1) Present – Councillors P Reeves (Chair), L Grout, I Dodsworth, G Banner, R Rudsdale, K Horner, J Randles, WH Tindall and G Thompson. Also present were two members of the public, Mr K Houghton and Mr Samson plus a reporter from the Whitby Gazette.
2) Councillor Reeves understood that the police officers were unable to attend the meeting but had provided a report which she read to the meeting. This stated that the results of the issues raised at the April meeting were as follows:
• Concern about persons believed to be gamekeepers shooting at night often from the highway – deemed lawful for gamekeepers under wildlife and countryside act 1981. Illegal if proved to be poachers. No appropriate noise legislation.
• Concern regarding speeding through Castleton village (issue raised by Ann Cook) – outcome is that PC Whaling will monitor traffic behaviour.
• Concern regarding parking of vehicles on Castle Close, Castleton and receipt of private warning notice on vehicle (raised by Teresa Tasher) – issuer of notice seen and advises re current legislation and action taken on this occasion. Legal vehicles can park in locality providing they do not cause an obstruction.
• Parish council raised the issue of state of Yorkshire Water filter house – PC Whaling had visited the site. Inspector Barf had contacted Yorkshire Water and received an e-mail on 28 April stating that boarding up of the premises should take place within the next 14 days.
Crimes that have been reported in April are theft of a mini-tractor, theft of a bicycle and a number of cars broken into in Castleton. Two males have since been arrested for the last incident and have admitted the offences. North Yorkshire Police have launched their new website. www.northyorkshire.police.uk. PC Whaling's report also warned councillors about rogue traders cold calling members of the public.

3) Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a true and correct record. Proposed by Councillor Rudsdale and seconded by Councillor Randles.

4) NYCC – Highways.
• Road subsidence near Castleton cricket field. Councillor Tindall reported that he had visited the site with Nick West and a representative from the environment agency. The environment agency is unable to provide any money as they only deal with the river from below the bridge in Castleton. They suggested that highways remove some of the mature trees out of the river bank and slope the river bank. Highways are now considering their options. Councillor Thompson asked if NYMNP could provide any money from the Pearl Mussel scheme? Councillors Rudsdale and Grout agreed that the parish council could make highways aware of the existence of the scheme. Councillor Tindall replied that highways will need to contact NYMNP and the local landowner before they are able to do anything and as the site meeting had only taken place yesterday he suggested that Highways needed time to act.
Resolved – Clerk to write asking if highways is aware of the existence of the Pearl Mussel scheme. Proposed by Councillor Rudsdale and seconded by Councillor Grout.

The meeting was then suspended with the arrival of PC Whaling. Councillor Reeves thanked him for his report. PC Whaling requested the clerk's e-mail address so that he can e-mail future reports. PC Whaling reported on the post office robbery that took place in Castleton last year. Two people have been arrested for the robbery and are on bail. It is not clear if they will be charged or not. The detective in charge will notify the postmaster of any developments. Councillor Tindall asked if PC Whaling was aware of the quarry at Shaw End. PC Whaling had been there. PC Whaling agreed that the filter house at Westerdale was unsafe. Councillor Reeves then thanked PC Whaling who left the meeting.

NYCC – Highways (continued)
Letter from D Creek dated 17 April – No comment except for item four which Councillor Grout proposed the parish council support.
Issues raised by Councillors;
• Councillor Rudsdale reported that nothing had been done about the state of Ashfield Road. Councillor Tindall replied that he had visited the road with Nick West who will ensure that it is completely resurfaced including along Wandles Lane.
• Councillor Rudsdale also reported the state of the trod below the Ash Grove entrance. Councillor Thompson replied that much of the damage was caused by the Waterboard not by the builders. Councillor Tindall said that trods were the responsibility of NYMNP.
Resolved – Clerk to write to Emma Ashton-Wicklett, Rights of Way Officer at NYMNP, requesting advice about the state of the trod.
• Councillor Randles reported rails missing off the bridge in Hob Hole.
Resolved – Clerk to write to Nick West.
• Councillor Thompson reported that there is a rail missing off the new railings at the bottom of Howe Bank.
Resolved – Councillor Reeves agreed to ring Highways and remind them.
NYCC – Castleton School Road Safety. The letter dated 23 April from Les Parker was discussed. Councillors agreed that the response was adequate and agreed to accept.

NYCC – Footpaths. Councillor Rudsdale agreed to check the footpath outside the Meet shop and report to the next meeting.

5) SBC – Castleton toilet refurbishment. S Taylor has agreed to speak to SBC about any small outstanding issues regarding the refurbishment of the toilet block.

6) SBC – Sustainable Communities. Councillor Banner is still looking at the paperwork and will continue checking. Councillor Reeves proposed that the document is regarded as noted.

7) SBC – Parish Charter. Councillor Reeves would like to attend the signing ceremony on 11 June at Sneaton Castle. Clerk to inform SBC.

8) SNB – Model Area Agreement. Councillor Reeves has studied the document as well as attending meetings with SBC. She recommended that the parish council accept the Model Agreement. Proposed by Councillor Randles and seconded by Councillor Banner. Councillor Reeves signed the agreement.

9) SBC – Area Committee Meeting. Councillor Reeves reported as regards grant allocations SBC is only permitted to allocate 75% of the money available in the first tranche. £7,455 was held over from last year to give a total of £29,595 this year. Two grant applications from within Danby Group Parish Council were successful. Westerdale Village Hall was awarded £1,350 and The Dalesmen Singers received £1,200. She also reported that they had been given an update on recycling, specifically commercial recycling facilities. Steve Reynolds had agreed that he or a representative would be able to give a presentation to a meeting of the parish council. Clerk to write and arrange date.

10) NYMNP – Abbeyfield lights. No reply had been received about the lights at Abbeyfield. It was noted that in the minutes of the Esk Valley Community Energy Group P Woods had replaced several of the high powered lights with energy efficient bulbs.
Resolved – keep on agenda.

11) Village Caretaker. Councillor Tindall reported that he had recommended the village caretaker to the Joint Flooding Committee of NYCC and all the districts. They had agreed to put it on their next agenda and this may result in a grant towards the cost of the caretaker. Councillor Rudsdale suggested Simon should be updated about the river and the environment agency. Clerk to inform.

12) Renewable Energy. Minutes noted the next meeting is 14 May.

13) Danby Beacon – Viewmarker. Mike Wetherill is unable to undertake the work. He suggested Neil Biott, but he is also unable to undertake the specialist work. Councillors Rudsdale and Randles agreed to make enquiries.

14) Affordable Housing. After the withdrawl of a successful applicant one house remains unfilled at Danby. Councillor Reeves had received a letter from Sanctuary Housing asking the parish council to confirm the local eligibility of Mr Samson and his son Jack. However it was also brought to the attention of the parish council that another applicant, Mr K Houghton, had also applied for housing. Councillor Reeves declared an interest and took no further part in the discussion apart from the provision of technical knowledge about the processes involved. Councillor Banner thought the parish council need only consider the question asked by the letter, namely if Mr Samson fulfilled the local eligibility criterion. However Councillor Grout pointed out that the matter should be influenced by the fact that one party already owned a house and the other rented. Councillor Banner replied that the applicant needed to sell his property as he was getting a divorce and would be unable to afford another property. After further discussion Councillor Grout agreed that both applicants had local connections. Councillor Randles agreed with Councillor Banner in that the only question being asked was to confirm the eligibility of one of the applicants. Councillor Tindall reminded councillors about the original reasons for building the houses as to provide housing for young people who could not afford to live in the area. Councillor Banner agreed but stated that this was not the issue being discussed. Councillor Thompson agreed with Councillor Tindall and suggested Sanctuary Housing should be reminded of the reasons why the houses had been built. Councillor Thompson discussed how applicants can stay on the housing list and also said that the involvement of two associations, Yorkshire Coast Homes and Sanctuary Housing had led to problems with some applications being apparently 'lost'. Councillor Horner asked if both applications would have been judged on a points system and it was agreed that they would have been. Councillors discussed the issues involved and agreed that both applicants fulfilled the local eligibility criterion. Councillor Tindall proposed that Mr Samson fits the local eligibility criterion but that so does Mr Houghton. Councillor agreed that the Clerk should e-mail Sanctuary the following message, 'While we agree with the criterion they have used and the conclusion they have arrived at the Parish Council would like to suggest that whoever does not get the house is kept on the waiting list and given first chance of the next available house. Mr Samson fulfils the local eligibility criterion but so does Mr Houghton'. Councillors Grout and Rudsdale asked why both applicants were not on the original list. Clerk to put this question to Sanctuary Housing and Yorkshire Coast Homes. The e-mail to be followed up with a first class letter.
Councillor Reeves reported that the official opening of the new housing developments will be on 12 June at 11am at Danby. She also reported that she had given a report about the new affordable housing developments to Chris Berry from the Yorkshire Post.
Mr Samson and Mr Houghton then left the meeting.

15) YLCA/YRCC – Councillor Reeves stated that the YRCC has been renamed as Rural Action Yorkshire (RAY)

16) Westerdale Filter House. Councillors agreed that this had been covered by the police report. They would observe if the house was boarded up as Yorkshire Water had proposed.

The meeting was then suspended as Roy Bennett of Eskdalenet arrived to give a short presentation on 'Community Broadband for Whitby and Surrounding Rural Areas'. He outlined his company's plans on the 'Proposed next generation access broadband deployment using WiFi and fibre in Whitby and the Esk Valley'. He stated that this will be provided via a Community Interest Company (a social enterprise) known as Eskdalenet. They hope to lay fibre optic cables up the Esk Valley to every home. Councillor Banner believes that such access to cable broadband is absolutely essential to local businesses if they are not to be completely left behind by modern technology. Mr Bennett believes that the commercial cost for a company like BT are such that rural areas such as the Esk Valley are unlikely to have such access for the foreseeable future. He would like to give a full presentation to the local community with representatives from the parish council in attendance. He agreed to contact the clerk when he was ready for such a presentation. Councillor Reeves thanked him for attending and Mr Bennett then left the meeting.

17) NYMNP – planning applications.
• NYM/2009/0247/FL – application for alterations and construction of extensions including provision of a residential annexe at The Cottage, Botton Village, Danby.
• Response – No objections. Unanimous.


18) NYMNP – planning decisions.
• NYM/2009/0134/LB – application for listed building consent to construct a garden room to the North elevation at Beckside Farm, Fryup.
• GRANTED.
• NYM/2009/0042/FL – application for conversion of outbuildings to form additional living accommodation and construction of glazed link at Brookfield Farm, Fryup.
• GRANTED.
• NYM/2009/0074/FL – application for erection of a woodstore, installation of rooflights and flue pipe at New Botton Farmhouse and Annexes, Botton Village.
• GRANTED.
• NYM/2009/0075/FL – application for conversion of garden buildings at Inner garden glasshouse, Botton Village.
• GRANTED.
• NYM/2009/0064/LB – application for listed building consent for installation of four rooflights to rear elevation together with provision of a mezzanine first floor and staircase at Castleton Community Primary School, 38, High Street, Castleton.
• GRANTED.
• NYM/2009/0060/FL – Application for relaying of footpath to create disabled access ramp and alterations to roof of outbuilding to install linear ventilation cowl at 8, High Street, Castleton.
• REFUSED. Councillors would like to know why this application was refused. Councillor Reeves agreed to ring and ask why?

19) NYCC – Newsline. Noted.

20) SBC – Non-domestic rate liability. Councillor Banner protested against this as it does not reduce the large increase in business rates bills, it merely defers payment.

21)SBC – Transport Forum. No Councillors were able to go. Councillor Reeves requested that the Clerk send her apologies.

22) To approve the annual return, year ended 31 March 2008. Councillors agreed to approve the annual return, proposed by Councillor G Banner and seconded by Councillor J Randles. Councillor Reeves as chair of the parish council agreed to sign the return at the end of the meeting.

23) To approve the annual return, year ended 31 March 2009. Councillors agreed to approve the annual return, proposed by Councillor R Rudsdale and seconded by Councillor L Grout. Councillor Reeves as chair of the parish council agreed to sign the return at the end of the meeting.

24) To receive the internal audit reports for financial years ended 31 March 2008 and 2009 and agree any action arising from them. Internal audit report for the year ended 31 March 2009 shows that the actions recommended in the internal audit report for the year ended 31 March 2008 have been implemented by the council. As regards the report for the year ended 2009 the clerk confirmed when asked by Councillor Banner that she had paid all tax due by declaring the income received from the clerk's salary as income received in addition to income from her paid employment. The clerk is awaiting advice sheets about how to review the effectiveness of independent internal audit from YLCA. The clerk has claimed the VAT due for the year 2008-2009 and is awaiting receipt of payment.

25) Review of Financial Risk Assessment – Insurance policy and premium. Councillor Banner agreed to check the details of the insurance policy and report to the next meeting.

26) Budget. The budget for the year 2009-2010 had been accepted at the meeting in February 2009. Councillors now discussed the proposed increase in the amount paid to the village caretaker. Councillors were concerned that the increase allowed in the budget was not acceptable in the current financial climate as it amounted to an increase of 10%. Councillors debated the amount paid to Simon with some councillors expressing the opinion that as a self-employed person he should ask for an increase himself, whilst others concluded that he had received the same payment for three years and that the council valued his services. Councillor Banner proposed that a much lower figure be agreed upon suggesting a figure of £11,500 per annum. Councillors then voted on the issue with four councillors voting for this figure and three voting against. Councillor Reeves declared that the figure of £11,500 be accepted. Councillor Reeves and Grout will sign the change to the standing order at the bank. Councillors then debated the Clerk's salary agreeing a small increase as dictated by the National Association of Local Councils salary award for local council clerks 2008/09.

27) Equality and Human Rights – public sector duties. Information booklet outlining the duties of public sector bodies was noted.

28) Whitby Gazette reporting – The clerk had received a request from the Whitby Gazette for advance access to the minutes of the monthly meetings so that they could report on the meeting and post the minutes on their website for ease of access of residents. The clerk had received advice on the issue from YLCA who stated that the council is under no obligation to send a copy of their minutes, draft or approved to the local press. YLCA state that draft minutes can be amended at the next meeting and so the press may report something that is inaccurate. The press can attend meetings to provide up-to-date news should they wish. The councillors agreed to provide the Whitby Gazette with minutes after they have been approved and welcomed the attendance of a reporter at this meeting.

29) Eskmoors Active – A letter has been received from Eskmoors Active requesting a financial contribution to their costs. Councillor Grout declared an interest and took no part in the debate. Councillors agreed that a grant should be made. Councillor Banner proposed a grant of £250. This was seconded by Councillor Tindall.

30) Correspondence – The following correspondence was received.
• Whitby DAG – distributed.
• NYFVO – election of voluntary sector representatives – noted.
• CPRE, annual report – noted.
• Country Air magazine – distributed.
• The Playing Field – distributed.
• Local Councils Update – noted.
• Clerk's and Councils direct – noted.
• The Clerk – noted.
• SBC booklet – How You Can Get Involved – distributed.

31) Items reported by Councillors.
• Councillor Reeves requested that the annual cutting of grass verges be placed on the next agenda.
• Councillor Reeves reminded councillors that the August meeting clashed with Danby Show. She proposed moving the meeting but councillors discussed Councillor Banner's proposal that the August meeting be cancelled. This was seconded by Councillor Grout.
• Councillor Reeves provided an update on the LEADER project. This included details of how to apply, eligibility, and timescales.
• Councillor Randles reported fly tipping of rubbish on the John Breckon road in Westerdale. Clerk to report to cleansing department at SBC.
• Councillor Rudsdale reported that Danby Beacon is now available for lighting for special occasions.
• Councillor Rudsdale also invited all councillors to the Vol Fest being held at Danby Moors Centre on 20 June.
• Councillor Thompson reported that a resident at Ash Grove is unhappy with the railings provided by the contractors. Councillor Reeves to make enquiries.
• Councillor Horner reported that the access issues on the bridleway through Rosedale Intake appear not to have been sorted out yet. Clerk to write to Emma Ashton-Wickett requesting a progress report on the bridleway through Rosedale Intake the Councillor Horner walked with Bernie MacLinden earlier in the year.
• Councillor Grout reported that Vicky Griffin now has a commemorative seat ready to position on Primrose Hill.
• Councillor Tindall reported that the signage etc left by contractors on the top of Howe Bank has not yet been removed. He considered this a case of fly tipping. Clerk to report to SBC.

32) Borough and County Councillor Reports. Councillor Tindall declared that he had nothing to report that had not already been discussed.

33) Accounts.

34) Date of next meeting. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 10 June.

The meeting closed at 9.30pm.