Seascale Parish Council

Minutes

Unratified
Chair Person; Lizzie Mawson
Minutes of the meeting held on 1st July 2026

138/26 Present

David Moore (chair for meeting) DM, Jane Coltman JC, Bran Harvey Chadwick BHC,
Ken Mawson KM, Zoe OHanlon ZO, Brenda Parsons BP, Catherine Harvey Chadwick CHC.

Apologies; Lizzie Mawson LM (Holiday)

In attendance: Mary Bradley supporting clerk
7 members of the public

139/26 Requests for dispensations and declarations of interests

There were none

140/26 Exclusion of Press and public

No exclusions

141/26 Minutes of meetings

Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd June 2026 – An amendment was made to minute 122/26 to add “but for no longer than was necessary”
Proposed BHC seconded DM , For BHC, DM, JC, ZO, KM, CHC, against BP

To agree the statement of correction to the statement made at the March meeting and recorded in the minutes as below:
(FYI Extra ordinary meeting 18/3/26 S5/26 . BP asked about a loan for the playpark / foreshore area several years ago and if it had been paid back. It was confirmed that there had never been a loan, but a letter of comfort had been provided to facilitate funding bids. This had not been called on and was normal practice).

SPC are requested to agree to a statement of correction after further investigation has taken place and for the avoidance of doubt.

The funding for the foreshore play equipment was being led by a dedicated charity. One of the funders was Copeland Community fund from which a grant was being made to the play park charity (and from whom advice was taken) but there was a requirement to have a percentage match funding. This was equal to the VAT at the time. SPC agreed to cover this cost until the charity could reclaim the VAT. This appeared on the 2018/19 accounts as a bridging loan payment, which was subsequently identified as a bridging loan cheque repayment on the 2020/21 accounts.

Questions were raised regarding statements made at previous council meetings that the above contradicts and the lack of paperwork to support the purchase of equipment. MB explained that the paperwork would be with the charity. DM said he had spoken before from memory but accepted the above. MB said that the RFO had trawled through the past financial records and there was no evidence SPC had purchased equipment or paid the VAT. The 18/19 cash book and 20/21 cash book (both on the web site) clearly state the bridging loan payments. ZO and JC both stated that due to the incorrect statements that were made in March (denying that there was a loan) and June (saying that the PC had reclaimed the VAT), they could not agree to this statement without documentary evidence to support it.

The above statement was proposed to be accepted by DM and seconded by BHC
For DM, BHC, CHC, KM against JC, ZO, BP

142/26 Chair’s Announcements

Nothing as LM away.

143/26 Public participation

Noted that members of the public wished to speak to agenda item 148/26 f

144/26 Reports from visiting Councillors & Police – for information

Cumberland Cllr Moore gave a verbal report regarding roadworks to the A595 to rectify previous unsatisfactory repairs. These will happen at night. The details are on Facebook, road closure notices and signs.

Place Standards review for Seascale will happen in September . This is an opportunity for members of the public to meet officers from Cumberland Unitary Authority and discuss any issues they have to form a priority list. There will be walk abouts as well as face to face sessions.

145/26 Reports from SPC representatives

Cllr Moore – There has not been a site stake holder meeting since June.

GDF report: key points were; NWS submission to Secretary of State was awaiting response as to the future of the project; new principal engagement manager is in place and local manager has resigned for family reasons; Excellent data is being collated regarding winter birds and their habitats; youth group was functioning well; golf tournament raised funds for the air ambulance ; £663,292 grant has been spent with another £180,190 being considered in July.

146/26 Clerks report/correspondence

CALC information circulated
Biodiversity

to be an autumn agenda item. The link to the workbook is on the CALC web site.

147/26 Community Resilience

BHC read an interim report concerning the updating of the web site. Much progress has been made, and a full report will be issued shortly for circulation.

Contractual details between Whamos and SPC is still being confirmed.

JC noted that most of the missing and incorrect documents had been updated during the last week and thanked Whamos for their efforts. She noted that two documents were still incorrect, BHC would follow this up and that should hopefully mean all content that we had indicated is now on the web site.

148/26 Play Grounds

Fore shore play park – MB to follow up the swing and gravel pit repairs.

BP asked if the play equipment belonged to the parish council as she could find no paper trail. DM said the equipment was handed over once the project was complete

Paul O’Hanlon and BP have volunteered to empty the donation box. CHC will support the first emptying.

Identified that volunteers are still required to close the toilets on an evening including weekends and when the cleaner is on holiday. MB to organise a rota.

The cleaner reminded councillors that she was on holiday soon. She had cover for locking and cleaning but not opening. CHC would set a reminder on her phone for the weekends.

ZO updated Cllrs on the work related to Coniston play which is almost complete apart from the litter bin and some low risk snagging which ZO is overseeing with the company. Many positive comments.

RFO checking all payments have been paid and the account balances. The contingency of £9k will need to be claimed to offset some additional costs and for a maintenance contract. The VAT can then be reclaimed.

This item was to discuss the potential phase 2 project for Coniston Park and decide if SPC will support Dawn in her bid initially presented by ZO.

Dawn spoke to this, as did members of the public and Cllrs.

The proposal is to have a 20 x 30 m artificial playing surface suitable for ball sports contained within a fenced area on the Coniston recreational field where there are currently open grass areas and a football pitch. The artificial pitch would only take up a proportion of available space.

Points made:

• Everyone supported the concept of an all-weather facility, it was the venue being questioned.
• Consultation for Coniston playpark had highlighted request for a ‘’MUGA’’ so seen as a phase 2 option.
• Recent consultation to date – 80% for, 7% no and 13% requesting to maintain the football pitch.
• Coniston recreational area was registered a green space (at request of SPC) in the Copeland local plan with a detailed description of limitations.
• SPC own the land
• The pitch would be for local use only with activity limited by size.
• Car parking is seen as a real issue, options to deal with were being considered and locals would walk.
• Biodiversity could be addressed by using planters, shrubs etc
• Lack of sports amenities e.g. toilet, changing, storage
• Public foot path may require moving
• Climate change impact (as grass to artificial)
• Loss of safe, sociable outdoor space – removing choice of where to walk
• Cost to council regarding insurance and ongoing maintenance
• Concerns regarding the flood risk and generally wet field.
• Potential funding if not GDF maybe Sports Council/sport England
• 10-year life and seasonal maintenance needs addressing
• Social issue like litter, dog fouling etc need addressing
• Would a better idea be to put a MUGA or similar at the Sports Hall complex because of facilities?

In Summary it was agreed that more work was required, in particular but not exclusively:

• Seek opinion of Cumberland Planning Dept
• Get a MUGA supply company to do a site visit and advise on particularly drainage issues
• Get a full quote with ongoing maintenance and replacement costs
• Have firm proposals for parking
• Explore opportunity of Sports Hall area

Bring a full proposal to the September meeting using SPC form.

Proposal; Dawn was supported to continue to do further investigation including the sports hall area to enable a full proposal for SPC to consider.
Proposed: ZO, seconded DM all voted in favour.

149/26 Parish Council Assets

Sports Hall had had a fire assessment and will respond accordingly to advice.

BHC had received email responses to the questions MB had submitted following the June meeting regarding the proposed mural. Although these addressed some of the points, issues still remained over the rationale for the project. ZO requested that a police and highways view was sought, DM requested that the view of the Sports hall trustees was considered, issues of maintenance and funding are still not clear. BHC said he would feedback that a proper proposal needs to come to the September meeting on the correct form addressing the points raised. MB to agenda.

Library refurbishment – to note meeting with Day Cummins 3/7/26

The signs for the CCTV have been sourced and will be in place to meet legal requirements.

DM had removed the Jetty Gate and weighed it (approx. 7 stone). The quote for galvanising and transport was for approx. £210. This was approved.

The Seascale flag has been purchased.

150/26 Parish Maintenance and Highways

Mowing contract is progressing with clarity regarding verge cutting now in place.

151/26 Planning and Licencing applications

No new applications

152/26 Planning and Licencing decisions

4/26/2128/OF1 Beach Villa, Drigg Rd Seascale – Approved
4/26/2115/OF1 20 Lingmell Crescent, Seascale – Refused due to Green Space considerations

153/26 Governance, Support Structures and Staffing

MB said she now had a training proposal and will agree date with CALC and circulate for an online event.

Cllrs are asked to consider the latest batch of draft policies so that they can be approved and uploaded.

154/26 Finance and accounts

RFO Report 24th June 2026
For Seascale Parish Council Meeting 1st July 2026

Bank Balances as of 24th June 2026:
General Reserves Account: £108,955.38
Current Account: £75,764.76
Unity Card: £100.00
£184,720.14

Payments made in June 2026:

* not cleared account on 24th June

Payments for authorisation at July Parish Meeting:

1. WF Cascade – Toilet block supplies £208.73
2. Waterplus – Library water £130.08
3. Network Rail – Rent on property adjoining station £88.37
4. Waterplus – Toilet Block water £119.47

MB to seek clarity from RFO on ground works payment.

Approval for Finance matters Proposed ZO seconded DM , All approved.

155/26 Councillors matters

ZO remined councillors of a letter requesting a footpath extension between 30/31 . She has spoken to the gentleman and will do a return visit to explain that there were concerns regarding Health and Safety. This will be on the next agenda.

JC presented a’’ procedure and legislation misstatements at last meeting’’ paper.

She wished to correct misunderstandings to avoid repeated errors. The following clarifications were supported by relevant legal and regulatory references.

• Current chair, chairs the annual meeting until a new chair is elected
• Requesting a recorded vote – any single Cllr can request this before moving on to the next agenda item.
• Emergency expenditure is approved by the clerk in consultation with the chair
• Minutes belong to the clerk until signed off – all Cllrs can comment whilst in the draft format, and the clerk can make amendments as they see fit up until they are issued with the agenda.

156/26 Date of Next meetings

All at 7pm in the Methodist School Rooms, Seascale EOM TBA, 2nd Sept 2026, 7th Oct 2026, 4th Nov 2026.