Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Chisholm.

Councillor Powell declared an interest in agenda item 04/006(e)(i).

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 17 November 2003, having been circulated, were approved and signed.

1. Access over common land - easement (Min. 03/191a)

Progress on this transaction is dependent on the discovery of the title deeds to the Common Land. The previous Parish Clerk, Ron Hansell, had remembered that the legal work involved in the transfer of the Common Land from the Lord of the Manor to the Parish Council had been done by a Mr Hiley. Having checked the Parish Council minutes for 1970 Mr Hansell had suggested that the title deeds for the Common Land could be with J D Hiley a firm of solicitors in Thirsk. The Parish Council's solicitors, Burn & Co, have written to J D Hiley to enquire if they do have the title deeds.

2. Review of Parish trees (Min. 03/191b)

Dave Gregory's report on the trees on the Common Land had been received and circulated round the Councillors prior to the meeting. It was agreed that Mr Gregory should be asked to cost out his proposals and the Councillors would then draw up a list of priorities.

3. Mill Bank House easement (Min. 03/191c)

Progress on this transaction is dependent on the discovery of the title deeds to the Common Land. See minute 04/004a above.

4. Refurbishment of village name signs (Min. 03/191d)

It was agreed that the new 'NETHER' and 'POPPLETON' name plates for the two existing village signs should be ordered when the new sign is being built so that all three sets of name plates look the same.

5. Riverside Walk tree pruning (Min 03/191f)

This work has still to be carried out.

1. A letter from Marston Moor Internal Drainage Board asking for permission to display future notices on the Parish Council's notice board. Agreed.
2. A letter from Sykes Lee & Brydson, Solicitors, advising the Parish Council of their clients' intention to apply for the transfer of the Justices' Licence in respect of the former Post Office in Main Street, Nether Poppleton. Agreed.

1. CYC - Parish Review
2. Defra - Equine issues
3. A letter and feedback form from the Environment Agency about flood risk management in the Yorkshire Ouse catchment. The Councillors, having seen the documentation, agreed that the Clerk should be the named contact and should return the feedback form.
4. Local Council Review - Vol. 55/5 - January 2004
5. Mayfair Group - October report
6. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 29 October 2003
7. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 26 November 2003
8. YCLA - White Rose Update, December 2003

1. Ainsty Group - Minutes of 2 October 2003
2. Askham Bryan College - Advert
3. Clerk & Councils Direct - Jan 2004, Issue 31
4. Mayfair Group - November report
5. Mayfair Group - December report
6. YLCA - Schedule of YLCA meetings
7. York Open Planning Forum - Newsletter, January 2004
8. Yorwaste - Yornews, Issue 11 - Winter 2003

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 19 January 2004. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 19 January were:

Current Account £100.02

Business Money Manager Account £22,754.17

2. Accounts for payment (net of VAT);

The Clerk	Salary - November	£242.35
The Clerk	Salary - December	£242.35
The Clerk	Postage & stationery	£67.48
Ken Falkingham	Bus shelter repair	£12.50
Poppleton Wildlife Trust	Donation	£100.00
Ryland Horticulture	Common Land tree survey	£490.00
Mazars	External Audit fee - 2002-03	£120.00

3. Income Received

HSBC interest £63.71

4. To consider the future use of the National Savings Account

The current interest rate in the Parish Council's National Savings Investment Account is 2.3%. Interest is paid for whole months only, never for part of a month. The Parish Council's HSBC Business Money Manager Account carries an interest rate of 1.3%. Interest accrues on a daily basis. It was agreed to keep the National Savings Account and transfer funds into it at the end of January.

* Councillor Robinson, who had been to the School Governors meeting, arrived at this point in the agenda.

5. To consider funding applications for

1. Poppleton Community Trust

After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that money should be included in the 2004-05 budget, under the heading of Discretionary Grants and Donations, for meeting a possible request for financial help from the Community Centre Trust.

2. Dodsworth Hall Trust

The Parish Council had been asked by the Friends of Dodsworth Hall if it would be prepared to finance the purchase of the Hall from the Poppleton Anglican Churches and Sunday School Trust. It was estimated that the purchase price would be in the region of £150,000. Following a long discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would not purchase the Dodsworth Hall.

6. To agree the budget for 2004-05 and set the precept

The Clerk had circulated a proposed budget prior to the meeting. After discussion it was agreed to increase the sum for discretionary grants and donations to £4,000. The precept was set at £13,000 for the year 2004-05 and the Chairman and Clerk signed the appropriate City Council request form.

7. To consider making a £50 donation to enable Poppleton History Society to acquire aerial photographs of the village

The Councillors agreed to donate £50 to Poppleton History Society as a contribution towards the cost of acquiring aerial photographs. These would be needed to support the application for a grant from The English Heritage Community Initiative that would enable the Society to explore all the archaeological sites around the Poppletons.

8. To consider increasing the Cartshed rents

The Clerk produced a spreadsheet showing the rental income from the four Cartshed bays since 1996 when the bays were first rented out. There had been no increase in the level of rent (£120 per bay per annum) for eight years. It was agreed that the rent should be increased to £150 per bay per annum with effect from 1 April 2004.

The Clerk had circulated a detailed list of current outstanding planning applications prior to the meeting.

Consideration was given to the following new applications:

There were no further comments from the Councillors on any of the planning applications.

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

Ref: 03/02159/FUL - Erection of replacement conservatory to front and pitched roof dormer to front at 33 Main Street by Mr & Mrs J Edwards.

Ref: 03/03025/FUL - Erection of pitched roof dormer to side and velux windows to rear at 77 Millfield Lane by Mr & Mrs Davies.

Ref: 03/03370/FUL - Two storey pitched roof side extension with integral garage at 35 Nursery Road by Mr N C Wright.

Ref: 03/03471/FUL - Single storey pitched roof rear extension at 5 Nursery Road by Mr & Mrs Lynn.

1. To agree works to be carried out following the meeting with the police

It was agreed that the Parish Council would consider cutting down and clearing away all weeds and undergrowth together with crown lifting and cutting back trees and shrubs to produce a managed woodland rather than allow the area to be wild. In later years consideration could be given to under-planting with bulbs.

2. To consider David Gregory's report on the trees on the Common Land

Mr Gregory's report identified certain trees which need to be felled and others which need to be cut back. It was agreed that Mr Gregory be asked to provide costings for the work so that the work can be prioritised.

3. To agree to works to a hawthorn hedge

The City Council had written to advise that the hawthorn hedge at the back of the Common Land is in need of attention. It was agreed that Mr Gregory be asked carry out the work when he trims back the trees in Riverside Walk.

Councillor Tomlinson reported that he had visited various sites with Councillor Hopton in order to see where trees could be planted to block the glaring lights at Poppleton Park. It was agreed that the best two sites were alongside the new football field in Millfield Lane and the boundary of the Millennium Green. It is assumed that the Ward Committee will provide funds for the trees. It was also suggested that more trees could be planted along Millfield Lane.

This agenda item related to the review of Parish Council boundaries being conducted by the City Council. It was agreed that there were no problems with the Nether Poppleton Parish Council's boundary.

A letter had been received from the CPRE asking for support regarding two items in the government's Planning Bill. The CPRE are requesting the Parish Council to write to the minister for Housing and Planning to ask him to (a) give county councils a statutory responsibility in the preparation and review of the new Regional Spatial Strategies and (b) to address the need for better enforcement of planning controls. The Councillors agreed that the Clerk should write to the Minister and convey the Council's support for the CPRE's request.

1. Councillor Partington reported on

The British Sugar Liaison meeting held on 22 October 2003.

2. Councillor Powell reported on the

Poppleton Community Trust Executive meeting held on 17 December 2003. Councillor Powell took the chair as no chairman had yet been appointed. David Fraser was re-appointed as Secretary and John Middleton re-appointed Treasurer. Peter Powell and Brian Park were co-opted on to the Committee with special responsibilities.

Much time was given to discussing the Millfield Lane Sports Field and insurance matters. An application had been made to the Ward Committee for funding towards the cost of resurfacing the car park. This would tie in with the new access to the school.

Councillor Hopton drew attention to the need to consider the suggestions put to the Ward Committee by the residents. It was pointed out that this subject was on the agenda for the Joint Parish Councils' meeting to be held on 26 January.

04/015 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday 16 February 2004 at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.

The meeting closed at 11.30pm

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

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