LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 

HELD ON TUESDAY 10TH MAY AT 8.20 P.M.

CORONATION HALL

 

Present:                                              Chairman:                   Cllr. M. Fisher

                                                            Vice Chairman:          Cllr. M. Collins

                                                                                                Cllr. J. Burton

                                                                                                Cllr. L.R. Gill

                                                                                                Cllr. D. Grinstead

                                                                                                Cllr. N. Kieft

                                                                                                Dist. Cllr. N. Wilson

 

                                                            Clerk:                         Isabel Ward

 

1.         Welcome:  The Chairman welcomed all in attendance.

 

2.         Apologies:  There were no apologies.

 

3.         Declaration of Interests: Cllr. L.R. Gill signed a Declaration of Interests Form regarding any discussions on the subject of Rose Villa.

 

4.         Minutes of the last meeting held on the 15th March;  these minutes were approved, proposed by Cllr. J. Burton, seconded by Cllr. D. Grinstead.  The Clerk was requested to send Cty Cllr. John Watson all copies of Agendas, Minutes etc. and an invitation to attend our meetings.

 

In order that Dist. Cllr. N. Wilson could depart from the meeting early he was allowed

to address the meeting with all matters concerning him.

 

*      Rose Villa

 

He reported that he had spoken to the Enforcement  Officer and that no retrospective planning application had been received.  He will make a site visit in two week’s time.  Dist. Cllr. N. Wilson requested that he be kept informed of any developments.

 

*      Village Hall Survey (Harrogate an d District)

 

It was reported that only 3 replies had been received relevant to Coronation Hall.

 

*      Youth Grants

 

It was reported that there had been an overwhelming response for these.  No grant had been made to either of our applicants.

 

 

 

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*      Millbrook House

 

Dist. Cllr. Wilson reported that he had enquired about the above house.  He reported that  the Enforcement Officer had been in touch with the owner and that a Planning Application should be on its was in the very near future.

 

*      Local Development Framework

 

This was discussed at length regarding potential housing and industrial development in Boroughbridge and the surrounding parishes.   It was also discussed as to how such development might affect employment in the area.   Dist Cllr. Wilson stressed that it was imperative that the Parish Council should keep a close watch on any developments.  It would appear that Affordable Housing is at present a very big issue.  Dist. Cllr. Stressed that rural areas must be represented.

 

*      Play Area

 

It was reported that Kirby Hill & Dist Parish Council is willing to donate their commuted sums to Langthorpe Play Area and are trying to resolve the legal situation with Harrogate Borough Council.  The problem is the distance of the Play Area from the development.  Should any revamp affect Langthorpe then    Cllr. M. Collins is prepared to meet with Dist. Cllr. Wilson and officials from Harrogate Borough Council to try and resolve the problem.

 

Dist. Cllr. Wilson was thanked for his attendance.  The normal agenda items were then discussed.

 

5.         Matters Arising

 

*      Parish Plan

 

It was reported that there had been a very poor response to the questionnaire which had been circulated around the Parish.    It was felt that this was such an important issue that the Council should proceed.  Cllr. J. Burton agreed to put a reminder in the next issue of Beyond the Pews and give parishioners another chance to fill in the forms.  The Clerk requested to write to David Sykes at Planning Harrogate Borough Council requesting  six copies of the Local Development Scheme hand out.  Cllr. M. Fisher volunteered to chair the Parish Plan Sub Committee until a permanent Chairman is found.  It was proposed that the Vicar might like to become involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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*      Councillor Vacancy

 

Cllr. N. Kieft’s letter of resignation from 1st June was read out.  His resignation was accepted with regret.  He was thanked  very warmly for his work on the Council  and in particular for his involvement with the Parish Plan.  He was given all our best wishes for his life in America.

 

The Clerk was asked to advertise the vacancy in the two parish notice boards.  Everyone was asked to think of anyone who might like to be co-opted onto the Council.   

 

*      Picnic Area

 

It was reported that Harrogate Borough Council Arborist had looked at the trees in the picnic area and reported back by telephone that none of the trees were dangerous.  The Clerk requested to write to him requesting a written report to this effect.

 

It would appear that there is a red car frequently parking overnight on the area despite a sign to the effect that no overnight parking is allowed.  The Clerk requested to write a letter to the owner of the car pointing out his infringement.  This will be put on the windscreen.

 

It was reported that the new picnic bench had been delivered.  The Clerk requested to contact John Lafford to concrete it in situ.

 

Cllr. Gill reported that there is another dead tree in the picnic area.

 

*      Notice Boards

 

It was reported that the new Notice Board with now in place and that the old one had been refurbished and was in situ.  Cllr. M. Fisher volunteered to make large notices making it clear that they were for information from Langthorpe Parish Council.  It was agreed that bus timetables should be obtained and displayed and that future agenda should also be displayed.  The Clerk requested to have extra keys cut for the notice boards.

 

*      Cottages

 

Prior to the meetings the annual inspection of the cottages took place.

 

It was reported that grass was growing in the gutter at the front and side of the cottages.  Cllr. Grinstead and Cllr. Gill agreed to see to this.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Grass on the back drive has not been cut.  The Water Board normally cut this as they have access to the bore hole.  The Clerk requested to write to the Water Board requesting them to cut the grass.

 

          Rose Cottage

 

It was reported that there is flaking paint on the rear windows and the front window sills require repainting.  Cllr. Grinstead volunteered to have a look at this.

 

The quotes for replacement front and back door were discussed and it was agreed that the Nu Era quotation of £1,300 should be accepted.  There is not an exact match for the doors in Holly Cottage so it was agreed that the front door should be replaced with a door with a rose motif reflecting the name of the cottage.  The replacement was proposed by Cllr. Kieft, seconded by Cll. Burton.  The Clerk requested to contact Nu Era to get the job done.

 

Holly Cottage

 

It was reported that the guttering was allowing water through – possibly the failure of the jointing compound.  It was also reported that the haunching mortar to the SE corner of the lean to adjacent needed replacing   The Clerk requested to contact John Lafford for a report on the problem.  There is rotting on the door of the outhouse – this should be held in abeyance until the cost of the other repairs had been assessed.

 

It was agreed that the gas central heating boiler should be serviced and that this should take place on an annual basis.  The Clerk requested to organise the service.

 

*      Grass Cutting Tender update

 

Cllr. Collins gave a resume of the situation over grass cutting.  Kirby Hill & Dist. P.C. do not want to join us in putting the grass cutting of the verges out to tender.  It was agreed that he should obtain tenders from both Farm & Land Services and Aiden Foster for quotes to cut the grass down Skelton Road.  It was also agreed that the Clerk should put an advert for this in both notice boards and it should also be put on the Internet.

 

*      Road Safety Scheme Work update

 

The Clerk reported that she had again telephoned NYCC Highways at Fulford requesting an update but that she had not yet had a reply.

 

 

 

 

 

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*      The Maltings Update

 

Sales particulars are now out and the For Sale notice is up.   It is also understood that the work has now gone out to tender.  It was agreed that the Parish Council must keep a close eye on this development and be kept informed of progress.

 

*      Pavements on Riverside

 

The Clerk reported that she had made enquiries from Highways Department, Starbeck.  Apparently an order was issued in February for the weeds to be cleared by the contractors.  This had, obviously, not been done or charged for.  The Inspector at Starbeck is looking into the failure of this work being done and will, if necessary, issue a new order. 

 

*      Potholes

 

Reference was made to the letter received from Highways Department, Starbeck that  Back Lane will not be resurfaced.  The Clerk requested to write saying that we understand this but would like the potholes mended.  There are other areas where potholes have appeared viz. the junction of Skelton Road/Leeming Lane, North of Cottage Farm  and on the Roundabout.  The Clerk requested to report all the offending potholes to Highways Department.

 

*      Felled Trees and TPO

 

It was reported that a tree had been fallen down last weekend in Greenholme Close.  It was reported that Harrogate Borough Council had been to make an inspection of all the trees.

 

*      Coronation Hall Signage

 

It was agreed that this matter should be referred to our new County Councillor in an effort to have  brown signs erected.

 

*      Roles and Responsibilities

 

All Councillors have been issued with a copy of their Roles and Responsibilities.  Cllr. Burton volunteered to be included in the Picnic Area.  It was agreed that the Market Town Initiative requires a Deputy to be appointed.   It was felt that this could be held in abeyance until the new Councillor is appointed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6.         Correspondence as received by 5th May, 2005

 

*      Footpath routing

 

The Clerk reported that she had written to Andy Hunter, Public Rights of Way, Skipton  to the effect that provided section C-D-S is retained that the Parish Council will withdraw its objection.

 

*      Extension to Rose Villa from Mr. L. Gill ( also under planning)

 

Cllr. Gill was requested to leave the meeting while a discussion on the above subject was held.  The Clerk was requested to write to The Department of Technical Services for an update.     It would appear that no retrospective  Planning Application has been received from Mr. Halliday.  It was felt that the extension which has been built must comply with Building Regulations.

 

*      Other Correspondence

 

No further correspondence had been received.

 

7.         Financial

 

*      Clerk’s Report

 

            The Clerk reported the following bank balances:

 

                                    Current Account                       £1,861.28

                                    High Rate Account                   £3,192.27

 

            The following invoices are due for payment:

 

                        William Burrell & Son – new notice board and refurbishment of old

                        Board plus new picnic bench                                                     £782.50

 

                        I.M. Ward – expenses                                                                  £7.67

 

            The above expenditure was proposed by Cllr. Gill, seconded by Cllr. Burton.

 

            Financial Spreadsheets should be presented twice a year.

 

*      Clerk’s Salary

 

The Clerk was requested to keep a record of all hours spent on Parish Council work and report to the next meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

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8.         Planning

 

*      Extension to Rose Villa

 

Discussed earlier

 

*      Millbrook House

 

Discussed earlier

 

*      Two Storey Extension to 14 The Croft for Mr. & Mrs. Moore

 

There were no objections to this application.

 

9.         Sub Committees

 

*      Joint Parish Meetings (next meeting 16th June, 2005)

 

Nothing to report back from the above.   Harrogate Borough Council are in the process of getting sponsorship for the roundabouts and hopefully they will be tidied up with the appropriate sponsorship boards.  It was felt that a lot of heavy traffic was now using Leeming Lane in an effort to avoid all the speed restrictions in Boroughbridge – this should be monitored.  It was also suggested that a sign should be erected directing a lot of heavy lorries to Reed Boardall.

 

*      Market Town Initiative/Boroughbridge & District Community Partnership

 

The draft plan for this is now available.  Cllr. Collins requested to obtain six copies of final plan.

 

*      Flood/Community Emergency Plan (next meeting 12th May, 2005)

 

It is hoped that the final plans should be concluded at the above meeting.

 

*      Neighbourhood Watch

 

Information to be printed in the next issue of Beyond the Pews.

 

*      Police Liaison Meeting (next meeting 20th June, 2005)

 

Cllr. Fisher did not have anything to report on this.

 

 

 

 

 

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*      Play Area Update

 

The Parish Council is awaiting commuted sums from the Maltings.

 

10.       A.O.B. (received by 10th May, 2005 and listed below

 

*      Barley’s Farm (buildings/usage)

 

Concern was expressed about the derelict state of the buildings.  One shed in particular has now had the roof removed and is in an even worse state of repair.  It would appear that car sales/ repairs are being carried out from the site and members of the public are visiting the site in this dangerous and derelict state.  The Clerk requested to write to Harrogate Borough Council pointing out the possible change of use and the danger to the public visiting the site.

 

*      Victory Day (10th July, 2005)

 

The Chairman reported that he had received a request from the Land Lady of the Fox & Hounds Pub requesting support from the Parish Council to stage such an event.  It is proposed (with sponsorship from the Brewery Chain)  to stage a celebration day with possibly a hog roast with seating outside the pub.  The Parish Council has no objections to such an event but it could cause parking problems.  Suggest contacting Paul Gill for the use of the field for parking and Les for the borrowing of tables and chair.    The Clerk to write.

 

*      Youths gathering near Grantham/Canal Island/Fencing

 

Concern was expressed over the number of youths gathering in this area.  It was reported that the fence by the footpath was badly broken.  The Clerk requested to write to P.C. Neil Waite asking for his assistance.  The Clerk is in the process of investigating the ownership of the fence in order to have it repaired.  Cllr. Fisher will bring the matter up at the next Police Liaison Meeting.  The meeting closed at 10.05p.m.

 

The next Parish Council Meeting will be held in the Coronation Hall on 19th July, 2005 at 7.30p.m.