Minutes Council meeting 17 Nov 21

Wednesday 17 November 21

Held at 7.30pm in Helperby Village Hall

Present: Cllr Nigel Denison (Chairman), Cllr Peter Mitchell (Vice Chairman), Cllr Mark Darwin, Cllr Pam Jackson-Vickers, Roger Clements (Clerk) and Cllr Peter Sowray (NYCC).

1. Apologies for Absence
   1. Apologies were received from Cllr Boyle.
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. Public Participation
   1. Chairman announced receipt of Jean Featherstone’s resignation – this was expected as she and husband John are to move from the village in the near future. He thanked them both for their generous support to many village activities and wished them well in their new home.
   2. Cllr Sowray described the election process in May 2022 resulting from progress towards the new North Yorkshire Unitary Council. District Councils will cease to exist and 90 councillors will be elected to the Shadow Authority; at the same time parish council elections will take place and our parish council will be placed within the new Hillside and Raskelf Ward.
4. The minutes of the last meeting held on 20 Oct 21 and the L&M committee meeting on 3 Nov 21 were agreed to be true records and were signed accordingly by the Chairman.
5. Clerk had no additional news to report but noted that a new member of the Financial Working Group would be required to replace Jean Featherstone.
6. Financial matters
7. Clerk reported receipt of the promised £2,000 grant from NYCC towards purchase of the VAS (see 11.1). The year’s outturn remained sound with reserves in the usual safe range.
8. Budget/precept for FY 2022/23
   1. Cllrs reviewed all expected expenditure and receipts for the FY. Cllr Denison proposed that the budget be approved (with the exception of staff salary but see 8.2) and a precept of £14,000 be submitted – resolved.
   2. Chairman proposed to discuss the Clerk’s salary after the last agenda item and to exclude members of the press and public under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, due to the nature of the following business to be transacted being prejudicial to the public interest – resolved. Following that discussion, Chairman proposed increasing the Clerk’s paid weekly hours to 6 with effect from 1 Dec 21 – resolved.
9. To approve the following accounts for payment:
   1. YLCA Cllr Training (Brown) £60.00
   2. Clerk Safely equipment £57.90
10. Matters for consideration
    1. Allotment Gardens policy – the draft policy document, recommended by the L&M committee on 3 Nov 21, had received no criticism of its content from allotment holders. Chairman proposed that the policy be adopted by the Council without amendment – resolved. The policy document will appear on the Council’s website.
    2. Positioning of a memorial bench on Swale Green – the chosen material for the bench was thought very suitable for the riverside location and Councillors approved the siting of a memorial bench to mark the life of Terry Hainsworth.
11. To receive information on the following ongoing issues and decide further action where necessary
    1. Traffic speed management – Clerk reported that 3 x mounting posts and a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) had been ordered. Posts were expected to be installed by NYCC by early December and the VAS should be fitted by Swarco in the New Year.
    2. Neighbourhood Plan update – Cllrs Mitchell and Denison were starting the data gathering phase and looking to co-opt suitably experienced members to the committee. This is the major phase of the project and is likely to last for several months. It will construct the draft plan for eventual presentation to all stakeholders. Chairman noted that: the village Conservation Area Plan requires updating; surface water run-off was a potential issue at some village locations and raw sewage discharges into the Swale should be investigated.
    3. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Big Lunch – a meeting for interested parties will take place in HVH at 8.15pm on 23 Nov 21.
    4. North Yorkshire Queen’s Green Canopy initiative – it was agreed to plant 3 additional rowan trees on Swale Green to complete the existing partial line of trees parallel to the bridleway to the Swing Bridge.
12. To consider the following Planning matters
    1. Planning Application 21/02518/LBC, formation of door opening at Lodge Farm, Main Street, Helperby – the Council supported the application.
13. To receive the following Planning decisions/information
    1. Planning Application 21/02144/FUL, construction of 5 dwellings and associated access at OS field 0048, Raskelf Road, Boroughbridge Road, Brafferton – awaiting decision from Hambleton District Council
    2. Planning Application 21/02230/CAT, works to trees at Hollytree House, Brafferton – awaiting decision by Hambleton District Council
    3. Planning Application 21/00824/OUT, proposed 33 dwelling development to the south & east of Balk Avenue, Helperby – awaiting decision by Hambleton District Council
    4. Planning Application 21/00966/REM, reserved matters pursuant to outline permission 16/01142 for construction of 28 dwellings at OS Field 0046, Brafferton – awaiting decision from Hambleton District Council
    5. Planning Application 21/02464/CAT, works to trees and hedges at Stafford House, Raskelf Road, Helperby – permitted by Hambleton District Council
    6. Planning Application 21/02348/FUL, construction of garage and new outbuilding at 8 Bridge Street, Brafferton – awaiting decision from Hambleton District Council
14. New Correspondence received and decide action where necessary
    1. St Peter’s School asked whether the Council had any plans to distribute some token (commemorative mug/coin etc) to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Cllrs liked the idea but it would need careful thought and some research; sponsors may be sought and perhaps something may be considered for all school age children in the village. To be a future agenda item in Dec/Jan or possibly taken on by the Jubilee planning group.
15. Matters for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting
    1. None were proposed.
16. The date of the next Council meeting was confirmed as Wednesday 1 December 21 (revised post meeting)