HESSAY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.00PM AT THE CHAPEL, MAIN STREET, HESSAY ON WEDNESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2023
Present: Councillors John Savage (Chairman), Anne Hook and Emilie Knight. Also present were seven members of the public and the Clerk, James Mackman.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
As is the customary practice, the residents present contributed information to the various debates during the meeting.
23.069 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (NOT PREVIOUSLY DECLARED) ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS
None.
23.070 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE GIVEN IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
All Councillors being present there were no apologies.
23.071 – TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF REASONS GIVEN FOR ABSENCE
None.
23.072 – TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 25 OCTOBER 2023
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 25 October 2023, having been circulated prior to the meeting, were approved and signed.
23.073 – TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
City Councillor Emilie Knight reported that there is a small City Council fund available for groups and clubs to help the community.
City Councillor Anne Hook reported: –
• When the Mobile Library is in the village on 7 December 2023, City Council officers will be in attendance to encourage residents to take part in the traffic, transport and clean air consultation.
• That there is a Priority Customer Service with Northen Powergrid and vulnerable people are encouraged to sign.
23.074 – TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT:
The Clerk reported that he had requested the City Council to change the position of the No Through Road sign in Shirbutt Lane. He had received an email from the City Council thanking him for his email but that they would do nothing for the time being but monitor the situation.
The Clerk reported having asked the City Council to repaint the white lines at the junction of New Road and the A59.
The Clerk reported having asked the City Council to repaint the STOP sign and lines on the road at the junction of New Road and Main Street.
23.075 – PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) The Councillors considered the planning applications received since the October Parish Council meeting as listed below: –
Details of Planning Applications Comments
Ref: 23/01732/FUL – Installation of a solar farm with associated infrastructure, access and security fencing at Yorwaste, Harewood Whin, Tinker Lane, Rufforth, York.
The Parish Council has no objections subject to the development being confined to the current brownfield site.
Ref: 23/02039/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 – Eastings: 452073, Northings: 454265.
The Parish Council objects on the following planning grounds: –
• Special circumstances for development in the Green Belt are not being satisfied.
• The biodiversity study is inadequate.
• We believe that the site has been deliberately concealed from view from the A59.
• We question the length of time of the claimed usage.
• We seek assurance that existing hardcore is not contaminated and is suitable for development.
• We seek assurance that the access to the site will be assessed in line with current highway standards.
• If the planning application is refused the City Council should enforce the removal of the vehicles.
(b) To note Local Authority Planning Decisions
It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had approved no applications since the October Parish Council meeting.
23.076 – FINANCE
(a) Financial Report
The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 29 November 2023. The report reflected the receipts and payments (net of VAT) below:
The bank balances on 25 November were: –
Current Account £100.00
Business Money Manager Account £11,523.77
(b) To note accounts for payment
23 BP Information Commissioner Annual subscription £35.00
24 CHG HSBC Bank charges – Oct/Nov £8.00
25 BP James Mackman Salary – October & November £332.70
26 BP HMRC Income tax on above £83.20
27 BP James Mackman Expenses £19.10
28 BP NetWise UK Setting up the website and annual maintenance £884.00
(c) To receive a report on income received
HSBC Bank interest £21.55
Northern Electric Wayleave £19.32
(d) To agree to renew the Parish Council’s insurance with Zurich
The Clerk reported that Zurich had not increased the premium this year. It was agreed to renew the Parish Council’s insurance with Zurich.
(e) To ratify the increase in the Clerk’s salary backdated to 1 April 2023
This was agreed.
23.077 – TO MAKE DECISIONS ON PARISH COUNCIL LAND
(a) Registration of Parish Land – To receive an update
The Chairman reported that the Land Registry, for a number of reasons, had advised the Parish Council that it would not proceed in registering the Parish Council’s ownership of the pond area and Willow Garth. However, should the Parish Council submit another claim for both areas it would consider new claims. It was agreed to take up the Land Registry’s offer and the Councillors agreed that Messrs Mark Barratt and Roger Hildreth should act on behalf of the Parish Council.
(b) Hessay Pond
No report.
(c) Willow Garth
It was agreed that the subject of the dilapidated sheds should be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting.
(d) Allotments
i. It was noted that there has been a change of tenants.
ii. It was reported that there could be a problem with the well. Councillor Savage and Stuart Cariss are going to investigate and report back. (Action Councillor Savage)
(e) Thief Lane
No report.
(f) Sandpit Field
No report.
23.078 – TO DISCUSS, THE CONDITION OF THE VILLAGE ROADS, FOOTPATHS, VERGES, AND SIGNAGE IN THE VILLAGE.
(a) It was reported that at least one of the gulleys in Main Street has been repaired by the City Council.
(b) It was reported that some of the signs around the village are leaning, some of the signs have been turned. It was agreed that residents should report these incidents, by way of the internet, to the City Council or to Fix My Street
23.079 – TO PROGRESS THE VILLAGE SIGNS
Discussion on this subject was deferred.
23.080 – TO PROGRESS THE NEW WEBSITE FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL
The Clerk reported that he had commissioned NetWise UK to build a website for the Parish Council. He also reported that he had secured hessayparishcouncil.gov.uk
Councillors agreed the design of the website. (Action Clerk)
23.081 – 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.
23.082 – TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING
The Clerk said that no incidents in Hessay had been reported to the police in October 2023.
23.083 – TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK
It was noted that the correspondence received since the October meeting, as listed below, had already been circulated to the Councillors.
(a) CYC – Response to No Through Road signs query
(b) North Yorkshire & York Local Nature Recovery Strategy – Webinar invitation
(c) North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner – Action Plan update
(d) North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner – Zoe’s Blog
(e) YLCA – Law and Governance Bulletin October 2023
(f) YLCA – NALC Chief Executive’s Bulletins
(g) YLCA – White Rose Bulletins
(h) YLCA – YLCA Information/Vacancies and Training Bulletins 27 October
23.084 – TO CONSIDER MINOR MATTERS
None.
23.085 – TO CONSIDER NEW ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
Co-option of new Councillors, setting the budget for 2024-25 and agreeing the precept, the future of the sheds in Willow Garth and discussion about the well in the allotments.
23.086- TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held at 7.00pm on Thursday 18 January 2024 in the Curlew Fields Farm café, New Road.
There being no more business the meeting was formally closed at 8.43pm
Chairman……………………………. Date………………….…
James Mackman, Clerk 39 Calder Avenue, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6RG
Tel: 01904 399277 email: jmackman3@gmail.com