- Open Forum: No members of the public attended for this purpose
- Apologies for Absence: None
Present: Cllr. Nick Bell (NB) [Chairman], Cllr. Dean Wise (DW) [Vice Chairman], Cllr. Simon Flounders (SF), Cllr. John Harrison (JH), Cllr. N Lamb (NL), Cllr. Philip Marwood (PM), Cllr. Peter Smith (PS), Bruce Skinner (BS) [Clerk/RFO]
Members of the Public: Mrs Jo Jackson - Casual Vacancy/Co-option: The Chairman welcomed Messrs Kevin Ashdown (KA) and Gervase Dawidek (GD) as councillors, filling the two casual vacancy positions.
KA and GD each signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and were given a copy of the PC’s Code of Conduct
In his welcoming remarks the Chairman took the opportunity to remind the councillors of the principles which underpin our meetings, which are: Objectivity, mutual Respect and, where we do disagree, we disagree Agreeably. - Minutes of Previous Meeting: Those who were present at that meeting Unanimously Resolved to ‘take as read’ the Minutes of the 31 May 2023 EO Planning Meeting
- Matters Discussed:
a) Finance:
i) The Clerk/RFO, BS, summarised the financial situation as sound, with the
following highlights:
– Electricity bill £357; less than the £1450 anticipated in the budget
– Street Lights Conversion cost £80; less than the £450 in the budget
– Computer upgrade cost £235; less than the approved nominal £500
– Grass cutting first cut cost £540; on a par with last year
– A VAT reclaim of £1150
b) Road Safety:
i) VAS: SF advised that Settrington is scheduled to have the unit in August,
sited on Back Lane, and again in December, sited at a location yet to be
agreed
c) Village Estate Management:
i) Beck/Beckside: Wold Ecology’s Management Plan, with the Action Plan
from iv) below as an Appendix, is due to be issued in its final form
ii) Grass Cutting: PS advised that he is about to instruct the contractor, Rob
Witty, to do the second cut, of an anticipated three.
Chairman expressed the PC’s thanks to Mr Witty and to all of the
residents who assist in grass cutting for doing such a fine job
iii) Beck flow restrictions downstream: The willow tree in question is rooted in
the garden of Beck Cottage. NB will discuss the situation with the
resident, Mrs Anne Harrison
iv) Beck clearance: The outcome of the site meeting between
NB, BS and a representative of Wold Ecology regarding the state of the
overgrown and flow restricted Village Green stretch of the beck was
essentially that:
a) the reeds should be sprayed with the appropriate ‘Roundup’-type weed
killer and that
b) Prior to discussing implementation at the next PC meeting, EA advice
should be sought regarding how to remove the encroached
banks, both upstream and downstream of the brick bridge, in order to
open-up the outer arches to flow
After discussion, it was Resolved to spray the reeds and re-encroaching
beck side butterbur:
Proposed: PS Seconded: GD Votes: Unanimous
In the meantime, NB will discuss with the landowner the suggestion that
the reeds may be seeded from flow from the upstream Settrington House
lake or Kirkhill pond
v) Stones on beckside grass verges: It was Unanimously Resolved that
vehicle ‘dissuading’ stones should not be placed on village green grass
verges, and that the existing ones should be removed and replaced with
appropriately positioned wooden poles
vi) Trees: It was agreed that the tree specialist should be requested to treat
the willow sapling stumps to the south of the concrete pedestrian bridge
with ‘stump killer’
vii) Beckside Access: NYCC Highways have been asked to advise on the
placement of a pole(s) to restrict vehicular access to the west side of
beckside beyond the north ford
d) Miscellaneous:
i) Quarry: the Quarterly status update has been circulated to cllrs and
posted on the noticeboard and website. The Chairman expressed his
pleasure at the significantly improved communications with the quarry
operator, Fenstone, and his hope that this would continue
ii) Welcome Packs: Cllrs were reminded that the single page Summary
version of the Pack is intended to be a prompt for cllrs to introduce the
PC and themselves to newly arrived residents.
Cllrs were encouraged to read both versions of the Pack (summary and
complete [from the website]) and advise the Clerk of necessary
amendments
iii) Village Hall Play Area: It was agreed that the PC should respond to the
Village Hall Committee’s questionnaire that the PC considers the play
area an essential village amenity and that it is prepared to consider
making provision for contributing towards its upkeep in future precept
budgeting
6. Representation reports:
| John Harrison | Neighbourhood Watch |
| Nick Bell | YLCA Branch Representative Quarry Liaison |
| Dean Wise | YLCA Branch Representative |
| Vacant | NYCC & Parish Liaison Meeting |
NW: It was agreed that JH should purchase a ‘NW Area’ sign to replace the
faded one on Forkers Lane
YLCA: DW intends to attend the next meeting
Quarry: See above 5 d) i)
NYCC: It was agreed that this role would be replaced by the Clerk circulating
with the Weekly Update the Minutes of the Liaison meetings on receipt
7. Planning:
i) Application 21/01510/LBC, 36 Beckside: Georgian windows: EW
responded that the windows ‘are suitable in this context given the history of
the site’
ii) Application 23/00307/CAT, PC’s Application for Lime & Alder trees’ epicormic growth and willow saplings removal: Completed
iii) Application 22/0139/FUL, Rectory Farm: Approved
iv) Notice of tree felling at #36 Beckside, ZE23/00433/CAT: Completed
v) Application ZE23/00450/HOUSE: Erection of a garden shed/store
(retrospective application) at Beck Cottage, Forkers Lane: Approved
vi) Notice of tree felling at #40 Back Lane E23/00461/CAT: Fell 9 no.
Leylandii to the rear and side of the property: Completed
8. i) It was agreed that residents should be reminded, by these Minutes, that
the ‘dog poo’ bins should be used only for their intended purpose
ii) NB will discuss with the Chair of the Trustees of the village school the
PC’s ongoing support of initiatives to address the school’s vulnerability to
traffic hazards
iii) It was agreed that the Clerk would approach street lights contractor
Acorn regarding the feasibility of shrouding the LED street light near the
brick bridge, and proceed accordingly
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.17 p.m.
Next Meeting: 13 September Ordinary Meeting at 7p.m. in the Village Hall