Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. J S Hopton, City of York Council.

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 21 October 2002 were approved and signed with following amendment:

Min. 02/229. COMMUNITY ROOM AT POPPLETON PARK.

Replace with the following:

Mr Chisholm reported on a meeting with residents held earlier this month about the £10.000 Section 106 Agreement and how it should be spent. Those involved in the discussion were keen to see the removal of the bollards and had proposed the money be spent on some landscaping and the construction of a 3½ to 4 feet fence on the grassed area with something like an Astroturf surface where the children could have a kick-a-about. The existing site on the Great North Way was not suitable.

Residents had been asked to cost the proposals and then convene another meeting to make decisions.

The Clerk had confirmed with the City Council that there had been no request for a bye-election. Two residents were interested in filling this vacancy, Mr G A Bradley and Mr J Lloyd. Mrs Jackson said she did not intend to stand for re-election at the forthcoming Local Government election and offered to resign after this meeting to make way for one of these candidates, whereupon, Members agreed to invite Messrs. Bradley and Lloyd to join the Council at the 20 January 2003 meeting.

The Chairman suggested now was an opportune time to increase the size of the Council from seven members to nine but it was agreed there was little to be gained from such a move and the suggestion was rejected.

Mr Acomb was congratulated on being appointed a Member of the Forum Committee and he said it was hoped the Forum would gain the support of the City of York Council and other professional bodies in the York District. Membership was open to Parish Councils and he suggested this Council join, subscriptions being £10 for individuals and £20 for Councils. A Forum leaflet was being produced and would be circulated to Members when received.

A copy of the Poppleton Anglican Churches and Sunday School Trust final scheme had now been published and it was noted that a copy had been placed on deposit in the Village Library. The Clerk said that Rev. Thomas had undertaken earlier this year to keep the Parish Council informed of any proposals concerning the future of the Hall.

Mrs. Hopton had met the residents on 14 November regarding the Section 106 payment and as a result, had requested a meeting between the City of York Landscape Officer and one of the residents, who was a professional horticulturalist, to site visit all the landscaped areas, checking against the original specifications for the housing permission. The five years of the Section 106 agreement validity was now nearly ended and these areas should be in good condition before being transferred to the City of York Council. These included the grassed area alongside the playground.

Residents produced photographs of all the areas, which were in very poor condition. If improvements to all these areas could be covered by Barratt and Persimmon, it would release the Section 106 money for other things. If not, some of it was proposed for spending on landscaping and improving grass surfaces. The other major item of expenditure was for railings similar to those surrounding the playground. Costings were being obtained.

In the absence of Mrs Hopton, there was no update on the work progress on this shop frontage.

Mrs L Walton, who resided in Allerton Drive, opposite the shops, made a request for the shop frontage to be tidied and suggested the erection of bollards to prevent delivery vehicles parking on the footway, with some raised flower beds and possibly, some suitable trees. Members supported the idea and suggested the Upper Poppleton Ward Committee be approached for finance for the bollards and that the City of York Council be asked for something to be done for the frontage, saying the Parish Council was applying to the Ward Committee for assistance. The Chairman was to contact the shopkeepers.

It was noted that two youth workers had now been appointed to start up a branch of York Youth Forum based at the Youth Club building, probably Friday evenings. There was a considerable amount of preliminary work to be completed before the first Friday evening meeting. The village Wednesday Youth Club still met and was looking at ways of starting a second evening for the younger age group coming up. The second liaison meeting was held recently, for all users of the building and all was progressing well with support and help coming from the City of York Council Youth Services.

Copies of the draft Orders had been distributed to Members prior to this meeting and it was agreed that it was a complex matter needing further consideration. Discussion of the draft was deferred but in the meantime, Members were to take a further look at the documents.

Each Member had received a copy of the Parish Council Model Scheme and except for a comment from Mr Acomb about the Village Plan, was adopted as presented.

The committee set up to interview the three candidates for this position had seen Mrs A E Powell and Mr J Mackman of Nether Poppleton and Mrs P D Greenwell of Copmanthorpe. The recommendation of the Committee was that Mr Mackman, the present Clerk to Upper Poppleton Parish Council, be appointed. The recommendation was supported and Mr Acomb proposed a vote of thanks to the committee for its work. Mr Mackman was to be invited to take up the duties in January 2003.

Five different locations had been suggested by the City Council for this site, with the minimum estimated cost being £4.6 million, the top estimate being £5.3 million. The options were all in North West York, close to the A1237 Outer Ring Road, with the City Council’s favoured site near the Harrogate to York railway line.

Members noted that the Upper Poppleton Council’s preferred site was the one designated ‘A’ which lay within the Outer Ring Road, opposite the Wills & Ellis garage.

After lengthy discussion, it was decided the crucial factor was the reduction of traffic using the A59/A1237 roundabout as far as possible as this was the congestion point and after a show of hands, Members agreed that site ‘D’ at the Northminster Business Park was most suitable as it would have the least effect on the residential properties in Upper Poppleton and could be developed to give access from the B1224 York to Wetherby Road.

Mrs Hopton was still working on this presentation for all the Parish Councils in the Ward and would give a report in January 2003.

York Consultancy, City of York Council, had written on 14 November enclosing a copy of a draft consultation leaflet/questionnaire outlining proposals for cycletracks on Millfield Lane and was asking for comments. One of these schemes was to provide on-road cycle lanes between Long Ridge Lane and Ebor Way, which would connect up with the existing cyclepath on Millfield Lane.

Members were opposed to the proposed new cycle track being integrated into the highway, fearing it would create a traffic hazard and suggested the present cycle track between Manor School and Long Ridge Lane be extended to Ebor Way on the same side of the road, with the Long Ridge Lane junction with Millfield Lane being widened to accommodate a central refuge where cyclists could stop until the route was clear to cross.

A preliminary assessment of the Council’s financial requirements for the 2003/04 year was made and the request from the Poppleton Community Trust for an annual grant of £1,750 from both this Council and that of Upper Poppleton, to match that of the City of York Council, was again considered. On a show of hands, the request was rejected and Members agreed on a one-off payment of £500 only.

Mrs. Hopton was to be asked if a contribution was needed towards the provision of facilities for young peoples’ recreation purposes.

Mr. Acomb had drawn attention originally to this flooding problem and the Clerk had reported the matter to the City Council Public Rights-of-Way Officer and had since been informed that the work would be carried out as soon as resources allowed.

It was noted that this box had been damaged, possibly by fireworks; the Royal Mail had now undertaken the necessary repairs and the box was functioning normally.

This conference was to be held at the Spa Complex, Scarborough from 28 February to 2 March 2003 and Members wishing to attend were to inform the Clerk before 14 February 2003.

No Member was available to attend this meeting to be held in York on 20 November 2002.

Several residents had complained about buses obstructing their driveways due to the bus drivers parking at stops other then the bus terminus at the Lord Nelson. In turn, drivers complained that it was difficult to stop for any length of time outside the Lord Nelson due to other vehicles parking in the vicinity of the bus stop. It was understood that the owner of a large white van regularly parked at 12 Main Street, which was the chief cause of the difficulties at this point and the Clerk was instructed to write to the owner with request that he park it elsewhere.

It was noted that this fund was now being administered by the Community Foundation and that the City of York Council was unable to make more funds available so the total amount for distribution was limited. The guidelines were much the same as in previous years. Closing date for applications was 13 December 2002 and grants of up to £7.500 or £50% of the project costs, were available. Members had no projects in mind.

Members were reminded that the closing date for Ward Committee applications was 30 November 2002.

Consideration was given to the following new application:

Location Mr & Mrs Casperson, 7 Church Lane.

Development Crown reduce by 3,5m to 4m Beech in Conservation Area.

The Local Planning Authority had written to say the following application had been withdrawn:

Orange PCS, Ltd., Unit 1, Hudson Court, Great North Way: erection of 20m lattice telecommunications tower with 3 antenna, 10 dishes and ancillary development. (Ref. 164).

It was noted the Local Planning Authority had granted consent for the following:

White Rose Development Enterprises, Ltd., York Business Park: non-compliance with condition (i) of the planning permission T/APP/C2741/A/99/1023645(LPA Ref: 99/00239/OUT) for extension of time period for submission of reserved matters. (Ref. 164).

Brecks Saab, Plot 3B, Great North Way, York Business Park: erection of motor dealership with associated access parking and landscaping. (Ref. 164).

White Rose Development Enterprises, Ltd., Plot 2C, Ings Lane, York Business Park: reserved matters application for erection of car showroom/workshop with associated preparation bays, access, parking and landscaping - outline application -6/116/164Q/OUT refers. (Ref. 164).

Mr and Mrs Hinchcliffe, 1 Hallgarth Close: conservatory to rear. (Ref. 286).

Mr & Mrs Woods, Yungarra, Ferryman’s Walk: single storey pitched roof rear extension. (Ref. 321).

Payment of the following accounts was authorised:

The Council’s bank Balances were:

Deposit Account £6,394.33

Current Account £126.14

No cheques had been received since the last meeting.

The meeting closed at 10.05pm.