Minutes of a meeting of Strensall & Towthorpe Parish Council held on Tuesday 13TH May 2008 in the Village Hall, Strensall

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

1.         Attendance: Parish Councillors P. Jesse, K. Marquis, R. Plant, J. Scott. Miss E. Blacklee, D. Baxter, Mrs. J. Smith and J. Ord.

 

2.         Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillors A. Swales, I Cuthbertson and P. Coverdale.

 

3.         Election of Chairman: As the retiring Chairman Cllr. Jesse thanked all the Councillors and Clerk for their support over the last year.  Cllr. Scott asked Cllr Jesse if he would continue as Chairman for the next year and this was seconded by Cllr Plant.   However Cllr Plant did comment that more work should be taken off the Chairman and shared between the Councillors.   Cllr Jesse indicated that he was willing to take the Chairmanship for this year.   Cllr Plant proposed that Cllr Jesse continue as Chairman of this Council with more work being shared by the Councillors, seconded by Cllr Marquis and there being no other nominations it was unanimously agreed that Cllr Jesse be reinstated as Chairman of the Strensall and Towthorpe Parish Council for the next year.   Cllr Jesse thanked all the Councillors for their vote of support.

 

4.         Election of Vice Chairman: Cllr. Jesse proposed Cllr Marquis for the position of Vice-Chairman.   This was seconded by Cllr Baxter and there being no other nominations, it was agreed unanimously that Cllr Marquis be elected Vice Chairman for this year.   Cllr Marquis accepted this position.

 

5.         Election of Committees and Individual Responsibilities: The Committees and Individual Responsibilities were elected as per the attached schedule, which forms part of these minutes.

 

On behalf of the Councillors the Chairman made a presentation to the Clerk in recognition of 25 years service to the Parish Council.   The Clerk thanked all the Councillors, in particular Cllr Jesse, for his help and over the years he has been Chairman, Cllr Marquis for his support with finance, Cllr Plant for all his support over many years particularly during his time as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman of many of the Committees, Cllr Blacklee for her support as Chairman during a particularly difficult time and Cllr Coverdale for his help with the Cemetery.

 

MONTHLY MEETING

 

 

Agenda Item 1 – Attendance: Parish Councillors P. Jesse (Chairman), K. Marquis (Vice Chairman), R. Plant, Miss. E. Blacklee, J. Scott, Mrs. J. Smith, D. Baxter and J. Ord

 

Also in attendance were: members of the public and PC Alex Dobson accompanied by a Special Constable.

 

Agenda Item 2 – Apologies for absence – Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillors A. Swales, I Cuthbertson and P. Coverdale.

 

Agenda Item  3 – To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8th April, 2008

 

The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 8th April 2008, having 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 April 2008

 

Vacancy – Towthorpe Parish – The public were asked to leave the meeting whilst this agenda item was dealt with.   Cllr Jesse explained the position regarding this vacancy.   Two applications had been received and both applications were read to the meeting.  The meeting voted unanimously to co-opt Mr. Ian Smith onto the Towthorpe Parish Council.   The unsuccessful applicant would be invited to apply for one of the other two outstanding vacancies if the Parish Council were in a position to co-opt.   The situation with the two outstanding vacancies would be confirmed by City of York Council around the 19th May 2008.

 

Agenda Item 5 – Police Report

 

PC Alex Dobson gave his apologies for not attending the PAM on 12th May 2008, this was due to an incident at Haxby.

PC Dobson requested an update on the proposed youth facility at Robert Wilkinson School and Cllr Jesse reported that the school, the Youth Service and Parish Council gave a presentation to the School Governors regarding the possibility of the school hosting a Youth Club. 

PC Dobson stated the Alcohol Ban is now in force and the Durlston Drive fence has been erected.   Network Rail have been approached to try and make their fence inaccessible.   P C Alex Dobson said the fence on  Durlston  Drive needed welding and the Sports Association needs the fence to be patrolled.   Martin Shepherd said the fence was not finished and he was to contact the contractor to request them to complete the fence and also get a price for some additional work at the corner of Woodleigh Close. 

The matter of anti climb paint was discussed and it was agreed to contact City of York Council about this.   P C Dobson said CCTV was not effective.   Cllr Jesse said technically this was the Parish Council’s fence at the moment.

PC Dobson said there was to be an action plan for Strensall with all partnerships working together. PC Dobson said there had been no reported incidents this month in the village regarding crime.    The Police had recently removed 9 tins of beer from youths on Northfields since the Alcohol Ban came into force.    PC Dobson said Inspector Richard Anderson had been replaced by an Inspector Iveson.

 

Sports Association Lease -   Cllr Jesse read a letter to the meeting from Philip Callow, City of York Council regarding the lease.   This letter is attached to and forms part of the minutes.   Cllr Scott said he was very nervous about the content and asked why City of York Council now want the Parish Council involved when they originally suggested the Parish Council not be involved.   Cllr Scott said the Sports Association had failed once and was it likely to fail again and what would happen if this was the case.   Cllr Marquis said it was his understanding that the lease for Durlston Drive includes land at Barley Rise.   Any new leases should be done legally and correctly.   Cllr Marquis fully supported what Cllr Scott said that the City of York Council were happy for the Parish Council to surrender the lease to allow the Sports association to deal directly with City of York Council and the Sports Association supported this.   There was an urgent need to speak to City of York Council again.   Cllr Plant asked whether City of York Council believes that under the present lease the Parish Council have responsibility for financing if the Sports Association fails.   Tracey Dixon said we are not discussing the success of the Sports Association, we are discussing the lease and the whole idea of the Parish Council as guarantors.   Cllr Ian Smith offered to sit on the Sports Association sub committee, with all his corporate experience he felt he could help them with this matter.   Cllr Marquis said that everyone should be made aware that the Parish Council is not a bottomless pit for financial commitments and that the only income is from the annual precept.   The Clerk said that the Parish Council should look at Section 137 of the Finance Act before making any commitments.   Cllr Plant said the Parish Council should and do support the Sports Association.   City of York Council should ensure that any discussions regarding the lease do not involve the property.   Guarantors mainly make sure that the Sports Association has the support it can offer. Cllr Marquis thanked Cllr Ian Smith for offering to sit on the Sports Association but felt he should have someone helping him who had full knowledge of the history of the Sports Association.  Tracey Dixon mentioned the potholes in the access road to the Sports Association.

It was agreed to ask Highways to quote for the repair and sort the account out later.

 

Agenda Item 6 – Councillors Reports:

 

Highways – Cllr Marquis’s report as issued with the agenda was approved.   Cllr Marquis reported that he had created a form regarding outstanding highway matters.   This was passed to Cllr Ord who agreed to keep this updated.   Cllr Marquis reported on emails from City of York Council regarding drainage problems which had been received the same day as the publication of the report by the Select Committee Meeting on flooding. 

 

Village Traffic Study – Nothing to report

 

Street Lights – Cllr Marquis’s report as issued with the agenda was approved.

 

Play Equipment – Cllr Scott reported that Playdale were to inspect the new support poles for the swings on Northfields this week.   All other play equipment was satisfactory at this time.

 

Environment Committee – Cllr Scott reported that due to holidays etc the Committee had not yet met to look at the Emergency Plan.

 

Open Spaces – Cllr Jesse reported that the dog bin at Durlston Drive has now been moved and the dog bin at Pasture Close was to be moved shortly.   Ms. Nelson was advised to telephone York Pride (551551) regarding the emptying of dog bins on MOD land.

 

Cllr Jesse reported that three contractors had been asked to give a quotation for remedial work on the Beech Tree at Northfields.   One had declined to quote and the other two quotations were considered.   After some discussion it was agreed to accept the quotation from Viking Landscapes for £450.00 to take the tree down, remove all debris and grind out the stump.

 

Village Signs flowerboxes are now being planted, thanks to Cllr & Mrs. Marquis.   Cllr Marquis had ordered the hanging baskets and City of York Council had agreed to pay for these.   Cllr Marquis had also ordered 4 half barrel planters for York Road and it was hoped to expand on this in future years.   On the proposition of Cllr Plant, seconded by Cllr Jesse this action was approved.

 

Youth – Youth Services were to hold a bar-b-que on Northfields this Friday.   Cllr Jesse reported that the Robert Wilkinson School Governors were to hold a meeting to consider the working party’s investigations into providing youth facilities at the school.

 

Hurst Hall – Ms Nelson gave a report on youth services at Hurst Hall where 25 youth were attending the youth club each night.   Activities were based on what the youth wanted to do rather than what the youth workers wanted the youth to do.   After some discussion Ms Nelson agreed to providing the Parish Council with an assessment of what equipment was needed so that the Parish Council could consider helping financially.

 

Bus Shelters – Nothing to report.   Cllr Marquis reported that efforts were being made regarding obtaining the promised donation, from Defence Estates, towards to the repair of the bus shelters on Strensall Road.

 

Cemetery – Nothing to report at the moment.

 

York Pride – Nothing to add to the report.

 

Sports Association – See above (Police Report)

 

War Memorial – Cllr Plant said he had written to a Monumental Mason regarding the lettering on the War Memorial and was awaiting a reply.

 

YLCA –  Training for Councillors was available in the Harrogate and Craven Areas.  

 

Agenda Item 7 – Finance

                                                            Code                                      inc VAT                    Ex VAT

General Account:

Expenditure:

S. Walker Clerk’s salary                              100                             £372.45                      £372.45

S. Walker office accommodation exps*   102                             £200.00                      £200.00

K. Marquis                                                     102                                 £8.10                          £8.10

YLCA                                                             201                             £620.00                      £620.00

Darren Baxter                                               306                             £550.00                      £550.00

M. Harland                                                    s/a                               £293.75                      £250.00

York Vale fencing**                                     s/a                             £12,793.41                £10,888.00

 

* This was for the year ended 31st March 2008

 

**It was agreed that this account should be held over until the work was completed satisfactorily and to specification.

 

Income:

                         City of York Council – first half precept

           

Cemetery Account:

Expenditure:                                    £100.00 – clerks expenses – year ended 31st March 2008

 

Income: NIL

 

On the proposition of Cllr Marquis seconded by Cllr Plant it was agreed that the above accounts be paid

 

Double Taxation - Cllr Marquis reported that he was awaiting further information from City of York Council.

 

Cllr Marquis and the Clerk had spoken to Mr Charles Harland and he was satisfied with the way the year end accounts have been progressed.

 

Staples – For the second time Staples had said they had not received the Parish Council’s cheque on this occasion for an account of £68.98 due in March.   A new cheque had been issued and it had been agreed with Staples future accounts could be paid by Direct Debit. Cllr Marquis proposed that this action be approved, this was seconded by Cllr Plant and all agreed.

 

Agenda Item 8 – Planning – To receive and approve the report of the Planning Committee held on

22nd April 2008 and 13th May 2008

 

22nd April 2008 –

 

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

 

2.         Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillors R. Plant, I. Cuthbertson and P. Coverdale.

 

3.         Declarations of Interests: None

 

4.         Planning Applications:

 

            a)         08/00752/FUL – 3 Wood Close – single storey pitched roof extension to front. - no objections providing neighbours are consulted.

 

            b)         08/00798/FUL – 3 Brunswick Close – Two storey pitched roof side extension. - no objections providing neighbours are consulted.

 

5.         Decision Notices received from City of York Council:

 

            Ref:                    Location                              CYC Dec.      PC Rec:

            None – however it was noted that the applications for Manor Farm Towthorpe had been approved.   (The official notices would be with the next Agenda)

 

6.         Any other business:

Cllr Jesse reported that he had been made aware that there was a planning application for 5 Northfields.    – 08/00794. The Clerk confirmed that we had received this (although it was too late for this meeting) and handed the application to Cllr Jesse.

 

            Planning updates as available:

 

Cllr Marquis reported on a notice erected at the end of Moray Close and on Walbutts Lane.   It was agreed to write to CYC to try and investigate the implications of this notice.

 

The Firs – Cllr Jesse reported on this matter and agreed to speak to Ian Strong at YLCA regarding             contravention of the Lease, and where the Parish council stood on this matter.

 

 

            13th May 2008

 

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

 

2.         Apologies: Apologies were received from Parish Councillors: I. Cuthbertson and P. Coverdale

 

3.         Declarations of Interests: None

 

4.         Planning Applications:

 

a)         08/00794/FUL – 5 Northfields – 2 no. conservatories and 2 no. garages to rear of 5 and 6 Northfields – The Parish Council had no objections providing neighbours are consulted.

However it should be pointed out that 5 and 6 Northfields are two separate dwellings and it was felt that there should be two separate applications. Also the Parish Council are aware there is outstanding civil action on the land behind the application site. The Planning Committee may feel that it would be premature to make a decision on this matter.

 

b)         08/00835/FUL – 3 Shelley Drive – Two storey pitched roof side extension after demolition of garage -  no objections but there are concerns at the loss of the garage.

            Neighbours must be consulted.

 

c)         09/00865/FUL – 48 West End – single storey pitched roof extension to front and two storey pitched roof extension to rear – The Parish Council do not object but point out that is difficult to decide on the building line for this settlement as the character of the houses are different.   The acceptability of building this porch as proposed should be decided by the North East Transport and Planning Committee as we are unable to determine the precise building line.   This property is in close proximity to the Conservation Area and neighbours must be consulted.

 

d)         08/01070/TCA – Manor Farm Towthorpe – Fell Apple tree in the Conservation Area – The Parish Council have no objections but this must be decided by City of York Council’s Tree Preservation Officer.   Neighbours must be consulted.

           

5.         Decision Notices received from City of York Council:

            Ref:                    Location                              CYC Dec.                  PC Rec:

            07/01848/FUL              Beith Acre Towthorpe                  Approve                     object

            08/00174/FUL              Golden Grove Cottage                 Approve                     No objections

            08/00485/TCA            The Poplars Princess Rd             Approve                     No objections

            08/00313/FUL       Manor Far Towthorpe             Approve                     Reservations

            08/00408/FUL       Manor Farm Towthorpe                      Approve                     Reservations

            08/00508/FUL       3 Fold Walk                              Approve                    No objections

 

6.         Any other business:

            Planning updates as available:

 

The Firs, Lords Moor Lane –  Cllr Marquis said the Parish Council cannot allow this situation to continue without taking any action.   However it was agreed to wait and see what legal advice was available to the Parish Council before taking this any further

 

Cllr Jesse reported on the matter of the notice on Whiteland at Tudor Way Strensall.   This would be taken up with the City of York Council’s Rights of Way Officer. (Item 6 of planning meeting of 22nd April refers)

 

The Tannery – Cllr Jesse reported on an email received from City of York Council, confirming that the site had been inspected this morning and the fence was secure.   However PC Dobson said that although the fence was in place this was not secure and should be taken up with City of York Council again.

 

St. Mary’s Church Hall – This had been inspected by City of York Council Health & Safety Department, who had referred the matter to Building Control and Enforcement.   Further information was awaited.

 

Local Development Framework – Following distribution of the document to all Councillors, Cllr Jesse was to co-ordinate the Parish Council’s response.

 

 

Agenda Item 9 – Involvement with Robert Wilkinson School: see above (Police Report and Youth)

 

 

Agenda Item 10 – Publicity – Website: Cllr Marquis expressed his disappointment at the number of residents attending the PAM meeting.   Cllr Plant also agreed to put this in Outreach. Cllr Marquis agreed to update the web site,

 

 

Agenda Item 11 – Chair/Clerk/Councilor Training: Nothing at the moment.

 

Agenda Item 12 – To consider correspondence received

 

Defence Estates – Conservation Meeting to be held on 21st May 2008

 

Royal Airforce – Civic Reception – 29th May 2008

 

A letter from Ms. J. Lake was referred to the Finance Committee for a decision.

 

 

 

                                    ---o0o---

 

 

Date and time of next meeting – 10TH June 2008 – Village Hall – 7.00p.m.

 

 

 

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

 

                                    Chairman

 

                                    Dated…………………………………………………

 

 

 

POLICE WARD REPORT APRIL 08

 

 

Haxby  / Wigginton

 

There were a total of 24 crimes in the area during April, 21 in Haxby and 3 in Wigginton. The team have remained focused on Anti Social Behaviour and linked crimes and the month saw a reduction of 43% in Criminal Damage compared to 2007. There have been pro active alcohol seizures by officers and a fine was issued for a public order offence on one of these occasions. Burglary was down 50% on the area compared to last year.

 

 

Strensall

 

There were a total of 18 crimes on the area, 2 of which were Stockton hall related incidents. Other crimes in the area were mixed. Overall,  crime was down 22% on the area throughout the month. The team have continued their focus on known individuals and hotspots and criminal damage was down 73% compared to the same period last year. Burglaries from buildings other than homes were also down by 75%.

The fence has been completed around Durlston Drive Sports Field and Railtrack have been contacted with a view to them improving the quality of their fencing in the area to maximise its impact. The designated no alcohol zone in Strensall has got a confirmed start date of 30th April. This date appeared in the press on 28th April and it is hoped that all signage will be up by the 30th to maximise awareness of the zone.

 

Earswick

 

There were again no incidents of note in Earswick during the month but the team continue to patrol the area regularly and the Mobile Police Office was deployed in Earswick during April for community consultation.

 

Stockton on forest

 

There was only 1 crime reported in the village during April by which a vehicle was broken in to for tools and a satellite navigation system . The team continues to patrol the area regularly and the Mobile Police Office was in the village during the month. There is also a Police Post Box in the Post Office where residents can air their concerns.

 

 

Rawcliffe / Clifton Without / Clifton Moor

 

There has been a great deal of work done by the team to target car crime in the area over recent months and to raise awareness of this issue with the public. This has been reflected during April with Autocrime down 58% compared to the same period last year.

Anti Social Behaviour continues to be a priority for the team and we are targeting known individuals and hotspot areas. Criminal Damage showed a reduction of  29% compared to 2007, but this will continue to be a priority with the team moving towards the Summer.

Theft from retail outlets at Clifton Moor continues to be an issue but high visibility patrols of the area and deployment of the Mobile Police Office have again had a positive impact this month.

 

Skelton –

 

There were 2 crimes reported in Skelton during April, one criminal damage and one arson. The damage was a broken window and arson was a barn that was set alight on the outskirts of the area. The team continue their regular patrols of  Skelton when on duty.

 

Other matters

 

Please be aware that this month we have changed our crime and incident recording computer software and can no longer use the system we used to compile these reports. This means there may be a gap for the next month or so in supply of the report until we are fully up to speed with the new package and confident it is providing accurate data. We also have to wait until our MI Gateway has been linked to the new system as it is that that gives me the crime data for wards.

 

 

May 2008 Reports

 

Highways

 

As reported last month CoYC had put in place a reporting and monitoring system where all defects are reported to and recorded by the York Pride Action Line on 551551. All known defects were passed by email to YPAL and they have all been recorded and reference numbers allocated to each report. Two responses have been received from the Highways Department which refer to highway flooding at Towthorpe Moor Lane/Strensall Road and at the junction of Flaxton Road with Scott Moncrieff Road. CoYC are investigating the former and the latter is a joint investigation with the MOD.

 

Should any councillor report a highway defect to 551551 please obtain a reference number and pass the information to either Councillor Marquis or the Parish Clerk so that comprehensive records can be kept.

 

The Select Committee report on the flooding problems incurred June/July 2007 has been published and the recommendations appear to be that one authority should be in charge and that investment should be to deal with surface water drainage rather than flood prevention measures with rivers.

 

 

Street Lights

 

Nothing to report.

 

Open Spaces

 

An order has been placed with Peterson’s for hanging baskets to be again provided in the village centre. To extend the floral displays 4 half barrels have also been ordered to be located on the verge on York Road. It is not yet known whether there will be any assistance with funding from York in Bloom this year.

 

 

York Pride

 

At the last Ward meeting the SEO asked for schemes to be put forward as he has a small budget for such things.

 

Keith Marquis

 

 

Youth report for April PC meeting

 

There was a governor’s meeting at RWS last Thursday to discuss the possibility of there being a Youth Club at the school.  No firm decision as yet.  There is to be a working party to discuss the way forward.

Youth Services reps, Sgt Musgrove, Cllr Judy Smith and myself were present.

 

Peter Jesse

 

 

Sports Association report for May PC meeting

 

There was a meeting with CYC, Sports Ass. reps and myself representing the PC on 28th April to update the situation, particularly in respect of the lease between the PC and the S.A. and the way forward.  It is hoped a letter detailing all the options should be to hand by the meeting on Tuesday 13th.

 

The fence has now been erected, with already some shortcomings – yes the so-and-so’s can still get in or out !

One suggestion is to paint parts of it with anti-climb paint.

 

The potholes at the entrance are also causing concern. The S.A., according to the lease should contribute to the maintenance and repair of the approach road which makes the PC as leasee responsible ?

 

 

Peter Jesse

Chairman

 

****************************************

 

 

Mrs S Walker

 

Clerk to Strensall and Towthorpe Parish Council

 

2 Brickyard Cottage

 

Brecks Lane

 Direct line: 553360

Strensall

 Our ref:  PC/JS/E00625

YO32 5UZ

 Your ref: 

 

Contact:  Philip Callow

 

 

 

April 2008

 

 

 

Dear Mrs Walker

 

Durlston Drive Sports Facilities

 

A meeting was recently held between officers of City of York Council, representatives of the Sports Association who occupy the above site and Peter Jesse from the Parish Council concerning this site.  The purpose of this letter is to set out the options for the Parish Council in respect of the Lease dated 21 March 1996.

 

1.                  Do nothing – the current arrangements could continue with the Parish Council being the tenant of the City of York Council with a sub-letting to the Sports Association.  I understand that the original trustees of the Sports Association which are named on the Lease dated 22 March 1996 from the Parish Council need to be replaced and therefore, if this option is followed, the Parish Council will need to arrange for this to be done with representatives from the Sports Association.

 

  1. Assign the Parish Councils Lease to the Sports Association.  Clause 3.4 in the Lease to the Parish Council states that the Council’s consent will be required to any assignment and, before we would agree to assignment to the Sports Association, the Council would need to be satisfied that this Association would be able to perform all the duties under the Lease and therefore would need to see evidence of the financial viability of the Sports Association through a track record and a business plan.  It is also likely that the City of York Council would require the Parish Council to act as a guarantor, at least for the first two or three years, so that if the Sports Association failed in any of the Lease covenants the City of York Council could ask the Parish Council to undertake these duties.

 

  1. Surrender of the Lease.  The Parish Council could request that the City of York Council take back the Lease and then deal directly with the Sports Association.  There is no provision in the Lease for this to happen and therefore it would be at the absolute discretion of the City of York Council if they wish to accept a surrender and at the current time, it is unlikely that this would be agreed for the reasons stated above as to the financial and commercial viability of the Sports Association

-2-

 

Since our meeting I have discussed the options with Charlie Croft and it is our view that the preferred way forward would be for the Parish Council to remain as the City of York Council tenants for the time being whilst all parties work with the Sports Association in re-establishing this group and putting them on a sound business footing so they will be able to take on successfully the management and operation of the building and the sports ground.  Once the Association are in a position to do this then the City of York Council would accept a surrender of the Parish Council’s Lease and grant a new long lease to the Sports Association on the same terms as we have granted Leases to other similar organisations.  Obviously such an action would be subject to the Council’s approval but it would have the advantage of being at a minimal cost as  there will be no legal or other costs associated with the assignment and guarantors documents being prepared and also it would mean that ultimately the Parish Council would no longer have any residual liability when the new Lease was granted.

 

When the Parish Council have had time to consider the proposals contained in this letter I look forward to hearing from you.

 

If you have any questions concerning the content of this letter or wish me to explain the options and the preferred way forward further then please let me know and I am happy to attend any meeting.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

 

 

Philip Callow

Property Surveyor

 

 

Cc       Charlie Croft, Assistant Director Life Long Learning and Leisure

            Mick Hutchinson, Senior Sport and Active Leisure Officer

            John Smales, Legal Services

            Cllrs M Kirk and S Wiseman