CONSTABLE BURTON AND FINGHALL PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Clerk – Joan Hainsworth Tel. No. 01677 451896
An Ordinary Meeting was held on the 17th August 2021 at 7.30pm at the Methodist Chapel Finghall.
Apologies – Cllr. B Snarr.
There were no Declarations of Interest
Members present – Chairman Cllr. I Hainsworth Vice Chairman Cllr. H. Smith Cllr. H Dobson Cllr. D. Irwin and the Parish Clerk
Minutes of the Last Meeting were read and approved – Proposed Cllr. Irwin seconded Cllr. Dobson.
Matters Arising – The Murder Stone Plaque was still in abeyance. The Clerk advised that she was still awaiting a reply to a memo sent to Cllr. Sedgwick on the 21 May requesting help with Highways. The Parish Council cannot afford to pay for traffic lights which costed out at over £300 when the Stone was repaired. Help had also been requested re posts for the bulb area.
The fencing at the bottom of Finghall Lane which had been falling into the road had been repaired.
The problem with large container lorries turning into Constable Burton following instructions from Sat Navs had improved. Highways felt the present signage was adequate and no further signs were needed.
Local Plan – the Clerk informed the Meeting that a Finghall resident had sent an e mail to the Constable Councillor asking if she knew about the Local Plan as affecting Green Spaces in Finghall and advising that the deadline was Friday the 23 July
A further e mail was sent by the same resident suggesting other nearby Parishes should be consulted. The Clerk felt that this was an extremely unkind thing to do Councillors agreed. Cllr. Hainsworth and Cllr. Smith work hard for the Parish Council and for Finghall Cllr. Hainsworth for the past 30 years and Cllr. Smith over the last few years and to ignore them in this way was not very nice. Both Councillors are always available to speak to face to face as is the Parish Clerk.
The Green Spaces referred to in the e mails is land at the rear of the houses on the North Side of the village and are privately owned. The Local Plan has been in evidence for many years and the Parish Council past and present have always felt that these areas should not be the subject of interference.
Cllr. Hainsworth has had telephone conversations with Richmondshire District Council and following consultation two areas have been recommended for inclusion in the Local Plan one in Finghall and the Village Green at Constable Burton has been reaffirmed.
Copies of previous Local Plans were set out for viewing at the Parish Council Meeting. One Plan dated from 1999- 2006 which had some rather nice sketches in the second from 2012 to 2028 needless to say no one attended the Meeting toview these.
Grants – Quotations for Grants for further Play Equipment and Picnic Tables at Constable Burton had been applied for and these had been forwarded to the relevant bodies.
The Playground had been inspected yet again by Richmondshire District Council.
Street Lighting – The Clerk informed the Meeting that she had been advised that funding up to £45000 had been made available enough for 30 new street lights to be installed in towns and villages. Following consultation with villagers only one new street light had been requested for Finghall in the vicinity of the Chapel. Otherwise, residents were quite happy with the present situation
Community Ownership Fund – The Clerk had been advised that funding was available to help communities to take over assets and amenities at risk of closure. The fund covers many aspects within the community ie Pubs Post Offices etc. There are several rounds of bidding before any decisions are made. Councillors felt that at the present time the Parishes had no such problem.
Highways – Constable Burton Village sign had been damaged and needed replacing the Clerk had consulted with Richmond District Council and requested this to be replaced. A Street Licence may be required. Cllr. Dobson would measure the damaged sign and inform the Clerk. The Clerk informed the Meeting that the layby opposite Akebar Camp gate was being used as a passing place when vehicles are turning right into the camp, should the vehicle turning right allow the vehicle leaving the camp gate right of way there would likely be an accident. The Clerk had actually witnessed this manoeuvre. Highways would be informed,
Any Other Business
Cllr. Dobson requested Chevron Signs and a sign advising Race Horses be installed on the road leading to Sunhill Stables it was felt that some of the bends were quite severe.
Platinum Jubilee – Joan and Ian Hainsworth offered to make their gardens available for the Platinum Jubilee as all Jubilee and other celebrations within the village had been held in their garden. If anyone wished to form a group to organise any celebrations the Parish Council were happy to co-ordinate.
The Clerk stressed that all Councillors are available to meet face to face with anyone in all villages who felt there was a problem or required information. E mails do not make for good community relations.
Expenses – The Clerk asked permission to pay the following
Clerk Salary – £250.
Cllr. Irwin proposed and Cllr. Smith seconded the payment.
Meeting closed – 21.20
Date of Next Meeting – it was decided that the Council could organise the next Meeting for the 16 November 2021 in view of the present Covid rules. This would be held at the Reading Room.