LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Held on Tuesday18th March, 2008 at 7.30 p.m.
Coronation Hall
Present: Chairman Cllr. M. Fisher
Vice Chairman Cllr. M. Collins
Cllr. L.R. Gill
Cllr. D. Fearnside
Clerk Isabel Ward
1. Welcome: Everyone was welcomed by the Chairman.
2. Apologies: Apologies received from Cty Cllr. J. Watson, WPC Nicki Smith, Cllr. D. Grinstead and Cllr. J. Burton.
3. Declaration of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest.
4 Minutes of the last meeting held on the 22nd January, 2008
The above minutes were read and approved – proposed by Cllr. Collins, seconded by Cllr. Fearnside.
5. Address to Parish Council
Two members of the public addressed the meeting with their concerns over the unruly behaviour experienced from the Anchor Public House. Apparently there is very
loud, rowdy and unruly behaviour being demonstrated by clients of the above public house. There is a problem with litter and broken glass. Attempts have been made to approach the landlord on the subject with little or no avail. There is a problem with loud music being played until very late at night. After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should write to both Gareth Bentley (Licensing Officer Harrogate Borough Council and Dale Johnston (Police Licensing Officer) informing them of the problems and requesting their help. The Clerk was requesting that we be furnished with the terms and conditions of the licence for this particular licensed premises. The Environmental Department should also be approached regarding the noise levels emitting from the premises.
The meeting then continued with items concerning the District Borough Councillor, Mr. N. Wilson.
First of all there was a brief report regarding Wind Farms. It was reported that the proposed land is owned by North Yorkshire County Council but planning should be by Harrogate Borough Council. This is an ongoing concern.
A brief report was made regarding Planning request from the Mushroom Farm for the conversion of a building into a bungalow. It was agreed that, should this request be granted that it should be for the occupancy of an employee of the business.
Revised plans for Old Hall Caravan Site. It was agreed that the new proposed play area should not be funded from Commuted sums since these should be used for the use of the whole community.
Dist. Cllr. Wilson then gave a brief resume of the financial situation within the County and the expected difficulties which might be experienced in the next two or three years.
It is hoped that the proposed recycling and waste crushing site should not go through as a preferred site at the next meeting.
This was the last meeting with Dist. Cllr. Wilson who is standing down at the next election. He was thanked most sincerely for all the help and support which he has given over the last few years. The Clerk was asked to write to Dist Cllr. Wilson to express our gratitude officially.
Once District Council matters were concluded the meeting returned to the published agenda.
6. Matters Arising
· Play Area
Inspection Reports – Cllr. Fearnside reported that there was nothing major to report. There was a wooden beam which required to be sandpapered. He volunteered to do this and empty the bin.
One of the gates blows open in the wind and needs fixing.
Hedge and Signs. Cllr. Collins reported that the signs are on order and should be delivered shortly. The new waste bins are on order. We need to acquire new keys for the bins.
Cllr. Fisher volunteered to do the April rota.
· Picnic Area
Cllr. Gill reported that he had cleared up the debris resulting from the floods. There has also been a general tidy up of the area and the parish in general. The litter bin has been removed from the river and resited outside the Fox and Hounds. Cllrs. Gill and Grinstead were thanked.
· Cottages
It was reported that all repairs had been completed at Holly Cottage.
The Clerk reported that the bill for Rose Cottage Community Charge had been delivered. She was requested to contact Harrogate Borough Council to point out that this cottage is presently unoccupied.
The Clerk reported that she had received the Deeds for both Holly and Rose Cottages. It was agreed that the Chairman will copy these deeds – one copy to be retained by him, one copy by the Vice Chairman, Cllr. M. Collins and one by the Clerk. It was agreed that the subject of the cottages should be an item on the agenda of the next meeting.
· Bench and Waste Bin East View.
The above remedial work has been carried out by Cllrs. L. Gill and G
Grinstead – they were thanked by the Chairman.
· Grass Cutting Review.
Cllr. Collins reported that the present grass cutting contract which is with Farm and Land is still valid and does not expire until the autumn. Grass Cutting should be an item on the agenda for the meeting on the 23rd September.
· Overgrown Paths and Hedges
It was reported that the overgrown paths had been attended to.
· Elections
The following Councillors are all due for re-election in May: Cllrs. Collins, Fearnside, Fisher and Gill. They all wish to stand for re-election and duly completed their application forms which were duly witnessed and handed to the Clerk in order that the electoral numbers could be entered. As a result of the above, it would appear that there will be two vacant seats at this stage.
· Flooding Skelton Road
The Clerk reported that she had written to Highways Department and that they now had the job in hand.
7. Correspondence
· David Grinstead
A letter had been received from Cllr. Grinstead expressing his desire to resign as a Parish Councillor. The Clerk requested to write and acknowledgement and expressing our thanks for all his hard work.
· James Burton
A letter has been received from Cllr. Burton expressing his desire to resign as a Parish Councillor since he no longer resides in the Parish. The Clerk requested to acknowledge this letter and express our gratitude for his commitment to council work – in particular with regard to the cottages.
· Mr. Hawkeswell and Ms. Moffat
A letter has been received from the above expressing their concerns over the loud music and rowdy behaviour at the Anchor Inn.
· North Yorkshire CC acknowledgement Minerals & Waste Planning
An acknowledgement has been received from NYCC on the above subject.
8. Financial
a. Clerk’s Report
The Clerk reported the following bank balances:
Current Account £520.29
High Rate £20,075.83
b. Payments listed below
Cllr. M. Fisher printer ink replacement £37.00
Coronation Hall rent £5.00
Clerk’s expenses £6.67
CAP expenses (covered later)
The above expenditure was approved by Cllr. Fearnside, seconded by Cllr. Gill.
9. Planning (Planning as received by 12th March, 2008)
· Application to fell beech tree 1 Greenholme Close – refused.
· Mushroom Farm – application to convert office into bungalow for the use of relatives.
There were objections to this application - the dwelling should be occupied by a person permanently employed in the attached agricultural business.
· Old Hall Caravan Site (amended plans) There were objections to this plan since commuted sums should be used for the benefit of all residents.
10. Sub Committees
· Joint Parish Council Meetings
Wind Farms - there was nothing to report on this subject.
Yore Vision Partnership - The very nice and informative signs should be installed around about the 10TH – 20TH April. It was agreed that these should enhance the Picnic Area.
Walk signs – there is a need for the Milby walk sign to be re-erected.
· Police Liaison
The last police liaison meeting proved to be a very positive meeting It is hoped that this new positive approach will continue in the future.
· Neighbourhood Watch
Cllr. Collins reported that registration forms had been distributed and they are in the course of being collected. A new co-ordinator is needed for East View following the death of Tom Carstairs.
· Emergency Planning Committee
It was noted that we shall require a replacement for Cllr. D. Grinstead on this committee. The Emergency Box has been received and will be stored under the stairs in the Coronation Hall.
· CAP
It was agreed that we should not make a direct cash donation to the funds of this organisation but instead Cllr. Fisher has agreed to set up a web site for them. This was proposed by Cllr. Collins, seconded by Cllr. Gill. Cllr. Fisher has agreed to maintain the site and consider any further requirements.
A.O.B. Received by 12th March, 2008 and listed below.
· Road Signs
We are awaiting a new road sign at the corner of Skelton Road and Leeming Lane – this has been ordered and will be erected when received.
· Footpath Sign (Milby)
It was agreed that the Clerk should approach the Clerk to Kirby Hill Parish Council informing him that this sign is down.
· Local Government Borrowing
Cllr. Collins pointed out that the above agreement will expire – this should be renewed. Cllr. Collins will see to this.
· Article for Parish Magazine on Litter
It was agreed that the Clerk should liaise with Kirby Hill Parish Clerk to prepare an article for Beyond the Pews regarding litter in the community. A litter pick in the Parish has already taken place producing several bags of rubbish.
It was agreed that consideration should be given to the question of sponsorship by the Parish Council for the Church magazine – consideration at the next meeting.
· Coronation Hall
Cllr. Gill reported that £100,000 has been raised through funding for the hall extension. The work will be carried out during July and August.
The meeting closed at 9.15p.m.
The next meeting will be held on the 20th May (this will also be our Annual Public meeting and Annual General Meeting).