Minutes

Burton-in-Lonsdale Parish Council

Thursday 30th July 2009 in the Village Hall

 

Present: Cllrs. Burns (Chairman), Handley, Mason, and Salrein, and Whitworth; District Cllr. Barrington, two members of public.

In attendance: The Clerk.

Apologies: Cllr. Hird, and District Cllr. Camacho.

 

1.               Declarations of interest (if any) re this meeting; signing of Declarations Book; changes to be updated on Register of Members’ Interests

There were no declarations of interest.

 

2.               Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 2nd July 2009 and Annual Parish Council Meeting of 29th May 2009.

The Minutes for the meetings above mentioned were circulated to all councillors prior to this meeting and taken as read.

Resolved

The Minutes for the above meetings were accepted as a fair record.  The Chairman signed and dated the Minutes. Copies of the Minutes were made available for the Village Hall Notice Board.

 

3.               Public Questions or Statements: There were none.

 

4.               Matters Arising from the Minutes above, if not on this Agenda

Item 6c and 6d (page 149): The revised insurance policy requires careful scrutiny, particularly with regard to: play area (re time stipulation for repairs, etc), public liability for events (section 1 part A, no. 6) needs clarification; items insured to be updated to include the War Memorial; gates and fences are uninsured, etc.  The risk assessment also requires further scrutiny to ensure it complies with the insurance policy requirements.  The Financial Standing Orders require amendment vis. the Financial Officer discussing matters with the Finance Committee. Receipts and payments to be checked quarterly by member of Finance Committee.

Cllr Whitworth undertook to fully review the insurance policy, risk assessments and Financial Standing Orders, making a written report for the September meeting.

 

5.              Police matters

There was no report.

 

6.              Finance Matters

a)        Bank balances as at 19th July 2009

The Clerk presented the bank balances as at 19th April 2009 with a schedule

of commitments and payments. (Appendix 1).

 

b)        Payments of budgeted and non budgeted items

Resolved

To authorise payments on behalf of the Parish Council as per Appendix 1

 

7.              Reports

County, District and Parish Councillors

District Cllr. Barrington reported the Village Shop has had its application for a grant toward the shop front renovation approved.

The electoral cycle review concluded the current cycle of elections would remain.

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has ceased to pay for CCTV monitoring, as CCTV is monitored in Harrogate.  There may be a case for seeking external funding.

The waste collection review is indicating a two-weekly collection for general waste is likely, but only after re-cycling is increased, which is, in its turn, being reviewed.

Planning permission for a skate park at Bentham has been approved.

The Area Forum, manned by representatives from the police, Health Trust, etc, was poorly attended by the public.

 

There were no reports from the Parish Councillors.

 

Clerk, YLCA: no reports.

 

Woodland Trust: no report.

 

Village Hall Committee

Cllr. Salrein reported the sound system installed in 2008 is finally working; it was used during this meeting.

 

Joint Access and Rights of Way Committee: no report.

 

Bentham Common Lands Charity

There will be a Bentham Town Council meeting on Monday 3rd August; Cllr Mason will ask Mr Wills to call a meeting, noting it is six months since the last meeting.

 

8.              Recreation Field

a) Play Area Maintenance:

Resolved

To monitor the surfaces, whilst getting formal quotes for the safety matting recommended in the recent annual inspection.

 

b) Charges: for use of Field and Portacabin

Craven Wanderers requested a review of the charges for using the Recreation Field. Resolved

The charge for Craven Wanders to remain at £5.00 per match as agreed in the April 2009 meeting.

 

c) Burton Community Sports: discussion re maintenance schedule

The Chairman expressed her concerns regarding the all-weather pitch’s condition; although the Clerk has contacted Burton Community Sports on several occasions this year regarding the pitch and surrounding area maintenance, there has not yet been a reply indicating whether there is a maintenance programme, and if so, if it is in progress.

Resolved

Clerk to contact BCS again, requesting a site meeting to discuss the on-going maintenance.  Clerk also to check if the Lease requires full insurance by BCS for the pitch and users.

 

8.30pm Cllr Barrington left the meeting.

 

9.              Tree Maintenance

a) Report re Riverside Land, Village Green, Very Old & Separate Churchyard

The Clerk attended a site meeting with the tree maintenance contractor; Riverside Land: several trees require a very light pruning, taking away dead wood, possibly lifting the crown minimally. The four cherry trees will need cutting down in the next

 

two to three years, as they are near the end of their lives, and could be replaced with something like variegated maple trees.  On the Village Green the cherry tree on the west side needs to be cut back from the telegraph wires; the contractor thought this might regenerate the tree for a few more years, although its sparse leaf cover indicates it, too, is nearing the end of its life. In the Very Old and Separate Churchyard, a poplar-type tree requires height reduction, to prevent high winds ‘whipping’ it over.

A quote of £260 for the Riverside Land tree work and £75 for the work on the Village Green and Very Old and Separate Churchyard was given.

 

b) Maintenance Schedule for above areas, including budget.

Resolved

To accept the work quotation for all areas, total £335.00; to apply for Conservation Area permission to carry out work on the trees on the Village Green and Very Old and Separate Churchyard.

 

 

10.          Riverside Land

Posts at entrance to Riverside Land

The Clerk reported four or five wooden posts along the grassed area’s edge need replacing.

Resolved

To enquire of Hothersall’s (original contractor) and Hunter the cost of supplying and installing replacement wooden posts on the Riverside Land.

 

It was commented a further wooden post may be required on the Recreation Field parking area edge, as there is a fairly wide gap between the two new locking posts and the adjacent existing wooden posts; however, it may be necessary to leave the gap for emergency services access.

 

11.          Very Old and Separate Churchyard

National Association of Local Councils advice re access through Harris Garth.

The Clerk reported the NALC, summarising statute and common law, has offered general advice regarding access through the Harris Garth garden, from the Village Green, in an email of 16th July 2009.

Resolved

To leave the matter of access in abeyance for the time being.

 

12.          Craven District Council

a) Planning Matters:

15/2009/9828 freestanding advance sign (resubmission of 15/2008/8787)

Resolved

The council is happy to support this application, but is surprised it has been submitted as a new application, rather than as an amendment to a previous application.

 

b) Craven housing: vacancies at Reid House, Ingleton, waiting list

applications invited for Grassington, Sutton-in-Craven and Barnoldswick

The vacancies are noted, and will be put on the Council’s notice board.

 

c) Waste Collection consultation – CDC meetings 11th and 18th August 2009

The district council meeting dates are noted.

 

 

 

d) Licensing Authorities Review of Statement of Principles – draft copies on www.cravendc.gov.uk ; comments invited to proposed changes by 19/10/09.

The proposed changes are noted; there were no comments made.

 

13.    North Yorkshire County Council

There was no county council business.

 

14.    Correspondence

Recreation Field Play Area grass cutting: following email correspondence with the grass cutting contractor, in which it was requested strimming grass not be taken right up to play equipment posts, as per inspection recommendation, it was

Resolved

To decline the offer to hand cut grass around the play equipment posts.

 

Waste Collection Management: the district council Waste Management officer requests attending a parish council meeting during either September or October.

 

15.     Items to be included by Clerk in press release re the meeting

Clerk to write short report for local newspapers.

 

16.    Date, time and venue of next monthly Parish Council Meeting

The next meeting will be on Thursday 24th September at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

 

Before the meeting closed, the two members of public requested the parish council approach the Environment Agency to do a risk assessment of Bog Beck flood plain, as the water can rise over one metre during heavy rain conditions, which may threaten the houses fronting Bog Beck. This may be of increasing concern, as heavy rains will increase with climate change predicted by the various central agencies.

Resolved

To find the appropriate contact details at the Environment Agency, and forward the request.

 

 

Meeting ended at 9.10pm.

 

 

 

Signed……………………………….....                                               Dated……………


 

Appendix 1

Bank Balances, Commitments and Payments for July 2009

 

 

 

NatWest Current Account at 17.07.09

300.00

NatWest Business Reserve Account at 17.07.09

10,493.48

NatWest Bonus Saver Account at 31.03.09

7,150.72

 

17,944.20

Less: Unpresented cheques

382.24

 

17,561.96

Commitments at 19th July 2009

 

Contingency Fund

2,000.00

Very Old & Separate Churchyard Lych Gate Restoration (200+500)

700.00

VOSCY Safety Notice

150.00

VOSCY memorial safety inspections

600.00

Burton Regeneration Group set aside in 2005/6, 2006/7

3,334.00

Carried Forward from 2006/7 budget/precept:

 

Play Equipment

900.00

Street Lighting renewals

1,000.00

Carried Forward from 2007/8 budget/precept

 

Firework Event

100.00

Travel

50.00

Carried Forward from 2008/9 budget/precept:

 

Street Light Maintenance re-sched for 2009-10

580.00

Street Light renewals

1,000.00

Minute Book Binding

50.00

Parish Plan Expenses

100.00

Clerk's Retirement Gratuity & pension provision starting 2007/8

836.00

Village Transport Needs Survey grant money

202.00

2009-10 Budget remaining  at 02.07.09: approx. inc unspent items

7,539.45

 

19,141.45

 

 

Cash at Bank 31.03.10

-1,579.49

Add: 2nd tranche precept

5,250.00

 

 

Cash at Bank 31.03.10

3,670.51

 

 

Parish Council - Payments July 2009

 

1460 Burton in Lonsdale Village Hall Committee re ins

95.00

1461 Wicksteed Leisure Ltd (re annual inspection)

81.65

1462 HRS Enterprises - maintenance, various

668.81

1463 E.On (street lighting 1.4.09 - 30.06.09)

159.55

1464 S Gregory (re petty cash)

25.00

1465 S Gregory (salary, July 09, 20 hrs @ £8.436/hr)

168.72

1466 Society of Local Council Clerks re book (CA-B)

56.60

1467 E.On (portacabin electric supply Jun/Jly 09)

16.30

 

1,271.63

 

Precept 2009 - 20 = £10,500

2009-10

Exp. to

 

Budget

 Date

Utilities: electricity for street lights

700

320

Maintenance

 

 

Street Lights

400

135

Seats

230

210

Maintenance Riverside Land, Village Green, Verges

540

228

Xmas Tree for Village Green

210

0

Maint. VOSCY(280)  incl memorials (250)

324

88

Renewals: Street Lights

1,000

0

Subscriptions

230

48

Insurance (excl.  portacabin)

685

690

Hire of Village Hall

140

0

Elections

0

0

Sundries (incl. war memorial maint £50)

200

57

Additional items:

0

0

Annual Audit (external & internal)

320

200

S/137 (max £5.64/elector: 500 electors = £2,820)

500

0

donations to village organisations, inc Shop

 

95

Donations other than s137

 

0

2006/7 set aside for Regeneration Group s19 LGA1976

 

0

Recreation Field

 

0

portacabin water, electric

230

340

portacabin insurance

0

0

Play Area Equipment inspection, maint.

1,000

92

Grass Cuts on play area, verge, portacabin, rubbish,

405

184

Summer Grass Cutting

150

0

Firework event

0

0

Administration

 

 

Petty Cash

50

25

Training fees

 

0

Travel

 

0

Telephone

50

21

Print

280

0

Computer Services @£115/qrtr net

460

132

Clerk's Salary 220hrs x £8.436/hr + ann. leave)

1,892

670

Clerks Use of home, heat, light @ £3.00/week

156

42

Clerk's use of home: file storage @ £ 4/week

208

56

Clerk's Gratuity part, total payable after 9.11.2012

813

0

Minutes Binding

0

0

Parish Plan Expenses

0

0

 

11,173

3,634