PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES - NOVEMBER 2015

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HUTTONS AMBO PARISH COUNCIL

DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING ON

24^th NOVEMBER 2015 

1.         Welcome, Councillors present & Apologies

Cllrs. Andy Dorman, Richard Green and Simon Lealman, and Clerk, Jem Charles were present.  Cllrs Jessie Garnett and David Banks had sent apologies.  Ryedale District Councillor Michael Cleary attended the meeting.  No member of the public was present.

2.         Minutes of the September meeting were approved and signed as being a true record.

            Additional Item

Ryedale District Councillor Michael Cleary gave a brief description of his role, primarily as a member of the Planning Committee.  Current issues include fracking, solar farms and land at Musley Bank House.  Further topics included:

·        the perceived disconnect between forward planning of infrastructure and development management

·        the low esteem in which the planning process is widely held

·        Wentworth Street car park

·        A64 and its junctions

The Chairman thanked Cllr. Cleary for an interesting and frank exchange.

3.         Matters Arising

a)  Verge Cutting

Assurance has been given that cutting will start before weed growth becomes a problem and that the footpath along the railed off section above the Hall will be included.

b)  Copper beech

Andy & Jem will carry out what work they can to raise the crown and reduce branches overhanging the road.

c) A64 junctions

Jem had discussed with Highways England.  Junction improvement is only undertaken to reduce serious accidents or improve traffic flow along the trunk road.  He had sent data relating to accidents at the junctions for Huttons Ambo and explained that their nature and number did not warrant investment.  It was agreed that his offer to undertake a further review would not be taken up.  A copy of the data is held by the Council and can be made available to residents of the Parish on request.

d)  Superfast Broadband

NYNET had confirmed that current plans for Phase III of Superfast Yorkshire will not include connecting High or Low Hutton.  LN Communications, now trading as Boundless Communications Ltd., can provide up to 30mB/s by wireless connection to most properties in the village.  Jem will contact them to offer support in promoting awareness of the service.  The Council would support the invitation made to Boundless Communications Ltd by Huttons Ambo Community Collective to come to the village and present further information on the service they might be able to provide and its cost

Some concern was expressed over the size of receiver each property would need and Jem will convey this to the company.

e)  Village website

     Photographs of Councillors along with short introductory texts have been posted.

f)   Transparency Code for Smaller Councils

It was agreed that  a new dedicated PC and printer would not be helpful but Jem will purchase an hard drive for Council use.

g)  Potholes at Barneygate Lane/A64 junction

These were filled promptly on request.

4.         New Matters

a)  Good neighbours scheme

The Council welcomed an initial meeting set up by Liz Ellis for January 13^th.

b)  Highways Asset Sponsorship

There are no Highway Assets in the Parish appropriate for sponsorship.

c)  Local Transport Plan consultation

No change of consequence to the Parish was identified.  Councillors will look at the relevant NYCC website as they might see fit and inform the clerk of any comments.  Jem will respond.

d)  Joint Minerals & Waste Plan consultation

All Councillors will study the documents in more detail particularly in regard to fracking so that a considered response can be drafted.  Given that shale gas is a mineral within the definitions provided in the documents, Councillors were surprised that the proposed fracking at Kirby Misperton was not stated to be a “preferred” site, as defined in the documents.  Jem will write to NYCC.

e)  Rural Action Yorkshire membership

In light of the assistance RAY have been giving Jem will apply for membership.

f)   Kirkham Weir & Sluice engagement group

Rona Charles has agreed to represent the village once agreement has been given by her employer, the National Park that this would not create any conflict of interest.

5.         Planning

a)  Low Farm Cottage

The application for extension, conversion and renovation has been approved

b)  Musley Bank House

            The application for a new house in the grounds is to be determined by committee on December 1st with a recommendation for refusal.    The Parish Council supported the application and would be happy to see it approved.  Having reviewed all of the documents available on the public record, the Council could not see any factual or reasonable grounds whatsoever for refusal.  Jem will write to Cllr. Cleary to explain the Council’s position and ask him to support the application.

c)  The Redings

The application to extend has been approved.

d)  Land at Cherry Farm

The council regretted that the application for this prominent piece of land was for characterless industrial units but did not consider an objection to be worthwhile at this stage.  Councillors expressed concern about creeping encroachment of such industrial developments into land within the Parish.  Jem will write to RDC to this effect.

6.         Finance

a)  Budget Progress

Jem presented income/expenditure data to date and the position is satisfactory.

b)  Precept

A decision on the level of the precept will be made once a new contractor for grass cutting and village maintenance has been found and the price determined.

7.         Any Other Business

a)  Grass cutting and Village maintenance

Curlew Conservation has indicated that they can no longer carry out this work.  Andy will approach another potential contractor within the village to obtain a quote.

b)  Finger Post

The finger post at the foot of Buck Lane has been broken.  It was felt that this should be repaired rather than replaced.  Jem will contact the AONB office to enquire whether assistance is available or if they know of a suitable firm or craftsman.

c)  Ryedale Plan

Ryedale District Council is consulting on preferred sites in the Service Villages and potential option sites in the Market Towns. The consultation is running to 14 December.  Councillors will study the documents, and listen to residents, and pass any comments to Jem to prepare a response.

d)  d) Road markings at the bottom of Netherby Lane

Simon stated that these had virtually disappeared and were badly in need of renewing, particularly following a recent minor accident between two vehicles and the ensuing dispute as to who had the right of way. Jem reported that he had contacted NYCC Highways. (Councillors note that these were renewed Thursday 26^th.)

8.         Date of Next meeting(s)

14th January at 7.30 and, provisionally, 9^th of March 2016 at 7.30.

Jem Charles, Clerk to the Parish Council

parishclerk@huttonsambo.com

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