GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 21^st December 2005 at 7.30 p.m.
in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

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

In Attendance: Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present were 24 members of the public.

1. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Rachel Kay.

2. Declarations of Interest.

2.1. All Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in items relating to the Village Hall.

3. Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 16^th November 2005 having previously been circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

4. Proposed Equestrian Centre, Church Field Lane. It was resolved to discuss this item next, and the Chairman introduced Mrs France, the applicant, and her planning agent Mrs Parkin, who outlined the main points of the plan, including the plans to deal with potential traffic problems.

The Chairman then adjourned the meeting to accept comments from the public, and Mrs France was able to give clarification on several matters raised. Members of the public, the majority of whom were opposed to the proposals, made a large number of comments.

The Chairman then thanked the public for their contributions, and reconvened the meeting.
It was agreed that a request should be made to Harrogate Borough Council’s Planning Committee to make a site visit. The suggestion that access to the site should be created off Boat Lane was put to the applicant, who agreed to consider it. The date of the Planning Committee meeting to be given publicity as soon as it was known.

5. Progress Reports.

5.1. Planning application at Lyndlea, Branton Lane (minute 6.1/10/05 refers). The Chairman reported that the application had been refused at Planning Committee level, and that the applicant would probably appeal this decision.

5.2. Bus Shelter (minute 4.2/10/05 refers). No further progress to report at this stage.

5.3. Basketball Court (minute 5.1/11/05 refers). The Clerk advised members that the Biffaward application had been sent off, and the Rural Target Fund application was being finalised.

5.4. Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 5.2/11/05 refers). The Clerk read the contents of a letter from the Highways Authority, which stated that the cost of bringing the road up to the standard required for adoption was likely to be in excess of £100,000. The Chairman outlined the history of the road, and because it had been maintained at public expense in the past, said that it should still be maintained at public expense. The Clerk to revert to the Highways Authority.

5.5. Oak Tree Cottage (formerly Wayside Cottage) (minute 4/11/05 refers). The Clerk advised members that the owners had provided a surveyor’s report, which stated that there was no increase in value of the land due to the proposed garage. It was agreed that the matter should rest until planning permission for the garage had been granted, and then the Parish Council should discuss whether to seek a second survey report.

6. Planning applications dealt with between meetings. The following application was considered under the provisions of Council Standing Order No 32(c):

6.1. Hillcrest, Main Street, Great Ouseburn – formation of new vehicular access. The Parish Council did not object to or support the application, but made comments that any gate erected must be set back to allow for a vehicle to pull off the road, and that the wall between Hillcrest and Broadway should be protected from damage.

7. Planning decisions notified by Harrogate Borough Council. The following decisions were notified by the Borough Council:

7.1. Walnut Farm, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Listed building application for the partial demolition of boundary wall to form new vehicular access. Granted subject to conditions.

7.2. Longfield House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Erection of agricultural building to include 2 loose boxes (revised scheme). Granted subject to conditions.

7.3. Hill Rise, Moor Lane, Great Ouseburn. Erection of detached building for the storage of hay and ancillary educational use. Granted subject to conditions

8. Planning applications.

8.1. Proposed construction of road improvements at Score Ray Lane/Thorpe Green Lane, Thorpe Underwood – further revised plan. The Parish Council had no objections to the revised plan.

8.2. Erection of single storey rear extension and cantilevered roof extension to front porch, Beckside, Carrside, Great Ouseburn. The Parish Council had no objections.

8.3. Conversion of attached outbuildings to form additional living accommodation, including erection of single storey rear extension and raising of roof height, The Post Office, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. The Parish Council responded with Option C, making comments about the restricted car parking, and seeking clarification on the future of the sorting office.

9. Questions from Councillors. The Clerk was asked if she could find out more about the state of the verges on Seggans Road and report to the next meeting.

10. Reports from the Clerk.

10.1. Damage to boundary wall at the junction of Boat Lane and Main Street. The Clerk advised that the matter of who owned the wall was unclear, and that until that could be sorted out the wall would not be rebuild. A further report to be made to the next meeting.

11. Cricket Club/Youth Forum. It was agreed that Cllr Rampling would arrange a talks with both groups in order to discuss proposals for the 2006 evening bookings.

12. Football Club. There were no objections to the request to install a new token-operated floodlight to be used at evening training sessions, to be paid for by the football club. Cllr Robinson agreed to contact Mr Coates out of courtesy.

13. Moorings. Cllr Girdham declared a personal interest in this matter. It was agreed that the mooring is causing erosion of the bank. The Chairman to organise a working party to move the mooring.

14. Children’s Play Area. The satisfactory result of the RoSPA inspection was noted, and it was agreed that the basketball net should be replaced and Mr J Gill should move the small tree over to the bank.

15. New Playing Field – Lease of Land. Cllr Robinson informed members that the landowner was still waiting to hear back from defra regarding the stewardship scheme payments, but that in the meantime he has left the piece of land undrilled. It was agreed that this matter should be followed up at the next meeting, as it would be of benefit if the land could be sown with grass seed this spring.

16. Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April 2005 – 20^th December 2005. The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments therein were approved (copy appended to the minutes):
P29/05 Allianz Cornhill – insurance (merrygoround) £ 41.69
P30/05 HBC – RoSPA playground inspection £ 53.40
P31/05 Clerk’s salary and expenses (3^rd quarter) £599.29

17. Correspondence received.

17.1. North Yorkshire County Council – Community Emergency Plan. It was agreed that the Clerk should arrange for a presentation in the New Year.

17.2. North Yorkshire County Council – winter service leaflet. To be circulated.

17.3. North Yorkshire County Council – public consultation of rubbish and recycling. To be circulated.

18. Reports from representatives. To receive reports from the Council’s representatives on the following organisations:

18.1. Village Hall Committee. No report, except to note that the car park had now been resurfaced. A request to be made to the VHC that white markings on the tarmac should be avoided and another colour used if possible.

18.2. Youth Forum. No report.

18.3. Police Liaison Group. Cllr Burton reported that she had attended a meeting in December, and she briefly outlined the latest crime statistics. The proposals to amalgamate North Yorkshire Police with another force were discussed.

19. Matters for inclusion on the next Agenda.

19.1. Cricket scorebox security – request for help with funding.

19.2. Quiet Lanes initiative.

20. Date and Time of next meeting. To confirm that the next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 18^th January 2006 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.