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REPORT OF ALSTON MOOR PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
1 JUNE 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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MINUTES OF LAST MEETING, MATTERS ARISING
The minutes of the meeting on 5 May 2026 were confirmed. The parish council insurance bill for the coming year had still not been received this morning, so the Clerk had been in contact with them and received it this afternoon. It was therefore requested that all councillors should let the Clerk know if they saw any problems with the documents before the end of the week.

CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLOR
Andy Reay was co-opted as a councillor representing Nenthead

AGAR
The Annual Governance and Accountability Return is now on the website, and will be on all noticeboards. People have until 14 July to make comments.

POLICIES
This item was postponed to the next meeting, given the number of documents to be read.

GRISEDALE CROFT
Councillor Martin updated the council about progress in the working group. Its title has been changed to Alston Moor Health, as it has become clear that so much about Grisedale connects with wider issues from the period of the hospital beds being withdrawn, including the lack of wraparound services. The consultation hasn’t followed the Gunning principles; costings are not available, a proper Equality Impact Assessment has not been done, etc. The lack of follow-through on all the previous promises means there are no proper pathways for referral of Alston Moor residents from hospital to Grisedale Croft.

A group met with the relevant Westmorland and Furness councillor (Pat Bell) and the officer manaing the consultation (Nickie Phipps). they were told that there is agreed funding to purchase another building, but no information was provided about how much, where this is etc. Councillor Hanley, in his rôle as Westmorland and Furness councillor, had been told last October that W&F were looking at somewhere else for the care home, but no further information is available. However, this all makes clear that there is a push to the ‘preferred option’ which renders the consultation null and void.

It was agreed to refund to members of the working group any expenses they incurred. There was some discussion about whether any of this needed to go to tender, but given that no-one is being paid and this is purely about expenses, it was clear that this was not necessary.

WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLORS’ REPORT
Councillor Hanley had been been at a meeting with the new CEO of the Council, Miranda Cannon. She confirmed that the Grisedale Croft consultation was part of the council’s efforts to save £40million, given the shortfall in funding from central government.

NENTHEAD WARD MEETING
Among other issues, it was noted that Tony Pennell has now retired from the snowplough group, to which he has committed so much. It was agreed that the parish council would write to thank him for all his hard work over the years.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATOR
At the last meeting, it had been agreed to look into the possibility of contracting the Co-ordinator through the Town Hall, but it was clear this was not the possibility. However, Councillor Monk has looked into the possibilities for the parish council and there is the option of taking her on via a Direct Award, which waives the standing order, as Sarah Stamford has the knowledge and experience needed (and no-one else applied in response to the job description that was publicised). It would be for a maximum of a year, but as some further funding possibilities have now been identified, it is likely this will only be for around six months. It would be for an average of 15 hours a week. The job description is rather different from that which she has held with the Alston Moor Partnership. The tasks are linked to Alston Moor Parish council and are for the benefit of the community, including support for us at AMPC to get things done. All aspects of this were unanimously agreed.

WAR MEMORIAL – FENCE REPAIR
We wrote to check the situation, but we still have no full response from the conservation officer at W&F. Unitary authority Councillors Hanley and Robinson will look into this.

GARDEN WASTE BINS FOR AMPC
Bins are needed in Garrigill and Alston for the relevant waste from the work of the handyperson, and will be arranged and paid for. Nenthead could get one in the future if needed, but it would need to be arranged where it would be sited.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT GROUP
A number of issues were passed back to the parish council from the Traffic Management group.
(a) It has been agreed that the area in the Butts which has, for a long time, caused concern in relation to parking preventing emergency access for fire engines and ambulance, can be made a non-parking area. It was agreed to source some planters to be placed so that parking in the relevant area is not possible, possibly with some information about the Butts as a place of archery practice in the past.
(b) The issues concerning possible double yellow lines at Townhead and on Station Road were deferred to the next meeting.
(c) The Highways department no longer does ‘red squirrel’ warning signs. The red squirrel group would like to install rope bridges across the road, which have worked very well in other places. AMPC agreed to support the group in their efforts, involving permissions from Highways and others.
(d) In response to a letter regarding a parking matter in Garrigill, it was agreed for a letter to be sent to the four residents concerned, explaining the situation.

PLANNING
The one planning application received in time for the meeting was approved (Skelgill Rigg).

FINANCE
Payments approved. A councillor who has raised various issues concerning finance was not present, so the appointment that the Clerk intended to offer to discuss these matters could not be arranged. Councillors present asked that the Clerk keep a record of the time spent dealing with the frequent queries from this one councillor, as there is concern about the proportion of her time that is being used.

TRAVELLERS ON TYNE WILLOWS
The arrangements made with the temporary fence etc have largely worked as intended. It was agreed that signs will be put up next year to explain the arrangements, as there was some initial misunderstanding.

NEXT MEETING
The next parish council meeting is on Monday 6 July at Nenthead Village Hall.

REPORT OF ALSTON MOOR PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
5 MAY 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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ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
The meeting started with the Annual Parish Council Meeting, when all rôles are elected or agreed.
• Councillor Raymond Miller was re-elected as Chair and Councillor Alix Martin as Vice-Chair.
• To ensure Nenthead representation, either Councillor Judith Crossley or the potential new Nenthead councillor (to be considered at the next parish council meeting) will join the Alston Moor Emergency Response Group and the Traffic Management Committee.
• Councillor Alastair Robertson will take over from Councillor Ron Robinson with responsibility for Tyne Willows.
• Councillor Elaine Grew is joining the Place Action Group

All policies are up-to-date and will go on the website.
The Council insurance is due in June and we expect to get the renewal notice seeon

The 2027 precept meeting will be held on 11 January.
The Annual Parish Meeting 2027 will be on 19 April.
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PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
We then moved on to the monthly parish council meeting. The minutes of the last meeting, on 7 April, were approved.

PLANNING
The owners of the Haggs Bank Bunkhouse at Nentsberry were present and invited to speak. They are totally frustrated with the failure of the planning department (both previously Eden District Council and more recently Westmorland and Furness Council) to respond effectively or provide any clear reasons why their application has not been approved. The parish council were unanimous in agreeing that we support the application and will let W&F know this.
New information had been received about the land off Park View Lane, Alston, that the drainage has been diverted.
The council approved the part-retrospective application for Bridge House at Garrigill.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATOR
As the term for which funding for this rôle was given to Alston Moor Partnership by the Royal Countryside Fund will end in June, AMP have asked the parish council if there is a way to fund a temporary continuation of the rôle. It was generally agreed that it was important to find a way for it to continue, and possibilities will be looked into as a matter of urgency.

AGAR (Annual Governance and Accountability Return)
All is in place and ready to submit as soon as the final processes are gone through. Notification will be put on notice boards.

GRISEDALE CROFT
Westmorland and Furness Councillor Pat Bell, the Cabinet councillor responsible, has agreed to an informal online meeting with Cllr Martin and the Clerk. The W&F Annual Plan says the intention is to keep people close to home. Closing Grisedale Croft, as is being considered and intended to go out for consultation, would run counter to this. It also becomes clear that re-opening the hospital must be part of future plans.

The Alston Health website, (https://alstonmoorhealth.org) covering these issues and the past history, is to be publicised as an AMPC website, with links to the community and business websites. https://alstonmoordirectory.com

NENTHEAD WARD
Various issues raised are to go to W&F Highways.

FINANCE
Precept has now come in and is in full, as requested.
All payments for approval were agreed.

TYNE WILLOWS
Appleby Horse Fair is on 4 June. Melmerby Green is available for travellers from 1 June. We have requested that ther be no fires on the tarmac and to keep to the fencing arrangements.
We are negotiating with Hodgsons about boulders above the gym to prevent access onto the field across that mound.

NEXT MEETING
Monday 1 June 2026, 19.00 at Garrigill Village Hall.

Councillor Ron Robinson announced his resignation, owing to the endless unwarranted attacks on the parish council and his own ill health.

Tuesday 28 April 2026

At well attended emergency meeting this evening, Alston Moor Parish Council unanimously passed all fourteen resolutions setting out its position and campaign in response to Westmorland and Furness Council’s public consultation on the future of Grisedale Croft Care Home.

The Parish Council’s position is clear. We oppose any closure of Grisedale Croft unless and until a legally-binding, fully-funded and operational alternative — providing equivalent residential, dementia, respite and re-ablement provision — is confirmed in advance and located within Alston Moor. Grisedale Croft is the last surviving element of the joint NHS-and-Council replacement package promised to this community in 2017–2018 when the inpatient beds at the Ruth Lancaster James Hospital were closed, and any decision on its future must be taken jointly with NHS partners.

The Council has established a Grisedale Croft Working Group whose task is to build the case for keeping the home open. The Working Group will be reviewing the information and evidence received in response to the formal Freedom of Information requests already submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council, the NHS bodies involved, and other relevant organisations, and will use that evidence to prepare the Parish Council’s formal consultation response. A petition will follow shortly, and public meetings will be held in Alston, Garrigill and Nenthead during the consultation period.

Help us build the evidence base — please complete our online form

We are gathering evidence about people from Alston Moor and the surrounding area who, in recent years, have needed residential, nursing, respite or rehabilitation care but were not placed at Grisedale Croft. If this happened to a member of your family — or someone you know — please tell us about it using our short online form: https://forms.gle/cUqh6XVT6CxLSfSf6

Every response strengthens our case. The information will be held confidentially and used only in support of the Parish Council’s consultation response.

A full Public Briefing setting out the background, the 2018 commitment, and the Council’s response is attached to this notice. Residents are warmly encouraged to read it, talk to their neighbours about it, and — most importantly — submit their own response to the consultation when it opens. Individual responses from residents matter enormously, and the Parish Council will be providing guidance on how to make them in the days ahead.

Download it here

We will keep this page updated as the campaign develops.

(Image thanks to Simon Danby)

REPORT OF ALSTON MOOR PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 

7 APRIL 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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The minutes of 2 March 2026 were agreed.

MATTERS ARISING

Garden waste collection: 

Everyone is very unhappy about the plans to charge.  Apparently, people have to register online and pay, and will then get a sticker to put on the bin.  There is a grace period to 1 July for getting this done.  People can also phone Westmorland and Furness and pay by credit card, but if they have no credit card, they will have to go to Voreda House in Penrith.  It was noted that this is ridiculous – that those without a credit card will have to drive, or find someone to drive them, to Penrith.

Street lights:  

By the end of April, all lights should be under Westmorland and Furness control and those not working, but with the head still in place, will be replaced with dark skies compliant lights.  After that, they will look at those to be removed.  It is unclear if all lights will be replaced.  Local residents should be aware that if there is a lamp near their home that hasn’t worked for a while, they may soon have unexpected light!!

Aggregate for Garrigill: 

The area where one of the Garrigill councillors wanted AMPC to fill in the potholes does not belong to us and therefore such work cannot be done. 

Livestreaming update: 

The clerk has sought advice from NALC, and there was some discussion about what is needed.  A working group was set up and there is clearly a great deal of work to be done to enable local people to see and hear council meetings from their own homes.  Councillor Mary Robinson suggested this issue might be discussed among parish councils at the Place Action Group.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Councillor Miller thanked councillors for their support over the last year, noting that there may be a different chair after the annual meeting on Monday 20 April.

AGAR

All the various requirements have been fulfilled, including arrangements for effective financial management; an adequate and effective system of internal audit; and effective IT and data management.  Last year, the internal auditor suggested that there should be a written statement of internal controls (codifying the way we arrange things) and this is now on the website.  All this clearly indicates that we are entirely compliant with the law.

LETTERS AND STATEMENT CONCERNING ONGOING ATTACKS

All councillors had received a letter that is proposed to send to both the police and the monitoring officer.  This was not read out publicly as it includes personal information.  There is also a statement about these matters to go on the website, Facebook and to the press.  It was agreed to allow the clerk to act on the council’s behalf in order to respond in a timely manner to responses from the police, before the next parish council meeting.

NENTHEAD DEFIBRILLATOR

This is now under the control of AMPC, with Brian Aves overseeing day-to-day running.  A new one has been now been bought.

WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLORS’ REPORT

Councillor Michael Hanley reported on the changes to rubbish and recycling organisation, with new lorries and more staff, so hopefully collections will be less impacted by breakdowns and staff sickness.  There are clearly problems with the plans for wheelie bins, for those with nowhere to keep them, that they will block pavements and some people cannot get them to the roadside.

NENTHEAD WARD MEETING

At the meeting last Monday, all seemed to be going OK.  The Hive AGM is on 21 April.  The shop is doing a GoFundMe because it is currently running at a loss and a new door is needed.  National Insurance and the minimum wage have both gone up.  Councillor Mary Robinson suggested the shop get in touch with her about possible grants from Westmorland and Furness.  There is also an issue about the police only alerting the community that they will be at the shop on the same day, and it is not at all a private space for conversations.  It was added that the same is true of their presence at Alston library.  

PROPOSED REDUCTION IN COUNCILLOR NUMBERS

In discussion, three key points to be made to Westmorland and Furness were made.  Firstly, we cover a large area with three separate wards and need adequate numbers of councillors for each ward.  Secondly, comparing our population numbers with those in the fellside parishes, it is obvious we need our 15.  Thirdly, given the reduction in national funding for Westmorland and Furness, it is obvious that some of what they have previously done will no longer be possible, and the parish council will have to do more, for which more volunteer councillors will be required.

DONATION TO SKS

The relevant details have been received, and the agreed donation made.

COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATIONS

Two applications were approved, for Alston Bowls and Nenthead Community Shop.  The other two were rejected and the reasons will be explained to the applicants, with Alston Heritage being invited to reapply when appropriate.

GROUP REPORTS

AMERG is getting a good reputation and being asked for advice from other groups.

ALSTON MOOR PARTNERSHIP has distributed the new community directory to all homes and it is also available in a number of place

PLANNING APPLICATIONS
All applications were approved.

ASSETS

It was suggested that a fence be erected to prevent vehicle entering the field by going over the mound between the gym and Station Road houses.  Councillors thought that large boulders would be better, and the clerk will get a price.  

There was also discussion about opening the gate and roping off part of the field to keep the Appleby travellers vehicles etc in that area, although horses can graze across more of the field.  We are particularly keen to avoid fires being lit on the new tarmac and ruining it.

CORRESPONDENCE

There is ongoing correspondence with various people at Westmorland and Furness Council concerning the unsightly area previously reported.

NEXT MEETINGS

The Annual Parish Meeting is on Monday 20 April. 7pm at the Town Hall. All welcome

The next parish council meeting is on Tuesday 6 May at 7pm, place to be arranged (Monday 5 May is a Bank Holiday).

The Alston Moor Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Monday 20th April 2026 at 7pm in Alston Town Hall Annexe. This is an opportunity for residents to hear updates from the Parish Council, including reports from the Chair and Clerk, as well as contributions from Westmorland & Furness councillors and local organisations.

The meeting provides a chance to stay informed about local matters and understand the work carried out over the past year.

All residents are welcome to attend.  

Formal Statement from Alston Moor Parish Council

This is a formal statement from Alston Moor Parish Council, approved by resolution of the full Council.
The statement sets out the Council’s serious concerns regarding a sustained campaign of false allegations, defamation, and harassment directed at the Council, its members, and its officers over a period of approximately five years. These actions have caused significant harm to the Council’s reputation, its ability to function democratically, and the wellbeing of individual councillors and volunteers who give their time to serve this community.

“Many local residents will be aware that, for some years, a small group of people has been determined to attack the parish council, claiming corruption and incompetence. The relentless accusations have been depressing and disabling for the council, not least as our social media policy does not permit us to respond to each comment. In any case, when an attempt is made to explain the reality behind the accusations, the claims of corruption merely escalate.

Councillor Alix Martin has been the person most frequently accused – mostly not named directly, but the various comments and descriptions, including of her dog, make it abundantly clear who they are referencing. Perhaps they imagine that by not giving her actual name they cannot be accused of personal attack. However, they share her posts, which have her name quite clearly visible, so there can be no pretence of not making direct accusations. Additionally, the sheer rudeness to her and other councillors, saying that councillors should remove themselves from public and community life (using language that is not printable) make only too clear how contemptuous they are of the parish council.

Alix’s work for the parish council has been the key part of the accusations, and the hatred displayed towards her has been shocking, including referring to her as ‘IT’. We on the parish council know well how much time and effort Cllr Martin has devoted to the council and to other work for the benefit of the community. She is not dishonest, she is not corrupt, she is completely open. It would in any case be impossible for any councillor to defraud the council, given the level of scrutiny to which our finances are subjected. It is simply not credible that we could have somehow ‘covered up’ wrongdoing, or been ‘in cahoots’ with those at Westmorland and Furness Council (or previously Cumbria CC) who have inspected our financial management.

Many local residents are no longer willing to stand for election as parish councillors, because of the nastiness directed towards the council, its clerk, and specific council members. Some people have assumed ‘there’s no smoke without a fire’, implying that something must be fundamentally wrong with the council and that Cllr Martin must be doing something untoward.

Unfortunately, the police have failed to respond appropriately when asked to intervene (by several councillors and by the accusers). By saying that some of the accusations are ‘out of time’ but would have merited investigation, those attacking the council have believed that this means the council, and Cllr Martin, are in fact guilty, and have spread this false rumour repeatedly.

We as a council want to do all we can on behalf of the community of Alston Moor. We are entering a particularly difficult period when the unitary authority, Westmorland and Furness, has had a massive cut to the funding from central government. As their work inevitably is curtailed in certain areas, the parish council will want to pick up some of this. But we need the support of our community, not endless false allegations about our probity.

If there is anything that a local resident wants to know more about, to discover the truth behind a rumour, or to understand certain processes and procedures, please contact our clerk at clerk@alstonmoorparish.gov.uk . We very much hope that we can move forward with the support of the community we aim to serve.”

Alston Moor Parish Council

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.