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 12 November 2001 at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Upper Poppleton, York.

 

PRESENT

Councillor R Walker  Chairman,

Councillor J A Hook

Councillor J P Pannell

Councillor J D G Thompson

Councillor P Tomlinson

Councillor Mrs K M Richardson

Councillor Mrs J S Hopton (City of York Council)

 

Three members of the public

Mr B J W Mackman (Clerk).

 

01.159 - APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor A J Peck and Councillor Mrs R Watters.

 

01.160 - MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Having been circulated and read the minutes were accepted and signed as a true record.

 

01.161 - MATTERS ARISING

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

It was reported that the signs have been put up near the crossing gates in Station Road.

 

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

The Clerk reported that the City Council had approved the signs and asked for reflectors to be attached to them to aid night-time visibility.  The City Council had also sent a list of contractors approved for carrying out works in the Public Highway.  The Clerk was asked to obtain written quotations from three of the contractors.

 

(e)    Blairgowrie verge (Min. 01.104)

The Clerk reported having received a letter from the Lister Croft Partnership, the executors dealing with the Blairgowrie estate, stating that they had forwarded the request to prune the trees overhanging the pavement outside Blairgowrie to their client.  The Clerk was directed to write to Lister Croft if no action had been taken within the next two weeks.

 

(d)   Relocation of street light (Min. 00.121b.ii)

It was reported that the light had now been put on the top of the lamppost.  It wasn't known if the light was working.

 

(e)    30mph limit in Hodgson Lane  (Min. 01.125.1c)

The Clerk reported having received a letter from the City Council to say that a response would be forthcoming within the next two weeks.

 

(f)     Replacement of Councillor (Min. 01.143ii)

The Clerk confirmed that there had been no request for a by-election to replace Councillor Scott-Coveney therefore the correct course of action was to co-opt a new Councillor.  It was unanimously agreed that Charles Swann be co-opted as a Parish Councillor.

 

(g)   Community Policing (Min. 01.150)

It was reported that the Chairman had signed an agreement with Mayfair Group Response for the provision of Community Ranger Mobile Patrols.  There would be three 20-minute patrols on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights and three 30-minute patrols on Friday and Saturday nights.  The cost of the patrols would be £485.33 plus VAT per month.  A claim for £4,994.77 had been sent to the Ward Committee and the City Council had agreed to provide the funding.  It was agreed that no expenditure should fall on the Parish Council and that no money should be paid out until the City Council's cheque had been received.

 

(h)   Parking on the white line outside the Post Office (Min. 01.154)

The Clerk reported that Mr & Mrs Farnsworth had agreed to put up a sign in the Post Office window asking drivers not to park on the white line by the drop kerb.  The Councillors agreed the wording of the sign.  Mr Farnsworth had offered to laminate the sign.  The Clerk was directed to make the necessary arrangements.

 

(i)     Joint meeting with Nether Poppleton PC (Min. 01.155)

No joint meeting had taken place since the October Parish Council meeting.  The Clerk was directed to advise Ron Hansell that the Parish Councillors are interested in holding a joint meeting early in the New Year.

 

(j)     Felling of trees on the Green (Min. 01.080.2)

The Clerk reported having had no further news about the trees.  The Councillors agreed to keep the subject on the agenda so that progress could be monitored.

 

01.162 - FINANCE

(a)   Financial Report

The Clerk presented the Councillors with a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 12 November 2001.  The report showed that, after adjusting for the items of expenditure listed below, the bank balances at 12 November were:

 

Current Account                                                                                                    £100.08

High Interest Account                                                                                      £12,467.81

 

(b)   Accounts to pay (net of VAT); 

Baron (Landscape Contractors)                Grass cutting in October                     £125.00

Yorkshire Planning Aid                            3 Rural Planning Packs                           £7.50

Poppleton Community Trust                     4th and final instalment of the grant    £750.00

British Legion                                           Donation towards the Wreath for

                                                                   The War Memorial                               £14.25

City of York Council                                Removing yellow graffiti                      £95.00

 

(c)    Accounts paid (net of VAT)

None

 

(d)   Income Received

Bank Interest £12.46

 

(e)    Budget 2002-2003

The Clerk agreed to provide the Councillors with a suggested budget for 2002-2003 before the January meeting.  The Councillors agreed to bring ideas to the January meeting so that a final decision on the budget for next year could be made at the February meeting.

 

01.163 - PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT

01.163.1 - 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.

 

01.163.2 - West View Close planning appeal report comments

It was reported that the planning appeal had been refused and that no development would take place on the West View Close site for the foreseeable future.

 

01.163.3 - Councillors' comments

No comments.

The two newly acquired Rural Planning Packs were given to Councillors Hook and Tomlinson.

 

01.163.4 - Parish Plan (Village Design Statement)

No report

 

01.164 - HIGHWAYS FOOTPATHS & LAMPPOSTS

(a)   Vandalism

It was reported that there had been an outbreak of vandalism on both Halloween Mischief Nights.  A number of street signs had been broken.  The Chairman agreed to make a list of the broken signs so that the matter could be reported to the City Council.

A number of fences by the side of Footpath No. 1 had been broken as well as a fence in Dikelands Lane.

The notice board by the Allerton Drive shops had been smashed. 

The Clerk read a letter from the Community Centre Trust which pointed out the incidence of youngsters indulging in drinking alcohol (often bought by older teenagers and sold to the younger children) drug taking and general rowdy behaviour.  The Trust asked that the Parish Council send a letter to every household in the village drawing attention to the problem and asking parents in particular to know what their youngsters are doing and where they are going and with whom.  The Parish Councillors agreed to put this message in the next Parish Council Newsletter, which would be produced in May 2002.  The Trust also mentioned that they had decided to apply formally to the City Council under Section 12-16 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act September 2001 for an order banning the consumption of alcohol and similar substances on the Trust's land, i.e. outside the Community Centre Building, unless specific permission has been given by the Trust for a particular function.

The Parish Councillors agreed on the points raised by the Community Centre Trust and the Clerk was directed to send a letter of support.

 

(b)   Other reports

No report.

 

01.165 - VILLAGE GREENS

(a)   Trees

In the absence of Councillor Watters there was no report on low hanging branches on trees on the Green.

 

(b)   Events

It was agreed that permission should be given for the erection of the Christmas Tree on the Green should it be requested.

 

(c)    Maintenance

No report

 

(d)   Car Parking

No report

 

01.166 - WARD COMMITTEE

No report

 

01.167 - ACCESS TO THE METHODIST CHURCH AND CHURCH HALL

It was agreed that vehicular access to the Methodist Church hall be allowed by virtue of the fact that such access was registered when the Parish Council acquired the Greens.  It was also agreed that the Parish Councillors would keep an eye on the situation to see that it is not abused.

 

01.168 - WESTFIELD LANE VERGES

The Clerk read a letter from a concerned resident who had asked what land down Westfield Lane was verge and which what was private property.  The Clerk had written to explain that all the land down Westfield Lane was private property but that the City Council was responsible for the adopted highway.  The Councillors agreed that as the land is outside the 30mph limit the grass verge would not be cut by the City Council and that it was better to have the farmer look after the verge than have it neglected.

 

01.169 - POPPLETON POST OFFICE

The Parish Councillors were addressed by Alan Farnsworth from the Upper Poppleton Post Office who asked for support in his effort to make Post Office Ltd listen to the views of the local stakeholders before making a decision on the future of the number of Post Offices in Poppleton.  The Councillors agreed that a meeting attended by representatives of Post Office Ltd, Upper and Nether Poppleton Parish Councils, Upper Poppleton Post Office and the Spar shop in Allerton Drive should be arranged.  The Clerk was directed to write to Post Office Ltd to ask them to set up a meeting.

 

01.170 - GRASS CUTTING 2002-2003

It was agreed that the Clerk should obtain quotations for cutting the grass on the Greens for the next two years.

 

01.171 - MANOR SCHOOL: REVIEW OF ADMISSION CRITERIA.

The Parish Councillors were addressed by Mrs Suzanne Wiper who informed the meeting that Lowfield School in Acomb is now the Local Education Authority's identified school for Poppleton residents.  Lowfield School is three miles from Poppleton.  Manor School is only a mile away and children going to Lowfield School have to pass Manor School on the way.  Mrs Wiper highlighted the inherent difficulties and dangers for children having to travel three miles to school along busy roads.  She asked for the Parish Councillors support in asking the Education Department and Manor School to provide more places at Manor School for Poppleton children.  The Councillors agreed to support Mrs Wiper's request and directed the Clerk to write appropriate letters to the Headmaster, Head Teacher designate and the Chair of the School Governors of Manor School.  It was also agreed that the Clerk should write to the Director of Education and Councillor Janet Looker, the Executive Member for Education, to ask that consideration be given to designating a school that was on a direct bus route from Poppleton for the children who would not be able to gain access to Manor School.

 

01.172 - HOMEZONES

It was agreed to defer discussion on this subject until the next meeting.

 

01.173 - CORRESPONDENCE

01.173.1  The Clerk either read or referred to the following correspondence

(a)    A letter from the City Council advising that the City Council will make grants available for the provision of new or enhanced bus passenger waiting facilities.  It was agreed that there is no need for a new bus shelter in the village.

(b)   An invitation to a CaP meeting on 27 November entitled "The Review of progress on the 2001/2002 Policing Plans for Selby and York".  No Councillor will attend the meeting.

(c)    A letter from POPSOC requesting a donation towards training for staff.  It was agreed to include this item on the January 2001 agenda.

(d)   An invitation from the City Council to a York Local Plan: Green Belt Review Update Meeting on 15 November.  No Councillor will attend the meeting.

(e)    A letter and plan showing the location of the proposed speed humps to be built near the School.  The speed humps and the introduction of a 20mph zone by the school is part a citywide plan for all schools.

(f)    A letter from the Ainsty Group of Parish Councils asking if the Councillors would be interested in continuing meetings now that all the Parish Councils are within the City of York boundary.  The Councillors agreed to put the subject on the agenda for the January meeting.  Councillor Pannell agreed to attend the next Ainsty Group meeting scheduled to be held on 17 January.

 

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

(a)    Minutes of Nether Poppleton Parish Council meeting on 15 October 2001

(b)   White Rose Update and papers from YLCA- October 2001

(c)    North Yorkshire Police Authority P.A. News Issue 43 October 2001

(d)   Minutes of the Poppleton Moat Fields Management Group meeting of 20 March 2001

(e)    Minutes of the Poppleton Ward Residents Association meeting held on 26 September 2001

(f)    Minutes of the Poppleton Ward Residents Association meeting held on 24 October 2001

(g)   The Safer York Magazine - Issue Four Autumn 2001

(h)   Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - Definitive Map and Statement showing public rights of way in the village

(i)     A letter from the National Association of Local Councils and the Countryside Agency giving an update on the National Training Strategy for Parish & Town Councils

(j)     A Newsletter from Community Regeneration York giving details of their new Small Grants Scheme 'Let's make it happen' and an invitation to take up membership at a cost of £2 per year

 

01.174 - COUNCILLORS' COMMENTS

01.174.a  Councillor Thompson 

Asked that the subject of the Walking Bus be placed on the January agenda.

 

01.174.b  Councillor Tomlinson

Said that he thought that the meeting had gone on too long.

 

01.174.c  Councillor Richardson

Asked to whom she should report dumping of rubbish on the verges and lay-bys in the village.  The Clerk said that he would be the contact between the Parish Councillors and the City Council.

 

01.175 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 14 January 2002 at 7.30pm.

 

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.56pm.

 

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

 

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

uppc mins  11/01