Minutes 8 January 2024 – Poppleton Parish Council

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 8 JANUARY 2024

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.
Five members of the public
Mr James Mackman (Clerk)

24.001 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (NOT PREVIOUSLY DECLARED) ON ANY MATTERS OF BUSINESS
None.

24.002 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE GIVEN IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
All Councillors being present there were no apologies.

24.003- TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF REASONS GIVEN FOR ABSENCE
None.

24.004 – TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 DECEMBER 2023
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 December, having been circulated and read, were accepted and signed.

24.005 – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Representatives of the organisations asking for grants addressed the Councillors and outlined their reasons for each grant application.

24.006 – TO RECEIVE THE CITY OF YORK COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
City Councillor Anne Hook reported that: –
• The Big Conversation from CYC is a long questionnaire to collect residents’ asks for transport in all its form for the next ten years. It would be great if as many residents as possible filled in at least one of the questions, especially buses, so we might get a good bus service in the next ten years. The consultation expires on 4 February.
• CYC’s budget for the next year is expected to be released on 17 January after no public consultation. Some big cuts are expected, especially in things like highways and public realm, including fewer grass cuts and a charge for green bins.

• Cllr. Pete Kilbane – executive member for economy, place and transport – was invited to Poppleton just before Christmas and visited Black Dike Lane to see the issues for himself. He spoke to residents and was very supportive, encouraging them to ask for a 20mph limit and signs to indicate it was unsuitable for very large vehicles. Cllrs Kilbane, Knight and Hook will be meeting a highways officer to try to persuade him to strengthen the recommendations in his report on Black Dike Lane.

24.007 – PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) The Councillors considered the planning applications received since the December Parish Council meeting as listed below: –
Details of Planning Application – Comments

Ref: 23/02248/FUL – Two-storey side and rear extension and single-storey rear extension at 11 Beech Grove. YO26 6DS.
No objections

Ref: 23/02274/FUL – Erection of garage and alterations to landscaping following removal of existing storage and kennels at Sycamore Cottage, The Green, YO26 6DF.
No objections

Ref: 23/02276/TCA – Fell 2 no. Maples – trees in a conservation area at York House, Hodgson Lane, YO26 6EA.
The Parish Council objects to the felling of the two maples as there is no acceptable justification for their removal.

Ref: 23/02283/FUL – Single-storey rear extension, altered fenestration to side and rear, 3.no dormers to front, 1.no dormer to rear and erection of detached dormer garage with annexe accommodation following demolition of existing outbuildings at Mill Wray, Main Street, YO26 6JU.
No objections

(b) To note Local Authority Planning Decisions
It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had approved the following applications: –
• Ref: 23/01490/FUL – 2no. dormers to front and 1no. dormer to rear at 3 Chantry Avenue, YO26 6DJ.
• Ref: 23/01860/TCA – Fell 1 no. Cherry and remove two overhanging limbs from neighbouring Ash – trees in a conservation area at Manor Farm The Green, YO26 6DR.
• Ref: 23/01974/TPO – Crown lifting, removal of dead/damaged branches of 1 no. Ash tree (T7) protected by Tree Preservation Order 1/1970 at Poppleton Community Centre Main Street, YO26 6JT.
• Ref: 23/02023/FUL – Single-storey rear extension after removal of rear projection at 32 Pear Tree Avenue, YO26 6HH.
• 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.

It was noted that the Local Planning Authority had refused the following applications: –
• Ref: 23/00314/FUL – Laying of internal access track to accommodate 5no. caravan pitches at York Wheatlands Caravan Site, land at Wheatlands, Northfield Lane.
• 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

24.008 – 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 8 January 2024. The report reflected the receipts and payments below.
The bank balances on 8 January were: –
Current Account £100.00
Business Money Manager Account £52,513.85

(b) To note accounts for payment (net of VAT);
94 DD EDF Energy Guild hut electricity – Oct/Nov £8.67
95 BP Tree Care Consultancy Tree survey £240.00
96 BP Poppleton Methodist Church Remembrance Day refreshments £50.00
97 CHG HSBC Bank charges – Nov/Dec £8.00
98 BP Poppleton Community Trust Room hire 11 December £28.00
99 BP NetWiseUK Annual website hosting £350.00
100 BP James Mackman Salary – January £627.66
101 BP HMRC Income tax & employers insurance – January £160.68
102 BP James Mackman Expenses including SLCC £100.28 – £104.38

(d) To agree to pay a proportion of the Clerk’s SLCC subscription (£100.28)
This was agreed.

(e)
To consider requests for grants for 2024-25 from
i. All Saints Church – grass cutting (£2,500)
This was agreed.

ii. Millennium Green Trust (£750)
This was agreed.

iii. Moat Fields Management Group (£1,000 non-capital expenditure)
This was agreed.

iv. Poppleton Community Trust (£5,000)
This was agreed.

v. Poppleton Luncheon Club (£100)
This was agreed.

vi. Poppleton Under Fives (£1,000)
This was agreed.

vii. Poppleton Youth Action Group (£2,000)
This was agreed.

(f) To agree the Budget for 2024-2025 and set the precept
The Councillors considered the draft budget presented by the Clerk. It was agreed that the precept for 2024-25 should be set at £36,000, an increase over 2023-24 of 2.9%.

24.009 – TO CONSIDER MATTERS RELATING TO THE VILLAGE GREENS, ALLOTMENTS AND GUILD HUT
(a) Trees including considering the tree survey
Two of the reports on the tree survey considered at the December 2023 meeting gave choices of action which had not been agreed. The Councillors considered the two items and agreed the course of action. (Action Clerk)

(b) Events
None.

(c) Maintenance Collingwood car park entrance repairs
The entrance to the Lord Collingwood car park between the road and the pavement is owned by the Parish Council and is currently badly potholed. It was agreed to accept a quotation from D&A Groundworks to dig out the existing surface, prepare foundations and lay tarmac. (Action Clerk)

(d) Allotments including agreeing that the rents increase of 8.9% from 1 April 2024 in line with the RPI in September 2023
This was agreed.

(e) Guild Hut
No news to report on this subject.

24.010 – 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
It was noted that our local handyman has now retired. The Clerk is to make alternative arrangement for the notice board to be installed. (Action Clerk)

24.011 – 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.

24.012 – TO DISCUSS THE NEXT STEPS IN CREATING ONE PARISH COUNCIL FOR POPPLETON INCLUDING THE RESULTS OF THE PARISH MEETING

At the Parish Meeting held prior to the evening’s Parish Council meeting there was a unanimous vote to agree to the grouping of Upper and Nether Poppleton Parish Councils. It was noted that no further action could be taken until the result of the Nether Poppleton Paris Meeting scheduled for 15 January is known.

24.013 – TO RECEIVE COMMITTEES’ REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS
(a) Listed Buildings Working Group
No report.

(b) Poppleton Community Trust
No report

(d) YLCA York Branch
It was noted that there had been no meeting of the Trust in the last month.

(e) Youth Club
No report.

(f)
Any other meeting
None.

24.014– TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VILLAGE POLICING
Prior to the meeting the Clerk had given each Councillor a schedule of incidents in Upper Poppleton reported to the police in December 2023. The schedule was noted.

24.015 – TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON PROGRESS ON THE FOLLOWING:
(a) Drawing up of a tree policy for the Greens (Min. 23.220a)
No news on this subject.

(b) The easement for vehicular access to Lyndhurst, Hodgson Lane (Min. 23.220b)
No news on this subject.

(d) Planting the daffodil bulbs on the Green (Min. 23.220f)
It was reported that a working party had planted the daffodils around the trees on the maypole Green.

(e) The mole problem on Chantry Green (Min. 23.220g)
No news on this subject.

(f) Flooding in the White Horse car park (Min. 23.220h)
The Clerk said that he had reported the flooding to the City Council who had acknowledged his report.

(g) Inviting the Haxby Group to a Parish Council meeting to follow up the meeting held in March 2023 (Min. 23.220i)

It was agreed to send an invitation now and a set of questions at a later date. (Action Clerk)

(h) Planting the rowan tree by the bend in the track in Chantry Green (Min. 23.212aii)
It was reported that the WI have the planting in hand. (Action Councillor Scruton)

(i) Repairing the woodwork on the pump at the corner of Lime Garth (Min. 213.212ci)
Owing to the retirement of the handyman no quotation for the work has been obtained. The Clerk is to find an alternative handyman. (Action Clerk)

(j) Repairing the rung in the ”Selby” seat on the Green (Min. 23.212cii)
It was noted that the repair had been carried out.

(k) Removing the vegetation obscuring the signs on the approach to the A59/A1237 roundabout (Min. 23.213c)
The Clerk said that he had reported the problem to the City Council who had acknowledged his report.

(l) Changing the Parish Councils domain name to .gov.uk. (Min. 23.216)
No news on this subject.

(m) The letter to the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board expressing concerns regarding 30% budget reductions for surgeries (Min. 23.217)
The Clerk reported that he had not been able to ascertain where a letter should be sent as there are numerous addresses listed on the Care Board’s website. Councillor Hook is to determine where a letter should be sent. (Action Councillor Hook and Clerk)

24.016 – TO NOTE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
24.016.1 – It was noted that the correspondence received since the December meeting, as listed below, had already been circulated to the Councillors.
(a) Open Spaces Society – OSS Subscriber eZine – December 2023
(b) YLCA – NALC Chief Executive’s Bulletins
(c) YLCA – White Rose Bulletins
(d) YLCA – Website password change

24.016.2 – The Clerk referred to the following items of correspondence received since the December Parish Council meeting
(a) A resident regarding a dog fouling problem
(b) A resident regarding the Northern Railway response to the email re station car park charges
(c) A resident regarding parking charge at Poppleton station

24.017 – TO NOTE FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
Date of Meeting – Meeting – Venue/ Time – Councillors Attending
15 Jan Village Show Lord Collingwood/ 7.00pm Johnson
17 Jan Poppleton Youth Action Group 15 Bankside Close/ 8.00pm Robson
25 Jan Haxby Group Acomb Garth/ 6.00pm Hook
15 Feb YLCA York Branch TBA Catterick, Tomlinson

24.018 – TO CONSIDER MINOR MATTERS
None.

24.019 – TO CONSIDER NEW ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
None.

24.020 – TO AGREE THE DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting be held at 7.00pm on Monday 12th February 2024.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.59pm.

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/