Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 8 November 1999 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

There were no apologies for absence.

Accepted and signed as a true record after three minor amendments which have been incorporated in these published minutes.

The Councillors agreed to bring this agenda item forward for discussion as Mr Benton was present.

Prior to the meeting, the Parish Councillors had been given a copy of a letter from Mr Benton in which he explained

• how he became involved in working on the Garden
• that the soil in Poppleton, being sandy, is not suitable for roses
• that when he started to remove the weeds he found most of the roses were dead so he removed them as well
• how he enhanced the soil in the Garden
• that he planted two dwarf conifers and some shrubs from his garden
• that he bought and planted pansy plants to give immediate colour.

In his letter Mr Benton offered to provide plants and look after the Memorial Garden at no cost to the Council for as long as he was physically able, on condition that no roses be planted.

Councillor Thompson agreed that roses were not right for the soil in the Garden and said that Mr Benton had made a good job of tending the Garden. He proposed that Mr Benton's offer be taken up providing that Mr Benton was still willing.

Councillor Walker agreed that Mr Benton had made a good job of the Garden but the two conifers were out of place and pointed out that the Garden is in a Conservation Area.

Councillor Smith said that he wouldn't want to see roses in the Garden.

Councillor Watters congratulated Mr Benton who had been tending the Garden today. She said that the two conifers were out of place and would prefer roses to the conifers.

The Clerk read a letter of support for Mr Benton that had been received from Mr Fellows.

Mr Benton addressed the meeting and said that he would take out the two conifers and replace them with two thornless red rose trees.

The Councillors considered Mr Benton's proposals and passed them unanimously.

Mr Benton was thanked for taking on the task, his concerns about the Memorial Garden and his efforts in improving the appearance of the Garden.

1. Relocation of street light (Minute 99.35.5)

2. Maypole hooks

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

4. Blairgowrie trees (Minute 99.111i)

The Clerk read a letter from Carter Jonas who act as agents for Blairgowrie. They have written to the solicitors acting for Mrs Bleasedale about the state of the trees.

The Clerk read a letter received from Mark Blackburn the Senior Solicitor of the City of York Council. Mr Blackburn said that the Council has certain powers in respect of a tree that it considers is in such a condition that there is imminent danger of it causing damage to persons or property on neighbouring land. He had, therefore, passed a copy of the Clerk's letter about the state of the trees in Blairgowrie to Susan Knowles, Landscape Architect. He had asked her to investigate the factual position on the ground.

The Clerk was asked to write to Susan Knowles about the subject. Councillor Parker said she would be happy to meet with Susan Knowles.

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

The Clerk reported having received no quotations for the repairs to the seat.

6. 30pmh limit (Minute 99.130c)

The Clerk read a letter from the City of York Council's which said that the Annual Review to consider traffic issues such as extending speed limits is going to Committee on 9 November and that Hodgson Lane is an item within the review.

7. 7.5 tonne limit (Minute 99.130c)

The Clerk reported no developments with regard to this item.

8. The Green grass and edging (Minute 99.132.d.i)

The Clerk reported that an order has now been place with Grimston Landscapes for the work to be carried out.

9. Moles (Minute 99.132.iv)

10. Remembrance Day (Minute 99.132.e.i)

The Clerk reported that all the arrangements for Remembrance Day were in hand.

11. Christmas tree lights (Minute 99.132.eii)

The Clerk read a letter from Rev Paul Thomas who said he was grateful for permission to site a Christmas Tree on The Green over the seasonal period and has ensured that the wiring will be safe by purchasing a new festoon of lights.

12. Weeds in gutters (Minute 99.135.5i)

13. Undulation in road outside garage (Minute 99.135.5iii)

The Clerk reported no progress on this subject.

14. Pothole in Main Street (Minute 99.135.5iv)

1. Financial Report;

The Clerk presented the Councillors with a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the period to 8 November 1999. The report showed that the bank balances at 8 November were: -

Current Account £7.97

High Interest Account £8,741.93

2. Accounts to pay (net of VAT);

See items 99.153 and 99.156 below.

3. Accounts paid;

None

4. Capital Items;

The Clerk reported having received a letter from C J Cook with prices for the village signs and a letter from Adele Reynolds of the City of York Council with prices for building the walls of the village signs.

The Councillors discussed the three designs and then voted to decide which should be adopted. Design 1 received 6 votes, design 2 no votes and design 3, 1 vote.

Councillor Parker agreed to produce a plan showing the exact location of the two signs. The Clerk was asked to write to Adele Reynolds to let her know of the Parish Council's intentions.

The Clerk distributed a suggested budget for the year 2000-2001 for the Councillors to consider prior to the inclusion of the subject on the January agenda.

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: 99/01534/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.
3. Ref: 99/02080/GRG3 - Formation of new pedestrian access at Poppleton Primary School by York City Council.
4. Ref: 99/02241/FUL - Retention of detached dwelling and boundary wall at York House, Hodgson Lane by Mr S Morgan.
5. Ref: 99/02444/FUL - Erection of pitched roof detached garage and canopy at 10 Beech Grove by Marilyn Watt.
6. Ref: 99/02447/FUL - Erection of pitched roof single storey garage extension at Cherry Garth, Black Dykes Lane by Mr & Mrs L Cook.
7. Ref: 99/02455/TCA - Crown thin and trim back overhanging branches of Copper Beech tree in a Conservation Area at 2 Station Road by D B and I A Wilson.
8. Ref: 99/02241/FUL - Retention of detached dwelling and boundary wall at York House, Hodgson Lane by Mr S Morgan (Amended plans).
9. Ref: 99/02471/FUL - Erection of two storey pitched roof rear extension at 143 Long Ridge Lane by Mr G Gittus.

1. Ref: 99/01714/HRN Removal of hedgerow, OS Field 9965 Hodgson Lane by Parker Brothers.
2. Ref: 99/01994/FUL Installation of 3 roof lights to front elevation at New Manor, The Green by Thomas Peter.
3. Ref: 99/02025/FUL Erection of single storey pitched roof extension to side and rear at 1 Dikelands Close by D Appleton.
4. Ref: 99/02181/FUL Conservatory to rear at 12 Beech Way for Mr & Mrs Wilson.

None

There was a discussion about the Nairobi Fish Farm prompted by notice of a site visit by the North West Area Planning Committee members. The City of York Council had noted that the Parish Council had expressed concern about the traffic entering and leaving the proposed site. The City's Highway Development Department had objected for the same reason. Councillor Hopton said that she was going to attend the meeting and would report back.

The alterations to the School entrance were discussed and given the Councillor's approval.

1. Vandalism;

Councillor Richardson reported that the notice board outside her house was regularly vandalised.

It was reported that the seat under the tree at the corner of Long Ridge Lane and Station Road had been damaged. The Clerk was asked to contact Mr Falkingham about its repair.

2. Lampposts.

There were no reports of problems with streetlights.

99.146.1 The Clerk was asked to write to the City of York Council to ask that Hodgson Lane be put on the list of roads to be gritted this winter. The lane is used by the buses taking local children to school, has no footpath, is unlit and has no speed limit.

1. Report from the Council's Representative

Councillor Smith reported that

The Community Centre was balancing its books at the moment.

The Brewery wants their £12,000 loan to be repaid.

The Community Centre Management Committee is looking to the Poppleton Parishes for financial assistance to help repay the loan.

There was a discussion about various aspects of the Community Centre. One of a number of topics was an expression of dissatisfaction with the toilets. The only toilets were those attached to the changing rooms. It would be better if there were separate toilets for other users of the Centre as these would be easier to keep clean.

The discussion about the loan led to the following idea. The City of York Council would be asked to repay the £12,000 loan to the Brewery. As the Centre currently repays £250 of the loan every month there would be a saving to the Centre of £3,000 per year which amounts to £6,000 over two years. If both Upper and Nether Poppleton Parish Councils each raised a precept of £1,500 for two years this added to the £6,000 saved by the Centre would mean that the whole of the £12,000 could be repaid to the City of York Council in two years. At the end of the discussion the Councillors voted eight to one in favour of the idea expressed above.

It was agreed that Councillors Smith and Thompson meet with two Councillors from Nether Poppleton to discuss the matter further.

1. Trees;

No report.

2. Parking;

No report.

3. Signs;

No report

4. Maintenance.

It was reported that the pump fence post had broken. The Clerk was asked to contact Jim Claxton to ask him to make the necessary repairs.

5. Events

No report

Councillor Smith said that he was dealing with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions about the signs. He agreed that he would keep Councillor Peck informed of any progress.

No report.

The Clerk circulated several print-outs of pages from the Poppleton web site.

The Clerk reported that the weekly planning notice pinned on the notice board outside All Saints Church Hall now appeared on the Parish Council's section of the Poppleton web site. The Councillors agreed that once minutes of the previous meeting had been accepted they too should be put on the web site.

It was agreed that Councillors Davies, Richardson and Thompson would attend the planning seminar on Saturday 4 December 1999 at a cost of £10.00 each.

Councillor Thompson reported that North Yorkshire County Council is giving grants to shops with financial problems in rural areas

The Clerk read a letter from Watson Property Management who said they were hoping to re-let the old fruit shop in Allerton Drive but not as another food outlet.

Concern was expressed over the large 'Closing Down' notice in the window of Rostlea on the Village Green. It was reported that Rostlea was closing only temporarily so that building work could be undertaken to incorporate the area upstairs which is about to vacated by the hairdresser.

The Clerk was asked to write another letter to the City of York Council objecting to the proposed food store in Poppleton Park.

The Clerk circulated copies of the plans for the alteration to the Conservation Area so that the Councillors could give them their consideration. The subject is to appear on the agenda for the January meeting.

The Councillors agreed that a donation of £13.00 should be given to the Earl Haigh Fund for a wreath to be placed on the Village War Memorial at the Service on Sunday 14 November.

The Clerk read a letter from Mrs May Robinson regarding the congestion caused by cars parking along Main Street between Lime Garth and the school entrance. These vehicles cause great difficulty for buses and other vehicles wanting to pass through. The Clerk was asked to send a reply to Mrs Robinson expressing the concern of both the Parish Councillors and the police about this subject.

The Clerk was asked to write a letter to the City of York Council to request that the footpath be resurfaced with the same type of aggregate as had been used round the installation of the new kissing gate at the Main Street end. The footpath should be resurfaced from Main Street back to Riversvale Drive.

The Clerk presented the easement to be signed by two Councillors. It was observed that the wording where the signatures should be appended was incorrect. The Clerk was instructed to return the easement to the solicitors and ask that the correct form of words be recorded. It was agreed that, when the revised document was returned from the solicitors, two Councillors be authorised to sign it immediately.

1. A letter from Mr J J Carlton, the previous Parish Clerk, expressing pleasure that the cycle path connecting Millfield Lane to the existing cycle path along the river and also to the A19 is almost complete. Mr Carlton asked that the two Poppleton Parish Councils do what they could to make residents aware of the facility.
2. A letter advising that Gregory James Watson has applied to be the new licensee at the White Horse.
3. A letter from the York Natural Environmental Trust welcoming the Parish Council as members and offering to give advice on Blairgowrie and the Local Plan.

1. Minutes of the Nether Poppleton Parish Council meeting held on 20 September 1999
2. Working Families Tax Credits Leaflets
3. Poppleton Ward Residents Association minutes of meetings on 25 August and 29 September
4. City of York Council's Community Care Plan Update 1999-2000
5. Yorkshire Local Councils Associations update

Reported that the new cycle path from the Millfield Lane to the A19 was now open.

1. Reported that there had been two muggings in the village recently and asked that the Community policeman be asked to attend the January meeting.
2. The route to the school from Westfield Lane has a lot of dog mess. The Clerk was asked to inform the City of York Council's dog warden about this.
3. Moles were reported in the children's playground.
4. Peter Patrick is going to tidy up Newland Lane.
5. The Junior School PT is collecting empty inkjet cartridges.

Reported that she had plans of the proposed A59/A1237 roundabout.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.36pm.

………………………….CHAIRMAN

………………………….DATE

uppc mins 11/99