Minutes of Parish Council meeting on 8th February 2007,
at 7.30pm at the Clubhouse
Present: Cllr Wheatstone (chair)
Cllr Gover
Cllr Marshall
Cllr Cullen
In Attendance Anthony Meadows (Clerk)
Cllr Mark Wheeler
13 members of the public
1 Declarations of interest.
(i) Cllr Gover declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 9 planning application 53/2007/7114. Proposed work to trees in Lothersdale Conservation Area and personal interest in item 13 progress of the village map.
(ii) Cllr Cullen declared a personal interest in item 9 planning application 53/2007/7114. Proposed work to trees in Lothersdale Conservation Area.
(iii) Cllr’s Wheatstone and Marshall declared a prejudicial interest in item 13 progress of the village map.
2 To receive and accept apologies for absence.
(i) Apologies received and accepted from Cllr Fairbanks and Cllr Binns.
3 To approve minutes of the meetings held on 11th & 21st January 2007.
(i) Minutes from 11/01/07 approved.
(ii) Minutes from 21/01/07 need to wait until next LPC meeting as not enough councillors from that meeting present to approve them.
4 Matters arising from the minutes.
(i) Covered in the main agenda items.
5 Questions from the floor.
(i) Blocked field drains at the back of The fold. Does LPC have any powers to force the repairs of the offending field drains? LPC have no powers. Cllr Wheeler added CDC have little power to enforce reinstatement of land drains. It is the duty of the landowner. CDC could send a letter to the land owner asking for the land drain to be reinstated but have no powers to enforce. Cllr Wheeler will raise concerns at CDC again. Cllr Wheatstone to email Cllr Wheeler with details.
(ii) Why were requests for LPC to produce declaration of acceptance of office documents made?
i) There followed some heated discussion questioning the motives of such requests.
ii) Cllr Wheatstone called the meeting to order and outlined that parishioners have the right to request information under the Freedom of Information Act and that LPC will release copies of the documents requested. Cllr Wheatstone outlined the process of signing acceptance of office and that it is usually done in the presence of a council officer (usually the clerk). As there was no clerk present Cllr Wheatstone sought advice from CDC and was advised by YLCA that in such circumstances it is proper for councillors to sign their acceptance of office in the presence of each other (see email from Ian Strong).
iii) Questions again raised from the floor that requests for such documentation were mischievous and designed to waste LPC time.
iv) Heated discussion followed
v) Cllr Wheatstone again called the meeting to order and reiterated that he did not know why the documentation had been requested and directed concerned parishioners to ask the parishioners requesting the documentation directly.
vi) There followed more heated discussion including accusations that LPC had breached their agreement with Mr Cohen.
vii) Concerns raised that LPC are going to be inundated with requests for documentation.
viii) Cllr Wheatstone, again, called the meeting to order and closed discussion on this matter in order to maintain public order.
(iii) Projected spending for LPC expenses is less for 2007/08 than was spent in 2006/07. Is this indication of a reduction in service? Cllr Wheatstone assured that there would be no reduction in service. Mr Murray asked, under the Freedom of Information Act, for a breakdown of LPC expenses claimed in year 2006/07. Cllr Wheatstone affirmed that it would be provided.
(iv) Has planning permission for the ‘Eco House’ been refused? Cllr wheeler confirmed that it had been turned down because it was a development in open countryside and special landscape and the design was not outstanding enough.
6 County and District Councillors’ reports.
(i) See attached.
7 Correspondence received:
(i) Given to Cllr Marshall.
8 Finances:
· Payments to be approved
o CDC Parish council Elections from 04/05/06: £487.92
§ Now £511.92 (to include Mr Iveson’s charges) - approved
o CDC Lighting expenses – £ 804.95
§ Request is too early. Payment to be made in April.
o Clerks Salary - £156.92 – approved.
· Receipts:
o Interest on Standard Life Direct Access Account: £49.36
· Account Balances:
o HSBC – Treasurer Acc Balance: £2883.65
o HSBC – Business Money Manager Acc Balance: £25.02
o Standard Life – Premium Direct Access Account: £14,151.22
9 Planning applications received:
(i) 53/2007/7114. Proposed work to trees in Lothersdale Conservation Area.
i) Location: Burlington House.
ii) Extent of work: Fell 1No decayed Beech and crown lift 2No beech over road.
iii) Applicant: Mr Wood.
Cllr Gover removed himself from the meeting for this agenda item due to declaring a prejudicial interest. LPC raised no objections.
10 To consider response to YCC letter re 20mph traffic calming zone.
(i) Clerk to write to Mr Marshall confirming that LPC have the funds (£10,000.00) ready for the traffic calming zone.
11 To consider safety of wooden footpath bridges and walkways.
(i) Cllr Wheeler to take concerns to CDC.
12 To consider ROSPA report.
(i) Cllr Wheatstone presented suggested proposals in response to the ROSPA report (see attached).
(ii) Proposals were agreed.
(iii) Cllr Wheatstone to draw up a plan of action.
13 To consider the ordering display for and progress of the village map.
(i) Could not be discussed due to Cllr’s Wheatstone and Marshall declared a prejudicial interest. Cllr’s Wheatstone and Marshall to write to CDC request special dispensation to be able to discuss this matter.
14 To consider the progress on the verges on White Hill Lane outside Cross Green (Cllr Wheeler.)
(i) Cllr Wheeler reported that Martin Webster and Chris Craven had visited the site and concluded that:
i) The boulders have been moved back and will stay.
ii) The dyke has been cleared and reopened.
iii) The verge is in a reasonable state and will repair in time.
iv) The bollard is to prevent people parking on the verge and will stay.
15 To consider the purchase of a new strimmer.
(i) Clerk to instruct Kit to purchase the Stihl FS85 Brushcutter at £349.00 from Robertshaws.
16 To approve a document inviting tenders for work 2007/08.
(i) Move to march agenda.
17 To consider the clerk’s contract.
(i) Contract agreed with amendments.
18 To consider progress on replacing coping stones on Bent Hall Bridge
(i) Cllr Wheeler reported that work is now scheduled for may 07.
19 Items of minor information.
(i) Cllr Gover requested that post be passed round more regularly and a system for recording who has seen it put in place.
Dates of next meetings:
8th March, 12th April