Brompton-on-Swale Parish Council Minutes – 2017/18 25 May 2017 – Annual Parish Meeting 25 May 2017 – AGM 13 July 2017 7 September 2017 14 December 2017 18 January 2018 8 March 2018 Brompton on Swale Annual Parish Meeting Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 25 May 2017 1. Attendance/Apologies The meeting was attended by: Councillors: Andrew Guest, David Dempsey, David Sharp, Max Rutter, Simon Ducker, Richard Haynes and Rupert King District Councillor: Ian Threlfall County Councillor: Carl Les Apologies were received from: Councillors: Nigel Mason 2. Minutes of the previous meeting The minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 May 2016 were approved. Proposed: Cllr D Sharp Seconded: Cllr A Guest 3. Matters Arising There were no matters arising from the minutes 4. Chairman’s Annual Report 2016/17 The Chairman presented the annual report for the past year. This had been circulated prior to the meeting and further copies were available at the meeting. This provides details of the projects and events that the Parish Council has been involved with during the past year. No issues were raised from the report. 5. Issues raised by the public No issues were raised by members of the public. The meeting closed at 7.02 pm Signed:…………………………………………………….. Date:……………………………………………………….. Brompton on Swale Parish Council Clerk: Shireen M Rudge, 58 Brompton Park, Brompton on Swale, Richmond, DL10 7JP Tel: 01748 818155 email: [email protected] Minutes of the Parish Council Annual General Meeting Thursday 25 May 2017 Present: Cllrs A Guest, Chairman D Dempsey D Sharp M Rutter S Ducker R Haynes R King The Clerk County Cllr C Les District Cllr I Threlfall 1. Election of Officers: The Chairman asked for nominations for Chairman for the new year. Cllr Dempsey proposed Cllr Guest. There were no further nominations. Cllr Sharp seconded the proposal. Proposed: Cllr Dempsey Seconded: Cllr Sharp. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed by Cllr Guest and witnessed by The Clerk. The Chairman asked for nominations for Vice Chairman. There were no nominations for the post. The Chairman proposed since there were no nominations the position could remain vacant and a Vice Chairman could be elected at the start of each meeting from among those Councillors present. Proposed: Cllr Haynes Seconded: Cllr Sharp 2. Apologies for absence: Cllr N Mason 3. Minutes of the Last Meeting The minutes of the meeting held on 13 April 2017 were approved Proposed: Cllr Sharp Seconded: Cllr King 4. Matters Arising Cemetery (Item 4, para 5, Minutes of 13 April) – A previous issue regarding arrangements for future burials for a resident in the Parish was discussed. The Clerk had responded to the resident to as for confirmation they wished to purchase the two plots which had been reserved and to ensure payment reached the Clerk by 31st May. A letter was received from the resident asking for clarification on cemetery costs and a further question regarding an original estimate from their funeral director. The resident suggests the only way to resolve the situation is for the Parish Council to offer the plot at no cost. The Clerk drafted a response which was read to the Councillors for their comments. The Councillor who was present at the time of the agreement to purchase the plots recalled the conversation that had taken place and confirmed he had explained all of the detail correctly. Further discussion took place and a decision was made to respond to the resident with a request to confirm the reservation of the plots and payment of the fees required. Action – The Clerk Playing Field, Augustus Gardens, Rabbit Holes (Item 10.1, Minutes of 13 April) – Cllr Rutter had been to check the rabbit holes at the sports field. He noted they had begun to progress further onto the field. No further action at present. Memorial Bench Request (Item 4, para 4, Minutes of 13 April) – The Chairman will contact the family to confirm the price. RDC have carried out checks and were able to confirm the bench can be sited on the green in Brompton Park. Action – Andrew Guest 5. Election of representatives to Village Society, Richmondshire Local Sports Association, Yorkshire Local Councils Association 5.1 The Chairman asked for nominations for the Village Society. Cllr Ducker the current Chairman of the Village Society and Rupert King is a Committee Member. It was agreed that no further representation would be necessary. This was proposed by Cllr Sharp and seconded by Cllr Rutter 5.2 The Chairman asked for nominations for the RLSA. Cllr Dempsey put himself forward for this position. This was proposed by Cllr Haynes and seconded by Cllr Sharp. 5.3 The Chairman asked for nominations for a representative for the YLCA. Cllr Sharp put himself forward for the position. This was proposed by Cllr Rutter and seconded by Cllr Haynes. 6 Reports 6.1 Reports from Cllr Carl Les – NYCC The Chairman congratulated Cllr Les on his re-election. He apologised for the continuing road work at the white shops which have been delayed and as a result has caused an over run on costs. The Chairman asked for an update on the situation with the street light under Station Road overbridge. The latest position is the joint venture have agreed a light should be installed although no further detail is available. Cllr Les will contact A1L2B for an update. The Chairman said the Parish Council had been approached by a resident concerning the same issue on Bridge Road. He asked if there was any prospect of an additional light in this area. Cllr Les said he had looked at the lighting in Bridge Road and there was a street light which appeared to be adequate. The Chairman mentioned setting up a meeting regarding the footpath around the riverside. He said he was anxious to sort out the issue as soon as possible since there was public pressure on the Parish Council. He said the footpath needs to be reopened in such a way that allows people to walk along quite freely and enjoy it. This path has been walked for many years. In 2005 an application was made for a public right of way. This was granted circa 2009. The Clerk asked if there was a timescale in place for finishing work at Fort Bridge. Cllr Les said no timescale had been suggested at this point. Cllr Ducker, who had attended the Key Liaison meeting, said A1L2B suggested they would finish up to Catterick Central Junction by the end of July/beginning of August. The local access roads and the motorway would be finished and handed over to highways between Leeming Bar and Catterick central Junction. A1L2B mentioned October for the motorway up to Barton. Fort Bridge was also discussed and it was said they had finished pouring concrete and would be laying tarmac shortly. There are drainage and service issues on Fort Bridge and the embankment has slipped. 6.2 Reports from Cllr Ian Threlfall – RDC Cllr mentioned the £1.2m deficit faced by RDC. Through efficiency savings and restructuring this has been reduced down to £100K. Enhanced recycling will come into force at the end of August, beginning of September. RDC have been able to continue with the warm homes policy and have not cut any other services. The Chairman asked about the consultation on the number of council members. The Council has proposed 24 members to the Boundaries Commission. There will be the opportunity for every resident in the district to make representation along with Parish Councils. Brompton-on-Swale currently have dual ward members. The recommendation did not suggest a change of boundaries although it is currently being considered. 6.3 Reports from Police The police report had previously been circulated by the clerk. Cllr Haynes noted his concerns regarding pavement parking and the issues of road width. He is concerned there may be an accident in the future unless there is some control over where people park. He suggested asking other agencies looking at the issues during school pick up and drop off times. Cllr Les said this s a difficult situation. It is believed school pick up is more of an issue that drop off time. Cllr Les said that some of the responsibility must be that of the school. It was said that the school should talk to the parents about the issues regarding the parking. The Chairman mentioned the parking along Station Road, especially at school times, is quite random. He is concerned about vehicles parking close to the ‘y’ junction at Richmond Road/Bridge Road/Station Road which at times makes manoeuvrability of vehicles extremely hazardous. Cllr Les said that the Highways Manager is looking into a safe crossing area along Richmond Road. Cllr Haynes said that he was aware that young children and parents no longer wanted to cycle along the main roads through the village since the road is quite narrow and the traffic sometimes travels at speed and often used public footpaths. He said that the pavements were, in places quite generous, and asked whether there was scope in reducing the size of the pavements to widen the roads. The Chairman asked whether it would be possible to discuss the issue with Highways to find a solution. Cllr Threlfall asked if it was thought, when A1 upgrade works are complete, the volume traffic passing through Brompton may be reduced. Cllr Rutter asked whether there was a cycle/walk to school initiative for schools. Cllr Les said every school must have a ‘Green Travel Plan’. Cllr Rutter asked whether this could be raised with the school.