14/10/2026
REPORT OF ALSTON MOOR PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
5 October 2026 at Garrigill Village Hall
This report is an informal one, and should not be taken as an accurate and agreed record of the parish council meeting. It is written to give our local residents some general information about the meeting, but only the formal minutes, which will be posted later, are a proper record.
******************
DECLARATION OF INTEREST ISSUE
The Clerk has spoken with the Monitoring Officer, in connection with payments to her husband who, it was agreed at the last parish council meeting, should be paid for work he continued to do having initially volunteered after the handyperson resigned, leaving several jobs urgently needing to be done. He has now been contracted to this self-employed rôle. The Monitoring Officer has granted a dispensation regarding such payments, and it was pointed out that any payments have to be authorised by at least two councillors before the Clerk pays them, and the declaration of interest is quite different from that of councillors, as the Clerk merely fulfils the wishes of the council and does not vote.
COMPLAINT FROM COUNCILLOR HO
Councillor Ho had written to the council claiming that there had been manipulation of her vote in the minutes of the September meeting, concerning the vote for approval of the August minutes, so that she was recorded as having abstained rather than voting against. The Clerk confirmed that she had made a typing error, and her written notes and the recording confirm the correct vote. There had been no ‘manipulation’ (not least as the error made no difference to the otherwise overwhelming vote in favour). Councillor Ho had not explained why she did not approve the minutes, but in the October meeting confirmed that she had not read them, when asked.. She insisted that the Clerk should report this minor error to the Monitoring Officer and refused to accept that the only person who could report alleged wrongdoing by the Clerk in this matter was her.
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Councillors Martin and Monk, with Sarah Stamford, the Community Development Officer and the Clerk, had talked with members of Ainstable Parish Council who had progressed a Neighbourhood Plan. They recommended to contact Bluestone, who help parish councils – and in fact, Westmorland and Furness had contacted them to talk with us. The online meeting with Bluestone was very informative. AMPC has to agree to a service level agreement with Westmorland and Furness Council. Bluestone is contacting W&F to emphasise that they should pay attention to our wish for more businesses and houses. We can do design plans for different parts of the area, as appropriate. It was felt this was really important for regenerating the area.
W&F Councillor Mary Robinson pointed out that the Rural Housing Survey was a start for this work. The W&F Local Plan will take until 2029 to complete. The first set of consultations on sites will be in September 2027. The National Planning Policy Framework has changed things.
It was agreed that the Chair should signed the service level agreement, the first necessary step.
GRISEDALE CROFT WORKING GROUP
The Working Group wrote to all relevant W&F councillors. The consultation report was clear that local residents wanted refurbishment. At the Scrutiny Committee meeting, it became clear that when W&F officers said they’d consulted with the NHS, they meant regarding the Eden area, not about Alston Moor. It was concerning that in the report they had wrong information despite our pointing it out.
Councillors Bondi and Monk, plus Sarah Stamford, spoke at the Scrutiny committee. The Councillors appeared to understand our viewpoint, and insisted that the officers had to do a proper costing and further negotiation with the NHS etc. As a result, the fate of Grisedale Croft (and Windermere’s Applethwaite Green) will be considered at a Cabinet meeting on 27 October, deferred from 13 October.
The BBC has been asked to do a big piece before 27 October. W&F Councillor Robinson pointed out that this needs to go out in the southern part of the council, as this is where most of the councillors on the Cabinet are based. AMPC agreed to look into possibilities for a bus to take people to Kendal on 27 October, as it is hoped that many people will attend the meeting at Kendal Town Hall at 10.00 and make our presence felt.
HEALTH PLANNING
Concern was expressed about the possible transfer of this area (all of Eden) from North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board to Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board. Rachel Mitcheson, Commissioner of Services for NE&NC ICB recognises that we need to stay in NE&NC.
WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Councillor Mary Robinson reported that the Place Action Group is holding money which cannot now be used for Langwathby Bridge, so there is to be a meeting to consider its use for the warm hubs. She reminded everyone that because of national policy, planning decisions will go directly to committees (on which both she and Councillor Hanley sit).
Councillor Michael Hanley reported that fiscal devolution may mean tourists paying a ‘tourist tax’. He spoke about the climate and environment group, for which red squirrels are a focus. Funding is available and may be used for the two rope bridges requested by the Alston Moor Red Squirrel Group.
NENTHEAD WARD
Councillor Crossley reported that the setts outside the Hive are yet to be replaced, and the community is horrified that Westmorland and Furness want to tarmac the area. If they are put back properly, they would last longer than tarmac. The Village Hall will be refurbished from 16 November, replastering and repainting.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATOR
She has been working with the Grisedale Croft Working Group, and also on the Neighbourhood Plan. There is a potential Emergency Resilience project, involving the surgery and first responders, with grant being available for the right project. Many tourists are expected in Cumbria for the Tour de France on 2 and 3 July 2027, not coming through Alston Moor but there is likely to be an increase in visitors here and worth planning for.
Sarah Stamford intends to have a Volunteer Awards event again this year; members of the public can nominate. She is hoping to find someone to judge, who knows Alston Moor but is not involved. There will again be a Room to Award, with an hotel stay prize. All agreed, with one abstention, for this to go ahead and be funded.
NENTHEAD FOUNTAIN
The condition report has been requested and will probably come this week. This will be clear about its current state and what is needed. There will be a drop-in at the Hive on 16 October for local people, after which application will be made for listed building consent and possible heritage funding. There is the possibility of a consultant to be paid for through the Land of Lead and Silver project. Nenthead people want things which are part of the more recent history of the fountain to stay, but this will depend on the listed buildings consent.
EDEN SPEED LIMIT REVIEW
The areas concerned are along the A689 from the Raise, and the A686 past Low Bayles. Speeding in Nenthead is an issue. Someone has said they want a speed watch group . We do not know if there is an organisation for this area (as there is for Northumberland), but it will be suggested that this person works with the Community Development Co-ordinator.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
The Market Cross and the Christmas tree need new lights – it will be important to ensure that the new tree lights do not touch the ground. The Clerk has obtained prices for these and for the front of the Town Hall, at £400-500 each. She will sort these out and check all the small trees.
PLANNING
The one planning permission sought, for 1 Sunset View, Alston, was approved.
FINANCE
Forthcoming payments were approved.
Work is beginning towards the precept. Councillor Davies pointed out that we will need to account for tarmacing a small patch at Tyne Willows not done previously. Groups will soon be asked to apply for the 2027-8 precept.
TREES
It was recognised that the El Nino is likely to cause problems with gales. There was discussion about what should be removed at Firs Walk. Councillor Grew told the parish council that Westmorland and Furness Council have no responsibility for trees more than two foot from the road, and while NW Electricity trim the trees along the verges along the road towards Leadgate, more is needed. No-one else has any obligation and so she asked AMPC to take them on. As this was clearly for the benefit of the community, the majority of councillors agreed to take responsibility for them.
CORRESPONDENCE
Weymouth Parish Council has asked us (and other parish councils) to join them in requesting an obligation for payment of care costs (for children and others) for councillors attending meetings. It was felt that we would support this, not least to enable others who may previously have been unwilling to stand because of the care costs attendance would entail.
HANDYPERSON
There were a number of outstanding jobs when the previous handyperson left. The work was advertised, for a self-employed contractor, and there was only one application, Stephen Thomson. He was interviewed by Councillors Miller and Monk and clearly fulfilled the requirements for skills, knowledge and expertise. Public liability insurance is in place, one reference has already been received and we are awaiting the second. He is happy to commit to ten hours a week and more if necessary. The council unanimously agreed to the appointment, to start when the second reference has arrived (probably on Monday 12th). Any necessary training will be arranged.
NEXT MEETING
The next parish council meeting will be in Alston Town Hall Annex at 19.00 on Monday 2 November.
