November’s Council Meeting
Report of Alston Moor Parish Council meeting, 3 November 2025
This report is an informal one, and should not be taken as an accurate and agreed record of the parish council meeting. It is written to give our local residents some general information about the meeting, but only the formal minutes, which will be posted later, are a proper record.
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It was agreed that the Police, Crime and Fire Commissioner be invited to attend the first meeting for which he is available.
Chair’s report
The Chair commended the Remembrance Day poppy displays in Alston and Nenthead
District Councillor’s report (Mary Robinson was unable to attend)
Michael Hanley reported that at the full Westmorland and Furness Council meeting the conflict between the Integrated Care Board and GPs was raised. GPs are refusing to take blood because the ICB is not paying surgeries adequately for doing this work. Alston surgery, however, is continuing to take blood for testing.
W&F Council voted to proceed with devolution. It was decided to appeal to the government for more funding for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). Warm Homes grants will be available for those with a poor Energy Certificate.
The Place Action Group housing surveys had a reasonable return rate and it is hoped that the results may lead to work with the housing associations and others.
Parish councillors expressed concern that there seems to be no funding available for the Warm Hubs. Reports have been made to the Westmorland and Furness Council Hotline about road drains which are not getting fully cleared.
Police report
Councillors expressed concern about the incidents involving knives.
The Hospital Bungalow
Councillor Monk reported that there are two new Community First Responders, so seven in total, and two remaining EMTs. Somewhere is needed to store replacement kit that can be easily accessed. This has been the hospital bungalow, but apparently this is being decommissioned. It turns out that those involved had not realised its important use. Cllr Monk asked if the parish council might be willing to take on the rental of the building. It is in good condition. There was concern about exactly how to take this forward, and decided that Cllr Monk should talk further with the people at the ICB, and with Sheila Wyatt who will have more information about the ownership arrangements. Councillor Miller suggested that the council should consult with the local community to see if they are willing for the precept money to be used for this.
Draft Budget
The Clerk explained about some earmarked money, and what will be needed for the coming year. Precept applications are awaited, She will be able to do a fuller update at the December meeting. More money will be needed for the Town Hall, and Nenthead and Garrigill village halls, given the rise in gas and electricity prices. More will also be needed for tree surgery, particularly given the problems with ash dieback.
Policies
The council voted to accept all the new policies. There are three more to come.
Reports
AMERG: each site has its own team for maintenance and care of the generators.
Alston Moor Partnership: the recent event went well , including the awards. It is clear that, as previously noted, we would not have so many groups if we had the provision (funded by Westmorland and Furness) of other communities.
Assets
The council is seeking quotations for removing the lights from the poles on Tyne Willows.
The sign for the section under the bridge on Firs Walk is awaiting Westmorland and Furness approval.
Clarification is needed about which footway lights Westmorland and Furness already have responsibility for as an Eden DC legacy, as well as the ones being taken on from AMPC.
Christmas tree lights: some trees need to be replaced and the Clerk will source these new trees.
Correspondence
Alston Heritage has written about their proposed signs, of which one is suggested to be at the Town Hall. A mock-up photograph was circulated, and councillors were not happy with the plan.
Two items of correspondence were passed to Councillor Ho.
Meeting closed at 20.18
Next Meeting: Dec 1st 7pm. Alston Town Hall