Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 10 March 2003 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs K M Richardson, P D Tomlinson and Mrs J A Hopton (City of York Council).

Martin Burgess and Andrew Eccles of Northminster Properties addressed the Councillors. They stated that they hadn't come to give a hard sell but to let the Councillors know that they were local men of integrity and were available to discuss the effects of the Draft Local Plan third set of changes and the development of the Business Park.

Mr Burgess and Mr Eccles are the only two people engaged in planning the Business Park. They are looking at best practice in the UK. They are consulting with environmentalists. They see trees as a habitat and not just decoration.

Councillor Pannell asked if there are any proposals to alter the junction of Northfield Lane with the A59. He was told that a traffic study has been carried out. It was very likely that there would be changes but this would depend on the location of the proposed Park & Ride scheme for the A59. There is every likelihood that a roundabout would be built at the junction. The size of the roundabout would be determined by the City Council.

The Chairman thanked Messrs Burgess and Eccles who then retired.

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

1. Turn Engines Off Signs (Min. 02.048ai)

The City Council is to put up Turn Off Engines signs in Station Road. They will be identical to the signs near the railway crossing at Starbeck. They will differ from those that the Parish Council bought inasmuch as the word 'please' will be omitted.

2. Manse Land (Min. 02.064e)

Councillor Thompson said that he was prepared to visit the City Archives and see if there was any record of the land in Manorial records.

3. "No Parking" signs replacements (Min. 02.163a di)

All four "No Parking" signs have been replaced by Mr Lunan at the agreed cost of £480. The Councillors agreed to pay Mr Lunan's invoice. The fact that the post supporting the 'No Parking' sign in Chantry Green is lower than the posts on the Green was discussed. It was felt that the post had sunk over the course of time. It was agreed that Ken Falkingham be asked to install a new post which will raise the height of the new 'No Parking' sign to its previous level.

4. Greenthwaites fence report (Min. 02.163a dii)

It was reported that the fence has not yet been reinstated. As McAlpines are currently renewing gas pipes on Chantry Green it was agreed to wait until the work had finished before asking for the fence to be reinstated.

5. Repairs to the pump at the junction of Main Street with Limegarth (Min. 02.163a diii).

The repairs to the pump have not yet been done.

6. Broken Station Road sign (Min. 03.006a)

In February the City Council had told the Clerk that the sign would be ready within the next two weeks. It has not yet been replaced.

7. Missing Burlands Lane sign (Min. 03.006bii)

The sign has been replaced.

8. Hole in the Green (Min.03.007d)

McAlpines, subcontracting for Transo in relaying gas pipes, have made a mess of the Green. The City Council is aware of the problem and says that there is a statutory duty to restore the Green when the work is completed.

9. Replacement of missing gate at the Main Street allotments (Min. 03.023c)

This has not yet been done but the work has been requested from Ken Falkingham.

10. Speed gun (Min. 03.125c)

In response to his letter to the Chief Constable the Clerk had been contacted by Martin Hemenway of the North Yorkshire Police who had carried out research into the use of speed guns. The police had agreed that they would not support the speed gun initiative. Speed guns cost about £6,000 each and cost £180 to recalibrate. The police would not train civilians in their use or accept any liability for the safety of civilians using speed guns. Mr Hemenway did say that consideration was being given by the police to a new system which may be introduced in a few months. The Councillors noted these comments.

11. The Future of the Poppleton Internet Website (Min. 03.014)

Peter Hawkins has now set up a temporary website which the Clerk has updated. Normal service will be resumed shortly.

12. Edging the Green (Min. 02.123g)

Barons had completed the edging of the Green from Beech Grove to the Methodist Church Hall. The cost was £180. The Councillors agreed to pay the invoice.

13. Dog bin emptying (Min. 03.013)

The City Council's invoice for emptying dog bins for 2002-03 had been received. The total, net of VAT, was £1,062 compared with £1,029 last year. The Councillors agreed, somewhat reluctantly, to pay the bill.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 10 March 2003. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 10 March were:

Current Account £100.67

Business Money Manager Account £5,864.96

Yorkshire Water Allotment water £4.75

Barons (Landscape Contractors) Edging the Green £180.00

P R Lunan Renewing 4 'No Parking' signs £480.00

Mazars Audit Fee 2001-2 £120.00

City of York Council Dog bin emptying 2002-3 £1,062.00

CPRE Subscription 2003-4 £25.00

Ryland Horticulture Tilia x Euchlora £100.00

Poppleton Junior Football Club Donation £1,000.00

3. Accounts paid (net of VAT)

None

HSBC Bank Interest £29.30

5. CPRE Membership renewal - £25

It was agreed to renew the membership of the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

6. Junior Football donation request

In response to a letter from Poppleton Junior Football Club it was agreed to release the £1,000 provided in this year's budget.

Prior to the meeting the Clerk had circulated 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.

No comments.

No report.

1. Vandalism

Damage to the Hessie Dudgeon seat near Maypole House was reported. It was agreed that Ken Falkingham should be asked to quote for any necessary repairs to the seat.

2. Other reports

None

1. Trees -

2. Jubilee Tree

3. Replacement ash tree

2. Events

3. Car parking

4. Maintenance

1. A letter from the Information Commissioner confirming that he has accepted that the Parish Council Model Scheme is an appropriate scheme for Upper Poppleton Parish Council. It has been approved for the period to 28 February 2007. During this period the Parish Council is obliged to publish information in accordance with the Model Scheme. At the end of the period the Parish Council will be required to adopt a revised model publication scheme or submit its own bespoke scheme.
2. A letter from the City Council's Electoral and Civic Services Manager asking for the Councillors opinion on the possibility of counting the votes made at the Parish Council election on Thursday 1st May on Friday 2nd May. Ward votes and Parish Council votes are placed into the same ballot box. At the end of polling at 9.00pm the votes are separated, the ward votes counted and the results declared before commencing the parish count. It is common practice in surrounding districts to count Parish Council votes the day after an election. This helps with staffing as it is difficult to provide vote counters willing to work until 2.00am. The Councillors agreed unanimously that the votes should be counted at the Guildhall on Friday 2 May.
3. An invitation from Selby & York Rural Transport Partnership to the formal launch to be held on 12 March. No Councillor would be able to attend.
4. A letter from Mazars, the external auditors, confirming that they had successfully audited the accounts for 2001-02. To comply with the Audit regulations the first three Sections of the audited accounts have been on display in the window of the Library in Main Street. Mazars had also submitted an invoice for £120, net of VAT, which the Councillors agreed to pay.

1. Mayfair Security reports for February 2003
2. CPRE - Countryside Voice, Spring 2003
3. Poppleton Ward Residents Association meeting minutes of 29 January
4. YNET minutes of 25 February
5. York Economic Development Business Briefing (February 2003)
6. Minutes of Nether Poppleton Parish Council meeting of 20 January 2003
7. YLCA White Rose Update February 2003/ Country Air No. 87

8. Yornews Issue 9 Winter 2003

There were no reports.

The Methodist Church Hall will be open to the public between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on Saturday 22 March. Seventeen local organisations have asked to take part in the Open Day as well as both Parish Councils. No organisation is being charged for their pitch. Free tea and coffee will be available during the day. There will be a variety of Parish Council displays. Councillor Swann's theme is minutes from four separate years accompanied by notes of other village and world events in the same year. Councillor Gillies has extracted a list of all Parish Councillors since 1894. A4 notices of the Open Day have been put on all the notice boards in the villages. Local traders and public houses have been given A4 notices. The Library has received 50 A5 flyers. It is hoped that the Open Day will be advertised in the Evening Press and mentioned on Radio York.

Councillor Thompson submitted a list of comments on various aspect of the Local Plan. These had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting. After discussion the Clerk was directed to forward the comments to the City Council. Councillor Thompson said that he would speak at the Public Enquiry if required.

Councillor Thompson submitted a list of comments on various aspect of the Regional Planning Guidance. These had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting. After discussion the Clerk was directed to forward the comments to the appropriate authority.

It was agreed that the draft contract provided by the Clerk should be discussed by the General Purposes Committee.

Councillor Thompson submitted a list of comments on various aspects of the Regional Planning Guidance. These had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting. After discussion the Clerk was directed to forward the comments to the appropriate authority.

Mentioned that there had been complaints about motor cycles being ridden by youths in the grounds of Blairgowrie.

Monday 14 April 2003 at 7.30pm. The Annual Assembly would take place at 8.00pm.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.42pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE

UPPC mins Mar 03