Meeting 2 of 2014/2015
Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Stutton cum Hazlewood Parish Council held at 19.30 hrs on Thursday 12h June 2014 at Stutton Village Hall
Present:- Cllr Birchall (Chair), Cllr Heard, Cllr Wrigglesworth, Cllr Aarons
Clerk – H Fothergill
Also present Mr K. Tillett, Mr P Leversham
Apologies Cllr Fawcett
As Cllr Fawcett was absent from the meeting, it was proposed by Cllr Heard that Cllr Birchall should act as Chair. This was seconded by Cllr Aarons. It was resolved that Cllr Birchall would assume the Chair for this meeting.
The meeting began with the Chairman asking Mr.Tillett and thereafter Mr. Leversham if they wished to address the Council.
Mr. Tillett expressed his displeasure with regard to villagers continually contacting SDC Enforcement Officer in relation to activities within the boundaries of his property. Mr. Tillett conveyed that in his opinion these were unfounded allegations, incorrectly claiming that various activities were being undertaken contrary to permitted use – he advised that he would be sending further details under a letter to the Parish Council.
Mr. Leversham provided final signatures to the petition to North Yorkshire County Council and Stutton Parish Council requesting that consideration be given to grass cutting along Garnet Lane and asked what progress had been made. Parish Council advised that they were to meet “Living Landscapes” on Garnet Lane 16th June 2014 to discuss a quote for reduced area of grass cut, and then consider this additional work. Detailed discussion followed, reviewing all parties involved with grass cutting operations within the Parish including work by Living Landscapes, NYCC, SDC, and individuals who appear to cut areas of grass utilising their own resources and finance. With the expiry of the three year contract period, after which new competitive quotes must be obtained, the Parish Council resolved to undertake a complete review, looking at existing and potential areas and numbers of cuts, and to give to consideration to the continuation of Parish Council grass cutting, all of which is financed and undertaken of a discretionary basis. Consideration to be given to recent communications from SDCs advising that they will be withdrawing funding for amenity grass cutting, concentrating on grass cutting specifically for safety reasons.
14014 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
14015 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS –The minutes of the ordinary Parish Council meeting held 8thMay 2014 having been read were agreed as a true record, and it was resolved that the receipts and payments as recorded under the minutes were accepted. The minutes of the Annual Parish meeting and the Parish Council Annual meeting, also held 8thMay 2014, having been read, were also both agreed as a true record.
14016 PROGRESS REPORTS – No reports this month.
14017 VILLAGE HALL AND GROUNDS – No items to report this month.
14018 FINANCE
14018.1 Parish Council Account
Receipts Vat
Payments
14018.2 Village Hall Account
Receipts
Payments
Chairman initialled all Bank statements and Invoices.
14018.3 External audits – Clerk confirmed that external audit had been completed as sent to Auditor.
14019 PLANNING
14019.1 The following Planning Application was discussed– Proposed 2 storey rear extension with balcony, raising of existing roof ridge height by 1 metre -14 Mill Lane Stutton.
No observations, providing the application complies with the requirements of the Village Design Statement.
14019.2 Relocation of 30mph sign adjacent Station House, Weedling Gate.
Signs relocated and work completed.
14019.3 Building consent for retention of retractable canopies and fixed shutters at ground floor level until no later than 31 December 2014, Hazlewood Castle Hotel, Paradise Lane, Hazelwood. Permission refused,
Parish Council had visited site, with Clerk to contact Enforcement Officer (SDC) and advise that refusal conditions have not been enforced.
14020 PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE – Clerk to provide spreadsheet update of receipts and expenditures for year end for both Parish Council and Village Hall. Following chairman’s signature of acceptance, details will be placed on the website.
14021 STANDING ORDERS – Following extensive review last year, Parish Council reviewed Standing Orders, with no changes to the document.
14022 RISK ASSESSMENT – Parish Council reviewed Risk Assessment and accepted document as correct. Clerk to contact SDC re existence of standard check list, to ensure all potential risks are considered.
14023 CHURCH – Clerk to contact St Mary’s, following complaint regarding the requirement for grass cutting / hedge trimming around the Church, as this has still not been addressed.
14024 GRAFFITI TO UNDERPASS – Clerk contacted NYCC Highways and SDC divisional office who investigated and later advised that they had in turn contacted the right of way department, regarding responsibility for cleaning graffiti. Clerk to contact SDC again if no response forthcoming. Most of the graffiti has now been removed.
14025 AFFORDABLE HOUSING SURVEY – Survey to be generated by SDC Rural Housing Enablers Department.
14026 CORRESPONDENCE – To note the following items of correspondence for information:
SDC Parish Survey – Forms requesting updated information received, completed and returned.
NYCC – Tour de France – Road closure information.
14027 COUNCILLOR’S REPORT AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA
Various issues regarding specific areas of grass cutting were discussed – Clerk to discuss with ‘Living Landscapes’.
14028 The next ordinary meeting of the Parish Council was confirmed as Thursday 10th July 2014 at 7.30 pm.
PART II –
Parish Council discussed financial details relating to the grass cutting contract and the Village Hall.
There was no further business and the meeting closed 20.45 hrs.