Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 14 February 2000 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Cllr. Mrs L R Acomb, Cllr. Mrs K Richardson and Cllr. Mrs R Watters

Accepted and signed as a true record.

1. Relocation of street light (Minute 99.35.5)

The Councillors discussed the streetlights located by the Community Centre in Main Street. It was agreed that the lamppost marked 12R by the Community Centre drive should remain where it is. The post marked 12 should be moved from its present location (adjacent to post 12R) to the new bridged entrance to the Community Centre. It was noted that the City of York Council had plans to install a lamppost opposite to the entrance of Tressilian. The Councillors did not agree to this. The Clerk was directed to write to the City of York Council confirming these decisions and to ask what plans the Council had for the lampposts in the vicinity of the Community Centre.

2. Maypole hooks

Councillor Walker reported that the installation of the maypole hooks was in hand.

3. Bus service change of route (Minute 99.111c)

The Clerk read a copy of a letter that Terry Walker, the City of York Council Public Transport Planner, had sent to the NYCC Passenger Transport Officer. The letter asked if NYCC would explore the feasibility of diverting the 142 York-Ripon service through the village.

4. Blairgowrie trees (Minute 99.111i)

The Clerk read a copy of a letter sent by the City of York Council to Mr Goodwin of Carter Jonas. The letter noted the residents' concerns with the unmanaged condition of the trees on the boundary of Blairgowrie House especially a poplar tree that is leaning considerably. The letter asked Mr Goodwin to inform his client, Mrs Bleasdale, of the need to manage the trees in the interests of tree health and public safety.

5. 30mph limit (Minute 99.130c)

The Clerk read a letter from the City of York Council in which it was stated that the proposed 30mph extension did not have the support of the police. Councillor Hopton reported that, at a meeting she had attended, the police had said it would be difficult to enforce a limit beyond the village limit. The Councillors said that the Red Lion was within the limit of the village. The Clerk was directed to write to the police to ask why a 30mph limit was not acceptable to them.

6. 7.5 tonne limit (Minute 99.130c)

The Clerk read a letter from the City of York Council that listed six points that the traffic engineer would have to take into account before recommending the implementation of a 7.5 tonne limit on village roads. The letter did say that the Council would monitor the traffic on Hodgson Lane on a couple of weekdays in the near future and that the Parish Council would be advised of the findings.

7. Moles (Minute 99.132.iv)

The Clerk read a letter received from the City of York Council in which it was stated that moles are a common problem in the City area and are regarded as a "low priority". The Council's policy is to concentrate on defects which are actually "walking surfaces" and potentially hazardous, rather than on "cosmetic" non-hazardous repairs on grass verges. The Councillors agreed that the Clerk should ask Mr Ferguson to eradicate the moles by the corner of Long Ridge Lane and Station Road and by the station.

8. Weeds in gutters (Minute 99.135.5i)

The Clerk reported having received an email from Christine Burnett of the City of York Council stating that her Department is working on a new schedule for weed spraying for 2000 and she will send a copy with dates as soon as it is typed.

9. Undulation in road outside garage (Minute 99.135.5iii)

The Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from the City of York Council stating that arrangements were in hand to repair the depression in the road.

10. Damage to seat, Long Ridge Lane/Station Road (Minute 99.146a)

The Clerk reported having received a quotation from Ken Falkingham that the repairs to the seat should cost no more than £75. The Councillors agreed to accept this price.

11. Broken fence post by the pump (Minute 99.148d)

It was reported that Ken Falkingham had repaired the fence round the pump on the Green. It was agreed that Mr Falkingham's invoice for £130 for the repairs should be paid.

12. Poppleton Internet website (Minute 99.151)

The Councillors agreed that the photograph taken at the January meeting should be published on the Poppleton website together with their names shown underneath.

13. Report from the dog warden (Minute 99.161.2b)

The Clerk read a letter received from the City of York Council Trading Standards Manager in which it was stated that she has asked the Animal Health Officer to carry out patrols in the area. More 'No fouling' signs are being printed and some will be placed on the routes to and from the Junior School. The letter went on to say that, where the identity of those who do not clear up after their dogs can be established, the Council will prosecute. The Courts are issuing fines of about £100 plus costs. It was suggested that this information be published in the Parish magazine/newsletter.

14. Broken street signs (Minute 00.06a)

The Clerk reported having received a letter from the City of York Council stating that there is insufficient budget to repair street signs in the current financial year which ends on 31 March. The repairs should be carried out after 1 April.

15. Brackenhills lamppost (Minute 00.06b)

The position of the new lamppost in the snicket between Brackenhills and Main Street was discussed. Councillor Smith drew a plan of the area showing how the new lamppost could not illuminate part of the snicket as it had been placed behind a tree. The Clerk was directed to write to the City of York Council to ask that the new lamppost be moved or another lamppost be erected in Brackenhills so that the end of the snicket would be illuminated.

16. Turn engines off signs (Minute 00.09)

Councillor Smith reported having arranged with the City of York Council's Highways Department to install Turn Engine Off Signs in Station Road. On 21 January Councillor Smith received a letter from the City of York Council informing him that the DETR says that signs are of no environmental benefit because of the noise of restarting and revving engines. Also the City of York Council don't want unnecessary clutter on verges. Councillor Smith reported that Harrogate Borough Council has signs at the Starbeck level crossing near Harrogate. Councillor Smith said that the Parish Council would need to have planning permission to install signs. We would have to pay for the plans. It was agreed that we need to have a written agreement from the City of York Council to the effect that we could install signs before agreeing to pay for plans. Councillor Smith agreed to make more enquiries before the next meeting.

17. Sports Field Donation (Minute 00.13)

The Clerk reported having received a letter from Peter Shaw regarding the proposed sports field and the Poppleton Junior Football Club. Unfortunately, it had arrived too late to be included on this agenda. The Councillors asked that they receive a copy of the letter with the agenda for the March meeting so that they could make an informed decision at that time.

18. Drop kerbs in Station Road (Minute 00.18.2)

The Clerk read a letter from the City of York Council that stated that they were overwhelmed with requests for drop kerbs last year and had a backlog of over 90 suggestions. All requests will be assessed within the coming months in order to prioritise limited funds. The Parish Council's request for drop kerbs near the post office will receive the same level of consideration as all other schemes.

1. Financial Report;

The Clerk presented the Councillors with a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the period to 14 February 2000. The report showed that the bank balances at 14 February were: -

Current Account £50.00

High Interest Account £8,122.00

2. Accounts to pay (net of VAT);

York Waterworks - allotment water £6.00

Ken Falkingham - repairs to the Green pump fence £130.00

Garden Grooming - clearing round the War Memorial

Garden in May 1999 £14.00

3. Accounts paid

None

4. Capital Items;

The Councillors agreed that the capital allowance from the City of York Council for 2000-2001 should be spent on a village sign. The Clerk was directed to write to J W Smith (Masonry) Ltd to ask for a price for a Yorkstone semi-circle as per Design No. 1 to be delivered after 1 April 2000 and another to be delivered the following year. Smiths had given a quotation of £902 for each stone last October.

2. 1999-2000

The Clerk reported having received a quotation from the City of York Council of £780.33 for a metal seat at the Community Centre. The Councillors decided against this capital item. The Councillors agreed to the installation of a wooden seat next to the bus shelter opposite the Library at a cost of £497.99 and a wooden seat on Dikelands Lane, opposite Montague Walk at a cost of £543.99.

The Clerk presented the list of plans and comments made by the members of the Planning Sub-committee on each planning application as shown below.

*This item was a cause of some debate. The Councillors agreed that the proposed houses would dominate the two existing homes and objected to over intensive development of the site. Further, they thought that the access would be too close to the main road, that the gardens would be too small for the plots and were concerned about the potential loss of trees. Mr Wright, a resident of 97 Station Road, was asked for his comments. He agreed with the points the Councillors had raised and added that there was a problem with the existing drains that could be made worse if new houses were built. The Clerk was directed to advise the City of York Council of the Parish Councillors views. The Clerk was also directed to write to the City of York Council to ask if there are any Tree Preservation Orders on trees to the A59 side of the level crossing in Station Road.

It was noted that there is to be an appeal over the City of York Council decision on York House. Councillor Thompson agreed to draft an appropriate letter. The subject will appear on the agenda for the March meeting.

Ref: 99/02729/FUL - Erection of pitched roof conservatory to rear at 2 Apple Garth by Mr & Mrs Bullock.

None

1. Vandalism;

2. Lampposts.

3. Chantry Gap footpath

It was reported that the hazardous concrete slabs had been removed from a length of Chantry Gap pavement and had been replaced by a bitumen surface. Drop kerbs had been installed at both sides of Chantry Gap at its junction with Main Street.

The Councillors discussed the idea of drop kerbs being installed at the junction of Allerton Drive and Springfield Road. The Clerk was directed to write to the City of York Council to ask that drop kerbs be installed and that the pavement should be continued in a straight line to accommodate them.

It was reported that the residents of Orchard Road and Cherry Grove had raised and sent a petition to the City of York Council expressing concern that the roads and footways in Orchard Road and Cherry Grove "have been allowed to deteriorate to an unacceptable level and that the system for the disposal of road surface water is unsatisfactory."

00.25.3

It was reported that there are some new potholes in Hodgson Lane between Westfield Lane and the Lord Collingwood. A cyclist fell off his cycle last week after hitting one of the potholes. The Clerk was directed to write to the City of York Council to ask for the holes to be filled.

1. Report from the Council's Representative

Councillor Smith reported

1. The rent charge from the City of York Council will increase from £250 to £1,760 per annum over the next three years.
2. The Brewery loan is to be repaid.
3. It has been decided to employ a caretaker for opening, closing and general security of the Centre.
4. A Poppleton Garden Trail will be held in early July 2000. It is hoped that it will raise between £3000 and £4,000.
5. They have applied for a £7,000 Service Agreement from the City of York Council.
6. The 5-a-side goalposts are to be replaced.
7. Fund raising is going well.
8. The Centre can now be found on the Poppleton Website at <http://www.poppleton.net>.

1. Trees;

Councillor Parker reported that Mr Gregory would like to plant the lime tree that he is donating. The Councillors agreed that it should be as near as possible to the old tree in Lime Garth. Councillor Parker agreed to see Mr Gregory.

2. Parking;

No report.

3. Signs;

No report

4. Maintenance.

It was reported that the area under the maypole would be turfed and the grass would be trimmed back to the paths in two weeks time.

5. Events

It was suggested that the Parish Council might be approached for permission to put the Easter Cross on the Green.

The Clerk reported that the Youth Club was still well attended according to the latest figures.

Councillor Smith gave a report on his meeting with the Nether Poppleton Parish Council Chairman, Peter Powell and their Clerk, Ron Hansell. They had examined a paper from the City of York Council regarding the pedestrian routes in both villages. There had been glaring inaccuracies in the paper and these had been addressed by Mr Hansell in his reply to the City of York Council on behalf of both villages. Councillor Smith said that the inaccuracies wouldn't have occurred if the City of York Council had consulted with the villages before publishing their paper. Mr Hansell wrote to say that we looked forward to further consultation on the proposals in due course.

The Clerk reported the request of Tim Carter of the City of York Council to address the March meeting regarding transport planning. The Councillors agreed that Mr Carter should address the meeting and that the meeting should start at 7.00pm.

The Councillors discussed the problem with the gas meter in the reading room where the Parish Council meetings are held. The meter only takes old 50p pieces which the Clerk has to buy from Mrs Smith when he collects the key to the Hall before each meeting. Councillor Smith has a contact who can install a meter that takes £1 coins. The Councillors agreed to spend £60.00 to convert the meter for the benefit of all users of the reading room.

1. A letter from the City of York Council giving the outline of how the Council's policy on road salting was formulated and why Hodgson Lane won't be salted. It was agreed that the leaflet accompanying the letter should be circulated to the Parish Councillors.
2. A letter from Mr Lynsdale regarding the lack of a bus service in the village on Sundays and planting trees by the side of village roads.

1. A letter from the Elvington Parish Council Clerk re Double Funding
2. Letter from Colin Wood re bus matters and the Chairman's reply
3. Yorkshire Rural Community Council - various items
4. Yorkshire Footpath Trust Newsletter - January 2000
5. Ppaybac - information from the Neighbourhood Watch
6. City of York's Neighbourhood Watch Association's minutes of Executive Committee meeting on 10 January.
7. City of York Council's leaflet on clearing snow and ice
8. City of York Council's York Sport Update - Issue One - February 2000
9. YNET - minutes of meeting held on 25 January 2000.
10. City of York Council's Citizens' Pledge
11. York Minster Bells Appeal
12. Copy of Ron Hansell's letter to J Harrison about the York Pedestrian Route Network
13. Copy of Nether Poppleton Parish Council minutes of 17 January

Asked that correspondence be circulated more often. Councillor Parker said that correspondence never used to be circulated. The Clerk stated his concern that correspondence, having been circulated, would not be available at the next Parish Council meeting.

1. Reported that there is a strong likelihood that the vacant fruit shop in Allerton Drive will be a DIY shop.
2. Reported that there was an abandoned vehicle in Dikelands Lane. The Clerk was directed to contact both the police and the CofY Highways Department about the vehicle.

Whilst absent from the meeting had asked that the Councillors discuss the white vehicle which is parked on the kerb in Station Road. The vehicle is churning up the grass and causing mud to stray on to the footpath.

Reported that wheelie bins should be in the village by 6 March.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 11.02pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE

uppc mins 02/00