DRAFT
Lastingham Parish Meeting 
7pm Tuesday 11th October 2022
Darley Memorial Hall

Present: Stewart Bray (Chair), Brian Miller (Clerk), Rob Cattle, Julie Marks, John Edwards, Jenny Stephenson, Clarissa Napier, Mike Worker, Iris Worker, Alex Donaldson, Jane Donaldson, Jane Bray, Janet Richardson, Heather White, Greg White, Maggie Miller, John Cooper, Nadine Cooper, Catherine Lockwood, Robert Halstead, Mike Matson, Mo Matson

Apologies for Absence: David Barraclough, Kate Kiernan, John Hobcraft, Clemens and Johanna Heinrichs, Dave and Shelia Hepworth, Penelope and Martin Dawson-Brown, Mary and Jeremy Parker, Neil and Denise Davidson, Andie Cattle, Miles Richardson, Jennifer Tetlow

1. Chair’s welcome
Stewart Bray welcomed all to the meeting

2. Minutes of last meeting and Matters Arising
It was confirmed that the small area of garden opposite the Village Hall and ramp pathway leading to the church access gate will be referred to as the Triangle Garden in the future. 

The Minutes of the last meeting held on 19th April 2022 were approved as a true and accurate record. Proposed by John Cooper. Seconded by John Edwards

3. Community Woodland Project
Mike Matson apologised for the non attendance of Alisdair Fagan from the Woodland Trust
Mike confirmed that approximately 400 tree whips should be arriving anytime from late October onwards and will be planted in accordance with the original plan layout, by professional tree planting contractors thus avoiding any potential concerns with insurance etc. In the meantime Mike has cut the grass in line with the plan and intends to hire a roller. Mike went on to say that once the planting has been completed he will have a pedestrian gate installed giving access to the Community Woodland. He also said that all are welcome to go along and have a look as the work progresses.
Heather added that the work undertaken so far looks great.

4. Chair’s Report
a) Stewart took the opportunity to thank all of those members of the community who have offered to help Mike Matson with his Community Woodland Project. Although professional tree planters will be used to plant up the woodland, volunteers may be needed with ongoing maintenance tasks. Mike will keep us updated. Those offering to help Mike so far are Alex and Jane Donaldson, John and Nadine Cooper, Max and Keith Barber, Maggie and Brian Miller, Rob Laycock and Patsy Harper, Jane and Stewart Bray, Clemens and Johanna Heinrichs, Greg and Heather White, Mike and Iris Worker.
b) Fundraising - it has been an excellent year for fundraising within the village with events such as the Open Gardens and Scarecrow Trail in the summer raising much needed cash for both the Village Hall and potential Parish Meeting projects.
c) Dog Poo Bins - Reports indicate that both Dog Poo Bins which the Parish Meeting funded last year are well used which can only be good news for dog owners and the community. Stewart suggested that he felt that a further Dog Poo BIn could be sited just inside the entrance gate to Community Woodland for the use of any dog owners walking around the woodland. Mike appreciated this suggestion which was agreed by the meeting. Proposed by Mike Matson. Seconded by John Cooper. Mike Matson to confirm to Maggie Miller when the tree planting and gateway have been completed who will then contact RDC and arrange for the installation of a further Dig Poo Bin. The need for the purchase and siting of any further bins will be kept under review.
d) 100 Club - The Licensing Authority are querying whether a Parish Meeting can run a ‘100 Club’ There may be a cost involved which may be prohibitive therefore more news is awaited.
e) Heritage Road Signs - This is a potential project which has been discussed previously and will continue to be explored as there may be assistance available from the NYMPA. Examples of Heritage Road Signs were circulated at the Meeting.
f) Jackson’s Bridge - Highways have confirmed that the bridge is in a far worse state than was originally thought and is therefore taking much longer to strengthen and rebuild. The stone memorial plaque to RA Jackson is in a poor state, but undamaged by the building work. It may be possible to attract some funding to have it replaced. The main priority for Low Street residents was for the bridge to reopen fully as soon as possible.
g) Christmas Lunches - Stewart confirmed that the traditional Lastingham and Spaunton Gents and Ladies lunch dates at the Blacksmiths have both been circulated to residents.
 The Gents lunch will take place on Friday 2nd December at 3pm with lunch choices made direct to the Blacksmiths.
 The Ladies lunch will take place on Friday 16th December at 1pm with lunch choices made to Heather White.

5. Clerk’s Report 
a) NYMNPA Parish Forum Update - Brian gave a brief outline of some of the highlights from the summer in the National Park. Attached is a full summary of the highlights.
b) Court Leet - Brian confirmed that an application had been made in September to the Court Leet for a grant of £250 which is for the ongoing maintenance, repair and caretaking within Lastingham Parish.
Alex raised a question about who was responsible for maintaining the footway outside the properties in High Street. It is understood that the Highways Department of RDC are responsible for such maintenance from public funds.
c) Maintenance and Caretaking - Work has continued with the painting of wooden rails and posts opposite Camomile Farm and towards Spaunton Bank Foot, minor repairs to stone rail posts as well as the weeding and care of the triangle garden opposite to the Village Hall. The Green, the Village Hall grass together with the verges around the centre of the village have been cut regularly throughout the season supporting our Platinum Jubilee celebration and Open Gardens and Scarecrow Trail. A big thank you from the Parish Meeting to all of those involved in keeping our village looking at its best.
d) Dark Skies - The NYMNPA have asked whether our Parish Meeting will support their initiative to become an International Dark Sky Reserve. We are one of only 19 protected Dark Sky Reserves in the world which protects nocturnal habitats. There is no financial cost for the community to support this initiative and guidance/advice about appropriate lighting is available from the Park Authority on request (contact Mike Hawtin at m.hawtin@northyorkmoors.org.uk ). The Parish Committee would like to support this worthy initiative. Proposed by Maggie Miller. Seconded by Mo Matson, This was approved by the meeting.

6. Treasurers Report and Accounts including Precept for 2023
David Barraclough, the Treasurer, was unable to attend but provided a summary which Brian presented to the meeting on his behalf. In the last half year we received two payments from Ryedale District Council representing the Precept for the whole year - £1770. We have also made two payments to the Village Hall representing the agreed grant for the whole year - £1220. The Precept from RDC and the Grant to the Village Hall have remained unchanged from 2021-2022. The actual final cost of the two dog waste bins was £396.10 which was higher than the budgeted cost of £325.
The predicted deficit of £225.07 showed in the 2022/2023 budget at the last meeting on 19th April 2022 has now been transformed into predicted surplus of £828,53 largely due to receiving £1224.70 representing half of the proceeds from the Open Gardens and Scarecrow joint fundraising event in June. David confirmed that he had not put anything in the budget for further proceeds from any fundraising events held between now and 31st March 2023 nor is there anything in the budget for any grant which may be received from the Court Leet prior to 31st March 2023. David summarised by stating that the Parish Meeting is in a reasonable financial position.
Rob Cattle said that he had heard that the Court Leet had agreed to award us with the £250 grant which Brian applied for in September. Both Stewart and Brian welcomed this news and confirmed that no official notification has yet been received from the Manor of Spaunton. Approval of the accounts. Proposed by Maggie Miller. Seconded by Robert Halstead. This was approved by the meeting.

Precept for 2023/2024
It was confirmed that the Precept had been unchanged at £1770pa for several years of which £1220pa is transferred to the Village Hall Committee as a Grant for the ongoing upkeep, maintenance and management of the Village Hall. A discussion about the possibility of changing the Precept and subsequent grant to the Village Hall followed. There was no appetite to increase the Precept as this would impact on Council Tax payers in the village. The Village Hall had some essential roof maintenance work undertaken earlier in the year and this, together with increasing energy costs being experienced led the meeting to agree that the Grant from the Parish Meeting should remain at the current level of £1220pa.
It was pointed out that there are a number of Business rated properties in the village who do not contribute to the Precept via their Council Tax. It was therefore suggested that the Parish Meeting approach these properties for a voluntary payment towards the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the Village Hall. The amount of the Precept and subsequent grant to the Village Hall in 2023 will remain unaltered. Proposed by Robert Halstead. Seconded by John Edwards. This was approved by the meeting.

7. Village Hall
Julie Marks, Village Hall Chair, reported to the meeting that the Village Hall AGM would take place at 7pm on Tuesday 25th October. Julie said that she will be stepping down at the AGM and a replacement Chair will be needed. She also said that more villagers from Lastingham and Spaunton are needed to join the committee to help with the running of the Village Hall and organisation of future fund raising events. There will also be an ongoing need for as many volunteers as possible to help and support these future events.
Alex asked whether Spaunton make a financial contribution to the Village Hall? It would appear that Spaunton does not have a Precept therefore finance is not raised via Council Tax with no subsequent grant made to the Village Hall.
Stewart thanked Julie Marks on behalf of the residents of Lastingham for her sterling efforts and fundraising as Chair of the Village Hall Committee.
Stewart also suggested that it would be helpful from a financial point of view if the Village Hall AGM took place prior to the Parish Meeting in October 2023 as the current situation was unclear.

8. Carbon Neutral Village
Stewart confirmed that Neil Davidson had provided him with a summary of the first meeting of this project group. The group suggested that the Parish Meeting take a lead in organising future meetings with further one being planned to include a member of Hovingham’s “Project Purple” (which is a similar group) together with an expert from the NYMPA. Neil will set up a WhatsApp group and David Hepworth will make contact with the Kirkbymoorside environmental group regarding thermal imaging camera availability.

9. Work of the County Council
Greg White reported that he had been elected as our County Councillor in May this year and we will have a new Council by April 2023. Currently work is taking place to ensure that as far as possible the change to all services will be seamless with the transition from RDC to NYCC. Greg added that the Council budget will be approximately £1 billion with much of the money being allocated to adult social care. Greg’s portfolio as a County Councillor includes climate change, libraries, graveyards and tourism. Following a question by Rob Cattle, Greg also confirmed that the County Council are responsible for Emergency Planning.

10. Project Planning 
Janet Richardson suggested that the village could hold an event to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III on 6th May 2023. This was warmly welcomed by the meeting and Stewart added that there should be further discussion with the Village Hall Committee where many ideas and suggestions could be pooled together for such an important occasion.

11. Any Other Business
It was reported that the Finger Post at the top of High Street needs replacing. Brian said that he would report this to the appropriate person at the NYMPA

12. Addendum
There was considerable discussion about the Parish Meeting and Village Hall finances at the meeting and unfortunately neither the Treasurer of the Parish Meeting, David Barraclough nor the Village Hall Treasurer, Andie Cattle were able to attend the meeting due to other commitments. David Barraclough, and Andie Cattle, have since provided further information which gives more clarity.
David has added that “looking back at year ended 31st March 2022 the Parish Meeting received £456 representing a share of the proceeds from the Village Hall teas and £100 representing a share of the proceeds from the Blacksmiths Quiz Night. Without these receipts which totalled £556 the surplus for the year of £567 would have been reduced to a surplus of £11. The bank balance of £5305.83 as at 30th September 2022 has risen from £3529.73 as at the 31st March 2021 but if we deduct the receipts of £1224.70 (Open Gardens), £456 and £100 referred to above, the bank balance as at 30th September 2022 would have been reduced to £3525.13 ie the bank balance as at 30th September 2022 would have been £4.60 less than the bank balance as at 31st March 2021”
The Village Hall Accounts for the year to 30th September 2022 were presented to the Village Hall AGM on Tuesday 25th October and Andie has kindly provided a copy to members of the Parish Meeting Committee. The accounts show that the Village Hall has a current balance of £10631.46, which, once special reserves for End of Lease and Sports Fund are deducted, leaves an available spend of £6708.46.

13. Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 18th April 2023, Village Hall