Location: Arkendale Village Hall
Attendance:
25 villagers attended, as recorded on the attendance form.
Apologies:
Chris and Joy Craven, Diane and Malcolm Horne, Kath and Paul Dewey, Councillor Robert Windass, Denise Robinson.
1. Welcome and Apologies
A request was made for the agenda to be distributed to all villagers prior to the meeting, not just through the village WhatsApp group(s) and the village website. The clerk acknowledged this.
Post-Meeting Compliance Note: In accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, the agenda for this meeting was posted publicly on the Ferrensby village website on October 18, 2024, providing at least three clear days’ notice (excluding weekends and public holidays). The agenda was also shared with the village WhatsApp group, meeting the standard for public access and visibility.
2. Approval of Previous Minutes (May 2024)
The minutes from the last meeting were approved. Key points were revisited:
- Play Space or Social Meeting Area: The clerk contacted D.B., the owner of the field next to the pub, who expressed willingness to allow its use for community events. A proposed informal village picnic was delayed due to access issues and concerns about wet ground conditions. This option may be revisited next year.
- General Tarleton Status: The clerk confirmed with the estate agent that the General Tarleton remains for sale. The agent was informed of the community’s interest in retaining a social pub.
- Traffic Concerns:
Repeated reports of serious traffic incidents have been submitted by villagers to the police and council, but responses have been limited. This issue remains the top priority and was discussed extensively during the MP Tom Gordon’s visit earlier in the year.
3. Planning
Two current planning applications were shared by the clerk and can be viewed on the North Yorkshire website (search using the following URL https://uniformonline.harrogate.gov.uk/online-applications/) :
- A domestic renovation on Moor Lane.
- The demolition of aggregate bins and erection of machinery sheds at Highfield Farm, Boroughbridge Road.
No objections were raised during the meeting. Individual comments can be submitted to the planning department or through the clerk.
4. Update on Speeding Concerns
Some villagers have reported that, when discussing speeding concerns with North Yorkshire Council, the possibility of fixed speed cameras for the county was mentioned. However, specific plans for Ferrensby have not been confirmed.
In the meantime, due to ongoing reckless driving incidents, some villagers (C.E.) have researched private camera options to monitor traffic behavior. A majority of attendees at the meeting supported the purchase of two cameras using village funds, which was approved. The Chair will coordinate with interested villagers to install and monitor these cameras. While these cameras are primarily for monitoring reckless driving, speed data may be able to be extrapolated from the footage.
Additionally, the idea of installing picket fencing at village entry points was revisited, voted on, and approved as a priority. The Chair and Clerk will continue efforts to engage the Highways Department for input on this initiative. So far, questions have not been responded to.
Contacts for Reporting Traffic Issues:
- North Yorkshire Council encourages reporting of traffic incidents (speeding and/or reckless driving). For us to keep records, villagers are encouraged send photos and screen shots of these reports to the Chair at chair@ferrensby.com and the Clerk at clerk@chairferrensby-com
To report to North Yorkshire Council use the following link https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/road-safety/speed-limits-speeding-and-road-safety-concerns (before sending, at the “Review screen” please request a receipt/pdf at the end of the report or screenshot the report and and forward to the above Clerk and Chair emails)
To report to the Police. Call the Traffic Bureau directly at 101 (Option 2) to report any speeding/dangerous driving incidents. - Contacts:
Councillor Robert Windass: cllr.robert.windass@northyorks.gov.uk
MP Tom Gordon: tom.gordon.mp@parliament.uk
Also, North Yorkshire Police and Fire Consultation: Open until November 8 (YourPoliceAndFire.com).
5. Precept and Financial Report (& Online Banking Access)
- The last financial statement (March 31, 2024) showed general funds at £5,915.
- The Precept will remain at £600 until further needs arise.
- Villagers voted and approved for the Chair and Clerk to apply for online banking access for ease of administration.
- Details were provided on amounts ring-fenced for specific village amenities.
Post-Meeting Compliance Note: For comparison with other villages in North Yorkshire of similar size, here are selected examples showing their tax base, precept levied, and Band D council tax rates.
In local governance, the “tax base” refers to the estimated number of Band D equivalent properties in a parish used to calculate the amount of council tax needed to raise the precept. Villages with higher tax bases generally have more properties contributing to the precept, which can allow for a lower Band D tax rate or more funds overall. Ferrensby, for example, has a tax base of 110.60 and a precept of £600, with a Band D rate of £5.42.
Comparison of Precepts in North Yorkshire
| Village Name | Tax Base | Precept Levied | Council Tax Band D | Area of North Yorkshire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPENNITHORNE | 100.46 | 2,500.00 | 24.89 | Richmondshire |
| THORNTON STEWARD | 100.47 | 3,500.00 | 34.84 | Richmondshire |
| HUTTON-LE-HOLE | 101.07 | 5,750.00 | 56.89 | Ryedale |
| COXWOLD | 101.76 | 4,200.00 | 41.27 | Hambleton |
| MARTON | 101.40 | 420.00 | 4.14 | Ryedale |
| BARTON-LE-WILLOWS | 102.95 | 2,000.00 | 19.43 | Ryedale |
| WYKEHAM | 103.87 | 3,126.00 | 30.10 | Scarborough |
| WIGHILL | 105.34 | 5,000.00 | 47.47 | Selby |
| AIRTON | 105.89 | – | – | Craven |
| GRINTON WITH ELLERTON ABBEY | 106.69 | 6,000.00 | 56.24 | Richmondshire |
| GILLING EAST | 107.26 | 1,850.00 | 17.25 | Ryedale |
| CAWTON COULTON & GRIMSTONE | 107.43 | 1,450.00 | 13.50 | Ryedale |
| STIRTON WITH THORLBY | 108.02 | – | – | Craven |
| WHITWELL-ON-THE-HILL & CRAMBE | 108.15 | 1,200.00 | 11.10 | Ryedale |
| CONISTON COLD | 108.33 | 500.00 | 4.62 | Craven |
| FACEBY | 108.57 | 1,550.00 | 14.28 | Hambleton |
| KIRBY WISKE AND NEWSHAM WITH BRECKENBROUGH | 109.75 | 3,736.20 | 34.04 | Hambleton |
| FERRENSBY | 110.60 | 600.00 | 5.42 | Harrogate |
| BUCKDEN | 110.53 | 4,585.00 | 41.48 | Craven |
| APPLETREEWICK | 111.12 | 4,000.00 | 36.00 | Craven |
| NEWBY | 111.89 | 5,934.00 | 53.03 | Hambleton |
| RYTHER CUM OZENDYKE | 112.49 | 7,000.00 | 62.23 | Selby |
| CARPERBY | 112.51 | 6,500.00 | 57.77 | Richmondshire |
| MARTON-LE-MOOR | 112.30 | 2,500.00 | 22.26 | Harrogate |
| LITTLE RIBSTON | 113.02 | 6,500.00 | 57.51 | Harrogate |
| WARTHILL | 113.98 | 1,800.00 | 15.79 | Ryedale |
| AINDERBY STEEPLE | 114.16 | 5,000.00 | 43.80 | Hambleton |
| WATH & NORTON CONYERS GROUP | 114.33 | 3,690.00 | 32.27 | Hambleton |
| GATEFORTH | 114.41 | 6,792.00 | 59.37 | Selby |
| DALTON ON TEES | 116.36 | 3,540.00 | 30.42 | Richmondshire |
| THOLTHORPE | 115.51 | 1,700.00 | 14.72 | Hambleton |
| KIRBY MISPERTON | 115.20 | 2,558.90 | 22.21 | Ryedale |
| KEARBY-WITH-NETHERBY | 116.94 | 3,050.00 | 26.08 | Harrogate |
| NEWHOLM CUM DUNSLEY | 116.16 | 3,092.85 | 26.63 | Scarborough |
| EPPLEBY | 117.50 | 6,825.00 | 58.09 | Richmondshire |
| ROECLIFFE & WESTWICK GROUP | 117.16 | 8,443.00 | 72.06 | Harrogate |
| SANDHUTTON | 119.18 | 5,000.00 | 41.95 | Hambleton |
| RAVENSWORTH | 119.27 | 5,400.00 | 45.28 | Richmondshire |
| FOUNTAINS ABBEY GROUP | 119.65 | 6,000.00 | 50.15 | Harrogate |
| HIRST COURTNEY | 116.08 | 10,000.00 | 86.15 | Selby |
Commuted Sums Available for Ferrensby
| Item | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Verges | £7,680 | 21/02/2032 |
| Allotments | £26.10 | 07/07/2025 |
| Allotments | £1,650 | 21/02/2032 |
| Ferrensby Pond | £49.31 | 07/07/2025 |
| Ferrensby Pond | £41.62 | 20/11/2017 (overdue) |
| Ferrensby Pond | £3,011.90 | 04/05/2032 |
6. Pond Management
The meeting approved a budget of up to £500 to employ an expert for pond management to ensure the pond’s health and visual appeal. FF will coordinate this.
- Ideas for other open spaces were discussed, with suggestions to involve the council in maintaining verges and the village green. Villagers actively maintain areas near their properties, contributing to village aesthetics with mowing and planting.
- Additional funds for the village garden and allotments are available, with applications processed through the Chair.
- The Chair has requested additional bins for pond waste, with one suggestion for a small skip to assist with major clearances.
7. Defibrillator Maintenance
The Clerk will assume the role of defibrillator guardian. The battery requires replacement, and it was agreed that ongoing maintenance costs can be covered by the village.
8. Volunteer for Village Clerk Role
No volunteers have come forward to assume the Clerk’s role. It was suggested to seek assistance from nearby villages. Meanwhile, the current clerk will continue in the role and offer succession training for any interested individual.
Meeting Closure
There were no further issues raised. The meeting concluded at 8:10 pm.
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