Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 12 April 2004 at 7.00pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Liz Reese was co-opted as a Parish Councillor and introduced to everyone present.

The Clerk confirmed that Councillor Reese had signed the Declaration of Office.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Tomlinson, Richard Walker and 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. 042a)

The Open Day had not been well attended. It was agreed that a meeting should be arranged to discuss the Open Day and make recommendations on the timing of any future Open Day. Councillor Watson agreed to be the Parish Council's representative at the meeting to be arranged by the Clerk.

2. Reinstatement of the Green where is has been damaged by McAlpines (Min. 04.042b)

The repair work should be carried out in April. The Clerk is to contact Philip Baron if the work hasn't started within the next week.

The Land Registry had written to say they had no record of the ownership of the land. It was agreed to delay further progress on this subject for the time being.

4. Garage in Grove Gardens (Min. 04.044.2c)

The Clerk had reported this matter to the City Council who were aware that work had been started.

5. Asbestos in Broad Lane (Min. 04.045.bi)

The Clerk had reported this to the City Council and been informed that the land on which the asbestos has been dumped is in Harrogate District and not within the City boundary. Harrogate have been informed of the location of the asbestos.

6. Burnt hedges in Broad Lane (Min. 04.045.bii)

The Clerk informed the City Council about the hedges having been burnt as a result of a large fire on the grass verge. The hedges are in Harrogate District.

7. Parked van in Station Road (Min. 04.045.biii)

The Clerk had written to the owner of the van since when the van has been parked correctly.

• At this point in the agenda Councillor Richardson arrived

4. Jubilee seat (Min. 04.053)

The Jubilee seat has been bought from Glasdon for the sum of £467.59 and installed on the Green by the side of the "Heidi Meyer" tree. Ken Falkingham installed the seat. His invoice has not yet been received.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the year ended 31 March 2004. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 31 March were:

Current Account £100.00

Business Money Manager Account £11,738.44

James Mackman Clerk's salary - March £251.20

James Mackman Postage, telephone and stationery £15.22

3. Accounts paid (net of VAT)

Society of Local Council Clerk's Annual subscription £36.00

Poppleton Luncheon Club Donation £10.00

CPRE Annual subscription £25.00

York Open Planning Forum Annual subscription £20.00

CPRE "Village Speedometer" - booklet £3.00

City of York Council Dog bin emptying 2003-04 £1,117.80

Glasdon Jubilee seat £467.59

4. Income Received

HSBC Bank Interest £0.02

It was agreed that the £30 subscription be renewed.

6. It was noted that the invoice for dog bin emptying for the year ended 31 March 2004 had been paid. This led to a discussion on this aspect of double taxation. The Councillors agreed that the Clerk should contact the City Council and ask when the pro forma for claiming items where double taxation occurs would be available.

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.

None

The Councillors agreed that a Planning Aid Pack should be bought for Councillor Reese.

1. Vandalism

1. It was reported that the "Community Centre" directional sign on the Green had been broken and fixed since the March Parish Council meeting.
2. The "Chantry Grove" sign in Brackenhills has been turned so that it does now point to Chantry Grove.

2. Other reports

None

1. Trees -

No report

2. Events

A request by the Children's Sports Day Committee to use the Green on 31 May was approved.

3. Car parking

No report

No report

1. A letter from Mrs Corrall of Poppleton Women's Institute asking for help in having the path in the snicket between Main Street and Brackenhills made more level to accommodate wheelchairs. Also to improve the lighting at the Brackenhills end of the snicket. The Clerk was asked to find out who owns the snicket.
2. A thank-you letter from Poppleton Luncheon Club for the £10 donation to their funds.
3. A letter from Drivers the Solicitors acting for the Gioiellos regarding the application for a licence to sell alcoholic drinks.

Mayfair Group Response - February 2004 report

1. CPRE - Rural Matters - Issue 30, TCG news issue 29
2. CPRE - Planning update Issue 2/04 - March 2004
3. CPRE - AGM notice
4. Martin House - Newsletter No. 41
5. Mayfair Group Response - March 2004 report
6. Nether Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 9 February
7. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 25 Feb
8. YCVS - Voluntary Voice, March 2004

1. Councillor Pannell reported on his attendance at the York Open Planning Forum seminar held on 23 March. He had found the seminar useful but was disappointed that the YOPF literature hadn't made it clear that the seminar and workshop were complimentary.
2. Councillor Hook reported on her and Councillor Bunyan's attendance at the York Open Planning Forum planning workshop on 30 March.

Councillor Watson asked that this subject be deferred until the May Parish Council meeting.

It was agreed to let the grass-cutting contract run and not seek quotations for the time being.

The protective coating on some of the bricks in the bus shelter on the Green was removed when the graffiti was cleaned off. It was agreed that the City Council be asked to remove the new graffiti and reapply the brick sealant.

The solicitors of the parties wishing to be granted an easement for the water supply pipe to be laid under Chantry Green have sent a draft easement for approval. They have agreed to the payment of £500 for the easement. The Clerk was directed to ensure that all the Parish Council's legal charges would be paid by the other party and then to instruct Denison Till to act on the Parish Council's behalf.

The Councillors discussed the report on crime in Poppleton which had been supplied by PC Fickling. The report covers the period from April 2003 to March 2004. The Councillors agreed that the report would have been more meaningful if a note of the number of crimes solved had been supplied as well. The Clerk was directed to ask PC Fickling if there are any figures available on the crime clear-up rate.

The City Council is providing grants of between £100 and £300 for groups including Parish Councils who are willing to do something to improve the look and feel of the city and its neighbourhoods. In most cases the grant would match the funding made by the Parish Council.

It was agreed that funds should be requested for installing a litter bin by the bus shelter opposite the Library and for repainting the maypole on the Green.

After discussion it was agreed that Mr Crabb should be given permission to resurface the drive which runs past his house. The proposed tarmac surface should blend in with the surrounding tarmac surfaces. It was agreed that the Parish Council would not provide funds towards the project.

None

Monday 10 May 2004 at 7.30pm

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.55pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE