Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 14 March 2005 at 7.30pm in The Methodist Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Three residents spoke.

Mr Dave Doggett, the Chairman of Poppleton Community Trust, gave a résumé of the decisions made at the Trust meeting on 15 February.

• The Trust has decided to carry on with the appointment of a Centre Manager despite the referendum result in Nether Poppleton. The manager should take up his/her duties in June.
• The "no" vote in Nether Poppleton means that they now have to raise an additional £9,000 this year to fund this post. This is on top of the £8,000 additional income included in the Business Plan.
• The fund raising events currently planned are designed to be enjoyed by all sections of the community. They are:

Mr David Thompson again commented on the recently held referendum and gave advice on complaints procedures..

Mr Les Holder commented on the numbering of the ballot papers in the recent referendum.

There were no declarations of interest.

Councillor Greg Watson was unanimously elected as Vice-Chairman.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Liz Reese and Kate Richardson.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2005, having been circulated and read were accepted and signed as a true record.

1. Brackenhills/The Green snicket (Min. 05.025a)

Still no response from the brewery.

2. Neighbourhood Watch Awareness Day (Min. 05.025b)

No progress on this subject.

3. "No Footpath" sign in Hodgson Lane (Min. 05.030bi)

This sign was still lying on the ground even though the City Council had been made aware on 28 February.

4. Dead tree at the corner of Springfield Road/Allerton Drive (Min. 05.030biii)

The City Council had replied to say that this winter's planting has now been finished so the tree couldn't be replaced this financial year. It is likely that a replacement tree could be planted later in the next financial year.

5. "No Parking" sign in Chantry Green refurbishment (Min. 05.031dii)

Mr Lunan is carrying out the appropriate repairs to this sign.

6. Co-option of new Councillors

The City Council has given permission to co-opt a Councillor to replace Councillor Tomlinson. No names of possible candidates have been put forward.

7. Progress on the "Working With Your Council" course

The Clerk said that he was going to Tadcaster on 15 March to his first mentor group meeting on the Working With Your Council course.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 14 March 2005. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 14 March were:

Current Account £100.00

Business Money Manager Account £18,653.43

2. To agree the composition of a working group to consider the revised pay scales for Parish Clerks

It was agreed that Councillors Hook and Watson would look into this subject and report back.

A letter from Mrs J M Bushby in which she was complaining about the recent ballot.

1. NYCC - Local Transport Plan - Consultation. Document which each Councillor agreed they would complete as an individual
2. Standards Board - A consultation paper entitled "Code for the Future"

1. Clerks & Councils Direct - March 2005
2. CPRE - Countryside Voice - Spring 2005
3. CPRE - Annual report - April 2005
4. CPRE - Fieldwork - March 2005
5. David Partington - suggestions on how future referendum papers could be given a non-controversial identification mark
6. Defra - a CD about Broadband
7. Mayfair Group Response - February 2005 report
8. Nether Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 17 January
9. YCVS - Voluntary Voice - March 2005
10. YLCA - White Rose update March 2005
11. York Open Planning Forum Newsletter - February 2005

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.

No comments

1. Vandalism

1. The Pear Tree Avenue sign at the junction with Apple Garth has been removed. This has been reported to the City Council.
2. On 8 March the back window of a car parked in Fairway Drive was smashed.

2. Other reports

The City Council is to erect, in April, a vehicle activated sign on an existing metal type lighting column at a location on Long Ridge Lane on a trial basis. The Parish Council has been asked to advise on where the sign should be located. It was agreed that the Councillors should look at various lampposts and make a recommendation.

1. Trees

The suckers are yet to be removed from the trees.

2. Events

It was agreed that Poppleton Children's Sports Day could be held on the Green on 30 May.

3. Car parking

Councillor Watson presented a paper showing minor alterations to the "White Horse car park". This would enable delivery lorries to all the premises to negotiate their way through the car park without having to run over the grass.

4. Maintenance

No work had been done on the culvert as Harpers are waiting parts from abroad for both their recirculating jetters.

2. To discuss vehicular damage to the grass on the Green

Councillor Bunyan reported that the Co-op have agreed to make good the damage to the Green which had been caused by their delivery vehicles.

1. Councillor Watson produced the minutes of the Poppleton Community Trust meeting that he had attended on 15 February. It was agreed that the report should be circulated. reported on

2. The Clerk reported on the Ward Committee meeting held at Rufforth School on 23 February.

It was agreed that no representative be appointed at this time. It was agreed that the Parish Council would pay the annual subscription when it became due.

Councillor Watson agreed to be the Parish Council's representative.

It was agreed that as no agenda items were suggested that no Joint Parish Council meeting would be arranged.

The Clerk had circulated two examples of complaints procedures. The Councillors agree to look at these and discuss the matter further at the April meeting.

1. To discuss the training needs for Councillors and the Clerk

It was agreed that the Clerk should ask the City Council's Planning Department if they would be prepared to run a course on Planning matters.

2. To agree who will attend the Regional 'One Day' SLCC Conference at Wakefield on 28 April

It was agreed that the Clerk should attend this meeting at a cost of £38 plus expenses.

3. To agree who will attend the SLCC Branch meeting at Helmsley 19 March "New Terms & conditions for Clerks"

It was agreed that the Clerk should attend the Branch meeting at a cost of £8.00 plus expenses.

It was agreed that a copy of NALC's standing orders should be acquired before further discussion took place on this item.

This item was withdrawn.

At the time the agenda was prepared yellow lines had just been painted on the roads near the school. This had been done contrary to the agreement that the Parish Council had reached with the City Council. The lines had been removed within two days. No discussion took place on this subject.

It was agreed that the fence would not be repaired but that the boundary should be delineated by natural vegetation. It was agreed that quotations should be obtained for removing the existing broken fencing.

There were no comments.

Monday 11 April 2005 at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.40pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE