HACKFORTH & AINDERBY MIERS PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of Hackforth and Ainderby Miers Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 15 January 2015 in Hackforth Village Hall at 7.00 p.m.

Present: Mr C Lees (Chairman) Mr M Webster Mr G Copping Mrs C Anderson Mr J Brown together with the Clerk Mrs E Greensit

1. Minutes

Minutes of Meetings held on 22 October 2014 were submitted, agreed and signed Proposed: Mr G Copping Seconded: Mr J Brown Agreed unanimously

2. Matters Arising

Bridge near School - Mr Lees gave a progress report on the problem. The Environment Agency had advised that it was not an issue that the Environment Agency deals with as it was now the North County Council’s responsibility. Mr Lees and the clerk met with James Feesy from County Council on Monday 12 January 2015. They discussed both developments and provided there was no change to the land profile in the development behind Broadacres there would be no problem there. Nan’s field development could cause a problem and Mr Feesy agreed to go back to North Yorkshire County Council Highways to find out if even dredging the beck 12” would allow water to clear more quickly. Mr Feesy to come back to Mr Lees with the information.

Patrick Brompton to Hackforth Road – this has now been completed.

Open Space behind Broadacres – the Parish Council is now to take over the grasscutting with a lump sum being paid to offset the cost. The landowner to retain responsibility for the road and carparking area.

Trees adjacent to the allotments - the hedge is owned by Mr D McKnight and Mr T Fortune. Mr Lees agreed to speak to Mr Fortune’s son about the hedge and the Parish Council to write to Mr McKnight.

Village Hall – Mr Lees gave an update on progress relating to the maintenance of the hall.

Audit and accountability – The Parish Councillors discussed whether or not to purchase The Governance and Accountability book at a cost of £20 although the clerk did advise that is was now possible to download the book from the internet. Mr Copping agreed to print off the book which Mr Copping, Mr Lees and the clerk would go through before asking a layperson to complete the internal audit. It was suggested asking Mr Colin Blanchard, who had done the internal audit in previous years, if he wished to continue in this role, otherwise the Parish Council would have to seek the services of someone else.

Footpath in Hackforth - Members were advised that the footpath had been inspected and that North Yorkshire County Council agreed that it was not in the best condition but that it was not in a dangerous state. The footpath had been put on the assessment list for next year’s slurry seal programme.

3. Finance

a. Parish Councillors were advised and the account balances as at 15 January 2014: Account Balances: Current a/c £60.30 Deposit a/c £1639.24

b. The Bank Reconciliation was presented to the Parish Councillors from 1 April 2014 to 15 January 2015

c. Parish Councillors were asked to confirm the following payments: Annual subscription to: SLCC £65.00 Annual Payment to: Mrs K E Greensit Clerk £280.00 Tax on Clerk’s payment: HMRC £70.00 Clerk Annual Expenses Mrs K E Greensit £35.00 Proposed: Mr M Webster Seconded: Mr G Copping Agreed unanimously

d. Members agreed the transfer of £450.00 from the Deposit account to the Current Account Proposed: Mr M Webster Seconded: Mr G Copping Agreed unanimously

c. Internal Auditor: possible purchase of Governance and Accountability Guide £20 Members discussed the possible internal auditor and it was agreed to again ask Mr Colin Blanchard if he would be prepared to audit the accounts. Alternatively, Mr Lees suggested Mr Neville Taylor. Before asking either possible auditors members discussed whether to purchase the Governance and Accountability () – Practitioners’ Guide so that the auditors would be aware of what was required. The Clerk advised that it was now possible to download, for free, the Guide and Mr Copping agreed to print the Guide off so that he, the Chairman Mr Lees and the clerk could have a look through it to see what part(s) the auditors would need.

4. Council

a. Members were advised that the following planning applications had been approved – No 6 North Road: Mr and Mrs Taylor: single storey extension – Millgarth, Hackforth: Rev Raul Hagg: single storey extension

b. Planning Application: Application Nos: 14/02493/FUL: 14/02494/FUL: 14/02495/FUL Proposal: Construction of agricultural buildings Location: Ainderby Miers Farm, Ainderby Miers, Hackforth Applicant: William Anderson (Farmers) Ltd Mrs C Anderson declared an interest in the planning applications and took no part in the discussions. It was proposed that the application be approved Proposed: Mr M Webster Seconded: Mr G Copping Agreed unanimously

c. Update – December 2014 Members were advised that a New Grant Scheme had been launched by Hambleton District Council together with schemes for Warm, Healthy Homes and Keep your Home Condensation, Damp and Mould Free

d. Hierarchy & Housing Development draft interim policy guidance note Members were advised that the draft Interim Policy Guidance Notes had been received. Mr Lees gave a brief update on the review which moved Hackforth Village from a ‘Secondary Settlement’ to ‘Other Settlement’. The Development Plan is now a ‘moving plan’ rather than a 10year structure plan. It was for planning and would not affect the school or anything else in the village.

e. HDC Standards Hearing Panel The Clerk advised Parish Councillors that a letter had been received regarding the appointment of Parish Council Representatives and asking if anyone would be interested in standing. No Parish Councillor was interested in standing for election.

f. 7 May 2015 Elections Parish Councillors were advised that election were to be on 7 May 2015 and a letter from Hambleton District Council had been received which suggested that Parishes should put this on their website. Mr Copping agreed to do this.

g. Registration of Financial & Personal Interests Parish Councillors were advised that letter had been received from Hambleton District Council asking if all Registration of Interests were on the website or if any needed to be deleted. It was agreed that Mr Brown’s Registration should go on the website.

5. Reports

Hambleton Parish Liaison Meeting Mr Copping gave an update on the Hambleton Parish Liaison Meeting where Mr John Moore gave a talk on the superfast broadband. Hackforth will not get the 25mg superfast broadband option as it is too far from the nearest main BT junction box in Catterick. Although, BT with new technology may be able to resolve the issue or a commercial firm may be able to provide the superfast broadband. Mr Copping agreed to continue to review the issue and advise Members accordingly.

6. Open Forum

a. Mr Lees advised Members that he had emailed D Cllr D Smith regarding the New Grant Scheme to see if it would cover the cost of a defibrillator for the village as a community asset. The cost of a defibrillator was £2,500. Other grants were available that help to cover the cost and training and the Disaster Emergency Fund was still available. Discussion on where to place the defibrillator, as electricity was required to keep the defibrillator’ticking over’. Members agreed it should be in the middle of the village and the most suitable place would be the BT telephone box. Members also agreed it should be the responsibility of the Parish Council in the long term.

b. Mr Webster advised Members that No 1 Ashgrove would becoming empty shortly as the present occupier would be moving to a bungalow in or Northallerton. Mr and Mrs Metcalfe had asked if the Parish Council would speak to Broadacres, Ms Julie Ferguson (01609 767900) to help them get the property. The clerk agreed to speak to Ms Ferguson on behalf of the Parish Council.

c. The clerk advised Members that she had received an email from Heather Jamieson in Hornby regarding the allotments and whether there was one available. Mr Lees advised that he thought there may be one and the clerk agreed to give his email address to Ms Jamieson.

d. Members were advised that the Highways Agency were holding an Archaeology Open Day on Saturday 24 January 2014.

7. Next Meeting – To be arranged by the Clerk

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.30 pm