Owing to the keys to All Saints Church Hall not being available the meeting was transferred to the Methodist Church Hall.

Mr David Thompson addressed the Councillors expressing his concerns over the conduct of the referendum which helped the councillors to decide whether or not to support PCT in 2005/06 and requesting a nil precept for 2006/07. He also expressed his concerns regarding the procedures for public participation.

Mr Paul Tomlinson addressed the meeting when he gave a résumé of the events leading up to the referendum held in January 2005.

Councillor Kendall declared a personal interest in the agenda items relating to the Community Centre as he is the Parish Council's observer at Community Trust meetings.

All Councillors being present there were no apologies for absence.

John Craven addressed the meeting and made the following points

• A centre manager has been appointed and has now got a grasp on the administration.
• The number of room hires has risen
• The car park has been resurfaced
• The Community Centre building is fifteen years old. An assets condition survey is nearing completion.
• A new boiler is needed at a cost of around £5,000
• Window frames and woodwork need to be replaced
• Grant applications need to show that the Trust receives support from Local Authorities which include the Parish Councils
• The Trust is asking for a sum of £5,000 as a grant towards the necessary capital outlay

The Councillors asked Mr Craven several questions and made several comments. The Chairman thanked Mr Craven for his presentation.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2005, having been circulated and read, were accepted and signed as a true record after two amendments had been made.

It was agreed that the public should remain for this agenda item.

Councillor Bramall said that, in his opinion, the referendum that was held in 2005 was flawed and that no future decisions on financing the Community Centre should be based on the referendum result.

Councillor Pannell said that the Councillors did their best at the time of the referendum. Councillors agreed that this item had been fully discussed and the matter should now be considered closed.

The comments were duly noted, as was the fact that the Parish Council's representative is no longer a trustee of the Community Trust but attends purely as an observer.

1. Progress on the "Working With Your Council" course (Min. 05.205a)

The Clerk said that has now started on putting together the portfolio that will lead to his Silca qualification.

2. Vacant allotment (Min. 05.205b)

There are currently two people interested in renting the remaining allotment near the library.

3. Springfield Road tree (Min. 05.209b)

The City Council has now planted a tree at the corner of Springfield Road and Allerton Drive.

4. Newsletter update (Min. 05.213)

The Chairman and the Clerk had approached a number of printers for a quotation for printing the Newsletter. It was agreed that a quotation of £259 from Turpins was acceptable and that the Newsletter should be printed as soon as possible.

5. Brackenhills/The Green snicket (Min. 05.214)

The Clerk reported a conversation with Glen Donaldson of the City Council who is looking to see if there is a record of who owns the Land that the snicket is built on. The Parish Council has proof that the owners of the land either side of the snicket have no claim on the snicket. The City Council will not adopt the snicket at least until its ownership has been proved.

The Clerk read a letter from Mr C K and Mrs M A Whiteley in which they expressed in strong terms that they did not want the Parish Council to support the Community Trust.

After discussion it was resolved that the Parish Council should give financial support to the Community Trust with six Councillors voting for the proposition and one Councillor abstaining. It was agreed that a decision on the amount of support should be decided at agenda item 06.013b.

1. A letter of resignation from Councillor Bill Bunyan
2. HM Customs & Revenue giving details about a seminar on 17 January regarding filing tax and insurance details online. The Clerk has booked a place.
3. An email from David Snape pointing out the number of cars parked around the Green and in Station Road, which are making driving difficult. It was agreed that, whilst parking is a problem, it was a matter for a higher authority and that the police are aware of problem.
4. A letter from YRCC saying that there will be no Regional Conference in 2006

1. CPRE - Fieldwork, December 2005
2. Environment Agency - River Ouse Flood Management Strategy
3. North Yorkshire CJB - Issue one
4. Nether Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 17 October
5. Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 26 October
6. YCVS - Report & Accounts 2004-5
7. YCVS - Voluntary Voice, Dec/Jan
8. YLCA - White Rose update etc. November 2005
9. YLCA - White Rose update December 2005
10. YOPF - Newsletter, November 2005

1. Clerks & Council Direct - January 2006 and a Guide/Yearbook
2. Details of next year's Council Tax base from the City Council
3. NYCC - North Yorkshire Minerals & Waste Development Framework
4. A Discussion Paper on the Standards Board recommendations from the ODPM
5. A reply from PC Paul Fenwick regarding the future of CaP meetings in York

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.

1. It was noted that the Public Enquiry scheduled for 31 January regarding the appeal by Nairobi Stables against the City Council's planning refusal has been cancelled and the appeal held in abeyance pending the submission of a further planning application.
2. The planning application by Oakland Farms to plant 211.27 hectares of Miscanthus Elephant Grass was discussed and it was agreed that there were no objections to the proposal.

1. Vandalism

No reports

2. Other reports

No reports

3. To agree the positioning of a Vehicle Activated Sign in Long Ridge Lane

It was resolved to accept the position of the VAS in Long Ridge Lane as suggested by the City Council.

1. Trees

No report

2. Events

A letter received from the Parochial Church Council stated that a decision had been made not to provide a Christmas Tree for the Green in 2005 because of problems with fencing and stolen bulbs. It had been decided to illuminate the West window of All Saints Church instead.

3. Car parking

No report

4. Maintenance

1. To consider not repairing the broken light and having the electricity meter removed

It was resolved not to mend the light in the bus shelter and to ask the electricity board to take out the meter for which an administration charge of £60.82 has been levied this year.

2. To consider replacing the brick bus shelter with a bus shelter with transparent sides

The Clerk reported that the City Council is willing to replace the existing brick bus shelter with a transparent shelter at its expense in the next financial year. The only cost to the Parish Council would be a contribution to clearing away the old shelter. It was resolved that the City Council's offer of a new bus shelter be accepted. The Clerk was deputed to ask the City Council to make a contribution to clear away the old shelter.

It was resolved that the Parish Council funds the cost of three skateboarding sessions in the next financial year at a cost of £155 for each session.

1. Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 9 January 2006. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 9 January were:

Current Account £200.00

Business Money Manager Account £ 30,396.35

2. To agree the budget for 2006-07 and set the precept

The Councillors considered, item by item, the budget drawn up by the Clerk. It was agreed that the Community Trust should receive a grant of £4,000 towards the proposed capital projects. Of this, the Parish Council would contribute the sum of £1,500 from the money received from easements over the last two years. The balance of £2,500 would come from the precept. Money was set aside for possible future expenditure for which decisions would be made during the forthcoming financial year. It was resolved that the total precept to be raised for the year 2006/7 would be £13,500.

3. To confirm the cost of mending the allotment gate

The Councillors agreed to the expense of £45.65 for the repair to the allotment gate.

No reports.

Councillor Hopton said that cars are still being parked near the school in Main Street despite the building of the car park behind the Community Centre. The Councillors hoped that extra usage of the car park will ease the problem of parking in Main Street in the future and that it is premature to agree to the painting of yellow lines at the present time.

Following a discussion it was agreed that Public Participation should be moved on the agenda from the time before a meeting is opened to a place immediately after the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting.

Councillor Kendall proposed that the Parish Council should adopt a procedure for dealing with Public Participation. The proposition was accepted. Standing Order 48 now reads.

1. The chairman introduces the public speaker and reminds everyone that there is a finite time for the matter to be covered
2. The person(s) involved makes their presentation (limited or controlled by the chairman if necessary and reasonable).
3. The chairman thanks the person(s) and states that the Councillors have heard the representation and will take due note of it. The chairman may also receive any written copy of the delivered public address at this time.
4. The chairman informs the representative(s) that the subject is noted but may not be dealt with directly at that meeting since it is not a formal agenda item or that the remarks may be duly noted by the Councillors when the subject is raised as an agenda item during the meeting.
5. The chairman informs the representative(s) that they are free to approach any of their councillors to pursue the matter but that individual councillors can only bring matters to the attention of the full council as agenda items and they are not permitted by the Standing Rules to make individual decisions or undertakings on Council matters.
6. The chairman brings the item of public participation to a formal close and once again thanks those present.

It was agreed that the amendment to the Standing Orders be adopted.

It was agreed not to hold a Joint Parish Council meeting at the present time.

It was reported that 21 residents had visited the mobile police station, which had been located in the car park in front of the Co-op on Green between 4.00pm and 7.00pm on Monday 19th December. Items discussed had included The hunt "trespassing" on farmland, complaints about driving, cyclists (on footpaths), dumping of rubbish on footpaths and fly tipping, problems at the bus shelter on the Green, youths have nowhere to go and parking on footpaths.

The majority of the Councillors were in favour of future visits of the mobile police station.

Ken Falkingham has given a written estimate of £82 for repairing the damaged seat on the Green. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the parents of the youth and ask that they reimburse the Parish Council for the full cost of the repairs.

1. To agree to support the Flood Defences Campaign by writing to the ODPM

It was resolved that the Parish Council should support this campaign.

2. To agree to ask the City Council to amend their assessment of the flood risk to Poppleton (Zone A5)

In the Environment Agency's Ouse Flood Risk Management Strategy Summary Consultation Document Poppleton is described as being at moderate risk from flooding. Given that in the severe floods of 2000 the water from the River Ouse flooded just one property near the river in Nether Poppleton and came nowhere near any property in Upper Poppleton the Councillors agreed that the Clerk should write to the Environment Agency and ask them to change the risk to "Low".

Councillor Kendall reported that he had organised a further meeting to consider the way ahead for the Parish Plan. Amongst others in attendance was Ms Joanna Buffey, Development Officer, Yorkshire Rural Community Council. She explained the various possibilities for grant funding and surveys of village residents. Councillor Kendall will follow this up with consultations to decide the best approach for the Poppleton Parish Plan.

Councillor Hopton said

1. There is now a plastic bottle recycling collection point in the car park behind the Community Centre.
2. The City Council is participating in "Community Speed Watch" and will be giving out stickers for wheelie bins and children's badges.

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Monday 13 February 2006 at 7.30pm

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.54pm.

CHAIRMAN …………………….. ………………………….2006

James Mackman, Clerk 22a Long Ridge Lane, Nether Poppleton, York YO26 6LX

Telephone 01904 781752 - Fax 0871 4331325 - email jmackman@tesco.net