GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 18^th April 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

Present: Mr K Scott (Chairman), Mrs J Burton, Mrs R Girdham, Mrs R Kay, Mr L Paterson, Mr M Rampling and Mr B Robinson.

In Attendance: Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present were five members of the public.

2007.55 Declarations of Interest.

2007.55.1 All Parish Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in the Village Hall.

2007.56 Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 21^st March 2007 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

2007.57 Progress Reports.

2007.57.1 Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 2007.44.1 refers). The Clerk reported North Yorkshire County Council’s response to the Parish Council’s further submissions on this matter, which was that the lane is not the responsibility of the Parish Council and therefore will not be considered for adoption by the Highways Authority. After some discussion, it was agreed that further advice should be sought from the YLCA.

2007.57.2 Village Design Statement (minute 2007.44.2 refers). Cllr Paterson reported that minutes of the first meeting of the working group would be circulated. Several volunteers with interests in different areas have come forward – but more help is always welcome. The next meeting of the working group will be in May.

2007.57.3 Use of Aldwark Manor footbridge (minute 2007.44.4 refers). The Clerk reported that no response had yet been received from Q Hotels (the owners of Aldwark Manor).

2007.57.4 Village Hall Extension (minute 2007.44.5 refers). The planning application has now been submitted.

2007.57.5 Ousegill Beck – silting (minute 2007.44.7 refers). The Clerk advised that she had contacted Marston Moor Internal Drainage Board.

2007.57.6 Kerbing Works (minute 2007.48 refers). The Chairman reported that he had met with the contractor responsible for the recent works on Main Street, and had obtained agreement that the cracked mortar in the church wall and the cobbles will be repaired. Apparently the decision to build a double course of kerbing outside the church was made by a different engineering firm, and it was agreed that the Clerk should contact them to ask why this work had been carried out without local consultation on its suitability.

2007.57.7 The Crown Inn (minute 2007.53 refers). The Clerk reported that the sale of the pub lease is now being handled by Fleurets in Leeds, specialists in the pub trade. They had told her that although the initial refurbishment costs to a new leaseholder will be high, they believe a new lease will be signed within the next few months. There was a brief discussion of the contents of a letter from Mrs Jacklin regarding the possibility of a shared local involvement in the pub, but it was agreed that this would not be developed any further at this stage.

2007.57.8 New Bus Shelter/Gazebo (minute 2007.27.6 refers). Due to be installed shortly after the Spring Festival.

2007.57.9 Lyndlea, Branton Lane (minute 2007.53 refers). The Clerk reported that she was waiting for a response from the Highways Authority regarding the verge at this property. After some discussion about the correct location of the boundary, it was agreed that further clarification should be sought from the planning authority.

2007.58 Planning decisions notified by Harrogate Borough Council.

2007.58.1 Sunny Bank, Seggans Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of detached garage and store. Granted subject to conditions.

2007.58.2 Belgrave House, Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of 1m high boundary wall with pillars and formation of new vehicular access. Granted subject to conditions.

2007.58.3 Mulberry Cottage, Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two storey and single storey side extensions. Refused.

2007.59 Planning applications.

2007.59.1 6 Springfield Rise, Great Ouseburn. Retention of two storey front extension and erection of front rectangular bay window.
Cllr Scott declared a prejudicial interest and withdrew from the meeting. Cllr Robinson took the chair.
The Parish Council had no objections.
Cllr Scott rejoined the meeting and took the chair.

2007.59.2 St Imoges, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Outline application for the erection of 1 detached dwelling with access, landscaping and layout considered and the felling of several trees.
Cllr Girdham declared a prejudicial interest and withdrew from the meeting.
It was agreed to respond with Option C, not objecting to or supporting the application but making comments regarding the amount of traffic that would be generated at the site during any building works. A request was made that should planning permission be granted, a condition would be that the access must be constructed before any other works have taken place, and that no vehicles should park on Main Street during the construction.

2007.60 Questions from Councillors. It was reported that further complaints have been made about the skip at Vine House – the Clerk to report back to the next meeting.

2007.61 Parking at the Freelanding, Aldwark Bridge. It was noted that there have been problems recently with parked vehicles from the activity centre blocking access to the freelanding. It was agreed that the activity centre should be contacted to remind them to leave the access clear. The Highways Authority to be requested to repair damage to the corner of the site.

2007.62 Condition of Bench on Branton Lane. The present condition of the bench was noted and it was agreed that the minor repair works should be carried out – Cllr Rampling volunteered to do this at cost. The seat is in memory of Arthur Toase, and it was agreed that his family’s offer to pay for repair work should be accepted, because the seat was installed on the understanding that maintenance of it would not fall on the local community.

2007.63 Litter. The current situation regarding litter in the village was considered and it was agreed that no action was required.

2007.64 Review of the effectiveness of the Internal Audit Procedure. The Clerk explained that there are some new requirements for the 2006/7 audit, which seek to strengthen the internal audit procedure. It was agreed to accept and review on an annual basis:

2007.64.1 The terms of reference of the scope of the internal audit and

2007.64.2 The Audit Plan.

2007.65 Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 – 17^th April 2007. The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments were approved (copy appended to the minutes).
P1/07 Allianz Cornhill Insurance £1,215.54
P2/07 York & North Yorks PFA £ 12.50
P3/07 YLCA £ 147.00
P4/07 Fibrous Ltd (bench) £ 481.75

2007.66 Correspondence received.

2007.66.1 North Yorkshire County Council – A new Council for North Yorkshire. To be circulated.

2007.66.2 North Yorkshire County Council – Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan for North Yorkshire. To be circulated.

2007.66.3 North Yorkshire County Council – Local Bus Service Contracts. To be circulated.

2007.66.4 Harrogate Borough Council – Affordable Housing Update. To be circulated.

2007.66.5 Dept for Communities and Local Government. The Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007. To be circulated, and included on the next agenda for adoption.

2007.67 Reports from representatives.

2007.67.1 Village Hall Committee. The AGM will be on 9^th May. There will be various activities around the 21^st Birthday Party in June – to be advertised in the Newsletter.

2007.67.2 Youth Forum. The DVD afternoon was very successful. There will be an end-of-term BBQ and outdoor activities on 15^th May.

2007.67.3 Police Liaison Group. No report.

2007.67.4 Yore Vision. The AGM is in May.

2007.68 Date and Time of next meeting. It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council would be held on Wednesday 16^th May 2007, immediately following the Annual Parish Council Meeting, in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.