Millom Without Parish Council
Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
Date: 12 May 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Thwaites Village Hall
Present
Cllrs: M Bates, D Savage (Vice Chair), V Pogrel, M Kitchingman, I Lockwood, A Calsy (from 7:45 PM)
Cllr A Pratt (Cumberland Council), Lesley Cooper (Clerk)
2 members of the public
1/25 Election of Chair
No nominations were received. In the absence of Cllr Carrington, Cllr Savage agreed to chair the meeting only. He declined to stand for Chair for the year but agreed to remain Vice Chair if needed. Proposed: Cllr Lockwood, Seconded: Cllr Pogrel.
2/25 Apologies for Absence
Cllr C Carrington (Holiday), Cllr B Wright (Personal)
3/25 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting (13 May 2024)
Approved. Proposed: Cllr Lockwood, Seconded: Cllr Pogrel.
4/25 Appointment to Outside Bodies
- South Copeland Partnership: Cllr Savage
- South Copeland Community Partnership (GDF): No nomination
- Ghyll Scaur Quarry Liaison: Cllrs Savage, Lockwood, Bates
- CGP Trust Fund: Cllrs Kitchingman, Pogrel, Bates, Carrington
- Ghyll Scaur Quarry Fund: Cllrs Savage, Lockwood, Wright, Calsy
- Thwaites Village Hall: Cllr Kitchingman
- Thwaites School: To be confirmed
5/25 General Power of Competence
Reaffirmed under Section 8(2) of the Localism Act 2011 and associated regulations.
6/25 Exclusion of Press and Public
None
7/25 Declarations of Interest
None
8/25 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting (7 April 2025)
Signed by the Chair.
9/25 Police Liaison Report
Circulated. Clerk to check advance notice of police attendance at meetings.
10/25 Progress Report
- Wall at The Oaks: Concerns raised about plans and lack of consultation. Cllr Pratt to investigate. On June agenda.
- Clerk’s Report: Issues with temporary road signage reported to Highways. Website contractor contacted for Facebook link and counter. PAYE credit query clarified with HMRC.
11/25 Public Participation
- GDF Community Partnership concerns – to be reviewed in June.
- GDF not on APM agenda due to Community Plan launch focus.
- Dunningwell Road speed limit – to be added to June agenda.
- Dunningwell Hall entrance – potential planning issue. Cllr Pratt to investigate.
12/25 Unitary Councillor Report
- A595 overnight closures (from 27 May for 3 nights)
- Cumbria Woman of the Year nominations open
- Seeking ideas for South Cumberland events
13/25 Applications for Development
- 7/25/2123/0F1 Waterblean Farm, The Hill: Wind-powered water pump – Supported.
- Observations under delegated powers: None
- Planning decisions: None received. Cllr Pratt to raise with Cumberland Council.
14/25 Financial Records
- Payments Approved:
- L Cooper (Clerk’s salary & expenses – April): £217.96
- HMRC (PAYE): £45.80
- V Falconer (Internal Audit): £70.00
- Zurich Insurance Renewal: £507.00
- Receipts: Precept – £12,000
- Bank Reconciliation (30 April 2025): Verified by Cllr Kitchingman
- Budget Comparison: No action required
- Internal Audit Report: Approved. Proposed: Cllr Calsy, Seconded: Cllr Pogrel
- Governance Statement 2024/25: Approved and signed. Proposed: Cllr Calsy, Seconded: Cllr Lockwood
- Accounting Statement 2024/25: Approved. Proposed: Cllr Lockwood, Seconded: Cllr Bates
- Certificate of Exemption 2024/25: Confirmed. Proposed: Cllr Calsy, Seconded: Cllr Lockwood
15/25 Parish Matters
15.1 Community Plan
- Audit of Assets: Bench donated to Thwaites School. Site visit to Lady Hall to place 2 more benches. Other locations to be confirmed. Public to be asked for placement suggestions.
- Review: Plan launch scheduled for 19 May 2025. Copy to be posted online.
- Play Area Entrance: Approved by Village Hall. Clerk to get price and request licence amendment.
- Empty Houses: Deferred to June.
15.2 Parish Projects
- Active Transport: Community group formed to identify priority route.
- Pinnel Hole: Included in the Community Plan.
- Annual Parish Meeting: Scheduled for 19 May 2025, 6:30 PM, Thwaites Village Hall.
- SiDS Transfer: Draft contract received. Clarification needed on warranties, condition reports, and support.
15.3 Policies, Procedures, Consultations
None
15.4 Subgroup Reports
Environment Group: Litter picking paused until autumn.
16/25 Reports from Outside Bodies
South Copeland Community Partnership (GDF): Independent review circulated. Discussion scheduled for June.
17/25 Correspondence
None not already circulated.
18/25 Councillor Matters
- Cllr Bates: Request to use Community Boards for art display (13–15 June)
- Cllr Kitchingman: No expressions of interest in co-option received
- Cllr Savage: Part of climbing frame loose – Cllr Kitchingman to inspect
19/25 Date of Next Meeting
Monday 2 June 2025 at The Hill Village Hall, commencing at 7:30 PM
Meeting closed at 9:55 PM
