03/12/25 OM Minutes

03/12/25 OM Minutes

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Seascale Parish Council

Chair Person: Lizzie Mawson

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting

Held on 3 December 2025 at the Methodist School Rooms, Seascale.

Present

Lizzie Mawson (Chair) (LM), David Moore (Vice Chair) (DM), Jane Coltman (JC), Ken Mawson (KM), Catherine Harvey-Chadwick (CHC).
4 members of the public were present.

60/25 Apologies for Absence

Zoe O’Hanlon – personal commitments
Bran Harvey-Chadwick – work commitments

61/25 Requests for Dispensations and Declarations of Interests

None declared.

62/25 Exclusion of Press and Public

No items identified.

63/25 Minutes of Meetings

i) Minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2025 were approved. Proposed by DM, seconded by LM.
ii) Items carried forward from previous meetings – prior circulated papers with historic numbering:

  • 6.14 – Effectiveness of working groups (JC)
  • 7.1 – Proposal to form a staffing committee (JC)
  • 7.2 – Proposal to adopt NALC model of standing orders (JC)

Proposal to deal with these items as 74/25 – agreed.

64/25 Chair’s Announcements

LM reported that all items are on the agenda and will be referenced.

65/25 Public Participation

A member of the public reported that young people had thrown rubbish at her door. She has personal CCTV and was assured that the SPC CCTV footage would be available for any police enquiry.
She also said she had requested the Health and Safety Executive to inspect the car park believing that there are breaches.

Three members of the public asked why an election had been called as it seemed unnecessary expense. The statutory process was explained. After the published date (15 December 2025) nominations will be received. If only one candidate applies, an election will not be required; if more than one, an election will be held on 22 January 2026.

Discussion regarding notice boards concluded with an offer to use the Wishing Well notice board for SPC notices instead of the library and also for wider village use. A notice will be placed on the website. A gentleman offered to improve the locking device.

Progress on the Lights Festival is positive, including a lantern workshop which was well attended. Any money collected will be carried over to next year. SPC agreed to support the Lights Festival next year. DM will liaise to ensure SPC lights are switched on at the appropriate time.

66/25 Reports from Visiting Councillors and Police

Cumberland Cllr Moore reported on a walk round The Banks with Highways regarding parking issues. HMOs in future will require parking. Yellow lines and residents parking were discussed. Yellow lines are enforced but still ignored. Traffic order to be reviewed and signage removed.

South Cumberland Community Panel will meet at the Pavilion at 10am on 11 December 2025.

67/25 Clerk’s Report / Correspondence

  • a) Local Plan – DM to confirm historic registering will apply
  • b) HIMS – much improved, residents encouraged to use
  • c) Electric charging points – MB to re-register Seascale interest
  • d) Parish Councillor vacancy – key dates 15 December 2025, 22 January 2026
  • e) Website – MB requested items for adjustment/removal to be sent to her
  • f) Notice of strike action received for week commencing 8 December 2025
  • g) Notice of road closure for Lights Festival

68/25 Community Resilience

DM gave an update on the Heart of Communities Task and Finish Group. The bid has been approved and subject to NDA processes, 75% of funds should arrive shortly. SPC will need to cover VAT until reclaimed. Contracts will be prepared and checked by the group and signed by Chair and Clerk.

Proposed JC, seconded KM. All agreed.

69/25 Play Grounds

a) MB gave a report on works on behalf of L Pedham – all progressing including rope, gavel pit and turfing of concrete pipe.
b) MB reported potential for a different maintenance contract next year which may need approval at the January meeting.

70/25 Parish Council Assets

a) Sports Hall – MB reported in BHC’s absence.

  • i) Urinals – seeking alternative quotes
  • ii) Condensation issue – suggested trial hire of humidifier before purchase

b) Public toilets maintenance quote presented. MB to bid for lottery funding.
c) Flag pole quote has increased – pole to be lowered on a dry calm day for inspection.
d) Library repairs – awaiting quotes.
e) Gas meter removal – DM to confirm removal before next steps.
f) Library replacement bid – structural survey recommended by plasterer. Day Cummins quote £800 + VAT. Proposal that MB instruct Day Cummins – proposed LM, seconded CHC.
g) Pavilion maintenance – KM approved to seek quote for new door.

71/25 Parish Maintenance and Highways

a) MB presented volunteer/contracting preparation paper – agreed.
b) Volunteer recruitment poster approved – CHC to display widely.
c) Quotes awaited for replacement fencing at disabled bay; potential road closure may be required.

72/25 Planning and Licensing Applications

None.

73/25 Planning and Licensing Decisions

None.

74/25 Governance, Support Structures and Staffing

Prior circulated papers 6.14, 7.1 and 7.2 considered along with summary paper covering:

  • Standing Orders
  • Personnel Committee (replacing Staffing Committee)
  • Asset and Development Working Group
  • Policies and Procedures update
  • Financial Standing Orders

Motions approved:

  • Removal of current Standing Orders and publication of revised version
  • Disbanding Amenities and Finance/General Purposes subgroups
  • Approval of TOR for Staffing Committee
  • Approval of TOR for Asset and Development Working Group
  • Approval for JC to pass policies to BHC for upload and councillor approval by May 2026

75/25 Finance and Accounts

RFO Report – 25 November 2025
Bank Balances:

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

Payments Made in November 2025

Date Creditor Debit VAT Comments
05/11/25 Dawn Dennett £230.00 Toilet block cleaning
10/11/25 Waterplus £432.11 Toilet block water bill
10/11/25 Quality Cleaning £162.00 £27.00 Litter bin emptying
10/11/25 Millers Roofing £1,152.00 £192.00 Library roof repair
10/11/25 Anja Phoenix £500.00 Seascale Information Board
14/11/25 Octopus Energy £38.40 Toilet block electricity
14/11/25 Octopus Energy £520.76 Library electricity
14/11/25 British Legion £30.00 Wreath
20/11/25 Nuclear Waste Services £2,750.00 Grant for Game on Sports
21/11/25 Cash deposit £539.00 Car Park Honesty Box
25/11/25 PATA Payroll £76.15 Payroll services
25/11/25 Reece Robinson £2,750.00 Grant for Game on Sports
30/11/25 Unity Trust Bank £6.90 Service charges

76/25 Budget for 2026/27

Draft V2 budget summary presented. Councillors expressed concern that the precept may need to rise by 20%. A detailed budget will be circulated for the January meeting.

77/25 Councillors Matters

  • Toilet doors rotten – temporary repairs ongoing
  • Invoices for original defibrillators required
  • Three SPC lights not working properly

78/25 Date of Next Meetings

All meetings at 7pm in the Methodist School Rooms, Seascale.
Proposal to move 7 January 2026 meeting to 14 January 2026 – agreed.
Next meetings: 5 February 2026 and 4 March 2026

Meeting Close

The meeting closed at 7.55pm.

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