A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 25th June 2003 at 8.00pm.

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

Before the meeting a presentation was made to Councillor Mrs. U. Cansfield to acknowledge her service as Chairperson of the Parish Council for eleven years, and her service as Parish Councillor for the past twenty four years.

MINUTES: The Minutes of the previous Meeting held on 28th May 2003 having been circulated were adopted as a correct record.
Proposed: Councillor Butler.
Seconded: Councillor Martin.

MATTERS ARISING: Rubbish around Prospect Tunnel has been cleared up by the Borough Council, and the suspected polluted ditch is also under investigation by the Borough Council. A broken gate to the tunnel has been brought to the attention of Rudding Park.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS: The standards to be achieved as a Quality Parish Council has been studied and it is felt that this Parish would not be able to meet all the requirements.

MATTERS CONCERNING PLOMPTON: Advice will be sought on the planting of trees by a Parishioner to enhance the Plompton Conservation Area.

HIGHWAY MATTERS: Noted that the overgrown verge on the Pannal road has now been cut. The Clerk was asked to request the cutting back of overgrown bushes near the Cricket Field, and also to point out the erosion of the footpath due to non-maintenance. Request for Litter Bins on Plompton Road - the lay-by - has been refused by the Borough Council. Also noted that trees are due to be cut back in the area of Collins Bridge, Rudding Lane.

YORKSHIRE WATER: In view of continuing complaints of sewage smells at the bottom of Main Street, and as no satisfaction has been achieved by bringing this matter, several times to Yorkshire Water, the Clerk was asked to refer the matter to OFTWAT (Water Voice), and request their assistance to remedy the nuisance.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT: The Borough Council have requested a Plan of the area near the Post Office recommended for refurbishment.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: Councillor Martin reported that most households had been supplied with Safety Information packs and feedback had been encouraging.

BOUNDARY COMMISSION: adjustments to Parliamentary Constituencies in Yorkshire have now been agreed by the Commission.

FINANCE: Accounts to be paid:-
Salary - £250.00p
Stationary - £ 9.80p
Weed killer - £ 9.99p
Proposed: Councillor Fisher
Seconded: Councillor Mrs.U.Cansfield

CLERK'S REPORT: Correspondence:- Notice of Training sessions for Clerks and Chairmen; Public Footpath questionnaire which Councillor Mrs.U.Cansfield agreed to complete; Annual Report of Yorkshire Playing Fields Association; and further guidance information from the Standards Board.

PLANNING MATTERS: Councillor Mrs.E.Bolton gave an account of the Planning Meeting which she attended on behalf of Plompton Residents concerned by an application for alterations to a Listed Building. Permission was refused after all objections had been heard. Notice of a complaint re breach of Planning Regulations at Follifoot Ridge Farm. Notice was received of decision re application in respect of Follifoot Stables, Pannal road. It was noted that despite strong recommendation for refusal by Planning Officers - The Planning Committee had given consent.

GENERAL: enquiries will be made re grass cutting on the Haggs Road path near "The Hollies".