Seascale Parish Council

Chair Person: Lizzie Mawson

Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 14th January 2026

at Methodist School Rooms, Seascale

1/26 Present

Lizzie Mawson (chair) LM, David Moore (Vice chair) DM, Jane Coltman JC, Ken Mawson KM, Catherine Harvey-Chadwick CHC, Zoe O’Hanlon ZO, Brenda Parsons BP.

No apologies. 11 members of the public were present.

The Chair welcomed Brenda Parsons as the new councillor, resulting from an uncontested election. Jane Coltman had completed paperwork on 31/12/25.

2/26 Requests for dispensations and declarations of interests

None declared.

3/26 Exclusion of Press and public

No items identified.

4/26 Minutes of meetings

i) Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd December 2025. An amendment was made to minute 78/25 to read the meeting closed at 8.55.

Proposed to be accepted LM; seconded DM; agreed 7 for and 1 abstention.

5/26 Chair’s Announcements

i) Commented on how successful the Lights festival had been and well received in the village. LM thanked all involved.

ii) The sink hole/broken pipe incident in the car park had been dealt with efficiently by Highways and United Utilities. It had taken several days to complete the work with the site being left in good repair. Clerk to write to UU to compliment the workers involved in doing a good job.

6/26 Public participation (Max 4 mins per person – Max session length – 15 mins)

1) Parking at The Banks – DM repeated the information he had supplied at the previous meeting stressing that there was not a simple solution that would not also compromise residents. The main issue remains the number of HMOs. DM will continue to monitor.

2) Need to ensure that events are well publicised. C2C and Rat Race were identified as examples.

3) Suggestion of having a village calendar on the SPC web site – BHC to add to list.

4) Lights Festival – overview given of this positive event. Open session planned for 20/1/26 5-7pm at Church, to receive feedback, look at opportunities going forward and promote positive spin-offs.

7/26 Reports from visiting Councillors & Police – for information

Cumberland Cllr Moore reported that there was an offer to have an Arts Council funded sea-based sculpture placed in the inshore area, but potentially outside the SPC boundary. This requires a wider view from local citizens.

Action; DM to arrange a presentation at the next SPC meeting.

8/26 Clerks report/correspondence

a) Local plan – DM confirmed original requests still stand.

b) Electric charging points – MB has re-registered as required and there are potentially 2 points as part of the Sports Hall, Hearts of Community work.

c) Cllrs and those present were reminded that Consultation regarding Cumberland Budget proposals is available online.

9/26 Community Resilience

a) DM gave an update on the projects progress on behalf of the Heart of Communities Task and Finish group – All contracts have now been let and appropriate payments made. There may be a need to use the contingency to upgrade electrical supply to facilitate the Bowling green project. Confirmation that VAT doesn’t apply to the Sports Hall solar panels will ease cash flow.

b) Louise, through Zoe, had requested that we reach agreement on positioning of Trail Boards – It was thought that positioning by the seats may be good, however DM, ZO will liaise with Louise and confirm exact spot and arrange fixing.

10/26 Play Grounds

a) Fore shore play park: LM had met with Callam (maintenance) and noted repairs to the ropes, steps and tunnel. However further thought needs to be given to the other items as the quote is high.

b) Coniston play park funding is now available with £53K available for transfer into SPC accounts.

Proposal for LM to sign the contract and the equipment to be ordered.

Proposed by KM seconded by BHC.

c) This is a SPC contract and project with responsibility lying with SPC. A Task and Finish group is to be established to manage the project. That will consist of ZO, DH and Dawn Dennett as the lead resident.

d) Thanks were expressed to Dawn for her hard work in pulling together a successful bid.

11/26 Parish Council Assets

a) Sports Hall

i) now has its 5 year electrical inspection certificate in place.

ii) Quotes for waterless urinals have been received but not thought to be the best option. Agreed to ask the Renovation Man to look at the existing urinal with a view to either repairing or replacing. Action BHC.

iii) Plaster board on the ceiling needs replacing. Action BHC to get a quote for patch but also wider area if required plus access via tower.

iv) Damp site near the door lintel needs examination and potential quote for work. Action DM/BHC to view and progress as required.

b) Public toilets maintenance

i) Storm damage left 50% of the roof needing attention – the quote is £2,540 with VAT adjustment.

Proposed to proceed: LM, seconded ZO. All agreed.

ii) External door needed urgent replacement. It was decided to go with the door identified in the current grant application.

Retrospective approval was given.

ZO said a hazard had been spotted and a ‘mind the step’ sign was required.

c) Library

i) Gas meter removal/outstanding invoice remains despite efforts to bring this to a conclusion – Action MB to chase.

ii) Water meter outstanding invoice for several months was brought to clerk’s attention. This has since been resolved and payment is for approval.

iii) Library bid for refurbishment – Day Cummins report has been received indication about £20k of work that could be undertaken now. However, Day Cummins requested permission to speak to the original structural engineer related to the early plans. This was given retrospective approval by Cllrs.

iv) Asbestos report has not been found and will be required – MB to follow up.

v) ZO and MB to meet up when we have all the items required and review the project with hopefully a paper coming to the February council meeting.

vi) The meter room door needs to be replaced. ZO to get quotes and progress.

d) Pavilion maintenance – KM presented the quote for the new door – £1200 incl VAT & fixing.

Proposed for approval KM seconded LM – all in favour.

e) Legal issues relating to assets – BP spoke to a prepared but unshared paper. Items covered were:

i) The waste management for the foreshore car park and the SPC liability. Cllr Parsons complained that proper procedure was not being followed. MB confirmed she would check to see if SPC was compliant. Response at the meeting was that SPC has contracts and agreements in place.

ii) Issues relating to Buses, H & S and the agreements in place concerning the car park. Response at the meeting: MB explained that she had already suggested to BP that it would be more appropriate to deal with this in the Asset and Development working group when we look at each asset in turn.

iii) Suggestion that the minutes of the special meeting held on 18/8/18 are deliberately missing – MB to follow this up although this has been raised before.

f) Defibrillators

JC reported that she had identified the faulty one on the sea front and sent for repair. The missing Defib has been removed from the ‘list’.

12/26 Parish Maintenance and Highways

a) Currently only 2 volunteers are known to have come forward for grass cutting but there was agreement to hold the briefing session on Wednesday 28th Jan 2026 in the library.

Action; ZO to book Library; MB/JC to meet and sort presentation; MB to do invite for posting on FB and web site.

b) Noted that MB’s update on the poster before Xmas had caused friction. Cllrs are asked to discuss and deal outside meeting with LM.

c) ZO had received a quote to replace the missing piece of fencing at the car park in front of the disabled bay by the entrance, but it was expensive and not thought to be a solution due to the proximity of the exit and turning space for long wheeled vehicles. Instead, it was suggested that the Disabled markings on that bay be removed enabling a wider entrance/exit. The opportunity to reclassify one of the other spaces to be identified as a disabled space will be reviewed.

Proposed by LM and seconded by DM; 7 in favour, 1 against.

d) DM Updated on car park sink hole since the repair, UU had been and reviewed the pipe, lining and sea water entrance. It will take a while for the results to be known but there is a potential option to do further work. UU have offered to liaise with DM and attend a SPC meeting in the future. Action: MB to write to UU thanking them.

e) JC raised the issue of the road markings to enable a more safety orientated access to beach, car park etc. DM said that this had been looked at before but after consideration of options, it was decided by highways to leave it as now. The broken faded lines now presented were not put there by highways.

Action; MB to write to highways, Cllrs to message on HIMS.

13/26 Planning and Licencing applications

4/25/2419/OFI 15/12/25 West Lakeland Dog Training HQ ref: web site

Note: SPC had objected on 7/12/23 as land ownership was unclear.

This was a contentious topic with Cllrs holding differing views. DM stated that SPC owned the land. JC had been unable to find the title on the Government land registry web site.

Action; proposed that SPC objects as before. Proposed DM, seconded KM, 5 for 3 against. At the request of JC a recorded vote was taken. In favour DM, KM, LM, CHC, BHC. Against JC, ZO, BP. – MB to write to planning.

This asset to be placed on the asset and development agenda for a review, including clarity of ownership and supporting documents. – MB.

14/26 Planning and Licencing decisions

Currently nothing to note.

15/26 Governance, Support Structures and Staffing

Due to time constraints, Cllrs agreed to defer this section to Feb council meeting.

i) Nominations for staffing committee – MB

ii) Nominations for asset and development working group – MB

iii) Dates for first meetings of above

iv) Progress on updating policies and procedures – JC

v) Financial standing orders – MB

16/26 Finance and accounts

RFO Report 4th January 2026

For Seascale Parish Council Meeting 14th January 2026

Bank Balances as of 31st December 2025:

General Reserves Account: £110,519.31
Current Account: £21,881.52
Unity Card: £100.00
£132,500.84

Payments made in December 2025:

Payments for authorisation at January 2026 Parish Meeting:

1. Quality Cleaning Litter bin emptying £108.00
2. Mary Bradley 17 weeks locum clerk £1892.10

Annual approval of regular payments

Currently the following payments are made on a regular basis without seeking approval at monthly meetings:

1. Dawn Dennett – toilet block cleaning (monthly) – standing order
2. Octopus Energy – Toilet block electricity (monthly) – direct debit
3. Octopus Energy – Library electricity (monthly) – direct debit
4. EE Limited – DAV monthly SIM maintenance (monthly) – direct debit

I propose that the following payments are added to this list for annual approval:

1. Quality Cleaning & Contacting Ltd – Litter bin emptying (monthly)
2. Waterplus – Toilet block water bill (monthly)
3. Waterplus – Library water bill (monthly)
4. PATA Payroll – payroll services (quarterly)

Proposed all above is accepted LM; seconded DM – 7 for 1 x abstention.

LM signed the bank reconciliation statement.

16/26 Budget for 26/27

i) Final Draft budget had been prior circulated for consideration building on the SPC meetings in November and December. MB took Cllrs through the budget and the rationale behind the content. MB pointed out that in the past year SPC had spent more than its precept but hard to predict actual expenditure for 26/27 as 2 big unknowns – the mowing contract and the appointment costs of a new clerk.

ii) JC asked that a small grants line is added – £500 was agreed and MB to adjust within budget.

iii) Precept for 2026/27 was agreed as £30,600 – MB to complete paperwork.

Proposed by LM, seconded by KM and carried 7 for with 1 abstention.

17/26 Councillors matters

Section 15/26 for next agenda plus assets register (deferred from today).

18/26 Date of Next meetings

All at 7pm in the Methodist School Rooms, Seascale

4th February 2026, 4th March 2026, 1st April

Meeting closed at 21.13 pm