Although many years leave a mark on the activities of the Parish Council, this last year has been special and notable due to the retirement after 50 years of service of our Clerk - Ron Hansell.

The Council was pleased to note that Ronnie received an MBE in recognition of his services and we look forward to meeting with him again on Friday at the special reception being held in his honour.

We started the year with a full complement of councillors, although Ralph Major, Linda Jackson and John Woodall resigned during the year, all for personal reasons. To replace them we welcomed John Lloyd and Glen Bradley who filled vacancies by co-option.

It is difficult to know where to start summarising the Councils activities as so much is on going.

To pick up from last year's Annual Report, the Village Traffic Study is still on-going although one or two items have been attended to but have raised further problems, like the cycle paths on Millfield Lane.

The Villager Design Statement is due to be submitted to the City of York Council within the next few weeks. Hopefully this will be adopted as part of planning considerations in the Villages.

Regrettably, we were not able to save the village post office nor have it transferred to the parade of shops in Allerton Drive.

The proposals for a Community Room at Poppleton Park came to nought. Residents were more concerned with the problems that could be created rather than the advantages of a meeting place.

We can expect work on the blocks of flats to start soon.

The two Villages combined to enjoy the Queen's Jubilee celebrations with an open air concert and picnic followed by a Barn Dance and, later in the evening, a fireworks display.

Bulbs have been planted on the Ouse Moor Lane triangle. A tree still has to be obtained and we may acquire another bench seat.

It has taken a long time to get things finalised.

We responded to the Third Set of changes of the Local Plan and Green Belt Review. This is now back with the City to make decisions.

We also commented on the proposed A59 Park and Ride site. It is difficult to come to a decision when there are pros and cons for all proposals. The City has made its recommendations but it would appear that the matter still has to be finally determined.

The Council was concerned to find that Dodsworth Hall was to be sold as a building site. We were of the opinion that the Church Council, who had taken it over, could not sell.

However, a Scheme has been agreed with the Charity Commissioners and it looks as if this might yet proceed.

A group called Friends of Dodsworth Hall has agreed to set up a Trust if the Hall can be saved and used as a village meeting place.

Bus services during the year have been erratic.

Moving the terminus from the Lord Nelson due to inconsiderate parking caused no end of problems. Hopefully, this has now been rectified and residents should be able to use the transport facilities as advertised.

Many other matters including street lamps, parking, speed humps, light pollution, skips and recreation facilities for young people have taken up much Council time.

The volume of reading matter sent to the Council seems to have increased over the last 12 months. It is nice to be a consultee, but we often feel that decisions have already been made and question whether we are wasting our time.

Council representatives continue to attend meetings in association with the Millennium Green, Moat Fields Trust, Tithe Barn, Community Trust, Youth Action Group, School Governors, Local Councils Association, local area policing, Ainsty Groups of Parishes, Ward meetings and various seminars.

Instances of vandalism, since Mayfair Security started clearing the streets and keeping an eye on the gangs that gather, seems to have reduced considerably. Unfortunately, it is now petty matters which still cost individuals to put right. Maybe the gang members are growing up and can transfer their attention elsewhere.

This report can only give a flavour of the problems and items for discussion with which the Council has been involved. However, members of the public always have a chance to read what is going on from the minutes published in Poppleton Library and the new Parish Council website as well as questioning members of the Council.

I close by thanking all Council members for their attendance at meetings, their help throughout not just this year but during the term of the council, and wish them well for the future as we approach another election.

My final remarks are directed to our new clerk. Thanks to James Mackman for taking on the job. We hope that your stay, although it will not be as long as your predecessor, will be as satisfactory.

Chairman