MINUTES OF STUTTON CUM HAZLEWOOD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Thursday 13th July 2017 at 19:30 in the Stutton Village Hall
Chairman: Cllr Mrs T Fawcett.
Clerk: Mrs S Loaring. Molmill, Malt Kiln Terrace, Stutton, Tadcaster LS249SF Telephone: 01937 339197. Email Clerkstuttonpc@gmail.com
Present: Cllr T Fawcett, Cllr D Birchall, Cllr P Spurrier Cllr C Heard, Cllr Mackay.
Clerk – S Loaring
2 members of the public.
Apologies: Cllr Metcalfe.
All present signed the attendance book.
Agenda items
170701. Welcome
The Chairman welcomed Councillors and public to the meeting.
170702. Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of personal, prejudicial and disclosable pecuniary interests.
170703. Public Forum
1. Wild flowers Pauline Hogg advised • publicity had highlighted the flowers were there and there was some interest from press and public. • The verges which had been cut had now been left following a visit from the Police Officer on behalf of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust with permission from Highways England who own the land • It was disappointing to note that some cuts had happened and this had adversely affected the number of flowers this year • The verge on Moor Lane adjacent to the fields is still being cut • There is a meeting w/c 25th July with Darrington Quarry to request funding for signage • Approaches are being made to CEF for additional funding ◦ A group “Friends of Moor Lane Verges” is being formed to facilitate this application.
2. A member of the public highlighted that no comments were to be seen on the Planning Portal for a recent application and although this had been sent to SDC it had not been received. This was an administrative error and the Clerk apologised. At this outline planning stage the Clerk had been reassured by the planning department at Selby District Council (SDC) that the comments would have been noted but that they would not have influenced the decision and that there will be more opportunities to comment when detailed planning is applied for. The member of the public noted the lack of responsiveness by SDC to issues raised at Parish Council level and that issues needed to be escalated more quickly or a robust solution sought more quickly. The examples experienced recently included: • Highways support • Planning Department not taking note of issues raised • Incorrect plans being sent out by planning department. Council discussed and resolved to sent a letter to the Chief Executive of Selby District Council highlighting concerns at a local level regarding issues above.
170704. Apologies
Apologies were received by Chris Metcalfe who was on holiday. The council resolved to accept the apologies.
170705. Minutes of previous meeting
Councillors discussed and resolved to accept the 15th June minutes as an accurate record of the meeting. The Chairman signed the accepted minutes.
170706. To receive reports from
1Chairman – activities since the last meeting – The Chairman was sad to report that Cllr Wrigglesworth had resigned and the Council offered their formal thanks to Cllr Wrigglesworth for his ideas, hard work and dedication to the community over the years he has been a Parish Councillor. Cllr Mackay added separately that he would miss Cllr Wirigglesworth’s contribution.
2NY County Councillor – No update.
3SD Councillor – No report.
4Any other representatives – Police, CEF etc – No report.
5Progress reports – to give updates on ongoing projects – None.
170707. RFO’s report on current balances and payments
a) Current balances:
The Current Account statement balance £17,017.63. Statement 27 April-27 May 2017. No statement available for June.
b) Payments made since last meeting: None.
c) Payments made at the meeting:
Clerk’s salary £239.46 Cheque No 0008014
YLCA Fee for advertisement Cheque No 0008015
d)Other invoices received since agenda preparation: ·None.
e) Payments received since the last meeting: None.
f) Council resolved to accept report and payments: The Chairman initialed bank sheets.
g) The Clerk circulated the Auditor’s report from the internal auditor.
Council resolved to do a VAT return.
170708. Planning
Applications received: None.
Decisions received: None.
Update on planning issues: None.
170709. Speedwatch
Cllr Spurier advised he has not dealt with this matter further but requested his details should replace Cllr Birchall as he will take the Council lead on this. Council resolved to accept this offer.
170710. Buses serving Stutton Village
Buses are being affected by Cawood bridge closure and new temporary timetables are being issued. Cllr Birchall advised there are • buses North bound through to York from Pontefract • no buses from York to Stutton – however there are four down A162 from Tadcaster bypassing Stutton • four buses from Tadcaster through Stuton to Pontefract. The council wished to express disappointment that the York bus goes so close to the village but does not serve Stutton’s residents. The council discussed and resolved to put the new timetable on the village notice board to encourage people to use the service. The council resolved to contact Utopia to find out passenger numbers and what thresholds there were to improving the service.
170711. Speeding on Garnet Lane
Awaiting comments from Selby District Council.
170712 Grass cutting on verges where rare wild flowers are found
Council discussed and resolved to write to land owner to request he not cut the verges adjacent to fields on Moor Lane up to the Quarry and to send a copy of the management plan for the flowers.
170713. Update on dog poo bin
Clerk presented quotations for five bins plus fixing options.
Council discussed and resolved to look at alternative metal bins plus fixing costs. Clerk to investigate installation costs for bins based on specifications of fixing requirements.
170714. Phone Box Adoption update
It was discussed and resolved that the Village Phone Box should become a Village Information point. Suggestions for contents included: • Map of village and list of houses • Information for walkers • Local points of interest • Wild flowers information • Library/book exchange. The Clerk offered to take the idea forward to a proposal and Council resolved to accept this offer.
170715. Underpass
Lighting: There is no update this month. It was discussed and resolved that the Clerk will investigate over the summer and highlight reduction in bills as low voltage lighting has been installed.
Kissing Gates: It was discussed and resolved that Cllr Mackay should contact Gary Lumb to investigate that Highways should put back the gates that were removed previously. Cllr Mackay to contact NYCC. Quotations received to date include: £400 for gates and £250 fitting.
170716. Banking update
It was discussed and resolved to move the bank account to Barclays. Resolved that the Clerk coordinate a meeting at Garforth branch to facilitate this. Proposed date is 26th July. Council resolved to accept the recommendation on internal auditors report to consolidate the savings account with the current account.
170717. ‘Battle’s over” – A Nation’s tribute
Cllr Spurrier has held one meeting and contacted the organising body where the response has been felt to be lukewarm. Regardless of the outcome it was resolved that there be a “quiet place for reflection” in or around the Village Hall. Cllr Spurrier to organise a further meeting to discuss in more detail.
170718. Tipping on Moor Lane
Further Fly tipping has taken place on Moor Lane. Clerk will report this via the SDC flytipping reporting site.
170719. Broken footpath sign at the top of Fanny Lane
The Highways Portal is now the place to report this. The Clerk is in the process of setting up Stutton cum Hazlewood to enable reporting of a number of Highways related issues. It was noted that the sign had not been replaced and that no acknowledgement had been received from Area 7.
170720. Freeman of the Parish
The Parish Council discussed and resolved to posthumously bestow the honor of Freeman of the Parish to Mr K Wright who passed away in May. The Parish Council felt it would be fitting to place a plaque on the bench within the Village Hall grounds to mark this and a letter be written from the Parish Council to Mr Wright’s family. Cllr Heard suggested it would be appropriateto put together a list of criteria for bestowing the Freeman of the Parish status. It was discussed and resolved that Cllr Heard put the list of criteria together.
170621. Update on Clerk’s replacement
One application has been received ·Poster has been designed and is being circulated ·An advertisement has been placed on various websites including YLCA website Tadcaster jobs, Tadcaster citizen.
170722. Update on Parish Council website
It was noted that the Parish Council website has been unavailable for over a month. Cllr Birchall advised he had forwarded an email to Cllr Heard which could help. The Clerk advised that she knows of IT support that can help if necessary.
170723 Correspondence received
1 Friends of the Earth Freedom of Information request.
2 Request for clarification on grass cutting from Stutton Village Hall/Social Committee.
3 Email notification that Rachel Rose will no longer do PAYE for Clerk once S Loaring finishes.
4. Reminder notification – Training 20th July at Rosemary House S Loaring to attend
5 Request for insurance information to be sent to Stutton Village Hall
6 Information on Development Management Service – circulated to councillors
7Information on dog fouling and engaging members of the public to try to tackle the issue
8 Information on YLCA training courses
Re: grass cutting – No contact to come and cut it. VHCommittee – to be reminded to come and cut the grass.
PAYE for Tadaster Town Council – through North Yorkshire (Don Mackay) Ask Clerk at Tadcaster Jo
Insurance to be paid for by the Village Hall Defibrillator responsibility of Parish Council
170724. Action taken since last meeting under clerk’s delegated powers
i Friends of the Earth responding to Freedom of Information request
ii Escalation of Highway matters to Nigel Smith
iii CEF grants information sent to Chairman of Stutton Village Hall
170725. Village Hall
Cllr Heard reported that a second meeting had taken place and a third was planned. A proposed rent increase for Stutton Playgroup had been presented and the Village Hall Committee are awaiting a response. Stutton Playgroup were absent from the meeting. Cllr Fawcett raised a concern over a sharp increase in rent as this could result in losing a core tenant which could have long term implications for funding future developments to the Village Hall. Cllr Heard advised it is expected that Stutton Playgroup will “counter offer”the proposed new rate. Cllr Heard advised that new tables and chairs are to be purchased for the Village hall.
Accounts: None.
170726. Councillors’ Forum
a)To take any urgent points of community interest and/or concern from Councillors. No decisions may be taken at this meeting on any items raised here. Clerk to make notes for future reference.
Samuel Smiths Old Brewery has taken the decision to close the Car Park. It was discussed and resolved that the Clerk write to SSOB requesting that the car park be available for villagers to use as parking on the road is causing a hazard to pedestrians and motorists at busy times. ·The hedge fronting on to the Car Park from Manor road is overgrown and proving a hazard for pedestrians. Clerk to write to Linda Stewart at SSOB to advise ·It was discussed and resolved to that the Clerk write to SSOB highlighting these issues and requesting the pub be opened as a community pub at weekends. There have been offers from Villagers to put up the required bond to allow this to happen
·The Parish Council wished to formally thank Cllr Stewart Wrigglesworth for his contributions
·The Parish Council wished to formally thank the Clerk for her contributions to the Parish Council during her tenure.
b) Items for the next agenda · No additional items were requested.
170727. To receive any further comments on the meeting from electors present
• Pauline Hogg thanked the Parish Council for their support over wild flower conservation.
• Mr Keith Tillett requested a copy of his grass cutting contract be sent to him via email.
170728. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting will be on Thursday 7th September at 7.30pm in Stutton Village Hall.
The Clerk is away 10-24 August.
170729. Closure of Part 1 of the council meeting
The meeting closed at 21.17.
Part 2
Members of the public and press are excluded from this part of the meeting.
1.The Parish Council discussed and resolved to Co opt a new Parish Councillor and an advert and/or information should be posted on the PC website and Stutton Facebook pages, inviting expressions of interest and an application including a closing date.
2.Appointment of new Clerk. One application received. Closing date 9am 7 August. Clerk to distribute information for Chairman to make contact.
Signed……………………………………………………………………………….. Date: ……………………………….
Action points from the meeting
Clerk ·Follow up with Gary Lumb ·Follow up with Highways England and Npower re Underpass lighting ·Clerk to write to Pauline Hogg requesting action on additional funding for verges and signage ·Dog poo bins – speak to SDC ·Chase up outstanding planning application documents ·Distribute Audit report.
Cllr Spurrier ·Promotion of 20 is Plenty campaign.
Cllr Mackay Cllr Mackay to contact Gary Lumb re installation of Kissing Gates near underpass Cllr Mackay to contact Mary Welsh re Bus services through Stutton.