Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 11 July 2005 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Neil Hildreth addressed the meeting over his concerns about the proposed increase in the licensing hours for the White Horse Inn.

Councillors Watson and Bunyan declared an interest in agenda item 05.139. It was agreed that this item should be the next item of business so Councillors Watson and Bunyan left the building and Councillor Pannell took the Chair.

1. Poppleton Community Centre

It was agreed unanimously that the Parish Council had no objections to the proposed hours.

2. Poppleton Community Centre Social Club

3. White Horse Inn

1. Opening at 7.00am for the sale of food may lead to a problem with traffic and noise. There is already a problem in the village Green with traffic travelling between the A59 and the ring road to avoid congestion at the A1237/A59 roundabout in the morning.
2. The small time gap from closing at 1.30am to reopening at 7.00am gives little time for residents in the locality of the pub to have a good night's sleep.
3. Possible excessive noise made by customers leaving the pub at 1.30am is a cause for concern.
4. The Parish Councillors are of the opinion that all the public houses in the village should have the same closing time so that there will be no mass exodus at the closing time of one pub to another that is still open.

It was pointed out that the Lord Collingwood's licence application had been approved by the City Council.

At this point Councillors Watson and Bunyan were called back to the meeting and Councillor Watson resumed the Chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Liz Reese and Kate Richardson.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2005, having been circulated and read, were accepted and signed as a true record. It was agreed that the minutes for the meeting held on 17 June 2005 would be considered at the September meeting.

1. Brackenhills/The Green snicket (Min. 05.105a)

Councillor Watson reported that he had been chasing Enterprise Inns, the owners of the White Horse, but had received no answer.

2. Standing Orders update (Min. 05.105b)

No development on this subject.

3. Progress on the "Working With Your Council" course (Min. 05.105c)

The Clerk reported on his fourth mentoring course at Tadcaster which had covered "Procedures".

4. Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) in Long Ridge Lane (Min. 05.105d)

It was reported that the City Council does not agree that the site chosen by the Parish Council is the best place for a sign. It may be that the sign will be put on a newly erected post in another location. Consultation with residents is likely before a decision is made on the new site.

5. Pruning the sycamore on the Green (Min 05.105e)

It was agreed that the subject of the possible removal and replacement of the sycamore should be an item on the next agenda.

6. Broken allotment fence (Min. 05.105f)

The Councillors agreed that the work should wait until the children are on school holidays so that the positioning of the skip will not be a problem.

7. Putting the Parish Council's website on the Local Channel (Min. 05.105g)

No progress on this subject.

8. Overhanging branches in Dikelands Lane (Min. 05.109b)

The Clerk reported that the City Council had emailed to say that the tree is not a highway tree and that it has no responsibility for it.

9. Parish Plan development (Min. 05.114)

It was agreed that this subject should be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

10. Councillor Gillies's resignation

The Clerk had previously informed the Councillors of Councillor Gillies's resignation. He reported that he had taken the necessary steps to seek a replacement Councillor. The Chairman expressed the Parish Council's thanks for the contribution that Councillor Gillies had made to the Parish Council.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 11 July 2005. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 11 July were:

Current Account £100.00

Business Money Manager Account £23,611.49

2. To receive a report from the working group considering the revised pay scales and conditions of service for Parish Clerks

Councillor Watson outlined the proposals for the revised pay scheme for the Clerk. Having confirmed that Councillor Watson's comments were accurate the Clerk retired whilst the Councillors discussed the subject. On returning to the meeting the Clerk was advised that the Council had accepted the new terms and conditions with a proviso that the Clerk kept a log of the hours he expended on the four different aspects of his job.

3. To receive and approve the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2005

The Income and Expenditure Account and the Balance Sheet were presented to the Councillors. These were accepted and then signed by both the Chairman and the Clerk.

4. To consider updating the Parish Council's Financial Regulations

It was agreed that this should be included on the next agenda. The Chairman asked the Clerk to produce a set of regulations for consideration.

1. Clerk & Councils Direct - July 2005, Issue 40
2. CPRE - University expansion information
3. CYC - Local Plan - 4th Set of Changes-
4. Defra - Clean Neighbourhoods Act information
5. Mayfair Group Response - June report
6. Nether Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 16 May
7. North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority - Performance Plan 2005/06
8. North Yorkshire Police - Special Constables campaign
9. Npower - Electricity price change
10. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 25 May
11. SLCC - The Clerk - July 2005
12. YLCA - Annual Report & Account 2004-05
13. York Open Planning Forum - Newsletter June 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

None reported

2. Other reports

None

1. Trees

No report.

2. Events

There was discussion about the Christmas Tree that is erected on the Green and the fencing that is put round the tree. It was agreed that these items should be on the next agenda.

3. Car parking

1. Councillor Watson reported that there had recently bee a four-car pile up on the car park outside the White Horse. One of the cars had been a write-off and had it had been several days before it was removed.
2. Councillor Watson said that now Ascot in York has gone the City Council officers should be able to give their opinion on the proposals for the alteration to the car park.

4. Maintenance

1. To agree a date for the culvert working group to meet

As there is currently one member short from the General Purpose Committee it was agreed that the appointment of a fourth member of the Committee should be on the September agenda.

2. To agree action over the skip and Portaloo on the Green

It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the owners of 1 Oak Villas pointing out that they had not received permission to place the Portaloo on the Green and that it should be removed immediately.

3. It was reported that the brackets on the front gutter of the bus shelter had been broken and it was agreed that Ken Falkingham be asked to fix them.

No reports.

Councillor Watson said that he expected to have the Newsletter ready for the September Parish Council meeting. It would contain information about the proposed Parish Plan, the Vehicle Activated Sign in Long Ridge Lane, the revision of the car parking area on the Green in front of the White Horse, a note from Poppleton Scouts etc.

Various events to be held to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar were mentioned. The Lord Nelson may be having a hog roast. Poppleton History Society is holding a dinner at the Tithe Barn and is looking at the idea of having a beacon. Councillor Watson said that he would liaise with the other pubs in the village. The Parish Councillors agreed that they would look favourably at giving prize money for bona fide events.

Councillor Watson referred to the document produced by the City Council and said that he would liaise with Councillor Hopton.

See page 1 above.

05.140 - TO AGREE QUESTION/S FOR THE LEADER OF THE CITY COUNCIL WITH REGARDS TO THE CHARTER.

No questions were forthcoming.

It was agreed that the Chairman and the Clerk complete the City Council's questionnaire.

No forthcoming meetings were notified.

Councillor Hopton reported that:

1. Money is being raised for Youth Workers. It is hoped that sponsorship will come from village businesses.
2. The City Council's Highways Department is to relay, sometime in September/October, the road surface in Dikelands Lane between Ebor Way and Main Street
3. The Trustees of Dodsworth Hall have appealed to the Secretary of State against the City Council's refusal to allow for the Hall to be demolished and a bungalow be erected on the site.

Councillor Watson reported that there had been 38 applicants for the Community Centre Manager's post. Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 19 July when eight candidates will be interviewed. Councillor Watson will be on the interviewing panel as will Councillor Hopton and Dave Doggett.

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Monday 12 September 2005 at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.26pm.

CHAIRMAN …………………….. ………………………….DATE