UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN ALL SAINTS CHURCH HALL, UPPER POPPLETON AT 7.00 PM ON MONDAY 9 JULY 2007

 

PRESENT

Councillor Greg Watson (Chairman)

 

Councillor Peter Hawkins

Councillor John Pannell

Councillor Kate Richardson

Councillor Stuart Robson

 

City Councillor Ian Gillies from 8.15pm

 

 

 

Two members of the public for Paul Bisson’s address and one member of the public for the agenda item about easements.

 

Mr James Mackman (Clerk)

 

TO RECEIVE AN ADDRESS FROM PAUL BISSON OF THE POPPLETON COMMUNITY RAILWAY NURSERY

Paul Bisson, Director and Company Secretary of Poppleton Community Railway Nursery Ltd, gave a history of the Nursery project from its inception to the present day.  Despite the best efforts of the people involved the conditions set by Network Rail have made it impossible to proceed with the project.  The cost of implementing these conditions would mean a minimum expenditure of £30,000 before anyone outside the rail companies could set foot on the land.  Mr Bisson said that he was “going to recommend to everyone involved so far in the Poppleton Community Railway Nursery that the project should be abandoned and the company wound up.  It would be foolish to pursue a project with such overwhelming odds of success against it.”

The Chairman thanked Mr Bisson for his presentation and invited the Councillors and members of the public to ask questions.  Mr Bisson did his best to answer the questions asked.

The Councillors agreed that the subject of the Community Railway Nursery would appear on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

07.136 - DECLARATION OF INTEREST ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS

Councillor Hawkins asked if he ought to declare a prejudicial interest in agenda item 07.143e, “To approve the payment of the first instalment of this year’s grant to Poppleton Community Trust”.  It was agreed that the decision to pay the amount had been made at a previous meeting and that this agenda item was merely to agree the timing of the payment and that whilst his interest had been noted it was not required that he leave the room for the agenda item.

 

07.137 - TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Vivien Crabb.

 

07.138 - TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 JUNE 2007 

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2007, having been circulated and read, were accepted and signed as a true record.

 

07.139 – TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 2 APRIL 2007

The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting had been circulated prior to Parish Council meeting.  There were no comments on the minutes which will be signed at the 2008 Annual Parish Meeting.

 

07.140 - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None

 

07.147 - TO CONSIDER A CLAIM FOR TWO EASEMENTS OVER THE GREEN TO LAND ASSOCIATED WITH BLAIRGOWRIE

It was agreed that this item should be brought forward to this point on the agenda so that the Methodist Church representative could be consulted.

The Land Registry had written to the Parish Council to advise that the owner of Blairgowrie has asked to register a right of way from the public highway into Blairgowrie in two places.  1.  Through the gate set back on the land between Dene Holm and the Old Forge Surgery.

2.  Into the drive in front of the abandoned, burnt out house known as Blairgowrie.  After discussion it was resolved that the Parish Council did not agree to give prescriptive rights of way to any entrance to Blairgowrie.  It was agreed that the Clerk in conjunction with the Chairman should prepare a response to the Land Registry.  It was agreed that the response should be checked by Burn & Co solicitors prior to being sent to the Land Registry. (Action Clerk and Councillor Watson)

 

07.141 - TO RECEIVE CITY COUNCILLORS' COMMENTS

City Councillor Ian Gillies reported that:-

·          Milk money had been stolen from outside five houses. 

·          A gang of youths had broken a window in the bowls pavilion and had been riding bicycles across the bowling green.

·          The City Council is replacing older street lights in the village with high-level street lighting.

·          The City Council’s Neighbourhood Action Team is to carry out street cleaning throughout the village every two weeks.

 

07.142 - TO RECEIVE THE CLERK'S REPORT

(a)   Progress on the provision for parking bicycles by the shops (Min. 07.119a)

The Chairman and Clerk met Andy Vose, the City Council’s Cycling Officer, on 5 July.  Andy said that he had not had a reply to his letters to the Co-op regarding the proposed cycle rack.

 

(b)   Progress on replacing the litter bins around the Green (Min. 07.119b)

The litter bin that went missing from the corner of Station Road and Black Dike Lane has been replaced with a cylindrical bin with a domed top exactly as the Parish Council requested.  At the recent Ward Committee meeting Councillor Robson and the Clerk discussed the replacement of the other bins on the Green with Angus Young who has taken over responsibility for Poppleton from Andy Williams.  Mr Young said that he would find out the current situation regarding the bins and would arrange to meet Councillors if needed.

 

(c)    Progress on Easement (Min. 07.119d)

Denison Till had written to say that the draft Deed of Grant has been sent to Guest Walker & Co for their approval.

 

(d)   Progress on refurbishing some of the village seats (Min. 07.119e)

Ken Falkingham has pressure washed and painted all the seats.

 

(e)    Progress on the  repair of the two No Parking signs (Min. 07.124d)

Phil Lunan has refurbished the two No Parking signs.

 

07.143 - 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 9 July 2007.  The report reflected the receipts and payments below.  The bank balances at 9 July were:

 

Current Account                                                                                                                 £400.00

Business Money Manager Account                                                                                £18,184.69

 

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

1003

1st Poppleton Scouts

Annual subscription

£100.00

1004

2nd Poppleton Guides

Donation

£100.00

1005

3rd Poppleton Brownies

Donation

£100.00

1006

Martin House

Donation

£50.00

1007

St Leonard’s Hospice

Donation

£100.00

1008

All Saints Church

Donation

£150.00

1009

Poppleton Luncheon Club

Donation

£50.00

1010

P R Lunan

Insurance premium

£260.00

1011

Baron Landscape Contractors

Grass cutting - June

£270.00

1012

James Mackman

Clerk’s Expenses

£49.71

1013

James Mackman

Clerk’s salary - July

£409.43

1014

Post Office Ltd

Tax & NI

£143.73

1015

K Falkingham

Seats refurbishment

£480.00

 

(c)    To receive a report on income received

Nil

 

 

 

(d)   To receive and approve the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007

As the books and accounts were still with the Internal Auditor it was agreed to defer the approval of the audited accounts until the next meeting.

 

(e)    To approve the payment of the first instalment of this year’s grant to Poppleton Community Trust

It was resolved to make the first payment being £3,750.00 to the Community Trust.

 

07.144 - TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

07.144.1 - The Clerk read or referred to the following item of correspondence

(a)      CYC - Your Ward - July 2007

(b)     CYC - Planning for Parish Councils

(c)      H M Government - No smoking signs.  These were for the two bus shelters but the City Council has already put up appropriate signs.

(d)     HSBC - Internet banking details – Clerk to progress and include on next agenda

(e)      NALC - Cracking the Code seminar – no Councillor to attend

 

07.144.2 - It was agreed that the correspondence received since the June Council meeting, as listed below, be circulated to the Councillors

(a)      Clerk & Councils Direct - Issue 52, July 2007

(b)     CPRE - Countryside Voice, Summer 2007

(c)      North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority - Corporate Plan 2007-2008

(d)     Nether Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 21 May

(e)      SLCC - The Clerk, July 2007

(f)       YLCA - White Rose update etc

(g)      YRCC - Country Air, Summer 2007 - No 104

 

07.145 - 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.

 

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

(a)   To consider reports on vandalism

No report other than the incidents mentioned previously by Councillor Gillies.

 

(b)   To receive other reports

No reports

 

07.147 - TO CONSIDER MATTERS RELATING TO THE VILLAGE GREENS

(a)   Trees

No report

 

(b)   Events 

No report

 

(c)    Car parking - review

To be discussed at the next meeting.

 

(d)   Maintenance

i.           To reconsider the positioning of a new cycle rack on the Green

The Chairman reported that at the meeting last week Andy Vose had agreed that the City Council would provide, under its cycling budget (therefore at no expense to the Parish Council), two cycle racks made of tubular bars.  The Councillors agreed that they would like to have two cycle racks and that they should be constructed on the spur of grass at the end of the car park in front of the Co-op.  (Action Clerk)

 

ii.         To consider a claim for two easements over the Green to land associated with Blairgowrie

See above

 

07.148 - TO RECEIVE COMMITTEES' REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS

Councillor Watson reported on the Ward Committee meeting held on 4 July.  This was an informal meeting.  Useful contacts were made with representatives from several Departments of the City Council.

 

07.149 - 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 during the period from May to June.  The figures exclude all road traffic offences and collisions and only include incidents where an offence was found to have been committed.  There had been eleven incidents in Upper Poppleton.  These were: one case of burglary dwelling, one burglary shed/garage, one theft from a vehicle, one other theft, one case of fraud, two of criminal damage, one cycle theft, two nuisance youths and one of disorder.

The Clerk produced a spreadsheet showing all the monthly figures from August 2006.

 

07.150 – TO CONSIDER COUNCILLOR TRAINING

It was agreed that Councillor Hawkins should attend the Training Course for new Councillors to be held at Dunnington on 12 July at a cost of £25.00.  It was also agreed that Councillor Crabb could attend a course if she wished.  (Action Clerk)

 

07.151 – TO CONSIDER THE PROVISION OF A YOUTH SHELTER

The Councillors resolved that they agreed in principle with providing a youth shelter in the village but would only proceed with the idea if Nether Poppleton Parish Council also agreed in principle that the provision of a youth shelter was desirable. (Action Clerk)

 

07.152 – TO CONSIDER A LETTER FROM THE YORK RURAL HOUSING ENABLER

A letter from Carolyn Vaughan-Downes, the York Rural Housing Enabler, was considered.  It was agreed that she be invited to address the Parish Council at the September meeting so that the Councillors could find out more about affordable housing.  (Action Clerk)

 

07.153 - TO AGREE ATTENDANCE AT THE SCARBOROUGH CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER

It was agreed that no Councillor would attend.

 

07.154 - TO AGREE THE RISK ASSESSMENT UPDATE

The Clerk presented a statement showing the key risks facing the Parish Council, the potential consequences if risk occurs and the measures taken by the Parish Council to reduce the risks.  It was resolved to accept the statement.

 

07.155 - TO NOTE FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

Date of Meeting

Meeting

Venue/ Time

Councillor Attending

21 July

YLCA AGM

Poppleton Community Centre/ 2.00pm

Watson

20 August

Police Liaison

2.00pm at a venue to be arranged

Watson, Hawkins, Robson

27 September

Ainsty Group

Askham Richard Parish Council Hall/ 7.30pm

Watson, Clerk

 

 

07.156 - TO RECEIVE COUNCILLORS' COMMENTS

No comments.

 

07.157 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 10 SEPTEMBER 2007

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Monday 10 September 2007 at 7.30pm. 

 

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.41pm.

 

 

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

 

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

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