MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUCKLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2008 COMMENCING AT 7.00 P.M.

AT THE AUCKLEY PARISH CENTRE

 

·        Present: -  Mrs. J. Worthington (Chairperson), Mr. I. Butterfield (Vice Chairperson),

·        Mrs. L. Allwood, Mr. G. Payne, Mr. I. Swainston, Mr. G. Warrender

·        Community Constable Brian Pyle, PCSO Maria Pratt

·        One member of the public.

1.   Public Participation

      A resident reported finding rubbish dumped along Common Lane.  He has contacted ‘Flag’ and

      asked them to remove the material.   He was full of praise for the Christmas Market which is now

      in its fourth year.

2.   To Receive Apologies for Absence  - Received and accepted from Mr. Cockett and Mr. Featherstone

3.   Declarations of Interest – None declared.

4.   To Approve Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      The minutes to be amended to include an addition to Item No. 3 (Declarations of Interest). 

      Mr. Warrender declared a personal interest in planning application no. 08/02982/FUL – Erection of

      extension to 33 Spey Drive, Auckley.  The minutes were then accepted and signed as a true record.

5.   Matters Arising from the Above Minutes

      a)   Casual Vacancy on Council – The Returning Officer reports that no request has been received

            for the vacancy to be filled by poll.  Accordingly the Parish Council is free to fill the vacancy

            by co-option at its January meeting.  Notices will be posted in shops and on notice boards, and any

            interested person should contact the Clerk before the 14th January 2009. 

b)      Village Drainage  – Following a letter from a resident expressing concern about the lack of drain cleansing, the Neighbourhood Manager has made further enquiries into the matter and reports that all gullies within the village of Auckley will be cleansed before Christmas.

c)       Unauthorised Trading, Main Street  - The Clerk to write and request an update.

d)      Encroachment Onto Recreation Ground – Council’s solicitor has advised the Clerk it is unlikely

that anyone will impose the covenant now that Auckley Homes have been dissolved.

RESOLVED – Following discussion, Mrs. Allwood proposed that it is now time for Council to take action to have the land re-instated and to request the resident vacates the land within 28 days, otherwise further action will be taken.  The proposal was seconded by Mr. Butterfield, and the motion was carried.  Council’s solicitor to be advised accordingly.

e)       Traffic Lights at Airport Entrance  - Highways Officer advises that a review of the signal timings

       has been carried out, and the traffic signal engineer has identified that this junction requires re-

       configuring.  A configuration has been sent to the manufacturers of this equipment and it will be

       installed and commissioned shortly.

f)        Gypsy Horses on Charity Land – DMBC’s Gypsy Liaison Team has visited the site and spoken to the owner of the horses who has informed the team that he is finding it difficult to locate anywhere to put them.  Unfortunately there are 8/10 horses, and the team only has resources for two.  The Team Leader advises the options open to Council are as follows:

i)                    arrange for a contractor to move them,

ii)                   apply to the County Court for a civil trespass order,

iii)                 speak to the owner and come to some agreement.

            RESOLVED – It was agreed to contact Clare McBride of Animal Welfare and ask whether the

            horses have a passport.  Members to monitor the land and report to the next meeting. 

g)       Entrance to Public Footpath No. 2 – A reminder to be sent to Foopaths Officer.

h)       Dilapidated Building, Hayfield Lane – An update to be requested.

i)         Blocked Manhole, Ellers Lane – A reminder to be sent to Community First.

j)        Purchase of Megaphone – Mr. Cockett to be asked for advice regarding a suitable model.

k)      Path at Sandhill Rise – The Footpaths Officer to be asked for an update.

l)         Unauthorised Advertising Signs on Hurst Lane – These have been removed.

m)     Request for Improvements to Spey Drive Play Area – A reminder to be sent to Mrs. Schofield.

n)       Bags of Rubbish at Building Site – Pending.

 

 

 

Page 2

 

6.   Community Police Report

      P.C. Pyle reported that crime figures for the past month were as follows:

      Two minor assaults,

      Eight thefts – miscellaneous

      Two damages

      Four burglaries (including scout hut)

      Speed Gun – The cost of purchasing the speed gun was discussed and Council was informed that

      there is a shortfall in the funds available.  Council has already agreed to contribute the sum of £300

      towards the speed gun, and it was agreed in principle to increase this amount.  The matter is to be

      discussed at the January meeting.

7.   District Councillor’s Report

      No District Councillor was available to attend the meeting.

8.   To Consider Quotation to Modify Access Gate

      The Environment Agency has approved the drawing submitted by Brindley Engineering.  The firm

      has supplied an estimated cost of £1,140.00 + VAT to modify the gate - this is based on current steel

      prices.  Cantley with Branton Parish Council has agreed to pay half the cost of the work.

      RESOLVED  - Following discussion, Mrs. Allwood proposed that Auckley Council pay the other

      half of the cost.  The proposal was seconded by Mr. Warrender, and the motion was carried. 

      Once the gate has been modified and re-hung, the Environment Agency is to be asked to direct the

      adjacent landowner to remove the fencing across the access to the riverbank.

9.   To Consider Providing Additional Christmas Lighting

      The Christmas Market organiser has asked whether Council would consider providing illuminated

      Christmas Motifs mounted on lamp posts at The Green in time for the next Christmas Market.

      DMBC’s Senior Electrical Engineer has advised that he would only authorise column-mounted motifs

      if the columns are surveyed and found to be satisfactory.  The cost of each motif is from £250

      upwards, plus cost of installing and removing – therefore a motif costing £250 to hire would cost

      £560 for the first year per column, and £450 for each subsequent year,  plus energy costs.

      RESOLVED – It was agreed to write and ask if the Clerk of Armthorpe Council could provide

      the Council with further information on this matter.

10. To Discuss Electricity Charges for Christmas Trees

      Council has received a letter from N Power advising that the outstanding amount of £210.68 for

      administration costs relating to Christmas tree lights has been referred to their legal team, and they ask

      for payment within 7 days.  Council has already paid the charge for electricity used, but has received

      no explanation as to why the administration costs are so high in relation to the cost of the electricity.

      RESOLVED – It was agreed to write to YLCA to ask for a break-down of the administration costs.

11. To Discuss BT’s Adopt a Kiosk Scheme

      BT has requested its local team to remove the telephone equipment from the kiosk.  The Clerk to

      ask BT to supply a repair manual.  

12. To Discuss Untidy Land at Main Street

      The landowner’s solicitor reports that the purpose of suggesting a “nominal annual rent of £100”

      was to effectively pass the land to Council in its current condition.  Unless Council is prepared to

      take responsibility for the land in its current condition then his client would obviously be seeking to

      obtain a commercial rent for the use of the land.   Since it appears in May that Council was only

      concerned about arranging for the vegetation to be trimmed, he does  not see why his client should

      undertake wholesale rotavating of the land at her expense.

      RESOLVED  - Following discussion Mr. Payne proposed that the solicitor be informed that Council

      is not willing to take responsibility for the land unless the owner is prepared to grant a fifty year lease

      with no break clause.  Anything less would not be a viable proposition.  The proposal was seconded

      by Mr. Swainston, and the motion was carried.

 

 

 

 

 

Page 3

 

13. To Discuss Highway Matters

      a)   Unlit Street Lamps – Community First to be advised of three unlit lamps on Main Street.

      b)   Demolished Seat -  Council was informed that the seat situated at the Main Street/School Lane

            junction was completely demolished recently when a car careered off the road and smashed into it.

14.  To Discuss Recreation Matters

       a)   Pavilion Repairs – Following water damage to the ceiling Mr. Hargreaves of ‘Need A Hand’has

             inspected the roof and replaced a number of broken tiles which have obviously allowed rainwater

             to trickle in and damage part of the ceiling plasterboard.   Mr. Cockett’s advice is to leave the

             ceiling to dry out until after Christmas before repairs are carried out.

b)      Dog Fouling – It was reported that dog fouling is particularly bad along Norwood Avenue and on the Spey Drive Play Area.  Community First to be made aware of this problem.

15.  To Discuss Application for Play Equipment Funding

       Council’s application is to be considered by WREN in December and a response is awaited.

16.  To Consider Draft Airport Master Plan

       It was agreed to discuss the Plan at the next Airport Consultative Meeting.

17.  To Consider Draft Neighbourhood Charter

       Comments invited on the Draft Neighbourhood Charter which is an agreement between DMBC,  

       its partners and residents to work together to deliver excellent services and sets out the priorities for  

       the Borough and where changes and improvements are needed.  A comprehensive list of services

       proposed includes engaging with the community, dealing with anti-social behaviour,  keeping the

       streets clean, dealing  with litter and grafitti, etc.  

       RESOLVED – Members of Council were impressed with the number of community-based services

       that feature in the Charter which will enable members of the public to access and receive the

       services they require. 

18.  To Receive Reports of Meetings:

       a)   Hayfield Lane Recreation Project

             Mr. Swainston reported that DMBC Councillors are taking an interest in the project.

             The Business Plan needs to be sustainable and is being worked on.

             Plans are being obtained for teenage shelters

b)      Airport Consultative Sub-Committee Meeting

Mr. Peter Nears talked through the draft Airport Master Plan with the sub-committee.

A sum of £2,000 is left in the Community Fund.

No complaints relating to aircraft noise have been received in recent times.

19.  To Consider Planning Applications:

       a)   No. 08/03214/FUL – Erection of 2 no. dormer windows to rear elevation in connection with

             rooms in roofspace created and new roof over existing conservatory to rear of semi-detached

             house  -  32 Hawthorne Road, Auckley

             Council had no objections to make in respect of the above.

b)   No. 08/03313/FUL – Conversion of caretaker’s bungalow to children’s centre including erection

of covered pram storage area (2.3m x 1.0m) with new disabled access ramp to front and creation of 6 no. additional parking spaces to existing school parking area (being application under Regulation 3 Town and Country Planning (General) Regulation 1992)

Caretaker’s Bungalow, Hayfield Lane Primary School, Hayfield Lane, Auckley

Council had no objections to make in respect of the above application.

20.  To Report Decisions Made by DMBC’s Planning Committee:

a)      No. 07/03033/COU – Change of use from newsagent (Class A1 – Shops) to hot food takeaway

Class A5 – Hot Food Takeaways)

30 Ellers Lane, Auckley

The application is finally disposed of.

       b)    No. 08/02968/FUL – Erection of pitched roof porch extension to front, single storey pitched

roof extension to side and two storey pitched roof extension following demolition of existing to rear of detached house  -  18 Ellers Lane, Auckley

Planning permission granted

 

 

Page 4

 

20.  To Report Decisions Made by DMBC’S Planning Committee (continued)

       c)   No. 08/02768/FUL – Internal/external alterations and extensions in connection with

             conversion of existing hangar to provide engineering workshop, spray paint shop and

             design studio (being re-submission of previous application granted under ref: 08/01510/FUL on

             10.09.08)  -  Hangar 2, Finningley Airport, Hayfield Lane, Auckley

      Planning permission granted.

       d)   No. 08/00761/FUL – Erection of detached house on approx. 0.03 ha of land following demolition

             of existing store and garage  -  Land to Rear of The Little Manor House, Main Street, Auckley

      Planning permission granted.

21.  To Sign Cheques

       Cheque no. 001944  -  Auckley New Parish Centre (Hire hall for meeting)                            £24.00

       Cheque no. 001945  -  SLCC (Annual membership)                                                           £105.00

       Cheque no. 001946  -  N Power (Pavilion electricity charges)                                               £51.27

       Cheque no. 001947  -  Veolia ES (UK) Ltd ( Grounds maintenance)                                    £74.57

       Cheque no. 001948  -  Need a Hand (Cleaning of shower heads)                                         £60.00

       Cheque no. 001949  -  Need a Hand (Emergency repairs to replace roof tiles)                    £155.00

       Cheque no. 001950  -  G&P Plevey (Supply, deliver, erect and remove 2no trees)           £1,128.00

       Cheque no. 001951  -  Arrow Publications (items published in newsletter)                             £55.00

       Cheque no. 001952  -  Mr. H. Baker (Purchase wheelbarrow)                                             £32.29

22.  To Receive Correspondence

       a)   List of forthcoming Public Rights of Way Meetings

       b)   Information from SYPTE on bus services over the festive period.

23.  To Confirm Date and Time of Next Parish Council Meeting

       It was agreed to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, 14th January 2009, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

       at the Auckley Parish Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                  Chairperson …………………………….