Councillor Powell congratulated retiring Clerk Ron Hansell on his award of an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List. His citation was for services to the villages of Nether and Upper Poppleton. Mr Hansell responded by saying he was pleased his name had been put forward and was delighted with his honour.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. C W Chisholm.

Councillor R Major had tendered his resignation from the Parish Council. The Chairman expressed thanks from the Council for Mr Major's work and wished him well in his new position.

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 18 November 2002 were approved and signed.

Messrs. Bradley and Lloyd were present and signed their respective Declarations of Office having previously completed and signed the Members Register of Interests forms.

Councillor Acomb had been elected a member of the Forum and outlined what the forum hoped to achieve.

It was agreed that the Parish Council pay the Corporate Membership annual subscription of £20. Membership entitles the Parish Council to have a nominee and a deputy for YOPF meetings.

It was agreed that this subject would be revisited when the Section 106 money had been received from Barratts/Persimmons.

It was agreed that this subject be deferred until after the new Council is elected on 1 May 2003.

It was agreed that the subject be raised at the Ainsty Group of Parishes meeting to be held on 28 January. It was also agreed that the date for the presentation should be set, preferably at the end of April beginning of May, after consultation with the Community Centre and the CPRE. The Chairman and Clerk agreed to work on the details.

There was much debate about the safety of cyclists and the ideal of limiting the amount of white lines in the village. It was agreed that the City Council be asked to widen the road at the junction of Millfield Lane and Long Ridge Lane and build a refuge for cyclists in the centre of Long Ridge Lane.

It was agreed that the budgeted expenditure for 2003-04 would be £13,685. It was agreed to raise a precept of £7,365.

It was reported that some of the buses on the No. 10 route through the village do not use the stop by the Lord Nelson as the terminus. Councillor Acomb agreed to contact interested parties for more details and advise the Clerk accordingly.

The draft Charter prepared by the liaison committee of the YLCA and City of York Council representatives was discussed. The Charter tries to address many problems including double-taxation, complaints procedures and the relationship between the City of York Council, Ward Committees and Local Councils. Councillors had no comments on the draft Charter.

It was agreed to pass the papers to Councillors for comments to be returned to the Clerk.

The Chairman urged the Councillors to attend the Ward Committee meeting.

Royal Mail had written to say they were looking further into the matter of provision of an additional posting box for the residents of Poppleton Park.

It was agreed that this subject be reviewed on completion of the Village Design Statement.

The City Council is currently undertaking a survey to identify historic land uses which may give rise to soil contamination. The Councillors agreed that they had no knowledge of any problem sites in the village.

The City Council had written to say that they have added the request for a pedestrian crossing in Great North Way to their list of proposals to be investigated.

The County Training Partnership has been established to deliver quality, accredited training for the benefit of parish and town councils and parish meetings. The CTP is currently writing a training strategy for the next five years and is compiling a database to include information on the training needs of clerks and councillors, their attitude to training, current qualifications held and the provision of funds for training in the be-budget. The Clerk was deputed to complete the questionnaire for the Parish Council.

Harrogate Borough Council had written to say there will be an increase in the cost of grounds maintenance for the 2003 season. The cost was £169.75 and will rise to £175.69. The Councillors agreed to accept the increase.

York Planning Aid and the City Council are running workshops on the Local Plan. There will be an exhibition of the Plan at the Poppleton Community Centre between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday 5 February. The Councillors are aware of all the meetings.

1. The Standards Board for England is to hold a Roadshow in Leeds on 6 February. No Councillor would be attending.
2. The next meeting of the Ainsty Group of Parishes is to be at Poppleton Community Centre on Tuesday 28 January when Councillor Powell will be in the chair.
3. There will be meeting of the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations on 19 February

Consideration was given to the following new applications:

Location Mr & Mrs Goodie, 7 Fox Garth

Reference 02/03516/TPO

Development Fell sycamore protected by Tree Preservation Order 1/1970

Location Azlan Group plc, Millfield Lane

Reference 02/03420/FUL

Location Volvo Car UK Ltd, Plot 2C, Ings Lane

Reference 02/03625/ADV

Development Display of internally illuminated 4.5m high free-standing pylon sign

Location Mr D Appleton, 44 Calder Avenue.

Reference 02/03595/FUL

Development Pitched roof first floor and single storey rear extension

Location Mrs Dawn Elaine, 6 Severn Green.

Reference 02/03601/FUL

Development Pitched roof two storey side, single storey front and rear extension

Location Mr C Almack, 39 Severn Green

Reference 02/03719/FUL

Development Two storey pitched roof extension to side and conservatory to rear.

Location Mr & Mrs Lennox, 15 Main Street

Reference 02/03804/LBC

Location Mr A Johnson, 6 Linton Road

Reference 02/03876/FUL

Development Pitched roof one and a half storey extension

Location Mr & Mrs Leaf, 16 Long Ridge Lane

Reference 02/03641/FUL

Development Conservatory to rear.

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

Wetherby Whaler, York Business Park: - 02/03113/FUL - erection of single storey pitched roof front extension.

Messrs Christie and Norman, 3 Hall Garth Close: - 02/03036/FUL - installation of entrance gates to No's 3 & 4 Hallgarth Close.

Mr & Mrs Heather, 8 Fox Garth: - 02/03168/TPO - remove sycamore and crown reduce cherry tree.

Mr & Mrs Nogan, 9 Calder Avenue: - 02/03061/FUL - erection of first floor pitched roof side extension

Mr & Mrs D Casperson, 7 Church Lane: - 02/03421/TCA - crown reduce beech tree in Conservation Area

Mr & Mrs Goodie, 7 Fox Garth: - 02/03516/TPO - fell sycamore protected by Tree Preservation Order 1/1970

Mr & Mrs Leaf, 16 Long Ridge Lane: - 02/03641/FUL - conservatory to rear.

Azlan Group plc, Millfield Lane: - 02/03420/FUL - erection of single storey pitched roof fire pump building and two 5.42m high x 6.24m diameter water storage tanks.

Payment of the following accounts was authorised:

The Council’s bank Balances were:

Deposit Account £6,343.29

Current Account £256.14

Bank interest of £22.82 had been received since the last meeting.

The meeting closed at 10.10pm.

James Mackman, Clerk 22a Long Ridge Lane, Nether Poppleton, York YO26 6LX

Telephone 01904 781752 - Fax 0871 4331325 - email jmackman@tesco.net