UPPER POPPLETON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE POPPLETON CENTRE, MAIN STREET, UPPER POPPLETON AT 7.00 PM ON MONDAY 11 DECEMBER 2023
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.
Mr James Mackman (Clerk)
23.204 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (NOT PREVIOUSLY DECLARED) ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS
None.
23.205 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE GIVEN IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
All Councillors being present there were no apologies.
23.206- TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF REASONS GIVEN FOR ABSENCE
None.
23.207 – TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13 NOVEMBER 2023
The minutes of the meeting held on 13 November, having been circulated and read, were accepted and signed.
23.208 – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
23.209 – TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
City Councillor Anne Hook reported that: –
• The new Register of Electors has Riversvale Drive back in the correct Parish.
• Northern Rail has started to charge people to park in the station car park. There is a real worry that Station Road will become more congested and residents will find it difficult to access their properties. Payment must be by phone or app and the notoriously poor signal in Poppleton could mean that travellers are forced to park in Station Road because they are unable to make a payment.
23.210 – PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) The Councillors considered the planning applications received since the November Parish Council meeting as listed below: –
Details of Planning Application – Comments
Ref: 23/02074/TCA – Fell 1 no. (dead) Silver Birch and (leaning) Pine, crown reduction of 4 no. trees, and reduction of hedge – trees in a conservation area at 1 Oak Villa, Hodgson Lane, YO26 6EA.
The Parish Council objects to the planning application as insufficient information has been provided to enable any other decision. The Councillors support the objections of the neighbours.
Ref: 23/02099/TPO – Fell 1 no. Sycamore and replant new Silver Birch tree. Up to 2m lateral limb reduction to 1 no. Oak over drive of 3 Bankside and 2m reduction to side of 5 Bankside. Trees protected by Tree Preservation Order No.1 (1970) at 3 Bankside Close, YO26 6LH.
The Parish Council objects to the felling of the sycamore as there is insufficient information to justify its removal
Ref: 23/02169/FUL – Variation-of-condition 25 (BREEAM requirement) of 22/02605/FUL — Change of use of 3no. existing agricultural buildings to use classes B2, B8 and E(g) to include; lighting, amendments to external materials and fenestration and additional hard standing to create new service yards, parking and access. Extension of Cropton Road to provide access to development from Northminster Business Park at land and buildings lying to the north west of Moor Lane and forming part of Oakwood Farm, Northfield Lane.
It was noted that the Parish Council was not a consultee on this application. It was agreed that no reply should be sent to the City Council.
Ref: 23/02184/FUL – Raising of roof to create additional storey, single storey front/rear extensions, 2no. dormers to front and 3no. dormers to rear following demolition of rear offshoot at Cherry Croft, Beech Way Close, YO26 6JE.
The Parish Council objects to the planning application as it is a significant over-development of the site.
(b) To note Local Authority Planning Decisions
It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had approved the following application: –
• Ref: 23/01832/TCA – Fell 1 no. Beech and crown reduce 1 no. Beech – trees in a conservation area at Cherry Croft, Beech Way Close, YO26 6JE.
• Ref: 23/01916/TCA – Removal of 5 no. Leylandii trees and planting of 1 no. ornamental Plum tree – trees in a conservation area at 2 Station, YO26 6PY.
It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had refused the following application: –
• Ref: 23/01768/TCA – Fell 1 no. Copper Beech in front garden – tree in Conservation Area at 4 Beech Grove, YO26 6DS.
23.211 – 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 11 December 2023. The report reflected the receipts and payments below.
The bank balances on 11 December were: –
Current Account £100.00
Business Money Manager Account £52,513.85
(b) To note accounts for payment (net of VAT);
86 BP Amazon Daffodil bulbs £38.32
87 CHG HSBC Bank charges – Oct/Nov £8.00
88 DD Scottish Water Allotment water £20.72
89 BP Poppleton Community Trust Room hire 13 November £28.00
90 BP Poppleton Community Trust Advertising in Centrepiece £338.00
91 BP James Mackman Salary December (including back pay to 1 April 2023) £952.42
92 BP HMRC Income Tax – December £297.67
93 BP James Mackman Expenses £22.54
(c) To receive a report on income received
HMRC VAT refund £554.51
HSBC Bank interest £243.08
Nether Poppleton PC Contribution to Remembrance Day costs £500.00
(d) To ratify the increase in the Clerk’s salary backdated to 1 April 2023
The increase was noted.
(e) To agree to contribute towards the refreshments after the Remembrance Day Service
It was agreed to contribute £25 towards the cost of refreshments. (Action Clerk)
(f) To consider increasing the Contingencies budget
It was agreed that the Contingencies budget for the current year should be increased from £3,000 to £4,000.
23.212 – TO CONSIDER MATTERS RELATING TO THE VILLAGE GREENS, ALLOTMENTS AND GUILD HUT
(a) Trees including considering the tree survey
i. The Councillors considered the recently received tree survey. It was resolved that three tenders for the required work to the trees should be obtained. (Action Clerk)
ii. It was agreed that a rowan tree, donated by the WI, be planted by the bend in the track in Chantry Green. (Action Councillor Scruton)
(b) Events
No reports.
(c) Maintenance
i. It was reported that the woodwork on the pump at the corner of Lime Garth needs attention as some of the base has rotted away. (Action Clerk)
ii. It was reported that a rung in the ”Selby” seat in front of the Methodist Church had broken. It was agreed to ask Ken Falkingham to quote for repairing the seat. (Action Clerk)
(d) Allotments
The Clerk reported that the residents on the allotment waiting list had each taken an allotment in Millfield Lane, Nether Poppleton. Whilst there are no vacant allotments in Upper Poppleton there is now no-one on the waiting list.
(e) Guild Hut
No news on this subject.
23.213 – TO CONSIDER MATTERS RELATING TO HIGHWAYS, FOOTPATHS, LAMPPOSTS & SIGNS
(a) To consider reports on vandalism
No reports.
(b) Relocation of the Dikelands Lane notice board on the Library railings
The Chairman reported that having met with Ken Falkingham it would be better to put up the notice board at the end of the plinth and not on the railings. This was agreed. The Councillors resolved that a contribution to the cost of installing the notice board is to be sought. (Action Clerk)
(c) To receive other reports
It was reported that the road signs between Station Road and the A59/A1237 roundabout are partially obscured by vegetation. The City Council is to be informed. (Action Clerk)
23.214 – 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.
23.215 – TO DISCUSS THE NEXT STEPS IN CREATING ONE PARISH COUNCIL FOR POPPLETON
An article has been published in Centrepiece which explains the reasons for Grouping.
The notices for the two Parish Meetings will be on the notice boards at least 14 ‘clear’ days before the meetings. The meetings are on 8th and 15th January for Upper and Nether respectively.
A draft presentation has been sent to the working group for comment. This will be circulated to all Parish Councillors prior to the Parish Meeting.
23.216 – TO DISCUSS CHANGING THE PARISH COUNCIL’S DOMAIN NAME FROM .ORG.UK TO .GOV.UK
Prior to the meeting the Clerk had given a report from the YLCA as to why Parish Councils should change their domain name to .gov.uk. It was agreed that the Parish Council should change to the recommended domain and the Clerk is to pursue the subject with NetWise. (Action Clerk)
23.217 – TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSAL THAT POPPLETON PATIENTS OF THE OLD FORGE SURGERY PRACTICE EXPRESS CONCERNS REGARDING BUDGET REDUCTIONS
It was reported that the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board has asked surgeries to reduce their budgets by 30%. It was agreed that a letter be sent expressing the Parish Council’s concern that such a reduction could have a damaging effect on the service provided by the Old Forge surgery in the village. (Action Clerk)
23.218 – TO RECEIVE COMMITTEES’ REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS
(a) Listed Buildings Working Group
No report.
(b) Poppleton Community Trust
No report
(c) Village Show
Councillor Johnson reported “The 2023 Show was a great success. Almost all the 700 programmes were given out. There were 65 entrants and 360 show entries both the largest number since the show started. There were more cars on display than previously and the new dog show went down very well. The committee would like to thank the Parish Council for providing insurance cover. For next year the Village Show will have its own website to bring it into modern times.”
(d) YLCA York Branch
No report.
(e) Youth Club
No news to report on this subject.
(f) Any other meeting
None.
23.219– TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING
Prior to each Parish Council meeting the Clerk gives each Councillor a schedule of incidents reported to the police in the previous month. In November 2023 there were no Upper Poppleton incidents reported to the police.
23.220 – TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON PROGRESS ON THE FOLLOWING:
(a) Drawing up of a tree policy for the Greens (Min. 23.198a)
The Greens Working Group is waiting for an answer from the tree surveyor to the question “Where on Parish Council land, excluding maypole green, should there be new trees planted and what type of trees are recommended?” (Action Clerk)
(b) The easement for vehicular access to Lyndhurst, Hodgson Lane (Min. 23.198b)
No news to report on this subject.
(c) The possibility of converting the old coal yard at the station into a car park (Min. 23.198c)
Councillor Clark reported on his meeting with the Poppleton Community Railway Nursery which has an interest in the coal yard. It was noted that if the coal yard was turned into a car park there would be room for few cars and considerable work/expense would be required to make it suitable.
It was agreed that the expenditure involved was not cost effective. It was agreed to drop the idea of creating a car park in the coal yard.
(d) Writing a short article on hedges and parking for Centrepiece (Min. 23.198e)
The Chairman said that there will be an article in the next edition of Centrepiece.
(e) Crown lifting some of the trees on the Greens (Min. 23.191ei)
The Clerk reported having asked Sleightholm Landscapes to crown lift the trees and he had agreed to ask the City Council for permission as all the trees are in the Upper Poppleton Conservation Area. The Councillors agreed that this should not be pursued as crown lifting the trees was mentioned in the tree survey and would be covered in the tender.
(f) Purchasing bulbs for planting in the Greens (Min. 23.191eii)
The Clerk reported that 20kg of daffodil bulbs had been bought. It was agreed that a working party would plant the bulbs on 16 December,
(g) The mole problem on Chantry Green (Min. 23.191eiii)
The Clerk reported that he had asked the contractor to carry out the work.
(h) Flooding in the White Horse car park (Min. 23.192d)
Councillor Hall and the Clerk had both taken photos of the flooding in the car park and that these would be sent to the City Council. (Action Clerk)
(i) Inviting the Haxby Group to a Parish Council meeting to follow up the meeting held in January 2023 (Min. 23.195)
It was agreed that, given that there is to be a 6.00pm start for the Parish meeting on 8 January, it would be better to invite Professor Holmes to attend before the March 2024 Parish Council meeting. (Action Clerk)
The Chairman urged all Councillors to send him a list of questions they would like Professor Holmes to answer.
23.221 – TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
23.221.1 – It was noted that the correspondence received since the November meeting, as listed below, had already been circulated to the Councillors.
(a) CYC – Xmas/New Year waste collection details
(b) Poppleton Community Trust – Latest News – Christmas Market
(c) YLCA – Training programme Jan-Mar 2024
(d) YLCA – NALC Chief Executive’s Bulletins
23.221.2 – The Clerk referred to the following items of correspondence received since the November Parish Council meeting
(a) A resident asking about the vehicle activated sign in Hodgson Lane
(b) CYC – Precept papers for 2024-25
(c) CYC – TPO Orders 95, 97, 97a Station Road
23.222 – TO NOTE FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
Date of Meeting Meeting Venue/ Time Councillors Attending
8 Jan Parish Meeting Poppleton Centre/ 6.00pm All Councillors
23.223 – TO CONSIDER MINOR MATTERS
None.
23.224 – TO CONSIDER NEW ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
None.
23.225 – TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting be held at 7.00pm on Monday 8th January 2024. It will be preceded by the Parish Meeting which will start at 6.00pm.
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.27pm.
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/
