For the year 2002/03 the Parish Council raised a precept of £11,000 which will be offset against expenditure of £11,615. The money will be spent on:

Although the Parish Council is responsible for ensuring that the grass on the Greens is cut the City Council gives a substantial sum to cover the cost.

The two "UPPER POPPLETON" signs have now been completed at the entrances to the village. The original plan was to erect the signs to celebrate the Millennium. Because of planning delays the erection of the signs has coincided with the Queens Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

During the year First Bus moved the No. 10 terminus from Nether Poppleton to the Green in Upper Poppleton. The bus waiting at the bus shelter causes a major traffic hazard. The Parish Councillors have been endeavouring to have First Bus move the terminus back to Nether Poppleton.

Towards the end of 2001 vandalism in the village reached new peaks. The Library was particularly badly affected with the consequence that evening opening was severely restricted causing much inconvenience to users. On Halloween several street signs were broken or went missing and fences were damaged. The Parish Councillors made strong representations to the police about the problem. The police implemented 'Operation Print' over three weekends in January when there was a high police presence. Several people were arrested for various offences. Intelligence was gathered and the names of the main culprits were discovered. Since January the incidence of vandalism has decreased.

The Ward Committee has been providing funding for Mayfair Guarding Group Response to carry out nightly community patrols. This funding may cease at the end of the year. Over the next few months the Parish Councillors will be discussing the possibility of providing continued community patrols from future precepts.

The cost of repairing Parish Council property falls directly on to village residents. A reduction in vandalism means a reduction in taxes. Please don't hesitate to call the Police (Tel. 631321) or Mayfair Group Guarding (Tel. 01757 701596) if you are aware of any vandalism.

The Parish Council arranged a public meeting on 10 October 2001 when Deborah Lynch, the York Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, was guest speaker. Many residents attended the meeting. There are still many areas of Upper Poppleton not covered by Neighbourhood Watch. If your house is in an area that is not covered and you would like to know more about the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme please contact the Parish Council's Co-ordinator, Councillor Paul Tomlinson.

The War Memorial was pressure washed by Ken Falkingham and looks almost like new. The Parish Councillors are grateful to Gordon Benton for looking after the flowerbed around the base of the Memorial.

The vegetation in the grass verge in front of the fence at Blairgowrie in Main Street was cut back. Now the grass can be cut regularly and the footpath kept clear of obstructions.

Parking on the Green is still an occasional problem. The Greens belong to the Parish Council and are for the use of all residents. There is a bylaw prohibiting cars from being parked or driven on the Greens. Cars can cause considerable damage to the grass.

A report received from a local tree surgeon said that the lime tree outside the Methodist Chapel is showing the presence of decay fungus and major deterioration of the wood and that trunk failure may occur. The City Council has agreed with the report so the lime tree will be felled as soon as possible. It will be replaced with a similar type of tree.

The City of York Council is obliged to refer to the Parish Council all planning matters that are appropriate to its area.

Each planning application is considered by the four members of the Planning Committee and their decisions discussed at the next Parish Council meeting.

The main policy that guides our Planning Committee is to ensure that the environment and character of the village is maintained within the constraints laid upon us and the Local Authority by Central Government.

Parish Councillors endeavour to consult the neighbours for every planning application.

Every weekend the Clerk posts a list of current planning applications on the notice board outside All Saints Church Hall.

In the last financial year the Planning Committee dealt with 37 applications.

The Village Design Statement Group has met regularly during the year. They had a helpful meeting with a City of York Council Planning Officer. Currently they are in the process of writing the draft Statement. This will soon be available for residents to read and comment upon.

For a number of years the Parish Council has been pressing for a 40mph limit in Hodgson Lane between the A59 and the present 30mph sign. The limit has always been rejected by the police who say it would be unenforceable. At a Joint Meeting held with the Nether Poppleton Parish Councillors it was agreed that both Parish Councils would press for traffic calming measures to be taken in Station Road, Long Ridge Lane, Millfield Lane and Hodgson Lane.

In November 2001 the Parish Council put up two signs near the railway crossing in Station Road saying 'Stationary Vehicles Please Turn Off Engines'. In March 2002 the signs were taken down by City Council Officers who stated that the signs were not legal.

These are held on the second Monday of the month. There are no meetings in August or December. All the meetings are held in All Saints Church Hall and usually start at 7.30pm. Members of the public are very welcome to attend. Usually, members of the public are not expected to contribute to the discussion but their presence gives support to the Council in its work. Members of the public who have a specific interest or expertise on an issue that is on the Council's agenda may be invited to speak by the chairman on that issue.