MinutesOrdinary12th January 2026
DRAFT Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting at Thwaites Village Hall on 12 January 2026, commencing at 7.30pm.
Cllr C Carrington (Chair), Cllr I Lockwood, Cllr B Wright, Cllr Bates, Cllr D Savage, Cllr V Pogrel, Cllr A Calsy, Cllr M Kitchingman, Cllr S Atkinson (co-opted).
1 member of the public.
Lesley Cooper, Clerk.
Cllr A Pratt, Cumberland Council.
This meeting replaced the meeting called for 5 January 2026, which was cancelled as it was not quorate due to poor weather conditions.
Press and Public are excluded from Agenda Item 17 – Closed Session (Human Resources Issues).
None.
The minutes were signed by the Chair.
An application had been received from Sarah Atkinson to be co-opted onto the Council. Proposed by Cllr Wright, seconded by Cllr Calsy. Approved unanimously. Cllr Atkinson was invited to sign the declaration of acceptance of office in front of the Clerk.
Circulated.
Clerk’s Report: none.
None.
Cllr Pratt had sent a report which is attached.
None.
None.
4/25/2215/PIP – Oaklands, The Green
Permission in principle for the demolition of existing bungalow and development of up to 5 dwellings.
Decision: Permission in principle granted.
None.
Statement dated 30 November 2025 checked and verified by Cllr Kitchingman.
Report as at 31 December 2025 considered. No action required.
Current Account: £11,952.14
Deposit Account: £12,108.93
a) Audit of Assets
Cllr Pogrel to chase with the school regarding the location of the last bench. Cllr Bates asked that, in the next round of purchases, a bench be considered for location at School Ellis.
b) Pinnel Hole Car Parking
Cllrs Pogrel and Bates reported difficulty measuring the site due to vehicles being permanently parked. Further work to be undertaken. A complaint was received regarding the poor state of repair of one of the garages; the Clerk to contact the owner.
c) New Entrance to Play Area
Clerk to obtain up-to-date estimates and submit funding applications to GSQ and CGP Trust funds.
d) Website Development
Councillors to provide suggestions for improvement.
i) Active Transport – Barrow to Esk Active Travel
Cllr Calsy reported that an application to the GDF fund will be submitted in January for a feasibility study for Silecroft to Millom and Millom to The Green. Other areas under consideration include Kirkby/Askam and Duddon Crossing.
ii) Lights
One unit had to be replaced; all other lights are working. Cllrs Pogrel and Kitchingman to scope Phase 2 and research local providers.
iii) Duddon Iron Furnace
Cllr Carrington reported receipt of a response. Clerk to investigate the cost of a brown sign.
a) Play Inspection Report
Repairs booked for 26 January 2026.
b) Millom Town Deal
Cllr Savage gave an update: Sports Centre due for completion October 2026; Iron Line project starts end of February 2026; heritage buildings (Old Bank) expected June 2026; operator procurement to begin end of January; Ambassador programme established.
c) Ulpha Parish
Await further information.
d) 2026 Meeting Dates
Dates presented and approved; venues booked.
a) Environment Group
Cllr Calsy reported work on the old play area to commence when the weather improves.
Two vacancies remain.
Copeland Community Partnership (GDF). Consultation/engagement to be discussed at the February meeting. Clerk to obtain meeting dates for 2026 and circulate for rota.
No additional correspondence not previously circulated.
2 February 2026 at The Hill Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm.
Amendments to the Clerk’s new contract were agreed.
The meeting closed at 21:30.
Consultation on rural layby parking restrictions (e.g., maximum 5 hours) to prevent all-day parking by shift workers.
Three-year funding package proposed; central government income reduces annually and may be offset by precept increases (up to 5% plus 2% for adult social care). No additional top-up if maximum is not applied.
Consultation reopened for some wards around Workington, Cockermouth and Carlisle; not affecting the south.
Please continue to log issues on the Cumberland Highways system (all problem types). Facebook groups are not monitored.
Officers are addressing an ongoing issue at Underhill; Planning Enforcement is investigating a breach at Dunningwell Hall.
Support on debt advice, housing adaptations and help with heating costs.
Correction to November meeting: net support in South Copeland was -4% (not +4%). Simon Hughes appointed Executive Director from 5 January 2026. Community impact study contract awarded. Two new members joined the partnership (Millom Town Council and HMP Haverigg). Friends of the Lake District to meet regarding their partnership seat. WSP Atkins to submit, by end March 2026, an application to the Secretary of State for permission to apply for a Development Consent Order for deep boreholes out to sea.
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