Wednesday 17 March 2021

Held remotely at 7.30pm

Present: Cllr Nigel Denison (Chairman), Cllr Peter Mitchell (Vice Chairman), Cllr Jean Featherstone, Cllr Matt Boyle, Cllr Mark Darwin, Cllr Pam Jackson-Vickers, Cllr Deirdre Brown, Cllr Peter Sowray (NYCC), Roger Clements (Clerk) and one member of the public.

1. Apologies for Absence
   1. All councillors were present.
2. Declarations of Interest not already declared under the Council’s Code of Conduct or members Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
   1. No declarations were made.
3. Minutes of the last meeting, held on 17 February 2021
   1. The minutes were accepted as a true record to be signed by the Chairman.
4. Candidates for co-option to the Council
   1. One candidate, qualified to be co-opted, had come forward. Deirdre Brown was duly invited to make and sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and was welcomed onto the Council.
5. Public Forum
   1. The Chairman announced that the new roofing work at St Peter’s Church was scheduled to begin on 17 May 21. He went on to thank Steve Laux and John Featherstone for their work on the cobbles surrounding each new tree planted in Main Street and concluded by remarking on how flower plantings were enhancing the appearance of each village entrance sign.
   2. Cllr Mitchell described parking issues in Bridge Street and asked that the subject be an agenda item at the next meeting.
6. Clerk’s report
   1. The Helperbees sign at the Brafferton Pinfold was to be removed and an updated sign was in preparation.
   2. All land maintenance contracts had been renewed. Cllr Featherstone requested that the flailing contractor be asked to flail outside the bird nesting season – agreed; Clerk to action.
   3. It had not been possible to locate a copy of Local Council Administration (Eleventh Edition) for purchase he suggested the subject be re-addressed after May.
7. Financial Matters
   1. Clerks’ Financial report
      1. The Financial Working Group confirmed the bank reconciliation to be in order.
      2. The FY 20/21 outturn was expected to be in the order of £9,000 with some invoices totalling circa £500 (YLCA subs, trees and admin expenses) anticipated and another circa £1,000 (land registration) not now expected until FY 2021/22.
   2. The following payments were approved for payment:
      1. Clerk Zoom refund (Feb) £14.39
      2. YLCA Accounts webinar (Clerk/Jackson-Vickers) £60.00
      3. YLCA New councillor webinar (Featherstone) £48.00
      4. Clerk Expenses £22.60
      5. Addis Designs Tree planting tbc
      6. A Scarborough Mowing and hedge flailing £297.00
8. Matters for Consideration
   1. Riverside path from Swale Green to Dunroyal – since the recent floods the path was slippery in places and Cllr Boyle asked the Council to consider introducing handrails etc. Council noted that the path was not a right of way, it was an informal track whose route varied depending on the condition of the bank and the choices made by those who walked along it. As had been the case for many years it was for walkers to decide whether to use the path at all and, if so, where to walk.
   2. Grant for churchyard maintenance – Clerk reported on a review of the legal position on whether the parish council could make lawful grants to the St Peters PCC towards churchyard maintenance. The National Association of Local Councils advises that it is currently not lawful to do so. Government has yet to respond to a recommendation in the Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals that the law be amended and until the response to this is known the parish council is unable to make such grants.
   3. Annual Parish Meeting – it was felt that the Meeting for Parishioners could only take place successfully once face to face meetings become possible. It is most unlikely that the meeting can take place as is the norm in May, so the earliest date possible within the covid rules will be selected and parishioners informed as soon as it is known.
   4. Response to local government reorganisation – the Council supported the option comprising a single North Yorkshire county-wide authority plus a unitary council for the city of York. It was agreed that the Chairman should make a response on behalf of the Council and individual councillors should also respond as residents.
   5. Council logo – the proposal artwork submitted by Mr Holland was liked by all councillors and the Clerk instructed to arrange to incorporate it into Council documents etc.
   6. Meadow flowers verge in Tofts Lane – it was agreed that, as a trial, one resident in Tofts Lane could, this year, plant an area with meadow flowers in lieu of grass.
9. To receive information from the Lands and Maintenance Committee and decide further action where necessary
   1. Nothing to report.
10. To receive information on the following ongoing issues and decide further action where necessary
    1. The Neighbourhood Plan outline proposal, with an explanation of its purpose, was ready for distribution as flyers to all households in the parish.
11. To consider the following Planning Matters
    1. Planning Application 21/00373/LBC, proposed alterations to listed building at Lodge Farm, Main Street, Helperby – the Council had no objections to the proposal.
    2. Planning Application 21/00450/FUL, proposed installation of mast at 8 Dunroyal Close, Helperby – the Council had no objections to the proposal and, considering the implication of it being in a Conservation Area, noted that the aerial when raised could not be seen from Main Street.
    3. Planning Application 21/00468/FUL, retrospective application to rebuild outbuilding at St Cuthberts, Helperby – the Council had no objections to the proposal.
12. To receive the following Planning Decisions/information
    1. Planning Application 20/02835/FUL, proposed gravel track to Helperby Estates Glasshouses, Gardeners Cottage, Helperby – awaiting decision from Hambleton District Council
    2. Planning Application 21/00272/FUL, proposed extension to Toll Garth, Bridge Street, Helperby – awaiting decision from Hambleton District Council
    3. Application 21/00477/GENENQ for a tree preservation order to the east of Balk Avenue, Helperby – awaiting decision from Hambleton District Council
    4. Planning Application 21/00204/CAT, proposed works to trees at 2 School Terrace, Brafferton – permitted by Hambleton District Council
       1. Planning Application 21/00061/FUL, proposed construction of a dwelling at Spring Field Farm, Pilmoor – permitted by Hambleton District Council
    5. Planning Application 20/02428/OUT, proposed 5 dwelling development off Raskelf Road, Brafferton – permitted by Hambleton District Council.
13. Matters for Consideration
14. New Correspondence received and decide action where necessary
    1. Council noted that NYCC had been unsuccessful in bidding for phase 1 of the Rural Mobility Fund grants towards rural transport provision. Local Councils (B&H, Myton, Tholthorpe, Flawith and Aldwark) continue pressing the CC to carry out a Travel Needs Assessment in our local area. This would be a pre-curser to re-introducing the 29 service and/or establishing a Demand Responsive Transport scheme. None of these proposals are currently being taken forward by the CC. The Council will continue to press its case.
15. To notify the Clerk of matters for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting
    1. Bridge Street car parking
    2. Annual meeting for Parishioners
16. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Wednesday 21 April 2021