GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 15^th November 2006 at 7.30 p.m.
in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

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

In Attendance: Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present were four members of the public.

Before the meeting started, there was a short talk on ‘affordable housing’ from Ms K Prajapati of Harrogate Borough Council. She explained the Borough Council’s policies on the creation and allocation of affordable housing and the local planning implications that those policies create. After her talk Ms Prajapati answered questions from councillors and members of the public.

2006.173 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr R Kay and Cllr J Burton. Cllr Chris Lewis (HBC) also presented her apologies.

2006.174 Declarations of Interest. All Parish Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in the Village Hall.

2006.175 Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 18^th October 2006 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

2006.176 Progress Reports were received as follows:

2006.176.1 Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 2006.161.1 refers). The Chairman reported that the promised response from North Yorkshire County Council had not yet been received, but that the Parish Council had been assured of a response within the next few weeks.

2006.176.2 Basketball court (minute 2006.161.2 refers). The Clerk advised members that this project was nearing completion.

2006.176.3 Village Design Statement (minute 2006.161.3 refers). Cllr Paterson informed members that he had been conducting further research, and expected to hold the first public meeting in the next few weeks. He had received offers of help from several local residents, and was investigating ways of getting other groups such as the school involved.

2006.176.4 New Playing Field (minute 2006.164 refers). The Chairman reported that he understood that the landowners were discussing the planning application with Harrogate Borough Council. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Harrogate to confirm which part of the field was being included in the plans (it should cover the whole field).

2006.176.5 Footpath along verge on Boat Lane, and use of Aldwark footbridge (minute 2006.161.8 refers). The Chairman advised members that the Highways Department had told him that there would be no objections to the verge being cut, and that he had asked Nick Wilson to quote for the extra cutting. The ‘grips’ cut into the verge might make walking along it a little difficult, and the Clerk agreed to contact the owners of the land next to Boat Lane to ask if they would be willing to allow walkers access along the 2m strip on the inside of the hedge.

2006.177 Planning decisions notified by Harrogate Borough Council. The following decisions were notified by the Borough Council:

2006.177.1 Lyndlea, Branton Lane. Appeal Hearing at 10am.on 4^th January 2007.

2006.178 Planning applications.

2006.178.1 Oak Tree Cottage (formerly Wayside). Erection of single storey side and rear extension with additional living accommodation in the roof space, bay window to front, detached double garage formation of new access and extension to domestic curtilage (revised scheme). The Parish Council responded with Option C, making comments about the introduction of a bay window into the property and the appearance of the windows.

2006.178.2 North Yorkshire County Council Minerals and Waste Development Proposals. The Chairman outlined the various proposals regarding the Allerton Park Quarry, and it was agreed that objections should be made to site reference W5, the proposed landfill site off Moor Lane, and to site reference M7, the proposed area for future quarrying activity.
The main concerns were that these sites are virgin farmland and woodland, some of it very ancient, criss-crossed by bridleways and footpaths. The area is valued for its amenity to local walkers and riders alike, and the Parish Council considered that this proposal would be detrimental to the landscape character and general amenity of the locality. The proposals state that the site would be screened from the A1, but it would not be screened from Moor Lane. There were also concerns that these proposals would cause a pollution risk to the water in the boreholes. They state that the surface water will drain to the east – i.e. to Ousegill Beck and ultimately to the River Ouse itself. It is noticeable that in recent years Ousegill Beck has become much more silted up with sand, which is probably being washed down from existing quarrying activity at the Allerton Park site. There were no objections to reference M6, save the same comment regarding water outflow ending up in Ousegill Beck.

2006.179 Questions from Councillors. Cllr Rampling asked whether the footpath in front of Lyndlea could be cleared as it is becoming difficult to walk past – the Clerk to contact the relevant authority and report back.

2006.180 Reports from the Clerk.

2006.180.1 Skip outside Vine House (minute 2006.171 refers). This has now been removed.

2006.180.2 Yorkshire Water – drains (minute 2006.171 refers). There have been two incidents in the last twelve months of the sewage flooding onto the allotments on Well Lane. The Clerk reported that she had now obtained the name of the Field Engineer and would be contacting him to discuss the problem.

2006.180.3 Concrete dumped and damage to entrance to the Free Landing. This incident occurred when a ready-mixed concrete lorry tried to turn round before Aldwark Bridge. The haulage company has assured the Clerk that the area will be cleared up within the next week or so.

2006.180.4 Flytipping. A mattress has been cleared from Cross Lane, but more car tyres have appeared.

2006.181 Bus Shelter. The various designs and quotations were considered and it was agreed that the quotation from Dutch Woodcrafts should be accepted for this project.

2006.182 Trees on Church Field Lane. It was noted that complaints have been received about the overhanging branches, and it was agreed that the Highways Authority should be contacted with a view to trimming the branches back.

2006.183 The Local Government White Paper ‘Strong and Prosperous Communities’. The publication of the new White Paper was noted, particularly the introduction of a new, broader, ‘power of well-being’ to replace S137 for Quality Parish Councils. Following a discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should make further enquiries about the concept of ‘clustering’ with other Parish Councils as part of the objective to obtain Quality Parish Council status.

2006.184 Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April 2006 – 14^th November 2006. The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payment was approved (copy appended to the minutes). The slightly increased costs for work done at the basketball court were also approved (to be paid as soon as the invoice is presented).
P22/06 HBC - grasscutting £65.41

2006.185 Parish Precept 2006/7. The budget proposals for the precept to be demanded for 2006/7 were considered, and it was agreed that an overall increase of 5% should be demanded. This will cover general increases in costs, a possible increase in grasscutting costs (Boat Lane), and a £100 annual reserve to be set aside for maintenance at Pipers Lane Pond. The Chairman pointed out that since there were more properties in the Parish, the increase per household would not be as great.

2006.186 Correspondence received.

2006.186.1 Harrogate Borough Council – Vacancy on Standards Sub-Committee. Noted.

2006.186.2 Harrogate Borough Council – Air Quality Assessment Report 2007. To be circulated.

2006.186.3 Harrogate Borough Council – review of Open Spaces and Village Halls. To be completed by the Clerk.

2006.186.4 Harrogate Borough Council – the Role of Parish Councils, Ward Members and MPs in the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005 – to be circulated.

2006.186.5 Countryside Alliance – campaign to save local Post Offices – to be given publicity in the next Newsletter.

2006.187 Reports from representatives.

2006.187.1 Village Hall Committee. The Barn Dance on 25^th November would be the next major event.

2006.187.2 Youth Forum. Numbers are increasing, and members are going on an adventure weekend soon. Preparations for the over-60’s party are going well.

2006.187.3 Police Liaison Group. No report (next meeting in December).

2006.187.4 Yore Vision. A grant has been approved for a mobile cinema. The footpaths group is looking at a circular walk along the river. There are also proposals for a country park around the Devil’s Arrows site in Boroughbridge, and for a training centre in Boroughbridge.

2006.188 Date and Time of next meeting. It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council would be held on Wednesday 17^th January 2007 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.