Monday 17 March 2014

WYKEHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at 6.30pm on
Monday 17 March 2014 in the St John Office, Wykeham Business Centre.

Present:

Cllrs. Lady Downe (Chairman), J P Terry (Vice Chairman), R A H Sword, G Barnett, L S Day
and Mr C H Holmes (Clerk).

Also present for part of the Meeting was Borough and County Councillor D Jeffels.

1 Apologies for absence

All Members were present.

2 Declaration of Interests and Register of Interests

In accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct, it was AGREED to grant dispensation to all Members to allow them to contribute to the discussion of all agenda items. This decision is in the interests of the inhabitants of the Parish and will facilitate effective consideration of the business. Voting dispensations will be considered as and when they become necessary.

Lady Downe and Cllrs. Terry and Sword said they may have to declare an interest depending on the detail of discussions about the Minerals and Waste Joint Plan.

The Clerk confirmed to Members that access to their Register of Interests entries is now included on the Parish Council’s website. The Borough Council’s Monitoring Officer has been asked if any further actions need to be taken.

Cllr. Jeffels commented on the issue of whether to allow visitors permission to record or film Parish Council Meetings. The Clerk reported that advice from the YLCA and the Local Government Association is that the Parish Council can refuse any requests until such time that it has approved a Policy/Standing Order stating its position.

3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 January 2014 and Matters Arising.

The Minutes were AGREED to be a true record and Lady Downe signed a copy.

Cllr. Sword said that providing a computer for use by the community can be considered before the next round of funding bids to the Borough Council’s Central Rural Committee in 2014. However, reference to computers will be made when the WRNM News is discussed later in the Meeting.

Cllr. Terry asked if there is still an outstanding account to be settled following use of the Marquee in 2013. Cllr. Sword said that the Estate will make a contribution to Marquee funds.

ACTION – CLLR. SWORD TO ARRANGE FOR A CONTRIBUTION TO BE MADE TO THE MARQUEE FUNDS.

4 Finance

Members received the latest Financial Statement (attached as Appendix 1) and noted the the payment made since the last Meeting. The Clerk confirmed receipt of the rent for Quarry Field i.e. £231.30.

Requests for payment were noted and cheques authorised.

5 Community Projects, issues and initiatives

Cllr. Sword reported that the Village Hall Committee is now meeting every month with the next meeting due in two weeks time. Sarah Lally-Marley from Ryedale Action/Seachange is helping to put together a Big Lottery bid and the chances of success appear to be brighter this time. The views of every household in the Parish about the Village Hall will be sought “in person” and an opportunity will be taken to include comments on developing a new Parish Plan. Cllr. Terry said it will be important to encourage young people to contribute their ideas during this process. Progress will be reported to the Parish Assembly on 19 May.

Cllr. Day provided an update on the Millennium Walk and Ruston Village Amenity Area project and said the Working Party has concentrated on improving the area around the Ice House. The Working Party will be meeting again at the beginning of April and will be able to organise work in the evenings following the changing of clocks. The re-hanging of a gate beyond East Gate in Ruston will be carried out shortly.

ACTION – CLLR. DAY TO ADDRESS THE MATTER OF THE GATE THAT NEEDS RE-HANGING.

With regard to the WRNM News, it was confirmed that Anne Britton has taken over the role of editor. Cllrs. Terry and Day have purchased a lap top computer at a cost of £319.97 on behalf of the Parish Council on the understanding that the Millennium Fund will be making a donation to the Parish Council to cover this cost. The computer will be available for use at Parish Council Meetings, for producing the WRNM News and as back up for the Clerk and Members if required.

Cllr. Sword reported that the Derwent Valley BRIDGE project continues to thrive with a number of events planned. He commented that Parish Councils will again be asked to support the BRIDGE financially to help with running costs.

The need to review the Parish Plan was considered earlier in the meeting and the Clerk was asked to contact the Borough Council’s Planning Dpt. to see if a speaker can attend the Parish Assembly to provide an update on local plan making opportunities and options.

ACTION – THE CLERK TO ASK THE BOROUGH COUNCIL’S PLANNING DEPT. IF A SPEAKER CAN ATTEND THE PARISH ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON LOCAL PLAN MAKING OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONS.

Under Other Community Issues, Cllr. Day commented that work to refurbish the bus shelters and free standings seats should be considered. Cllr. Jeffels suggested that there may be scope for the Community Pay Back teams to carry out any necessary work and said he will refer the matter to the Borough Council.

ACTION – CLLR. JEFFELS TO CONTACT ROGER BURNETT AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY PAY BACK TEAMS TO CARRY OUT WORK IN THE PARISH .

Potholes continue to cause problems and those at the junction of the A170 and the road into Ruston (Downe Arms end) and outside the main entrance to Wykeham Abbey have still not been filled. Cllr. Jeffels confirmed that the need for action has been referred to the Highways Area Office but he will remind them that the work remains to be carried out.

ACTION – CLLR. JEFFELS TO REMIND NICK WEST THAT THE ABOVE POTHOLES HAVE NOT YET BEEN FILLED.

6 Changes to Public Transport

The Clerk confirmed that the County Council’s Executive decided to implement the consultation proposals for Bus Subsidy Reductions with a consequent affect on some services county wide. Posters will be displayed on the buses that are affected including school buses.

Although the 128 service through Wykeham and Ruston is not affected by the bus subsidy reductions, East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) are reducing the number of 128 services from 13 April 2014. Cllr. Jeffels said he is liaising with the bus operator at management level in an attempt to safeguard services and wants to promote the benefits of using public transport. This approach ties in with work the County Council is involved in to try to maintain access to public transport for all who need it. One suggestion is for a system similar to that on the railways where travellers pay a lump sum up front and then benefit from concessionary fares. Local MPs Robert Goodwill and Anne McIntosh have also been approached for support.

7 Consultations and liaison

The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Council’s comments on the review of local vetting criteria for planning applications have been submitted to the National Park Planning Authority.

Members NOTED the five categories in the National Park Design Awards Scheme for 2014. Any nominations are to be forwarded to the Clerk.

ACTION –MEMBERS TO FORWARD ANY DESIGN AWARDS NOMINATIONS TO THE CLERK BY 22 APRIL 2014.

Members NOTED the public transport initiatives being developed by the Friends of Moorsbus.

8 Planning Application

The Clerk reported that the proposal to build a grain store at Ruston Farm (13/02596/FL) has been conditionally approved by the Borough Council subject to detailed approval of the materials to be used in construction. Drainage matters are to be dealt with under Building Regulations.

The Clerk also confirmed approval has been granted for the erection of a canopy/shelter at Wykeham C of E Primary School (NY/2013/0405/FUL).

9 General correspondence

Members received and considered the list of general correspondence that is attached as Appendix 2.

The Clerk reported that he had been made aware that a consultation is underway regarding Issues and Options as part of the preparation of a Minerals and Waste Joint Plan. He had not received the consultation documents and, due to this, the County Council has extended its deadline to allow the Parish Council until 25 April to make a response. It was AGREED that Members will make any comments to the Clerk who will prepare a draft response for consideration at an extra Parish Council Meeting on 16 April.

ACTION – THE CLERK TO COMBINE MEMBERS COMMENTS ON THE MINERALS AND WASTE JOINT PLAN (ISSUES AND OPTIONS) FOR DISCUSSION ON 16 APRIL.

Also NOTED were:

• Details of a Planning Parish Training event at the National Park Offices on 30 April;
• Notice of an extension to the North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER programme;
• The Police Report which had been circulated prior to the Meeting. Members expressed concern about the thefts of plant and fuel from rural locations.

10 Public Question Time

No members of the electorate attended the Meeting.

11 CONFIDENTIAL ITEM

Members considered and AGREED the arrangements for advertising for a new Clerk. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 16 April 2014 and the panel will consist of Cllrs. Lady Downe, Terry and Day.

12 Date and time of next Meeting

Monday 16 April 2014 at 6.45pm in the St John Office at Wykeham Business Centre to discuss the Minerals and Waste Joint Plan.

Annual Meeting Monday 19 May 2014 at 6.00pm in the St John Office at Wykeham Business Centre. This will be followed by the Annual Parish Assembly at 7.15pm.

Approved on 19 May 2014 and signed by the Chairman, Lady Downe.

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