Nether Poppleton Parish Council

Annual Report - April 2007

I am pleased to be able to present the Annual Report for the last year.

It has been in some ways a difficult year with some very long meetings and much intense discussion.

The Council has met eleven times during the year and occasionally with our colleagues in the neighbouring parish of Upper Poppleton.

To report on some of the matters we have covered. I will start with the lands for which the Parish Council is responsible.

The Allerton Drive Garden; the grass is cut regularly and the hedge cut back after flowering.

Unfortunately, the area still collects litter much of which blows out of the waste bin. Eventually we may get a better bin.

The other lands are the Lord of the Manor Ground which extends along the river bank and each side of Main Street to the Ouse Moor Lane junction.

This grass is also cut regularly and we are going to try and extend the work to the wooded area by carrying out a crown lift exercise to the bushes.

It is important that this area is not used for dumping of garden waste and other matter as this impedes the cutting machines. We are grateful for the sowing of spring bulbs along this stretch of road which brightens up the environment.

Work to the Common Land has continued over the year, tidying up dead and diseased trees and opening up to let in natural light.

It was noticeable this year that many new spring flowers had appeared.

It is difficult to summarise the results of reports received from our local police regarding incidents in the village. In the last six months a total of 88 incidents have been reported. These were Arson 1; Burglary (dwelling) 6; Burglary (business) 5; Burglary (sheds/garage) 5; Theft of vehicle 1; Theft from vehicle 11; other theft 13; Criminal damage 14; Cycle theft 1; Nuisance youths 15; Nuisance vehicles 12; Disorder 4.

Regular monthly reports are sent to our meetings and also regular Joint Action Group meetings with our local police constables, sergeant and inspector are held. We are assured that Poppleton is a low risk area and may be that is why any incident is treated as an outstanding event. We are grateful for the support our local police team provide.

During the year the old Youth Club was closed and the building modernised with new floor, toilets, entrance and decoration. It is still the intention of the City to allow the Poppleton Community Trust to run the accommodation on their behalf.

The Community Centre Trustees have been joined by Observers from both Parish Councils. This ensures that the Councils are well aware of progress and proposed future developments at the Centre. Issues are discussed at length to ensure that our investments are used properly and to the benefit of the village and users.

We continue to be aware of the conditions of verges, holes in roads and footpaths, defunct streetlights, disappearing white lines and other matters not our responsibility but we try and ensure that the appropriate authorities are notified.

We are actively now trying to open up a new public footpath along the river bank from the Moat Field to the Business Park and back via the fields alongside the railway line.

We are also looking at putting seats on the Moat Field for walkers to perch against. We are restricted what we can do on this site as it is a listed historical monument and English Heritage has serious views on any excavation.

An Annual Report can only illustrate some of the matters discussed by the Parish Council. Reference to copies of the minutes held at the Library (or on the Parish Council’s website at www.poppleton.net) would fill in any omissions.

The Council has maintained its links to many other organisations by its representatives attending meetings outside of Council business. These include the Poppleton Community Trust, Ousebank School Governors, Yorkshire Local Councils Associations, York Open Planning Forum, Moat Fields Trust, Wild Life Area Trust, and others as need be.

The Annual Report concludes by extending the thanks of all Councillors to the Clerk for the work he undertakes and for the hours he puts in over and above his paid duties.

Signed on behalf of Nether Poppleton Parish Council

Peter H F Powell — Chairman

April 2007