MUKER PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 22 March 2018

Matters Arising

Silver Hill – Cllr Blackie explained that a site meeting had been held with Cllr Whitehead and Richard Marr of Highways. Richard Marr was looking into how much it would cost to extend the area for vehicles turning. Clerk to contact Mr Marr to thank him for his attendance and for an update as to progress.

Toilet Lights Keld –the lights are now switched off during the night.

Defibrillator Tan Hill – The Clerk had completed the grant form for £300 from the Upper Dales Locality Fund. A quote had been received for the electrical and fitting works. Clerk to send the order to Yorkshire Ambulance Trust to proceed.

Grit Bins – The Grit Bins at Keld and Muker had been filled.

Finance – Orders to pay were signed and cheques were raised for the following: Zurich Insurance Renewal, Muker Literary Institute, YLCA Membership, Clerks pay. Cllr Whitehead proposed that the Clerks pay be increased to £1000 going forward, this was agreed unanimously.

Highways – Winter Gritting – Cllr Blackie reported that whilst there had been some issues regarding gritting Crowtrees during the recent snowfalls and icy weather on the whole he stated that gritting particularly of Buttertubs had greatly improved since the Parish Council had raised this issue over a year ago and brought it to the Area Partnership Meeting. The Parish Council agreed that the situation had improved and would continue to monitor the situation.

Richmondshire D.C – Community Led Housing Forum – An e-mail had been received from RDC highlighting a hub which has been set up by the North Yorkshire, York and East Riding Strategic Housing Partnership. The hub can offer support to community groups who are considering a project e.g. if a group is looking for advice on Project Management, Architects, Quantity Surveyors etc. It can be found at www.reachcommunityhousing.co.uk

NYCC – Cllr Blackie informed the meeting that the Garage at Hawes was having a 24/7 Pump installed which should be available from the end of May. This has been enabled via a grant from RDC.

YDNPA –

Tree Preservation Order – An e-mail had been received from YDNP, stating that they had given consent under the Town and Country Planning act 1990 for crown reduction of up to 20% with no actual reduction in height and the reshaping of a Yew Tree covered by a TPO at the Chapel in Thwaite.

Draft Management Plan 2019/24 – the Yorkshire Dales National Park – Draft Management Plan had been received and perused by the Council. Cllr Blackie stated that he thought the plan was stronger on the community elements than previous plans. The Council were broadly in favour of the Draft Plan.

Correspondence/AOB:

North Yorkshire Police (NYP) – Operation Owl – Information and posters had been received from North Yorkshire Police regarding Operation Owl. ‘The Operation is to help put an end to the illegal shooting, poisoning and trapping of birds of prey.’ NYP ask that members of the public inform them if they come across a dead or injured bird, a pole trap or bait and to call 101.

NYP – Monthly webcast – Information had been received regarding the monthly public accountability meeting that the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) holds with the North Yorkshire Police. Each meeting is webcast live and the PCC invites people to get involved by asking questions in advance of the meeting by e-mailing: info@northyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk and watching the live webcast on the PCC website : www.northyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk

Home Office – Telecommunications Tower – A letter had been received informing the Parish Council of the intent to put forward a planning application for a telecommunications tower on land at Crook Seal, Birkdale Common, Keld. The Tower is to assist the Emergency Services and will upgrade and replace the existing mobile radio system (Airwave) to allow for 4G voice and data services. Following discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would support a Planning Application with the proviso that public access to 4G would also be supported from the tower thus increasing access to mobile networks in the Upper Dale.

Northallerton Magistrates Court – an e-mail had been received regarding the Consultation over the proposed closure of the Magistrates Court in Northallerton. Cllr Blackie informed the meeting that he had responded to the consultation stating that he strongly disagreed with the closure of the court. The proposal may mean that the Magistrates Court for members of Muker Parish will be situated in Middlesbrough. The Chairman stated that there is something wrong if you can no longer have a Magistrates court at the county town. The Parish Council was in agreement that Middlesbrough is not only too far to travel for members of the parish but that in an urban court, it is possible that those sitting on the bench will have very little if any experience of rural affairs and therefore may not be able to dispense justice in the same way a rural court would. The Parish Council strongly contests the closure of Northallerton Magistrates Court.

Toilet Lights Muker – complaints had been received from a number of residents in Muker regarding the brightness of the new external lights on the Toilets. The lights are so bright they are shining into a number of properties and residents are complaining that they cannot sleep. Cllr Blows had already taken up this issue and was liaising with Gary Hudson of RDC to see what can be done.

A Thank You

The Parish Council would like to extend its gratitude to Mr Ken Guy of Muker for lighting the fire in the Literary Institute, setting out the chairs and always providing a comfortable place to hold our meetings.

Date and Time of Next Meeting: Thursday 10 May 2018. 7.30pm