Mr David Fraser, the Secretary of Poppleton Community Trust, gave a résumé of the decisions made at the Trust meeting on 15 February.

• The Trust has decided to carry on with the appointment of a Centre Manager despite the referendum result in Nether Poppleton. The manager should take up his/her duties in June.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bradley, Knowles and Partington.

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 21 March 2005, having been circulated, were approved and signed.

The Clerk reported that the money for the easement had been received from Burn & Co who had deducted their fees as agreed at the February Parish Council meeting.

2. Mill Bank House easement (Min. 05/026b)

There was no news on this item.

3. Grass cutting contract 2005-06 (Min. 05/026c)

The Chairman reported that, after discussion with the Clerk, the contract would definitely be ready within the next few days.

4. Repairs at the pumping station (Min. 05/026f)

The Clerk reported that a meeting has been held between Yorkshire Water, their contractors and the Parish Council on 24 February. Yorkshire Water had agreed to topsoil and grass seed the affected area once the weather improves.

5. Fallen soldiers (Min. 05/026g)

Councillors reported that none of the older residents they had approached knew of any soldiers who had died in service. This only left an approach to the local History Society to see if they had any information.

6. Advice from the City Council's Legal Department on Parish Council representation on external bodies (Min. 05/035)

The Clerk reported a response from YLCA which said that The Standards Board for England only advises; there are no absolute rules on this subject. The Clerk has an appointment to see Suzan Hemingway, the City Council's Monitoring Officer, on 24 March when more information may be forthcoming.

05/044/1 - The Clerk read or referred to the following item of correspondence

NYCC - Local Transport Plan - Consultation Document which each Councillor could complete as an individual

1. Clerks & Councils Direct - March 2005
2. CPRE - Annual report - April 2005
3. CPRE - Countryside Voice - Spring 2005
4. CPRE - Fieldwork - March 2005
5. Defra - a CD to promote the use of Broadband
6. Local Council Review - March 2005
7. Mayfair Group Response - February report
8. Open Spaces Society - Open Space, Spring 2005, Vol. 28, No. 2
9. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of both the AGM and a meeting on 23 February
10. The Clerk - February 2005
11. Upper Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes 14 February
12. YLCA - White Rose Update - March 2005

1. Financial Report

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

Current Account £100.00

Business Money Manager Account £12,163.15

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 receive a report from the working group on the revised pay scales for Parish Clerks

Councillor Tomlinson reported that he and Councillor Knowles were considering the new Conditions of Service for Clerks of Local Councils and would report at the next Council meeting.

6. To agree to update the bank mandate

It was agreed that all Councillors and the Clerk should be signatories to the Bank Mandate and that a new mandate should be completed.

7. To re-appoint the Internal Auditor

It was agreed that Mrs Linda Cariss be re-appointed as Internal Auditor.

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: 04/04134/TPO - Various tree works including fell Ash (T6); 2 x Sycamore (T11); Sycamore (T14); Walnut (T17) protected by Tree Preservation Order 1/1970 at Poppleton House, Main Street by Neil Hale.

Councillor Tomlinson reported that he had accompanied the City Councillors when they visited Plot 1C, Westminster Place, White Rose Close when the Councillors were investigating the proposed conversion of the existing covered seating area into snack bar by Mandale Commercial Ltd. The roads were full of parked vehicles. Councillor Tomlinson had pointed out that a snack bar would attract even more vehicles to the area and make traffic flow very difficult.

No further news on this subject. It was agreed that John Pannell be asked to strim the grass in the Allerton Drive Garden.

It was agreed that three boulders be obtained from the City Council's Commercial Services Department at a cost of £150 plus a small charge for handling them. These would be placed on the track down to the river. The cost of two No Parking signs is to be obtained.

The Clerk reported having spoken to Keith Gelder at the Lord Nelson. Councillor Partington had agreed to draft a letter. It was agreed that Mr Gelder should approve any letter before it is delivered to residents. The local police have not made any comment on the parking situation.

It was agreed that the Parish Council should adopt the complaints procedure issued by NALC.

It was agreed that the Chairman and the Clerk draft a set of Standing Orders to be approved by the Parish Council.

It was agreed that Councillors Knowles, Robinson and Bilbrough would like to attend an introduction to being a Parish Councillor course. The Clerk should look at Health and Safety and Risk Assessment and that enquiries should be made to see if the City Council would be willing to run a course on planning regulations. The Clerk is to contact the YLCA to enquire about courses.

Councillors Powell and Robinson agreed to attend the conference at a cost of £70.00 plus travelling expenses.

It was agreed that, as no agenda items were suggested, no Joint Parish Council meeting would be arranged at this time.

It was agreed that a letter should be sent to Chief Superintendent Tim Madgewick expressing the concern of the Councillors and residents that there appeared to be a lack of police presence in the village. Assurance would be sought that the incidence of crime would be strictly monitored and if there were any increase a police presence would ensue.

The City Council is to erect, in April, a vehicle activated sign on an existing metal type lighting column at a location on Long Ridge Lane on a trial basis. The Parish Council has been asked to advise on where the sign should be located. It was agreed that Councillor Robinson and the Clerk should look at various lampposts and make a recommendation.

Councillor Powell reported on: -

1. His attendance at the YRCC Scarborough Conference on 26 February. The day began with an address on "Social inclusion and how parish and town councils can help achieve it". He attended two seminars; "Community Safety" and "Clerks' pay and conditions recommendations".
2. The Peer Review meeting held on 2 March. In the absence of City Council officers comments were made on the City Council's lack of communication and consulting with partners. Comments were also made about the fact that a 6.00pm starting time involves the representatives from rural areas having to pay for car parking at premium rates.
3. The York Open Planning Forum meeting held on 10 March. A presentation was given by Development Officers on the New Planning System covering Local Development Framework, the Statement of Community Involvement and Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environment Assessment.
4. The Rural West York planning meeting held on 11 March.

No reports.

It was agreed the next meeting would be held at 7.30pm at the Community Centre on Monday 18 April 2005. This would be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting for which the Chairman would prepare the agenda.

The meeting closed at 10.00pm

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

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