HESSAY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.00PM IN THE CHAPEL SCHOOLROOM, HESSAY, ON THURSDAY 16 JANUARY 2020
Present: Councillors Mark Barratt (Chairman), Mike Lord, George Ramshaw and Ann Watson. Also present were five members of the public and the Clerk, James Mackman.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
20.001 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (NOT PREVIOUSLY DECLARED) ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS
None.
20.002 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND APPROVE REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received and approved from Councillor Olivia Johnson who had given birth to a baby girl the previous week. Although Councillor Johnson had not been able to attend recent Parish Council meetings it was noted that she had given her time to acquiring the newly installed defibrillator and had helped in the pond area working group for which she was given the thanks of the Parish Councillors.
City Councillor James Barker had forwarded his apologies & enquired of anything which may require his attention.
20.003 – TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 26 NOVEMBER 2019
The minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2019, having been circulated and read, were accepted and signed as a true record.
20.004 – TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
No City Councillor was present so there was no report.
20.005 – TO MAKE DECISIONS ON PARISH COUNCIL LAND
(a) Registration of Parish Land – To receive an update
No further news to report on this subject.
(b) Hessay Pond including the provision of a picnic table and work to the path
i. It was reported that the water level in the pond has risen and that the pond area is “looking good”.
ii. There was no further news on the picnic table or work to the path
(c) Willow Garth
Councillor Barratt reported that he had trimmed some branches and that a tree had fallen over which he intends to chop into logs.
Councillor Barratt also reported that he had applied to the Woodland Trust for some trees on behalf of the Hessay Community Wildlife Group.
(d) Allotments
A resident new to the village requested an allotment. The Councillors agreed that to this and the Clerk is to produce an allotment agreement which will commence on 1 April 2020.
(e) Thief Lane
No report.
(f) Sandpit Field
No report.
20.006 – PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) To note Local Authority Planning Decisions
It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had approved the following application: –
• Ref: 19/01774/FUL – Removal of conditions 3, 4, 5, and 6 of permitted application 18/02432/FUL to erect 2no. agricultural buildings for the keeping of livestock and to re-instate pond at Land to North East of Moor Villa Farm Low Moor Lane.
20.007 – TO DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF BROADBAND FOR THE VILLAGE
It was reported that Quickline had leafleted selected properties in the village and that there were now seven expressions of interest for their broadband venture.
As Councillor Lord needed to leave the meeting before it was due to end it was agreed that item 20.016 – Finance be moved to this point in the agenda. For convenience, the minutes of the Finance section can be found below.
20.008 – TO DISCUSS THE CONDITION OF THE VILLAGE ROADS, VERGES, POTHOLES, FOOTPATHS AND SIGNAGE IN THE VILLAGE
(a) It was agreed that Councillor Barratt would investigate the cost of a notice which would warn drivers that they should ignore their Sat Navs if they showed Shirbutt Lane connects to the A59. It was agreed that, if the cost be less than £50, the Clerk be authorised to buy the notice. (Action Councillor Barratt and Clerk)
(b) Councillor Barratt presented a photograph which showed pooling in the gateway to the church in New Road. It was agreed that the City Council be asked to tarmac the entrance and reduce the height of the drop kerb to make access easier. (Action Councillor Barratt and Clerk)
(c) It was reported that the footpath in front of the field gates in Shirbutt Lane are covered in mud and it was agreed that the City Council be approached to ensure that the footpaths were cleared. (Action Councillor Barratt and Clerk)
(d) Atterwith lane is subsiding into the drainage ditch, it was agreed to point this out to the City Council as the condition of the road has worsened. (Action Clerk)
(e) The stiles on the footpath to Rufforth are in a poor state and potentially unsafe. It was also noted that people with disabilities had difficulty negotiating stiles as did residents with large dogs. It was agreed that Councillor Watson contact the City Council’s Public Rights of Way Officer to see if steps could be taken to remedy the problems. (Action Councillor Watson)
20.009 – TO NOTE THE INSTALLATION OF A DEFIBRILLATOR IN THE VILLAGE AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE UNIT
(a) It was noted that the City Council had installed the defibrillator cabinet on the post in front of the Children’s playground.
(b) Councillor Ramshaw has put the defibrillator in the cabinet, but it is not yet activated.
(c) It was agreed that Councillor Ramshaw would register the defibrillator with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service so that a code number could be given to anyone requiring access to the defibrillator. (Action Councillor Ramshaw)
(d) It was noted that four residents have agreed to be on a maintenance rota to ensure that the defibrillator is always ready to be used.
(e) It was noted that the Green Hammerton surgery is running a CPR course on 28th April. Councillor Barratt is to enquire if it would be possible for Hessay residents to attend the course. (Action Councillor Barratt)
*Councillor Lord retired from the meeting at this point in the meeting
20.010 – TO DISCUSS PROGRESS ON THE CREATION OF A NEW PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE
Councillor Barratt agreed to make it a priority to get the new website up and running. (Action Councillor Barratt)
20.011 – TO CONSIDER COUNCILLOR TRAINING
It was noted that there were no suitable YLCA training courses at the moment.
20.012 – TO AGREE TO ADOPT THE REVISED NALC GRIEVANCE POLICY
This was agreed.
20.013 – TO AGREE TO ADOPT THE REVISED NALC DISCIPLINARY POLICY
This was agreed.
20.014 – TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING
The Clerk reported that there had been no incidents reported to the police during the months of November and December.
20.015 – TO NOTE PROGRESS ON SETTING UP A COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH GROUP
No further news on this subject.
20.016 – FINANCE
(a) Financial Report
The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 16 January 2020. The report reflected the receipts and payments (net of VAT) below.
The bank balances at 16 January were: –
Current Account £500.00
Business Money Manager Account £8,802.47
(b) To note accounts for payment
412 Zurich Municipal Annual insurance premium £257.60
366 Upper Poppleton Parish Council Stationery contribution for 2019 £20.00
367 James Mackman Clerk’s salary December & January £296.78
368 HM Revenue & Customs Income tax – December & January £74.20
369 James Mackman Expenses including SLCC subscription £22.37 £32.73
(c) To receive a report on income received
HSBC Bank interest £2.95
City of York Council Double taxation grant £327.94
(d) To agree to pay a proportion of the Clerk’s SLCC subscription (£22.37)
It was agreed that the Parish Council would pay £22.37 towards the total of this year’s subscription of £180.00.
(e) To consider the Budget for 2020-2021 and set the precept
The Councillors considered the proposed budget that the Clerk had circulated prior to the meeting. It was agreed that the precept for 2020-21 be held at £3,650. The Chairman and Clerk signed the required form.
20.017 – CLERK’S REPORT:
(a) Progress on the repairs to the damaged seat in front of the notice board (Min. 19.123)
There has been no contact from the resident who had volunteered to repair the seat. It was agreed that the Ward Committee now be asked to provide funds towards the purchase of a new seat. (Action Councillor Barratt and Clerk)
(b) Progress on the filling in of the pothole in front of the Church in New Road (Min. 19.129a)
No news on this subject.
(c) Progress on the refurbishment of the notice board (Min 19.129b)
Refurbishment is dependent on the seat in front being made good.
(d) Progress on the request to the York Autograss Club (Min. 19.129c)
It was noted that there had been no Club meetings since the November Parish Council meeting, so it had not been possible to make a request.
20.018 – TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK
It was noted that the correspondence received since the November Parish Council meeting listed below had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting
(a) CYC – Budget consultation
(b) CYC – Mobile Library information update
(c) YLCA – Chief Executive’s Bulletin
(d) YLCA – Home Office Consultation: Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments
(e) YLCA – White Rose Update – December 2019
20.019 – TO CONSIDER MINOR MATTERS
(a) The safety matting in Hessay Playground needs filling in around the edge. Councillor Barratt agreed to raise this with the City Council. (Action Councillor Barratt)
(b) It was noted that the Christmas lights had been put up on two of the trees in the children’s playground.
20.020 – TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
None.
20.021 – TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held at 7.00pm on Thursday 19 March 2020.
There being no more business the meeting was formally closed at 8.33pm.
Chairman……………………………. Date………………….…
James Mackman, Clerk 39 Calder Avenue, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6RG
Tel: 01904 399277 email: jmackman3@gmail.com