Wednesday 7 April 2021

Held remotely at 7.30 pm

Present: Cllr Nigel Denison (Chairman), Cllr Peter Mitchell, Cllr Mark Darwin, Steve Laux (co-opted member), John Featherstone (co-opted member) and Roger Clements (Clerk)

1. Apologies for Absence
   1. All members were present.
2. To receive any 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 Forum
   1. John F detailed the contents of a plan, prepared for the next Council meeting, to begin the eradication of balsam in the parish. It was likely to need a community effort, would involve strimming and some pulling up of plants and was likely to need the support of Helperby Estates to be fully effective. Clerk confirmed that the subject is on the agenda for the next Council meeting and this plan would be presented to Cllrs with a target action date in June tbc.
4. Dates for future meetings – Quarterly first Wednesdays (7 Jul, 6 Oct, 5 Jan etc) were selected.
5. Neighbourhood Plan – flyers outlining the purpose and advantages of a NP had gone to all dwellings in the parish and no adverse comments had been received. Cllrs Denison and Mitchell would now arrange a further meeting with Hambleton DC to formulate a plan for the next stage prior to briefing the full Council.
6. Adding a tree guard to the remaining unprotected sapling in Main Street – The last unguarded young tree on Main Street was vulnerable to damage by traffic and should be protected. Two designs of tree guard were considered and it was agreed that a guard identical to those recently purchased was most suitable and should be recommended to the Council for purchase – resolved.
7. Additional signage at the Boroughbridge Road village millstone – the rear (south) side of the millstone was rather unsightly and ways were sought to improve its appearance. The consensus was for a shrub to be planted and, with guidance from John Featherstone, a suitable plant should be recommended to the Council for purchase – resolved.
8. Registration of parish footpaths according to the Right-to-Roam legislation – some paths, regularly walked by parishioners over many years (e.g. River Swale banks, Sandholme Lane), had no formal status beyond that of Permissive Footpaths and might be contenders for registration as Rights of Way. Other paths (those from Thornton Bridge and into Fordington) were currently marked as Rights of Way but were rarely used and had become ploughed over or obstructed. It was agreed that a survey of all actual and potential footpath Rights of Way should be completed with a view to registering those paths which fitted the criteria as Rights of Way – Chairman and Clerk to devise the process,
9. Cobbles Project
   1. Update on Project progress – five newly planted trees were now to be seen in Main Street, each with a steel tree guard, and comments suggested the village was favourably impressed. Chairman thanked Steve L and John F for their works to cobbles and installation of the guards. The photogrammetry survey was due to re-start as conditions became suitable with the first priority being completion of Main Street west side.
   2. Maintenance requirements and costs for cobbles including street cleaning and weeding
      1. It was acknowledged that the small volunteer workforce would only be able to undertake a limited number of repairs to selected areas each covering a few m². Steve L recommended a prioritised list of 5 areas (Afternote: this was revised to 8 areas with costs estimated to total £90), with the work to be done when volunteers were available – resolved.
      2. Major works to the cobbled approaches to the village hall and at the Kirkholme frontage will be put out to tender once the laying specification was finalised. When quotations were received the full plan and costs will be presented to the Council for consideration – resolved.
      3. A draft care guide, prepared by Steve L, for householders with cobbled frontages was discussed. Once ready in final draft it will be put before Council for approval and distribution.
      4. Weed control: discussions and trials continued with pedestrian controlled steam cleaning, brush and flame equipment and some limited chemical suppressants. The intention is to select an environmentally friendly system at reasonable cost.
10. Agenda items for the next meeting
    1. Handrail(s) for the sloping Helperby surgery access path
11. Date of next Meeting 7 July 2021