December’s Council Meeting

REPORT OF ALSTON MOOR PARISH COUNCIL MEETING,
1 DECEMBER 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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Public participation
Ian Grey spoke about the meeting at the Hive about the minewater project. The Haggs Bank work, which it was promised would become operational six months ago, is still not functioning. Now it will be switched on in February or March and it will need to be seen how it goes before the next stage at Nenthead itself can go ahead. There is thus time to work to stop this. IG said that that the Coal Authority has now admitted that the purpose of this is to avoid the cost of dealing with heavy metals at the Port of Tyne; several councillors pointed out that this was known before the work ever started and indeed was a key part of the initial objections, as Nenthead would be the area to suffer the impact of the work with no particular benefit.

Westmorland and Furness Councillor Mary Robinson pointed out that the Nenthead area is a SSSI and ancient monument, hence very different to Haggs. A planning application is needed so that all this can be pointed out. Treatment is also being proposed further down the Tyne.

Chair’s report
Councillor Raymond Miller thanked all who had helped put the Christmas lights up, and said that Garrigill in particular was looking lovely.

Tyne Willows tree work tender
The clerk explained that three tenders had been opened in the closed part of the last parish council meeting. However, the report from Westmorland and Furness Council (who rent the playing field for the school) had been too general, and as a result each of the tenders had quoted on a different number of trees. All have agreed to re-tender on a set number of trees.

Westmorland and Furness Councillor’s Report
Councillor Michael Hanley was unable to be present. Councillor Mary Robinson reported that the next Place Action Group meeting is in Melmerby next week. Key issues will be the results of the housing survey and the priorities for next year. A new round has opened for the identification of potential housing sites. Unfortunately, there may be delays of up to four years. A Bill is coming forward early in 2026, and then W&F needs to get going. It’s frustrating for developers trying to get the go ahead for small developments. £6 million was taken from W&F by the government last years and the government focus is on areas of urban deprivation. So there may be another massive, £15-20 million, cut. Barrow may get more. It is concerning that this happens just as W&F starts to make inroads on e.g. rural transport. MR suggests that the nine parishes of this ward might work together to lobby.

Nenthead Ward Meeting
People were invited to come and find out about the generator. There have been several recent AGMs – the Village Hall, Nenthead Community Projects, and the snowplough. The fence at the War Memorial still needs to be checked with the Conservation Officer – the Clerk is trying to get a response. The drain at the Village Hall is sorted out now. The cobbles that had been removed and now replaced with tarmac in front of the Hive will, W&F Councillor Robinson says, be replaced in the spring. It was reported that the repairs at the toilets were done badly and now have to be put right. The toilet committee was advised to go back to those who did the work originally.

Letter to Councillor Holly Ho
Councillor Ho had asked for this to be on the agenda, but was unwilling to say anything. The Clerk and others pointed out that the letter concerned the legal obligation for all councillors to have a dedicated device and that this was essential for all councillors by the time of the submission of the AGAR (Annual Governance and Accountability Return) in 2026. The letter explained to Councillor Ho what was required and noted her refusal to engage with offers of assistance. She continued to insist that she could use her own device, despite not understanding the requirements that would have to be met in order for her device to be legally compliant. Assertion 10 must be fully implemented and so devices must comply. W&F Councillor Mary Robinson confirmed that the members of all parish councils will have to comply with this.

Precept meeting
The precept meeting will be on Monday 12 January 2026.

Budget
The Clerk ran through some of the key demands on funds that are likely over the coming year, noting that many prices have increased including services (electricity etc) and insurance. Among major expenses is the care of the trees and river bank on Tyne Willows. Precept requests from local groups have been received.

Clerk’s appraisal
Councillor Monk reported that the Clerk has all the necessary training to fulfil her job, and will consider undertaking the full CILCA qualification (about 500 hours of work, costing £1000) when possible. It was agreed that her performance to date has been outstanding.

NWAS
Two new people are now qualified to staff the ambulance car and Councillor Monk hopes to join them soon.

Planning applications
Both applications, for Alston Youth Hostel and Loaning Head Cottage, were approved,

Assets
No tenders have been received for the removal of the lights at Tyne Willows.

Correspondence received
There has been concern about the state of the ‘shelters’ by the Potato Market at the top of town, an area that has previously had issues as ownership cannot be established. This will be followed up.

A letter had been received expressing concern about the 16-seater Carlisle bus, which is too small for the number of people wanting to use it resulting in some being unable to get to arranged appointments or meet other commitments. The council agreed to request that this be changed. The letter also spoke of the need for a further bus stop, up beyond Fairhill, for those in that part of town for whom carrying shopping uphill from the Fire Station bus stop would be very difficult. This is the area where the parish council, through the Traffic Management committee, is trying to get a pedestrian crossing. Both issues will be raised, with the necessary distance between the two to be ascertained.

Next meeting
The next parish council meeting will be on Monday 5 January 2026.