GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 20^th June 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 and Mr B Robinson.

In Attendance: Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present were five members of the public.

2007.93 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr R Girdham.

2007.94 Declarations of Interest.

2007.94.1 All Parish Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in the Village Hall.

2007.95 Minutes of the previous meetings held on Wednesday 16^th May 2007 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

2007.96 Progress Reports.

2007.96.1 Village Design Statement (minute 2007.81.1 refers). Cllr Paterson informed members that work on designing the questionnaire was nearly complete. The next meeting of the working group would be in July.

2007.96.2 Use of Aldwark Manor footbridge (minute 2007.81.2 refers). The Clerk advised that no further progress had been made since the last meeting.

2007.96.3 Village Hall extension (minute 2007.81.3 refers). The Chairman advised that the Design & Access Statement for the planning application was in preparation. It was noted that the cricket club had stated that the clubroom would be for their sole use in the cricket season, and it was agreed that the Chairman would contact them to advise them that no ‘sole use’ rights could be agreed.

2007.96.4 Kerbing Works (minute 2007.81.4 refers). The Clerk advised that although she had spoken to the contractor at the Highways Authority several times, there was still no firm agreement to remove the second course of kerbstones in front of the church. She would continue to press for a reply and report to the next meeting.

2007.96.5 New Bus Shelter/Gazebo (minute 2007.81.5 refers). The successful completion of this project was noted and it was agreed that a short opening ceremony would be held on 17^th July at 6.45pm (just before the Youth Forum BBQ) to mark the installation of the shelter. The new shelter was originally suggested by members of the Youth Forum and was supported by a donation from Miss Raspin. The Clerk to contact the press.
It was agreed that a request should be made to the bus company that they add this stop to the drivers’ manifesto.

2007.96.6 Lyndlea, Branton Lane (minute 2007.81.6 refers). The Clerk reported that the enforcement officer in Harrogate Borough Council’s planning department is ‘in discussions’ with the owner’s agent about the matter. If the owners cannot submit a design that conforms to what had been agreed as a result of the appeal, then it will have to be treated as a new application and go through all stages again.

2007.96.7 Post Office (minute 2007.84 refers). The Clerk reported that she had received a very supportive letter from Miss Anne McIntosh MP, stating that the Parish Council has her total support in fighting against any future threat to Great Ouseburn Post Office. She confirms her fullest possible support for a vibrant and viable future for the rural Post Office network across North Yorkshire. The recently announced plans to close 2,500 Post Offices has to go through a public consultation process on a region by region basis, so any next step would be through that consultation paper once it is issued.

2007.96.8 Carrside Road development update (minute 2007.91.2 refers). The Clerk advised that she had not been able to get any update from the developers as they had not returned her calls and emails. She would continue to try to contact them and would report to the next meeting.

2007.97 Planning decisions notified by Harrogate Borough Council.

2007.97.1 Mole Cottage, Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of single storey front extension to facilitate garage, rear conservatory and alterations to roof. Granted subject to conditions.

2007.97.2 St Imoges, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Outline application for the erection of 1 detached dwelling with access, landscaping and layout considered, and the felling of various trees within the conservation area. Granted subject to conditions.

2007.97.3 Land comprising OS Field nos 0050 & 0029 Church Field Lane, Great Ouseburn. Appeal against refusal of planning permission for equestrian centre. Dismissed.

2007.98 Planning applications. To consider the following planning applications:

2007.98.1 3 Lakeside Cottages Main Street Great Ouseburn. Erection of single storey rear extension and two storey side extension with walkway under. The Parish Council responded with Option C, neither supporting nor opposing this application, but making comments regarding the use of dormer windows.

2007.98.2 Galtres Cottage, Branton Green, Great Ouseburn. Erection of single storey side extension and double garage with ancillary living accommodation over and revised vehicular access (standard and listed building applications). The Parish Council responded with Option C, making comments regarding the appearance and siting of the garage.

2007.98.3 The Firs, Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for an existing extension to domestic curtilage. The Parish Council to confirm that this land has been used as a garden since the house was constructed.

2007.99 New Bus Shelter at Branton Lane. It was noted that a request has been made for a bus shelter to be erected near the bungalows on Branton Lane. It was agreed that this should be included in the Village Design Statement consultation.

2007.100 Allerton Park Quarry. To note the current situation regarding the consultation over future development at the site, and to agree on any further resolutions required on this matter.

2007.101 Discharge into Ousegill Beck. A complaint has been received that sewerage is discharging into Ousegill Beck and the Clerk advised that she had informed Marston Moor Drainage Board and the Environment Agency, who agreed to contact Yorkshire Water. It was agreed that a further report should be received at the next Parish Council meeting.

2007.102 Playing Field.

2007.102.1 The present situation regarding use of the playing field by both the Cricket Club and the Youth Forum was noted in that they have agreed on various compromises to minimise the Tuesday evening clashes. It was agreed that this was a sensible solution and that the matter should be reviewed again in January.

2007.102.2 It was resolved that the cricket club should be requested to investigate the options to extend the fencing/screening around the basketball area, including the possibility of basketball being played at the same time as junior cricket matches. The Youth Forum to investigate how much demand there is for basketball games in the evenings.

2007.103 New Code of Conduct. The contents of the Standards Board booklet ‘The Code of Conduct – Guide for Members May 2007’ were noted and in the light of the advice in the Guide, it was resolved to include paragraph 12(2) of the new Code of Conduct in the Code adopted by the Parish Council on 16^th May 2007 (minute 2007.86 refers).

2007.104 Risk Assessment. It was resolved to approve the new Risk Assessment.

2007.105 New Model Contract of Employment. The new SLCC/NALC Model Contract of Employment was noted and confirmed.

2007.106 Harrogate Borough Council Training on 26^th September. It was agreed that councillors Lawrence Paterson and Rachel Kay would be able to attend the training session on meeting procedures, administration and electoral issues.

2007.107 Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April 2007 – 19^th June 2007. The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments were approved (copy appended to the minutes).
P9/07 HBC (grasscutting) £ 134.75
P10/07 YRCC £ 35.00
P11/07 Clerk’s salary £ 586.24
P12/07 Bus shelter (balance) £5,081.63

2007.108 Correspondence received.

2007.108.1 North Yorkshire County Council Highways – Area 6 Starbeck Programme of Work 07/08. Noted – the Clerk to find out when the dropped kerbs at Branton will be made, as they do not appear on the list.

2007.108.2 North Yorkshire County Council – a new council for North Yorkshire Parish Council update. To be circulated.

2007.108.3 Harrogate Borough Council – use of commuted sums for replacement of bench. Noted.

2007.108.4 Ripon CVS June mailing. To be circulated.

2007.108.5 Letter from the Thorpe Under Attack Action Group regarding Queen Ethelburga’s College. Noted.

2007.108.6 Letter regarding Piper’s Lane Pond – newsletter item. Noted – to be included in the newsletter.

2007.109 Reports from representatives.

2007.109.1 Village Hall Committee. The Birthday Weekend is on 23^rd and 24^th June. The minutes from 13^th June to be circulated.

2007.109.2 Youth Forum. There is a Fishing Open Day at Roecliffe Ponds on 30^th June and the end of term Barbecue is on 17^th July. Volunteers are urgently needed for September onwards.

2007.109.3 Police Liaison Group. There had been no meeting since the last Parish Council meeting. The Clerk informed members of the most recent crime figures. A burglary in Little Ouseburn occurred only a week after the property was part of the open gardens. The Police stress that security measures must be kept up to date when holding events of this kind.

2007.109.4 Yore Vision. No report.

2007.110 Matters for inclusion on the next Agenda.

2007.110.1 Speeds of buses going through the village and also the fact that the double decker buses are hitting overhanging branches at the village green and on The Avenue.

2007.110.2 Dog fouling.

2007.110.3 Projector costs.

2007.111 Date and Time of next meeting. It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 18^th July 2007 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.