield
14. Councillor Matters – an opportunity for Councillors to raise minor matters not on this agenda on behalf of residents.
    No discussion or decisions can be made, but the Clerk may investigate or place on a future agenda.
15. Date of Next Meeting – 1 November 2025 at 7.30pm, The Hill Village Hall.
16. Closed Session
    • To discuss and approve the Clerk’s new contract of employment.
    • To review the Clerk’s pay scale.

Draft Budget and Projects Report – October 2025

1. Overview

This budget is designed to reflect the current concerns regarding a strain on individuals during the current financial crisis. It also reflects the amount of reserves held by the Parish Council.

2. Projects

Projects have been allocated £5k within this budget.

Below is the list of proposed Projects to be either completed within this financial year or for preliminary works/costings to be identified. On all the projects listed as yet, no exact costings have been obtained.

The community plan was reviewed during 2025.

3. Staff Salary

Pay negotiations for the financial year 25/26 were resolved and implemented on 1 April 2025. Negotiations are ongoing for the 26/27 pay award commencing 1 April 2027 and is expected to be around 5%; this has been included in the 26/27 forecast.

The Clerk has asked for a review of current contract and pay review, which has still to be determined. Figures are based on Clerk’s current rate of pay.

4. Garage Licences

Currently at £80. There is discussion at reviewing this facility.

5. 5 Year Budget Plan

Approved at the meeting of 2 October 2023 to have a 5-year plan for committed reserves. Below are the current committed reserves and the proposed committed reserves for 5 years up to 28/29 to be accrued. Committed reserves could be used for maintenance costs where these have not been included within that year’s budget.

The year columns show the amount that would have to be allocated to committed reserves in that financial year.

Total accrued reserves: £6556 (23/24), £10277.40 (24/25), £14737.34 (25/26), £17350 (26/27), £21650 (27/28).

Footlight maintenance is for the 4 street lights that the Parish Council own.

General Reserves currently stand at £12,652.05. The Parish Council is allowed approximately the equivalent of 1 year’s precept as general reserves. Committed reserves are unlimited, but must be used for that specific budget line.

By the end of this financial year it is estimated that the General reserve will rise to £13,043.66. This may be challenged by the External Auditor as being excessive.

Figures indicate that the General reserve will reduce to £8,910 at the end of 26/27 whilst accrued reserves will rise to £14,737 should the precept remain at £12k.

The last tree survey was undertaken in the 2022/23 financial year. The recommendation is that surveys are undertaken every 2–3 years. It is recommended that a tree survey and works are undertaken in 26/27 financial year and that funds are only accrued over a 3-year period.

A maximum could also be placed on accruing for the bus shelters, which would then only leave the Play Park, Solar lights, Middle Cut and Footpath accruing monies annually. From 27/28 onwards the council would need to increase the precept to take into account the need for committed reserves.

Recommendation

• That the council agrees to accruing monies on a 3-year cycle for tree maintenance.
• That the council places a maximum limit on accrued funds for the maintenance of bus shelters.

6. Precept

The prepared budget is a balanced budget that allows the Parish Council to maintain current levels of service, whilst progressing projects identified in the Community Plan. There would be a need to raise the precept in 27/28 financial year to account for the increase in accrued reserves, to enable the general reserves to remain at an acceptable level.

Recommendation

That the precept for the financial year 2026/27 is not increased and remains at £12,000, as per this financial year.

Lesley Cooper – Clerk/RFO