MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE POPPLETON CENTRE, MAIN STREET, UPPER POPPLETON AT 7.00 PM ON MONDAY 10 MARCH 2025
PRESENT:
Councillor Neil Lawrence (Chairman)
Councillor Alan Catterick
Councillor Ian Clark
Councillor Bill Hall
Councillor Anne Hook
Councillor David Johnson
Councillor Richard Robson
Councillor Sheri Scruton
Councillor Sue Tomlinson
One member of the public
Mr James Mackman (Clerk)
25.044 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (NOT PREVIOUSLY DECLARED) ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS
None.
25.045 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE GIVEN IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
All Councillors being present there were no apologies.
25.046- TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF REASONS GIVEN FOR ABSENCE
None.
25.047 – TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10 FEBRUARY 2025
The minutes of the meeting held on 10 February, having been circulated and read, were accepted and signed.
25.048 – TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
City Councillor Hook reported that: –
• The Local Plan has finally been passed
• City Council is looking at recommendations to improve scrutiny
• The City Council has passed the budget for 2025-26. Council tax is being increased by5%
• Park & Ride bus fares are being increased
• “Caretakers” are being appointed for Wards. They will be managers only and supervise existing employees and volunteers
25.049 – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
25.050 – PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) The Councillors considered the planning applications received since the February Parish Council meeting as listed below: –
Details of Planning Application – Comments
Ref: 25/00154/TCA – Crown reduce 4 no. Willow and Maple trees by 50%; Crown reduce 1no. Maple tree by 50%; Crown reduce 1no. Beech tree by 50% – tree works in a Conservation Area at Bloomsbury House, Main Street, YO26 6EL.
No objections
Ref: 25/00340/TCA – Pollard 1no. Holly and 1no. Hawthorn to approximately 2 metres; Crown reduce 1no. Copper Beech by 15-20%, crown thin by 10%, and crown lift to 5m; Crown reduce by 10% and Crown thin by 20%.1no. Crimson King Maple – tree works as a Conservation Area at Barns Cottage, Black Dykes Lane, YO26 6PT.
No objections
Ref: 25/00212/FUL – Erection of a greenhouse to side elevation at Barns Cottage, Black Dykes Lane, YO26 6PT.
No objections
Ref: 25/00387/TCA – Fell 1no. Pine tree in a Conservation Area at 50 Long Ridge Lane, YO26 6HA.
No objections
(b) To note Local Authority Planning Decisions
It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had approved the following applications: –
• Ref: 24/02238/FUL – Erection of 1no. detached dwelling with means of access at Land to the east of 137 Long Ridge Lane.
• Ref: 24/02249/FUL – Variation of conditions 2 and 3 of permitted application 23/01479/FUL to alter the approved plans and elevations of the tennis clubhouse at Poppleton Community Centre Main Street, YO26 6JT.
• Ref: 24/02258/FUL – Variation of conditions 2 and 3 of permitted application 24/01530/FUL for the addition of solar panels to front roofslope, 1no. additional window to side elevation, omission of pitched rooflight to rear projection and alterations to brickwork colour/window types at Cherry Croft Beech Way Close, YO26 6JE.
25.051 – FINANCE
(a) To receive a financial statement
The Clerk had emailed Councillors a detailed report showing the actual income and expenditure for the year for the period to 10 March 2025.
The bank balances on 10 March were: –
Current Account £100.00
Business Money Manager Account £46,327.14
(b) To note accounts for payment (net of VAT);
101 BP YLCA Balance of 2024-25 grant £200.00
102 BP Poppleton Community Trust Centrepiece article £85.00
103 DD EDF Guild hut electricity – January£9.55
104 DD Scottish Water Allotment water £17.52
105 CHG HSBC Bank charges – Jan/Feb £8.00
106 BP Poppleton Community Trust Room hire 10 February £28.00
107 BP Travis Perkins (Ian Clark) Bitumen for Lord Collingwood car park £90.80
108 BP James Mackman Salary – March £653.21
109 BP HMRC Income tax & Employers NI – February £171.26
110 BP James Mackman Expenses £46.00
(c) To receive a report on income received
HSBC Bank interest £210.01
(d) To review the Parish Council’s Financial Regulations
It was agreed to defer the review for the time being.
25.052 – TO CONSIDER MATTERS RELATING TO THE VILLAGE GREENS, ALLOTMENTS AND GUILD HUT
(a) Trees: –
i. The amended tree policy
A revised tree policy had been emailed to Councillors. It was agreed that there were still some items to mention and a new revised edition would be circulated. (Action Councillor Scruton)
ii. Fallen trees on Chantry Green
It was noted that the tree that had fallen from Blairgowrie on to Chantry Green had been removed and that another tree had since fallen. The Clerk read an email from the Blairgowrie agent to say that he was consulting with his client with a view of obtaining permission to remove the second tree.
Councillors expressed concern that there was little physical boundary to prevent children accessing the grounds of Blairgowrie where many trees were thought to be in a dangerous condition. The Clerk was authorised to write to the agent to ask that a boundary fence be erected. (Action Clerk)
iii. The ‘rules’ concerning neglected trees
The Chairman referred to an email from the City Council that said that the City Council could not carry pout work on private land and that there was no money in a budget for them to do so.
(b) Biodiversity
No report.
(c) Events
No new events to consider.
(d) Maintenance including: –
i. Replacing the pump at the corner of Lime Garth
The Clerk reported that he has asked the York Civic Trust if they will give a grant towards the cost of replacing the pump.
ii. Refurbishing the benches/seats
The seats have yet to be refurbished.
iii. A barrier to prevent vehicles encroaching on the grass at the corner of the track in Chantry Green
It was agreed that a barrier consisting of bushes would be the best option. It was agreed that five bushes should be bought and planted. The Clerk was authorised, with the agreement of the chairman, to sanction the purchase of the bushes. (Action Councillors Scruton and Tomlinson)
iv. The removal of the redundant pipe by the bus shelter on The Green
Councillor Clark is to ascertain what is at the bottom of the inside of the pipe and obtain two quotations for reducing the height of the pipe. The Clerk is to use social media to let residents know that there are plans to cut down the pipe and ask for comments. (Action Councillor Clark & Clerk)
v. Resurfacing the Lord Collingwood car park
The Clerk reported that Councillor Clark had given him a detailed specification of the work needing to be done and the names of two contractors. The Clerk has written to both. The Clerk was asked to write to the company who had previously quoted for the work, giving them the revised specification. (Action Clerk)
vi. The hedge at the Lord Collingwood car park
It was agreed that beech hedge whips should be planted in the gaps in the existing hedge. It was agreed that the Clerk, in conjunction with the Chairman, be authorised to purchase the whips. Councillors Scruton and Tomlinson will organise the purchase and planting of the whips. (Action Councillors Scruton and Tomlinson)
vii. The mole problem on Chantry Green
It was noted that there are more mole hills appearing all the time. Two of the Councillors reported having asked their contacts about treating the mole problem and that both contacts had said that they would not set traps on land open to the public. The Clerk said that the mole hills needed to be flattened before the first grass cut of the season. Councillor Clark arranged for the scouts to do this in the near future.
It was also agreed that the scouts would spread coffee grounds to try and deter the moles. (Action Councillor Clark)
viii. The bollard on the pavement outside Nisa
It was noted that one of the bollards in the pavement outside Nisa has been damaged and moved away for safety. It was agreed that Jason Brant put the bollard back as soon as practical. (Action Clerk)
(e) Allotments
The Clerk reported that all the Beech Grove allotments are now tenanted but that one of the allotments by the Library has become vacant. He has advertised that on the Parish Council’s website, Poppleton Parents Facebook page and written to the existing tenants.
(f) Guild Hut
No news on this subject
25.053 – TO CONSIDER MATTERS RELATING TO TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, FOOTPATHS, LAMPPOSTS & SIGNS
(a) Reports on vandalism
None.
(b) Traffic issues in Station Road
Councillors Johnson and Robson reported that they had met with Matt Hanson and discussed traffic issues in the village.
The police have replied negatively to the Clerks correspondence concerning positioning the speed camera on Long Ridge Lane and Hodgson Lane. The Clerk to ask for further explanation.
The police suggested a residents’ speed monitoring group. This to be discussed at the next traffic meeting with M. Hanson.
(c) To receive other reports
None.
25.054 – 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.
25.055 TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS IN CREATING ONE PARISH COUNCIL FOR POPPLETON
It was reported that our local MP, Luke Charters, had written to the City Council advising them of his support for combining Upper Poppleton and Nether Poppleton Parish Council.
25.056 – TO DISCUSS THE ‘PROPOSAL’ BY A THINK TANK FOR A NEW TOWN NEAR POPPLETON
No news on this subject.
25.057 – TO DISCUSS THE RESPONSE FROM THE HAXBY GROUP AND DECIDE ON THE NEXT ACTION
It was noted that the Haxby Group is appointing a Head of Patient Experience and that part of her remit is about more proactively engaging with all of the different communities that they serve. It was agreed to consult with the new person before taking further action on the subject. (Action Councillor Lawrence and Clerk)
25.058 – TO RECEIVE COMMITTEES’ REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS
(a) Biodiversity Working Group
Councillor Hall reported that the group will be meeting again on 27th March.
(b) Listed Buildings Working Group
No report.
(c) Poppleton Children’s Sports Day
Councillor Robson reported two new members were recruited at the AGM on 11 February. The next committee meeting is scheduled for 25th March.
(d) Poppleton Community Trust
No report.
(e) VE-Day Celebrations – 8th May 2025
Councillor Lawrence reported on the arrangements being made for the VE-Day celebrations.
(f) Village Show
Councillor Johnson reported that the programmes have been printed, the Village Show website updated and the road closure applied for.
(g) YLCA York Branch
Councillor Catterick reported that in future there will be only two Branch meetings in a year, including the AGM, and that the York Branch is being amalgamated with the Selby Branch.
(h) Youth Club
Councillor Hook reported that the recent meeting was well attended by young people.
(i) Any other meeting
None.
25.059 – TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING
The Clerk said that he had not received a schedule of incidents reported to the police in February. He is hoping that the volunteer who processes the monthly figures will be back from holiday soon and he will ask if figures for January and February can be made available. (Action Clerk)
25.060 – TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON PROGRESS ON THE FOLLOWING:
(a) Repainting the white lines on the Green (Min. 25.038a)
The Clerk reported that a City Council inspector has been to the site and has raised an order for the white lines to be refreshed. The order has been passed to the lining team who are planning to carry out the works. Unfortunately, the City cannot give a time scale on when this will be done.
25.061 – TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
25.061.1 – It was noted that the correspondence received since the February meeting, as listed below, had already been circulated to the Councillors.
(a) Open Spaces Society – eZine, February 2025
(b) Police – Reply re speed cameras
(c) PYAG – Committee meeting minutes 13 February
(d) YLCA – Councillors discussion forum 19 February
(e) YLCA – White Rose Bulletins
(f) YLCA – Training programmes April to September
(g) Yorkshire Green – e-newsletter, issue 4
25.061.2 – The Clerk referred to the following items of correspondence received since the February Parish Council meeting
(a) Three Councillors asking for the subject of the Lord Collingwood car park hedge to be revisited
(b) Various residents writing about allotments
(c) The Pensions Regulator regarding the Parish Council’s re-enrolment duties
25.062 – TO NOTE FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
Date of Meeting – Meeting – Venue/ Time – Councillors Attending
13 Mar YLCA York Branch Acaster Malbis Memorial Hall – 7.00pm
20 Mar Poppleton Community Trust Executive Poppleton Centre/ 7.00pm Hall
25 Mar Poppleton Children’s Sports Day Poppleton Centre/ 8.00pm Robson
5 Jun YLCA York Branch Dunnington Reading Rooms/ 7.00pm Tomlinson
25.063 – TO CONSIDER MINOR MATTERS
None.
25.064 – TO CONSIDER NEW ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
None.
25.065 – TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING INCLUDING THE START TIME OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting be held at 7.30pm on Monday 14th April 2025. It will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.00pm.
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15pm.
CHAIRMAN …………………………….. DATE……………………….…
James Mackman, Clerk 39 Calder Avenue, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6RG
Tel: 01904 399277 – email: upperpoppletonclerk@poppleton-pc.org.uk
The Parish Council’s website can be found at https://poppleton-pc.org.uk/