Brompton
on Swale Parish Council
|
Clerk: Margaret Lowery, 32 Honey Pot Road,
Brompton on Swale, Richmond, DL10 7HT: Tel: 01748 818088 email:
bosparishclerk@fsmail.net: web site: www.brompton-on-swale.org.uk |
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting Monday 14
January 2008
Present: Cllrs A
Guest, Chairman F Broughton
L
Rowe P
Wild
Y
Brookes S Neasham
Cllrs C Les
M
Heseltine
PC Gary
Sellers
1. Apologies
for absence: Cllr
B Woodley
Cllr
J Fryer
2. Open
Forum
2.1 Tracey Clark, Chairperson of the Village
Society attended the meeting to ask the Parish Council for some financial
assistance towards capital costs, in particular redecoration of the main sports
hall, for which quotes have been sought.
The general maintenance costs of the Community Sports Hall have proved
very costly this current financial year and for the first time the Village
Society are facing a deficit in their accounts. This has come about from several factors, including the lack of
membership on the Committee, little or no fund raising activity and some lost
revenue. It was agreed that the best
way forward would be to arrange a meeting between the Parish Council and the
Village Society to explore what can be done to help. Action Clerk
to liase with the Village Society re dates for a meeting
3. Minutes
of the last Meeting
The minutes of the previous
meeting held on 10 December 2007 were approved.
Proposed: Cllr Brookes Seconded: Cllr
Wild
4. Matters Arising
4.1 5.
Reports: Cllr Rowe asked Cllr Les for
an update on 2 of the items raised at the last meeting: The A1 Inquiry and the traffic lights at
Scorton Crossroads.
Cllr Les reported that the
latest information he has on the A1 Inquiry is that the report is expected in
early spring and that Highways had reported that the problems with the traffic
lights were sorted out. However,
several of the Parish Cllrs disagreed concerning the traffic lights. The main issue is with the right hand turn
in each direction on the main Gatherley Road as
the timing can now leaves vehicles stranded in
the middle of the road as the lights change very quickly to red and do not
allow motorists time to make the turn.
This is making motorists take unnecessary risks. Cllr Les agreed to take the matter up again
with Highways and report back.
Cllr Les also reported that
he had asked Highways to look at raising the kerb beside the bus stop opposite
River Lane, which they will do and if considered necessary add to the list of
other kerbs to be done within the Village.
4.2 4.2 Dog Waste sign Augustus Gardens
playground: the new pole and sign have now been erected by RDC as
requested.
4.3 2.2 Footpath across Catterick
Bridge: The Clerk had contacted Highways about this matter and
received a reply to say that some repairs would be undertaken but it is
unlikely that the pathway can be widened due to the Bridge being a Grade 1
listed structure.
4.4 Reply to letter sent to NYCC
concerning North Yorkshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Sites
Allocations Preferred options: the
report on the above had been circulated to Members by the Clerk and as
requested she had sought clarification on one or two issues. The response from NYCC together with the
Clerks letter will be circulated to Members for information. Action
Clerk
5. Reports
5.1 NYCC: Cllr Les had little further to add to his
comments made earlier in the meeting, except to say that he hoped to be able to
report at the next meeting in March on what the likely increase to Council Tax
will be for the following financial year.
5.2 RDC: Cllr
Heseltine stated that the main issue as always at this time of the year is next
years budget and as it is not known what the government grant will be usually
until the very last moment this can prove difficult. RDC Councillors and staff are beginning to settle within the new
Council arrangements but other changes are anticipated, in particular mowing
away from the old Committee structure to new ways of working. He hoped that the recent appointment of the
new Chief Executive for Hambleton who is also going to act for Richmondshire
will help to improve matters further.
The new appointee appears to be keen, interested and comes with a good
reputation.
5.3
Police: PC Sellers
started by apologising for his non-attendance at the meetings but currently he
has to cover 13 parishes which makes things difficult. More officers are being employed to provide
better engagement with the Public. He
had asked the Community Officer, Ann Wilkie to attend the previous meeting in
December but she was unwell. When she
has recovered he will bring her along to introduce her to the Parish.
There have been 6 reported crimes in the Parish in the past 6 months, 2 of which were at the landfill site on Gatherley Road. However, there is a rising trend in thefts from vehicles and PC Sellers suggested putting something in the next newsletter about this. He queried whether any of the Neighbourhood Watch schemes were still active in the village as there is now a new team in place to cover this area of work. He will arrange to send some information to the Clerk for distribution and again something in the next newsletter might help to revitalise some of the defunct schemes.
Action Clerk and Chairman for next newsletter
The problems of speeding
vehicles entering the village are going to be tackled by the use of matrix
boards temporarily attached to lampposts in different locations. There are 12 boards being manufactured and
they will be moved around frequently (every 2/3 days) so that motorists do not
get used to them being in one place.
The signs will show 30 mph and the words slow down rather than giving
the actual speed of the vehicle as this can cause other problems. The boards should be ready for use by
April. Members welcomed this positive
response to an idea put forward at earlier meetings and thanked PC Sellers for
his efforts and also for his attendance at the meeting.
6. Current
Issues
6.1 Cemetery
Heritage Grant: An offer of £2760
has now been received from RDC towards the renovation of the cemetery railings
but this offer was dependent on providing a further estimate for the work. The Clerk had organised this and sent it in
to RDC. This second quote was for £5920
plus VAT to renovate only those sections of the railings that are damaged
(estimated at 14). The original quote
is to renovate 28 sections in total, which includes a couple of sections that
have only very minor damage to them. It
was therefore agreed to go back to David Droy
who provided the original quote and get an updated quote on the basis of only
renovating those sections with noticeable damage. Members agreed on this basis to match the grant offer from RDC. Members also agreed to accept the quotation
from Daniel James for £100 to cut back the shrubs along the railings (this work
to go ahead this financial year). Action Clerk
6.2 The
Jetties Project update: Cllr Broughton reported on his progress with
this project. Fencing is complete and
the tree planting is underway. The seat
and notice board have been ordered. A
work party from Ragged Robin has been booked to install the seat and the new
access track. The area has also been
strimmed and will need regular treatment to keep the bramble growth in check.
Cllr Broughton had checked with RDC about the suggestion of providing a lifebelt but RDCs response was that as this is not their land then the responsibility falls on the Parish. If the Parish Council decide to provide one, then it will need regular inspection and maintenance and if it were to become defective then the Parish Council could be held liable. There is also the risk that if a lifebelt is provided then this may encourage the younger element to swim here. Given this Members felt it was better not to have a lifebelt. There was a lifebelt on the fence by the lay-by in the past but this disappeared some time ago.
Cllr Broughton is reasonably confident that the project will be completed within the agreed timescale, ie end of March 2008. The total cost is in the region of £3250 and the grant will cover 75% of the cost.
The Chairman and Members
thanked Cllr Broughton for all his hard work on this project.
6.3 Iron Bride Project update: The Chairman
congratulated everyone concerned on the successful outcome to the Lottery bid
which was announced just before Christmas.
Cllr Broughton reported that since the announcement he had not heard
anything from Sustrans about timetables or how things will be progressed from
now on. However, that day he had
received an email saying the Chairman of Sustrans was making a tour of the
Yorkshire projects (16-17 Jan 08) and could he be available to meet with them,
which he will be able to do. Cllr
Broughton has also set up a meeting with Melva Steckles to discuss
organisations and other matters for managing the project as there are large
sums of money involved. He will
circulate the outcomes of the meetings to Members Action Cllr Broughton
6.4 Riverside
update: Cllr Broughton reported
that when he purchased the trees for the Jetties area he had also planted some pot grown holly trees to plant on the common
land behind St Pauls Drive.
Unfortunately, the majority of these had been stolen which was regrettable. The coppicing of the row of trees behind the
Vicarage is in hand and a revised quote had been obtained from Forestry &
Countryside Management. Cllr Broughton
has included a couple of additional items this time; to transport the chippings
to improve the path at the junction with River Lane and to log and bag the
fallen timber for fuel. The Parish
Council is unable to sell the logs directly but Cllr Broughton asked members to
consider his idea of donating some of the logs to the Village Society and to
the Church so they can be sold for funds.
Some other ideas were put forward by Members, eg to offer the logs to
the Crown who could then make a donation to the Church or Village Society; to
give some to the elderly in the Village who still have open fires; ask the
contractor to consider selling the logs and giving a percentage back to the
Parish Council to donate as above. It
was agreed that Cllr Broughton would put a notice in the Village Shop to see if
this produced any interest and also to pursue some of the other options
discussed above before any decision is made on how to proceed.
7. Parish
Finances
7.1 The
periodic accounts were approved and accepted by Members.
Proposed: Cllr Brookes Seconded: Cllr
Wild
7.2 Budget proposals and precept for 2008/09: Prior to the meeting the Clerk had circulated some budget
proposals for Members consideration. It
is estimated that there will be £5000 left in funds at the end of the current
financial year. It had been agreed in
discussion earlier in the meeting under item 6.1 that the grant offer from RDC
towards the repair of the cemetery railings would be matched which will then
leave approximately £2000. Various
other ideas were then discussed:
(i)
to replace the kerb stone around part of the grassed
area outside of the church on Richmond Road and possibly the area outside of
Elm House also. The edgings that were
laid down fairly recently by Cllrs Wild and Woodley have been dislodged by
vehicles. It was agreed that the Clerk
would obtain some quotes for the 2 jobs to bring to the next meeting . Action Clerk
(ii) the idea of building a lich-gate over
the eastern entrance to the cemetery was discussed. The Clerk had obtained one quote from the person who had built
the lich-gate for the cemetery in Bolton on Swale as agreed at the last meeting
in January. The quote is for
£4500. Members felt this idea warranted
further investigation and it was agreed that the Clerk would do some research
on grant sources and seek additional quotes and
report back to the next meeting. Action Clerk
(iii)
Cllr Rowe put forward the idea of creating an adventure-type playground
similar to the ones in Reeth and Richmond.
Other Members felt that this was not an area with which the Parish
Council should get involved and that it was better that RDC should supply and
maintain this kind of facility.
(iv)
Cllr Rowe also raised sustainable energy schemes but in view of the additional thought, consideration and research
needed before the topic can be properly discussed, it was agreed to leave it
for the time being.
(v)
Providing assistance to the Village Society with some redecorating costs
had been discussed earlier in the meeting (item 2) and a decision will be made
on this following the meeting to be arranged between the Parish Council and the
Village Society.
The Chairman summarised the
above in order that members could reach a decision on whether to maintain or
increase the Parish Precept for 2008.
After further discussion Members agreed that the Precept should be increased
from £8100 to £8500. This represents a
4.9% increase, which is within government guidelines.
Proposed: Cllr P Wild Seconded: Cllr
Neasham
8. Correspondence
8.1 Cllr Woodley had received a letter from
Yorwaste concerning the next Liaison Meeting, which he and Cllr Wild normally
attend. Cllr Woodley can no longer
attend these meetings. Cllr Wild
expressed his willingness to continue to attend however he will not be able to
go to this particular meeting on 4 February as he will be away on holiday. Cllr Broughton said he would attend and
provide a report.
9. Planning
Applications
1/12/416-/FULL Full planning
permission for construction of a single storey brickwork extension to provide
sun room at 6 Bronte Close no objection.
1/12/414-/FULL Full planning permission for conversion of
existing ground floor utility and garage into extended kitchen and lounge,
construction of additional bedroom and en-sute to first floor and increasing
size of existing driveway to accommodate additional car parking bay at 16
Pembury Mews no objection.
1/12/198N/FUL Full planning permission for change of use
from B1, B2 and B8 to allow sale of commercial vehicles at Waddington Buildings
Ltd, Station Road no objection.
10. Minor
Matters
10.1 Cllr Wild reported that he had put up the
signs concerning water voles and otters on the road narrow sign but was
checking with Highways to see if this is OK.
10.2 Concern was expressed about the speed of vehicles approaching the village from Richmond particularly where the road narrows on the bridge across Skeeby Beck. This matter has been raised before with Highways and it was agreed to go back to Highways again to see if it would be possible to have a 40 mph speed limited introduced at the entrance to the village before crossing the bridge. Action Clerk
10.3 Cllr Rowe had noticed that a hole has been
made in the fence between the old Harris Hino site and the Telephone Exchange
site and that cars are being parked there. A planning application is expected for the Harris
Hino site, which may explain what is going on.
If no application is received then the Clerk will pursue the matter with
RDC. Action Clerk
10.4 Cllr Brookes has reported the failure of
the streetlights outside of 18 Station Road and
at the end of Grange Road to RDC again
and is awaiting the outcome.
10.5 Cllr Neasham had
unfortunately missed the last meeting of the Village Society due to a mix up
over the dates so therefore was unable to report back.
10.6 The Clerk requested permission from
Members to purchase a copy of a new publication from SLCC entitled Cemetery
Maintenance and Administration for Local Council Clerks. The Clerk felt this publication would be
useful to ensure that correct procedures for maintaining the cemetery were adhered
to. The cost is £27 and Members agreed
to this.
10.7 Cllr Rowe expressed an interest in
attending a conference in Scarborough on green issues and sustainability. He felt that the event might be useful to
help with developing ideas for the village and for fact finding. The costs involved are considerable and Cllr
Rowe agreed that it was probably not good use of the Parish Councils funds.
11. Confidential Item see separate sheet.
12. Date of next meeting
Monday 3 March 2008.
Signed:
Date: