MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 1 DECEMBER 2005

Present: Councillors B Fisher ( Chair ), A Chetcuti, B Butler,
M Mitton,

T Martin, U Cansfield, E Bolton – for part of the meeting,
P Dawson ( resident )

Before the Parish Council meeting started, there were two matters on which interested parties had requested an opportunity to address councillors:

Planning application 05/05535/FUL –‘Pinderpound’ – Mr and Mrs Rowbottom attended to explain their current application for a replacement dwelling on the site. Two previous plans had been refused mainly on the grounds of size, the new plans follow the ‘footprint‘ of the existing house and has a garage separate from the house. Points raised included the need to discuss the location of the garage with other parties, that permission to fell any trees was likely and that building works should take account of the location of the septic tanks in both ‘Pinderpound’ and ‘Coin House’. The application would be put to the Harrogate Borough planning committee in January. Mr + Mrs Rowbottom were thanked for attending and left the meeting.

Planning application 05/03622/FULMAJ – football pitches and pavilion at Thistle Hill Alex Degier, Chairman of Knaresborough Celtic F C and Andrew Wright , Development Officer attended to listen to and discuss the Parish Council objections. The application had been withdrawn temporarily to allow for such meetings to take place and to amend the next application where possible to take account of the concerns of residents and others. They explained that the junior football club had expanded to a membership of 300 children in the last ten years and there was no central point for play, hence the application. Objections mainly centred around the potential increase in traffic, mention of 250 weekly commercial vehicle movements in the application plus parking arrangements for supporters, parents and opposing teams. Parking would be restricted – car sharing, public transport, cycling were possible solutions; access to the site to be shared with other field owners; floodlights - no current plan as training likely to be indoors in winter; comparison made with Harrogate Rugby Club’s efforts to relocate in Green Belt. The Football Foundation have agreed to match fund the project which is around £ 550k. A further application will be submitted shortly. The representatives were thanked for attending and left the meeting.

THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING:

Apologies for absence – PC Mark Ayre, District Councillor C Bayliss, County Councillor J Savage

Declaration of interest in items on the agenda

A Chetcuti for agenda item 13 – planning application for ‘Pinderpound‘

3. Minutes of the previous meeting - held on 20.10.05

Signed as a correct record. Proposed: T Martin Seconded: U Cansfield

Any matters arising from the minutes:

1. Probation Service – have agreed to carry out painting works to benches and ‘bus shelters. Unlikely to start until the spring.
2. Hillside – letter of acknowledgement received re poor state of road. Pavement subsidence also noted. Further contact with NYCC Highways by Clerk.
3. Visit of mobile Police Unit – 8 visitors logged. Complaints received re parking practice around the village. Noted that PC Ayre now recognised as a presence in the village. One crime reported since last meeting - theft of trailer from Rudding Dower.

Chairman’s Communications:

• Overhanging shrubs, Plompton Road – raised with the owner of the property by the Chairman following a complaint. Shrubs cut back, but still obstructing the highway. Further complaint to Police. Chairman to approach the residents again to request remedial works.
• Contact with County Councillor – emails exchanged. J Savage has not yet had an opportunity to tour the area with the new Highways manager. The Chairman will press for this to take place and to take account of proposed remedies to address continuing concerns re HGV’s passing through the village.

Any matters concerning Plompton

There were none.

Street lighting, Main Street

Noted that residents closest to proposed site of street light remain firmly opposed to it. Councillors wish to explore alternative sites as it is thought a light near this location would be beneficial. Clerk to approach Lighting Engineer re possibilities at top ‘bus stop or by Post Office.

Kitty Corner, nature boards

Chairman handed drawings to T Martin who will progress the matter for the next meeting.

“ Your Health, Your Community”

Questionnaire completed for return to Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT.

Village Road Safety Schemes 2006-2007

Following discussion of a proposal, the Parish Council resolved to submit it to Harrogate Council for consideration. This is to remove the 30 mph restriction on Spofforth Road further out of the village and install ‘ rumble ‘strips plus repair of same on Pannal Road into village. Clerk to make application.

Finance

• Balance at Bank - £ 8870.43. Interest on current account = .02p
• Request for authorisation of expenditure. Woodcraft UK for hardwood bench - £ 562.83, Clerk’s salary for third quarter - £ 585.30. Proposed: B Butler, Seconded: M Mitton
• Meeting re precept - fixed for 5.12.05 to involve B Butler, B Fisher and Clerk.

Clerk’s report and correspondence

Parish plans – letter re funding available, councillors to consider whether to pursue this in the future.

Letter and questionnaire re rubbish and recycling – this to be sent to all households, councillors decided to make an individual response.

Matter raised by a resident – bottom ‘bus stop area – overgrown shrubs and possibly damaged waste bin. Councillors convened a working party to attend to this and also tidy up Horsepond Beck on 4.12.05.

Magazines and various documents received circulated to councillors.

Planning

Application 05/05535/FUL – ‘Pinderpound’ for erection of replacement detached dwelling and detached garage. There was some discussion re the positioning of the garage. The Parish Council had no objections to the application.

Applications where Parish Council consultation not required – ‘Alveston’, Main Street – fell 1 conifer; Lilac Cottage, Main Street – fell 1 thorn, 1 apple, 1 laburnum.

Applications permitted – Keepers Cottage, Plompton for amendments to approved scheme; Larkin Lodge, Rudding Dower for side conservatory; Lido Caravan Park for conversion of building to holiday lets; Home Farm Bungalow for replacement dwelling; Parish Council consultation not required – Priory Lodge – remove 1 cupressus and Rowan Tree Cottage – reduction and thinning of 2 birches.

Part refused – Priory Lodge – fell 2 acers ( refused ), reduce 1 acer ( permitted )

Frequency of meetings 2006

It was resolved that meetings would be held monthly. Clerk to arrange.

Date of next meeting

12.1.2006