A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 23rd July 2003 at 8.00pm.

PRESENT: Chairman Councillor B. Fisher; Councillors Mrs.U.Cansfield; Mrs.E.Bolton; Mrs.A.Chetcuti; J.B.Butler, A. Martin; P.Lupton
District Councillor Mrs.C.Bayliss attended.
Apology for absence from County Councillor W.Brewis

MINUTES: The Minutes of the previous Meeting held on 25th June 2003 having been circulated were adopted as a correct record.
Proposed: Councillor Mrs.E.Bolton.
Seconded: Councillor Martin.

MATTERS ARISING: Further rubbish has been cleared by Councillor Martin. Reported that the gate to the tunnel has been replaced. The Environmental Department will monitor the pollution to discover the cause.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS: The grass on Haggs Road path has now been cut. Noted that the roadside verge on Pannal Road, and the island at the By-Pass junction, has been cut by Rudding Estate. A letter of thanks for this will be sent. Complaint by a Parishioner regarding footpath damage by ditch overflow on the path from the underpass to Haggs Road will be referred to North Yorkshire County Council.

MATTERS CONCERNING PLOMPTON: There were no outstanding matters for discussion.

YORKSHIRE WATER: Following unsatisfactory action by Yorkshire Water regarding sewage smells on Main Street, the Chairman has pursued the matter with a Yorkshire Water Engineer, and a meeting on site will be held to emphasise the long standing problem. Parishioners are urged to ring a Help Line each time the offensive smell is noted.
Ring 0845 1 24 24 29. Persistence in using this number will assist the Parish Council to obtain a solution to this problem which has been complained of over a number of years.

HIGHWAY MATTERS: Noted that the overhanging bushes on Pannal Road path will be cut back by the Highway Authority. Report of high weeds on Plompton Road referred to the Highway Authority. A request is to be made to the Highway Authority to clear all ragwort from local roadsides. Noted a grant application to fell conifers on Crimple Beck and re-plant with conifers - Harrogate Borough Council have forwarded their comments to the Forestry Commission requesting some deciduous planting. Rudding Estate has indicated that the new footpath on top of infill in the old railway could be ready late 2004.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT: Quotes for resurfacing outside the Post Office have been obtained and await approval for Grant Aid. Sam Smith Brewery will not be involved in this aspect of enhancement. The Bus Stop sign will be replaced by the Bus Company.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: A meeting of coordinators will be held shortly to assess the progress of the scheme. Warnings have been received of doorstep salesmen/workmen offering bogus services.

FINANCE: Annual accounts to 31st March 2003 were formally approved. Public Notice of availability of accounts has been posted on Notice Boards.
Accounts to be paid:
Grass cutting (Borough Council) - £18.80p
Proposed : Councillor Butler. Seconded: Councillor Lupton.

SAXON CROSS: This has now been Listed Grade II by the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport. Parts date from 9th Century. It was agreed to erect a plaque to signify the importance of this artefact.

CLERK'S REPORT: Correspondence: Received notice of Meeting of County Committee of Harrogate District, magazine "Clerks Councils" Direct, Consultation on Council Plan and Local Government Review.

PLANNING MATTERS: Items referred to the Enforcement Officer at Wingate Farm,
3 items - all are monitored by that Department.
Complaint of waste tipping on Pannal Road is being dealt with by the Enforcement Offices.
Noted that a recent application re Keepers Lodge at Plompton has been refused. Application for place of worship near St. James Park on A658 reported to be approved but referred to next Planning meeting, as the decision was made against the advice of the Planning Officer.

GENERAL: Harrogate College wish to initiate education/vocational courses in the Village Hall - matter referred to the Village Hall Committee.