NETHER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

NETHER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, UPPER POPPLETON, AT 7. 30PM ON MONDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2005

PRESENT:

Cllr. P H F Powell (Chairman)

Cllr. G A Bilbrough

Cllr. P Knowles

Cllr. C A Partington

Cllr. C Robinson

Cllr. D Tomlinson

Mr D Benson

Mr D Doggett

Mr B J W Mackman (Clerk)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None.

05/193- DECLARATION OF INTEREST ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS

Councillor Tomlinson declared a personal interest in agenda item 05/205 as he is the Parish Council's representative/observer to Poppleton Community Trust. Councillor Powell declared a prejudicial interest in the same agenda item.

05/194 - TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bradley and City of York Councillor Janet Hopton.

05/195 - TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 17 OCTOBER 2005

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 17 October 2005, having been circulated, were approved and signed.

05/196 - CLERK'S REPORT

(a) The siting of a vehicle activated sign (VAS) in Long Ridge Lane (Min. 05/178a)

Neil Soloman, a senior engineer in the City Council's Transport and Safety Department has written to say that Poppleton is the next village in the programme to receive his attention. He will arrange for speed surveys to be undertaken, as they will be essential in monitoring the effects of a VAS. He will visit Poppleton in the next few weeks when he hopes to be able to identify an appropriate location for the VAS and will then seek the Parish Council's support.

(b) Yellow lines in Main Street/Church Lane - update (Min. 05/178b)

See agenda item 05/204.

05/197 - TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK

05/197/1 - The Clerk read or referred to the following item of correspondence

(a) A letter from the Trustees of the Charity Lands & Unknown Donor's Dole explaining that under new rules they are able to consider donations to local organisations of up to £2,000 providing those organisations are able to match the funding

(b) A letter from the City Council confirming the adoption of the revised route for Footpath No 2

(d) A circular from the City Council giving information on waste and green waste collections to the end of March 2006

05/197/2 - It was agreed that the correspondence received since the October meeting, as listed below, be circulated to the Councillors

(a) A pamphlet from CE Electric UK on vegetation & tree clearance

(b) Clerks & Council Direct - November 2005, Issue 42

(d) CPRE - York & Selby Branch Newsletter, Autumn 2005

(e) Details of Double taxation claims, 2004-05 from the City Council

(f) Notice of a consultation document from the City Council on the draft development plan for Terry's site

(g) From the City Council a Guide for Developers - Open Space

(h) A letter and details of a proposed mast and enquiry from Knight Frank

(i) NALC - Local Council Review, November 2005

(j) Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 28 September

(k) Poppleton Ward Residents Association - Minutes of 26 October

(l) Upper Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 10 October

(m) SLCC - The Clerk, November 2005

05/198 - FINANCE

(a) Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 21 November 2005. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 21 November were:

Current Account £200.00

Business Money Manager Account £13,107.34

National Savings Investment Account £12,611.40

(b) Accounts for payment (net of VAT);
The Clerk	Salary - October	£384.26
The Clerk	Postage, telephone and stationery	£33.38
Inland Revenue	Tax and National Insurance	£134.73
Dean Landscapes	Grass cutting	£1,170.00
City of York Council	Two No Parking signs	£240.00
Peter Powell	Chairman's expenses	£87.33

(c) Income Received
Poppleton Tithe Barn	Cartshed rent	£75.00
HSBC	Interest	0.29

05/199 - TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The Clerk had circulated a detailed list of current outstanding planning applications prior to the meeting.

Consideration was given to the following new applications:

05/02181/FUL - Non-compliance with condition (i) of the planning permission T/APP/C2741/A/99/1023645 (LPA Ref: 02/02533/FUL) for extension of time period for submission of reserved matters at York Business Park, Millfield Lane by White Rose Development Enterprises Ltd.

No objections

05/02215/FUL - Two-storey pitched roof rear extension at 59 Millfield Lane by Mr & Mrs P Walters.

No objections

Ref: 6/ECS/8601 - Planting of 211.27 hectares of Miscanthus Elephant Grass - Energy Crops Scheme at Grid Ref: SE525553 by Oakland Farms Ltd.

No objections

It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had granted consent for the following three applications:

Ref: 05/01825/ADV - Display of two non-illuminated fascia signs, one internally illuminated totum sign, one internally illuminated wall sign and three non-illuminated wall signs at Unit 6, Hudson Court, Great North Way by Citroen UK.

Ref: 05/02059/TCA - Fell flowering cherry in the Conservation Area at 8 Church Lane by Mr & Mrs K Buckham.

Ref: 05/02093/TPO - Crown lift to balance, Crown reduce on the Yew side by 2m, some limbs to be removed, protected by Tree Preservation Order 1/1970 at 11 Church Lane by Dr David Hopton.

05/200 - TO RECEIVE PROGRESS REPORTS AND MAKE APPROPRIATE DECISIONS ON

(a) Grass cutting

The Chairman reported that he and the Clerk had finished measuring all the areas of the Common Land and that the information would be forwarded to the City Council.

(b) No Parking signs

It was agreed that notices explaining why no parking is allowed should be put on to the two No Parking sign posts.

(c) Vehicular access

· The Chairman referred the Councillors to the email from Ian Strong of the YLCA who wrote, "Your council has acted properly in respect of banning motor vehicles from this site. In the case of registered common the parish council must be careful not to allow any person to do anything which is unlawful. As you are aware it is generally an offence to drive a car on to a common. Thus the parish council as owner of the land has therefore acted appropriately to prevent anyone driving onto this area.

· "The Disability Discrimination Act requires people providing a service to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the needs of those with a disability. It is our opinion that as long as the council has given appropriate consideration then it could be considered reasonable not to provide for those needs in particular circumstances. Two thoughts come to mind here. Firstly it does not seem that the council is actually providing a service ….. Secondly by ensuring wheelchair access reasonable steps seem to have been taken to ensure access."

· The Chairman also drew attention to the information from the City Council's Public Rights of Way Department that it is not legal to drive vehicles on public bridleways.

· Prior to the meeting the Councillors had received all the correspondence from David Benson, a letter from the Environment Agency to David Benson and a copy of a letter from Michael Fletcher. The Clerk read a letter received from the York & District Amalgamation of Anglers.

· After discussion it was resolved, with all Councillors in agreement, that, in accordance with the legal advice received from the YLCA and the City Council, vehicles would not be permitted access to the Common Land.

05/201 - TO DISCUSS ACTION ON THE MILL BANK HOUSE EASEMENT

Prior to the meeting the Councillors had been given a copy of a letter from Burn & Co, the Parish Council's solicitors, in which it was reported that the owners of Mill Bank House had made an offer of £5,000 together with a sum of £800 plus VAT towards the Parish Council's legal costs. The Councillors resolved that the offer should be accepted.

05/202 - TO DISCUSS THE CONDITION OF SEATS, GATES AND OTHER STREET FURNITURE AND DECIDE APPROPRIATE ACTION

Councillor Partington produced a sheet of 30 photographs of various items of street furniture. Many items were seen to be in a state of disrepair either through age or vandalism. The Councillors agreed that, where appropriate, the City Council should be made aware of the damage and asked to carry out the necessary repairs. It was also agreed that the seats, which are the responsibility of the Parish Council, should be repaired as necessary, cleaned and treated with preservative.

05/203 - TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE CONDITION OF FOOTPATHS

The contents of an email from Councillor Bradley were noted and discussion on the subject deferred until the January meeting by which time some action should have been taken.

05/204 - TO DISCUSS YELLOW LINES/CAR PARKING IN THE VILLAGE

The Councillors discussed the contents of a letter received from Mr Stephen Roberts. After discussion it was resolved that the Parish Council write to Mr Roberts suggesting that he refer the subject of parking and yellow lines to the City Council. The Councillors agreed that they would not support the painting of yellow lines in the village.

05/205 - TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM THE POPPLETON COMMUNITY TRUST FOR A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE COST OF THE CAR PARK HARD RESURFACING

Councillor Powell vacated the Chair at this point and left the room. Councillor Tomlinson took the Chair and restated that he had a personal interest in the subject and that while he would take part in the discussion he would not be voting on a resolution. After discussion it was unanimously resolved to grant the sum of £3,500 to the Poppleton Community Trust towards the resurfacing of the car park, because the car park is a village asset. The Parish Council acknowledged the excellent work of the Trust in securing the funding for the resurfacing of the car park, less £7,000, and believed that monetary support for this project was entirely justified and would have the support of the majority of the villagers. The funds would come out of the Section 106 balance and not out of the revenue budget. Councillor Powell was invited back into the meeting and resumed the Chair.

05/206 - TO AGREE AN INITIAL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE PRODUCTION OF A PARISH PLAN

Councillor Tomlinson said that it would be necessary to book rooms and spend a little cash as the Working Group becomes active. He said that the Working Group would be applying for a grant but that it was likely that money would need to be paid before any grant was received. It was resolved that the Clerk in consultation with Councillor Tomlinson be authorised to make up to £100 available to the Working Group.

05/207 - TO AGREE A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT LOCAL WORKS

A copy of correspondence from "Local Works" - Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill had been circulated to the Councillors prior to the meeting. Local Works are seeking support for a campaign to persuade government and "the Whitehall Machine" to relinquish power and give more power to parish councils. It was resolved to support "Local Works" and write to the appropriate authorities accordingly.

05/208 - TO ACCEPT THE DRAFT FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

A set of draft financial regulations had been distributed prior to the meeting. The Clerk explained that they were a combination of the NALC financial regulations and those of other Parish Councils with some amendments to make them more suitable for Nether Poppleton Parish Council. It was resolved that the financial regulations should be adopted.

05/209 - TO AGREE ATTENDANCE AT THE PLANNING SEMINAR ON 28 NOVEMBER

There is to be a Planning Training seminar at the Community Centre at 7pm on Monday 28th November. Cllr. Richard Moore will run the seminar which is for all Parish Councillors and Clerks in Rural West York Ward. Most Councillors agreed that they would be able to attend.

05/210 - TO RECEIVE REPRESENTATIVES' REPORTS

(a) Councillor Powell gave a report on

i. The Ward Committee meeting held on 19 October when Andrew Waller of the City Council spoke on the garden waste collection. This was followed by a presentation of the Local Transport Plan by Peter Evely.

ii. The training day held in Tadcaster on 9 November when he and the Clerk had an intensive day's training on chairmanship and agendas. Details of the course will be circulated.

(b) Councillor Tomlinson reported on

i. The British Sugar Liaison meeting held on 27 October. The minutes will be circulated.

ii. The Poppleton Community Trust AGM and Executive Committee meeting held on 20 October. Minutes will be circulated when available.

(c) Councillor Bilbrough reported on the Poppleton Park Residents' meeting held on 1 November when Deborah Palmer, the York Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, attended. Items discussed included speeding on the estate, a street lighting audit, gutters requiring cleaning, Section 106 money and the problem of yobbish behaviour by a small group of youths on the Estate.

(d) Councillor Partington said that there is to be a Dodsworth Hall meeting on 22 November.

(e) Councillor Robinson reported on the recycling seminar held on 16 November. He said the City Council is trying hard to process as much waste as they can. Various methods of collecting waste cardboard and plastic were shown. It is expected that collections of cardboard and plastic will commence next January/February.

(f) Councillor Knowles reported that the City Council will be discussing the future of the Youth Centre building at a meeting being held this evening.

05/211 - TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLORS' REPORTS

No reports.

05/212 - FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

Date of Meeting	Meeting	Venue/ Time	Councillors Attending
28 November	Planning seminar	Poppleton Community Centre/ 7.00pm	All
29 November	Poppleton Youth Action Group	The Old Vicarage	Knowles
3 December	Christmas Market	Tithe Barn/ All day	All
4 December	York Concert Band	Poppleton Community Centre/ 2.00pm - 4.00pm	All
3 January	Poppleton Community Trust Executive Committee	Poppleton Community Centre/ 7.30pm	Tomlinson

05/213 - TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed the next meeting would be held at 7.30pm at the Community Centre on Monday 16 January 2006.

The meeting closed at 10.26pm

Chairman………………….…… ………………………..2006

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

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