Minutes remote Council meeting 16 Sep 20

Wednesday 16 September 20

Held remotely at 7.30pm

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

1. To receive apologies for Absence
   1. All Cllrs were present.
2. To receive 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 19 August 20
   1. The minutes were agreed to be a true record and were signed accordingly by the Chairman.
4. Public Forum
   1. Chairman introduced two news items: firstly, the Church Roof repair fund had reached £71k and was on track to be able to undertake the necessary re-roofing work next year; in the meantime, the roof had been fitted with a rain proof cover which would protect it through the winter. He passed on the PCC’s heartfelt thanks to village donors and others who had taken fund raising towards the target of £88k. Secondly, he reported that the War Memorial Committee hoped to run a Remembrance Day service. However, covid-19 restrictions may severely restrict attendance so plans were likely to be ‘last minute’.
   2. Mr Laux requested that the Lands and Maintenance committee discuss the production of a comprehensive maintenance plan for Main Street now works to the cobbles are under way. Chairman confirmed that the committee would discuss this topic when it meets in the near future.
5. Clerk’s report – arrangements were in place for the Litter Pick to take place on Sunday 20 Sep at 1030 am with volunteers meeting at the war memorial. Three teams of pickers will be led by the Clerk, Cllr Denison and Cllr Jackson-Vickers; equipment is booked for collection from Hambleton DC. Separately, a message of thanks had been received from Citizens Advice upon receipt of the Council’s donation.
6. Financial Matters
   1. Clerks’ Financial report – the bank reconciliation was confirmed.
   2. Expenditure from NYCC Locality Budget grant – Cllr Owens proposed that the Council provided financial start-up and printing support to potential new village magazine; this support provisional on the Council being satisfied that the magazine could successfully carry its message to the community on Covid-19 and other topics – resolved
   3. Quotation from NY Web Solutions – Cllr Owens proposed acceptance of a quotation of £120 – £150 from NY Web Solutions to make changes to the council’s website to bring it into line with the government’s new accessibility regulations – resolved.
   4. The following accounts were approved for payment:
      1. Clerk Printer inks £103.37
      2. Clerk Zoom subs (month 6) £14.39
      3. YLCA Webinar (Cllr Owens) £5.00
   5. Clerk’s Salary – it was resolved to increase salary payments to the Clerk in accordance with the National Salary Award 2020/21 backdated to 1 April 2020.
7. Matters for Consideration
   1. Main Street footway coloured gravel dressing, white lining and HVH driveway drain – Cllr Denison reported the road works complete except for the expected re-dressing of the footways; he will ask NYCC for an explanation. The HVH driveway drain was installed and cobbles were being replaced using the laying scheme recommended by Historic England. Council recorded its thanks to Steve Laux and John Featherstone for their re-laying work. Once complete the new laid cobbles will be allowed to settle and the effect of traffic movement across them assessed.
   2. Potential re-start of a village magazine – See item 6.2. Clerk to discuss the idea with Jess Hayne with a view to presenting a specific plan at the next meeting.
   3. Funding of Vehicle speed data equipment hire – Cllr Topps reported that the grant bid from the AJ1 fund had been submitted. He also recommended the submission of a grant request to the Road Safety Trust; it was agreed that he and Cllr Denison would prepare this bid if the bid to the AJ1 fund looked likely to fail.
   4. Neighbourhood Plan – After a brief discussion this topic was deferred to the next meeting.
   5. Village Neighbourhood Watch (NW) – Cllr Boyle reported little positive reaction to his attempts to gather support. The existing NW funds of £52.60 to be transferred to the Council account and ringfenced pending re-activation of NW. Cllr Sowray will pass on appropriate contact details for Easingwold police.
   6. Standardisation of street lamp designs in Main Street – Cllr Boyle outlined a proposal for Main Street and Raskelf Road. He will re-circulate to Cllrs his original report from pre-lockdown and propose specific recommendations at the next meeting.
8. To receive information from the Lands and Maintenance Committee and decide further action where necessary
   1. Update on Cobbles project – Cllr Denison reported that the transfer of the Main Street cobbles ownership from the Church Commissioners and HVH trustees to the Council was complete. Application to log ownership with the Lands Registry was now underway in a process that could take a year to complete.
   2. Update on Lands Registration project – the registration process remains underway. The L&M committee will meet soon to produce a costed maintenance plan for Main Street.
9. To receive information on the following ongoing issues and decide further action where necessary
   1. Actions resulting from the coronavirus crisis – no new actions to report.
   2. Applications to place the Golden Lion and the ‘Butcher’s shop’ on the Register of Community Assets – actions continue.
   3. Tree survey by Barnes Associates – Clerk reported that the survey had been planned for 14 September and the report was expected within two weeks of the survey.
10. Planning Matters
    1. Planning Application 20/01959/CAT, proposed work to a tree in a conservation area at 12 Dunroyal Close – the Council had no objections to this application.
11. To receive the following Planning Decisions/information
    1. Planning Application 20/00643/REM, proposed reserved matters pursuant to outline permission 16/01142/OUT for 28 dwellings on Boroughbridge Road, Brafferton – refused by Hambleton District Council
    2. Planning Application 20/00671/FUL, proposed SUDS pond relating to planning permission 16/01142/OUT at OS Field 0046, Boroughbridge Road, Brafferton – awaiting decision from Hambleton District Council
    3. Planning Application 20/01495/CAT, work to tree at 6 Dunroyal Close, Helperby – permitted by Hambleton District Council
    4. Planning Application 20/01429/MBN, to determine if prior approval is required for change of use from agricultural building to 2 x dwellings at the Grain Store, NE of Old Star Cottage, Back Lane, Brafferton – awaiting decision by Hambleton District Council
12. Matters for Consideration
13. New correspondence received
    1. The Council noted the Community Association’s call for new members and volunteers without which it may be forced to disband. The Council’s role has been to facilitate some CA functions and it strongly supports its continued existence. Readers of these minutes are encouraged to attend the CA meeting at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 30 September at the Golden Lion (in a Covid-19 secure way and in line with current regulations).
14. Matters for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting
    1. Standardisation of street lamp design.
    2. Village magazine
    3. Neighbourhood Plan
    4. Neighbourhood Watch
    5. Update on the position of the Community Association
15. The next meeting confirmed as Wednesday 21 October 2020