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Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on
Monday 24 May 2010 from 7.40p.m. in Darley Memorial Hall
1005/1 Present: Cllrs J Austin (Chairman), J Anderson, P Flynn, D Hullah, K Hardcastle, G Middleton, Borough Cllr L Ellington, County Cllr J Fort,
Mrs S Welch (Clerk) and 1 member of the public
1005/2 Apologies: None
1005/3 Declarations of Interest: None
1005/4 Public Statements
Mr C Sharpe (Darley Methodist Church Minister) asked the Council to consider checking the need and perhaps setting up a youth service in the parish, as the previous Connexions group had now folded.
Mr Sharpe was advised that a questionnaire had been circulated, with little response, and that discussions were on-going with North Yorkshire Youth Services though these were on hold due to a change in personnel.
The Council agreed that Cllr Flynn should meet with Mr Sharpe and other interested parties
and report back to the next meeting of the Council
1005/5 Minutes of Meeting held on 26 April 2010 were approved
1005/6 Clerk’s Report : Updates on on-going matters had been circulated
Verges on Stumps Lane had again been reported and were on the list for Highways action. The department did not envisage installing pipes in the dykes.
1005/7 Highways
On behalf of the Council, The Chairman congratulated Cllr Fort on his recent appointment to the post of Vice Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council
a. Parking on Main Street around Nidd Lane and Stumps Lane
Action and response from Sgt Turner still awaited.
Cllr Flynn to raise at next meeting of Safer Neighbourhoods Group
NYCC Highways Dept had indicated that installation of a mini-roundabout at the bottom of Stumps Lane would be possible. Cost would be around £6000 and the Council would be expected to contribute to the cost. The Council agreed to investigate this option further.
Cllr Fort to progress and advise Clerk when action or meeting is needed.
b. Other highway matters
It was reported that the gulleys along Stumps Lane needed clearing out.
Clerk to advise Highways Dept
1005/8 Footpaths
a. Footpath issues
The Clerk reported that the landowners involved in the possible change of stiles to gates to create a more accessible circular walk had now been identified, and the information had been sent to the Ranger. One of the landowners had already expressed a willingness to discuss the matter and a meeting would be arranged.
Clerk to liaise with Ranger and progress
1005/9 Village Maintenance
a. The Parish Caretakers had been sanding down and painting the village seats, clearing some footpaths and working on some of the village community gardens.
b. Garden next to the pavilion to be weeded and cut back. Bridleway at Heck Ghyll to be cleared.
Clerk to add these jobs to the schedule for parish caretakers
It was noted that the grass verge at the top of Silverdale Crescent was no longer being cut by residents and was becoming untidy.
Clerk to ask Skeltons to add this area to their contract for grass cutting
1005/10 Reports
a. Training re Code of Conduct (J Austin, S Welch)
This training had been delivered by an Officer of Harrogate Borough Council and had been informative. Cllr Austin suggested that all Councillors should read the information concerning Personal and Prejudicial Interests.
b. Darley In Bloom AGM (S Welch)
It was reported that the organisation had raised £1500 at the 60s dance and that it was financially secure. Numbers involved in gardening were reducing as the general age of group members was increasing.
c. Knabs Ridge Community Fund (J Austin)
It was reported that there was still money available in the fund and that it had been agreed that organisations could apply for further funding on 2 conditions. The total allowed in one year would be £2500 and any earlier grants must have been spent before further money is granted. Cllr Austin urged groups to ensure that applications were completed fully, as many incomplete applications had been rejected.
Cllr Hardcastle reported that the projector and screen obtained through the fund had now been installed in the Memorial Hall, and they would soon be available for use.
1005/11 Finance
a. Budget for May 2010 was received and approved.
It was agreed that if possible the budget should be circulated prior to the meeting.
b. Receipts and Payments were approved as follows:
Income £3850.00 Harrogate Borough Council, 1st part of precept
Expenditure £ 12.48 Todds (repair materials) Highways Act 1980, LGA (Misc Prov) 1953) £3076.15 Sam Hesselden Ltd (kerbing) Highways Act 1980
£ 10.65 npower (electricity for Christmas tree lights) (LGA 1972 s144)
£ 35.00 Rural Action Yorkshire (subscription) (LGA1972 s111)
£ 673.02 Came & Company (Insurance) (LGA1972 s140)
c. Commuted Sums. It was reported that the Clerk had been advised that certain sums must be spent before 30 June 2010 or they could be returned to the developer. Darley Playing Fields Association had been told about money which was allocated to them. It was agreed that the sum allocated to verges which needed to be used would go towards village seating.
Clerk to progress
d. The Clerk reported that the Council accounts and papers were in the hands of the Internal Auditor and his report and audited accounts would be presented at the next meeting of the Council.
e. Insurance. It was confirmed that the renewal quote from Came and Company had been accepted, for 2010/11 with a long term (3 year) agreement to ensure a static cost (apart from index linking for property)
f. It was confirmed that the Council will pay for publication of a list of useful telephone numbers to assist electors in dealing with potential bogus callers. This would be distributed with the Focus on Darley Newsletter.
1005/12 Planning
a. Planning Decisions
It was noted that the enforcement notice concerning the garage extension at Walker Barn had been investigated and no fault had been found.
10/01164/FUL Installation of 0.9m high triangular sledge to support installation of antennae and lightning protection rod on top of existing water tower. RAF Menwith Hill GRANTED
b. Planning Applications
10/01630/FUL Erection of single storey rear extension and replacement detached garage.
Skaifes Orchard. The Council had no objection.
10/01991/FUL Conversion of detached garage to form annexe and erection of link to house
Spring Mount, Moorcock Lane
The Council wished to clarify the justification for the work and to arrange a site visit
Clerk to arrange a visit
10/02089/PDUCO Installation of window opening to north elevation Holme Farm Barn
The Council had no objection
c. Completion Order (Silverdale Crescent building)
It was reported that the Council’s dissatisfaction with the outcome of the non-compliance with the Completion Order on the Silverdale property had been made known to the Borough Solicitor.
1005/13 Correspondence received by the Clerk
a. North Yorkshire County Council
Amended Parish Policy referred for consultation. Document placed in circulation papers.
Cllrs to send comments to Clerk for collation and response.
b. CE Electric UK
Newsletter received, plus request for information on those needing priority service in case of power cuts. The Council agreed that this information be collected, e.g. via noticeboards and Focus on Darley Newsletter. Clerk to progress
c. Harrogate Borough Council
Offer of donation of a sack of daffodil bulbs was accepted.
Clerk to ensure collection at appropriate time
d. North Yorkshire County Council
Notice of Harrogate Area Committee Meeting on 27 May in Harrogate. Cllr Flynn to attend.
e. Craven Council
Various pieces of information concerning the General Election had been posted on noticeboards. Final information on votes was placed in circulation papers.
f. Society of Local Council Clerks / University of Gloucester
Certificate of completion of Working With Your Council received.
Presented to Clerk by the Chairman with congratulations
g. Sustainability4Yorkshire
Information about a Green Communities Programme, with some money available for pilot projects. Meeting for interested parties on 8 June.
Cllrs to advise Clerk if interested in attending
Other correspondence put into Circulation Papers
1005/14 Community Resilience Scheme
Cllr Anderson confirmed that work was on-going but it was a slow process. The battle box had been received and was now being stored by the Clerk. Some contacts had been made re provision of emergency equipment.
The Clerk reported that the Battle Box equipment included a voucher for a First Aid Course.
It was agreed that this be considered for use at a later stage, perhaps in connection with the First Responder Scheme.
Clerk and Cllr Anderson to keep the Council updated as the Scheme progresses
1005/15 Minor Matters & Items for the Next Agenda
a. First Responder Scheme. Try again for a speaker
b. Youth Provision (P Flynn)
c. Risk Assessment – review as it applies to web site
d. Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations
1005/16 Circulation Papers
were passed to Cllr Austin for circulation. To be returned to Clerk by 20 June
1005/17 Date of Next Meeting
Date of next meeting 28 June in Darley Memorial Hall from 7.30p.m.
Then meetings on 26 July, 24 September
These Minutes are published subject to their approval by the next meeting of the Council.