GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 15^th June 2005 at 7.40 p.m.
in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

Before the Parish Council Meeting there was a short talk by Jill Collier and Claire Suter of Harrogate Borough Council’s Dog Warden service, describing the work of the department and giving a brief outline of the new powers coming into force under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

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

In Attendance: Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present were 6 members of the public

1. Apologies for absence were received from County Cllr John Savage.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 4^th May 2005 having previously been circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

3. Progress Reports.

3.1. Basketball Court. A request has been made for the current half-size basketball court with one goalpost to be extended to full size with two goalposts. Unfortunately the rules over sizing have changed slightly, which means that the current 9m x 9m court would have to be increased to 10m x 20m to make it full size. This would necessitate moving the present goalpost and increasing the width as well as the length of the site. During discussions it was noted that the new tarmac could possibly be laid at the same time as the car park is being resurfaced. It was agreed that the Clerk should make further enquiries about potential funding for this project. The Youth Forum would be prepared to make a donation towards a net.

3.2. Bus Shelter. The Clerk reported that the relevant statistics on bus frequency/usage had been forwarded to North Yorkshire, although no reply had yet been received. A suggestion was made from the floor regarding the erection of an open structure around the Millennium Stone on the village green, which could be used as a bus shelter but would also appeal to cyclists/walkers stopping on their way through and as a meeting point for young people. It was agreed that the Clerk should make further enquiries regarding this idea and report to the next meeting.

3.3. Fencing at the Village Hall. It was confirmed that all funding has been approved for this. Cllr Kay will contact the contractors again.

3.4. Flooding/Drainage problems. The Clerk reported that Yorkshire Water had come out to flush out the drains at the allotments in the previous week. The problem of drains blocking at the corner of Lightmire Lane had been raised with the Highways Authority, who agreed to flush out the drain when the jetter is next on hire. They comment that only kerbing can prevent grit from being washed from road edges, and that grass which is cut should be blown back onto the verges. It was agreed that a scheme for some kerbing at the corner should be included in the plans for the Village Hall car park.

3.5. Land purchase off Lightmire Lane. No further correspondence had been received on this item.

3.6. Lower Nidd Community Bus Scheme. Cllr Girdham reported from the meeting on 10^th May that the Rural Transport Partnership’s future is looking very doubtful. The LNCBS is still looking for funding for a new bus, and is also keen to hear from anyone wishing to become a voluntary driver (full training is given). It was agreed that this should be given publicity in the next newsletter. Leaflets will soon be made available at the Post Office, Youth Forum and Over 60’s group.

3.7. Registration of new area of Village Green. The Clerk to report to the next meeting on this.

3.8. Adoption of Moor Lane. The Clerk advised members that she had been in contact with Mr Mike Roberts at North Yorkshire County Council, who was aware of the matter. The member of staff dealing with it was on holiday but it will be progressed on their return. Mr Roberts had clarified that the road did not have to have lights, but had to be brought up to the appropriate standard for its type before it could be adopted.

3.9. Installation of new children’s’ roundabout. The Clerk reported that the Awards for All application had been acknowledged.

3.10. Seat at Piper’s Lane pond. It was agreed that the wording for plaque in memory of Don Cross should be: “Branton Green. This seat was provided by public donation in memory of Don Cross”. The Clerk to arrange for this to be made, and a cost of up to £60 was agreed.
Cllr Rampling reported that the total cost excluding the plaque amounted to £208.37 plus VAT. It was agreed that a letter of thanks should be sent to Elliott Swann for donating the seat ends, and that a ‘thankyou’ should be placed in the next newsletter to all those who helped with this project.

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

4.1. The Pastures, Main Street, Great Ouseburn, deletion of condition to allow the non-agricultural occupancy of the dwelling. Appeal against refusal made to the Secretary of State.

4.2. 4 Carrside, Great Ouseburn, erection of detached single garage. Granted subject to conditions.

4.3. Dent House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn, conservation area application for the demolition of outbuilding. Granted subject to conditions.

4.4. Greenbank House, 1 Townend Court, Great Ouseburn, erection of single storey rear extension. Granted subject to conditions.

5. Planning applications.

5.1. Lyn Garth, Branton Green, Great Ouseburn. Erection of extension to raise roof height over part of existing storage building. No objections.

5.2. 6 Townend Court, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two-storey side extension. The Council did not object to or support the application but made the following comments:
w the extension to the property will mean that the original house size will have increased by approximately 30%, which the Parish Council considers excessive.
w it is considered that the proposed development will mean a loss of privacy for the owners of Townend Farm, as the extension will overlook their property.
w the Parish Council is concerned at the precedent that will be set regarding the loss of space between properties on this development that will result from this proposal.

5.3. Abeokuta, Branton Green, Great Ouseburn. Erection of single storey front extension. No objections.

5.4. Prospect Farm House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Listed Building application for the erection of 1 detached dwelling including alterations to existing garden wall (revised scheme). No objections.

5.5. Prospect Farm House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Erection of 1 detached dwelling including removal of 1 Leylandii and 1 apple tree within Great Ouseburn Conservation Area (revised scheme). No objections.

5.6. Ousemead, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Demolition of outbuildings and erection of single storey rear extension. No objections.

5.7. Church Hill Cottage, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Demolition of existing rear lean-to and erection of two storey rear extension and single storey rear glazed extension (standard and Listed Building consent). No objections.

6. Questions from Councillors. The following questions from Councillors were raised:

6.1. Cllr Burton asked the Clerk to report to the next meeting regarding the possible breach of planning controls at the development in Branton Close.

6.2. The Clerk was requested to clarify the new legislation on hedges.

7. Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April – 15^th June 2005. The statement of accounts for the current year and the payment refs P5/05, P9/05, P10/05 and P11/05 therein were approved (copy appended to the minutes).

8. Correspondence received.

8.1. Mr & Mrs Shaw – Branton Green Pond. It was confirmed that part of the pond lies within the
boundary of Mr & Mrs Shaw’s property and that only part of the pond is owned by the Parish
Council. The Clerk to write to apologise for any inadvertent misrepresentation of the ownership.
Mr & Mrs Shaw’s support for the erection of the seat was noted with thanks.

8.2. Harrogate Borough Council – Civic Service at Rudding Chapel, 19^th June. The Chairman
confirmed he would be attending this service.

8.3. Harrogate Borough Council – Local Development Framework consultation on:
(1) Statement of Community Involvement
(2) Provision for Sport, Recreation and Open Space
(3) Provision for Village Halls
It was agreed that the Chairman and Cllr Thompson should be delegated to respond in detail
to this consultation.

8.4. BT – proposal to convert the payphone in Great Ouseburn to a cashless payment option. (Cllr
Scott declared a personal interest in this item). It was agreed that the Clerk should write to
express the Parish Council’s concerns and that ask that the current payphone be retained.

8.5. North Yorkshire County Council – ownership of land at Great Ouseburn Village Hall. A letter
had been received in response to an enquiry from the Clerk, confirming that NYCC does not
own any land at the junction of Seggans Road/Lightmire Lane within the immediate vicinity of
the Village Hall. The land therefore belongs to the Village Hall. The Clerk to copy this
correspondence to the Village Hall Committee.

8.6. North Yorkshire County Council – various highway matters. Various letters confirmed that the
potholes in Cross Lane and Lightmire Lane were either filled or being attended to and that the
new footpath from the school towards Little Ouseburn will be grass seeded. The Clerk to remind
the Highways Authority that the potholes still at the top of Branton Burn Beck corner are still not
filled and are a cause for concern.

8.7. Harrogate Borough Council – tree preservation order, Dent House. It was noted that the
provisional tree preservation order had been confirmed.

8.8. Harrogate Borough Council – Parish Councils Code of Conduct – registration of interests.
Councillors were reminded of their obligation to give notification within 28 days of any change in
information previously given for inclusion in the register of financial and other interests.

8.9. Victim Support – application for a donation from the Parish Council. It was agreed that no
donation would be made to this organisation.

8.10. Tenyas (Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service) – Patient and Public Involvement
Forum. The forum is asking for any concerns to be forwarded to them, and it was agreed
that the Clerk should write notifying them of problems that had occurred with ambulances not
being able to locate addresses in the village.

8.11. Harrogate Borough Council - Parish Grounds Maintenance Grant 2004/5. It was noted that the
grant for 2004/5 of £309 would shortly be received, and that the Parish Council had been
included in the scheme for 2005/6.

9. Reports from representatives. Reports from the Council’s representatives on the following organisations were received as follows:

9.1. Village Hall Committee. There were no new issues to report.

9.2. Youth Forum. Because of the changes in the days on which the Youth Forum met, the attendance had dropped recently. It was hoped that this would pick up again soon. A free outing to Lightwater Valley was being held on 18^th June.

9.3. Police Liaison Group. No meeting had been held since the last Parish Council meeting.

9.4. Neighbourhood Watch. There is no longer a village scheme, and there will be a meeting in July to determine which areas wish to continue their own Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

In view of the confidential nature of the next item, it was resolved to temporarily exclude the press and public from the meeting and to instruct them to withdraw. The Clerk also withdrew and the Chairman minuted the next item.

10. National Agreement on Salaries and Conditions of Service of Local Council Clerks under Profile 1 in the NALC/SLCC scheme. It was agreed to abide by the National Agreement and, subject to clarification on employers’ liability insurance and sick leave payments, to approve the contract and job description.

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

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.55 p.m.