MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON JULY 15th 2008

RESIDENTS AND POLICE FORUM

No residents attended. PCSO Louise Lodge and PC Steve Lane attended on behalf of the Police and reported 2 crimes during the last month. When questioned about the current position regarding fireworks, they promised to investigate and report back. Cllrs informed them that they had experienced no additional problems this year during the Yorkshire Show when traffic had been re-routed for the first time along the A659. Police actions regarding traffic were supported.

PRESENT Cllrs Priestley, Thornton, Pinkney, Pentith, Anning, Ogden and Batty.

APOLOGIES  None.  

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 17th JUNE  2008  these were approved.

MATTERS ARISING

1. Village Clock. The Jarvises had been unable to make contact with the clock repairer recommended by Cllr Ogden, due to holiday commitments.

2. Annual Report. Cllr Batty was thanked for his work. The Chairman said that the report had been well received.

3. Chains on War Memorial .It was agreed to check with John Simpson on the type of new chain for which he had quoted and on his position regarding Insurance and VAT before making a decision. If he was found to be uninsured then it was likely we would accept the quotation from Billy Hobson for painting only. John Simpson had offered to paint the kissing gate leading into Frank Shire’s field for £45 inc. VAT. Council agreed to accept this.

4. Parish Plan. Cllr Pinkney reported that approximately 6 people had attended the Footpath meeting and had agreed to check on the state of the present paths by taking part in the Parish Walks, and then approach the Footpath Officer at LCC about the possibility of opening up some new paths..

Cllr Thornton reported that the EK retailers had chosen not to be included in the Wetherby & District Directory.

5. Children’s Playground – An e mail had been received from Green Leeds stating that in principle the grant had been agreed. They asked the Council whether they intended to include the £200 quoted by Wicksteed for digging out the existing swings if accepting the latter’s quotation. Council decided to check that this was for re-siting of the existing swings, not replacing them as per their quotation, and to ask Green Leeds for an extension of time until the next PC meeting before making a decision. Wicksteed had offered a 5% reduction in the charge for storage of equipment. Pennine Playgrounds had twice asked for a decision about their quotation.

Paul Thompson of Scarcroft PC had written to the Council giving advice on a recommended source for playground bark and had also suggested a different playground inspector.

It had been noted that the grass had been thoroughly cut in the playground the previous day but the bark needed topping up. Grasshoppers were to be asked to arrange this. The bird bath had been cemented in place by Mr Hyland but an attempt had already been made to move it. PCSO Louise Lodge was to be asked to include the area in her patrols. Grasshoppers were to be asked to cut back the inside of the hedge bordering the playground about which they had notified the PC.

6. Standing Orders .It was proposed Cllr Pinkney, seconded Cllr Thornton and agreed unanimously to retain these unaltered.

7. Wheelie Bins outside Duke of Wellington. The Clerk had spoken to the landlady and discussed the problem with her. She had then written to LCC asking their advice about the positioning of the bins. They had replied that they had no problem with the current position. The Clerk was asked to convey this to the landlady who could pursue the matter further if so desired.

8. Problem of parked cars and dangerous overhanging hedges  It was agreed to ask the Police whether there was any action they could take to prevent the dangerous parking of cars on Whitegate and at the corner of Lumby Lane. It was also agreed to contact the owner of the hedge at this location, and to remind the gardener for Old Barn Cottage about the overgrown hedge at the corner of the Ginnel on Main Street. There were remaining issues with alder at the Church Lane end of the footpath and reminders would be sent to the owners.

9. Village Post Office. An acknowledgement had been received from the Post Office of the letter sent by the Parish Council indicating that the Post Office was not to be considered for closure in this round.  This is to be copied to Melanie Smith.

10. Report on Parish Walks The Chairman reported that the first walk had been enjoyed by 10 people in pleasant sunny weather. He had, however, decided at the last minute to cancel the second walk when it was pouring with rain.

It was resolved to hold the second Parish Walk on Wednesday July 30 whatever the weather.

 

PLANNING

1.New applications:-

(a) No. P/08/03812/FU/HE – 18 Allerton Drive – Ext. & Dormers.

It was resolved to make no objection to this application.

(b) No. P/ 08/ 03877//FU/HE – Wellington Place, Harewood Rd. – Replacement Garage N.B. Cllr Priestley declared a personal interest.

It was resolved to make no objection to this application.  

(c) No. P/08/03424/FU/NE – The Stables, Field House, Crabtree Lane – Stables.

It was resolved to make no objection in principle to this application but to object to the damage to be caused to the ancient hedgerow by the additional access.

(d) No. P/08/03530/FU/HE – 33 The Paddock – Ext.& Garage Roof.

It was resolved to make no objection to this application except for the loss of amenity to the neighbouring property from the proposed new roof.

(e) No. P/08/01375/FU/HO – 22 Langwith Valley Road – Exts. – Revised Plans.

It was resolved to make no objection to this application.

(f) No. P/08/04136/FU/HE – 3 Argyle Mews- Cons.

N.B. Cllrs Priestley and Anning declared a personal interest.

It was resolved to make no objection to this application.

(g) No.P/08/04033/FU/HE – 17 Allerton Drive – Exts. – Further information was required before making a decision on this application.

 

2. WITHDRAWAL BY LCC:-

 P/08/02715/FU – Black – 22 Allerton Drive – Dormer Windows.

 

5. Enforcement Action relating to Two Hoots Farm .The Clerk had spoken to Mr Sanderson in LCC Planning Enforcement and had been told that the Legal Section was preparing an Enforcement Order against the siting of the mobile home, used as an office.

The Principal Planning Officer was under the impression that the soil bank had been sanctioned as “screening”. Mr Sanderson promised to explain to the Planning Officer that from his own site visit he was aware that the soil heap was excessive in terms of screening  and to chase up the Legal Dept. The Clerk was asked to request that this be put in writing.

and to ensure that our correspondence (whether by e mail or letter) was kept on file.

FINANCE

1.Bills for payment:-  

(a)East Keswick Village Hall – Rent                                         £60.00

(b) Clerk’s Salary & Expenses                                                   £673.70

It was resolved to pay the bills listed above.                                                                                                 

2. Audit of Accounts. Graham Plant had approved the actions taken by the Parish Council, in conjunction with the Village Hall Committee, to provide the written evidence he had requested, and had then signed the annual internal audit report. He had, however, asked that the PC approve the Running Statement of the PC/VHC financial position as of 31.3.08, prepared by the PC Chairman, the Clerk, and the Treasurer of the VHC , and that they minute their approval . He concurred with the proposal that the PC should pay over to the VHC the bulk of the monies outstanding immediately, retaining only sufficient to cover the cost of a further number of items for the VH kitchen suggested by Mr Anning. He requested a further Running Statement when this had been completed. The chairman signed the Statement of Accounts and proposed acceptance of the Running Statement at 31.3.08 circulated to Cllrs at or before the meeting. This was seconded Cllr Thornton and

It was resolved to approve the Statement of Accounts and the Running Statement of PC/VHC Finances at 31.3.08.

The Chairman expressed his thanks for all the hard and diligent work undertaken by Graham Plant and to record the Parish Council’s gratitude for his help and guidance.

3. Extra Items of Expenditure for VH  Refurbishment. Mr Anning had listed a further 5 items which he wished to purchase for a total of £3599 with VAT.

It was resolved to agree to purchase these additional items at the request of the VHC and as part of the refurbishment of the Village hall and to retain £4000 in the PC accounts.                                                                                 

CORRESPONDENCE

1.YLCA Info. This was noted . Cllr Thornton’s period of office as a trustee of YRCC was due to expire shortly and it was agreed that East Keswick PC would nominate  Cllr Thornton again.

2. Letter from CE Electric UK. This stated the intention of the firm to keep people as well informed as possible about breaks in supply. It was agreed to pass information via the newsletter about arrangements for special categories of people most at risk from the failure of electricity supply. It was also suggested that there could be merit in drawing up a disaster risk plan.  

 
NEW BUSINESS

1. Newsletter. A reminder was given about the need for a PC newsletter in the near future.

2. Gala. It was agreed in principle that there should be an EK gala in the summer of 2009. Various people were proposed for Chairman of a gala committee and the Chairman offered to contact them.

 
MINOR MATTERS FOR DELEGATION TO CLERK/NEXT AGENDA

1. Phone Box. Every effort must be made to retain this and to obtain advance warning of a possible removal of the EK box.

2. EKPC Land off Moor Lane  Cllr Pinkney asked for agreement  to progress the demarcation of this land from that of David Cooke. The first step was to consult a surveyor.

Council agreed to the suggestion.

3. Land to side of Tennis Courts adjacent to Churchyard Cllr Pinkney brought plans to demonstrate the problem of identifying the precise boundary line. The map from Church records showed an entirely straight line as being the boundary ,whereas the PC map showed a curving line.  The difference was important when determining responsibility for tree works in this area. Cllr Pinkney asked, and received permission to seek legal advice, after first checking PC records from the deed box.

4. Next meeting of Village Hall Committee Cllr Ogden offered to attend as Cllr Pentith was unable to do so.

5. Repairs on Whitegate Cllr Anning commented on the deteriorating surface of this road and the inadequacy of the patching up repair work carried out. It was agreed to bring this to the attention of Highways.

6. Bus Shelters Cllr Thornton had been asked to raise this issue by a resident. The Clerk explained the problems Bardsey PC had encountered in this matter and Council agreed to take no steps at present to obtain any shelters.

7. New Principal Planning Officer Cllr Thornton reported that Don Dunlevey had replaced David Newbury in this post

8. Outstanding Monies owed to the PC by the VHC Cllr Thornton had been unable to discuss this issue with the VH Treasurer to date. She was asked to e mail the Chairman of VHC in the first instance.

Signed:

 

Date:

July 08 Mins.