The Councillors were addressed by five people (Peter Powell, Keith Smith, David Thompson, David Fraser and James Mackman) on the subject of the whether or not the Parish Council should raise a precept for Poppleton Community Trust.

Councillors Powell and Bradley declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 05/006. At that point on the agenda they left the room and had no input into this item.

Cllr. J S Hopton (City of York Council).

The minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on 15 November 2004 and 13 December had been circulated prior to the meeting. Councillor Robinson stated that he had no recollection that the Councillors had agreed to remain neutral during the period that the referendum was being held. It was agreed that the agenda item "Public Participation" does not form part of the Parish Council meeting and that no minutes of what was is said should be taken. Councillor Robinson asked that notes of what a speaker said during the agenda item "Public Participation" should be circulated to the Councillors if they are available. This was agreed. Councillor Tomlinson asked for minutes to be circulated earlier. The practice for many years has been for minutes to be distributed with the agenda on the Tuesday before the meeting. It was agreed that the subject would be placed on the agenda for the February meeting. It was agreed that the above minutes be agreed and signed.

1. Access over common land - easement (Min. 04/159a)

No money has been received even though the easement has been signed.

2. Mill Bank House easement (Min. 04/159b)

There was no news on this item.

3. Access to shops from Montague Walk (Min. 04/159c)

It was agreed that this item should be removed from the agenda until such a time as the proposed Spar extension is completed.

4. Grass cutting contract 2005-06 (Min. 04/159e)

The Clerk reported having drawn up a contract. It was agreed that The Chairman and the Clerk would finalise the contract and send it out to five firms who will be invited to tender for the next two years.

5. Report on the bollards between Esk Drive and York Business Park (Min. 04/170)

The clerk referred to a letter from Jackie Wright of the City Council who had reported that the roads in Poppleton Park have not yet been adopted by the City Council. The contractor had been advised of the gap and was planning to place a large stone there so as to stop vehicles passing through.

6. Report on traffic problems in Poppleton Park (Min. 04/171)

Jackie Wright advised that the Parish Council should contact the police as they are the authority to take enforcement action on drivers who speed through Poppleton Park.

05/005/1 - The Clerk read or referred to the following item of correspondence

1. - A letter from Michael Fife, the Chairman of the Poppleton Wildlife Trust, who asked if it would be possible to have another bay in the cartshed. The Clerk reported that all four cartsheds are in use and that none would become available in the foreseeable future.
2. A letter from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission saying that they have details of those fallen in both World wars but no information after that. They gave the details of several organisations that could be contacted to ask if they had the information required. The Clerk was directed to follow this up.
3. A letter from the City Council asking if there had been any change to the Councillors Register of Members Interests. The answer was no.
4. A letter from the City Council apologising for the delay in dealing with the question of double taxation.

1. Clerk & Councils Direct - January 2005
2. CPRE - Fieldwork, December 2004
3. CYC - Scrutiny Panel Floods information
4. CYC - Shared Foundation for Children
5. Local Council Review - Volume 56, No 5
6. Mayfair Group Response - November report
7. Mayfair Group Response - December report
8. National Probation Service - Request to address meeting
9. Open Spaces Society - Donation request
10. Poppleton Moat Fields Management Group - Minutes of 31 March 2004
11. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 25 October
12. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 24 November
13. Poppleton Wildlife Trust - Minutes of 24 November
14. Standards Board of England - New guidance booklets entitled "Lobby groups, dual-hatted members and the Code of Conduct"

 

15. Upper Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 8 November
16. YLCA - White Rose Update - December 2004
17. Yornews - Issue 13, Winter 2004

Councillors Powell and Bradley, having declared a prejudicial interest in this agenda item, left the room. Councillor Tomlinson took the chair. The result of the referendum was discussed. It was agreed that the papers where the number had been erased would be discounted. This amounted to eleven NO votes and one YES vote. The net result was that 176 NO votes and 157 YES votes were recorded. 7 "No opinion" papers were returned. It was agreed that the Parish Council would accept the result of the referendum and that no precept would be set for the Community Trust.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 17 January 2005. The report reflected the receipts and payments shown below. The bank balances at 17 January were:

Current Account £100.00

Business Money Manager Account £10,109.78

National Savings Investment Account £12,611.40

4. To agree the budget for 2005-06 and set the precept

The Clerk had circulated a proposed budget prior to the meeting. The budget was agreed and the precept was set at £13,000 for the financial year 2005-06. The Chairman and Clerk signed the appropriate City Council request form.

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

Consideration was given to the following new applications:

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

Ref: 04/01252/FUL - Conversion of former agricultural buildings to 5 dwellings and garaging, new garage block, parking and circulation, demolition of agricultural buildings at New Farm Estate, Moor Lane by Mr Fraser.

Ref: 04/03537/FUL - Single storey extension to front at 1 Riversvale Drive by Mr S Hepworth.

Ref: 04/03660/TCA - Crown clean; Crown thin selective branches to reduce end weight by 10% Walnut in the Conservation Area at Hall Garth, 15 Main Street by Mr & Mrs Lennox.

Ref: 04/04007/FUL - Erection of pitched roof two-storey and single-storey side extension, single-storey rear extension, first floor side extension, and alterations to front elevation at 43 Nether Way by Mr A Blackledge.

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

Ref: 04/03642/FUL - One and two-storey extension to side and rear at 12 Main Street by Mr & Mrs Jackson.

Ref: 04/04049/OUT - Erection of a new dwelling and garage after demolition of Dodsworth Hall, Millfield Lane by the Trustees of the Anglican Churches and Sunday School Trust.

1. Dave Gregory of Ryland Horticulture had submitted a quotation of £490 for the survey of the trees on the whole of the land between Riversvale Drive and Riverside Walk. This would complete the survey of the trees in the river end of the Common Land.
2. Mr Gregory had also quoted the sum of £150 to crown clean and reduce the sycamore over Mr Ayres' boundary at Woodside and £150 for removing the fallen ash tree.
3. It was agreed that all three quotations be accepted and the work begun as soon as possible.
4. Councillor Robinson asked if the structural state of the War Memorial is being monitored and was assured by Councillor Powell that it is. The War Memorial is only one of two of its kind in the country. As such, it was agreed that it should be included on the new Local List.

Councillor Powell said that he was able to attend the Conference for a reduced rate as he is on the YLCA Executive Committee. The cost to the Parish Council will be £39.20 plus expenses.

Yorkshire Water has been carrying out repairs and alterations to the pumping station on the Common Land in Main Street. Whilst the land on which the pumping station is built is the property of Yorkshire Water the land surrounding it belongs to the Parish Council. Vehicles from Yorkshire Water's contractors have churned up the land and made it look untidy. The Clerk was directed to write to Yorkshire Water and demand that they reinstate the land and replace damaged trees as soon as possible.

It was agreed that Councillors Robinson and Partington would attend the seminar. The total cost would be £50.

The Councillors discussed parking on the Common Land prompted by a letter from Mr Lennox. The Clerk was directed to write to Mr Lennox to acknowledge his letter. He was also directed to find out the legal implications of parking on Common Land. The subject is to be discussed further at the February meeting.

It was agreed that this item be discussed at the February meeting.

It was agreed that the sum of £120 should again be paid to Mr Illing for the work he has put in to cleaning the bus shelter over the last year and that he be asked to continue this work.

1. Councillor Powell reported on

1. the Community Trust's AGM held on 16 November. The Treasurer's report showed that the Trust had a surplus for the period of about £6,700 and that the value of the accumulated funding amounted to £350,000. The options of employing a Centre Manager were considered.
2. the Community Trust's Executive Committee meeting held on 16 November when the subjects of fundraising, the new kitchen servery, parking in Millfield Lane and centre operations and maintenance were discussed.

2. Councillor Robinson reported on the Poppleton Wildlife Trust meeting held on 24 November 2004. Working parties had been held at regular intervals during the year. Younger volunteers are needed to help with the work.

Councillor Bradley said that the next Ward Committee meeting will be held on 23 February when agenda items will include finance, the Local Lists and the opportunity to add to them .

05/019 - TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING AS MONDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2005

It was agreed the next meeting would be held at 7.30pm at the Community Centre on Monday 21 February 2005.

The meeting closed at 9.46pm

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

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