COUNTY COUNCIL LOCAL COMMITTEE FOR BARROW

Minutes of a Meeting of the County Council Local Committee for Barrow held on Wednesday, 12 September 2012 at 10.15 am at Barrow Fire Station, Phoenix Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2NS

PRESENT :

Mr R Guselli (Chair)

Mr W Bleasdale Ms J Heath Mrs A Burns Mrs T Macur Mr J Hamezeian Mr D Roberts Mr KR Hamilton Mr MH Worth Ms LV Hammond

Also in Attendance:-

Mr P Cray - Senior Programme Manager Ms E Haughin - Solicitor Mr M Hendry - Finance Officer Ms J Hounslow - Senior Democratic Services Officer Mrs K Johnson - Area Support Manager - Barrow & South Lakeland Mrs A Meadows - Area Engagement Officer Mr S Reed - Senior Manager - Facilities Management Mr G Thomas - Highways Service Manager

Mr D Gawne - Agenda Item No. 4 Public Participation

PART 1 – ITEMS CONSIDERED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS

52 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence was received from Mr D Marcus.

53 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

Ms J Heath declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item No. 11 Local Revenue Scheme as a member of the events committee at .

Mrs T Macur declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item No. 9 Appointment of LEA Governors of Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools as she is a governor of Ormgill Primary School and St Bernard’s Catholic High School.

Mrs A Burns, Mr R Guselli, Mr K Hamilton and Mr D Roberts declared a non- pecuniary interest in any items relating to Barrow Borough Council as members of the authority.

54 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED, that the press and public be not excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item of business.

55 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The Chair introduced Mr Derek Gawne to the Committee, he asked the following question:

ARC Recycling received funding from the County Council a couple of years ago to purchase a van, forklift truck and racking. The company is not a registered charity and as of 1 st September 2012, Companies House had received no returned accounts since 2009 but a request had been made to them to close the company. He had spoken to one of the Directors who told him that they were opening a similar facility in Blackpool and would be transferring donated items to that facility. What does this council plan to do about those assets leaving the county?

The Chair thanked Mr Gawne for his question and stated that he had asked officers to make enquiries on his behalf and a written answer would be sent to him as soon as possible.

56 MINUTES

Mr Worth referred to Minute No. 28 Presentation from DONG Energy and Mr Sills promise of a written answer giving a breakdown of how many employees were from the Furness area and on the establishment of a Community Benefit Fund. It was agreed that the Chair write to Mr Sills seeking an update on both questions.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2012 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

57 PRESENTATION - BARROW CARE HOME

The Committee received a presentation from Peter Cray, Senior Programme Manager, Resources on the care home in Barrow. Work should have started in July but unfortunately there had been a delay due to a brick built sewer which ran further across the site than first thought. United Utilities (UU) had quoted £257,000 to divert it, the contractor had received a quote of £81,000 from a local operator who also carried out work for UU. He was still waiting to hear from UU as to when they could start the work. Care had been consulting with staff and were writing to the families of residents to update them on progress. He assured members that the project was definitely going ahead. The Chair was disgusted by UU’s treatment and added that it was unforgiveable of them to hold up the construction of a much needed care home. He asked the Senior Manager – Facilities Management to ask

2 the Corporate Director to intervene. Members were all in agreement and asked the Chair to write to UU on behalf of the local committee.

RESOLVED, that the presentation be received.

58 LOCAL COMMITTEE DEVOLVED BUDGET 2012/13 - MONITORING REPORT HIGHWAYS BUDGET

The Committee received a report from the Corporate Director – Resources which presented the actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Highways Revenue and Capital Budgets as at 31 July 2012. The Chair had recently spoken to the Highways Transport Manager to ensure that there would be no underspends at the end of the year.

RESOVED, to

(1) note the budget allocations for 2012/13 and the commitments and expenditure recorded to date;

(2) note the Highways Revenue budget is showing a projected underspend of £119,589 against budget;

(3) note the Highways Capital budget is a projected overspend of £4,198 against budget.

59 LOCAL COMMITTEE DEVOLVED BUDGET 2012/13 - MONITORING REPORT COMMUNITIES BUDGET

The Committee received a report from the Corporate Director – Resources which presented the actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Communities Budget as at 31 July 2012.

RESOLVED, to

(1) note the budget allocations for 2012/13 and the commitments and expenditure recorded to date;

(2) note the unallalocated resources of £207,002 in the Communities Revenue budget as at 31 July 2012;

(3) note the balanced Local Member Capital Schemes budget as at 31 July 2012.

60 APPOINTMENT OF LEA GOVERNORS OF NURSERY, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The Committee considered a Schedule which outlined the position regarding vacant County Council Governor positions at County Council Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools in the area.

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RESOLVED, that subject to their approval the following be appointed:-

School Representative

Community, Nursery & Primary

Roose School Mr Steven Newby 139 Flass Lane Barrow-in-Furness LA13 0GW

Voluntary Aided

Our Lady of Furness Catholic Dr Simon Harvey Federation Stonegarth Gargreave Farm Kirkby-in-Furness LA17 7TS

Community School

Yarlside School Mr Peter Kent 12 Yarlside Road Barrow-in-Furness LA13 0ER Reappointment

Greengate Infant & Nursery Mr Peter Thomas 6 File Street Barrow-in-Furness LA13 9BU Reappointment

Secondary Community

Walney Mr Dennis Laird 21 Bankfiled Gardens Walney Barrow-in-Furness LA14 3SN Reappointment

St Bernard’s Catholic High School Mrs Tina Macur 53 Harrogate Street Barrow-in-Furness LA14 5LZ

61 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORKING GROUP

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The Committee received the minutes of the Children and Young People’s Working Group (CYPWG) meeting held on 3 August 2012 and considered the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED, to

(1) note the minutes of the Children and Young People’s Working Group held on 3 August 2012;

(2) approve an indicative amount of £4,000 to be allocated to the Walney Musical Theatre towards the cost of putting on a production of Peter Pan and the cost of hiring the scenery, properties and costume hire from the 0-19 Service Grants Budget;

(3) approve an indicative amount of £1,500 to be allocated to Barrow Sixth Form – the Furness Influence towards the cost of purchasing lighting equipment from the 0-19 Service Grants Budget;

(4) approve an indicative amount of £12,000 to be allocated to the Furness Education Consortium for the “Raising Aspirations Together” from the 0-19 Service Grants Budget and that updates be provided at future meetings of the working group.

62 LOCAL REVENUE SCHEME (ELECTORAL DIVISIONS)

The Committee considered a report form the Chief Executive which sought to commit elements of the 2012/13 Local Revenue Scheme budget and included Members’ proposals that had been sufficiently worked up, to enable Local Committee to consider spending decisions.

RESOLVED, to agree

(1) a contribution of £800 towards new toilets for King Alfred Bowling Club for Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(2) a contribution of £2,200 towards venue hire for Walney Musical Group for Walney South Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(3) a contribution of £1,000 towards the distribution of small short term loans by Barrow and District Credit Union for the Walney South Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

5 (4) a contribution of £1,000 towards a mini-bus for 128 Air Training Corps for Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(5) a contribution of £500 for a new laptop and broadband for Barrow Wanderers FC for Newbarns Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(6) a contribution of £5,000 towards a mini-bus for Nursery & Primary School for Ormsgill Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(7) a contribution of £3,000 towardsverge hardening for Maryport Avenue for Ward for the Highways Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(8) a contribution of £1,114 towards 3 benches for Bowling Club for Walney North Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(9) a contribution of £1,500 towards equipment for Walney Terriers for Walney North Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(10) a contribution of £934 towards dropped kerbs at Trent Vale for Walney North Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(11) a contribution of £250 towards plants for new garden at Headlands for Askam & Ireleth Parishh Council for Ward for the Public Realms Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(12) a contribution of £300 towards the Bluebell Charity for Dalton North Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(13) a contribution of £3,483 towards marquee lining hire for Chetwynde School for Dalton North Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(14) contribution of £250 towards plants for the Railway Station Garden for Dalton North Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(15) contribution of £1,000 towards rent of hut and land for 1 st Duddon Scouts for Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

6 (16) a contribution of £1,800 towards architect’s fees for new toilets at the Dalton Drill Hall for Dalton South Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(17) a contribution of £726 towards toys and equipment for the Jack and Jill Play Group in Dalton South Ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(18) a contribution of £10,000 towards the re-siting of fence and gate to Barrow Waterfront Allotments for Old Barrow Ward for the Public Realms Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(19) to decommit a total of £7,113 from the following completed member capital schemes:-

• £1,320 from ward – white bar markings commit to Hawcoat Park Sports and Social Club; • £264 from Walney North ward commit to Combe House; • £147 from Walney South ward – dropped kerbs and bus shelter commit to Spring Mount Youth Club; • £882 from old Barrow ward commit to Barrow Island Bowling Club; • £4,500 from Ormsgill ward – Omsgill Reservoir

63 HIGHWAYS ADVISORY SUB-GROUP

The Committee considered a report from the Corporate Director – Environment which gave details of the discussion and recommendations of the Highways Advisory Sub-Group (HASG) for the Barrow area which met on 14 August 2012.

Mr Worth asked when the replacement signs would be installed in North Scale. The Highways Officer would be taking a report to the next HASG meeting in October, with recommendations to local committee in November.

Mr Hamilton referred to Minute No. 4 of the HASG minutes and did not recall an agreement to vire the revenue underspend of £123,605 into the Better Highways budget line. He had asked that the underspend be spent on a drainage scheme at Goose Green, Dalton. He was informed that it was a private unadopted road but officers would be investigating the issue and any potential scheme would be considered with all other highways schemes. The outcome of which would be reported to United Utilities if the work was within their remit. Mrs Burns added that the county council were identifying the risks associated with flooding across the county and believed that Goose Green would be considered as part of that wider Plan. Ms Heath asked that if underspends were to be used on unadopted roads that Askam be a priority.

Mr Hamezeian had attended the HASG meeting expecting to speak to a Stagecoach representative but was told that no one would be attending. His issue was the cessation of the No. 3 bus some 12 months previously, as residents in

7 Ormsgill now had to travel into the centre of Barrow in order to catch another bus up to the hospital. The Chair asked the Highways Officer to invite Stagecoach to the next HASG meeting.

Mrs Burns referred to the overgrown shrubbery from Asda to the rear of Tesco which was planted as part of the one way system. The Highways Officer was aware there had been a lack of maintenance on the vegetation and was speaking to Barrow Borough Council (BBC) about that and other neglected areas around the town. He would produce a report for a future meeting of the HASG. Mr Hamezeian asked that he also include the lack of maintenance around Ormsgill Reservoir. He was informed that BBC were in charge of maintaining the footpath around the reservoir but officers would draw it to their attention.

RESOLVED, to endorse the recommendation of the Highways Advisory Sub- Group and

(1) note the minutes of the Highways Advisory Sub-Group meeting held on 14 August 2012;

(2) that the previously reported 2011/12 Capital underspend of £28,493 be vired into the NPRN Minor Structural Maintenance Works budget to give a revised allocation of £108,493;

(3) that the NPRN Verge Hardening Programme budget is increased by £3,000 to give a revised allocation of £60,000;

(4) that the NPRN Back Street Surfacing Programme budget is increased by £9,000 to give a revised allocation of £51,000;

(5) that the NPRN Newton Cross Road scheme budget is increased by £20,000 to give a revised allocation of £200,000;

(6) that the NPRN Abbey Road scheme budget is reduced by £47,000 to give a revised allocation of £210,000;

(7) that the NPRN Douglas Street scheme budget is reduced by £3,000 to give a revised allocation of £211,000;

(8) that the NPRN Hawthwaite Lane scheme budget is increased by £18,000 to give a revised allocation of £90,000;

(9) that the previously reported revenue underspend of £123,605 should be vired into the Better Highways budget line to fund the provision of a dedicated patching team as detailed in the report;

(10) to bring into operation The County of Cumbria (Various Road, Barrow-in-Furness) (Consolidation and Minor Amendment of Traffic Regulations)(Order 2001) Variation Order (No.29) 20><, IN PART ONLY, having taken into consideration the matters

8 contained in Section 122(2) Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 referred to at paragraph 7.2 to this report, and the recommendations made in paragraphs 3.11, 3.12, 3.13 and 3.14;

(11) to overrule the objection received to the proposed Prohibition of Waiting (At All Times) restriction on Garden Terrace and Keppel Street and implement the restriction;

(12) to accede to the objections received regarding the proposed Prohibition of Waiting, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, restrictions on Flass Lane and not implement;

(13) to not implement the proposed Parking Place for Coaches (At All Times) on Duke Street;

(14) to accede to the objections received regarding the proposed restrictions on Abbey Way so that they are not implemented; and amend the proposals so that the Prohibition of Waiting (At Any Time) restrictions on Abbey Way are introduced on the following lengths only:-

i) Abbey Way, Barrow-in-Furness, north-eastern side from its junction with Abbey Road in a north westerly direction to a point at the north western boundary of No. 16 Abbey Way; ii) Abbey Way, south-western side from its junction with Abbey Road for a distance of 50 metres in a north westerly direction, and, from a point 80 metres north west of its junction with Abbey Road to a point at the north western boundary of No. 16 Abbey Way

(15) to note the Highways Monitoring report and seek a contribution from Barrow Borough Council towards the cost of disconnecting and removing the street lighting columns on Arthur Street following the closure of the public highways;

(16) that investigations to ascertain if the flooding in Goose Green, Dalton was a United Utilities problem or county council and that flooding in the area be considered as part of the county flooding Plan.

64 REFERRAL FROM HIGHWAYS ADVISORY SUB GROUP (HASG) CONVERSION OF PART OF PUBLIC FOOTPATH NOS 601051 AND 601076 IN THE PARISH OF BARROW-IN-FURNESS TO CYCLE TRACKS

The Committee received a report from the Corporate Director – Environment which detailed the discussion and recommendations of the HASG which met on 14 August 2012, regarding the conversion of part of the width of public footpath no. 601076

9 and part of width of a section of public footpath no. 601051 in the parish of Barrow- in-Furness, to cycle track.

RESOLVED, to

(1) note the minute of the Highways Advisory Sub-Group meeting held on 14 August 2012;

(2) endorse the decision of the Highways Advisory Sub-Group (HASG) as follows:-

• that Barrow Local Committee agree that the Senior Manager – Legal Services be authorised to make an Order under Section 3 of the Cycle Tracks Act 1984, the effect of which will convert part of public footpath no 601076 as shown R-Q-P-O-N-M-K-L-S-T-U-V-W-X on the plan annexed at Appendix A2 to the HASG report Appendix 1 and part width of a section of public footpath no 601051 shown marked A-B on the plan annexed at Appendix A3 to the HASG report to Cycle Tracks and to take all necessary action to confirm the order. The remaining widths of the footpaths be retained on the definitive map of public rights of way.

65 MARSH STREET STEPS

Mr Roberts had recently visited the steps and had spoken with residents who used them regularly and did not want the steps closed off. He suggested that lights be fixed to the top of the bridge to make them safer. Mrs Burns added that the area had been raised as a crime hotspot several years ago as there had been a few violent incidents. The Police and Neighbourhood Watch team had worked very hard to make them safer. Mr Hamilton, the local member stated that the problem now was broken glass on the steps and a lack of maintenance by Spacia. A local man had fallen on the steps and a shard of glass had embedded in his knee. Members believed that Spacia had a duty of care to ensure the steps were maintained, they asked officers to write to Spacia to ascertain who was responsible in the event of an accident. A suggestion was made that a CCTV camera be installed to stop antisocial behaviour and reduce crime. The Area Support Manager would explore the possibility of installing a CCTV camera on the steps.

RESOLVED, to

(1) de-commit £3,228 from Marsh Street Steps Project previously agreed from the Members Capital Scheme ();

(2) allocate £3,228 from the Members Capital Scheme Budget towards the environmental improvements in the Marsh Street/Greengate Street Bridge area;

10 (3) allocate a sum of £12,772 presently held by Neighbourhood Management, towards environmental improvements in the Marsh Street/Greengate Street Bridge area;

(4) explore the possibility of installing a CCTV camera on the steps.

66 TOWARDS A NEW ECONOMIC VISION FOR FURNESS - STRATEGY DOCUMENT

The Committee received a report from the Chief Executive which briefly summarised the strategy document: A National Cradle for Advanced Manufacturing – Towards A New Economic Vision for Furness. The report had been prepared by John Woodcock, the Member of Parliament for Barrow and Furness, in partnership with a number of agencies. The overall aim of the strategy was to draw all partners together to agree a co-ordinated plan for economic growth in Furness. The strategy set out an inspirational vision for Barrow and Furness, which the Local Committee were invited to endorse. The Chair believed the Strategy document mirrored the local committees Area Plan in many ways but asked members to meet outside of the meeting to consider the Strategy in more detail.

RESOLVED, to

(1) endorse the Strategy in principle;

(2) hold a half day meeting to identify the priorities within the Area Plan that support the ‘Economic Vision for Furness’ and to feedback those priorities to John Woodcock, MP.

67 BARROW CHRISTMAS MARKET

The Committee received a report from the Chief Executive which asked members to consider supporting the Barrow Christmas Market through a financial contribution of £5,000 towards the cost of the initiative. The Area Support Manager stated that the funding would be spent on entertainment which included the Santa Parade, an ice rink, bands and family entertainers. Ms Heath believed it was a much needed event which would increase footfall, as well as support the traders in the town centre. Mrs Burns agreed and MOVED that a contribution of £10,000 (£5k from the General Provision budget and £5k from the 0-19 budget) be used to fund all of the entertainment.

RESOLVED, to contribute £5,000 from the General Provisions budget and £5,000 from the 0-19 budget towards entertainment at the Barrow Christmas Market.

68 PARKING ENFORCEMENT

The Committee considered a report from the Corporate Director – Environment which gave an update on the enforcement of on street parking restrictions within the

11 Barrow Area. Members were pleased to note that an agreement had been reached with Barrow Borough Council.

RESOLVED, to note the contents of the report.

69 MONITORING REPORT

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which presented the 2012/13 Monitoring report for Barrow Local Committee. Mr Hamilton was asked that Item 8 Marsh Street Steps be taken off the Monitoring Report. The Area Support Manager would ask the Neighbourhood Management team to provide an update on a quarterly basis.

RESOLVED, to note the content of the information contained within the report at Appendix 1.

70 REPORTS FROM MEMBERS SERVING ON OUTSIDE BODIES

There was nothing to report on this occasion.

71 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED, The next scheduled meeting will take place on Wednesday 7 November 2012, venue to be arranged.

The meeting ended at 11.40 am

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