BCC Minutes - 09 February 06
Present:
John Horton(JH); Peter Jenkins(PJ); Caroline Jones (CJ); Ian Padley(IP); John Sparshatt (JS); Tom Sumner(TS); Sylvia Tilford(TS); Mike Walker(MW), Cllr Matt Palmer
In the chair:
Mike Harris
1. Apologies
Bruce Speed(BS) ; Tony Thompson(TT).
2. Minutes of 12 January Meeting
These were accepted as a correct record and were signed
3. Matters arising from 12th January meeting not covered elsewhere on the agenda
· There has been no reply to a second letter about access to the moor that might resolve the footpath matter at Highfields. BS recommends approaching Mr. McCarthy to see if he has had any contact with the Trustees. Action BS.
· Item 4: the question was raised about whether liaison was taking place between the various bodies who are digging up the roads. Station Road was specifically mentioned. BS was asked to check this out with Ian Lambert, Highways Department.
· Item 8.1 Burley House Field: the petition has been presented to BMDC and matter is now in the hands of the Area Committee
· CJ said that the proposed replacement of the traffic island in Station Road had been queried by parents of children at Burley Oaks School. The present arrangement was preferred by some parents. The Area Committee is aware of the differences in view and will review the decision. Permission has been given for the removal of the island so a change of plan would require the matter to go back to planning.
4. Correspondence.
BS had reported:
· Unsigned letter from 'concerned residents' about materials left on Back Lane from work at the fountain. TS needs these for final work in February when a skip and JCB have been promised free of charge. BS has replied accordingly to the resident who previously complained about the construction.
· He had replied on behalf of the Committee supporting recommendations for listing parts of Greenholme and asked for some clarification . A letter had also been received from a resident asking for clarification on the timescale for any conservation area.
· Ian Lambert, Highways, has replied to comments about the plans for the Station Approach junction, and acknowledged that the problem of parking on Prospect Road is still to be addressed.
· Applications for funds for a village clean-up need to be in by 3rd March. BS has informed the Chamber of Trade who were involved in the last one and have expressed an interest in future initiatives. The Committee agreed to apply.
· Verbal request for repair or replacement of an old bench in Grange Park beside the Grange Road pavement. A message had been received about a damaged seat in the park. TS would have a look and the Parks Department to deal with it, if necessary.
MH reported:
· Letter from BMDC about a 'Big Sweep' on March 3rd when people will be provided to carry out tasks identified, together with help from volunteers. Applications need to be by February 17th. It was agreed to apply. One task identified was the cleaning of Station Road. Residents could be asked to move cars on that day so that accumulated leaves etc can be cleared. Clearing of blocked gullies was also suggested and clearing up of becks
· A separate clean-up organized from Bradford had been notified to Ilkley PC. CJ handed over forms for Burley village centre. BS and MH to complete on Saturday 11th Feb and BS to submit the form.
· A letter from Chris Flecknoe asking about ways for improving the SCAPAG meetings. BS and CH asked to reply to this.
· Minutes of the working sub-group on division of BCC funds/activities after Burley parish council set up.
· Letter from Mary Wood about Tereli. Of the money raised from the calendar £250 had been sent to Zakari Saye and £1000 to the Joliba Trust. Although crops had been growing well last year, the rains were insufficient and harvests were badly affected. The money to the Trust was used to buy food before prices rise sharply so that it can be sold back to people at affordable prices. The money will also support a locust prevention education programme. It was agreed that MH would speak to MW about some further financial support from BCC up to a limit of £1000 spread over 2006.
5. BCC Treasurer's business
MH circulated the Accounts Summary for the previous month and commented on main items:
BCC Income:
The two main items were Roundhouse income (2 months income shown to catch up the current position) and funding for a memorial seat to cover expenditure already made. BCC Expenditure
Small items only in this month aside from committed expenditure. BWCT Income
The main item was income from the coffee morning.
BWCT Expenditure
The additional insurance premium for the Mill Pond had been paid. This had been slightly lower than expected.
£55 has been taken out of the Scalebor maintenance accrual fund for purchase of the replacement tree at the pavilion. BS and MH had looked at the water heater which proved not to be defective. The replacement heater which had already been purchased was installed in the kitchen.
The two sports clubs have been invoiced for their £200 annual contributions as per tenancy agreements.
The BCC net free funds stood at £13,350(approx) and those for the BWCT at £8005 (approx), a total of BCC and BWCT combined of £21,355
6. Anti-crime partnership report.
No report this month
7. Neighbourhood Forum.
· BS wished to record his thanks to Mike Harris for presenting the slides and report of the work of BCC in 2005. Chris Flecknoe has requested that the slides be made available at the forthcoming SCAPAG meeting. This has been done by MH.
· The promised details about proposed playground improvements are not yet on display in Burley Oaks School
· MH and Dennis Warwick will cooperate on a '30 years of BCC' slide show for the June meeting. TS also has photos to contribute. It was agreed that this would be a worthwhile item for the June AGM provided it was not too long!
8.1. Burley House Field.
BMDC have confirmed that the Petition has been passed to the Shipley Area Committee for consideration on 27th April. They will consider reports from both sides. We hope for sympathetic consideration from SCAPAG. CF has asked for contributions to the reports from Legal Services, Planning and Recreation as well as AM. As petitioners, we will get 5 minutes to put our case.
8.2. Recreation Ground.
No report. However, Brian Wheeler has arranged a meeting on 13th February with footballers and scouts & guides. The former feel the latter are cooling on the idea of a joint project. BS will attend.
BMDC has allocated some money for scouts and guides activities. Burley do not appear to have applied for this support. The opportunity will be brought to Janet Squire's attention.
8.3. Footpaths.
JS reported that the application in respect of the old railway line had been made but we could expect to wait for 18-24 months before we know the result.
8.4. Footbridge.
Keith Wadd, Ramblers Association, has informed BS that they have not finalised a satisfactory design, but hope to be ready towards the end of February.
Concerns were expressed about the need for a bridge to meet bridleway requirements. Although various estimates of the costs of the Rambler's Association proposal had been voiced there was not, to date, a calculated estimate. BBA was concerned that the bridge be fit for purpose and aesthetically pleasing. MP commented that Planning would be influenced by appearance of the proposed bridge and would not support something that was poor aesthetically and obtrusive. MP also raised concerns about continuing pedestrian access to the beach. JS reported that this concern had been noted. He also reported that there was a meeting in the following week between the Ramblers Association and Burley Bridge Association.
After discussion, MH summarized the BCC concern that a dual-purpose footbridge and equine bridge would be likely to be visually intrusive due to the increase in dimensions required compared to a pedestrian-only bridge. BCC urged the Ramblers and Bridge Association to prepare a design of minimum size based on pedestrian/disabled access only. It would also be essential to have a proper cost estimate to enable a judgement of relative priority to be made.
.9 Reports from Sub-committees
9.1. Local Government.
· The sub-group met to consider which areas of responsibility held by BCC and BWCT respectively should be passed to the new parish council when it is established, which should remain with BCC until June 2006 and which should transfer to the Trust. The report was circulated, and will be discussed at the next Committee meeting on Thursday 9th March which will start at the earlier time of 7.00pm
· BS and Peter Ward (MCA) met Mike Gibbons and Christine Dale at Ilkley Town Hall on 16th January and agreed arrangements that would allow IPC to continue, and a formula for the equitable division of funds to Burley and Menston (see letter).
· BMDC have agreed that Burley and Menston parish councils will each receive start-up capital of £3000 for equipment.
· BMDC have asked both BCC and MCA to suggest an outline budget on which to base the first year's precept. A budget has been sent, that will require an average precept of £7.50.
· It was stressed by the Committee that it was important to promote widely the opportunity for becoming a member of the new Burley parish council. Close of nominations is noon on April 3rd. It was agreed that one side of the next issue of the Burley Bulletin which will be given over to information about the proposed council and the procedure for seeking nomination (instead of the usual news items). Information for this will be provided by the sub-committee. The Bulletin will be distributed during the second weekend in March. Existing councillors from Burley on Ilkley Parish Council will be available on Saturday March 18th in the Roundhouse to answer any questions about working on a parish council. MH and BS to prepare the front side of the Bulletin advertising the April Forum. MH would arrange for the printing as normal.
9.2. Planning.
JH provided a summary sheet of current applications for Burley, which were all discussed. There was discussion of an outline proposal for a "tandem development" in Stirling Road and the precedent that consent could create. It was agreed that BS be asked to write to Shipley on behalf of BCC objecting to this application.
9.3 SCAPAG.
· No attendance possible at the January meeting. However, BS sent comments to Amanda Fletcher who was the contact for a report by the Bradford and Airedale PCTs . Reply awaited.
· The Area Committee meeting with SCAPAG on Wednesday 15th February will be held in Burley Oaks School. Visitors are welcome at the meeting as observers.
· A review of the functioning of SCAPAG has been requested. BS sent comments.
9.4. Projects.
TS reported that there are jobs to be carried out on the village green. He had been offered an interesting old stone gatepost at Leatherbank which had developed a crack at its base and had become unsafe. It could, however, be used in the flower bed at the west entrance to the village This was agreed as long as it can be incorporated safely and at a sensible cost. Some work on the flowerbeds supported by the Jennings bequest has started and more will be carried out
9.5. Ilkley Parish Council Minutes received and noted.
Toilets: we are still waiting for YEB to bring more power. The contractor has been asked to dig the required trench, after which power will be installed. There will be a further cost to BCC to make the old toilets secure for storage of the Christmas lights. The estimated cost is around £1000: expenditure up to this sum was authorised.
9.6 WRUG
Nothing to report this month
9.7 Website
Malcolm Fisher is back and has completed some changes to the website.
10. Any Other Business
· PJ reminded the Committee of the need to complete the next review of the Parish Plan. It was agreed that the review would be an agenda item in April.
· IP said that the next ICVS Community Showcase will take place on the 8th May and asked if there was anything BCC wished to contribute. The Committee did not think there was anything on this occasion.
· ICVS was running a Health and Safety Workship on March 2nd. This would be brought to the attention of Clive Myatt who heads up the H and S sub-committee
· Coffee Morning
on Saturday, 18th February. BS available.
11. Date of the next meeting:
Thursday March 9th at 7.0pm
The meeting closed at 8.50 pm
Sylvia Tilford, Hon Secretary