GILLING WEST PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held in the John Ross Suite
on Wednesday 10th March 2010 at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Cllrs Brian Metcalfe (Chairman), David Allison, Michael Gauntlett
Jon Rutherford – Parish Clerk
County Councillor Michael Heseltine
District Councillor William Heslop
Maureen Howarth (RDC Scrutiny Committee)
Steve Keeney (CE Electric / NEDL)
The Chair welcomed Steve Keeney who provided an update to all regarding the works of CE Electric / NEDL.
CE Electric / NEDL, having completed a £2 million investment in the village network, is to continue with tree and vegetation management to maintain overhead supply reliability, with most work being done live line with minimal shutdown, in March/April.
An additional £120,000 funding is in place to update and upgrade the substation in Anteforth View with modern automatic technology. The usual consents are underway to deliver the project between April 2010 and March 2011. Cllr Heslop advised that he would pursue the application with Richmondshire District Council.
Gilling West in terms of interruptions of supply, has gone from one of the worst, to one of the best rural networks in the NEDL area.
It was also commented that all Utility representatives visit by prior appointment only and do not cold call on properties, advising all to be aware that there had been an increase in Rural Crime from people purporting to be from the Utility companies.
The Chair thanked Steve Keeney for all the works to date and for taking the time to update the Parish Council on the latest development.
The Chair opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.40pm and welcomed Councillor Heseltine (NYCC) and Councillor Heslop (RDC).
1. Apologies for Absence
No apologies were received from Councillor Paul Metcalfe.
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 9th December 2009 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
3. Matters Arising
a) Hartforth Footpath
It was noted that although funding had been allocated to the project by Highways, no further updates were available. It was proposed by Cllr B Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr Allison that the Clerk seeks further updates from Highways.
b) Flood Prevention
Cllr Allison provided all with an update as follows.
At a meeting with the Parish Council, Mike Woodford of North Yorkshire Highways, described the following proposed works to reduce the risk of flooding on the High Street in Gilling West :-
1. Improve the drainage ditch to the north east of Forcett Lane and provide an improved system for this water to enter Gilling Beck, north of the bridge.
2. The surface of Sedbury Lane adjacent to the High Street, is to be planed off, regraded, and provided with double gullies, to collect and direct surface water, into the existing drainage system, that flows into Gilling Beck south of the bridge.
With a spend in excess of £150,000 these works were to commence in February 2010.
Following Consent from the Environment Agency and Planning Approval from Richmondshire District Council the beck side trees in the Millennium Field have been felled to enable improved flow of Gilling Beck in flood conditions
The Chair thanked Cllr Allison for all his efforts in progressing the numerous flood prevention works to the benefit of the Parish.
c) Speeding Issues
Cllr Heslop informed all that discussions were still in progress at Richmondshire District Council and that he would provide further updates on going.
Cllr Heseltine commented on the widespread use of speed matrix boards in other Parishes. It was proposed by Cllr Allison and seconded by Cllr Gauntlett that the Clerk submits a request to Pat Wilson (Richmondshire District Council ) for a speed matrix board.
d) Parish Council Notice Board
The clerk advised that it was too late to submit another application to the County Councils “Small Funds for local projects” 2009. It was proposed by Cllr B Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr Gauntlett that the Clerk submits this application for the 2010 scheme.
e) Broadband
Cllr Gauntlett commented that this issue remained a problem in the Parish and in rural areas in general.
4. Parish Council Accounts
The Clerk issued an updated statement of accounts and cheques to pay. It was proposed by Cllr B Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr Allison that the Clerk makes the following payments :
Chq 100496 : £100.00
Chq 100497 : £41.00
Chq 100498 : £1.00
Chq 100499 : £119.00
Chq 100121 : £660.00
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
Maureen Howarth reported that a 12 month appraisal by this independent committee, tasked to improve local services for local people, will publish its Review findings on Travel and Transport to Hospital Appointments, on 18th March.
7. Flooding including Cricket Field Drainage
The Chair wished to thank Paul Bradley and Cllr Heslop for all their hard work on the flood prevention works carried out to date.
8. Precept
It was proposed by Cllr B Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr Allison that the precept to be £3,250, the same as 2009.
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 undertaken :
* The Clerk to advise that the Parish Council are in favour of the proposed scheme to improve the pedestrian link between Gilling West and Richmond.
* Further to receiving funding (£100.00) from NYCC, that the Clerk asks Shaun Hillary to commence works on the bench repairs.
* A donation to be given to the Great North Air Ambulance in the new financial year. The Clerk to raise this matter at the next meeting at which the donation amount to be agreed.
* The Clerk to confirm to the Rotary Club that Gilling West will be entering the “Best Kept Village Competition 2010”.
10. Any Other Business
The Clerk advised all that an election had not been called to fill the Parish Councillor vacancy and that the Parish Council should now co – opt a new member. It was proposed by Cllr B Metcalfe and seconded by Cllr Gaunlett that further adverts to be placed in the Parish Magazine and on the website requesting expressions of interest.
It was proposed by Cllr Allison and seconded by Cllr Gauntlett that the Clerk request quotations from Grass Cutting contractors to cut both ends of the village and the Millennium field. Cllr Allison offered to meet any contractors to show them the exact locations which required cutting. The Chair wished to place on record the thanks of the Parish Council to those Parishioners who cut the verges at the front of their properties, as this helps to maintain the upkeep of the Village, as well as reducing the grass cutting costs payable by the Parish Council.
Cllr Gauntlett also commented that he is still pursuing the possibility of Richmondshire Cricket Club cutting the Millenium field at the time they come to cut the cricket field.
11. Date of next meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting would provisionally be Wednesday 19th May 2010 at 7.30pm in the John Ross Suite.
It was agreed that this meeting would also include the Annual Parish Council Meeting.