LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 

Held on Tuesday, 18th November, 2003 at 7.30p.m.

Coronation Hall, Langthorpe

 

          Present                       Chairman                      Cllr. M. Fisher

                                                Vice Chairman  Cllr. C. Elstob

                                                                                    Cllr. M. Collins

                                                                                    Cllr. L.R. Gill

                                                                                    Cllr. K. Saunders

 

                                                Clerk                            I.M. Ward

 

1.                  Apologies:  Apologies received from Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson and Cllr. K. Ouldridge.

 

2.                  Minutes of meeting held on 23rd September, 2003

 

Cllr. C. Elstob requested that an amendment be made to the minutes of the meeting held on the 23rd September – page 6.  She wished the minutes to record that she resigned as Chairman due to the fact that she had undertaken professional study leave.

 

The minutes of the above meeting were approved and signed proposed by Cllr. M. Collins, seconded by Cllr. L.R. Gill.

 

3.                  Matters Arising

 

·        Picnic Area

 

Cllr. L.R. Gill reported that British Waterways had resurfaced and made good the damaged car park area.

 

He also reported that he had attended the meeting at Aldborough with Harrogate councillors and officials.  The issue of the emptying of the litterbins in the picnic area was discussed, as a result of this a site meeting is to be arranged when the whole problem will, hopefully be resolved.

 

The dead alder tree was discussed.  Cllr. L. Gill reported that he has been in touch with Thorpe Trees who are kindly going to donate a replacement alder tree.  Cllr. Gill has generously volunteered to collect the new tree and plant it.

 

·        Grass Cutting.

 

The Clerk reported that she had drawn up a contract with Farm and Land Services Ltd for the grass and hedge cutting.  This has been signed and returned.

                                                                       

 

 

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·        Speeding Skelton Road

 

The Clerk reported that she had not had a reply from NYCC to her letters of  15th August and 30th September 2003. She had a telephoned Mr. Brian Watson NYCC Highways at Fulford, and was told that the cost of traffic calming measures could not be substantiated at the present time. Next year all Market Towns were going to be given substantial sums of money for improvements and that Langthorpe would be included in the monies allocated to Boroughbridge.  It could therefore be a year before the traffic calming measures were put into force.

 

·        Fishing Rights

 

The Clerk wrote to British Waterways requesting that they inform us of all the areas which they owned within the Parish. The Clerk has had an interim response illustrating the areas they owned and let out to fishing.  They will let us have a full response shortly.

 

·        Neighbourhood Watch

 

The Chairman reported that Mr. Norman Halliday and two residents of The Moorings had expressed an interest in becoming involved with this project.    It was agreed that a full list of existing co-ordinators and new volunteers should be compiled for the next meeting.

 

·        Notice Boards

 

Cllr. M. Collins reported that he had been in touch will A. Burrell, Joiners, Great Ouseburn regarding lockable notice boards. They are willing to make a new notice board 2’ 6” x 2’ 6” at a cost of £400.  This would have toughened glass doors and pin board backing.  It is proposed that this new board should be sited at the entrance to the picnic area.  The existing notice board will be removed for refurbishment by A. Burrell.  It will be cleaned, fitted with pin board backing and toughened glass doors.  The refurbishment of the notice board is at a cost of £150.

 

·        Cottages

 

Cllr. M. Collins brought along a catalogue regarding plates and treads that could be fitting to the rear wooden steps of both Rose and Holly Cottage.

The total cost for both cottages was:

                  Plates                           £255

                  Treads                          £380

                  Plus delivery and VAT.

The Clerk was requested to contact AXA regarding public liability over people using the steps.  It was agreed that this issue should be deferred and made an item on the next agenda.

 

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·        Diarama

 

Cllr. M. Collins produced several brief sketches and dialogue depicting the various scenes of battle during the Battle of Boroughbridge.  It was agreed that he should pursue this project by contacting and involving various local sections such as Boroughbridge Town Council, the Chamber of Trade, 1322 Club, Historical Society and any other interested parties.  Everyone was in agreement that this should be pursued.

 

·        Skateboard Park

 

No progress has been reported since the last meeting.

           

·        Village Map

 

Cllr. M. Collins reported that he had created a village map showing all the various properties.  It was agreed that this should be put on view in the Fox and Hounds Pub.  It will be updated from time to time.

 

·        Internet

 

Cllr. M. Fisher reported that at least 5 to 10 people a day were visiting the web site.  This was felt to be encouraging plus several complimentary e-mails had been received.  The development of the web site is an on-going project.

 

·        Fox & Hounds Planning

 

Cllr. M. Collins confirmed that neither the plans nor copies had been given to Mr Nicholson, and that after showing him the planning applications which had been received from Harrogate his photocopying money was returned.

 

Sgt. Sweeney arrived at 8.30p.m.  The question of the alleged drug problem under the A1 bridge was discussed at length.  It was suggested that a general surveillance operation should be mounted in the area with Police Cars driving down the lane next to the Al68  on a regular basis in an effort to eradicate any possible drug problems that may exist.  Sgt. Sweeney agreed that this should be done.

 

Sgt. Sweeney reported on policing levels in Boroughbridge.  Apparently we have 4 officers when we should really have 5.  Knaresborough Police Station and Officers will cover when there are no officers in Boroughbridge.

 

The incident regarding Cllr. l. Gill and his son was discussed.  There seemed to be no explanation why assistance did not arrive on the evening of the incident.

 

 

                                                                       

 

 

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4.                  Correspondence as received by 13th November, 2003

 

·        Mr. M. Oldroyd – Grass Cutting etc.

 

A letter from a Parishioner, Mr. M. Oldroyd was read out.   It covered various complaints regarding grass cutting, gully cleaning, overgrown hedges etc.  It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Highways Department, Starbeck enclosing a copy of his correspondence.  She would also write to Mr. Oldroyd informing him of our action in response to his letter and promising to write again when we have a reply from the Highways Department.

 

·        Audit Commission

 

Cllr. M. Collins agreed to deal with this questionnaire

 

·        Other Correspondence

 

There was no further correspondence to deal with.

 

5.                  Financial Report

 

The Clerk reported the following balances

 

                        Current Account                                   £2,456.45

                        High Rate Account                               £3,734.68

 

The Clerk reported on the following expenditures.

 

                        Royal British Legion (wreath)           £25.00

                        J. Lafford (cottage repairs)                         £150.00

                        Farm & Land Services                     £66.97

                        I. Ward Salary & Expenses                       £140.03

 

The above expenditure was proposed by Cllr. L. Gill, seconded by Cllr.K. Saunders

The next payment of the Public Works Loan board is due on the 30th January 2004 £1,319.10

 

·        Parish Precept

 

After discussion is was agreed that the Clerk should declare a NIL return.  This was proposed by Cllr. L. Gill, seconded by Cllr. C. Elstob.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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·        Bank Mandate

 

In view of the change of Chairman, Vice Chairman etc. it was felt that a review of signatories for cheques should take place.  It was agreed that the new signatories should be Cllr. M. Fisher, Cllr. M. Collins and Cllr. L. Gill.  The Bank Mandate to be completed as agreed.

                                         

·        Rose Cottage Rent.

 

After lengthy discussion it was agreed that the rent for Rose Cottage should be increased to £60 per week.  This was proposed by Cllr. M. Collins, seconded by Cllr. L. Gill.  Everyone was in agreement and the Clerk requested to complete the application form with effect from 1st April 2004.

                                                     

·        Clerk’s Expenses

 

It was agreed that in future the Clerk’s salary should be paid every two months by standing order.  Any incidental expenses should be paid by cheque (on the evidence of receipts) at each Parish Council Meeting. It was also requested that the Clerk should keep a postage book recording all postage spent.

 

6.                  Planning

 

·        Planning received by 13th November, 2003

 

No plans were received

 

·        Planning  received after 13th November,2003

 

No plans were received.

 

·        Planning received up to 18th November, 2003

 

No plans were received.

 

·        Outcome of Planning Applications

 

A.J. Hawkridge received planning permission for the demolition of Silverdale and the erection of one new property.

 

The retention of front porch and conservatory at 11 Langthorpe Park was refused.

 

It was noted that no plans have been received for the sign at Boroughbridge Auto Services.

 

 

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7.                  Any Other Business

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·        Sub Committees

 

The report on the Police Liaison is covered with the visit from Sgt. Sweeney reported earlier in the minutes.

 

·        Play Area

 

It was reported that there would be a meeting within the next two weeks.

 

·        Boroughbridge and District Community Partnership

 

Cllr M. Fisher went to this meeting. It was proposed that the Joint Parish Council Meetings be revived. The Clerk was requested to write to the Clerks of Kirby Hill and District, Roecliffe and Boroughbridge, to meet with Langthorpe, perhaps on a six monthly basis. It was suggested that there should be a separate clerk for such joint meetings and that only two members from each council should attend and that a Chairman should be either be chosen from such representatives or an independent chairman be appointed.

 

·        MSA

 

Cllr. M. Fisher reported that the date for the decision was not known.

 

·        Chair and Clerk Training.

 

Cllr. M. Fisher reported that he had attended the above training with the Clerk. Mrs. I. Ward.  As a result of this training it was obvious that various procedures were not being carried out correctly.  It was essential that the agenda should be produced and distributed four days before the meeting plus such agenda items should be displayed in the public notice board.

 

The second item on the agenda should be a declaration of interests. If there is a declaration of interests, then a form should be filled out (the form has still to be initiated but will be available at the next meeting).

 

·        Circulation of correspondence.

 

The length of time it took for folders to circulate was discussed; there is a problem with some councillors not passing the documents on promptly.  The Clerk reported that she had any returned to her, which leads to a problem for her in preparing for the next meeting.  It was agreed that in future the folders should be circulated as follows:

 

                  MF.  CE.  MC.  KS.  KO,  LRG. IMW.

 

It was agreed that a label should be put on the front of each folder showing date when the folder was passed on.

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·        Responsibility areas.

 

The Chairman issued copies of lists of Responsibility Areas.  This list was amended slightly but now there is a clear scheme of which councillors are responsible for which areas.

 

·        Parish Plan

 

Boroughbridge and District Community Partnership is keen that each Parish Council should produce a plan to promote their Parish with a view to improving the facilities.  These proposed improvements have to be produced for Harrogate Borough Council.  Cllr. L. Gill suggested that everyone should bring their suggestions to the next Parish Council Meeting.  It was also suggested that a questionnaire should be sent to all parishioners requesting their view on possible improvements. It was agreed that this should be an agenda item for the next meeting.

 

 

·        Dates of meetings 2004/5

 

The Clerk produced a list of proposes meetings for the above calendar.

 

It was, however, felt that there could be a problem over the meeting date in May.  The Clerk was, therefore, requested to book all the dates apart from the date in May which may clash with elections. She will ask the booking secretary at the Coronation hall which dates in May are available.  A decision will be made later.

 

The meeting closed at 10.20 p.m.

 

The next meeting will be held on 27th January, 2004 at 7.40