Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 10 May 2004 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Councillor Pannell was re-elected as Chairman for the forthcoming year.

Councillor Pannell signed the Declaration of Office.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kate Richardson and Greg Watson and Councillors Glen Bradley and Janet Hopton (City of York Council).

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. 04.042b)

It was agreed that the Greens should be reseeded immediately after the Children's Sports Day on 31 May should the weather be suitable.

2. Double taxation pro forma (Min. 04.064f)

The Clerk had been advised by Jonathan House of the City Council that a pro forma regarding double taxation would be available by the end of April. No such document had been received and the Clerk was deputed to chase the matter with Mr House.

3. Brackenhills/The Green snicket (Min. 04.068)

The City Council had not been able to ascertain the ownership of the snicket but were still searching their records. It was agreed that, as the snicket had been open for over forty years, the Parish Council should endeavour to have it registered as a public right of way.

4. Resealing the bricks in the Green bus shelter (Min. 04.072)

The graffiti had been removed from the bus shelter and the bricks resealed. The City Council had quoted the sum of £250 for the job. This cost was agreed.

5. Deed of Easement (Min. 04.073)

The Clerk confirmed that the other party had agreed to pay the Parish Council's legal fees and that the production of the Deed of Easement was progressing.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 10 May 2004. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 10 May were:

Current Account £100.54

Business Money Manager Account £11,340.44

James Mackman Clerk's salary - April £251.20

James Mackman Postage, telephone and stationery £74.68

Ken Falkingham New Green seat base & installation £131.50

2. Accounts paid (net of VAT)

YLCA Subscription 2004-05 £336.00

YRCC Subscription 2004-05 £25.00

YNET Subscription 2004-05 £30.00

3. Income Received

HSBC Bank Interest £0.04

Allotment tenants Annual allotment rents £127.50

HM Customs & Excise VAT refund £595.60

NEDL Wayleave £11.50

Prior to the meeting the Clerk had circulated a list of the current subscriptions. It was agreed that the Parish Council continues to subscribe to the following organisations for the current financial year. Yorkshire Local Councils Associations, Yorkshire Rural Community Council, YNET, the Society of Local Council Clerks, CPRE and the York Open Planning Forum.

2. Appointment of an Internal Auditor

It was agreed that the Clerk approach Linda Cariss to see if she would be willing to carry out the internal audit as she has for the last two years.

3. To consider signing a new bank mandate

It was agreed that a new bank mandate be signed. The Clerk would obtain the document and make sure that all Councillors sign it. It was also agreed that the Clerk should continue to be an authorised signatory so that he could continue to transfer money between the two bank accounts by telephone.

4. To consider renewing the insurance policy with Allianz Cornhill - £918.50

It was agreed that the insurance policy be renewed.

5. To consider renewing a fence post at the Main Street allotments

One of the gate/fence posts at the allotments has rotted away. It was agreed that Ken Falkingham be asked to replace it. It was also agreed that Ryland Horticulture be asked to quote for reducing the height of the hedge at the side of the Main Street allotments so that it is the same height as the hedge in Main Street.

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

1. Vandalism

The Clerk reported an ongoing series of vandalism in Nether Poppleton but none was reported in Upper Poppleton.

1. Whenever there is a show at the Harrogate Showground the overflow of cars from the station car park causes severe problems. It was agreed that the police be asked to put cones in Station Road whenever the Harrogate Showground is being used.
2. It was reported that a branch of the hedge in the Brackenhills snicket is hanging across the path. The Clerk was directed to have the offending branch cut back.
3. The vegetation in the garden at the corner of Cherry Grove and Orchard Road is making it difficult for car drivers emerging from Cherry Grove to see traffic travelling down Orchard Road.
4. The City Council has not replaced the flowering cherry tree at the corner of Springfield Road and Allerton Drive. This subject will appear in the agenda for the June meeting.
5. The grassed area outside 63 Station Road has a large dent in it. The Clerk was directed to ask the City Council to investigate to see if there was an underlying problem such as a broken drain.
6. Until last year the flowering cherry opposite 60 Station Road had white and pink blossom. The white blossom branched had been lopped off by City Council employees. The Clerk was directed to contact the City Council to ask if white blossom bearing branches could be grafted on to the tree.

1. Trees -

No report

2. Events

None

3. Car parking

No report

No report

A letter of resignation from Councillor Richard Walker with effect from the end of the May meeting. The Chairman thanked Councillor Walker for his many years of valued service as a Parish Councillor. The Clerk was asked to put into motion the procedure for finding a replacement for Councillor Walker.

1. NPPC - Minutes of 15 March
2. Poppleton Ward Residents Association minutes of 31 March
3. Voluntary Voice - April 2004
4. Voluntary Voice - May 2004
5. Poppleton Under Fives - Details of new committee members
6. North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service - Details of support for parishioners who would like to quit smoking
7. York Open Planning Forum, Newsletter - April 2004
8. Selby & York Rural Transport Partnership - Details of a new type of bus service

Councillor Hook reported on the proceedings at the Ward Committee meeting held on 27 April which she attended with Councillor Richardson.

"The main subject of the evening was the site of the new A59 Park and Ride. The officer was clearly in favour of site 1, inside the A1237 and next to the A59 roundabout. The mood of the meeting was that this would only increase the level of traffic on the roundabout and not reduce congestion. Even an "improved" roundabout would not help, as had been proved with the A19 roundabout. A show of hands, voting both in favour and against each of the sites, clearly showed that, with the exception of a few Northfield Lane residents, the meeting was in favour of site 3 - outside the ring road towards the B1224, which could be approached from both the A1237 and the A59 and would keep traffic away from the roundabout.

The meeting then looked at the new Transport Plan and, after some more lively debate, was asked to complete the survey forms.

The meeting was then told about the proposal to set up an NHS hospital trust for York and Selby and people were asked to pick up forms to put their names forward as members of the trust.

Finally, the meeting was asked for any other questions. David Thompson raised the question of emptying of dog bins and double taxation. After some mixed answers, it would appear that this matter will, one hopes, be resolved in the current year."

As Councillor Watson was absent it was agree that this subject be deferred until the June Parish Council meeting.

The Clerk read PC Fickling's reply to his request for a note of the crime clear-up statistics. PC Fickling said he is unable to produce such reports as he would have to look at each individual crime and he cannot spare the time to do this. There is also the problem of the inaccurate recording of crimes, so any clear-up figures would be misleading. The Councillors appreciated that PC Fickling is unable to obtain the figures but considered that the police should have a system in place where clear-up figures are available and the Clerk was directed to write to the Chief Constable to ask if such a system could be introduced.

After discussion it was agreed that no decision should be made until the location of the proposed A59 Park & Ride had been agreed.

This subject was discussed at length. No agreement was reached on which site the Parish Council would recommend. It was agreed that each Councillor send their own individual questionnaire on the subject.

It was agreed that the Parish Council should produce a Newsletter. The Clerk was asked to write it and give it to the Councillors for comments. A decision on the question of how the Newsletter would be distributed was deferred until another meeting.

It was agreed that future agendas would contain an item for "Public Participation". Members of the public will be advised that they will be able to register to speak to the Councillors before the commencement of each Parish Council meeting. They will be allocated up to three minutes to address the Councillors on any subject that is on the agenda.

A letter from Mr & Mrs Tulley requesting an easement for any necessary renewal or upgrading of the existing underground cables and pipework that may be required to service both Westgarth (on Hodgson Lane) and the land behind on which it is their intention, in due course, to build a private residence had been circulated to the Councillors prior to the meeting. The Councillors agreed that a charge of £1,000 be asked for the easement plus any legal costs that the Parish Council may incur.

Councillor Tomlinson suggested that some of the Parish Council's funds be placed in a high interest account. Councillor Gillies said she would provide some information on this subject for the next meeting.

Monday 14 June 2004 at 7.30pm

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.17pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE