DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30PM AT THE CHAPEL SCHOOLROOM, MAIN STREET, HESSAY ON THURSDAY, 15 MAY 2025
Present: Councillors John Savage (Chairman), Mike Cross, Tom Hildreth, Anne Hook. Also present were six members of the public and the Clerk, James Mackman.
ANNUAL MEETING
24.039 – TO ELECT A CHAIRMAN FOR THE YEAR
Councillor Savage was elected chairman for the year.
24.040 – TO RECEIVE THE CHAIRMAN’S SIGNED DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Councillor Savage signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
24.041 – TO ELECT A VICE-CHAIRMAN
Councillor Hildreth was elected Vice-Chairman.
24.042 – TO APPOINT A COUNCILLOR TO ATTEND THE YLCA YORK BRANCH MEETINGS
Councillor Taylor was appointed to be the Parish Councill’s representative to the YLCA York Branch.
AGENDA
25.043 – CO-OPTION AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW COUNCILLORS
No names were put forward.
25.044 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (NOT PREVIOUSLY DECLARED) ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS
Councillor Cross registered an interest in planning application 25/00724/FUL.
Councillor Hildreth registered an interest in planning application 25/00786/FUL.
25.045 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE GIVEN IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Will Taylor.
25.046 – TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF REASONS GIVEN FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Taylor’s reason for absence was approved.
25.047 – TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 20 MARCH 2025
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 20 March 2025, having been circulated prior to the meeting, were approved and signed.
25.048 – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
It was reported that a field in Low Moor Lane has been fenced and five loads of aggregate tipped in the entrance. Residents asked if the Parish Council had received a planning application for this work in the Green Belt. The chairman said that no planning application had been received. The Clerk is to write to the City Council to enquire if the work does require a planning application to be submitted. (Action Clerk)
25.049 – TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
City Councillor Anne Hook spoke about the City council’s Clean Air Act smoke control area consultation. The subject was not on the agenda for the meeting but had been discussed at the preceding Annual Parish Meeting. The Clerk is to let the City Council know that the residents at the APM agreed that the City Council be advised that they don’t think that there’s a need to be put in the scheme and, being in a rural environment of low density housing and open aspect, object to being included in a blanket policy.
25.050 – TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT:
(a) Update on the Parish Council’s website (Min. 24.027a)
The Clerk reported that the website had now had more than eight thousand visitors and twenty thousand views.
(b) Request to repaint the faded markings on the village roads (Min. 25.027b)
It was noted that the lines at the entrance of New Road with the A59 had still not been repainted. The Clerk is to press the City Council to carry out the work. (Action Clerk)
(c) The removal of the Willow Garth tree which has fallen over into the adjacent field. (Min. 25.027c)
The tree has not been removed. Councillor Hildreth is to make arrangements for its removal. (Action Councillor Hildreth)
25.051 – PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) The Councillors considered the planning applications received since the March Parish Council meeting as listed below: –
Details of Planning Applications Comments
Ref: 25/00723/FUL – Erection of detached garden room to rear at Mapplefields, 5 Laburnum Farm Close, YO26 8LG.
No objections but request that care be taken to avoid light pollution.
Ref: 25/00724/FUL – Single-storey side and rear extensions, render and cladding to front, roof lights to front and rear and solar panels to rear and side at Hilfra, Main Street, YO26 8JR.
The Parish Council objects as this is an overdevelopment of the site with the footprint being increased by 120%. The extension would lead to loss of light for the neighbour.
Ref: 25/00754/AGNOT – Erection of an agricultural building for livestock at Longfield Grange, YO26 8HZ.
No objections
Ref: 25/00786/FUL – Erection of an agricultural building to accommodate livestock at Curlew Fields Farm, New Road, YO26 8JS.
No objections
(b) To note Local Authority Planning Decisions
It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had approved the following applications: –
• Ref: 23/01732/FUL – Installation of a solar farm with associated infrastructure, access and security fencing at Yorwaste, Harewood Whin, Tinker Lane, Rufforth, York.
• Ref: 25/00304/AGNOT – Extension to straw storage barn at Glebe Farm Hessay to Moor Bridge, YO26 8JP.
25.052 – FINANCE
(a) Financial Report
The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 15 May 2025. The report reflected the receipts and payments (net of VAT) below:
The bank balances on 15 May were: –
Current Account £100.00
Business Money Manager Account £12,859.31
(b) To note accounts for payment
43 CHG HSBC Bank charges – Mar/Apr £8.00
1 BP James Mackman Salary – Apr/May £373.76
2 BP HMRC Income tax on above £93.20
3 BP James Mackman Expenses £19.79
(c) To receive a report on income received
HSBC Bank interest £30.75
City of York Council First half-year’s precept £2,250.00
Tenants Allotments and land rents £145.00
(d) To agree the Annual Governance Statement on the Annual Return
The Councillors, having previously been given a copy of the Annual Governance Statement of the Annual Return, agreed that all the questions could be answered with a “yes.” The Chairman and Clerk signed the form.
(e) To agree the Statement of Accounts on the Annual Return
Prior to the meeting the Clerk had given all Councillors a copy of the Annual Return and the paperwork supporting the entries. The Councillors agreed to accept the Annual Return and the Chairman and the Clerk signed the form.
(f) To sign the exemption form for the Annual Return
It is a requirement of the external audit procedure that an exemption form be completed, signed and returned to the external auditor if a Parish Council’s income or expenditure for 2024-25 was less than £25,000. As the Parish Council falls into this category the Chairman and Clerk duly signed the form.
(g) To agree to subscribe to the YLCA for 2025-26 – £150.00
This was agreed.
25.053 – TO MAKE DECISIONS ON PARISH COUNCIL LAND
(a) Registration of Parish Land – To receive an update
No news on this subject.
(b) Hessay Pond
It was agreed not to have the grass cut at the moment to give the birds a chance to breed.
(c) Willow Garth
It was noted that Northern Powergrid are going to cut back vegetation near the transformer on 28 May.
(d) Allotments
It was noted that there is still one allotment not let this year and that there are no names on the allotment waiting list. The Clerk is to re-advertise the vacancy on the Hessay Community Facebook page.
(e) Thief Lane
No report.
(f) Sandpit Field including drainage and fencing and gate
i. John Cammidge explained that the problem of flooding around the sandpit field is caused by a blocked drain from the pond. The Councillors agreed that the appropriate remedy to rectify the situation be undertaken.
ii. It was also resolved that the existing narrow gate to the field should be replaced by a 14-foot gate and this was authorised.
25.054 – TO DISCUSS, THE CONDITION OF THE VILLAGE ROADS, FOOTPATHS, VERGES, AND SIGNAGE IN THE VILLAGE.
(a) It was noted that the 30mph sign in Main Street has been knocked sideways. The Clerk is to report this to the City Council. (Action Clerk)
(b) It was noted that the gutter along Shirbutt Lane needs to be cleared. The Clerk is to ask the City Council to do this. (Action Clerk)
(c) It was noted that the City Council’s grass cutter had not cut the grass back to the hedge in Shirbutt Lane. The Clerk is to advise the City Council accordingly. (Action Clerk)
(d) It was noted that there is a broken plank on the wooden bridge in the public footpath between Hessay and Rufforth and that the stiles are in need of repair. Councillor Cross is to take photographs which the Clerk will send to the City Council’s Public Rights of Way officer. (Action Councillor Cross and Clerk)
25.055 – TO CONSIDER COUNCILLOR AND CLERK TRAINING
Details of YLCA training courses are circulated to Councillors on a regular basis. It was agreed that none of the forthcoming courses were required.
25.056 – TO CONSIDER SUPPORTING AN INFANT SWING IN THE PLAYGROUND
The Councillors discussed an email from a resident asking for support in asking the City Council to provide a baby swing in the children’s playground. The Councillors agree to support the request. (Action Clerk)
25.057 – TO CONSIDER INCREASING THE WEBSITE CACHE FROM 1GB TO 5GB TO ACCOMMODATE MORE RECORDS
It was noted that more than 90% of the website cache is being used. To enable more records to be added to the website it would be necessary to reduce the number of records currently available or increase the size of the cache. It was resolved to increase the size of the cache. (Action Clerk)
25.058 – TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING
The Clerk reported that there had been no incidents reported to the police in any month in 2025.
25.059 – TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK
25.059.1 – It was noted that the correspondence received since the March meeting, as listed below, had already been circulated to the Councillors.
(a) CYC – What’s the difference between an AGNOT and a FUL application response
(b) CYC – Smoke Control Area Consultation
(c) Open Spaces Society – eZine – April 2025
(d) Open Spaces Society – eZine – March 2025
(e) YLCA – Councillors’ Discussion forums
(f) YLCA – Law and Governance Bulletin Early April 2025
(g) YLCA – Note of York Branch AGM 7 June
(h) YLCA – White Rose Weekly Bulletins
25.059.2 – The Clerk referred to the following items of correspondence received since the March Parish Council meeting
(a) Eden Renewables – Enquiry about meeting dates
(b) Shiona Marsh – Introduction as the new Community Officer for Rural West York Ward
(c) The Pensions Regulator – Re-enrolment duties
25.060 – TO CONSIDER MINOR MATTERS
None.
25.061 – TO CONSIDER NEW ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
To consider acquiring and installing two seats in the village.
25.062- TO AGREE THE DATE AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held in the Chapel Schoolroom, Main Street, Hessay.at 7.00pm on Wednesday 16 July 2025.
There being no more business the meeting was formally closed at 9.17pm
Chairman……………………………. Date………………….…
James Mackman, Clerk 39 Calder Avenue, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6RG
Tel: 01904 399277 email: clerk@hessayparishcouncil.gov.uk