GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 21^st June 2006 at 7.50 p.m.
in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

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

In Attendance: Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present were 9 members of the public.

2006.94 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Rachel Kay and Chris Lewis (HBC).

2006.95 Declarations of Interest.

2006.95.1 All Parish Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in the Village Hall.

2006.96 Minutes of the previous meetings held on Wednesday 17^th May 2006 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

2006.97 Co-Option of New Councillor. The Clerk confirmed that as the Returning Officer had not received requests from ten electors for an election to take place, the casual vacancy could be filled by co-option. Two suitably qualified people, Mr G Potter and Mr L Paterson, had asked to be considered and therefore the matter would be decided by ballot. The Chairman asked each person to speak briefly to the meeting, following which members were balloted and Mr Paterson was elected. The Chairman thanked Mr Potter for his interest. Mr Paterson signed the Declaration of Acceptance and was welcomed as a new member.

2006.98 Progress Reports.

2006.98.1 Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 2006.80.1 refers). No further progress on this matter. The Clerk to push NYCC for a response.

2006.98.2 Basketball court (minute 2006.80.2 refers). The Clerk confirmed that the planning application had been submitted. The Chairman reported that he had had a meeting with the cricket club, and it was agreed that the end should be left open so that the sightscreen could be moved onto the court during cricket matches. A sign to be erected advising that for H&S reasons, basketball must not be played while cricket matches are in progress. A decision on the request that golf should also be prohibited to be deferred to a later meeting.

2006.98.3 Accent Housing Development at Carrside Road (minute 2006.80.3 refers). No further progress reported.

2006.99 Planning applications dealt with between meetings. It was noted that the following application was considered under the provisions of Council Standing Order No 32(c):

2006.99.1 Hillcrest, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two-storey side extension (amended plans). No objections.

2006.100 Planning applications.

2006.100.1 Dent House, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Felling of one birch tree T3 under Tree Preservation Order 55/2004. The Parish Council responded with Option C, seeking safeguards that a replacement tree is planted as a condition of the permission.

2006.101 Harrogate Borough Council – Site Options for New Homes and Businesses up to 2021. The Council considered a consultation document from Harrogate Borough Council regarding the Housing and Employment Allocations development plan, including deciding where the development limit should be drawn around Great Ouseburn and Branton and what land in and around Great Ouseburn has potential to provide for new homes and businesses.

2006.101.1 For Great Ouseburn. The current building line was explained by the Chairman, and it was agreed that there was one anomaly, namely that one allotment was within the building line. This to be drawn to the attention of Harrogate Borough Council. Apart from that, the building line was acceptable.
At this point, Cllr Robinson declared a prejudicial interest and left the meeting.

The proposed 0.9 hectare land availability site on Branton Lane was not considered suitable for development, for several reasons: the site is visually important with an associated avenue of trees to the entrance to the village, it gives a visually important open aspect adjacent to the village green, there would be problems with access to and from the site, and there would be serious problems with drainage as the land already floods for much of the year.
Cllr Robinson rejoined the meeting.

It was agreed that a more suitable site exists behind the affordable housing on Branton Lane, where an access road is already in place, and this site to be drawn to the attention of Harrogate Borough Council.

2006.101.2 For Branton. Cllrs Burton and Rampling declared personal interests in this discussion.
There is currently no building line, and it was agreed that such a line should be drawn and its boundaries were agreed. It was agreed that no site options for new homes in Branton should be put forward, and the option in the consultation document should be removed as there would be problems with access and flooding on the site, in addition to the impact any development would have on the badger sett known to exist on the land.
Because of the flooding issue highlighted in the discussion, it was resolved to contact the landowner to ask that the pond be dug out and cleared.

2006.102 Sanctuary Housing. The local connection criteria for an applicant under the lettings policy were verified, and it was resolved to delegate future verifications to the Clerk, in full consultation with all members.

2006.103 New Bus Shelter. Cllr Rampling advised members that Miss Raspin has offered to make a very generous donation towards the cost of the new bus shelter in memory of her late father. The Clerk advised that North Yorkshire County Council had paid the £4,000 grant into the Parish Council’s bank account. The preliminary designs were examined, and it was agreed that now that funding was in place, the project should be put out to tender. The Clerk to contact suitable suppliers, and it was also agreed that a notice should be placed asking for any suggested suppliers. The Clerk confirmed that this would not have to be referred to the Secretary of State (because it is on a village green) but that standard planning permission would be needed.

2006.104 New Playing Field. It was agreed that the need for a new amenity area, possibly next to Branton Court, should be mentioned to Harrogate in the response to the consultation at 2006.101 above. It was also agreed that the Council should consider what other options are available for a new area of playing field at the next meeting.

2006.105 Bridleway at Brown Lane. It was noted that following discussions with the landowner, an agreement had been reached that the bridleway could be diverted to run along the hedge side. The Chairman to contact North Yorkshire County Council regarding this.

2006.106 Guest Speakers. A list of suggestions for speakers at future Parish Council meetings was drawn up, and it was agreed that ideally there should be a speaker at every second or third meeting. Speakers to include: defra, Dunsforth Carrs Wildlife Trust, and representatives from Harrogate Borough Council to talk on affordable housing and landscape architecture. The new Neighbourhood Police Officer to be invited to the July meeting.

2006.107 Speeding in Branton. The level of speeding in Branton was considered and it was agreed that the police should be asked to use a speed camera in the area.

At this point Cllr Burton left the meeting.

2006.108 Proposed extension of footpath from Low Moor Lane, Dunsforth. A proposal from Dunsforth Parish Meeting to extend the footpath from the end of Gale Gate along Low Moor Lane and the riverbank was considered, and it was agreed that the Chairman should arrange a meeting with Dunsforth Parish Meeting to take the idea further.

2006.109 The Crown Inn. The Clerk reported local concerns regarding the current temporary closure of the pub, and it was agreed that the Parish Council should contact the owners to ask them about their future plans for the pub, and to impress upon them the importance of the pub to the life of the village.

2006.110 Piper’s Lane Pond. It was resolved to form a working party to clear and maintain the pond, Cllr Rampling to arrange.

2006.111 Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April 2006 – 20^th June 2006. The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments were approved (copy appended to the minutes):
P6/06 York & North Yorks PFA £ 12.50
P7/08 HBC – planning app fee £ 67.50
P8/08 Clerk’s salary & expenses £ 650.16
P9/08 CPRE – membership fee £ 25.00

2006.112 Correspondence received.

2006.112.1 Harrogate Borough Council – spring bulbs offer. It was noted that the Parish Council will receive approx. 300 daffodil bulbs free of charge in October, on the proviso that they are planted within the community and not in private gardens. The Clerk to arrange collection.

2006.112.2 NYCC – Rural Safety Schemes 2006/7 funding allocations. The Scheme has allocated the requested £2,000 funding for rumble strips for the village.

2006.112.3 Harrogate Borough Council – Civic Service Sunday 9^th July. The Chairman confirmed he would be attending.

2006.112.4 NYCC – North Yorkshire Waste Local Plan – notice of adoption. This was adopted in May 2006 – details are available on the website.

2006.112.5 NYCC – boundary wall. The Clerk confirmed that a letter had been received stating that the wall would be mended, and it had in fact been mended in the past week or so.

2006.112.6 Harrogate Borough Council – invitation to a site visit to the affordable housing scheme at
3 Horseshoes, Bridge Street, Boroughbridge. Members wishing to make a visit to inform the Clerk.

2006.113 Reports from representatives.

2006.113.1 Village Hall Committee. The new bookings clerk is Keith Scott. The World Cup matches are being screened in the Village Hall – this has proved very successful so far.

2006.113.2 Youth Forum. The forum continues to be well supported.

2006.113.3 Police Liaison Group. No report.

2006.114 Matters for inclusion on the next Agenda. Road repairs and repairs to the footpath to Pipers Lane; and refuse collection, in particular the street bins.

2006.115 Date and Time of next meeting. It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council would be held on Wednesday 19^th July at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.