Neighbourhood Forum AGM Minutes – 15 June 2006
Present:
Chris Flecknoe, Shipley Area Coordinator, DCllr Matt Palmer, all members of Burley Parish Council, Annette McIntyre (Ilkley Gazette), PC Stuart Hudson and 75 residents.
In the chair:
Bruce Speed
1. Apologies for absence:
Cllrs Dale Smith and Chris Greaves, Bill Midgley; Gerry Shaper; Vernon Whelan; Arthur Woodhead
2. Approval of Minutes for 2005 AGM.
Dorrit Southon proposed and Peter Riley seconded that they be accepted as a correct record. They were duly signed.
3. Chairman's welcome and report for the year
BS said that he was pleased to welcome everyone to the historic occasion in the development of local government in Burley. At the same time last year we were disappointed by the postponement of elections for Burley Parish Council, but now had 9 councillors elected on 4th May and there was much change as a result which would be described later.
First, he reviewed the main activities in the past year.
The Village Green Inquiry Inspector's finding against us was a bitter blow. We had decided that the only way to stop access to Burley House Field being restricted to a fenced-off path, was by petition to a meeting of the whole Bradford Council. That was presented and accepted on 17th January, and referred for decision to Shipley Area Committee, and we believe our case will be heard on 20th June. However, we may have a further chance to secure village green status. Our hope, if any, rested on the Commons Bill currently passing through Parliament that would allow those who had lost out under the Court of Appeal decision to apply again. Our barrister, Nigel Clayton has been asked to advise us, and his view was awaited. This would have an effect on the proposal to wind up BCC, to be explained later under item 5.
He expected everyone would have forgotten about the project to build Changing Rooms at the Recreation Ground, as it had been talked about for well over 6 years. There was now an active group led by Brian Wheeler and Dave Crane that was actively seeking finance from the Football Foundation and other sources. There was a possibility that the building could include facilities for Scouts and Guides, but that had not proved to be feasible.
The new public toilet was beyond even being a bad joke and he said no more, except to wish the parish council success in bringing it to a satisfactory conclusion.
Of course, he said, a lot more had been going on, including the annual Duck Race - the next one would be on Sunday 25th - the Christmas Lights and Market: on Saturday, 2nd December this year, and so on.
A recent bombshell had been the reported closure of the Grange for adult education in the next academic year. Parish Councillors have spoken with the College and there is a possibility of a special Neighbourhood Forum to discuss this issue. Those interested in intending such a Forum were invited to sign up on a list so that they can be informed.
He concluded with some thanks.
We had a very satisfactory village "clean-up" on the previous Friday evening, and he wanted to thank people from the Chamber of Trade and Scout and Guide groups who joined us in this project. A lot was achieved. Apart from the satisfaction of a good job well done and a lot of bags of rubbish, you ended up with a low opinion of your fellow man. He also wanted to thank his colleagues on the Committee. Now that we were very close to the end, as people would hear later, he wanted to record his gratitude to those who had been members since he took over from Dennis Warwick in 2001. He hoped all would agree that a lot had been achieved. It was not only Minute taking and reports but all the work that went on in the background, and he asked those present to pay tribute to the Committee.
The BCC's success - and he made no bones about calling it that - owed a lot to the support we have had from the Area Co-ordinator's team, and particularly from Chris Flecknoe. In recognition of her help to Burley over the years, he hoped she would accept a small token of our appreciation. MH presented a bouquet and there was a warm round of applause.
4. PC Stuart Hudson.
SH provided an update on crime events. A new computer system was being installed called a niche and linking system. When fully up and running all events will be described as occurrences. The update at this AGM was provided from the old system and compared the period between April 3rd and June 15th with the figures for the same period last year. There were 34 occurrences compared with 42 last year. These included 2 assaults, several burglaries, criminal damage (4 instances at Greenholme), damage to cars, various thefts - 2 caravans and items from motor vehicles, and a public order problem in Aireville Terrace.
Crime prevention advice is available and surveys of property can be provided. PC Hudson can be contacted on 07968 60555387
5. Presentation of Audited Accounts.
Before presenting a summary of accounts MH thanked Julia Bateson for auditing them. She had found no problems. He explained that this year some income had been split between BCC and BWCT accounts and this year the 100 Club income had gone to the Trust. There was currently one vacancy for the 100 Club.
Income
He commented on specific income items. There had been significant Roundhouse income this year. Judith Hird has arranged a number of rentals in addition to income generated from coffee sales. Income from the duck race was a major source of income and all of it goes back into supporting village projects and activities. He hoped the amount raised would go up this year. £1500 had been received from Ilkley Parish Council for Christmas lights and a significant amount of money had also been raised in the village for the lights. As in previous years we received the stall fees from the Christmas market as BCC paid for the insurance for the event. Money to pay for a small number of seats in the village had also been received. Income as a whole this year had been less. We had been asked not to appeal to the village for income through the Burley Bulletin and this may have affected what had been donated.
Expenditure
The following items were highlighted: payment for 100 club prizes; general maintenance which was high partly because of the number of projects and the costs of maintaining the lawnmower; electricity and water bills of £668.05 jointly for the Roundhouse and the fountain which in future will have to be costed separately; rent for the Parish room for coffee mornings and Burley Oaks School for the AGM; and insurance (£1200) up because of the Trust acquisitions. Last year £200 was given to Tereli and this year £1000 with one payment of £500 already made and the second to follow. Outgoings totalled £16000. At the end of the year the balance was £17,447. 69. Acceptance of the accounts was proposed by Dennis Warwick and seconded by Dorrit Southon.
6. Change to winding up proposal, previously announced.
At the Neighbourhood Forum in April, BS explained that the Community Council would be wound up after this AGM (on 30th June), and he had set out how the current responsibilities would be devolved to the Trust and to the parish council. The Burley Bulletin confirmed that proposal.
It was still intended to transfer those matters of business to the Trust as was said, and our solicitor was dealing with leases accordingly. Furthermore, it was anticipated that the parish council would decide in forthcoming meetings to take responsibility for the remaining matters. However, when he spoke earlier about Burley House he alluded to a problem relating to another application. There was a chance that, if an opportunity arises for a further application to record it as village green, that would have to be made by Burley Community Council, the original applicants. Our barristers' initial view was that the parish council could do it, but the BCC Committee decided, by a majority, that that was too great a risk: Burley Community Council must remain in existence until we are certain. The effect would be to mothball the organisation, but it would remain constituted as it is at present. And we should be quite clear, he said, that the parish council is now at the forefront in village matters.
Consequently, he sought approval of the meeting for the following proposal: 'To retain BCC in existence under the existing Constitution (in case any further appeal regarding the future use of Burley House Field should be required to be made by the same organization as earlier appeals). This was carried unanimously.
7. BCC Committee.
Given the acceptance of the above proposal it was necessary to appoint a BCC Committee for 2006/7. The current Officers and Committee members have been asked to stand for the year 2006/07, and all have indicated a willingness to do so, other than Christine Hill who is leaving the village. She was thanked for her contributions to BCC.
The Committee was duly re-elected.
MH then made a presentation to Bruce Speed for his years of chairing BCC and thanked him for all the time and effort he had given to its activities.
8. Financial proposals for reallocation of funds.
MH outlined how the remaining funds would be allocated. £5081 was tied to the Jennings bequest and could only be used for this purpose. There were a few items of BCC expenditure still to be paid for - an estimated £1000 for project maintenance, £600 Committee related expenses, £2000 for legal costs of transfers to BWCT. Of the funds remaining it was proposed to pass £3000 to BWCT for improvement and maintenance of the Pudding Tree garden, and £5000 for the Roundhouse. The balance of £266.32 would be gifted to the Roundhouse. BS proposed and Dorrit Southon seconded the acceptance of the proposals.
9. Celebration of 30 years of BCC activities and achievements.
Just before viewing the slides prepared by Mike Harris and Dennis Warwick, BS said that he wanted to take the opportunity to thank the members of the first committee, because the village owed so much to them and the many volunteers since 1976. He himself was a relative newcomer, but two things stood out for him. First, the foresight of those who set it up and wrote the Constitution that had carried the community through 30 years of changes and challenges. The other was the dedication and commitment of those who have served, often in a professional manner that must have surprised many that had to deal with BCC. Our former MP said that BCC represented the gold standard in community action and involvement. He was right: we should celebrate that.
The presentation of slides was most interesting and reminded those present of the key activities of BCC during its 30 year history and of friends no longer with us. BS thanked DW and MH for putting the presentation together.
10. Presentation of Burley Seal.
BS said it was appropriate to hand the Burley seal to Burley Parish Council. It originated in 1904 and was used by Burley Town Council. BS had made a box for it from wood reclaimed from Scalebor Park. It was presented to Caroline Jones, first Chair of Burley Parish Council. She thanked BS and said that BCC had left the new council with an important legacy on which to build. She invited comments and questions from the floor about the new Council. DW reminded everyone that one of the reasons for setting up BCC was to empower the village. There had been some constraints on what it could achieve. The Parish Council should be able to do more.
CJ reminded those present that all planning applications now have to be referred to the BPC. She emphasised that forming a new parish council was not a quick process since appointing a parish clerk, opening a bank account, establishing standing orders, and so on cannot happen overnight. The advert for a parish clerk would be in the local press in the following week. The next meeting on June 29th was an important one when BPC will begin to put its plans in order. The new council was keen to serve the village well and all 9 councillors are available to respond to questions, address issues and receive any comments residents may wish to make. Their names and addresses can be found on the village noticeboards, the Burley website, and in the library. CJ thanked everyone for voting in the recent election.
11. Questions and comments from the floor
Q
Will Neighbourhood Forums continue?
A
Yes, under the Burley Parish Council.
Q
How does one reach the duck race?
A
Via the footpath past the Cornmill and across the bypass. This year marshals will be available to aid safe crossing of the road.
Peter Riley took the floor to remind people that the Sun Lane Nature Reserve would be looking superb in the next few weeks with all the flowers coming through. This was as a result of all the efforts of the volunteers. On July 30th the Burley Wildlife Group (BWG) would lead a walk round the reserve at 11.00am. This would be an excellent opportunity to be introduced to all that is there to be seen in the reserve. BWG has worked with BMDC to ensure that the roundabouts and by pass which have been planted with wildflowers are not cut excessively. There was an important invader in the village - Himalayan balsam. Although it was a good food plant for bees it blocked streams and spread rapidly. There would be a session to pull up plants on Thursday July 27th at 1.30 starting from St Philips Way by the stile into Burley House Field
A leaked proposal for trains to be cut from 4 carriages to 3 was reported. MH replied that this had not yet come to the attention of WRUG but he would enquire. MH said that the shelter on Platform 1 had been seriously vandalized and Metro have agreed to replace it.
12. AOB
Coffee morning on Saturday, June 10th in the Parish Room