GREEN HAMMERTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday October 28 2014 at Green Hammerton Village Hall, Harrogate Road, Green Hammerton at 20.00

14/049 Present

Cllrs Chelton (Chairman), Andrew, Bowe, Leather and Taylor.

14/050 In Attendance

Two members of the public.

14/051 Apologies for Absence

Cllrs Bailes, Tegerdine and Lewis (HBC) sent their apologies.

14/052 Declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest.

14/053 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting on 18 September 2014

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2014 be accepted as a true record. The chairman signed the minutes.

14/054 Public participation

Sean Harland said that the trees on Meadow Vale were too close and two need to be removed. It was agreed to contact Mr Gilliard at HBC.

Martin Leather asked if ‘Children crossing’ signs could be attached to the A59 crossing since school children cross the road in the morning and evening. The Clerk will write to NYCC.

Martin Leather asked about the possible cycle route and footpath diversion items. The Chairman decided to move these items forward and discuss them next.

14/055 Cycle path to Thorpe Underwood

This item followed on from an article by Jonathan Purday in the previous Village View. After discussion, it was decided to invite Jonathan Purday to the next meeting to speak about the cycle path.

14/056 Path Diversion between Low Farm and Moss Hill Farm

There is a threat of the path being walled on both sides if it is not diverted and a lawyer’s letter saying that the field may be stocked by a bull and cows with calves. The diversion goes around the edge of the field and is much wider than the path so that, if required, it might be able to accommodate a cycle path as well as a footpath. There were no objections to the diversion.

14/057 Report from the Clerk to the Parish Council

1.  Contacted Steve Ross about the survey and the website

2.  Asked PO if it is OK to have survey form in the PO

3.  Updated the survey words and form – name and address, where to return.

4.  Wrote to NYCC re B6265 hedge cutting

5.  Checked on development at Main Pine

6.  Added planning applications to future agendas

7.  Checked Community Asset procedure

8.  Wrote to Jo Nottingham re expenses claim

9.  Arranged New Lane and Red Lane verge cutting

10. Spoke at NYCC meeting re Incinerator

11. Printed and delivered grass cutting with Cllr Leather’s help

12. Purchased and fixed post box for survey returns

13. Collated Grass cutting survey paper results so far

14. Prepared draft 2015/16 budget

The clerk noted that all the lights on the A59 at Green are now working.

The Finance Report for October was reviewed.

14/058 Approval of Payments

Cheque

100809 Harlands – Tools for Helenfield £54.00

100810 Paul Whelan - September salary and allowance £233.17

100811 GH Brooks – Road pins for Helenfield £57.60

100812 Paul Whelan - October salary and allowance £233.17

RESOLVED that the payments listed be approved.

14/058 Right of the public to speak at a Parish Council Meeting

Gilly Leather raised the point that the public have the right to speak at the beginning of the meeting, usually under Agenda item 4. After that the Parish Councillors discussion should be restricted to Parish Councillors only, being the elected representatives of the residents.

A discussion followed and the majority was in favour of a more informal approach but it was felt that it would be better to return to the subject at the next meeting.

14/059 Grass and verge cutting plans and survey

Preliminary results from the survey were reviewed. The results were clear on each question. The final results and actions will be considered at the next meeting. There were some returns without names and addresses. Since it was not clear on the form or online that names were required and the number was not material to the results, these returns will be included in the survey.

The meaning of the legislation words ‘have regard to biodiversity’ was discussed. It was agreed that the words meant that biodiversity must be considered for any decision and the consideration should be noted in the minutes.

Questions have been raised about insurance cover for volunteers. The Clerk spoke to the insurers and received a written reply saying that volunteers are insured as long as they are fit and able for the task; equipment users are suitably trained; a risk assessment is carried out for each activity; and reasonable safety steps are taken.

14/060 World War One weekend

Cllr Taylor has put up posters for the archive film (‘Filmed and not Forgotten’) and presentation for Friday 7th November at the Village Hall. Cllr Andrew has posters for the Saturday evening called ‘Reminiscence and Remembrance’ on Saturday 8th November.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Entrance will be by donation the British Legion. It was decided to deliver a flyer to all the houses in the village.

14/061 Registering the Post Office and Shop as assets of community value

The Clerk investigated the possibility of registering the PO and shop. If they were registered the village would have six months to come up with an offer. Since the cost would be too high for an uncertain venture, it was decided not to pursue this further.

14/062 Planning development

There is a rumour that a bid has been made for the land behind the school. No further action could be taken until the Parish Council is notified.

14/063 Planning applications

Harrogate Borough Council Enforcement investigated the new extension at Main Pine Furniture. Main Pine Furniture have engaged external consultants and are expected to apply for planning permission soon.

There was a hearing today about the application to build a new house behind Chapel View. Planning permission was refused.

14/064 NYCC Street lighting reduction programme

A map of the planned lighting reductions had been circulated. It was felt that more lights should be on all night at the York Road/A59 junction in addition to the two on the plans. The Clerk will write and request that a further two lights at the junction should be kept on all night.

14/065 HBC Waste and performance consultation

The Clerk will respond to HBC and contact Steve Ross to see if the item can be circulated on the website for individuals to make their own response to HBC.

14/066 Claim for expenses for Tour de France Weekend - £184.67

The decorations, paid for by an individual, were excellent, enhanced the look of the village and added to the spirit of the event. Councillors felt that an application should have been made in advance and that it might set a precedent to make payments after the event. Nevertheless the Council wished to contribute.

It was resolved that the Parish Council would make a grant of £100 towards the cost of the decorations.

14/067 2015/16 Budget

A draft budget was circulated. The budget will be presented at the November meeting.

14/068 Reports from committees, outside bodies and ongoing tasks

Cllrs Chelton and Taylor visited Helenfield following the last meeting. Cllr Taylor had already cleared brambles around the seat nearest the pond recently, and cleared the ride leading up to it, so there was no growth preventing anyone approaching the pond or sitting on the bench. The safety issue was discussed.
Cllr agreed to clear the growth to the right of the existing opening, thereby making the presence of the pond more obvious to anyone unfamiliar with the site. It was also agreed that an existing warning sign about the pond and deep water was better resited near to the opening directly opposite the bench.
14/069 Reports from District and County Councillors

Nothing to report.

Dates for future meetings

At 7:30pm in the Village Hall

TUESDAY

2014

November 25

2015

Jan 27

February 17

March 24