Chairman’s Report

Again the Parish Council have had another busy year. We have dealt with around 39 planning applications increasing from 28 last year. We have also attended and spoken at 2 Planning Committee meetings for Lyndlea and the Equestrian Centre proposal for Church Field Lane. Great Ouseburn is highlighted in the Harrogate District Local Development Framework as a sustainable village and is one of the 16 villages forecast to have the majority of housing development. We are currently considering undertaking a Village Design Statement which would allow us to have an input into the Planning Guidelines for our village.

Work highlighted in the Community Paths Initiative Survey as been completed with the installation of a gate and dog flap on the path from Branton to Dunsforth and additional way marks on other paths. The importance of the lanes around the village as an amenity for walking, cycling and riding was highlighted during the year and it is hoped that by working with Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council Churchfield lane may be designated a quiet lane.

The Village Hall Committee have had a successful year and have worked with the Parish Council to complete the long awaited Car Park improvements. Many thanks to all the committee for their hard work this year. Paul Thompson our representative on the Village Hall Committee and their chairman, has recently stood down from the Parish Council due to work commitments. He as done a lot of work during his time with us and this is greatly appreciated. Our best wishes for the future and many thanks for his devotion.

We have had a excellent year on obtaining external funding with grants being obtained for the children’s’ roundabout from Awards for All and grants from Biffaward and Rural Target Fund for a basketball court extension. Councillor Rachel Kay and our Clerk Zillah Hopps must be thanked for their excellent work in obtaining these grants.

What else has happened:-

Presentations at Parish Council Meetings on Recycling by Alex Rankin, Harrogate Borough Council Dog Wardens by Jill Collier and Claire Suter and Neighbourhood Policing by PC Neil Waite.

A grant was given to the Youth Forum for the older persons Christmas party which again was very successful.

The vehicle activated sign and extension of the 30mph speed limit through Branton Green was completed.

Fencing between the Play area and the Playing field completed.

The old Parish Council Records have been transferred to the NYCC Archive.

Planning permission obtained for the Free Landing amenity area.

Village website storage and domain name renewed. The website is now getting an average of 50 visits per day.

We continue to have problems with Fly Tipping on the village lanes, especially car tyres.

To be done:

Registration of Parish Land with the Land Registry.

We have received confirmation of a grant for a Bus shelter from NYCC and work will now start towards erecting a shelter.

The registering of the land adjacent to the Seggans and the land around the Piper’s Lane Pond as Village Green is continuing through the legal process.

We are still awaiting a decision regarding our request for the adoption of Moor Lane by NYCC in exchange for the creation of a bridleway from Moor Lane through the Dale.

Thanks:

The Parish Council would like to offer their sincere thanks to Peter Naylor for producing the Village News Letter and the many other jobs he does around the village, Richard White for his work looking after the communal areas of the allotments and repairing the path, Jeff Gill for the superb work he does maintaining the Playing field and checking the play equipment, Ken Horner and Fred Jackson for looking after the floral displays on the village entrance signs on Carrside and the East end of Main Street.

Finally I would like to voice my appreciation to Zillah Hopps for the excellent and professional job she as done in her role as Parish Clerk in this successful and busy year and also to the rest of the councillors for their selfless work in representing and working for our community.

Keith Scott, Chairman, Great Ouseburn Parish Council.