Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 11 June 2001 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Councillors G B Davies, A J Peck and A D Scott-Coveney.

Having been circulated and read the minutes were accepted and signed as a true record.

1. Turn engines off signs (Min. 00.09)

The signs have been made and paid for. It was agreed to wait for Councillor Peck to return from Australia before the signs are erected.

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

Councillor Hopton informed the meeting that insufficient residents had requested that the Ward Committee grant £1,500 towards a village sign so the application for the grant had failed. The grant application would be carried forward to next year. Councillor Hopton agreed to take away the paperwork relating to the village signs and ask City Council officers about the need for planning permission.

4. Relocation of street light (Min. 00121bii)

The street light has not yet been moved.

5. Blocked gulleys in the car parks on the Green (Min. 01.006cii)

It was agreed that the City Council be directed to clean out the gulleys at a cost of £55.00.

5. Willow tree in the Main Street allotment (Min. 01.021aii)

It was reported that the willow tree has now been felled. The Councillors agreed to pay the Four Seasons Tree Services invoice of £495.32.

6. Bus shelter light repair (Min. 01.044a)

It was reported that the broken light had been replaced. The Councillors agreed to pay J Lister's invoice of £99.03.

7. Yellow paint in the bus shelter (Min. 01.064ai)

The Clerk reported that two letters sent to the City Council about the graffiti had not yet produced a reply.

8. Newlands Lane/A59 hedge (Min. 01.072.1 i)

The Clerk reported having written to the City Council asking that the hedge be taken down to a level over which car drivers could see traffic approaching from the right at the junction of Newlands Lane with the A59. No reply had yet been received.

9. 2001 Newsletter (Min. 01.084)

The Newsletter had been printed by Lowfield School and distributed by the Parish Councillors. The Councillors agreed to pay Lowfield School's printing invoice of £25.35.

10. Felling of trees on the Green (Min. 01.080.2)

The Clerk reported the contents of an email from Miriam Addy, the City Council's Landscape Architect, saying that the trees removed at the Villa were under the exemption of dead and dying. In future the City Council would be notifying Parish Councils of such tree removals. Investigation was continuing with regards to the felling of trees at the other property.

11. A59 signs (Min. 01.081c)

The Clerk reported that a letter from the City Council said that the problem with the directional signs would be looked at when the Traffic Engineer returned from holiday.

12. Parish Councillor vacancies (Min. 01.076 and 01.088.1b)

The two vacancies caused by the resignation of Councillor Parker and the impending resignation of Councillor Davies had been advertised on three notice boards in the village and at the Library since 16 May. It was not yet known if a bye-election had been called. The Councillors agreed to meet and interview prospective candidates with a view to their co-option on to the Parish Council. The interviews would take place on Monday 18 June or Monday 25 June if necessary. The Clerk was directed to contact the five residents who wished to be considered for co-option.

13. Proposed increase of length of 30mph in Hodgson Lane (Min. 01.089.5)

The Clerk read a letter from Bill Blanchard, a City Council Traffic Technician, regarding the proposed extension of the 30 mph limit in Hodgson Lane. Mr Blanchard was asking to be notified of any objection the Parish Councillors may have. The Councillors unanimously supported the proposal which they felt was a vindication of their determination.

14. Demolition of Blairgowrie

The Clerk reported that a City Council officer had visited Blairgowrie and does not consider it dangerous at the moment though it could become so given time and vandalism. John Fowler, the City Council's Head of Building Control, has spoken to the solicitor dealing with the property who informed him that he is awaiting instruction from the beneficiary. Mr Fowler has written to the solicitor, as the executor of the property to highlight the situation. In the meantime the City Council will continue to monitor the property.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented the Councillors with a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 11 June 2001. The report showed that, after adjusting for the items of expenditure listed below, the bank balances at 11 June were: -

Current Account £100.61

High Interest Account £11,406.02

2. Accounts to pay (net of VAT);

Four Seasons Tree Services felling the willow tree at the

Allotments £495.32

Ken Falkingham pin kerbs by the pump on

The Green £695.46

J Lister Electrical & Co replacing the bus shelter light £99.03

Baron (Landscape Contractors) grass cutting in May £345.00

3. Accounts paid (net of VAT)

Sign*A*Rama balance for Turn Engines Off signs £50.94

Yorkshire Water allotment water £4.75

Lowfield School printing Newsletter £25.35

4. Internal Audit

The Chairman confirmed that he had carefully inspected the cash book and supporting documents and was happy that they were correct.

5. Accounts for 2000-2001

The accounts, copies of which had been distributed at the May meeting, were agreed and signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.

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.

There were no comments.

It was reported that the Village Design Statement Committee's stall at the Poppleton Children's Sports Day generated a lot of interest.

1. Vandalism;

It was reported that graffiti has appeared on the bus shelter and timetable opposite the Library. The Clerk was directed to ask Terry Walker, the City Council's transport person, to arrange for the graffiti to be removed.

It was reported that BT had clipped a copper beech tree in Westfield Lane when putting up a new telegraph post. The Clerk was directed to report this to Miriam Addy and ask if approval had been requested. Whilst on the subject of telegraph poles the Councillors observed that there were many poles on the Green and the Clerk was directed to write to BT to ask for a payment of a wayleave of £25.00 per each pole per annum.

2. Lampposts;

No report.

3. Signs

No report.

1. Trees

A letter received from Mrs Wright pointed out that an ash tree on the Green needed to be guarded to prevent it being damaged by footballs. The Councillors on the General Purposes Committee agreed to meet on the Green to look at the ash tree.

2. Maintenance

The Clerk reported that he had removed a poster from inside the bus shelter.

3. Events

The Councillors agreed that the two churches could use the Green for the United Anglican Methodist Service on Sunday 1 July 2001 and that Poppleton Gardens Guild could use the Green to accommodate a couple of plant stalls on Saturday 25 August.

Councillor Hopton reported that the next Ward Committee meeting is to be held on day 5 July at a venue to be arranged.

The Clerk had circulated the latest report from the City Council. Councillor Hopton said that she would provide each Councillor with a copy of the detailed recommendations, which had not been included in the report.

See item 01.093m above.

Discussion on this subject was referred to the July meeting when it is hoped that there will be a full complement of Parish Councillors.

Discussion on this subject was also deferred until the July meeting.

It was reported that the recommendation of the Boundary Commission was for the enlargement of the ward to include Copmanthorpe parish. The new ward would have three members on the City Council.

It was reported that the vegetation on the Parish Council's land in the Main Street outside is overgrown and in places nearly encroaches onto the pavement. The members of the General Purpose Committee agreed to meet outside Blairgowrie at 8.00pm on Wednesday 13 June to look at the site.

1. Notification of the YLCA Conference at Scarborough on 7/8 September 2001. The Chairman said that he would like to attend the Conference. It was agreed to put the subject on the July meeting agenda so that a decision could be made.
2. Notice of the District Audit of the books for the year ended 31 March 20001 at the Folk Hall, New Earswick on 9 July.
3. Notice from the North Yorkshire Health Authority of an application for a pharmacy at Clifton Moorgate to which the Councillors had no objection.
4. Notice of a public enquiry at Poppleton Community Centre on 8 August following an appeal by Leaper Hare Developments Ltd regarding the proposed development of land between the sports field and West View Close.
5. Notice of a meeting to discuss the progress on the York Green Belt Review on 20 June.
6. Notice of a meeting of CaP to be held at the Poppleton Community Centre on 20 June. Councillor Richardson agreed to attend.
7. Notice of a meeting of on 25 June at Westfield School. Councillor Richardson agreed to attend.

1. Nether Poppleton Parish Council minutes of the meeting on 21 May
2. York Youth Forum Project - postcards, posters and a note to say that young volunteers and staff from the YFP would welcome the opportunity to meet with ….and councillors either informally or by way of a presentation.
3. York Challenge Fund 2001/2002 Round. Invitation to apply for funds for a project that will add value to the community. Qualifying projects include crime prevention and community safety; anti poverty work; local democracy; equal opportunities; health; links with the voluntary sector; the quality of life on local community, (including environmental improvements).
4. Minutes of a meeting of the West LAP Community Police Group held on 28 March.
5. The City Council's Planning and Housing Advice Note - Private Housing Development in York and the Negotiation of Affordable Homes.
6. City Council's Economic Bulletin May 2001.
7. Minutes of the Joint Executive Committee of the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations meeting held on 7 April.

Reported that the City Council's grass cutters had not cut the verge outside his house. The Clerk was directed to report this to the City Council.

Asked if the police informed the Parish Council of accidents and burglaries in the village. The Clerk stated that he had never been informed of any instances by the police. The question is to be raised at the next CaP meeting which is to be held on 20 June.

Expressed concern that reports have been made regarding people acting in a suspicious manner and that reports to the police had, gone unheeded. The Chairman invited Mr Trevor Parker, a member of the public present, to tell the Councillors of his recent experience. Mr Parker informed the Councillors that he had recently apprehended a man who had been acting suspiciously in one of his fields. He had informed the police who were unable to take any action. Mr Parker raised the point about the presence of the Neighbourhood Watch on Poppleton. Councillor Thompson said that he was a member of his Neighbourhood Watch. None of the other Councillors could say that they were aware of the Neighbourhood Watch. It was agreed that the subject should be included in the July agenda so that it could be given time for discussion.

9 July 2001 at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.51pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE

uppc mins 06/01