2Dales.org.uk Swaledale & Arkengarthdale

Previous meeting minutes are in the archive in pdf format Minutes for Meetings on March 18 th & February 6 th below: Minutes of the Melbecks Parish Council meeting held on Thursday May 14 th 2020 by email Melbecks Parish Council meeting was held on Thursday May 14 th 2020 by email, as councillors are unable to meet physically due to the current Covid-19 situation. Councillors Silver, Crapper, Lewis, McCartney and Alderson were in attendance and the Clerk was Miss N. Adams. The following were agreed by email: 1. It was agreed to postpone the election of officers until the Parish Council meets again physically. 2. Finance – orders to pay. Payments to Low Row Institute (£30) and Gunnerside Village Hall (£40) for meeting hire were agreed unanimously. 3. Highways. The clerk was asked to report the following: • Drain/Gutter at Peat Gate has not been cleaned out and as a consequence all water comes down the road and affects the properties at the bottom of the hill. • The trees at the bottom of the gutter need to be cut right back so the drain at the bottom of the gutter can be accessed, assessed, cleaned out properly and any other works required so as to prevent further flooding issues to properties below.  • There are some large potholes a third of the way up Brocca bank that need urgent attention. 4. YDNPA Planning application, Lilac Cottages, Low Row. Councillors unanimously agreed to submit an objection to this planning application based on the following issues: • Flooding issues. In recent years flood waters coming down the hill have already impacted on Lilac cottages and have also followed on to affect the properties at Nick Jones (Barn) and the adjacent property. The lowering of the ground to facilitate a level patio means that surface water running down the hill will soon overcome the patio area, and possibly any sewage treatment package in the vicinity.  This may cause the aforementioned affected properties being deluged not only with flood water but raw sewage. • Sewerage. The septic tank arrangement is insufficient for the upgrade of the property as outlined in the plans.  If it turns out the current septic tank is insufficient for the envisaged works then a water treatment plant will be required, and where the proposed site for that would be is hard to imagine. • Parking. There are doubts as to whether there any rights to use the stinted common for parking, therefore there is no specific parking allocation, and there are already parking issues in the village now. • Turning two-bedroom houses into three-beds. If all the 2- bedroom houses are turned into 3- beds, what chance have local young people of getting on the housing ladder and staying in the dale. Councillors feel that the policy of granting permission such as this needs to be re- considered, especially when it is likely that the property will become a second home or holiday let.  5. YDNPA Trees in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Conservation area. • To reduce of a group of willow in Feetham Woods to harvest as living willow stakes. • To crown reduce one eucalyptus tree at Strands Holme, Gunnerside Councillors raised no objections or comments in regard to either application.  6. It was suggested joining the Yorkshire Local Councils Association at the start of the financial year with a cost of £127 per year. The clerk to confirm exact part-year cost for the next meeting. Date and time of next meeting The next meeting will be on Thursday July 23 rd 2020 by email/virtual meeting, format to be confirmed.

Minutes of the Melbecks Parish Council meeting held on March 18

th

2020 by email

Melbecks Parish Council meeting was held on Wednesday March 18 th 2020 by email, as councillors are unable to meet physically due to the current Covid-19 situation. Councillors Silver, Crapper, Lewis, McCartney and Alderson were in attendance and the Clerk was Miss N. Adams. The following were agreed by email: 1. Payment of the Insurance to Zurich Municipal at a cost this year of £167.44 2. Payment of Clerk’s salary and expenses of £1130.50 3. Richmondshire District Council consulted previously about Part- Night lighting, which would mean they would turn off the lights on the map attached from midnight to 5am, but they don't seem to have a record of the response from Melbecks PC. At the time the council agreed that it was ok to go ahead with this, however RDC need confirmation that this is still the case. It was unanimously agreed to be in favour of this, and the clerk will contact RDC to advise. Date and time of next meeting The next meeting will be on Thursday May 14th by email/virtual meeting, format to be confirmed. Minutes of the Melbecks Parish Council meeting held on Thursday February 6 th 2020 at Low Row Institute Melbecks Parish Council meeting was held on Thursday February 6 th 2020 at Low Row Institute. Present were Councillors Silver, Crapper and Lewis with Cllr R. Alderson presiding. Also present was County Councillor Yvonne Peacock and RDC District Councillor Jill McMullon. The Clerk was Miss N. Adams. 1. Apologies for absence Apologies were received from Cllr McCartney. 2. Declaration of Interests None declared 3. Minutes of the Melbecks Parish Council meeting held on 5 th December 2019 The minutes of the Melbecks Parish Council meeting, held on 5 th December 2019 were agreed to be a correct record, and these were signed by the Chair. 4. Matters Arising a) Highways meeting. Cllr Alderson has met with Steve Barker, NYCC Highways Officer, to look at the highway issues at Peat Gate drain and the cattle grid. Councillors were advised that a jetter is due to come to Surrender Bridge to clear the drain, and the drain would be dug out from the top of Peat Gate. Cllr Peacock with chase these issues with Highways and also advise that the trees in Peat Gate will need to be trimmed back. b) Planning application – Hazel Brow. It was noted that this planning application is going to the YDNPA Planning committee on Tuesday February 11 th with the recommendation for this to be refused due to Highways concerns. c) Two Ridings Community Foundation. A grant was received from Two Ridings Community Foundation for £1000 to cover the cost of work that has been carried out to repair flood damage in Low Row. A cheque for £1000 was signed to Jack Alderson to cover the cost of the work which was completed late last year. DA to arrange for the Order to pay to be completed. 5. Finance It was noted that £224 has been reclaimed for a VAT refund for two notice boards and dog waste bin purchased. 6. Highways a) Highways reply All issues raised at the last meeting were discussed with Steve Barker from Highways, and in addition, the drain at Trough House will also be looked at. Cllr Peacock to chase up highways issues. b) Lights at Gunnerside The council noted that these were both reported to RDC and the light at the village hall (number 1) was waiting for a bracket to be fitted, and once this was done the light will be repaired. It is expected for this to take place in next couple of weeks. Light number 9 was repaired before Christmas however it was reported that this now not working again, and RDC have been notified again. c)Grass cutting NYCC Highways have advised that no funding is available for grass cutting of verges, as villages are classes as ‘rural’ and do not qualify for the same funding as ‘urban’ areas which can receive a certain amount per metre for this work. 7. Richmondshire District Council a) Tour de Yorkshire funding is available for Parish Councils to support events around the Tour de Yorkshire on Friday May 1 st . It was decided not to apply for this funding. 8. NYCC NYCC are completing a review of all laybys in Richmondshire during the summer and a list will be sent to Cllr Peacock. It was advised that all roads in North Yorkshire are being tested for levels of coal dust with a boring machine at some point. 9. YDNPA a) Yorkshire Dales management plan The council noted receipt of the YDNPA management plan. b) Local Plan. The council noted receipt of the YDNPA local plan. c) Parish Forum d) Trees in Gunnerside Conservation area: Strands Farm, Gunnerside. The council was notified that YDNPA has received a notification to fell one silver birch, one elder, one sycamore, and to crown reduce one field maple (by up to 1.5m) located at Strands Farm, Gunnerside. e) Planning application: Hazel Brow Farm Visitor Centre, Low Row. It was noted that this planning application will be considered by the Planning Committee on Tuesday 11 th February 2020. f) National Park Parish Forum meeting It was noted that the next National Park Parish Forum meeting will be on Wednesday 20 th May 2020 from 7-9pm at Fremington Village Hall. 10. AOB/other correspondence a) Great North Air Ambulance. A thank you letter for the £50 donation was received and noted by the council. b) Yorkshire Air Ambulance. A thank you letter for the £50 donation was received and noted by the council. c) Citizens Advice Bureau. A thank you letter for the £50 donation was received and noted by the council. d) Emergency Plan – update Cllr Lewis has met with Helen White, emergency response planning at Richmondshire District Council. RDC would like to register the Gunnerside Village Hall and Low Row Institute on their own emergency plan. Permission has been received from both Gunnerside Village Hall and Low Row Institute to be included in the Melbecks Emergency Plan. In the event of an incident RDC will activate the plan and contact the key holders to arrange for the emergency shelters to be opened up and heated etc. RDC and the emergency services will provide bedding and food. A leaflet drop to all residents will be completed to give basic information of what to do and what will happen in the event of an incident. An advert in the Reeth Gazette asked for sandbag locations in the area, however it has since been advised that in the event of an incident sandbags can be collected from the nearest sandbag depot and Helen White is finding out this information and she will let the council know. Cllr Crapper will supply Cllr Lewis with some telephone numbers of key holders for Gunnerside Village Hall. Although the emergency services and team will attend the rest centres, it was also recommended that councillors attend if possible, with tabards to identify. Cllr will look into these and circulate a draft leaflet for councilors to agree. Thanks to Cllr Lewis for his work on this. 11. Date and time of next meeting The next meeting will be at Gunnerside Village Hall on Wednesday March 18 th 2020 at 7.30pm. As there was no other business, the meeting closed at 8.20pm.