Present: Mike Harris(MH); Christine Hill(CH); John Horton(JH); Caroline Jones (CJ); Clive Myatt(CM); Ian Padley(IP); Sylvia Tilford(ST); Mike Walker(MW).
In the chair: Bruce Speed
1. Apologies: John Sparshatt(JS); Tom Sumner(TS); Richard Thompson(RT); Tony Thompson(TT) Marjorie Hanbidge (resigned from attending on behalf of Chamber of Commerce).
2. Minutes of the last meeting. These were accepted as a correct record and were signed.
3. Matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
Item 4: BS asked if we needed to reconsider the decision not to seek footpath status for the disused railway in order to get steps or safer access at Menston Old Lane. It was agreed that BS would first contact JG to clarify the status of the old railway line within the UDP and then further discussion would take place.
Item 8.2: A reminder was given to those who wish to object about the Endor Crescent Field to do so before the 28th February.
Item 8.4: Benches- MH has contacted Brian Mann, IPC, re funds for replacement benches.
Item 9: Mobile phone mast at Burley Cricket Club. MW reported: He had been contacted by various people following the Neighbourhood Forum and had received a number of letters expressing concerns about the proposed installation. He had contacted officers from the Cricket Club and had been told that currently the matter was only under consideration and further information from BT was awaited on remuneration and siting. . When this was received full consideration would take place and there would be 60 days within which to inform the local authority of any intention to install a mast. If a mast is erected it will not be near to the gate as earlier rumoured but closer to the clubhouse. The new nets for young players are actually to be placed near the gate. In the proposed location the mast will also impinge on adjacent houses. The club is aware of the strength of feeling in the village about this issue and it is understood that there are differences in view within the club. Members of the club will keep MW informed. Chris Leslie, MP has been made aware of the matter. BS has also written, on behalf of BCC, asking for an update on applications for finances via English and Yorkshire cricket boards since it was rumoured that that the club was pursuing the phone mast instead of seeking finances in other ways. The reply is relevant to any discussion BCC might embark on to take the matter up on behalf of residents. On the basis of earlier communication it is understood that the club would need to demonstrate that any funds received from cricket boards would benefit young players – male and female. The nets to be placed near the gates are for the young players.
MH also reported that he had heard on the day of the meeting of T mobiles application of 15th December to put a mobile phone mast on the Bradford Road staithe. The 2 months for raising objections is almost up. The staithe belongs to BMDC. Again this mast is very close to houses. BS will respond before the deadline and will contact Kevin Whittaker.
4. Correspondence
BS reported receipt of:
MH reported:
5. Treasurer’s Business
MH circulated the joint BCC and BWCT Accounts Summary for the last month (see attached) and identified key items of income and expenditure.
6. Anti-Crime Partnership Report
CH reported:
There had been 33 recorded police incidents in Burley over the past 4 weeks. There had been 27 hour of visual policing over this period. Special attention has been given to Burley Oaks School. CH emphasized the need for traffic wardens in Burley to improve enforcement of yellow line restrictions.
Note: A Neighbourhood Policing Team Drop In Event for the Wharfedale Police Ward will take place on Tuesday 22nd February from 3.00 to 5.00pm at All Saints CE Primary School, Ilkley.
7. Current Issues
7.1 Parish Plan. BS thanked colleagues and others for their assistance with the Jamboree. There had been a good attendance on the day even though publicity could have been more extensive. CJ reported that 229 questionnaires had been received covering 366 people. A few more questionnaires had been distributed in order to address some gaps in the sample to ensure a full representative sample had been achieved. CJ will submit receipts for expenditure to IPC. PJ has begun the analysis of the questionnaires. While grateful for offers of help in entering the data into the computer he believed it would be quicker and easier to complete data entry himself. It is hoped to involve the Chamber of trade in discussion of some issues raised in the questionnaires eg. The need for hardware shop and dry cleaners etc.
7.2 Burley House Field. The Public Inquiry took place on 25th January. Thanks were expressed to the 11 people who gave evidence and especially to John Gundry for all his continuing work on the Inquiry and to our barrister, Nigel Clayton. Both sides are now drawing up representations which will duly be considered. We do not know at this stage when a decision will be communicated.
7.3 Handbook. MH reported that the Handbook is now complete and will go to the printers in the next few days. It is hope to distribute the Handbook with the April Bulletin. There had been a good response in securing advertisements for the Handbook. Thanks were given to Mike Harris for all the work that he has contributed to the Handbook and to John Sparshatt and Roger Charnley for securing advertisememts.
7.4January Neighbourhood Forum. It had been a good and well attended meeting. In response to some comments about the difficulty of hearing questions from the floor these questions will be repeated from the Chair at the next Forum meeting.
8. Reports from Sub-committees.
8.1Local Government.
The letter received (see Correspondence above) explains that, although the Minister has approved, in principal, BMDC’s recommendations to split Ilkley parish into three parishes, the Electoral Commission has indicated that it does not have sufficient time to make the Order for the electoral arrangements for 2005. New parish elections will be held simultaneously with District elections in 2006. Salman Mather has indicated that Burley Parish Council will be set up in April 2006 for elections in May 2006. The delay was regretted and it was seen as important that the Electoral Commission should complete its task by the early autumn to facilitate preparation for the change.
BS indicated that if colleagues wish, he is willing to continue to chair BCC until 2006 when it is expected BCC will no longer operate. The Committee were unanimous in inviting BS to continue for this final year. In the meantime BS recommended that the Local Government sub-committee should consider how best BCC and BWCT can assist in the establishment of the parish council. It was agreed that such activity should begin from the autumn.
8.2 Planning
TT wrote a letter on behalf of BCC registering several objections to the proposed development of 44-46 Main Street in which he referred to criteria in the Village design Statement and its supplementary planning guidance. Several residents also objected. JH and JG had attended the residents meeting on January 22nd and JH provided a report from the meeting.
JH has examined other current planning applications and reported further on the footpath near the Cornmill Lane proposed development. He has been informed by Fiona Plane from Rights of Ways that the proposed footpath will be 1.2 metres which meets the minimum width criterion. However the minimum width is variable and JH mentioned the adjacent 3 metre high wall to one side. FP will look into the matter.
8.3 SCAPAG No meetings to report
8.4 Projects
8.5 Ilkley Parish Council Minutes. The Minutes were received and noted. The parish plan sub-group also intends to contact Burley businesses with a special questionnaire.
8.6 Round Table. No report
8.7 WRUG A safety issue has been raised about crossing the bridge in the late evenings when there are relatively few people alighting from trains. It is not possible to see anyone who may be lurking on the bridge. It was suggested that mirrors at both ends of the bridge would enhance visibility.
9 Any other business.
10 Date of the next meeting. Thursday March 10th at 7.30 in the Roundhouse
The meeting closed at 9.10pm.
Sylvia Tilford, Hon Secretary. s.tilford@btinternet.com