Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 10 September 2001 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Councillor A J Peck and Councillor 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 Clerk reported that a working party had set out to erect the signs when it was found that the clips were too large for the posts. Smaller clips had been ordered and received. The Chairman reported that a conversation with a representative of Arriva at the YLCA Conference had revealed

1. that the lease of Poppleton station was in the hands of Arriva
2. that the representative supported the idea of the signs
3. that the representative would make enquiries to see if the signs could be fastened to the station fencing.

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

The Clerk reported having written to Roy Templeman, the City Council's Director of Environment and Development Services, asking for a list of approved contractors so that he could narrow the field of whom to approach for quotations for building the signs.

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

An email from Steve Catt of the City Council's lighting department said that the lamppost would be relocated this week with the intention of having the light working by the time the clocks go back at the end of October.

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

It was confirmed that the gulleys had been cleaned and that the City Council's invoice for £55.00 had been paid.

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

The Clerk reported having received a quotation from the City Council of £95.00 for cleaning the graffiti and £15.00 for supplying the anti-graffiti wash so that the Councillors could do the work. It was agreed to accept the City's quotation for removing the graffiti in the hope that if the anti-graffiti wash were successful the Parish would buy a supply for use in the future.

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

The Clerk again reported having received a reply from Alistair Briggs, the City Council's Traffic Engineer highways Regulation, agreeing that the hedge had bushed out quite far from the field boundary and that he would contact the farmers to request that they cut the hedge back in the area from the culvert under the A59 for approximately 35 metres towards Newlands Lane and 15 metres on the other side of the culvert.

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

The Clerk reported that Miriam Addy had written to say she was still pursuing the matter of the felled tree at Maypole House.

8. A59 signs (Min. 01.081c)

It was reported that the unwanted signs on the A59 had been removed. Alistair Briggs had written to say that he would arrange for an Upper Poppleton sign to be re-erected at the A59/Hodgson Lane junction.

9. General Purposes Committee report on the ash tree on the Green (Min. 01.097a)

It was reported that Ken Falkingham had erected meshing between the three posts round the ash tree.

10. Blairgowrie verge (Min. 01.104)

The Clerk reported that no progress had been made on arranging for the owner of the property to cut back the trees overhanging the footpath and was directed to press the City Council into action.

11. Report on planning permission on Westfield Close fence (Min. 01.114.2)

Mandy Swithenbank, the City Council's Planning Enforcement Officer, had written to say that although the fence in question had been lowered planning permission was still required and that the subject was progressing.

12. Graffiti on Ebor Way sign (Min. 01.115a.i)

Alistair Briggs had written to say he was arranging for the signs to be attended to.

13. Graffiti on the bus shelter opposite the Library (Min. 01.115a.ii)

It was reported that the graffiti had been removed.

14. Report on the City Council's decision regarding Foot & Mouth Disease (Min. 01.115f)

The Clerk reported a conversation he had had with Stuart Mumby of the City Council on 10 July when he was informed that the Government had given instruction that all footpaths, except those within 3 kilometres of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, would be opened from 20 July. The City Council would not agree to close any footpaths, as the nearest outbreak was known to be considerably more than 3 kilometres from York. The Clerk had immediately conveyed this information to the Chairman and to Trevor Parker.

15. Removal of suckers from trees on the Green (Min. 01.116a)

It was reported that the work had been carried out by Ryland Horticulture and that their invoice for £90.00 had been paid. The Councillors ratified the expenditure.

16. War Memorial refurbishment (Min. 01.120)

It was agreed to accept a quotation from Ken Falkingham of £120.00 for pressure washing the War Memorial on the understanding that he would have to make good any damage made by the pressure washer. It was agreed that the Clerk should inform Gordon Benton of the impending work and thank him for the excellent job he had made in maintaining the flowerbeds round the War Memorial this year.

17. Report on the City Council's policy on cutting grass verges (Min. 01.121)

The Clerk gave each Councillor a copy of the City Council's grass cutting policy for both urban and rural areas. The policy on rural areas is: -

"Where rural grass operations occur, they are done twice per year, usually at the end of May/ beginning of June, then September to cover the winter period. The exact date depends on the season, and how the grass has grown.

The areas of rural grass that are cut are

• a 'breed' (mower width) along the whole length of all 'A' and 'B' roads within the York Boundary, except trunk roads, which still belong to the County,
• a breed along any rural footpaths to ensure they remain passable,
• then it is safety issues such as any 'T' junctions and crossroads where sight lines can be impaired, and sharp bends where the grass growth can impair visibility.

There is no other rural grass cutting done."

11. State of garden at 1 Apple Garth (Min. 01.125.1b)

The Clerk reported a conversation with Pamela Shaw of the City Council in which he was informed that it would not be possible for the City to do any work in the garden unless it had the owner's permission. It was hoped that the City Council would be able to obtain this in due course.

12. 30mph limit in Hodgson Lane (Min. 01.125.1c)

The Clerk had circulated the report of the Director of Environment & Development Services report to the City's Planning & Transport (North West Area) Sub-Committee on the objections to the proposed speed limit in Hodgson Lane. Following objections by the police the Director was recommending that the objection to the proposed extension of the 30mph limit be upheld and that the introduction of the speed limit not be pursued at this time. Councillor Hopton said that, at the Sub-Committee meeting to be held on 11 September, she would mention the Parish Council's original proposal that the limit be reduced to 40mph.

13. Report of the General Purposes Committee's visit to see the problem with rubbish in the front garden of a house (Min. 01.126.b).

Given the City Council's response to the problem with the garden at 1 Apple Garth it had been considered inappropriate to make this visit.

 

14. Neighbourhood Watch (Min. 01. 119)

Councillor Thompson reported that he had arranged for a public meeting about the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to be held at 7.30pm at All Saints Church Hall on Wednesday 10 October 2001. Councillor Hopton has agreed to chair the meeting. Councillor Thompson is arranging for some posters and a few hundred leaflets to be printed by York Neighbourhood Watch.

It was suggested that one of the Parish Councillors should be appointed as co-ordinator between the Parish Council and York Neighbourhood Watch. Councillor Tomlinson agreed to accept this roll.

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 10 September 2001. The report showed that, after adjusting for the items of expenditure listed below, the bank balances at 10 September were: -

Current Account £49.07

High Interest Account £9,670.73

2. Accounts to pay (net of VAT);

Yorkshire Water Allotment water £5.25

3. Accounts paid (net of VAT)

Baron (Landscape Contractors) Grass cutting in July £250.00

City of York Council Gulley cleaning £55.00

Ryland Horticulture Removing tree suckers £90.00

Raincliffe Hotel, Scarborough B&B for YLCA Conference £43.00

4. Income Received

The Clerk reported having received

1. £25.00 from Denison Till for the Deed of Grant for St Enodoc - see Minute 01.116b.
2. a cheque for £83.33 from Nether Poppleton Parish Council being the Parish Council's share of £500.00 for a project supported by the Ward Committee that had not been allocated. It was agreed that this income should be set against the cost of installing the new £1 in the slot gas meter in the Reading Room.

The Clerk reported that he had received the books back from District Audit and that there were no matters arising from the audit.

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.

Councillors Thompson and Hopton had attended the appeal. No decision had yet been made. Councillor Hopton reported having discovered some papers that implied that there was an error on a map. It is more than likely that the land in West View Close is in the Green Belt and that the City Council and other parties have been referring to misleading maps for the last few years. Councillor Hopton agreed to give the Clerk a copy of the relevant documents and he was deputed to write to the City Council and express the Parish Council's concern about the subject.

1. There were no Councillors' comments on planning issues.
2. The Chairman pointed out that there were only two members of the Planning Committee and invited the Councillors to volunteer to become members. Councillors Hook and Pannell agreed to take on the task. The Clerk was asked to obtain three new Planning Aid Packs and to enquire on the availability of Planning Courses that the new members would be able to attend.

The Parish Council had been given a leaflet produced by the Village Design Committee and distributed to all households in the Poppletons. The leaflet outlines what a Village Design Statement is, where the idea came from, why Poppleton would benefit from a VDS and lists who is on the Committee. The leaflet contains a questionnaire inviting residents to say

1. what attracted them to live in Poppleton
2. what are the important areas of the village to them and why
3. if changes are made how they can be achieved in keeping with the local character
4. if they are concerned about a particular area of Poppleton.

1. Vandalism;

1. No vandalism was reported.

2. Lampposts;

No report.

3. Signs

No report.

4. Highways

The Chairman invited Mr Swanton of Station Road to address the meeting. Mr Swanton said that there is a high incidence of cars speeding along Station Road. The Councillors agreed that the Clerk should write to the police to ask them to take steps to prevent vehicles from speeding. The letter should also mention the increasing incidence of cars being parked on the pavement and asking what the Parish Council should do about skips left overnight on the road without warning lamps.

1. Trees - Commemorative tree

2. Events

No report

3. Maintenance

Councillor Watters reported that the builders were parking their vehicles outside the late Mrs Andrews house on the Green. The builders had been using the maypole as a turning circle. PC Williamson had spoken to them without success. The Clerk was asked to contact the YLCA to ask what remedy the Parish Council had against the drivers of vehicles being driven on the Green given that there was a Parish bylaw prohibiting the driving of vehicles on the Green.

The new licensee of the Lord Collingwood had enquired about the ownership of the strip of land between All Saints Church wall and the car park adjacent to the Lord Collingwood as she would like to tidy up the border. The border belongs to the Parish Council and the Councillors agreed that the licensee was welcome to keep the border tidy on the Council's behalf.

Councillor Hopton informed the meeting that the next Ward Committee meeting was scheduled for 4 October and likely to be held at Askham Bryan.

Councillor Hopton reported that it would be likely that the Scrutiny Committee would report back after the subject of double taxation had been looked into.

In the absence of Councillor Scott-Coveney discussion on this subject was deferred until the next meeting.

The Chairman gave a report on the conference that he and the Clerk had attended the previous Friday and Saturday. On Saturday morning there had been a presentation on the new ethical framework that is to become operative in the next few months and will affect the Parish Councillors. There were two seminars. At the transport seminar the Chairman had learned that two new shelters are to be built at Poppleton station. The Clerk had attended a seminar an Emergency Planning. It was pointed out that North Yorkshire County Council had produced an Emergency Plan booklet for Upper Poppleton in 1993. The booklet had blanks where information should be put. It was agreed that the subject should be included on the agenda for the October meeting.

After a long discussion on this subject it was agreed that Councillors Hook, Pannell and Tomlinson look at the problem and report back to a future Parish Council meeting.

1. A letter from Keith Smith who is concerned about the number of cars parked across the dropped kerbs, especially at Upper Poppleton Post Office.
2. Notice of the transfer of the Licence of the Lord Collingwood to Rachael Anne Holland.
3. A letter from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions thanking the Parish Council for its letter regarding the Periodic Electoral Review.
4. A letter from the City of York Council regarding free part-time early education places for three and four year old children.
5. A letter from North Yorkshire Police advising of a CaP meeting on 12 September to which Councillors Richardson and Pannell agreed to attend on the Parish Council's behalf.
6. A letter from the City Council advising of a Flood Fair to be held at Harrogate on 29 September.
7. A letter from the Ainsty Group of Parishes advising of a meeting to be held on 18 September.
8. An invitation from PopSOC to their second Annual General Meeting.
9. A letter from North Yorkshire Health Authority notifying of members agreement to approve the preliminary application to establish a pharmacy at Tower Court, Clifton Moorgate.
10. Notice from the YRCC of a Community Enterprise Conference to be held on 17 October 2001.
11. A letter from the Reverend Paul Thomas inviting the Parish Councillors to attend the Remembrance Service at All Saints Church on Sunday 11 November.
12. An invitation from Nether Poppleton Parish Council to hold a Joint Parish Council meeting to discuss the principle of having just one Parish Council for Poppleton, the admission policy of Manor School and the Halcrow Fox Transport Plan. The Councillors agreed that a joint meeting should be held but, owing to holiday commitments, not until November.

1. A Copy of the minutes of the Nether and Upper Poppleton Village Traffic Study Committee meeting held on 1 June 2001.
2. Notes from the Ward Committee meeting held on 5 July. Note in particular the pages concerning the Community Planning Overview.
3. A letter from Councillor Janet Hopton giving her views about access to the Methodist Chapel.

1. Minutes of Nether Poppleton Parish Council meeting on 16 July 2001
2. Minutes of the Poppleton Ward Residents Association Meeting on 27 June
3. Minutes of the Poppleton Ward Residents Association Meeting on 25 July
4. NYPA News, Issue 42 July 2001
5. White Rose Update - August 2001
6. NYPA CaP News, Issue 4 September 2001
7. City of York Council's Economic Bulletin, Edition 23 August 2001
8. Minutes of YNET meeting on 31 July 2001
9. A copy of a letter from Leonard Robinson sent to Fred Isles asking for remedial work to the surface of Fairway Drive
10. Martin House Newsletter No. 36 Autumn 2001

Reported that she would be representing the Parish Council at a meeting of the Community Centre Trust on 14 September. She asked if a second Parish Councillor could be elected to be a Parish Council representative and Councillor Tomlinson volunteered.

Asked if the Parish Council had heard anything more about the proposed Kerbside Collection Scheme. The Clerk reported having had no news on the subject.

Monday 8 October 2001 at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 11.14pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE

uppc mins 09/01