Minutes of a meeting of Strensall & Towthorpe Parish Council held on Tuesday, 11th March 2008 in the Village Hall Strensall

 

Agenda Item 1 – Attendance: Parish Councillors: P. Jesse, P. Hogg, Miss E. Blacklee, J. Scott, K. Marquis, P. Coverdale, R. Plant, Mrs. J. Smith. D. Baxter and A. Swales.

 

Agenda Item 2 – Apologies for absence – Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillors I. Cuthbertson, C. Dunn, J Ord.

 

The Chairman reported on the resignation of Parish Councillor Ben Baldwin on 3rd March 2008.   This was due to Military commitments and it was agreed that the Chairman would write to Ben Baldwin, thanking him for his contribution to the work of the Parish Council and wishing him well for the future.

 

Agenda Item  3 – To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12th February 2008 -  The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12th February 2008, having previously been circulated, were considered.   Cllr Scott reported that the word ‘leased’ on page 7 item 4 Sports Association – line should be ‘lease’   (some copies had the wording correct and Cllr Marquis agreed to check the entry on the website.   Cllr Hogg said that the word ‘that’ should be added to the item Hoxne Farm page 6 – line 7 – to read ‘ the meeting expressed that there was concern and disapproval at the length of time that information on Enforcement Action was forthcoming’.    On the proposition of Cllr Marquis, seconded by Cllr Plant, 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 12th February 2008 - none

 

 

Agenda Item 5 – Police Report – Cllr Smith reported that she was concerned at the lack of communication between herself as the Parish Council Police Liaison Officer and the Police.   She had tried to contact the local Police Team without success.   Following this an email had been sent to Sgt. Donna Musgrove expressing her concerns.   Cllr Jesse agreed to speak to Sgt Musgrove about the Parish Council concerns.

 

The monthly report from Jennifer Stanley had arrived too late for distribution for this meeting, but would be distributed with these minutes.   Cllr Jesse reported on the second Action Group Meeting with the Police held on 3rd March 2008 and the notes would be distributed with these minutes.   Various actions were already in place, i.e.  1) Youth – the school had registered its intention to look at the possibility of providing youth facilities at the Robert Wilkinson Primary School and a presentation was to be put to the School Governors. 2) The fencing at Durlston Drive would be erected this month and Cllr Jesse agreed to contact Martin Shepherd to request that his contact carry out the work of clearing out the underneath of the old fencing.   Cllr Jesse reported that Martin Shepherd had received a quote of £350.00 for carrying out this work and this was be paid for out of the fence funding provided by the Ward Committee.   3) The application for the alcohol restriction zone was progressing well.   No resident had objected and another advertisement would be placed in The Press confirming the ban.   The cost of the advertisements would be in the region of £800-£900.00 and it was possible that this would be funded by the Safer York Partnership.

 

Cllr Marquis reported that he had spoken to PC Alex Dobson on 3rd March regarding the damage to the bridge on the new footpath in Lords Moor Lane and it appeared that the Neighbourhood Team knew nothing about this damage yet Cllr Plant reported that he had had PCSO Scott to see him about this damage on 2nd March.

 

Agenda Item 6 – Councillors Reports:

 

Highways – In the event of Ben Baldwin’s resignation Cllr Marquis agreed to take on the Highways item again.   Cllr Marquis agreed to take up the following points again with Highways.  

1) Flooding at West End and the corner of Towthorpe Moor Lane and Strensall Road. 

                                                                                                           

2) the flooding on Sheriff Hutton Road just beyond the cemetery.   It was noted that an article had been in today’s edition of The Press regarding the closure of Flaxton Road (Lords Moor Lane to Common Road) on the 17th to 19th March.

 

Village Traffic Study – Cllr Hogg reported that a survey was being carried out by City of York Council regarding the request for a pedestrian crossing the junction of Sheriff Hutton Road with The Village.

 

Street Lights – Cllr Marquis’s report had been issued with the Agenda and was accepted.   There was nothing to add to the report.

 

Play Equipment – Cllr Scott reported that Playdale had now carried out all the necessary repairs at a cost of £2,130.88 + VAT.   Darren Baxter had done part of the cushion fall at Kirklands and treated the weeds at Northfields.   The rest of the cushion fall would be in place before Easter.   The cost of this work would be £400.00.   Darren Baxter had also attended to some of the trees on Northfields but the large beech tree in the corner of Northfields was to be inspected by City of York Council also the large Chestnut tree on the corner of Northfields. 

 

Environment Committee – Cllr Scott reported on the response from City of York Council regarding flooding which was apparently affecting Oak Tree Close.   It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the resident concerned.   With regard to the Emergency Plan Cllr Scott reported that a profile/risk assessment had been drawn up with a list of contacts.   City of York Council was now looking at this and the Parish Council would progress from there.   With regard to The Tannery it was reported that fencing had been erected again round the buildings and City of York Council were arranging a meeting with the Police to inspect the area.

 

Open Spaces – Cllr Marquis reported that he had a meeting tomorrow morning with Bob Missin, The Countryside Officer, to inspect the trees on Lords Moor Lane and request his opinion on what needed to be done to tidy the area up generally.   Flaxton Road had been cut by the contractor appointed last year to do the work but this would not be charged for due to the confusion regarding the cutting of this stretch of highway in 2007.    More damage had been done to the marker posts.  Cllr Marquis reported that Angus Young, York Pride, had now informed him that there were no fund available to clean up the area between the houses and the tennis courts at Durlston Drive and Darren Baxter would be asked to carry out this work.   The re-siting of the dog bins at Pasture Close and Durlston Drive was ongoing.   Nothing further on the allotments, although City of York Council had been informed that the Northfields allotments were owned by Ryedale Housing Association and the Parish Council administered them.

 

Youth – Cllr Jesse reported that the proposed Youth Club project at the Robert Wilkinson School would be become clearer in May following the School Governor’s meeting.   Cllr Coverdale asked whether the money in the Trust Fund for Youth could be used to help provide equipment should this project get approval.

 

Bus Shelters – Cllr Swales said he was not aware of any problems at this time.   Cllr Smith reported that the timetable casing had been taken off the Middlecroft Drive bus shelter.   Cllr Swales said he would contact First York and ask them to refix it.  

 

Cemetery – Cllr Coverdale reported on a request from a resident to place a memorial seat in the cemetery along with a tree in the cemetery and one just outside the cemetery, all at his own cost.   It was thought that the seat would be acceptable, but the matter of the trees would be fully considered by the Cemetery Committee who would meet on Monday 17th March 2008 to go through the Rules & Regulations and Charges and report back to the next full Parish Council meeting with any proposed changes.   The Committee would also look at the Banking arrangements for the cemetery account to see if a more suitable arrangement was available, and one which would encourage interest on the account.

 

York Pride – Cllr Jesse reported that the Ward Liaison Meeting had been rearranged from 26th to 18th March at 4.30p.m.

 

Sports Association – Cllr Jesse reported that an EGM was to be held at the Village Hall on Thursday 20th March 2008 it was felt that Tracey Dixon must speak to John Greenway about this.   Cllr Scott agreed to help Tracey Dixon with publicising the meeting in The Press.

 

War Memorial – Cllr Baxter reported that everything was satisfactory at the moment.   Cllr Plant agreed to contact the War Memorials Trust regarding preserving the inscriptions on the stone.  

 

YLCA – Cllr Jesse said there was nothing to report.

 

Agenda Item 7 – Finance

 

 

General Account:                                            Code                           inc VAT                    Ex VAT

 

Expenditure:

S. Walker – salary)                                          100                              £372.45                       £372.45

S. Walker – salary arrears (2 months)*           100                              £16.90                         £16.90

S. Walker – holiday pay 2007/08*                  100                              £464.13                       £464.13

P. Jesse – expenses                                          104                              £12.00                         £12.00

City of York Council – lease                          111                              £10.00                         £10.00

Darren Baxter – open space areas                   306                              £150.00                       £150.00

K.Marquis – website expenses                        102                              £48.72                         £41.46

 

Income:

 

City of York Council – (Strensall Ward Committee Grants) £16,200.00 - £2,000.00 War Memorial; £300.00 – verge cutting; £13,900.00 – fencing at Durlston Drive.

 

HMCE – VAT refund claim for 2006/07 - £1,064.11

 

Cemetery Account:

 

Expenditure:

 

Yorkshire Water                                                                               £7.55               £7.55

 

Income:

 

£20.00

 

* The above accounts had been calculated by Cllr Marquis following underpayment since the pay award agreed.

 

On the proposition of Cllr Coverdale, seconded by Cllr Smith it was unanimously agreed that the above accounts be paid.

 

Cllr Marquis reported that further accounts relating to the financial year ending 31st March 2008 were expected and it was unanimously agreed that these accounts be paid before the next meeting if they were received before 31st March 2008, i.e. in time to be included in this years accounts.

 

Cllr Marquis reported that a transfer of funds had taken place in order to meet expected expenditure up to 31st March 2008.

 

Cllr Marquis reported that YLCA had informed Parish Council’s that audit papers should be received, from Mazar’s, by 24th March 2008, unless the relevant Parish Council were to have a full audit in which case the relevant papers should already have been received.   To date this Parish Council had not received any audit papers for the year ending 31st March 2008.

 

Double Taxation – Cllr Marquis reported on the situation relating to Double Taxation and reported that he had prepared claims for the year ending 31st March 2007 and 31st March 2008.   Cllr Marquis reported that he had had a meeting with Mr. Harland about Double Taxation and the proposed claims and Mr. Harland was happy with the proposed actions.   The claims had to be sent in by 31st March 2008.

 

Cllr Marquis that Double Taxation was a learning curve for everyone at the moment, but he held that in future years detailed precepts may be required to avoid including items on the precept and then claiming them on Double Taxation.

 

Agenda Item 8 – Planning – To receive and approve the report of the Planning Committee held on 26th February 2008 and 11th March 2008

           

Planning Meeting 26th February 2008

 

Councillor Hogg gave the following report:

 

1.         Attendance: Parish Councillors P. Hogg (Chairman), P. Jesse, K. Marquis, R. Plant, Miss E. Blacklee and D. Baxter

 

2.         Apologies: P. Coverdale, I. Cuthbertson.

3.         Declarations of Interests: None

 

4.         Planning Applications:

 

a) 11 Church Lane, Strensall – Two storey side extension, single storey rear extension - The Parish Council objects to this application on the grounds set out below:-

 

1) This property is in a Conservation Area.

 

            2) The loss of garage space is unacceptable.   Church Lane already suffers from serious parking and property access problems.   

 

            3) The proposed cycle store should be a full size garage.

 

 

5.         Decision Notices received from City of York Council:

            Ref:                    Location                                           CYC Dec.       PC Rec:

            07/02932/FUL       Windrush, Lords Moor Lane       Refuse             n/objections

 

6.         Any other business:

            Planning updates as available:

 

Planning Meeting 11th March 2008

 

Councilor Hogg gave the following report:

 

1.         Attendance: Parish Councilors P. Hogg (Chairman), P. Jesse, Miss E. Blacklee, J. Scott, K.Marquis, P. Coverdale and D. Baxter

 

2.         Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councilors R. Plant, I. Cuthbertson, J. Ord.

 

3.         Declarations of Interests: None:

 

4.         Planning Applications:

 

                        a)         08/00313/FUL – Manor Farm, Towthorpe Road, Haxby –

                        Proposed new vehicular access – the Parish Council objects on the following grounds:-

           

                        1.         The property is in a Conservation Area.

 

                        2.         This application contravenes Policy HE3 – Conservation Area – of the City of York Local Plan.

 

                        3.         This property is adjacent to the Green Belt.

 

4.         This property already has a farm entrance which has been in existence for many years and has been suitable for agricultural machinery use. This access is still suitable for this purpose.

 

5.         Some of the buildings on this site have already been demolished at the side of the farmhouse and an earth mound has been formed. No application has been received for demolition of buildings in a Conservation Area.

 

6.         Some of the boundary hedges have already been removed. This changes the appearance and character of the Conservation Area.

 

                        7.         We understand that the moat is listed as an ancient monument and the site of the moat has been disturbed.

 

8.         We would refer you to an enforcement action for a neighbouring property which started with the removal of a hedge and is now the subject of enforcement action.

 

9.         The Parish Council would wish to see an application incorporating details of the whole development plans for this site.

 

10.       All neighbours must be consulted.   However, we are aware that there are strong objections to this application from some of the neighbours who have lived in the area for many years and who have enjoyed the status of living in the Towthorpe Conservation Area, and their views must be taken into account.

 

11.       for the above reasons for Parish Council objects strongly to this application and requests that the application be considered and decision taken by the East Area Sub Planning Committee.

                                                                                                                       

            b)         08/00174/FUL - Golden Grove Cottage, Sheriff Hutton Road –

Two storey detached dwelling after demolition of existing dwelling.   The Parish Council has no objections to this application but wish the TPO Officer to inspect the site.

 

            c)         08/00485/TCA – The Poplars, Princess Road – Crown lift and thin 20% Copper Beech in the Conservation Area.   The Parish Council                                has no objections to this application and leaves the decision to the TPO Officer.

           

           

5.         Decision Notices received from City of York Council:

            Ref:                    Location                               CYC Dec.       PC Rec:

            NONE

 

6.         Any other business:

            Planning updates as available:

 

The Firs – In view of the apparent conflicts and lack of information from City of York Council regarding the recent construction of an additional dropped kerb access it was agreed that a letter should go to the Chief Executive of City of York Council, expressing the Parish Council’s concern and also including the Parish Council’s concerns in general with other outstanding enforcements actions.   With regard to The Firs, City of York Council were now looking at the lease to see if there is a breach of the lease conditions.

 

A copy of the Planning Inspectors decision notice regarding Dairy Cottage had now been received which confirmed that his decision was to refuse planning permission.

 

Affordable Housing – Cllr Hogg reported that an email had been received from Carolyn Vaughan, who had confirmed that if a need for affordable housing in Strensall was proven, then City of York Council would go ahead with this, with or without the approval of the Parish Council, despite assurances that the Parish Council’s views and concerns would be supported.

 

Agenda Item 9 – Involvement with Robert Wilkinson School – Cllr Jesse said there was nothing to add to earlier discussions.   (see Youth report)

 

 

Agenda Item 10 – Publicity – Website – The Newsletter had been distributed with the March Outreach and the website was satisfactory at the moment.

 

 

Agenda Item 11 – Chair/Clerk/Councillor Training – Nothing yet.

 

Agenda Item 12 – To consider correspondence received

 

Consumer Council for Water – The Clerk reported on that a meeting was to take place on Thursday 13th March 2008.

 

Cllr Jesse reported that he had been approached by Tesco’s manager regarding a fund raising weekend over Easter.  Tesco had asked for proposal for any nominated causes in the Village.   It was felt that the Sports Association and the Strensall Medical Patients Fund would be two good causes for Tesco to support.

 

PAM – Cllr Jesse reported that Richard Ludlow – Headteacher Robert Wilkinson Primary School had agreed to speak at the PAM and also to host the meeting.   Tracey Dixon had also agreed to speak at the PAM about the Sports Association.   Cllr Jesse agreed to contact Richard Ludlow regarding hosting the evening and it was also agreed that Julie Harland should be approached to provide notices again.

 

                                                                          ---o0o---

 

Date and time of next meeting – Tuesday 8th April,  2008 at 7.00p.m. in the Village Hall, Strensall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                    Signed……………………………………………….

 

                                    Chairman

 

                                    Dated