Millom Without Parish Council
Draft Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Date: 6 October 2025
Time: 7.30pm
Location: Thwaites Village Hall
Present: Cllr C Carrington (Chair), Cllr I Lockwood, Cllr B Wright, Cllr Bates, Cllr D Savage, Cllr V Pogrel, Cllr A Calsy
Also present: Cllr A Pratt (Cumberland Council), Lesley Cooper (Clerk), 1 member of the public
73/25 Apologies for Absence
Cllr M Kitchingman
74/25 Exclusion of Press and Public
Press and public are excluded from Agenda Item 17 – Closed Session: Clerk’s contract of employment.
75/25 Declarations of Interest
None.
76/25 Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings
Minutes of meetings held on 1 September 2025 and 16 September 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair.
77/25 Police Liaison Report
Report circulated. Cllr Calsy asked that the police be thanked for responding quickly to driving issues within Lady Hall. Clerk to send a letter of thanks.
78/25 Progress Report (Clerk’s Report)
- The road through The Hill was closed on 30 September 2025 with diversion routed through a nearby farm. Clerk contacted Highways about the diversion and raised concerns about lack of alternative routes for residents if the road to the railway is closed.
- A Freedom of Information request was received and responded to within statutory time limits.
79/25 Public Participation
- Thwaites School received a positive Ofsted report – Parish Council to support this and article to be placed on the website.
- Resident requested that the Council’s representative on the GDF Community Partnership follow policy.
Cllr Pogrel elected as the Council’s representative on the School Governors.
80/25 Unitary Councillor Report
- South Cumberland Panel – Cllr Pratt now Chair.
- CALC AGM cancelled due to Storm Amy – awaiting new date.
- Food Cumberland – online meeting in November.
- Corney Bridge reopening delayed from 3 October due to storm damage; roadworks ongoing.
- Cumberland Council meeting 7 October to decide on Mayor for 2027.
- National Lottery Environmental Funding available £300–£300k, applications due before December.
- Cumberland Place Standard – towns to be visited to identify gaps; scoring sheets to be shared with Council.
81/25 Applications for Development
- 81/25.1 4/25/2299/0F1 – Mill Farm Barns, The Green. Conversion of barns into single four-bedroom dwelling with parking area and package treatment tank. Supported.
- 81/25.2 None submitted under devolved powers.
- 81/25.3 None noted from statutory planning authority.
82/25 Financial Records
- 82/25.1 Payments approved:
- JW Plant Ltd – installation of benches – £5,745.60
- L Cooper – Clerk’s salary & expenses – £223.72
- HMRC – PAYE – £47.40
- Dream Landscapes – grass cutting – £660.00
- Whamos Ltd – website maintenance fee – £270.00
- 82/25.2 Receipts: Garage licence £75.00 (underpayment; Clerk has chased for balance and will send reminder mid-October).
- 82/25.3 Bank reconciliation at 31 August 2025 verified by Cllr Calsy.
- 82/25.4 Budget Comparison Report at 30 September 2025 – no action required. Balances: Current Acct £21,632.24; Deposit Acct £12,108.93; Committed Reserves £10,277.40; General Reserve £12,652.05.
- 82/25.5 Draft budget 2026/27:
- Cap accrued reserves at £900 for bus shelters.
- Three-year plan for woodland management.
- Garage licences to be increased by £5.
- Final budget to be presented at November meeting.
- Community Plan leads to inform Clerk of financial needs before November meeting.
84/25 Parish Matters
84/25.1 Community Plan
- Audit of Assets: Thwaites School request for bench opposite school approved (Clerk to investigate land ownership). Ofsted report to be placed on website. Cllrs Pogrel & Bates to present plans for Pinnel Hole parking. Approval given to purchase O/S map (£28). Letters to be sent to vehicle owners to request removal.
- New entrance to play area: Funding application submitted – awaiting response. Cllr Pratt to chase.
84/25.2 Parish Projects
- Active Transport: Cllr Calsy’s report accepted; letter of support for funding request to be sent.
- Lights: Two solar lights out; Clerk to contact Prolectric.
- Duddon Iron Furnace: Cllr Carrington wrote to English Heritage with photos; no response. Suggest brown sign for location (to consult residents first). Information board needs replacing. Info to go on website.
84/25.3 Policies, Procedures and Consultations
- Play Inspection Report – awaiting Kompan quote for repairs.
- Cumberland Local Plan consultation – accepted.
- Assertion 10 – assessing compliance. Clerk requested councillors use only PC email for official business.
84/25.4 Sub-Group Reports
- Environment Group – litter picking to recommence shortly.
84/25.5 Councillor Vacancies
Current representation: The Green – 3, The Hill – 3, Lady Hall – 2. To seek representatives from outlying areas and agriculture.
85/25 Reports from Representatives on Outside Bodies
- Ghyll Scaur Quarry Liaison Committee: Cllr Savage – rock park opening 18 November 2025, 10am (Thwaites school children to be invited). Governance review of Trust Fund 11 December 2025, 1.15pm. Clerk to send Terms of Reference. Awaiting Lowther Estates Woodland Management Plan.
- Copeland Community Partnership (GDF): Cllr Bates attended last meeting – concerns about lack of public voice. Public opinion survey still planned. Awaiting Environment update. Next meeting online 9 October 2025 (Cllr Savage to attend). List of future dates required.
86/25 Correspondence
No new correspondence received beyond previously circulated items.
87/25 Councillor Matters
None.
88/25 Date of Next Meeting
3 November 2025, The Hill Village Hall, 7.30pm.
The meeting closed at 21:15.
89/25 Closed Session
- Clerk’s contract reviewed.
- Clerk’s pay scale reviewed.
Signed: ………………………………….
Date: ………………………………….
