None

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bradley and Partington.

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

1. Mill Bank House easement (Min. 05/043b)

No news on this subject.

2. Advice from the City Council's Legal Department on Parish Council representation on external bodies (Min. 05/043f)

The Clerk reported that he had met with Suzan Hemingway, the Head of the City Council's Legal Department. She is to give this matter her attention and will report at a later date.

3. Parish Council's Standing Orders (Min. 05/051)

The Chairman and Clerk are still working on the Standing Orders.

4. Training needs of Councillors and Clerk (Min. 05/052)

The Clerk is still in the process of arranging the training.

5. The siting of a vehicle activated sign in Long Ridge Lane (Min. 05/056)

Councillor Robinson and the Clerk had investigated the possibility of putting a vehicle-activated sign on a lamppost in Long Ridge Lane. Most lampposts are either too close to the end of the Lane or obscured by foliage. The lamppost on the corner of Longridge Drive was the preferred site. The Councillors agreed with this recommendation.

05/065/1 - The Clerk read or referred to the following item of correspondence

1. A letter from the City Council to advise that the Executive Committee will be making a decision on double taxation on 17 May
2. CYC-Telecom. Post seminar to be held at the Guildhall at 6.00pm on 27 April
3. A note from "Local Works" about a meeting on 28 April to discuss the campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill-Meeting
4. A note from the SLCC that the Section 137 limit has been raised to £5.30 per elector from 1 April
5. A letter from York Youth Service giving notice of a meeting of Poppleton Youth Centre Futures on 25 April

1. The Allianz Cornhill insurance renewal papers
2. A letter from the CPRE about Heslington Campus proposals
3. A letter from the City Council about rescheduling some bus services
4. Defra - Quality Parishes information
5. Mayfair Group Response - March report
6. Poppleton Wildlife Trust - Minutes of 9 March
7. Selby & York Rural Transport Partnership - Newsletter
8. TENYAS - details of the changes to the ambulance service following a consultation exercise
9. A booklet from NALC about the forthcoming bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar celebrations.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented two detailed reports. The first showed the income and expenditure for the year for the year ended 31 March 2005. The second showed the expenditure for the period to 18 April 2005. The reports reflected the receipts and payments shown below. The bank balances at 18 April were:

Current Account £100.00

Business Money Manager Account £10,801.37

National Savings Investment Account £12,611.40

4. To receive a report from the working group on the revised pay and conditions for Parish Clerks

Councillor Tomlinson reported that he and Councillor Knowles had considered the new Conditions of Service for Clerks of Local Councils. They had agreed the level of pay and hours. Before making a proposal to the full Council they said that they would like to see an addition to the Clerk's job description and check with the Upper Poppleton Parish Councillors to see if they had arrived at a similar conclusion.

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: 05/00128/ADV - Replacement of wall mounted and free-standing signage at Plot 1D - The Millfield, White Rose Close by Whitbread Restaurants plc.

Ref: 05/00241/FUL - Erection of a detached garage at 13 Long Ridge Lane by J R Gittus.

The City Council had notified that the following plan had been withdrawn.

Ref: 05/00404/TPO - Fell English oak protected by Tree Preservation Order CYC 202 at 36 Church Lane by OCA.

1. To receive progress reports on works in hand

John Pannell had cut the grass in the Allerton Drive garden.

2. To agree the amount of work to be carried out following the receipt of the tree survey

The survey received from Ryland Horticulture had been circulated prior to the meeting. Councillor Powell had prepared a detailed schedule prioritising the work to be done to the trees over the next three years. The Councillors accepted the schedule and agreed that Ryland should proceed with the urgent work.

3. To appoint a contractor to carry out grass cutting and other works

Tenders had been received from two of the four organisations invited to tender. The Clerk opened the tender envelopes and read the details to the Councillors. It was agreed that the contract should be awarded to B M Dean of Shipton.

A quotation from the City Council of £240 for the supply and erection of two No Parking signs was agreed.

The Clerk reported having written to Chief Superintendent Madgwick and received a reply to the effect that details of any more incidents of crime should be communicated to Special Constable Jerry Holland. Councillor Robinson suggested that a survey be conducted to ask residents if they had experienced any burglaries or other crimes over the last year. It was agreed that this should be included on the agenda for the May meeting.

At present Footpath No. 1 runs between farm buildings where it passes through New Farm. Planning permission has been granted for the conversion of currently disused agricultural buildings to residential dwellings. Under the proposals for the site, the change of use of the buildings and surrounding land would mean the footpath on its current alignment would run in close proximity to and through the gardens of the converted buildings. The proposed diversion would re-route the path onto the other side of an existing field boundary. It was resolved to accept the proposal.

Councillor Powell reported on: -

1. His attendance at the Poppleton Community Trust meeting on 11 April. Major items of discussion were Fund Raising, the Centre Manager, repairs to the hearing loop and the effects of the new Licensing Act requirements.
2. The Rural West York Ward meeting on 14 April. The Street Environment Officer again talked about fly tipping and reported that signs and covert cameras are on order. A street audit is taking place covering potholes, graffiti etc. There was a presentation from York Rotters to encourage residents to use composting facilities rather than send waste to the landfill. Owing to financial restraints there is to be a 10% reduction in the grants awarded by the Ward Committee for 2005-06 so there will be a reduction in spending on some projects.

Councillor Hopton

1. Said that the trees which were the subject of a Parish Council claim from the Ward Committee have now been planted to the south of the football field.
2. Reported that the Youth Action Group needed a Parish Council representative. Councillor Bilbrough agreed to attend the next meeting.

It was agreed the next meeting would be held at 7.30pm at the Community Centre on Monday 16 May 2005.

The meeting closed at 10.30pm

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

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