Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 11 October 1999 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

Councillors Mrs L R Acomb, Mrs R Watters and Mrs J Hopton (City of York Council)

Accepted and signed as a true record.

1. Relocation of street light (Minute 99.35.5);

No news on the relocation of the light.

2. Bus service change of route (Minute 99.111c)

The Clerk reported that he had not, as yet, been in contact with the North Yorkshire County Council's Transport Department about the change of bus route but that he would within the next few days.

3. Memorial Garden (Minute 99.111d)

The Clerk reported that he had been unable to find the address of the person who had tended the memorial garden. This was supplied by a Parish Councillor and the Clerk was asked to write to point out that the conifers which had been planted were not appropriate and that they would be replaced by blood red roses in due course. The Clerk was asked to approach Mr Walmsley to ask if he would be prepared to tend the memorial garden on a regular basis.

4. Blairgowrie trees (Minute 99.111i)

The Clerk read a letter received from Richard Clerk, Head of the City of York Council's Legal Services, who said that he had passed the matter of the trees at Blairgowrie to the Senior Solicitor, Mark Blackburn.

The Clerk reported a telephone conversation with John Goodwin of Carter Jonas who said that he had acted for Mrs Bleasdale with regard to Blairgowrie. Mr Goodwin said that he understood that there were problems with the trees in Blairgowrie and that he would contact Mrs Bleasdale's solicitors to advise them of the problem. In the meantime he would write to the Clerk to confirm the telephone conversation. The Councillors agreed that if the Clerk had not received a letter within the next two weeks he should contact Mr Goodwin again.

5. Green Registration (Minute 99.111j)

The Clerk reported having received the HM Land Registry Land Certificate. Councillor Smith said that the area shown on the Certificate did not correspond with the area that the Councillors considered to be the Green. Councillor Smith said he would take up the subject with the YLCA and send them the documents to scrutinise.

6. Easement (Minute 99.113.4)

The Chairman reported receiving a letter from the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations regarding the draft agreement for the rights of James Patrick Brennan "to take water electricity gas telephone surface water and foul sewerage to and from Mr Brennan's land through the Service Installations now laid or to be laid within the next eighty years in or under the Parish Council's land and connecting Mr Brennan's land to the mains services in the Parish Council's land or the adjacent public highway". The YLCA saw no problem with the agreement. The Councillors agreed that a final agreement should be obtained and signed by two Councillors. For granting the easement the Council will receive the sum of £250.

7. Dikelands Lane/Montague Walk seat (Minute 99.114a)

The Clerk reported having sent a letter to Mr Jones regarding the reported vandalism to the seat in question and that he had asked two local tradesmen to give a quotation for mending the seat. At the time of the meeting the quotations had not been received. The Clerk suggested that the cost of repairing the damage maybe covered by the Council's insurers and that he would check this out and report back.

8. Annual Newsletter (Minute 99.120)

Councillor Smith reported that 900 copies of the Annual Newsletter had been printed by Lowfield School for the sum of £23.52. A cheque for this amount was made out and signed by two of the Councillors. Councillor Smith said that he had prepared a distribution schedule for each Councillor and gave out the Newsletters for each Councillor to deliver accordingly.

9. York Local Plan (Minute 99.121)

The Councillors discussed the Local Plan and agreed that the Parish Council continues to oppose building on Blairgowrie and also the whole of the field at the west side behind the surgery and noted that the City of York Council supports this view. Councillor Smith said that he would be attending the Local Plan Public Enquiry on 22 November.

1. Financial Report;

The Clerk presented the Councillors with a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the period to 11 October 1999. The report showed that the bank balances at 11 October were: -

Current Account £57.74

High Interest Account £9,330.63

2. Accounts to pay (net of VAT);

Clerk's Salary £571.75

Clerk's expenses on stationery, postages and telephones £46.75

City of York Council - Grass cutting for 1999 £1,374.00

Lowfield School - Annual Newsletter £23.52

3. Accounts paid;

None

4. Capital Items;

The Clerk reported having sent details of the three designs for the village signs to three builders and two stonemasons and had received quotations from one of the builders and one of the stonemasons. The Councillors discussed the merit of the three designs. 1. A solid block of York stone with carved letters; 2. A rectangular brick design; 3. A brick design with an arched top.

The Clerk was asked to contact Adele Reynolds, the City of York Council's Neighbourhood Worker, and ask her to clarify the position with regards to who makes the decisions about the capital items and to ask her if she would attend the next Parish Council meeting. The Clerk was asked to arrange for Councillor MacDonald to write to the City of York Council to say that the Councillors are unhappy that the City Council appears to be dictating what the Parish Council can have. The Parish Councillors wish to make their own decisions with regards to the expenditure of the Capital Allowance.

The Clerk presented the list of plans pending as per the notice board together with the schedule of comments made by the members of the Planning Sub-committee on each planning application.

1. Ref: 98/02845/FUL Change of use of existing stables and paddock to form a fish farm including angling use at Nairobi Stables, Boroughbridge Road for Mr & Mrs R Wood.
2. Ref: 99/01714/HRN Removal of hedgerow, OS Field 9965 Hodgson Lane by Parker Brothers.
3. Ref: 99/01534/ADV Display of non illuminated signs on various roundabouts and planting beds throughout the city at various Roundabouts and Planting Beds York by York In Bloom Committee.
4. Ref: 99/01944/FUL Installation of 3 roof lights to front elevation at New Manor, The Green by Thomas Peter.
5. Ref: 99/02025/FUL Erection of single storey pitched roof extension to side and rear at 1 Dikelands Close by D Appleton.
6. Ref: 99/02080/GRG3 Formation of new pedestrian access at Poppleton Primary School by York City Council.
7. Ref: 99/02181/FUL Conservatory to rear at 12 Beech Way for Mr & Mrs Wilson.
8. Ref: 99/02241/FUL Retention of detached dwelling and boundary wall at York House, Hodgson Lane for Mr S Morgan.

1. Ref: 99/00179/REM Erection of pitched roof building for general industrial (Class B2) use at Northminster Business Park for Northminster Properties.
2. Ref: 99/00930/FUL Erection of pitched roof storage and auction building at Northminster Business Park, Northfield Lane for Northminster Properties Ltd.
3. Ref: 99/01179/FUL Erection of single storey pitched roof business unit building C at Northminster Business Park, Northfield Lane for Northminster Properties Ltd.
4. Ref: 99/01255/TCA Felling of Lawson Cypress and Leylandii trees in a Conservation Area at 1 Beech Grove for Mr & Mrs J Hook.
5. Ref: 99/01594/FUL Erection of single storey pitched roof business building to form 5 units - Building D at Northminster Business Park, Northfield Lane by Northminster Properties Ltd.
6. Ref: 99/01901/TCA Fell 11 Leylandii Conifer trees in Conservation Area at Upper Poppleton Post Office, Station Road by Mr A D Farnsworth.
7. Ref: 99/01932/FUL Erection of pitched roof first floor side extension at 15 Fairway Drive for Mr & Mrs C Whitaker.

Councillor Smith reported that the roof lights for New Manor (Ref: 99/01994/FUL) had been approved.

It was reported that the Leylandii at the Post Office (Ref: 99/01901/TCA) had been cut down and that the garden looked much bigger and that the look of the area had been improved.

Ref: 99/01608/FUL Erection of pitched roof two storey side and first floor extensions at 6 Apple Garth for Mr & Mrs Evans.

The Councillors discussed the plans for the new entrance at the school. This subject has been protracted and doesn't seem to be nearing a conclusion. The Clerk was asked to write to the City of York Planning Department to ask them to make sure that the Parish Council is sent copies of any plans relating to the school entrance and that it is given notification of any site meeting.

The Councillors agreed that it was not practical for the Clerk to send plans to all Councillors after comments had been made by members of the Planning Committee. As a compromise it was agreed that, in future, the Clerk would bring all outstanding planning applications to the monthly Parish Council meetings so that the Councillors could look at them.

1. Vandalism;

There were no reports of vandalism.

2. Lampposts.

There were no reports of problems with streetlights.

Councillor Parker reported that there was an increase in the amount of traffic using Hodgson Lane and Newlands Lane especially heavy lorries. The Clerk was asked to write to the City of York Council's Highways Department to ask for a 7.5-ton limit to be put on both roads. At the same time the Clerk was directed to ask for the 30 miles per hour limit to be taken back from its current position on Hodgson Lane to a point by the Red Lion Motel.

1. Report from the Council's Representative

No report

2. Proposal for a Parish precept to clear outstanding debt.

Councillor Smith reported that there was a suggestion that the City of York Council would give a £12,000 interest free loan to be repaid from Parish Council precepts over a number of years. It had been proposed that two Parish Councillors from both Upper and Nether Poppleton meet and discuss the matter and report back to their respective Councils.

1. Trees;

No report.

2. Parking;

No report.

3. Signs;

No report

4. Maintenance.

i. & ii. A quotation of £458.00 from Grimston Landscapes for re-turfing the area round the maypole and for tidying the edges of the main path on both sides of the Green was accepted.

iii. The Clerk reported that the last grass-cutting contract had been for the two years 1998 and 1999 and had now expired. He was asked to write grass cutting contractors to obtain quotations for cutting the grass on the village Greens, Hodgson Lane and Black Dike Lane for the next two years.

iv. It was reported that there was a problem with moles at the corner of Westfield Lane and Hodgson Lane and on the Green outside All Saints Church. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Ferguson and request that he deal with the matter in the usual way.

5. Events

1. Remembrance Day

The Clerk was asked to provide a wreath for Remembrance Sunday, 14 November. The Councillors agreed that the cost should be borne by the Parish Council and asked for the subject to be put on the next agenda. The Clerk was asked to contact Rev Paul Thomas to ascertain which church would hold the service this year and to obtain an Order of Service. Councillor Walker agreed that he would have a word with the Special Constable to ensure that there would be no other activity on the Green during the Service by the War Memorial.

2. Christmas tree

The Clerk was asked to write to Rev Paul Thomas to tell him that the Parish Council gives permission to erect a Christmas tree on the Green in December but to ensure that the electrical wiring is safe.

3. Fireworks display

It was reported that the Friends of Upper Poppleton Infants School were seeking permission to rope off part of the Green for a fireworks display on 5 November 1999. After discussion the Councillors agreed to the request on condition that the Parish Council accepts no responsibility for any accidents caused and that there will be an adequate number of stewards to supervise the event.

Tony Dennis of the City of York Council's Department of Environment & Development visited the site, together with Councillors Janet Hopton and Keith Smith, and pronounced that the buildings were unsuitable for a Building Preservation Order.

Councillor Smith reported that he is going to contact the DETR for deemed permission for the signs.

No report.

136. YORK NATURAL ENVIRONMENT TRUST

Councillor Thompson said that the YNET hold monthly meetings. Most planning applications are vetted by YNET.

Councillor Richardson said that YNET supports the environment.

After a brief discussion the Councillors agreed unanimously to support the Trust and pay this year's subscription of £25.00. The Clerk was asked to write to YNET to advise them of the Council's decision and to mention the Council's opinion with regards to Blairgowrie and the York Local Plan.

137. LOSS OF FOOD SHOPS IN THE VILLAGE

Councillor Thompson reported that he had asked the YLCA for information. He had also spoken to the representative of the Village Retail Services Association.

It was noted that the Dorset Council has given grants to village shops to help them survive.

Councillor Davies reported that he had written to the agents of the owners of the shops in Allerton Drive to ask what the prospect was of a new tenant for the empty greengrocers.

Councillor Peck asked if the City of York Council had cash for subsidising village shops and was advised by Councillor Smith that they hadn't.

Councillor Smith stated that a Parish Council has the authority to pay part of a shop's Council Tax. Councillor Peck said that the current situation should be checked out and that there was a need to work with Nether Poppleton Parish Council on this subject.

Councillor Peck suggested that Councillor Hopton be asked to take up the matter with the City of York Council.

Further discussion was postponed until more information was available.

1. Notice of an application for Transfer of the Justices' Licence together with Application for the grant of a Section 34 Permit for the White Horse, The Green to James Tillotson.
2. A letter from Upper Poppleton Infant School Governing Body informing the Parish Council that Councillor Watters nomination as additional co-opted governor for the Infant school had been accepted.
3. A letter from Mr D A Gregory of Ryland Horticulture thanking the Parish Councillors for accepting his offer of replacing the lime tree at the end of Lime Garth and saying that it is nice to return something of the treescape to the village.

1. NYCC leaflet about early education & childcare information.
2. The City of York Council's Review of Secondary Admission Arrangements.
3. The York Health Services NHS Trust Annual Report 1998-1999.
4. Leaflets from the Welfare Benefits Unit.
5. Copy letter from C A Lloyd about the proposed School entrance.
6. Copy letter from Dr Jackson about Traffic Hazards in Poppleton.
7. Minutes of the Community & Police Group meeting of 22 September 1999.
8. Yorkshire Footpath Trust Newsletter - July 1999.

1. Reported that the branches on the trees at 48a Long Ridge Lane were overhanging the footpath. The Clerk was asked to write to the occupiers and ask them to trim the trees back.
2. Reported that the hedges in Newlands Lane had been badly trimmed. The Clerk was asked to write to Parker Brothers to advise them of the Council's concern

2. Councillor Davies

1. Asked that the Planning Course be put on the next agenda.
2. Pointed out that the Parish Council correspondence received by the Clerk was circulated after each meeting and asked that it be circulated more frequently. It was agreed that, in future, the correspondence be circulated after each meeting and recent correspondence two weeks later.

1. Reported that the parents of school children are appreciative of the work done on Footpath No.1 but would like to see the path resurfaced back to Riversdale Drive.
2. Reported that the weeds in many of the village's gutters are thriving.
3. Reported an undulation in the road surface outside the garage on the Green
4. Reported the presence of a pothole outside the school in Main Street.
5. The Clerk was asked to report the three items above to the City of York's Highways Department.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.21pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE

uppc mins 10/99