Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 14 January 2002 at 7.15pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor A J Peck and Councillor P Tomlinson.

Councillor Charles Swann was introduced to the Councillors. The Clerk confirmed that Councillor Swann had signed the Declaration of Office and that the City Council had been advised of Councillor Swann's co-option.

The Senior Library Assistant of Poppleton Library explained the new, and hopefully temporary Library opening hours and the reasons for the change. In the last two months 11 Library windows have been broken. Both staff and library users have been intimidated in the evenings. For Health and Safety reasons it has been decided to restrict library opening to daytime for the time being. The Community Police Safety Inspector has given advice. Several steps have been and are being taken to remedy the situation.

• Anti climb paint is to be applied on the roof corners and gas pipe, with appropriate signage. A scaffolding pole (or similar) is to be fixed on top of the wall at the back of the car park to deter people from sitting on it.
• The seats on the brick plinth in front of the Library are to be removed and the area gated off.
• The glass windows at the back of the Library have been replaced with plastic windows.
• It is planned to reduce the amount of glass at the front of the Library by building up the front wall.
• The gate leading to the side and rear of the Library will be locked.
• The option of installing CCTV mounted inside the Library is being investigated.

A review of the situation is due at the end of March 2002.

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

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

The Clerk reported having had no further news about the trees. The Councillors agreed that the City Council officers had done what was required of them with regards to the trees.

2. Blairgowrie verge (Min. 01.104)

The Clerk reported not having received a reply from the Lister Croft and was directed to write to them immediately. At the moment the branches of the trees hanging over the pavement are too high to cause an obstruction. It was agreed that another quotation be obtained for making good the verge between the road and the fence at Blairgowrie.

3. Relocation of street light (Min. 00.121b.ii)

It was reported that the light is working.

4. 30mph limit in Hodgson Lane - Traffic calming measures costings (Min. 01.125.1c)

The Clerk reported that no reply had been received from the City Council despite the fact that they had said, in October, that a response would be forthcoming within the next two weeks.

5. Community Policing (Min. 01.150)

The Clerk reported that a grant of £4,994.77 had been received from the City Council and that payments were being made as per the contract. A total of £1,260, net of VAT, had been paid. The Parish Council would reclaim the VAT element in April 2002. Councillor Richardson had attended the first meeting between Mayfair Guarding Group Response and the Ward Councillors when the report for the period 22 October to 30 November was discussed. Councillors Pannell and Richardson agreed to attend the next meeting with Mayfair whenever it is to be held.

6. Joint meeting with Nether Poppleton PC (Min. 01.155)

It was agreed that a Joint meeting could be held on the fourth Monday in January (28 January) or the first Monday in February (4 February). The Clerk was directed to advise Ron Hansell.

2. Village signs - planning permission (Min. 01.161b))

The Clerk reported that a quotation for £990 for each of two York stone inserts had been received from J W Smith. It was agreed that three contractors be asked to submit quotations to build the signs as soon as possible.

8. Poppleton Post Office (Min. 01.169)

The Clerk read two letters received from Wayne Fitch, the Post Office's assistant Network Transformation Manager, thanking the Parish Council for its response and to say that the Post Office is now in further discussion with the parties concerned in order to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

9. Manor School: Review of admission criteria (Min. 01.171)

The Clerk reported having received responses to his letters about this subject. Mr K L Scott, the Chair of Manor School Governors, had written to say that 'the Governors are concerned that we should be a school for our local community as well as a church school'. Councillor Janet Looker, the City Council's Executive Member for Education, had written to say 'I have noted your comments about the direct bus route between Poppleton and Millthorpe School. I will ensure that your views are taken into account in any further discussions and I will ask officers to provide me with a briefing paper outlining the consequences of any change in arrangements'.

After discussion it was agreed that the sum of £500 be allocated towards the Jubilee Celebrations. It was agreed that the decision as to how the sum would be allocated be deferred until the February meeting.

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 14 January 2002. The report showed that, after adjusting for the items of expenditure listed below, the bank balances at 14 January were:

Current Account £100.54

High Interest Account £14,258.76

2. Accounts to pay (net of VAT);

Clerk Honorarium - October to December £638.51

Clerk Postage, telephone and stationery £19.73

Mayfair Guarding Group Response Community policing - January 2002 £485.33

3. Accounts paid (net of VAT)

Baron (Landscape Contractors) Grass cutting in November £125.00

Village Design Statement Donation £50.00

Audit Commission Audit fee £270.00

Various Community policing payments £1,260.55

Yorkshire Water Allotment water £5.25

Crown Paints Anti graffiti wash £12.41

4. Income Received

HSBC Bank Interest £12.46

City of York Council Grant for Community Policing £4,994.77

5. Budget 2002-2003

The Councillors discussed the suggested budget for 2002-03 which had been distributed prior to the meeting. It was agreed that the budget be accepted with the addition of a provision of an extra £500 for the Parish Council's contribution to the Queen's Golden Jubilation Celebrations. The precept was agreed at £11,000 for the year.

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.

Councillor Thompson asked if he could represent the Parish Council at a forthcoming City Council Planning Committee meeting about an application regarding landscaping at York House. This would enable him to have an extra three minutes to address the City Councillors. The Parish Councillors agreed unanimously.

The Clerk read a letter from Elizabeth Parker, the Chair of the Poppleton Village Design Statement Group, which outlined the Group's progress to date. A consultation leaflet was delivered to 1,735 households in September 2001. 9% of written replies were received. The York Challenge Fund has confirmed a grant of £1,000. The Group expressed hope that the Parish Council would consider further funding in 2002-2003.

At this point in the proceedings Councillor Hopton arrived, having come directly from another meeting.

1. Vandalism

The increased level of vandalism in the village was discussed. The Councillors were informed that, for a limited time, there would be a high police level in the village at weekends. It was agreed that Sergeant Paul Armstrong who is based at the Acomb Police Station should be invited to address the Parish Councillors at the beginning of the February meeting. The February meeting will commence at 7.00pm.

2. Other reports

None

Councillor Richardson left at this point in the meeting.

1. Trees

Councillor Watters reported on the low hanging branches on trees on the Green. It was agreed that Dave Gregory should cut back the branches over the road to allow unhindered access by large vehicles such as buses. Councillor Watters informed the meeting that it was no longer practice to put growth deterrent on tree suckers as these had a detrimental effect on trees. In future, the sucker growth should be dealt with by use of a strimmer.

2. Events

No report

3. Maintenance

Councillors Walker and Watters agreed to look at the state of a large pothole on one of the driveways near the village pump on the Green.

4. Car Parking

It was reported that the level of the grass has sunk where cars were parked by the builders who worked at Maypole Cottage. It was agreed that the area should be reinstated.

1. A letter from the North Yorkshire Police Authority giving details of a CaP meeting to be held on 16 January at Westfield School.
2. A letter from the North Yorkshire Police Authority giving details of a special meeting of its York Community and Policing Group to consult local communities on the Authority's budget proposals for 2002/03 on 24 January at the Novotel.

1. Minutes of Nether Poppleton Parish Council meeting on 19 November 2001
2. City of York Council Economic Bulletin - edition 24 - November 2001
3. Minutes of the Poppleton Ward Residents Association meeting held on 21 November 2001
4. White Rose Update and papers from YLCA- November & December 2001
5. North Yorkshire Police Authority P.A. News Issue 44 December 2001
6. North Yorkshire Police Authority CaP News Issue 5 November 2001
7. Minutes of the YNET meeting held on 30 October 2001
8. Notes from Yorventure giving details of the Funding for Community and Environmental Projects through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme
9. A letter from the York Youth Offending Team giving details of their work and the need for volunteers from the community
10. A copy of a letter from Mr Edwards to First York regarding the bus service for Poppleton Park, Nether Poppleton and the results of a 'Poppleton Park Bus Service' survey answered by 65 households

It was agreed that the Parish Council should ask the Ward Committee for funds to provide a cinder track footpath down Hodgson Lane between Westfield Lane and the Red Lion. The next Ward Committee meeting will be held at 7.30pm at Rufforth School on 24 January.

The YLCA had sent a list of seven candidates who wished to be nominated as the Parish representative on the City Council's Standards Committee. The result of a secret ballot was that Councillor R G Eccles of Rawcliffe Parish Council was nominated.

This subject was deferred until the February meeting.

This subject was deferred until the February meeting.

The Councillors agreed with a proposal to move the pedestrian gateway a few yards to the east to avoid obstructing the proposed access to the development at the Beeches.

The Clerk read a letter from Gillian Adams, the daughter of the late Geoffrey Walker. Mrs Adams was asking for permission to erect a seat in Station Road as a Memorial to her father. The Parish Councillors agreed that the Parish would fund the base for the seat and to assume responsibility for its continued repair providing the seat was donated by Mrs Adams.

It was agreed to defer a discussion about the future of the Ainsty Group until after the next meeting of the Group to be held on 31 January 2002 in Askham Bryan Village Hall. Councillors Walker and Thompson expressed their intention of attending the meeting.

The Clerk read a letter from POPSOC asking for a contribution towards staff training. The Councillors agreed to donate the sum of £200 from the current year's donations budget.

The Clerk had circulated the YLCA advice note entitled 'The Model Code of Conduct' prior to the meeting. Further discussion was deferred until the February meeting.

Discussion on this subject was deferred until the February meeting

No decision was reached on this subject.

Mentioned the number 10 bus that now appears to use the Green as its terminus. The Councillors agreed that the terminus should revert to Main Street, Nether Poppleton and the Clerk was directed to write to both First Bus and the City Council's Transport Officer to express their wish.

Raised the subject of the Neighbourhood Watch. Councillor Thompson agreed to check with the co-ordinator to see what progress had been made since the public meeting on 10 October 2001.

Monday 11 February 2002 at 7.00pm.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.48pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE

uppc mins 01/02