BCC Minutes - 08 December 05
Present:
Mike Harris(MH); John Horton(JH); Caroline Jones(CJ); Peter Jenkins(PJ); Clive Myatt(CM); Sylvia Tilford(ST); Mike Walker(MW)
Also in attendance.
Annette McIntyre, Ilkley Gazette; Dennis Warwick(DW) (part of the meeting); Tony Burkitt (TB), Burley Bridge Association.
In the chair:
Bruce Speed(BS).
BS welcomed TB, with a particular interest in Item 8, and DW for item 6, the Parish Plan review.
He reminded those present that the agenda this month had been changed in order to provide sufficient time for discussion of a number of key issues.
1. Apologies for absence.
John Gundry(JG); Mark Griffiths(MG); Ian Padley(IP); Tony Thompson(TT); Brian Wheeler(BW).
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
· The meeting recorded thanks to Tom Sumner and the team who installed the Christmas lights. BS commented that it was most unfortunate that a partial power failure took out the PA system at the critical point so that no announcements could be made and two attempts were necessary to start the switch-on. Feedback indicates that the hiccup was not too important and the lights themselves earn high praise. The main supporters have been sent thank you letters.
· Thanks were extended to the Chamber of Trade for organizing the Christmas market and the funds that have come to BCC from the fees for the stalls. The market had been very well attended.
· Thanks were also given to the Round Table for organizing the setting up of the Christmas tree. This had been provided by Yorkshire Water, transported by Shipley Paint and erected by Marsland Timber. Appreciation and thanks were offered for all their contributions. · MW was very pleased to report that new people had come along to help with the Lights installation this year.
Members of the Committee reported the many positive comments they had received about the lights and the switch on event. A few comments were also added for consideration:
i. the PA system has let us down in previous years and we should reopen discussions about acquiring a new system;
ii. comments had been received about the lack of fireworks this year - the negative comments were probably balanced by the positive ones;
iii. Burley had a lot of good lights and had received significant funds for refurbishment. Some members would have liked to see greater use of white lights this year alongside the coloured ones, as discussed and recorded in the September minutes. There were clear differences of view in the Committee on this particular matter;
iv. Concerns were expressed about the condition of the pavements in the village, especially in Station Road, where many fallen leaves are still lying. These made walking hazardous on the day of the lights switch–on and gave a poor impression of the village.
· There had been no response from the Trustees about the possible footpath realignment at Highfields. BS will write again asking for a decision.
· The new superloo was not ready in time for the Christmas market but a portable toilet was provided in the Queen's Hall car park. Although we understood that this was staying until the superloo was completed it has been removed. Christine Dale, Parish Clerk, has asked for an explanation for the removal.
· Recreation Ground: BW had sent a report on progress. The planned meeting with the Football Association had been cancelled and an alternative date is to be arranged. Fundraising has taken place over a number of years towards the cost of the changing room but as funds are accumulated the cost of provision rises. Further fundraising will be needed to meet the estimated costs of £250k. A bid has been prepared and submitted to Ilkley Parish Council for consideration for Special Projects funding. A copy of the background document to support the bid has been provided to the Committee.
4.Correspondence.
BS reported:
· A draft letter from John Sparshatt to Highways asking that they reconsider their stance regarding the stepping stones below the weir and in particular to ask for legal advice concerning the 70 year old injunction apparently preventing them raising the sunken stones. The letter was agreed subject to one or two minor amendments.
· A letter from Philip Davies, MP, saying that he will continue to pester the Electoral Commission about the decision on parish changes.
· ST had received a letter from Mr and Mrs Stead on the memorial plaque for their son David. A number of people have said that it is not in keeping with the existing memorial and it is proving difficult to keep it clean so that the inscription is clear. The matter has been brought to the attention of Parks and Landcapes and the local MP. The Committee shared the concerns expressed and would write in support if the actions which had already been taken did not resolve the matter satisfactorily
· A phone call from Pam Benjamin about the “footpath“ between the two roundabouts. JH reported that this was not an official footpath and actually part of the Highway. MH said that it is actually a drainage course, not a path. The trees need cutting back to make access easier.
5.Financial matters.
MH circulated the monthly accounts summary and commented on income and expenditure for BCC and BWCT
BCC Income:
Thanks were expressed to Ilkley Parish Council for the £1500 towards the costs of running the lights. At the switch on event £273 had been collected, of which half had been transferred to the Trust. £335 had also been raised from the ongoing Christmas lights appeal. Stall fees amounted to £276 in this month . The market is run in BCC's name for insurance purposes. Money had been received for the Burley Bulletin costs.
BCC Expenditure:
the memorial seat for Flt Lt Stead had been paid for. In addition there had been Christmas lights expenditure, coffee morning expenses for 6 months, printing of the Bulletin and payment for electricity . The electricity cost for the fountain was an estimated account. BWCT
The major expenditure was on insurance which had been expected. Tree felling at Scalebor was also an expected expenditure. We did not want the tree to collapse during the winter and damage the pavilion. £100 towards the cost has been applied for from ICVS Currently the combined free funds for BCC and BWCT stand at £19,711
JH reported that the mobile scaffolding tower used for the Christmas lights installation was now old and a replacement will be needed.
CM raised the matter of setting up a direct debit system for paying Trust subscriptions. MH will look into this. Consideration would also be given to payment of a 5 year or possibly, life membership.
6 Parish Plan Review.
PJ circulated copies of the Parish Plan. Progress on each item since the plan was published in June 2005 had been noted on the Plan. Progress had been made on a number of actions. Where further action is still required an updated Action Plan was agreed following discussion. The revised Plan will be put on the website. A further review would take place before April when a new council, if agreed, will start up.
DW proposed in relation to the Leisure and Recreation Section (Item1) that we thank the Library Service for the extended hours. These were much appreciated. This was agreed. The Committee felt that it was important that the village made use of the extended services. The new hours had been publicized but further publicity would go into the January Bulletin.
7. Burley House Field
JG, BS and ST attended a meeting with Asset Management in the hope of getting their agreement to allowing public access to the whole field and not just to the footpath across the southern end, which it is intended to fence off.. They were unsuccessful in that objective but deduced that Asset Management's action is part of long term plan to ensure that the field can be used for development. The new 5-year agricultural lease, and the prevention of anything that enables recreational use, appears to be a key part of that objective. While it must remain an 'open space', as designated in the revised UDP, Asset Management believes that the 'recreational' element can be ignored and over-ridden by the agricultural use. This has been confirmed in a letter received on the 10th of December, from Mike Bell, Head of Asset Management. We have been advised by Councillor Dale Smith to petition Bradford Council against that decision and intend to do so for the January meeting of the Council. Cllrs Chris Greaves and Matt Palmer support the intention and BS has also asked Philip Davies, MP, to support us.
8 Footbridge over the river.
JH, PJ, BS and Gerry Shaper met Keith Wadd and Ian Whitlam (Rambler's Association and their engineer, respectively) at the proposed site of the footbridge to learn more about the new scheme.
The new line follows the right of way over the stepping stones and curves slightly upstream over the meadow to join the gate on the bridle path to Askwith, running at a height of about 3 metres above the river. To accommodate horses, pedestrians and pedal cyclists, it would be three and a half metres wide. The structure will require a ramp from near the top of the existing track down to the 'beach' rising to bridge height. Another ramp would drop downstream to river level so as to allow occasional tractor access to the river and bank for maintenance. The structure would effectively block off the 'beach' and totally alter the vista at this point. In addition, the wall on the river side of the path would be raised to bridge level, cutting off the view.
The ramp access is necessary because the ground on the south bank, which is at the correct height to reach the bridge deck, is owned by the angler's association and cannot be used without their agreement and that of other landowners. The engineer confirmed that, if access could be agreed, there would be no need for ramps, the structure would be less obtrusive at that point and the cost would be lower. Those present thought that the owners' views should be sought. Access to the river for maintenance would remain as it is currently. BS will contact Gerry Shaper to see if dialogue with the local landowners can be initiated. The engineer agreed that drawings and computer generated impressions could be made available but these are not likely to be in the library until January. Representatives expect to attend the January Forum with the plans. BS emphasized the need to seek the widest possible views via the public display because numbers attending the Forum are only likely to be around 100. The Ramblers Association Plan is going forward with the support of the Burley Bridge Association
9. January Neighbourhood Forum
· Partly as a result of low turnouts at the past two Forum meetings we have been asked to consider alternative days/times and venues. Various suggestions were made, including at the end of the school day and Saturday mornings, and discussed fully. Although the Committee was happy to change the timing/venue there was no clearly favoured alternative to the current arrangements. It was agreed that it was probably too late to alter the January Forum meeting and any change should be tried at the April Forum.
· Subjects for the Forum included: new footbridge proposal; playground improvements; Burley House Field petition.
· Bulletin contents were discussed and also the principle of how much detail to put into the Bulletin.
10. Any other business.
· The Local Government Sub group has agreed that no major decisions should be taken until it is known for certain the decision and date for the parish split. However, Chris Brown, Oxenhope Parish Council, has been asked to give us some pointers and advice at a meeting on 13th December. Salman Mather has told BS that the Electoral Commission has recently asked about wards and their boundaries. The decision might be received by Christmas.
· A new footpath has been made through the Moor Lane Centre property from Ron Lawton Crescent, making a short walk to Moor Lane compared to using the main drive into Scalebor.
· Following receipt of 19 submissions, JS has submitted a footpath application for the old railway line and served notice on a farmer who owns part of it. The change can take about 2 years.
· Coffee morning: Saturday December 17th. Mince pies are offered at this coffee morning and committee members were asked for contributions.
· MH reported a meeting between the Managing Director of Northern Rail and WRUG. The mirrors on the footbridge at the station will happen.
11. Date of the next meeting.
Thursday, January 12th 2006
The meeting closed at 9.40pm
NOTE:
Because of the length of the BCC meeting the BWCT meeting was held over. There were no urgent items of BWCT business.