TOCKWITH WITH WILSTROP PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of a Council Meeting held on Wednesday 20th January 2016 in Tockwith Church at 7.00pm Present: Councillors; Mr N Waller (Chair), Mr K Pope (Vice Chair), Mrs A Wilson, Mrs L Gill, Mrs S Corbett, Mrs J Wardman, Mrs S Pearce, Mr A Dyason, Mr D Snook, Ms M Thew In Attendance: Mrs D Dyason (Clerk to the Council). 16/181 Apologies for absence – Cllr J Savage Cllr Waller welcomed all to the meeting. 16/182 Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary and other interests Councillors agreed that if they had an interest they would declare it as it arose on the Agenda. 16.183 Flooding matters Tockwith with Wilstrop Parish council Area and action to be taken. The Parish Council thanked all the people who gave up their time over Christmas to help the residents in danger of flooding. SUSPEND STANDING ORDERS A support group has been set up in the village called The Tockwith Residents Community and Delivery Group. The group was formulated to support the Parish Council and to support residents following the floods. 1. New Row Investigations have identified a drain under the road which is completely blocked up and no-one was aware of the drain. The Highways Agency are responsible for the repair of the drain. It was felt that the track opposite the cottages should also have a drain. There have been no answers to questions asked of Area 6. Cllr Waller suggested he could write a letter of support. Rachel Claughton from the Tockwith Residents Community and Delivery Group agreed to communicate with New Row residents. 2. Marston Road The problems arose due to pure volume of water coming in to too small a pipe. The pipe goes into the beck and under the road, but the wall is acting as a boundary for the water so needs redirection. It was suggested that a letter should be sent to Highways and to Ainsty Drainage Board to find a resolution. During the flooding a channel was dug in the play area and water washed over and exposed a water main. The mains have not ruptured and Yorkshire Water have repaired and re-stabilised the main. 3. Prince Rupert Drive The drain to the rear of 230 Prince Rupert Drive in the field (belonging to Evans) did not control the water. The drain had been filled with rubble and concrete. Questions were raised about the contractors who cleared the trees from the site and whether they noticed the drain and if so, did they fill it in? 13 houses were affected and water has got into the foundations. The drain has since been cleared by Evans. It was agreed that this gives further reason to oppose the development as the infrastructure is inadequate and Evans need to produce evidence of how they intend to deal with this. A resident of Prince Rupert Drive had noticed that digging had taken place in the wood and uncovered a drain. Cllr Waller asked her for photographs of the drain to use in a letter to HBC. Questions were also raised about the old drains on the airfield and would the MOD have a plan of these drains. The drains are quite shallow and not fit for purpose as they were not intended for a housing development. Cllr Waller advised that he is collating video and photographic evidence which will be sent with a letter asking for answers to the above. 4. Westfield Road The problems were items that were raised in objections to the planning as it was felt that the sewage was incapable of dealing with extra drainage from additional housing. Sewage was coming up through the drain and the manhole disappeared into the road. The hole in the road was then fenced off for safety. This was overflowing for several days due to a blockage. Raw sewage has gone into the dam and also affected many properties on Westfield and Fleet Lane. Cllr Waller agreed that this was a matter to raise with Yorkshire Water and Environmental Protection. One resident would like the dyke clearing out to assist the drainage. 5. Cowthorpe Issues here were caused by the river at the far end of the field that overflows, caused by the flood defences further up the river, This does affect three houses, and some water got into their cellars and this is always a threat in heavy rain. The main problem on Boxing Day was caused by cars driving through the flooded road and the water lapping at the houses. The drains could not cope with flooding from the pumping station. Yorkshire Water have advised that surface water doesn’t go through the pumping station. The dyke has been cleared by Ainsty Drainage Board and is now ok. The big concern is that the fields flood often and is always a threat. Cllr Waller said this would be followed up with the Environment Agency. 6. Blind Lane There are evidential photographs of the flooding on Blind Lane. 7. Wilstrop The public road that leads from Skipbridge Farm to Wilstrop Grange/Hall was flooded just yards from the A59. The land was flooded for four days as it is saturated already. 8. Local action/co-ordination group re flooding and development issues The Parish Council are keen to assist with flood prevention. Cllr Dyason agreed to be part of the group and Cllr Waller will attend when possible. A meeting had been arranged by email and leaflets delivered around the village. Cllr Gill thanked Rachel Claughton for all her hard work. RESUME STANDING ORDERS 16/184 Minutes 16/184.1 – to resolve that the minutes of the Ordinary Parish Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 18th November 2015 be signed as a correct record. Resolved: that the minutes of the Ordinary Parish Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 18th November 2015 be signed as a correct record. All in favour. 16/185.To receive information on ongoing issues and decide further action where necessary. 16.185.1 – “Stirling Spirit” – to discuss enhancement work and use of surplus donation and offer of further donation to fund planters and a bound book of photographs of the event. There are no surplus funds available for enhancement, however there is the possibility of an offer of a donation to cover the cost of a bound book. Resolved: That the enhancement work cannot go ahead. 16.185.2 Update regarding issues on the Airfield – Bus Depot (Suttle Transport) Councillors have been advised by local residents that it appears the site operator has recently extended the bus depot compound and increased the activity/storage units in that area. Resolved: The Clerk to write to HBC (James Cullen). 16/185.3 Update regarding issues on the Airfield- Tyres and other issues Tyres – the site operator has started to move some of the tyres, but there are still a huge amount of tyres left. The Environment Agency has set a compliance deadline date of May 2016 for the removal of illegally stores tyres. Alleged unlawful residential use of workshop – following the serving of an Enforcement Notice by HBC, we have received an email from the District Councillor stating the site operator has submitted an appeal. Resolved: The Clerk to write to HBC (James Cullen) to ensure that the PC is kept informed directly of progress. 16/185.4 Update regarding NYCC Highways raised up to 2 years ago and still outstanding, including trees and verge near 69 Marston Road. A list has been sent to Highways together with 22 photographs of issues within the parish including signs, white lines, drain covers, etc. A response is awaited from Highways.. 16/185.5 To receive an update on Village Hall remedial works. SUSPEND STANDING ORDERS The work on the damp has been completed and the decorating is finished. The committee would like to decorate the rest of the hall in the near future. RESUME STANDING ORDERS 16/185.6 To discuss the siting of a memorial bench for Ms Mbanu. A letter was sent to residents living near to the proposed site for the bench. Three letters of objection were received and if we were to proceed permission would be needed from NYCC to install the base, which would be costly. A suggested was raised that Ms Mbanu may wish to contribute to planting around the memorial with an acknowledgement for her late father, or alternatively, a bench could be installed in the play area. The Clerk is to write to Ms Mbanu to ask her views on these suggestions. Resolved: Clerk is to write to Ms Mbanu. 16/185.7 Update on the cardboard recycling in the Village Hall car park. Cllr Pope was pleased to advise that no more cardboard ad been left near the bottle bins or the village hall bin. A community message had been posted on Facebook by a resident to say that cardboard could now be included in the recycling, but this is not the case. 16/185.8 To discuss the RoSPA reports for the two play areas and decide on repair work needed. It was agreed to put this off to the next meeting as nothing of high priority had been identified in the reports. Cllr Thew agreed to prepare a report on any work needed. 16/185.9 To discuss the grant applications for 2016/17. The grant applications received are as follows: Tockwith Village Hall Redecoration of public areas 500.00 Tockwith Church Upkeep of grounds and churchyard extension 750.00 Tockwith & District Agricultural Society Tockwith Show 250.00 Cowthorpe Community Forum Upgrade of electricity & heating in the Church 400.00 Tockwith Players Workshops & training 270.00 Hunsingore District Church Council Repairs to perimeter wall 200.00 Hunsingore District Church Council Mowing, strimming, hedge cutting 200.00 Tockwith Under 5's Purchase of banner, specialist play sessions 400.00 Tockwith Sportsfield Trust Additional floodlighting, hand rail at entrance 500.00 TOTAL 3,470.00 SUSPEND STANDING ORDERS The Tockwith Church extension is the responsibility of the Parish Council and it was agreed that this should be paid out of the Council budget and not the grant money.