DRAFT
SUBJECT TO FORMAL COUNCIL APPROVAL
Minutes of
the Meeting of Skelton Parish Council held on Tuesday 9th September
2008 at Skelton Village Hall.
The
meeting commenced at 7.00 p.m.
Present: -
Cllrs. Lumley (in the chair), Watt, Raper, Campbell, Hayton and Mansell, the
Clerk PCSO Miliner (item 1 only) and three members of the public.
08.61
Open forum: PCSO Miliner reported on the police activities in the ward over the
last two months. Generally there had been a low level of reported incidents
including anti-social behaviour and vehicle damage. The parents of individuals
suspected of antisocial activities had been visited. The Neighbourhood Policing
Team had been strengthen by the addition of two further Police Community Support
Officers. PCSO Miliner encourage villages to continue to report suspicious
activity observed and incidents of dangerous/antisocial driving. Offenders could
be prosecuted if sufficient evidence becomes available. PCSO Miliner confirmed
NPT had received complaints of inappropriate and criminal activities in the
southern most A19 lay-by and that steps were being taken to address this
problem. The Chairman read the Ward Report for August together with
correspondence he had received from North Yorkshire Police giving details of the
activities of the NPT for the Ward. A parishioner reported that he considered
there were a number of potential safety issues posed by the large Oak trees on
Brecksfield to the front of Radcliffe Court. He reported Ryedale Housing
Association had accepted responsibility for the four most easterly trees and
asked if the Council was aware of who was responsible for the remaining trees.
The Chairman responded that the three most westerly trees were on PC land and
that these would be considered later in the Council Meeting. The Clerk was asked
to consult the PC’s deeds to establish responsibility for the remaining trees.
Cllr. Raper reported that a Dog
Warden Patrol from CYC was regularly visiting the village to try to address the
problem of unattended dogs fouling Orchard Field and other areas of the village.
Cllr. Mansell requested that the question of the PC taking proactive steps to
encourage a change of behaviour in irresponsible dog owners be placed on the
next agenda.
One member
of public left the meeting at this point and the business agenda commenced at
8.32 p.m.
08.62
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Procter and Stead.
08.63
The Clerk requested that Cllrs provide him with signed Declaration of Members
Interest Forms which he would then copy for the PC’s records and forward the
originals to City of York Council.
08.64
There were no declarations of personal or prejudicial Interests in the business
on this agenda.
08.65 It was resolved to approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the
Council held on 8th July 2008 as a true record.
08.66 The Council received verbal
reports from the Clerk or Councillors on the follow matters arising from the
previous meeting of the Council: -
a.
No parishioners had expressed an interest in cooption to the Council.
b.
Village Condition.
1.
The Council still awaited a response from CYC regarding assistance in
understanding the drainage implications of filling in areas of Orchard Field
liable to standing water.
2.
Maintenance work on the Orchard Field hedge and trees and shrubs on
Orchard Field and The Pasture. This item is covered in the Clerks Report which
had been circulated to Councillors. A copy of which will be retained with these
minutes.
3.
Private hedges overgrowing footpaths, covered by Clerks Report.
c.
Playing field including progress on planning application for
changing hut. Nothing to report.
d.
Cemetery extension. Progress on consecration and opening ceremony is
covered by the Clerk’s report.
e.
The Clerk reported that the Big
Lottery Fund Grant Application towards the proposed playground had not been
successful. It was agreed to hold a meeting of the Project Advisory Group and to
invite a representative from York Council for Voluntary Service to attend to
assist in identifying alternative sources of funding.
f.
The registration of Orchard Field/The Pasture as a Village Green was
dependant upon a decision of the appropriate committee of City of York Council.
g.
It was resolved to approve the recommendations of the Audit and Internal
Control Review panel held on 2nd September 2008.
08.67
Planning applications –
it
was agreed to ratify the delegated decisions already reported to CYC that no
object be raised or comment made on the following applications : - 693-7
Fairfields Drive – Extensions to side and rear, 694-Orchard Field – Minor
tree work, 695-Skelton Post Office – Extension resubmission, 696
-Manor Court – Trim three branches on Weeping Willow.
The Clerk reported on a ‘Notice of Appeal to Secretary of State’
regarding refusal of permission for the replacement of a window at Skelton
Manor.
08.68
Financial Issues: It was resolved to: -
1.
Receive and approve the report on the Council’s financial position at
31st August 2008.
2.
Note the following receipts: -
a.
CYC Ward Grant for Playground Project £3,000.00
b.
Barclays Bank Interest received £271.20
3.
Approve for payment the following invoices :-
Barnes-Tee
Additional cemetery work
£125.84*
Barnes-Tee
Inst 4 Cemetery Mtce.
£169.28*
Baron
(Landscape Contractors)
Grass cutting Instalment 4
£210.00*
Baron
(Landscape Contractors)
VAT on above
£36.75*
Zurich
Municipal
Annual Insurance
£658.19*
Barnes-Tee
Inst 5 Cemetery Mtce.
£169.28
Baron
(Landscape Contractors)
Grass cutting Instalment 5
£210.00
Baron
(Landscape Contractors)
VAT on above
£36.75
Mazars
Audit Fee
£285.00
Mazars
VAT on above £49.88
Clerk
Salary & Expenses
£1,613.96
Inland Revenue
Tax & NI
£240.34
*Ratification payments
already made.
N.B. Payment to Gratuity Fund
£61.11
08.69 New
Items and correspondence.
1.
For information: -
a.
It was resolved to receive the report of the External Auditor for year
ended 31 March 2008, in which the auditor reported there were no matters to
which he wished to draw the Councillors attention to.
2.
For decision:
a.
The Council noted the contents of correspondence from the John Hodgson
Charitable Trust.
b.
It was resolved to notify the ‘Arty
Farty Kids Co’ that no land in the Parish was suitable for its proposed
activities.
c.
It was resolved to notify the YRCC Housing Enabler, York City Council and
Ryedale Housing Association that the Parish Council was not aware of any land in
the village which might be considered suitable for a social housing scheme.
d.
The Clerk provided details of the following invitations : -
i.
CYC Local
Transport Plan consultation event Guildhall 11 September 10.00 to 13.00
ii.
Shaping York
Local Involvement Network event 15 Sept, Guildhall. 10.00 to 15.00.
iii.
York 50+ Festival
16 September Guildhall.
e.
It was agreed to invite John Lacy from CYC Licensing Team to attend the
next meeting of the Council regarding the proposal for a ward wide Alcohol
Exclusion Zone.
f.
The Council considered a request from a resident of Ratcliffe Court to
trim back large Oak trees she considered adversely affected her property. It was
resolved the Clerk establish which trees were the Council’s responsibility and
arrange an inspection to identify what maintenance work was required on these
trees.
08.70 The
date of
the next meeting was confirmed as Tuesday 14th October 2008 in the
Village Hall at 7 p.m.
Minutes of
the Meeting of Skelton Parish Council held on Tuesday 8th July 2008
at Skelton Village Hall.
08.50
The open forum commenced at 7.00 p.m.
Present :
- Cllrs. Lumley in the chair, Watt, Hayton, Campbell, Raper, Mansell and Stead
(from item 08.55.b.4 ), the Clerk, CSO Miliner (item 08.50 only) and two members
of the public.
CSO
Miliner reported that June was again a quiet month in the Village with one
reported burglary, one incident of damage to a motor vehicle and no instances of
nuisance reported. He reported on a new website ‘immobilize .com’ where
individuals could register high value items which would increase the likelihood
that recovered stolen items would be returned to their owners. The Chairman
reported that no Ward Report for June had yet been received.
A parishioner referred to the item on the business agenda relating to a
proposal to infill the depression in the centre of Orchard Field which is
susceptible to standing water. The parishioner spoke against the proposal
and advised the Council that if the hollow were to be filled in it could only be
done using soil that would not present any possibility of polluting the
groundwater in the area. A parishioner expressed concern at the extent of dog
fouling on Orchard Field resulting from unattended dogs being allowed to walk on
the field unaccompanied. The Chairman asked the Clerk to report the problem to
York Pride with a view to having a City of York Council Dog warden to observe
Orchard Field at those times when such incidents were most likely to occur.
08.51.
The Business Agenda part of the meeting commenced at 7.35 p.m.
08.52.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Procter.
08.53.
Cllr. Raper declared an interest in item 08.55.b.4
of the business on this agenda. In the event the nature of the business under
this item was such that the interest was not prejudicial.
08.54. It was resolve to approve the minutes of the meeting of the Council
held on 10th June 2008.
08.55. The Council received the following verbal reports from the Clerk and
Councillors on matters arising from the previous meeting of the Council: -
a.
The Clerk had received no expressions of interest for cooption to the
Council.
b.
Village Condition.
1.
City of York Council had cut the edges of the footpath along Brecks Lane,
2.
No work would be carried out on the vegetation on Moorlands Road until
the end of the bird nesting season. Gullies did not cope with heavy rain, Clerk
to report this to York Pride.
3.
It was resolved the Clerk contact City of York Council to obtain advice
on the likely consequences on the rest of Orchard Field of filling in those areas liable to standing water.
4.
It was resolved the Clerk by authorised to accept the most beneficial of
the quotations received for maintenance work on the hedge, trees and shrubs on
Orchard Field and The Pasture when he considered no further quotations were
likely to be received.
c.
The Clerk reported the possibility that the temporary
changing hut on the playing field might be considered ‘permitted
development’. He had obtained the necessary application form and arranged for
this to be passed to Skelton Football and Recreation Club for completion.
d.
The plan of the cemetery extension had not yet been provided by the
architect and no progress on consecration and the opening ceremony could be made
until this was received.
e.
The Clerk reported the application for a grant from The Big Lottery
Playful Ideas Fund had been submitted for consideration by the due date and that
the fund administrators now had three months to decide upon the application. He
reported on an email from a parishioner expressing concern that adequate
measures be taken to address the potential problem of youths causing a nuisance
around the proposed playground and the view that the Council had taken
insufficient steps to ensure that those people living nearest the playground
site were aware of the Council’s proposals. It was resolved to write to the
parishioner assuring her that the Council intended to consult with the Safer
York Partnership with regard to the design of the playground to ensure steps
were taken to minimise the potential for users of the playground to cause
nuisance to adjacent properties. It was agreed to give the parishioner notice of
all intend meetings of the project’s advisory team and to invite her to
attend.
f.
Because data obtained from North Yorkshire Police showed no relevant
reported incidents on Orchard Field/The Pasture and the proposed playground area
it was resolved not to propose the creation of Alcohol Restriction Zones but
that the position be kept under review.
g.
There was nothing to report regarding the proposed ‘Eco-town’.
h.
It was resolved not to erect a street nameplate ‘Northfield Lane’.
i.
The Clerk reported that DEFRA had advised that no license for the removal
of geese on Skelton Pond should be applied for until the Council could
demonstrate that all other lawful measurers had been taken to discourage geese
from using the pond. DEFRA had also advised that the owners of the pond across
the A19 should be approached regarding a coordinated initiative to address the
continuing problem of nuisance caused by geese in Skelton. It was resolved the
Council in conjunction with the Friends of Skelton Pond take all lawful steps to
discourage geese from settling and breading on the pond and that the position be
reviewed at a council meeting in early spring 2009 before any application for
the necessary licence is made.
It
was resolved that in pursuant to section1(2) of the Public
Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 on the grounds that publicity would be
prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of
business to be transacted, the public be excluded from the meeting for the
remainder of agenda item 5.i. and that this item be taken at the end of the
meeting.
j.
The Clerk reported CYC required a further sworn statement that there were
no existing leases or charges in force on Orchard Field before registration of
Orchard Field/The Pasture as a Village Green could be completed.
k.
The Audit and Internal Control Review Advisory Panel would meet before
the next meeting of the Council to consider the Internal Auditors Report for
2007/8.
l.
It was resolved to adopt the Council’s Policy with regarding to
‘Working with Children’ previously circulated to Councillors.
08.56.
Planning applications –
It was resolved that the delegated decision to raise no objections to
application 690 – 13 The Vale -
Crown lift three Sycamore Trees be ratified.
It was resolved to raise no objections to applications 691 -
Skelton Hall - Fell 4 trees and crown lift others and
692 – 5 Park Close - rear extension revised application.
Following receipt of
notification from CYC of an appeal to Secretary of State in respect of refused
application 684 - 7 Fairfields Drive, Erection of two storey dwelling it was
resolved no additional comments be submitted.
08.57. Financial
Issues:
1.
It was resolved to receive and approve the report on the Council’s
financial position at 30th June 2008.
2.
The following receipts were noted: - Rec 507 -508
Cemetery Fees £150.00
3.
It was resolved to approve for payment the following invoices :-
F. Sleightholm
Provision of five trees £450.00*
F. Sleightholm
VAT on above
£78.75*
Barnes-Tee
Inst 3 Cemetery Mtce.
£169.28
Baron
(Landscape Contractors) Grass cutting Installment 3
£210.00
Baron
(Landscape Contractors) VAT on above
£36.75
*Ratification payment
already made.
08.58. New
Items and correspondence.
1.
It was resolved to adopt revised Standing Orders numbers 40 and 80 and
revised Financial Regulations 3.4 and 6.4 as previously circulated to
Councillors.
2.
It was resolved not to respond to correspondence from the Chairman of the
World Heritage Site Status for York Steering Group.
3.
it was resolved to put forward the following projects for consideration
for Ward Funding in 2009/10.
a.
The provision of one ‘dog bin’ on the corner of Stripe Lane and the
A19 and two bins on the southerly part of the proposed playground site.
b.
The provision of a zip wire ride on the new playground.
c.
Kerbing on the southerly section of ‘The Village’ between Orchard
View and Brecksfield.
d.
A grant of £1,000 towards installation of measures to discourage the
breeding of geese on Skelton Pond.
4.
It was resolved
that the Council support the Skelton Village Design Statement as issued for
consultation and support its adoption by CYC as Supplementary Planning Guidance.
There
were no members of the public present for the remainder of the meeting.
08.59.
(continuation of item 08.55 i) The Council considered correspondence from a
parishioner expressing views that the Council had failed to act with due
integrity and propriety when addressing of the issue of geese on the pond. It
was resolved to respond to the parishioner that the views expressed in the
correspondence were not shared or accepted by the Council.
08.60. It was
resolved the date of the next Meeting of the Parish Council
be Tuesday 9th September 2008 in the Village Hall at 7 p.m.
The meeting closed at 10.08 p.m.