Draft      

 

LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 

Held on Tuesday, 27th January, 2004at 7.30p.m.

Coronation Hall, Langthorpe

 

          Present                       Chairman                     Cllr. M. Fisher

                                               

                                                                                    Cllr. M. Collins

                                                                                    Cllr. L.R. Gill

                                                                                    Cllr. K. Saunders

                                                                                    Cllr. K. Ouldridge

 

                                                Clerk                           I.M. Ward

 

The Chairman opened the meeting by reading out a letter of resignation received from Cllr. C. Elstob.  She explained that she felt she had to resign due to pressure of work and the fact that she may be going on study leave.  The Clerk requested to write to Cllr. Elstob and thank her for her many years of service on the Parish Council.

 

1.                  Apologies:  There were no apologies.

 

2.                  Declaration of Interest

 

Cllr M. Fisher explained to the meeting that he had created a new form  on the above subject, which he wished every Councillor to complete at the start of every meeting if they had a vested interest in any agenda item.  This form to be signed by the Councillor and countersigned by the Clerk.  This form replaces the Pecuniary Interest Book, which is now obsolete.

 

3.                  Minutes of meeting held on 18th November, 2003

 

The minutes of the above meeting were approved.  Proposed  by Cllr. M. Collins, seconded by Cllr. K. Saunders – they were duly signed.

 

4.                  Matters Arising

 

·         Picnic Area

 

-Gates- Cllr. L. Gill reported that the gates  and posts are in a seriously dangerous state.  After discussion it was agreed that both the gates and the posts should be removed particularly since the only time the gates are ever

closed and padlocked is for Barnaby Fair.  It was agreed that during the Fair a scaffold pole should be secured into the hedge and a notice placed on the pole as a temporary barrier.

 

-Waterways Repairs – Cllr. L. Gill reported that British Waterways have been in touch again requesting the use of the Picnic Area while they carry out repairs to the footpath by Boroughbridge Auto Services garage.  They are

 

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going to pile the banking and will carry out the work in June for about five weeks.  They have offered a fee of £500 for the use of the area.     A contract from British Waterways will be received shortly.

 

-Ownership –British Waterways is not sure about the ownership of the land in question – they will investigate the matter.

 

·         Neighbourhood Watch

 

It was agreed that the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme should be revived.  Cllr. M. Fisher volunteered to take over Cllr. Elstob’s post.  Mr. Norman Halliday and Mrs. Karen Burton have both expressed an interest in joining the team.  A meeting of existing co-ordinators plus the new volunteers will be arranged.

 

·         Notice Boards

 

Cllr. M. Collins reported that he had completed the necessary forms for Awards for All  to apply for funding  to the tune of £600 to cover the cost of refurbishing the existing notice board and have a new one made.  It was agreed that the sending off of this form should be deferred until Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson had been approached to see if he would be willing to fund this project and then an application to Awards for All could be made for some other project.

           

·         Cottages

 

-Insurance – The Clerk reported that she had made enquiries to see if the Parish Council was covered for public liability over people using the steps, paths etc.  The Clerk also reported that when the policy next comes up for renewal that Axa Insurance wish to change the format of the policy.  This will be reviewed when it comes.

 

-Holly Cottage – Cllr. M. Fisher reported that he had been called out on Sunday to have a look at dampness in the wall of the living room and the carpet was wet.  Discussion took place as the possible cause of the problem.  The Clerk was requested to contact Johnson’s plumbers to see if they can locate the problem. 

 

-Rent Application – Cllr. M. Fisher reported that the application had been sent off and an acknowledgement received.  If nothing has been heard by next month then the matter should be pursued.

 

The question of whether the front door of Holly Cottage needs to be replaced..  After discussion it was felt that this matter should be deferred until after our annual inspection.  The Clerk requested to write to the tenants of both Holly and Rose Cottage to inform them that the inspection will take place on the 16th March at 6.30p.m.

 

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·         Diarama Update

 

Cllr. M. Collins gave an update.  He reported that he had been in touch with Boroughbridge Town Council who is interested in joining in.  He reported that we would have four sites and that the total cost would be around £4,000.  It was hoped that Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire  County Council would assist with funding.

 

·         Joint Parish Meetings

 

The Clerk reported that she had contacted Boroughbridge Town Council, Kirby Hill Parish Council and Roecliffe Parish Council.  Boroughbridge is in complete agreement; Roecliffe Parish Council does not meet until next month when they will decide.  Kirby Hill misunderstood the letter and thought that we were inviting a representative to come to our meetings.  The Clerk has explained this misinterpretation and so the matter will be discussed again at their next meeting.

 

·         Parish Plan 2004

 

Cllr. M. Fisher reported that this was still in the process of being done.  It was agreed that a Parish Design Statement should be compiled.  In the meantime it was agreed that all the Councillors should read the documentation on the subject and that a separate sub-committee including all the councillors should meet to discuss the Design Statement.

 

5.         Correspondence as Received by 14th January 2004

 

·         Pollution of the River  Ure (Environment Agency)

 

The Clerk reported that she had received a telephone call on the 24th December from the Environment Agency reporting that a complaint had been received regarding tree brash deposited in the river.  The offender was traced and they agreed to remove the rubbish from the watercourse.  This complaint did, however, raise the issue that quite a number of residents whose gardens go to the riverbank are depositing garden rubbish on the banking.  As a result the Environment Agency wrote to the Parish Council setting our certain points of the Water Resources Act 1991 when offenders can be fined £20,000 in the Magistrate’s Court.  The Clerk has written a letter to all riverside householders enclosing a copy of the Environment Agency letter.

 

·         Other Correspondence

 

The Clerk reported that she had written to the Highways Department  enclosing a copy of Mr. Oldroyd’s letter in which he raised various Highway matters.  It was reported that a list of dates for urban grass cutting was given. 

The drains had all been cleaned and the gullies cleared.  It was noted, however, that the hedge at The Firs had not been cut despite the occupant

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being notified by letter of the 15th December. The matter has been reported to Highways Department who is going to send out an inspector. 

 

It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Mr. Oldroyd enclosing a copy of the Highways Department letter.  She will also inform him that an inspector will be coming out to inspect the offending hedge.

 

6.                  Financial

 

·         Cllr. M. Collins reported that he had received a letter from Mazars (the auditors) to the effect that they had not completed their audit of the financial year ended 31st March, 2003.  They have informed us that our Annual Return must be displayed marked “Subject to Audit”.  Mazars’ letter should also be displayed.

 

·         Report

 

The Clerk reported that the bank balances are as follows:

 

      Current Account                     £3,149.87

      High Rate                                £3,743.39

 

The Clerk also reported that the sum of £1,319.10 would be paid to the Public Works Loan Board on the 30th January, 2004.

 

·         Clerk’s Expenses

 

                   The clerk incurred expenses of £12.14  for which she received a cheque

                   by Cllr. M. Collins and Cllr. L. Gill.     Her fees are now being paid directly

                   into her bank account.

 

7.           Planning

 

·         Planning received by 14th  January, 2004 – 43 Waterside

Erection of single story extension – no objections

 

·         Planning received after 14th January, 2004 – none

 

·         Outcomes of planning applications

 

Non-illuminated fascia sign Boroughbridge Auto Services – passed

Planning Enforcement 43 Waterside – possible breach of planning control

Fox and Hounds erection of kitchen extension – finally disposed of

Conservatory and porch Fox and Hounds Caravan Park – no further action

 

 

 

 

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Any Other Business

 

·         Police Liaison

 

Cllr. M. Fisher gave a brief resume on the last Police Liaison Meeting.  He reported that the next meeting would be on the 5th April when the Chief Constable will be in attendance.

 

·         Play Area

 

Cllr. M. Collins presented an illustrated plan for the proposed Play Area.  This has been produced by a company called Lappset and as set out will cost in the region of £60,000. Kirby Hill Parish Council will be asked to confirm the amount of commuted sums that they are prepared to commit. 

 

·         Community Education

 

The new Manager of Community Education is assessing the situation.  At the moment there is a council youth club on Tuesdays, but not on Fridays.   In order to reduce any problems, the Community Youth Leader and the Police are liaising in patrolling Boroughbridge.

 

·         Minutes changes

 

In order to reduce the time from the date of the Council Meetings to putting the minutes on the Web it has been proposed that a copy of the minutes should be passed around all the Councillors requesting any changes they might wish to make.  When they are ready they will be put on the Web and then proposed, seconded and signed in the normal way at the next meeting.

 

·         Agreement of May Meeting Date

 

After discussion it was agreed that the most convenient date for the May Meeting would be 11th May.  The Clerk to book the meeting room.

 

The Chairman took this opportunity to request that all Councillors should inform the Clerk if and when they go on holiday.

 

·         Dog Fouling

 

This subject was discussed – dog fouling throughout the village and on the picnic area is a problem.  The Clerk requested to write to the Dog Wardens to come and patrol the area.

 

·         Silverdale

 

The asbestos has been removed and the building demolished

 

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·         Telephone Box

 

The vandalised telephone box has been repaired.

           

·         School Governors

 

The Governing Body for Kirby Hill School should have a nominated governor from the parish councils. This is provided on a three - year rotating system between Kirby Hill PC, and Langthorpe PC. The governor nominated by Kirby Hill PC has retired, but, as yet, Langthorpe Parish Council has not been approached.  The Clerk to write to the Governors and find out what the situation is.

 

·         Village Road Safety Scheme

 

The application for road safety funding  is overdue.  The Clerk reported that if it could be filled in and sent by FAX tomorrow it would be accepted.

 

·         Hedges

 

This subject was dealt with earlier in the meeting.

 

·         Responsibility Areas

 

The Responsibility Areas were altered somewhat due to the resignation of Cllr. Elstob.  A new list will be issued shortly showing the amendments.

 

·         Manhole Cover – The Grange

 

It was reported that the manhole cover outside The Grange was in need of repair – the Clerk to report the matter to Highways Department.

 

·         River Pollution

 

Cllr. Gill expressed some concern about froth coming down the river from the area of Roecliffe.  The Clerk was requested to write to the Environment Agency requesting that they should investigate the situation.

 

During the evening Cty Cllr. C. Wilson paid a very brief visit due to the inclement weather.  He will investigate the possibility of funding  £600 for the new notice board and the refurbishment of the old one. 

 

He expressed some concern about no progress being made on the development of the Maltings and studied the information the Clerk produced on the subject.  He is going to follow this up at Harrogate Borough Council and will report back his findings.

 

 

 

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Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson advised the Council that it is the responsibility of British Waterways to clear up the unsightly rubbish under the A1 bridge.  The Clerk to write and request that this area be cleaned up.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at approximate 9.20p.m.

 

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 16th March, 2004