Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 11 September 2000 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

In the absence of Mr Walker who was on holiday the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Parker, took the Chair for the meeting. The Chairman welcomed Councillor Hopton who was attending the meeting in a wheelchair after her serious road accident.

Cllr. R Walker Chairman, Cllr. Mrs L R Acomb, Cllr. A J Peck, Cllr. J D G Thompson and Cllr. Mrs R Watters.

Accepted and signed as a true record.

1. Bus service, change of route (Min. 99.111c)

The Clerk read an extract of a letter sent by Terry Walker, the City of York Council's Public Transport Planner, who said he had very little influence over the 142 bus service and recommended that the Parish Council write directly to the 'principal subsidiser and/or their contractor'. The Clerk was directed to contact Mr Walker for their address and write to enquire if they would be prepared to divert the 142 service through Upper Poppleton.

1. Turn engines off signs (Min. 00.09)

Councillor Smith reported no further progress on this subject.

2. Reading Room gas meter conversion (Min. 00.31)

The Councillors agreed to accept a quotation of £205 from York Gas Company for providing a £1 coin-in-the-slot meter for the gas supply to the reading room at All Saint's Church Hall where the Parish Council meetings are held. The Clerk was asked to make the necessary arrangements for the meter to be installed as soon as possible.

 

3. Swimming pool progress (Min. 00.51.4a)

Councillor Parker reported having visited the privately run swimming pool at Tadcaster and had been impressed by the way it is run. She agreed to provide some information on the Tadcaster pool for the October meeting.

5. Fly tipping in Newlands Lane (Min. 00.58c)

Mrs Burdett of the City of York Council had contacted the Clerk to explain that the passing places in Newlands Lane are cleared of rubbish on a regular basis. Councillor Parker suggested that it was because she phoned Mrs Burdett to inform her when rubbish had been left there. It is noticeable that more rubbish is being dumped now that the Beckfield Lane tip is closed on weekdays.

6. Village signs - planning permission (Min. 00.65)

The Clerk read an email received from Julie Hurley, the City of York Council's Principal Traffic Engineer, who stated that she will proceed with the application for planning permission even if she hasn't heard from the Statutory Authorities within the next two weeks.

7. Vandalised Street signs (Min. 00.78a)

It was reported that most of the damaged street signs had been repaired.

At this point in the meeting the Chairman received approval to bring forward agenda item 123 so that Councillor Hopton could give the meeting the benefit of her knowledge on the subject of the Electoral Review prior to leaving the meeting.

Councillor Hopton explained that the City of York Council had submitted six separate plans showing different ward boundaries for consideration. Plan 3 was the preferred option for the majority of parishes. Plan 3 reduces the size of the present Upper Poppleton ward from seven rural parishes to just the two Poppletons and reduces the number of City Council representatives from two to one. The other five parishes in the existing Poppleton ward (Hessay, Rufforth, Askham Richard, Askham Bryan and Knapton) would be joined with the northern end of Beckfield Lane and some of the Boroughbridge Road to give a sufficient number of electors to warrant a City Council representative. The Parish Councillors expressed their concern that the five parishes would lose their rural identity.

It was agreed that Councillor Richardson should attend the Ainsty Group of Parishes meeting on 14 September and solicit the opinions of the other Parish Councils.

At this point Councillor Hopton retired from the meeting.

Further discussion on this agenda item resulted in the decision being taken to recommend that the existing Upper Poppleton ward be combined with the village of Skelton. This would ensure that the entire ward remained rural and have a sufficiently large population to qualify for two City Councillors.

The Clerk was directed to advise the Skelton Parish Council of the Parish Council's decision and write and convey the information to both the City of York Council and the Local Government Commission for England.

At this point the Councillors returned to the set agenda and continued with matters arising from the previous meeting.

The new hydrant has been installed on the mains water supply to Blairgowrie. This was needed due to the fact that Blairgowrie is considered to be a derelict building and new laws state that there should be a means of venting water at the end of a mains supply.

9. School entrance and parking (Min. 00.82)

The road outside the school in Main Street has been surface dressed and new zigzag lines have been painted. There is still the question of the road being congested at school opening and closing times. With the advent of the new houses in Poppleton Park, where there is no school, even more cars are delivering children to the school. It was pointed out that there is a bus that takes children from Knapton to the school. The Clerk was directed to ask the City of York Council if a school bus could be provided to bring and take children from Poppleton Park to the school.

10. Chantry Green kerbing (Min. 00.83)

The Clerk reported having received an insurance claim form in response to his request for funds from the City of York Council. The clerk said he would approach Mr Hallam of Chantrys to ask for his help in completing the form. It is hoped that the insurance company will make a contribution to the cost of replacing kerbs damaged by the Council's refuse wagons.

11. Provision of 'pin kerbs' round the pump on the Green (Min. 00.79bi)

This had not progressed so the Clerk was asked to obtain a written quotation for the work from Ken Falkingham who had discussed the subject of pin kerbs with several of the Councillors.

12. Potholes (Min. 00.95d)

Most of the potholes in the main roads of the village have been covered during the tarring and surface dressing carried out in Main Street in both Nether and Upper Poppleton, The Green and Hodgson Lane.

13. Boundary fences at the allotments (Min. 00.102.3)

It was agreed that the Clerk and Councillor Parker would investigate the state of the boundary fences/hedges and report to the October meeting.

14. Donations (Min. 00107d)

The Clerk reported that all donations awarded at the July Parish Council meeting had been made and that all recipients had written to express their thanks.

15. Banking by telephone (Min. 00.107g)

The Clerk reported having experienced difficulty in joining the direct banking facility for the Parish's two bank accounts with HSBC and said he would pursue the matter.

16. Vegetation in the gutters (Min. 00.109c)

The Clerk read an email from Paul Thackray, the Head of City of York Council's Client & City Centre Services that stated: - "Mechanical sweeping of road channels has had to be completely rescheduled as the number of vehicles has had to be reduced from 3 to 2 at the end of March 2000 as a budget saving method. The new schedules will provide a mechanical sweep every 21 days. Mechanical sweeping helps to reduce weed growth but doesn't prevent it. Weed spraying takes place twice yearly in early summer and late autumn. Unfortunately the weed-killer that had to be used is the contact type and it will only kill weeds that are growing at the time. As a result there is always a considerable regrowth during the summer months. The City Council is always trying to find a product with residual properties which will meet the environmental concerns of chemicals remaining in the ground but so far a suitable product hasn't been found". The Councillors noted the contents of the email.

17. Tree trimming on the Green (Min. 00.110a)

It was reported that the suckers on the trees on the Green had been satisfactorily trimmed by Ryland Horticulture.

18. Grass cutting in the Green (Min. 00.110bi)

The Clerk reported having written to Mr Downie advising him of the Parish Council's decision to terminate the contract to cut the grass on the Greens. The Clerk had written to Baron Landscapes who had agreed to take over the grass-cutting contract on the same terms as their quotation of March 2000. It was reported that the grass was being cut on a regular basis and that there had been no adverse comments on the state of the Greens since Barons took over the contract.

19. Highway hedges (Min. 00.111)

The Clerk read an email received from Robin Carr of the City of York Council. Mr Carr said that the judgement referred to was in respect of hedges set out by enclosure award and to do with their removal. As far as he knows highway authorities are not responsible for hedges except for enforcement purposes. The highway authority does not actually own the land that a road runs over - only the surface is vested in the Authority.

20. Loose manhole covers in the Green (Min. 00.114.2)

It was agreed that the Clerk should write to ntl about the loose covers.

21. Boundary fence in the car park by the Lord Collingwood (Min. 00.110bii)

The Clerk reported that only one quotation had been received for putting up the fence. The Clerk was directed to obtain a quotation from Mr Cook to be presented to the October meeting.

1. Financial Report;

The Clerk presented the Councillors with a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year period to 11 September 2000. The report showed that, after adjusting for the items of expenditure listed below, the bank balances at 11 September were: -

Current Account £50.00

High Interest Account £6,648.38

2. Accounts to pay (net of VAT);

Yorkshire Water - Allotment water £5.24

Globus Office Supplies - toner for photocopier £64.99

Ryland Horticulture - tree pruning on the Green £60.00

3. Accounts paid

Clerk's remuneration £602.62

Clerk's expenses £24.77

Blackwells - HMSO publication on planning £7.55

Yorkshire Planning Aid - 7 planning books £17.50

Farm & Land Services - grass cutting £50.00

Baron Landscapes - grass cutting £250.00

All Saints' Church for grass cutting £100.00

Martin House £50.00

Poppleton Luncheon Club £50.00

Poppleton Under 5's £200.00

St Leonard's Hospice £50.00

Theatre Royal £50.00

4. YNET Subscription

The Clerk reported that the annual subscription to YNET was due on 1 April 2000. The Councillors agreed that the Parish Council should subscribe to this worthy cause and agreed that the subscription of £25 should be paid when an invoice had been received.

The Clerk presented the list of plans and comments made by the members of the Planning Committee on each planning application received. The list is attached as Appendix 1 at the end of these minutes.

1. Councillor Davies asked if planning permission was needed for a high fence in a front garden. The Clerk agreed to ask the City of York Council's Planning Department for their advice.
2. The Clerk reported having received a copy of the HMSO publication Statutory Instrument 419, Town & Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995.
3. The Clerk notified the Councillors of two phone calls he had received from residents who were complaining that the change of use of a barn in Black Dike Lane to vehicle storage did not cover the point that the barn was being used for vehicle repairs.
4. Councillor Parker agreed to see Councillor Hopton about Parish Plans.
5. The Clerk reported having received six letters regarding the proposed development of Westview Close from local residents.

1. Vandalism;

1. It was reported that the post bearing the 'Community Centre' sign had been pulled out and needed to be replaced.
2. It was also reported that there had been problems at the Library. Two windows had been broken. The alarm had been set off. Young people were drinking vodka behind the building. The Clerk was directed to write to the police expressing the Councillors' concern. Several of the Councillors said they would attend the Community and Police Group meeting to be held at the Community Centre at 7.00pm on 20 September when they would raise the issue of vandalism.

2. Lampposts;

1. It was reported that the tree by the lamppost at the top of the snicket in Brackenhills had been trimmed so that the light from the lamppost now shone down the snicket.
2. It was reported that the proposed relocation of the lamppost by the new pathway at the Community Centre had not been erected. The Clerk was directed to write again to the City Council to find out if a date for the work had been fixed.

3. Telephone posts in Black Dike Lane

It was reported that five posts had been erected to supply four new houses at the end of Black Dike Lane. It was agreed that the Councillors would look at the posts and report back to the October meeting.

4. Councillors Comments

It was reported that

1. The 30mph sign in Hodgson Lane had now been moved.
2. The proposed 40mph on the A59 from Trenchard Road to Station Road had not yet been implemented
3. 'No footpath' signs had been put up in Hodgson Lane.
4. The agreed 7.5 tonne HGV limit on access roads to the village had not yet been implemented

1. Trees

Councillor Parker reminded the Councillors that the Parish was still owed three trees promised by the City of York Council when the poplar tree at Maypole House was taken down. Cllr. Parker proposed that the three trees should be planted in Chantry Green especially as the Parish had nothing yet to show for the Millennium. It was agreed that Cllr. Parker should discuss the subject with David Gregory. The Clerk was directed to write to the City of York Council to remind them of their offer to supply the three trees.

2. Maintenance

It was reported that molehills had appeared by the seat outside All Saints Church by the car park next to the Lord Collingwood. The Clerk was directed to write to Mr Ferguson to ask him to remove the moles.

3. Events

It was reported that the Friends of Upper Poppleton Infants School were planning a Treasure Hunt round the village and had asked for permission to hide teddy bears around the Green. The Councillors agreed to this.

4. Access road in Chantry Green

The Clerk was asked to look in the Parish Council files to see if there was any reference to the access road in Chantry Green and report back to the October meeting.

5. Daffodils in Chantry Green

It was reported that Gordon Eastwood had offered to plant daffodils round the new lime tree in Chantry Green. The Councillors were pleased to accept this offer and the Clerk was directed to write to Mr Eastwood accordingly.

See above.

After discussion the Clerk was directed to write to the City of York Council to say that the Parish Councillors agree with the Partnership in principle and would like to be kept informed of events.

It was agreed that this item should be referred to the October meeting.

1. Neighbourhood Watch - Minutes of a meeting on 6 July
2. YNET - Minutes of a meeting on 27 June
3. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of a meeting on 28 June
4. City of York Council - Stewart Report on mobile phones
5. City of York Council - Public Rights of Way Unit Annual Report
6. North Yorkshire Police - West LAP minutes of 6 July meeting
7. City of York Council - Free Nursery Places Facts Sheets
8. City of York Council - York Sport - August 2000
9. YLCA White Rose update
10. North Yorkshire Health Authority - A proposal to establish a Selby and York Primary Health Care Trust - Parish Councillors were asked to make comments directly to the North Yorkshire Health Authority
11. YLCA - Enquiry as to whether a Parish Councillor would wish to be a representative on a local Drainage Board - none would

12. Community Health Council - Annual Report and Annual Plan

1. Nether Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of a meeting on 17 July
2. YNET - Minutes of the AGM on 25 July 2000
3. Terry Berry Photography - Offer for a group photo. To be considered for the next meeting.
4. Yorwaste information re the proposed new tip at Harewood Whin
5. City of York Council's Economic Development Programme for 2000/2001
6. Ofwat Annual Report
7. White Rose Update
8. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of a meeting on 23 August

Before retiring from the meeting Councillor Hopton advised the members that the next Ward Committee meeting would be held on Thursday 2 November at Askham Bryan Village Hall at 7.30pm.

There were no other comments from the Councillors.

9 October 2000 at 7.30pm

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.52pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE

uppc mins 09/00