Minutes of a meeting of Strensall & Towthorpe Parish Council held on
Tuesday 14th October 2008 in the Village Hall Strensall
Agenda Item 1 – Attendance - Parish Councillors P. Jesse (Chairman), K.
Marquis (Vice Chairman), R. Plant, J. Scott, Miss E. Blacklee, J. Chapman, D.
Baxter, I. Cuthbertson, C. Chambers, N. Smith, I. Smith and Mrs. J. Smith
Also in attendance was
Ward Cllr Mrs S Wiseman
Agenda Item 2 – Apologies for absence – Apologies for absence were received from
Parish Councillors P. Coverdale and A. Swales.
Agenda Item 3 – To approve and sign the minutes
of the meeting held on 9th September 2008
The minutes of the
Parish Council Meeting held on 9th September 2008, having previously
been circulated, were considered. On
the proposition of Cllr Plant, seconded by Cllr Blacklee, it was unanimously
agreed that the minutes be approved and signed as a true record of that
meeting.
Cllr Jesse introduced
Inspector Iveson to the meeting, who gave a talk on policing in general and
particularly in Strensall. Inspector
Iveson informed the meeting that crime figures were down by some 21.5% compared
with September 2007. He referred to
Cllr Jesse’s letter and said that most of the concerns in that letter were
being addressed. The 0845 telephone
number which was of concern to residents was also of concern to their control
room and these concerns were receiving attention at a higher level. With regard to the alcohol free zone,
Inspector Iveson said that this did not stop people drinking in public, but the
Police could apply other powers to deal with this if necessary. There are still areas of concern regarding
drinking in public, such as Woodleigh Close and Northfields, although
Cllr Marquis referred
to a request from PC Dobson at the Ward Committee meeting to have the branches
of the willow tree at Northfields be cut back and arrangements had been made
for Darren Baxter to do the work.
Cllr Jesse thanked
Inspector Iveson for his time and for giving this information.
Agenda item 4 – Matters Arising
from minutes of 9th September 2008
Format of meetings Cllr Jesse reported that Cllr Marquis and the
Clerk had attended the recent meeting of Wigginton Parish Council. Cllr Scott said that Wigginton Parish
Council’s agenda was more informative than ours as ours does not indicate
details of subjects being discussed.
Cllr Mrs Smith said our Agendas did nothing to inform the public of what
was being discussed and every agenda was the same. Cllr Nick Smith had some suggestions to
make. Cllr Baxter said he was concerned
that Wigginton Parish Council did not have as many residents as Strensall and
Towthorpe and was not a suitable comparable council. After a long discussion it was agreed that a
Working Party be set up to draw up proposals to present to the full
meeting. The Working Party would
consist of Cllr N Smith, Cllr C. Chambers, Cllr I. Smith and Cllr Jesse or Cllr
Marquis.
With regard to the
sale of the Old School Ward Cllr Sian Wiseman agreed to try and trace relevant
minutes of the EMAP meetings at City of
Agenda Item 5 – Police Report* – The Police Report along with Cllr. Mrs. J.
Smith’s report was issued with the minutes
Agenda Item 6 – Planning – To receive and
approve the report of the Planning Committee held on 23rd September
and 14th October 2008
23rd September 2008 - The following report was issued to the full
meeting.
1. Attendance: Parish Councillors R.
Plant, P. Jesse, K. Marquis, D. Baxter and Miss E Blacklee and I Cuthbertson
2. Apologies:
Parish Councillors P. Coverdale, J. Chapman
3. Declarations
of Interests: None
4. Planning
Applications:
a) 08/02035/FUL
– Manor Farm Towthorpe Road Haxby - no objections but
neighbours must be consulted.
b) 08/02183/FUL
– 11 Shelley Drive – Single storey pitched roof extension to rear and porch to
front – no objections but neighbours must be consulted.
c) 08/02145/CAC
– 1 Princess Road – Conservation area consent for the demolition of existing
bungalow – Object on the same grounds as previously, pointing out the drainage problems
and also that the access to plot 1 is to near to a very busy road junction (i.e Princess Road/Southfields Road, York Road)
d) 08/02200/FUL
–
e) 08/02212/FUL – 21 Park Gate –
Conservatory to rear – no objections but neighbours
must be consulted and point out that this area is still being monitored for methane.
5. Decision
Notices received from City of
Ref: Location CYC Dec. PC Rec:
08/01858/FUL
08/01772/FUL 4
08/01801/FUL
08/01739/FUL
08/01402/FUL
6. Any
other business:
Planning
updates as available:
The
Firs - Cllr
Jesse reported on the latest position regarding this property.
14th
October 2008
1. Attendance: Parish Councillors: J.
Scott, N. Smith, Miss E Blacklee, C. Chambers, P. Jesse, R. Plant, J. Chapman,
K. Marquis
2. Apologies:
Parish Councillor P. Coverdale
3. Declarations
of Interests: Cllr Plant declared an interest in planning application
08/02163/FUL
Due to Cllr Plant’s declaration of interest
Cllr Scott chaired the meeting.
4. Planning
Applications:
a) 08/02163/FUL – Retention of mobile home in connection with free range laying birds. - The Parish Council objects to this application and would reiterate all their objections to a previous application 08/01199/FUL in their letter dated 24th June 2008.
There is no
change to the previous applications apart from a copy of the order form which
is far from definitive. However we do
not have evidence of funding. The order refers to a requirement for access by
an articulated vehicle and access to electricity. The previous application was
refused by City of
We are aware that the applicant has approached Network Rail to widen the lane. The Parish Council have received information in writing from Network Rail that they have ‘rejected his request on the grounds of operational safety of the railway’
For the above reasons the Parish Council object to this application.
5. Decision
Notices received from City of
Ref: Location CYC
Dec. PC Rec:
08/02018/FUL
08/01997/FUL 4
Pasture Close Approve n/o
08/01966/FUL
6 Moray Close Approve n/o
08/00918/FUL
08/01771/FUL 3
08/01256/FUL 117
The Village Approve n/o
6. Any
other business:
Planning
updates as available:
The Firs - Cllr Jesse reported that a second solicitor’s letter had gone to the owners of the property and a reply was awaited.
The Clerk reported on the following applications
for the next meeting to be held on 28th October 2008.
OS Field 2000 – not yet officially
received
Meadowside – not yet officially
received
Agenda Item 7 – Councillors
Reports:
Highways/Street Lights
– Cllr Marquis’s report was issued with the agenda and approved. Cllr Marquis also reported that a letter had
just been received from City of
Village
Traffic Study – No report.
Play Equipment – Cllr Scott reported that ROSPA had
recently carried out an inspection of the play equipment and a report was
awaited. The Willow Tree and others
with low branches on Northfields were to be cut back as indicated earlier.
Environment Committee
– Cllr Scott reported that 2 offers of help had come from the public regarding
the emergency plan. With regard to the
problem with the badgers on Northfields this was ongoing and efforts were being
made to try and stop this.
Open Spaces – Cllr
Jesse reported on a letter received from Major Paddy Ennis, Commandant for
Strensall Military Training Area. The
MOD had offered to replace the two Beech trees on Northfields in memory of
Chris Dunn and in recognition of the huge amount of work he had put in as a
Parish Councillor. Cllr Plant proposed
that we work with the MOD to progress this and Cllr Marquis agreed to speak
with Mrs. Dunn. Cllr Jesse was to take
this matter up with Paddy Ennis. The
application for Ward Funding for the replacement of the trees would be
withdrawn.
Youth – A report from
Cllr Ian Smith was issued with the agenda. Cllr I. Smith spoke about his report
and offered to chair any committee that was set up. Cllr Scott said all this had been done
before with the Youth Workers carrying out a survey and the youth did not want
a youth club but somewhere to meet without adult supervision. Cllr Plant said we should not discourage any
suggestions at the moment but encourage Cllr Smith to contact those people
listed in his report, and also for any committee formed to bear in mind what
other organisations are doing for the youth at the moment. Cllr Cuthberson said youth facilities were
provided back in 2002 which included a mobile skate park and URBIE bus which
still visited Strensall.
Cllr N Smith said this
and the Parish Council needed a long term strategy and he proposed to prepare a
paper for the next meeting. On the
proposition of Cllr Marquis, seconded by Cllr Plant it was unanimously agreed
that Cllr I Smith should email those listed on his report to try and get things
moving for the provision of youth facilities.
Bus Shelters – The
shelter opposite Northfields was in the process of being repaired.
Cemetery – Cllr
Coverdale was to check the draft drainage agreement again.
Sports Association –
Cllr Ian Smith reported on a recent Sports Association meeting. It was his view that this facility was under
used and needed utilising. They had no
business plan, no strategy, and no aims.
The committee needed to decide where they are going but they have no
expertise at the moment. However there
was a new volunteer who has a good background in fund raising and it was hoped
that this would improve the situation.
Cllr Jesse reported on a letter from the Floss Internal Drainage Board
regarding the gate and he agreed to contact their representative.
War Memorial – Cllr
Plant reported that he had put in a claim for ward funding to have the war
memorial relettered and cleaned but this work would not be done in time for the
Remembrance Day Service this year. Cllr
Baxter agreed to tidy the area up and would contact Darren Baxter to cut any
bushes back if necessary. Cllr Chambers
offered to represent the Parish Council at the Remembrance Day Service.
YLCA – Cllr Jesse
reported on a Conference he had recently attended at
Agenda Item 8 – Finance
To
Receive and approve the Financial Statement for October 2008:
General Account: Code inc VAT Ex VAT
Expenditure:
Clerk’s
salary 100 £372.45 £372.45
YLCA 110 £70.50 £60.00
G Aitken 303 £580.00 £580.00
D. Baxter 303 £222.00 £222.00
Royal
British Legion 109 £50.00 £50.00
DD – Carphone Warehouse 101 £23.98 £20.41
DD – Staples - NIL
Income:
£7,500.00 – second half
precept
£15,922.53
– double taxation refund
Cemetery
Account:
Expenditure:
G. Aitken £70.00 £70.00
D. Baxter £72.50 £72.50
Income:
NIL
Grass
Cutting contract 2009 – Mr. Aitken had offered to carry out next years grass
cutting at the same cost as this year.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would write to Mr. Aitken to thank
him for all his work over the last year and to accept his offer. Cllr Marquis was given authority to approach
the contractors for the grass verges and open space areas for a quote for next
year.
The RFO’s
report was accepted.
Financial Internal Control Report
–
Cllr
Marquis reported on the Double Taxation situation. The Parish Council had their application
approved and a cheque had been received for £15,922.63 which included payments
for 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09.
Cllr
Scott proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Marquis for all his excellent hard work
and dedication in successfully achieving this result.
Cllr
Marquis said a Finance Meeting need to be held early December and if any new
Parish Council members wished to attend they would be welcome. A new Internal Auditor was still required.
Cllr
Marquis reported that two of the Parish Council’s Bonds with the bank were due
to mature. One matured tomorrow,
another next week and the third one ran for another six months. Cllr I Smith said he could obtain financial
assistance and advice if required. Cllr
Chapman proposed that we carry on as we are at the moment, reinvest the Bonds due
to mature and review this situation at the Finance Meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Jesse and
unanimously agreed.
Agenda Item 9 – Publicity – Website – Nothing to report
Agenda Item 10 – To consider
correspondence received
Cllr
Jesse reported on the letter to Philip Callow regarding the land leased to the Sports
Association. This was to reaffirm the
Parish Council’s situation.
The
Firs – Cllr Jesse reported that a second solicitor’s letter had been sent to
the owners and a response was awaited.
Data
Protection Form – this would be completed at a later date.
A
letter for discussion at the next meeting – subject – Notice Board at
Towthorpe.
---o0o---
Date and time of next meeting – 11th November 2008 – 7.00p.m. Village Hall
Signed……………………………………………….
Chairman
Dated…………………………………………………
October 2008 Reports
Highways
Nothing to report.
Street
Lights
Nothing to report.
Open Spaces
Councillors are requested to give consideration to contracts for the 2009 season for grass cutting of open space areas, verges and the Sports Association field.
It is understood that the Street Environment Officer is to provide a selection of bulbs for planting within the parish. It is not yet known how many and what varieties of bulbs will be supplied. If there are more available than needed for the existing planters and village signs then volunteers are requested to assist with the task of planting the surplus.
The Street Environment Officer has agreed
to supply new seats at Northfields and
Ward
Committee
A verbal report will be given, at the October meeting, regarding the Ward Committee Meeting held on 9th October at Strensall Methodist Chapel.
Finance
At the time of writing this report no further advice has been received from CoYC regarding payments for 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 Double Taxation rules. CoYC have advised that the amount payable has been agreed and a cheque has been ordered from the Finance Department. Once the detail is received due regard will be made to anticipated payments when setting the precept for 2009/2010.
Advice received from YLCA that negotiations are still in progress regarding the 2008 pay agreement for local government. The negotiations have been referred to ACAS who will arbitrate on the pay dispute.
Keith Marquis
Vice Chairman
Report of visit by Vice Chairman and Clerk to Wigginton Parish Council Meeting held on 7th
October 2008.
The Clerk and I were warmly welcomed to the meeting and had previously been provided with a copy of the agenda together with minutes of the previous meeting.
The most noticeable difference was the layout of the agenda items which are more specific than use for Strensall and Towthorpe Parish Council. This tends to concentrate the discussions on the meat of the matter being discussed and where necessary decisions are taken. However the layout we use is taken from the Parish Clerk’s Guide dated 2001. There is a more recent publication now available and Councillors should decide whether an up to date copy is purchased to ensure that what is done is in accordance with legal requirements.
Some of the reports, referred to on the agenda, had been made available to Councillors before the meeting but others were presented when the item was due to be discussed.
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm and the police report was given by Inspector Iveson in the absence of the PCSO who had been called to deal with an incident.
There was one member of the public present who regularly attends and is occasionally allowed, at the chairman’s discretion, to make comments during the meeting but was silent at that meeting. This is unusual at Wigginton where the normal practice is for the public to remain silent during the meeting. A period of 15” is regularly set aside before the main meeting starts to allow members of the public to raise local issues and/or question parish councillors.
The agenda item 7 (Environment Committee Report) included an item about maintenance of snickets and the responsibility for such maintenance. Some snickets have been adopted by CoYC but the ownership of others is unknown. It was decided to adopt the same procedure as Haxby Town Council who do not take any responsibility for the maintenance of any snickets. It is thought that similar situations will apply at Strensall and we should ask CoYC for a copy of their map record showing what is adopted highway land.
The items were taken in turn and the meeting concluded at 9.00 pm.
RFO’s Finance Report: 14th
October 2008
The Clerk reported
that the accounts due for payment and income this month are listed on the
agenda and a 3 monthly check is to be held before the next meeting.
Questions had been
asked by the Auditor and information had been forwarded to them (Most of this
information had already been provided as extra documents and sent with
accounts). I expect these items will be noted on the Auditor’s Report.
The Grass Cutting
contracts for 2009 to be discussed.
Bank Balances as at 17th
September 2008:
Treasurers Account £4,801.24*
Premium Business Account £11,439.02
Contingency Account £1,156.51**
Bank Balance as at 30th
September 2008
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