November 2025 Minutes
BISHOP NORTON & ATTERBY PARISH COUNCIL
Record of the Parish Council meeting held in the village hall on Monday 10th November 2025 at 7.30pm.
PRESENT: Councillors: Cllr Townsend (Chair,) Cllr Freeman, Cllr Dean, Cllr Guy, Cllr Suggit and Jayne Moore (Clerk.)
Public Question Time: There was 1 member of the public in attendance.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr Thody.
2. Minutes of the last meeting: Minutes of the September meeting accepted as a true record. Proposed, seconded and all agreed.
3. Matters arising: Nothing heard from Biotech and no smells detected in recent weeks. WhatsApp group set up by Cllr Townsend, suggested a piece in the Triangle to be placed in March time to pre-empt smells and how they can report it.
Other matters arising are included in the agenda.
4. Parish Council Vacancy: A parishioner (Amy) has applied and will be co-opted in January’s meeting after the election period has ended.
5. County and District Councillor report: Cllr Bunney sent his apologies. No apologies received from Cllr Duguid.
6. Declarations of interest; to receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011: Clerk and Cllr Dean declared an interest in item 13. Cllr Freeman declared in item 8.
7. Planning Applications:
Building yard/ farm storage was originally submitted as dorma bungalows. This appears to have been changed to double storey houses. It was agreed that the clerk would make contact with WLDC to seek advice and new plans and request it to be stopped until these are received. PC agreed to 3 dorma bungalows based on the car parking arrangements.
8. Playing Field Project:
Mr Bettany was in attendance on behalf of the Bishop Norton Amenities Group. A couple of years ago, I asked the question about the PC taking on the existing play area. Is that still an intention of the PC.
Cllr Townsend – in order for our new area we canvassed the parishioners.
Cllr Freeman – What has it to do with the remainder of the parish.
Cllr Townsend – It would have impact on the precept and finances.
Cllr Suggit – When investigated historically, it had a 30% impact. We were reminded that the playing area was in order of the section 106b, so WLDC would need to be consulted, and the grant application was specific in the fact we could not interfere with the existing area.
Cllr Freeman – Has the insurance/cost been investigated?
Clerk/ Cllr Townsend – Yes, we have received an additional insurance cost. Can I ask how old is it?
Darrel – About 17 years old, 2008 when the houses were built.
Cllr Townsend – We have to account for potentially buying new equipment and taking the old away. We cannot guarantee its replacement. Will the section 106b still remain?
Cllr Suggit – No, it will remain.
Darrell – We could ask Wickstead at the report in the next few weeks, if they could establish the shelf life and state of the equipment.
Cllr Townsend – If we take it on, we may receive discontent from parishioners. We need to ensure we are showing it makes sense for it to belong to the Parish Council.
Cllr Suggit – It is a shame that Advocate homes ensured it then belong to the BNAG.
Cllr Dean – If you buy a house with a stipulation that a yearly cost needs to continue.
Cllr Freeman – If we are introducing new ages to the field, this may involve more damage and liability, it may also become muddy should someone become injured with two insurances, who would be liable.
Mr Bettany – Only expenses we have is insurance and inspections. £160/ £170 per inspection.
a) Signage - Cllr Townsend has spoken to Wickstead, the cradle seat should be maximum of 5 years old. All of the equipment is suitable for adults too. It was suggested the age limit be 14 on the sign.
It was suggested that we should not include children should not be supervised.
The ‘play area’ warning signs need to be ordered too.
A proper pole to be installed so a temporary sign can be added – Amy will look at an alternative provider.
Sign wording agreed:
Bishop Norton Play Park Rules of use:
- This play equipment is only for the use by children up to the age of 14
- The cradle seat swings are only for use by children up to the age of 5
- Anyone using the equipment does so at their own risk and should do responsibly
- Please do not allow your dogs to foul the play equipment areas
- Please put all your litter in the bin provided
- The large play equipment is the property of Bishop Norton & Atterby Parish Council. The PC cannot be held responsible for any injuries incurred on this equipment under any circumstances
- If you notice any problems with the equipment, please report them to clerktopc@bishopnortonandatterby.org.uk or to any member of the Parish Council
b) Risk assessment – Shared with the PC, all agreed. Is for annual review and adopted by the PC.
c) Checklist rota – Weekly checklist completed. Litter bin section to be removed. Clerk to complete the weekly inspection (clerk to nominate someone else if she is ever unable.)
d) Insurance – Annual premium of £71.63. Without the existing area the price addition is £66.13
Monday 17th November 2025 is the start date for the project.
e) Opening event – Have an opening event. All agreed.
A thank you was shared to the play park committee for their hard work.
9. Safeguarding:
Cllr Townsend shared that insurance stipulates we have a safeguarding policy. Cllr Townsend shared a safeguarding policy she has worked on with the inserts from LALC.
4 members of the Parish Council have safeguarding policy. A basic safeguarding awareness training was discussed.
All parish councillors agreed that they would be happy to undertake a basic safeguarding course. Cllr Townsend to send out the course to all councillors so should they wish to complete it they can.
Cllr Dean was happy to be the named safeguarding officer for the Parish Council.
We will keep this on the agenda each time, linked with the playing field.
10. As above.
11. Community resilience including flooding – nothing further to report. The resilience box to be moved to the village hall.
12. Finance update: (See RFO report) – In regard to the church grant, it may be useful to ask for a report on how effective the previous grant was, including: Clock maintenance, ground, remembrance, lighting for the church.
13. Grass cutting including additional strimming around planters –
Eastfield continues to have cars parked on the grass verge. A quote was received from Ian Moore Contracting at £5 per planter. Some people already volunteer to cut around the planter.
It was asked if the contractor could be asked if he would be willing to do it for £15 for all the planters.
14. Ditch clearance – Cllr Suggit has no update. The hedge has been cut but the ditch has not been cleared. The ditch is full and in need of a clear out, all the way along. Neal Flear has kindly offered to complete the works, at no cost. Question to be asked if he can dispose of the debris and if there is any cost associated to it.
15. Flower boxes update – Continue to look nice and kept well.
16. Village event – It was an enjoyable evening but not as well attended this time.
Items 17, 18 are as above.
19. PC Website – Cllr Townsend shared that we have some time stored with LALC’s website provider so we will utilise this. Clerk to send the link to all Councillors who can then share their feedback.
20. Defibrillator training – 16 parishioners attended and are now trained. The Parish Council used the councillor initiative fund to pay for the training (£250.00) with an additional £28 raised on the day.
21. Correspondence – Nothing additional received.
Clerk to ask highways on the junction at Well Street crossroads to reassess the road and look at whether a stop sign could be obtained.
22. Items for the next meeting: Playing field, safeguarding, community resilience, grass cutting and strimming, ditch clearance, co-option of new councillor, website.
23. Date of next Meeting: Monday 12th January 2026 at 7.30pm in the village hall.
Chairperson thanked all in attendance and meeting closed at 8.38pm.
Chairperson signed………………………………………. Date: ……………………….