LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 

 

Held on Tuesday 15th March, 2005 at 7.30p.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

                                                                                                Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson

                                                                                                Dist. Cllr. N. Wilson

 

                                                            Clerk                           I.M. Ward

 

1.         Welcome

 

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and acknowledged that everyone was in attendance.

 

2.         Apologies

 

            There were no apologies.

 

3.         Declaration of Interests

 

Cllr. Gill declared an interest in  the last item in Section 8 – Extension to Garage Rose Villa.  Cllr.   Cllr. N. Kieft declared an interest in item 6 – Barley’s Farm Buildings.

 

4.         Minutes of the last meeting held on the 18th January, 2005

 

The above minutes were read and approved – proposed by Cllr. Grinstead, approved by Cllr. Burton.

 

Since Dist. Cllr. N. Wilson could not stay for the entire meeting it was agreed to discuss the items appertaining to him in order that he could leave the meeting early.

 

·        Youth Grants

 

Cllr. M. Collins enquired about the above grants and when applicants would know whether they had been successful in obtain a grant from Harrogate Borough Council.  All applications were tendered by the 31st January, 2005.  Dist. Cllr. Wilson agreed to find when applicants would get to know if they had been successful.

 

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·        Village Hall

 

Cllr. M. Collins reported that Helen Bowles had sent out a survey QCL Market Research to various householders in the Parish.  He felt that it would be worthwhile if the Trustees of the Coronation Hall could be given a copy of the break down of comments as a result of this survey.

Dist. Cllr. Wilson agreed to make enquiries.

 

·         Coronation Hall Signage

 

Cllr. Collins asked if Dist. Cllr. Wilson could make enquiries about the provision of a brown sign on either side of the roundabout indicating the location of the Coronation Hall since visitors to the area were finding it difficult  to find the hall.  Dist. Cllr. Wilson agreed to find out.

 

·        Pot Holes Back Lane

 

It was reported that despite the pot holes having been filled in late autumn the ravages of winter had made them re-appear.  Cty. Cllr. Wilson agreed to arrange for them to be examined again.

 

·        Millbrook House

 

The question of the disrepair of Millbrook House was discussed.  The Clerk reported that  Planning Officer Alastair Wood had been pursuing the owner, Mr. Gudgeon to submit plans for development..  Mr. Wood left Harrogate Borough Council and since then nothing seems to have happened.  Dist. Cllr. Wilson agreed to make enquiries.

 

·        Complaint – extension to garage – Rose Villa

 

A letter was received from the Chief Planning Enforcement Officer dated the 8th March, 2005.  Planning Enforcement Case No. 05/00111/PR15.  This letter reported a possible breach of planning control at Rose Villa Skelton Road Langthorpe York.  The nature of the complaint was summarised as follows:-           

Erection of extension to garage.  The officer dealing with this case is Mr. James Cullen.

 

·        Felled Trees

 

Cllr. Grinstead expressed much concern over the felling of a mature Scotch Pine in the garden at the corner of Riverside Gardens and Skelton Road.  Cllr. Collins consulted his map which showed that this particular tree was outside the Conservation Area.  It was agreed that the Clerk should  obtain a list of trees in the Parish with TPO’s.

 

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·        Invitation to Local Development Framework Meeting

 

It was reported that an invitation to attend the above meeting had been received.  This is a debate of the Future of our area.  Dist. Cllr. Wilson stressed the importance for a representative to attend this meeting – possibly on the 4th May.

 

Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson left the meeting at this point.  He intimated that this was his last attendance at our Parish Council Meetings as he is retiring early in May.  Everyone thanked him for his support and help and united in wishing him every happiness in his retirement.

 

The normal agenda was then resumed.

 

5.         Matters Arising

 

·        Picnic Area

 

The debris from the trees that were felled due to storm damage is still on the picnic area.  Cllr. Gill volunteered to remove it with his tractor and trailer.  He also volunteered to fill in the holes with soil. 

 

It was reported that there is a poplar tree with loose roots as a result of the storm.  The Clerk requested to contact.the arborist at Harrogate Borough Council  to seek his advice.

 

The question of replacing the uprooted trees was discussed but it was agreed that this should be an item for the agenda at the next meeting.

 

Cllr. M. Collins reported that he has ordered the new picnic bench.

 

·        Notice Boards

 

It was reported that the new notice board was now erected near the entrance to the picnic area and that the old notice board had been removed for refurbishment.  The Clerk reported that there was a tendency for condensation to accumulate on the new notice board.  Mr. Burrell to be consulted about this

 

The Clerk was requested to put notices up in both notice boards – “LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL”  and include a list of all Parish Councillors plus telephone numbers.  The e-mail address of the Parish Council should also be included  - langthorpepc@uk2.net

 

 

 

 

 

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·        Cottages

 

It was agreed that the annual inspection of the cottages should take place on Tuesday 10th May at 6.30p.m.  The Clerk requested to write to Mr. & Mrs Johnson also Mrs Morgan informing them.    In the

 

 

 meantime the Clerk was requested to obtain quotations from Nu Era  and a further two companies to supply and fit new doors at Rose Cottage for Mrs. Morgan.  This expenditure will be discussed at the meeting in May.

 

The meeting in May will also be our A.G.M. and Public Meeting.  The Clerk requested to put a notice in the Coronation Hall and an advert in the local press.

 

·        Grass Cutting

 

It was agreed that a tender document in conjunction with Kirby Hill Parish Council should be submitted to Farm and Land Services  plus another three contractors.  Cllr. Collins to deal with this.

 

·        Pot Holes (Back Lane)

 

This matter was dealt with earlier in the meeting.

 

·        Fence in front of Ellis Builders (update)

 

The Clerk reported that she had had a letter back from Highways Department stating that the fence had been made safe but that it would be replaced at a later date.  Cllr. Burton reported that, in actual fact, the fence had not been made safe.  It was agreed that the Clerk should contact the Highways Department as a matter of urgency  pointing out the dangerous state of the fence.

 

·        Road Safety Scheme Work

 

The Clerk reported that she had telephoned Highways Department, Fulford Office and spoken to Mr. Brian Watson enquiring when he anticipated the work would be done.  He had replied that it would be done as soon as possible when the road was dry and free from gritting.

 

·        The Maltings

 

Since the Council had not heard any official progress on this project the Clerk was requested to send another e-mail to Mr. Collin Murray Brown asking for an up-date on the development.

 

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·        Overgrown Hedges on Riverside (update)

 

The Clerk reported that the offending hedges had now been cut.  Certain Councillors pointed out that  this had been done very badly.  The Clerk reported that she had contacted Highways Department, Starbeck to inform them in order that the offending weeds may now to dealt with.

 

·        Gritting

 

The Clerk reported that she had written to Highways Department pointing out that the roads had not been gritted on a particularly frosty and snowy day.  The Highways letter was discussed but it was decided not to take the matter any further.

 

·        Dog Fouling.

 

The Clerk reported that she had written to the Dog Warden at Harrogate Borough Council and had had a reply confirming that the Dog Warden would patrol the offending areas in the Parish.  The situation has not improved  so she rang the dog warden prior to the meeting requesting an up-date.  Apparently they have been short staffed but are now up to strength and with the onset of light mornings and evenings the patrols should increase.  The Clerk requested to write to the warden requesting that we should receive a monthly report setting out the dates and times the Parish was visited.

 

The Clerk was also requested to write to Harrogate Borough Council requesting that a dog fouling bin should be provided somewhere in the region of the Fox and Hounds Public House.

 

·        Roles and Responsibilities

 

The vacant slots on the list were filled as follows:

 

Cottages                                                           Cllr. J. Burton

Street Lighting                                      Cllr. J. Burton

Highways                                                         Cllr. D. Grinstead

Community Partnership/Market Town   Cllr. L. Gill

                                                                        Cllr. M. Collins

Health and Safety                                             Cllr. M. Fisher

                                                                        Cllr. D. Grinstead

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6.         Correspondence as received by 10th March, 2005

 

·        Footpath routing

 

The letter from  North Yorkshire  County Council proposing the diversion of  footpaths was discussed.  The Clerk was requested to reply in accordance with Cllr. M. Collins comments to which all Councillors agreed.  It was agreed that a copy of our reply should be sent to Cty. Cllr. C. Wilson.

 

·        Barley’s Farm Buildings

 

A letter from Mr. David Barley was discussed.  It was agreed that the building still posed a danger particularly to children walking to school in a storm.  It was, however, agreed to leave the matter until summer and then report the dangerous condition to Harrogate Borough Council.  It was felt that this was a possible subject for the Parish Plan.

 

·        Other Correspondence

 

There was no further correspondence to discuss.

 

7.         Financial

 

·        Clerk’s Report

 

The Clerk reported the following bank balances:

 

            High Rate Account                               £1.187.99

            Current Account                                   £3,231.62

 

It was agreed that the Clerk should transfer £2,000 from the Current Account into the High Rate and that in future, the balance of the Current Account should be maintained  at no more than £1,500.

 

 

 

·        Clerk’s Expenses

 

The following expenditure was approved:

 

Rent of Coronation Hall 16th Mar-18th Jan                    £30.00

Clerk’s expenses                                                          £18.28

 

 

 

 

 

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·        Clerk’s Salary

 

The Clerk reported that she had worked in excess of 30 hours over the last two month period.  She was asked to record her hours for the next two months and to report back.

 

·        Coronation Hall Payments

 

It was agreed that payment for the rent of the hall should be paid at the end of each meeting.

 

8.         Planning (planning received by 10th March, 2005)

 

·        10A Greenholme Close – erection of chimney breast approved

 

·        Orchard Cottage  - new bungalow plan approved

 

·        Conservatory 5 Langthorpe Park – Mrs. Proud approved

 

·        Double Garage and Fruit Store – Kirby Villa no objections

 

·        Complaint – extension to garage – Rose Villa – discussed earlier.

 

9.         Sub-Committes

 

·        Parish Plan

 

Cllr. Kieft has produced a revised questionnaire to be delivered to all residents.  This will be accompanied by a letter explaining he purpose of the questionnaire together with a list of possible “drop off” addresses for the completed forms.

 

·        Joint Parish Council Meeting s (17th March, 2005)

 

Cllr. Kieft brought up the subject of the possible revised parking hours in Boroughbridge and the need for new signs to be erected indicating the new times.   Cllr Fisher agreed to raise this point at the meeting.  Cllr. Kieft  also raised the question of why tractors were driving through the High Street. 

 

·        Market Town Initiative

 

As a result of the exhibition and open day initiated by Boroughbridge Town  Council there is now a chart indicating the interest in various projects.  Cllr. M. Collins felt that   the Parish Council should pursue an interest in the following aspects:-

 

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            a)         improved marina facilities

            b)         improved riverside walking

            c)         visitor’s centres

 

·        Flood/CommunityEmergency Plan

 

Following the last bad floods in the area several meetings have taken place regarding a community emergency plan.   Cllr. M. Fisher reported that there will be two possible evacuation centres, i.e. Boroughbridge High School for the south side of the river and the Coronation Hall for the north side of the river.  Emergency handling

 will be carried our from Boroughbridge Town Council Offices.  This will be an on-going project.

 

·        Neighbourhood Watch

 

It was reported that we now have sufficient Co-ordinators to cover the whole of the Parish.  The first meeting of the Co-ordinators was held recently and it was felt that this was very successful.  Information regarding our revised scheme will be published in Beyond the Pews church magazine.

 

·        Police Liaison (next meeting 20th June 2005)

 

The first meeting of this year was addressed by District Commander Richard Spedding.  He reported that Boroughbridge now has 5 officers plus one Community Officer.  There has been a 50% reduction in crime in the area.

 

·        Play Area

 

It was reported that a quotation had been received from Lapits.

 

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

 

·        Skate Park

 

It would appear that Boroughbridge Town Council has not come up with a solution.  It was suggested that the development at Aldborough Gate might provide a possible venue.  Cllr.  Gill pointed out that some of the sports activities presently meeting on Aldborough Road will be moving to the new site at Aldborough Gate thus providing a possible venue for the Skate Park.  The possibility of hiring a portable skate park from NYCC was discussed.  It was agreed that this should be discussed at the next joint parish council meeting.

 

 

 

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·        Youths gathering near Grantham Arms

 

Concern was expressed over the gathering of youths in the vicinity of the Grantham Arms.  Cllr. Collins agreed to approach the Community Police Officer regarding this matter.

 

·        Parking on Anchor Car Park

 

The above subject was discussed.  Cllr. Kieft volunteered to have a word with the Landlord of the Anchor.

 

·        Pending Councillor vacancy

 

It was noted that, unfortunately, the next meeting on the 10th May will be the last meeting  for Cllr. Kieft prior to his departure to the United States of America.  All Councillors were requested to think of someone to replace him.

 

The meeting closed at 10p.m.

 

The next meeting on the 10th May will be our Annual Public Meeting and A.G.M.

The meetings will commence at 7.30 p.m. in the Coronation Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

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