March 2026 Parish Council Meeting

2 MARCH 2026

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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WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLORS’ REPORT

As Cllrs Mary Robinson and Michael Hanley had to attend other parish council meetings, their report was taken first.

Cllr Robinson was asked about the proposed £60 charge for a garden waste bin.  It is not yet known when this will come in nor how it will work.  She said we must be sure to get our comments on the proposal for reduced parish councillor numbers back as soon as possible.  The Clerk said we had been told to await guidance from CALC but this hasn’t arrived and there seems to have been poor communication from CALC.  

Cllr Elaine Grew thanked Cllr Robinson for help in dealing with reporting a serious dog attack on another dog in Garrigill.

Cllr Hanley spoke about the very disappointing settlement from central government, meaning that there will be a £15 million shortfall this year and £40 million in three years time.  W&F has also lost the rural services delivery grant of £6.5 million per annum.  The shortfall in the W&F budget will amount to £400 per household.  Cllr Hanley will be asking our MP to contact Alison McGovern, Minister of State for Local Government.

There was some discussion on the double council tax for second homes.  Cllr Robinson raised the thought that perhaps legislation might come in to make it possible to also raise double parish precept on such households.

MINUTES OF MEETING OF 2 FEBRUARY 2026

With some minor (largely typographical) amendments, these were agreed as correct.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

This was agreed for 20 April at 19.00 in the main hall at the Town Hall.

MATTERS ARISING

Cllr Grew requested that the small gritting machine for Garrigill not be purchased until the autumn.  Cllr Green was concerned about the possibility of being responsible if someone slipped on a gritted area, as previously people undertaking such public-spirited actions had been prosecuted.  Cllr Grew said that this is no longer the case – the law has changed.  We have had approval for general use of the Alston small gritter by W&F.

REMOVAL OF LIGHTS ON TYNE WILLOWS

Only one tender was received for the removal of the long-defunct lights on Tyne Willows.  The tender, from Barry Hopper, for £600 including the hire of a cherry-picker, was approved in the closed section of the February meeting.  He was given the go-ahead and has removed them.  The invoice was therefore authorised for payment.

INTERNAL AUDITOR

The proposed internal auditor (Checkmate) was approved.

LIVESTREAM FOR PUBLIC ATTENDANCE

Having taken advice, it has been made clear that there is no issue whatsoever with providing a livestream for members of the public to view (not participate in) parish council meetings.  Cllr Ho thought we would need to create a policy to cover this, but no-one could see what would be in this beyond our existing policy covering the use of IT.

NENTHEAD WARD MEETING

Cllr Crossley thanked Cllr Hanley for his W&F councillor fund donation to the Nenthead Warm Hub.  It is planned to continue this as a social event over the summer, as there are no other places (no cafés or pubs) for local people to meet.  

There is concern about the defibrillator and the need for replacement.  Brian Aves had previously refused AMPC taking it over and adding to our defib arrangements, but will be asked again.

PROPOSED REDUCTION IN COUNCILLOR NUMBERS

As mentioned above, we had been expecting instructions from CALC on the best approach but have so far received nothing.  There was general annoyance that W&F were suggesting such a reduction, from 15 to 9 councillors, given not only our population (some parishes with fewer residents would have more councillors) but the fact that the geographical size of our parish has not been considered.  We felt we needed to retain 15 councillors to ensure that the council could work effectively.

DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP 

Having taken advice from CALC about the request for a donation to help SKS send a performing arts group to Paris to perform, after some discussion, it was agreed to donate £500 to the school for this event.

The request for support for a holiday club was discussed, and it was decided to suggest to them that they should apply to us for a community grant.

GROUP REPORTS

Cllr Martin showed the just-published Alston Moor Partnership Community Directory, prepared by Sarah Stamford as the Community Development Co-ordinator.   This is being distributed to every house on Alston Moor in hard copy and will also be available online.  She explained that there are also plans for a business directory and possibly a visitors’ directory.  

PLANNING

More information was required on both the planning applications we were asked to comment on, for Low Park and Rosedale House, so W&F would be asked to provide this.

FINANCE

All forthcoming payments were approved.  It was agreed to invoice the Town Hall charity for the work for the Town Hall by the parish council’s handyperson.

TREE SURVEY

Six companies were asked to tender.  Three said they were too busy.  One failed to provide a tender by the date requested.  The two received tenders would be considered in the closed part of the meeting.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 7 April, as Monday 6 April is Easter Monday.