Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 8 March 2004 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Glen Bradley (City of York Council).

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

1. Parish Councils' Open Day - 3 April 2004 (Min. 04.014)

The Clerk reported that seven local organisations have agreed to take part in the Open Day with a possibility that another three may.

2. Reinstatement of the Green where is has been damaged by McAlpines (Min. 04.024a)

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

3. The feasibility of a Nature Reserve in Upper Poppleton (Min. 04.024b)

The Land Registry has not yet replied to the question of who owns the land which the Parish Council would like to have as a nature reserve. It was pointed out that there is a neglected nature reserve behind All Saints Church. It was also pointed out that the reserve is not permanent but is land left fallow until it is required as a graveyard.

4. Missing signs (Min. 04.024c)

The Brackenhills and Chantry Grove signs have now been replaced. The spelling of Brackenhills is now the same on both signs located at the exit to Dikelands Lane.

5. No Parking sign outside Methodist Chapel (Min. 04.028d)

a. It was agreed that no action be taken on this sign which does rock when pushed hard but which will immovable when the ground dries out later in the year.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 8 March 2004. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 8 March were:

Current Account £100.72

Business Money Manager Account £13,658.53

James Mackman Clerk's salary - February £242.03

James Mackman Postage, telephone and stationery £3.92

Yorkshire Water Allotment water £6.60

3. Accounts paid (net of VAT)

None

4. Income Received

HSBC Bank Interest £46.40

Donation Jubilee Fund balance £136.80

5. To consider continuing the CPRE subscription

It was agreed that the £25 subscription be renewed.

6. To consider continuing the York Open Planning Forum subscription

It was agreed that the £20 subscription be renewed

7. To consider continuing the Clerk's SLCC membership subscription

It was agreed that the Parish Council would continue to pay the Clerk's SLCC subscription which, for the current year, is £36.

8. To consider a request from Poppleton Luncheon Club for extra funding

A letter from the Poppleton Luncheon Club said that there had been a large unforeseen increase in their insurance and please would the Parish Councillors consider restoring the annual donation to £50. As £40 had been donated this year it was agreed to donate another £10 immediately and consider the request for £50 when all donations are considered at the June 2004 meeting.

The meeting was suspended at this point to enable residents to speak about proposed developments of properties bordering Chantry Green and School Lane. Concern was expressed about the proposed building of a house in the Conservation Area. The Councillors were told that when the village was in Harrogate District plans for building had been refused. The Councillors were advised that the City of York Council has indicated that plans for new houses will be looked on favourably. The meeting was re-opened and the Councillors continued the business.

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 Chairman told the meeting that the Planning Committee had been unable to agree on two planning applications and the members were asking for the Parish Council to consider them.

1. It was agreed that the Parish Council had no objections on planning grounds to oppose the building of a house in the back garden of Greenthwaite but with the provisoes

1. that access to the property down School Lane was acceptable to the City Council
2. that the height of the building would not contravene any planning regulations
3. That the building would preserve the character of the Conservation Area

1. Vandalism

1. It was reported that there have been several instances of eggs being thrown at houses in the village.
2. The graffiti has been removed from the bus shelter on the Green.

2. Other reports

1. Councillor Walker reported that some asbestos had been dumped in Broad Lane and the Clerk agreed to report it to the City Council.
2. It was reported that a local farmer has been burning down hedges in Broad Lane. The Clerk was directed to find out if this is an acceptable practice.
3. It was reported that a van in Station Road is invariably parked at night so that it faces the traffic. The clerk was directed to write to the owner to ask that the van be parked legally in future.

1. Trees -

No report

2. Events

No report

3. Car parking

No report

No report

1. A letter from Ethan Daniel Spencer (aged three) thanking the Parish Council for replacing the missing piece of play equipment in the Community Centre play area but saying he was puzzled because the horse had now become an elephant.
2. A letter from Anne McIntosh MP thanking the Parish Council for its reply to enquiry about Mayfair Group Response.
3. A letter from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in response to the Parish Council's letter on planning issues. The Government is going to provide a statutory guarantee for the counties' role on planning matters. A review is currently being undertaken of the planning enforcement system and an announcement is expected shortly.

1. YNET minutes of 27 January

1. Nether Poppleton Parish Council minutes of 9 January
2. Clerk & Councils Direct - Issue 32, March 2004
3. Poppleton Ward Residents Association minutes of 26 January
4. YLCA - White Rose update, February 2004

Councillor Hook reported on her attendance at the YNET meeting on 24 February. A letter had been received from a Friends Group, withdrawing their membership from YNET because it was felt that not enough was discussed at the meetings which was relevant to the Group. The meeting therefore discussed the format of meetings and a way to make them more relevant. No conclusions were drawn.

YNET sees itself as a rescue organisation - it is there when it is needed. It also has a responsibility for trying to connect all the green spaces in the City to create green corridors for wildlife.

Most of the meeting kept returning to the vexed question of planning procedure in the council. Barry Potter was especially vociferous. According to him, the council officers appear to have too much control - and are asking for more - but seem lacking. An example was that they register planning applications without all the necessary information, especially environmental assessments.

Councillor Gillies advised that she had been in contact with a prospective Councillor. It was agreed that the Chairman should contact this person with a view to her being co-opted at the meeting in April.

Councillor Pannell, having been out of the country for a period of time, had not yet been to see the resident but agreed that he would before the next meeting.

After much discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would grant an easement for the water supply pipe to be laid under Chantry Green providing that the Parish Council received the sum of £500 and bore no legal costs.

The Councillors were advised that the City Council now consider that signs on wheelie bins are legal. The Councillors agreed to purchase 400 signs to be put on 200 wheelie bins. The signs would say either SLOW DOWN or SPEED KILLS.

It was agreed that a wooden seat of the type already in place outside the Methodist Chapel be bought and that Ken Falkingham should be asked to prepare the base for the seat.

The Clerk confirmed that an officer of the City Council would attend the Joint meeting to hear the Councillors views on traffic problems. It was agreed that the subject of a footpath in Hodgson Lane be on the agenda. The agenda is to be limited to four items and the Chairman was authorised to agree the agenda items with Councillor Peter Powell, the Chairman of Nether Poppleton Parish Council.

Councillor Walker advised the meeting that there would be a garden rubbish collection on 27 March. White bags are now available at selected shops in the village.

Monday 12 April 2004 at 7.00pm with the Annual Assembly at 8.00pm

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.30pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE