NETHER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, UPPER POPPLETON, AT 7.30PM ON MONDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2007

 

PRESENT:

Cllr. D M Tomlinson (Chairman)

 

Cllr. G A Bradley

Cllr. J L Craven

Cllr. P Knowles (from 8.15pm)

Cllr. P H F Powell

Cllr. C Robinson.

 

City Cllr. Ian Gillies

 

 

Mr B J W Mackman (Clerk)

 

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr Wise addressed the Parish Council about the proposed extension to 45 Hillcrest Avenue, the building next door to his home.  He gave details of the size and location of the proposed development and argued that there would be a detrimental effect on his own property.

 

07/190 - DECLARATION OF INTEREST ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS

None.

 

07/191 - TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. F A Brown.

 

07/192 - TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 17 SEPTEMBER 2007

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 17 September 2007, having been circulated, were approved and signed.

 

07/193 TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLORS' REPORTS

Councillor Gillies reported that:-

·          A new policy on lighting standards is to go before the City Council’s Executive next week.  The policy now acknowledges that there should be a difference between urban and rural lighting provision.

·          The City Council is proposing to reduce the number of salt bins it provides.  Where there has been no recorded usage of salt the bin will be removed. 

·          The City Council is looking to offer the Poppleton Community Trust a 99-year lease for the site at no cost. No rent would be payable.  This complies with the Quirk report produced by Central Government.

 

* Councillor Knowles arrived at this point in the meeting.

 

07/194- CLERK'S REPORT:

(a)     CYC response to NPPC letter re PCT (Min. 07/177a)

Given that there may be movement by the City Council with regards to the future occupation of the Community Centre and land it was agreed not to pursue this subject any further.

 

(b)     Progress on replacing the broken concrete rails above the beck in Main Street (Min. 07/177c)

The Clerk reported that the City Council has made no progress on this subject.  It was pointed out that a similar concrete fence has been erected at Pool Bank.

 

(c)      Progress on new internal audit procedure (Min. 07/177c)

The Clerk and the Chairman are intending to attend an SLCC training session on 1 November when the subject of internal audit appraisal is on the agenda.  The intention is to review the Parish Council’s internal audit procedure after the training session.

 

(d)     Progress on improving access through the kissing gate adjacent to the Wildlife pond (Min. 07/177e)

The Clerk reported that David Holdsworth, the City Council’s Assistant Public Rights of Way Officer, is leaving the City Council.  He was asked to pursue the subject with David’s replacement.

 

(e)      Progress on the replacement of the litter bin by the Main Street bus shelter (Min. 07/177g)

City Council Officer Stewart Grieve has said that a new bin will be installed within the next few days.

 

07/195 - TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK

07/195/1 - The Clerk read or referred to the following items of correspondence

(a)      A letter of thanks from 2nd Poppleton Brownies for the recent donation

(b)     A note from the City Council saying that the vegetation from the bridleway on the Common Land would be cleared at no cost to the Parish Council.  This was welcomed by the Councillors.

(c)      A letter from Poppleton Community Trust requesting permission to address the Parish Council at the November meeting

 

07/195/2 - It was agreed that the correspondence received since the September meeting, as listed below, be circulated to the Councillors

(a)      CYC - Community Speed Watch

(b)     CYC - Emergency planning for Parish Councils

(c)      Defra - "Ways to tackle climate change"

(d)     Hambleton District Council - Local Development Framework literature

(e)      Open Spaces Society - Autumn 2007, Volume 28 No. 10

(f)       Standards Board - Standard, September 2007

(g)      Upper Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 10 September

(h)      YCVS - AGM notice & Annual Report for 31 March 07

(i)        YOPF - Sixth AGM agenda & Newsletter

(j)       YRCC - AGM agenda, Annual Accounts 2006-07

 

07/196 - FINANCE

(a)   Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 15 October 2007.  The report reflected the receipts and payments below.  The bank balances at 15 October were:

 

Current Account                                                                                                                   £100.00

Business Money Manager Account                                                                                  £ 25,968.65

National Savings Investment Account                                                                               £13,494.03

 

(b)   Accounts for payment (net of VAT);

1064

Peter Powell

Travelling expenses

£25.02 

1065

Linda Cariss

Internal Audit Fee

£80.00

1066

City of York Council

Skate boarding session

£200.00

1067

Miniature Bulbs

Bluebells

£52.50

1068

J Parker Dutch Bulbs

Daffodils & narcissi

£79.95

1069

Peter Powell

Travelling expenses

£73.10

1070

Poppleton Community Trust

Room hire - September

£16.00

1071

James Mackman

Clerk’s expenses

£16.16

1072

James Mackman

Salary – October

£395.70

1073

Post Office Ltd

Tax & NI

£135.17

 


(c)    Income Received

HSBC

Interest

£130.33

City of York Council

2nd half-year’s precept

£8,600.00

Poppleton Tithe Barn Trust

Cartshed rent

£75.00

HM Customs & Excise

VAT refund

£285.24

 

(d)     To agree to acquire a wreath for Remembrance Sunday

It was agreed that the Clerk would acquire a wreath for the War memorial.  The Chairman will lay the wreath at the War Memorial at 11.00am on Saturday 10 November.  This is a day earlier than customary as he will be attending the Remembrance Day Service on the Green at Upper Poppleton at 11.00am on Sunday 11 November.

 

07/197 - 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:  07/02152/FUL – Single-storey pitched roof garden room to rear after demolition of existing garden shed at Town Farm, 27 Church Lane by Dr G B Jackson.

 

No objections

Ref:  07/02183/FUL – Two-storey pitched roof rear extension and single-storey rear extension to garage at 45 Hillcrest Avenue by Mr S Murray.

 

Following Mr Wise’s address to the Council it was agreed that the proposed works would be a huge and gross over-development of the site, encroach on a number of planning regulations and should be refused.  A site visit by City Councillors was recommended in the event of Officers recommending approval.

 

Ref:  07/02235/ADV – Externally illuminated totem sign at The Millfield, White Rose Close by Mr Steven Flemming.

 

No objections

Ref:  07/02281/ADV – Display of 1no. internally illuminated freestanding pole mounted sign at The Millfield, White Rose Close by Whitbread plc.

 

No objections

 

(b)   To note Local Authority Planning Decisions

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

Ref:  07/01873/FUL – Single storey pitched roof extension to front after demolition of existing conservatory at Town Farm, 27 Church Lane by Dr & Mrs Jackson.

Ref:  07/01900/FUL – First floor and single-storey side extension at 9 Hawthorne Close by Mr and Mrs Christie.

 

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

Ref:  07/01700/FUL – Erect two-storey pitched roof front/side extension after demolition of existing attached garage at 5 Poppleton Hall Gardens by Mr & Mrs D Hamilton.

 

07/198 - PARISH COUNCIL LAND - TO RECEIVE PROGRESS REPORTS AND MAKE APPROPRIATE DECISIONS ON

(a)   Grass cutting 

i.           PACY has been asked to remove the Himalayan Balsam along the river bank.

ii.         It was agreed that Deans be asked to cut the hedge at the corner of Ebor Way and Allerton Drive.

 

(b)   Purchasing and planting spring bulbs

i.           A working party of four people planted the bluebells in the pouring rain on 21 September.

ii.         The daffodils and narcissi from J Parker Dutch Bulbs (Wholesale) Ltd have arrived.  It was agreed that a working party would meet at 1.30pm on 22 October to plant the bulbs along Main Street between Riversvale Drive and Ousemoor Lane.

iii.        The scouts have planted bluebells under the concrete rails between the War Memorial and Saxe Dane Lodge.  It was agreed that their leader should be sent a letter of thanks from the Parish Council. (Action Clerk)

iv.       The City Council has offered to supply daffodils, bluebells, snowdrops and winter aconites.  The Councillors agreed that the offer should be taken up.  (Action Clerk)

 

(c)    The Moat Fields

i.           It was agreed that the documentation from the Moat Fields Management was incomplete and that more time was needed to study the implications of its plans.  The two representatives on the Moat Fields Group are to ascertain the facts. (Action Councillors Craven and Robinson)

ii.         It was agreed to provisionally allocate some money for the Moat Fields Management Group for 2008-09.

iii.        Councillor Craven is to visit the quarry at Huddersfield to check that the three boulders chosen would make good seats for the Moat Fields.  (Action Councillor Craven)

 

(d)   Authorising a survey of trees on the remaining area of Common Land

It was resolved to accept a quotation from Ryland Horticulture of £190 for surveying the trees between Main Street and the back of the odd-numbered bungalows in Riverside Walk.

 

07/199 - 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 September to October.  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 twenty-four incidents in Nether Poppleton.  These were: three burglary dwelling, one burglary business, one burglary shed/garage, two thefts of vehicles, four thefts from vehicles, eight other thefts, one case of fraud, one cycle theft, two nuisance youths and one case of disorder.  It was noted that Satnav systems left in vehicles including in garages continue to be a target for thieves

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

It was resolved that the helpful notes that accompany the police report should be publicised on the village notice boards. (Action Clerk)

 

07/200 – TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PROGRESS ON THE PROVISION OF A YOUTH SHELTER

Councillor Bradley reported that he had talked to Councillor Pannell, Janet Hopton, the Community Trust and the representatives from Haxby who are responsible for the successful youth shelter.  A meeting is being arranged for 25 October when interested parties including representatives of local youths will meet with the aim of agreeing the location and design of a youth shelter.  It was agreed to finance the hire of the room for the meeting.  The Clerk is to obtain grant application forms from Yorventure.

 

07/201 – TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE AND MAKE DECISIONS ON THE LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED CIRCULAR FOOTPATH

Councillor Powell reported that there is, in the Parish Council records, a map of Poppleton dated 1930 on which are drawn six footpaths in the village.  Footpath six is clearly marked as going from opposite St Everilda’s Church and through the fields to Ings Lane.  The map was signed by R A Oliver, the Parish Council Chairman at the time.  It was agreed that three copies of the map be made.  Councillor Powell had also found another map which shows the footpath through the fields over 80 years ago. It was agreed that a copy of the 1930 map be sent to the City Council with a letter stating the Parish Council’s desire for the proposed footpath to go through the fields (as it clearly did for many years) and not alongside the railway line.  (Action Clerk)

 

07/202 - TO DISCUSS THE HANDRAIL INSTALLED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT THE END OF THE FOOTPATH TO MAIN STREET

The heavy duty handrail was discussed.  It was agreed that a site meeting be arranged with City Council Officer Fred Isles to discuss the possibility of turning the rail through 180 degrees and putting it at the other side of the footpath. (Action Clerk)

 

07/203 - TO CONSIDER THE CLERK’S AND COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE AT THE SLCC TRAINING DAY ON 1 NOVEMBER

It was agreed that Councillor Tomlinson and the Clerk would attend the meeting at a cost of £16.00 for the Clerk and £21.00 for Councillor Tomlinson, plus travelling expenses.

 

07/204 - TO DISCUSS WINTER OPENING HOURS AT THE BECKFIELD LANE HOUSEHOLD WASTE RECYCLING CENTRE

It was agreed to defer discussion on this subject until the next meeting.

 

07/205 – TO CONSIDER THE WAY FORWARD ON THE ISSUE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE VILLAGE

It was agreed to defer discussion on this subject until the results of the forthcoming survey in Rufforth were available.

 

07/206 - TO AGREE TO UNDERTAKE WORKS AT THE LEVEL CROSSING

It was noted that work is currently being carried out on the level crossing and it was agreed to defer further discussion until the work has been completed.

 

07/207 - TO RECEIVE REPRESENTATIVES' REPORTS

(a)      Councillor Powell reported on:-

i.           The Poppleton Community Trust meeting on 26 September which he didn’t attend but noted that new function room chairs are on order, an Autumn Newsletter has been distributed, the Bonfire Party has been cancelled, the Christmas Tree and Craft Fair has been cancelled, the function rooms are now called the Dodsworth Room and the Maypole Room.

 

ii.         The Ainsty Group meeting held at Askham Richard village hall on 27 September which was well attended with representatives from most Parish Councils present.  A number of issues were discussed including affordable rural housing, Parish plans, profiles of Parish Councils in their communities, the City Council Charter with Parish Councils and the closure of Post offices.  Minutes will be available and distributed in due course.

 

iii.        The YLCA Conference at Scarborough 28-30 September.  Saturday and Sunday were taken up with workshops on a variety of subjects.  The after dinner speaker was Paul Hudson, the BBC local weather forecaster.

 

iv.       The YLCA Branch meeting on 4 October.  The minutes will be available and distributed in due course.

 

(b)     Councillor Robinson reported as a School Governor that the School has been and continues to be subjected to vandalism.   In recent weeks the bike shed roof has been damaged and paving stones thrown through a window at the back of the School.  Measures are in hand to combat the problem.  All incidences of vandalism are now being reported to the police.

 

07/208 - TO NOTE THE DATES OF FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

Date of Meeting

Meeting

Venue/ Time

Councillors Attending

17 October

Ward Committee

Askham Bryan Village Hall/ 7.00pm

All

24 October

YOPF AGM

Clementhorpe Room, Priory Street/ 7.30pm

Tomlinson

30 October

Poppleton Community Trust AGM

Community Centre/ 7.30pm

All

31 October

Code of Conduct Seminar

Guildhall/ 5.00pm

Bradley, Powell, Robinson

1 November

SLCC, North Yorks Branch AGM

Galtres Centre, Easingwold/ 9.30am

Tomlinson, Clerk

3 November

YRCC Conference & AGM

Riccall/ 9.30am

Powell

15 November

PCT Executive Committee

Community Centre/ 7.30pm

Tomlinson, Powell

19 November

Police Liaison

2.00pm at a venue to be arranged

Powell, Robinson