West Witton Parish Council Minutes – 2014/15

20 May 2014

16 September 2014

25 November 2014

20 January 2015

17 March 2015 WEST WITTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 20 MAY 2014

Present: David Bentley (Chairman) Mike Horsfield Steve Iveson John Loader Tina Horsfield (Parish Clerk).

Councillor M Wilkes, Amanda Madden (RDC),Alan Pollitt, Cornell Group.

Key to organizations: NYCC North Yorkshire County Council RDC Richmondshire District Council UDHW Upper Dales Health Watch YDNPA Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority YLCA Yorkshire Local Councils Association

1. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

The chairman welcomed Amanda Madden, Richmondshire’s Rural Housing Enabler,and Alan Pollitt to the meeting. Amanda Madden reported that the results of the recent housing needs survey were disappointing (7 interested compared with 17 from the 2010 survey). The seven included 3 single occupancy, 3 couples and one family home. A further open day is to be held in the village hall on 9 June to attract interest also from residents of other neighbouring villages.

Mr Pollitt , for the developers, said they they envisaged a 17 affordable house development , and he is working closely with YDNPA and is hopeful that planning and survey work would be completed by the end of 2014. .

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 18 MARCH MEETING

The minutes had been circulated and approved.

3. PROGRESS REPORT ON MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

Emergency Planning. The chairman had combined the results of the two previous surveys and Councillor Horsfield will update the Emergency Planning File.

RDC Street Lighting. RDC had been advised that the council preferred the lights to be lit throughout the night. NYCC had recently circulated residents to say that they had decided to turn lights off overnight but fortunately it appears that all West Witton street lights are operated by RDC.

Friarage Changes. It had been noted that the government and NICE had recently published their support for midwifery-led maternity units but a change of recommendation by the clinical commissioning group was not expected.

Revised Model Standing Orders. No progress has been made.

Welcome to West Witton letter. Production and issue were deferred until the Church Stewardship project had been launched.

Page 1 of 2 WWPC Minutes 20/5/14

4. YORKSHIRE WATER – UPDATE ON ACTION PLANS ON SEWAGE PROBLEMS

Enquiries were continuing on the recent illegal dumping of sewage waste into the village’s water system. Councillor Horsfield will take over from Councillor Loader the liaison role with Yorkshire Water.

5. DEFIBRILLATOR PROJECT.

The council is planning to apply to RDC’s Communities Opprtunity fund for a grant to purchase a defibrillator and box for installation in the village. The anticipated cost is in the region of £1500 and the village will need to raise 10% by fund raising activity. District Councillor Matthew Wilkes has agreed to support the application.

6. FINANCIAL ISSUES.

Annual Audit The accounts had been completed, with a higher balance, and reserve, of £5138,due to an unspent VAT refund of £1047. Once approved by the auditor, a special meeting of the council would be held to approve and sign off the accounts and annual report before the statutory deadline.

Payment of Invoices £64.20 RDC – annual charge for waste collection at Grassgill cemetery £243.80 Zurich Mutual Insurance – renewal of insurance policy £188.00 AG Services –gardening and grass cutting Smorthwaite Garden. £48.00 Membership Fee – Society Of Local Clerks £117.00 YLCA annual membership £263.40 Horton Landscaping – cemetery grass cutting

7 DATE OF NEXT FULL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday 16 September 2014 at 7.30

Page 2 of 2 WWPC Minutes 20/5/14

WEST WITTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 16 SEPTEMBER 2014

Present: David Bentley (Chairman) Mike Horsfield Steve Iveson John Loader Tina Horsfield (Parish Clerk)

Councillor M Wilkes attended. Apologies were received from Councillor J Chapman.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 2014

The minutes of 20 May had been circulated and approved

2. APPROVAL OF ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

The annual report and accounts for 2013-4 had been approved at a special meeting held on 10 June 2014

3. . PROGRESS REPORT ON MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

HGVs and Grassgill The agreed revised signings had not been erected. The parish clerk is waiting for further information from Mr I Beighton, Highways Department.

Speeding in Swinithwaite The Chairman had submitted a further letter in support of Mr Thornton-Berry’s request for a 40 mph speed limit. There had been a serious accident since the last meeting.

Yorkshire Water Councillor Horsfield confirmed that he had been contacted by Maria Nussey four weeks ago to advise of another flood at Bolton Dene. This had been dealt with immediately and Ms Nussey is in regular contact with Mrs Gard.

4. SPECIAL BROADBAND MEETING AND LETTER FROM VODAPHONE.

Councillor Loader was pleased with the attendance at the 22 July meeting and the interest and welcome reception from the attendees. There is the possibility of a wireless trial in Wensleydale..Coverdale is truialling new BT technology which could give West Witton>25mb broadband. Swinithwaite might have to wait longert. 2017 seems to be the earliest date for better broadband from BT.

West Witton was invited to join the Vodaphone Rural Open Sure Signal Programme which boosts vodaphone telephone reception but we do not satisfy the criteria specified for inclusion in the programme. Page 1 of 2 WWPC Minutes 16/9/14

5. DEFIBRILLATOR PROJECT.

The cost for a defibrillator has now dropped to £750 and a box is available free of charge. There will also be fitting and installation charges to consider. Councillor Wilkes has agreed to back the council’s bid for funding in writing. If the application is successful, 10% of funds will need to be raised by the local community. The chairman suggested a quiz night, which Councillor Horsfield agreed to organize. Residents will be advised regarding fundraising and volunteering for training in the next newsletter, which will include parish council news AND information for new residents., which should be circulated shortly. .

6. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Amanda Madden, Rural Housing Enabler, RDC had forwarded the results of the recent housing survey for the new development, which she said identified a need for 12 properties of mixed tenure (rental and shared ownership). Councillors were concerned by the lack of progress and asked that Amanda and the developers should be requested to attend the November council meeting.

7. REVISED MODEL STANDING ORDERS

Copies of revised standing prders based on the new National Association of Local Councils model were distributed to councillors with a request that any comments/remarks re the content should be forwarded to the Chairman before the next meeting to determine any concerns which required discussion,

In addition, it was noted that a new Complaints Procedure needs to be developed and the financial regulations reviewed.

8. FINANCIAL ISSUES – PAYMENTS OF INVOICES

On 19 June 2014, garden rents of £270 were paid over to the Playing Fields Committee. Payments made at the meeting were:- West Witton Village hall rent £80 AG Services, gardening and grass cutting £305 Mrs T Horsfield, salary instalment £210 Horton Landscaping, grasscutting £604.80

9. DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS

Tuesday 18 November at 7.30 Tuesday 20 January 2015 at 7.30

Page 2 of 2 WWPC Minutes 16/9/14

WEST WITTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 25 NOVEMBER 2014 (postponed from the previous week when a power cut had caused cancellation of the meeting.)

Present: David Bentley (Chairman) Jane Chapman Steve Iveson John Loader Tina Horsfield (Parish Clerk)

Councillor M Horsfield was unable to attend. Amanda Madden (RDC) and Alan Pollitt, Cornell Group, attended for item 1. One resident attended for items 1 and 2.

1. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

The chairman welcomed Amanda Madden and Alan Pollitt, who had attended to report progress on the plans to build houses on the site at the west end of the village. Amanda Madden confirmed that the latest housing need survey suggested a housing need for 22 units, comprising 7 singles,9 couples and 6 families. The units would include different types of tenure, including 5 rental, 15 shared ownership and two open market. There had been a verbal agreement with YDNPA for 17 houses (with 7 different types of houses). Alan Pollitt confirmed that negotiations were ongoing with YDPN with a meeting scheduled for the following week and that a letter of support from the council would be appreciated. Following a vote, the Chairman confirmed that this would be provided.

2. APPLICATION FOR ERECTION OF A MARQUEE ON THE SMORTHWAITE GARDEN FOR A JULY 2015 WEDDING.

In its capacity as trustee for the Smorthwaite garden,. the council considered a request from a resident for the erection of a marquee on the garden for a wedding reception. It was agreed unanimously that permission would not be granted for this or other similar applications primarily because of the risks involved in siting a marquee between two particular hazards – the village pond and the A684 main road. There was concern also on the impact of the event on parking at that end of the village, on the 4 day period for which the application was required, on the late closure of the evening event (2.30 am) and the impact of noise on a central part of the village. The chairman was instructed to write to the applicant regarding the decision and suggesting the advantages of using the playing fields for the event.

Page 1 of 2 WWPC Minutes 25/11/14

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 16 SEPTEMBER MEETING

The minutes had been circulated and approved.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES

HGVs and Grassgill/New speed limit for Swinithwaite The agreed revised signings had not been erected. The parish clerk is waiting for further information from Mr I Beighton, Highways Department. There has been no further response to the request for a speed limit in Swinithwaite.The chairman will follow up both these issues in writing. .

Yorkshire Water There has been nothing to report.

4. BROADBAND AIRWAY TRIAL

Councillor Loader advised that airwave have had site meetings at the Playing Fields and the Fox and Hounds and both have been earmarked fot the trial which will take place for one year.

5. DEFIBRILLATOR PROJECT

The RDC Community Fund has awarded £765 to the council towards the cost of a defibrillator. The remaining funds will be raised by a quiz night at the Fox and Hounds during January. Councillor Horsfield will make the arrangements fo this event.

6. REVISED MODEL STANDING ORDERS

Copies of revised standing prders based on the new National Association of Local Councils model were distributed at the previous meeting. The council agreed to adopt them.

7. NEW FORMAL COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

Parish Councils are required to set up a new complaints procedure based on a model prepared by the National Association of Local Councils. The Chairman will draft the required documentation for the submission of complaints.

9. FINANCIAL ISSUES – PAYMENTS OF INVOICES

On 12 October 2014 £35 was paid for the annual renewal of the Information Commissioner’s Office registration.

At the meeting the following amounts were paid:- £89 AG Services for gardening and grasscutting at the Smorthwaite garden £465 to Horton Landscaping for grass cutting at the cemetery.

The next instalment of the clerk’s salary will be paid before the end of December.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS

Tuesday 20 January 2015 at 7.30 pm Tuesday 17 March 2015 at 7.30 pm

Page 2 of 2 WWPC Minutes 25/11/14

WEST WITTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 20 JANUARY 2015

Present: David Bentley (Chairman) Jane Chapman Steve Iveson John Loader Tina Horsfield (Parish Clerk)

Councillor M Horsfield was unable to attend. Walter Head, Little White Bus, was invited but did not attend. Councillor R Harrison-Topham (NYCC) attended.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the 25 November 2014 meeting had been circulated and approved.

2. PROGRESS REPORT ON MATTERS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

Housing Development

No further information on progress has been received

Application for a Wedding Marquee on the Smorthwaite Garden

The chairman had written giving the council’s decision but has heard nothing further.

HGVs and Grassgill

The signs have not been erected. The chairman has sent a further reminder letter to NYCC.

Yorkshire Water Update

No reports of action or problems have been received.

Speed Limit for Swinithwaite

Councillor Harrison-Topham confirmed that NYCC were in consultation with the police regarding a 40 mph limit.

3. BROADBAND AIRWAVE TRIAL

Councillor Loader confirmed that a public consultation meeting will take place on 28 January. Airwave will provide further information on the proposed trial.

Page 1 of 2 WWPC Minutes 20/1/15

4. DEFIBRILLATOR PROJECT

The parish clerk confirmed that arrangements are ongoing for a pub quiz ro raise funds for the village’s contribution towards the cost of the project.

5. STANDING ORDERS, COMPLAINTS ETC

The chairman confirmed that he and the parish clerk would review the new standing orders, financial regulations and complaints procedures for consistency. The target date is the end of April.

6. FIRE STATION INVITATION

Councillors have been invited to an open evening at Leyburn fire station on 3rd February at 7.15 pm.

7. YORKSHIRE WATER AND PRIVATE PUMPING STATIONS

Yorkshire Water will soon have legal responsibility of most private pumping stations. They have asked for information on any locally of which we are aware. Chantry Caravan Park?

8. PLANNING ISSUES

A planning application has been received for extensive alterations at Woodlands, Grassgill.

9. FINANCIAL ISSUES

The clerk’s quarterly salary was paid in December.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 17 March at 7.30 pm

Page 2 of 2 WWPC Minutes 20/1/15

WEST WITTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 17 MARCH 2015

Present: David Bentley (Chairman) Jane Chapman John Loader Tina Horsfield (Parish Clerk)

Councillors S Iveson and M Horsfield were unable to attend. Seven residents attended.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the 20 January had been circulated and approved.

2. PROGRESS REPORT ON MATTERS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

Housing Development

No further information on progress has been received

HGVs and Grassgill

The signs have not been erected. The chairman has sent a further reminder letter to NYCC.

Yorkshire Water Update

No reports of action or problems have been received.

Speed Limit for Swinithwaite

The consultation period is now over, and it is hoped that progress can now be made towards the introduction of the 40 mph limit..

3. BROADBAND AIRWAVE TRIAL

Councillor Loader confirmed that despite a stormy YDNP planning meeting and the implementation of a tree preservation order at the proposed site at the Fox and Hounds, agreement had been reached on the implementation of masts at the 4 sites. The Airwave trials are due to start in April..

4. DEFIBRILLATOR PROJECT.

The Parish Clerk reported that an invoice is awaited from Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

Page 1 of 3 WWPC Minutes 17/3/15

5. REVISED MODEL STANDING ORDERS, COMPLAINTS ETC

The chairman confirmed that he and the parish clerk would review the new standing orders, financial regulations and complaints procedures for consistency. The target date is the end of April.

6. COMPLAINT RECEIVED REGARDING DOG MESS

A complaint has been received regarding dog mess near the village hall and it was also noted that this problem extends throughout the village. The Council will contact Richmond Council’s new monitoring team.

7. PONDSIDE BARN

A request had been received from the new residents requesting permission to install a new gateway in the pond wall to enable access to the side of their property. Mr and Mrs Hunter, the owners of the adjoining field, had confirmed their objection to the proposal. The Council decided to turn down the request since the applicants already had access rights to the field and the opening of another access point would increase the risks to Mr Hunter’s stock.

8. LETTER FROM RESIDENTS REGARDING VILLAGE LAND

Mrs P Fawcett had written a letter, which had been signed by 17 residents, querying ownership of strips of land near the Smorthwairte Garden and objecting to the positioning a new fingerpost pointing out access to Dog Leg Lane. Enquiries with the Land Registry had revealed that Pondside Barn were the owners of the land alleged to “have been annexed” and the Reading Rooms also owned a strip of land to the west of their property. The signatories of the letter complained that village land had been allowed to fall into the hands of property purchasers. The situation may have arisen because previous councils had not taken the opportunities to register village land with the land registry since its creation in the 1970s. The chairman had consulted with the council’s solicitor on whether steps should now be taken to register land.

The fingerpost problem relates to the removal of a sign post away from a registered public right of way because a buddleia bush was hiding the sign from the public. The owners of the old Reading Rooms were fully aware of the existence of the right of way and had complied with a planning condition preventing them from obstructing this during their development work. The parish council had not objected to the repositioning of the sign because they were happy with allowing access to Dog Leg Lane via the Smorthwaite Garden. The residents in attendance insisted that the public right of way be maintained and Mrs Fawcett asked the council to remove the bush. The Chairman said that the council would not remove the shrub and that if it was removed by Mrs Fawcett (or other residents), this would be at their own risk and expense because they would not be covered by the council’s insurance. The National Park would be consulted regarding the possible repositioning of the fingerpost.

9. LITTER A resident had offered to create a poster in a bid to engage the whole parish to pick up litter. The council agreed to accept her offer to do this.. Page 2 of 3 WWPC Minutes 17/3/15

10. ELECTION PLANNING

The term of office of all parish councilors ends in May and any election of new councilors will take place on 7 May. Notices inviting nominations would be posted shortly. At least two of the current councillors will not seek re-nomination.

11. FINANCIAL ISSUES

The clerk’s quarterly salary was paid during March. £74 was paid to A Goulthorpe for gardening..

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Date unknown at this time due to the change in council.

Page 3 of 3 WWPC Minutes 17/3/15