NETHER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

NETHER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE POPPLETON CENTRE, UPPER POPPLETON, AT 7.00PM ON MONDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2009

PRESENT:

Cllr. G A Bradley (Chairman)

Cllr. E M Jones

Cllr. P H F Powell

Cllr. C Robinson.

Cllr. J Shannon

Cllr. D M Tomlinson

Two members of the public

City Councillor Ian Gillies

Mr B J W Mackman (Clerk)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None.

TO RECEIVE A VERBAL REPORT FROM THE POPPLETON CENTRE ON NOISE ISSUES

Peter Hawkins, the Secretary of the Poppleton Community Trust, gave a short history of why the Trust had had to modify the licensing arrangements and explained that a condition had been attached to that licence which said that “Within three months a noise insulation scheme for the premises shall be submitted and approved by the City Council which will then be implemented by a time to be agreed with the City Council’s Environmental Protection Unit (EPU), such scheme will have particular regard to the amenities of the occupiers of the nearest noise sensitive properties”.

The Trust has spent time and money in attempting to limit the noise that escapes from the building when there are discos or live bands. Baffles have been installed behind the four large vents in the metal cladding on the front of the building. Sound proofing material has been installed above the ceiling tiles in the function rooms. It had subsequently become apparent that sound is actually escaping from the Sports Hall Roof. This had brought the Trust to something of a stalemate because the condition remains attached to the Premises Licence and certain neighbours continue to make regular complaints to the EPU which resulted in officers attending and making assessments which were based purely on their ears rather than any scientific readings.

Rod Clark explained how it was that the Trust had been served with a Noise Abatement Notice by the City Council and how the new City of York Chief Executive has initiated a review to be conducted by a senior council officer.

09/202 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATION OF INTEREST ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS

None.

09/203 - TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. J L Craven.

09/204 - TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 19 OCTOBER 2009

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19 October 2009, having been circulated, were approved and signed.

09/205 - TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLORS' REPORTS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY

City Councillor Ian Gillies reported

· The No. 20 bus route is to be changed on 18 December so that the bus travels from Station Road, through the Green and along Main Street, exiting the village down Millfield Lane. The change will enable residents of Nether Poppleton who travel to the Green on the No. 10 to be able to return on the No. 20.

· The City Council says that it could only install a box junction on the Millfield Lane/A1237 roundabout if there were traffic lights at the roundabout. It may be possible to have a KEEP CLEAR notice painted on the road. It was agreed to defer discussion on the subject until the February meeting. (See agenda item 09/218)

· The condition of the pavement between Church Lane and the newly constructed pavement near Saxe Dane Lodge has been reported to the City Council

· Some of the potholes in the roads round the village have been filled in

· Poppleton Ousebank School is taking over the Youth Club building

09/206 – TO RECEIVE THE CLERK'S REPORT:

The Clerk reported

(a) Progress on reducing the height of the hedge and removing trees in the Allerton Drive garden (Min. 09/

The Clerk reported that the hedge height has been reduced and three trees removed. The wooden fence has been replaced by a metal fence so that the area behind the shops is no longer hidden from view. It was reported that a complaint had been received about the state of the garden. Councillor Jones agreed to have a look at the garden and contact the Councillors (Action Councillor Jones)

It was agreed that the fence should be painted green. (Action Clerk)

It was agreed that plans for the garden will be made next year.

(b) Progress on the repairs to the notice board in Millfield Lane (Min. 09/

The Clerk reported having received a quotation from Ken Falkingham of £62.75 for repairing the notice board and had asked Mr Falkingham to carry out the work.

(c) Progress on renewing the hasp on one of the Cartshed doors and repainting all four doors (Min. 09/

A quotation for this work is awaited. (Action Clerk)

09/207 - TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK

09/207/1- The Clerk referred to the following item:-

(a) A letter from a resident who is complaining about vehicles being parked at the corner of Main Street and Church Lane. It was agreed that this is a matter for the police.

(b) A letter from the North Yorkshire Police asking for a volunteer to help compile a Neighbourhood Profile Guide. The letter was included in the pack for circulation.

09/207/2 – It was agreed that the correspondence received since the October meeting, as listed below, be circulated to the Councillors

(a) Clerk & Councils Direct - November 2009, Issue 66

(b) CPRE - Countryside Voice, Autumn 2009

(d) A letter from the NHS Litigation Authority advising the Parish Council that the appeal by the Poppleton Medical Practice had been rejected

(e) Poppleton Community Trust - Progress report & funding request

(f) Rural Action Yorkshire - Accounts and AGM papers

(g) Rural Action Yorkshire - Country Air, Autumn 2009

(h) Upper Poppleton Parish Council - Minutes of 12 October 2009

(i) YOPF – Newsletter, October 2009

09/208 – FINANCE

(a) Financial Report

The Clerk presented a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 16 November 2009. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances at 16 November were:

Current Account £1,000.00

Business Money Manager Account £26,506.35

National Savings Investment Account £14,513.65

(b) Accounts for payment (net of VAT);
1262	Ryland Horticulture	Tree work on Moat Fields	£400.00
1263	Yorkshire Wildlife Trust	Otter count on Moat Fields	£150.00
1264	Poppleton Community Trust	Room hire - September	£19.00
1265	Peter Turpin Associates	Newsletter printing	£270.00
1266	Network Rail	Car park refurbishment	£3,847.50
1267	Linda Cariss	Internal audit fee	£80.00
1268	Sam Dickson	Tree clearance at the shops	£325.00
1269	Poppleton Community Trust	Room hire - October	£19.00
1270	Peter Powell	Travelling expenses	£69.10
1271	James Mackman	Salary – November	£448.42
1272	Post Office Ltd	Tax & NI – November	£138.12
1273	James Mackman	Expenses	£32.05
1273	James Mackman	Daffodil bulbs	£145.05

(c) Income Received
City of York Council	2009-10 double taxation grants	£7,018.42
Sir Thomas Glemham Regiment	Cartshed rent	£75.00
Moat Fields Management Group	Net for cheques 1262 & 1263	£550.00

(d) To consider the Budget for 2010-11

The Clerk presented a suggested draft budget for 2010-11 and explained his reasoning for the various items. The budget will be agreed and the precept set for 2010-11 at the meeting in January.

(e) To note the External Auditor’s comments

It was noted that the External Auditor had added the following comment to the Annual Return. “The Council should ensure that the Risk Assessment covers all risks (financial and operational) and that it is formally reviewed annually and the results minuted.” It was agreed that this should be done at the February meeting. (Action Clerk)

09/209 – PLANNING APPLICATIONS

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

(a) Consideration was given to the following application:

Ref: 09/01854/FUL – Two-storey pitched roof side extension with alterations to existing dormer at 7 Easthorpe Drive by Mr N Fletcher.

No objections

(b) To note Local Authority Planning Decisions

It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had approved the following applications:

Ref: 09/01498/FUL – Two-storey side extension at 27 Easthorpe Drive by Clare Lamb.

Ref: 09/01509/FUL – Conservatory to rear at 27 Nether Way by Mr & Mrs Richardson.

09/210 – PARISH COUNCIL LAND – TO RECEIVE PROGRESS REPORTS AND MAKE APPROPRIATE DECISIONS ON

(a) Grass cutting

No report.

(b) The Moat Fields

On receipt of a cheque for the net amount of two invoices the Parish Council has paid two cheques on behalf of the Moat Fields Management Group so that the VAT can be reclaimed.

(c) To receive an update on the car park

It was reported that Network Rail has signed the new easement and that the Parish Council has now paid its proportion of the cost of refurbishing the car park.

(d) To receive an update on claim for damages to the hawthorn

No report. The matter is still in the hands of the insurance company. (Action Clerk)

(e) To discuss the number of ducks on the pond

The presence of a large number of ducks on the pond was discussed. The public feeding the ducks is the main cause of the increased numbers of ducks. The pond cannot sustain too many ducks as the water becomes stagnant and saturated with duck excrement. It was noted that there has been a reduction in the number of people feeding the ducks and that some of the ducks may have flown away. It was agreed to take no action at the moment.

09/211 – TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING

The following schedule of incidents in Nether Poppleton had been received from Nigel Colley PCSO 5642, Rural West Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team.

12 October	Criminal damage	Windows smashed	Business Park
17 October	Auto crime	Car broken into	Riverside Gardens
31 October	Theft general	Insecure cycle taken	Long Ridge Lane
1 November	Criminal damage	Various items spray painted - 3 reports	Millfield Lane
1 November	Theft general	Insecure cycle taken	Poppleton Hall Gardens

PC Colley writes “The overall figures remain down on last year at 33% down, but we seem to be suffering an increase in cycle theft which we will be paying attention to over the next few weeks.”

09/212 – TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE INSTALLATION OF THE PROPOSED YOUTH SHELTER

Councillor Bradley reported that he still in the process of arranging a meeting for stakeholders. (Action Councillor Bradley)

09/213 – TO CONSIDER THE CITY COUNCIL’S RESPONSE ON THE CIRCULAR PUBLIC FOOTPATH

No news to report on this subject.

09/214 – TO NOTE PROGRESS ON THE PRODUCTION OF AN AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

It was noted that Councillors had distributed the Newsletter to all the houses in Nether Poppleton.

09/215 – TO RECONSIDER BULB PLANTING ARRANGEMENTS

It was reported that most Councillors had been unable to attend the bulb planting session on 7 November so few bulbs had been planted. It was agreed to hold another session on 21 November.

09/216 – TO NOTE RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON THE IDEA OF A 20 MPH LIMIT/ZONE IN POPPLETON

The Clerk reported having received 57 completed questionnaires. Of these 32 were in favour of a 20 mph limit/zone, 21 were against the idea, 4 had written comments. Two letters had been received on the subject. The Councillors expressed their pleasure at receiving such a large response. It was agreed that a working group, chaired by Councillor Powell, would look at the questionnaires and make recommendations to be considered at a future Parish Council meeting.

09/217 – TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON SOUNDPROOFING AT THE POPPLETON CENTRE

It was agreed that the Parish Council do nothing at the moment but wait to be approached by the Poppleton Community Trust and discuss the subject at that time.

09/218 – TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE MILLFIELD LANE ROUNDABOUT BOX JUNCTION PROPOSAL

See agenda item 09/205 above.

09/219 - TO DISCUSS THE INCIDENCE OF CYCLING ON VILLAGE FOOTPATHS

A resident had written to complain that the Millfield Lane footpath between Ebor Way and Long Ridge Lane is regularly used by cyclists and that the footpath should be clearly marked with “no cycling” symbols. After discussion it was agreed that marking footpaths is for the City Council to authorise and cycling on footpaths is a matter for the police.

09/220 - TO RECEIVE REPRESENTATIVES' REPORTS

(a) Councillor Powell reported on

i. the YLCA Joint Training weekend at Scarborough, 30 October to 1 November

ii. The York Open Planning Forum AGM on 28 October

(b) Councillor Tomlinson reported on the PCT Executive meeting held on 11 November

(c) Councillor Shannon reported on the Millennium Green Trust meeting held on 14 November. There is to be a working party on the Millennium Green on 9 January

(d) Councillor Robinson reported that the Wildlife Trust has a working party organised for Sunday 22 November meeting at 9.00am.

09/221 – TO NOTE THE DATES OF FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

Date of Meeting	Meeting	Venue/ Time	Councillors Attending
19 November	Ward Team	Guildhall, Room 2/ 9.30am	Powell
21 November	Rural Action Yorkshire AGM	Hoylandswaine Village Hall/ 10.30am	Powell
23 November	School Governors	Poppleton Ousebank School/ 7.00pm	Bradley, Robinson
16 December	Poppleton Community Trust Executive	Poppleton Centre/ 7.30pm	Tomlinson

09/222 – TO CONSIDER MINOR MATTERS AND ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA

Minor Matters

A suggestion was made that for the sum of £60.00 The Rainflorist in Allerton Drive would plant and maintain the two planters by the shops until the spring. It was agreed to discuss this at the January meeting.

Items for next agenda –

None.

09/223 - TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING AS MONDAY 18 JANUARY 2010

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held at 7.00pm at the Poppleton Centre on Monday 18 January 2010.

The meeting closed at 9.23 pm.

Chairman………………….…… Date…………………….……..

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

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