LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 

Held on Tuesday 22nd May, 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. J. Watson, Cllr. J. Burton and representation from the Police.

 

3.         Declaration of Interest

            There were no Declarations of Interest.

 

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

 

The above minutes were read and approved – proposed by Cllr. D. Fearnside, seconded by Cllr. L.R. Gill.

 

5.         Matters Arising

 

·        Picnic Area

 

It was noted that there is a possible dead tree in this area but it could be on Environment Agency land.  It was agreed to keep an eye on this.  Otherwise the Picnic Area is fine.

·        Cottages

 

Since Cllr. Burton was not in attendance at the meeting no progress could be made as regards Rose Cottage and the quotes for refurbishment.  It was agreed that a mutually convenient date should be sought in order to call an extra meeting to discuss the cottage issue.

 

In the meantime Cllr. Collins reported that PWLB required to know how the application for a loan of £30,000 might be split up.  He reported that possibly £5,000 would be required for the Play Area and £25,000 for Rose Cottage.

 

 

 

 

·        Overgrown Footpaths/Verges

 

A general discussion took place on the above subject and that fact that we had received a letter from Cty. Cllr. Watson to the effect that any waste dug out from the verges can be put into the hedge back.  It was agreed that the Council should form a working party to do the edging rather than employ someone else.

 

It was reported that the footpath at East View had been cleared and was now walkable.

 

·        Ownership of canal bank alongside Riverton.

 

Despite the Clerk’s efforts to establish ownership of this stretch of land nothing had been resolved.  Discussion took place about this.  It was felt that the construction of the overnight moorings and steep banking up towards Riverton is causing the banking to erode and hence the fence at the top to slip down the banking.  The Clerk was requested to investigate this problem further.  It could be that the unadopted road at the top of the banking is also eroding.

 

·        Pavements various plus parking on footpaths

 

There was nothing to report on this subject.

 

·        Potholes (General)

 

It was reported that the potholes had been patched up.

 

·        Hillview - Wheelchair Access

 

There was nothing to report on this – the Clerk asked to write and ask for a date when the work will be done.

 

·        Kerbstones – Greenholme

 

The Clerk reported that she had written to Highways reporting the loose kerbstones on Greenholme Close but, as yet, she has not had a reply and the kerbstones have not been reset.  She was asked to write again.

 

·        Graffiti under the bridges

 

This subject was discussed.  It was agreed that the problem had become worse and that graffiti was now very visible from the Picnic Area.  The Clerk requested to write again requesting the it be removed.

 

·        Possible closure of track beside A168

 

Discussion took place on this subject.  It was agreed that we should just try closing the existing gate over and see what effect his will have – obviously not locking it.

 

 

 

 

6.         Correspondence

 

 

The Chairman reported that he had had a meeting with Mr. James Christie Wild who had purchased South Dean, Back Lane.  He was enquiring about the possibility of building a small extension to the rear and developing dorma bedrooms.  He has been referred to the Planning Department.

 

At this point the meeting deviated from the agenda in order that Dist. Cllr. Wilson could deal with matters of his interest.  He gave a resume of how he perceived the Unitary policy was progressing.  He pointed out what he felt were the pitfalls of such a union.   There will be a meeting at Boroughbridge Town Council on the 5th June to hear the NYCC Chief Executive talk about the bid  

 

He then proceeded to give a review of the Local Development Plan which has been delayed.   It was hopped that there would be plans to peruse prior to the next meeting regarding affordable housing.

 

At this point Dist Cllr. Wilson left and the normal agenda was resumed

 

7.         Financial

 

The Clerk presented the Annual Balance Sheet to the Council.  This showed a carry forward balance of £11,004.47 which was deemed to be very satisfactory.   The accounts were proposed by Cllr. D. Fearnside, seconded by Cllr. D. Grinstead.

 

            The Clerk reported the following balances:

 

                        Current Account                       £2,598.84*

                        High Rate                                 £3,742.14

 

·        This balance reflects the fact that  a cheque for £6,595 had cleared for a payment to Lapset for the Play Area.

 

a)         Clerk’s Expenses

 

            There were no expenses.

 

b)         The Clerk reported the following expenses

 

            Coronation Hall (rent)                                        £25.00

            A1 insurance (cottages)                                    £470.00

            Martin Rae (Clerk’s Exp Jt. Parish Council)        £25.00

            Green Tech (Grass seed play area)                     £92.00

            J. Lafford (Holly Cot Repairs)               £620.00

            Lapset U.K. Ltd (Play Area)                         £6,595.00

 

All the above expenditure was proposed by Cllr. D Fearnside, seconded by Cllr. L.R. Gill.

 

 

 

8.         Planning received by 17th May, 2007

 

            Maltings access gate – resolved

 

            Anchor Pub – external staircase – approved

 

            Anchor Pub – extension refused

 

            Greenacres - rear conservatory – approved

 

            15 East View – two storey rear extension and single storey side extension – granted

 

            13 Hill View – single storey and rear extension – granted

 

9.         Sub Committees

 

·        Joint Parish Council Meetings

 

Leeming Land Parking/ Speed Limit

 

It was reported that this matter is still progressing.  The 30 mph will be granted in due time.

 

·        Yore Vision Partnership

 

The Annual General Meeting was held last week but there was no real progress to report.

 

·        There is going to be a skip provision one Sunday per month.  This will be advertised.

 

·        There is a Defra Grant Pilot Scheme for anti flooding.  A bid has been made on our behalf for Milby Island

 

·        Police Liaison

 

There will be another Police Liaison meeting on the 5th June – an agenda has just been received.

 

In the meantime the Clerk has received a visit from P.C. Chris Parnell when the clerk discussed such matters as graffiti, the problems under the A168 bridge etc were discussed.  He assured the Clerk that he will endeavour to attend Parish Council Meetings in future in order to keep abreast with Parish Council affairs.

 

·        Langthorpe Welcome Pack

 

Cllr. Fearnside informed the meeting that he had finished compiling the information for the welcome pack.  Cllr. Fisher agreed to organise the completion of the art work and the final compilation of the pack.  Cllr. Fearnside agreed to give Cllr. Fisher all the information.

 

 

 

 

·        Play Area Update

 

Cllr. Collins gave a resume of the progress on the Play Area.  The fencing contractor should be finished tomorrow as is the main contractor. Cllr. Gill has sown the grass seed on the football pitch.  He was thanked by the Chairman.

 

Three quotes received for turfing – Farm & Land at £975 has been accepted.  Grass cutting by Farm and Land quoted at £21 whilst the hedge will be £24 per cut.

 

The signs are ready at Studio Signs at a cost of £96

 

 Mr. Bosomworth has done the earthworks . Rospa safety inspection will cost £250.

 

Quotes are being sought for public liability plus insurance of equipment. 

 

It was felt that the only quote up to present from Duffields for tarmacing seems excessive at £12,000.  It was agrees to try and improve on this quote.

 

Ratification of Play Area Contracts was proposed by Cllr. Gill, seconded by Cllr. Fearnside.

 

A general discussion took place regarding the official opening which it is hoped will take place at the beginning of July in order that the facilities will be ready for the summer school holidays.  It was agreed that a general list of guests should be compiled and circulated among the councillors who could add other names as necessary.

 

A.O.B. Received by 17th May, 2007

 

·        Unitary Plan Discussion at Boroughbridge Town Council

 

Representatives from Langthorpe Parish Council will attend a meeting at Boroughbridge Town Council on the 5th June to hear the NYCC Chief Executive talk about the bid

 

·        Membership of Yorkshire Rural Councils

 

This was discussed in detail but it was felt that there was very little advantage in joining this organisation.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15p.m.

 

The next meeting will be on the 24th July at 7.30p.m.