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Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on

Monday 30 November 2009 from 7.30p.m. in Darley Memorial Hall

0911/1       Present:  Cllrs J Austin (Chairman), J Anderson, D Dickinson, P Flynn, D Hullah ,  K Hardcastle, G Middleton, Borough Cllr L Ellington , County Cllr John Fort (part), Mrs S Welch (Clerk) and 1 member of the public (part)

0911/2       Apologies: None

0911/3       Declarations of Interest:  Cllr Anderson declared an interest re RAF Menwith Hill planning application.

0911/4       Public Statements

a.  Mr Flynn spoke on behalf of Mrs Flynn concerning the proposed change in policy concerning the Rural Passport for pupils from village schools moving on to Harrogate secondary schools.  He outlined the proposal, and explained that it meant that no youngsters from the village would gain admission to their first choice Harrogate schools in the future

The Council agreed to send a letter to NYCC by 22 January 2010, voicing its grave concern.

Mrs Flynn and the Clerk to liaise on letter, then to be approved by Chairman

b.  Mrs Brockway spoke on behalf of Darley in Bloom requesting permission to install kerbing alongside the Claremont flowerbed, so that the hard work involved in creating this was not lost. The work would be done at no cost to the Parish Council.

The Council agreed that the matter needed further discussion regarding its suitability

and that a site visit should be organised.

Clerk to arrange a visit, and put item on next agenda

0911/5       Minutes of Meeting held on 26 October 2009  were approved

0911/6       Clerk’s Report :  Updates on on-going matters had been circulated

Further updates received as follows: 

Speed Matrix board had been in village and although general results showed reasonable average speed, the detailed results warranted further investigation and the police would be carrying out checks with a speed gun and taking appropriate action..

Head of Housing for HBC had confirmed that the change of use of the Community Centre in the Over 60s accommodation had been undertaken after asking for the opinions of residents.  No further change of use was expected, but the Parish Council would be consulted if such a change was mooted.

It was agreed that the Clerk should progress the offer of a village seat from Cllr Fort on behalf of NYCC.

Cllr Fort reported that drains in The Holme area had recently been cleaned.

0911/7       Highways

a.       Tree on verge at end of Stocks Lane. It was reported that after assistance from Cllr Fort, NYCC Highways had agreed to trim all over, or remove the tree, together with another dead tree nearby.  The Council agreed that removal was the best option in order to alleviate the on-going problem of overshadowing a garden and possible interference with underground services.

Clerk to check with Darley in Bloom re removal of tree and with Darley in Bloom and NYCC experts re possible replacement with another species (Parish Council to fund replacement).

 Clerk then to liaise with NYCC to arrange work.

b.       It was agreed that there was no need for a second verge cut.  The budget could therefore be adjusted.

c.       It was noted that there was a possible need for flood planning in Darley, to ensure that the village was ready to cope with flash floods pouring off the fields etc.  Cllr Ellington reported that HBC were contacting parishes to create such plans. 

Clerk to liaise with HBC and report back.

0911/8       Footpaths    

a.       Cllr Dickinson was asked to monitor two on-going problem areas on Footpath 1 – the bridge over Darley Beck, and the metal gate from Pyefield.

b.       It was noted that NYCC Rights of Way Officer could be contacted re installing metal waymark signs.

0911/9       Village Maintenance

a.       It was reported that a bid had been submitted for a total of £4900 funding from the LEADER scheme over the next 3 years. The project had to cover new work, so was based on improving accessibility and visibility of the walks on the recently published Heritage Trail leaflet, together with improving some of the sites with sustainable planting.  General maintenance of the village, including seats and bus shelters was also covered. Result expected in 4 weeks.

b.       Parish caretakers continuing to work in the village. Two visits in November, planting bulbs, clearing leaves and general maintenance. Next visit expected in February.

0911/10    Reports

a.       Safer Neighbourhoods Group    (Cllr Flynn)

It was reported that crime was still decreasing, although there had been some recent thefts of lead from roofs. Youth provision in the Dale was being seriously considered, and a questionnaire had been circulated.  Cllrs asked to send responses to Cllr Flynn or the Clerk for collation.

It was suggested that a possible site for youth provision in Darley could be the Playing Fields Pavilion, and Cllr Fort also indicated that the proposed school at Forest Moor could also be  a possible site.

It was noted that signs re No Cold Calling to be installed for vulnerable residents would be made available on the website.

b.      HBC Parish Consultation Meeting YLCA Harrogate
No-one had been able to attend the meeting

c.       Friends of Nidderdale Pool  (Cllr Middleton)
It was reported that the Friends of Nidderdale Pool would continue within Sport Nidderdale, with representation on the Management Committee continuing. The Council welcomed the fact that local sporting organisations would now have a voice and would be more likely to use the pool facilities.

d.       Darley in Bloom (S Welch)

It was reported that the group would not be competing in Yorkshire in Bloom in 2010, but would continue to work in the village, keeping it tidy and well-kept. Fund-raising events would still be held, with the next one being Home on the Range by North Country Theatre on 1 December.

0911/11    Finance

a.       Budget for November was received and approved.

b.       Receipts and Payments were approved as follows:

Expenditure                         £    61.00          SLCC Subscription

                                          £  276.00           Walled Garden Scheme (2 days work in November)

                                          £1793.62           Payment for winter lights

(to be reimbursed from commuted sums)

Income                                £   68.64           Harrogate Borough Council Maintenance Grant

                                          £ 560.00            Darley in Bloom re grass pickups

c.       Commuted Sums update

Darley PFA was looking to improve pavilion facilities, Hookstone was intending to put in a heating system, and Darley Memorial Hall wished to improve stage facilities.

The winter lights in the trees on Low Green, as suggested by Darley in Bloom, had now been purchased, and would soon be installed.

It was agreed that the lights on the village Christmas Tree should also be installed as usual, as long as it could be done safely.  Cllrs Dickinson and Middleton to liaise and install, with the option of arranging electrical work or new lights purchase within the sum in the budget.

d.       There were no other urgent financial matters.

0911/12    Planning

a.      Updates

DE Forest Moor

Cllr Fort confirmed that the purchase had gone ahead and the new school would open in September 2011. He agreed to keep the Parish Council informed.

b.      Planning Decisions

09/00441/FUL                Formation of Skate Park (revised scheme)           RAF Menwith Hill  GRANTED

Appeals

09/00090/REFPP           Refusal of permission for extension,  Heck Gill Farm

                                                                                                                                    DISMISSED

09/00024/REFPP           Refusal of permission for detached agricultural building

                                                            Land of Menwith Hill Rd                                      DISMISSED

c.       Planning Applications

09/04394/FUL            Conversion of 2 houses to form 1 and extensions, 4 Low Lane Cottages, Low Lane

            Council supported the application

09/04828/AMENDS        Relocation of staircases in substation                  RAF Menwith Hill

            Council neither objected to or supported the application

09/04133/PNAFUL         Erection of agricultural building,  Fairfield Farm, Sheepcote Lane

Council does not object, but wishes to ensure that the public right of way which would be blocked by the building is properly diverted in consultation with NYCC

d.      Other Planning Matters

It was noted that all discussion regarding planning applications should be within the Council meeting and the issues should not be pre-judged.  Cllrs were free to visit applicants and site, but should listen and observe and not offer comment. 

It was agreed that an official ‘calling card’ would be helpful, to advise residents if a Cllr had been on site without them being present.

Clerk to create an appropriate card.

0911/13    Correspondence received by the Clerk

a.      Knabbs Ridge Wind Farm Community Fund

Letter re first meeting of panel received, confirming membership of M Welch as representative

b.      Harrogate Borough Council

Responses received to questions asked of Head of Planning at Parish Consultation Meeting

c.       North Yorkshire County Council  Harrogate Area Committee

It was noted that Cllr Dickinson had not been successful in the recent election.

d.      North Yorkshire Police

Cllr Dickinson agreed to be the Darley volunteer to assist with production of Neighbourhood Profile Guides.                                                               Clerk to send contact details to NY Police

e.      United Charities

It was noted that at the recent AGM, a change in constitution had been proposed, giving the trustees more discretion in awarding grants,

f.        Local Resident

The issue of persistent dog fouling on Station Road had been resolved following discussion.

Other correspondence put into Circulation Papers

0911/14    Budget and Precept for 2010/11

a.       Following discussions the draft budget proposed by the Clerk was broadly agreed.

In particular

The Council agreed that 8 grass cuts be arranged, and it gratefully accepted the offer of Darley in Bloom to pay for 8 pickups on Low Green.

The Council agreed that the purchase of a speed matrix sign for the village was not sensible or possible at this time, but the details would be kept on file in case the issue was re-opened at a future date.

b.  To agree the precept for 2010/11

The Council agreed an increase of £350 (approx 5%) in the precept for 2010/22.

Clerk to notify HBC by the due date in January

0911/15    Minor Matters & Items for the Next Agenda

a.       Claremont kerbing.  To consider the installation of kerbing along this flowerbed (to be funded by Darley in Bloom with a contribution from NYCC)

b.       Cllr Flynn asked that an item be placed on the next agenda concerning the Parish Council signing up to 10/10.                                             Cllr Flynn to send information to Clerk for inclusion by 8 January

0911/16    Circulation Papers
were passed to Cllr Flynn for circulation.  To be returned to Clerk by 23 November

0911/17    Date of Next Meeting

Monday 25 January 2010 from 7.30p.m. in Darley Memorial Hall

Then 22 February 2010

These Minutes are published subject to their approval by the next meeting of the Council.