Parish Council Meeting January 15th 2008
Littlethorpe Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 15th January 2008
Venue Activity Centre, Quarry Moor Time 7.30 pm
Present Cllr W Orme (Chair and Clerk) (WO)
Cllr J Wardle (JW)
Cllr J Jowitt (JJ)
Cllr D OÕConnell (Recorder of Minutes) (DOC)
1. Apologies
Received from Cllr C Laker and County Cllr H Garnett.
2. Declaration of Interest
None.
3. Adoption of Parish Council Meeting Minutes held on 16th October 2007
Minutes adopted without amendment.
4. ChairÕs Report
(i) á An updated Pink Plan received by residents.
á Not posted to residents in Quarry Moor/New Park.
á Housing development will be restricted to Òexception sites (for
affordable housing) and small scale conversions.
(ii) Proposals for extension of quarrying by Brown and Potter now centred on two sites (given Òpreferred area statusÓ). Newby Hall site dropped on two grounds: - supply not required.
5. TreasurerÕs Report
(i) Accounts circulated to Cllrs.
The last grass cutting invoice has been paid. The total grass cutting cost for the season was £180.
A case of wine purchased for our internal auditor £22.74.
Payment to the external auditor £82.25.
Contribution of £30 from Cllr Wardle towards the Pinfold stone.
£65 ground maintenance grant from HBC.
Two payments from HBC of £274 for the Village Hall fence and £54 for the hire of the Hall were passed on to Littlethorpe Village Hall Committee.
(ii) The option to view statements on-line is now available.
(iii) External audit report has now been returned, late. A fine of £20 was made and our return for 2008 and subsequent years has to be made by 30th June.
6. County Councillor's Report
None attendance.
7. District Councillor's Report (Cllr Galloway)
(i) Most local development will now centre on Ripon.
(ii) Compulsory purchase can apply if affordable housing identified as requirement.
(iii) Proposed Government policy from 2010 could see a revised minimum mix of 50/50 market/affordable housing.
(iv) Objections to updated Pink Plan to be submitted by 29 February 2008 (Parish Council and/or individual parishioners).
(v) Two public meetings to be held on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 February at 10 am – 4 pm in Ripon Town Hall.
(vi) Agreed details should be posted on Littlethorpe website. (WO)
8. Correspondence
(i) Jack Dalton (aged 13) Plea for skate park in Littlethorpe. Issues associated with crossing by-pass and broken glass (Ripon amenity). Passed to Village Hall Committee to discuss. WO to reply (following feedback from JJ) and also to write to Ripon City regarding the broken glass hazard.
(ii) J Edmonstone Response to his letter received 25 July 2007 not received by correspondent. WO to ensure he receives a copy. (Response attached).
(iii) E and R Tite Chair read out response to letter dated 9th October 2007. (Response attached).
(iv) Mrs S Walden Chair read out response to letter dated 4th October 2007. (Response attached).
9. Public Time (not minuted)
Open discussion took place. Issues noted:
(i) Immediate neighbour of proposed Long Meadows development did not receive notification/draft plans from either the developer or HBC Planning Department.
(ii) Where important/contentious planning proposals received the Parish Council must use all endeavours to call a public meeting or at least gauge public opinion prior to submitting formal Parish Council response.
10. Planning
Applications received for consultation:
(i) The Coach House – erection of first floor and side extension – withdrawn.
(ii) Long Meadows – erection of three detached dwellings including one affordable dwelling.
It was confirmed that immediate neighbours (Holly Bank) had no concerns over revised plan.
Council approved revised plan with one proviso: that the fence/tree boundary with Holly Bank would remain (full length to the road).
(iv) Morrisons – additional warehousing.
Separate meeting to be convened to discuss proposals.
Permissions Granted
None
Refusals
Summer Farm – Certificate of Lawfulness for the existing use of a holiday let – Lawful Development Certificate refused.
11. Harrogate Borough Council Consultation Meeting
Questions to be raised on following issues:
(i) ÒPlan the Future document.
(ii) Formal communication with neighbouring properties/residents when planning applications submitted.
(iii) Problems with Planning Department website.
12. South View Bus Shelter
An on-site meeting between NYCC, DOC and CL took place on 20th September. It was agreed that a bus shelter of the standard type would be installed as part of the bus route improvements being conducted and originally due in February 2008. Delays have meant that this will now be in the new financial year. If a wooden shelter (like the one at North Stainley) was to be installed this would involve a contribution from the Parish Council of approximately £3,000.
13. Appointment of Parish Clerk
(i) WO confirmed no suitable candidates identified.
(ii) Agreed salary would be in range £1500 - £2000 negotiable on skills and experience. (Precept to be increased by £1100 to reflect the potential expenditure increase).
(iii) DOC/CL to enter appropriate websites to confirm salary proposed and compare with national salary matrix/other adjoining parish council minutes.
(iv) CL to be asked to suggest improvements to published job advertisement in the light of his recent experience. Updates to advertisement/job description to be completed by DOC/CL.
14. Parish Precept 2008/9
Council agreed to submit increase of 4% (current inflation rate) on 2007/8 precept plus £1100 to reflect potential increase in clerks salary. Closing date for submission was 14th January 2008 but CL had secured an extension to 16th January 2008 and required confirmatory e-mail (JJ).
15. Updates
(a) Quarry Moor/New Park Road Crossing
Chair had received verbal confirmation that second bid for funding from Rural Road Safety Scheme has yet to be granted. If concluded (probably April) draft proposals to proceed will be drawn up including re-siting of the bus shelter. £5000 is needed to kick start the project. £4000 granted in 2006/7. Request for £5000 in 2007/8. Proposals will be discussed hopefully with parishioners at the May 2008 meeting.
(b) Brown and Potter Quarry Extension
The sites at Hewick Bridge and Canal Field designated as Òpreferred optionsÓ in November. Newby Hall site discounted. HBC have asked Councils for comments by next week. WO and CL to confer and respond based on collective views arising from previous open meeting.
(c) RMBC Track – Designation as Right-of-Way
DOC circulated evidence forms to Cllrs and parishioners in attendance. These to be returned to any Councillor by 15th February 2008. Expenditure of £9.95 for production of 40 forms approved and further £5.02 approved to obtain additional 20 forms. WO to ensure Boat Club receive copy. It was noted that hardcore had been put down between Club entrance and Littlethorpe Road.
(d) Village Hall
JJ reported that refurbishment complete which had been followed by two very successful events (Quiz Night and New Years Eve Do). WO congratulated the committee.
(e) Village Hall Sign
A verbal quotation of £150 received which is within agreed budget. CL will progress to completion.
(f) Parish Plan
DOC reported that sections of the plan prepared by individual committee members had been submitted to Martin Skelton who was acting as editor. Richard Sutcliffe was making contact with Bilton
and Ainsty Parish Plan committee concerning format and production.
(g) Pinfold
Generally considered the site was looking tidy.
(h) Quarry Moor Recycling Centre
CL had met HBC representative and site owners on 20th November 2007. Siting of four bins was agreed and these are now in position. A letter was sent to all residents and HBC are providing re-usable bags for movement of household recyclable items to the bins.
(i) Ripon Service Centre Transportation Strategy
DOC reported that the response rate for questionnaires circulated to sample population (2069) across catchment area was 20% (no figures for Littlethorpe). A second workshop to discuss the findings will be held in the Town Hall on Thursday 24th January at 5.30 pm. Consultants will identify and take forward those improvement schemes preferred by stakeholders. Two places had been requested for Littlethorpe Parish Council. DOC to attend.
(j) Affordable Housing in Parish
(i) Copy of e-mail received by CL was circulated. This outlined the criteria for occupation of exception site homes, list of sites and price. The e-mail to be appended to the minutes.
(ii) The Grace End paddock, previously earmarked for affordable housing had been purchased by a resident. Proposals for affordable housing now withdrawn.
16. Chairmans Summing Up/Action Points
(i) Long Meadows development approved. (WO)
(ii) HBC/Parish consultation meeting. Three points to raise. (WO)
(iii) Progress standard design bus shelter for South View. (CL)
(iv) Advertisement and Job Description for clerk to be upgraded with salary between £1500 - £2000 per annum. (CL/DOC)
(v) Request for precept 2008/9 based on 2007/8 plus 4% plus £1100. (CL)
(vi) Monitor progress with second bid for £5000 grant from 2008/9 budget for A61 crossing. (WO)
(vii) Parish Council response to HBC regarding Brown and Potter quarrying extension proposals within deadline. (WO)
(viii) Evidence forms for RMBC track/designation as footpath to be collected/received by 15th February 2008. (All) Ensure RMBC involved. (WO)
(ix) Village Hall sign to be progressed. (CL)
(x) Attendance at Stakeholder workshop for Transportation Strategy 24th January 2008. (DOC)
(xi) Parishioners and Councillors urged to attend public meetings on ÒPink PlanÓ ( Friday 1 and Saturday 2 February at 10 am – 4 pm in Ripon Town Hall). Objections to be communicated by 29th February 2008. (All)
(xii) Copy of Parish Council response to be forwarded to J Edmonstone. (WO)
(xiii) Response to be prepared for Jack Dalton re Skate Park. (WO) Ripon Town Council to be informed of broken glass hazard at Leisure Centre site. (WO)
(xiv) Comments from Public Time to be taken on board. (All)
17. Proposed Dates for Future Meetings
15th April 2008 (to include format for Annual Parish Meeting)
8th May 2008 Parish Council AGM
29th May 2008 Annual Parish Meeting
Note
1st May 2008 Parish Councillor Elections
AGM must take place on or before Monday 19 May 2008.
Meeting closed at 9.22 pm.