LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 

Held on Tuesday 11th May, 2004 at 7.30p.m.

Coronation Hall, Langthorpe

 

          Present                       Chairman                     Cllr. M. Fisher

                                               

                                                                                    Cllr. M. Collins

                                                                                    Cllr. L.R. Gill

                                                                                    Cllr. K. Saunders

                                                                                    Cty Cllr. C.Wilson

 

                                                Clerk                           I.M. Ward

 

1.         Apologies:      Cllr. K. Ouldridge who tendered his resignation from the Parish Council and Sgt. Sweeney, Boroughbridge Police Station.

 

2.                  Declaration of Interests:  There were no declarations of interest.

 

3.                  Minutes of the last meeting held on the 16th March, 2004 – these were proposed by Cllr. L.R. Gill and seconded by Cllr. M. Collins – they were duly signed.

 

4.                  Matters Arising.

 

It was agreed that all matters concerning Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson should be discussed in order that he should be allowed to leave the meeting as soon as possible.

 

·         Notice Boards

 

Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson presented the meeting with a cheque for £413 towards the cost of 1new notice board and the refurbishment of the existing board.  He informed the meeting that there would be other funding from County budget to the tune of £140.  Cty Cllr. Wilson will arrange for the Clerk to receive the necessary application form.  In view of the money being made available it was agreed that Mr.Burell should be contacted to  make a new board for near the picnic area and refurbish the old notice board – Cllr. M. Collins to see to this

 

·         Pot Holes –Cty Cllr. C. Wilson will endeavour to have the potholes both on Leeming Lane and Back Lane seen to as soon as possible.

 

·         Maltings – Cty Cllr. C. Wilson will check as to the starting date for the development of the Maltings.

 

·         Gully Cleaning – Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson agree to check who is responsible for this task and will endeavour to have them cleaned.                  

 

 

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·         Grass Cutting – The general subject of grass cutting was discussed and concern was expressed about the unsatisfactory service we are receiving.  Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson explained to the Parish Council that  we could employ our

own contractors to undertake this work.  He told the meeting that several of the villages which he oversees are doing this.  If the Parish Council undertook to organise their own grass cutting contract then money would be made available for this.  It was agreed that this should be a subject for the agenda at our next meeting.

 

·         Picnic Benches –the financial report was brought forward in order to review our financial situation before making a decision about the replacement of the picnic benches.  It was agreed that they could not be repaired but that they were not dangerous.  Our already committed expenditure on Holly Cottage was assessed and deducted from our bank balances.  It was agreed that there was insufficient funds to replace the benches this year.  The subject will be reviewed next spring when, hopefully, we will have a  much healthier bank balance.

 

·         Repairs to Holly Cottage

 

The repairs have been carried out to a very high standard and the tenants, Mr. & Mrs. Johnson are back in residence.  Adam Dawson  has tendered a revised quotation for  repainting the cottage due to extra work created.  Quotations have been received for replacement front and back doors but it was felt that, due to our financial situation, this could not be considered until autumn.  This subject should be an agenda item for the next meeting.  The Clerk was requested to write to the Area Environmental Health Officer at Harrogate Borough Council informing her of completion of damp proofing works, fireplace ventilation modified therefore consider the problem is now solved.  The question of replacement doors should be an agenda item for the next meeting. 

 

·         Cottage Insurance.

 

A new policy has been taken out via A1 Insurance, Wetherby at considerably less cost than our  policy with Axa Insurance.

 

·         Rose Cottage.

 

Cllr. L. R. Gill reported that he had had a meeting with the Rent Officer regarding  possibly increasing the rent of Rose Cottage.  The rent had not been increased since 1998.  There could have been three rent increases since this date.  It is anticipated that we will get an increase in rent for Rose Cottage.

 

·         Hedges

 

North Yorkshire Highways Department has replied to our correspondence on this subject and they have informed the Council that all residents with

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offending hedges/shrubs will be informed and requested to have them cut back

 

·         School Governors

 

Under new legislation it is not possible to nominate a Governor.  It may be possible to appoint a representative on the Governors between Langthorpe and Kirby Hill Parish Councils.  A letter to be sent to the Governors suggesting that there should be representation from the Parish Councils.

 

·         Joint Parish Council Meetings

 

It was proposed that the first meeting should be on the 22nd or 25th June – see what is most suitable to other Parish Councils.

 

·         Neighbourhood Watch

 

The Clerk was requested to contact Ron Sneddon to see if the 5th or 12th July would be suitable for a Neighbourhood Watch Meeting. to be held in the Coronation Hall at 7.30p.m.  Once the date has been arranged the Clerk will publicise it in Beyond the Pews and also in the local press.  Cllr. M. Collins and Cllr. M. Fisher will arrange the layout and printing of leaflets to be distributed in the Community.

 

·         Parish Plan/Parish Design Statement 2004

 

Ouseburn plan bench marked as excellent by Harrogate Borough Council. A meeting will be held to discuss our Parish Plan – Cllr. Saunders to chair the meeting.  This subject to be included in the next agenda.

 

5.                  Correspondence as received by 5th May, 2004

 

·         Letter from Mr. M. Oldroyd re various Highway Matters

 

These matters were discussed earlier in the meeting with Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson who will look into them on our behalf.  The Clerk was requested to write to Mr. Oldroyd acknowledging his letter and informing him of our action.

 

·         River Ure Initiative

 

The Clerk requested to circulate this in the next folder for the Parish Councillors.

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6.                  Financial

 

·         Report

 

The Clerk reported the following balances::

 

Current Account                                 £220.73 DR

High Rate Account                          £3,757.05 CR

 

                   The Clerk requested to transfer £1,500 from the High Rate Account into the

                    Current Account.

 

                   The Clerk presented all Councillors with a copy of the annual accounts.  At a                      later date an internal audit will be arranged with Helperby an Kirby Hill

Parish Councils.  This year it was proposed to include Skelton and Marton-       le-Moor.

 

·         Public Works Loan Board

 

The next and final payment  will be made on the 30th July, 2004.

 

·         Various Invoices

 

The Clerk reported the following invoices required payment:

 

      A1 Insurance Services Ltd                   £360.06

      Hambleton Preservation Services      £2,998.33

      Coronation Hall                                      £30.00

      Ross-Lee Removals                              £124.56

      Mr. & Mrs. Johnson (carpets)               £220.33

      Mrs. P. Lewis (holiday cottage)            £300.00

      Johnston Publishing (advert)                  £88.13

      Clerk’s expenses                                     £14.75

 

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

 

7.                  Planning

 

Planning received by 5th May, 2004

 

Revised Plans for front and rear extensions Mr. Grinstead, Old Oak, 22 Riverside Gardens – no objections

 

Demolition of The Ridings and erection of house for Mr. & Mrs. N. Saddler – no objections by Parish Council.  A special planning meeting took place regarding this development  - the Clerk requested to find out the final decision.

 

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Planning received  up to the 11th May, 2004

 

                No further planning requests received.

 

            Outcome of Planning Applications

 

            Mrs. K. Barley plans for 3 poultry units passed

 

            Mr. & Mrs. Foster – first floor side extension 18 The Croft – passed.

 

8.                  A.O.B. (Received by 5th May, 2004 and listed below)

 

·         Police

 

Cllr. M. Fisher reported that he had attended a meeting of the Police Sub Committee which was addressed by the Chief Constable.  Efforts are  being made to improve call handling to give better customer satisfaction. The crime figures have improved.

 

·         Play Area

 

Cllr. M. Collins reported that a start should be made fairly soon on the plans and that it would be good to have a meeting before summer.  It was agreed that a start should be made in dry weather ready for seeding next spring.

 

·         Signposts

 

Cllr. M. Collins reported that the signpost on the bridge had been turned right round. The Clerk requested to inform Highways  Department.

 

·         Estate Agent’s Board – Waterside

 

It was reported that Estate Agent’s signs are starting to appear again on the roadside -–the Clerk requested to inform Harrogate Borough Council.

 

            There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10p.m.

 

            The next Parish Council meeting will be on the 20th July, 2004 at 7.30p.m.

 

 

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