NETHER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

NETHER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, UPPER POPPLETON, AT 8.00PM ON MONDAY, 16 APRIL 2007

PRESENT:

Cllr. P H F Powell (Chairman)

Cllr. G A Bradley

Cllr. F A Brown

Cllr. J L Craven

Cllr. P Knowles.

Cllr. C Robinson.

Cllr. D M Tomlinson.

Mr R Clark

Mr B J W Mackman (Clerk)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None.

07/061 - DECLARATION OF INTEREST ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS

None.

07/062 - TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

All Councillors being present there were no apologies for absence.

07/063 - TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 19 MARCH 2007

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19 March 2007, having been circulated, were approved and signed.

07/064 - CLERK'S REPORT

(a) Progress on Footpath No.4 problems (Min. 07/044a)

No progress to report.

(b) Progress on replacing the litter bin by the Millfield Lane bus stop (Min. 07/044c)

The City Council had not replaced the litter bin owing to a resident’s objection. Councillor Bradley agreed to visit the resident in order to find out what their objections were.

(c) Progress on replacing the broken concrete rails above the beck in Main Street (Min. 07/044f)

No progress to report.

(d) CYC response to NPPC letter re PCT (Min. 07/044g)

Letters had been received from the City Council and Councillor Macdonald but whilst these referred to the change in the ground rent they did not address the issue of the phasing out of the Service Grant. It was resolved that the City Council again be asked to respond to the Parish Council’s letter of complaint about the way in which the City Council regards the funding of the Community Centre.

(e) Progress on the distribution of the Spring Newsletter (Min. 07/051)

The Newsletters have been printed and delivered to each house in the village.

(f) Progress on the York Design Award – Woodhouse Farm (Min. 07/055)

The Chisholms of Woodhouse Farm had readily agreed to have their house submitted for the Award and had submitted photographs of the building and its contents. The photographs have been forwarded to the Lord Mayor.

07/065 - TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK

07/065/1 - The Clerk read or referred to the following items of correspondence

(a) A letter from the Audit Commission confirming Mazars reappointment as external auditors

(b) Letters from three residents in response to the recent Newsletter

(d) A donation request from the Open Spaces Society – to be included on the next agenda

(e) A letter from Poppleton Ousebank Primary School asking for funding for the redevelopment of the school pond - to be included on the next agenda

07/065/2 - It was agreed that the correspondence received since the March meeting, as listed below, be circulated to the Councillors

(a) Hambleton District Council - Core Strategy, Local Development Framework

(b) Martin House – Newsletter, March 2007

(d) Sutcliffe Play - PlayBack, Spring 2007

(e) Upper Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 12 March

(f) Yorkshire & Humber Assembly - Assembly Digest, Issue 5 - March 2007

(g) YCVS -"Playful Ideas"

07/066 - FINANCE

(a) Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2007. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 31 March were:

Current Account £636.50

Business Money Manager Account £10,419.33

National Savings Investment Account £13,494.03

(b) Accounts for payment (net of VAT);
1116	NALC	LCR subscription	£13.50
1117	Poppleton Community Trust	Room hire - March	£16.00

(c) Income Received
City of York Council	Bus shelter grant	£230.00

(d) To agree to continue to subscribe to the YLCA

It was agreed that the YLCA subscription of £400.00 be paid.

07/067 - PLANNING APPLICATIONS

(a) To consider the following planning applications

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

Consideration was given to the following new applications:

Ref: 07/00464/FUL – Single-storey pitched roof side extension and rooflights to front and rear (resubmission) at 3 Church Lane by Mr & Mrs S Mann.

This revised application is more in keeping with the Conservation Area. However, we do have the following concerns

1. The style of fenestration to the front elevation extension is not compatible with the windows elsewhere.

2. We do not like the roof light to the top of the landing as this is also on the front elevation.

3. We do not like the glazed roof at the front elevation. It is not in keeping with the other buildings in the area.

Ref: 07/00572/TPO – Fell Leylandii, Holly, Yew x 2; Crown clean Sycamore (T3); Reduce by 20% Lime x 3 and Crown lift to 5m and crown clean Sycamore (T9;) trees protected by Tree Preservation Order 1/1970 at 4 Poppleton Hall Gardens by Mr B Dunning.

We object to the felling of the yew trees unless the City Council’s arboricultural officer can convince the Parish Council that their felling is necessary. We consider that landscaping is not an excuse for felling trees.

(b) To note Local Authority Planning Decisions

It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had approved the following application:

Ref: 07/00119/FUL – Two-storey side extension at 22 Severn Green by Jason and Kate Frary.

07/068 - PARISH COUNCIL LAND - TO RECEIVE PROGRESS REPORTS AND MAKE APPROPRIATE DECISIONS ON

(a) Grass cutting

It was noted that the grass had been cut and that the area round the riverbank was looking particularly good. It was agreed that at the June cut a metre-wide strip of grass be cut each side of the path in the area next to Saxe Dane Lodge to allow buttercups and cow parsley to flower but that the whole of the grassed area be cut in August.

(b) Providing seats in the Moat Field

It was reported that a meeting between Councillors and members of the Moat Fields Management Group had taken place on Saturday 14 April when the possible locations of the seats had been discussed.

After discussion the Parish Council resolved that three stone seats be acquired, one to go on the brow of the hill, one on the riverbank 50 metres in from the gate at the bottom of the hill and one at the riverbank seven metres to the bridge side of the gate. Councillor Craven agreed to research the supply of appropriate stones. (Action Cllr Craven)

(c) Missing No Parking signs

It was agreed that the two no parking signs be removed from where they had been found and stored for the time being.

07/069 - TO RECEIVE A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE PARISH PLAN

Councillor Tomlinson reported that, despite the efforts of himself and Upper Poppleton Parish Councillor Ted Kendall, there was insufficient support from residents to establish a working group to undertake the production of a Parish Plan. It was agreed not to pursue this subject for the time being.

07/070 - TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING

Special Constable Jerry Holland had produced a list of incidents in Poppleton which had been reported to the police during the period from March to April. The figures exclude all road traffic offences and collisions and only include incidents where an offence was found to have been committed. There had been fourteen incidents in Nether Poppleton. These were: one case of burglary-business, one burglary from a shed/garage, two thefts from a vehicle, four other thefts, one act of criminal damage, two cycle thefts, two nuisance youths and one nuisance vehicle.

The Clerk produced a spreadsheet showing all the monthly figures from August 2006.

07/071 - TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO PLANNING OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO SECTION 106 AGREEMENTS

It was agreed again to defer discussion on this subject. (Action Clerk)

07/072- TO REVIEW THE OPEN DAY

The Clerk reported that the Open Day had been disappointing as far as creating interest in being a Parish Councillor was concerned. A questionnaire given to each of the eleven local organisations taking part had produced favourable responses which may be looked at in the future.

07/073 - TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE LITTER PICK OF 24 MARCH

A record number of twelve people had taken part in the litter pick. Over 20 bags of litter had been collected and then taken away by the City Council. A substantial amount of litter had been collected from the border of the playing field especially from the area bordering Ouse Moor Lane. It was agreed that the Community Centre be asked to provide a litter bin in that area in the hope that this would reduce litter being dropped on the ground.

Councillor Tomlinson said that he had collected a great deal of litter from the triangular area of land by the railway line and next to the A1237 which is used as a cycle track. The Clerk reported that he had spoken to the City Council and that the area was soon to be cleared of litter.

07/074 – TO CONSIDER ACQUIRING LITTER PICKING EQUIPMENT

It was agreed that the Parish Council acquire 10 litter pickers and 10 pairs of gloves for use at future litter picks. (Action Clerk)

07/075 - TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE PROPOSED CIRCULAR PUBLIC FOOTPATH TO THE BUSINESS PARK

Councillor Tomlinson reported that he, Councillor Robinson and the Clerk had walked the course of the proposed footpath. Given that the City Council had suggested a completely different return route it was agreed that prior to undertaking any further work we should walk the full route with the City’s representative to get common agreement. Also we should discuss with them the costings, and who will pay for the work.

07/076 – TO CONSIDER USAGE OF VILLAGE NOTICE BOARDS

Councillor Craven had raised the question of what notices should be displayed on the Parish Council’s notice boards and for how long they should be displayed. The Clerk explained the way in which he treated notices and the Councillors agreed that the discretion on the subject should be left to the Clerk.

07/077 - TO AGREE ATTENDANCE AT THE REGIONAL “ONE DAY” CONFERENCE IN WAKEFIELD ON 15 MAY

It was agreed that the Clerk should attend the conference at a cost of £40 plus travelling expenses.

07/078 – TO FUND AN EXTRA SKATE BOARDING SESSION ON BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY, 7 MAY

It was agreed that the Parish Council would fund an extra skate boarding session for the Community Centre Open Day on 7 May at a cost of £155.

07/079 - TO AGREE A RESPONSE TO CYC LETTER REGARDING VILLAGE SERVICES

The City Council’s Neighbourhood Pride Unit is presently driving the early stages of a neighbourhood action planning process in York and developing a consultation programme to gear support and direction to help develop the project. The Parish Council had received a letter asking it to consider the following points from a Parish Council Perspective.

If you could pick three suggestions to improve your area, what would they be and why?

It was agreed that the following three suggestions be submitted.

i. Erect more vehicle activated signs to help slow down traffic and make Poppleton a safer place

ii. Clean out drainpipes between gullies to prevent flooding

iii. Develop the proposed circular footpath by the riverbank to give people more choice of footpaths

Out of the ideas you have detailed which do you consider to be your top priority?

The erection of more vehicle activated signs.

Could you give one example for a service in the ward that you particularly value and why?

Recycling.

07/080 TO RECEIVE REPRESENTATIVES' REPORTS

No reports.

07/081 TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLORS' REPORTS

Councillor Bradley reported that there were plans to resurface the footpath along Millfield Lane from Long Ridge Lane to a point past Ebor Way. The footpath would be widened to two metres and edged with concrete blocks. The Councillors agreed that this should take place but that no white lines be painted on the new surface.

07/082 - TO NOTE THE DATES OF FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

Date of Meeting	Meeting	Venue/ Time	Councillors Attending
3 May	Parish Council elections	Tithe Barn/ 7.00am to 10.00pm
21 May	Police Liaison	Poppleton Community Centre/ 2.00pm	Powell and Robinson

07/083 TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING AS MONDAY 21 MAY 2007

It was agreed the next meeting would be held at 7.30pm at the Community Centre on Monday 21 May 2007.

The meeting closed at 10.11 pm

Chairman………………….…… …………………….……..2007

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

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