Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 10 January 2005 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

No member of the public addressed the Councillors.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from City Councillors Glen Bradley and Janet Hopton.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2004, having been circulated and read were accepted and signed as a true record.

1. Reinstatement of the Green where it has been damaged by McAlpines (Min. 04.189a)

Councillor Watson and the Clerk had inspected the Green and found that there were two main areas to be reseeded. Now that the weeds had died back there are bare patches in the area round the bus shelter and by the new bus stop on the opposite side of the road. Barons are to be advised to reseed the areas when the time is right and to treat the immediate area with weed killer.

2. Brackenhills/The Green snicket (Min. 04.189b)

The Clerk reported having had an acknowledgement of his letter from the brewery. It is hoped that they will be able to give a positive response to the request regarding the ownership of the snicket.

3. Payphone box letter result (Min. 04.189c)

Councillor Hopton had provided a schedule of BT's loss-making phone boxes in York. The phone box on the Green was included in a list of boxes which BT guaranteed would not be taken away.

There was a great deal of discussion. Suggestions were made as to (a) the level of contribution the Parish Council should make: (b) whether or not a decision be deferred until the result of the referendum being held by Nether Poppleton Parish Council was known. Councillor Tomlinson said that, barring a miracle, the Parish Councillors would have no more information on which to make a decision at the February meeting unless some positive action was taken now. It was agreed that the Parish Council should hold its own referendum. Referendum papers would be printed and numbered. They would be delivered by the Parish Councillors utilising the schedule of routes used for the distribution of the annual newsletter. The closing date for papers to be handed in would be 28 January. Councillor Hook and the Clerk agreed to collect and collate the referendum papers. Any decision would be based on the result of the referendum and would be made on a simple majority of referendum papers returned. The Councillors agreed that they would remain neutral on the subject of the Community Centre finances during the time the referendum was in progress. The layout of the referendum form was agreed. It was agreed that the decision of Nether Poppleton Parish Council would not be binding on Upper Poppleton Parish Council.

Quotations for removing the silt had been received from Harpers and the City Council. It was agreed to accept the Harpers quotation of £4,989. A decision to carry out any repairs would be made at a subsequent meeting. The Clerk was asked to obtain quotations for replacing various lengths of the culvert. He was also directed to find out if the cost of repairs could be capitalised.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 10 January 2005. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 10 January were:

Current Account £100.00

Business Money Manager Account £19,217.13

2. To agree the budget for 2005-06 and set the precept

Given that no decision was made on the level of contribution to the Community Trust, discussion on the subject of the level of precept was deferred until the February meeting. The Clerk was directed to inform the City Council of the delay.

1. A letter from the City Council asking if there had been any alterations to the Register of Members. The Councillors all said their interests had not changed.
2. A letter from the City Council stating that they were delaying the implementation of the introduction of yellow lines until time had been given to see if the usage of the car park behind the Community Centre was helping alleviate the problem.
3. A letter from the City Council giving details of the enlargement of the Conservation Area.
4. A letter from the City Council apologising for the delay in dealing with the question of double taxation
5. A letter of resignation from Richard Kirby-Brown.
6. Details of a questionnaire from the University of Derby regarding allotments in the village.

1. CPRE - Fieldwork - December 2004
2. A letter from the City Council regarding the absence of the Economic Bulletin
3. Mayfair Group Response - November report
4. Mayfair Group Response - December 2004 report
5. Poppleton Moat Fields Management Group - Minutes of 31 March 2004
6. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 25 October
7. Nether Poppleton Parish Council minutes of 18 October
8. Standards Board of England - New guidance booklets entitled "Lobby groups, dual-hatted members and the Code of Conduct"
9. YCVS - Voluntary Voice November 2004
10. YCVS - Voluntary Voice - Dec/Jan 2004/05
11. YLCA - White Rose Update - December 2004
12. YOPF - Newsletter December 2004
13. Yornews - Issue 13, Winter 2004

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.

There were no comments.

1. Vandalism

1. The Clerk told the Councillors that he had recently reported to the City Council that the Brackenhills sign in Dikelands Lane had been uprooted and had been propped up against a BT pole in Orchard Road. Also that the Dikelands Lane sign opposite Orchard Road had been broken off its supports. The Brackenhills sign had been replaced and the Dikelands Lane sign taken away for repair.
2. Councillor Richardson reported that the City Council's Street Scene department had responded very quickly to her report of mess being left in the bus shelter opposite the Library.

2. Other reports

It was reported that the light from the lamp in the corner of the Brackenhills/Green snicket is obscured by the branches of a large tree and does not shine towards Brackenhills. The Clerk was directed to ask the City Council to take the appropriate steps to make the lighting better.

1. Trees

No report

2. Events

No report

3. Car parking

Councillor Watson reported that tyre marks had been made in the grass opposite the chemist's shop.

The new bus stop sign has been erected on the Green.

1. Councillor Pannell reported on his attendance at the Ward Team meeting on 26 November. The budget for 2005/6 was discussed at length until time ran out. He thought the morning was badly planned and not at all productive.
2. Councillor Tomlinson reported that the Community Trust is pursuing funding for the resurfacing of the car park behind the Community Centre. A decision should be given on 21 February.

Councillor Tomlinson agreed to take up this subject. It was agreed that the event should be held after the clocks go forward at the end of March.

The Clerk reported on advice he had received from Dick Haswell of the City Council. Before an alcohol-free zone can be set up the need has to be proved. This would entail keeping a detailed log of events on which a decision could be made. Even if an alcohol-free zone were declared, the policing of it would depend on the pressure on the police at the time. The police would prioritise incidents and may not respond to a request to visit the Green. It was resolved that the Parish Council would take no further action on this subject.

It was agreed that no Councillor would attend this event.

It was agreed that Councillor Hook and the Clerk should attend this seminar at a cost of £50 plus travelling expenses.

There were no comments.

Monday 14 February 2005 at 7.30pm

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.15pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE