Millom Without Parish Council

MILLOM WITHOUT PARISH COUNCIL

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING AT THWAITES VILLAGE HALL, THE GREEN ON 6 JULY 2026 COMMENCING AT 7.30PM

PRESENT: Cllr C Carrington(Chair), Cllr V Pogrel, Cllr D Savage, Cllr M Bates, Cllr S Atkinson Cllr M Kitchingman

Lesley Cooper Clerk

3 members of public

50/26 Apologies for absence

Cllr B Wright, (Personal), Cllr A Calsy, (Family)

51/26 Exclusion of Press and Public

None

52/26 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None

53/26 MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 6 July 2026

The minutes were approved and signed by the Chair.

54/26 Police Liaison Report

Circulated – no comments.

55/26 Progress Report

Clerk’s Report

Paint had arrived for the telephone box.

Reported the overhanging trees by the solar lights to Cumberland Highways.

Sent a letter of thanks to the resident who cuts the grass at the junction of Lady Hall/A595.

56/26 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The new owner of Whicham wood explained what their plans were for the wood – turning it into a forestry school. Inviting schools to visit and use as a natural resource. A polytunnel will be built to provide shelter and also for growing young trees. There was a woodland plan in place for the wood. The councillors thanked the owner and offered support for the project.

A resident raised concerns re the number of vehicles and trailers another property owner was leaving on the Pinnel Hole and also that a PROW was being blocked by additional trailers. The resident enquired what actions the PC was to undertake to resolve these issues. The blocked PROW needed to be reported to Cumberland Highways who have the authority to implement enforcement action. The Chair thanked the resident for bringing this to the attention of the council and responded that this matter was on the agenda for discussion and resolution.

57/26 Unitary Councillor Report

No report. Councillors requested that the Clerk contact Cllr Pratt and ask when he planned to attend a meeting and request a report.

58/26 APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT:

58/26.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority

None

58/26.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers since last meeting.

4/26/2243/0E1 Elf Hall, Lady Hall

Lawful Development Certificate to confirm that a material commencement has been made to Planning Permission Reference 4/25/2262/0F1 – Demolition of Existing Dwelling and Outbuilding for a Self build & Custom Build Replacement Dwelling, Detached Garage and new Package Sewage Treatment Plant

No response

58/26.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications

None

58/26.4 Footpath closures

Footpath no 416024 – Approx 875 metres between grid refs 319265 485952 and 319753 485329

Footpath No 416025 – Approx 1190 meters between Frid Refs 318645 485428 and 319753 485329

Footpath No 416028 – Approx 180 meters between Grid Refs 318290 484652 and 318236 484487

Footpath No 416056 – Approx 905 meters between Grid Refs 316788 484403 and 316888 483704

59/26 FINANCIAL RECORDS

59/26.1 The following payments were made in August under financial Regulations

The following payments were approved at the meeting

59/26.2 To note the receipt of payments.

59/26.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement dated 31 August 2026

Checked and verified by Cllr Kitchingman

59/26.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 31 August 2026 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget.

None Required C/A £20255.17. D/A £12445.42 Committed reserves £14737.24,

60/26 PARISH MATTERS

60/26.1 Community Plan

1. Audit of Assets

   Bench to be donated to school, Clerk to arrange delivery. The Clerk reported that the defib will need replacing in 2-4 yrs time. Resolved to accrue the cost of replacement over next 2 years.

2. Pinnel Hole car parking

   Cllr Pogrel reported that she had spoken to current garage owners re proposed options/changes to Pinnel Hole and is awaiting their feedback on the proposals.

3. New entrance to play area.

   Cllr Kitchingman reported that the gate was fitted and working. Still waiting for the car park hatching to be painted. Gate to be painted same as railings in 6 months’ time.

60/26.2 Parish Projects

Active Transport – Barrow to Esk Active Travel

Cllr Calsy had circulated a report in her absence which was accepted.

ii) Lights

Cllr Pogrel reported that herself and Cllr Kitchingman were going to walk the route again when dark to assess where lights may be required. A paper and a specification will then be prepared and presented to council for consideration.

iii) Duddon Iron Furnace

Deferred to October meeting

Information received that Cumberland may gift land at rear of Mill Park to PC to be used as a community orchard. To contact Cumberland re terms of transfer and consult with Mill Park community.

Iv) Mill Park

Deferred to October meeting

v) Dog Poo Bins.

Awaiting costings. Clerk to contact Dog Warden to come and put signs up. Thwaites VH to Green Road Station and Thwaites VH towards Thwaites.Village.

vi) Dunningwell Hall

Clerk to chase re issues around entrance and possible breach of planning.

vii) Joining Village Halls – A5093 route

To investigate further. Deferred to October meeting

viii) Woodland Management

Clerk to obtain quotes to do tree surveys at Hill Brow, Pinnel Hole and School Ellis sand pits.

ix) Speeding Corney Fell Road.

Clerk to write to police expressing concerns of speeding vehicles at Duddon Bridge end and Waberthwaite.

x) Pylons

Deferred to October meeting. To contact FOLD for an update.

xi) New Benches

Deferred to October meeting

60/26.3 Policies, Procedures and Consultations

Play Inspection Report

Play inspection report received. Cllr Kitchingman to undertake a preliminary inspection as to what works are required.

60/26.4 Subgroup Reports

Environment Group

No report.

60/26.5 Councillor vacancies

Two vacancies remaining.

61/26 To reports from representatives on outside bodies.

Copeland Community Partnership (GDF)

Cllr Pogrel reported that the next meeting is in October.

62/26 Correspondence

The following correspondence had been received that has not been previously circulated:

None

63/26 COUNCILLOR MATTERS

• Cllr Bates reported that the next Millom Marshes meeting is on 24 September.
• Cllr Bates had received complaints of the scaring on Black Combe. Complaints should be made to LDNP.
• Cllr Savage stated that he would like to step down from managing the Facebook page and also as a trustee of Ghyll Scaur Quarry Trust fund.
• Cllr Carrington had received complaints that the speed sign at The Hill (from Millom) was no longer working. Clerk to report

64/26 DATE OF NEXT MEETING 7 October 2026 Thwaites Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm

Members of the public present were requested to leave.

65/26 CLOSED SESSION

The Clerk reported the legal advice obtained with regards to the issues of abandoned vehicles and property at the Pinnel Hole.

RESOLVED Clerk to report blocked PROW by vehicles and Harris fencing.

RESOLVED Clerk to draft a letter to owner(s) of vehicles re removal

RESOLVED Clerk to contact planning re alterations to PROW

There being no other business the Meeting closed at 2107hrs

Signed ……….. Date………….