Wednesday 20 April 22

Held at 7.30pm in Helperby Village Hall

Present: Cllr Nigel Denison (Chairman), Peter Mitchell, Cllr Deirdre Brown, Cllr Mark Darwin, Cllr Ben Carter, Cllr Matt Boyle, Cllr Peter Sowray (NYCC) and Roger Clements (Clerk)

1. Apologies for Absence
   1. Apologies were received from Cllr Pam Jackson-Vickers.
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 – no points were raised.
4. The minutes of the last meeting held on 16 Mar 22 were confirmed as a true record and signed accordingly by the Chairman.
5. Clerk reported: a Community Infrastructure Levy payment of £160.13 from Hambleton District Council was expected soon; a memorial bench was to be positioned on Swale Green in May and the Rotary Club of Ripon had advised that a fund-raising bike ride would pass through our village on Saturday 7 May.
6. Financial matters
7. Clerk’s Financial report: a new defibrillator battery had been purchased at a cost of £294.00 and installed: this urgent expenditure needed retrospective authority and was approved. The Council’s end of Financial Year outturn at 31 Mar 22 was £10,997.10.
8. Unity Trust Bank payment card transaction limits. Chairman proposed that transaction and monthly limits for the payment card be set at £150 and £300 respectively – resolved.
9. Annual Bookkeeping Review by Financial Working Group – the review was deferred to a date tbd in May.
10. The following accounts were approved for payment:
    1. Clerk expenses to 31 Mar 22 £50.70
    2. Clerk MS Office 365 2 x monthly subs refund £18.96
11. Matters for consideration
    1. Council orders and policies – a review of Council orders and policies would be conducted by Clerk and Chairman for ratification at the Annual Meeting of the Council in May.
    2. Arrangements for annual village litter pick – the Litter Pick will take place from the Village Hall on Sunday 24 April at 10 am.
    3. Council elections on 5 May 22 – all sitting cllrs were re-elected unopposed and will form the new Council after 5 May.
    4. Power supply to this year’s Christmas tree lights – Chairman reported that investigations had taken place, with input from Hambleton District Council, on the feasibility of running a power supply from the nearby streetlamp. Unfortunately, the cost involved was found to be prohibitively high and the idea is shelved. Mr Laux to be asked to produce a written procedure for setting up the tree and providing power to the lights.
12. To receive information on the following ongoing issues and decide further action where necessary
    1. Neighbourhood Plan – research continues with major input expected in May when the 2021 Census figures come available
    2. Cobbles Project – funds will be available during this financial year for work to be undertaken at the entrance to the Village Hall. Chairman will produce a finalised specification for the cobbles re-laying and will then approach local tradesmen for quotations.
    3. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend – Cllr Boyle reported some changes to the plan: the tree planting adjacent to the Sports Field on Friday 3 June will involve ‘planting’ a marker (tree planting to follow when conditions are suitable) followed by a family Treasure Hunt pm; the Saturday evening event is cancelled with the afternoon street party extended into the early evening; the street party likely to be a mixture of provided food and ‘Bring your Own’ picnic. Mugs, for presentation to village children, have been received and will be handed out at the Street Party; the Sunday Church service will be followed by tea and coffee in St Peter’s church. Another meeting of the Steering Group to take place on 21 April 22.
13. To consider the following Planning matters
    1. 22/00288/FUL, proposed new boundary wall at Rose and Crown House, Main Street, Helperby – awaiting decision from Hambleton District Council
14. 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 21/00966/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
    3. Planning Application 22/00416/MRC, variation of conditions attached to application 12/01571 for construction of 6 poultry sheds as amended by plans received by Hambleton District Council – awaiting decision from Hambleton District Council
    4. Planning Application 22/00497/CAT, works to trees in Conservation Area at Blackthorn House, Main Street, Helperby – granted by Hambleton District Council
    5. Planning Application 22/00351/FUL, renovation of outbuilding at 2 Main Street, Helperby- granted by Hambleton District Council
    6. Planning Application 22/00352/FUL, renovation of outbuilding at Listed Building 2 Main Street, Helperby- granted by Hambleton District Council
    7. Planning Application 22/00224/FUL, proposed rear extension and first floor extension over garage at 3 The Orchards, Brafferton – granted by Hambleton District Council
15. Presentation to Councillor Peter Sowray – Chairman thanked Peter for his regular attendance at Brafferton Parish Council, Helperby Parish Council and, currently, this Council’s meetings during his tenure as a District Councillor for 20 years and a Council Councillor 33 years. During this long period he supported events and improvements in the village, for example he helped push forward the Millennium Hall project and most recently initiated a grant towards the cost of the Vehicle Activated Sign. To mark his local government service the Council presented him with an engraved tankard then, after the meeting, repaired to The Middle to check that it worked well. In response Peter thanked the Chairman and councillors for their gift. He had enjoyed attending meetings of the three parish councils and he had always thought that a merger of the two smaller councils would be a good thing; he believed it had been a great success and hoped it would continue to be so.
16. New Correspondence received and decide action where necessary
    1. None was received.
17. Matters for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting
    1. None was proposed.
18. The date of the Annual Council Meeting and Annual Meeting for Parishioners was confirmed as Wednesday 18 May 22