Wednesday 19 Oct 22

Held in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm

Present: Cllr Nigel Denison (Chairman), Cllr Peter Mitchell, Cllr Pam Jackson-Vickers, Roger Clements (Clerk), Cllr Alyson Baker (North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC)) and Cllr Pippa James (Hambleton District Council (HDC)) and members of the public.

1. Apologies for Absence
   1. Apologies were received from Cllrs Brown, Darwin, Boyle and Carter.
2. Declarations of Interest from Cllrs not already declared under the Council’s Code of Conduct or members Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
   1. No declarations were made.
3. Public Forum – Cllr James advised that Northallerton was hosting a Medieval Market 29-30 Oct.
4. The minutes of the meetings of the Council on 28 Sep 22 and the Lands & Maintenance committee on 5 Oct 22 were accepted as true records and signed accordingly by the Chairman.
5. Clerk reported that a reply was still awaited from NYCC on possible repairs to the Swing Bridge gates.
6. Financial matters
   1. The Financial Working Group confirmed the quarterly bank reconciliation to be in order.
   2. Purchase and planting of 3 rowans and 2 oak trees with tree guards – purchase of the trees was confirmed at a cost of £289.91 with an expected collection date of 5 Dec.
   3. Purchase of a Christmas tree for Main Street – Cllr Mitchell proposed that a Christmas tree be purchased to be erected and illuminated as in 2021 at a cost of up to £100 – resolved.
   4. Partial funding for ‘village’ flagpole to replace ‘Ukrainian’ flagpole – Chairman reported that donations were coming in for the purchase of a 5m aluminium flagpole from Hampshire Flag Company at a cost of £200.33 to replace the temporary wooden flagpole standing beside the PC’s notice boards. Cllr Denison proposed purchasing the flagpole once funds allowed, with the Council willing to make up any shortfall to a maximum of £100 – resolved.
   5. The following accounts were approved for payment:
      1. Thorpe Trees Ltd 5 x trees £289.91
      2. YLCA Cllr Trg (Carter) £33.40
7. Matters for Consideration
   1. Liaison with the Helperby & Brafferton Sports Association (HBSA) and the Helperby Brafferton Recreation Trust (HBRT) in the establishing of a village recreation area – members of the HBSA and HBRT described progress towards establishing a recreation area in the field between the sports field and the York Road. The HBRT had become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), making it an entity which would be capable of undertaking a lease of land. The next stage was to sign the lease agreement (this process would also require a Heritage Statement and change of use from agricultural to recreation) from Helperby Estate and agree, with HBSA, details including fencing, location of gates, an area for parking and other details. Thereafter, facilities in the recreation area will be added as funds (and grants) allow. The Council supported the project and agreed to investigate the provision of a footpath linking Back Lane to the HBSA main entrance.
   2. Report on allotment plot RR11 – the derelict building on the plot required making safe. Cllr Denison proposed a 2-stage plan: contractor to clear vegetation from building, demolish unsafe western section and remove debris then provide revised estimate for making roof weatherproof – resolved. Subsequently, second hand Heras fencing may be purchased to secure the building while plans for future use are considered.
   3. Hire of leaf blower to clear Main Street cobbles in the autumn – Clerk reported hire costs of a leaf blower; Clerk to ascertain whether a local contractor would collect the leaves.
8. To receive information on the following ongoing issues and decide further action where necessary
   1. Cobbles project – a contractor had been identified who was able to complete the work before 31 Mar 23. Chairman to agree specific details of re-laying specifications, area of work and cost. If all satisfactory and within the budget of £10,560, then the Council was minded to proceed.
   2. Neighbourhood plan – nothing to report.
9. To consider the following Planning Matters
   1. Planning Application 22/02294/OUT, outline application for the construction of 4 dwellings with all matters reserved except access on OS Field 7346, Boroughbridge Road, Brafferton – the Council objected to the application; full details of the Council’s objections may be viewed on the Hambleton District Council website.
   2. In summary: parishioners report the presence of an anthrax pit in an unidentified location within the field where the development is proposed and investigation should undertaken; surface water run-off from this field is known to be a problem during heavy rain and the adjacent Boroughbridge Road is prone to flooding in these conditions; the village foul sewer system is believed to be close to capacity; the Council is already concerned at traffic speeds along the stretch of Boroughbridge Road bordering the planned development and this development can only worsen the situation; a footway linking the site directly to village footways on the west side of Boroughbridge Road is thought to be essential and a public footpath is shown as running through the site (no explanation is provided about whether there is a plan to re-route the public footpath).
   3. Additionally, the Council found numerous errors of fact in the applicant’s supporting documents which undermined the Council’s confidence in other evidence presented.
10. To receive the following Planning Decisions/information
    1. Planning Application 22/02091/CAT, proposed works to remove trees in a Conservation Area at Brafferton Hall East, Brafferton – granted by Hambleton District Council
    2. Planning Application 22/01974/FUL, proposed construction of single storey and two storey extensions to Court Leet, Main Street, Helperby – granted by Hambleton District Council
    3. Planning Application 22/01858/FUL, proposed construction of 2 x dwellings at St Peter’s Close, Brafferton – awaiting decision by Hambleton District Council
    4. Planning Application 22/02054/FUL, erection of flagpole at the war memorial, Main Street, Helperby – granted by Hambleton District Council
    5. Planning Application 21/00966/REM, amended plans received – reserved matters application pursuant to outline permission 16/01142/OUT for landscape, appearance, layout and scale for the construction of 28 dwellings on OS Field 0046, Boroughbridge Road – awaiting decision from Hambleton District Council
11. Further Matters for Consideration
12. New Correspondence – the tree survey (including additional trees in the Council allotments on the Raskelf Road) had been received. Two trees were identified as ‘at risk’ with a recommendation to fell. Clerk to seek quotations.
13. Matters for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting
    1. None were proposed.
14. The date of the next Council meeting was confirmed as Wednesday 16 November 22.