Notes of the 32nd AGM of East and West Rounton Parish Council on 3 March 2008
Present: Parish Cllrs Lawton, Spencer and Brown Cllrs Tim Swales, Bridget Fortune Eight members of the public
1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr Anne Simpson
2. Minutes of the AGM held on 6th March 2007
Minutes agreed and signed. Matters arising previously dealt with.
3. Financial Report
Income: Total £602.95 Precept £400, NYCC Grass cutting £135
Interest £67.95
Outgoings: Total £509.84 Insurance £163.80, Accounts & Audit
£142.25 Grass cutting £135, Misc £49.94
Cash balance £21.68 Bank Balance £5717.79 final accounts will be
sent to the auditors, Mazzars after the financial year end.
4. Chairmans Report
Attended various meetings to push HA for A19 bridge, and also the W
Rounton village green proposal. Good working relationship with NYCC &
HDC. Two parish councillors stood down in the past year and new ones will
take their place. Thanks to Anne Simpson for taking the minutes & Ann
Lawton for typing and also to all the parish councillors for their support
during this year. (Full version available from Chairman).
5. Election of Officers
Chairman: Derek Lawton, proposed Martin Brown, seconded Chris Spencer
ViceChair: Anne Simpson, proposed Derek Lawton, seconded Chris Spencer
Parish councillor vacancy open to anyone, two candidates for one vacancy.
Mike Brook and Glen March. After a vote Mike Brook joined Parish Council.
Glen March was offered the position of Parish Clerk and said he would
think about it.
6. Report on Appleton Wiske Trust by Margaret Spencer
Last meeting 21/1/08 sought advice of IFA Geoff Bellwood but not
convinced to change from existing low risk investment portfolio. Serious
challenge to trusts geographically based founding deeds by a lady from
Welbury. The trust exists to fund children from the villages of Appleton
Wiske, Rountons and Picton according to the founding trust deed. Help from
Cllr Tim Swales to get legal advice and as a result all ex gratia
payements stopped. Fund is oversubscribed therefore the Trust tries to
avoid eating into capital. Disproportionate funding of U11 ~66% but trust
allows for grants up to age 25. Capital approx £227k with grants
totalling £14k including £3k for music and £2k for Higher
Education. Also trust owns various musical instruments. Seeking opinions
on whether or not to open it up to all scholars at AW school (existing
situation is causing friction with Welbury residents). General view was
that given the financial situation cannot afford to broaden scope.
7. Minutes of 3 December 2007 & Matters arising.
Lack of signage to Rountons. New sign from NYCC erected at Back Lane/York
Street, sign from Stockton Council for A.67 ordered but awaiting next
year's funding. Dog fouling - new bins have improved situation Speeding
cars - police not prepared to support slow signs in the village. Derek
Lawton invited community policeman to meeting but no reply. Chairman to
write to NY Police again. Minutes agreed and signed.
8. Financial Expenditure
West Rounton noticeboard - legs rotten. Alan Wilson to repair new legs in
concrete footings for £75. Proposed Martin Brown, Seconded Derek
Lawton
Mazzars reselected as auditors. Not VAT registered but might be able to
still reclaim some VAT back (approx £180). Ron Semain investigating
this.
9. Planning
Two Applications received very recently: Sir John Bell - remove a hedge
on N side of field where A19 bridge will go. No objections
Mr Morris, Malibu Trenholme Bar. Extension to rear of existing dwelling.
No objections
Approval also granted since Dec for Sun lounge at Stonecrop W Rounton.
Query from 2 residents of WhiteHouse Wynd about planning permission for
roof lights added to White House Farm. New build alteration to roof
requires planning permission but it is a permitted development for older
properties according to Helen Laws from the Planning Department.
10. Correspondence
Various brochures. Info on winter gritting. Northallerton Voluntary
Community Forum AGM minutes and stakeholder info on HDC carpark charges.
Cllr Tim Swales explained carpark charges are in and meetings are only to
fix the price.
11. Black Swan Bridge
Maintain regular contact with Mandy Foster. Another slight delay for
contractual negotiations - yes still on but work will not start before
Easter. Hedges and some trees grubbed out last week so signs of progress.
Mandy Foster from the Highways Agency confirms bridge still on schedule,
to be completed late August.
12. Village Green
Approach made to Parish Council after fence was put up by new owner of
WhiteHouse Farm and original garden wall removed. Land registry search
showed this land to be unregistered and so an application was made to have
it incorporated into the village green after a unanimous vote at the PC
meeting of 4th June 2007. Decided to proceed one step at a time until
ownership situation becomes clear. The information is now with the County
Council to make a decision probably within the next fortnight. It may go
to a public enquiry where both sides will be able to present their case.
NYCC pay for this stage if they choose this route. There were 4 letters of
objection and 14 letters of support for this proposal. So far no deeds for
the land in question have been produced by anybody. Mr Elstob spoke and
said that he had been advised that the application is invalidated because
a Parish Councillor signed it who should not have done.
13. AOB
PCC requested repair of footpath near St Lawrence church E Rounton.
Chairman wrote to County Council and was informed no money this year and
probably not next year either. Chris Spencer suggested sending a footpath
repair card on the defective pavement.
Crime Figures : November - 12 (3 violent, 4 auto, 3 burglary) December - 5
January - 2
Thank you letter received from Colin Hinton. Letter of resignation from
Cllr Angus Gaudie (will send him blue form).
County Cllr Tim Swales explained about new online early warning of
criminal acts using internet website trialing at Ingleby & Harlsey
now. Suggested a joint PC meeting across the area to see how it could work
for us locally.More details from Peter Archer (clerk of council)
HDC letter reminding councillors to declare any personal interest in PC
business
14. Date of Next Meeting
Provisionally fixed for 9 June 2008.
Meeting Closed 20.41
Cllr Martin Brown 5 March 2008