New Contact Details
The new Clerk to Dalston Parish Council is Mrs Andrea McCallum, who shall be based at Forge Green Office, Riverside, Dalston, CA5 7QG.
Telephone; 01228 712766
Email; clerk@dalston.org.uk
Tuesday Morning Drop-in Sessions
The Parish Council is now holding ‘drop-in’ session on Tuesday mornings between 9am-12pm. Parishioners are welcome to pop in and discuss any matters that they may wish to bring to the Council’s attention with the Clerk. Come along and introduce yourself!
Grants to Local Organisations
At its meeting held on the 10th November, grants were allocated to local organisations. These included:-
• Cumdivock Art Group – display stand for exhibitions £75
• Redspearlands Footpath Group – publicity materials £250
• Raughton Head PCC – churchyard grass cutting & spraying £1345
• Dalston Ladies Choir – supply of sheet music £150
• Dalston PCC – Church House, installation of new heating system and insulation £700
• Gaitsgill Parent & Toddlers – play equipment £100
• Dalston Scouts – replacement of 5 tents £400
• Dalston website hosting & maintenance costs – A.R. Auld £150
• Recreation Association – insurance £300
• Festival Committee – insurance £425
• Raughton Head WI – public speakers £100
• Cumdivock WI – updating of toilet access for wheelchair users £200
• Dalston Parent & Toddler Group – play equipment £200
• Dalston Tennis Club – coaching costs £200
• Junior Black Reds FC – set up of new teams costs £300
• Dalston Brownies – materials for arts and crafts £150
• Primrose Hall, Gaitsgill – redecoration of hall, kitchen & toilets £500
Cumbria Way Footpath – Kissing Gates
The Parish Council has been successful in securing funding from the Neighbourhood Forum and the Parish Paths Initiative for the replacement of four stiles on the Cumbria Way footpath at Rose Castle. Work on these should begin shortly. The Council would like to thank all landowners who have given their permission for this work to take place.
Trees
The Parish Council has received complaints from members of the public using the highway footpaths about overhanging trees and vegetation. Now that the evenings have drawn in many people are using the footpaths in the evening, when visibility is limited. Overgrown vegetation can give you a nasty injury and does not allow street lighting to be used to its maximum potential. As a landowner, you are responsible for the condition and any damage caused by vegetation on your property.
The following information may help landowners as regards their responsibilities in this area:-
Trees and Highways
Where vegetation overhangs the highway, the property owner has a duty to ensure that the highway is not obstructed. The owner should ensure that above a carriageway, a clearance of 5.7 metres is maintained.
Trees and Highway Footpaths
If vegetation overhangs a highway footpath, a clearance of 2.5 metres needs to be maintained.
Both of the above regulations exist to protect highway footpath users and maximise the benefits of street lighting. The Parish Council has also been informed by Carlisle City Council Tree Officer, that if owners do not keep the highway or footpaths clear, they can be forced to by the Highway Authority, the Highway Authority doing the work and sending the bill to the owner!
