SKELTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

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DRAFT SUBJECT TO FORMAL COUNCIL APPROVAL    

Minutes of the Meeting of Skelton Parish Council held on Tuesday 13th July 2010 at Skelton Village Hall. The meeting commenced  at 7.00 p.m.

10.49. Present:- Councillors Lumley (in the chair), Watt, Raper, Crosbie, Hayton, Stead and Campbell, the Clerk, PCSO Pearson (to the close of the open forum only)  and 7 members of the public.

10.50  Apologies for absence where received from Cllrs. Procter and Mansell.

10.51  Cllr. Raper declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 8.3 approval of invoices for payment being a close relative of one of the payees and left the meeting for this item (minute 10.57.3 refers).

10. 52  It was resolved to sign and approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8th June 2010 as a true record.

10.53  Open Forum.

1.      PCSO Justin Pearson gave the Police Report for June. There were two crimes reported for Skelton and two incidents of anti-social behaviour.

2.      The Chairman read the Ward Report for June. The Chairman gave notice that the next meeting of the Ward Committee would be held on 21 July in Skelton Village Hall starting at 7.pm.

3.      A parishioner expressed concerns regarding litter, underage drinking and late night noise at the playground. The Chairman responded that the Council were aware of these issues and were working with the Neighbourhood Policing Unit to address the problems of nuisance caused by misuse and would be seeking the assistance of City of York’s Environmental Street Officer to help with the litter problem. PCSO Pearson confirmed that the Police had powers to impose fixed penalty notices for littering and would seek to confiscate alcohol found in the possession of underage or nuisance causing drinkers at the playground. A parishioner questioned the need for a fence around The Pasture and whether or not it represented the best use of the Parish Council’s resources. The Chairman responded that a fence was being proposed to discourage any encroachment on to the area by unauthorised individuals or groups and to try and prevent damage to the grass surface that might present a safety hazard to legitimate users of Orchard Field/The Pasture. He also clarified that at this point in time the only step the Council had taken towards the provision of such a fence was to agree to submit an application to the Ward Committee for Ward Funding in the financial year 2011/12. Representatives from Skelton Village Trust outlined the Trust’s views on the need for better maintenance of the A19 highway verge between Fairfield Drive and St. Giles Road. The Trust chairman also confirmed that STV had received a Community Pride Challenge Fund Grant for the work on the Orchard View hedge and fence and would be passing on to the Council that part of the grant which related to the provision of the fence. A parishioner expressed the view that the playground would have been better situated in a different part of the village. The Chairman outlined the reasons why the playground was constructed on its present site and the history of this site as a designated play area for over sixty years. The Chairman also detailed the numerous consultation opportunities that had been provided by the Council to ensure that every parishioner could contribute to the forming and implementation of the playground project.

10.54. It was agreed to receive the report of the Council’s Internal Auditor and to consider the auditors suggestion that the Council have a Chairman’s Allowance at the next meeting of the Council. No other action was required of the Council as a result of the auditor’s report.

10.55 Matters arising from the previous meeting of the Council.

1.     Following consideration of the recommendations of the Playground Project Advisory Group meetings of 29 June 2010 and 6th July it was agreed:-

a.      The opening event be held on Saturday 18th September.

b.      The Clerk to purchase a 6 x A4 lockable exterior notice board at an estimated cost of £250.00.

c.      A letter of thanks be sent to those volunteers who had assisted the Clerk in addressing the issues raised by the Zurich Report.

2.     It was agreed to receive the Safety Risk Assessment Report for the playground produced by Zurich Insurance Ltd. It was agreed to ratify all the actions (taken and proposed) outlined in the Clerk’s report and that no additional action was required.

3.     It was agreed the Clerk research the likely cost of the purchase of a commemorative stone for the cemetery extension.

4.     It was agreed Councillors would inspect the condition of the drainage ditches on Brecks Lane and the subject would be further considered at the November meeting of the Council.

5.     It was agreed the Clerk to clarify the process for submitting applications for Ward Funding for 2010/11 at the Ward Committee Meeting on 21st July and that the follow project applications be submitted.

a.      Further Lighting Column along The Pasture footpath.

b.      Racecourse type fence around The Pasture.

c.      Provision of commemorative stone for cemetery extension.

d.      Planting new and replacement native trees for the village.

e.      Refurbishment of A19 highway verge between Fairfields Drive and St. Giles Rd. in preparation of regular grass cutting and maintenance regime.

10.56  The following responses to planning application consultations were agreed. –

            723 – Skelton Manor – Internal Wall. Ratify the Clerk’s delegated decision of ‘No objections’.

            724 – The Old Orchard, Church Lane – Tree work in Conservation Area – No objections.

            725 - McDonald’s Restaurant – Illuminated signs – No objections but clarify whether consultation should actually have been addressed to Rawcliffe PC due to boundary changes.

            725 – The Old Orchard, Church Lane – Rear extension and double garage – No objections but seek conditions to protect grass verges during construction period and safeguard road safety on narrow lanes. 

10.57  Financial Issues:           

1.      It was agreed to receive and approve the report on the Council’s financial position at 30th June 2010.

2.      The following receipts were noted: -

Barclays Bank Interest on Business Reserve £4.20.

Rec 539 -542 Cemetery Fees £2335.00

3.      It was agreed to approve payment of the following invoices : -

Moorlands Landscapes. Safety work at Playground £65.00

Barons Landscape Contractors Grass Cutting June £296.30

Barons Landscape Contractors VAT on above £51.85

Moorlands Landscapes Cemetery Maintenance £170.00

10.58  New Items and correspondence.

a.      It was agreed the Clerk enquire from CYC as to the status of the ‘York (Parishes) Order 2009’ and the effect on the Skelton parish boundary.

2.      For decision:

a.      After consideration of correspondence from Skelton Village Trust and contributions in the open forum regarding grass cutting on the verges of the A19 it was agreed:-

                                                                           i.      CYC Highways be asked to improve on the standard of the present maintenance including fulfilling the past undertaking to cut the sides of the footpath.

                                                                         ii.      Clerk to investigate the likely cost of adding this verge to the Parish Council’s annual village grass cutting contract.

                                                                        iii.      CYC’s view on a request that the Parish Council undertake grass cutting on the verge.

b.      It was agreed the Clerk reply to correspondence from a Parishioner regarding the positioning and misuse of the playground in line with the response given by the Chairman to the same issues raised earlier in the open forum.

c.      It was agreed the Clerk responded to correspondence from a parishioner regarding reinstatement of the hedge at the playground confirming the contents of the holding response already sent.

d.      It was agreed to add the following amendment to the Council’s Standing Orders.

‘When a response to a Planning Application Consultation is required prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Council, the Clerk may comment or object on behalf of the Council after consultation with The Chairman or Vice Chairman plus one other Councillor. The Clerk’s action must be put to the next available meeting of the Council for ratification.’

11. The date of the next meeting of the Council was confirmed as 14th September 2010.

 Minutes of the Meeting of Skelton Parish Council held on Tuesday 8th June 2010 at Skelton Village Hall. The meeting commenced at 7.00 p.m.

10.38. Present :- Cllrs. Lumley (in the chair), Watt, Raper, Mansell, Stead, the Clerk and 4 members of the public.

10.39.  Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Crosbie, Hayton, Procter and PCSO Turner.

10.40.  Cllr. Raper declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 8.3.9 (minute reference 10.45.3 ) approval of payment of invoices as she was a close relation of one of the cheque recipients. Cllr. Raper left the room for this item.

10.41. It was resolved to sign and approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11th May 2010 as a true record.

10.42.  Open Forum.

1.      Police Report. The Chairman read out the reported crime statistics for Skelton in May.

2.      Ward Report. The Chairman read the monthly Ward Report for May.

3.      A parishioner questioned the accuracy of the crime statistics as anecdotal evidence suggests more incidents were reported to the Police than were apparently recorded. The Chairman again emphasised the need to obtain incident numbers when reporting to the police. A parishioner expressed the view that the police did not respond quickly enough when called and insufficient follow up took place. A parishioner commented that the appearance of the cemetery had much improved with the current maintenance contractor, this parishioner believed the appearance would be further improved if the cemetery rules in relation to inadmissible objects on graves were enforced. The Chairman responded that the Cemetery Advisory Group would be asked to consider this issue. In response to a question from a parishioner Councillor Stead agreed to trim back the cherry trees which over hung The Pasture footpath. In response to a question from a parishioner the Clerk was asked to look into the practicalities of removing the dead tree within the hedge between Orchard Field and the Old Rectory garden.

10.43. Action resulting from the monthly report of the Clerk to include:-

1.      It was resolved to ratify the delegated actions of the Clerk in agreeing work for grass cutting at playground at £44.40 per cut and landscape works at the playground at £665.00.

2.      It was resolved the Clerk to arrange the cutting back of overhanging trees and undergrowth along the side of the playground footpath.

3.      It was resolved to hold a meeting of the Playground Project advisory group with the aim of arranging an opening event.

10.44.  Action resulting from verbal reports from the Clerk or Councillors on the follow matters arising from the previous meeting of the Council :-

1.     It was resolved to note the contents of further correspondence from CYC Rural Housing Enabler but that the Council’s position remained that there was not an affordable housing issue in Skelton.

2.     The following projects were suggested for Ward Funding Applications 2011/12.

a.      Further light on The Pasture footpath.

b.      Grant towards a race course type fence around ‘The Pasture’ (before this item was agreed the Council considered a letter from a parishioner who did not support this project on the grounds of best use of funds).

c.      Additional trees in the village.

d.      Damage resistant notice board for playground.

e.      Stone with attached plaque to commemorate opening of new cemetery.

3.     It was agreed there would be no meeting of the Council in August 2010.

4.     The chairman reported there were no particular issues relating to Skelton arising out of the Ward Committee meeting held on 13 May.  

10.45. Financial Issues:           

1.      It was resolved to receive and approve the report on the Council’s financial position at 30th April 2010.

2.      The following receipts were noted: -

a.      Cemetery Fees Receipts nos. 534 – 538 £1,665.00

3.      It was resolved to approve for payment the following invoices : -

Moorlands Landscapes, Cemetery Maintenance May, £170.00

Baron Landscape Contractors, 2 grass cuts, £217.50

Baron Landscape Contractors, VAT on above, £38.06

Yorkshire Water, Cemetery Supply,  £6.34

Municipal Zurich, Playground Inspection£146.88

Playing Fields Association, Subscription,   £25.00

Rural Action Yorkshire Subscription£35.00

Clerk,  Salary & Expenses£2004.57

ClerkVAT on expenses£6.45

HMR & C, PAYE & NI£703.91

Bryan Metcalf. Internal Audit Fee,  £15.00

A  Contribution to the Gratuity Fund  of £89.36 was noted.           

10.46. New items

a.      It was resolved to agree to a request from York Playspace for use of The Pasture on 18 & 25th August 2010.

b.      It was agreed to inform Skelton Village Hall Committee that the Council are willing to consider holding its meetings on a different day of the week and to enquire if the Committee had a specific proposal regarding the booking it wished to suggest.

c.      The Clerk read correspondence from a parishioner regarding the placing of a notice (relating to oil on the road at Orchard View) incorrectly attributed to the Parish Council and the reply he had already sent stating the Council had no knowledge of the sign. As the person responsible for the sign was not known it was agreed no further action was required at this time.

d.      The Chairman reported on the YLCA York Branch meeting held on 3rd June. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the Clerk of Clifton-without Parish Council to enquire whether he was qualified and willing to train Skelton Parish Councillors to carry out safety inspections at the playground.

10.47.   The Clerk gave notice that the following items would be considered at the next meeting of the Council:-

1.    Drainage ditches on Brecks Lane.

2.    The annual report of the Internal Auditor.

3.    Possible purchase of a commemorative stone for the new cemetery.

 

10.48. The date of the next meeting of the Council was confirmed as 13th July 2010.