GREAT OUSEBURN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 20^th September 2006 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 and Mr M Rampling.

In Attendance: Mrs Z Hopps.

Also present was one member of the public.

2006.141 Apologies for absence. None received.

2006.142 Declarations of Interest. All Parish Councillors, as Trustees of the Village Hall, declared a personal interest in the Village Hall.

2006.143 Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 30^th August 2006 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

2006.144 Progress Reports.

2006.144.1 Basketball court (minute 2006.119.1 refers). The Clerk reported that the court was due to be dug out and laid in the first week of October. The equipment had been ordered and it was agreed that it could be delivered to Cllr Rampling.

2006.144.2 Adoption of Moor Lane (minute 2006.119.2 refers). The Clerk reported that North Yorkshire County Council had finally replied to her letter of 16^th January. They quoted the provisions of section 67 of the new Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 and concluded that they do not believe there is a legal requirement to add Moor Lane to the list of streets maintained by the County Council.
The Chairman advised members that this new legislation had been brought in to prevent green lanes from being used by motor vehicles (particularly off-road vehicles) and stated his belief that this very delayed reply from NYCC still did not address the central issue, which was that the road has been and still is liable to be maintained at public expense. After some discussion it was agreed that a meeting should be arranged with both NYCC and the Highways Authority, in order to finally resolve the issue.

2006.144.3 The Crown Inn (minute 2006.125 refers). The Clerk advised members of the most recent update she had received from Criterion Asset Management. Apparently Yorkshire Taverns Limited have now gone into liquidation and Criterion are hopeful of regaining possession from the liquidators in the near future. The people living in the property have been issued with eviction notices. It is hoped that the pub will be trading again before Christmas.

2006.144.4 Trees on Branton Avenue (minute 2006.133.2 refers). The basal growths have now been trimmed by Harrogate Borough Council. An update on the ten-year plan will be given at the next meeting.

2006.144.5 Accent Housing Development at Carrside Road (minute 2006.139 refers). The planning application has been withdrawn because various reports were not available in time for the planning decision. The application will be resubmitted at a future date. It is understood that boreholes have been drilled during the course of survey work, so the issue of land contamination is obviously being looked at.

2006.144.6 Extension of footpath from Low Moor Lane, Dunsforth (minute 2006.119.5 refers). The Chairman advised that there was no further progress on this matter at present.

2006.144.7 New Playing Field (minute 2006.126 refers). The Clerk reported that she had been in contact with the owners of land near Carrside Road, and it was agreed that an informal meeting between the landowners and members of the Parish Council should take place to discuss various possibilities.

2006.145 Planning decisions notified by Harrogate Borough Council. The following decisions had been notified by the Borough Council:

2006.145.1 Land at Carrside Road, Great Ouseburn. Erection of 3 terraced dwellings for affordable housing. Withdrawn.

2006.145.2 Formation of extension to basketball court, Village Hall, Great Ouseburn. Granted subject to conditions.

2006.145.3 Hillcrest, Main Street, Great Ouseburn. Erection of two storey side and rear extensions. Granted subject to conditions.

2006.145.4 Low Farm, Grassgills, Great Ouseburn. Erection of all weather riding arena. Granted subject to conditions.

2006.145.5 5 Branton Close, Great Ouseburn. Resiting of oil tank. Refused.

2006.146 Reports from the Clerk.

2006.146.1 Flytipping on Cross Lane. Further items including a fridge and a mattress had been dumped on verges on Cross Land and removed by Harrogate Borough Council.

2006.147 Bus Shelter. It was agreed that the design from Dutch Woodcrafts was the most appealing. Further enquires to be made regarding the gazebo given to Richmond Town Council by the Rotary Club.

2006.148 Village Design Statement. Cllr Paterson presented a report on the kind of work involved in producing a Village Design Statement, and a rough timetable in order to get a Statement adopted by Harrogate Borough Council for 2008. It was agreed to form a working party, under the chairmanship of Cllr Paterson, to manage the project, reporting to the Parish Council meetings. ‘Help Wanted’ ads to go in the Post Office and the next issue of the Newsletter, and the outcome of further research on sources of grants to be presented to the next meeting.

2006.149 Ouseburn Youth Forum Older Persons Christmas Party. It was agreed that a grant of £250 be made (under s.137 of the LGA 1972) towards the cost of this event.

2006.150 Village Hall Upper Floor Extension. Members approved making a preliminary application for a Big Lottery Fund grant.

2006.151 Oak Tree Cottage (formerly Wayside). Members noted the opinion received from Messrs Lister Haigh stating that any potential uplift in value of the former allotment site would probably be minimal, and it was agreed that in view of this the Clerk should contact the owner to agree on a settlement.

2006.152 Parish Consultation Meeting 2006/7. It was noted that this year the meeting will be held on Wednesday 4^th October at Aldborough Village Hall, and it was agreed to table the following questions:

2006.152.1 Would Harrogate Borough Council consider offering brief training sessions on planning for Clerks and Councillors, along the lines of the training sessions already offered on other issues such as the Code of Conduct?

2006.152.2 The Parish Council would like to congratulate Harrogate Borough Council on the excellent online access to planning documentation.  What further developments are planned to extend the online service?

2006.153 Various Highway Matters. The following matters deferred to the next meeting:

2006.153.1 Moving the 30mph speed limit sign on Carr Side Road.

2006.153.2 New section of footpath near Village Hall.

2006.153.3 Quiet Lanes.

2006.153.4 Repairs to roadway at Branton.

2006.153.5 Dropped kerb onto Pipers Lane.

2006.153.6 Improvement of junction of B6265 and Broad Gate.

2006.154 Statement of accounts for the period 1^st April 2006 – 19^th September 2006. The statement of accounts for the current year and the following payments were approved (copy appended to the minutes):
P12/06 HBC - grasscutting (2 cuts) £130.83
P13/06 Allianz Cornhill Insurance £ 30.99
P14/06 HBC - grasscutting (2 cuts) £130.83
P15/06 Green-tech (ground maintenance) £192.70
P16/06 Sports-E-Quipment.Co.UK Limited £897.87
P17/06 Mazars (external audit) £293.75
P18/06 Clerk's salary and expenses - 2nd qtr £702.33

2006.155 Correspondence received.

2006.155.1 NYCC Employment Training Services – work opportunities for unemployed ex-offenders. Noted – to be kept on file.

2006.155.2 Harrogate Borough Council – questionnaire on budget 2007/8. Noted.

2006.155.3 Harrogate Borough Council – Claro Road/Kingsley Drive sports regeneration area action plan. To be circulated.

2006.155.4 Little Red Bus – Harrogate Car Share scheme. To be publicised in the Newsletter.

2006.155.5 Yore Vision – Conference on Youth Issues 12^th October. Noted.

2006.155.6 Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate – letter regarding events in the area. Noted.

2006.155.7 Harrogate Borough Council – Litterpicking. It was agreed to continue this for another year.

2006.156 Reports from representatives.

2006.156.1 Village Hall Committee. A new emergency phone line has now been installed in the kitchen, and the Village Hall now has a broadband connection. Bookings are increasing.

2006.156.2 Youth Forum. A new committee is in place, chaired by Graham Essex.
A representative to be invited to the next Parish Council meeting.

2006.156.3 Police Liaison Group. No report.

2006.157 Date and Time of next meeting. It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Council would be held on Wednesday 18^th October 2006 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, Great Ouseburn.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.00 p.m.