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Previous meeting minutes are in the archive in pdf format Minutes of the Melbecks Parish Council meeting held on Thursday December 3 rd 2020 at 6pm on Zoom The Melbecks Parish Council meeting was held on Thursday July 23 rd 2020 on Zoom. Present were Councillors Silver, McCartney, Crapper and Lewis with Cllr R. Alderson presiding. The Clerk was Miss N. Adams. 1. Apologies for absence No apologies were received, however Cllr Yvonne Peacock and Cllr Jill McMullon had tried to join the meeting but they were unable to due to technical issues. 2. Declaration of Interests Cllr Lewis declared an interest in item 10 (e) Phone Box and defibrillator. 3. Minutes of the previous meeting, held on 23 rd July 2020 The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 23rd July 2020 were agreed to be a correct record, and these were signed by the Chair. 4. There were no matters arising. 5. Finance Councillors were notified that the current balance is £4181.85. 6. Highways a) The clerk advised that Highways have been contacted following Cllr Silver’s meeting with Steve Barker, Highways, but no work has yet taken place, and Councillor Lewis has also been in touch. The drain at Peat Gate Head is now completely blocked and Brocca bank is also completely washed out. Regarding the issue of the drain coming from Dyke Heads, Gunnerside, it was noted that Highways came out about three weeks ago to draw white lines round the area, but nothing has happened since. The clerk will contact Highways again regarding these issues. 7. Richmondshire District Council a) Parish Precept. The Council agreed to request a precept of £1500. 8. North Yorkshire County Council a) Local Government Reorganisation of North Yorkshire. Councillors noted receipt of this and it was noted that a report will be received from central government at some point with more information about how parish councils will be involved in this. 13. YDNPA a) Brow Hill, Gunnerside. It was noted that the owner of Brow Hill has been in touch with Cllr Crapper, as they had submitted their application at the beginning of August. At the end of October (10 days after the 10- week target for a decision to be made), they were asked for more information and proof that this property had been a dwelling and not used for agricultural purposes, and asked to submit a certificate of lawful occupancy. They are concerned about the length of time that this has taken, and they have asked the Parish Council if they can contact YDNPA about this. Councillors agreed to send an email to say that they are disappointed in the time taken to determine this application and to ask that once YDNPA have full information, there be a swift decision so that if approved, work can start with building contractors already booked. b) Planning application: West Riddings, Low Row. The council raised no comments or objections. c) Planning decision: High Gill, Low Row, approved conditionally. d) Planning decision: Lilac Cottages, Low Row, approved conditionally. e) Trees in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Conservation Area: High Gill, Low Row. The council raised no comments or objections f) Trees in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Conservation Area: Strands Farmhouse, Gunnerside. The council raised no comments or objections. g) Trees in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Conservation Area: Peat Gate Head, Low Row. The council raised no comments or objections. h) Application of Lawful Development Certificate, Hill End, Low Row. YDNPA have requested information from the Parish Council regarding this, and it was agreed that for clerk to reply that to the best of the knowledge of the Parish Council, it has remained empty, not used as a dwelling but as a store-room. i) Further extension to temporary closure order. Councillors noted the further extension of the temporary closure order of Footpath no. 79 (part) until 4th June 2021 or upon completion of work, whichever is earlier. 14. AOB/other correspondence a) Police report: August 2020. Councillors noted receipt of this. b) Police report: September 2020. Councillors noted receipt of this. c) Police report: October 2020. Councillors noted receipt of this. d) Police report: November 2020. Councillors noted receipt of this. e) Phone box and defibrillator. i) Phone box This has been out of order for a long time, and it needs to be working in order that the defiibrilator can be accessed, however following the clerk, Councillor Lewis, and Julia and Alan Thorogood chasing this with BT this is now working, and checked weekly. ii) Defibrilator. The Parish Council has been contacted to ask if it can help financially with the continual maintenance of the batteries and pads of the defibrillator. It was noted that this would not involve taking this over completely, or renewing if this becomes necessary. Cllr Lewis advised that he is now guardian of the Low Row defibrillator. Funding was initially set up for this, but this is now depleting with no plans for future fundraising although this is desperately needed. The cost of the battery is £130-£150 to be replaced every 4 to 5 years. Currently batteries are on 2/3 bars but this will shortly reduce to 1. There is still enough funding to buy new batteries, and the pads just been replaced at a cost of £79. It was noted that no further expenses are expected until January 2023. The Parish Council was asked whether it would consider taking over the cost of pads and batteries, but not to be responsible for replacing the defibrilator itself, with local fundraising for this. f) Parking in Gunnerside. A concern around parking in Gunnerside has been raised by Muker Parish Council, about cars parked next to the Kings Head pub on the road, with there being a slight bend in the road at this point, Muker Parish Council felt that this is causing vehicles to have to pull in abruptly if a vehicle is coming the other way or have to reverse, and leaving little room for Tractors and HGVs who are finding it difficult to get through the narrow gap. The council noted that there had been an incident earlier in the year, when a low loader was unable to pass through and the owner of car had to be asked to move it, however the council agreed that this is not such an issue any more, as there are no longer the same number of cars parked there, and the clerk was asked to send a reply to advise this. Cllr Lewis left the meeting in order to discuss the defibrillator. Councillors questioned if the Parish Council offers to fund the batteries and pads of the Low Row defibrillator, whether it would need to do the same for Gunnerside, however it was confirmed that Gunnerside have sufficient funding for now but reserve the right to ask in future if necessary. The council agreed unanimously to fund batteries and pads for the Low Row defibrillator. 11. Date of next meeting The next meeting will be on Thursday February 4 th 2021 at 7.30pm, either at Low Row Institute, or on Zoom, if to be held virtually, this is to be confirmed. The meeting closed at 6.45pm.