HESSAY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30PM AT THE CHAPEL, MAIN STREET, HESSAY ON THURSDAY, 16 MARCH 2023
Present: Councillors Mark Barratt (Chairman), Matt Hinton, Steve Mills, Harry Ramshaw and Mike Ward. Also present City Councillor Anne Hook and the Clerk, James Mackman.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
23.017 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (NOT PREVIOUSLY DECLARED) ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS
None.
23.018 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE GIVEN IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
All Councillors being present there were no apologies.
23.019 – TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF REASONS GIVEN FOR ABSENCE
None.
23.020 – TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 26 JANUARY 2023
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 26 January 2023, having been circulated prior to the meeting, were approved and signed.
23.021 – TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
City Councillor Anne Hook reported that she had: –
• Attended the Solar2 presentations
• Been round the village checking on signs, potholes, pavements etc.
• Informed the relevant City Council departments about the problems.
23.022 – TO MAKE DECISIONS ON PARISH COUNCIL LAND
(a) Registration of Parish Land – To receive an update
The Chairman reported that the Land Registry says that the Parish Council hasn’t provided sufficient information to enable them to register ownership of the pond area or Willow Garth and that he is working on providing more information. (Action Councillor Barratt)
(b) Hessay Pond including the review of the grass cutting regime
i. It was agreed that the grass cutting regime for 2023 be unchanged from last year. The Clerk is to contact the contractor and agree the price per cut for the forthcoming season. (Action Clerk)
ii. Councillor Barratt reported that he had relocated the bulbs from under where the hard standing is going.
(c) Willow Garth
i. To consider the quotations for removing the asbestos
It was noted that one quotation had been received to date. The Clerk is meeting another contractor on 23 March and arranging for a third in due course. It was agreed that a quotation should be made for removing the asbestos and another for removing everything from the site. (Action Clerk)
ii. To review the annual rent
It was agreed that the rent for Willow Garth be increased to £25 per annum as from 1 April 2023. (Action Clerk)
(d) Allotments including
i. Increasing the number of allotment plots
A date had been set to discuss the allotments and the number of workable plots with the allotment representative. (Action Councillor Barratt)
ii. Considering a request for rabbit netting
It was agreed that the Parish Council would not fund the rabbit fencing but that the allotment holders should ask the Ward Committee for funds. (Action Councillor Barratt)
(e) Thief Lane including rent review
It was agreed that the rent for Thief Lane be increased to £25 per annum as from 1 April 2023. (Action Clerk)
(f) Sandpit Field including rent review
It was agreed that the rent for Sandpit Field be increased to £45 per annum as from 1 April 2023. (Action Clerk)
23.023 – PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To note Local Authority Planning Decisions
It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had refused the following application: –
• Ref: 22/02574/FUL – Erection of storage building and change of use of surrounding land for storage of motor vehicles (retrospective) at OS Fields 0025 and 1124, York Road.
23.024 – TO DISCUSS THE POOR CONDITION OF THE ROADS IN THE PARISH, WITH A VIEW TO SEEKING IMPROVEMENTS.
The continuing problems with the surface of the roads in the village was discussed. Assistance was sought from Ward Councillor Anne Hook. It was noted that there are two websites where residents are able to report problems.
• The City Council has a fault reporting facility on its website and this can be found at https://www.york.gov.uk/ReportProblems
• Problems can also be logged at the Fix My Street website at https://www.fixmystreet.com/
Councillors agreed to report all matters in the village using the above platforms in the ensuing month. (Action councillors)
23.025 – TO DISCUSS DOG FOULING IN THE VILLAGE, NOTABLY LOW MOOR LANE
Following a complaint about dog fouling the Councillors discussed the subject. The Clerk reported that he had requested the City Council to provide two more dog bins and was awaiting a response. (Action Clerk)
23.026 – TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSAL OF HESSAY SOLAR FARM AND SET A DATE FOR A VILLAGE MEETING.
After discussion it was resolved to arrange a meeting on a Saturday morning so that the Parish Council can gauge the opinions of Hessay residents. (Action Councillor Barratt)
23.027 – TO CONSIDER THE MAY 2023 PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS
The Clerk gave each Councillor a set of nomination papers and notice of a YouTube video which gives details of how to complete the paper successfully.
23.028 – TO NOTE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING
It was noted that there had been no incidents reported to the police in January or February 2023.
23.029 – FINANCE
(a) Financial Report
The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 16 March 2023. The report reflected the receipts and payments (net of VAT) below.
The bank balances on 16 March were: –
Current Account £100.00
Business Money Manager Account £10,880.84
(b) To note accounts for payment
39 BP Hessay Methodist Church Grant towards room hire £120.00
40 BP Mark Barratt Christmas lights etc £147.69
41 CHG HSBC Bank charges Jan/Feb £8.00
42 BP James Mackman Clerk’s salary – February & March £332.70
43 BP HM Revenue & Customs Income tax on above £83.20
44 BP James Mackman Expenses £14.13
(c) To receive a report on income received
HSBC Bank interest £17.98
City of York Council Annual double taxation relief £351.88
(d) To re-appoint the internal auditor
It was agreed to re-appoint Linda Cariss as the internal auditor.
23.030 – TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT:
(a) Progress on Community Payback cutting back vegetation (Min. 23.012b)
It was reported that arrangements had been made for Community Payback to carry out work in Main Street and Shirbutt Lane on 26th February but that they hadn’t turned up. The Clerk is to endeavour to arrange another date. (Action Clerk)
(b) Progress on the Newsletter (Min. 23.012c)
It was reported that the Newsletter needs a tweak and will then be made available to residents.
(c) Progress on New Road safety sign (Min. 23.008)
No news on this subject. Clerk to follow up. (Action Clerk)
(d) Progress on New Road/Main Street junction safety measure (Min. 23.009)
No news on this subject. Clerk to follow up. (Action Clerk)
23.031 – TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK
It was noted that the correspondence received since the January meeting, as listed below, had already been circulated to the Councillors.
(a) Community Payback – Acknowledgment of claim
(b) Neighbourhood Watch – Our News, February 2023
(c) North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner – Commissioner Zoë’s Newsletter – February 2023
(d) Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner – Quarterly blog
(e) Open Spaces Society – January 2023 ezine
(f) Systra – Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan – webinar details
(g) YLCA – Civility and Respect Project – March Newsletter and Latest Information
(h) YLCA – Councillors’ discussion forum dates
(i) YLCA – NALC Chief Executive’s Bulletins
(j) YLCA – NALC Parliamentary Briefing – Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill
(k) YLCA – Notice of York Branch Zoom meeting 16 February
(l) YLCA – White Rose updates
23.032 – TO CONSIDER MINOR MATTERS
It was reported that a resident had asked about new equipment in the play area. It was agreed that the City Council, being the owner of the play area, should provide any new equipment.
Councillor Barratt reported that he had made a claim on behalf of Hessay Community & Wildlife Volunteers for the provision of a bench to be situated in Willow Garth at £600.
Councillor Lord said that he would not be standing at the May election and was thanked for the service and dedication he had given to the Parish Council over his tenure as a Councillor.
23.033 – TO CONSIDER NEW ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
None
23.034 – TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 25 May 2023. It will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.00pm.
There being no more business the meeting was formally closed at 9.30pm
Chairman……………………………. Date………………….…
James Mackman, Clerk 39 Calder Avenue, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6RG
Tel: 01904 399277 email: jmackman3@gmail.com