Minutes
Annual Parish Meeting
22nd May 2024

Bootle Parish Council

Annual Parish Meeting May 2024

Annual Parish Meeting

BOOTLE PARISH
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD ON 22 MAY 2024 AT 7.30PM AT CAPTAIN SHAWS SCHOOL, BOOTLE

P1 Present: 19 members of the public were present

P2 Mrs Lesley Cooper was elected as Clerk for the meeting

P3 Chairman’s Report

• The Chair of the Parish Council Cllr Kenworthy gave a report on the Council’s activities.
• Completion of Community Woodland funded by GDF funding
• Update of Emergency Plan and thanks to Cllr Duck for completing that.
• Support for the Coronation event which was supported by the PC with a grant of £1800 and every child received a coronation mug. Big thank you to all those involved in the organisation and delivery of a very successful event.
• Continued to support Bootle in Bloom
• BDSSA – plans are ongoing to replace the existing pavilion and provide a covered training area using grant money.
• Toilets – are still at risk of abuse, they were closed for a protracted length of time whilst modifications were made to the pipework to enable a local handyman to unblock them. Hoping to paint the inside of the toilets soon.
• Local children approached the PC for play equipment at Hycemoor and this is now in place – new football nets.
• Wellbank project – the PC continues to push for a footpath linking the villages.
• Flood Resilience Group trees have been planted on the fell, gravel management through the village. Recent flooding has been mainly at Millholme, New road drains and kerbs have been put in which hopefully will resolve this problem.
• River Annas modelling – working with West Cumbria Rivers Trust & EA to investigate further actions to reduce the risk of flooding
• Beach road, PC is pushing Cumberland for improvements to this section of road. Cllr Pratt is hopeful to gain traction now unitary Authority personnel are in place.
• Over the year we have lost 3 councillors and would like to thank those stepping down their hard work and support. Two new coucillors have been coopted. We still have 4 vacancies for anyone interested.

P4 Woodland Project

Cllr Kenworthy explained the project, how the school were involved in its development and are still actively involved. The PC has a budget for maintenance. It is open to everyone including dogs but we just ask that they are kept on leads and owners pick up after their dogs.

P5 BDSSA Project

Cllr Kenworthy gave an update. The current pavilion is past its sell by date. Surveys and plans have been drawn up and a planning application will shortly be submitted, The PC is holding the funds for the project.

P6 Bootle in Bloom

Brenda Hill gave a report. Since 2016 apart from 2 years that not entered in Cumbria in Bloom, the village has been awarded a gold each year. There is a small team of volunteers and looking for more. Most pots have now been replaced with self watering pots.

Looking for volunteers for 5 June when planting begins. Looking for a small wheelbarrow for this season if someone could loan one. Now responsible for the station area which now has bird boxes, trees, flowers and a bug hotel.

Could everyone be responsible for their own kerb frontage pulling out weeds etc.

This year’s judging is first 2 weeks in July.

Asked if the road sweeper could come through the village occasionally. Cllr Pratt to investigate.

P7 WI

A representative of the WI stated that the WI would be 100 years old in 2025 and asked if a raised flower bed with “welcome to Bootle” could be made. Gary Gowan would provide sleepers and bricks necessary.

WI had organised the coronation and children’s parties.

P8 Over 60’s Club

A trip has been organised 10 July to Hexham and the club is currently fund raising..

P9 Bootle Station Village Hall

A representative stated that they had received a grant of £50k from GF to replace the obsolete play equipment, plus donations from local businesses/companies.. They had an open evening for children to seek their opinion on what equipment they wanted. It is hoped that installation will commence 3 June and be finished by 3 week in June after which they will hold an Opening event.

P10 Wellbank

A representative of the developers gave an update on the project. 1st phase is 18 “self build” houses to be built, plus 8 self-catering accessible accommodation cottages for Brickhouse Cottages and a Community Hub which will contain a swimming pool, hydro pool and rental spaces. Eventually there ill be 50 houses on the site including 8 mixed affordable housing units.

It is hoped that the Brickhouse Cottages and the hub will be build by 2025.

Working with the PC re the footpath..

P11 Comments from the floor

• Request for street signs especially for Chapel Lane, Mill Street and Main Street, BPC to determine which signs are necessary and then liaise with Cumberland.
• Bus shelter – roof leaks, who owns it? Established this is owned by Cumberland – Cllr Pratt to action.
• Benches within the village need replacing especially the one on the school field – As it is the school that own it then BPC agreed to work with school to replace.
• Opposite church on corner a pothole where a Stop sign was removed is not complete – Cllr Pratt to Action
• Defibs – could there be some training? BPC to discuss with first responders
• Analysis of flood modelling, who is actioning it? – Clarified this is between EA, Cumberland and hopefully coordinated by WCRT.
• Coastal path – closed in parts – who is responsible? – Natural England, there is a pot of money for sections to be made accessible. Problem of coastal erosion. BPC to determine how best to raise issue with natural England and share with community
• Road works at Wellbank – access required should not be 24 hours closure, can traffic lights be used. Cllr Pratt outlined strict permit restrictions.
• Abbeyfield – concerns raised re its future. This is a Cumberland level issue and Cllr Pratt is working to seek q solution in the communities best interest.
• Social media – could there be a quarterly newsletter saying what’s on etc

.Meeting closed 9.30pm