LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Held on Tuesday 23rd January, 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
Coronation Hall
Present: Chairman Cllr. M. Fisher
Vice Chairman Cllr. M. Collins
Cllr. D. Fearnside
Cllr. L.R. Gill
Cllr. D. Grinstead
Dist. Cllr. N. Wilson
Clerk Isabel Ward
1. Welcome: Everyone was welcomed by the Chairman .
2. Apologies: Apologies received from Cty Cllr. John Watson and Cllr. J. Burton.
3. Declaration of Interests
Declaration recorded from Cllr. Gill on planning applications for Rose Villa.
4 Minutes of the last meeting held on the 5th December, 2006
The above minutes were read and approved – proposed by Cllr. Fearnside, seconded by Cllr. Gill.
In order that District Cllr. Wilson could leave the meeting early it was agreed to deviate from the printed agenda.
The Clerk reported that she had received no correspondence on the Local Development Plan and Elis’s Yard.
Dist. Cllr. Wilson then reported on the possible merger of the County Council with the District Council. He pointed out all the various options under discussion. As yet a decision has not been made.
Cllr. Collins gave a report on the Play Area. Kirby Hill Parish Council has agreed to contribute some of their commuted sums money towards Langthorpe’s project. The Planning Department require a copy of the plans. It was felt that Harrogate Borough Council may possibly have a block insurance policy for play areas that Langthorpe could ‘tap’ into.
A return was made to the printed agenda.
5. Matters Arising
· Picnic Area
Councillor Gill reported that the new memorial bench donated by Captain Rollinson had been installed. Councillor Gill has cleared the picnic area of all the flood debris. He was thanked by the Chairman.
· Cottages
In the absence of Cllr. Burton the Clerk gave a report on his behalf.
The repairs approved for Holly Cottage have been undertaken by Mr. Lafford.
Cllr. Burton has drained the water system in Rose Cottage to avoid any frost damage.
· Grass Cutting
Cllr Collins reported that Farm & Land had provided a satisfactory service during the season and that the contract should continue. This was proposed by Cllr. Grinstead, seconded by Cllr. Fearnside.
· Overgrown Footpaths
The Clerk reported that she had had a meeting with Mr. Mike Murfitt (Probation Service Office) regarding the edging of the footpath. An estimate has since been received for £400 + VAT (2 days’ work). It was agreed that this work should be done but that Highways should be contacted to enquire if they will meet the cost.
· Overgrown Hedge - Longmead, Skelton Road
The Clerk informed the meeting that the residents of this property were sent a letter by North Yorkshire Highways Department on the 8th November requesting them to cut the overgrown hedge. Once the hedge is cut then the offending weeds can be removed. Another letter is going to be sent.
· Graffiti
Our request for the removal of graffiti under the roundabout bridge was turned down due to being low priority. A quote for the removal is awaited from the Probation Service. In the meantime the Clerk requested to write once again requesting Highways to remove it from funds in the new financial year.
· Ownership of Canal Bank alongside Riverton
The Clerk wrote to British Waterways on this subject only to be told that they did not own this stretch of Canal Bank but that North Yorkshire Highways did and enclosed a map of the area. The Clerk then contacted Highways Department (Starbeck). It was reported that the Clerk met with a representative from the Highways Department to peruse the map etc. It was agreed that this representative would pursue the matter further with British Waterways. An outcome of these talks is awaited.
· Street Signs Station View/Back Lane
The Clerk reported that she has already reported the above street signs and is awaiting confirmation that they will be repainted.
6. Correspondence as received by 18th January 2007
· There was no correspondence to discuss
7. Financial
a) Clerk’s Report
The Clerk reported the following balances at the Bank:
Current Account £3,780.02
High Rate £3,708.31
The Clerk reported that she had no expenses
b) Precept
It was reported that the Precept Form had been completed and sent off. The Clerk reported that she had not, as yet, received acknowledgement of this form.
c) Payments
There were no payments to report.
8. Planning received by 18th January, 2007
· Anchor Public House extension - no objections
· Mrs. Neesom, 13 Hill View erection of single storey side and rear extension
No objections.
· Rose Villa – retention of garage extension – granted with conditions.
e.g this extension can only be used as a store, a plan for the disposal of surface water must be submitted to Planning to obtain written approval. The work must be carried out within the approved timetable.
9. Sub Committees
· Joint Parish Council Meetings
· Leeming Lane Parking/Speed Limit – The Clerk reported that she had received an e-mail from the Clerk of Kirby Hill Parish Council to the effect that Mr. Broadbent (Police Traffic) was recommending to Ken Major (NYCC Highways) that the speed limit from North of the Blue Bell Inn down to Boroughbridge should be reduced to 30 mph. Further developments are awaited.
· Roundabout Signs
It was agreed that all commercial signs should be removed from the roundabout.
· Yore Vision Partnership – Footpaths - Cllr. Collins produced maps showing footpaths between Kirby Hill and Langthorpe etc He reported that proposals are afoot to build either a bridge at Westwick Locks or stepping stones across the weir.
· Neighbourhood Watch – there was no update.
· Police Liaison - Cllr. Fisher reported no update. He was, however requested by Cllr. Collins to make enquiries at the next meeting as to what is being done to tackle the drug dealers in the area.
· Langthorpe Welcome Pack.
Cllrs. Grinstead and Fearnside will confer and complete its compilation very soon.
· Play Area Update
Cllr. Collins produced a plan from Lappset showing the proposed layout of the Play Area. The Planning Department is suggesting that a hedge should be planted next to the field. It was agreed that, at this stage, a hedge should not be planted due to maintenance grounds. There will be crops on the other side of the hedge. It was agreed that the Picnic Tables should be bolted down. Mr. Paul Gill will be getting in touch with his Solicitor to draw up the agreement.
An application form for the Public Works Loan Board loan is being sourced.
A.O.B. received by 18th January, 2007 and listed below
· Repairs to Telephone Box.
The Clerk requested to contact British Telecom to report that there is a missing panel in the telephone box. The panel is there but needs re-fixing. The light is out – a new bulb was fitted but it still does not work – the light socket must be faulty.
· Pavement across the corner of Back Lane.
The Clerk requested to report the overgrown state of this pavement and request Highways to resurface it.
· Pavement outside Langthorpe Manor and The Gables
The Clerk requested to write to Highways Department reporting the cracked and disintegrating state of this pavement.
· Complaints regarding Standing Water on bend by Broom Close Farm
The Clerk requested to write to Highways reporting that water can stand for several days on this corner and no warning notices are displayed. The recent standing water was followed by a hard frost when a car skidded from the road and ended up on its roof in the field. As a result of the accident the post for the farm sign is damaged and the farm sign is missing. There is also evidence of potholes in this area which require attention
Dates of 2006/7 Meetings:
The proposed meeting dates were approved apart from 22nd May, 2007 and 27th November, 2007 – Cllr. Gill is making enquiries regarding these dates – another venue may have to be found.
The meeting closed at approximately 9.30p.m. The next meeting will be on the 20th March, 2007 in the Coronation Hall at 7.30p.m.
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