GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 17^th January 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

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

In Attendance: Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present were eleven members of the public.

2007.7 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Chris Lewis (HBC).

2006.135 Declarations of Interest.

2006.135.1 All Parish Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in the Village Hall.

2007.8 Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 3^rd January 2007 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

2007.9 Progress Reports.

2007.9.1 Basketball court (minute 2006.176.2 refers). The Clerk reported that all the fencing was now in place, and that the new goalpost/net would be installed within the next week.

2007.9.2 New Playing Field (minute 2006.176.4 refers). The Clerk reported that she had contacted Harrogate Borough Council’s Chief Planner (Forward Planning) and had been advised that it is too late to amend the Preferred Options Plan in the Local Development Framework. However, new options can be put forward in the next round of consultations which will be taking place in March/April.

2007.9.3 Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 176.1 refers). Again, no response had been received from North Yorkshire County Council and it was agreed that Cllr John Savage should be contacted about this.

2007.9.4 Planning Appeal at Lyndlea, Branton Lane (minute 2006.177.1 refers). Cllr Rampling reported that he attended the Appeal hearing, during which there was a site visit. No decision following that hearing has been notified by Harrogate Borough Council.

2007.9.5 The Crown Inn (minute 2006.144.3 refers). The Clerk reported that she had again been in contact with the owners of the property, who said that they were currently dealing with the insurer’s loss adjusters regarding the extensive damage to the property. She had been assured repeatedly that there was no intention to do anything other than renovate and reopen the pub, and had also been informed that potential pub tenants have been shown round the property.

2007.9.6 Village Design Statement (minute 2006.176.3 refers). Cllr Paterson reported that he had taken advice from Harrogate Borough Council regarding the strict criteria that the Design Statement must meet if it is to be used by HBC in reaching planning decisions. A meeting of volunteers will be arranged in the near future to start work on the project.

2007.10 Planning decisions notified by Harrogate Borough Council.

2007.10.1 4 Branton Lane, Great Ouseburn. Formation of vehicular access and creation of hardstanding. Granted subject to conditions.

2007.10.2 Oak Tree Cottage, Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of single storey side and rear extension, etc (revised scheme). Granted subject to conditions.

2007.10.3 Land Comprising OS Field nos. 0050 & 0029 Church Field Lane, Great Ouseburn. Appeals against refusals to grant planning permission dated 17^th January 2006 and 10^th April 2006. Dismissed.

2007.11 Planning applications.

2007.11.1 Land at Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of 3 terraced dwellings for affordable housing (revised scheme). The Parish Council objected to this proposal on the grounds that the entrance to the site is hazardous, and also that the lack of any proposal to deal with the displaced parking problem will cause traffic hazards. In addition, the proposed design was felt to be out of keeping with other properties in the area.

2007.11.2 St Imoges, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Outline permission for the erection of 1 detached dwelling with access, layout and landscaping considered and the removal of 1 Monkey Puzzle tree, 3 Birch trees and 1 Oak tree within the Great Ouseburn Conservation Area.

Cllr Girdham declared a prejudicial interest in this matter and left the meeting.

After some discussion, it was agreed that the Parish Council would neither object to nor support the application, but would seek safeguards regarding the potential parking and access problems (there is only one parking space provided) and also make comments regarding the visual impact the development would have. There were no objections to the removal of trees.

Cllr Girdham rejoined the meeting.

2007.11.3 Bay Horse Cottage, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Erection of first floor side extension.
No objections.

2007.11.4 Ousebank Farm, Boroughbridge Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two storey side extension (revised scheme).

Cllr Kay declared a prejudicial interest in this matter and left the meeting.

The Parish Council had no objections.

Cllr Kay rejoined the meeting.

2007.12 Questions from Councillors. The current status of the proposed alteration to the bridle path at Branton was requested – a full report to be made to the next meeting.

2007.13 Reports from the Clerk.

2007.13.1 Sign at Branton Close. The street sign had broken away and this had been reported to the Highways Authority for repair.

2007.14 Dog Fouling at Playing Field. Complaints about dog fouling on the playing field were considered, and it was agreed that the Clerk should contact Harrogate Borough Council’s Dog Warden service to designate the playing field under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environments Act.

2007.15 Millennium Seat. The poor condition of the seat was noted and it was agreed that as repairs in the region of £200 were required to the softwood seat, which would need repeating in another few years, it would be more cost-effective to replace the seat with one made of hardwood. Quotes to be presented to the next meeting.

2007.16 Skip Outside Vine House. Complaints about this skip were noted, and as the property owner was present, he was invited to comment. He informed members that it was not possible to locate a skip on his driveway, but that he had now changed skip companies and hoped the problems would not reoccur. He was thanked for his understanding and help in this matter.

2007.17 Piper’s Lane Pond. It was agreed that the Clerk should report to the next meeting on exactly what obligations the Parish Council has under Health & Safety legislation.

2007.18 Condition of Roads at Branton Green. It was noted that more holes had appeared in the last week, and the previous repair had been washed away. The Highways Authority to be contacted.

2007.19 Children’s Playground Annual Inspection. The inspection report was noted and it was agreed that the equipment manufacturers should be contacted to carry out any necessary repairs.

2007.20 Use of Commuted Sums. The balance outstanding in the commuted sums fund to be spent before the end of the financial year was noted and it was agreed that quotes for new children’s moveable goals should be presented to the next meeting.

2007.21 Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April 2006 – 16^th January 2007. The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments were approved (copy appended to the minutes).
P24/06 HBC – playground inspection £58.75
P25/06 Clerk’s salary and admin expenses £650.48
P26/06 Timpson – sign £60.00

2007.22 Correspondence received.

2007.22.1 NYCC – Highways Act 1980 Section 31(6) – Allerton Park Estate. To be circulated.

2007.22.2 Harrogate Borough Council – Overview & Scrutiny Annual Report 2005/6. To be circulated.

2007.22.3 Harrogate Borough Council – Strategic Plan 2005-8 ‘Realising the Potential’. To be circulated.

2007.22.4 NYCC ‘Let’s Talk Less Rubbish’ – incl. consideration of the Allerton Park Quarry site for further development. The same response as for the previous consultation.

2007.22.5 Asda – request for new sites. To be circulated.

2007.23 Reports from representatives.

2007.23.1 Village Hall Committee. A coffee morning will be held on 20^th January. There was no further news about the grant application for the improvements.

2007.23.2 Youth Forum. Numbers are increasing.

2007.23.3 Police Liaison Group. Crime figures in the area are low.

2007.23.4 Yore Vision. The mobile cinema is now available for bookings.

2007.24 Date and Time of next meeting. It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council would be held on Wednesday 21^st February 2007 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.00 p.m.