13th Another busy week This evening I attended the City Council Meeting at the Civic Centre, there was also a meeting of the Hartley Trust Playing Field Management Committee, Scotby at the same time, my attendance there had to be declined. At the Council meeting the Mayor congratulated those areas that had won awards in “Cumbria in Bloom”, namely Stanwix, Dalston and Houghton and tributes were made by Leaders of all the political parties to Peter Mason, the Director of Resources, who is retiring. This was followed by two questions from Members of the Council, the first concerning the behaviour of the Chairman at one of the Committee Meetings and the second regarding the future of the Citadel Buildings once they are vacated by the County Council. Following the Minutes of the various committees and panels being approved there were five motions put to Council namely:- “Count them in” That the Armed Forces should not be disadvantaged in the provision of services, which was approved. The second re Public Conveniences and third regarding the River Petteril were approved following amendments. The forth re Play provision was defeated and the fifth regarding the Proposed Crossing on Castle Way, I declared a personal interest, due to being a member of the Development Control Committee which was to determine the application of this development later in the week , and left the Chamber, as did my fellow Conservative Members on that Committee.
14th I was at the Civic Centre at 10 a.m. to go on the Site Visits to contentious planning applications that are to be determined on Friday. There were only three such visits, the first to development in the village of Cumwhinton, where there is a proposal in Outline to build 8 bungalows, then on to The Redfern Inn, Etterby, Carlisle where it is proposed to build 7 dwellings on part of the Bowling Green, that hasn’t been used for many years and finally to Little Orton Farm, Little Orton where an extension of an Agricultural Shed is scheduled. At 3.30 p.m. I met up with my local County Councillor, Nick Marriner, in Wetheral to discuss problems with drainage and narrowing of roads due to vegetation. The day ended by being at the monthly meeting of Wetheral Parish Council at The Club House, Wetheral. There were a number of residents present as well as the Directors of the Wetheral Community Association who were complaining regarding the parking of cars in the Village Community Hall car Park by the parents of the junior football players to the detriment of the users of the village hall, also the amount of litter left by the players and the use of the village hall toilets by the players wearing their muddy boots. Members expressed the need that the car parking needs monitoring but also that the organisers of the football clubs be contacted by letter in order that parents be made aware that permission to play on the field may be denied if the situation does not improve. One of the Councillors for Warwick-on-Eden and Aglionby Ward has resined due to moving away and the vacancy is to be displayed. Minutes of last week’s planning meeting were approved and a further three planning applications considered. The need for a Neighbourhood Plan for Wetheral Parish will be determined following the forthcoming Community Plan consultation a section for the under 18swill be included. There were a number of reports from members who represent the Parish Council on Outside Bodies.
15th This evening we, the Conservative Councillors on the City Council, had a Special Group Meeting at the Civic Centre with the Member of Parliament for Carlisle, John Stevenson, to discuss the proposed Boundary Commission’s survey of the Cumbrian Parliamentary Boundaries and also of the District Boundaries of Carlisle City in 2017. He also gave an update on what is currently happening in Parliament.
16th Development Control Committee day, and a pre meeting at the Civic Centre at 9 a.m. There were 10 contentious applications to be discussed and determined, seven were approved following officers recommendation and listening to residents and developers presentations. The application regarding the Greyhound Inn, Cotehill was approved in spite of the officer’s recommendation of refusal and two applications were referred one being the site visit properties at Cumwhinton and the other for a house off Willow Drive, Newbiggin Road, Durdar which we considered further consultation between the developer and the neighbouring properties. So to the end of a busy week.
18th Battle of Britain Day All Councillors were to meet at the Assembly Rooms at The Old Town Hall at 2.30 p.m. to walk in procession through the City to the Cathedral for a service of Dedication at 3 p.m. The Guard of Honour at the Cathedral were the Royal Air Force Cadets and Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mrs Hensman and her husband were present. The prayers of Thanks Giving were led by the Rev (Sqn Ldr) Chris Acher, Chaplain RAF Leeming and the readings by Cadet Flight Sergeant Michael Scott 1862 (City of Carlisle) Squadron ATC and Wing Commander R I Henderson-Begg M.A. RAF Station Commander, Royal Air Force, Spadeadam, with the address by the Canon Warden, The Revd Jan Kearton. The service ended with the Act of Remembrance and Re-Dedication followed by The Last Post and after The Silence Reveille. The blessing was pronounced by The Dean, Revd Mark Bowling.