Minutes – September 23

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30PM AT EAST KESWICK VILLAGE HALL ON 19 TH SEPTEMBER
2023
PRESENT Cllrs Batty, Waterfield, Edwards, Harrison of EKPC
IN ATTENDANCE: East Keswick Village Hall Trustees – M Westby and D Wort; East Keswick Wildlife Trust – D Smith;
Leeds City Council – Cllr M Robinson
RESIDENTS FORUM – none attended
Purchase Of Land Behind East Keswick Village Hall
Cllr Batty, Chair welcomed the Trustees of the Village Hall and the Wildlife Trust.
D Wort of the VH explained that the Trustees are seeking funding from the Parish Council of part of the cost of the
land behind the Village Hall and to answer any specific questions by the Parish Council. A public meeting was held
on 13 September 2023 at which the Trustees invited questions about the purchase process and ideas for how the
land could be used if they succeed in completing the sale. Villagers had been invited to complete a survey about
their current relationship to the Village Hall and offer suggestions for activities and uses not currently available. The
Trustees were pleased to receive and summarise over 100 responses. Cllr Harrison attended on behalf of the Parish
Council.
The total cost of the project is £85,000 for land purchase, legal fees and purchase and installation of a stock proof
fence (a sale condition).
As at the date of the meeting, the fund stood at £44,000:
£25,000 from the Emmerdale Fund
£7,500 from public donations including gift aid
£10,000 from reserves
£1,500 via Leeds City Councillors from the Members Improvements in the Community and Environment Fund (MICE).
The purchase price needs to be in place by early December 2023. LCC has invited the Trustees to apply for a financial
grant of an unspecified amount via the Outer Northeast Leeds Wellbeing and Youth Activity Fund. The Trustees
await decisions from some smaller grant bodies. If necessary, the Trustees could use more of the reserve but would
prefer to keep back money for development of the land for the use of Village Hall hirers and residents.
The key finding of the survey is a preference for a large majority of the land to be kept as green space and to
encourage wildlife. East Keswick Wildlife Trust has advised on future uses for the land and supports the Trustees in
its purchase. Many survey responses indicated a preference for a village orchard, a nature trail and perhaps, outdoor
exercise equipment. The Trustees would seek to keep 20% as lawned space to put an events marquee. The current
fence would probably be retained with pedestrian access to the field. There would be village consultation on the
future uses of the field.
D Smith of EKWT emphasised the need for community support and encouraged the PC to contribute through the
precept.
The Trustees will send the presentation used at the public meeting to the Paris Council.
The Parish Councillors assured the Village Hall Trustees that they would consider how and if the Parish Council can
support and contribute financially to the fundraising campaign.

  1. APOLOGIES were received from Cllrs Bailey, Ballmann and Groves and the reasons accepted.
  2. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY AND OTHER INTEREST: Declaration made by Cllr D Harrison relating to item 6.6 of
    the agenda.
  3. The minutes of the meeting of East Keswick Parish Council held on 18 th July 2023 were approved.
  4. Cllr Robinson reported on various matters raised with Leeds City Council:
    4.1 Highways
    Crabtree Lane resurfacing – rumble strips need to be reinstated along with the road markings following the
    recent road resurfacing.

Keswick Lane – safety improvements at the junction with Woodacre Lane. Highways are to carry out a site visit in
October and the resident who raised the issue with the Ward Councillors will be invited.
Verge creep – Cllr Robinson will chase EKPC’s request to scrape back overgrown verges throughout the village.
Ginnel from Church Drive to Main Street – Cllr Robinson will request action to clear the surface of weeds.
4.3 Buses
Cllr Robinson will encourage the arrangement of a meeting with the bus operator and local Parish Councils
(Wetherby and villages) to express their concerns about the poor service standards. He suggested that Cllr Batty
will represent the PC’s views at the next Outer Northeast Parish Councils Forum.

  1. Planning Applications
    It was AGREED that there was no objection to the following planning applications received from Leeds City
    Council:
  2. 23/03904/L1 Wayside Cottage, Main Street
  3. 23/05540/FU 4 Keswick Grange
  4. 7 Wharfe Bank Collingham
  5. Matters arising
  6. Memorial bench – The Ward Councillors have agreed to fund a bench in memory of Queen Elizabeth II. It is
    hoped that it will be installed by Leeds City Council in the War Memorial Garden, Whitegates in time for
    Remembrance Sunday. It was AGREED that the late June Gallant’s family will be contacted to suggest that
    the ideal location for the bench they wish to donate in her memory is the War Memorial Garden and would
    replace the remaining existing bench. This would match the QEII memorial bench in style.
  7. Memorial Planter update – none
  8. East Keswick Sports Association funding update – a report from Cllr Groves was received and circulated to
    Councillors.
  9. Blacksmith Field/Bardsey beck bridge – It was AGREED that on the advice of Matthew Harrison of MPH to
    delay maintenance work until spring.
  10. Crabtree Lane Car Park – the potholes have been filled in as a temporary measure until such time as more
    long term improvements can be included in a future programme of work and financial year.
  11. YLCA branch meeting 17 October 2023 – the meeting clashes with the next East Keswick Parish Council
    meeting
  12. War Memorial information board – East Keswick History Society has agreed to carry out the research on
    behalf of the Parish Council to be mounted on a display board. The metal frame which houses the
    information board is likely to be sourced from East Keswick Wildlife Trust for £85.
  13. Parish Council Annual Report – Councillors and the Clerk will deliver copies to all addresses within 2 weeks of
    the September Parish Council meeting.
  14. Memorial tree – no update.
  15. Defibrillator pads had been purchased.
  16. Financial Matters
    7.1 2022/23 Accounts and Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) – The Parish Council reviewed
    the information to be returned to PFK Littlejohn, auditor and published on the Parish Council noticeboard
    and website.
    7.2 To approve the following payments:
    7.2.1 East Keswick Village Hall £30
    7.2.2 Cllr Groves – expenses £334
    7.2.3 GGS Grounds Maintenance £1140
    7.2.4 K Martin – expenses £
    7.2.5 R Arievo Plumber £300
    7.2.6 Clerk’s Salary & HMRC
    7.3 It was AGREED to approve 2 quotes provided for works to the cricket pitch and sports field:
    To repair the cricket square – £894 inc VAT
    To service and repair the tractor and gang mower – £895.95 inc VAT

8 Playground repairs
It was AGREED, given the cost of labour and parts to repair the roundabout and climbing frame and when taking
into consideration the age of the equipment, to seek suitable replacements and grant funding.
9 D Day 80 6 June 2024 – It was agreed to consider holding a suitable event and lighting of a beacon at the sports
field given its elevation. Invitations to join a planning group will be circulated.
10 Newcomers Lunch – Cllr Edwards will check availability of the Duke of Wellington to cater a lunch before
Christmas.
11 Date of next meeting – it was AGREED that the date of the next meeting will be 17 th October 2023 at 7.30 pm,
The meeting closed at 9.20 pm.
The minutes were prepared by Alison Waterfield