Langthorpe Parish
Council Meeting
Held on Tuesday, 16th March, 2004 at
7.30p.m.
Coronation Hall, Langthorpe
Cllr. L.R Gill
Cllr. K. Saunders
Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson
Clerk:
I.M. Ward
1.
Apologies: Apologies received from Cllr.
K. Ouldridge
2.
Declaration of Interests: There were no declarations of
interest.
3.
Minutes of
meeting held on 27th January, 2004
The
minutes of the above meeting were read and approved – proposed by Cllr. K.
Saunders, seconded by Cllr. L. R. Gill. The Chairman enquired if all
Councilors were happy with the new system of circulating the minutes to all
concerned for their comments and approval prior to the compilation of the
final version so that they can be put on the web fairly soon after meetings.
Everyone was in agreement.
Since
Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson was in attendance at the meeting for only a short time the
agenda was temporarily abandoned so that Cty Cllr. Wilson could address
any matters relevant to Langthorpe.
He
reported that he thought that he could gain funding for the notice
boards. He may not be able to get our proposed sum of £600 but felt
confidant that they could be funded to the tune of £500. We will get to
know fairly soon just how much will be allowed for this project.
He
reported that the Maltings development had finally been approved and it was
hoped that work will be started in August. It was noted that there
will be no access from the Maltings project onto Skelton Road. Now
that the Maltings development is going ahead this should release
approximately £19,000 in Commuted sums. A large proportion of this sum
will go towards the Play Area.
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Cty Cllr.
C. Wilson informed the meeting that he would give his support for the
filling in of potholes on Back Lane and for the resurfacing of half of Leeming
Lane.
The Clerk
requested to write to the Highways Department about the above matters.
4.
Matters Arising
·
Picnic Area
Cllr. M. Fisher reported that the gates had
been removed and thanked Cllr. Gill for his efforts in this matter. The
gates are now stored at Grange Farm.
The dog and refuse bins are now being emptied
on a regular basis – twice a week, which seems to be satisfactory.
·
Notice Boards
As
reported above, it is hoped that Cty. Cllr. Wilson will be able to acquire
funding for these.
·
Cottages
It had been agreed that Hambleton
Preservation Services should be employed to damp proof the whole of Holly
Cottage. A meeting took place recently with the tenants, Mr. & Mrs.
Johnson along with their daughter and son in law to discuss the work. It
has been agreed that the work will commence after Easter, Tuesday 13th
April or following Monday 19th April when the Parish Council will
have to find alternative accommodation for the tenants for approximately two
weeks.
The Clerk was requested to make
inquiries regarding the storage of furniture, freezer, gardening equipment
(according to the list supplied) The Clerk was asked to contact Ross Lee
in Minskip regarding removal of the items, safe storage and return to Holly
Cottage when the work is complete.
The cost of remedial work,
decorating replacement carpet were discussed, agreed and approved.
It was agreed that the Clerk should
get quotes for new back and front doors from Nu Era and Nidall Windows Ltd.
Knaresborough. Everyone in agreement.
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The
Clerk contacted several Insurance Brokers in an effort to find a more
competitive price. The various quotations were discussed and it was
agreed unanimously to approve the quotation from A1 Insurance, Wetherby who
have quoted £360.06 including £20 policy charge. The Clerk requested to
organise this insurance.
The
Clerk reported that she had not heard anything regarding our proposed increase
in rent for Rose Cottage. She was requested to make further inquiries.
·
River Pollution
The
reply from the Environment Agency was discussed. It was agreed that their
reply was unsatisfactory. It was therefore agreed that the possible
evidence of pollution of the River should be monitored before contacting the
Environment Agency with our findings.
·
Pot Holes
Leeming
Lane – and Back Lane – this matter was discussed earlier in the meeting.
·
Hedges
It
was noted that the Hedge at the Firs had not been cut back. The Clerk
reported that she had phoned Highways Department on the subject and they
could not confirm whether the owner had been contacted again or
not. She was asked to make a formal request in writing that the
owner should be contacted again in writing asking that the yew hedge in
question should be cut back. It was, of course, noted that this was not
an appropriate time for the hedge to be cut back because of nesting birds.
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·
School Governors
The
Clerk reported that she had not yet had a reply to her letter to the Governing
Body at Kirby Hill School. She was asked to write again.
·
Dog Fouling
The
Clerk reported that she had written to the Dog Wardens requesting that they
patrol the village and the Picnic Area. A particularly bad area is from
the Fox and Hounds Pub to the bottom of Cottage Lane. The Dog Warden has
acknowledge receipt of our request and will endeavor to patrol the area.
After discussion it was agreed that every householder in the Parish should be
given a leaflet on the subject expressing our concerns.
·
Joint Parish Council
Meetings.
The
Clerk reported that she had had a reply from all the Parish Councils and they
are all in agreement with the proposal of six monthly Joint Parish Council
Meetings. The joint meetings will be between Kirby Hill, Roecliffe,
Boroughbridge and Langthorpe. It is hoped that a meeting can be convened
for the 4th May in the Coronation Hall at 7.30. The Clerk was
requested to arrange the first meeting. It was agreed that the host
Council should pay for the meeting room. The Clerk to write to all the
Parish Councils when the date has been agreed requesting that any agenda items
should be sent to Cllr. M. Fisher. It was agreed that an independent
Clerk should be found.
·
Parish Plan
It
was agreed that we should go ahead with the Parish Plan but initially to look
at the Village Design first. It was agreed that a separate meeting on
this subject should be convened. Cllr. L. Gill suggested that this
meeting could take place at his home. Everyone was in agreement.
The date of the meeting was deferred until our next meeting.
·
Neighbourhood Watch
After
discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should find out who is the new
gentleman in charge of Neighbourhood Watch. She was requested
to make contact and try to arrange a suitable date and venue when there could
be a meeting of existing co-ordinators and the public. It was felt that
the new Community Policeman should be requested to attend such a meeting.
It was agreed that there should be a date for this meeting announced at our
next Parish Council meeting.
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5
Correspondence
as received by 9th March, 2004
·
Pollution of River
Ure (Environment Agency)
The reply from the Environment Agency to our
letter of concern re pollution of the river was considered. It was agreed
that the situation should be monitored before taking the matter further.
·
Other Correspondence
A letter from Boroughbridge Town Council has been
received regarding the eight sites for a proposed skateboard
park. All eight sites have been turned down. There is now another
proposed site i.e. to extend the present car park in Boroughbridge towards the
flood area. This is in the process of being considered. The Clerk
to write to Helen Astbury, Clerk to Boroughbridge Town Council to thank her for
keeping us informed.
·
Letter from M.
Oldroyd re gullies etc.
The above letter
was read and discussed. The Clerk was requested to
write to Mr. Oldroyd thanking him for his letter and informing him
that a blockage had been removed from the system and the situation
should improve in the future.
·
Letter re proposed
Abattoir between Marton-cum-Grafton and Arkendale
A letter from the Chairman of
Marton-cum-Grafton Parish Council re a proposed new Abattoir was read and
considered. It was felt that we should remain neutral on this
subject.
·
Letter re
Boroughbridge and District Community Partnership
This letter
enclosed questionnaires regarding the community. It was
agreed that these should be distributed throughout the community
with a request that replies should be returned by 22nd March.
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5.
Financial
·
Report
The Clerk reported the following
balances :
High Rate
Account
£3,752.26
Current
Account
£2,689.04
The following expenditures were
agreed and approved:
Clerk salary for January and March
plus expenses £252.40
J.E. Lafford repair works on
cottages
£231.00
Johnsons Heating inspection of
cottages
(leaks)
£28.20
· Public Works Loan Board (next
payment)
The Clerk reported that the next
repayment of the loan (£1,319.10) was not due until 30th July, 2004.
6.
Planning
·
Planning received by
9thMarch, 2004
3 replacement poultry sheds for Mrs.
K. Barley – no objections
1st floor side extension
18 The Croft - Mr. & Mrs. Foster – no objections
·
Planning received up
to 16th March, 2004
Side and rear extension 5 Greenholme
Close Mr. & Mrs. Lyons – no objections
·
The Maltings revised
Plans
It was announced that the revised
plans for the Maltings development are now approved and it is hoped that work
will commence in the summer.
·
Planning Outcomes
It was reported that the planning
application for a side extension at 43 Waterside for Mr. & Mrs. Booth had
been passed.
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7.
Any Other
Business
·
Play Area
Now
that the Maltings Development is going ahead this should release approximately
£19,000 in commuted sums - a very large proportion of which
will go towards the Play Area.
· Ownership of Cottages
A
general discussion took place over the ownership of the cottages and who was in
possession of the title deeds. If, as was thought, the cottages were
donated to the Parish – are there any rules as regards their sale etc. It
was agreed that the whole issue should be investigated.
·
Street Lights
It
was reported that the faulty street lights were reported and that they have
since been repaired.
·
Liaison with
Boroughbridge High School
Cllr.
M. Fisher reported that he had visited the Deputy Head, Mr. Bruce Wood
regarding the lantern slides and pictures of Boroughbridge and how
they could be used for training. Mr. Wood suggested that a strong link
should be made between the school pupils and the Council. It was agreed
that this was an excellent idea. Cllr. Fisher will continue to liaise
with Mr. Wood.
There being no further business the meeting
closed at 9.30p.m. The next meeting, the AGM and the Public Meeting will
take place on 11th May at 7.30p.m.