Minutes – 4th March 2025
Present: Cllr. S. Mathison (Chair). Cllr. L. Burrows Vice Chair), Cllr. A. Fearnall, Cllr. F. Hood, Cllr. G. Jones, Cllr. I. Lamping, Cllr. J. Richardson, Cllr. D. Robins, Cllr. K. Roydhouse.
In attendance: A. Woodward, Clerk to the Parish Council.
For reference ERYC = East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Public Session
A member of the public attended the meeting
Co-Option of a new Councillor
Two applicants outlined why they would like to serve on the parish council. Councillors also had sight of the application forms. They were thanked for their input and advised the decision would be made in a closed part of the meeting and they would be informed of the outcome.
189 Apologies for absence
Cllr. C. Farley. The clerk reported that Cllr. Farley had sadly resigned from
the council due to personal commitments. The chair on behalf of the council expressed his thanks for the time and effort he dedicated to the council.
190 Declaration of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests
Councillor Hood declared pecuniary interest related to item 211/c
Councillor Jones declared nonpecuniary interest related to item 211/d
200 Approval of minutes of the last meeting as a true record
The minutes were approved. Proposed by Cllr. Richardson and seconded
by Cllr. Jones.
201 Report from East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC)
Cllr. P. Smith, ERYC Ward councillor sent his apologies but had time to brief the clerk on a matter covered in correspondence below
202 Report from Humberside Police
PCSO Legrove did not attend the meeting
203 To receive and approve the Clerk’s Report
The clerk reported progress in progressing grant applications for both the VE Day memorial and the Bus Shelter funding from ERYC
Year-end accounts work will take up a lot of the clerks time over the next month
There has been no further information from ERYC on The Close.
Th clerk reported she had a productive meeting with Leconfield Parish Council Chair and clerk on 13th February to demonstrate Scribe and discuss Commuted Sums
There have been administrative issues with ERYC regarding the requested memorial benches, but the clerk is working with those requesting the benches to resolve.
The annual appraisal of the Handyman will take place on 17th March with the clerk and Cllr. Richardson
204 To note and update the Parish Action Tracker
Discussed and outstanding actions noted
205 To consider and comment on (ERYC) planning applications
A)25/00307/STVAR Variation of Condition 2(approved plans- house types) od planning permission 20/01187/STPLF (erection of 80 dwellings ) to allow change in house type from Adstock to Addington
The Paddocks, High Stile, Leven Peter Ward Homes
Discussed and APPROVAL recommended to ERYC
B) TO NOTE ; an appeal has been lodged by the owner of 1 Blacksmith Place to an earlier Refusal for planning refuse 25/00003/REFUSE
Noted All
206 To note ERYC planning decisions
None Clerk
207 To note and consider correspondence
A) A letter from a member of Holy Trinity Church requesting a grant of £265 for a risk assessment of the trees in the churchyard to comply with the Church insurance agreement it was AGREED to grant the Church £265 from the section 137 budget.
B) A copy of the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Plan
C) An invitation to join Dogger Bank D Liaison Group – to appoint a representative from the Parish Council and a substitute.
It was AGREED that Cllr. Lamping and Cllr Hood would be nominated and attend the first meeting
D) Boundary Commission review of the East Riding .
It was NOTED that Leven Parish Council would be reviewed, and it is recommended in the consultation that it be placed within a new Ward of East Wolds and no longer in Beverley Rural. This will have political implications at local ERYC elections. Cllrs. AGREED to read the consultation in full and send views to the clerk to formulate a response, Councillors did comment that Leven had more affinity with Beverley Rural and North Holderness then the proposed East Wolds.
208 Finance
A) To note and consider the budget monitoring report
NOTED. The clerk explained areas of overspend and underspend.
B) To note and AUTHORISE bank reconciliation
AUTHORISED
C) To note and AUTHORISE payments
Hedging – RJ Henley £187.20
Development – Get Extra £135
Handyman’s salary (including 2024 pay award backpay) MO £685.30
Clerk’s salary (including 2024 pay award backpay ) AW £1475.68
Subscription – Scribe £37.20
AUTHORISED
D) To note receipts
None
E) To consider and AGREE the commissioning of internal auditor
It was AGREED to contract the internal auditor used in 2023/24 at a cost of £100
F) To consider and AGREE the publication of Monthly Budget Monitoring Report
It was AGREED that from April 2025 a summary of the monthly budget monitoring will be posted online and in noticeboards
209 To consider training and development needs
A) The ERNLLCA Training Plan was DISCUSSED and Councillors were
urged to consider training opportunities which may be of benefit
210 To receive and discuss Cllr. Representative updates
A) Playing Fields Association – Cllr Fearnall
Cllr. Fearnall updated the meeting on financial discussions with the association. It was AGREED to invite the chair and secretary to the next meeting of the parish council to discuss the constitution and how the parish and association can work together.
B) Recreation Hall – Cllr. Richardson
Cllr. Richarson has been invited to join the Recreational Hall committee
C) Walking for Health – Cllr. Jones
The group is going from strength to strength with 50 members, the last walk attracted 34.
D) Leven School – Cllr. Jones
Cllr. Jones has been accepted as a foundation governor at the school. The first meeting will be in May. It was noted that the youth club is now fully fenced off from the school premises.
E) Scouts – Cllr. Robins
The scouts are at maximum capacity with a waiting list. They are discussing the lease of the scout hut with the Playing Fields Association.
211 General Purpose Matters
A) Commuted Sums Action Group update
A meeting of the group was held on 19th February. The meeting was very positive with new representatives attending. It was AGREED to conduct a paper questionnaire consultation with the community alongside a digital version. The questionnaire is being finalised with a view to this being distributed in May. ERYC are exploring land ownership at the end of the Orchards to understand what can be done using the commuted sums in that area.
B) VE Day to consider and AUTHORISE any expenditure
It was agreed that a new memorial artwork would be purchased and unveiled in the jubilee gardens to commemorate VE day. The clerk has submitted a grant application to ERYC to support this.
A sub-committee will be established to progress the planning of an unveiling on the 8th May and a village celebration on the 10th May. Cllr. Fearnall will liaise with the Sports Hall Club regarding hosting and refreshments. The sub-committee will include:
Cllrs. Feanall, Roydhouse, Richardson, Lamping, Jones,and Hood. Cllr. Lamping will chair the group.
It was AGREED to commission a memorial from a local artist in partnership with a member of the local veterans group.
C) Items for newsletter/social media/print media and AUTHORISE any expenditure for printing
The first edition of the Parish newsletter was discussed. It was AGREED it would be circulated with the Commuted Sums Questionnaire. It was AGREED Cllr. F. Hood will coordinate it with support from Cllr. Richardson. Spending for the newsletter printing was AUTHORISED.
D) To consider a grant application from Holy Trinity Church and AUTHORISE any expenditure (Cllr. Jones left the meeting for this item).
Further to the correspondence item it was AGREED to grant Holy Trinity Church £265 funding to support a tree assessment required for insurance purposes from the Parish Councils SECTION 137 budget in accordance with the grants policy.
E) To consider the commissioning of new grit bins and AUTHORISE any expenditure
The location and condition of grit bins was discussed. It was AGREED to purchase 2 new grit bins, one for Westlands Way and one for location at the canal bridge to Sandholme. It was also AGREED to purchase additional grit to service the non-ERYC grit bins in the village.
212 Co-Option of a new parish Councillor
Council consideration of and DECISION on Co-optees
It was AGREED by a vote to invite Mr. Ben Towse to join the Parish Council.
It was NOTED that both candidates were excellent, and that the unsuccessful candidate be encouraged to apply for the latest vacancy which will be advertised as informed by ERYC.
It was AGREED that future meetings would start at 7pm
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9PM.
Next Meeting: Tuesday 1st April 2025 in the Sports Hall 7pm
Ann Woodward
Chairman Stuart Mathison__________________________________________________________
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