LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Held on Tuesday 15th November 2005 at 7.30p.m.
Coronation Hall
Present Chairman Cllr. M. Fisher
Cllr. J. Burton
Cllr. M. Collins
Cllr. D. Fearnside
Cllr. L. R. Gill
Cllr. D. Grinstead
Dist. Cllr. N. Wilson
Clerk: I.M. Ward
1. Welcome: The Chairman welcomed everyone in attendance.
2. Apologies: The Clerk reported that she had received apologies from Cty Cllr. J. Watson.
3. Declaration of Interests: Cllr. L. Gill declared at interest in Item 8 on the Agenda – Rose Villa.
4. Minutes of last meeting held on 20th September, 2005
The above minutes were read and approved – proposed by Cllr. D. Grinstead, seconded by Cllr. M. Collins.
In order that Dist. Cllr. N. Wilson could leave the meeting as soon as possible it was
agreed that any items appertaining to him should be discussed first before proceeding
with agenda items.
Dist. Cllr. Wilson explained to the meeting that the Planning Committes had been
restructured and that there would only be one Planning Committee for Harrogate
Borough Council which would meet every two weeks.
MSA decision/appeal
Dist. Cllr. Wilson explained that Harrogate Borough Council has no requirement to
attend the appeal meeting. The appeal was directed to the Secretary of State. No
date has yet been fixed for the meeting – it could be a year away.
Rose Villa
Dist. Cllr. Wilson reported that an Enforcement Notice had been served and that this
has been appealed against. No retrospective plans have been submitted. This matter
is now outside the date allowed.
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Parish Plan
Since there was such a poor response to the village questionnaire it was felt that we
should now produce a Village Design Statement. There would be no financial impact
for this (only a Parish Plan) The assistance of an Officer from Harrogate Borough
Council could sought to oversee the project.
5. Matters Arising
· Nu-Era Windows
Councillor Fearnside reported that he had obtained quite a bit of information on the above company from Company House. Nu-Era was now trading as Nu-Era U.K. The Clerk requested to provide Cllr. Fearnside with all the relevant information and to record it in these minutes.
Quotation 6th April, 2005 for £1,300 (£1,106.38 + £193.62 VAT)
Invoice dated 1st June, 2005 for £1,300 not showing VAT figure
Cheque No. 100418 raised on 31st May 2005
Above cheque cashed on 7th June, 2005
Cllr. Fearnside agreed to write to Nu-Era U.K. in an effort to recoup some of the money.
· Speed Signs Skelton Road.
It was agreed that the signage was now complete and that a letter should be sent to Cty. Cllr. J. Watson thanking him for his help
· Picnic Area
It was reported that we have one picnic bench ready to erect and that a further bench should be ordered. Cllr. Gill reported that he had removed all the branches from the fallen trees – he was thanked by the Chairman. It was agreed that two bollards should be purchased to be erected in the entrance to the picnic area with a chain between whenever the Council wished to close the area. A “Closed” notice should be placed on the chain. This purchase was proposed by Cllr. Burton and approved by Cllr. Fearnside. Cllr. Gill reported that there is a dead alder tree in the Picnic Area. He volunteered to remove it and replace it with a spare one which is presently growing in Back Lane.
· Fencing alongside Canal.
It was reported that this stretch of fencing has been completed. Cllr. Gill volunteered to remove the old fencing and posts from the back of Boroughbridge Auto Services.
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· Cottages
Cllr. Burton reported that he had been to see Mrs. Morgan in Rose Cottage and that the replacement doors had been fitted. Cllr. Burton reported that the cement around the doors had not been completed satisfactorily. The Clerk requested not to pay the invoice until the job had been completed satisfactorily. Cllr. Burton to inspect again over the weekend.
It was reported that the drainer top had been replaced and that a new toilet had been fitted.
Complaints have been received regarding soot coming down the chimney of Rose Cottage – Mrs. Morgan to be requested to have the chimneys swept.
It was agreed to review the condition and possible replacement of the rear windows in 2006.
The Clerk requested to check the tenancy agreement and also to check when gas central heating should be serviced.
There is a complaint from Mr. Johnson, Holly Cottage that the guttering and pointing had not been done. The Clerk requested to contact John Lafford requesting a completion date. If Mr. Lafford cannot do the job fairly promptly then perhaps we should approach Mr. Ian Johnston.
It was agreed that we should request contact details for Mrs. Morgan, i.e. the address and telephone number of her son.
· Grass Cutting
The grass cutting tenders have been received and Farm and Land have been awarded the contract for grass cutting. Cllr. Collins agreed to write to NYCC informing them of our intention to organise our own grass cutting. He has also agreed to write to Farm & Land awarding them the contract. This agreement is contractual over three years. – proposed Cllr. Grinstead, seconded Cllr. Gill.
· Parking on pavements in Leeming Lane.
It was reported that a site meeting had taken place between Ken Major from NYC C Highways, Starbeck, P.C. Neil Waite, Cllr. J. Burton, Cllr. D. Fearnside, Cllr. L. Gill and I. Ward (Clerk) to discuss the above problem and the obstruction of the footpath for wheelchair users and mothers pushing push chairs up to school. P.C. Neil Waite agreed to contact all householders informing them that it is illegal to
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park on the footpath thus causing an obstruction. He agreed to write to all householders informing them of the legal position. The Clerk produced a copy of an e-mail she had received from P.C. Waite which was discussed. The Councillors were not at all happy with the wording of the letter which said it was illegal to park on the pavement but that if householders did park on the pavement they should park with consideration to other road users. It was felt that this was contradictory and the Clerk was requested to contact P.C. Waite to see if the letter had actually been distributed.
As a result of this meeting it is hoped that Highways will erect signage encouraging heavy goods vehicles to use A168 thus reducing the volume of traffic down through Kirby Hill into Langthorpe. The question of reducing the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph was discussed and hopefully implemented.
The Clerk was also requested to write to Ken Major, Highways Dept. Starbeck thanking him for his attendance at the meeting and requesting him to keep us informed of any developments. The Clerk requested to send a c.c. of the letter to the Joint Parish Council.
· Tow Paths
The Clerk reported that she is still negotiating with the Environment Agency with a view to setting up a site meeting to inspect the Tow Path between the roundabout and the slipway. Ms. Joanne Cootes from NYCC Countryside Services has expressed an interest in attending the meeting when a date has been fixed.
6. Correspondence as received by 9th November, 2005
· NYCC – Pavements Skelton/ Leeming Lane – verges weeds
It was reported that the weeds and verges have been attended to.
· Citizens Advice Bureau funding request
This request was discussed but it was agreed not to donate any funding.
· Local Development Framework
Cllr. Collins reported that he had completed the survey of Settlements
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· Swale and Ure Washlands – Minerals Site Afteruse Strategy
All Councillors have read the report when it was circulated in the folder.
· Road Safety Scheme 2006-2007
It was agreed that an application should be made for an allowance for road safety funding. Cllr. M. Collins agreed to make the application.
· HBC. Waste Action Plan 2005 – 2010
All Councillors have read the report which was circulated in the folder.
· Cty Cllr. J. Watson’s letter re funding.
The above letter was discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk should make a request for funding improvements to the Picnic Area. She was requested to ask for possibly £500 for the purchase of bollards for the entrance and the provision of another picnic bench.
· Parish Plan Funding
This matter was dealt with earlier during Dist. Cllr’s visit.
7. Financial Report.
The Clerk reported the following balances:
Current Account £2,185.83
High Rate Account £2,628.32
The Clerk’s expenses amounted to £9.60
Farm & Land Invoice for grass cutting £294.92 (already cleared the account)
Harry Pratt –sink top and new toilet £496.80 (already cleared the account)
Euro Design (new front and Back doors) £1,109.00
Royal British Legion (Remembrance Day Wreath) £25.00
John Lafford quote for guttering repairs £148.00
The above expenditure proposed by Cllr. Burton, seconded by Cllr. Grinstead.
Payment of bills should be certified by a Cllr. Responsible for the relevant area prior to the cheque being issued.
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8. Planning.
· The Maltings update
An e-mail received from Mr. Colin Murray Brown indicated that a start should be made within the next couple of weeks.
· Riverside Gardens – erection of detached garage approved
· Jaynes House – erection of detached house – approved
· Rose Villa (update) reported earlier
· 12 The Croft –erection of side extension – approved
· 2 Station View – extension & conservatory – approved
· 7 Greenholme Close – extension to front of house – granted
· Old Stables – renewal granted
· North Road Cottage – change of use granted.
Councillor Burton requested the subject of North Road Cottage to be included in the agenda for the next meeting.
9. Sub Committees
· Joint Parish Meetings (15th December 2005)
The question of footpaths will be discussed. Skelton cum Newby Parish Council has reported the blocked footpath to North Yorkshire County Council. The question of the barge has still to be resolved.
· Market Town Initiative/Boroughbridge & District Community
The two organisations are going to merge but as yet a name has not been found. The Community Partnership will continue to pursue the question of a mobile cinema whilst all other subjects will be dealt with the new combined organisation.
· Neighbourhood Watch.
Cllr. Collins reported that he had requested 411 packages for distribution throughout the Parish. He had received only 150. Each Co-ordinator will receive a limited supply for distribution.
· Police Liaison – date of next meeting 5th December, 2005.
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· Play Area Update
Cllr. Collins reported that he had not yet received the results of the soil samples. When Commuted Sums for the Maltings project are released then a start can be made.
· MSA decision/appeal
This was dealt with earlier in the meeting.
· Parish Plan
Cllr. Fisher agreed to make a presentation at the next meeting.
A.O.B. (received by 9th November, 2005 and listed below)
· Fox &Hounds
Cllr. Collins raised the above subject and enquired whether the Council
Should write to the owners to establish what their intentions are with
the pub. After discussion it was agreed not to proceed but to discuss it
at our next meeting.
· Commuted Sums
Cllr. Collins reported that there was a sum of money available from
Commuted sums that must be spent on verges. It was agreed that
daffodils should be planted from Greenholme Close to Leeming Lane.
It was also proposed that a new rubbish bin should be purchased to
replace the bin outside the Fox and Hounds.
· Wires on telegraph pole opposite Back Lane
Cllr. Collins reported that there were loose wires coming from this
telegraph pole. The Clerk requested to write to British Telecom.
· Roles and Responsibilities
The Chairman requested if any of the Councillors would like to be included in any other areas. Cllr. Burton said he would assist in Picnic Area matters and Cllr. Gill said he would help with the cottages
· Fishing Rights
Since there had been no increase in the rental of the Fishing Rights for
he past two years it was agreed that they should increase to £275.
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· Hedge Riverside Gardens
The Clerk requested to write to Highways Department to report the
overgrown state of the hedge and request them to contact the owners
to have it cut down.
· Drains Boroughbridge Autos and Hillview
The Clerk requested to write to Highways, Starbeck and report
suspected blocked drains. During recent heavy rains the roads were
awash.
The meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.
The next meeting will be on the 17th January, 2006