Minutes
Ordinary
14th January 2026

Bootle Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 14 January 2026 in the Chapel Meeting Room, Bootle, commencing at 7.30pm.

Present

Cllr R Kenworthy (Chair), Cllr D Faulkner, Cllr S Duck, Cllr A Woodcock, Cllr R Reed
Cllr A Pratt – Cumberland Council
2 members of the public
Mrs L Cooper, Clerk

96/25 Apologies for Absence

None.

97/25 Exclusion of Press and Public

None.

98/25 Declarations of Interest

Cllr Kenworthy declared an interest in Agenda Item 12 (BDSSA).

99/25 Minutes of Meetings Held on 12 November 2025 and 17 December 2025

The minutes of the meetings were recorded as correct and signed by the Chair.

100/25 Police Liaison Report

Previously circulated. Cllr Kenworthy reported that a resident had informed him of an intruder in their garden and advised that the incident be reported to the police.

101/25 Progress Reports

Clerk’s Report

The Clerk is awaiting a response from Community Heartbeat.

102/25 Public Participation

The Chair of the Millom Town Deal gave an update on the progress of various projects. The Sports Hall and pool are expected to be completed by October 2026. The Iron Line project planning application is expected to be submitted by the end of February 2026. The Old Bank is expected to be completed in May/June 2026 and a tender has been issued to find an operator. Active travel funding of £3.6m has been allocated for improvements to transport links, road junctions and cycle paths. Community engagement is sought to assist with information distribution.

A member of the public gave an update on the Barrow to Esk Active Travel (BEAT) project, which is seeking safe routes away from traffic for walking, cycling and horse riding. A funding application is to be submitted for a feasibility study for the Millom to Silecroft and Millom to The Green routes.

The Chair thanked both speakers.

103/25 District Councillor’s Report

Cllr Pratt presented a report, a copy of which is attached to the minutes. The Chair thanked Cllr Pratt.

104/25 Applications for Development

104/25.1 Applications

7/2025/4101 – 10 Monks Moors, Eskmeals
Construction of a new flat roof extension with glazed lantern above to an existing dwelling, with internal and external alterations.

104/25.2 Ratifications

None.

104/25.3 Approved Planning Applications

7/2025/4050 – 12 Monk Moors, Eskmeals, Cumbria, LA19 5YD
Removal of rear conservatory and the construction of a front, side and rear extension with internal and external alterations, plus the construction of a detached garage / maintenance store.
Decision: Granted.

105/25 Financial Records

105/25.1 Payments Made Under Financial Standing Orders (December)

• Valda Energy – Direct Debit: £33.10
• Waterplus – Direct Debit: £41.14
• Clerk’s salary & expenses: £241.88
• HMRC – PAYE: £51.40
• K Englefield – Toilet cleaning (November): £364.00
• Fox AD – Plans for BDSSA project: £1,500.00
• Cumberland Council – Balance of footpath payment: £4,466.00
• LDNP – Planning application fee: £289.00
• Lakeland Tree Consultancy – Tree report (BDSSA): £700.00

105/25.1.1 Payments Presented for Approval

• Valda Energy – Direct Debit: £100.99
• Waterplus – Direct Debit: £41.14
• Clerk’s salary & expenses: £677.39
• HMRC – PAYE: £160.20
• SLCC – Membership renewal: £51.62
• Bootle Evangelical Church – Room hire: £110.00
• LDNP – Planning fee (BDSSA): £5,246.00

105/25.2 Receipts

None.

105/25.3 Bank Statement

Statement dated 31 December 2025 verified by Cllr Duck.

105/25.4 Budget Comparison Report (as at 31 December 2025)

The Clerk reported that reserves had been used for unexpected footpath and website rebuild costs.
Current Account: £8,238.17 (includes £6,231.44 for BDSSA project)
Deposit Account: £26,490.50

Spending to year-end will be closely monitored. A claim has been submitted for the remaining £10,500 grant for the footpath. If necessary, £6,000 will be transferred from deposit to current account.

105/25.5 Precept Request

Noted that the precept request has been submitted.

105/25.6 Clerk’s Overtime Payment

Approved.

106/25 Village Matters

106/25.1 Community Plan

The Clerk provided a draft questionnaire. Councillors to review and return suggestions at the February meeting.

106/25.2 Footpath Wellbank / S106 Monies

Cllr Kenworthy reported a request from the developer to meet with Cllr Pratt regarding the Wellbank footpath. Trees donated by the Woodland Trust will be planted on sections requiring hedging, with work carried out by LDNPA and the school involved.

106/25.3 Hycemoor Field

Still awaiting permission to tap into the surface drain. Trees and shrubs at the road end require cutting back. Councillors to review and develop a plan at the February meeting.

106/25.4 Church View

Five expressions of interest received, three with positive requests. The lease was awarded following discussion. The Clerk to notify applicants and draw up the lease agreement.

106/25.5 Environment Issues

Hedgerow planting in the Community Woodland scheduled for 11 February.

106/25.6 Car Park by Toilet Block

Cumberland Council offered asset transfer subject to legal costs (~£1,200) and income sharing. Councillors rejected both conditions.

106/25.7 Councillor Vacancies

To be re-advertised.

106/25.8 Village Map

Cllr Duck received two quotes and will seek further clarification on scope.

106/25.9 Active Travel

See Public Participation.

107/25 Reports from Representatives on Outside Bodies and Working Groups

107/25.1 BDSSA – LDNPA require a bat survey and further drainage information to validate the application.

108/25 Correspondence

All correspondence previously circulated. No additional items.

109/25 Councillor Matters

• Grit bin not yet replaced.
• Flooding persists around Monk Moor viaduct; water reported coming through abutments and referred to Network Rail.
• Request for a height restriction sign at the bridge.
• Summerhill grit bin hidden by overgrown hedge.
• Resident enquiry regarding installation of a village speed camera.
• Bootle in Bloom enquiry regarding the new beehive planter; Clerk to update.
• Dog warden not yet seen regarding dog waste issues; Cllr Pratt to chase.

110/25 Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 11 February 2026 at the Chapel Meeting Room, Bootle, commencing at 7.30pm.

Meeting Close

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 21:32.