NETHER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE POPPLETON CENTRE, UPPER POPPLETON, AT 7.15 PM ON MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024
PRESENT
Cllr. G R M Bates (Chairman), Cllrs. R A Harper, J A Hook, E M Jones and C J Lamb. Also present were two members of the public and the Clerk, Mr B J W Mackman.
24/067 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (NOT PREVIOUSLY DECLARED) ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS
None.
24/068 – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The two members of the public addressed the Cllrs. regarding access to the River Ouse for activities such as paddle boarding and kayaking. They suggested that a floating jetty could be built. An event is being organised when paddle boards etc. will travel down the river from Moor Monkton to the Nether Poppleton War Memorial. In the long term this could be an annual event. They requested help and support from the Parish Council.
24/069 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE GIVEN IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Barry.
24/070 – TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF REASONS GIVEN FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Barry’s reason for absence was approved.
24/071 – TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 19 FEBRUARY 2024
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19 February 2024, having been circulated prior to the meeting, were approved and signed.
24/072 – TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM A CITY OF YORK COUNCILLOR
City Councillor Anne Hook reported that: –
• The Rural England Prosperity Fund is offering capital grants for community buildings in our Ward.
• The system used by City Councillors to deal with residents’ enquiries is being turned off on 31 March as a cost-saving exercise. In the future City Councillors will have to use the same system as members of the public.
24/073 – TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON PROGRESS ON THE FOLLOWING: –
(a) Making the Long Ridge Lane/Millfield Lane junction more cycle friendly (Min. 24/044a) – (May 2022)
No news to report om this subject.
(b) The rectification of the damage to the riverbank next to Saxe Dane Lodge (Min. 24/044b) – (January 2024)
The willows will be planted in the riverbank when the chance of the river flooding has receded.
(c) Removing the mud from the footpath between Main Street and Riversvale Drive (Min. 24/048) – (February 2024)
The Clerk said that he had reported the problem to the City Council’s Public Rights of Way Officer who had written to say that the footpath is not a registered public right of way and that she had forwarded his email to the City Council’s Housing Department.
(d) The purchase of two trees for planting by Riverside Gardens (Min. 24/046c) – (February 2024)
It was noted that two trees have been ordered but will not be planted until much later in the year.
24/074– FINANCE
(a) Financial Report
The Clerk had circulated a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 18 March 2023. The report reflected the receipts and payments below. The bank balances on 18 March were: –
Current Account £100.00
Business Money Manager Account £6,565.34
National Savings Investment Account £15,667.03
(b) To note accounts for payment (net of VAT);
110 BP Community Heartbeat Defibrillator pads £57.94
111 CHG HSBC Bank charges Jan/Feb £8.00
112 DD IONOS Website hosting – Feb/Mar £13.64
113 BP YLCA Cllr. Bates course £25.00
114 BP Poppleton Community Trust Room hire – 19 February £28.00
115 BP D-Tail Plants Two trees £152.00
116 BP James Mackman Salary – March £627.86
117 BP HMRC Tax and NI – March £160.48
118 BP James Mackman Expenses £72.42
(c) To receive a report on income received
H M Revenue & Customs VAT refund £118.75
National Savings Annual interest £120.29
HSBC Bank interest £46.31
Northern Powergrid Annual wayleave £3.45
24/075 – PARISH COUNCIL LAND – TO RECEIVE PROGRESS REPORTS AND MAKE APPROPRIATE DECISIONS ON
(a) Grass cutting.
No report.
(b) The management of Warren Lea including the removal of the fallen tree and log in the beck
Following discussion about the log and tree Cllr. Bates agreed to remove them. (Action Cllr. Bates)
(c) The management of the Common Land including: –
i. A request for access for kayaks on the riverbank
The Councillors discussed the request outlined by the two members of the public. They were supportive of the idea but agreed that any access to the river could not be from the Parish Council-owned riverbank as it was all on the outside of the river and subject to erosion. They would support the development if it was on the riverbank further upstream.
ii. The extension of the railing at the entrance to Riverside Gardens
The Clerk reported having seen two tradesmen and expects quotations for the work to install two more railings.
(d) Allerton Drive garden
No news to report.
(e) The Moat Fields
No news on this subject.
(f) The Cartsheds including the cost of dealing with rats
The Cllrs. considered quotations for a short-term contract and an annual contract for dealing with the rats. It was agreed to accept the quotation from Vermex for a year’s contract. The Clerk is to make the appropriate arrangements for access to the cartsheds. (Action Clerk)
(g) The Wildlife Area
Cllr. Jones reported that representatives of the Wildlife Trust had met with the Millennium Green Trustees when the subject of the continued maintenance of the wildlife area was discussed.
(h) The five-year tree survey
The Clerk reported that he had sent the appropriate specification to two tree firms and was expecting quotations.
24/076 – TO CONSIDER COUNCILLOR AND CLERK TRAINING
Details of YLCA courses are circulated to Councillors on a regular basis. It was agreed that none of the forthcoming courses were required.
24/077- TO CONSIDER MATTERS RELATING TO HIGHWAYS, FOOTPATHS & LAMPPOSTS
It was noted that a flood warning sign had been installed on the lamppost opposite the Church Lane junction with Main Street. A letter complaining about this was considered. It was agreed that the flood warning sign was in exactly the right place so that drivers could easily do a U-turn at the entrance of Church Lane and that the Cllrs. supported the positioning of the new sign.
24/078 – TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS IN CREATING ONE PARISH COUNCIL FOR POPPLETON
The Clerk reported that there was no further news on this subject. Action by the City Council is still awaited.
24/079 – TO DISCUSS THE VOLUME OF CAR PARKING IN MILLFIELD LANE
Following a discussion on this subject it was agreed that the Parish Council is unable to do anything about the problem.
24/080– TO RECEIVE REPORTS ON/FROM
(a) Poppleton Community Trust
No report.
(b) Trees Working Group
No report but it was agreed that the Clerk would send the Cllrs. a copy of the email in which there was a quotation for Atkins Utility Solutions to survey all the sites where trees could be planted. (Action Clerk)
(c) Village policing
Prior to the meeting the Clerk had given each Councillor a schedule of incidents in the Rural West York Ward, which included Upper Poppleton, reported to the police in February 2024. The schedule was noted.
(d) YLCA York Branch
No report.
(e) Youth Club
No report.
(f) Any other meeting
None.
24/081 – TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE CLERK
It was noted that the correspondence received since the February meeting, as listed below, had already been circulated to the Councillors.
(a) Community First Yorkshire – Notice of survey
(b) Open Spaces Society – OSS ezine – February 2024
(c) PhD student – Community views on flood risk management questionnaire
(d) YLCA – Training programme April to September
(e) YLCA – NALC Chief Executive’s Bulletins
(f) YLCA – White Rose Bulletins
24/082 – TO NOTE FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
Date of Meeting – Meeting – Venue/ Time – Councillors Attending
18 Apr Poppleton Community Trust Executive Poppleton Centre/ 8.00pm Bates
6 Jun YLCA York Branch AGM Dunnington Reading Rooms/ 7.00pm Jones, Harper
24/083 – TO CONSIDER MINOR MATTERS
None.
24/084 – TO CONSIDER NEW ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
None.
24/085 – TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held at 7.30pm in the Poppleton Centre on Monday 15 April 2024.
There being no other business the meeting was formally closed at 9.15pm.
Chairman………………….…… Date…………………………..
James Mackman, Clerk 39 Calder Avenue, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6RG
Tel: 01904 399277 – email: netherpoppletonclerk@poppleton-pc.org.uk
The Parish Council’s website can be found at https://poppleton-pc.org.uk/
