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
Clerk,
VAT 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.