BCC Minutes – 12 January 06

Present:

Mark Griffiths (MG); Mike Harris(MH); Christine Hill(CH); John Horton(JH); Peter Jenkins(PJ); Clive Myatt(CM); John Sparshatt(JS); Tom Sumner(TS); Sylvia Tilford(ST); Mike Walker(MW).

In the chair:

Bruce Speed

Also in attendance:

Cllr Matt Palmer (part of the meeting).

1. Apologies

Caroline Jones (CJ) and Brian Wheeler(BW).

2. Minutes of the last meeting.

With a minor amendment the minutes were accepted and signed as a correct record.

3. Matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

· Following contact with Streetscene, there had been a concerted effort to clean pavements prior to Christmas. However, many gulleys are still blocked.

· There has been no response from the Trustees about the possible footpath realignment at Highfields. BS has written again asking for a decision.

· BS has been informed that the new toilet will not be completed until mid-February, due to the need to provide a new electrical supply. The present one is connected to Burley Grange.

· The need for a new scaffolding tower should be addressed soon.

4.Correspondence.

BS reported:

· A letter from Our Price Records for raffle prizes at special discounts.

· Letter from Philip Davies, MP, with correspondence from Jim Fitzpatrick confirming the draft order for 3 parishes on April 1st 2006.

· Confirmation of approval for a new waste and recycling centre at Golden Butts Road. Concerns were expressed about the new restriction of the Ellar Ghyll site to Leeds residents only. Lack of access to the Ellar Ghyll site would significantly increase the distances travelled to dispose of waste, especially for Menston residents. During the period of rebuilding the Golden Butts site the nearest disposal site for all residents in the Ilkley Parish would be in Bingley. MP reported that the Leeds decision had come as a surprise to BMDC and the matter has been taken up by DCllrs. It was hoped that some satisfactory resolution will be achieved. If not resolved an increase in fly tipping could be expected.

· Report on potential conservation area at Greenholme Mills. The conclusion is that a conservation area at Greenholme would be inappropriate, mainly because of the disparate blocks and zones with no readily apparent relationship between them, despite their historic linkages. Some demolition in the past, and the addition of some out of keeping extensions also go against conservation status. The green belt policy, GB1, and the flood plain are assumptions against new development, and the trees are protected. However, it is recommended that Greenholme Mills, Wharfeside and Wharfeside Cottages, the gateway and the gatehouses are added to the list of buildings of architectural and historic interest, and considered for listing by English Heritage. That would give stronger protection than conservation status. The Committee supported the recommendations of the report.

· Request from Philip Davies, MP, for some residents to join him for a pub lunch in the Red Lion on Saturday, 11th February. This is intended to be a 'non-political' get together to help him understand matters of interest to residents and he is not looking for 'supporters'. BS will attend if back in time and four others from BCC are invited to make up to about 10 guests. Bearing in mind the parish split and the Burley House Field, this may be a good opportunity to get some support. JS, CH, MH and MW indicated that they would like to attend.

· Ian Lambert, Highways Department, confirmed the intention to begin construction of the safer routes to school scheme in February. He has also taken measurements at the Prospect Road/Smithy Lane/Station Approach junction with a view to submitting proposals. BS advised him to observe congestion in this area around 08.00- 08.30 and asked for plans for discussion at the April Forum. MP reported that the plans may be available for this month's Forum and there is a chance that the work will start in this financial year.

5. Treasurer's Business.

MH circulated the monthly accounts summary and noted the main items of income and expenditure for the month.

BCC Income:

The main income came from the Christmas lights appeal.

BWCT Income:

£100 from ICVS towards the tree felling at the pavilion

£148.50 from donations and £91 from subscriptions

£61.70 from coffee morning takings.

BCC Expenditure

The two major items were BCC 100 club prizes at the Christmas coffee morning (£225) and Christmas lights costs ((£804)

The nett free funds for the BCC stand at £13,500 and for BWCT at £7725

MH also:

· Reminded the Committee that we needed to pursue work related to the Jennings bequest.

· Reported that he was sending out the bills to the sports clubs for their joint annual contributions towards maintenance of the pavilion. The pavilion would need a coat of preservative on the outside this spring. A working party would be organized.

6. Anti–crime partnership report

CH reported:

The next meeting will take place on January 19th. There had been some problems in the village from small fires but the person responsible had been identified. Two panels have been broken in the shelter on the station. The new CSO has been asked to make observations on the parking situation in the region of the station. Dangerous situations for pedestrians and traffic now exist between Monday and Friday.

7. Neighbourhood Forum – Thursday January 19th

· MH will present a slide show of some BCC events in 2005

· Salman Mather will outline the changes involved in the parish split (see 9 below)

· Keith Wadd (Ramblers Assocaition) and JS will present an interim report on the proposed new footbridge route.

The agenda will also include:

· Local policing report;

· Burley perspective on Bradford District community relations;

· Youth service provision in Burley;

· November Forum feedback and Open Forum

8. Current issues

8.1 Burley House Field.

A petition with 140 signatures has been sent to Bradford and BS will present it at the full Council meeting on 17th January. JG, MH and ST will also attend.

8.2 Recreation Ground.

There has been no further contact with the FA to discuss development of the changing rooms. BS has been advised that any decision to seek parish council funds would be better delayed until the financial arrangements for Burley, Ilkley and Menston are clear.

8.3 Footpaths

JS reported that the application for the footpath on the disused railway, reported in earlier minutes, has now been submitted together with 19 pieces of evidence. Notices have been served on the landowners

8.4 Footbridge

Keith Wadd, Rambler's Association, has informed BS that they are not ready to put a display in the Library and invite comments from residents. This is mainly due to efforts to accommodate access to the beach and the parapet height needed for horse traffic. He will attend the Forum, but the presentation will be in the nature of an interim report. He asked BCC to consider a special meeting about the new route towards the end of February.

9 Reports from Sub–committees.

9.1 Local Government.

CJ and BS, together with representatives of Ilkely and Menston attended a meeting with Salman Mather, Rachel Edmunds and Sarah Kirk, to discuss the arrangements for the parish split, elections etc.

The main points to emerge were:

· The Order needs to come from Government by the end of January.

· Ilkley Parish Council would continue with amended electoral arrangements and two new councils formed in Burley and Menston. Since this meeting, however, there has been an alternative plan that Ilkley Parish Council would cease and 3 new councils would be formed. The final nature of the split has, therefore, still to be agreed. After the changes physical assets in the new parishes would pass to those parishes. Other unspent capital from May 4th (cash) and accruals would be divided according to a formula to be agreed. If the amendment option is pursued, an equitable split of current funds between Ilkley, Burley and Menston will be essential. The BCC Committee agreed that that option would be acceptable. If an equitable deal cannot be struck, then abolition of IPC and the creation of three new councils must be implemented.

· If IPC is maintained it will continue to precept based on its own needs and new budget. The new parishes will be able to precept with guidance from BMDC. Continuity with a precept is deemed to be essential. A one-off setting up allowance may be given for capital items such as a computer.

· The Committee Secretariat will call the first meeting of a new Burley Parish Council and set the agenda but there will be an informal meeting with the new council members beforehand by way of training. BMDC will find the first venue.

· There are quarterly Liaison group meetings and the support and training from YALC (Yorkshire Association of Local Councils) is excellent but we are also advised to learn from other councils.

· We were advised to 'encourage' people to become parish councillors.

9.2 Planning

JH had looked carefully at the most recent plans and provided notes on these. He reported that the plans for the Parish Office/Open Door had been turned down but the reasons for this were not known.

9.3 SCAPAG

No report. The Area Committee Meeting with SCAPAG on Wednesday 15th February will be held in Burley Oaks School

9.4 Projects.

No report this month

9.5 Ilkley Parish Council.

Minutes from December received and noted

9.6 Round Table

MG reported that the Round Table was pleased with the Christmas tree and appreciated the thanks by BS at the lights switch-on to Yorkshire Water who had provided the tree. BS will also write to Yorkshire Water. MG thanked Tom for help with Santa. The Senior Citizens party was very successful and 60 people had attended. He checked if there was any other information on the use of Round Table tabards at the bonfire event. The view was that they were being worn by people who had, in the past, belonged to the Round Table.

Community Trust

The BCC