Minutes of a Meeting of Strensall and Towthorpe Parish Council held on Tuesday 11th November 2008 in the Village Hall

                                   

Agenda Item 1 - Attendance:  Parish Councillors P. Jesse, (Chairman), K. Marquis (Vice Chairman), R. Plant, Miss E. Blacklee, J. Scott, N. Smith, J. Chapman, C. Chambers, I. Cuthbertson, D. Baxter, A. Swales, Mrs. J. Smith and P. Coverdale.

 

Agenda Item 2 -  To receive apologies for absence: – apologies for absence were received from Cllr I Smith

 

Agenda Item 3 - To approve and sign the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 14th October 2008:  The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 14th October 2008, having previously been circulated, were considered.   Cllr N Smith advised that on Page 4. in the item on ‘long term strategy’ the first line should read `Cllr N Smith said that….`, and on Page 5, Item headed Sports Association, the words River Floss should read `River Foss`.  With the above amendments and 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 14th October 2008 – for information only - Cllr Jesse reported that a meeting had been held regarding the format of the Agenda and meetings.   Those attending were Cllr Jesse, N. Smith, I. Smith.   The new style Agenda was more meaningful and it was hoped that this was the way forward.   On the proposition of Cllr N Smith, seconded by Cllr Marquis it was unanimously agreed to accept this style of Agenda.

 

Agenda Item 5 - Police Report / To receive Cllr J Smith’s Police Liaison Report – The Ward Police report had been circulated and was accepted.   Cllr J Smith did not issue a report as there was not much to add to the Police Report but stated that there were still problems at Tesco.   However it was noted that there was an increased Police presence in the village around the 4th November. Cllr Chapman reported that a number of sheep had been killed on the common road recently.   He was in contact with the MOD, City of York Council and the shepherd to try and obtain more signage for the roads running through the Common where the sheep are grazing.

 

Agenda Item 6 - To receive the Report of the Planning Committee

 

The report of the Planning Meeting held on 28th October 2008 had been issued to Councillors, and was as follows:-

 

1.         Attendance: Parish Councillors J. Scott, R. Plant, P. Jesse, Miss E. Blacklee, D. Baxter, N. Smith, I. Cuthbertson

 

2.         Apologies: Parish Councillors K. Marquis, J. Chapman and P. Coverdale.

 

3.         Declarations of Interests: Cllr Plant declared an interest in the planning application 08/02367/AGNIT – OS Field 2000 – agricultural barn and Cllr Scott declared an interest in application 08/02366/FUL – Blands Farm 36 The Village

 

4.         Planning Applications:

 

            Cllr Scott chaired the meeting for the following planning application –

 

            a)         08/02367.AGNOT – OS Field 2000 – Agricultural barn.

                       

                        The Parish Council objects to this application for the following reasons:

 

1)         No reasons are given for the need for such a barn.   We do not believe that an Agricultural need exists for such a               development.

 

            2)         The access to the site for the barn is exactly the same as that condemned by the Government Inspector when he refused previous applications on this site for a mobile home and for the egg farm enterprise.

 

            3)         Such a development is inappropriate to the landscape.   The applicant states that the barn is not to be used for livestock which leaves some doubt as to exactly what it is to be used for, as there appears to be no agricultural need for this barn.

 

            4)         We believe that the distance from the site to the nearest property is not within the regulations.   This is a huge barn and is much larger than some of the houses which are very close to this site.  

 

            5)         The size of the proposed building is enormous for such a small parcel of land and is only screened from nearby properties during the growing season.   The applicant states that the size of the agricultural holding is 5.5 hectares but that is the TOTAL area of both OS Field 2000 and OS3000.  

 

            6)         We understand that the applicant would have to obtain a legal right to use the access point which is in possession of Network Rail.   We have no evidence that the applicant has got that legal right.

 

            7)         There is still all the problems with drainage and utilities which had been highlighted in previous applications for this site.

 

            8)         The site is currently occupied by a static caravan and other paraphernalia which are subject to clearance under an enforcement order issued by City of York Council.

                                                                                   

            9)         We are aware of an application for a barn in a neighbouring village, which was approved and which has now been converted into a substantial dwelling.

 

            10)       Similar applications for sites close to this one have been refused for various reasons including being inappropriate to the landscape and no agricultural need.

 

For the above reasons the Parish Council objects to this application and this should be refused by City of York Council.

 

            Cllr Plant then took the chair for the rest of the meeting.

                                   

            b)         08/02373/TCA – 11 Princess Road

                        Crown lift to 4m, reduce by 20%, crown clean and rebalance

                        Ash tree in the Conservation Area – no objections but leave decision to TPO Officer

 

            c)         08/02144/FUL – 1 Princess Road –

                        Erection of 2 no. two storey detached dwellings (one with detached Double garage) following demolition of existing           bungalow (resubmission) – Object as previously

 

 

1)         No 1 Princess Road is in Conservation Area No 23 of the City of York. This proposal is in direct contravention of City of York Council Planning Policy HE3: Conservation Areas. Demolition of the existing bungalow and the building of 2 detached houses on such a small site will have an adverse effect on the environment in Princess Road, because of the cramped nature of this site for two houses which will increase the density of housing in Princess Road.

 

2)         Surface water drainage – there is long experience of flooding in this area which leads us to conclude that the proposal to deal with surface water by means of soak away in the GARDEN will simply not be adequate. During wet weather there is considerable flooding outside No 1 – 5 Princess Road and No 2 Princess Road. The run off from 2 detached houses is much greater than that from a bungalow and as such will only add to the already existing problems.   (this may in part be caused by blocked roadside gulleys). However the drainage situation on the corner of Princess Road is a serious issue. Yorkshire Water should be consulted on this application regarding drainage.

 

3)         Parking – this junction of York Road/Princess Road/Southfields Road is notoriously dangerous and we believe that access to the site and any attempt to park on the side of Princess Road or Southfields Road is a very hazardous prospect. City of York Council’s Highways Department must be consulted on this aspect as the access to Plot 1 is very close to an extremely busy road junction.

 

            4)         All neighbouring properties must be consulted.

 

            We request that the East Planning Committee should deal with this application and a site meeting be held.

 

            For the above reasons this application should be refused.

 

            d)         08/02366/FUL – Blands Farm, 36 The Village – Erection of a detached dwelling and garage (revised scheme

Resubmission) – The Parish Council do not object but wish to make comments or seek safeguards as set out below:

 

This site is in a Conservation Area and the ridge height of the proposed building is not in keeping with neighbouring properties.  

                        The proposed rendering is out of keeping with other properties.

In view of the problem of drainage in the area the extra water run off is of concern and Yorkshire Water should be consulted on this application.

 

e)         08/023215/FUL – Strensall Training Area Lords Moor Lane – Upgrading of existing access tracks – no objections

 

f)       08/02296/CAC – Meadowside House The Village – Conservation Area consent for demolition of existing dwelling. The Parish Council objects to this planning application for the following reasons.

 

This property is in the middle of Strensall Conservation Area No 23. Demolition of this property is in our opinion contrary to Policy HE5. It is of some merit architecturally and the inside of the property maintains many           features which should not be lost. The property positively contributes to the character and appearance of this part of the Conservation Area.

 

If this application includes the construction of 4 dwellings after demolition, the objections raised to planning application 08/02295/FUL apply to this application also.

                        For the above reasons this application should be refused.

 

g)         08/02295/FUL – Meadowside House The Village – Erection of four dwellings with associated access and garaging after demolition of existing dwelling

                                   

The Parish Council has considered this application and objects for the following reasons:

 

1)         We object to the demolition of Meadowside House.   Demolition of Meadowside House is in our opinion contrary to PHE5. The consensus of this committee is that it is of some merit architecturally and the inside of the property maintains many features which should not be lost. The property positively contributes to the character and appearance of this part of the Conservation Area.

 

2)         We believe that the construction of 4 dwellings on this area would increase the density of houses in this area of the village and is detrimental to the Conservation Area and is considered to be overdevelopment of the area.

 

3)         Although it is accepted that only one dwelling will be readily visible we believe that the combination with the other three houses behind it will also detract from the Conservation Area.

 

4)         Highways – one extra access on this very busy part of the village, combined with the narrowness of the highway at this point will constitute an extra hazard in an already congested and dangerous area. The limited garages provided and congestion on the site will lead inevitably to extra unacceptably dangerous street parking at this narrow part of The Village

 

5)         Drainage – surface water. The run off from 4 houses instead of one bungalow will produce a further unacceptable burden on this area. We have photographs (attached) from this year showing sewage flooding in this area.

 

6)         Drainage – sewage – the sewage system has very recently been proved inadequate for the houses in this area.   This matter has already been reported to the City of York Council, Foss Internal Drainage Board, Yorkshire Water on several occasions. We include photographs of sewage discharge from surface water drains only taken this year.

 

            7)         Foss Internal Drainage Board and Yorkshire Water must be consulted on this application.

                                                                                                           

8)         We are aware of neighbours concerns on this application and understand that some of them have already been lodged with you. The Parish Council fully support their objections.

 

9)         The Parish Council request that this application is determined by the North East Planning Committee and request a site meeting, to which all neighbouring residents will be invited.

 

            10)       For the above reasons the Parish Council objects to this application.

 

5.         Decision Notices received from City of York Council:

            Ref:                    Location                                           CYC Dec.                   PC Rec:

            08/01249/FUL   Low Farm Towthorpe                      Approve                      n/o

            08/00991/LBC   Low Farm Towthorpe                      Approve                      n/o

                       

6.         Any other business:

            Planning updates as available:

 

            Cllr Jesse reported on The Firs

 

Cllr Plant gave the following report on the Planning Committee meeting held on 11th November 2008, as follows:

 

1.   Attendance: Parish Councillors R. Plant, Chairman, Miss E. Blacklee, J. Scott, N. Smith, J. Chapman and K. Marquis.

 

2.  Apologies for absence: P. Coverdale

 

3.Declarations of Interests: None

 

4.Planning Applications:

 

a)         08/02455/TCA – 15 Princess Road – reduce 10’ Cupressus, crown thin by 25% and reduce height by 1m Apple Tree in Conservation Area.  – no objections but neighbours must be consulted. Decision must be made by TPO Officer.

 

b)         08/02471/TCA – 13 Princes Road – fell Yew (T1), Conifer (T2) crown thin Conifers (T3-T7) – no objections but neighbours must be consulted. Decision must be made by TPO Officer

 

c)         08/02385/FUL – 521 Strensall Road – replacement two storey dwelling after demolition of existing dwelling, and temporary siting of caravan. The Parish Council do not object to this application, but make the following comments. 

                                                                                                           

1)         Sewage and surface water disposal.   We have no evidence of the present sewage and surface water treatment but particularly in this area of Strensall Road which is notoriously subject to flooding, Yorkshire Water must be consulted and recommend answers to these problems which must be approved in any proposals.

 

2)         It is not clear whether the present garage is to be demolished and rebuilt. It is recommended that the North East Planning Committee take note of this.

 

            3)         Neighbours must be consulted.

 

5.         Decision Notices received from City of York Council.

           

            Ref:                             Location                                              CYC Dec        PC Rec

            08/02163/FUL            OS Field 2000                                     Refuse            Object

            08/02183/FUL            11 Shelly Drive                                    Approve          No/objection

            08/02212/FUL            21 Park Gate                                       Approve          No/objection

 

6.         Any other business:

            Planning updated as available:

 

Cllr Plant reported on one decision notice received today, as follows:

 

08/02035/FUL       Manor Farm Towthorpe                           Refuse             No/objection

 

The following items were added to this report:

 

Cllr Jesse reported the situation with the Firs was that City of York Council had passed this matter on to their insurers and further information was awaited.

 

Cllr Jesse reported that Cllr Plant had now resigned as Chairman of the Planning Committee. Cllr Jesse said Cllr Plant had worked hard for the Council and the Planning Committee over many years but Cllr Plant felt that it was time for him to stand down as Chairman of the Planning Committee, but would continue with all his other duties as a Parish Council. On behalf of all the Councillors and Clerk, Cllr Jesse thanked Cllr Plant for all his work over the many years. Cllr Plant thanked Cllr Jesse for his comments. The vacancy of the Chairman of the Planning Committee was discussed at length. Cllr Scott said he had stood in for Cllr Plant previously and would continue to stand in as Chairman as and when required. After some discussion it was agreed that the Planning Committee would meet at the end of this meeting to discuss the situation. Cllr Chapman was duly elected to act as Chairman.

 

Agenda Item 7 - To receive Cllr N Smith’s report on Long Term Planning

 

Cllr N Smith spoke about his long term planning proposals which had been issued with the Agenda. Cllr Jesse asked whether this was effectively a Parish Plan.  After some discussion Cllr Cuthbertson said a Long Term Plan for the Parish Council and a Parish Plan were two different documents. He said a Parish Plan was more difficult but a Long Term Plan was a smaller document and could be useful for a rolling process. Cllr Chapman said he felt that a lot of what the Parish Council did was work required to be dealt with now and not in five years time. Cllr Plant said a Long Term Plan would help achieve definitive objectives.   After some discussion and on the proposition of Cllr Marquis seconded by Cllr Plant it was agreed to set up a Working Party, which would go across the expertise in the Parish, i.e. finance, planning etc. and this could be an item for public participation at the next AGM.

 

Cllr N Smith agreed to chair this working party and the party would consist of Parish Councillors N Smith, K. Marquis, R. Plant, I Cuthbertson and P. Jesse, and a report would be available for the February 2009 meeting.   Cllr N Smith was to arrange the first meeting.

 

Agenda Item 8 – To receive, consider and decide on the New Mandatory Publication Scheme

 

Information relating to the above scheme had been issued with the Agenda and was discussed at some length.   On the proposition of Cllr Marquis, seconded by Cllr Chambers it was agreed to adopt this New Mandatory Publication Scheme which was required before the 31st December 2008.  The accompanying forms would be completed and would be presented to the meeting on 9th December 2008. Cllr Cuthbertson said there was no pressure to complete the forms but this scheme had to be adopted by 31st December 2008. Cllr Plant reported on another paper (Revised Code of Conduct) which he had received and which he felt was related to this but YLCA would be consulted on this matter and he would  report back to the next meeting.

 

Agenda Item 9 – To receive Councillors Reports/Updates:

 

Highways – Cllr Marquis’s report was issued with the agenda and accepted. Cllr Marquis added to the report that he had now received the gritting map for the coming winter. There were no changes to the highways gritting arrangements compared to 2007/08.

 

Street Lights – Cllr Marquis’s report was issued with the agenda. He reported that there had been a hold up within City of York Council regarding the surveys to be carried out but it was hoped that these would be done shortly.

 

Village Traffic Report – Cllr Blacklee had nothing to report. However, forms concerning speeding were distributed to the Councillors for information. Also issued to the Councillors was an information paper regarding the SID (Speed Indicator Device) project which had been issued by Leeds City Council. It was felt that if this scheme was available in this area, Cllrs Chapman and Blacklee should be trained in this scheme.

 

Play Equipment – Cllr Scott reported that ROSPA had carried out their annual inspection of the play equipment.   All the items specified which needed attention could be carried out by the Parish Council, apart from new wood chipping which was required.   On the proposition of Cllr Plant, seconded by Cllr Marquis, Cllr Scott was given authority to spend up to £1,000.00 to get the wood chipping.   Costs over £1,000.00 would require approval by the Chairman.   Cllr Scott was to contact Darren Baxter regarding the hedge which needed trimming and also some work at Kirklands.   Roots from the trees alongside the Car Park on the Village Hall were now damaging the surface of the footpath to the children’s play area.  

 

It was agreed to keep a close watch on this situation.

 

Environment Committee: To receive, consider and decide on the Report from the Environment Committee re The Emergency Plan – Cllr Scott’s report issued with the Agenda was considered and discussed at some length.   Cllr Scott said he wished to opt out of membership of the Emergency Committee but would stay on until the plan is complete.   The Report was approved and the Emergency Committee would consist of Cllr Jesse (Chairman), Cllr J Smith (Vice Chairperson), Cllr Swales and Cllr N Smith. Cllr Scott agreed to contact the Post Office regarding placing an emergency box there.   If this was not possible he was to investigate other locations. With regard to the Bye Laws, the recommendation of the Environment Committee was accepted and a suitable response would be forwarded to the Government.

 

Cllr Scott reported on a letter from the NHS regarding dispensing of medication at the Medical Centre in Southfields Road.   After some consideration it was agreed that Cllr Jesse would contact the NHS as there were concerns that the public were not made aware of the proposals and the Parish Council did not receive the document in time to make a decision without public consultation.  

 

Cllr Swales asked why the travellers were still located on Towthorpe Lane despite the High Court requirements. Cllr Marquis reported that he had been in contact with City of York Council regarding the travellers.

 

Cllr Jesse agreed to write to BT regarding the BT phone box in The Village.

 

Open Spaces:   Cllr Chapman said he was still monitoring the flooding situation at Hallard Way. It was agreed to contact Viking Trees to request them to completely remove the willow tree, and roots from the open space area at Highlands Avenue.   It was also agreed to write to the resident at No 10 Hallard Way to ask them to remove the hedge cuttings they had dumped on the open space area. With regard to the Beech Trees for Northfields, the MOD were to supply the trees.   Cllr Marquis had been in touch with Mrs. Dunn regarding the ceremony to dedicate these trees to the memory of Chris Dunn who was a Councillor and a very much loved and respected member of the community. Cllr Marquis was to organise a plaque to be placed in the area of the two trees. 

                                                                                                           

With regard to the provision of a Village Christmas Tree, it was explained that one had been provided by the Post Office over many years previously but due to vandalism, this practice had been stopped some years ago. However this would be considered for next year.

 

Youth: Lynette Nelson gave a review of the situation at Hurst Hall. Cllr Smith expressed her disappointment that no CoYC ‘youth’ representative had been present at the Ward Committee meeting to support their grant application of £4,500.00.

 

Bus Shelters   Cllr Swales reported that he spoken to First York today regarding the replacement of the bus timetable at Middlecroft Drive.  He agreed to bring to the attention the matter of the bus stop sign at Park Gate which had been removed and dumped in the bushes.

 

Cemetery: Cllr Coverdale said there was nothing to report.  A new plan had been received in connection with the agreement for the land drainage. The agreement between Mr. Pontefract and the Parish Council was now ready for signature.

 

York Pride: Cllr Marquis’s report had been issued with the agenda. The bulbs had now been received and planted. These included snowdrops, bluebells and daffodil bulbs. Thanks were expressed to Cllr Marquis for this work, to Cllr Chapman for planting the flower barrels and also to Cllr Chapman and Mrs. Chapman for planting the village sign gardens. With regard to the seats the Street Environment Officer was ordering 3, but the Parish Council would only pay for one of these. Cllr Marquis reported that the Ward liaison meeting was to be held on 25th November 2008.

 

Sports Association: Cllr Jesse reported that he had now contacted FIDB regarding the gate at Durlston Drive. The FIDB required a gate of 12ft wide and the cost of this would be £845.00 + VAT. Cllr S. Wiseman was to contact FIDB regarding payment for this gate. In hindsight it was noted that consultation should have taken place with the FIDB but as councillors who were also on the board of the FIDB were aware of the fencing plans no formal consultation took place. However the Parish Council was keen to establish what rights of access FIDB have across the Durlston Drive field to the river as there is access via Woodleigh Close.

 

War Memorial: Cllr Plant gave an update on the situation regarding the refurbishment of the War Memorial. Cllr Baxter was thanked for cleaning the War Memorial garden ready for the Remembrance Day Service and Cllr Chambers was thanked for laying the wreath at the Service on behalf of the Parish Council.

 

YLCA – Cllr Jesse reported that he was to attend a liaison meeting next Monday 17th November 2008.

 

Agenda Item10 – To Receive a Finance Report from the Parish Council Internal Control Officer – Cllr Marquis – includes the half years accounts to 30.9.08 and a report on the audit for the year ending 31st March 2008 and a report from the RFO.

Cllr Marquis’s report had been issued with the agenda.

                                                                                                           

 The Bond Accounts had attracted interest payments of £319.61 and £213.08 for the investments over the 6 months to October.   Cllr Marquis said new letters from the Bank were awaited as the payable interest figures were net and the Parish Council should receive interest gross.   Cllr Marquis reported on the Audit for the year ended 31st March 2008.   The auditors had only commented on the notice to electors.

 

Cllr Marquis said the RFO’s report which was issued with the agenda was self explanatory.

 

With regard to Double Taxation Cllr Marquis said he had queried some of the items with CoYC and a response was awaited.

 

Accounts for payment this month from the General Account:

 

                                                                        Code               Inc VAT          Ex VAT

Petersons Nurseries – plants etc                      306                  £38.00             £38.00

Playsafety Ltd – Inspection Report                307                  £172.73           £147.00

Zurich Insurance                                             106                  £3,229.26        £3,229.26

Mazars – audit                                                105                  £334.88           £285.00

S. Walker – salary                                           100                  £372.45           £372.45

 

DD – Carphone Warehouse (Telephone & Broadband) £10.00 and £22.72

DD – Staples - £100.12

 

Cllr Coverdale proposed that the above accounts be paid, seconded by Cllr Scott and agreed by all present.

                                   

Agenda Item 11 - Publicity/Website/Newsletter – To consider and decide on the relocation of the Strensall & Towthorpe Parish Council Notice Board at Towthorpe.

 

Cllr Marquis agreed to contact the owner of the property at the opposite side of the road to Manor Farm to see if the Parish Council could place their Notice Board near to his property.   A new free standing notice board would need to be purchased at some stage.

 

Agenda Item 12 – To consider correspondence received:

 

Leaflets from CPRE

 

 

                                                ---o0o---

 

 

Date and time of next meeting – Tuesday 9th December 2008 – Village Hall 7.00p.m.

           

 

 

  

Long Term Planning

For Strensall and Towthorpe Parish Council

 

Aim

 

This paper is intended to provide opportunity for Council to consider ways of undertaking longer term planning.

 

Background

 

Much Council business is necessarily reactive to events such as repairing facilities or responding to planning submissions. Other business is planned over an annual timescale such as maintenance contracts and budgeting. Less work is planned over a longer term, and Parish Councils are increasingly expected to take a longer term view, typically 5 years. Preparing a long term plan is considered ‘good practice’ and would have a number of benefits including an informed mandate from residents and a framework for decision-making and budgeting. Additionally the process of information gathering would encourage others to participate in village governance.

 

Discussion

 

Preparing a plan is a recommendation of the YLCA. A survey of Parish Council websites quickly revealed a number of such plans, the structure and process of which may provide a template for our own if required.

 

Preparing a long term plan would require a considerable amount of time and effort. To be valid a plan must be well informed which means it is likely that a survey of residents would need to be organised, and the resulting data collated and reviewed. Using existing communication channels as much as possible would help keep costs down though additional means may be requred. Other costs could include hire of rooms for discussion, and for receiving or sorting information. The timeframe would be between 3 and 6 months.

 

Proposal

 

1. Working Party

Establish a fixed term working party of a minimum of four Councillors to undertake this task and to make recommendations to Council.

 

2. Scope

Determine how to formulate a longer term plan, including learning for other Parish Council approaches.

To prepare for and to undertake a survey (if indicated).

Determine the issues that concern residents, residents’ expectations of Council, and desires for Strensall and Towthorpe.

To present a costed plan including, where appropriate, options to achieve the general and specific objectives identified in the planning process.

To make recommendations on future planning requirements including review and update period

 

3. Reporting

 

Report on progress to each scheduled monthly Council Meeting.

 

Cllr N Smith, 2 November 2008

 

 

 

November 2008 Reports

 

Highways

 

Arrangements have been made for me to speak to the Neighbourhood Services EMAP Committee on 4th December 2008 as a reaction to the petition requesting action to deal with (1) the poor quality of the road surfaces in The Village, Southfields Road, Princess Road and West End (2) The inability of road gullies to deal with surface water and (3) the lack of white lines on Flaxton Road, which was submitted to CoYC earlier this year.

 

CoYC’s Highways Department have been asked to comment on what action is planned to deal with the outstanding locations in this parish which were on the city wide list, where surface water flooding occurs, which had qualified for financial assistance from the funds supplied by Central Government.

 

Street Lighting

 

CoYC again reminded that no firm solutions have yet been suggested to counter the complaints about poor street lighting in The Village and Church Lane.

 

Open Spaces

 

Following the discussion at the October meeting regarding the provision of beech trees (x 2) at Northfields, it is expected that the trees will be supplied and planted by the MoD in mid-November and a commemoration ceremony held at a later date.

 

Finance

 

The accounts for 2007/2008 have been audited by Mazar’s and the only comment made was that the period of public consultation on the audit procedures must be adhered to in future to ensure that a period of 14 days is allowed prior to the documents being despatched to Mazar’s. The actual period of consultation this year was announced on 4th July and the actual period was advertised as being from 7th July to 1st August.

 

Members of the Finance Committee are requested to supply items for the agenda of the forthcoming sub committee meeting which is to be arranged to take place in early December.

 

The “High Interest Deposit Bonds” for the Cemetery Account and the 14 Day Notice Account have been re-invested as agreed at the October meeting. The rates of interest will be 4.76% and 4.16% respectively and will mature in April 2009. These two investments have earned approximately £500 in total over the last 6 months.

 

The 14 Day Notice account has been changed to a Business Money Manager Account which pays interest of 2.53% monthly compared with 1.55% for the 14 Day Notice Account.

 

The accounts for the 6 months from April 2008 to September 2008 have been checked and found to be in good order.

 

York Pride

 

Some 250 snowdrop bulbs have been gifted to the parish by the Street Environment Officer and more bulbs are promised from the same source.

 

 

 

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT.

 

The parish council’s emergency plan is nearing completion but the full council needs to nominate the members of the Parish Emergency Committee.   If some disastrous event were to take  place in the village their duties would be: 

 

Co-ordinating parish response with the emergency services. 

Collecting and disseminating information.

Recruitment of volunteers and allocating tasks.

Manning rest and information centre.

 

The Environment Cttee suggests that the Emergency Cttee should consist of

Chairperson -    chairperson of the parish council.

Vice chairperson  -  Counc. Judy Smith has volunteered for this role.

One,possibly two,  others.

 

The names and contacts for all councillors are included in the plan and all members  would be expected to help as required.

 

Copies of the plan with lists of those at risk in the village, organisations who could help, maps etc have to be put in two emergency boxes and kept safe at two readily accessible places in the village.     The Committee suggests these places could be the Post Office (if staff  there agree) and the village hall. 

 

The plan is still in draft form and has to go to York for approval.

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The environment cttee members have studied a government consultation document  relating to the making and enforcement of byelaws. 

 

In simple terms the government wants the majority of  local byelaws to be made locally instead of having to be approved by the secretary of state.  

 

Secondly, the Govt has decided as a result of a previous consultation that they favour fixed penalties imposed by ‘authorised persons’ for transgressions of bye-laws. They suggest the default fixed penalty should be £75

 

 Our byelaws  covering open spaces are enforced through the law courts. For a fixed penalty regime the PC would have to provide properly authorised and trained individuals to impose the fines.  Enforcement through the courts would remain but the Govt would prefer this only to be used for repeated offences.

 

The committee supported the idea of byelaws being made locally.

 

On fixed penalty enforcement the committee thought it would be difficult to find people willing to do  this sort of work.  Also  this system could provoke confrontations,  unpleasantness and even violence. 

The committee suggests the council responds to the consultation in these terms.

 

John Scott.

 

 

RFO’s Finance Report: 11th November 2008

 

The three monthly check (up to 30th September 2008), has been carried out and will be reported on by Cllr Marquis.

 

 

Bank Balances as at 30th September 2008

 

            Treasurers account:                             4467.05*                    

            Premium Business Account:              11,439.02                    

            Contingency Account:                        1,156.51**

                                                                   17,062.58

 

           

            Cemetery Account                              £954.88 *

 

* excludes amounts of £15,000 and £10,000 invested in Bonds due to mature October 2008.

 

** excludes amount of £10,000 invested in Bond due to mature April 2009.

 

Since the 30th September 2008, the following cheques have been paid into the Treasurers Account:

 

 

            10th October – City of York Council – Double Taxation     £15,922.53

            10th October – City of York Council – half year precept       £7,500.00

POLICE WARD REPORT

October 2008

 

Haxby/Wigginton

 

            October has proved to be a challenging month for the team with 39 reported crimes across the area. This is a relatively significant increase on the same period last year. The majority of the reported crimes have been either criminal damage or auto crime offences. The team have made significant efforts to tackle these issues and the Catch and Convict unit have been focusing upon Haxby and Wigginton and our combined efforts have lead to a number of arrests being made.  These efforts will continue into next month and beyond and we are hopeful of a significant improvement next month.

            We can report a 43% reduction in reports of theft during October 2008 compared to last year and work will continue to see that this good progress continues in the run up to Christmas.

 

Strensall/Earswick/Stockton on the Forest

 

            There were a total of 39 crimes reported across the area during October, a 17% reduction on the same period in 2007. The crimes were spread over a large variety of categories with criminal damage accounting for 14 of the total. This compares to 12 reports of damage in 2007. There has been a corresponding increase in reports of anti-social behaviour during week-ends in October and the team will be concentrating on targeting individuals and groups over the coming month to combat this.

            There were no reports of any crimes linked with vehicles during October reflecting the efforts of the team targeting these crimes. There was also a 30% reduction in burglaries across the area which again reflects well on the teams efforts to spread crime prevention advice and their continued targeting of known individuals across the area.

 

 

Rawcliffe/Clifton without/Clifton Moor/Skelton

 

            There were a total of 76 crimes reported across the area during October compared to 115 in the same period last year, a reduction of 34%. The majority of crimes reported were thefts and crimes linked with vehicles. There has been a 25% reduction in thefts and also a small decrease in the number of auto crime offences.

            There were reductions seen in every category of reported crime across the area during October with the most significant a 66% decrease in the number of reported burglaries.

            The other priority for the team has continued to be combating anti-social behaviour. Again we can say that there has been a significant decrease in the number of reported incidents with a corresponding reduction of just over 50% in reports of criminal damage.