A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 15th October 2003 at 8.00pm.

Present:

Chairman Councillor B.Fisher; Councillors P.Lupton; A. Martin; B.Butler; Mrs.E.Bolton; Mrs.A.Chetcuti; Mrs U.Cansfield. County Councillor W.Brewis, and District Councillor Mrs.C.Bayliss attended.

Minutes: the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18th September 2003, having been circulated, were adopted as a correct record. Proposed by Councillor Lupton, Seconded Councillor Mrs.Bolton.

Matters arising: there were no matters arising.

Chairman's communications: documents received – Re Domain names for Councils; Actions for Market Towns; and from a Research Agency regarding the Licensing Act.

Matters arising concerning Plompton: Councillor Mrs. Bolton asked for the support of the Parish Council for a tree planting scheme at Plompton – for approximately 3 acres, West of Plompton Hall Farm, on a site originally planted by the estate. Grant aid will be applied for, and quotes have been obtained from Landscape Agency. Residents are prepared to contribute to the costs. It was agreed to support the project and to write to Harrogate Borough Council recommending Grant Aid from the Environmental Enhancement Fund.

Bus Timetable – Harewood Arms: following our representations to the Bus Company, regarding the out of date timetable and case, it was agreed to contact North Yorkshire County Council regarding a suitable pole to which an up to date timetable case can be fixed.

Yorkshire Water: Engineers have used cameras to ascertain the causes of sewage smells in the village which continue to be complained of. A site meeting has been proposed which will be attended by Councillor Fisher.

Saxon Cross: no further action will be taken regarding railings being placed around the Cross. North Yorkshire County Council have been approached with a view to moving the stopping place of the school buses from the Saxon Cross to a site on Pannal Road. The Stop at the Saxon Cross, now in use, is considered to be dangerous and also creates a hazard from children climbing on the Cross. Again a site visit is to take place.

Highway matters: concern was again expressed at the noise created by the heavy lorries on Main Street. Several letters of complaint have been received. It was agreed to bring the matter to the notice of the County Council, and request that the Main Street be entirely re-surfaced, and not repaired on a short term basis with numerous ‘patching' operations. County Councillor Brewis agreed to raise the matter at an imminent meeting.

Brambles on the cul-de-sac on Pannal Road, and also the erosion of the footpath has again been brought to the attention of the Divisional Surveyor, as has the badly eroded highway near “Brookside” on Spofforth Lane. The Footpath Officer has agreed to take action on the bridleway from Haggs Road to Pannal Road, which was badly flooded in the Winter 2002/2003.

Finance: proposed by County Councillor Mrs Cansfield, and seconded by Councillor Mrs. Bolton that the following accounts be paid:-

Grass cutting - £ 28.20p

¼ Salary - £250.00p.

Clerks report: correspondence – notice of a meeting of Local Councils Association, Councillor Mrs Bolton agreed to attend. Notice of a meeting of the Standards Sub-Committee, and a brochure setting out North Yorkshire County Council's submission to the Boundary Commission.

A Grant of £70.00p will be made by the Borough Council towards the cost of grass cutting.

Planning: Plans received for comment – by Rudding Park for an extension to the main building at the Golf Driving Range; no objections were raised.

By Lido Leisure Parks (Plompton) – courtesy referral, as the site is adjacent to Plompton Parish; no objections.

Clerk to the Council: the Clerk wishes to retire in March 2004. The position will be advertised forthwith.