Minutes of Parish Council meeting on 14th December, 2006, at 7.30pm at the Clubhouse
Present: Cllr Wheatstone (chair)
Cllr Binns (Vice-Chair)
Cllr Marshall
Cllr Cullen
In Attendance Anthony Meadows (Clerk)
15+ members of the public
1 Declarations of interest.
(i) Cllr Wheatstone: Item 10 – Prejudicial Interest in Planning Applications re. Noah’s Ark Kennels.
(ii) Cllr Cullen: Item 10 – Prejudicial Interest in Planning Application re. Tree work on Peel Terrace.
2 To receive and accept apologies for absence.
(i) Cllr Gover, Cllr Wheeler & Cllr Fairbank.
3 To approve minutes of the meetings held on Nov 09. Approved.
4 Matters arising from the minutes. Items covered in the agenda.
5 Questions from the floor.
(i) Statement from Peter Stanley re. Cohen v LPC. Concerns re. Issues of damage to property, gossip and homophobic comments he felt were related to Cohen v LPC and that the council seemed happy to stand by and allow to continue. Called for apologies from the Council re. The way he feels Stephen Cohen has been treated. Suggested that councillors should resign because of the way he feels they have acted.
(ii) Cllr Wheatsone condemned, on behalf of the council, any summary action, racism or homophobia and denied that the council were involved, actively or passively, in any such action.
(iii) Cllr Cullen highlighted that the standards hearing found that the council was not guilty of wrongdoing in Cohen v LPC and as such has no need to apologise to Mr Cohen.
6 Chairman’s statement re. standards hearing.
(i) Cllr Wheatstone read his statement to the meeting. Statement attached.
7 County and District Councillors’ reports.
(i) Cllr Wheelers report attached.
8 Correspondence received:
(i) Correspondence was past to Cllr Wheatstone.
9 Finances:
· Payments to be approved
o Solicitors Bill - £2232.00 - approved
o Royal British Legion - £25.00 - approved
o Parish clerk
§ £156.92 Salary for Nov 2006. - approved
§ £32.00 Travel Expenses Council Clerks Training Day - approved
o M Willets - £180.00. 12 hours work on village map - approved
o J Cowgill:
§ £17.00 – strimming round bench up Sidegate lane - approved
§ £110.00 - erecting of goalposts - approved
o Society of Local Council Clerks - £61.00 annual membership - approved
o ROSPA - £229.13 – approved
· Receipts:
o VAT returns:
· Account Balances:
o HSBC – Treasurer Acc Balance: £5,577.55
o HSBC – Business Money Manager Acc Balance: £24.88
10 Planning applications received:
· Proposed 20mph speed limit – council has no objections.
· Application No. 53/2006/6915. Variation of condition no.11 of Planning Consent No. 53/2006/6434 to allow use of white upvc windows instead of timber windows in barn conversion at Noah’s ark Boarding Kennels, Outlaithe Farm, Lothersdale. Applicant J Elvy.
o Cllr Wheatstone left the meeting for this item.
o Item to be discussed at special meeting on 19/12/06. Need to know why the applicant wants to change windows from wood to Upvc.
· Application No. 53/2006/6925. For a new window opening in NW elevation of Barn conversion at Noah’s ark Boarding Kennels, Outlaithe Farm, Lothersdale. Applicant J Elvy.
o Cllr Wheatstone left the meeting for this item. Plans not at the meeting. Item to be discussed at special meeting on 19/12/06.
· Ref No. 53/2006/6906. Proposed works to trees in the Lothersdale Conservation Area at 3 Peel Terrace, Lothersdale, Keighley, BD20 8EP. Applicant. Robert Hague.
o Cllr Cullen left the meeting.
o Council have no objections.
11 To consider Public Consultation re. Affordable Housing Provision.
(i) Move to next meeting.
12 To consider the budget for 2006/07.
(i) Need up to date actuals. Move to the next meeting.
13 To consider ROSPA report.
(i) Report discussed:
i) Main issues are signage and banking
ii) General discussion re. Fencing and the football pitch.
iii) Councillors to carry out a site visit to gain a clearer understanding on the implications of the report.
iv) Med/high risk issues are to be the priority.
v) Put on January agenda.
14 To consider disabled parking space outside Rose In The Dale.
(i) Main issue is inconsiderate parking affecting less able residents and access to their homes.
(ii) Cllr Gover to report to the council on 19/12/06.
15 To consider the village map.
(i) Hare And Hounds car park agreed as a location.
(ii) Cllr Wheatstone to see Landlord to discuss further.
(iii) Put on Jan agenda.
16 To consider the progress on the verges on White Hill Lane outside Cross Green.
(i) Need to locate plans for January meeting.
17 To consider the visit to the village on Thursday 23rd November by PC Sue Marklew Neighbourhood Policing Officer.
(i) Concerns raised at why PC Marklew contacted the Village Hall rather than come through the Parish Council.
(ii) Arrange to raise profile of the police in the local area.
(iii) Very poorly attended. Cllr Binns spoke with PC Marklew at length.
(iv) Suggested that PC Marklew be invited to a LPC meeting in the spring.
18 To consider the clerk’s contract.
(i) Move to January meeting.
19 To consider tennis court drainage/development
(i) Cllr Wheatstone to contact Thornton Sports re. Conducting a site visit and providing a series of estimates.
20 To consider progress on replacing coping stones on Bent Hall Bridge
(i) Keep on agenda until completed.
21 Items of minor information.
(i) Servicing the grass cutting equipment. Jan meeting
(ii) Request that council discuss the possibility of changing the day LPC meet to enable more parishioners to attend.
(iii) Sweeping of gutters/drains. Jan meeting.
(iv) Street lights by the vicarage not functioning. Cllr Cullen to report at Jan meeting.
Dates of next meetings:
Signed: Andrew Wheatstone, Chairman