Minutes of a meeting of Strensall & Towthorpe Parish Council held on
Tuesday 12th February 2008 in the Village Hall, Strensall
Agenda Item 1 Attendance: Parish Councillors P. Jesse (Chairman), K. Marquis,
R. Plant, Miss. E. Blacklee, J. Scott, P. Coverdale, D. Baxter, B. Baldwin, I.
Cuthbertson, Mrs. J. Smith, J. Ord and A. Swales.
Also in attendance
were Ward Councillor Mrs. M. Kirk and 3 members of the Sports Association (Mrs.
T. Dixon, M. Shepherd and A. Wincup).
Agenda Item 2 Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from
Parish Councillors P. Hogg and C. Dunn.
Agenda Item
3 To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8th
January 2008 The minutes
of the Parish Council meeting held on 8th January 2008, having
previously been circulated, were considered.
On the proposition of Cllr Plant, seconded by Cllr Marquis, it was
unanimously agreed that the minutes be approved and signed by the Chairman as a
true record of that meeting.
Agenda item 4 Matters Arising from minutes of
8th January 2008
None
With the full approval
of the meeting, Cllr Jesse proposed that the Sports Association item listed
under Councillors Reports be taken at this point in the meeting.
Sports Association Cllr Jesse opened the discussion by welcoming
the Sports Association members to the meeting.
He said it was the intention to get all sports on board and the Parish
Council need to officially write to the Sports Association calling them to
account for allowing the building and area to fall into disrepair and
requesting them to resolve the situation, hopefully with Football and Tennis Clubs to be
part of the recovery plan or the alternative was to loose the facilities. We therefore need to meet with the Sports
Association and clubs to clarify the above.
The next step would be for the Sports Association to organise an AGM
with a wide audience to draw on fresh people to join the Sports Association. City of York Council have provided funding
for the security fencing and are also prepared to make a grant for a condition
survey of the building to assess the cost of repairs.
We have a lease with
the Sports Association and these leases between the Trustees, City of
Tracey Dixon then gave
a resume of the options: 1) do nothing; 2) wind up and start again; 3) wind up
and finish; 4) do something else. Legal
guidance was needed and hopefully put more structural plans and meetings are to
take place with the Football and Tennis Clubs.
What is intended to do is to change the image and try to renegotiate
relationships, not resurrect the old association but to do something
reborn. It was time for a change and
they were looking for a solid platform to launch into the future. What the Sports Association wants from the
Parish Council is to draw a line, forget the past and look forward to the
future. They would be looking for help
from the Parish Council from time to time.
There were legalities involved and there was only one Trustee of the
Sports Association left (John Greenway MP) who has said he will resign as an MP
at the next election and does not wish to be a Trustee after that. City of
Ward Cllr Mrs. Kirk
said she felt that everything had been covered but she felt that this area was
not large enough for a sports facility and land swaps had been considered. However this was not possible. She said the Parish Council should consider
how residents would accept an increase in the precept to help the Sports
Association. Money was invested already
by Sport England but potential funding from the Football Foundation would not
be forthcoming until the building was secured.
The Ward Committee had
invested £10,000 for the fencing, £2,500 for the start of 2008/09 being funding
for the survey of the building. Cllr
Baxter asked about the extra land from Shepherds but this had not been forthcoming
and it was not likely to be in the foreseeable future and Cllr Kirk confirmed
that City of
Cllr Jesse said there
had been a proposal that the underlease is severed in
principle depending on negotiations to take place and to consider Strensall and
Towthorpe Parish Council precept to cover possible future costs. Cllr Baldwin asked whether the youngsters of
the Parish would be worse off. Cllr
Marquis said the youngsters would be better off because City of
Cllr Jesse informed
the meeting that Martin Shepherd had confirmed that work on the fence was due
to start in approx 3 weeks time.
Cllr Jesse said that
the discussion on this subject was now closed and that members of the Sports
Association could leave if they wished.
Agenda Item 5 Police Report Cllr. Jesse referred to the Police Report,
issued with the Agenda. Cllr Smith
commented on her report which had been issued with the Agenda. She mentioned that requests had been made to
have the snicket alongside Church Farm closed. This was met with some concerns as this had
been used by school children and residents for many years and long before the
school moved from
Agenda Item 6 Councillors Reports:
Highways Cllr.
Baldwin reported that City of
Cllr Baldwin informed
the Parish Council that he would be away on duty with the Army from August 2008
for twelve months.
Village Traffic Study
In the absence of Cllr Hogg there was no report.
Street Lights Cllr.
Marquis reported that he had now received drawings from City of
Play Equipment Cllr Scott reported that the
report from Playdale had now been received and the
total repairs had been quoted at £2,130.88p.
On the proposition of Cllr Scott, seconded by Cllr Plant it was agreed
that this quotation be accepted. Cllr
Scott agreed to contact Playdale and request that
they put the work in hand as soon as possible.
Action: Cllr Scott
Environment Committee
Cllr. Scott reported that the committee were gathering information for the
proposed Emergency Parish Plan. When
the relevant information had been gathered they would call in the professional
from City of
Cllr Swales reported
on the litter problem outside the Barley Rise shops area and he was advised to
telephone York Pride, 551551.
Cllr Jesse and Cllr
Marquis reported on a recent parliamentary select committee meeting of DEFRA
regarding flooding. The official report
of the meeting was due later in the year and thanks were expressed to Cllr
Jesse and Cllr Marquis for all their work in producing the Parish Councils
evidence on flooding.
The Press Notice
regarding the alcohol ban in Strensall and Towthorpe had recently appeared in
the Evening Press and residents had up to the 29th February 2008 to
respond. It was hoped that this ban
would be put in place before the change to British Summer Time in March. Cllr Jesse reported that the cost of the
Press Notice had now doubled, and this did not include any signage that would
be necessary following the implementation of the ban.
With regard to Bone
Dyke it was noted that work was to be carried out by the FIDB at the rear of
properties in The Village.
Open Spaces Cllr.
Marquis reported that the grass cutting contracts had been issued as agreed
last month and no further action was required.
However Cllr Marquis was to speak to Geoff Aitken
with regard to grass cutting at the
Youth Cllr. Jesse
reported that a meeting, driven by the Police, had been postponed and
rearranged for Monday 3rd March 2008. There was nothing further from
Bus Shelters Cllr
Swales reported that the two bus shelters at Strensall Camp had now been
repaired and asked that the account be paid.
The Clerk reported that this account would be presented for payment
under the Agenda Item Finance as with all other accounts. Cllr Marquis was to sort out the matter of
the MOD contributing towards the cost of the repairs of the bus shelters at the
camp. With regard to the recent request for the removal of the bus shelter
outside No 25 York Road, Cllr Swales had been to see the resident
concerned. He reported that the house
was now empty, but he had spoken to other residents who had signed the petition
to get the bus shelter removed and they were now quite happy for the bus
shelter to remain where it is.
Cemetery Cllr Coverdale
said there was nothing to report. Cllr
Jesse reported on a recent request for the interment of ashes.
Sports Association
See above
War Memorial A
retrospective Ward Committee Grant application had been completed.
YLCA Cllr Jesse reported
on a recent meeting at YLCA and referred to the Parish Charter, which had been
in existence for 4 years but the Parish Council had only just received this.
Comments sent to YLCA by Feb 15th.
Agenda Item 7 Finance
Expenditure
General Account: Code inc
VAT Ex VAT
City of
City of
Darren Baxter - Open space 306 £150.00 £150.00
PRT Developments bus
shelter repairs 406 £570.00 £570.00
Staples office
stationery 102 £68.98 £58.71
Income: NIL
Cemetery Account:
Expenditure NIL
Income: £290.00
On the proposition of
Cllr Marquis, seconded by Cllr Plant it was agreed that the above accounts be
paid. The cheque for PRT Developments was given to Cllr Swales
Cllr Marquis reported
that he had carried out the three monthly checks on the accounts and subject to
a few minor errors recording the accounts were satisfactory.
Cllr Marquis reported
that a letter from the Audit Commission had been received regarding the future
of Parish Council audits. Following
discussions with the Clerk and Mr. Harland Cllr Marquis said he did not see any
reason for change as the present system had worked quite well and we have a
good relationship with Mazars. On the proposition of Cllr Plant, seconded
by Cllr Marquis it was unanimously agreed that we stay with the present arrangements,
which will be ongoing for the next 5 years.
Cllr Marquis reported
on the revised arrangements regarding Double Taxation and this would be
discussed at a Finance Meeting to be arranged shortly.
Cllr Marquis also
reported on the renewal arrangements for the website. This would cost £6.56 to renew the Domain
Name for two years and £42.16 for a Hosting package for one year and Cllr
Marquis was given authority to proceed with this arrangement.
Agenda Item 8 Planning To receive and
approve the report of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday 22nd
January 2008 and 12th February 2008
22nd
January 2008 -
Agenda Item 1 -
Present: Parish Councillors:
R. Plant (Chairman), K. Marquis, J. Scott, P. Jesse and D. Baxter.
Agenda Item 2 -
Apologies: Apologies for
absence were received from Parish Councillors P. Coverdale and Miss E.
Blacklee.
Agenda Item 3
Declarations of Interests:
None
Agenda Item 4
Planning Applications
a) 07/02932/FUL Windrush,
b) 07/00047/FUL 16 Middlecroft
Grove, Strensall The Parish Council object to this application as follows:- the plan of the house confirms to the advice given by the
Planning Control Officer. However we
think that it is an attempt to fill an inadequate plot with a residence which
is out of keeping with the remainder of the houses in that section of Middlecroft Grove. We therefore object to it and point out
that it fills the potential of the garden which is being divided up and there
is very little remaining between it and the properties perimeter fences on
either side. We also feel that the
nearness of the drive between poses a hazard to other traffic especially to the
many vehicles which visit the Telephone Exchange. Any car driven onto this drive must back out
and we feel that the owners will be tempted to leave their car parked on the
road constituting a further hazard. The
views of all neighbours are also of paramount importance including those at the
other side of the site.
Agenda Item 5
Decision Notices received from City of
Date Location CYC Dec. PC Rec
07/02633/FUL Helmsdale
07/02510/FUL
Agenda Item 6 Any
other business:
Planning updates as
available
The Firs,
Hoxne Farm,
There was no further
information on the Enforcement Action regarding OS Field 2000,
The meeting expressed
there was concern and disapproval at the length of time that information on
Enforcement Action was forthcoming. There
were a number of outstanding Enforcement Actions, some of which had been
ongoing for a long time and it was agreed that the Parish Council should write
to Michael Slater at City of
Outstanding
Enforcement Actions were:
Grange
Farm Towthorpe.
Beith Acre, Towthorpe.
OS Field 2000,
The Firs,
Hoxne Farm,
Cllr Jesse reported
on the following other matters for reporting or discussion
1. The railings at Barley Rise were now in
position.
2. The Parish Council letter from Mora
Scaife outlining the procedure from now on regarding Double Taxation. It appears that YLCA understand that
Strensall is not on the latest list of Parish Councils Double Taxations
application.
3. Parish Charter This had been sent to
Parish Councils as it appears that Strensall and Towthorpe need to respond to
YLCA by 18th February. Action: Cllr Jesse.
4. Discussion with David Morton of YLCA regarding
the situation with the Sports Association.
Cllr Jesse reported that he wanted copies of all leases to check on the
legal situation regarding City of
Planning Meeting 12th
February 2008
1. Attendance:
2. Apologies:
Parish Cllr P. Hogg
3. Declarations of Interests: Cllr Plant
& Cllr Marquis declared an interest in the planning application for
Strensall Youth Centre, should there be any further discussions on the planning
approval.
4. Planning
Applications:
a) 08/00158/FUL
28 West End erection of 4 No detached two storey dwellings after demolition
of existing outbuildings and erection of detached garage for no 28 West End
(resubmission)
The Parish Council object to this application for the following reasons:
Extra traffic generated by the development will exit onto the narrow West End
road which is already very busy as well as being congested with parked vehicles.
West End is the main thoroughfare for access to Robert Wilkinson Primary school
(only a few yards from the proposed development) and this is
a route taken daily by some five hundred children arriving either by car or on
foot. The new site access would cut across the footpath used by children
arriving on foot and is therefore potentially dangerous. The entrance to the
site (between two houses) appears to be too narrow for safe two-way car access
and there is no footpath for the new residents to reach their properties. Car
parking on either side of the exit route will also exacerbate the problem.
An engineer's report with the application says effluent will have to be pumped
into the public sewer in
The Parish
Council however remains concerned about the drainage and sewage in this area which
is already overloaded. The PC believes this scheme is over-development of the
area.
The development is in a conservation area. Permitting this building work would
set a precedent possibly leading to further 'back land' development on adjacent
land. The proposed 'open end' of the access road makes this even more likely.
Neighbours must be consulted.
5. Decision
Notices received from City of
Ref: Location CYC Dec. PC Rec:
07/02734/FUL 9 Littlethorpe
Close Approve No objections
07/02757/FUL 32
Middlecroft Drive Approve No/objections
07/02769/FUL 10
Oak Tree Close Approve No/objections
07/02821/TPO 16 Heath Ride Part approval/part refusal TPO to be consulted
07/02699/FUL 82
Barley Rise Refuse Object
07/02765/FUL Strensall
Youth Centre Approve Object
6. Any
other business:
Planning
updates as available:
The Clerk reported on Enforcement
Updates as received from Alan Kendall, Enforcement Officer, City
of
Strensall Youth Centre The Planning
Officer, Emma Militis had now left City of
Cllr Jesse reported on a meeting he had
attended with Rev Harrison and others to see what action should be taken
regarding this planning approval and was asked to enquire as to whether the
Parish Council could help with any possible legal costs. Cllr Cuthbertson said help may be available
through the Section 137 arrangements but this must be checked out first.
OS Field 2000 An enforcement notice was
served that required removal of everything from the site. The Notice was due to come into force on 18th
January, but Alan Kendall is aware that an Appeal has been submitted and
confirmation was awaited. If the appeal
is validated by the Inspector the Notice will not come into effect until the
appeal has been decided.
Dairy Cottage The Planning appeal was
dismissed in December. The occupier has
been required to remove the garage which he has agreed to do. Ward Cllr Mrs. Kirk said it was her
understanding that this was not the case.
The Firs, Lords Moor Lane the site has been
visited and the matter is currently under consideration.
Hoxne Farm The site has been visited,
where it was observed that works had been carried out to an access and culverting of the roadside ditch. The occupiers were advised that planning
permission was required for the engineering works to fill the pond, and advised
to cease work until the question of planning permission has been resolved. Further investigation has shown that there
was no previously existing access.
Further investigation is required in this case.
Agenda Item 9 Involvement with
Agenda Item 10 Publicity Website A draft of the March Newsletter
had been distributed with the Agenda.
This was approved. Thanks to
Cllr Jesse, Cllr Plant and Cllr Marquis.
Cllr Plant agreed to draft a note for Outreach regarding litter and dog
fouling.
Agenda Item 11 Chair/Clerk/Councillor Training Nothing to report
Agenda Item 12 To consider
correspondence received
The Clerk
reported on a letter received from City of
Cllr
Jesse reported on a letter from Janet Hopton
regarding the Design Awards 2008. It
was agreed that the two recently constructed footpaths, i.e.
PAM
Cllr Marquis said some thought should be given to the PAM to be held on 12th
May 2008. Cllr Jesse was to see if it
would be possible to have this meeting at the
---o0o---
Date and
time of next meeting
Signed
.
Chairman
Dated
There were 4 crimes recorded for the village in January. 1 theft of an iron gate, 2 crimes relating to threats and 1 crime relating to theft of golf balls.
Other matters
PCSO Lee Beard has now left the team to
join
Next mobile police office dates:-
Fri 22nd Feb 08
Strensall
Village 1830 hrs x 2100 hrs
Barley Rise Strensall 1830 hrs x 2100 hrs