Minutes
Ordinary
5th October 2026

MILLOM WITHOUT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING AT THWAITES VILLAGE HALL, THE GREEN ON 5 OCTOBER 2026 COMMENCING AT 7.30PM

PRESENT: Cllr C Carrington(Chair), Cllr V Pogrel, Cllr B Wright, Cllr M Bates, Cllr M Kitchingman
Cllr A Pratt, Cumberland Council
Lesley Cooper Clerk
1 member of public

66/26 Apologies for absence

Cllr D Savage, (Personal), Cllr A Calsy, (Family)

67/26 Exclusion of Press and Public

Press and Public excluded from Agenda 16 Closed Session.

68/26 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None

69/26 MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 7 September 2026

The minutes were approved and signed by the Chair.

70/26 Police Liaison Report

None received.

71/26 Progress Report

Clerk’s Report

Require a decision on painting of telephone box.

Dog warden contacted re dog fouling issue. Dog fouling can be reported online at https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-street-cleaning/street-cleaning/dog-fouling

Speeding on Corney Fell reported to police along with abandoned vehicle.

Resent the Vat claim form.

71/26 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Resident raised concerns re Dunningwell Hall entrance. The wood has been taken away from the entrance, but the remainder is still there. Cllr Pratt was asked to raise with enforcement team and to establish if anything else has to be done.

Resident raised safeguarding issues of prisoners being used at Dunningwell Hall for ground works and housekeeping duties. Advised to contact prison with concerns.

The chair thanked the member of public and they left the meeting.

72/26 Unitary Councillor Report

Cllr Pratt gave the following report:

• Cumberland now have a new CEO.
• Director of Children’s Services left and no replacement.
• Cumberland have called in external auditors re finances and ongoing plan for Cumberland.
• New electoral boundaries now in place in preparation of next year’s elections.
• Cumberland have agreed a dog waste bin, Cllr Pogrel to provide What3words location to Cllr Pratt.
• GDF – awaiting Secretary of State decision.

Cllr Wright asked when the white lines are to be reinstated on Buckman’s Brow. Cllr Pratt to investigate. Clerk to write to Highways.

The Chair thanked Cllr Pratt for his report.

73/26 APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT:

73/26.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority

None

73/26.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers since last meeting.

None

73/26.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regards to recent applications

None

74/26 FINANCIAL RECORDS

74/26.1 The following payments were approved at the meeting

74/26.2 To note the receipt of payments.

None

74/26.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement dated 31 August 2026

Checked and verified by Cllr Kitchingman

74/26.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 30 September 2026 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget.

None Required C/A £19809.81. D/A £12445.42 Committed reserves £14737.24,

74/26.5 To Discuss the draft budget for 2027/28 financial year

The Clerk presented a draft budget to the Council for discussion. Additional spends required for Solar lights, additional grass cutting, Heritage site and benches. Clerk to present an amended budget to the November meeting.

74/26.6 To appoint the Internal Auditor for the 2026/27 Audit

Resolved the current Internal Auditor Mrs V Falconer be appointed as auditor.

75/26 PARISH MATTERS

75/26.1 Community Plan

Audit of Assets

Bench still to be transported to school

Pinnel Hole car parking

Cllr Pogrel reported that she had spoken to current garage owners re proposed options/changes to Pinnel Hole. Proposal 1 supported by all 3. Concerns raised regarding proposal 2 relating to the potential removal of garages by owners. Cllr Pogrel to circulate feedback. Resolved that grass cutting and resurfacing would be undertaken short term.

New entrance to play area.

Cllr Kitchingman reported that the Village Hall Committee were pleased with the new gate. Still waiting for the car park hatching to be painted. Gate to be painted same as railings in 6 months’ time.

75/26.2 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 fewer lights would be need in The Green. To consult with The Hill residents with regards to light requirements.

iii) Duddon Iron Furnace

To investigate Heritage Trail in conjunction with other groups in 2027 including Open Days.

Iv) Mill Park

Deferred until Solar lights resolved.

v) Dog Poo Bins.

Locations to be notified to Cllr Pratt

vi) Dunningwell Hall

See Public Participation above

vii) Joining Village Halls – A5093 route

Cllr Bates produced a draft route using existing old road. Some concerns on pinch points on main road. Cllr Bates to make modifications to route.

viii) Woodland Management

Clerk reported that 4 companies had been contacted for quotations. Cutoff date 16 October. To report back to November meeting.

ix) Speeding Corney Fell Road.

Police been informed.

x) Pylons

Deferred.

xi) New Benches

Money ringfenced. To consult as to locations.

xii) Fibrus Works

Concerns about number of poles to be installed in Lady Hall, Clerk to contact Fibrus and invite to November meeting,

75/26.3 Policies, Procedures and Consultations

Play Inspection Report

Clerk has requested quotations for parts. To chase.

75/26.4 Subgroup Reports

Environment Group

Cllr Calsy sent a written report which was accepted.

75/26.5 Councillor vacancies

Clerk reported that due to next year’s election, no co-options can now take place.

76/26 To reports from representatives on outside bodies.

Copeland Community Partnership (GDF)

Cllr Pogrel reported that meetings had been cancelled pending approval from Secretary of State for next stage.

77/26 Correspondence

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

None

78/26 COUNCILLOR MATTERS

Cllr Lockwood reported that the road through to Underhill Cottages was in a poor state of repair.

Cllr Carrington requested that all councillors responded to emails in a timely manner especially when approval was required.

79/26 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

2 November 2026 The Hill Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm

80/26 CLOSED SESSION

Cllr Pogrel reported that some trailers and vehicles had been removed from the Pinnel Hole, but the PROW was still blocked. Clerk to contact enforcement officer.

There being no other business the Meeting closed at 2108hrs

Signed ………..  Date………….