A MEETING OF ASKHAM RICHARD PARISH COUNCIL was held on WEDNESDAY
4 MAY 2022 at 8.00 pm. in the CHURCH HALL, MAIN STREET, ASKHAM RICHARD
PRESENT COUNCILLOR MS R ABEYSEKERA
COUNCILLOR MRS E BARTRAM
COUNCILLOR M BARTRAM
COUNCILLOR R MONEY
COUNCILLOR R RIPPON
Mrs Diane Greenwell Clerk
Councillor Anne Hook City of York Council
Two members of the public
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Cllr Rippon NOMINATED Cllr Ms Abeysekera to serve as Chairman for the forthcoming year. SECONDED by Cllr Mrs Bartram. ALL IN FAVOUR.
2. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
Cllr Ms Abeysekera NOMINATED Cllr Money to serve as Vice-Chairman for the forthcoming year. SECONDED by Cllr Mrs Bartram. ALL IN FAVOUR.
3. APOLOGIES
Cllr John Henderson
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST and DISPENSATIONS
Cllr Rippon declared an Interest in Item 8, as the owner of Jasmine Cottage.
5. OPEN FORUM
It was noted that tractors from Askham Bryan College appear to be driving more slowly through the village of late.
Very noisy bird scarers are being heard by a resident at 5.00 am. The sound seems to be coming from the direction of Askham Bryan, and Cllr Ms Hook undertook to ask at the next meeting of Askham Bryan Parish Council if they can help to identify the source of this noise. If the bird scarers are on timers, perhaps they could be set to come on a little later, say at 7.00 am.
There are bad potholes in Snowden Close, and the footpath on School Lane would benefit from slurry sealing. Cllr Ms Hook will report these issues to CYC.
Vehicles parked by visitors to the plant nursery and café are forcing traffic onto the wrong side of the road. Cllr Money will contact the police, as this is a road safety matter, and it will also be raised with the Prison Governor at our next meeting with him.
6. MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 3 MARCH 2022 were PROPOSED by Cllr Rippon as a true and correct record of that Meeting. SECONDED by Cllr Bartram. ALL IN FAVOUR.
7. ACTIONS
Cllr Money will complete a map to indicate the locations of the various properties in the village.
The defibrillator at the School is yet to be installed.
Damage to the Green caused by the removal of the reeds has been repaired, and the Parish Council is grateful to James Metcalfe for supplying the turf, and Ben Pickering for his assistance.
Due to Officer sickness no further information has been received on the progress of the proposed 20 MPH Zone.
8. VILLAGE GREEN
Options for suitable signs to prevent damage to the Green by delivery vehicles have been investigated. Having declared an Interest as the owner of one of the affected properties, Cllr Rippon noted that there has been a reduction in the number of delivery vehicles abusing the tracks, but expressed his concerns about the proposed wording on the new signs which would affect his legal right to access his property via one of the tracks. Further discussion by members is required.
Mrs Sara Mason has sourced some sacks for the sack race as well as a rope for the tug of war, and the bunting purchased for the last jubilee celebration has been located. Cllr Bartram PROPOSED a budget of up to £70 to purchase prizes, and medals for the children. SECONDED by Cllr Mrs Bartram. ALL IN FAVOUR. Sadly, there will be no choir singing or trumpet playing. The bouncey castle will be available on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th June.
Askham Grange has offered the use of the Conference facilities for the lunch on Thursday 2nd June if the weather is bad. It may also be possible to borrow some gazebos.
Cllr Anne Hook is asked to request an early meeting with Andrew Davies, successor to Bill Manby, at CYC to discuss the condition of the Lane and agree a schedule of works. It was also agreed that a quote for legal advice be sought.
Cllr Money will speak with Mr Richard Henley about the drainage situation in the Lane.
The Report on the health of the willow tree has been circulated. This has been sent to CYC in support of the Planning Application to carry out the pollarding works recommended. Two quotes for this work have been obtained, £875 and £520 respectively. It was AGREED that the cheaper quote be accepted and the Clerk will instruct the contactor accordingly.
It was agreed that only one cherry tree is needed, and the Clerk will purchase a suitable specimen, to be planted by Cllr Money once the stump of the old tree has been dealt with.
A small amount of pruning work of branches overhanging from other trees along Main Street will be carried out by Cllrs Money and Rippon.
A quote has been accepted, but it is proving very difficult to get the chosen contractor to commit to a date to carry out the work. It may be necessary to look for another company.
Very little to report. No update on the book about rewilding of grass verges.
None received.
None received. Our application for work to the willow tree has been submitted (see item 12 above).
The transfer of funds from Barclays Bank to our new account with Unity Trust Bank is now complete.
The balance at the bank at the year end was £8,462.22 and the Receipts and Payments Summary for 2021-22 has been circulated to members.
Invoices to pay are: YLCA subscription £126, Clerk’s half year salary £300 and PAYE £75.
A donation of £200 for use of the Village Hall was AGREED.
The invoice for the report on the willow tree, £300, has been paid..
A budget of £200 for the purchase of marginal plants for the pond was AGREED.
It was RESOLVED that Askham Richard Parish Council is exempt from external audit for the year 2021/22 as its annual turn-over does not exceed £25,000.
It was RESOLVED that Askham Richard Parish Council approve Section 1 Annual Governance Statement 2021/22 for Askham Richard Parish Council on page 5 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2021/22.
It was RESOLVED that Askham Richard Parish Council approve Section 2 - Accounting Statements 2021/22 for Askham Richard Parish Council on page 6 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2021/22.
It was RESOLVED that, in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015 and the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities, Askham Richard Parish Council will publish the following documents on a public website :
· Certificate of Exemption,
· Annual Internal Audit Report 2021/22,
· Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement 2021/22, page 5
· Section 2 – Accounting Statements 2021/22, page 6
· Analysis of variances
· Bank Reconciliation to 31 March 2022
· Notice of the period for the exercise of public rights and other information required by Regulation 15 (2), Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.
The next Meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Wednesday, 6th July 2022 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.
There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.15 pm.
Signed……………………………………… Date ……………………………………….