Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Stutton cum Hazlewood Parish Council on Thursday 8th October 2015 at 7.30pm. Venue: Stutton Village Hall.
Attendees: Cllr. Tango Fawcett (Chair), Cllr. David Birchall (Vice Chair), Cllr. Stewart Wrigglesworth, Cllr. Charlie Heard, Cllr. Paul Spurrier, County Cllr. Chris Metcalf.
Lisa Powell (Clerk).
Mr Keith Tillet, Mr & Mrs David Siddle, Mrs Rachel Rose.
Items Raised by Members of the Public
1. Mr Siddle (7 Browns Paddock) addressed the meeting regarding another flooding event which occurred on 6th October. Mr Sill advised that a number of garages had been flooded and a mini mudslide had occurred on Fanny Lane. Mr Siddle asked that the Parish Council approach Sykes Farm to discuss if there was anything they could do to avoid this in future. Mr. Siddle also asked that the drains be cleared outside Malt Kiln Terrace. KT offered to clear the drains. PS to raise the issues in the Parish Magazine. TF to contact Sykes Farm.
PART I – Ordinary Meeting Minutes
1.0 Apologies – None.
2.0 Declaration of Interests – None.
3.0 Minutes – Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council meeting held on 3rd September 2015 were signed off.
4.0 Progress Reports
4.1 Village Hall and Grounds – RR advised that the Parish needs to review arrangements for hiring the Hall for community events. The Village Hall is breaking even at the moment. TF advised this would be discussed in Part II of the meeting. RR advised that the Village Hall had undergone a deep clean. RR advised that the fire alarm is currently broken and the Fire Brigade no longer replace them. Clerk to speak to landlord regarding this.
4.2 Asbestos in the Village Hall – Clerk advised that Sam Smiths had been notified. They advised that the had an up to date asbestos certificate and unless the asbestos had been disturbed they are happy that it doesn’t present a risk.
4.3 Dog Fouling Signs – RR confirmed that a number of personnel changes were taking place within the playgroup and once they have been resolved they would decide what was required in terms of signage.
4.4 Signage Requests –Clerk advised that a Leeds based sign company had been approached to provide costings. It was agreed that this was excessive. It was agreed that CH would survey sites, identify what is required and approach a local company to provide small signs.
4.5 Hedge Cutting – KT confirmed he has cut back Garnett Lane. Clerk awaiting invoice.
5.0 Finance
5.1 & 5.2 Payment of Accounts, Bank Statements and Invoices – Bank statements were signed for the following accounts: • Business Reserve Account dated: 1st July – 1st October • Current Account dated – 26 June – 25 September Cheques signed as follows: • 000763 – Payments for September to LP – £115.60. • 000764 – Payments for September to HMRC – £28.90.
5.3 Invoice Review – Clerk advised that Npower have been notified of the change of ownership and NY Highways have agreed that they own the lights. Still awaiting response from Npower.
5.4 VAT Refund Claim Form – To be claimed when it reaches £100.
5.5 Half Yearly Audit – Accounts for Village Hall and Parish Council were signed off by TF.
5.6 Annual Audit Return – Official notice received. To be displayed on Parish Council noticeboard.
6.0 Tadcaster Cemetery Fees – Nothing further yet heard from Tadcaster Town Council. Meanwhile the change in cemetery fees will need to be published on the Village Notice Board and included in the Village Newsletter.
7.0 Planning –None.
8.0 Parish Council Website – Changes to the contact form have been made. CH to obtain stats on the number of hits received. PS asked if we could put a Community Page on the website. CH to advise. CH also to look at advertising for a new Clerk on the website.
9.0 Affordable Housing – Nothing to report.
10.0 Bus Subsidy Reduction – DB provided an update. A report is due to go to the Scrutiny Committee with a decision expected in November. DB to reply on behalf of the Parish in relation to this.
Additional Items –
11.1 Feedback from Selby Area Committee, NY Fire & Rescue Service Review PS attended. In short, there are two options and both options reduce the level of cover currently provided. Further detail are available on the website. Individual responses to be submitted by 17th October.
11.2 Super-Fast Broadband – DB advised that Stutton is not currently benefitting from Super-Fast Broadband. Individuals need to record with BT their displeasure at the current level of service.
11.3 Calendar of Meetings for 2016 – Clerk to draw up a list of meeting dates.
12.0 Review of Standing Orders, Financial Regulations & Risk Assessments – Clerk to amend copies of the following documents for sign off at the next meeting: • Freedom of Information • Code of Conduct • Purpose Grievance (Complaints). It was agreed that charges for paper copies under Freedom of Information requests would be increased by 100%.
13.0 Correspondence – None.
14.0 Councillor’s Report and Items for Future Agendas – Speeding in the Village – This was raised as a problem. The PC are to send a letter to 95 Alive and Highways@ Selby to raise concerns
15.0 Date of Next Meeting – Future meetings – Every 2nd Thursday of the month. Next meeting Thursday 12th November.
16.0 Meeting Close – Meeting Formally Closed at 9:20pm.
PART II
1.0 Co-opting of Vacancy for one Parish Councillor – LP advised that documentation relating to the appointment of Paul Spurrier has been submitted to Selby DC and will be published on their website.
2.0 Clerk Replacement – The Clerk has submitted her resignation. TF to speak to TTC to advise if the Parish are allowed to hold a meeting without a Clerk. TF to speak to another clerk to ask if she could step in to cover the position in the short term. LP to place an advert in the pub and on the notice board.
3.0 Village Hall – Agreed the Parish need to look at ways of increasing income from the site. Functions are to be charged at £15 per hour with a reduction to £10 per hour for ‘Community Events’ i.e. – any events where profit goes back into the Community. TF to arrange a meeting with the Playgroup to discuss the best way of using the Hall for other activities.
4.0 Meeting Closed at 9:29pm.