WHICHAM PARISH
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 4th MAY 2016
COMMENCING 07.00 PM IN SILECROFT VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT:Mrs R Jopson, Mr A Fell, Mrs S Wilson,Mr M Sharp, Mrs V Bradley, Mrs C Lowery and Mrs M Cumming
Mr J Fell
APOLOGIES: Mr P Rand and Mrs C Wrigley
PM1/16:ELECTION OF CLERK
It was RESOLVED that MrsLesley Cooper, Low Marshside, Underhill nr Millom Cumbria be elected as clerk for the forthcoming year
PM2/16:MINUTES
It was RESOLVED that the minutes from the Annual Parish Meeting held on7th May 2015 be signed as a true and correct record.
PM3/16:CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman presented an oral report of the work of the Parish Council over the past 12 months.He thanked everyone for their hard work over the last 12 months and presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs V Bradley for all her hard work in raising money for the new playground equipment.
A lot of time had been spent on raising the funds and planning the new play areas which are to be installed in late May on both sites.
The fell race at the beginning of March had been a huge success and it was hoped that this would be an annual event that brought visitors to the area.
3 benches had been replaced on the shore at Silecroft and it was planned to replace the others in the near future.
He thanked the Clerk for her work over the last 12 months.
PM4/16:ACCOUNTS
The Clerk presented on oral report of the Accounts of the Parish Council for 2015/16. It was RESOLVED that the accounts for the year of the Parish Council were a true and correct record.
PM5/16: GUEST SPEAKER AND OPEN DISCUSSION
County Councillor Keith Hitchen commented on the last 12 months in the County. It had been a difficult 12 months with the floods having a major affect. The A591 was expected to re-open this month.
He was asked about the introduction of new 30 mph speed limits and said that these were much easier to get now than in the past and required an assessment and options.
Health – the County Council was now responsible for Public Health and Wellbeing and this was creating a new set of challenges. A challenge getting communication down the chain of what was a complex Health And Socialcare.
Pylons – the consultation had been put back until September. The National Park had raised a number of issues and Parish Council down the coast were also raising objections to the proposed route and making North West Connections listen.
CALC was to organise workshops for all Parishes to show effect on their own Parish and on the Community. Parishes will be encouraged to hold public meetings and pass the information on to local communities. It is only by the weight of complaints that changes can be made.
Mrs Lowery looked for assurances that West Cumberland Hospital would not change from a Consultant led to a Midwife led Maternity unit. There was a move to keep services at Whitehaven and make it a centre of excellence.
Mr J Fell questioned about the new play equipment at Silecroft and why there was more going in to Kirksanton. He was assured that this was only the first phase. There were plans to improve signage and re-vamp the tennis court.
Mr J Fell volunteered to remove the old swings and prepare the ground in readiness for the installation of the new equipment. He was thanked by the Council.
Mr J Fell stated that the retaining wall for the tennis courts required re-rendering to save it from decay. The Council will investigate the costs of this.
Mr J Fell also mention that North West Connections were not aware that a fibre optic cable for telephone masts ran alongside the pylons.
Cllr Hitchen was thanked for his report
PM6/16:DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Annual Parish meeting will be held on Wednesday 3rdMay2017
Meeting closed at 8pm
Signed...... Dated......
WHICHAM PARISH MINUTES - MEETINGS HELD DURING YEAR 2014/2015