Nov 2008

EAST KESWICK PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 18^TH 2008 POLICE AND RESIDENTS FORUM PCSO Louise Lodge attended and reported 3 crimes during the last month – 2 burglaries and 1 theft from a dwelling. PRESENT Cllrs Priestley, Thornton, Pinkney, Anning, Batty and Ogden.

APOLOGIES Cllr Pentith. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 21 OCTOBER 2008 These were approved. MATTERS ARISING1. Village Clock Cllr Ogden reported that his contact had inspected the clock but had at the time been unable to enter the premises. He would supply the neighbour’s telephone number and remind him about the clock.2. Report on Remembrance Day Service. This had been extremely well attended, by approximately 75 people. The presence of the Cubs was viewed with approval. It was agreed to write and thank Steve Barlow, who had conducted the service, David Smith who had organised it, and Ashley Cullingworth who had brought the Bardsey Cubs with their home made wreath. 3. Parish Plan. Cllr Pinkney reported that a meeting of the Footpath Group was to be held the following Monday when Rosie Watts of LCC Rights of Way Dept., would be present. Cllr Thornton reported that the VH Committee were agreeable to a Youth Day of some kind in the Spring and she had found 2 adults willing to assist the young people. She considered that monies should be put aside in case the Council was required to purchase the red telephone box on Main Street.However it appeared that East Keswick was not included although Scarcroft was to lose their box. 4. Children’s Playground, including Playground Inspection Report from Wicksteed Leisure An e mail had been received from Sue Lumby of Green Leeds saying that she was that day to present the case to her committee for East Keswick purchasing Wicksteed equipment. An inspection report on the playground had been received from Wicksteed, identifying a few matters ,all of medium to low priority.5.Possibility of improving surface of section of ginnel from St Mary’s Garth to Moor Lane. A quotation for £250 had been received from GGS Groundcare for a hardcore surface. The Clerk had consulted John Stevens , Rights of Way Officer for LCC, to ask whether his volunteers could undertake the work, and he had promised to look into this possibility.6 Parish Council Newsletter. Cllr Batty had e mailed Cllrs with his draft before the meeting and, with a few amendments , this was approved. A major issue to be highlighted was the news from the Gas Board that work on the replacement pipe will, early in the New Year, necessitate the closure of Main Street for a number of weeks. Cllr Batty identified 3 areas of concern arising from this-the effect on the village businesses, regular bus passengers, and children using the school bus. Cllr Pinkney reported that there was also an issue about soil and banking erosion caused by the heavy equipment used. It was resolved to contact Clare Davies of Metro and try to arrange a meeting between her and the Chairman concerning any help they intend to provide for bus passengers during the period of closure. It was also resolved to write to the Gas Board asking them to ensure that full restitution of vegetation is made when work is complete. 7.2009 Village Gala. There was nothing further to report. A further attempt to find volunteers to organise it is to be made via the newsletter. 8. Land off Moor Lane owned by Parish Council Cllr Pinkney reported that the land should now have been marked out. 9.Boundary between lands owned by Church and by Parish Council adjacent to Tennis Courts. (Cllrs Pinkney and Anning declared a personal interest). Cllr Pinkney recommended a meeting with the PCC Management Committee so that responsibility for the small triangle of no man’s land could be established before any tree damage occurred. It was resolved that Cllr Thornton would meet members of the PCC Management Committee to discuss the boundary between Church and Council land. 10. Insecure Steps between Moor Lane and The Grove. These had been dealt with.11. Meeting with Shadwell Cllrs. There was nothing to report. 12.Problems relating to the Beck in connection with Wildlife Management Agreement. Letter from Dr Pinkney to Wildlife Trust. (Cllr Pinkney declared a personal interest) Cllr Pinkney reported that through her role as Vice Chairman of the Wildlife Trust she had learnt that there was considerable work required to ease the blockage problem caused by tree branches in the beck. It was also noted that the management agreement had expired, and there had been no report of use of the grant by the Trust over the years as stipulated in the Agreement. With the approval of the Chairman, the Clerk had written to the Secretary of the Wildlife Trust, asking what steps they intended taking about the problems identified regarding the beck, and asking for a report on how the PC grant for the last year had been spent. The Secretary had replied noting that the Agreement had expired , promising a report as requested, and suggesting a joint meeting between the Trust and the Council. Cllr Pinkney reported to the meeting that the Wildlife Trust had taken immediate action, employing a worker from BTCV who had cleared all the debris from the beck allowing the stream to flow steadily. There was still an area of silt under the bridge and they would contact Joe Smallman(LCC) in the first instance about this, as the beck was the responsibility of Yorkshire Water from this point onwards. Cllr Pinkney offered to consult Hartlaw about drawing up a new agreement between the Parish Council and the Wildlife Trust. Cllr Pinkney also reported that she had written to the Wildlife Trust stressing that a balance should be struck between the need for wetland on the marsh and its official designation as a Public Open Space. She had also noticed that some debris was being thrown over on to the Marsh. It was agreed to highlight this in the newsletter. Cllr Batty mentioned the possibility of a duck board walk across the marsh in the future. The Clerk was to reply to the Secretary of the Wildlife Trust saying that every effort would be made to arrange an early meeting between the 2 bodies. 13. Highway matters reported after last meeting – Road and Footpath Surfaces on The Close and The Paddock and Need for new posts at end of Cleavesty Lane. The Highways Officer did not consider The Close and the Paddock to be in urgent need of repair. He had requested funds for replacement posts on Cleavesty Lane. 14. Drains at end of Crabtree Lane .The Clerk was asked to remind Steve Parry15. Village name on Crabtree Lane millstone. Highways were also to be reminded about this. 16. Report on Harewood & Wetherby P&T Council Forum on 13^th Nov. The official minutes had been circulated. 17. Letter from Chairman to Leisure Services re Wetherby Baths. The Chairman had written as agreed stressing the importance of upgrading Wetherby Leisure Centre18. Letter from Chairman re Consultation on devolving powers to individuals. The Chairman had written querying the reason for Cllrs being precluded from exercising these powers.

19. NALC consultation on voting age for elections. Views are sought on the merits of lowering the voting age to 16. Cllrs voted unanimously against this.

PLANNING

1.New applications:-

(a) No. 08/06062/FU/HE – Wilkinsons Cottage, Moor Lane – Exts.

(b) No. 08/06066/FU/HE – Hope Cottage, Moor Lane – Exts.

(c) No. 08/06139/FU/HE – Ryder Cottage, Main Street – Ext.( Cllr Thornton declared a personal and prejudicial interest and withdrew from the room during discussion of this item.)

It was resolved to make no objection to any of these applications but in regard to (a) and (b) to ask that any Rights of Way issues and neighbour comments be taken into consideration.

2.APPROVALS BY LCC:-

(a) No.P/08/05245/FU – Ashworth , The Coach House, Whitegate – Ext.

3.REFUSALS BY LCC:-

(a) No. P/08/02964/FU – Shann, 3 St Mary’s Garth- Increasing boundary wall height .

4. WITHDRAWALS BY LCC-

(a) No. 08/05270 – EK Plant Centre – Polytunnels & Canopy.

5.Enforcement Action relating to Two Hoots Farm. There had been no reply this month to the Council’s request for an update of information.

It was resolved to write to Phil Crabtree, Director of Planning, explaining the Council’s dissatisfaction with the handling of this matter by the Enforcement Section.

FINANCE

1.Bills for payment:-

(a) Cllr J. Priestley – Expenses from Wards reception £110.42

(b) Cllr J. Thornton – “ “ “ “ 39.81

(d) EK Village Hall – Rent 75.00

(e)The British Legion – Wreath and donation 25.00

(f) J. Gallant – Underpayment of salary 200.00

(g) Cllr Thornton – Travel Expenses 18.74

(h) Fishers Catering Supplies Ltd ( V.H. Refurbishment) 3052.66

(i) YLCA – Meeting Posters 3.50

(j) Bardsey Scouts Parents Committee – Grant 100.00

It was resolved to pay all the bills listed above.

2. Clerk’s Salary – Interim Agreement by NALC The Chairman advised Cllrs of the terms of the agreement, as set out in the White Rose Update, previously circulated to them . It was then proposed Cllr Pinkney, seconded Cllr Thornton and

It was resolved to pay the Clerk the full amount of the recommended increase for her SCP and hours of work, backdated to last April. 3. Draft Budget for 2009-10. The Clerk, with the help of the Finance Committee, had prepared a draft budget which had been circulated to all Cllrs before the meeting. The Chairman asked Cllrs to consider any revisions in time for the December meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE 1. Consultation Document on Codes of conduct for local authority members and employees. The Council authorised the Chairman and Clerk to complete this document , which could be approved at the December meeting. 2. New provisions under Freedom of Information requirements. The Chairman and Clerk would make draft proposals to be considered at the December meeting. 3. Yorkshire & Humber Plan Update – Public Meeting – Nov. 10 – Civic Hall – 3-5pm. Noted. MINOR MATTERS FOR DELEGATION TO CLERK/NEXT AGENDA1. Problems at Duke of Wellington Council agreed that Cllr Batty should make inquiries into the rumour that the pub had closed for business. 2. Building works at Wellington Place – It was agreed to check whether the terms of the planning consent had been complied with. Signed: Date: Nov. 08 Mins.

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