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March’s Council Meeting

Alston Moor Parish Council meeting, Monday 3 March, Alston Town Hall

The meeting was chaired by Ron Robinson, Vice-Chair, as Raymond Miller, Chair, has almost no voice currently.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved.  There was no Chair’s report this month.

Westmorland and Furness Council report

Michael Hanley, Westmorland and Furness councillor (as well as parish councillor), reported on a number of matters, details of which will be available on the AMPC website in the recent reports. Among the points presented, EV charging strategy is being developed, with the intention of providing on-street chargers for those without off-street parking.  From the Health And Wellbeing Board, MH reported that the focus is on reducing ‘bed-blocking’ through provision of more ‘re-ablement beds, like the two we have at Grisedale now.  Westmorland and Furness is balancing a large deficit.  The second homes premium has brought in £10 million, of which half is to go on affordable housing, playgrounds etc.  Councillor Robertson suggested that the second home premium might be used to support the rural areas where most of the second homes are.

Mary Robinson, Westmorland and Furness Councillor, reported that it is intended that parish council elections will be retimed to happen at the same time as Westmorland and Furness elections, which will save a good deal of money.  

Other reports

  • Place Action Group Work on developing a housing needs survey is progressing.
  • Alston Moor Partnership Sarah Stamford has been appointed as the Community Development Coordinator and will begin work in the week beginning 10 March.
  • NWAS Alston Moor Working Group Nothing progressing despite loss of one EMT (leaving one), and of CFRs.  No further information regarding planned specialist training.
  • Traffic Management Group Online meeting.  Many potholes reported.  The A689 is going to be resurfaced probably in August, entailing a full week’s closure.  The Leadgate road also.  Residents were urged to report road problems on line, ideally using what-three-words to indicate the site.  Parking issues were noted – at top of town, parking opposite the bus stop makes problems when bus waiting.  The problem in the Butts with parking prevent access for emergency vehicles continues to be discussed – apparently the relevant land is not part of the highway.  Bollards by the Co-op are to be resited.  The school signs at the old primary school will be removed.  A 40mph limit on the A689 will be investigated.

Matters arising

1.  Benches: councillors are asked to see where they think the two benches available for Tyne Willows should go.

2.  E-mails and tablets: investigation into tablets continues, all now have e-mails.

3.  Environment Agency gauging station renewal: still ongoing as no response received.

4.  Letter to Garrigill Recreation Ground: agreed to send letter draft, to clarify their precept request.

5.  Street lighting: the Clerk and the Chair met with a representative of Westmorland and Furness to discuss the proposed W&F takeover of responsibility for the lights.  They looked at all those which are broken, the wrong colour, etc.  Nothing can be done until the Cabinet meeting in mid-March, but the representative was very positive, including about new lights.  It could be 12-18 months before work can begin.  It was suggested we might install solar-powered lights before then and they would be taken over in July if all goes ahead.  We will be asked to make a formal response regarding the future arrangements after the Cabinet meeting in mid-March.

6.  Neighbourhood policing: volunteers are sought to be local representatives on a neighbourhood policing board to raise local issues.

7.  Emergency contacts: Nenthead is making a list of vulnerable people for emergency contact.

8.  Annual Parish Meeting: 23 April 2025 at 7pm, Alston Town Hall

9.  Road at Tyne Willows: tenders sought for resurfacing

Planning applications

Applications for Aimshaugh, Greenacres, Loaning Head Farm and Low Park were all agreed for approval.

An extension has been requested for Over Lee and the Miners’ Arms applications.  There is puzzlement about why W&F is concerned about the Miners’ Arms designation when nothing has been done concerning other places where a residential flat is continuing to be used after a business has closed.  It was urged that a W&F planning representative be asked to attend the next meeting, or at least provide some explanation.

Assets

Firs Walk – the path under the bridge is now dangerous, and repairs will be arranged.

Pavilion, Alston Fitness Club – the alternative possibilities for the provision of water and electricity for groups using Tyne Willows were discussed.  Rather than a flat charge, it was suggested that specific meters could be easily installed, and charges made accordingly.  Further discussions with the gym management were proposed, perhaps at the next meeting.

Defibrillators Agreed to give remaining defibrillators to South Tynedale Railway, registered to AMPC and with STR paying for installation and power.

Nenthead Fountain A range of possibilities for simple improvements were discussed, with matters including a sand-blaster to be researched.

Grant applications

An application by a group of Garrigill residents for an event to mark VE Day, especially for children, was refused on the basis that the group were not constituted.  Two parish councillors agreed to create a working group which could take the application forward.

The official minutes can be found here

Next parish council meeting will be on Monday 7 April, 7pm, probably at Garrigill Village Hall.