LOTHERSDALE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Council Meeting on December 11, 2003, at 7.30pm in the Club

Present:                     Cllr Mike Gover  (chairman)

                                    Cllr Michael Binns (vice-chairman)

                                    Cllr Andrew Wheatstone

                                    Cllr Helen Marshall

                                    Cllr Malcolm Willetts

                                    Cllr Pat Fairbank

                                    Cllr Mark Wheeler

                                    Cllr Irene Greaves

                                    Clerk Stephen Cohen

1                  Apologies for absence

There were no absences.

2                  Declarations of interest

Cllr Willetts declared an interest in that he had submitted a sketch of a proposed shelter for the recreation ground.

3                  To approve the minutes of the meeting held on November 13, 2003

            The minutes were agreed as a correct record

4                  Questions from the floor

            There were no questions          

5                  Clerk’s Report)

            The report was accepted

6                  Correspondence received/items for circulation

(i)                 Craven District Council:  Postponement of Parish Clerk’s forum

(ii)               NYCC:  Closure of Winter Gap Lane on either side of the bridge over Bomber Clough Beck for 3 weeks from January 12, 2004 to allow for bridge repairs/Winter Service Leaflet/ County Issues newsletter/

(iii)             Craven Citizens Advice Bureau:  Letter of thanks for donation

(iv)             Victim Support: Letter of thanks for donation

(v)               North Yorkshire Police Authority: Consultation process on 2004-05 police budget

(vi)             Craven Transport Working Group: Minutes

(vii)           Crosshills MAPS Group: Minutes

(viii)         Craven Crime Reduction Partnership: Newsletter

(ix)             Little Red Bus: Christmas timetable
 

7                    Reports from County and District Councillors

Cllr Wheeler reported that he had persuaded CDC Area Forum to provide £500 for each of the 2 grant applications. The flooding panel was issuing a video. A review of parking and traffic management in Skipton was being considered. And the district council had expressed its views on the reorganisation of local government.

                    Cllr Fairbank said the district council would complain to the Secretary of State if the closure of Skipton Hospital rehabilitation unit went ahead.

Cllr Greaves said the county council’s budget for next year would be increased by an unknown amount. The council was thinking of reducing the second home council tax discount from 50% to 10%.  A recommendation had been made to reopen the physical rehabilitation unit to its former hours and staffing levels until the primary care trust consultation was finished. Plans to fluoridate water had been rejected. Comments had been made to council officials regarding the withdrawal of the Lothersdale bus service.

8                  Finance:

(i)                 Payments agreed

S.P. Cohen                                          £147.56 + 15.17 expenses

Mazars                                                £141.00              Audit fee

SLCC                                                  £64                  Membership fee

(ii)        Balances:

Treasurer                                            £3773.08

Money Manager                                 £ 6158.67

9                  Planning

            Application received:

53/2003/3834 and 3835 Woodhead Farm, Sidegate Lane. Two-storey extension and listed building consent. Mr and Mrs Ellison.  No objections were raised.

10              Budget 2004 – 2005. It was agreed to raise a precept of £7,000 for 2004-2005.

11              Dog Fouling Initiative. It was agreed to request more dog waste bins with dispensers attached for disposal bags.

12              Youth Shelter Project: Grants of £500 approved by CDC, £1,000 from Craven Crime Reduction Partnership.

13              Recreation Ground: Grant of £500 for roundabout from CDC had been received. It was felt that the money might be better spent on another project.

14              Reduction of Lothersdale Bus Service. It was agreed to complain to NYCC environment services department.

15              Draft Financial Standing Orders. It was agreed to postpone discussion until January

16              Draft Standing Orders. It was agreed to postpone discussion until January.

17              Parish Plan.  No meeting had been held since October.

18              Boundary Committee. To be discussed at the January meeting.

19              Minor items.

It was agreed to respond to questionnaires from CDC on recreation and open spaces, and on Quality Parish Councils.

It was agreed to write to North Yorkshire Medical Ambulance Service to inform drivers of the whereabouts of the village. There had been two recent instances of drivers not being aware of the location.

It was agreed to write to Mr Colin Parker thanking him for the kind offer of land for road widening. The matter was now in the hands of NYCC.

Next meetings: January 22, February 12, and March 11 at 7.30pm