July, 2020

DRAFT MINUTES

PRESTON-UNDER-SCAR PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the Remote Parish Council Meeting  15th July,  2020

Present: Cllr Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Fletcher, Cllr Cormack, Cllr Amsden, Cllr Knights

Clerk: Joanne Long

 

  1. Apologies for absence – County Cllr Karin Sedgwick
  2. To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of 8th June , 2020 – the Minutes were confirmed as correct although one typing error was noted by Cllr Knights, this was amended by hand and the minutes signed by Cllr Brooks.
  3. To declare Councillors Interests on items on the Agenda – None
  1. Finance and Banking:

Opening Balances as at 1st June,  2020

Current Account         £11,856.19

Savings Account         £  2,270.92

 It was resolved to make the following payments by BACS:

  Payee                            Item                                    Ref No                                Amount

J Long           Clerk May-20                                                        BACS                            18.75 hours*

J Long           Phone/Internet                                                     BACS                        £  10.00

DCN             Grass Cutting                                                           BACS                       £140.00

Town and Parish Council Websites – Accessibility Report  BACS                       £410.00

  The BACS payment will be authorized online by Cllr Fletcher and Cllr Cormack. 

 

The First Quarter Financial Review had been circulated for the Councillors consideration, there were no  queries or comments and  it was resolved to approve this.                                                               

  1. Annual Governance and Accountability Return

The “internal” auditor had been completed the Annual Internal Audit Report 2019/2020. The Councillors duly noted the contents of the report. 

The Annual Governance Statement 2019/2020. Councillors considered the Annual                  Governance Statement 2019/2020 and resolved to approve and sign it.

The Accounting Statement 2019/2020. Councillors considered the Accounting Statement           2029/2020 and resolved to approve and sign it.

The Explanation of Variances (including the Reserves) and the Bank Reconciliation had        been circulated. The Councillors considered the aforementioned papers and resolved to adopt the  Explanation of Variances and the Bank Reconciliation.

The Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance and        Accountability Return had been circulated to the Councillors who resolved to adopt it.

Copies of the above documents will be displayed on the village notice board and on the Council’s website

  1. Website Accessibility Report

 The Councillors discussed the implications of The Town and Parish Council Websites Company Accessibility Report. Taking into consideration the small amount of traffic that the Parish Council Website receives and the size and population, the Councillors were unanimous in agreement that there would be a disproportionate burden on both the Parish Council’s finances and resources to implement the new legislation particularly in respect of historic documents. It was however agreed that where feasible the Parish Council will take steps moving forward to enhance the accessibility of the website. The Parish Clerk confirmed that changes had already been made to the way that the documentation for this PC meeting has been displayed on Website and now meets the new requirements.

The Parish Council is required to publish an Accessibility statement on the Preston Under Scar PC Website. It was agreed the Clerk would produce a draft Accessibility Statement and present it to the next meeting.

  1. Village Maintenance 

Flag Pole –  Due to the worsening condition of the current flag pole it was agreed that the clerk should investigate the cost of a new good quality Aluminium Flag Pole along with the cost of a new flag and present the findings to the next meeting. Cllr Fletcher offered her husband’s services to erect the Flag Pole free of charge and Cllr Cormack volunteered to assist with the procedure should the council decide to proceed in purchasing one.

Benches – Cllr Brooks thanked Cllr Fletcher for placing hazard tape on the broken benches located at the West End of the village and in the Stanney near Village Hall. Roger Howis has been requested to check the severity of the damage and repair if appropriate. Cllr Fletcher also reported that the bench in the cemetery had no back on it and it was resolved to add this to the next PC meeting.

  1. Planning 

New Applications:

20/00388/Full – Full Planning Permission to Remove Windows and Doors to Ground Floor South Elevation and Replace with uPVC Sliding and French Doors at Overdale, Preston Under Scar, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4AJ

As the deadline date to respond to the RDC did not co-inside with the Parish Council Meeting the Councillors considered and made their decision by email. The Council had no objections to this application and the Clerk responded to RDC on the 6th July accordingly.

Leyburn Proposed Roundabouts consultation

The council did not see any problems in respect of the roundabout near  the Bolton Arm however  concerns were raised by the proposed roundabout into Brentwood. The roundabout itself does not pose any issues however it was felt that closing the road past the One Stop Shop was counterproductive and may cause more problems than it solves. The council would prefer that this road remains open linking directly onto the new roundabout. It was resolved the clerk   would complete and respond to the consultation process accordingly.

Leyburn & Wensleydale Layby improvements consultation

Overall the Council expressed concerns over the general reduction of car parking spaces in the new proposals. Many of the sites earmarked to be removed are close to popular walking paths and this seems to make no sense and may be a safety concern if walkers have to walk along the A684.

Wensley Bridge – The area by Wensley Bridge, a very popular area for starting a walk along the Ure is of particular concern as the 2 current parking areas would be reduced to 1 formalised area. It would also create a safety issue as walkers going west would have to cross the very  busy A684. The Council therefore do not support proposals 12 – 13 . It was resolved the clerk  would complete and return the consultation response forms.

  1. Village Meeting

 Due to the Covid19 current group gathering restrictions it was agreed that the Annual Village Meeting would be deferred until we are allowed to hold the meeting in person.

  1. Next Meeting

Items for the next Agenda

Cemetery Report including broken bench

Review Standing Orders

Time and date of next meeting:

Due to the continuing Covid19 situation it was decided the next meeting would be held when the need arises.

 

Signed D Brooks       ………………………………..

 

Date ……………………………..

 

 

AGENDA

PRESTON-UNDER-SCAR PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk: Joanne Long, Rock View, Preston-Under-Scar, Leyburn, DL8 4AJ

Tel 0780 5875533 Email: prestonunderscarpc@gmail.com

You are hereby summoned to participate in a Virtual Meeting via Zoom of Preston-Under-Scar Parish Council

on Wednesday  15thJuly, 2020 at 2pm for the purpose of transacting the following business:

 

  1. To receive apologies of absence
  2. To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of 9th June, 2020
  3. To declare Councillors’ interests on the Agenda
  4. Finance & Banking

Opening Balances as at 1st July,  2020

Current Account         £11,581.99

Savings Account        £  2,270.92

To consider and if appropriate resolve to make the following payments:

Payee            Item                                                                     Payment type           Amount

J Long           Clerk May-20                                                          BACS                    18.75 hours*

J Long           Phone/Internet                                                       BACS                  £ 10.00

DCN             Grass Cutting                                                            BACS                 £140.00

Town and Parish Council Websites – Accessibility Report    BACS                £410.00

*Time sheet presented to the meeting.

The First Quarter Financial Review is circulated for consideration with this agenda and also available on the parish website. Councillors approval is sought. PC- 1Q Financial Report 2020-21

  1. Annual Governance and Accountability Return

The Certificate of Exemption has been completed and emailed to the external auditor.

The “internal” auditor has completed the Annual Internal Audit Report 2019/2020

Councillors are requested to note the contents of the report.

The Annual Governance Statement 2019/2020 is circulated with this agenda. Councillors are requested to consider the Annual Governance Statement 2019/2020 and if appropriate resolve to approve and sign it.

The Accounting Statement 2019/2020 is circulated with this agenda. Councillors are requested to consider the Accounting Statement 2029/2020 and if appropriate resolve to approve and sign it.

The Explanation of Variances (including the Reserves) and the Bank Reconciliation are included with this agenda. Councillors are requested to consider and if appropriate to resolve to adopt the Explanation of Variances and the Bank Reconciliation.

The Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance and Accountability Return is circulated with this agenda. Councillors are requested to consider the document and if appropriate resolve to adopt it.

Copies of the above documents will be displayed on the village notice board and

on the Council’s website

 

  1. Website Accessibility Report

The Town and Parish Council Websites Company were commissioned to produce an Accessibility Report in respect of the PC Website. Councillors are requested to examine the report circulated with the agenda and discuss the contents and recommendations.

The Parish Council is required to publish an Accessibility statement on the Preston Under Scar PC Website. A SAMPLE Accessibility statement provided by the Town and Parish Website is attached for the councillors perusal.

  1. Village Maintenance

Flag Pole – Remedial repairs have been made to the flag pole but it remains in poor condition.  Councillors are requested to consider the long term future of the flag pole.

Benches – Two benches located at the West End of the village and in the Stanney near Village Hall have been reported requiring urgent repairs. Roger Howis has been requested to look at them.

  1. Planning

New Applications:

20/00388/Full – Full Planning Permission to Remove Windows and Doors to Ground Floor South Elevation and Replace with uPVC Sliding and French Doors at Overdale, Preston Under Scar, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4AJ

Leyburn Proposed Roundabouts consultation

Leyburn & Wensleydale Layby improvements consultation

Upcoming applications: None

Update on Previous Applications:

20/00258/Full – Full Planning Permission for Change of Use from Ancillary Accommodation to Hawthorn Cottage to Independent Dwelling with Extension at Croft Edge, Preston Under Scar, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4AQ  Awaiting decision

 

As usual members of the public are invited to attend the meeting.  Anyone wishing to do so must contact the Clerk beforehand in order to obtain the necessary Zoom information/internet link to access the video meeting.