Minutes of the Full Council Meeting
(held Thursday 09 November 2006 in the Parish Rooms)
Commenced: 7:30pm – Concluded: 9:25pm
Present:
Cllr. Caroline Jones (Chair)
Cllr. Sylvia Tilford (Vice Chair)
Cllr. Keith Dale
Cllr. Kathryn Forrest
Cllr. Peter Riley
Cllr. Matthew Palmer (arrived later)
Clerk:
Mrs Jo Griffiths
136/06 Chairman‘s Remarks
Cllr Jones opened the meeting.
137/06 Apologies for absence
Cllr Horton, Cllr Forrest and Cllr Walker had sent apologies and these were accepted. Cllr Palmer had advised that he may arrive late due to another meeting.
138/06 Disclosures of Interest
None
139/06 Public Participation
Two members of the public had come to raise concerns about planning application concerning a development at the rear of 30 Main Street. A number of objections were voiced: the development is in the heart of the picturesque village conservation area, described as a brown field site on the plans it is a lawned area at the rear of a Grade II listed house backing on to green belt land. The proposed development was not in keeping with the surrounding area and the new dwelling would be higher than the current houses due to the ground level rising at this point, the orientation of the house would be different to those of its neighbours and the gable end would be clearly visible from the village green. There were objections to the access point as this is a shared tarmac driveway not suitable for use by building machinery. There were also concerns that there would be loss of amenity for the surrounding houses not only during the building works but afterwards as well. The new development would be very visible from the road from an easterly direction and it was a concern that such a development would be a precedent for further such developments.
Cllr Jones referred to the village design statement which had been adopted by Bradford and advised that anything that could be cited from the design statement would strengthen their objections. The Council would welcome a copy of any objections sent to Bradford and it was advised that the plans were not due to be considered at this evening's planning committee meeting but the Parish Clerk would advise when they were to be considered. A copy of the agenda would be listed on the village website ahead of the next meeting.
140/06 To approve the minutes of the last meeting
The minutes were approved as a correct record and signed.
Proposed: Cllr Dale
Seconded: Cllr Tilford
141/06 Matters arising from the Minutes
Superloo
Cllr Jones advised that Brian Dobson was now back from sick leave and read a copy of his latest email advising that he was leaving the Council but that a resolution of this matter was a priority for him. Then Parish Clerk had replied to the email reiterating that it was imperative that the toilet be ready for the Christmas market on 2nd December. It was agreed that a copy should be forwarded to Richard Wixey, Brian Dobson's manager.
133/06
Cllr Riley asked for clarification on the letter received from a resident complaining about the flowerbeds at the Generous Pioneer. Cllr Riley was concerned that the Generous Pioneer was taking responsibility for land that it did not own. Cllr Jenkins will download a map from the Land Registry to see where the boundaries lie and Cllr Riley will find out if the Generous Pioneer would be willing to discuss this issue with him.
135/06 Police request for bike
Cllr Riley had received the request from the police for a bike to patrol the village. Cllr Riley will discuss the matter further with the police to determine costs, use, benefits to the village etc.
142/06 The Grange
Cllrs Jones and Tilford had met with the Deputy Principal of Shipley College with a view to courses being held at the Grange. A further meeting was scheduled for 10th November to view The Grange.
Cllr Jones was also planning to meet with Shabir Mohammed from Bradford Council to discuss the possibility of conversion of the Grange into affordable housing – a key goal of the Parish Plan. Contact would also be made with the Aire–Wharfe Community Housing Trust to determine if they would be interested partners in such a project.
A brief discussion was held on the issues surrounding the Grange – sustainable use was agreed to be the key to a successful future for the Grange. There were many people and groups within the village interested in using the Grange for individual purposes but they did not add up to sustainable use of the whole building. There was still potential for further education input but there had been little business interest in the building. If The Grange was to be converted to housing the Parish Council was agreed that all efforts should be made to ensure this should be affordable housing.
It had been noted that concrete footings had been dug in the entrance to the car park of The Grange, the likelihood being that these would be for removable pillars to prevent access to the car park.
Cllr Tilford reported that a meeting of the Community Consultative Group had been cancelled at very short notice by Bradford College and as yet no new date had been scheduled.
It was agreed that another meeting of the Parish Council's working group on The Grange should be scheduled for next week.
143/06 Parish Plan - Review of Part A - Traffic & Parking Plan
Discussion deferred until Cllr Palmer's arrival.
144/06 Buses & shelters
Metro are reviewing the bus shelter provision within the village - councillors were invited to provide any comments. Cllr Jenkins to look at the Parish Plan comments and advise if any were relevant.
Cllr Tilford advised that the Rail Users Group were still working to provide a better bus service to Addingham with the train station in Ilkley.
Attention was drawn to the real hardship caused by some users by the withdrawal of the evening and weekend service to Skipton.
Provision of the Hoppa bus service had changed hands - the Council agreed that this was a valuable resource for the village, Parish Clerk to write to Metro asking them to extend the service to include Holme Grove/Endor Crescent.
145/06 Footpaths
A full copy of the Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan from BMDC was available, Cllrs Riley and Jenkins to report back to the January meeting of the Parish Council any relevant parts.
143/06 Parish Plan – Review of Part A – Traffic & Parking Plan
Two issues were dominant : grass verges, and parking at and around the station.
Grass verges
Cllr Palmer reported that verge hardening for the areas around Manse Road, Midgley Road and Aireville Terrace should be agreed by Shipley Area Committee.
Station
Cllr Palmer advised that the Highways department had been reviewing the junction around the station and this had implications for parking. A discussion took place between the councillors about the possible solutions and it was agreed that the Parish Council would invite Ian Lambert from Highways department to the January meeting of the Parish Council to discuss the options available in more detail with a view to wider public consultation after this date. Cllr Jenkins brought examples of a number of places wher public footpath signs were disappearing. It was noted that there was a potential encroachment of a right of way on Leatherbank, Cllr Jones to forward to Cllr Jenkins details of the appropriate officer at Bradford.
146/06 Newsletter
Councillors were advised that the next newsletter would need to go to print before Christmas in order for distribution before the Neighbourhood Forum in January.
One page would be used for the agenda for the forum but councillors were invited to think about the content of the rest of the newsletter and to forward ideas to the Parish Clerk.
147/06 Maintenance Issues
Cllr Jones suggested the formation of a working group to co-ordinate the maintenance of the village. The working group would look at the schedule of works provided by BMDC as well as maintenance of those areas directly under the control of the Parish Council – parts of the village green, raised flower beds outside Country Corner etc. The working group could also explore working with other voluntary organisations in the village for specific projects e.g. litter picking.
Cllrs Tilford and Jenkins agreed to be part of this working group, Cllr Walker to be asked if he would also like to take part.
148/06 To approve the appointment of Cllr Kath Forrest to the board of Burley and Menston charities.
Proposed Cllr Jones
Seconded Cllr Palmer
Unanimously agreed.
149/06 Staffing Group Remit
A copy of the staffing group remit was circulated and proposed for adoption by Cllr Jones and seconded by Cllr Riley. It was unanimously agreed. The staffing group comprises Cllrs Jones, Riley, Tilford and Forrest.
150/06 Reports from councillors on other meetings attended
Cllr Tilford reported from the Rail Users Group – the ticket machine had been removed from Burley station and it was not proposed to be replaced. The rail users group were working hard to have it replaced as it was important for recording use of the station – it was noted that Menston has a whole ticket office. It was noted that the Perspex on the new shelter had been damaged and that some lights were out at the station but that this had been reported. Cllr Jones and Tilford reported from the YLCA meeting at Oxenhope.
Some discussion of the sale of the airport had taken place, as yet BMDC had not offered any proposals for the 40% of the sale price it would receive. It had been suggested that Parish Councils should have some input into the way in which the money was spent and it was felt that the money should only be for capital expenditure.
Planning issues had also been raised at YLCA meeting – this has not been a problem for Burley but it had been reported that some officers (most from other authorities) had made delegated decisions on applications that were counter to the recommendations of the Parish Council without further consultation – this is not in accordance with the protocol.
Cllr Jenkins reported that Cllr Horton and himself had not been able to meet with Tony Poole from B.M.D.C. but hoped to re-schedule for a later date.
151/06 Correspondence
A letter had been received from the Burley Bridge Association supporting the Ramblers Association plans for the proposed bridge.
The Lawn – an email query had been received on the progress towards renovation. The Parish Clerk to write to the Aire Wharfe Community Housing Trust to request an update.
152/06 Schedule of Payments
The schedule of payments was proposed for acceptance by Cllr Riley and seconded by Cllr Tilford – all agreed.
153/06 Any other business
Cllr Jones invited councillors to attend the Remembrance Day service at 10.45am at the Methodist Church if they were able.
Cllr Walker had passed on a request for stewards for the Christmas Market on 2nd December – Cllr Palmer would help.