Council Meetings

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.

Monday 4 August, Alston Town Hall

Road repair concerns

Our local authority councillors, Mary Robinson and Michael Hanley, have both reported their concerns about the state of the road resurfacing, and it has proved dangerous for cyclists going through on the London-Edinburgh-London event.  MR pointed out that the contractors will be held to account by Westmorland and Furness.  The first sweep should have been done within two days, but it took a week.  Alston Moor is not the only area suffering, as several other areas have had similar major problems.  The contractors are in danger of losing the contract.  It is not the fault of W&F staff.  There has also been considerable upset caused by the rude and unhelpful attitude of the contractors to people needing to get through for work etc.

Red squirrel group

Sarka-Jo Cole explained the importance of culling grey squirrels to conserve our native red squirrels.  Greys also do massive damage to trees, so tree health is another benefit of culling.  Grey squirrels are classed as vermin.  The group wants to put four traps in Alston cemetery, which will be checked several times each day for one to two months and it could make a great deal of difference.  Insurance and risk assessments have all been completed.  W&F wanted AM parish council to give approval before they would do so, and a motion was proposed and passed with one abstention.

Local authority councillors

Michael Hanley reported that decisions being made concerning local health provision will hopefully mean that suturing can again be done at Alston Medical Practice.  Regarding the changes to waste and recycling, there seems to be some acceptance that bags will continue to be needed for some people.  The Bring Sites are not, despite rumours, going to be closed.  There is an aim to reduce care home places by 4%, with the intention of working to keep people healthy and provide aides to help people stay in their own homes.

Mary Robinson reported that the Nenthead mine water treatment process of having material in the ponds is to go ahead and will eventually replace the treatment process currently being done, and that land will be returned to agriculture.

Nenthead ward meeting

The requested 20mph limit is now in force.  Praise has been received for the toilets, particularly their cleanliness.  An issue has been raised about the lack of electricity vehicle charging points in Nenthead (and Garrigill).  W&F will be contacted.  The ward requested that AMPC ask the handy person to do work on the benches at Nenthead play area but this may not be possible immediately as they are not on council land.  

Nenthead concerns about plans at Nenthead Mines

Graeme Ransom reported that the landscaping and treatment ponds are overwhelmingly opposed by Nenthead residents, ascertained through a door-to-door survey.  Nenthead Mines Conservation Society is to be asked to withdraw consent for this.  Otherwise, there is liable to be considerable damage to the relationship between the village and Nenthead Mines.  The council agreed to support the war’s wishes and will write to the Conservation Society requesting the withdrawal of consent.

Motion of thanks

Thanks were given to Councillor Alix Martin and the Clerk for all the work done to source the council’s iPads, change the email address to a .gov.uk one, as recommended by government, and migrate the website to its new address of alstonmoorparish.gov.uk.  Gratitude was expressed for Cllr Martin’s work in helping councillors set up their iPads.

Memorial bench

A regular visitor with a caravan at Tyne Willows Caravan Park has requested permission for a memorial bench in memory of his wife to be placed on Tyne Willows, to look out at the view he and she had enjoyed so much.  He will pay all the costs of this.  AMPC agreed and will ask that he completes the necessary request form.

Mobile phone mast, Mount Hooley

The mast owner is to be asked to provide back-up energy, by generator or otherwise, to ensure that local people continue to have access during power cuts.  This is becoming increasingly crucial as households are changed to digital phone lines which mean landline phones are no longer available in a power cut.

Community Energy Feasibility Study

Westmorland and Furness Council have asked for communities to submit an Expression of Interest if they are interested in being one of the six W&F area project areas.  Alston Moor Partnership are willing to lead on this and have prepared an Expression of Interest, which entails working with AMPC, and wanted to know if the council was happy with the proposal.  This was agreed.

Policies

Individual councillors are to each be asked to look at a particular policy and suggest revisions required.

North West Ambulance Service

Councillors were dismayed to hear that NWAS had not been prepared to make any adjustments to the conditions for new local ambulance staff, which makes it almost impossible for anyone to apply for the posts.

Assets

The council laptop needs to be repaired, and it was agreed that the clerk should check the best source and organise as appropriate.

Work has been completed on the Tyne Willows Pavilion (gym).

The handyperson has started work on the bus shelter at Haggs Banks.  It is in a bad state and needs considerable repair.

The Clerk and Councillor Alastair Robertson are in conversation with the Conservation Officer concerning Nenthead Fountain.

The Town Hall flag is to be replaced.

Garrigill Bridge

Concern has been expressed by many people about the state of the bridge and the long delay in work being done.  Apparently it is hoped to get the repair done by the end of this year if a suitable contractor can be appointed.

REPORT FROM THE JULY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.

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.

Minutes of previous meeting
The parish council agreed the draft minutes as an accurate record of the meeting held on 2 June 2025.

Public Participation
The meeting continued with pre-arranged contributions from the floor:
• Sarka-Jo Cole spoke about the red squirrel group’s wish to trap grey squirrels in Alston cemetery, for dispatch elsewhere. Although the cemetery is a Westmorland and Furness responsibility, she had been told to bring this first to the parish council. This will go on next month’s agenda for a recorded decision.
• Damon Hall informed the council about the newly-created Alston Heritage group, intended to market the local heritage attractions to a wider audience. The title of ‘Alston’ rather than ‘Alston Moor’ was challenged, with Damon saying that this was because ‘Alston’ can be found on a map.
• Sarah Stamford updated councillors on her work as the Alston Moor Partnership Community Development Co-ordinator.

Chair’s Report
Raymond Miller gave the Chair’s report, and welcomed Judith Crossley to the council as a representative of Nenthead ward. He raised that a member of the public had told him a parish councillor was saying that the council is corrupt. He stated clearly and firmly that neither the council, nor any councillor, is corrupt and no councillor should be saying this. He pointed out that the parish council serves the community, making improvements to Alston Moor for all who live here and visit, and will continue to do so despite the few who always criticise what is done and broadcast false and unjust accusations on social media.

Westmorland and Furness Councillors’ Reports
Michael Hanley reported:
• There will be more charging points for electrical vehicles, including a rapid charger, but no sites have yet been identified on Alston Moor. The council had said that the difficulty of supporting a bus from Alston to Penrith is the subsidy cost, which would be high. A minibus service is to be instituted – but based in Penrith with a 10 mile radius of operation, hence once again leaving Alston out. Councillors all supported Councillor Hanley in pointing out that Alston Moor continues to be left behind regarding transport despite there being ample funding available from central government.
• The road and footway lighting (including lights returned from the parish council) will be controlled centrally, and capable of being dimmed as well a turned off at set times.
Mary Robinson reported:
• The Place Action Group housing survey will be ready to go out in the autumn, and will need to be delivered and collected by volunteers.
• Many road closures will be happening over the next couple of months, in order for resurfacing to be carried out. It was accepted that if we want the roads to be properly resurfaced, we will have to cope with the road closures. Up-to-date information can be found through the One Network website, accessed via https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/streets-roads-and-pavements/road-maintenance-closures-and-improvements/roadworks
• She was asked about the status of the old Alston Primary school, of which the parish council has heard nothing since planning agreements over a year ago; apparently it will be coming back for further consultation.

Cemeteries reports
Andrea McCallum (standing in at the last minute for the officer who was intended to come), is one of the officers who have responsibility for cemeteries for Westmorland and Furness, and attended the meeting in order to report on their maintenance and answer questions. The local cemeteries receive 13 cuts a year if weather conditions permit but the cut grass is not removed and many people felt the cemeteries did not look tidy, not least as gravestones were often left covered in cut grass. There is apparently no money for our local cemeteries to receive the sort of care Penrith cemetery gets; this caused annoyance among some councillors who felt that local council tax should deliver the same sort of care regardless of the numbers of burials. Some exasperation was expressed when the ‘fairly local’ contractor turned out to be from the Penrith area, with obvious travel costs in time and fuel. Two local people attending the meeting are involved as ‘friends of Alston cemetery’ hoped that more people might join them and help push for better care and maintenance. It was suggested that Sarah Stamford, the Community Development Co-ordinator, might assist in identifying potential volunteers. The Green Flag awarded to Alston Moor cemetery is decided on the trees, birds, insects and other environmental aspects of the cemetery, but takes no account of maintenance and tidy appearance.
Mary Robinson pointed out that it is up to her and Michael Hanley, not the officers, to ensure the money is being spent as it should be, and that Andrea McCallum herself cannot act on the funding points made.

Benches
Work continues to repair and replace the benches around Alston Moor, with one at Tynehead having been completed and happily used.

Parish councillors’ iPads
As the Council will very soon be moving over to the new email addresses (@alstonmoorparish.gov.uk) and requiring all councillors to undertake all parish council business on the new iPads, those who had not yet had their iPads set up were urged to contact Councillor Martin to arrange a date for this. All councillors will be expected to sign the iPad agreement, as the iPads remain the property of the parish council. This will go on the next agenda for agreement.

Parking on Tyne Willows
The clerk has been checking the overnight parking on Tyne Willows and identified two vehicles that have not moved in a long time. One was found to have no tax or MoT and has been SORNed (but this only permits parking on private land); the owners of both have been spoken with and arrangements are in place to deal with the situation and get both vehicles removed. The agreed sign concerning overnight parking will be installed shortly.

Media report
Despite the negative feedback from a few people, it was decided to continue posting the informal reports of the parish council meetings, as it was felt that local residents deserve to see a fuller account than can be included in formal minutes. In the past, a reporter from the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald would attend and write up such reports so that people were informed, but as that no longer happens, it is down to the council itself to provide such a report.

The formal minutes also result in online criticism; council members expressed their support and appreciation of the clerk and her work.

North West Ambulance Service
Councillor Monk has been trying to get NWAS to advertise and promote the paid posts as Community Ambulance Responders, for which full training will be given. She has run into a number of difficulties with the personnel involved at NWAS but is doing her best to promote this opportunity. The closing date has been extended to 25 July and it is hoped that more people will apply.

Planning applications
The council supported planning applications for Dykeheads and for Broadpot Hill, Potters Loaning, expressing some frustration at the difficulties the applicants have had with Westmorland and Furness Planning Department. The Town Hall’s installation of a stairlift at the Town Hall has been approved.

Finance
All outstanding invoices were approved for payment. The payment to the new handyperson was one of those approved and the chair reported on the good work being done, and that he has received positive feedback. The handyperson has gone beyond what is strictly AMPC responsibility and worked on some W&F assets in order to make Alston Moor look good.

Assets updates
• The path under the bridge leading to Firs Walk has been repaired.
• Tyne Willows Pavilion: much of the required work has been completed, including the new boiler, toilets and sorting out an electricity fault. Outside meters have been installed, so that those booking Tyne Willows field can, by arrangement, use water and electricity for which they will pay the council, who will reimburse the tenant. Alston Fitness Club, the tenant, has expressed that they are very happy with the work that has been carried out.
• Bus shelters: repainting is going ahead in Nenthead and Garrigill, but because the Alston bus shelter comes within the conservation area, advice has been sought from W&F.
• Nenthead Fountain: Councillor Robertson made a statement including that the original colour had been identified by an expert who checked the bottom layer to which the scraping had reached. Additionally, repainting is permitted under Listed Building regulations. As a complaint has been made that no consent had been sought, Councillor Robertson is inviting the Enforcement Officer and Conservation Officer to a site meeting. Councillor Edgar reported that a member of Nenthead Community Projects had been pleased with the repainting and was concerned that some people had been critical. Councillor Edgar commented on the unpleasant reaction to these statements from one member of the public who then began to respond in a combative way and was asked to stop by the Chair. When she refused, she was told she should leave or the police would be called. Members of the public can only speak during parish council meetings by prior arrangement or invitation, as laid out in national legislation.
• Christmas trees and lights: it is intended to have these up and lit before the Christmas market at the Town Hall in late November.

Correspondence received
• There is ongoing concern regarding the failure to replace screening at the Horse and Wagon Caravan Park
• There is a new way to report environmental problems, by using the Report A Problem service on .gov.uk. Problems will be immediately addressed.
• The Firs children’s playground: Eden Housing has asked the parish council to fund necessary work. It was pointed out by W&F Councillor Robinson that this is Eden Housing’s responsibility and there may be grant available from W&F.
• Commons Register: any errors in the current register should be reported by 15 March 2027.
• Eden Housing Association has sent a tenancy agreement to look at, and wanting the parish council to advertise vacant properties. This is not a parish council responsibility, and Councillor Mary Robinson suggested the Clerk should pass this issues to Judith Derbyshire, the relevant W&F councillor.

Next meeting: Monday 4 August 2025 at Alston Town Hall.

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.

The parish council agreed to co-opt Judith Crossley as a councillor to represent Nenthead, and she will participate from the July meeting onwards when she has completed the various forms etc needed.

Neither of the Westmorland and Furness councillors were able to be present to give a report.

The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) working group reported that there had been an unsurprisingly poor response to a very poorly-advertised invitation to apply for training as an EMT. It is hoped that there can be a presence at Gala Day and elsewhere to publicise this opportunity.

The government have mandated that we move our email and website to a.gov domain and that we use dedicated devices for our council work. All councillors will be moved to an email address on that domain as soon as possible, and use parish council-owned iPads for all council work.

There were three applicants for the handyperson job, and Barry Hopper has been appointed. Training and familiarisation is being arranged. He will be working on a self- employed contract for ten hours per week.

It was agreed to add a sign at the Tyne Willows car park saying ‘No overnight stays except by prior arrangement’, after it was discovered that the site had been advertised as available without any authorisation from the parish council.

The parish council agreed to upgrade the toilets, including provision of a disabled toilet, and replace the boiler in the Pavilion (the Fitness Club premises). Also, an outside tap and electricity supply will be installed, and available for use during events held on Tyne Willows.

The next meeting will be on Monday 7 July at Garrigill Village Hall, at 7pm.

Alston Moor Parish Council meeting, Monday 7 April, Garrigill Village Hall

Public participation

Laura Seaton reported on the loss of funding for the Miners’ Arms project, in common with many other projects, due to the sudden ending of the Community Fund.  She requested that the parish council object to the planning application for change of use to residential.  This was agreed.

Following this, an application to register the Miners’ Arms as an Asset of Community Value (see https://mycommunity.org.uk/what-are-assets-of-community-value-acv ) was raised by the Chair and discussed.  This was also agreed.

Westmorland and Furness Council

Councillor Mary Robinson reported that the new jet patcher, for pothole repairs, is coming first to Alston Moor.  We noted that there had been almost no response to our letter following last year’s W&F cabinet meeting in Alston.  Cllr Robinson suggested that we write again prior to the forthcoming cabinet meeting in Alston, and include our concerns about the lack of notice of road closures. It had been noted that there is a lack of care places for those with learning disabilities, including autism, within W&F.  

Nenthead Ward Meeting

Ten people were present at the ward meeting, and Cllr Alastair Robertson became vice-chair.  He expressed concern that the two (of the possible four – there are unfilled vacancies) councillors representing Nenthead do not live in Nenthead.  There is plenty going on in the village.  The next meeting is on 19 May.

Alston Fitness Centre

There are various plans to create more room, to enable classes, a sauna and plunge pool.  The gym is asking to upgrade various things and replace the back door with windows and upgrade all doors.  It was decided to arrange a separate meeting of councillors to discuss all the details concerning the gym.

North West Ambulance Service

NWAS had advertised the recruitment of new Emergency Medical Technicians very poorly, with only three applications, which Cllr Dee Monk has been told were all living outside Alston Moor.  Cllr Martin said she knew of one applicant who does live locally.  Cllr Monk will contact NWAS again to get a new closing date and more advertising.

Traffic Management

Cllr Martin, who has been trying for the last three years to get this problem addressed, had taken photos as requested of the corner of the Butts where parking outside Rannoch House blocks access by emergency services, to whom she had spoken about the issue – all agreed it was crucial to deal with this.

Matters arising from minutes

• No other suggestions having been made, the benches for Tyne Willows are to go by the monitoring station.  Benches are being progressed in Garrigill and Nenthead.  The Alston ones are yet to be decided and Cllr Hanley and Cllr Robinson said they would look and report back, based on the previous list.
• As requested, Cllr Martin had investigated changing the parish council’s domain name to a .gov.uk address.  This would affect the email addresses and website address. She has discovered that it has to be done through government-approved companies and, with the Clerk. has settled on one that covers what we need and is good value for money.     
• The issue of the Gauging Station agreement is ongoing, as no response has been received.
• The Sexual Harassment policy needs to be discussed and updated.
• Westmorland and Furness are keen to take on the street lighting, and make sure they use the best lights, replacing old with new as appropriate to each place.  Unanimously agreed we should go with this.
• We have received one tender for the resurfacing at Tyne Willows.

Planning applications

The Bruntley Meadows application was refused, owing to problems concerning drainage and more.

Over Lee House at Garrigill and the listed building consent for High Mill were both agreed.

Nenthead Fountain

Cllr Robertson reported that listed building designation allows cosmetic work to be done and it was agreed that this should go ahead.  AMPC has money set aside to pay for relevant materials.

Tyne Willows to Cumberland Inn permissive path

Still awaiting a response regarding the post needed.  W&F Cllr Robinson enquired who was failing to respond, and suggested copying her and Cllr Hanley in to future communications so they can follow these up.

See the Draft Minutes here

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.

Notes from the February meeting of Alston Moor Parish Council

Meeting held on Monday 3 February in the Annexe of Alston Town Hall

At the start of the meeting in public participation, a member of the public, Damon Hall, described his plans for a mass photograph like the one in 1999, to take place in September this year.  He was not seeking funding but asking for general support and help with information.  The council expressed their full support.

The chair asked that the record of decisions on motions should include who voted for, against or abstained.

Our Westmorland and Furness councillors, Mary Robinson and Michael Hanley, talked through the key points from recent meetings.  

• The possibility of establishing an electric vehicle car club was discuseed with members of the established Derwent Valley group.  There are difficulties for our area as insurance alone would cost more than £10,000 and requires more than three vehicle.  Discussions are ongoing about other possible option.
• Westmorland and Furness cabinet voted for devolution for the whole of Cumbria (W&F and Cumberland) as is being proposed by central government, but the timescale is regarded as unrealistic.  A final decision will be made in the autumn.
• The proposal for an Alston to Penrith bus service has failed as tenders were too expensive.  However, more funding may be available in April.
• The £6,000 available to be allocated before the end of March for the Alston Moor and Fellside ward has been agreed to go equally to a new Fellside food bank (on the Alston Moor model), play areas in Melmerby and Langwathby, and for a housing needs survey.

Reports from groups

1.  Nenthead Ward Meeting

• An update is awaited from the Coal Authority on whether the Haggs Bank and Carrshield treatment works ar functioning as expected.  
• The flooding issue at Nenthall seems to have been resolved.  
• The Miners’ Arms bid by the local group has failed because the government discontinued the relevant funding source.  All donations will be refunded.
• There were complaints that the Village Hall generator had not been in action during the recent power cut, but the problem has now been addressed and there are many volunteers now ready to spring into action when needed.
• There is concern about the lack of WiFi at the Village Hall and they are seeking financial assistance for set-up and monthly costs.
• The Community Toilets continue to receive compliments from visitors using the tourists, with gratitude to the volunteer local community who maintain them.

2.  Alston Moor Partnership

Several applications for the post of Community Co-ordinator have been received, with the closing date this Friday (7 February).  Interviews will then be arranged, and news of the appointed person will be available for the next meeting.

3.  Alston Moor Traffic Management Group

The Clerk and W&F Councillor Robinson are awaiting suitable dates to arrange a Zoom meeting.

Ongoing matters

• Oak timber has been offered free of chargeto repair one of the Garrigill benches, and on this basis the Council voted for repairs to go ahead.
• No decision has yet been reached on the location of the Women’s Institue centenary bench.
• All the defibs have been registered and are working
• All the bus shelters have been cleaned, and it was resolved that further work, including painting, will commence when there is more suitable weather.
• It has been suggested for some time that each parish councillor should have a tablet and e-mail address dedicated to their council work, with the tablets to be handed back at the end of a councillor’s term.  It was agreed that separate councillor e-mail addresses would be issued, and that the Clark and Councillor Martin would source and purchase appropriate tablets.
• The Clerk is still awaiting a response from the Environment Agency concerning the gauging station financial renewal.
• Councillors Bondi and Grew attended the webinars regarding the switch of analogue phone lines to digital.  Cuncillor Grew suggested that BT should be invited to come and talk about the changes, and hear local concerns and questions, at the Town Hall.  Councillor Grew and the Clerk will arrange this.
• A new date is to be arranged for the walkabout with W&F officers to look at the street lighting.
• It was resolved to send a letter of thanks to Janis Goodfellow on behalf of the Parish Council for her continued help and support with the distribution and invoicing of the Christmas trees around Alston Moor.

Planning Applications and Decisions

• The proposed replacement, at Salvin House, of single-glazed timber windows with double-glazed uPVC windows was discussed, and the confusing nature of the planning and listed building consent advice was raised.  The motion to support the application was passed by a majority.
• The replacement of stable buildings with a hoeoffice-storage building at 3Wardway Foot was supported.
• The Council heard that the discharge of conditions on the listing building consent at Ivy House, Garrigill, had been agreed.

Finance Report and Accounts

• The current balance of the Community Account is £121,792.50,
• Outstanding payment for the cleaning of the bus shelters was agreed.
• Cllr Bondi has agreed to become a signatory for the HSBC account.

Correspondence

A very unsatisfactory response had been received from LINK, refusing to look further into the provision of a cash machine.  A draft further response was agreed to be sent, and it was decided to ask local people to write individually to LINK, and post this request on Facebook groups, noticeboards, and in shops.  A member of the public was asked, and refused, to post such a request on the Facebook group she administers.

The next meeting will be held in Alston Town Hall annexe at 7pm on Monday 3 March.

Notes from the January meeting of Alston Moor Parish Council

The meeting was held on Monday 13 January, rather than the first Monday, 6 January, which was postponed owing to the difficult driving conditions in snow and ice.

A planning issue, concerning Flinty Fell Quarry, was taken at the beginning as two members of the public were present in relation to that item.  The council unanimously agreed to support the application, having had clarification on the original concerns.

The Chair, Councillor Miller,  gave his report, with thanks to those who had helped practically and financially with the Christmas lights and the big Christmas tree. He asked that all votes on agenda items should be recorded with the information of which councillors had voted for, against or abstained, as outlined in the Standing Orders.

Councillor Hanley reported from his rôle as a Westmorland and Furness councillor that W&F has been invited to become an area for devolution along with Cumberland, which would be a three-stage process.  More information will come soon.  He also reported on the Nature Recovery Strategy which will include a focus on red squirrels.

Councillors had received the police report, and hoped that there could be a representative at the next meeting.

Reports from groups

• Councillor Robertson said there would be a Nenthead Ward meeting in the next fortnight, and information will come to the next parish council meeting.  
• The Alston and Fellside Place Action Group will meet in February.  
• Alston Moor Partnership had been successful in the funding application for a community co-ordinator, and advertising for the post has gone out.  
• The Alston Moor Traffic Management Group will be arranging a meeting soon.  
• NWAS Alston Moor Working Group reported that a rôle specifically for our community has been devised and these new recruits will join our two remaining EMTs.  All will work together with the Community First Responders.

Ongoing matters

• Tenders for the initial Nenthead Fountain work were being reassessed.
• A quotation has been received for repairs to the Garrigill benches, and other benches are awaiting further information.
• Fairhill now has a defibrillator and it will be installed and registered, and the fire station one is already registered on the circuit.  There will be a defib map of the area.
• The website is to be adjusted to provide separate sections for parish council and Westmorland and Furness reports.
• VE Day guidance has been circulated but no councillors wanted to take up the options.  Warm Hub attendees might be interested.
• The parish council’s solicitors are working with the Environmental Agency to establish a new lease for the gauging station on Tyne Willows.

Planning applications

• The council voted to support an application for change of use from agricultural to equestrian with creation of an arena at Low Galligill
• The council voted to uphold the original decision regarding the Horse and Wagon Caravan Park and object to the application for variation of condition 8 concerning planting.
• Westmorland and Furness Council has decided to permit the removal of the holiday let restriction for Leadgate School House.

Finance

A draft budget will be discussed at the precept meeting on 20 January

Assets

• Westmorland and Furness are intending to offer parish councils the choice of W&F taking on responsibility for all footway lighting, or individual parishes managing their own.
• A price has been given for storage of the Christmas trees and lights at High Mill, and some of the Christmas tree brackets need replacing, and the same person who put the lights up on the market cross and town hall could do this work and a quotation will be sought.  The council agreed to the storage cost and obtaining a price for brackets work

A new taller post is to be requested for the footpath sign agreed.

Tree work for those causing problems and potential problems will be addressed urgently.

The Clerk reported that she had received a request that would take considerable time and cost to fulfil and is seeking legal advice as to how to proceed.

The precept meeting will be on Monday 20 January in the Town Hall Annexe, and the next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday 3 February, also in the Town Hall Annexe.