UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD IN ALL SAINTS CHURCH HALL, UPPER POPPLETON

AT 7.30PM ON MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2006

 

PRESENT

Councillor Anne Hook (Chairman)

 

Councillor Richard Bramall

Councillor Vivien Crabb

Councillor Ted Kendall

Councillor John Pannell

Councillor Stuart Robson

 

 

Mr R J Clark

Mr H A Pickup

Mr J D G Thompson

Mr D M Tomlinson

 

 

Mr James Mackman (Clerk)

 

06.208 - CO-OPTION AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW COUNCILLOR

There was no new Councillor.

 

06.209 - CONFIRMATION OF SIGNING THE DECLARATION OF OFFICE

There was no one to sign a declaration.

 

06.210 - DECLARATION OF INTEREST ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS

There were no declarations.

 

06.211 - TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Kate Richardson.

 

06.212 - TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9 OCTOBER 2006

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2006, having been circulated and read, were accepted and signed as a true record.

 

06.213 - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Harold Pickup, church warden and trustee of All Saints Church Hall addressed the Parish Councillors and gave the following information:

·        The Hall will be 100 years old in 2009.

·        A new heating system has been installed in the Hall being paid for from the Hall's own funds.

·        The areas by the side of and in front of the Hall have been cleared of vegetation and tidied up.  A grant of £300 towards this had been received from the Ward Committee.

·        The Ward Committee has been asked for a grant of £7,000 to be used to install a disabled access ramp.

·        The toilets need to be refurbished

·        The kitchen and office are to be remodelled

·        Electrical works need to be carried out to meet legal requirements

·        114 new chairs are to be bought

·        The cost of the works is estimated to be £61,000

 

Mr Pickup pointed out that the Parish Council has use of the Reading Room for no charge.  He asked that the Parish Council consider making an annual donation towards the cost of heating and giving a grant to the Hall over the next two years.

 

06.214 - TO RECEIVE THE CLERK'S REPORT

(a)   Progress on the portfolio (Min. 06.192a)

No progress.

 

(b)   Progress on the Maypole grant claim (Min. 06.192b)

It was agreed that Woods of York, Decorators, be asked not to paint the maypole until the spring of 2007. (Action Clerk).

 

(c)    Progress on clearing the vegetation in front of the "Upper Poppleton" sign in Hodgson Lane (Min. 06.192c)

The Clerk reported that the hedge had been trimmed and that the sign was visible from at least ten metres away.  It was agreed that the hedge should be cut so that the hedge is visible from 50 metres away and the Clerk was asked to write to the owners of the adjacent house and ask them to take appropriate action. (Action Clerk).

 

(d)   Confirmation of the purchase of a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) for the Clerk's computer (Min. 06.192d)

The UPS has been bought.

 

(e)    Progress on the provision for parking bicycles by the shops (Min. 06.192ei)

The Clerk reported having visited various locations in the village with the City Council's Cycling Officer, Andy Vose.  Further to his visit Mr Vose was arranging for better cycle parking provision at the railway station, talking with the Olde Forge Surgery about better cycle parking at the surgery and had talked to Paul Stamp, the Community Centre manager, about cycle parking provision there.  He had also agreed to write to the Co-op to ask that provision for cycle parking be made on the Co-op forecourt.

 

(f)     Progress on the Summer Newsletter  (Min. 06.192f)

The Newsletter has been distributed.

 

(g)   Progress on the mending of the seat opposite the bus shelter (Min. 06.196a)

Ken Falkingham will be taking the seat for repair in the next few days.

 

06.215 - FINANCE

(a)   To receive a financial statement

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the current financial year for the period to 13 November 2006.  The report reflected the receipts and payments below.  The bank balances at 13 November were:

Current Account                                                                                                            £400.00

Business Money Manager Account                                                                            £23,353.26

 

(b)   To agree accounts for payment (net of VAT);

949

Baron Landscape

Grass cutting September

£135.00

951

Peter Turpin Associates

Summer Newsletter

£259.00

952

Linda Cariss

Internal audit fee

£75.00

953

James Mackman

Clerk's expenses

£120.17

954

James Mackman

Net salary - November

£407.78

955

Inland Revenue

Income Tax & National Insurance

£147.30

 

(c)    To receive a report on income received

H M Customs & Revenue

VAT refund

£118.79

 

 

(d)   To discuss a request from the Poppleton Community Trust for funding in the next financial year

It was agreed that a Joint meeting with the Nether Poppleton Parish Councillors be arranged within the next few weeks when the request could be discussed in an informal manner.  A decision on the request would be deferred until the January Parish Council meeting.

 

06.216 - TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

 It was agreed that the correspondence received since the October Parish Council meeting, as listed below, be circulated to the Councillors

(a)    Clerk & Councils Direct - November 2006, Issue 48

(b)   CPRE - Countryside Voice, Autumn 2006

(c)    CPRE - Natural Collection, Winter 2006

(d)   CYC-Andy Williams - bin response

(e)    CYC-Waiting restrictions - copy letters

(f)     Nether Poppleton Parish Council, Minutes of 18 September

(g)    Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 27 September

(h)    YCVS - AGM notice

(i)      YCVS - Report & Accounts for 2005-06

(j)     YCVS - York Voluntary Voice, Nov 2006

(k)   YRCC-Annual Report 2005-2006 etc

 

06.217 - TO RECEIVE THE PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT

(a)   Plans pending and Planning Committee Comments

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.  The list is attached as Appendix 1 at the end of these minutes.

 

(b)   Councillors' comments

No comments.

 

06.218 - TO CONSIDER ITEMS RELATING TO HIGHWAYS, FOOTPATHS, LAMPPOSTS & SIGNS

(a)   To consider reports on vandalism

The Selby seat on the Green had been badly damaged on Mischief Night.  It had been removed to save further damage.  It was agreed that Ken Falkingham be asked to repair the damage and an insurance claim made for recompense of the cost if the repair, less the £75 excess as per the insurance policy. (Action Clerk).

One of the seats in the bus shelter on the Green had been smashed off.  Notices had been removed from the notice board in Dikelands Lane. 

 

(b)   To discuss the CYC response re the litter bin near the Post Office

It was agreed that Councillors Bramall, Kendall and Robson meet with Andy Williams, the City Council's (Street Environment Officer), to look at provision of litter bins in the village. (Action Clerk).

 

(c)    To receive other reports

i.          The Clerk reported having advised the City Council that the sign on the A59, opposite Hodgson Lane, is in poor condition and that the City Council had agreed to replace the sign.

ii.      Cyclists are riding without lights in the evening and at night.


 

06.219 - TO CONSIDER MATTERS RELATING TO THE VILLAGE GREENS

(a)   Trees

It was agreed that Ryland Horticulture be asked to look at the trees on the Green with a view of reporting on any remedial work which may be needed. (Action Clerk).

 

(b)   Events 

None.

 

(c)    Car parking for the disabled - White Horse car park

It was agreed that the City Council be asked to mark a parking bay specifically for use by disabled drivers. (Action Clerk).

 

(d)   Maintenance - To discuss the signage on the Green outside the Lord Collingwood

The signs outside the Lord Collingwood appear only temporarily.  It was agreed that the City Council Planning Department be asked if such temporary signs are permissible.  (Action Clerk).

 

06.220 - TO RECEIVE COMMITTEES' REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS

Councillor Kendall reported on the Poppleton Community Trust Executive Committee meeting held on 7 November 2006. Items discussed included:

a.         Facility bookings have increased by £1,200 over the same period last year. This is due in the most part to the marketing activities of the Centre Manager. Over 40 groups now use the Centre on a regular or occasional basis. Taking over the management of the Youth Centre should also mean increased booking opportunities for additional income.

b.    The contract for the transfer of management of the Youth Centre from the City of York Council (CYC) to the Trust has yet to be produced by the CYC for signature and this is causing concern since it precludes further booking possibilities by the Centre Manager and it causes logistical problems in the running of the Centre.

c.    The success in turning the Community Centre financial situation from distinct loss to potential profit and the historical association of both Parish Councils with the financing of the Centre has prompted the Chairman to write to both Parish Councils to ask for some financial commitment to the long term future of the Centre.

d.        There was discussion concerning the possibility of purchasing the land, on which the Community Centre facility stands, from the CYC. It is probable that the CYC might sell the land at a reasonable rate and this action would ensure that land use would always remain in the hands of the village. The CYC grant (now being reduced to zero) has effectively ceased and although rates charged are probably to be reduced to a peppercorn rent, there is no guarantee that this situation will remain static.

 

06.221 - TO RECEIVE A PROGRESS REPORT FROM THE PARISH PLAN WORKING GROUP

Councillor Kendall reported that a room at the Community Centre has been booked for 27 November when the residents who may form the Working Group will meet.  Also attending the meeting will be Jo Buffey from the Yorkshire Rural Community Council.

 

06.222 - TO DISCUSS BUS SHELTER CLEANING

It was agreed that the City Council be asked to clean the bus shelter. (Action Clerk).

 

06.223 - TO DISCUSS THE MINUTES OF THE POPPLETON NURSERY MEETING OF 5 OCTOBER

Councillor Robson expressed disappointment that the minutes of this meeting didn't refer to the possibility of using some of the land at the Nursery as an extension to the car park at the station.  It was agreed that the area at the other side of Station Road which used to be the coal yard would be a good site for a car park and that the Parish Council should write to the four organisations that may have an interest in the land. (Action Clerk).

 

06.224 - TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING

Special Constable Jerry Holland had produced a list of incidents in Poppleton which had been reported to the police in the 31 days to 15 October.  There had been nine incidents in Upper Poppleton.  These were: one attempted burglary to a dwelling, three burglaries from sheds/garages, two of criminal damage, one bicycle theft and two of disorder.

 

Following the visit of the mobile police station on Saturday 14th October it is hoped to arrange to bring it to Poppleton on a monthly basis.

 

It was agreed that the report to future meetings should show the current and previous months' incidents so that the trend can be seen.

 

06.225 - TO APPOINT MEMBERS OF A WORKING GROUP FOR THE OPEN DAY

Councillors Bramall, Kendall and Pannell agreed to be members of the Working Group.  It was agreed that the first meeting should be on the evening of the Joint Parish Council meeting that is being arranged.

 

06.226 - TO AGREE TO SUPPORT THE COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE REGARDING RURAL POST OFFICES

It was agreed that the Clerk should write a letter to Jim Fitzpatrick, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations and Postal Services at the Department of Trade and Industry, to tell him of the Parish Council's support for rural Post Offices and especially the Post Office in Upper Poppleton.  (Action Clerk).

 

06.227 - TO AGREE TO SUPPORT "BRITAIN'S BEST ALLOTMENT" COMPETITION

It was agreed that the Parish Council would support the Competition but that it would be up to the allotment holders to complete the appropriate application form. (Action Clerk).

 

06.228 - TO DISCUSS SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT NEWSLETTER

It was agreed that there would be no Autumn Newsletter.  The next Newsletter will contain articles about vandalism, cycle lights, the Poppleton Nursery, the Police reports, the Parish Plan and the Open Day.

 

06.229 - TO NOTE FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

Date of Meeting

Meeting

Venue/ Time

Councillor Attending

27 November

Police Liaison

Community Centre/ 2.00pm

 

27 November

Parish Plan Working Group

Community Centre/ 7.00pm

Kendall

5 December

Rural West Ward Team

Guildhall/ 9.30am

Pannell

11 December

Joint Parish Council

Community Centre/ 7.30pm

All

 

06.230 - TO RECEIVE COUNCILLORS' COMMENTS

Councillor Robson mentioned that he had had complaints about the surface of the footpath between the White Horse and Brackenhills.  Councillors drew attention to the fact that the Parish Council had failed to establish the ownership of the footpath.


 

06.231 - TO RECEIVE CITY COUNCILLORS' COMMENTS

None.

 

06.232 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING  -

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Monday 8 January 2007 at 7.30pm. 

 

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

 

 

CHAIRMAN ……………………..                                         ………………………….2007

 

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

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