LANGTHORPE  PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Held on Tuesday, 21st September, 2004 at 7.30p.m.

Coronation Hall

Present                       Chairman –                   Cllr. M. Fisher

Vice Chairman -           Cllr. M. Collins

                                                                        Cllr. L.R. Gill

                                    County Councillor C. Wilson

                                    District Councillor N. Wilson

                                    Clerk                            I.M. Ward

1. Welcome to new Councillor Nicholas Kieft.  The meeting opened by Cllr.M. Fisher extending a warm welcome to Cllr. N. Kieft. Cllr. Kieft was requested to complete a Declaration of Acceptance Form – this was done during the evening and  handed to the Clerk

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr. Kristina Saunders along with her resignation from Council duties.  The Clerk was requested to write to Cllr. Saunders expressing our regret and thanking her for her work on the Council.

3.       Declaration of Interests.

There were no Declaration of  Interests.

4.       Minutes of last meeting held on 20^th July, 2004

The minutes of the above meeting were read and approved – proposed by Cllr.             M. Collins, seconded by Cllr. L.R. Gill .

5.       Matters Arising

It was agreed to deviate from the formal Agenda and allow matters concerning

            County Councillor Wilson to be discussed first.

· Pot Holes

The meeting was informed that the Pot Holes on Back Lane have still not been filled in.  Cty Cllr. Wilson volunteered to pursue the matter on our behalf.

· The Maltings

Cty Cllr. Wilson reported that he has enquired into the installation of bollards on the Maltings site.  Highways department has approved that they should be sited at the back of Victory Terrace in order to prevent site traffic making a way through to the Maltings Development.  Cty Cllr. Wilson did stress that a close eye should be kept on the development and

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siting of the bollards and if anything should not be in order then  the matter should be reported to the District Council.

· Hedges

It was reported that the footpath at East View had been cleared and that the hedge had been cut.

· Grass Cutting

It was reported that the map for grass cutting areas had been received but as yet no costings had been indicated.  It was felt, therefore, that until we were aware of the financial implications no progress could be made.   It is understood that Kirby Hill Parish Council is also considering a similar scheme and we should co-ordinate with them.   District Cllr. N. Wilson did think that there might be financial assistance for the cutting of public areas – the Clerk to make enquiries.

· Pavement Leeming Lane

It was reported that the pavement had not yet been cleared of encroaching grass.  Cty Cllr. Wilson volunteered to look into the matter.

· Parking on corner of Leeming Lane/Skelton Road

The dangerous situation of parking outside White Horse View  was discussed.  The Clerk reported that she had written two letters to Boroughbridge Police Station but that the problem had not been resolved.  Cty Cllr. Wilson volunteered to approach the police for their co-operation.  It was also suggested that the Clerk should write to the Inspector at Knaresborough Police Station.  It was hoped that the problem could be resolved before a very nasty accident occurs at this junction.

· Picnic Area

It was reported that the picnic bench which was repaired earlier in the year will  be OK until the end of the season.   It is planned to install a new bench next year.

The problem of litter on the picnic area seems to be resolved for the moment as someone is bagging up the litter on the site and the situation is a lot better now.

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· Notice Boards

It is hoped that the new notice board will be ready for erection in October near the Picnic Area and that the old board will be refurbished and relocated on its present site.

· Cottages

The Clerk reported that according to a recent Bank Statement the increased rent for Rose Cottage had not been received.  She informed the meeting that she had visited Mrs. Morgan and advised her on how to proceed  to increase the Direct Debit from her bank to £54.  This has now been done with effect from Monday 27^th September.   Mrs. Morgan has paid a cheque for £27 to cover the underpayment.

The Clerk reported that she had had a telephone call from Mr. Johnson, Holly Cottage, informing the Council that the metal guttering  down the side and  across the back of the cottage requires replacing.  The Chairman agreed to look at the situation over the weekend.

The question of replacement doors (front and back) for Holly Cottage was discussed.  After looking at our financial situation it was agreed that we could afford to replace them.  It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Nu Era Windows and accept their quotation of £1,300 and have the job done as soon as possible.

· Hedges

It was reported that there were still hedges overhanging the footpath.  This is despite the occupiers having had a letter from the Highways Department.   Two of the Councillors agreed to cut back the offending shrubs/hedges.

· School Governors

It was agreed that the Clerk should liaise with Yvonne Jacobs, Clerk to Kirby Hill Parish Council to send a joint letter requesting representation from the Parish Councils on the Board of Governors for Kirby Hill School.   This could possibly be as a Community Representative.

· The Maltings.

A further discussion took place regarding the Maltings.  The Clerk was requested to contact the developers asking that the Council should be involved in a pro-active role.

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· Neighbourhood Watch

The Public Meeting for the revival of  Neighbourhood Watch was very poorly attended.  At our last meeting the Parish was divided up into suitable districts.  It was reported that Mr. Tom Pace had agreed to represent Hillview.  The Clerk request to write a confirm  his role and district.  Cllr. N. Kieft will endeavour to enlist a co-ordinator for Waterside.

· Parish Plan/Design Statement.

It was reported that no real progress had been made on this subject.  District Cllr. N. Wilson pointed out that this scheme should be a community effort and not one solely for the Parish Council.   He advised that we should look at the Local Development Framework and  also suggested that the Countryside Agency might be able to help.  It was agreed that a Committee should be set up with representation from the Parish Council.  Cllr. N. Kieft agreed to look at the existing folders.

· Road Safety Scheme

Cllr. Gill reported that he had had a site meeting with a representative of the Highways Department. Fulford, York.  It has been suggested  white lines should be painted down the middle of the road under the A1 bridge area and that new 30mph signs with a yellow surround should be erected in an effort to slow down traffic  approaching the village.  No traffic calming measures were suggested for the other end of the village.

Cllr. M. Collins agreed to complete the application for Road Safety Scheme  financial allocation for 2005.

· Councillor Co-option

The Clerk reported that she had received an application for Councillor from James Burton, 6 The Croft.  All Councillors read his application and it was felt that he would be a very eminent candidate.  It was agreed that he should be appointed proposed by Cllr. Gill, seconded by Cllr. Collins.  The Clerk requested to write to Mr. Burton informing him of his appointment and to process his application with Harrogate Borough Council  for the necessary paper work to be completed.

Now that Cllr. Saunders has resigned there is now another vacancy to fill.  Everyone to consider who might be suitable to fill the post.

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6. Correspondence

· Mr. John Mountain re possible illegal fencing

It was reported that Mr. Mountain’s complaints regarding the proposed illegal fencing carried out at  43 Riverside Gardens had been reported to the Department of Technical Services (Planning Department).  The Department has since reported back that the matter is now in the hands of Crest Homes (Midlands Ltd.)  and their Solicitor will  ensure that the land is returned to pubic open space  as  shown on the approved plans

· Parish Precept

            The Clerk reported that she was in receipt of the documentation regarding the                            

            Parish Precept.  After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should make a Nil                  

            Return.

7. Financial

· Report

The Clerk reported the following balances:

                        Current account                                    £1,369.63

                        High Rate                                             £1,773.49

· Public Works Loan Board

            It was reported that the final payment to the Public Works Loan Board had         

            Been made and that no further repayments were due.

· Clerk’s Expenses

The Clerk’s expenses amounted to £11.09p

· Invoices to be paid/already paid

Seekings & Wardle (public liability new policy)             £345.00

            Farm & Land Services (grass cutting)                                        £173.90

            Mazars LLP (audit  fees)                                                          £141.00

All the above expenditures were proposed by   Cllr. Gill seconded by

            Cllr. Collins

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8. Planning

· Planning received by 16^th September

Mr. & Mrs. Saddler, The Ridings revised plan

Mr. T. Coupland, Langthorpe Villa – insertion of windows

Mr. D. Grinstead, The Old Oak, Selective pruning of tree

Mr. D. Fearnside, 20 Riverside Gardens – side extension

Mr. & Mrs. Moore, 14 The Croft – extension

All the above plans were passed by the Parish Council with no objections.

· Outcome of  Planning Applications

Mrs. Proud, 5 Langthorpe Park – conservatory – refused

43 Waterside – domestic curtilage being investigated and referred to Crest Homes’ Solicitors

Mr. & Mrs. Arnold, Poplars – passed

                  Mr. Blacker, 15 East View  - two story extension – refused

· Planning received after the 16^th September

Mr. & Mrs. Dunn, Orchard Cottage, alteration of vehicular access

Mr. & Mrs. Dunn, Orchard Cottage, bungalow plan

Both the above proposed developments passed without objection.

9. A.O.B. (received y 16^th September and listed below)

· Sub Committees

Joint Parish Council Meetings (next meeting 16^th December, 2004)

Market Town Initiative (Next meeting 27^th September at Rose Manor)

Litter

Transport and Speeding

Traffic Crossing proposed near Post Office

Policing

· Police Liaison  (next meeting 4^th October, 2004)

· Play Area Update.

Cllr. M. Collins invited to attend the next meeting of Kirby Hill Parish Council on the 15^th November  when a discussion will take place regarding the possible contribution to the above project made by Kirby Hill Parish Council.

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· Health and Safety

It was agreed that Langthorpe Parish Council should produce a Health and Safety Plan – Cllr. M. Fisher agreed to draw this up.  The Clerk requested to write to Farm and Land Services who do grass cutting in the Picnic Area to alert  us of their Health and Safety scheme.

· Dog Fouling

It was reported that this is an increasing problem and the Clerk was requested to write to the Dog Warden Service asking them to monitor our area.

The meeting closed at 9.45p.m.  The next meeting will be on Tuesday 16^th November.

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