WASDALE CIVIL PARISH

MINUTES of the Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 9 December 2009 in the Old School Community Hall, Nether Wasdale.  There were present 9 residents and 4 visitors (The Revd. Jonathan Falkner, and Chris Berry, Dave Almond and Bob Cartwright from the Lake District National Park Authority). Apologies had been received from the families Braithwaite, Gould, McKinley, Palmer and Race

250. CHAIRMAN. In the absence of Joss Naylor, Geoff Linaker’s offer to chair the meeting was accepted with thanks. He reminded the meeting that the agenda was to bring everyone up-to-date with progress on planning for the long-term future of parking and toilet facilities at Wasdale Head.

251. CORE GROUP MEETINGS. Dave Almond reported that following the Open Meeting called jointly by the National Park Authority and the Parish Meeting on 6 August, a “Core Group” had been established to take matters forward. This Group was representative of the LDNPA, the Parish Meeting, Wasdale residents and the National Trust and its tenants. The Group had met on 16 October and 17 November and had considered a wide range of options for reducing litter and making suitable provision for car-parking and toilets. Everyone concerned had been clear that effective and prompt action was needed so that improvements were in place (some on a temporary basis) for the 2010 holiday and “Three Peaks Challenge” season.

252. THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE EVENTS. Chris Berry reported that a new code of practice would soon be formally adopted by the Institute of Fund-raising (see their website). Chris said he and Richard Palmer were working on a “site-specific” code to add detail to the general principles. They would mention (for example) the matter of payment by fund-raisers to offset maintenance costs, the need to avoid excessive noise in sensitive areas, the provision of marshals/stewards, the desirability of avoiding events between midnight and 5 am and minimising the impact of events on mountain paths. A conference for charities was being planned in this area. The Meeting considered whether or not it was desirable to make specific provision for Three Peakers, and if so whether that might be done, in the long term, at Crab Dale or perhaps near the National Trust camp site (where day-time parking would not disturb campers). Signage to the car park there had already been improved since the Core Group’s first meeting.

253. LITTER. Chris Berry reported that new wheelie bins had already been in place during busy times, and he was grateful for the co-operation and help received from Wasdale Head residents in this respect. The bins would be back in place by Easter. Bill Bailey thought Copeland Borough Council should accept responsibility for collecting litter from Wasdale Head.

254. ROADSIDE PARKING. This was often a problem whether Three Peaks Challenge events were taking place or not. The Core Group had received advice at their second meeting from the Highways Authority and from the Police. Options included double yellow lines, “passing place – no parking” signs, a more general sign saying “no parking for the next (half?) mile” and official clearway signs (including “repeater” signs). The Core Group had not been in favour of double yellow lines, and in this they were supported by the present Meeting. The other options needed further discussion, particularly in view of the cost of signs and the need for official permissions. But there was general support expressed for Howard Christie’s view that any Clearway should begin at Over Beck Bridge. Howard added that as long as Clearway regulations were actively enforced they were effective (cf Glencoe).

255. NEW PARKING AREAS. Everyone accepted that at present, whatever its legal status may be, the Wasdale Head Green was the only sizeable place where people could leave their cars, and this had to change. A temporary option under active consideration was the field behind the Wasdale Head Old School, where parking could perhaps be made available (perhaps specifically for Three Peak Challengers?) for no more than 28 days in 2010. This would not of itself require planning permission, though associated engineering works might. (This was being investigated.) . It had drawbacks as a site (not screened, and too close to Lingmell House), and the farmer’s agreement was needed. Howard Christie asked that such a temporary solution should be time-limited. Other areas which had been (or would be) investigated included Crab Dale, the National Trust existing car park by the camp site, and a screened area near the Wasdale Head Inn. The advice of National Park planners was being sought regarding acceptability.

256. TOILETS. These needed to be sited very near to parking areas. The present toilets behind the Inn were inadequate and not well placed. Thought was being given to temporary toilets for 2010, probably near to the Old School. They would be very expensive, whether they were bought or rented. The possibility of a contribution from charities would be explored. The Meeting asked that in the long run a very high-quality permanent toilet block be built, sited on or very near to whatever parking area was decided upon. The Reverend Jonathan Falkner asked that a decision be made as soon as possible on whether the Old School building would figure in future plans for toilets or for a visitor centre, since the Wasdale Head PCC needed to know whether or not to proceed with a new lease on the building which was pending.

257. FUNDING. John Meeks suggested that money from the nuclear industry needed to be tapped, via the Cumbria Community Foundation. Any contribution from charities was unlikely to amount to much. Bob Cartwright spoke about Community Trusts.

258. SUMMARY. Bob Cartwright summed up proceedings by saying how pleased he was that this whole enterprise was being viewed as a joint effort involving all those with an interest in bringing about improvements. He hoped the Core Group’s meeting in mid-January would make final decisions on a number of urgent items, not the least of which were planning and other permissions, and sources of funding.

MINUTES of the Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 22 October 2008 in the Old School Community Hall, Nether Wasdale.  There were present 18 current residents, 3 future residents and 3 visitors (R.Palmer and R.Williams of the National Trust and Chris Berry of the Lake District National Park Authority). Several apologies had been received.

202.  MINUTES of the meeting held on 15 May 2008 were taken as read, approved, and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

203. WASDALE HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY. The Cumbria Rural Housing Trust Survey Report had been e-mailed to the Clerk that very afternoon, and he had forwarded it to parishioners whose e-mail addresses he knew. It was agreed to hold a special meeting in late January to consider the Report with representatives of the CRHT, Copeland Borough Council and the National Park Authority

204. PARISH BOUNDARY REVIEW.  The Clerk had been informed by Copeland B.C. that the Dept. of Communities and Local Government would be implementing changes to the Wasdale Parish Boundary to take effect on 1 April 2009. As a result, householders of 11 properties at present in Eskdale or Irton-with-Santon Parishes had been invited to the present meeting – if only so that they could express a view about the 2009-10 Parish Precept, to which they would be contributing. The Clerk expressed delight that it appeared his years of nagging (starting with Copeland in 2002, and more recently the DCLG) were at an end, with the size of the Parish increasing from 20+ to 25+ squ. miles.

205. “OUR GREEN SPACE” John Meeks gave examples of items already purchased with the Heritage Lottery Fund grant (from which Nether Wasdale in Bloom, the May Festival Committee and the Local History Society had benefited), but the most expensive features of the scheme were still to come. Draining and restoring Wasdale Head Green was scheduled for this autumn, and this included providing sensitive re-surfacing, together with seating and stone-wall repair or re-construction. The Nether Wasdale phone box should be re-sited soon, but re-siting the maypole was proving more problematic, since it had been declared unsafe for re-erection. There was considerable discussion about the extent to which parts of the original could be incorporated in any replacement; how a replacement could be afforded; and how the original might be permanently displayed in the village. It was agreed to leave matters in the hands of the Steering Group. There was also discussion about the problem of parking on roadside verges, specially between Cinderdale and Forest Bridges, and the Meeting accepted Richard Palmer’s offer to initiate an approach to DEFRA for permission to facilitate parking in among the trees to the west of the road, this being the wish of the Parish.

206. LINGMELL BECK CROSSING. The on-site exhibition and consultation mounted by the National Trust in September had been warmly welcomed, and parts of the display were again available for inspection at the Meeting. Richard Palmer explained the thinking behind the plans for a long, low-level, curved structure to permit “river naturalisation” – i.e. to enable the beck to find its own course(s), specially in times of flood. He emphasised the expertise of the National Trust architectural panel of engineers and landscape architects who had produced the plans, and the problems they had had to contend with in doing so. There was considerable discussion about the overall concept (with some residents still speaking in favour of a traditional, multi-arch, stone-faced bridge); and about the detail of the proposed NT “causeway” (in particular the facing of the structure, the handrails and the road surface). The Chairman called for a vote, and 6 of those present approved the NT plans, 6 opposed them and 6 recorded an abstention.

207.  FINANCIAL MATTERS.  2007-2008 The External Auditor had accepted the Annual Return, but had commented that the balances (£1868) appeared high. “A council has no power to hold excessive balances (i.e. more than twice the precept) unless they are saving for something in particular”. It was noted that the Parish was saving for expenditure at Wasdale Head, possible repairs to the War Memorial Shelter, and the replacement of the Clerk’s computer. 2008-2009  The Responsible Financial Officer reported the following expenditure to date, all the items being within the amounts agreed in Minute 195:  CALC membership and LC Review £39; Insurance £258.19; Community Hall Upkeep Grant £70; Churchyard Care (grasscutting) £227.55. In addition, £85 had been paid for a planning application for re-siting the maypole, but this was being re-imbursed by the “Our Green Space” project. No fee was payable this year to the Audit Commission because our income was under £1000.  2009-2010 It seemed likely that the amount payable for grasscutting would increase substantially. A committee to manage the tendering process was established, the members (with the RFO) being Lucy McKinley, Ed Drinkall and Jack Wakefield. A draft Parish budget (attached) was accepted, and it was agreed that the Parish Precept should be increased to £670. It was noted that 11 extra households would presumably be contributing to it, so that existing parishioners were unlikely to have to pay any more than at present.

208. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION. The Meeting adopted the Information Commissioner’s Model Publication Scheme (filed herewith). It also accepted a document (hurriedly drawn up by the Clerk) headed “Information Available from Wasdale Parish Meeting” – on the understanding that a more complete version could be adopted at a future meeting.

209. POSSIBLE MOBILE PHONE MAST AT YEW TREE? John Meeks explained that Adrian Simper (who was unable to be present) was wondering whether to enter into negotiations with Orange on a possible mobile phone mast at Yew Tree. Before deciding, he wanted to know the views of the Parish. It was agreed that as long as the mast was not obtrusive there was a lot to be said for the development, particularly in that other providers such as O2 would probably be able to use such a facility. The suggestion clearly had overwhelming support. (Mike McKinley wondered whether Orange could be persuaded to pay for the maypole as a kind of quid pro quo.)

210. HIGHWAYS MATTERS.  Bill Bailey presented a Report (filed herewith) in which he drew attention to the appointment of a Highways Steward (Paul Dalton) for our Parish and other Copeland Parishes to the north. He will visit Wasdale about 4 times a year to undertake minor maintenance and report back on more major deficiencies.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

211. NEWS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

Nether Wasdale PCC. John Meeks reported that the Nether Wasdale church roof, damaged in a storm in January, was only now being repaired. It was proving a more serious undertaking than was at first thought, because the roof timbers were all showing their considerable age.

Wasdale Show. Cancelled because of the waterlogged ground.

Nether Wasdale in Bloom. Lucy McKinley announced that Nether Wasdale had again been judged runner-up in the Cumbria “Best Hamlet” category, and she complimented Church Stile Camp Site on being judged runner-up in the Industry category. It was confirmed there would be a meeting of NWIB shortly which would plan the next “Community Day” for the clearance of roadside verges near Low Wood Hall.

WEVA Twinning Association  David Killick said members were busy raising money for the next visit by the French even though it was 18 months away. Cumbrians had been invited to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of St. Martin d’Auxigny 6 to 11 May 2009.

Lunch Club. David Killick said the monthly meetings were proving popular social occasions.

CALC  Bill Bailey was continuing to represent the Parish, and AGMs were imminent.

National Trust. Colin Lindsay reported that in addition to planning the Lingmell Beck cfrossing and the major drainage scheme at Wasdale Head, the Trust had been busy “Fixing the Fells” (notably the Corridor Route) and maintaining gates, paths and farm tracks. Kidbeck paths and the one leading to Wasdale Head church would be receiving attention.

LDNPA. Chris Berry asked residents to keep him informed of footpath deficiencies. He drew attention to a Planning Seminar being held at Gosforth Hall Hotel on 17 November. Bill Bailey and David Killick said they would represent the Parish.

“Five Rivers” John Meeks said this grouping of Mid-Copeland Parishes occasionally seemed to lose a sense of purpose, but it remained a useful forum for expressing common Parish concerns, specially in relation to the nuclear industry.

212. CORRESPONDENCE. The Clerk drew attention to “Rural Wheels” leaflets available on the subject of public transport ; to an NHS Trust appeal for new members for a “Patient Voice Group” ; and to correspondence relating to the Nether Wasdale cemetery, for which Copeland Council had recently promised to provide new receptacles for compostable and other waste.                                                                                   

                                                                                                   The meeting closed at 9.25                                                                     

Wasdale Parish Meeting

24 May 2007