From the minutes of the meeting held on 6th February
Highways: County Councillor Nicholson has requested details of all highways complaints and maintenance issues reported to Capita.
Dent Stores: The Friends of Dent Stores Group has been formed and a questionnaire is to be produced shortly.  Mr E Smith indicated that it was early days yet.  There were positive signs but no increase in trade.
  A general discussion took place and an overall strategy needs to be developed in relation to socio economic issues affecting the Dale.  The Rural Committees representative is to be invited to attend the next parish meeting.
Car Park: A short presentation relating to the Car Park Sub-Committee minutes was given.  The updated accounts and financial statement were considered.
A Vote of thanks was proposed and seconded that a thanks goes to all associated with the administration of the Car Park and the volunteers Mr Bob Dobson and Mr John Hyde.
Policy decision relating to free use of the Car Park by Dent Folk Festival and Dent Run.
(a) Dent Run:  The Car Park Sub-Committee (CSC) recommended that the continued use of the Car Park and this was agreed.
(b) Dent Folk Festival:  The CSC proposed that the daily charge for the Car Park be £1.20 on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday with 50% of the receipts being donated to the Festival.
An amendment was put to this proposal that the previous free parking policy be retained.  The amendment was lost following a vote 5-2 against.  A further amendment was put and seconded that a daily charge of £1.20 be made with no contribution to the Festival.  The amendment was lost following a vote 5-2 against.
The Substitute motion was put and this carried 5-1 with 1 abstention.
Tim Farron MP
  Mr Farron addressed the meeting and discussed a number of important issues which are affecting rural communities including:-
  Housing affordability and low wage economy and the imbalance which this causes.
  Farm income and the stewardship of the countryside.
  The policy of subsidy which would not be necessary if the proper market price was paid by the large retailers.
  The issues of rural post offices and the decline in services.
  The fight against the merge of Cumbria Police Force with the Lancashire Police Force.
  The opposition to the proposed part closure of Westmorland General Hospital (Ward 4) 
There were various questions from the general public relating to the following:-
(a) EEC Regulations and the cost of regulation/licensing.
(b) The purposes of the Sustainable Communities Bill.
(c) The future of the rural post office and the all party campaign to retain this vital service.
(d) Holiday homes/second homes and the strategy to deal with this problem.
(e) Employment in rural areas and the decline in farming.  Possible re-location of Civil Service jobs, economic incentives - small business sites diversification, designation of barns and brown sites.
  Mr Farron to enquire relating to the Guldrey Lane Site in Sedbergh.
The Chairperson thanked Mr Farron for the wide ranging talk on the above issues.
Highways and Lighting
  Arising out of County Councillor J Nicholson's request for information a general discussion took place concerning the condition of the roads in Dentdale.  It was agreed that the roads are generally in a very poor condition and in fact are worn out.  The problems involve, poor or non existent drainage, crumbling edges with large potholes, wash out debris on the road (stones and mud), poor surface dressing and no white lining.
  The back road at Dillicar to Rash has been resurfaced but this was after a long delay.  Prior to the resurfacing the road had been in a very poor condition for a long time.
  It was agreed that CALC be requested to lobby in respect of a local linesman as it is considered that this approach should be tried and tested.  The current lack of maintenance and the poor quality of repairs is unacceptable.
  Sun Inn Car Park spaces:  The Clerk reported that CCC have now promised to repair the damaged flags during the Easter Holiday.  This issue has taken 18 months to resolve.
  CCC's offer to transfer ownership of the land to Dent Parish Council was considered and it was proposed and seconded and resolved that subject to the repairs being completed the Clerk be
authorised to enter into negotiations to transfer the land into the ownership of the Parish Council.
Village Green maintenance:  SLDC's proposals to transfer the maintenance of the village green were given a cautious welcome.  The Clerk to make further enquiries relating to financial implications.
Lighting:  (i)  Fountain  (ii) Laning
Planning
Planning permission for garage at East View Dent: No comment.
Mire House Barn: information was provided relating to the work currently being undertaken.  This followed the grant of planning permission many years ago and which followed a successful planning appeal to the Planning Inspector.  The house will be the last open marked development in the Dale.
Millgarth:  The applicants have obtained planning permission for the smaller unit.  An appeal is progressing in relation to the larger unit and is the first test case of the 90 square metre policy.
AOB
  Application for grant by Dent Parish Church - deferred to next meeting.
  Dent Folk Festival: permission be granted on the usual terms in respect of use of the field and pavilion during the period 22 to 26 June 2006.
  Trail bikes etc: It was reported that under the NERC Act that activists were applying to establish rights of use/access.
  Charge for toilet:  Mr Hyde indicated that Kirkby Lonsdale made a voluntary charge for toilet use.  The Clerk to make enquiries.

  Laura Rosenzweig, of Laura's Loom handweaving located at Farfield Mill in Sedbergh, will be starting her second 'Beginning Weaving' class after Easter. Laura has been weaving since 1994 and in 2005 graduated with distinction from Bradford School of Art's Diploma in Handwoven Design.
  'Beginning Weaving' comprises 10 classes covering all the basic aspects of handloom weaving. Classes are small (2-3 students) and usually held on Friday mornings (9:30 to 12:00) at Farfield Mill (time and day is flexible). No experience or equipment is necessary. Table looms are available to borrow and yarn for class projects is included.
  For further details please contact Laura on 015396 22043 or send an e-mail to laura@laurasloom.co.uk

Maths at Sedbergh Primary School
  For the last 2 years Janet Oughton has been supporting a group of able mathematicians at Sedbergh Primary School as part of the community dimension of our responsibilities as Technology College.  We recently asked the children to let us know how they felt about their extra maths lessons and here are some of their responses:

• I liked the number squares. 
  

• I like maths and doing worksheets and going on the computer. 
  

• We get to play games.
  

• I like going to Mrs Oughton Maths group because it is a challenge.
  

• It is fun and you teach us different methods of Maths.   Oliver Jamieson
  
• The number puzzles are really hard and stretch my brains a lot. 
  

• We do lots of fun things like going on the computer and doing puzzles and number problems.  Tom Cooling
  
• Its really fun solving number problems, there is also always lots of fun work to do.  Kiernan Bishop
  
• We learn quite a lot from doing fun things but also doing things that challenge the brain.  Andrew McFadyen
  

GREEN MARQUEE
  We now have funding to progress with this and are planning to buy wind turbines (not on Whinash scale!), solar panels and photovoltaic batteries to demonstrate renewable energy on gala day. Any one who would like to be involved with building and running these, or who has ideas for demonstrations, please call in.
POLITICAL ISSUES AND PHILOSOPHICAL IDEAS (PI) CLUB
  The next meeting will be Friday 7^th April - 7p.m. at the Community Office. We will be discussing the concept of choice and whether there really is one under New Labour? Cost is a £1 donation to the Community Office per meeting. For further details please ring Deyna on 21556.
AGE CONCERN / HOMEOPATHY / SLCVS
  Don't forget about these clinics on Wednesday mornings - if they don't get used we will lose them so please call in with any concerns!
CAR PARKS
  YDNPA are now charging £30 for a rams head residents pass. SLDC will not be penalising people for the first two weeks of April while the Joss Lane car park situation is sorted out. We will be letting people know as soon as possible what is happening.

Money for Community Projects
  Do you need money for your community project? The Community Foundation may be able to help. The Foundation exists to improve the quality of community life by making grants to local charities and promoting charitable giving by organisations and individuals.
  It has made a variety of grants in the Sedbergh area. The Sedbergh Bowling Club was one of the first groups in the county to benefit with a grant in 2000. Since then examples have included the First Responders Group in Dent which benefited from a £250 grant towards equipment costs, the Memorial Hall in Dent received £1,000 towards access improvements, £3,000 was given towards new play equipment in Sedbergh, plus a £1,000 to the local Scout Group. In total over £9,000 has been given to various activities.
  The Community Foundation provides a wonderful way for people to give to the communities and causes they care about. People can support its work by becoming members (membership costs £20 annually), by setting up a grant-making fund or by making a one off donation. All assistance is very much appreciated.
  For information on grant aid and ways of giving to the Foundation visit www.cumbriafoundation.org or call 01900 825760.