It was agreed to leave the question of co-option of a new Councillor until the September meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. G A Bradley, Cllr. C W Chisholm, Cllr. J S Hopton (City of York Council) and Cllr. Q J A Macdonald (City of York Council).

No interests were declared.

It was agreed that this appointment be deferred.

1. Councillor Partington agreed to be the Parish Council's representative on the Dodsworth Hall Steering Group.
2. Councillor Tomlinson agreed to be a member of the Planning Committee.
3. It was agreed that Councillors would take turns to represent the Parish Council at meetings of both the YLCA York Branch and the Ainsty Group of Parishes.

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 21 July 2003, having been circulated, were approved and signed.

1. Clerk's Contract of Employment (Min. 03/116a)

The Clerk reported that he still had to agree the final draft of the contract drawn up by Upper Poppleton Parish Council but expected the finished product to be available to be adopted at the September meeting.

2. Access over common land - easement (Min. 03/116b)

The Clerk reported that the easement for Woodside is dependent on the Parish Council's proved ownership of the Common Land. This is taking time to establish.

4. Allerton Drive notice board (Min. 03/116c)

The Clerk reported that Ken Falkingham had quoted the sum of £200 for replacing the notice board. Councillor Robinson is checking to see if he can obtain a cheaper quotation. The Councillors approved the replacement of the notice board if a cheaper quotation is received.

4. Common Land grass cutting (Min. 03/116e)

The grass by the river has now been cut by Baron Landscaping.

5. Common Land verge cutting (Min. 03/128)

The Tree Fella has not yet cut the grass between Ousemoor Lane and the pumping station. The Clerk was directed to contact the Tree Fella and make sure the work is carried out soon.

1. Ainsty Group of Parishes minutes of the meeting held on 10 July
2. YLCA White Rose update - July 2003

1. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 5 June
2. YLCA - Annual Report 2002-2003
3. Standards Board - Guidance for Monitoring Officers
4. CYC - Economic Bulletin 30 - August 2003
5. York Citizens Advice Bureau - Annual Report 2002-2003

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 18 August 2003. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 18 August were:

Current Account £100.36

Business Money Manager Account £19,923.83

2. Accounts for payment (net of VAT);

The Clerk	Salary - July	£242.35
The Clerk	Postage and telephone	£17.14

3. Income Received

The Clerk explained that the grass cutting allowance had increased as the City Council has increased its own grass cutting frequency from 10 cuts to 14 cuts per annum and is giving an extra allowance to enable Parish Councils to do the same. It was agreed that the quality of the City Council's grass cutting had increased enormously and the Clerk was directed to write to the City Council to complement them on this.

The Clerk had circulated a detailed list of current outstanding planning applications prior to the meeting. No new applications had been received since the July Parish Council meeting.

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

Ref: 03/01039/FUL - Erection of two storey pitched roof side extension at 5 Foss Walk by Mr & Mrs Simon Galtrey.

Ref: 03/01561/FUL - Erection of single storey pitched roof extension to side and rear at 12 Little Garth by Ms O Oliver and Mr R Warnes.

Ref: 03/01666/FUL - Erection of single storey pitched roof rear extension at Woodside, Riversvale Drive by Mr & Mrs H A Ayres.

Ref: 03/01898/FUL - Erection of garage extension and conservatory to rear at 23 Allerton Drive by Mr M Fish.

Ref: 03/02135/FUL - Conservatory to rear at 69 Nether Way by Mr Pickup.

It was agreed that a report of the first meeting of the Dodsworth Hall Steering Group held on 17 July should be copied and given to each Councillor. The Steering Group was asking the Parish Council for a donation of £200 for relevant expenses. The Councillors agreed to this request and the Clerk was asked to make the appropriate arrangements.

Councillor Partington reported that she had met with David Gregory of Ryland Horticulture to discuss the condition of the trees in the Common Land area bounded by the pumping station, Main Street and the river to the boundary of Saxe Dane Lodge. Mr Gregory had submitted a quotation of £490 for undertaking to number (alloy tag) and plot on a scale plan, locations of all trees within the area. He would identify all the trees and provide a written report containing information of dimensions, age, current condition, immediate and future works and management of the tree stock.

It was agreed that all Councillors should be provided with a map showing the extent of the Common Land.

The ownership of Mill Bank House is changing and the question of whether or not an easement for vehicular access is needed has been raised. Correspondence has been exchanged between the seller's solicitors and the Parish Council's solicitor, Graeme Burn of Burn & Co. Mr Burn has suggested that the services of a Counsel should be sought to consider the arguments put forward. The Councillors agreed to let Mr Burn proceed with negotiations on the Parish Council's behalf.

Several of the highway trees in Nether Poppleton had been badly pruned by the City Council on 23 July. An exchange of emails had taken place between the Clerk, the City Councillors and officers of the City Council. It had been agreed that no future work should be carried out on trees in the village unless the Parish Council had had prior notification. There had been a discussion on whether or not the highway trees planted by or on behalf of the Parish Council were the responsibility of the Parish Council or the City Council. The City Council had advised that all trees planted on highway verges become the property of the City Council unless they grant a licence. It was agreed to accept that all highway trees are the City Council's responsibility.

The village sign by the Community Centre has been damaged. It was agreed that the Clerk should obtain quotations for replacing the "Nether Poppleton" nameplates on both the village signs.

The Clerk and the Chairman had trimmed the hedge bordering the Parish Council's land by the shops at the corner of Ebor Way and Allerton Drive. The Parish Councillors are grateful to Steve Barker for offering the use of his electricity to power the electric hedge trimmer. It was agreed that an offer by Councillor John Pannell, the Chairman of Upper Poppleton Parish Council, to strim the weeds be gratefully accepted. It was also agreed that several of the self-seeded sycamores should be felled and the other trees crown raised to give a spacious feel to the area.

Councillor Partington reported that she had been advised that there is a possibility that the City Council's new Street Cleaning service will be willing to visit the village on the weekend of 27/28 September and help clear verges of litter. There is the possibility of having new litter bins installed round the village and graffiti removed. Cllr. Partington was contacting Liz Burn of the City Council to make appropriate arrangements.

1. Dodsworth Hall Steering Group meeting 25 September
2. Joint Parish Councils' meeting 29 September
3. Ainsty Group of Parishes meeting - 2 October
4. YLCA - 15 October

Monday 15 September 2003 at 7.30pm.

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