Carnforth Town Council Minutes – September 2023

Councillor Grisenthwaite reminded Councillors of the scheduled Leadership & Development day and outlined the content.  All Councillors were encouraged to attend.   

1)     Public Discussion:  No members of the public were in attendance.

2)     Councillor updates / matters: The Town Mayor reported on his activities in the last month, including an interesting and informative invitation to an open day for Town / Parish Council Mayors by North West Air Ambulance Service and, representing the Council on the recent Carnforth Twinning Association visit to Sailly-sur-la-lys.  The Town Clerk, who had also visited, outlined the activities undertaken and his views on the benefits associated with the Town’s association with Sailly.  In response to a question, it was confirmed that the visit had not been funded by Carnforth Town Council.

Councillor Paula Gardner provided an update on the Highfield Park event.  Councillor Laurence had represented Carnforth Town Council at the recent Battle of Britain Service.

Councillor Bromilow has been volunteering at the Vaccination Centre and, acting with trustees of a local charity, overseen the award of grants to local primary schools for musical equipment and to the project being led by the Friends of Carnforth Canal Park.

Councillor Roe has been assisting the Outdoor Maintenance Officer and Councillor Turner commented on a recent ‘open’ meeting with Carnforth (Highfield) Allotment holders, which had been very positive and proactive for everyone involved, with a clear way forward being agreed.

3)     Reports of Ward & County Councillors:  Ward Councillors Belcher commented and provided updates on planning applications currently under consideration by Lancaster City Council that effect Carnforth and its surrounding area.

She also reported on a City Councillors briefing on the proposal to revoke Carnforth (and Galgate) Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).

4)     Reports from outside bodies:  Councillor Jones commented on the Annual general Meeting of the Carnforth Carnival Committee and their plans for the 2024 Carnival.  Councillor Laurence reported on the recent activities and plans of the Friends of Carnforth Canal Park and the last meeting of the Chamber of Trade who are planning a Business Expo, Christmas Switch on and a community award scheme.

Councillor Paula Gardner reported that she had met with representatives from Carnforth Rotary and Carnforth Inner Wheel.

The Town Mayor, reported on the Quarry Liaison Group meeting including a consultation commencing in November on an extension to the Quarry.

It was then RESOLVED that reports of Town Councillors and Outside Bodies be noted

Councillors considered and commented on the above planning applications and the recommendations made by the Town Development & Planning Committee.

It was then RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Town Development and Planning Committee be approved.

It was then  RESOLVED that the update on the planning authority’s decisions be noted.

Initially, information on the proposals and an online consultation survey had been published with a deadline on 18^th October, but this has now been postponed to allow for a briefing to be presented to Ward and Town Councillors at a date to be confirmed..

After some comments, it was RESOLVED that the update be noted and that Councillors be informed on the briefing in due course.

1)       Proposed revocation of Carnforth as a designated Air Quality Management Area (AQMA);

2)       Advice from the Council’s Solicitor on responsibility for the Market Street Clock;

3)       Planning applications;

4)       Arrangements for Remembrance Sunday;

5)       Support for establishing a Friends of Highfield Play Area group;

6)       Carnforth Fringe 2024;

7)       100^th anniversary of the War Memorial Gardens and Cenotaph;

8)       Award of Citizen of Merit certificates following the clean-up at Back New Street.

It was then RESOLVED that the report, actions and recommendations of the Town Development & Planning Committee be noted and approved.

It was then RESOLVED that the rationale behind the project be developed into a detailed project / business plan for more detailed consideration as part of the budget process for 2024 / 2025.

1)       Revised agreement for fire and security services and a refund to Carnforth Town Council;

2)       Actions arising from the recent ‘Love Highfield’ event;

3)       Back New Street clean up and invitation to local residents / community groups to suggest further locations;

4)       Ongoing discussions on major projects to upgrade the heating systems and other potential capital works at both Carnforth Civic Hall and Crag Bank Village Hall;

5)       Weeding contract between Lancashire County Council and Morecambe Town Council;

6)       Carnforth Highfield Allotments;

7)       Environmental and public realm matters and updates;

8)       Actions arising following a Premises Licence being awarded to Carnforth Civic Hall;

9)       Crag Bank Village Hall bookings and delegated action taken to reinstate the WIFI connection and arrange for urgent repairs to the heating system.

It was then RESOLVED that the report, actions and recommendations of the Property & Environment Committee be noted and approved.

1)       A recommendation that Carnforth Town Council works in collaboration with Eggcup, Lancaster City Council and Carnforth Integrated Care Community to set up a food club in Carnforth;

2)       Bank reconciliation and budget monitoring as at 31^st August 2023 (Month 5);

3)       Audit of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for year ended 31^st March 2023; (see also Agenda item 23105)

4)       A recommendation that Carnforth Town Council continues to promote the Co-wheels Car sharing scheme in the town but withdraws its financial support in 2024/2025;

5)       A discussion on Government funding (£150 million over 4 years) to support community groups and parish/town councils to ‘..take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of being lost’.

6)       A recommendation that Carnforth Town Council makes a formal submission for the Town & Parish Council ‘Foundation Award’ by the end of the current financial year;

After some comments, It was RESOLVED that the report, actions and recommendations of the Finance & Governance Committee be noted and approved.

Councillors were informed that the Council’s accounts had been randomly selected for a more detailed review, involving the submission of additional documentation and further questions by the external auditors.  Their conclusion provides a high level of assurance that the Council has sound internal controls in place and provides ‘good value for money, good governance and safeguarding if its assets on behalf of the Carnforth community’. 

The Town Clerk advised that legislation now requires the Council to publish a ‘Notice of Conclusion of Audit’ by 30^th September.

After some comments, it was RESOLVED that the Town Clerk and Finance and Governance Committee be congratulated on their management of the Council’s accounts and governance arrangements and that the ‘Notice of Conclusion of Audit’ be published.

After some comments it was RESOLVED that payments as set out be authorised.

It was then RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.

The meeting closed at 7:50pm