Minutes of the Meeting of Leven Parish Council held on Tuesday 5th March 2024
Held at 7.15pm – Leven CE(VC) School
Present: Cllr. S. Mathison (chair), Cllr. L Burrows (vicechair), Cllr. C. Ablett, Cllr. A Fernall, Cllr. F. Hood, Cllr. G. Jones,
Cllr. I. Lamping, Cllr. J. Richardson, Cllr. D. Robins, Cllr. K. Roydhouse.
In attendance Ann Woodward (clerk), Cllr. P. Smith (ERYC), PCSOs Leng and Matschke (Humberside Police)
No members of the public present
23-24/155 Apologies
Cllr. C. Farley
23-24/156 Declaration of interest both pecuniary and non-pecuniary
Non relevant to this meeting
23-24/157 To receive the East Riding Ward Councillor Report and Police Report
Cllr. Smith reported he had attended the Humberside Crime Board to discuss the setting of the Policing element of the Council Tax and the planning of projects which will be relevant to Leven.
Cllr. Smith explained he had asked a question in Full Council re the state of roads due to managed decline. The cabinet provided a written response to the question which he will share with the clerk. The levelling up funding allocated to the East Riding for transport issues arose with the devolution bid. This is £168m. Feedback from the community is favouring the reinstatement of the Beverley to York rail route. Cllr. Smith expressed his view that the condition of local footpaths and roads are more important. Cllr. Smith will also forward information on the Yarrows planning application as it becomes available however due to his role on the Planning Committee, he is unable to offer a view. It was agreed that a date will be found when the weather improves for a village walkabout with councillors.
PCSO Leng outlined the recent crimes in the parish. This included, 1 public order offence between neighbours, 1
criminal damage, 1 burglary, 2 domestic incidents, 1 stolen vehicle. Currently there is little ASB activity at the Sports Hall although the recent weather will have reduced this.
23-24/158 To approve the minutes of the last meeting
Proposed Cllr. J. Richardson
Seconded Cllr. L. Burrows
The minutes were approved.
23-24/159 To receive and note the Clerk’s update report.
The clerk asked for annual leave to be approved.
A new area has been created on the website for depositing large reports, training materials, and correspondence.
This is a secure area for councillors only. The clerk explained how this can be accessed.
The Handyman’s annual appraisal has been undertaken. Councillors noted issues arising from what was a very positive outcome. It was agreed to provide First Aid Training to the handyperson to support his role.
Year end activity is about to commence, and an internal auditor will need to be recruited.
The Clerk has been in correspondence with the waste management team at ERYC. They can supply and empty a second bin placed on West Street to address the overflow, the Parish Council will however have to pay for it and its installation.
It was agreed to proceed. Proposed: Cllr. J. Richardson, Seconded: Cllr. C. Ablett.
The clerk asked for help in identifying the list of sponsors for planting in the village and to recommend any other potential sponsors. The more sponsors identified the less each sponsor will need to donate.
A meeting of the Finance sub-committee will be needed before the next meeting to consider the final budget for 2024/25.
The Parish Council has been notified its grant bid (along with Tickton and Routh PC) to the Routh Wind Farm Panel
for the purchase of a portable gas beacon to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day has been successful. The clerk will now arrange its purchase.
23-24/160 Action Tracker update
The councillors considered progress against the action tracker.
23-24/161 Emails and access to files – Clerk
To ensure the Parish Council can more effectively fulfil its requirements under GDPR. The clerk recommended that all Parish Councillors are allocated an Outlook email specifically for Parish Council business. The cost of this will be £60 per email per year. The emails will be hosted alongside the clerks by GetExtra. The council agreed to proceed with this.
23-24/162 Communications – Clerk
After the training undertaken by Cllr Ablett on Communications it is proposed that he acts as lead councillor for communications and will work closely with the clerk on all communications and media. This was agreed. Cllr. Ablett raised the issue of recording parish meetings this was discussed, and it was agreed to be considered in detail at a later meeting.
23-24/163 To note ERYC planning applications:
• Variation of Condition 2 (materials) and Condition 3 (approved plans) of planning permission
22/00601/PLF (Erection of single storey extension and partial removal of existing boundary wall at side) to allow re-designing and re positioning of the single storey extension to rear and associated car parking spaces (AMENDED PLANS) Leven and Beeford Medical Practice, 29 High Stile, Leven 23/02689/VAR
• Erection of single storey extension with roof lights and timber cladding to rear and partial removal of existing boundary wall at side (AMENDED PLANS) Leven and Beeford Medical Practice 29 High Stile Leven 23/02669/PLB
The Parish Council agreed to support both the applications.
23-24/164 To note the following East Riding of Yorkshire planning decisions.
• Display of 1 non-illuminated protecting sign to front elevation – 35 South Street ref. 23/02718/PAD
Noted
23-24/165 Correspondence
Web Correspondence – The Orchard damage to green area
This issue has now been addressed by Southwell County Homes the resident who raised the matter has been kept informed.
Hart – request for support
It was agreed donate £100 to HART rural transport scheme.
23-24/166 Finance
• To receive Budget Monitoring report Jan 24 – noted.
• To receive Bank reconciliation – noted and authorised.
• To received details of January 2024 payments.
Salaries Clerk and Handyperson
Shredder – £36.99
ERYC – £36.12
Cllr Jones – £4.75
Scribe subscription – £14.40
Previous employee back pay
Noted
• To approve February invoice payments
Salaries Clerk and Handyperson
ERYC Supplies – £22.27
ERYC Supplies – £9.00
Scribe Subscription – £14.40
Scribe – Year end Health Check – £58.80
Autela Payroll Services – £54.58
Pete Bowser Tree Services – £2400
Amazon Litter Grabber – £33.14
ERNLLCA – Breakthrough Communications Training – £168
Authorised
- Contract renewal – Grass Cutting – Consider quotes and agree contractor 2024/2026
Three quotes have been received for the above, from Phils Gardening Services, Eden Gardens, Helping Hands Maintenance Services.
It was agreed to award the contract to Phils Gardening Services.
23/24 – 167 To consider and approve any training requirements.
Councillor A. Fearnall requested to attend the Data Protection for Councillors event provided via ERNLLCA on 11th March. Cllr. A. Fearnall agreed to also act as lead councillor for DP.
22-24/168 To receive Councillor Representative update reports – verbal
Cllr. G. Jones reported no further progress regarding matters agreed at the Playing Field Committee.
Cllr. D. Robins reported that the scouts are happy to get involved with planting in the area where the hedge has recently been removed.
Cllr. C. Ablett reported that the Routh Wind Farm Panel has not been very active recently.
23-24/169 General purpose matters
• D-Day Celebrations – June 2024 – Cllr. Mathison – It was agreed to purchase a plaque to be placed in the area of the new hedge preferably on a stone to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day Landing. The new planting of hawthorn and mixed native hedging will commence when the area is cleared this will cost £240 plus VAT.
• Rewilding – Cllr Richardson suggested that prior to areas being identified a walk about with Jon Traill from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust be arranged to seek advice on local potential. It was agreed that the clerk would contact him.
• Notice boards – Cllr Richardson requested the Cllr. S. Mathison meet with her at the Recreation Hall to discuss how best to proceed with the noticeboard. Gary Mitchell had helped improve the ease of use of the other noticeboard and can repair and recork it before the next meeting. It was agreed to obtain quotes to repair the bus shelter.
• Defibrillators – A quote has been received by SafeLincs Fire and Safety Solutions for a further 2 defibrillators.
It was agreed to purchase these from the same supplier of the other village defibrillators to ensure that servicing, maintenance, and supplies are consistent given the nature of the equipment. A price for a solar cabinet had been obtained and will be forwarded to Albanwise in addition to the quote for their consideration to provide a unit at the canal.
• Church Wall – It was agreed that Cllr. L. Burrows would discuss the condition of the wall and potential action with the vicar.
• Walking for Health – Cllr. G. Jones has had further discussions with ERYC officers regarding reestablishing Walking for Health in the parish. It was agreed that she would work with the clerk on a news item to assess interest in the scheme.
• SpeedWatch – it was agreed that the village should undertake speedwatch activity again. The first step would be to contact the existing trained volunteers to plan a schedule. A campaign to seek new volunteers to work alongside them will be developed. Cllr. L. Burrows will contact the trained members of the community.
• It was agreed that the Christmas Light switch on for 2024 would be on Sunday 8th December.
23-24/170 Due to the closure of the school over Easter the next meeting will be on MONDAY 8th April 2024 at 7:15pm in the school
A Woodward
Clerk to Leven Parish Council
Stuart Mathison ——————————- Chair of the Parish Council
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