Meeting of FPC 23.04.2026

01/26                Apologies, Reason for absence and Acceptance of reason

 None, all present.

None.

1 member of the public asked for a response to a email.  This has been shared with all Councillors and will be dealt with as soon as possible

1 resident asked regarding the 5% increase in the precept.  It was confirmed that the Parish Council did in fact increase the precept by 5%.  Last years precept was 17325.00 this years is 18191.25 which is a 5% increase.  The response from North Yorkshire Council states that the amount of band B and band D properties has decreased this year which means it is shared between less properties which has come out at 7% because there are less houses than last year.

A member of the public asked if we can reduce the precept next year and it was agreed that it will have to be discussed at next years meeting as it is set for this year.

A resident asked about the expenses for Pollarding the cherry tree and will the council seek recovery of the offer of a donation to replace the tree removed. The residents would like to know when this will be looked into.  The Council will look into this kind offer of a replacement tree but they need to obtain quotes and discuss exactly what trees to plant given the current situation of the Council being bombarded with requests 36plus to date from two properties, the Council has not had the opportunity to deal with this as yet.

A resident asked a question regarding the funds remaining for the pinnacle as one of the current account holders can no longer deal with this but the other holder does not wish to transfer it to the parish account to be ring fenced for this.  The other issues are that no one really knows who owns the pinnacle, it is on private land and there are restrictions on what Parish Councils are allowed to be involved with. Unfortunately, the Council have no authority or power over this.  The only people with the power are the account holders.  The resident was advised to discuss this with the other person named on the account.

Public participation policy to be looked into by Chair .

Cllr. A. Brown retains an open mind on all planning matters. His current view is:-

No election was held for North Yorkshire Council

The next election for North Yorkshire is May  2027

Council Cllr A. Brown had recently attended the sub committee on social care issues.

On Tuesday Cllr. A. Brown met with Councillors to discuss Kex Gill and was given an assurance that it was still on schedule to finish in June. Currently the project is13.5 million over budget.

There is currently a huge row over pot hole repair money. Central government have increased it but it goes to the Mayor and they decide where it goes. York believe the key factor should be how many vehicles are on the road and North Yorkshire are of the opinion that it should be based on how many roads you have. The Mayor has been shifting money from North Yorkshire to York.

Cllr A. Brown has also attended an online meeting regarding the new building extensions at Airedale Hospital with the Chair of the hospital and the new Chair for mental health – they seem very confident and are talking a good game , but they have got one hell of a challenge with the funding. They are currently at the stage of having a design and preparing for planning permission.

Cllr A. Brown was about to go to Scraborough for a planning committee meeting on a form of fracking

There is some Locality Funding of £5000 shared between 6 Parishes which will be available in mid May. Some matched funding is required. This can be used on one off -projects to assist parish councils , sports clubs, history club, something to improve the village. Club houses updates etc.

Provided to all Cllrs.

Response received from CRT who have confirmed that we need to liaise with the volunteer team but that it sounds like a lovely idea and are happy the Council will be responsible to maintain this.

It was resolved that Cllr. W. McDonald will move forward with this project , purchase the planters and speak directly with the lead of the volunteers.

It was resolved that the Minutes are approved.

Resident interrupted this item. It was resolved the current policy simply does not work and it was agreed to bring it back to the next meeting under a special motion as to whether to refine the current one, replace it or rescind it.

 09/26                Date of Annual Parishioners meeting    

The meeting will be held next Thursday 1^st May 2026, flyers are printed and ready to collect. Police are going to attend this one.

Cllr. J. Walton will read the minutes from last year.

Police to speak

Steve to speak re garages at Bucklar Hill

Regarding the Policy for the arbour chair will address this.

                             meetings.

This item was interrupted by a resident. It was resolved that this document is merely a flowchart / guidance for the Clerk as an employee and not a regulation, policy or standing order matter that needs to be publicised and it will continue to be developed.

                             Exception Certificate no later than 30 June 2026, all documentation 

                              must be completed and published before 1 July 2026. Need to do

                              internal review and send to Auditor.

It was resolved that £1479.37 is to be taken from general reserves to balance off the accounts where there have been overspends in budgets such as Clerks backpay and increase in hours, New Website fees, additional maintenance fees etc,  that were not accounted for at the beginning of 2025.  The following figures account for the current funds that will be carried over to 2026-2027

Balance C/F      31.03.26                                                             £39264.28

Made Up of

Reserve for New Lighting                                           £18074.82  (to be combined next year)

Reserve for Street Lighting Repairs                       £4089.99

Reserve for Street Lighting Energy                         £6076.03

General Reserve                                                          £9602.94

ROSPA                                                                             £100.00

Contingency                                                                 £959

Grants                                                                             £361.50

£39,264.28

Clerk and Cllr. J Walton who has undergone financial training went through all of the current budgets with Councillors in the meeting of 26.02.2026.  The budgets above are money that will be transferred through to next year.  A full discussion was held on the above proposed changes as per Minutes of 26.02.2026 and it was resolved that this is the monies that will be transferred over for 2026-2027 budgets.

It was resolved that the Parish Council are exempt from an External review and this can be signed off by Clerk, Chair and Cllr.J Walton.  As the Council are unable to hold a legal meeting until June due to insufficient Councillors Clerk, the Chair and Cllr. J. Walton will meet and go through all of the remaining AGAR documents, accounts etc. so they are all ready to be signed off once the Internal Auditor has completed his review.

• Review of the Arbour Policy

Residents spoke during this item. It was resolved that this will be discussed at the annual parish meeting to ask opinions of the arbour development management

·        Encroachment- The resident confirmed that the fencing will be removed in a couple more weeks as the grass was still reseeding due to bad weather.

·        Maintenance Contract

It was agreed to add in the extra strip from the rotary down to the steps on the other end of the Arbour.

·        Health and Safety Contract for resident assisting with grass cutting . It was resolved that the current one needs amending as it is much too complicated and not applicable for the current situation. Cllr. D.Atkinson will go through this.

·        Damaged dry stone wall on the driveway and a further unstable dry stone wall along public pathway just off main street , lower arbour. North Yorkshire Council have been notified and will carry out a site inspection.

It was resolved that Clerk will chase this matter up.

It was resolved that Cllr S Close, Cllr J Walton and Chair will be the sub- committee for this. The date will be Tuesday 5^th May 7 or 7:30

This has been reported to North Yorkshire Council who will carryout a site visit.

Response received if the land is transferred to the Parish the area can only be used as a green site or for parking Clerk has asked for further clarification.

None to report

A.       Parish Council

B.       History Group

C.      Emails . gov

No issues to report

It was resolved Cllr. S. Close will try to find some cheaper quotes.

It was resolved that this is to be done after the parishioners meeting .  Cllr. J Walton will draft this.  Clerk to ask the organisers if they have any pictures of the boys doing their litter picking for the Duke of Edinburgh .

Cllr. W McDonald has shared this with Cllrs.  The next Tree inspection for insurance purposes is due 2027. To bring up at the Annual meeting as to whether residents are wanting a further rotary dryer.

Footpath map needs checking to make sure they are all on and remain on by 2031.

The next Inspection of assets needs to be done in June

It was resolved that the Emergency plan has been updated and approved and can be put online.

It was resolved that the Defibrillation training will go ahead on 18^th July 10am – residents to notify clerk so numbers can be supplied.

1. Highways – Speed/ maintenance  –

New speed bump placed on Station Road and the 20mph signs are up. Speed/Maintenance can be removed

1. Blocked Drains on Main Street connection between gully 31 and the carrier drain . It was resolved that this drain has been cleaned and is currently flowing.  North Yorkshire Council have confirmed that the only works planned is to look at the connection between the gully at 31 and the carrier drain. Advanced warning signs will go out to residents before works are undertaken and Clerk will be notified.
2. Double Yellow lines on Newby Road Consultation process. Clerk has written and asked if they can confirm if residents will receive a letter re consultation. If not can they please notify Clerk.

d.      Lighting Issues

          I.               LED installation

       II.               Request for old post on back Mary Street light to be replaced with a heritage post to match the new heritage lamp.

    III.               Heritage Light on Starkey Lane completed and changed for a frosted glass one

    IV.               Heritage Light on Main Street – this has been put up but awaiting connection.

       V.               Heritage Light at back of play area – old post to be replaced with heritage post to match the new heritage light.

    VI.               Missed LED conversion for Heritage light on Parsons Bridge

1. Schedule of works for the play area. Playground inspection will be £420 for an urgent inspection when we normally only pay £80 in September. It was resolved that this must be undertaken urgently to ensure the safety of the village children and the Parish could not await further quotes the Parish have used this company for a long time and they are reliable and professional. Clerk to book this in and Cllr J Walton has drafted an email which has been approved for Clerk to send to North Yorkshire Council in the meantime.

The AI training Chair was booked in for was cancelled and unfortunately, she could not attend the Clerks one that was suggested as an alternative.

                           10am

It was resolved that Clerk needs approximate numbers attending .

Email received from a resident who did not attend the previous meeting regarding discussions of the tree works history undertaken on the Arbour. A copy of the approved Minutes from the previous meeting were offered at the meeting and are available for all the residents. This discussion was not getting anywhere. Councillors have not had the opportunity to consider this email in full and the response had already been provided at the beginning of the meeting that it will be addressed as soon as they have had the opportunity.  The resident requested that the Chair meet with them alone to discuss.

To consider the following invoices for approval

• Jodie Fieldhouse (Salary April)                                                                                      £410.16

Taxable pay £431.04

Pension                                                                                                                                           £20.88

TAX  £0

• Clerk – Printing ink  x2 (1 colour, 1 black)                                                                    £29.99
• Hire Fees for Kildwick and Farnhill Institute                                                              £175.00
• Printing fees for flyers                                                                                                       £14.00
• Yorkshire Local Councils Associations (YLCA) Membership fee                             £242.00

It was resolved that these items can be paid

The Annual meeting of the Council will be held on 11^th June 2026