Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 12 January 2004 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

The resident of Westville, Hodgson Lane, addressed the Councillors about his concern regarding the proposed garage to be built in the adjacent garden behind his house.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kate Richardson and Paul Tomlinson.

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

1. Reinstatement of the Green where is has been damaged by McAlpines (Min. 03.175a)

The repair work will be carried out as soon as the weather allows.

No progress on this subject.

3. Missing signs (Min. 03.178a)

The Clerk said that he had been informed by the City Council that the order for the new street signs had been placed with the blacksmith and that they should be ready to be installed soon.

4. Lime Garth notice board (Min. 03.189)

This has not yet been replaced.

5. Post Office Development (Min. 03.191)

Mr Farnsworth had written to say that improvements to the Post Office had been delayed but will commence this quarter and take several weekends to complete out of opening hours.

After much discussion it was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council would not provide funds to help run the Community Centre.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 12 January 2004. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 12 January were:

Current Account £100.42

Business Money Manager Account £14,274.14

James Mackman Clerk's salary - December £251.20

James Mackman Postage and telephone £8.52

3. Accounts paid (net of VAT)

James Mackman Clerk's salary - November £251.20

Mazars External audit fee £120.00

Mrs Linda Cariss Internal Auditor's fees £75.00

Royal British Legion Wreath for Remembrance Day £16.00

4. Income Received

HSBC Bank Interest £38.17

The Councillors discussed the suggested budget for 2004-05 which had been distributed prior to the meeting. It was agreed that the budget be accepted and that the precept again be £11,000.

The Councillors agreed to donate £50 to Poppleton History Society as a contribution towards the cost of acquiring aerial photographs. These would be needed to support the application of a grant from The English Heritage Community Initiative that would enable the Society to explore all the archaeological sites around the Poppletons.

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 Councillors discussed the points made by the resident of Westville and agreed that the Clerk should write to the City Council's Planning Department and inform the Officers of the resident's concerns

1. Vandalism

It was reported that a scooter rider has been riding round and making marks on the grass on the Green.

2. Other reports

Speeding in the village was discussed. Councillor Watson agreed to obtain a price for a sign which would detect speeding vehicles and flash a "30mph" warning signal.

1. Trees -

The Clerk reported that the City Council has agreed to pay for remedial works to the lime tree at the entrance of Lime Garth.

2. Events

The Councillors agreed to a request from the Reverend Michael Bowman for an Easter Cross to be erected on the Green before Easter.

3. Car parking

No report

No report.

1. DLA - Sycamore Stores off licence
2. Welfare Benefits Unit - Pension Credit leaflet

1. Clerk & Councils Direct - Jan 2004, Issue 31
2. Countryside Agency - Comments
3. CYC - Ward & City news, Autumn 2003
4. CYC - Parish Review
5. Defra - Equine issues
6. Mayfair Group Response - November report
7. Mayfair Group Response - December report
8. North Yorkshire Police Authority - Consultation meeting notice, briefing sheet 01
9. Nether Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 20 October
10. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 29 October
11. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 26 November 2003
12. YCVS - Voluntary Voice - November 2003
13. YCVS - Voluntary Voice - Dec/Jan
14. YLCA - White Rose Update, December 2003
15. YNET - Minutes of 25 Nov 03 - Notice of 27 Jan 04
16. York Open Planning Forum - Newsletter, January 2004
17. Yorwaste - Yornews, Issue 11 - Winter 2003

There were no reports.

No name was put forward for consideration. The Councillors agreed to continue to look for a suitable candidate.

It was agreed to defer a decision on this subject until the February Parish Council meeting.

It was agreed that the Parish Council would hold an Open Day in the Spring. The Clerk agreed to contact all the local organisations that took part in last year's Open Day and to book the Methodist Hall. Details of the Parish Council's participation will be decided at a future meeting.

A letter had been received from the CPRE asking for support regarding two items in the government's Planning Bill. The CPRE are requesting the Parish Council to write to the minister for Housing and Planning to ask him to (a) give county councils a statutory responsibility in the preparation and review of the new Regional Spatial Strategies and (b) to address the need for better enforcement of planning controls. The Councillors agreed that the Clerk should write to the Minister and convey to him the Council's support for the CPRE's request.

The Councillors considered a letter from a resident who was requesting permission to plant a tree in memory of his late wife in either Upper or Nether Poppleton. It was agreed that there was no appropriate space on the Parish Council's land and that Nether Poppleton may have land available.

The second Monday in April is Easter Monday and the Councillors discussed the possibility of moving the April meeting to the first Monday. As most of the Councillors would be unavailable on the first Monday it was agreed that the meeting would be held on Easter Monday.

There were no comments.

Monday 9 February 2004 at 7.30pm

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.21pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE