Parish Council Minutes July 26th 2005
Littlethorpe Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 26th July 2005
in the Village Hall at 8.00pm.
Present: Mrs. W. Orme (Chair)
Brig. J Wardle
Mr. C. Laker
Mr. D. O Connell
Mrs. J. Jowitt
Mr. I. Galloway (District Councillor)
Mr W Lupton (Clerk)
1 Apologies.
County Councillor Heather Garnett was unable to attend.
2 Declaration of Interest
No declarations were received although two Councillors stated that they might have a personal interest over a planning application to be considered later.
3 Adoption of Minutes from last meeting
The minutes from the Annual General Meeting of 24th May 2005, The Annual Parish Meeting of 24th May 2005 and the Open Parish Meeting of 15th July 2005 were approved as a correct record and will be signed by the Chair.
4. New Councillors
The Chair welcomed the two new Councillors, Cllr. C. Laker and Cllr. D. O Connell and wished them well in their new role.
5 Chair s progress report.
The Chair opened with a wish that, after the disruption of previous weeks, that the Parish Council should now move forward to face the fresh challenges looming especially the railway restoration and the possibility of further quarrying being undertaken. She also expressed her view that the village, and the Parish Council, should be more attentive to Quarry Moor, which is very much part of the village, and ensure that the residents are kept informed of happenings within the village. The Clerk was requested to ensure notices were made available on the Quarry Moor notice board.
The Chair suggested that a Village Information Card should be produced and delivered to every household. This card will contain a list of contact names and telephone numbers that may be of use to residents requiring help or advice or wishing to lodge queries with the Parish Council.
6. District Councillors Report
Although Cllr. Galloway had no specific items to report on he was requested to give some advice as to what the Commuted Sum may or may not be spent on. He confirmed that it can only be used for a capital project and is not available for projects such as renovation of the Village Hall. He also confirmed that a survey had recently been undertaken by Harrogate on the uses of Section 106 funds and a report will be available in the new year. It was also pointed out that with the Henry Boot development due in the near future considerable sums might be made available to the village.
7 Treasurers Report
a) Accounts to date
The Clerk reported that the accounts had changed little since the last report apart from interest receipts and that the balance stands at £2829.88
b) Membership of Parish Council Association.
It was suggested that the Council should join the Parish Council Association. As little was known about the benefits and costs of joining the Clerk was requested to write and obtain details so that the matter can be discussed at the next meeting. Two other Parish Council Associations will also be contacted for comparisons. Results to be discussed at next meeting.
c) Honorarium.
The Clerk confirmed that the balance of last year s honorarium was still to be taken as he was waiting for the Chair to finalise Cheque signing authority. Once this was done the payment would be made and in future all payments would be by standing order. He also confirmed that Cllr. Wardle would also become a cheque signatory
d) Precept
Cllr. Laker read out a letter he had received from Harrogate explaining the difference between the precept financial increase over the previous year and the statement accompanying this year s rate demands
8 Planning Applications received for Consultation.
Cllr. Laker stated that he and Cllr. O Connell might have a personal interest over planning applications for Dorvyn Maur, as the applicant was a friend. Cllr. Galloway stated that this would not count as a personal interest.
Applications
Henry Boot
a) Appeal against planning rejection. The Clerk was requested to write to the planning office to obtain a simple explanation of the planning process for this development, as there is some confusion as to exactly what is now proposed for the site.
b) Hollin Hall
Conversion and extension to outbuildings to form flat for use of staff accommodation - no objections
c) 1 Little Crossing
New application for removal of tree - not yet considered.
d) Dorvyn Maur
New application for extension - not yet considered.
Decisions
None
Appeals
None.
9 Roads and Footpaths
a) Pottery Lane
Repairs and improvements to storm drains, including new curbing, have already been completed. Resurfacing work still due on Pottery Lane this summer.
b) Future road closures
It was suggested that Highways should consult the village prior to road closures, as there was some confusion at the time Pottery Lane was being repaired.
10 Parish Plan
The preparation of the setting up of a formal Parish Plan was raised by the Chair and discussed. If this is to be instigated it has to be done initially by the Parish Council but will then become a community led venture. A steering group of ten to twelve people would be formed to complete a village appraisal that would make an assessment of the landscape character of the village. Eventually this will produce a vision for future development of Littlethorpe for use by the village and H. B. C. and highlight its future needs.
A meeting will be arranged with the Yorkshire Rural Community Council and hopefully they will be able to visit and explain the full concept and potential benefits and how the village might go about setting one up. With the potential encroachment of Ripon upon Littlethorpe the Chairman considered this to be of utmost importance, as it would greatly influence future planning proposals and requirements.
11 Cycle Plan
Cllr. Jowitt reported on the proposed Cycle Path that would run through parts of the village. A figure of £10,000 was suggested as the total cost of this plan and potential safety aspects worried the Parish Council. More time is required to consider the implications and Cllr. Jowitt agreed to keep track of developments but at this stage the initial report is still being considered.
12 Trafalgar Day Celebrations.
Cllr. Wardle suggested that the village may wish to get involved in the celebrations due in the Autumn. However it was decided that the Village Hall already do far more than can be expected for the village and that this would not be possible.
13 Municipal Tip
Some concerns have been aired in the village over the re-organisation of the Ripon Municipal tip and the chaos that seeming occurred over the first weekend of operation. It was reported that the situation had now vastly improved but if any problems with fly tipping occurred they would be reported to County Councillor Bateman at N.Y.C.C.
14. Causeway across River Ure
The Chair reported that she had received information that Brown & Potter were investigating the possibility of applying for planning permission to build a causeway across the River Ure to extend quarrying across the valley. This was of major concern as it would increase both noise and traffic flow and seriously change the landscape character of the river valley. The Chair agreed to follow this up and circulate documents regarding the new Local Minerals Development Plan Framework to Councillors.
15 Local Government Framework
The existing plan expires in 2006 and Councillors are concerned that they must be given an opportunity to air the views of Littlethorpe residents and receive invitations to open meetings. The Chair agreed to monitor the situation and it was agreed that it may be possible to appoint a representative of the Parish Council as a specialist on the Framework to represent the views of the members.
16 Roads and Footpaths
The Clerk read out a letter from the Highways department regarding future work on Pottery Lane. The roads will be re-covered with chippings and tar in August and that drainage gulleys would be dealt with in the near future. Gulleys are cleaned twice a year. The blocked storm drains at Little Crossing will be dealt with in this financial year.
The Clerk confirmed that he had been in contact with N.Y.C.C, Roads and Footpaths, Skipton regarding the blocking of the right of way between the Harrogate road and the top of Mankin Lane and that action was being taken.
17 Format for Public Question Time
The Chair expressed a wish that the public have a greater say in Parish Meetings, both on paper and verbally, and that she proposed an open element at future meetings. The Clerk agreed that in future the Agenda for meetings would be posted seven days before a meeting to allow the public more time to send in written questions. Before the next meeting the Chair will write up a format for public question time which will be discussed at the next meeting and will become part of the agenda at future meetings once cleared by the legal department.
18. Quarry Moor.
It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Highways Department about the safety problem for members of the public crossing the road at Quarry Moor and the line of sight restrictions at the exit onto the main Harrogate-Ripon road.
19. Village Hall
It was agreed that Councillors should donate a (personal) sum to the proposed Leon Smallwood Memorial. Cllr. Jowitt agreed to liase
20 Railway.
The Clerk read out a letter received from Arup regarding the soon to be published report on the railway restoration. This is firmly in the hands of N.Y.C.C. and Cllr. Galloway stated that the release of the report had been delayed. It was suggested that an independent action group may be formed in the village to fight any proposals that would have an adverse affect on the village. Cllr. Galloway stated that such a group, in conjunction with the Parish Council, has been seen to work well.
21 Roundabout
It was agreed that Liz Tite would be sent copies of the approved Minutes, which would allow for any interesting or important information to be included in Roundabout. Once a format for public question time has been agreed it will be sent to Liz for publication.
22 Local Policing Issues.
It was agreed that P.C. Gareth Jones should be written to regarding the Neighbourhood Watch, as this should be re-instated as soon as possible. The Clerk also agreed to keep the Councillors informed of local CAP meetings and that a representative should attend.
23 Other business.
As no progress has been made on the Pinfold project it was agreed that Cllr. Laker would liase with Dave Walden and H.B.C. to expedite the building and explore exactly what is required.
24. The Chair then thanked everyone for attending and re-enforced the Parish Council s position that a line had been drawn under the past and that a new phase was beginning. She looked forward to working with the new Councillors and finally confirmed that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 11th October and would start at 7.30 pm.
Meeting closed at 9.50pm. Back to top