GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 20th July 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,
Mr P Thompson and Mrs R Girdham.

In Attendance:             Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present were 4 members of the public and Cllr Chris Lewis (Harrogate Borough Council).

 

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

2.          Declarations of Interest under the Code of Conduct were made as follows:

2.1.      All Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in item 13.

2.2.      Cllr Girdham declared a personal interest in item 12.

2.3.      Cllr Scott declared a personal interest in items 4.1 and 7.1.

3.          Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 15th June 2005 having previously been circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

4.          Progress Reports.

4.1.      BT payphone conversion to a cashless option (minute 8.4/06/05 refers).  The Clerk informed members that the correspondence had not in fact referred to Great Ouseburn, but to Little Ouseburn, and apologised for the confusion.

4.2.      Basketball court – progress on funding (minute 3.1/06/05 refers).  Members agreed that it would be acceptable to simply extend the current court by another 9m (which would mean that the court would not be suitable for League matches).  The Chairman reported that the cost would be about £6,000 - £7,000.  Possible sources for funding included Awards for All, Biffaward (the landfill tax credit fund) and the commuted sums fund.  The Youth Club has indicated that they would be willing to donate some money towards the project, and could also help with funding applications.

4.3.      Bus Shelter – structure on the Village Green (minute 3.2/06/05 refers).  The Clerk advised that Planning Permission would be needed, and also permission to build on a Village Green.  North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) had confirmed they would be willing to make a contribution towards the cost from their bus shelter budget, but that it would now come under the next financial year.  There was also a requirement to replace any land ‘lost’ on a Village Green but it was felt that there would be no real loss in this instance.  The Chairman informed members that he had obtained some informal quotations for the project, which were in line with figures previously discussed.  The Clerk to research the matter further for the next meeting.

4.4.      Registration of Village Green (minute 3.7/06/05 refers).   NYCC have confirmed that they have the two outstanding applications for land at Pipers Lane Pond and land at Branton Green.  They carried out a site inspection some time ago but matters have not progressed much further.  This item to be followed up for the next meeting.

4.5.      Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 3.8/06/05 refers).  The Clerk advised councillors that she had received confirmation from NYCC that they have this matter pending, but she had not been able to get things moving much further.  To be followed up for the next meeting.

4.6.      Seat at Piper’s Lane pond (minute 3.10/06/05 refers).  The plaque in memory of Don Cross is now in place.

4.7.      Clerk’s contract and job description (minute 10/06/05 refers).  The Chairman confirmed that the two outstanding items had been clarified and the contract was signed.

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

5.1.      Change of use of part of general purpose farm storage building for the parking of skips and skip wagon.  Moor Farm, Moor Lane, Great Ouseburn.  The Parish Council did not object to or support the application, but repeated the comments made on the first application regarding storage, traffic and access to the public footpath.

6.          Planning decisions notified by Harrogate Borough Council.  The following decision has been notified by the Borough Council:

6.1.      Listed Building consent, Prospect Farm House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn.  Withdrawn.

7.          Planning applications.

7.1.      Erection of detached double garage.  6 Springfield Rise, Great Ouseburn.  No objections.

7.2.      Conservation area application for the demolition of outbuildings.  Ousemead, Main Street, Great Ouseburn.   No objections.

7.3.      Formation of platform with access ramp and steps to river bank, Freelanding, Aldwark Bridge.  The Clerk advised that although the Parish Council was the applicant in this case, Harrogate Borough Council had confirmed that they would still like the Parish Council’s response.  The response was therefore given as Option D – support – with the additional comment that the Parish Council considers that this will be of benefit to the people of Great Ouseburn and the surrounding area.

7.4.      Erection of 1 detached dwelling with new vehicular access (revised scheme), Hillcrest, Main Street, Great Ouseburn.  It was agreed that a site visit would be beneficial and therefore the Clerk was delegated to respond to this matter on the Council’s behalf, after consulting with members on site on 23rd July.

8.          Reports from the Clerk.

8.1.      Internal Audit.  The internal audit of FY2004/5 had been passed and the papers have now been sent to the external auditors.

8.2.      Financial Regulations.  The Clerk advised members that the Financial Regulations drawn up in March 2003 had not been minuted as adopted, and it was therefore resolved to formally adopt the regulations.

8.3.      Registration of land with the Land Registry.  It was agreed that land owned by the Parish Council should be registered with the Land Registry.  The Clerk to liaise with the Chairman in compiling a complete schedule of land owned.

8.4.      High hedges – the new legislation (minute 6.2/06/05 refers).  The new legislation was outlined by the Clerk and it was agreed that this should be given publicity in the newsletter.

8.5.      Possible breaches of planning consent reported to Harrogate Borough Council.  The Clerk reported that three possible breaches had been notified to her and accordingly she had been in touch with the Planning Department at Harrogate:

8.5.1.        Position of oil tank at Copthorne Farm, Great Ouseburn.  No reply from Harrogate.

8.5.2.        Position of gate and driveway at Avenue House, Branton Lane, Great Ouseburn.  The Clerk has written to the Enforcement Officer about this.

8.5.3.        Lyndlea, Branton Lane, Great Ouseburn.  Harrogate Borough Council has confirmed that this development has not been built in accordance with the approved plans.  They also state that they believe that a new application is being drawn up to reflect the property as built, and that this will be forwarded to the Parish Council for consultation in the usual way.  The meeting was adjourned at this point for comments from the public, and Cllr Lewis also clarified one or two points of procedure.  It was agreed that the Parish Council would liaise closely with Cllr Lewis on this application, and that a request would be made that the planners come out to the property and agree the accuracy of site plans.

8.6.      Dispensation under the Code of Conduct – matters relating to the Village Hall (minute 15/04/05 refers).  The Clerk advised members that the Solicitor to Harrogate Borough Council had clarified the situation as follows:
”Members don’t have prejudicial interests by virtue of their position as Trustees.  They do have…personal interests.  At the Council meeting they should declare whether they are Trustees.  They can then take part and vote without a further dispensation.”
It was agreed that this declaration of interest should be minuted as a matter of course at every meeting in future.

9.          Condition of swings, children’s play area.  The cradle seat swings need some repairs and it was agreed to replace the upright supports from Parkdale Play & Leisure Ltd at a cost of £55.32 plus VAT plus a carriage charge of £25.  It was also agreed that a written plan of regular fortnightly inspections of the play area should be drawn up.  Mr Jeff Gill has kindly agreed to help the Parish Council to carry out these inspections.

10.      New children’s roundabout (minute 3.9/06/05 refers).  The Chairman reported that Awards for All have agreed a £5,000 grant for this project, and Cllr Kay was thanked for her hard work in drawing up the application and obtaining quotes for the work.  The Chairman had consulted with children attending the Youth Club regarding the various designs and it was agreed that the merry go round with seating was the best design.  With the additional safety surface required, the cost would be more than the grant awarded, and it was agreed that the balance should be paid out of the commuted sums fund.  The Clerk to place the order for installation as soon as possible.

11.      Harrogate Borough Council Consultation Meetings.  It was agreed that an agenda item for the consultation meeting to be held on 5th October 2005 should be submitted, asking if it would be possible to get the strict allocation of commuted sums relaxed so that local Parish Councils can decide where to spend the funds.  This to be included in the Local Development Framework.

12.      Mooring fee.  It was agreed that the full year’s fee for the FY2005/6 should be charged.

13.      Village Hall Car Park.  Cllr Thompson reported that the Village Hall Committee have decided to complete the plans for the car park, but that further research was needed on sources of funds.  As parents of children at the school were being encouraged to use the car park and walk to school, it was agreed that the Clerk should investigate whether funds could be made available from the Education department, the Village Safety Scheme and the NYCC Safe Routes to School scheme.

14.      YLCA & YHRTP Joint Training Conference for Parish & Town Councillors and Clerks.  It was agreed that no delegates would attend conference.

15.      Purchase of text.  It was agreed to fund half the total cost of £49.99 for the purchase of ‘Local Council Administration’ by Charles Arnold Baker (Butterworths).

16.      Statement of accounts for the period 1st April 2005 – 20th July 2005.  The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments therein were approved (copy appended to the minutes):
P12/05      HBC – grasscutting                    £190.53
P13/05      M H & J Rampling – seat            £244.83
P14/05      James Mackman – audit £80.00
P15/05      adey.com – website                   £80.00
P16/05      ATM Ltd – fencing                      £1498.13
The fencing was not quite finished and payment would be held until completion.  It was noted that at some point in the future the Parish Council must consider putting a gap into the fencing at the corner of the Village Hall.

17.      Correspondence received.

17.1.   Mrs Brizard – parking near the school.  The content of the letter was noted, however the suggestion of double yellow lines was not accepted, as it was felt that the introduction of more urban-type road markings would not be suitable.

17.2.   Fire & Rescue Authority – Annual Performance Plan 2005/6.  To be circulated.

17.3.   North Yorkshire Police – campaign to recruit more Special Constables.  This campaign to be given publicity in the newsletter.

17.4.   Boroughbridge & District Community Partnership – conference on 21st July 2005.  It was noted that the Partnership is now merging with the Renaissance Market Towns Boroughbridge Team.

17.5.   York & North Yorks Playing Fields Association – Annual Report 2004/5.  To be circulated.

17.6.   Hambleton District Council – Local Development Framework consultation.  Noted.

17.7.   PPI forum for Tenyas.  A reply had been received regarding the issue of finding remote properties in rural areas, detailing the local knowledge required of crews and the satellite navigation systems in use in vehicles.

17.8.   Harrogate Borough Council – Recycling talk.  The Clerk to respond to the promotion of a Recycling Talk in the New Year.

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

18.1.   Village Hall Committee.   No report – see item 13 above.

18.2.   Youth Forum.   No report, but a request made for a gap in the new fence – see item 16 above.

18.3.   Police Liaison Group.  Cllr Burton reported that she had attended a short meeting on 20th June.  There were no items of particular interest to Great Ouseburn on the agenda.

19.      Matters for inclusion on the next Agenda.

19.1.   Trees on Branton Lane.

19.2.   Broken water main on Church Field Lane.

19.3.   Vehicle activated sign and road markings.

20.      Date and Time of next meeting.  It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 21st September 2005 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

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