and BRADFORD MDC SHIPLEY AREA COMMITTEE
Minutes of Neighbourhood Forum Meeting held Thursday 16 June 2005
In the chair: Bruce Speed except for item 5
In attendance: 55 residents, DCllr Chris Greaves, Chris Flecknoe (Shipley Area Coordinator), PCllrs Caroline Jones, John Sparshatt; Sylvia Tilford; Annette McIntyre (Ilkley Gazette).
Apologies for absence: Michael Burley; Kim Chambers; Audrey and John Hall; Clive Myatt; DCllr Dale Smith; DCllr Matt Palmer; Judith and Brian Sayer; Tom Sumner; Arthur Woodhead.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the 2004 BCC AGM
These were proposed by Dorrit Southon and seconded by Bill Midgley and signed by BS as a correct record.
3 Chairman’s welcome and address.
After welcoming Ward and Parish Councillors, and residents attending an AGM for the first time, BS gave his report for the year.
Handbook BS began by saying that he had commented on recent progress in the BCC in the Handbook so would not repeat all of this. He wanted, however, to begin with the Handbook itself. He knew from comments that it was well received, especially by new residents. If anyone had not received a copy they are available at the Open Door and the Library. The Handbook is an impressive publication for a voluntary effort and he wanted to thank all the contributors and advertisers, and most particularly Mike Harris who compiled the print-ready version. Anyone who had been involved in a similar task would know what a good job he has done. There was also the distribution – first getting it to the distributors and then the door to door efforts of the 50-60 residents who make sure every household receives a Handbook. BS gave many thanks to all of them.
Burley Bulletin; this reached people through the courtesy of the same group of volunteers. In the recent distribution a summary of the Parish Plan was included
Consultation for that had taken place over the winter months and there was a good turnout for the Jamboree where residents had the chance to indicate priorities for action. The full version would be published once ratified by Ilkley Parish Council (hopefully following the July 4th meeting), with copies then available in the Library and on the website. He hoped that people would take time to look at it and study it in detail, particularly the Action Plan which will guide the BCC Committee and the Parish Council. He thanked the group that had produced it. Peter Jenkins was one member and he had the appendices, including all handwritten comments, which he would be pleased to discuss with anyone interested immediately after the meeting.
There were a couple of matters in the Action Plan where help could be given now: pavements where dropped kerbs are needed, and streets and snickets where the lighting is inadequate. Suggestions could be added to lists available at the meeting. The necessary work would not be undertaken immediately but would be included in the rota for the future.
Superloo He had reported last year that, unless there was an unforeseen hitch, there should be a superloo next to Burley Grange. There had been lengthy delays on this but we now had a date in July when groundwork would begin. The old toilet block is to be converted into a store for our Christmas lights, replacing the use of the store underneath the Corner Shop.
Projects: the two major projects which had kept BCC busy during the last year were the ongoing saga of the Burley House Field and the water feature at the village green. The Field would be discussed under a later agenda item. As reported in the Bulletin the water feature would be officially opened at 3.30pm on Sunday June 19th, after the Duck Race.
BS said that he would save his thanks to Tom Sumner and the many helpers for the ceremony which would include a dedication led by the Reverend Helen Harrell, and the water would be turned on by a young resident, Emma Danskin.
Cornmill Pond: those present would also know that the pond on Cornmill Lane would be open from 2-4pm on the same day as the Duck Race, by arrangement with the BWCT tenants, Sandra and Steve Carruthers. He wanted to draw attention to a number of points concerning this area:
The Lawn: Returning briefly to the Parish Plan BS stated that trying to ensure a satisfactory development of the Lawn was one of the major objectives for the coming year. Those present at the April Forum would have heard the presentations from Carol Bridges, and the architect involved, and heard of the difficulties in securing the capital needed. BCC had begun the process of lobbying to get commuted sums from the Scalebor development and other housing in the village spent in the village. BS felt this might prove difficult. Residents would recall the struggle to get funds for the Queen’s Hall after the closure of the Youth Club. The Lawn will prove even harder but BS stressed that we would do our best and get as much support as possible.
4. Treasurer’s report for the BCC: presentation, approval of audited accounts for 2004/5 and nominations for Honorary Auditor for 2005/6
Mike Harris (Treasurer) presented the Income and Expenditure account for the year 2004/5 and also the comparison figures from the previous year. He commented on a number of items, including significant differences between the two years.
Income:
100 Club: this was a significant source of income. Thanks were extended to Dennis Warwick and Sue Joplin for their work on this.
Roundhouse: we had done reasonably well with the Roundhouse this year. Thanks were extended to Judith Hird and to the helpers who provide coffee in the Roundhouse.
Burley Bulletin: ¾ of the costs of this are refunded by the Shipley Area Panel.
Christmas lights: these were largely funded through collections in the village but we had also received a grant from Ilkley Parish Council.
Duck race: the proceeds to BCC were down because £500 went to other organizations who sold tickets.
Coffee mornings: these generated a small income but their purpose was largely social, rather than fundraising
Donations: there was a big difference from the previous year when we had received a major donation from the estate of Mrs Daphne Sharpe. Donations this year had been received towards the purchase of the Scalebor pavilion, memorial seats and plaques. Income for the John Squire Memorial Fund had simply been handled by BCC. Various grants and donations had been received towards the water feature - £4000 from Ilkley Parish Council and £500 from the Community Chest.
Handbook: the advertising income indicates the support by the village.
Bulletin printing: as noted above ¾ costs are reimbursed;
Parish plan: costs associated with developing this had been met by Ilkley Parish Council
Christmas lights: expenditure was lower as we had to purchase light bulb replacements, but not features.
Village green: expenditure had been higher in the last year.
Insurance: in general such costs are going up but we also had to take on the extra insurance for the Cornmill Pond and Scalebor. These costs will now be borne by the Trust and a refund is shown in BCC income.
Grants: Two small grants to Burley Playscheme and Tereli funds. Two larger grants were made to the BWCT for the purchase and support of the Scalebor pavilion.
Water feature: this had been a major expenditure. A major part of the cost had been met from the Daphne Sharpe bequest and there had also been generous support from the Ilkley Parish Council.
MH noted the difference in the balance of income at 2005 and 2004 (because of the Daphne Sharpe legacy in the previous year) but said it was more helpful to compare the current balance of £25,000+ with the beginning of year 2004/5 when cash resources stood at a little under £21,000. BCC was in a very healthy position.
Thanks were extended to Julia Bateson, the retiring secretary of Menston Community Association, for auditing the accounts. A proposer and seconder were requested for
acceptance of the accounts. Dennis Warwick proposed and Dorrit Southon seconded.
A new auditor was needed and it was agreed to let the Committee appoint an auditor.
5. 2005/2006 Committee and Officers: report of nominations; elections.
Mike Harris took the Chair for this item.
He thanked Bruce Speed for his leadership over the last year as Chairman of the BCC. BCC can appoint 3 officers and 10 further Committee members. It can also co-opt members. Nominations have been requested for the coming year. In the last year there have been 9 Committee members and 3 co-opted members. The existing officers and committee members were willing to stand again. Since there had been no further nominations the committee was reelected and the one vacancy would remain on the books. Two of the 3 co-opted members are willing to serve again and others can be co-opted.
6. Local organizations reports. BS resumed the chair
Before the reports BS mentioned that Bob Jones and Malcolm Fisher received certificates for services to the community at the ICVS Volunteers Fair.
6.1Good Neighbours: Mabeth Sharp
Mabeth said that everyone should have found a small yellow card describing the Good Neighbours service when opening the new copy of the Burley Handbook. Good Neighbours help people who have appointments with clinics etc. 200 journeys a year are undertaken. People were asked to pass on information about the service to anyone who may have need of it. Gail Boole and Sue Whelan organise the provision of drivers. If anyone can offer to do an occasional lift – once in 4/5 weeks please let Gail or Sue know. New drivers are always very welcome and you can say when you are available.
6.2Burley Community Luncheon Club: Doris Followell, Hon Sec.
The Luncheon Club has been meeting every Wednesday, as usual, in the Queen’s Hall Annexe. There are four teams of volunteers who serve the meals – any one interested in joining one of the teams would be very welcome. At Christmas a trip to Tong Garden Centre, with lunch, was organized, and last month members and guests enjoyed a cross-country trip to Bridlington, via Wetwang, where they had an excellent lunch. Another trip will be organized in the autumn.
Good Neighbours now have a new supplier of the hot meals and the quality is very much appreciated –so, if there is anyone who lives alone – or couples - who would appreciate a good lunch in a friendly atmosphere once a week, do recommend the Luncheon Club. We meet on Wednesday for 12 o’clock and if transport is required it can be arranged.
This service for the community would not be possible without the teams who serve the meals, the Committee who organize the trips, and the drivers who operate the Round Table minibus. To all these people, we say thank you very much.
6.3 Tereli friendship: Mary Wood
Mary reminded us that there is a page in the Handbook describing the Tereli Link. Last year she had mentioned an HIV AIDS prevention project in which Zakari Saye was involved. A Diploma of Honour was sent back to Burley after completion of the project and T shirts, which included an acknowledgment to BCC, were also produced. Thanks were expressed to everyone for their support. The calendar raises money for projects in Tereli. Many thanks were extended to those people who provided photographs for the calendar. Last year £1000 was raised from it from Burley and from donations from around the country. Half of the money was used for a birthing house in one of the Dogon villages and a display of photographs of the building process was available at the meeting. There were also photos of the Maternity built as a project in 2002 including a photograph of 3 babies born within three hours, and also photos of some dune stabilization work. Zakari Saye is now in his 5th year of his medical training. He was having difficulty reaching his hospital placement so raised some money towards acquiring a moped and we have provided the balance. In the last year locusts have a been a problem in the area. Tereli itself has escaped but other villages have suffered and have no harvest this year. Since the locusts laid eggs they may also not get a crop this year . Letters have been written to MPs urging the provision of organic pesticides. Some of the people involved in the Tereli link are involved in ‘Make Poverty History’ and will be going to Edinburgh on July 2nd.
6.4 Roundhouse. There wasn’t a report at the meeting for this year. BS asked the meeting to remember Sally MacGill who, together with her daughter, sadly lost her life in the Tsunami disaster. She had managed the Roundhouse and was a BCC Committee member in 1997/8
6.5 BCC Projects update including water feature: Mike Harris
Tom Sumner has put in many hours of efforts to get the water feature ready and we looked forward to the switch-on on Sunday, 19th. This has been one of the biggest projects this year. The other, the village green project would be described by John Gundry. In addition, two seats have been replaced outside the Pudding Tree Garden and in the coming year those inside the garden, which have been there for 10 years, will also be replaced. The Jennings bequest money was given for the uptake of the grass and flower beds in front of Jake Wright’s. Now that the water feature has been completed there will be some further work there. As the coming year may be the last for BCC, if Burley gets the go ahead for its own parish council, no major new projects will be undertaken in the coming year.
6.6 Burley Chamber of Trade: Roger Charnley, representing Peter Settle,
The Chamber of Trade is now in its third year and has 40 members. It enjoys a close relationship with the BCC and helped in the production of the Handbook. It ran the successful Christmas market to coincide with the Christmas Lights switch-on. It is concerned with issues that affect equally businesses and residents, encourages networking between businesses and produces a monthly newsletter. He hoped that Burley residents will continue to support businesses in the village. The Chamber is now widening to include Menston businesses. It is looking forward to the parish council changes and sees a role for the Chamber in both Burley and Menston. He thanked BS for his support at general meetings of the Chamber of Trade.
6.7 Millenium Theatre Group: Walter Swan
The last very successful performance was Harry the Highwayman, at Christmas. The Group has had some difficulties in attracting casts, especially younger performers. The next performance will be directed by Fred Benjamin and will take place at the end of September. At the AGM on July 11th there will be a partial reading and a full reading on July 18th. The play needs 4 women and one man. The next pantomine is to be Jack and the Beanstalk and will be performed in February 2006. The Group is attracting one or two new directors.
6.8 Burley Bridge Association: John Sparshatt
Planning permission for a bridge over the weir has been approved this year. The Association hoped to meet with North Yorkshire Council and BMDC in July to see if a way forward could be found to achieving a river crossing. Alternative designs and sites would be discussed. It was hoped to make progress. Getting people together from both the Councils was very difficult. He noted that the Burley Parish Plan mentions the desirability of an all weather crossing of the River Wharfe.
6.9 Burley Website: Dennis Warwick
The decision was taken in 1999 to set up a website. Malcolm Fisher agreed to be the webmaster and has continued in this role. He has been very generous with his time which has helped to keep costs down and the site looking good. It is probably one of the best village websites in the country. We receive communications from across the world. A committee of 8 people supports the website. There is now legislation concerning the accessibility of websites and the website committee has had expert advice on amending the site accordingly. The site is open to all, free of charge and, for those who do not have computer facilities at home, it can be accessed through the Library when it is open. The website provides: a diary of events; other information; the Handbook, regularly updated; details on all groups operating in the village; a section on the history of Burley; photographs etc. Anyone with contributions is invited to contact Malcolm Fisher. The site has 472 pages in total. BS thanked all those involved with the website.
6.10 Burley Village Wildlife Group: Brenda Parkin
The nature reserve is in Sun Lane and grateful thanks were given to everyone who comes along on the morning of the last Sunday or the 2nd Thursday afternoon in the month to help with the work there. New volunteers are always welcome. BP made a special appeal for help elsewhere in the village in eradicating Himalayan balsam which is growing in Wood head Beck. The work will be carried out on Saturday July 2nd starting at 9.30. Helpers should meet at the junction of Prospect Road and St Philips Way. A vote of thanks was proposed from the floor to Burley Wildlife Group who should be proud of what has been achieved on the nature reserve site.
6.11 Round Table
Mark Griffiths, Burley Round Table Community Officer, sent a report for the meeting.
It has been another successful year for Burley and District Round Table. Membership numbers have risen significantly in the last few months so that the Table is in a good position to make a difference to the local community.
The Round Table minibus continues to be actively used by many local groups – all that is asked for is a suitable donation.
Christmas continues to be a busy time of the year for the Round Table. 2004 was the most successful Christmas float ever. Once again Round Table provided the Burley Christmas tree and it is their intention to do the same this year- indeed this year’s tree has already been selected. They also provide the sleigh for the Christmas lights switch-on and are about to request Santa to make an appearance again this year. A Senior Citizen’s Christmas party was held last year and this was a great success and it is planned to do the same this year.
John Sparshatt reported that he was a regular user of the minibus. Under the current regulations the Round Table couldn’t indicate specifically the level of donation it would wish to receive for its use. Donations have dropped off and if they are not maintained at a reasonable level the viability of the service will be affected.
Tony Thompson, BCC and PCllr reported that voluntary groups can apply to Ilkley Parish Council for capital sums from the precept up to a limit of £500. The Awards Committee meets three times a year. Application forms are available from the Town Hall.
7. Burley House Field: Village green status decision report and future use review.
John Gundry reported on the current situation and summarized the history:
The 1st Village Green application made in 2000 was lost in December 2003 because of alleged haymaking in the early 1980s. Haymaking was not thought to be relevant until a Court decision in July 2003. A second application was made covering the period 1983-2003. There was a conflict of evidence presented at the Inquiry. The Inspector dismissed Bradford’s evidence and said there was ample evidence of use by the village for lawful sports and pastimes since 1974. John gave thanks to all Burley witnesses who wrote letters or gave evidence at the second public hearing. However the Inspector was less sure that the use had been ‘as of right’ and, in addition, a Court of Appeal decision in January 2005 had decided that usage had to be to the date of registration and unchallenged, not to the date of application. As the Inspector commented, this gives any landowner a cast iron defence to any application. The Court of Appeal has decided that this is what the legislation says (although it can’t be what Parliament intended). This matter wouldn’t be sorted out in time to help us. We had been very ably represented by Nigel Clayton, at a very low cost compared to normal rates, but we cannot contemplate the costs of making an appeal.
The Inspector’s report is his recommendation to Bradford as Registration Authority. It would be considered by the Licensing Panel on June 29th but there is no real argument that we can put to them.
The village green project started because of the allocation of the southern part of the Burley House Field as housing land in the first UDP. BCC objected and lost so began the village green application as a second string. While the application was in process the second UDP was produced, again showing the southern half as housing. This time our objection was successful, housing designation was cancelled, and the whole field was shown as village greenspace, not a very helpful term, and as recreation open space which is helpful. The UDP has not yet been fully adopted but there is no reason to anticipate any change.
Bradford Property Services (Asset Management) have not responded favourably to the suggestion that consideration be given to the best ways to increase recreational use of the space. We now had to decide on what to do next and who should take responsibility for action. If we are to persuade Bradford to increase recreational use a clear idea of what is wanted and what is practicable is needed. JG then produced the list of suggestions that had been made over the years and commented on each of them. Some were no longer relevant as needs had changed or provision had been made elsewhere in the village Further ideas were requested. Dennis Warwick suggested the addition of allotments to the existing list. The importance of ensuring disability access was also emphasized. It was agreed to form a sub-committee to gather suggestions and to bring proposals for action to the October Neighbourhood Forum.
Chris Flecknoe provided a brief comment on the role of Asset Management within BMDC. It has to look after the Council’s assets and maximize them. It does not have an interest in facilitating the increase of recreational use. If we want to do this it will be necessary to involve Parks and Landscapes. We could also offer to rent the Field from Asset Management. CF offered to link the sub-group with appropriate people. The matter will be dealt with on the July agenda of BCC. Members of the community who would be interested to join the sub-group should contact John Gundry or Sylvia Tilford.
8. Proposed footpath on disused Otley- branch railway embankment.
John Sparshatt reported on the proposal to secure a footpath along the disused railway line. It was already a wildlife corridor but it was hoped to formalise footpath status. To do this it is necessary to establish evidence of usage over the last 20 years or even longer. Forms for completion by people who have used the old railway line were available at the meeting. For those not familiar with its location a map was available at the meeting. Forms can be obtained from John Sparshatt or picked up in the Library.
9. Questions from the floor.
Brian Wheeler has been asked to get involved with Burley Trojans and the Scouts and Guides to see if a bigger community facility can be provided on the Recreation Ground. This would have wider use than changing rooms for the football and a larger facility would have use over the whole year. He proposed that with joint action a successful development could be achieved. Those interested should contact Brian Wheeler. Currently £26,000 is available which is part of the commuted sum from the Wellfield Farm development. Bob Wilson, Chair of Burley Scouts and Guides said that these groups have outgrown their premises in Peel Place and the hut there is now old. A new building would cost around £220,000. They would, therefore, be interested in working on a collaboration to provide a community wide facility.
Bob Wilson also brought the First Responder scheme to the attention of the meeting. First responders provide help until the emergency ambulance service arrives. Ilkley and Menston both have services and there has been an earlier attempt to set one up in Burley. There were a few volunteers but more will be welcomed. Training is provided.
Q. Would it be in order to bring up a matter from the Parish Plan ie the lack of a footpath at the top of Moor Lane? This matter had been raised earlier..
A. This is currently being looked at by Phil Sawley
There were no further questions from the floor.
10 Any other business.
11. Date of next Neighbourhood Forum meeting: 20th October 2005 at 7.30pm in Burley Oaks School Hall
The meeting close at 9.30pm
Sylvia Tilford, Hon Secretary s.tilford@btinternet.com