LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Held on Tuesday 22^nd January, 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

Coronation Hall

Present: Chairman Cllr. M. Fisher

Vice Chairman Cllr. M. Collins

Cllr. L.R. Gill

Cllr. D. Fearnside

Clerk Isabel Ward

1. Welcome: Everyone was welcomed by the Chairman.

2. Apologies: Apologies received from Cllr. D. Grinstead.

3. Declaration of Interest

There were no Declarations of Interest.

4 Minutes of the last meeting held on the 20^th November, 2007

The above minutes were read and approved – proposed by Cllr. Gill, seconded by Cllr. Collins.

Firstly it was agreed that District Council matters should be discussed first in order to allow Dist. Cllr. Wilson to leave the meeting.

Graffiti under A168 and A1 bridges.

After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should write to Highways Department requesting that the graffiti should be removed.

Planning application for Old Hall Caravan Park

The above planning application for the erection of 24 Park Homes on this site was discussed. The Parish Council has no objections to this proposal. Enquiries have been made and it has been established that this development will be liable for commuted sums.

Wind Farms

This proposal was discussed. It will come under further discussion at the Joint Parish Council Meeting. In the meantime the Clerk was requested to write to Cty. Cllr. Watson requesting that he furnishes us with whatever information plans, proposed sites etc. which he may have. The Clerk agreed to e-mail Cty Cllr. Watson.

· Harrogate District Local Development Framework

The site along Back Lane is not allocated for housing and the site behind the Coronation Hall is for industrial development. The decision is not final.

Waste Site

A residents action group has been formed called CAP (Community Against Pollution).The Parish Council has objected to such a development as have many local residents. As yet there has not been a request for funding but if there should be one then the Parish Council can help financial under Section 137. It was agreed that no funding should be made at this stage.

Dist. Cllr. Wilson was thanked for his attendance and a return was made to the normal agenda.

5. Matters Arising

Play Area

Councillors were issued with a rota for the Play Area inspection. It was pointed out that Cllr. Grinstead had carried out the inspection in November and December. It was reported that the double gates were left open. It was agreed that a tube should be fitted in order to secure the bolts. Cllr. Gill agreed to see to this. The rusting goal posts have been replaced with plastic ones and the nets now fit. It was agreed that when the weather is suitable the field should be rolled. The hedges have been trimmed and a key has been sought for the litter bin.

Bulbs

Crocus and muscari bulbs have been planted in the picnic area and daffodil bulbs on Milby Island. Further daffodil bulbs to be planted near the Croft.

Picnic Area

Cllr. Gill reported that the picnic area was in good order and free of rubbish. It was agreed that we should have a tidy up of the area, particularly after the floods. This will be on the 8th March at 10a.m.

Cottages

It was reported that the repairs to Holly Cottage had been completed and will cost in the region of £220. The lodging for the deeds for the two cottages is progressing.

Rubbish Bin – Fox and Hounds.

It was agreed that an effort to retrieve the rubbish bin from the river by the picnic area should be made when we tidy the area. This will then be placed outside the Fox and Hounds.

Overgrown paths and hedges update.

It was reported that the section on Skelton Road had still not been cleared. The Clerk requested to write to Highways again.

6. Correspondence as received by 15^th January, 2008

Ownership of Canal Bank alongside Riverton

It was reported that a letter had been received from British Waterways admitting liability for the replacement of the fence. Due to substantial funding cuts the repair will not be done immediately. The residents concerned have been informed of this letter. It was agreed that this item should be included in future agendas in order to monitor the situation.

Skelton Road Speeding

Cllr. Fisher reported that he had received a letter from one of our residents complaining about speeding traffic on Skelton Road near to the junction of Leeming Lane. After discussion it was agreed that this problem should be resolved when the 30mph comes into force on Leeming Lane. The traffic should be slower when turning down Skelton Road.

HBC letter re Parish Council Elections

The Clerk reported that all Councillors will be due for re-election in May. The necessary paperwork should be sent to the Clerk around the 24^th March when she will deal with it and contact Councillors.

7. Financial

Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported the following Bank Balances:

Current Account £960.79

High Rate £19,976.83

Audit

Cllr. Fearnside reported that this had been successfully completed and accepted by Mazars.

Precept

Cllr. Fearnside reported that this had been completed for £5,000 and the forms returned to Harrogate Borough Council.

Payments (listed below)

Coronation Hall £5.00

Clerk’s Expenses – nil

Geoffrey Parker Bourne – Land Registry £220.00

Homesecure Locks – repair lock Holly Cottage £211.50

All the above payments were proposed by Cllr. Gill, seconded by Cllr. Collins.

8. Planning (Planning received by 15^th January, 2008)

Extension Southdene, Back Land – approved
Crown Tree 57 Waterside – approved
Old Hall Caravan Site application for erection of 25 Park Homes – no objections

9. Sub committees

Joint Parish Council Meetings – the next meeting will be on the 7^th February when the proposed waste disposal at Milby will be discussed. Also on the agenda will be the proposed wind farms and proposed household waste site on Roecliffe Lane. The Clerk requested to contact Cty Cllr. Watson for further information about the Wind Farms.
Yore Vision Partnership – Cllr. Collins reported that the design of the signage is well underway. Draft designs for the signs were shown to the Council. The sign for the Langthorpe Route will be erected on the Picnic Area.
Police Liaison – Cllr. Fisher referred to the last minutes which were circulated in the Council folder. He gave a brief resume on the last meeting he had attended when the new Chief Constable had addressed the meeting. The Chief Constable is very much in favour of Community Policing. Boroughbridge Police Station is going to be manned.
Langthorpe Welcome Pack – It was agreed that this should be ready for distribution after the elections.

A.O.B. received by 15^th January, 2008 (and listed below)

Emergency Plan – It was reported that a revised version has now been issued. It was noted that the emergency box will be stored under the stairs in the Coronation Hall.
Bench and Waste Bin at East View- Cllr. Collins reported that the waste bin is leaning over and that a slab needs replacing. Cllr. Collins and Cllr. Gill volunteered to do the necessary repairs.
Water Leak on Skelton Road – It was reported that this has now been fixed.
Flooding on Skelton Road – It was reported that there was frequent quite serious flooding near Broom Close Farm. It was also reported that the “Flood” signs are placed too close to the flooding thus giving insufficient warning before encountering the water. This frequent flooding is causing the road surface to break up. The Clerk requested to write to Highways reporting the problem.

Agenda Items for next meeting

Cllr. Collins requested that the following two items should be included in the next agenda:

Local Government Borrowing Approval

Grass cutting

The meeting closed at 9.30 – the next meeting will be on the 18^th March.

Dates for 2008/9

18^th March 2008 – proposed dates subject to election - 20^th May 2008 (public and AGM), 22^nd July 2008, 23^rd September 2008, 18^th November, 2008, and 20^th January 2009(this was wrongly quoted as 19^th January on the previous list.)