GILLING WEST PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held in the John Ross Suite on Wednesday 9th December 2009 at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Cllrs Brian Metcalfe (Chairman), Maureen Howarth, David Allison, Michael Gauntlett & Paul Metcalfe.
Jon Rutherford – Parish Clerk
County Councillor Michael Heseltine
District Councillor William Heslop
Open Session Notes
The Chair welcomed all to the meeting and introduced the new clerk (Jon Rutherford) to the Parish.
Prior to taking any questions the Chair distributed and read out a statement on behalf of the Parish Council in response to the recent newspaper articles concerning flooding.
Cllr Allison then gave a presentation on the flooding problems, advising the main issues, some of the actions taken and the Parish Council proposals going forward.
The Chair thanked Cllr Allison and opened the floor for Parishioner questions.
A lively and productive debate took place on the flooding issue in which a number of ideas were put forward to help address the problems.
Cllr Heseltine commented that the cleaning of gulleys is sub contracted out by Highways and that parishioners need to report any instances where this work has not been completed. Cllr Heseltine also advised that a meeting had been arranged with NYCC in which it was hoped that a number of proposals would be discussed.
Such was the extent of the valuable feedback received, it was proposed by Cllr B. Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr Allison that a Flooding Sub Committee be formed. The Chair asked for volunteers from the Parish to help form this committee. The Chair commented that the committee would deal with the local authorities and act as a conduit for local opinion and ideas.
The Chair concluded the open session by thanking all for their hard work in helping to tackle the flooding problems.
1. Apologies for Absence
None
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 23rd September 2009 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
3. Matters Arising
a) Overhanging Branches near Bowling Green
Cllr B. Metcalfe reported that the pruning was completed and that he will continue to monitor the situation.
b) Hartforth Footpath
The Public Highways had previously responded saying that the bridge (given number 20.33/557) is on a list to be replaced, and that there would be a meeting with the landowner to discuss all the issues. The Clerk would be kept informed.
c) Flood Prevention
Cllr Allison advised some of the current measures including an application with Richmondshire District Council to replace some trees in a Conservation Zone and a proposal to build some bunds for the gardens of Anteforth View. Cllr Allison also advised that a meeting had been arranged with Mike Woodford (NYCC) to discuss flooding and review some of the proposals in development from NYCC.
d) Speeding Issues
Cllr B. Metcalfe read out a letter from Richmondshire District Council in which the results of the recent speed tests were provided, with the results advising that no further action. Cllr Heslop advised a meeting was to be held in January 2010 at Richmondshire District Council concerning speeding matters and that the Clerk contact Cllr Heslop requesting an update after that meeting.
e) Parish Council Notice Board
It was proposed by Cllr Howarth and seconded by Cllr Gauntlett that the Clerk investigate submitting another application to the County Councils “Small Funds for local projects” to fund another notice board for the village.
f) Broadband
No further issues were reported.
4. Parish Council Accounts
The Clerk issued an updated statement of accounts.
5. Planning Applications
The Clerk issued a summary of all Planning applications received and responses since the last meeting.
6. RDC Scrutiny Committee Transport to Hospital Review
Cllr Howarth provided all with an update, advising that the review process had five main aims :
* To establish if suitable provision presently exist.
* To ascertain what community transport is available and if it is cost effective & suitable.
* To research how many residents of Richmondshire are affected by lack of transportation and whether the area is adequately serviced.
* To establish attendance figures for Richmondshire at main hospitals and determined GP booking procedures.
* To identify gaps in existing provision and compare with neighbouring authorities.
Cllr Howarth, who will continue to sit on the Scrutiny Committee, advised that a wide range of submissions had already been considered including 14 GP practices, 22 Parish Councils, Richmondshire Rural Access Partnership, Primary Care Trust and the James Cook hospital.
7. Christmas Tree / Festivities, Oswin Grove
The Chair advised that this event had been organised and was taking place on 14th December, 2009. It was proposed by Cllr P. Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr Gauntlett that the Clerk sends a letter of thanks to the Zetland Estate for the Christmas tree. Cllr Howarth to provide the Clerk with the contact details.
8. Flooding
It was noted that a very productive debate had taken place at the Open Session and that the aforementioned Flooding Sub Committee would be a very welcome addition in helping the Parish Council to deal with the flooding problem. It was proposed by Cllr B. Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr P. Metcalfe that Cllr Allison would continue to manage this project and report the activities of the sub committee into the Parish Council. It was also proposed by Cllr Allison and seconded by Cllr Howarth that the clerk prepares a letter to be issued to the Parish, advising the formation of the new Flooding sub committee with the contact details.
9. Correspondence
The Clerk issued all with the correspondence received since the last meeting. It was proposed by Cllr B. Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr Allison that the following actions be taken :
* The Parish Council to donate £20 to the Richmondshire Citizens Advice Bureau
* To advise Richmondshire District Council that at present the Parish Council were only aware of one request for allotments and that this would be included in the next Parish Magazine to determine any further demand.
* The Parish Council would part fund the Clerks application to renew membership with the Society of Local Council Clerks.
* Cllr Howarth to liaise with CE Electric regarding the “Preparing for Mother Nature” posters & leaflets.
10. Any Other Business
It was proposed by Cllr Howarth and seconded by Cllr P. Metcalfe that Cllr Gauntlett approach Richmondshire District Council to see if they would cut the Millennium Field at the time they plan to cut the cricket field.
It was proposed by Cllr Allison and seconded by Cllr Gauntlett that the Clerk approaches other potential suppliers in March 2010 for quotations re the grass cutting contract in the village.
It was proposed by Cllr Gauntlett and seconded by Cllr B. Metcalfe that Cllr Howarth consider including a summary of the Parish Council minutes in the Parish Magazine.
It was proposed by Cllr B. Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr Howarth that the Clerk to be paid on a monthly basis and arrangements made to facilitate this agreement.
Cllr Gauntlett commented that he had emailed Arriva concerning the parking of their buses on the pavements.
It was proposed by Cllr Howarth and seconded by Cllr Allison that Ann Wells be asked to carry out all future Internal Audits of the accounts.
Cllr Howarth provided an update on the CE Electric / NEDL project advising that further funding of £120,000 has been approved to replace and increase capacity of the present outdoor sub station at Anteforth View. It is hoped to deliver these improvements over 5 years hopefully commencing between April 2010 and March 2011. As well as improving supply capacity, the new substation will enable a more flexible and effective switching capability to minimise power interruptions within the Village. Cllr Howarth advised that given the £2million work already carried out in conjunction with the Parish Council, the village had gone from one of NEDL’s worst performing villages to one of the best rural networks in the NEDL area. Cllr Howarth will continue to represent the Parish Council in matters concerning CE Electric/ NEDL.
The Chair advised that Cllr Howarth was standing down after the meeting and thanked her for all the hard work and dedication afforded to the Parish Council and the village. The Chair presented Cllr Howarth with a bouquet of flowers. It was proposed by Cllr B. Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr Allison that the Parish Council would like to maintain the expertise of Cllr Howarth in a non voting consultancy/advisory capacity, to which all agreed.
11. Date of next meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting would provisionally be Wednesday 10th March 2010 at 7.30pm in the John Ross Suite.