Minutes of a Council Meeting on March 11, 2004, 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
Katie Peacock
2 representatives from North Yorkshire County Council
2 representatives from the Little Red Bus
1 representative from Blue Sky Community Consultants
The meeting discussed the problems created by the withdrawal of the afternoon bus service. Mary Welch and Richard Owens from NYCC agreed to look at a better coordination of the bus timetable so that children could be brought up to Lothersdale School in the morning.
Details of the Little Red Bus service were provided and it was agreed to give each household a copy of the service leaflet. Volunteer drivers were requested.
1 Apologies for absence. No apologies were received
2 Declarations of interest: Cllrs Willetts and Marshall declared their interest in the Party in the Park event.
3 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on February 12, 2004. The minutes were agreed as a correct record.
4 Questions from the floor. There were no questions from the floor.
5 Clerk’s Report (attached and copies available for public inspection under the Freedom of Information Act 2000). The report was received.
6 Correspondence received/items for circulation
1 Craven District Council: Minutes of meetings/Code of Conduct matters relating to Freemasons and political party affiliations/Area Forum meetings agenda (March 10 at Bradley and March 29 at Skipton Town Hall 7.00pm)/ Road closure for 2 week period during April to September 2004 Pinhaw to Lothersdale
2 North Yorkshire County Council: Circular on updating Clerk’s address/Newsletter on public rights of way
3 Craven Neighbourhood
Watch: Invitation to informal meeting March 25,6.00pm
4 Mr Jim Harbidge: Request for discussion on illegal waste dumping
5 YLCA: White Rose Update
6 ODPM: Consultation on Standards Board issues
7 Airedale NHS Trust: OpenAire magazine
8 Katie Peacock: Request for financial contribution to Party in the Park, invitation to run a PC stall, query on insurance.
It was agreed to grant the request to hold the event and to investigate the cost of insurance. The council wished to run a stall and would consider making a financial contribution at its next meeting.
9 Blue Sky Community Consultants: Update of South Craven Community Investment Prospectus
Questionnaires were circulated for completion
10 Safer Craven Newsletter (technician will be available to install security devices in elderly, disabled or vulnerable people’s homes)
7 Reports from County and District Councillors
Cllr Greaves said there would be a site meeting outside the school to look at parking problems on March 16 at 0830.
Cllr Fairbanks said a recent CDC survey had revealed street cleansing as the top priority issue; more machines were being purchased; recycling targets had been met and she would investigate to see if blue waste paper bags could be provided in the village.
Cllr Wheeler said the 2.8% rise in CDC council tax had been ratified; an extra £222,000 was available for the planning department; and there was now a debate on the future use of the town hall in Skipton. The Parish Council was asked to consider its view.
8 Finance. The following payments were agreed:
Payments:
S.P. Cohen £147.56 + £10.02 expenses
Clerks and Councils Direct £7.50 magazine subscription
J Meegan & Son £250.00 Gate repair (will be matched by grant)
Balances:
Treasurer £1,247.12
Money Manager £6,677.41
(£2,000 is grant for recreation ground)
9 Planning
Application received: 53/2004/4085 Amendments to scheme approved under 53/2003/3062 Conversion of barn to dwelling and creation of double garage, Low Kirk Hill, Mr and Mrs K Dickinson. No objections were raised.
Application approved: 53/2003/3834 and 3835 two storey domestic extension, Woodhead Farm, Sidegate Lane, Mr and Mrs Ellison. Conditional upon approval of stone samples for walls, quoins and roofs; windows to stained timber recessed within natural stone surrounds to match the reveals and surrounds to first floor windows in the western elevation of the existing building.
Application rejected: 53/2003/3901 erection of a conservatory to the rear, Millwood Cottage, Wedding Hall Fold, Mr and Mrs Booton. The form and design including its shape and lightweight appearance would jar with, rather than respect, the design and character of the existing building and would harm the character and appearance of Lothersdale’s conservation area and of the wider special landscape area. The conservatory would allow direct short-range overlooking over East Barn’s back garden and into Low Fold Barn’s kitchen windows.
10 Parish Plan. Progress report. A lap top computer was to be rented. The school has agreed to make a model of the village for use during the Party in the Park day.
11 Tenders for work 2004-2005: To consider the tenders received.
It was agreed to accept JC Cowgill’s tender for recreation ground maintenance and to appoint the other applicants on to a panel of approved contractors
12 NHS Primary Care Trust: Survey on Skipton General Hospital – to consider a response. It was agreed to recommend option A3 – to co-locate a range of services in a new purpose-built facility on the existing hospital site.
13 Recreation ground:
1 Estimate for making and installing sign posts. It was agreed to accept David Cooke’s estimate.
2 Design of shelters. It was agreed to approach David Cooke, Michael Parker and Merritt and Fryer’s for estimates of building costs, and to apply to the Parish Trust and CDC Community Chest for grants. Amendments to the plans would be needed first.
3 Award of £1,000 for roundabout. Cllr Greaves thought the grant might be converted to the shelter project.
14 Minor items for information. Cllr Gover said he would circulate councillors with a letter to the Craven Herald rebutting the charge that the village suffered a vandalism or graffiti problem.
Next meetings: April 8, May 13 (Annual Parish Meeting), and June 10 – all at 7.30 pm