HESSAY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30PM AT THE CHAPEL, MAIN STREET, HESSAY ON THURSDAY, 19 MAY 2022
Present: Councillors Mark Barratt (Chairman), Olivia Johnson, Mike Lord, Steve Mills and Harry Ramshaw. Also present was City Councillor Anne Hook (from agenda item 22.047) and the Clerk, James Mackman.
ANNUAL MEETING
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
22.037 – TO ELECT A CHAIRMAN FOR THE YEAR
Councillor Barratt was re-elected as Chairman unanimously.
22.038 – TO RECEIVE THE CHAIRMAN’S SIGNED DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Councillor Barratt signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office
22.039 – TO ELECT A VICE-CHAIRMAN
Councillor Johnson was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman.
22.040 – TO APPOINT A COUNCILLOR TO ATTEND THE YLCA YORK BRANCH MEETINGS
The Chairman explained that in order to attend a YLCA Branch meeting a Councillor had to be appointed to do so by the Parish Council. In the event, Councillor Barratt agreed to be the Parish Council’s representative for the YLCA and was unanimously elected.
AGENDA
22.041 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (NOT PREVIOUSLY DECLARED) ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS
None.
22.042 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE GIVEN IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
City Councillor James Barker had sent his apologies.
22.043 – TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF REASONS GIVEN FOR ABSENCE
All Councillors being present there was no need to give approval.
22.044 – TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 17 MARCH 2022
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 17 March 2022, having been circulated prior to the meeting, were approved and signed.
22.045 – TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
City Councillor, Anne Hook, reported that Bradley Lane between Rufforth village and Bradley Grange is on the schedule for resurfacing for 2022-23.
22.046 – TO MAKE DECISIONS ON PARISH COUNCIL LAND
(a) Registration of Parish Land – To receive an update
Councillor Barratt reported that the Land Registry has granted the Parish Council a possessory title for both the Sandpit and the allotments. Work to register the other parcels of land is continuing
(b) Hessay Pond including: –
i. The working party to resurface the path & development of the area using the grant received from the City Council
It was agreed that Councillor Barratt is to approach a local contractor regarding clearing the path surface in preparation for resurfacing and creating a base for the hard standing. The intention then is to create a working party to complete the works.
The Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman, was authorised to commission the work within a set budget. (Action Councillor Barratt & The Clerk)
ii. The Environment Agency had been contacted following a complaint about sludge in the ditch behind the pond, who had confirmed it was run off from agricultural land & drains and the road, it did not contain sewage but would contain some animal faeces. It was agreed that the local drainage board should be asked remove sludge from the area in the future. (Action Clerk)
iii. Two quotations for strimming the pond area were considered. It was agreed to award the contract to Sleightholm Landscapes with a start time of the third week in June. (Action Clerk)
(c) Willow Garth
i. It was reported that the Parish Council has received an enquiry as to whether or not it would be interested in selling Willow Garth. Councillors noted that the land is subject to an historical agricultural tenancy and is no interest in selling it at the present time
ii. It was agreed that Sleightholm Landscapes be asked to clear the nettles behind the gate into Willow Garth. (Action Clerk)
(d) Allotments
It was noted that the allotment holders have planted wildflowers on the agreed that the clerk should create and maintain a waiting list for prospective tenants of the allotments. (Action Clerk)
It was agreed that every allotment agreement should include a section stating that only the rented area should be cultivated as there is a small section of the allotment area wherein some asbestos is safely buried. (Action Clerk)
(e) Thief Lane
No news on this subject.
(f) Sandpit Field
No news on this subject other than that the Parish Council has been granted possessory title by the Land Registry.
22.047 – 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: 22/00655/FUL – Erection of 4no. holiday lets following demolition of agricultural buildings at Glebe Farm.
No objections but we feel the application should be considered taking into account the recent planning applications at the property.
* City Councillor Anne Hook arrived at this point on the agenda.
Ref: 22/00907/FUL – Single storey rear extension at Ivy House, Shirbutt Lane.
No objections but seek reassurance that the neighbours are not adversely affected.
(b) To note Local Authority Planning Decisions
It was noted that the City Council had approved the following planning applications: –
• Ref: 22/00179/FUL – Replace existing window and door to front elevation with new bay window at Applewood, Main Street.
• Ref: 22/00375/FUL – First floor side extension at 2 Roecliffe Court.
22.048 – TO DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF “VILLAGE SIGNS” AT THE ENTRANCES TO THE VILLAGE
No further news on this subject.
22.049 – TO DISCUSS THE CONDITION OF THE PAVEMENTS IN THE VILLAGE
The Clerk reported that he had been unable to contact Community Payback with regards to the cutting back the overgrowing vegetation to clear the footpath that runs adjacent to the Methodist Chapel, and to clear the pavement along Shirbutt Lane. (Action Clerk)
22.050 – TO CHOOSE A DELEGATE TO REPRESENT THE PARISH COUNCIL ON THE YORK BUS FORUM
Councillor Barratt reported that no delegate for the York Bus Forum has been found.
22.051 – TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING
It was noted that there had been no incidents reported to the police in March or April 2022.
22.052 – FINANCE
(a) Financial Report
The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 19 May 2022. The report reflected the receipts and payments (net of VAT) below.
The bank balances on 19 May were: –
Current Account £500.00
Business Money Manager Account £14,868.73
(b) To note accounts for payment
CHG HSBC Bank charges March £8.00
1 BP York Bus Forum Annual subscription £15.00
2 CHG HSBC Bank charges April £8.00
3 BP YLCA Annual subscription £129.00
4 BP James Mackman Clerk’s salary – April & May £304.74
5 BP HM Revenue & Customs Income tax – April & May £76.00
6 BP James Mackman Expenses £14.26
(c) To receive a report on income received
HSBC Bank interest £0.85
City of York Council 1st half-year’s precept £1,825.00
Parish Council land tenants Land rents £130.00
HMRC VAT refund for 2021-22 £70.79
(d) To agree the Annual Governance Statement on the Annual Return
The Councillors considered the questions in the Annual Governance Statement of the Annual Return. It was agreed that the Parish Council response to all the questions is “Yes” and the Chairman and Clerk signed the form.
(e) To agree the Statement of Accounts on the Annual Return
The Clerk showed the Chairman supporting evidence as to where the entries in the Annual Return had come from. The Chairman, being satisfied with the answers, put the Annual Return to the vote which was carried. The Chairman and the Clerk then signed the Annual Return.
(f) To agree to subscribe to the YLCA for 2022-23 – £129.00
This was agreed.
(g) To certify that the Parish Council is exempt for AGAR
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 2021-22 was less than £25,000. As the Parish Council falls into this category the Chairman and Clerk duly signed the form.
22.053 – TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT:
(a) The purchase of a new set of Christmas tree lights (Min. 22.025)
Councillor Barratt reported having not yet being successful in finding a set of non-mains coloured lights.
(b) Progress on Community Payback cutting back vegetation (Min. 22.026a)
It was noted that it is proving difficult to contact someone in Community Payback. (Action Clerk)
(c) Cutting back the hedge in the children’s play area (Min. 22.034b)
The hedge has not yet been cut back. It was noted that some of the City Councils operatives are on long-term sick which would explain why the hedge has yet to be cut.
22.054 – TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK
It was noted that the correspondence received since the March meeting, as listed below, had already been circulated to the Councillors.
(a) Open Spaces Society – April 2022 eZine
(b) Poppleton Community Trust – Ukraine support – introductory meeting
(c) TCV York & North Yorkshire – Funding opportunity
(d) YLCA – White Rose updates
(e) YLCA – York Branch meeting dates
(f) YLCA – June/July training programme
22.055 – TO CONSIDER MINOR MATTERS
It was agreed to produce a Newsletter (Action Councillor Mills)
It was agreed that Councillor Mills compile a list of residents who wish to receive Parish Council’s emails. (Action Councillor Mills)
22.056 – TO CONSIDER NEW ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
(a) The Pensions Regulator’s requirement that the Parish Council re-enrols
(b) To ask Yorkshire Water to fence its area in Willow Garth
(c) The future of the shed in Willow Garth
22.057 – TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 21 July 2022.
There being no more business the meeting was formally closed at 9.25pm
Chairman……………………………. Date………………….…
James Mackman, Clerk 39 Calder Avenue, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6RG
Tel: 01904 399277 email: jmackman3@gmail.com