Minutes of a Meeting of Strensall and Towthorpe Parish Council held on Tuesday 14^th April 2009 in the Village Hall

Agenda Item 1 – Attendance: Parish Councillors P. Jesse (Chairman), K. Marquis (Vice Chairman), R. Plant, J. Chapman, J. Scott, Miss E. Blacklee, I Cuthbertson,

I. Smith, N. Smith, Mrs. J. Smith, C. Chambers, A. Swales and D. Baxter.

Agenda Item 2 – To Receive Apologies for Absence: Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Coverdale.

Agenda Item 3. – To approve and sign the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 10^th March 2009 – the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th March 2009, having previously been circulated were considered. Cllr N Smith reported that on page 8 under Youth and Sports Association, Cllr N Smith should have read Cllr I Smith. Apologies to Cllr N Smith. On the proposition of Cllr Marquis, seconded by Cllr Scott, and with the above amendment, it was unanimously agreed that the minutes be agreed and signed by the Chairman of the Meeting as a true record of that meeting.

Agenda Item 4. – Matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th March 2009 (for information only). – Cllr Marquis reported that two cheques had been issued in the month as follows:

General Account – S. Walker £608.10 – holiday pay and salary arrears for the year ending 31^st March 2009

Cemetery Account – Yorkshire Water £8.07

As far as Cllr Marquis was aware there were no further outstanding accounts for the year ending 31^st March 2009.

Agenda Item 5 – Police Report/ Cllr J. Smith’s Police Liaison Report. – Cllr Mrs J Smith’s Police had been issued with the Agenda and the Police Ward Report had been issued after the agenda. Cllr Smith referred to the Police Ward Report and expressed disappointment with the Police Report. There had been two large situations on 6^th March which Cllr Smith had dealt with. The Police were concerned that the lighter nights were here. With regard to the recent problems in Southfields Road, Cllr Smith reported that the ‘ring leader’ had now been dealt with by the Police. Cllr Smith said that the hall at the Church was now becoming an area of concern. Durlston Drive seemed relatively quiet at the moment. Cllr Wiseman said that Earswick had experienced problems recently and residents had demanded some results from the Police. Cllr Wiseman said she had received a complaint regarding the new swings at Kirklands. Cllr Scott was to report on this under Play Equipment.

Agenda Item 6 – To receive the report of the Planning Sub-Committee –

Cllr Chapman gave the following reports on Planning:

Notes on a planning meeting held on Tuesday 24^th March 2009

1. Attendance: Parish Councillors: J. Chapman (Chairman), K. Marquis, R. Plant, Miss E Blacklee, J. Scott, N. Smith, P. Jesse, D. Baxter and C. Chambers

2. Apologies: P. Coverdale and I Cuthbertson

3. Declarations of Interests: None

4. Planning Applications:

a) 09/00328/FUL – 11 Fold Walk – single storey pitched roof extension to rear – no objections

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 – Cllr Jesse reported that this was still ongoing.

A letter had been received from City of York Council dated 16^th March 2009 in connection with OS Field 2000. A response would be forwarded to City of York Council. It now appears that the decision on the latest planning application for this site would be taken by a planning officer rather than a committee decision as had been previously published as it appeared to be more of a legal matter. Cllr Scott commented on the Planning Seminar which he had attended on 21st March 2009, which had proved to be very useful. It would appear that City of York Council have available to them a course of action they can take when planning applications are continually submitted for the same site.

Cllr Jesse reported his concerns on the activity being carried out at Hoxne Farm and it was agreed to ask City of York Council to look into this.

Cllr Chapman then introduced Mr. David Warburton, Head of Conservation and Design at City of York Council to the meeting. Mr. Warburton gave a very interesting and informative talk on Conservation Areas and the planning system. After a long discussion he agreed to check on various matters. He agreed to look at the situation with the War Memorial as Cllr Plant had indicated that the Parish Council wished to proceed fairly quickly with this work but there appears to be one or two hold-ups.

Affordable Housing – Cllr Chapman reported on the recent meeting with the Rural Housing team. With regard to identifying sites the situation was with them. They had identified The Tannery and Strensall Road as potential sites but they had conceded not to build 24 houses and would only start with half that amount. They also confirmed that Strensall residents would take priority when allocating such properties.

Cllr Wiseman confirmed that she was to take up the matter of the Old School and 106 payments with City of York Council this week.

Notes on Planning Meeting held on Tuesday 14^th April 2009 in the Village Hall Strensall

1. Attendance: Parish Councillors J. Chapman, K. Marquis, R. Plant, J. Scott, Miss E. Blacklee, C. Chambers, P. Jesse, I Cuthbertson and Ward Cllr S Wiseman

2. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Coverdale

3. Declarations of Interests: None

4. Planning Applications:

a) 09/00301/FUL – 42 Westpit Lane – two storey pitched roof extension – no objections but neighbours must be consulted.

b) 09/00470/FUL – 1 Wheatcroft – garage to side after demolition of existing detached garage – no objections but wished to point out that this development is near to the boundary of the property, and neighbours must be consulted.

c) 09/00532/FUL – 28 Southfields Road – detached pitched roof double garage after demolition of existing - object on the following grounds:

1) This property is very near to a Conservation Area;

2) there is no Tree Report accompanying the application;

3) Southfields Road already suffers drainage problems and there are concerns regarding the disposal of water;

4) the plan is unacceptable due to the size, scale and mass of the proposed development.

Neighbours must be consulted.

d) 09/00444/FUL -Dairy Cottage Towthorpe Road – erection of pitched roof garage after demolition of existing – no objections but are concerned that the building is too green. Dairy Cottage is in the Conservation Area and the existing garage is the subject of Enforcement Action and has been for some time. Neighbours must be consulted.

e) 09/00535/FUL – 39 Park Gate – external alterations; new pitched roof to conservatory, brick up one garage door and form 2 no new windows; new door to side – no objections but neighbours must be consulted.

f) 09/00469/FUL – 9 Moorland Garth – pitched roof side extension, pitched roof dormer to rear and 3 no pitched roof dormers to front – no objections but neighbours must be consulted.

5. Decision Notices received from City of York Council:

Ref: Location CYC Dec. PC Rec:

09/00195/FUL 10 West End Approve n/objections

09/00292/FUL 8 Cundall Close Approve n/objections

6. Any other business:

Planning updates as available:

The Firs. – this matter is still ongoing.

Boots Chemist – this is with the Enforcement Officer at City of York Council

Agenda Item 7 – To receive a report on Long Term Planning from Cllr N. Smith.

Cllr Smith reported on the recent meeting of the Long term Planning meeting which had been held on Monday 6^th April. This was to finalise the wording of the survey which made no change to the content, but one question was added regarding the Police. Distribution had now been put back 5 days. Distribution was now to be arranged and Cllr Marquis circulated two lists for Councillors to choose an area to distribute the surveys. Cllr Jesse reported on the Sustainable Communities Act. Responses were requested by City of York Council by the 8^th May 2009. It was felt that this was on similar lines to what the Parish Council were already doing and Cllr Wiseman said she felt that the Parish Council would get a good result.

Cllr Jesse then proposed that the matter of the Sports Association be discussed as this point: This was agreed by the meeting.

Sports Association:

Cllr I Smith’s report from the Sports Association Meeting held on 19^th March 2009 had been issued with the Agenda. In attendance at that meeting were Tracey Dixon, Andy Wincup, Cllr I Smith and Cllr Swales. Cllr Jesse had since spoken to Cllr I Smith, Cllr Swales and Tracey Dixon. There was a hockey club wanting to use the facilities. Andy Wincup was not happy with this and walked out of the meeting. Cllr I Smith has issues with the Sports Association, and the football club were not paying their way etc. Tracey Dixon then went through some of the figures and said the Sports Association was in a mess. Cllr I Smith said the structure of the committee of the Sports Association needed to change. There was no heating in the building, and the building needed to be used at night time. It was going to cost in the region of £2,800.00 to put the heating right, and there were already bills of £6,500.00 - £7,000.00 this year. Tracey said there was interest from guides/brownies, hockey clubs, tennis etc, but where do we go from here. Cllr Swales then read a statement which he had written following the meeting and stressed that this was in no way a criticism of Tracey, but it was what he took away from the meeting. Cllr I Smith said the Parish Council should not fund Howard Road anymore until the Football Club pay their way and a list of members was given to the Sports Association.

Cllr Swales said the Sports Association was in crisis and no further money should be spent until these issues were resolved. Tracey said she would apply for tax relief. She said that there was another football member wanting to join as a junior co-ordinator. Tracey also said the football club had not paid anything but were due to pay now. The Sports Association had lost Martin Shepherd and Andy Wincup, and Stephen Field has also now resigned.

Cllr Scott said he felt we should now bring in the experts of City of York Council and say the Sports Association have a problem and we need some advice. We have been in the same situation many times now over a long time and there are some real serious issues with the Sports Association and advice is needed. Cllr Cuthbertson said the situation with the Sports Association cannot continue as it is. Cllr Wiseman said how do the Sports Association know what they are telling you is correct and how do they have any idea on how to budget finances. The Parish Council should say to the Sports Association that they do not play on their land until this crisis situation is resolved. The gates should be locked with another padlock and no more sport should be played until they toe the line. Tracey Dixon said she wanted to re-negotiate the lease on a different line. After some lengthy and fairly detailed discussion it was agreed that the matter was too serious to take any decision at this meeting. Cllr Cuthbertson suggested that we do not provoke the football club but ask them to pay and the Sports Association would be happy to regularise the position financially over the next 4 or 5 months and to lay some plans for the football season under the control of the Sports Association and the Parish Council.

The Sports Association constitution was not appropriate now as there was only one Trustee left. It was agreed that Cllr Cuthbertson and Tracey Dixon would get together to put some thoughts down and Cllr I Smith and Cllr Swales would sit in on the meeting. Cllr Wiseman said the situation needed a time limit in which to resolve the situation and it was agreed that this should be done by August 2009. Proposals would be put to the June meeting of the Parish Council.

PLEASE NOTE: Wednesday 15^th April 2009 – Tracey Dixon telephoned the Clerk to apologise for misleading the Parish Council at last nights meeting by saying the football club had not paid. Tracey in fact confirmed that the football club had paid in November 2008.

Agenda Item 8 – To discuss invitation of Youth to a future meeting regarding Youth/Sports Association

Cllr Jesse said this was in the hands of the Youth Worker, Jenny Noble of City of York Council.

Agenda Item 9 – Finance

Expenditure

The following accounts were presented for approval for payment this month from the General Account:

Code Inc VAT exc VAT

J. Chapman 306 £11.32 £10.78

K. Marquis 102 £45.68 £40.30

S. Walker 100 £382.68 £382.68

Strensall & Towthorpe Village Hall108 £369.00 £369.00

YLCA 201 £620.00 £620.00

Landmarc 312 £175.00 £175.00

J. Atkinson 306 £165.50 £144.00

Income -

NIL

Cemetery Account:

Expenditure

Pearsons & Ward (Solicitors) £500.00 £500.00

Income -

NIL

Cllr Marquis reported on the situation with the Investment Bonds. On the proposition of Cllr Plant seconded by Cllr Scott it was unanimously agreed that the bonds would be reinvested, but the sum for the cemetery account would only be £5,000 in view of the proposed works to be carried out shortly.

Cllr Marquis reported that he had carried out the three monthly check and the year end figures. The 3 months check was satisfactory and the year end figures and bank balances were agreed.

Parish Review – Cllr Marquis reported that a re-election was to be held in June in view of the Parish Review and the renaming of the Parish Council. This was to be Strensall with Towthorpe.

Agenda Item 10 – To receive councillor’s reports and or updates

Highways/Streetlights – Cllr Marquis’s report having been issued with the minutes was accepted. In addition Cllr Marquis reported that work at Southfields Road was scheduled to commence 13^th July, work at West End was scheduled to commence on 20^th July and the Village 27^th July. Footpath work was also to be carried out in Princess Road, when the highway from no’s 2 to 22 would receive attention. Also some road gulleys were to be investigated. Some highway signs had been cleaned. Nothing to add to the report for Street Lights.

Village Traffic Study – enquiries would be made regarding the kerbing near the new footpath to the cemetery.

Play Equipment – Cllr Scott reported that the new equipment had been installed at Kirklands, but he would investigate the problems reported by Cllr Wiseman. The area has also been cleaned up. Otherwise all the play equipment was satisfactory at the moment. With regard to the graffiti on Northfields Play Area this would be taken up with Angus Young of City of York Council.

Environment Committee – Cllr Scott reported that Yorkshire Water was looking into the flooding problem in Southfields Road. With regard to the Emergency Plan this was being distributed around the Committee and would be returned to Cllr Scott and the plan would progress from there. Cllr Chambers spoke about the Environment Forum Committee, which was a council sponsored forum and his personal interest in the railways and the railway link to York. Cllr Plant said Cllr Chambers should not be made a representative of this Parish Council until a mandate had been agreed by this Parish Council. It was pointed out that any comments he made at this committee must be those of the Parish Council and not his as an individual, bearing in mind this subject has been discussed by this Parish Council and the public of Strensall over many years. After some discussion it was agreed that Cllr Chambers would represent this Parish Council on this Committee.

Open Spaces – Durlston Drive potholes had now been repaired. A note was to be put in Outreach regarding fly tipping. The work placements were to continue. A walk about had been done with the Street Environment Officer to identify areas which needed attention. Investigations were still being carried out in regard to land at 102 Middlecroft Drive.

Youth – See above.

Bus Shelters/Seats – Cllr Swales reported that one bus shelter was being repaired at the moment.

Cemetery – The Deed of Grant for the new drainage work was nearing completion.

York Pride/Ward Committee – Nothing further to report.

Sports Association – See above

War Memorial – Cllr Plant requested to speak to the Chairman as no information had yet been received from David Warburton at City of York Council.

YLCA – Cllr Jesse reported that a copy of the new Employment Act had been received.

Agenda Item 11 – Publicity/ Website/Newsletter - The Agenda for the PAM was being prepared.

Agenda Item 12 – Robert Wilkinson School – It was agreed that Mrs. S Walker would be appointed to the Robert Wilkinson Trust as a Parish Council nominee.

Agenda Item 13 – To consider correspondence received

None

---o0o---

Signed………………………………………

Chairman

Dated………………………………………..

POLICE LIAISON REPORT 07-04-09

March has been a very difficult month. Crime figures are down on last year’s figures, which is good news. The bad news is that Anti-Social Behaviour has been a real problem.

On Friday 6^th March between 30 and 40 youth gathered together and caused absolute mayhem in the area of Southfield’s Road and Church Lane. Southfield’s Road was the main area of trouble. Youths throwing stones at an individual, this was very scary. Plants were pulled out of the ground and generally they were causing a real nuisance. There was mention of a knife which than prompted an Armed Police response which proved to be a hoax.

On Friday 13^th March a large group of youth gathered again and were generally just causing a nuisance with no criminal damage that we knew of although the railings at the Vicarage were damaged but it is unsure exactly when this happened.

A Parish Councillor was pushed to the ground outside the Village Hall. Thankfully he was not hurt badly but suffered some bruises and discomfort.

A resident reported to me kids were being a nuisance kicking balls around on Redmayne Square. This has been a real problem over the past few years. The owners of The Heath were asked to cut the grass and this was carried out but the kids cannot use this land as it is covered in dog excrement! This is an ongoing problem in the Village!

A group who meet in the Church hall in Church Lane have been targeted on at least three Friday evenings. There has been banging on the windows and people being abusive. This has proved to be a very frightening experience for the people there. The person in charge reported it to the police, who are patrolling round during the time of the meeting, obviously in a discreet manner.

A councillor asked me if I could find out who the Wildlife Inspectors are as there have been badgers dug out of their sets near Sheriff Hutton.

The councillor informed me that there are a few sets on Strensall Common and there are people who are trying to look after them. I managed to find out who they are and passed names to the councillor.

Durlston Drive has been quiet. There have been further resignations from the Sports Club’s committee and the gates are not being regularly locked on an evening. The police have been trying to get a group of people together to form a rota but this has not yet happened. No one seems to want to be involved and this makes the whole area vulnerable.

I have had several visits from Sgt. Musgrove and her team. Resources are stretched, but Strensall has been placed on high alert since all these problems have occurred. Haxby / Wigginton were on high alert but only one area can be designated it was decided that Strensall should be highlighted. The Neighbourhood Team are keeping a close eye on the situation, hoping that this isn’t going to be the trend over the summer months.

The next Police Surgery will be held on 21^st.April at the Village Hall between 16.30 and 18.30 hours.

Councillor Judy Smith.

POLICE WARD REPORT

March 2009

Haxby/Wigginton

There were a total of 31 crimes reported across the area in March. This represents a small increase on the same period last year. The crimes have been spread across a wide range of categories with none accounting for a significant portion of the total. Despite the small increase in total crime there have been reductions in the key areas of Auto crime and Burglary during March. Other categories either showed a slight increase or no movement compared to 2008.

The team have continued to gather intelligence across the area and have taken part in two warrants on the ward during March which have seen good results.

Instances of reported Anti Social Behaviour have remained fairly static with reports being centred around specific areas on week-end evenings which the team will be targeting in the coming weeks.

Strensall/Earswick/Stockton on the Forest

There were a total of 15 crimes reported across the ward in March compared to 28 reported crimes in March 2008. There were reductions across every category of reported crime including a 50% reduction in car crime, 29% reduction in criminal damage and a 40% reduction in thefts. The reduction in crime is very pleasing although there has been an increase in reported instances of Anti Social Behaviour.

In Strensall the Anti Social Behaviour has been centred around the Northfields area of the village. This has been targeted on patrol by the team with an arrest being made for a public order offence in the last month. Earswick suffered over the course of one week-end in the last month from large groups of youths in drink. To effectively combat these reports the team have set up a joint operation with the MOD Police which will be targeting Anti Social Behaviour over a week-end in April across the area. The issues raised by the public on non attendance from officers when calling the control room are being looked at my the Inspector and the problems have been highlighted to the control Room Superintendent.

The team can only impress the need to still call 0845 and report incidents so the team can see where the demands of the community are and make representations accordingly.

Rawcliffe/ Skelton/Clifton without

March has been a challenging month with 83 reported crimes across the area. After a period of months with a reduction in reported crime this represents an increase on 2008. Crime has been spread across a wide range of categories with none being particularly prevalent. Similarly the increase in reported crime has been seen across most categories with none showing a massive increase.

The teams efforts in the coming month will be aimed towards reducing Auto crime on the area after this months spike and to that end the ward has been placed on an Operation targeting auto crime specifically. Officers from your local team have conducted patrols in unmarked vehicles over the last month and will continue to do this as appropriate.

Anti Social Behaviour will continue to be a priority for the team and during March there was a reduction in criminal damage which is normally associated with this type of behaviour. These efforts will continue into the Summer months.

April 2009 Reports

Highways

On Tuesday 17^th March several areas of poor quality road surface in The Village have been marked for path repair attention.

On Wednesday 18^th March I attended the Neighbourhood Services EMAP Committee meeting of CoYC Councillors to speak in support of the petition presented to the council in September 2008. The Highways Budget for 2009/2010 contains budgeted amounts for highway repairs in West End and Southfields Road as well as footway repairs in Princess Road and slurry sealing of pavements in the Barley Rise estate area. The budget did not recommend any action to undertake major maintenance in The Village, as although the highway was considered to be poor, any repairs undertaken would have been at the expense of roads considered in a worse condition elsewhere in the CoYC area. However at the committee meeting the Acting Highways Engineer announced that £1m of additional funding would now allow for work to be carried out in The Village in 2009/2010. Princess Road did not meet the category requiring surface treatment but the committee were requested to ask the Highways department to consider treatment for the worst areas of Princess Road (between 22 and 2) for about 1 metre width from the verge. The committee requested that the Parish Council report road gullies which were in need of attention and this will be again done as the worst gullies still in need of attention have already been reported. So far as the white edge of highway lining along Flaxton Road the committee accepted the Highways department policy that this road would not be considered for such treatment as it was too straight. Haxby Moor Road had edge of road markings applied in 2005 despite this policy being in existence and the committee asked that this be investigated.

Finance

The Bonds taken out in 2008 all mature this month. Interest payments of £311.14 and £440.00 will be added to the parish council’s accounts on 21^st April and £237.35 will be added to the cemetery account as a result of investments in the HSBC Bonds. Unfortunately due to the current financial situation the interest rates available in 2008 are no longer there and the advice of the Business Account Manager at HSBC is that if we wish to invest again is to do so for the minimum period of 3 months at the fixed rate of interest of 0.4%. At the end of that period the capital sums could be re-invested if desired and possibly at a better rate of interest. As a comparison the main account currently pays 0.05%.

An alternative investment example was quoted which pays interest of 3% for the first year followed by base rate plus 0.5% for subsequent years for half of the investment and stock market investment for the other half. The total capital sum is guaranteed safe. The disadvantage is that there is a minimum investment period of 6 years.

Other Bonds are advertised with organisations such as the Post Office which advertises a Growth Bond paying 3.4% but on closer examination the investment needs to be made in the name of a person rather than an organisation.

Councillors are requested to recommend what type of investment action, if any, is taken in the current financial year.

Councillor K. Marquis

RFO’s Finance Report: 14^th April 2009

Bank Balances as at 31^st March 2009

Treasurers account: 15,596.87

Premium Business Account: 11,797.01***

Contingency Account: 1,161.33**

£28,555.21

Cemetery Account £1,463.22*

* excludes amount £10,000 invested in Bonds due to mature April 2009

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

*** excludes amount of £15,000.00 invested in Bond due to mature April 2009

IMS Notes for Parish Council from DDSA meeting

Thursday 19^th March 2009

Present

Tracey Dixon (TD)

Andy Whincup (AW)

Ian Smith (IMS)

Key points from the meeting:

• List of members of football clubs are still not available. TD to look into the possibility of the football Membership Sec holding details for both the SA and Football team.
  
  
• Motor Bike training – used once and liked the facilities but wants a key for access to toilets.
  
  
• TD has requested a record to show who is using the facilities and when. Met with reluctance from football AW does not believe that any of the coaches will complete a record of who attended.
  
  
• Approval has been given by the committee for the doors to be metalled and a new Utility Room Door fitted.
  
  
• Work to remove concrete on site, IMS suggested Daren Baxter may be able to assist. IMS to provide contact details to TD – Shirley, please can you provide?
  
  
• Thanks given to the unknown person who has filled in the pothole
  
  
• Fence work for Foss Drainage has been completed
  
  
• Finance – sill no access to bank accounts, the Bank has been dragging its heels. Have been left unable to pay bills. TD commented that they may need to draw personal cheques for bills if the bank takes much longer.
  
  
• TD believes that the income for 2008 for the SA was £792. (Point to note, the insurance cost for 09 is £1,300)
  
  
• Will use Parish/Ward money for putting metal plating on doors and replacing utility Room Door. TD to investigate and obtain quotations for repairing the heating system.
  
  
• Football Clubs to hold a Gala Day on 9^th May, to include the Army’s inflatable Obstacle Course and stands. TD asked if SA could have a couple of stands, AW does not know if there will be an opportunity for the SA to have a stand.

Discussion Point:

Should PC continue to support the football club paying for Howard road if they are unwilling to allow SA to Fundraise at Gala Day and also provide accurate details of their membership base?