GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 19th December 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

                                                           

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

In Attendance:              Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present was one member of the public.

 

2007.181    Apologies for absence   None received.

2007.182    Declarations of Interest.

2007.182.1      All Parish Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in the Village Hall.

2007.183    Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 21st November 2007 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

2007.184    Progress Reports.

2007.184.1      Village Design Statement (minute 2007.171.1 refers).  Cllr Paterson informed members that the questionnaire had now been copied, with distribution planned for the first week of the New Year.  It was noted that the information collected will also be useful for the Conservation Area Review in February.

2007.184.2      Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 2007.171.3 refers).  No report.

2007.184.3      Lyndlea, Branton Lane (minute 2007.171.5 refers).  The Clerk advised members that the Enforcement Officer at Harrogate Borough Council was getting in touch with the owners about the pending planning application.

2007.184.4      Tree works at The Forge (minute 2007.172.4 refers).  The Clerk advised members of the contents of a letter from Harrogate Borough Council explaining that in cases where trees were dead or diseased they only had limited powers to prevent removal.  In this case the arboricultural officer had visited the site and agreed that the tree should be removed.  The Parish Council is not a statutory consultee on these matters and Harrogate Borough Council does not plan to include Parish Councils as consultees in the near future.

2007.185    Planning decisions notified by Harrogate Borough Council.  The following decisions have been notified by the Borough Council:

2007.185.1      Wingate Cottage, Main Street, Great Ouseburn.  Erection of single storey rear extension and 1.8m high gate and boundary wall (standard and Listed).  Applications withdrawn.

2007.185.2      Outbuildings to rear of Church Hill, Main Street, Great Ouseburn.  Conversion of outbuildings to form 1 dwelling with 3 front dormer windows.  Application withdrawn.

2007.185.3      Prospect Farm House, Church Field Lane, Great Ouseburn.  Erection of detached annexe and rebuilding of boundary wall (standard and Listed).  Applications withdrawn.

2007.185.4      The Firs, Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn.  Erection of detached double garage.  Granted subject to conditions.

2007.185.5      Moor Farm, Moor Lane.  Change of use of agricultural building to waste transfer station.  Application withdrawn.

2007.185.6      Planning Enforcement Case.  A complaint has been made about the siting of a very large umbrella with advertising slogans at The Crown Inn.  The Parish Council will be notified of the outcome of the investigation.

2007.186    Questions from Councillors.  Following the repairs to Brown Lane/Broad Gate, questions were asked about the quality of the work.  The Clerk to report to the next meeting.

2007.187    Reports from the Clerk.

2007.187.1      Flytipping.  Yet again rubbish has been dumped in Cross Lane – this time it appeared to be the remains of kitchen units, wiring and a white kitchen stool.  Harrogate Borough Council had cleared the area.

2007.188    NYCC Minerals and Waste Development Framework Site Allocations Preferred Options Consultation.  The consultation document (previously circulated) was noted and it was agreed that a suitable response was as follows:

2007.188.1      There were no particular objections to the main site (W06/W17). 

2007.188.2      Sites W05/W15 caused some concern over the silt which comes down from the two existing settling ponds.  It was felt that the addition of a further site would increase this problem.  It would appear from the drawings that access would be along the top end of Moor Lane, and it was agreed that NYCC should be reminded of the Parish Council’s ownership of this lane, and of the fact that fencing has been placed across the lane without permission.

2007.189    BBC Breathing Places Grants.  It was agreed that an application should be made to this scheme, for funds to improve the Freelanding.  The Chairman reported that he had met with an officer from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Ruth Cantrell, who had agreed to draw up some planting schemes and costing.  She had also offered help with completing the grant application forms.

2007.190    Post Office Closures.  It was noted that in the consultation document published on 27th November Great Ouseburn Post Office was not included on the list of possible closures.  The Parish Council noted the contents of a letter received from Miss Anne McIntosh MP – the Clerk to write to thank her for her help in this matter.  After some further discussion, it was agreed that the Parish Council would support any improvement schemes/grant applications that might be put forward for the Post Office, and that the Clerk should contact the relevant authorities to enquire if any improvements were being considered.

2007.191    Ouseburns Show Perpetual Challenge Cup.  A silver cup first presented in 1958 has been returned to the Parish Council from a gentleman whose grandparents used to live in the village.  The Clerk read out the interesting letter that accompanied the cup, won for ‘best overall vegetable’ in The Ouseburns Show, and after some discussion it was agreed that a possible future use for the cup would be for the best overall garden in the Open Gardens competition in the Spring Festival – to be voted for by visitors.  The Chairman to contact the Spring Festival organisers to suggest this idea.

2007.192    Conservation Area Review.  It was noted that a workshop has been arranged for Saturday February 2nd in the Village Hall.  The Clerk to advise Harrogate of a list of names of individuals and organisations who might usefully contribute to the process.

2007.193    Statement of accounts for the period 1st April 2007 – 18th December 2007.  The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments were approved (copy appended to the minutes).
P35/07           CPC – Village Hall Sound System                      £ 1,196.49
P36/07           CPC – Village Hall Sound System                      £    184.42
P37/07           CPC – Village Hall Sound System                      £      92.67
P38/07           CPC – Village Hall Sound System                      £    690.25
P39/07           CPC – Village Hall Sound System                      £      20.00
The quotation received for additional cutting of the verges was approved.

2007.194    Parish Precept 2006/7.  The budget proposals for the precept to be demanded for 2007/8 were agreed (copy appended to the minutes).

2007.195    Correspondence received.

2007.195.1      Harrogate Borough Council – free rural affordable housing coach tour and lunch.  Noted.

2007.195.2      NYCC – Winter Maintenance Review.  It was agreed that winter road maintenance is good at present – the Clerk to respond.

2007.195.3      YRCC Parish Government Conference 7-9 March 2008.  Noted.

2007.195.4      YLCC ‘White Rose Updates’.  To be circulated.

2007.195.5      Reports from representatives.

2007.195.6      Village Hall Committee.  The sound system is now all in place.  Quotes are being obtained for tenting the ceilings.  The Village Hall extension project is being submitted as Yore Vision’s Rural Target Fund application for a grant of £10,000.

2007.195.7      Youth Forum.  The Youth Forum finished for the term on 18th December and will reopen again on 8th January.  The Senior Citizens Christmas Party was well attended with over 50 Ouseburn residents enjoying the party. 
Members are looking forward to developing their DJ-ing skills on the new sound system.
New members are needed – to be advertised in the next Newsletter.

2007.195.8      Police Liaison Group.  Cllr White reported that at a meeting on 10th December, the new Chief Constable had discussed the further use of civilian and volunteer staff, and had said that he was keen in increasing the use of mobile speed cameras.  In what is statistically the safest Police area in the country, North Yorkshire has a poor record for road accidents, particularly among young people.  Our local PC is Mark Stanforth, based at Boroughbridge.
There was a 13% reduction in crime last year, but within that an increase in garage/workshop thefts.

2007.195.9      Yore Vision.  The Chairman showed the proof version of the Bronte Trail sign for walkers that is going to go on the outside of the Village Hall, to general approval.

2007.196    Matters for inclusion on the next Agenda.  Potholes on various roads within the parish.
The issue of staff cuts and pupil numbers at the school, and the condition of Ousegill Beck.

2007.197    Date and Time of next meeting.  It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council would be held on Wednesday 16th January 2008 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.