Parish Council Meeting – 26 March 2025

Present: Cllrs A. Lagden, J. Barker, E. Spurdens, T. Hames, District Cllr. B. Mayhew and Ms J. Kendall Clerk

Apologies: Cllr C. Wheatley and District Cllr J. Craig.

2. Cllr T. Hames took the role of chair, and welcomed all to the meeting.
3. Minutes

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 29.1.25 were approved: Proposed Cllr Lagden, Seconded Cllr Spurdens.

3. Matters Arising:

Overhanging hedge at the junction of Darrington and Doncaster roads: Cllr Mayhew reported that Street Scene has contacted residents and the matter is in hand. Cllr Hames thanks Cllr Mayhew for his support on behalf of the PC.

Dog bins: Cllr Barker reported that the request for dog bins on Rigg Lane and in Hundhill which was approved by WMDC in August have still not been provided. The Clerk wrote to WMDC earlier this month to enquire as to progress. Cllr Mayhew reported that Cllr Ayre is chasing this up.

Traffic monitoring: Cllr Hames reported that the speed van is now monitoring HGVs only. Cllr Mayhew reported that on March 10^th, 3 officers checked speed on Doncaster Road, immediately one driver was apprehended under the influence of drugs and another driver was speeding at 60mph, they then took the first driver into custody and left the scene, but this does demonstrate the problem at this junction and further deployment is planned. ACTION: Cllr Hames will attend the next PACT meeting to request that officers spend more time at the location.

Signage for new boundary: Following a number of requests to WMDC, Cllr Barker is meeting the rep from WMDC later in the week to look at locations, and get a price for the work required.

Plaque: Cllr Spurdens has taken delivery of the plaque but unfortunately there was an error so this will need to be replaced before she can mount it on the pump shed. The Clerk has uploaded the photos to the website and will return them to the family.

Organisations within the new boundary: Riding for the Disabled: Cllr Spurdens reported that the RDA are looking for new promises locally. The Cricket Club: it was agreed that they need to make good the wall they demolished to allow access for ambulances to reach the playing field. ACTION:  Cllr Hames will have a word with his contact at the club.

Litter: it was agreed that Mr Jeff Hill has done sterling work in clearing the village of litter and the Clerk will write to thank him on behalf of the PC.

4. Accounts

Cllr Barker reported that the balance is £7560.42. The CIL money balance is £5718.28 which must be spent by Autumn 2026. The interest paid was £98.28.

The annual CIL return was sent to WMDC on March 20th.

As the contingency fund was not needed this year, the PC will end the year on a surplus so it was agreed that rent should be paid to the village hall for the last 2 years.

In February, the village hall asked whether any funding was available and Cllr Barker replied that we are not yet in a position to fund village hall improvements.  Hopefully in the future the PC will be able to make donations to community organisations.

The precept was held at the present level this year. It was therefore disappointing to see a 2% rise on the annual WMDC Community Charge bill.

5. Highways

Cllr Craig wrote to say that the Smiley Sids can be rented from Sharlestone Parish Council.

Cllr Lagden reported that the potholes have been marked for repair.

The Clerk has received an email about the speed van which she will circulate.

6. Planning

Cllr Lagden reported that there have been three applications:  Doncaster Road, White Cat garage, a retrospective application, and Berrill farm. It was agreed that all could be left to the planning department.

Cllr Hames stated that retrospective planning affects rural areas detrimentally.  Activity in the green belt is inappropriate and impacts upon the visual scene.

7. Correspondence

YLCA training courses and bulletins were forwarded to councillors as relevant.

National Highways updates – circulated.

Smiley Sids rental – circulated.

Query about the purchase of the school.

Annual Governance and Accountability and AGAR notices.

A letter was written to the planning department to request that their lists reflect the new boundary changes.

PC liaison meetings.

8. AOB

Destruction of hedges on the road into the village – the Clerk raised the concern that so many cars have left the road recently that the precious ancient hedgerows are being destroyed. Cllr Spurdens had spoken to farming colleagues who said that farmers can claim compensation from the driver’s insurance but this is very difficult in practice and where hedging and fences have been made good, cars tend to leave the road at the same place.

Cllr Hames requested that the Cawood Trust be invited to the APM to present an annual report. Cllr Lagden will arrange.

9. Date of the next meeting: Annual Parish Meeting at 7.00pm and meeting at 7.30pm Wednesday 28^th May 2025. Chair: Cllr Lagden.

The meeting closed at 8.35pm.

AGENDA

Wednesday 26th March 2025

Chair:  Cllr T. Hames

1. Welcome, Attendance and Apologies

 

2. Minutes of the last PC meeting 29.1.25

 

3. Matters Arising:

• Overhanging hedges BM
• Dog bin request GA/ JB
• Traffic monitoring BM
• Boundary signage JB
• Plaque for Mr W Smith ES & Clerk
• Riding for the Disabled update ES
• Litter collection JB

 

4. Accounts: Cllr. Barker

• CIL

 

5. Highways: Cllr Wheatley

• Traffic monitoring SIDs

 

6. Planning: Cllr Lagden

• Applications by White Cat garage and Berrill farm

 

7. Correspondence

 

8. Any Other Business

• Destruction of hedges along road into the village by cars ES and Clerk

 

9. Date of next meeting: Wednesday 28^th May 2025 – APM 7.00 and PC meeting 7.30pm.