SHAROW PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES

DATE: Monday 20th February 2012 TIME: 19.45 hrs LOCATION: Sharow Village Hall PRESENT: Councillors Emma Stamper (Chair), John Bushell (Vice-Chair), David Dale, Angie Grundy, Chris Long and Jim Price. IN ATTENDANCE: Iona Taylor (Clerk) District Councillor Nick Brown Robert and Caroline Forber and John Irvin.

1. APOLOGIES TO BE RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Triffitt who was busy with family commitments. Apologies were also received from County Councillor John Watson, Acting Inspector Rob Thorpe and P.C.S.O. Sharon Wilson (both from Police Station).

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Councillor Stamper declared a personal interest in agenda item 10 as she is a governor at Skelton Newby Hall C of E Primary School.

3. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANISATIONS OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC  The Clerk apologised for an error in the recent newsletter which showed that a planning application had been submitted at 2, Glebe Meadow when in fact it should have been 24, Glebe Meadow.  Mr and Mrs Forber raised concerns about speeding on Dishforth Road (see item 6).  Concerns about overhanging trees on Dishforth Road were again raised. These will be forwarded to Highways North .

4. MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING The minutes of the last meeting held on 19th December 2011 were approved and signed.

5. ITEMS CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE LAST MEETING 5.1 Abbotts’ buses on Berrygate Lane. County Council’s Integrated Passenger Transport Manager has advised that he has spoken to Abbotts of Leeming, who will remind their drivers of the need to be safety conscious, especially of passengers embarking on and disembarking from vehicles.

5.2 Caretaker / works to Sharow Hall noticeboard. The Clerk reported that she is meeting the caretaker from the Walled Garden Scheme to discuss the required noticeboard works later this week. She will also be taking the caretaker on a quick familiarisation tour of the parish.

5.3 Insurance of school play equipment. A list of the equipment which it is proposed will be made available for public use has not yet been received from the school. Councillor Bushell to progress.

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5.4 Questions for Parish Consultation Meeting. In view of further information and recent works it was agreed that the Parish Council’s questions should be changed to:  Trying to obtain further information about the Temporary Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) protocol / scheme as alluded to at the recent Yorkshire Local Councils Associations (YLCA) Branch meeting – see item 6.  Questioning when a permanent repair will be carried out to streetlight number 1 on Berrygate Lane, which is still not functioning properly. Councillor Price agreed to represent the Parish Council at this meeting on 5th March 2012 at 6pm in Ripon Leisure Centre.

6. TRAFFIC CALMING ON DISHFORTH ROAD Mr and Mrs Forber, who moved in to the parish during the past year, attended to raise their concerns about the speed of vehicles travelling through the village. Councillor Stamper advised them of the Parish Council’s previous and ongoing efforts to tackle this problem.

Councillors Grundy and Price and the Clerk had recently been to YLCA’s Harrogate Branch Meeting which was also attended by two representatives of Highways North Yorkshire, including James Malcolm the Area 6 Manager. The meeting was not felt to have been particularly productive as the Highways Representatives did not seem to be listening or responding to the points made by a number of parishes. However, it was indicated that a Temporary Vehicle Activated Sign Protocol / Scheme is being worked up. It is understood that this would allow interested communities, Parish Councils, or groups of parishes the opportunity to lease or purchase mobile VAS's and have them sited in problem areas of speeding.

There have been a number of notable points arising since the last Parish Council meeting:  Tim Madgwick (Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police) has reiterated his view that “the only sustainable long term solution [in Sharow] is traffic calming”.  County Councillor John Watson has been helpful in efforts to secure parish participation in the County Council’s review of its Permanent VAS protocol and it is now understood that this Parish Council will be invited to take part. It is hoped that YLCA can be used to gather information / views from the wider area of North Yorkshire Parish Councils which can be taken to the review meeting.  Acting Inspector Rob Thorpe from Ripon Police Station has recently met with Julian Smith MP. It is understood that both are supportive of local parishes’ attempts to reduce speeding through their communities. It was agreed that this Parish Council should write to Mr Smith outlining its concerns.  Highways North Yorkshire has responded to the Parish Council’s recent letter and has suggested that the Parish Council submits a request to the Harrogate District Community Safety Partnership for speed surveys to be carried out in Sharow. The Clerk will submit this request.  Changes to the existing signage in Sharow are being proposed to ensure that it meets relevant legislation.

7. EXPIRING COMMUTED SUMS A current commuted sums balance sheet was considered. Councillor Bushell will liaise with Sharow C of E School to enquire whether £435 of the funds allocated to this parish could be used in their new garden. It was noted that there are no remaining funds allocated to the churchyard. A further £69.34 of funding could be used to purchase a Jubilee tree and guard (see item 9).

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SHAROW PARISH COUNCIL 8. APPOINTMENT OF PERMANENT CLERK It was agreed that the Clerk’s position should be re-advertised using the documentation prepared in 2011. Iona Taylor indicated that although she intends to apply for the position, she would be happy to stand aside if another suitable candidate came forwards.

9. QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE The Parish Council agreed its desire to help Sharow celebrate and commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. A number of suggestions were considered, including:  Planting of a tree, which could be part funded by the expiring commuted sums.  Purchasing a commemorative item for each child in the village.  Facilitating, and possibly providing some sponsorship for, a whole village celebration.  Supporting any localised celebrations within the village.  Red, white and blue planting in the troughs. These suggestions will be outlined in the Parish Council’s newsletter and comments from members of the public invited.

10. SHAROW SCHOOL’S FEDERATION WITH SKELTON NEWBY SCHOOL Councillors Stamper and Bushell reported on these proposals, which would see the two schools share a Headteacher. The proposals are currently out for consultation.

11. RIVER URE FLOODING It was noted that a response about diversion arrangements has not yet been received from Highways North Yorkshire. A lengthy letter has been received from the Environment Agency which basically states that although they still have to carry out post-project mapping they do not anticipate that the works near North Bridge will have had a significant effect on flood levels in this parish.

12. HIGHWAYS ISSUES 12.1 Water leak on Dishforth Road. This issue appears to have been resolved, although the road surface has now deteriorated. This will be brought to Highways North Yorkshire’s attention.

12.2 Reinstatement of verges on Berrygate Lane. A response has not yet been received from Highways North Yorkshire.

12.3 Church Close (flooding near garages / smell of drains). Yorkshire Water had advised that their engineers had attended this site to resolve the problem, but this is contradicted by photos recently taken by Councillor Stamper which show the drains are still full of leaves. This will be brought to Yorkshire Water’s attention.

12.4 Hedgecutting on Berrygate Lane. It was noted that this had been carried out to a poor standard in the dark. Due to the long time period between cuts there had been significant quantities of clippings which were then left on the road for cars to drive over and to wash into drains. Councillors agreed that it was an unsatisfactory situation. The Clerk will speak to the farmer concerned to try and ensure better communication and co-ordination in the future.

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13. 2012 ELECTIONS This Parish Council is scheduled to have elections this year. All Parish Councillors are subject to re- election and must submit a nomination paper (available from Harrogate Borough Council’s Elections Office or the Clerk from the end of February) to Harrogate Borough Council on or before noon on 4th April 2012. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that they submit a correctly completed nomination form to Harrogate Borough Council by the deadline. A meeting will be held to give guidance to anyone wishing to stand for election in Harrogate Borough Council Chamber, Council Offices, Crescent Gardens, HG1 2SG on 6th March at 6pm.

14. CORRESPONDENCE The Clerk reported on items received, including: 14.1 Public Interest Reports. YLCA has written an advice note as a result of an increase in Public Interest Reports in this area. These Reports are produced by external auditors when the financial records and internal scrutiny of a local council or parish meeting are inadequate. Key measures that parish councils should be undertaking are outlined in the advice note – the Clerk provided confirmation that these are already incorporated in this Council’s standard documents, or are routinely undertaken as a matter of good practice.

14.2 Litter bins. The Parish Council has received a copy of a local resident’s request to Harrogate Borough Council for a litter bin in the underpass. Although this request was not supported by Parish Councillors it was agreed that a request for an additional bin near Sharow Hall Farm should be made to District Councillor Nick Brown. The problem of fly-tipping near the Yorkshire Water building was noted and will be reported to Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire Police. Local residents will be asked to report any vehicles suspected of carrying out this illegal activity.

15. PLANNING APPLICATIONS 15.1 Consultations on applications – none.

15.2 Updates and decisions on applications, appeals and enforcement investigations. Reference Proposal Outcome 6.32.161.FUL Erection of two storey rear extension at The Gate House, Passed 11/04642/FUL Sharow Lane. 6.32.55.I.TPO Works to trees within TPO 3/1970 at 1, Fairlawns. Passed 11/04690/TPO Enforcement Ref: Alleged extension of single garage and extension to rear of Permitted development – 12/00021/PR15 lounge at Briar Wood, Berrygate Lane. no breach of planning.

15.3 Wath Mushroom Farm. The Clerk reported that Greyfriars UK Ltd has recently been purchased by QV Foods and that a number of local villages are proposing to send a letter to the new owner outlining planning and traffic concerns about the operation. It was agreed that this parish is not so significantly affected that the Council should add its name to the letter, but that a watching brief should continue to be kept over new planning applications that could affect the road junction to Nunwick at the top of Hutton Bank.

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SHAROW PARISH COUNCIL 15.4 Localism Act. The Localism Bill, introduced in December 2010, received Royal Assent on 16 November 2011. The Act sets out plans it says will give communities and local government greater powers and freedom from Whitehall and will affect areas of work such as the Code of Conduct and local planning. The Government estimates that many of the measures will come into effect in April 2012. The Clerk is hoping to arrange a local training session on this issue and Councillors are strongly encouraged to attend. Written guidance on the Localism Act will be provided prior to the training session.

16. FINANCIALS 16.1 Bank balances as at 20th February 2012.  Santander Current a/c ...... £4049.45  Santander Savings a/c ...... £50.00

16.2 Payments made prior to, or at this meeting. The following payments were approved and recorded:  Iona Taylor (Clerk, December 2011 & January 2012) ...... £437.01  Yorkshire Local Councils Associations (2012/13 Membership) .... £199.00

16.3 Monies received prior to, or at this meeting – none.

16.4 Appointment of an Internal Auditor. It was agreed that Mr A H Place of Mallorie Court, Ripon be reappointed as the Council’s Internal Auditor for the 2011/12 financial year at a cost of £40.

17. PARISH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS  The Half Moon pub is expected to re-open by the end of March as a venue that will welcome local residents.  District Councillor Nick Brown reported that Harrogate Borough Council has frozen Council Tax for the third year in a row and that an agreement has been reached to sell the Crescent Gardens offices which will be replaced by a new development on New Park Road. The Parish Council once again confirmed its belief that additional affordable housing provision is not required in this parish.

18. NEXT MEETINGS The next meetings were confirmed as being on 19th March (planning) and Thursday 19th April 2012 (ordinary). Meetings start at 19.45 hrs and are held in Sharow Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 21.27. These minutes were recorded and prepared by Iona Taylor, Clerk to the Parish Council.

SIGNED: ...... (Chairman)

DATE: ......

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