GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 21^st September 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, Mrs R Kay
and Mrs R Girdham.

In Attendance: Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present were 4 members of the public.

1. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Paul Thompson.

2. Declarations of Interest. All Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in items relating to the Village Hall.

3. Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 20^th July 2005 having previously been circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

4. Progress Reports.

4.1. Land purchase off Lightmire Lane (minute 3.5/06/05 refers). The Chairman informed members that another bidder had offered a sum considerably higher than the figure proposed by the Parish Council, and that the land had therefore been sold. He advised that there was now a possibility of leasing some land adjacent to the playing field, and that this would be brought before the Parish Council for discussion at a later date.

4.2. Basketball court – progress on funding (minute 4.2/07/05 refers). The application for funding from Biffawards is being worked on, and it was agreed that Cllr Kay would organise the three quotes required for the tarmac. It was also agreed that ‘short tennis’ could be included as an activity on the same court. The Clerk to send an Expression of Interest form to the new Rural Target Fund. It was noted that netting/fencing might be required around the court.

At this point the meeting was adjourned for a talk by Police Constable Neil Waite, the local Neighbourhood Police Officer, who had been delayed. He gave a brief outline of his role in the local police force, and of the most common problems he encounters. He stressed the need to work with communities in tackling and preventing crime. After some questions from the public, he was thanked for his attendance, and it was agreed that he would be notified of all future Parish Council meetings.

4.3. Bus Shelter (minute 4.3/07/05 refers). Members were advised of an initial quote obtained from Lappsett, together with a proposed design for a structure over the Millennium Stone. It was agreed that the Youth Club and other local young people should be involved in this project, as it originated from their petition, and it was agreed that the Chairman should attend the next Youth Club meeting to get some feedback on designs for the project.

4.4. Registration of Village Green (minute 4.4/07/05 refers). The Clerk informed members that North Yorkshire County Council were now progressing this matter, and asking when the areas of land became village greens by virtue of the use of the land by local residents. It was confirmed that the land had not been fenced off in living memory – the Clerk to report further at the next meeting.

4.5. Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 4.5/07/05 refers). The Clerk informed members that sadly this item had not progressed any further and that she would continue to press NYCC to deal with the matter.

4.6. Registration of land with the Land Registry (minute 8.3/07/05 refers). The Clerk reported that after a meeting with Mr Lionel Stout of Fitzgerald-Harts, she had obtained an estimate of the cost of legal work to register the various pieces of land. The advice from Mr Stout was that it would be a sensible idea to register the land as it would ensure ownership was established for the future. It was agreed to allow for this project in next year’s budget calculations.

4.7. Position of gate and driveway at Avenue House (minute 8.5.2/07/05 refers). Harrogate Borough Council confirm that the gateway is permitted development, but that permission will be required from NYCC to cross the verge if a vehicular access is to be formed.

4.8. New Children’s Roundabout (minute 10/07/05 refers). The Clerk confirmed that the order had been placed and the roundabout would be installed in October.

4.9. Village Hall car park (minute 13/07/05 refers). No further progress reported.

4.10. Broken water main on Church Field Lane (minute 19.2/07/05 refers). The leak had been mended but it was agreed that the Clerk should contact Yorkshire Water/NYCC as the drain is broken and will again cause problems unless it is dealt with.

4.11. Vehicle activated sign and road markings (minute 19.3/07/05 refers). The VAS and 30mph signs are in place, and although partially obscured by trees appear to be working satisfactorily. The Clerk to check whether the VAS can be moved in future, and to make enquiries about installing another sign at the other end of the village.

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

5.1. Erection of 1 detached dwelling with new vehicular access (revised scheme). Hillcrest, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. The Parish Council did not object to or support the application, but made comments about the levels on the site, the boundary wall with Field Head and the parking.

5.2. Erection of two-storey rear extension to replace existing extension and erection of rear conservatory (revised). Church Hill, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. No objections.

5.3. Addition of 3 catslide windows to rear elevation. Brignall, Seggans Road, Great Ouseburn. The Parish Council did not object to or support the application, but commented that the dormer type proposed was not in keeping with others in Great Ouseburn, and sought safeguards over the colours used.

5.4. Listed building app for erection of two-storey rear extension to replace existing extension, etc. Church Hill, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. No objections.

5.5. Lawful Development Certificate – existing. The Pastures, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. The Parish Council had no comments to make.

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

6.1. 15 Church Field Lane, Great Ouseburn. Conversion and extension to part of garage. Granted subject to conditions.

6.2. Longfield House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two dormer windows. Granted subject to conditions.

6.3. Prospect Farm House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Listed building application for installation of 1 sash window to south elevation. Granted subject to conditions.

6.4. Walnut Farm, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Erection of detached replacement barn & double garage and formation of new vehicular access. Granted subject to conditions.

6.5. Avenue House, Branton Lane, Great Ouseburn. Erection of replacement detached garage/stable block. Granted subject to conditions.

6.6. Lyn Garth, Branton Green, Great Ouseburn. Erection of extension to raise roof height over part of existing storage building. Refused.

6.7. 6 Townend Court, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two-storey side extension. Granted subject to conditions.

6.8. Abeokuta, Branton Green, Great Ouseburn. Erection of single storey front extension. Granted subject to conditions.

6.9. Prospect Farm House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Listed Building app for erection of 1 detached dwelling including alterations to existing garden wall (revised scheme). Withdrawn.

6.10. Prospect Farm House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Erection of 1 detached dwelling including removal of 1 Leylandii and 1 apple tree (revised scheme). Withdrawn.

6.11. Ousemead, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Demolition of outbuildings and erection of single storey rear extension. Granted subject to conditions.

6.12. 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. Granted subject to conditions.

6.13. Church Hill Cottage, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Listed building consent, as above. Granted subject to conditions.

6.14. Moor Farm, Moor Lane, Great Ouseburn. Change of use of part of general-purpose building for parking of skips and skip wagon. Granted subject to conditions.

6.15. 6 Springfield Rise, Great Ouseburn. Erection of detached double garage. Granted subject to conditions.

6.16. Ousemead, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Conservation Area application for the demolition of outbuildings. Granted subject to conditions.

6.17. Car Park & Freelanding at Aldwark Bridge. Formation of platform with access ramp and steps to riverbank. Granted subject to conditions.

7. Questions from Councillors. Cllr Burton requested that the matter of the pending planning application for Lyndlea, Branton Court, be put on the next agenda.

8. Reports from the Clerk.

8.1. External Audit. The external audit of FY2004/5 had been approved and was displayed on the notice boards in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003.

8.2. Refuse Collection Service. The Clerk reported that she had written to Harrogate Borough Council regarding the emptying of litterbins, and had not received a reply. It was noted that the bins at the Village Hall are still not being emptied every week, and that the scorebox bin needs a new metal liner.

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

8.3.1. Longfield House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. New stables not being built in accordance with the approved plans. The Enforcement Officer at the planning department visited the site on 5^th September and reported that the internal blockwork is not in breach of the plans. The double glazed window units have been installed to provide a greater degree of security and are not contrary to the terms of the planning permission.

8.3.2. Felling of two trees at the village school. No reply had yet been received on this matter.

9. Parish Council Records. It was agreed that the old minute books and other documents of historical interest in the possession of the Parish Council should be placed in North Yorkshire County Council’s archives. The next edition of the newsletter to state that anyone wishing to inspect the documents before they are archived could arrange to do so up to the end of November.

10. Footpath to Village Green. Cllr Rampling proposed that the Parish Council consider the creation of a new section of pavement from Branton Lane to the Village Hall, as at present pedestrians have to use the road if the grass area is unsuitable for any reason. It was agreed that the Clerk should make enquiries of NYCC/Highways re the feasibility and funding of such a scheme.

11. Trees on Branton Lane and Church Field Lane. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact NYCC to arrange that the trees are pruned.

12. Neighbourhood Watch Sign. It was agreed that a new Neighbourhood Watch sign should be purchased at a cost of £35.

13. Gang Mowers. Maintenance costs of approximately £450 for the mowers were agreed.

14. Playground Inspection. It was agreed to book the 2006 annual inspection from Harrogate Borough Council at a cost of £45.50.

15. Budget for 2006/7. It was agreed that a draft budget should be included in the agenda for the next meeting, so that proposals for major projects for inclusion in the budget for expenditure could be considered, prior to the budget being finalised at the November Parish Council meeting.

16. Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April 2005 – 20^th September 2005. The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments therein were approved (copy appended to the minutes):
P17/05 HBC – grasscutting £127.02
P19/05 Mazars audit fee £141.00
P20/05 HBC – grasscutting £127.02
P21/05 Clerk’s salary and expenses £673.92
P22/05 NYPA £ 35.00

17. Correspondence received.

17.1. Training for Parish Clerks and Chairs – Harrogate Borough Council, Wednesday 28^th September. As they had both previously attended this session, neither the Clerk nor the Chairman would be attending.

17.2. Code of Conduct Training for Parish Councillors – Harrogate Borough Council, Thursday 20^th October. It was noted that attendance at this meeting would be taken into account should any complaint against a member arise in future. Cllrs Kay, Rampling and Burton to attend, together with the Clerk.

17.3. Awards for All presentations – Harrogate Borough Council. It was agreed that no representative would attend.

17.4. Meet the Funder – Harrogate Borough Council, Wednesday 26^th October. Details of this were noted for those interested.

17.5. National Lottery Day – Saturday 5^th November. Cllr Kay to pass details of this event to the Village Hall Committee.

17.6. Boroughbridge and District Community Partnership/Boroughbridge Town Team merger – Harrogate Borough Council. The Chairman advised members that the merger had still not finally taken place.

17.7. Hambleton District Council – Local Development Framework Policies. To be circulated.

17.8. Fire & Rescue Authority – Consultation on Integrated Risk Management Draft Action Plan. To be circulated.

17.9. Campaign for Sustainable Communities Bill – request for support. To be circulated.

17.10. Complaint about the blocking of the footpath across the playing field. It was noted that the new fencing had now had a gap put in it so that the footpath was no longer blocked. The Chairman noted that a dog flap and gate had been put in place on the footpath across from Dunsforth to Branton.

18. Reports from representatives.

18.1. Village Hall Committee. Cllr Kay reported that the car boot sale raised over £400, and the coffee morning raised over £100. There would be a 70’s Dance on 8^th October. She also reported that the windows had been painted.

18.2. Youth Forum. No report.

18.3. Police Liaison Group. No report.

19. Matters for inclusion on the next Agenda.

19.1. Pruning of trees on Branton Lane.

19.2. Basketball court fencing.

19.3. Vehicle Activated Sign for the Little Ouseburn end of Main Street.

19.4. Maintenance of playing field – approval of cost of spraying.

20. Date and Time of next meeting. It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 19^th October 2005 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

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