NETHER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

NETHER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE POPPLETON CENTRE, UPPER POPPLETON, AT 7.30PM ON MONDAY, 21 JANUARY 2008

PRESENT:

Cllr. D M Tomlinson (Chairman)

Cllr. G A Bradley

Cllr. F A Brown

Cllr. J L Craven

Cllr. P H F Powell

Cllr. C Robinson.

City Cllr. Ian Gillies

Seven members of the public

Mr B J W Mackman (Clerk)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

(a) Mr Lionel Lennox spoke about the recently installed handrail at the end of the footpath to Main Street. He expressed his dissatisfaction over the City Council not consulting the Parish Council on the proposed design of the handrail. He also expressed concern about the future maintenance of the area and thought that there could be a problem with litter and grass cutting.

(b) Mr Dave Doggett spoke on behalf of the Poppleton Centre. He mentioned that the financial projection made in 2004 showed that the Centre would have broken even in 2008 and that this would have happened if the City Council had not reduced its grant. Mr Doggett said that many people don’t appreciate what goes on at the Centre and invited the Councillors to visit the Centre at any time.

(c) Mr Rod Clarke said that the employment of a manager for the Poppleton Centre had been an investment. Income had doubled from £16k to £32k since the manager had been employed. He said that expenditure is kept under tight control.

(d) Mrs Elizabeth Parker representing All Saints Church Hall said that a Development Committee had been created in 2006 to oversee the refurbishment of the Hall which is celebrating its hundredth anniversary in 2009. Work done to date includes the new heating system, emergency lighting, fire doors in the Reading Room and refurbishment of the toilets. Funding to date has been raised from events and £2,700 from Upper Poppleton Parish Council. Work to be done includes moving the small kitchen to where the larger office is located and rebuilding the office where the kitchen is now. This work will cost £13,000 and she asked that the Parish Council contribute half this sum.

Councillor Powell asked if the money received from the sale of Dodsworth Hall could be used to pay for the refurbishment. Mrs Parker explained that the money can only be used for educational purposes. It can’t be used for any refurbishment

08/001 - DECLARATION OF INTEREST ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS

Councillor Craven said that the Standards Board had written to him to say that he did not have an interest in the Poppleton Centre so he was not going to declare an interest in the subject. Councillor Powell also declared that he did not have an interest in the subject of the Poppleton Centre.

08/002 - TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

All Councillors being present there were no apologies for absence. The Clerk read a letter of resignation from Peter Knowles. The Councillors expressed their thanks for the work and effort that Peter had given to the Parish Council especially as the Council’s representative on the Poppleton Youth Action Group and asked that an appropriate letter be sent to Peter.

08/003 - TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 21 NOVEMBER 2007

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 21 November 2007, having been circulated, were approved and signed.

08/004 - TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLORS' REPORTS

Councillor Gillies reported that:-

(a) There is a debate as to where the bus stop will be located in Millfield Lane when the new Manor School is completed.

(b) The City Council’s Enforcement Officer has taken photographs of the advertising signs which have appeared at the entrance to the Business Park.

(c) Amey’s quotation for installing the rest of the lighting in Poppleton Park has been accepted and that works should be completed in a few weeks.

(d) Leeds City Region has £94 million at its disposal. There is to be a meeting with Carolyn Flint in February to ask for £24 million for the A59 Park & Ride.

(e) The Ward Committee had asked the City Council Officers if Parish Councils could be given Ward Committee money and had been advised that this is not possible.

08/005 - CLERK'S REPORT:

(a) Progress on replacing the broken concrete rails above the beck in Main Street (Min. 07/214a)

The bank between the rails and the beck is collapsing and has been fenced off with plastic fencing. The bank and the rails will be repaired.

(b) Progress on new internal audit procedure (Min. 07/214b)

The Chairman, Councillor Powell and the Clerk met in December and agreed a procedure to be put to the Parish Council for confirmation. This will be on the agenda for the February meeting.

(c) Progress on improving access through the kissing gate adjacent to the Wildlife pond (Min. 07/214c)

There is no progress on this subject but it was noted that there have been indications that kissing gates are not in favour as they don’t allow for wheelchair access.

(d) Progress on the proposed circular footpath (Min. 07/214e)

Progress on the subject awaits the reproduction of the old map showing the route as a footpath. Councillor Powell has this in hand.

(e) Progress on the removal the barriers at either end of the snicket that runs between Millfield Lane and Hillcrest Avenue (Min. 07/214f)

The City Council is progressing this.

(f) Progress on the repairs to the fence by the pond (Min. 07/218d)

The fence has been repaired.

(g) Progress on the refurbishment of the Nether Poppleton sign in Millfield Lane (Min. 07/218e)

City Council Officer Angus Young has agreed to have the refurbishment carried out at his Department’s expense. The work has been given to the City Council’s blacksmith.

08/006 - TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK

08/006/1 - The Clerk read or referred to the following items:-

(a) Communities & Local Government – Consultation document

(b) CYC - Register of Electors from 1 December 2007

(d) Mazars - Annual Return returned together with the External Auditor’s report. For 2006-07 Nether Poppleton Parish Council was subjected to an in-depth audit. Mazars gave four comments.

i. Section 2, Box 6: In accordance with the requirements of Regulation 6 of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 (as amended) the Council must review the effectiveness of its system of Internal Audit as part of the wider annual review of the system of internal control.

ii. The Council should extend its risk assessment to include operational as well as financial risks – refer to NALC/SLCC guidance.

iii. The Council should review the level of Fidelity Guarantee Insurance in relation to the level of cash held.

iv. The Council should review its assets Register to ensure consistency with the insurance schedule.

It was noted that points i. and iii. have been considered. The other two points will be looked at.

(e) YRCC - Conference details - 7-9 March 2008

08/006/2 - It was agreed that the correspondence received since the November meeting, as listed below, be circulated to the Councillors

(a) BTCV - BBC Breathing Spaces funding

(b) CAB - Annual report & accounts to 31 Mar 2007

(d) Clerk & Councils Direct - January 2008, Issue 55

(e) CPRE - Fieldwork, Dec 2007

(f) CYC - Get Something Extra leaflets

(g) CYC - Walking for Health leaflets

(h) Hambleton District Council - Draft Affordable Housing information

(i) HBC - Local Development Framework info

(j) J Parker - Bulb Catalogue

(k) NALC - LCR - Volume 59, No 5, January 2008

(l) North Yorkshire CJB - Issue four

(m) NYCC - Minerals & Waste Development Framework video

(n) Poppleton Wildlife Committee - Minutes of 20 November

(o) Upper Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 12 November

(p) YOPF – Newsletter – December 2007

08/007 – TO DISCUSS A REQUEST FOR FUNDING FROM

(a) Poppleton Community Trust for funding in the next financial year

After discussion it was agreed that the sum of £2,500 be awarded to the Community Trust for revenue purposes. The subject of a grant for capital expenditure would be considered at a future Parish Council meeting.

(b) All Saints Church Hall towards the refurbishment of the Hall

After discussion it was agreed that no grant be given for any revue expenditure but that the subject of a grant for capital works would be considered at a future Parish Council meeting.

(c) Poppleton Youth Action Group for the Youth Club

It was agreed that the Youth Action Group be asked to provide accounts before the request for £1,000 could be considered

08/008 - FINANCE

(a) Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 21 January 2008. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 21 January were:

Current Account £200.00

Business Money Manager Account £24,879.43

National Savings Investment Account £14,044.22

(b) Accounts for payment (net of VAT);
1083	James Mackman	Salary – December	£405.87
1084	Post Office Ltd	Tax & NI	£141.11
1086	Ken Falkingham	Fence repairs	£258.85
1087	Mazars	External audit fee	£155.00
1088	Poppleton Community Trust	Room hire	£16.00
1089	James Mackman	Salary – January	£405.87
1090	Post Office Ltd	Tax & NI	£141.11
1091	James Mackman	Expenses	£11.05
1092	Upper Poppleton Parish Council	Adjustment for stationery purchased in 2007	£36.09
1093	Ryland Horticulture	Tree survey	£190.00
1094	CPRE	Subscription	£27.00

(c) Income Received
The Sealed Knot	Cartshed rent	£75.00
National Savings	Bank interest	£550.19
HSBC	Bank interest	£190.94
City of York Council	Grass cutting allowance	£1,175.81
City of York Council	Bus shelter grant	£230.00

(d) To agree to pay a proportion of the Clerk’s SLCC subscription

It was agreed that the Parish Council would pay £55.30 towards the total of this year’s subscription of £145.00.

(e) To agree the budget for 2008-09

The Councillors agreed the budget as presented by the Clerk.

(f) To set the precept for 2008-09

It was agreed that the precept be set at £21,000.

08/009 - 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: 07/02336/OUT – Outline application for erection of dormer bungalow with access from Millfield Lane (Access only) at 16 Midway Avenue by Alex Connelly.

We object on the following grounds.

1. The proposal causes an impact on the local environment and compromises quality of life for existing residents.

2. The scale and design is not compatible with neighbouring buildings in Millfield Lane or Midway Avenue

3. The proposal is detrimental to the character and amenity of the local environment — sub division of rear gardens is not acceptable in Poppleton.

4. No example is provided to confirm the proposed good design.

5. There is not a housing need of this type in the community.

6. The site is not housing land. It is designated domestic garden.

7. The previous similar application for this site was refused on similar grounds to those above.

Ref: 07/02377/TCA – Crown clean, reduce elongated limbs on Pears x 3 and Oak x 1; Trees in Conservation Area at The Granary, Church Lane by Mark Wray.

No objections

Ref: 07/02415/FUL – Variation of condition 6 of approved application 06/02495/FUL to allow 24 hour use of office/light industrial units Class B1 at Westfield House, Millfield Lane by J M Butler Builders Ltd.

No objections

Ref: 07/02461/FUL – Replacement garage to rear at 3 Long Ridge Lane by Mrs G Walker.

No objections

Ref: 07/02566/TPO – Crown clean and deadwood Cedar x 3 protected by Tree Preservation Order 1/1970 at St Everilda’s Church, Church Lane by St Everilda’s Church.

No objections

Ref: 07/02566/TPO – Crown clean and deadwood Cedar x 3 protected by Tree Preservation Order 1/1970 at St Everilda’s Church, Church Lane by St Everilda’s Church.

No objections

Ref: 07/02569/FUL – Two-storey pitched roof side extension at 19 Allerton Drive by Mr P Moore.

No objections but concerns about the closeness of these extended properties, the gable roof which cannot be maintained easily and the terracing effect on the street scene.

Ref: 07/02608/FUL – Installation of gates to allow staff parking to the rear (removal of condition 10 of permission dated 28.02.2007; 07/00088/FUL) at Dodsworth Hall, Millfield Lane by Honeypots Ltd.

No objections

Ref: 07/02672/FUL – Two-storey pitched roof side extension after demolition of existing garage and porch at 3 Poppleton Hall Gardens by Mr S T Riley.