UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL

 

JAMES MACKMAN

(Clerk)

Tel:  01904 781752

 

CHAWTON COTTAGE

22A LONG RIDGE LANE

NETHER POPPLETON

YORK         YO26 6LX

 

 

Minutes of the meeting of UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 13 November 2000 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

 

PRESENT

Cllr. R Walker  Chairman,

Cllr. Mrs E A Parker  Vice Chairman

Cllr. G B Davies

Cllr. Mrs K Richardson

 

Cllr. K R Smith, S.B.St.J.,

Cllr. J D G Thompson

Cllr. A J Peck

Cllr. Mrs J Hopton (City of York Council)

 

 

Two members of the public.

Mr B J W Mackman (Clerk).

 

 

00.142 - APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr. Mrs L R Acomb and Cllr. Mrs R Watters.

 

00.143 - MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Accepted and signed as a true record.

 

00.144 - MATTERS ARISING

(a)   Bus service, change of route (Min. 99.111c)

The Clerk reported having spoken to Mr Laking of NYCC who said he was looking into the matter and would report back before the January Parish Council meeting.

 

(b)   Turn engines off signs (Min. 00.09)

Councillor Smith reported that the City of York Council will not allow signs to be erected on the verge in Station Road.  Councillor Peck reminded the meeting that Railtrack had written to the Parish Council in November to say that they had no objection in principle to the provision of signs.

 

(c)    Reading Room gas meter conversion (Min. 00.31)

The new gas meter, which takes £1 coins, had been installed and was used during the meeting. 

 

(d)   Swimming pool progress (Min. 00.51.4a)

Councillor Hopton said that she had spoken to Mr Phil Richardson who is now the Chair of the Junior Football Club.  Cllr. Hopton is to arrange a meeting between Phil Richardson, Cllr. Watters and Cllr. Parker and other interested parties in the New Year.

 

(e)    Village signs - planning permission (Min. 00.65)

The Clerk read correspondence from Julie Hurley of City of York Council, which stated that there is no statutory undertakers' equipment in the area the Parish Council wishes to erect the signs.  She suggested that the Council ask the Planning Department if planning permission would be needed for the signs.  Julie was concerned about the sight line at the end of Station Road and would like to see the sign reduced in size.

 

(f)     Chantry Green kerbing (Min. 00.83)

It was agreed that this matter is now in the hands of the residents of Chantry Green

Provision of 'pin kerbs' round the pump on the Green (Min. 00.79bi)

The pin kerbs have not yet been put in place.

 

(g)   Boundary fences at the allotments (Min. 00.102.3)

The Clerk was directed to ask Ken Thorpe if he would be able to arrange for the bottom of the hedges round the allotments to be weeded.

 

(h)   Boundary fence in the car park by the Lord Collingwood (Min. 00.110bii)

It was reported that Ken Falkingham had erected the boundary fence and it was agreed that he should be paid the agreed sum of £457.80 for the work.  The Clerk reported having received a letter from the owners of the Lord Collingwood, The Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries plc, who said they were investigating the situation and should the Company wish to make any proposals to the Parish Council they would write again.

 

(i)     Loose manhole covers in the Green (Min. 00.114.2)

The Clerk again reported having received no word from ntl about the loose covers.

 

(j)     Community Centre sign (Min. 00.121ai)

The Clerk reported that despite assurances from the City of York Council that the sign would be re-erected it was still not back in place.

 

(k)    Relocation of street light (Min. 00121bii)

The Clerk reported having received an email from Neil Johnson in which Mr Johnson apologised for not replying to earlier correspondence but that he had been extremely busy changing main contractors from Pirelli Construction to Amey Highways.  He went on to say that column 13 Main Street would be resited before the end of November.

 

(l)     Telephone posts in Black Dike Lane (Min. 00.121c)

The Councillors agreed that the new posts spoil the Conservation Area.  They would wish for the wires to be put underground.  Councillor Smith said that he would raise the subject at the last ever meeting of the Post Office and Communications Advisory Committee meeting on 7 December.

 

(m) 'School' sign in Main Street (Min. 00.134aiii)

It was again reported that the sign has not been fixed and is still loose.

 

(n)   Dog bin post in Black Dike Lane (Min. 00134aiv)

It was reported that the supporting post has been straightened but that the dog bin has been damaged.  The Clerk was directed to contact Simmons and ask them to reinstate the post and bin.

 

(o)   'No Fouling' signs for Footpath No. 1 (Min. 00.134ci)

The Clerk presented some 'No Fouling' signs sent by the City of York Council's Animal Health Officer.  Councillor Parker agreed to pass them on to the complainant who could put them up in the appropriate place.

 

(p)   Passing place in Black Dike Lane (Min.  00.134cii)

The Clerk reported having contacted the City of York Council about this subject and was waiting for a reply.

 

(q)   Molehills in Long Ridge Lane (Min. 00.134ciii)

The Clerk reported having written to Mr Ferguson about the molehills.  It was just a matter of time before the problem was sorted.

 

(r)    Grass verge by the Bowling Club in Main Street (Min. 00.134civ)

The Clerk reported having contacted the City of York Council to ask if they were responsible for cutting the grass verge.  No response had been received to date.

 

00.145 - FINANCE

(a)   Financial Report;

The Clerk presented the Councillors with a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year period to 13 November 2000.  The report showed that, after adjusting for the items of expenditure listed below, the bank balances at 13 November were: -

 

Current Account                                                                            £50.00

High Interest Account                                                              £9,968.59

 

(b)   Accounts to pay (net of VAT); 

York Gas Co - Installation of gas meter                                     £205.00

Baron Landscape - Grass cutting September/October                £250.00

K Falkingham - repairs to Dikelands Lane Seat                          £202.50

Northern Electric - Electricity for bus shelter light                       £18.11

TRBL Poppy Appeal - Donation for wreath                                 £13.75

 

(c)    Accounts paid

None

 

(d)   Acquiring a copy of 'The Essential Guide to Parish Councils' - £2.83

It was agreed that the Clerk should obtain a copy of the Guide.

 

(e)    Budget for 2001-02

The Clerk presented a suggested budget for the forthcoming financial year for the Councillors to consider prior to the January meeting when the Budget for 2001-02 will be decided. 

 

00.146 - PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT

00.146.1 - Plans pending and Planning Committee Comments

The Clerk presented the list of plans and comments made by the members of the Planning Committee on each planning application received.  The list is attached as Appendix 1 at the end of these minutes.

 

00.146.2 - Proposed development, West View Close - more comments from residents

The Clerk mentioned having received several copy letters which the residents of West View Close and Villa Court had sent to the City of York Council's Planning Department.  All the letters objected to the proposed development.  It was reported to the meeting that two of the residents had thanked the Parish Councillors for their support.

 

00.146.3 - Councillors comments

It was reported that some village residents have raised concern about the reflections of headlights at night from the fence of black sheeting at York House.  The question as to whether the fence would be removed when the landscaping had matured was asked.  The Clerk was directed to ask the City Council's Planning Department for its opinion.

 

00.146.4 - Parish Plan

Councillor Parker said that the meeting she had planned to attend had been cancelled and was being rearranged for January.

 

00.147 - HIGHWAYS FOOTPATHS & LAMPPOSTS

(a)   Vandalism;

          i.        Ken Falkingham had repaired the broken seat in Dikelands Lane at a cost of £202.50.  The Councillors agreed to this expenditure.

        ii.        The repaired seat had been moved to Station Road in place of the Charles Anderson seat which itself was damaged.  The Charles Anderson seat is to be stored until a decision is made about its repair.

      iii.        The Councillors agreed to purchase a new seat for the Dikelands Lane site.  The Clerk showed the Councillors several designs.  The Councillors chose a Phoenix seat from Glasdon at a cost of £326.62.  It was agreed that the Council would purchase the seat providing that there was an assurance from Glasdon that the seat would be vandal resistant.  It was agreed that Ken Falkingham should install the Phoenix seat as soon as it was delivered.

      iv.        It was reported that the Library had been subject to attack by air gun pellets and that a wheelie bin had been set on fire behind the Library.  Councillor Hopton reported that she had contacted the Acting Head of the York Leisure Office, Charlie Croft about the incident.

 

(b)   Lampposts;

No report.

 

(c)    Councillors Comments

      i.        Councillor Thompson reported an uneven footpath outside The Bungalow in Westfield Lane

    ii.        It was reported that the 'Upper Poppleton' sign on the A59 is still missing.

  iii.        It was reported that the kissing gate at the Main Street end of Beech Way is rotten.  The Councillors agreed that the kissing gate is not the responsibility of the Parish Council.  It is probably the responsibility of the owners of the adjoining property.

  iv.        Councillor Hopton informed the meeting that the City of York has said that the drop kerbs in the vicinity of the Post Office will be done this financial year, probably soon after Christmas.

 

00.148 - VILLAGE GREENS

(a)   Trees

      i.          For Chantry Green

It was agreed that the three trees to be planted in Chantry Green should be silver birch and planted in a clump.

 

(b)   Maintenance

The Clerk was directed to write to the City of York Council to ask that they stop the refuse vehicle being driven over the car park adjacent to the Lord Collingwood when the wheelie bins were being emptied.

 

(c)    Events

The Clerk was asked to write to Reverend Paul Thomas to ask if the Church were proposing to have a Christmas Tree on the Green this year.  The Councillors agreed to allow the erection of the tree on condition that the lights would be safe and that the Parish Council would bear no liability for the tree.

 

00.149 - NEWSLETTER

The Councillors agreed to put this item on the agenda for the January meeting with the aim of publishing a Newsletter in the spring of 2001.

 

00.150 - NEW FILING CABINET AND FILES FOR THE CLERK - £75.75

It was agreed that the Clerk should acquire a new 3-drawer filing cabinet at a cost of £56 and the appropriate drop files and folder to go in it.  The total cost would be £75.75.

 

00.151 - ENVIRONMENTAL RECYCLING

Discussion on this subject was postponed until the January meeting.

 

00.152 - MILLENNIUM GREEN CELEBRATION DONATION UNDER SECTION 137

The Councillors agreed to donate £100 to the Millennium Green Celebration.

 

00.153 - CORRESPONDENCE

00.153.1 The Clerk read the following correspondence:

1.      A letter from the City of York Council giving details of the proposed Millfield Lane junction improvement.  Work to improve pedestrian and cycle safety will start in week commencing 31 October.

2.      A letter from Northern Electric and Gas explaining about the new Climate Change Levy.  As this concerns the Parish Council in the cost of lighting the bus shelter on the Green, any extra charge will be negligible.

3.      An invitation by the North Yorkshire Police to a meeting to be held on 16 November at the Novotel, Fishergate.

4.      A letter from Mr G T E Grand requesting the Parish Council's support in improving the flood defences in Nether Poppleton.

 

00.153.2 The following items received since the October meeting had already been circulated to the Councillors:

1.      A copy of the Local Transport Plan

2.      Various documents from the Resource Centre for Deafened People

3.      Minutes of the YNET meeting held on 26 September

4.      The Safer York Magazine - Issue Two, Autumn 2000

5.      North Yorkshire Police Authority CaP News, Issue 1, September 2000


 

00.153.3 It was agreed that the correspondence received since the October meeting, as listed below, be circulated to the Councillors:

1.      Nether Poppleton Parish Council minutes of meeting of 16 October 

2.      YNET Minutes of meeting on 31 October 2000

3.      YLCA - Details of Parish Government Conference 2/4 March 2001.  Minutes of Associations meeting of 4 October

4.      Yorventure Landfill Tax Credit Funding for Community & Environmental Projects - Issue 3.

5.      Yorkshire Hedgerow Campaign leaflet

6.      York Leisure Office £50,00 fund for young people's projects leaflet

7.      A copy of The Countryside Agency's Rural Services Survey 2000 completed by the Clerk of Nether Poppleton Parish Council on behalf of both Poppleton Parish Councils.

8.      Minutes of the Poppleton Ward Residents Association meeting of 25 October.

9.      Copy of the Yorkshire Rural Community Council's 'Country Air' Issue No. 78.

 

00.154 - COUNCILLORS' COMMENTS

There were no Councillors' comments.

 

00.155 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING

8 January 2001 at 7.30pm

 

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.55pm.

 

 

                                                                            ………………………….CHAIRMAN

 

                                                                            ………………………….DATE

uppc mins  11/00