BISHOP MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL Clerk: David Taylor Thornfield, 57, Whitcliffe Lane, , North , HG4 2LB Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01765 602402

A public participation session was held for 15 minutes before the meeting commenced. Cllr Fowler asked the public if there were any specific areas on the agenda which they were interested in. All attendees had the opportunity to comment or make themselves known. Cllr Fowler confirmed that only items on the evening’s agenda would be addressed in this the session. Questions or comments concerning items not on the agenda should be addressed to the Clerk 10 days prior to the next meeting when they would be given due consideration.

Minutes of the Bishop Monkton Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 4th April 2017 at 18:15hrs at the Methodist Church School Room

Present – Councillors Jane Fowler(Chairman), Emma Oates (Vice Chairman), Anthony Garnett, Stephen Verrill, Pam Brown and, Ben Cairns and David Taylor, Clerk to the Parish Council There were five members of the public present

1. Cllr Fowler welcomed all those present to the meeting.

2. Apologies were received from Cllr Harrison (NYCC) and Cllr Galloway (HBC).

3. A Declaration of Interest was tabled by Cllr Fowler in respect of Item 13.1. Cllr Fowler would withdraw from the meeting when this item was addressed.

4. With exception of the word ‘performed’ being substituted for ‘requested’ at para 13.2 the minutes of the meeting of 7th March 2017 were passed as a true and correct record and signed accordingly. The error was amended by hand and initialled by Cllr Fowler. The minutes posted on the Parish Council website will be replaced with an amended document. (Clerk to action)

5. Flood Boards at Hall Farm. Cllr Garnett reported that there had been a recent meeting between members of the Parish Council, the Environment Agency (EA), The Bishop Monkton Flood Wardens, a representative of the owners of Hall Farm field and other local property owners. He reported that the meeting had been very informative and that the following salient points were raised and discussed. The present position is that the flood boards were put in place to stop water flooding from the field through to the backs of Fontain Terrace and other surrounding properties. The last time one of these properties had flooded was 2007; since then with the boards in place on the field entrance and on the adjoining drive and Claremont Lane no properties had flooded. However:- 5.1. The Bishop Monkton beck is now classed as a main river and is therefore under the authority of the EA. The field is part of the flood zone and is a designated storage area. As such the field should be allowed to flood. 5.2. The EA accepted the argument put forward by local residents that if the field floods it was highly likely that their properties would be affected by floodwater. 5.3. The EA also accepted that although it was technically illegal to stop water entering a storage area, the residents had a right to defend their properties from flooding. It was therefore unlikely that the EA would take action if the boards were put in place. 5.4. The EA pointed out however that because a designated flood zone/storage area was not being used to its full capacity other owners of properties within an area of flooding could argue that flooding / damage to their property was caused or made worse by the flood boards. As these flood boards were not authorised by the EA this could result in a civil action being taken against those persons placing the flood boards. The landowner was

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BISHOP MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL Clerk: David Taylor Thornfield, 57, Whitcliffe Lane, Ripon, , HG4 2LB Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01765 602402

clear that he did not authorise the flood-boards and as such would be unlikely to be a party to such action. 5.5. It was agreed by the flood wardens and residents that flooding of other properties had not occurred since the flood boards had been erected. Consequently, the placing of the boards should continue. 5.6. Although at the meeting the representative of the landowner had indicated that the placing of the boards could continue, since the meeting the landowner had sent an email to Cllr. Garnett stating that, as the placing of the boards now could be illegal, he would not give permission to these being installed. This difficult situation the landowner was now in was appreciated by the Council. 5.7. The Council unanimously agreed that the present situation was unacceptable for everyone concerned and that it was the problem for the Environment Agency to resolve as they were now the authority classifying this field as a flood plain and water storage area. A meeting with the Environment Agency was agreed should be arranged with all parties in attendance. The drainage of the field was raised. This was by a small damaged land drain that ran from the sump fenced off in the field down the back of Fontain Terrace. Each landowner was responsible for its upkeep; therefore it was difficult to repair/renew due to the number of properties involved. 5.8. Cllr. Garnett would contact the representative of the flood wardens who had indicated that he would now contact Andy Hebron from the Environment Agency to get further feedback.

6. The Ford on Main Street. 6.1. The willow trees. Cllr Fowler is liaising with the owner of Sweetbriar Cottage as to who owns the trees. When ownership is established there should be further progress. The Parish Council is still waiting to hear back from Alan Gilleard, the tree risk officer at HBC regarding these trees. Clerk has tried and had no contact. Further attempts should be made and be reported back to the Parish Council. (Clerk to action) 6.2. Parking. It was noted that a large van belonging to a resident of one of the terraced houses adjacent to the Main Street ford was regularly parked half on the street and half on the pavement. The effect of this is that vehicles passing on their way to or from the ford had to go onto the grass in order to get through. This has damaged the grass on several occasions. There had been a complaint about the damage to the grass. Cllr. Garnett had established that the three properties adjacent to the ford parked their cars either behind their properties or further up Main Street. Closing the vehicular access across the ford was not considered an option that would be supported by the Council. It was resolved that Cllr Garnett should speak with the complainant personally in order to further understand the exact nature of the complaint. (Cllr Garnet to action)

7. To receive County Councillors Report. There was no report - Cllr Harrison was not present but had attended and spoken at length at the Annual Village Meeting the previous week.

8. To receive District Councillors Report. There was no report - Cllr Galloway was not present but had attended and spoken at length at the Annual Village Meeting the previous week.

9. Bishop Monkton Local History Group produced a schedule of equipment that they wish to purchase. David Ward from the local history group explained the aims and ambitions of the group and work they had carried out so far. It was the view of the Parish Council that the group should be supported and it was noted that the Village Hall committee were proposing to help. It was resolved that a donation of £400.00 should made towards the equipment required and that it should be suggested that this should be match funded by the Village Hall committee. It was suggested that HBC be approached for surplus office furniture and equipment.

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BISHOP MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL Clerk: David Taylor Thornfield, 57, Whitcliffe Lane, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 2LB Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01765 602402

10. Financial Matters. 10.1. The Clerk reported that the change of banking authorities from Keith Pettit were progressing and forms were signed by members of the Parish Council accordingly. 10.2. It was resolved that bank reconciliations should be put to the Parish Council on a quarterly basis. (Clerk to action) 10.3. It was resolved that Cllrs Brown and Cairns should be added to the bank mandate as signatories to the account. (Clerk to action) 10.4. The following invoices were passed for payment and cheques signed by members of the Parish Council: 10.4.1. J. Harron £60.00 10.4.2. Signs of Cheshire £520.81 10.4.3. First4Magnetts.com £7.62 10.4.4. BM Methodist Church £130.00 10.4.5. Signs of Cheshire £12.89 10.5. Donation to the Bishop Monkton Burial Ground – Cllr Oates reported that she had become a member of the BMBG committee as the Parish Council Representative. The committee is meeting on Monday 10th April. 10.5.1. The BMBG is responsible for the maintenance – mainly grass cutting – of some of the burial ground. 10.5.2. Each year for the last 35years or so the Parish Council has provided a sum in the region of £475.00 (in current value terms) towards the running costs of equipment needed for upkeep. 10.5.3. The ground is divided into 2 areas – being graves that are post 1960s and an ‘ancient graves’ area. 10.5.4. The ‘ancient graves’ area is cut by a contractor at a cost of £350.00 per annum. 10.5.5. The remaining area is cut by volunteers with machinery belonging to the BMBG Committee. 10.5.6. The clerk was asked to find out if the burial ground is covered by the Parish insurance policy. 11. It was also asked who owns the land. (Clerk to find out)

12. Annual Meeting. It was generally agreed that the meeting was a success with nearly 50 people in attendance and the feeling as that those present were interested and engaged with the agenda.

13. Correspondence Received 13.1. Election of Councillor – Borough Council. Noted by the Parish Council. 13.2. Parish Precepts – NALC. Noted by the Parish Council.

14. Planning Matters: 14.1. 17/00606/FUL – Mill View, Miss J Fowler. As an interested party, Cllr Fowler left the room. After discussion, it was resolved by 3:2 in favour of returning option B of the notification to the application on the grounds that the development was outside of the village development line. Cllrs Garnett, Verrill and Cairns voted in favour of Option B (The Parish Council objects on the planning grounds set out …..) and Cllrs Oates and Brown voted in favour of Option C (The parish Council does not object to or support the application but wishes to make comments or seek safeguards as set out…….) 14.2. 17/00707/FUL – Orchard House, Mr P Gosney. After discussion, it was resolved that the Parish Council has no objections

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BISHOP MONKTON PARISH COUNCIL Clerk: David Taylor Thornfield, 57, Whitcliffe Lane, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 2LB Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01765 602402

14.3. 17/00758/FUL – Glenroyd House, JC Trees Arborists. After discussion, it was resolved that the Parish Council has no objections 14.4. 17/00002/REFTPO – The Church of – appeal dismissed. Noted by the Parish Council. 14.5. 16/00121/PR15 – Lavender House, Hungate – Enforcement. Noted by the Parish Council.

15. Forthcoming meeting dates are 24th April, 15th May & 12th June 2017 all at 6.00pm for 6.15pm at the Methodist Church School Room.

16. The meeting closed at 7.40pm

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