Minutes of a Council Meeting on October 14, 2004, at 7.30pm in the Club House

                    Present::               Cllr Mike Gover (chairman)

                                                    Cllr Michael Binns (vice-chairman)

                                                    Cllr Helen Marshall

                                                    Cllr Malcolm Willetts

                    In attendance:    Cllr Mark Wheeler

                                                    Cllr Irene Greaves   

                                                    Parish Clerk Stephen Cohen

1                  Declarations of interest No interests were declared

2                  To receive and accept apologies for absence.  Apologies were accepted from Cllr Andrew Wheatstone

3                  To approve the minutes of the meeting held on September 9, 2004. 

                            The minutes were agreed as a correct record.

4                  Questions from the floor.  A resident raised the issue of anti-social behaviour by a small group of young people. Criminal damage had been caused and six or seven parents had complained about incidents in which their children had been verbally abused and bullied. There had also been episodes of indecent exposure and rubbish thrown against doors and through open windows. 

                        It was agreed to report the matter to the local police

5                  Clerk’s report (attached). The report was accepted.

It was agreed to seek permission from Mr Colin Parker to site a dog waste bin on his land.

Cllr Greaves offered to raise the issue of the Bomber Clough Beck Bridge with NYCC Highways Department.

Mrs Betty Dewhurst would be asked if she would accept a plaque on a restored bench.

It was agreed to make an application for £10,000 to NYCC for traffic calming measures.

6                  Correspondence received/items for circulation

1        Craven District Council: Skipton Local Produce Festival/Register of Member’s Interests review/Area Forum meeting dates/Consultation on Licensing Policy, replies by November 12/

2        North Yorkshire County Council: Council Plan

3        YRCC: Annual Report and papers for annual meeting October 30, York

4        Clerks and Councils Direct magazine

5        DEFRA: Comments sought on Clean Neighbourhoods

6        Victim Support: Request for donation

It was agreed to donate £25.

7        Wickstead Leisure guide to Disability Discrimination Act 1995

8        TLCA: Invitation to meet the Standards Board in Northallerton, November 8

9        Skipton Renaissance: Vision document

7                  Reports from County and District Councillors

Cllr Wheeler said the district council was improving its operating efficiency.

                       Cllr Greaves said the Crosshills and Cononley level crossings would be discussed at a special meeting on November 2 at Glusburn Institute.

8                  Finance

The external auditor has approved the Annual Accounts for 2003-2004.  Copies of the accounts are on public display.

To consider the 2004-2005 budget after 6 months’ operation.

                        It was agreed to postpone major spending items until the next financial year.

                        Accounts payable were agreed:

                        SP Cohen            £268.45 salary, expenses and marquee base kit

                        J C Cowgill        £455.57 September maintenance and new entrance

                        Mazars               £141 external audit fee

Transfer to Parish Plan Steering Group: £1,040 when received from Countryside Agency.

                        Balance Treasurer’s account  £161.44

                        Balance Deposit accounts        £5,019.14

9                  Planning:  

                  Applications approved:

53/2004/4649 Rear Porch and new front access door, Woodhead Barn, Sidegate Lane.  Mr and Mrs Wooley. Conditions: roofing slate sample to be approved, external doors to be recessed in natural stone surrounds matching the existing surrounds and reveals, new doors to be of timber and glass.

10              Community Power: To consider the Council’s position on wind farms.

                            It was agreed to take no action.

11              Reflections of Lothersdale: To consider financial support to the Lothersdale Book Group. No support was required, as the Parish Trust had agreed to make a loan to the group. The book’s profits would be passed to the Parish Council along with the copyright.

12              Recreation Ground: To consider the recreation ground sub-committee’s report and take action thereon.

                            It was agreed to site the youth shelter in the wooded area near the park entrance.

13              To consider the proposal to  build a barbeque.

                            It was agreed to postpone the construction of a barbeque until the next financial year.

14              Risk Assessment: To discuss the creation of a risk assessment

                            The item was postponed to a subsequent meeting

15              Quarry Road

                            The item was postponed to a subsequent meeting

16              Parish Plan: To consider the draft report

                            The report was presented but no comments were made.

Next meetings:  November 11, December 9 at 7.30 pm