Burley Parish Council
& Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Minutes of the Neighbourhood Forum meeting
held on Thursday 18th October 2007
at The Queens Hall, Burley in Wharfedale
Commenced: 7:30pm
Concluded: 9:30pm
Chair:
Cllr. Sylvia Tilford (Vice-Chair Burley Parish Council)
Ms Chris Flecknoe (Shipley Area Co-ordinator)
Clerk:
Mrs Jo Griffiths
Present:
District Councillors Chris Greaves and Matt Palmer
Parish Councillors Keith Dale, Kath Forrest, John Horton, Matt Palmer, Peter Riley,
Sylvia Tilford and Mike Walker
76 members of the public of whom 16 were attending a Forum for the first time
F20/0708 Apologies for absence
Parish Cllrs Caroline Jones & Peter Jenkins, District Cllr Dale Smith, Dorrit Southon, Mike Harris, Fred & Pam Benjamin
F21/0708 Welcome and introductions
Speakers for the evening were introduced and everyone attending was welcomed to the meeting.
F22/0708 Minutes of the last Neighbourhood Forum
Proposed by Cllr Keith Dale and seconded by Cllr Peter Riley the minutes of the Neighbourhood Forum on Thursday 21st June 2007 were accepted as a true and accurate record.
F023/0708 Matters arising
F06/0708 - Rombalds Moor - a consultation event will be held at Queens Hall on the future of Rombalds Moor on Saturday 27th October. Further information available in the information sheets circulated.
F08/0708 - MAD (Make A Difference) Project, Cllr Tilford will forward details of voluntary groups for inclusion in a booklet on volunteering opportunities in the district. Anyone with details of a group was encouraged to contact Cllr Tilford as soon as possible. The booklets would be available in the library.
F24/0708 Police Matters
Police Constable Stuart Hudson updated the forum on policing issues in the area.
Crime statistics in the village had gone down in the period from June to October 2007 compared to the equivalent period last year. The crime statistics were as follows:
| Crime Type | June - October 2006 | June - October 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 11 | 2 |
| Burglaries - dwellings | 27 | 4 |
| Burglaries - other types | 4 | 2 |
| Damage to non dwellings | 5 | 1 |
| Damage to dwellings | 3 | 0 |
| Damage to motor vehicles | 9 | 1 |
| General vandalism | 3 | 0 |
| Drugs | 0 | 1 |
| Other/sex/fraud | 4 | 3 |
| Theft from motor vehicle | 10 | 11 |
| Theft of motor vehicle | 3 | 1 |
| General theft | 12 | 4 |
| Total | 91 | 30 |
Identity Fraud - the police were reminding the community of the importance of protecting their identity against fraud, further information was available in leaflets being circulated
Security Lighting - the police recommended the use of low energy lights from dusk to dawn on the exterior of properties to deter thieves. Householders were also reminded to keep lights on in the house when out.
PC Hudson explained the re-organisation of the West Yorkshire Police into two divisions not three. There would be no changes to policing in the area.
Question: Did the police recommend permanent dusk to dawn lighting?
Answer: Yes, but using low energy bulbs. Studies had shown that potential thieves were more deterred by a permanent light.
Question: How many police are walking around the village at night?
Answer: After midnight the Neighbourhood Policing Team are not patrolling in the village. Response teams are available for any calls.
Question: Why can't we have police at night rather than during the day?
Answer: The majority of crime occurs during the day. Police use other strategies e.g. road blocks to deter criminals at night.
F25/0708 The Lawn
Jim Smith from Bradford Community Housing Trust (BCHT) updated the forum on the plans for The Lawn. The plans on display showed the latest scheme for The Lawn. Previous attempts to obtain funding for conversion of the whole site for affordable housing had not been successful. The new scheme incorporated conversion of the old building for apartments that would be sold at market value with the new build incorporating an increased number of apartments to be used for affordable housing. The changes to the new building had allowed more apartments as well as the inclusion of a lift to part of the building. At the current time BCHT intended that the new build apartments would be leasehold sales for the elderly with 25% of the lease retained by BCHT. The scheme was still going through the planning process and a decision was expected within 2-3 weeks.
BCHT have started work on asbestos removal so that building work may begin in Spring 2008 (subject to planning permission being obtained).
Question: How confident can the community be that the scheme will go ahead?
Answer: Financially this scheme is much more viable. The project had yet to go out to tender but BCHT were very positive that work would start in the Spring.
Question: Would it not have been better to sell the building in the first place rather than have it remain empty for so long? Or to have knocked it down and used the stone elsewhere?
Answer: BCHT were committed to a sympathetic renovation of the old building and a new building that would blend in despite the fact that ultimately this made the project more difficult and more expensive.
Question: Would a building with flats in the roof and only part lift access be suitable for the elderly?
Answer: 10 of the flats would be lift served with a further 2 on the ground floor. Provision of lift service to the whole building would have restricted the number of apartments available.
Question: The site is in the conservation area - does a three storey building fit in?
Answer: The overall height of the buildings would be similar and the design had been done as sympathetically as possible.
Question: Had the loss of amenity and impact on local residents been taken into account?
Answer: Yes, as far as possible. Any new development would have some impact.
Question: What about the increased traffic on to Grange Road/Back Lane?
Answer: BCHT's research indicated that the type of scheme i.e. for the elderly would mean fewer vehicles than on other developments. No precise data was available but BCHT estimated that only 1in3 or 1in4 residents would have a vehicle.
Question: Had this information been checked locally?
Answer: It had not been possible to do this as there were not comparable schemes locally.
Cllr Palmer had until recently been on the board of Aire-Wharfe Community Trust who had been trying for a long time to make this a viable scheme. He acknowledged that no scheme is perfect but this was a very positive development for the village - affordable housing for local, elderly residents and the use of an important but neglected village building. Cllr Palmer offered thanks to Jim Smith and BCHT for their on-going hard work on this project.
Question: Why were some units being sold?
Answer: To subsidise the cost of the new build and make this a viable scheme. Without the money generated by the sale of the apartments the scheme could not go ahead.
Note: Cllr Greaves excused himself from the next item
F26/0708 Hydro-Electric Scheme
Jamie Needle and Henry Allen from Derwent Hydro and TLS Hydro the two companies behind the proposed scheme provided background information on hydro-electric power and schemes that both companies had previously been involved in. A handout had been provided but a copy of the full specifications would be available from the Parish Clerk. The proposed site on the River Wharfe utilised the existing weir, channels and sluices that had been used by Greenholme Mills. The quantity of water at the site and vertical drop (head) made this site economically viable for a renewable energy scheme.
It was believed that the impact of the project would be minimal as the existing infrastructure could be utilised with only some new construction. The proposed site is on private land and the turbine house would be difficult to see unless very close.
Question: What impact would this development have on the stepping stones?
Answer: At certain times of the year the height of the river at the stepping stones would be less.
Question: A temporary construction track would be built but what access would be necessary along Leatherbank?
Answer: A full construction plan had not yet been completed but it was anticipated that during construction very little traffic would be on Leatherbank and thereafter only periodic maintenance checks.
Question: How will this affect the bridleway over the River Wharfe?
Answer: It should not affect it at all
Question: How does the electricity generated get to the National Grid?
Answer: Discussions with YEDL were on-going but probably via an underground cable from the turbine house linking to the existing connection at the mill.
Question: Boards had been placed on top of the weir in the past to increase the drop, would this happen again?
Answer: Although this would be of advantage, there were no plans to introduce boards.
Question: Presumably there had been an environmental survey to assess the impact. Were there plans for on-going survey to ensure no unforeseen impact?
Answer: This does happen at some sites but the Environment Agency had not discussed this as this site was not especially sensitive.
Question: Had the fishermen been consulted?
Answer: Yes, a lease had been agreed.
Question: Are there any plans to alter/maintain the weir?
Answer: There were no plans to alter the weir. Maintenance would be a priority to ensure the success of the scheme.
Question: The River Wharfe fluctuates considerably in depth how would the sluice gates maintain the flow?
Answer: The turbines would control the flow and when necessary stop the flow.
Question: What impact would the scheme have on the surrounding area that at the moment is very quiet?
Answer: Very little, maintenance would be very limited.
Question: What is the project dependent on?
Answer: Planning permission and obtaining the license from the Environment Agency as well as ensuring that the economics make the scheme viable.
Question: How can we support the scheme?
Answer: By making your views known when the proposal comes before the Parish Council for planning consideration.
Question: Would this hinder any future Fish Pass?
Answer: No, there would be no barrier to a Fish Pass. At the turbine site there is facility for fish to divert past the turbines.
Cllr Horton offered appreciation that the goit would be used once again and hoped that the scheme would come to fruition.
Note: Cllr Greaves rejoined the meeting and Cllr Palmer left
F27/0708 AGM of Burley in Wharfedale Community Trust
Bruce Speed, Chairman of Burley in Wharfedale Community Trust discussed the work of the BWCT in the last year: Burley Village Website is run by web-master Malcolm Fisher and overseen by a committee chaired by Dennis Warwick. The site, which has recently been upgraded and improved, provides a diary of events, general information to supplement the handbook, links to many local sites and, importantly, hosts the parish council pages.
Scalebor provides playing and changing facilities for boys and girls in the junior sections of village football and cricket clubs.
The pond in Cornmill Lane and its immediate surroundings are owned by the Trust and maintained as an historic feature of the village. With the co-operation of our tenants, Mr & Mrs Carruthers, it is opened on Duck Race afternoon.
Burley Christmas Lights depend entirely on voluntary effort and are funded by donations, gifts, bequests, collections and a substantial grant from the parish council for which we are extremely grateful. We work in co-operation with Burley and District Chamber of Trade who run the street market on the switch-on day, and from which we gain a contribution.
A new 10 year lease has been signed on The Pudding Tree Garden adjacent to the pond and Original Malt Shovel. We maintain the area and are in the course of installing new seating thanks to a contribution from Burley and District Probus Club.
Burley Community Council has leased The Round House from BMDC for many years and we are in the process of transferring that to the Trust. Insurance will cover the roof repairs and other damage after the theft of lead flashing, but that has not stopped coffee being served on 2 - 3 mornings, and several evening bookings.
We continue to have a Coffee Morning on the 3rd Saturday of each month, but that is now in the excellent new Parish Centre. The 100 Club draw also takes place then.
The Duck Race is our primary fund raising event, which coincides with Teas on The Green making for a popular Sunday afternoon.
Future Plans:
· Improvements to pitches and land drainage at Scalebor.
· Refurbishment of Christmas lights fittings and features.
· Enhance the website to include more village photography.
· Refurbish the remaining notice board at Burley Woodhead.
· Complete work on the village centre garden are in line with the Jennings Bequest
A summary of the accounts was shown by Clive Myatt, Treasurer of BWCT and copies would be available in the library.
F28/0708 Parish Council Update
The Grange
The parish council had explored a variety of uses for The Grange in the year since it had closed for adult education provision. Affordable housing had proved economically unviable. The parish council working with a development partner had put a proposal to Bradford College for conversion of the building into apartments for private sale with part of the ground floor retained for community use - for the Parish Council and the provision of adult education. Bradford College is considering the proposal but had confirmed its intention to market the property formally. The Parish Council remained positive that part of the Grange might still be retained for the community.
Question: The Grange had been purchased by the people of Burley in the past. Did ownership really rest with Bradford College?
Answer: Research on this subject had been done. The Grange had been purchased by Burley Urban District Council in 1905 but then passed to Ilkley Urban District Council in 1937. In the local government reorganisation in 1974 the building passed to Bradford Council and in the 1990s to Bradford College.
Burley House Field
This was an on-going project under Burley Community Council (BCC) led by John Gundry. The barrister on the case had recently indicated that a third application for village green status looked likely to be successful. In the interim the Parish Council had opened negotiations with Bradford Council on a possible 99 year lease. A decision would be made in January as to whether BCC proceeded with a third application.
Christmas Activities in Burley
The Christmas Market (run by the Chamber of Trade) will take place on 1st December and the Christmas Lights will be switched on. The lights are all put up by volunteers and anyone interested in helping was invited to meet Tom Sumner and other volunteers any Saturday morning in the village from 3rd November.
Awards Scheme
- the recent parish council newsletter had contained details on the Parish Council's awards scheme. Anyone wishing to apply or find out more about the scheme was invited to contact the Parish Clerk. Thanks were offered to all the volunteer distributors of the newsletters.
Village Maintenance
- on the last Saturday of the month a small group meets to carry out maintenance on the village green. The grass is mown by BMDC but the responsibility for maintaining everything else on the green is the parish council's. Many jobs are available - light and small, anyone interested in helping would be warmly welcomed. Thanks were offered to those who already volunteer and those who provide refreshments.
F29/0708 Neighbourhood Forum Feedback
Chris Flecknoe had circulated sheets providing feedback on issues raised at the last forum. Attention was particularly drawn to the following:
Shipley Area Eco Action Day - Saturday 3rd November
Community Heroes Scheme - this had now been widened and nominations were being sought
Sustainable Community Strategy - BMDC were seeking views on this document and response from as many people as possible were encouraged
Details of workshops on the future of the local moors
A survey was being circulated about the Neighbourhood Forums; everyone was encouraged to complete and return the form giving feedback on tonight's Forum
F30/0708 Open Forum
Question: What information did the Parish Council have about the proposal for a cycle route from Burley to Ilkley?
Answer: Cllr Walker stressed that this was a proposal and at a very early stage. A resident of Ilkley had put forward a proposal to utilise the track built by May Gurney alongside the railway line plus existing footpaths to create a safe route that could include cycles. Sustrans had been contacted purely for their advice and Cllr Walker had been put in touch with the relevant officer at BMDC. Ilkley Parish Council would be discussing the proposal at their meeting in November as it affected both parishes and could not go forward without the support of both parish councils. A priority would be to contact local landowners and discuss this with them in further detail.
Question: What could be done about overgrown vegetation on the cycle/footpath route from Burley to Otley?
Answer: Chris Flecknoe took the details and would refer this to her colleagues at Leeds MDC as it was on their land.
Question: There is much discussion of the Airedale Greenway. Are there any similar plans for Wharfedale?
Answer: Airedale has a number of very specific problems not shared by Wharfedale. It was obvious from earlier discussions that similar schemes were coming from the local level and Chris Flecknoe would report back to the relevant officer at BMDC to see how the council could help take this further.
Question: Given the proposal to close many post offices should the residents of Burley be concerned about the Post Office in the village?
Answer: All post offices were being reviewed and there should be concern about this locally. Bradford Council had made clear their opposition to further closures. Consultation for the Keighley constituency (including Ilkley and Ben Rhydding) was taking place now. Consultation for this area would be early in the New Year and further details should be available at the January Neighbourhood Forum.
Question: Why are the computers in Burley Library so slow?
Answer: It was understood that there were some technical problems with the speed of Internet access but that these were due to be resolved and that the computers themselves were due to be upgraded towards the end of the year.
F31/0708 Any Other Business
Copies of the newsletter produced by WRUG (Wharfedale Rail Users Group) were available at the end of the meeting and in Burley Library.
F32/0708 Date & time of next meeting
Thursday 17th January 2008 - Queens Hall, Burley in Wharfedale
Shipley Area Co–ordinator's Office, Town Hall, Kirkgate, Shipley, BD18 3EJ Telephone: (01274) 43714 6 Fax: (01274) 532780
Burley Parish Council, 6 The Copse, Burley in Wharfedale, LS29 7QY. Tel: 07971 772181 Email: parishclerk@burley-in-wharfedale.org