Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 9 June 2003 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Councillor Bunyan declared an interest in the subject of the application for an easement for vehicular access over the Green to his property, Sycamore House.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Pat Gillies, Rachel Watters and Councillor Janet Hopton (City of York Council).

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

1. Turn Engines Off Signs (Min. 03.077a)

The Clerk reported that he had been advised by the City Council that the signs had been ordered. They will be exactly the same as those on display near the railway crossing at Starbeck. It is hoped that they will be in place within a couple of weeks.

2. Manse Land (Min. 03.077b)

There was no report on this subject.

3. Greenthwaites fence report (Min. 03.077c)

Councillor Pannell reported that the fence/wall in front of Greenthwaites is being rebuilt slowly.

4. Reinstatement of the Green where it has been damaged by McAlpines (Min. 03.077d)

The Clerk reported that McApline's had accepted a quotation from Baron (Landscape Contractors) of £1.50 per square metre for reseeding the Greens. Arrangements are in hand for Mr Baron to meet with McAlpines and Councillors to agree the exact areas to be reseeded.

5. Clerk's Contract of Employment (Min. 03.77e)

Consideration is still being given to the Contract of Employment drawn up by the Clerk.

6. Problems with Trespassers at Blairgowrie (Min. 03.077g)

The Clerk reported having had an exchange of emails with the City Council. The arrangement at the moment is that Blairgowrie will be demolished so as to make the site safe for any children who trespass on the land.

7. Proposed Joint Meeting of Upper and Nether Poppleton Parish Councils (Min. 03.089)

Arrangements have been made to hold the Joint Meeting at 7.30pm at the Community Centre on Monday 30 June 2003. The Councillors agreed that the following four subjects should be on the agenda.

1. The Community Centre.
2. The rationalisation of local security companies.
3. The future of Dodsworth Hall.
4. The possible development of the Civil Service ground.

The Councillors did not wish the subject of one Parish Council for both Upper and Nether Poppleton to be on the agenda as this subject was well aired at the previous Joint Meeting held on 4 February 2002. It was acknowledged that the Nether Poppleton Parish Councillors would probably ask for other items to appear on the agenda. It was agreed that the Chairman, Councillor Pannell, would meet with the Chairman of Nether Poppleton Parish Council, Councillor Peter Powell, and agree an agenda that would consist of not more than five items of business.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 9 June 2003. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 9 June were:

Current Account £100.28

Business Money Manager Account £10,505.46

Ryland Horticulture Crown lifting trees on the Green £98.00

Baron (Landscaping Contractors) Grass cutting - April £125.00

3. Accounts paid (net of VAT)

Yorkshire Water Allotment water £7.61

Yorkshire Planning Aid 2 Planning Packs £5.00

YLCA 2 Councillors courses £30.98

YLCA Practitioners Guide inserts £11.99

Allianz Cornhill Annual insurance £837.79

YNET 2003-04 subscription £30.00

HSBC Bank Interest £0.10

5. Internal Auditor

The Clerk reported that Linda Cariss is willing to be the Parish Council's internal auditor this year.

6. Consideration of Donations

The Clerk had circulated a schedule showing donations made by the Parish Council for the last six years. After discussion the Councillors agreed to make the following donations immediately and would reconsider the subject at a future meeting. York Theatre Royal £50, All Saint's for grass cutting £100, St Leonard's Hospice £50 and Martin House Hospice £50. It was agreed that, in future, the decision as to which organisations would receive donations would be made at the time the budget for the following year was set.

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.

There was discussion on the plans to erect a telecommunications monopole on the land behind Wills and Ellis Garage on the corner of Boroughbridge Road and the A1237. The Planning Committee had been unable to agree a recommendation and asked the full Parish Council to consider the matter. It was agreed that there were no actual planning grounds on which the erection of the monopole could be refused. However, a great deal of concern was expressed about the safety of mobile radio masts and it was agreed that the mast would be better sited away from houses and workplaces. The Clerk was directed to write to the City Council Planning Department and convey the concerns of the Councillors.

The draft Village Design Statement was discussed. It was agreed that the Statement was not very specific about actual locations in the village and the Clerk was directed to write to the City Council to this effect.

1. Vandalism

No incidences of vandalism were reported.

2. Other reports

1. It was reported that the hedge bordering 17 Brackenhills has grown half way over the footpath between Brackenhills and the White Horse. The Clerk was directed to write to the owner of number 17 and ask for the hedge to be trimmed back.
2. It was also reported that the branches of some of the trees in Long Ridge Lane are hanging low over the footpath and the Clerk was directed to ask the householders to trim back their branches.
3. It was reported that the hedge bordering Black Dike Lane is growing into the road and the Clerk was asked to contact the landowner to ask that this hedge be cut back.

1. Trees -

2. Events

3. Car parking

The Clerk reported having spoken to the Parish Clerk of Fangfoss Parish Council who had informed him that the 'engine' in Fangfoss was in fact a seat and that it was not insured. The Clerk outlined the difficulty he had experienced in trying to find insurance for the engine. After a brief discussion it was agreed that the idea of turning the trunk of the felled lime tree into an engine be abandoned.

1. A letter from Poppleton Ousebank School asking for a nomination from the Parish Council of an additional co-opted governor for the school. Councillor Hook agreed to be the Parish Council's nominee.
2. A letter from NEDL advising the Parish Council that there had been a revision of the calculation of the number of hours that the light in the bus shelter on the Green is actually turned on in a year. As the electricity supply is unmetered the cost is based on the calculated hours. The upward revision of the hours will mean an increase in the cost of supply.
3. York Open Planning Forum is proposing to offer training on planning matters. In an endeavour to calculate the demand for training they had sent a questionnaire. Four of the Councillors present agreed that they would be willing to attend an evening seminar in September.
4. An application from Sykes Lee & Brydson 'pursuant to Section 68 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 for the Parish Council to grant a full right of way over the strip of common land for the purpose of giving Sycamore House access to and egress from the public road.' It was agreed to discuss this subject at the next meeting.
5. A letter from North Yorkshire Police in reply to the Clerk's letter about vandalism. Amongst several points raised the letter informed the Parish Council that the police are currently recruiting a number of Community Support Officers who will be uniformed employees of North Yorkshire Police with limited police powers. Their purpose is to provide a uniformed patrolling presence and it is hoped they should begin work towards the end of June.
6. A notice from the City Council that work is about to start on replacing the York stone slabs on the footway in Chantry Gap with tarmac.
7. A questionnaire from the CPRE asking for support on various topics. The Councillors agreed answers to the questions and directed the Clerk to reply to the CPRE.

1. Nether Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of the meeting held on 22 April
2. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of a meeting held on 30 April
3. CPRE - TCG newsletter Issue 26 April 2003
4. YCVS - Voluntary Voice - May 2003
5. A copy of Clerks & Councils Direct - May 2003
6. York Youth Parliament - Issue 1, March 2003

Councillor Hook reported on the proceedings of the YNET meeting held on Tuesday 27 May 2003.

Discussion centred around several environmental projects around the city, with representation from some of the Friend’s groups. It was agreed that the question of ongoing maintenance of these sites should be discussed at the next meeting, especially if Friend’s groups were to lose members and close.

The apparent expertise was impressive. It was reported that some work done by them at Mayfield was viewed by people responsible for another site, called the Tenneco site, and was highly praised as a model.

Barry Potter, the vice-chairman, said that he would be willing to help Upper Poppleton, if we are able to begin work on a nature reserve.

YNET is aware of the environmental implications for many development sites throughout the City of York area and tries to ensure that its recommendations are heard by those responsible for planning.

Councillor Swann agreed to contact YNET to ask about the possible sources of funding for a nature reserve.

Concerns were expressed about the way in which some motorists have started to ignore the road marking by the War Memorial and are using the island on which the Memorial is built as a roundabout. This has the implication that drivers using the island as a roundabout expect to have traffic on their left give way to them. It was agreed that the situation should be monitored before any action was taken.

The Parish Council subscribes to the YRCC on an annual basis but is not a member so is not entitled to vote at the AGM. The Councillors agreed to the Parish Council becoming a full member. The only proviso in being a full member is that the Parish Council would have to pay up to a maximum of £5 in the vent of the YRCC being wound up.

It was agreed that the new City Council be given time to introduce legislation which would see the City taking on the financial responsibility of paying for dog bins to be emptied

It was also agreed to allow the City Council time to make and implement proposals to deal with this subject.

The Parish Councillors present lined up in the Main Hall and had their photograph taken by Reverend Michael Bowman who was attending the Parish Council meeting

The Newsletter written by the Clerk was accepted and a print run of 920 copies by the Print Department at Lowfield School was authorised. Councillor Hook volunteered to deliver all the Newsletters.

It was agreed that all the Parish Council minutes from 1894 to date should be sent to Wakefield to be microfilmed by a company called Microform. It is understood that this is a free service provided by the City of York Archives who will be responsible for organising the work. The Archives will keep the microfilmed copies and the minute books will be returned to the Parish Council.

The YLCA Annual Conference is to be held in Filey on 21 and 22 September 2003. No Councillor wished to attend but it was agreed that the Clerk could attend.

The owner of Westville had applied for an easement for the right of vehicular access between his property and the Green. Under Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 1711 Vehicular Access Across Common and Other Land (England) Regulations the maximum amount that the Parish Council could demand on a property built before 1905 is a quarter of one percent of the current value of the property. The Parish Council was being offered the full amount of £1,000 for the easement. The Councillors agreed to accept this offer and directed the Clerk to make the appropriate arrangements with Denison Till who had previously drawn up an easement for St Enodoc.

There was no discussion on this subject.

There were no comments

Monday 14 July 2003 at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 11.16pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE

UPPC mins June 03