A MEETING OF ASKHAM RICHARD PARISH COUNCIL was held on THURSDAY
3 MARCH 2022 at 7.30 pm. in the CHURCH HALL, MAIN STREET, ASKHAM RICHARD
PRESENT COUNCILLOR MS R ABEYSEKERA Chairman
COUNCILLOR MRS E BARTRAM
COUNCILLOR M BARTRAM
COUNCILLOR J HENDERSON
COUNCILLOR R RIPPON
Mrs Diane Greenwell Clerk
Councillor Ann Hook City of York Council
Nine members of the public
1. APOLOGIES
Cllr Roy Money
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST and DISPENSATIONS
Cllr Rippon declared an Interest in Item 6, as the owner of Jasmine Cottage.
3. OPEN FORUM
No issues were raised.
4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 12 JANUARY 2022 (postponed from 5 January) were PROPOSED by Cllr Rippon as a true and correct record of that Meeting. SECONDED by Cllr Bartram. ALL IN FAVOUR.
5. ACTIONS
The revised Standing Orders, now including Co-option Policy, have been added to the website.
Amendments to the Village Design Statement can now be made.
6. VILLAGE GREEN
Cllr Abeysekera gave a brief history of the ownership of the Green, the Mere (pond) and the tracks (A, B and C) which cross the Green. The owners of the six properties with frontages to the Green and who have certain rights and obligations, under Easements created in 1992, in respect of these tracks, had been invited to the Meeting in order to discuss possible solutions to the damage being done to the grass by increasing numbers of vehicles delivering to these properties. Some of these drivers appear unwilling to reverse back out onto the road, and drive straight across the grass. The Parish Council had discussed this problem at the last meeting, and a number of possible solutions have subsequently been suggested.
After some further discussion this evening it was AGREED that signs specific to each track, A, B and C, noting private track with restricted access to residents only at the named properties be placed near the kerb edge of tracks A, B and C, with a request to keep to the track and not drive on the grass. Property owners were also asked to contact known delivery drivers and companies and ask them to have regard to these requests. Cllr Henderson and the Clerk will investigate the options and costs of suitable signage.
It was also suggested that a map could be drawn up showing the name of each property, as the problem is exacerbated by drivers not always being able to find the property they are seeking. Cllr Money would be asked to help with this.
7. PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
Mrs Sara Mason confirmed that the village picnic lunch would be held on Friday 3 June, from about 12.30 – 1.00 pm onwards. An inflatable assault course has been booked for Friday/Saturday, and thanks are due to the owners of Tudor Cottage who will be supplying the electricity for this. It is hoped that a sack race, rounders, egg and spoon race and any other similar games will be available, possibly with a fancy dress competition.
The formal lighting of the beacon will take place at 9.45 pm on Thursday 4 June, as part of the national beacon lighting ceremony. The Ainsty Choir will sing the song which has been specially written for the Jubilee, and Alice Mason will play the cornet.
The cost of commemorative medals will be investigated by the Clerk.
A special Service of Thanksgiving will take place in St Mary’s Church on Sunday 5 June.
8. BUTTACRE LANE
Speeding incidents along the Lane have been reported to staff at Askham Bryan College, who have stated that they have been working with the students on the importance of driving safely and at reasonable speeds, but they cannot help on specific incidents, particularly without any identification evidence, and these should be reported to the police.
Repairs to the road surface are still awaited. Cllr Hook is seeking a meeting with the Director of Transport, Environment and Planning, James Gilchrist, at CYC to try to progress this issue. A former officer at CYC, Mr Bill Manby, had accepted that the road is not safe. CYC will stands by the commitments which have already been made to improve matters. Cllr Henderson will write to Gilchrist to stress our concerns.
Speeding and fly tipping continue to be a problem. A suggestion that we could seek to have the Lane de-registered and blocked off at the end away from the village was not supported, due to concerns about access for emergency vehicles. It was AGREED that residents would continue to monitor vehicle speeds and report fly tipping when it occurs.
The willow tree was inspected on 14 February and the arboriculturalist’s report is anticipated. It is likely to say that fairly substantial work is needed but the tree does not need to be removed. Any works to the tree will need planning consent from CYC and Cllr Rippon will submit the requisite application.
It was suggested that, as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project, the two cherry trees in the centre of the village which have been lost should be replaced, with suitable commemorative plaques erected.
Quotes will be sought for pruning works to other trees in the village, and these
will be discussed at the May meeting.
A starting date for the work is awaited.
Ward funding is available for small grants to village groups supporting residents in the community.
CYC’s budget for 2022-23 has been agreed, and there will be significant spending on adult social care and children’s services and care.
A booklet is being prepared giving advice on how to plant a wildflower meadow.
A small area of land, owned by Askham Bryan College, at the end of Buttacre Lane,
would be very suitable.
A resident has inquired when the proposed 20MPH School Zone will be implemented. Whilst CYC have said that the work has been planned for 2022, in reality there has been very little progress with the Zone as the Officer in charge of this has been off sick from work for a considerable time.
Another resident also asks if the 30 MPH sign at the southern end of the village could be moved back to its original location, and if the national speed limit sign could be moved further backaway from the first houses in the village. However the Parish Council has previously been told that this is not possible.
Help has also been sought to alleviate the problems caused on Mill Lane by visiting parked vehicles associated with Prospect House. However this is not a matter over which the Parish Council has any control.
No planning applications have been received.
There has been a difficulty in transferring the balance of funds from Barclays to the new account with Unity Trust Bank, because the signatories do not correspond.
The Clerk is trying to resolve this, but if Barclays do not make the transfer, it was AGREED that this should be made by means of a cheque. The Internal Auditor will be informed of this action.
There are no invoices to pay.
The balance at 4 February was £7,913.72.
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will take place at 8.00 pm on Wednesday, 4 May 2022. This will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30 pm.
There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.15 pm.
Signed ………………………………………. Date……………………………………