GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 21^st March 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 eight members of the public.

2007.41 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr R Girdham.

2007.42 Declarations of Interest.

2007.42.1 All Parish Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in the Village Hall.

2007.43 Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 21^st February 2007 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

2007.44 Progress Reports.

2007.44.1 Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 2007.27.1 refers). The Clerk advised that the legal department at NYCC had advised the Highways department to refuse the request to adopt the road. Since then the Chairman had studied their reasons and a reply had been sent querying the use of some of the case law they quoted and asking them to clarify.

2007.44.2 Village Design Statement (minute 2007.27.2 refers). Cllr Paterson confirmed that the next meeting would be w/c 26^th March.

2007.44.3 Dog Fouling at Playing Field (minute 2007.27.3 refers). The problem persists and it was agreed that notices should be placed requiring owners to keep their dogs on leads.

2007.44.4 Use of Aldwark Manor footbridge (minute 2007.27.5 refers). The Chairman reported that he had attended a meeting at Aldwark Manor together with representatives from the fishing club. It had been an opportunity to clarify the various land ownerships and the Parish Council is now waiting for a response from Aldwark Manor.

2007.44.5 Village Hall Extension (minute 2007.33 refers). The application for a grant from the Big Lottery Fund has been turned down. The planning application is being prepared.

2007.44.6 Skip outside Vine House (minute 2007.30.1 refers). A light had been placed as requested but is no longer there. The Clerk to contact the skip hire company.

2007.44.7 Ousegill Beck – silting (minute 2007.30.3 refers). This matter deferred until the next meeting.

2007.44.8 New Goalposts (minute 2007.36 refers). These have been delivered and are ready to be put in place.

2007.45 Planning decisions notified by Harrogate Borough Council.

2007.45.1 The Firs, Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Conversion of basement and increase of roof height to form additional living accommodation, etc. Granted subject to conditions.

2007.45.2 Ousebank Farm, Boroughbridge Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two storey side extension (revised scheme). Granted subject to conditions.

2007.45.3 Land Comprising OS Field Nos 0050 &0029 Church Field Lane, Great Ouseburn. Erection of equestrian centre etc. Appeal made to the Secretary of State for the Environment.

2007.46 Planning applications.

2007.46.1 Mole Cottage, Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two storey rear infill extension, side garage and front conservatory/alterations to roof. It was agreed that there were no objections to this application.

2007.46.2 Belgrave House, Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of 1m high boundary wall with 1.5m high pillars to front and side and formation of new vehicular access. In view of the fact that this application will result in fewer cars being parked on the street, it was agreed to support the application, and to make the observation that the pillars were rather high – the Parish Council would be pleased if they could be reduced in height.

2007.46.3 Mulberry Cottage, Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two storey and single storey side extensions. No objections.

2007.47 Accent Homes development on Carrside Lane. The Chairman reported that at a meeting with a representative from Accent Homes, he had been given assurances that the Parish Council’s concerns regarding the various design elements (the small windows at the front, the porch shape, etc) were accepted and amendments would be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council for approval. Accent Homes are also looking at trying to create at least one more car parking space within the scheme. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Harrogate Borough Council and the Highways department regarding the off-road parking problem. Accent Homes have been asked to send the Parish Council a copy of the selection criteria for residents so that this can be given local publicity.

2007.48 Kerbing Works. The Clerk reported that the kerbing works carried out recently on Main Street have been the subject of some complaints from local residents.

At this point the Chairman adjourned the meeting in order to allow members of the public to voice their concerns about this matter. When everybody who wished to speak had done so the meeting was reconvened.

It was agreed that because of the seriousness of complaints regarding the urban feel that this work had brought to the village, and the possible damage to the church wall, a meeting should be organised with the Highways Authority to discuss the problem.

2007.49 Skip at the Cricket Score Box. It was noted that complaints had been received about this skip but that it had now been removed.

2007.50 Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April 2006 – 20^th March 2007. The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments were approved (copy appended to the minutes).
P28/06 Dutch Woodcrafts (bus shelter deposit) £4,900.00
P29/06 Mark Harrod Ltd (goalposts) £775.50
P30/06 HBC (sports ground rates) £93.24
P31/06 Clerk’s salary & expenses (4^th qtr) £654.49

2007.51 Correspondence received.

2007.51.1 Harrogate Area CVS mailing March 2007. To be circulated.

2007.51.2 NALC – ‘The Good Councillors Guide’ plus ‘All about Parish and Town Councils’ resource pack. To be circulated

2007.51.3 HBC – Standards Sub-Committee minutes 25^th October 2006. To be circulated

2007.51.4 NYCC County Area Committee minutes 18^th January 2007. To be circulated

2007.51.5 Audit Commission - Appointment of External Auditors. Approved.

2007.51.6 Complaint received about yellow plastic covers placed over telegraph pole stays. The Clerk reported that following receipt of this complaint she had contacted NEDL, and they have agreed to remove any that the Parish Council specifies. The Clerk to carry out a risk assessment and write to NEDL to confirm.

2007.51.7 Complaint received about the erosion of the road at the junction of Cross Lane and Church Field Lane. The Clerk reported that she had referred this complaint to the Highways Authority, who have visited the area and confirm that there is nothing dangerous at present. Their suggestion that the grass triangle be removed was rejected.

2007.52 Reports from representatives.

2007.52.1 Village Hall Committee. Forthcoming events – Spring Festival on Sunday 29^th April and Village Hall 21^st Birthday Party on Saturday 23^rd June – both to be given publicity in the Newsletter.

2007.52.2 Youth Forum. A DVD afternoon is being held on 24^th March.

2007.52.3 Police Liaison Group. At the recent AGM complaints were made about the new set-up of Neighbourhood Policing, which is being reviewed.

2007.52.4 Yore Vision. No report.

2007.53 Matters for inclusion on the next Agenda included updates on the Crown Inn, Lyndlea (including queries over the boundaries) and the problem of litter in the village.

2007.54 Date and Time of next meeting. It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council would be held on Wednesday 18^th April 2007 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.50 p.m.