No member of the public addressed the Councillors.

It was unanimously agreed that Peter Knowles of Midway Avenue should be co-opted as a Parish Councillor.

The Clerk confirmed that Councillor Knowles had signed his Declaration of Office.

A statement was made by Councillor Robinson and is on file.

There were no declarations of interest.

All Councillors being present there were no apologies for absence.

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 17 January 2005, having been circulated, were approved and signed.

The Clerk reported that the money for the easement was being held by Burn & Co, the Parish Council's solicitor. Burn & Co had written to say that the work involved in producing the easement had included the registration of the Common Land with the Land Registry. The cost of this work had been considerably more than the original estimate. The Councillors agreed to accept an invoice to cover the cost of the work done by Burn & Co.

2. Mill Bank House easement (Min. 05/004b)

There was no news on this item other than that another exchange of letters between the respective solicitors had occurred.

3. Grass cutting contract 2005-06 (Min. 05/004d)

The Chairman reported that the contract would be ready within the next few days.

4. Report on the bollards between Esk Drive and York Business Park (Min. 05/004e)

The Clerk reported that a boulder has now been put into the gap between the bollards and the fence to reduce the space to prevent vehicular access between Esk Drive and the Business Park.

5. Report on traffic problems in Poppleton Park (Min. 05/004f)

The Clerk read a letter from a Steve Burrell who is referring the matter to the Road Policing Group and to local Officers for them to give the matter some attention.

6. To receive a report on the progress of the repairs at the pumping station (Min. 05/011)

The Clerk reported that a meeting has been arranged between Yorkshire Water, their contractors and the Parish Council for 11.00am on Thursday 24 February to discuss the problems.

7. To receive a report on the fallen soldiers (Min. 05/005/1b)

The Clerk reported having written to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Royal Marines. All but the latter had written to say they had no records of any Poppleton personnel who had been killed in action. It was agreed that the Poppleton History Society should be contacted as well as some of the older residents to ask if they could help identify any person who matched the criteria.

05/027/1 - The Clerk read or referred to the following item of correspondence

A letter from the City Council giving details of a proposed diversion in footpath No. 2. The Councillors agreed to accept the proposal.

1. Askham Bryan College - Spring/Summer 2005 update
2. Defra - details of the Clean Neighbourhoods Bill
3. Highways North Yorkshire - Annual Report 2003/4
4. Mayfair Group Response - January report
5. A letter from NEDL about recent power disruptions
6. ODPM - Freedom of Information Act 2000 information
7. ODPM - Citizen Engagement, Vibrant Local Leadership
8. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 26 January
9. Upper Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 10 January
10. York Open Planning Forum - Newsletter, February 2005

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 21 February 2005. The report reflected the receipts and payments shown below. The bank balances at 21 February were:

Current Account £100.00

Business Money Manager Account £9,361.88

National Savings Investment Account £12,611.40

4. To agree the Clerk's incremental salary increase

The Councillors agreed that the Clerk should progress an incremental point on the salary scale having been in post for two years.

5. To agree the composition of a working group to consider the revised pay scales for Parish Clerks

It was agreed that Councillors Tomlinson and Knowles should look at the various documents received on this subject and report back.

6. To approve the new tenant of a Cartshed bay

The Clerk reported that the Tithe Barn Trust would like to take over the tenancy of the fourth Cartshed as the current tenant was wishing to vacate. The Trust would transfer their equipment from the third Cartshed thus increasing the space for the Wildlife Trust. It was agreed that the Trust take over the tenancy.

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: 04/04242/FUL - Two-storey pitched roof side extension and single-storey pitched roof extension to rear at 25 Midway Avenue by Mr Welsh.

Ref: 04/04259/FUL - Single-storey pitched roof extension to side and rear at 5 Easthorpe Drive by Mr & Mrs Walker.

Ref: 04/04382/TCA - Fell willow in the Conservation Area at Town Farm, Church Lane by Dr & Mrs G Jackson.

Ref: 04/04413/FUL - Erection of 3 antenna mounted to existing 20m mast, one transmission dish and associated ancillary equipment cabinet at Unit 1, Hudson Court, Great North Way by T-Mobile UK Ltd.

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

Ref: 04/04191/ADV - Display of one illuminated post mounted roundel sign (revised scheme) at Plot 1D - The Millfield, White Rose Close by Whitbread Hotel Company.

Dave Gregory of Ryland Horticulture had removed the fallen ash and crown lifted the sycamore tree on the Common Land. He had also started the survey of the trees between Riverside Gardens and Riversvale Drive.

The Councillors discussed problem of parking. It was agreed that the area be looked at after the meeting with Yorkshire Water on 24 February and the subject brought back to the March meeting with some recommendations to alleviate the problem. It was agreed that a price should be obtained for three large stones which could be placed to block vehicular access to the paddock by the river where Poppleton Lido used to be.

It was reported that the parking in the vicinity of School House is being monitored by Gerry Holland, the Special Constable. The Clerk was directed to contact PC Fickling to find out the official police position on parking in this area of Main Street. The Clerk agreed to have a word with the landlord of the Lord Nelson, Keith Gelder, to ask if it would be possible for local residents to park in the car park behind the pub. Councillor Partington agreed to draft a letter which could be sent to local residents asking them not to park in Main Street if it could be avoided.

Discussion revolved around the timing of the distribution of the minutes. Traditionally minutes have been circulated with the next agenda on the Tuesday before a Parish Council meeting. Councillors agreed that they would like to have a draft set of minutes within the week following the meeting.

It was resolved that, following an equally divided vote, it was up to individuals to take their own action.

The problem of dual-hatted membership of external organisations was discussed. A new ruling has made it impossible for Councillors not to declare a prejudicial interest when the organisation on which they are representing the Parish Council asks the Parish Council for funds. The Clerk was directed to ask the City Council's Legal Department for advice.

1. Councillor Powell reported on: -

1. The Community Trust's Executive Committee meeting held on 15 February when consideration was given to the results of the two referendums and the paper agreed by Upper Poppleton Parish Council on 14 February. Fund raising and grant aid donations are to be considered. Other items included the Youth Club premises meeting and proposals to resurface the car park.
2. The Youth Centre proposals meeting held on 19 January to discuss the future of the youth centre with potential managers of the building. Items discussed covered ownership (CYC will continue to own), repairs responsibilities (new leaseholders), disabled access issues (work to do), condition of the building (survey report required), time period and possible funding. Once reports are available another meeting will be arranged.

 

3. The Ainsty Group meeting held on 27 January when discussion items included rural policing, parking problems in York and proposals for Ascot week.
4. The YLCA York Branch meeting held on 3 February when items discussed included the parish review and clerks salaries.

2. Councillor Partington reported on: -

1. The Dodsworth Hall Steering Group meeting held on 19 January 2005 when an up to date report was given regarding the refusal to give planning permission by the City of York Council to allow the Hall to be demolished. Alan Bell had made contact with the Friends to discuss the options. David Fisher had lost his protection tenancy and was only allowed to stay in the Hall until the end of March. It was understood his rent had now been adjusted. If the Friends could obtain the Hall a schedule of small jobs to tidy the outside would be drawn up.
2. The Poppleton Moat Fields Management Group meeting was held on l December 2004 when items discussed included the area of grass outside the Moat Field which is used for car parking. This is in poor condition. It was agreed that the Moat Field Group would write to all groups in that area asking for them to volunteer in carrying out repair work. Leeds Amalgamation has agreed to continue the lease for fishing rights. Weed treatment is planned for 2005; a notice will be displayed to warn users of the field. It was agreed that the grazing rent should remain at £396.00.
3. The Nether Poppleton Millennium Green Trust Committee Meeting held 25 January when items discussed included a Silent Auction to be held in June to raise funds for the Green. Maintenance and planting was discussed. A notice inviting people to join monthly working parties was to be drawn up.

2. Councillor Robinson gave a brief account of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 seminar held on 27 January.

4. A report of the proceedings at the York Open Planning Forum meeting held on 3 February when the subject was "Planning with Parish Councils and Planning Panels" had been received from Alec Acomb and circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting.

1. Councillor Bradley

1. Reminded the Councillors of the next Ward Committee meeting which is to be held at Rufforth School on 23 February.
2. Said that some people had been successfully prosecuted for fly tipping in Newlands Lane. The authorities had been able to trace the culprits from information contained within the rubbish left by the fly tippers.

1. Councillor Hopton said that a Parish Council footpath representative was needed. Meetings are held quarterly at 4.00pm. Discussion was on footpaths in general but especially links between villages. Councillor Robinson said that he would be interested in attending.

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

The meeting closed at 10.22pm

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

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