1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from District Cllr Pat Fairbank and County Cllr Irene Greaves.
2. Minutes of the previous meeting
   These were agreed as a correct record
3. Chairman’s report
   (1) The Council
   In May 2002 a new Parish Council was elected consisting of Michael Binns, Mike Gover, Helen Marshall, Andrew Wheatstone, and Malcolm Willetts. At the initial meeting, the first two were elected Vice-Chairman and Chairman respectively. Apart from myself, all the Councillors were new and we also had a Clerk, Stephen Cohen who had just been appointed. There was therefore inevitably a bedding-in period but I believe that we have now formed a team with a good range of village representation and certainly a wider age range than recent councils! We also have the distinction of keeping our Clerk more than a few months - long may it continue.

   (2) Precept
   Having kept the Precept at £5600 for four years it was felt that an increase was necessary to cover increased costs and work that we wish to do. The new amount of £6500 is also spread over more properties and so we hope that it will be considered a not unreasonable increase.

   (3) Planning
   There have been a number of planning applications this year which have created discussion. There was no objection to the conversion of Burlington Barn into two houses but the extension to Burlington Farm was considered by Craven District Council to be too large. Subsequently a modified plan was put forward which was acceptable. Proposals for tree work and alterations at 5 Garden Terrace were opposed on the grounds that tree felling would considerably alter the appearance of the area and that the alterations were too extensive. Following inspection of the trees CDC allowed the work to be done but subsequently refused planning permission for the alterations. The change of use at the Mill was also opposed on the grounds of too little information and worries about the water supply at Dale End. However CDC were happy with the plans. No objections were raised to the extension to the Club House (On this item, two Councillors declared an interest). For all planning applications we ask that any work should be carried out in suitable materials, particularly in the conservation area, and that the water supply to existing properties is not affected.

   (4) Street Lighting
   Three new streetlights were installed at the end of last year and the two at the School have improved visibility in that area, particularly to the steps. The School funded this light and the others were funded by a generous grant from the Parish Trust.

   (5) Roads
   The Council continues to press for a 20 mph speed limit within the village but, despite the support of our County Councillor Irene Greaves, we have not succeeded in achieving this.

   The Council’s request that the winter gritting category of the direct road to Skipton through Four Lane Ends be upgraded was turned down. Drainage continues to be a problem and is regularly reported to the Highway’s Department of NYCC. Some improvement has been achieved. The proposal for a new BT pole near the dam was opposed and the proposal was subsequently withdrawn.

   (6) Footpaths and Rights of Way
   Bridges have been replaced on the paths down the beck, following flood damage. There is money available for improvements and we put forward four proposals this year. A new gate will be placed at Spen House and we hope to have a self-closing gate along the beck. This should give easier access for prams and pushchairs and possibly wheelchairs. A second self-closing gate at the Mill end of this path and an improved safer crossing across the dam have been put on hold due to the lack of cooperation of the landowner. The footpath at Burlington Barn has been reopened and we have reported problems with the paths through Knott Farm due to the redevelopment.

   (7) Recreation Ground
   Funding from the Village Trust has enabled the Council to install three seats in the woodland area of the recreation ground. A Parish Trust grant has allowed us to place a seat at the back of the War Memorial, following requests from villagers. The gates have been cleaned and treated. The WI planted a tree for the Golden Jubilee of the Queen to complement its Millennium tree. There were drainage problems on the football pitch in early summer last year and we thank Richard Towell for sorting this out. Our thanks also go to Richard for his maintenance of the recreation ground. He has decided to retire from this work and we have been able to give the maintenance contract to Kit Cowgill and his partner. As usual, the playground equipment was inspected on a regular basis by the Council and in September by ROSPA and we are glad that no major work has been necessary.

   (8) Notice Boards
   Two new boards have been purchased, thanks to a grant from the Parish Trust. They are wood effect plastic and should be maintenance free. The one at Burlington House has been installed but we still have to decide on the location of the second.

   (9) Public Meeting
   This was held in the autumn and crated a lively debate, particularly on the possibility of giving part of the village Article 4 Status. Subsequent analysis of the returned questionnaires showed a 50-50 split for this and the Council decided not to proceed. There was a 2-1 majority in favour of a 20 mph speed limit and almost unanimous agreement to press for a change in the postcode.

   (10) Village Website – Lothersdale-online.org.uk
   This is up and running, thanks to the Out of School Club and Stephen Remde, and has proved to be very popular. Council Agenda and Minutes are among the items displayed.

   (11) Parish Plan
   The process of building a Parish Plan has been started and the two Parish Councillors on the Committee are Andrew Wheatstone and Malcolm Willetts. Two general meetings have been held and it is hoped to have a Plan drawn up in about a year’s time.

   (12) CDC and NYCC
   As with the Parish Council, there are two new District Councillors, Pat Fairbank and Mark Wheeler. They have attended many of the meetings this year and have been very helpful in putting our case to CDC when necessary. Mark is on the Planning Committee and Pat deals with slightly less glamorous, but equally important, items such as dog fouling and waste disposal and is also leading the Postcode campaign. Our thanks also go to County Councillor Irene Greaves who works on our behalf at County Council level.

    

4. Traffic speed - Mr Bill Isherwood, NYCC Area Traffic Manager

   Mr Isherwood agreed that the village deserved a 20mph limit but there was no money available in the county council budget to provide it. Approximately £20,000 - £30,000 would be required for the main part of the village; to deal with the area by the school would cost £15,000.

   Five other villages had accident records, which meant they were higher priorities.

   However, he could provide additional safety features such as flashing warning signs by the school, anti-skid surfaces, road markings and bigger and more modern signs. The Parish Council would draw up a wish list of desired features and contact Mr Isherwood again.

    

5. Responsible Financial Officer’s Report

   The Clerk presented three sets of figures summarised in the accompanying tables:

   1. Annual income and expenditure
   2. Balance sheet
   3. Register of Assets

    

   	Annual accounts 2002 - 2004
   			2002 - 2003		2001 -2002		Notes
   			£		£
   	Income
   	Precept		5,600		5,600
   	Way leaves		10		10
   	Other		1,447		901		Parish Trust. Bench sales. CDC grant
   		Total	7,057		6,510
   	Expenditure
   	Staff costs		1,267		1,548
   	Administration		743		580		Audit. Questionnaire
   	Rec ground		2,253		1,837		Park benches
   	Repairs		72		-
   	Subscriptions		252		123		YLCA increase
   	Room hire		108		88		Additional meetings
   	War memorial		346		25		New bench
   	Bank charges		37		-
   	Insurance		680		541
   	Street lighting		1,014		270		3 new columns
   	Donations		35		75
   	VAT		505		177
   		Total	7,313		5,264

    

   	Annual accounts 2002 - 2003
   	Statement of accounts
   			2002 - 2003		2001 - 2002
   			£		£
   	1	Balances brought forward	5,670		4,424
   	2	(+) Annual precept	5,600		5,600
   	3	(+) Total other receipts	1,457		910
   	4	(-) Staff costs	1,267		1,548
   	5	(-) Loan interest	0		-
   	6	(-) Total other payments	6,046		3,717
   	7	(=) Balances carried forward	5,414		5,670
   	8	Total cash and investments	5,414		5,670
   	9	Total fixed assets	26,476		12,971
   	10	Total borrowings	-		-
   		Notes:
   		Other receipts includes sale of 2 park benches

   	Annual accounts 2002 - 2003
   	Register of assets
   				2002 - 2003		2001 - 2002
   				£		£
   		Mower		240		270
   		Strimmer		180		200
   		Marquee		5		500
   		Rec Ground		1		1
   		Play equipment		10,800		12,000
   		Street Lights		11,250
   		Park benches		1,000		-
   		Notice boards		3,000		-
   		Total		26,476		12,971
   	Notes:
   	Marquee has been written down after extensive woodworm
   	Other equipment has been depreciated by 10%
   	Street lights have been included for first time at average of £450 each

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

6. Report from a District Councillor

   Cllr Wheeler said that central Government was insisting that officials should decide 90 – 95% of planning applications. However district councillors were asking for more flexibility and he asked the Parish Council to highlight sensitive issues in local applications.

   He also gave details of his membership of various committees on CDC and said he always welcomed attending the Parish Council’s meetings.

   The chairman thanked him for his contribution towards local affairs.

    

7. Any other business

The meeting closed at 9.20 pm.