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Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on

Monday 26 April 2010 from 7.00p.m. in Darley Memorial Hall

1004/1       Present:  Cllrs J Austin (Chairman), D Dickinson (Vice Chairman), J Anderson, P Flynn,   D Hullah,          K Hardcastle, G Middleton, Borough Cllr L Ellington, County Cllr J Fort,
Mrs S Welch (Clerk) and 1 member of the public

1004/2       Apologies: None

1004/3       Declarations of Interest:  None

1004/4       Public Statements      None

1004/5       Minutes of Meeting held on 29 March 2010  were approved

1004/6       Clerk’s Report :  Updates on on-going matters had been circulated

It was confirmed that the replacement seat should be of the new type rather than wood, as this would be maintenance-free.                                                                 Clerk to action purchase

Locked gate across bridleway (Delves Ridge).  Clerk reported that Ranger had inspected the site and recommended that the situation be left as it is – a gate accessible by horse riders is at the side and the locked gate prevents unauthorised vehicular access.  The Council agreed to accept the recommendation and take no further action.

Rubbish on verge near Wayside Cottage.  Cllr Fort confirmed that this was now being investigated by NYCC.

1004/7       Highways

a.       Parking on Main Street around Nidd Lane and Stumps Lane

A letter had been sent to Sgt C Turner asking for the police to visit the area and give appropriate advice to the Council on what steps could be taken to improve safety.

Cllr Fort had spoken to NYCC Highways Dept concerning installation of a mini-roundabout at the bottom of Stumps Lane and this was to be investigated.  Site meeting to be arranged after above visits have been undertaken and advice received.

b.       The Council considered a communication from a local resident.

Riding bicycles on Stocks Green. The Council agreed that children should be encouraged to be active and spend time out of doors so no action will be taken.

Litter bin on Stocks Green.  The Council agreed that the bin was sited sensibly next to the bus stop, and it has no plans to move it. It was confirmed that properly bagged dog dirt may be placed in any litter bins.

c.       Other highway matters
The Clerk agreed to pursue the Highways Dept regarding the repair of verges and the poor state of the dykes on Stumps Lane

The Clerk confirmed that the kerbing work near Claremont was being undertaken April 27-30

The Clerk noted that some verges on Main Street were to be repaired by BT.  The situation would be monitored and the parish caretakers will assist if work not done.

Cllr Fort reported that the road safety project at the Menwith Hill Road/Stumps Lane crossroads will ahead, but the footpath to The Holme will not.  Money for road safety schemes had been diverted into general maintenance, but it was expected that money would be spent locally.

1004/8       Footpaths    

a.       NYCC Ranger activities
Clerk is still awaiting information re landowner permission for replacement gates etc., and for advice as to what can be done by the parish caretakers to improve accessibility.

b.       Other footpath issues
Cllr Hardcastle suggested that a kissing gate be installed on Nidd Lane, to improve access and ensure that stock was kept in safely

Clerk to contact Ranger and liaise with KH

1004/9       Village Maintenance

a.       Mrs Barker reported that the Walled Garden Group had cleaned, refurbished and painted the bus shelters and cleared moss from Sheepcote Lane to improve safety.  They will be sanding down and painting seats over the next few visits, and installing the new seat.  Verges will be repaired if this work was not undertaken by BT.

1004/10    Reports

a.       Darley Playing Fields Association (P Flynn)

Cllr Flynn expressed disappointment that it had taken several months for HBC to advise him that it was not possible to use all the Commuted Sums money to carry out DDA compliant work on the pavilion. While the decision was presumably correct, it should have been made much earlier.  The Association was now investigating what essential work could be carried out now, using commuted sums and its own funds

b.      Focus on Darley (S Welch)
It was reported that the organisation had raised £6900 during the last year, which had been shared between village organisations. The next big village event would be Midsummer Magic on 19 June 2010

1004/11    Finance

a.       Budget for April 2010 was received and approved.  

b.       Receipts and Payments were approved as follows:

Expenditure             £  50.00            Focus on Darley Subscription                         (LGA1972 s111)

                              £ 141.00            Walled Garden Scheme (parish caretaker work)

                                                                                          Highways Act 1980, LGA (Misc Prov) 1953)

                              £   45.00           Clerk training on Internal Audit                         (LGA1972 s111)

c.       Commuted Sums.  Darley Memorial Hall using commuted sums for stage curtains.  Hookstone Hall believed to be undertaking work to provide heating.

d.       The Council agreed the appointment of Mr James McAllister, a local Chartered Accountant, as the Internal Auditor.  Appointment to be reviewed in 2011/12.

Clerk to send appointment letter and liaise to get work undertaken

e.       Insurance.  The Clerk reported on a special reduction offered if the Council agrees to stay with the same company for 3 years.  Full details to be provided and decision to be made at next meeting.

1004/12    Planning

a.      Planning Decisions           

It was noted that the enforcement notice concerning the garage extension at Walker Barn was still being investigated

b.      Planning Applications

10/01164/FUL    Installation of 0.9m high triangular sledge to support installation of antennae and lightning protection rod on top of existing water tower

The Council had no objection

10/01585/FUL    Erection of extensions and alterations to roof    Wayside Cottage

The Council had no objection

c.       Other Matters

Completion Order – unfinished building Silverdale Crescent

The Clerk reported that the Enforcement Officer had informed her that the fact that the owner had not completed the building within this period meant that he would now have to apply for planning permission if he wished to undertake any further work on the building in the future.

The work done to date had been done with planning permission, and could not therefore be demolished.

The Council agreed that this was a very unsatisfactory outcome as it had been hoped that the order would lead to the removal of an eyesore and to its being made safe.

Clerk to write to Planning Officer expressing disappointment

1004/13    Correspondence received by the Clerk

a.      Harrogate Borough Council

Parish Council details have been released to the company carrying out the 2011 Census.

Noted by the Council.

b.      NYCC

Consultation re planning policy for quarrying. www.northyorks.gov.uk/mwdf by 28 May

Part of Minerals and Waste Development Strategy Consultation

Information posted on boards so that residents could join in the consultation

c.       Letter from resident

Request for Parish Council to link with other local councils to support local stores and condemn possible building of Tesco store at edge of Harrogate.

The Council agreed that it was important for the local store to be supported and that it had already made efforts to do this, but that it was not appropriate to condemn other proposed stores.

d.      Harrogate Borough Council

The Council appreciated the offer of the Dog Warden Scheme to attend a forthcoming meeting, but declined the offer.

Other correspondence put into Circulation Papers

1004/14    Data Protection Act Registration

The Clerk was authorised to carry out necessary steps to ensure that the Council was registered as appropriate.

1004/15    Community Resilience Scheme

The Council received a paper from the Clerk outlining the information to be collected and reporting on the recent training received by the Clerk and Cllr Anderson.  It thanked them for their efforts. The Clerk reported that it would be necessary to involve local residents and it was hoped that some may come forward after mention of the Scheme at the Parish Assembly.  The Battle Box, including sandbag making equipment would be delivered very soon, and stored at the Clerk’s home.

Clerk and Cllr Anderson to keep the Council updated as the Scheme progresses

1004/16    Minor Matters & Items for the Next Agenda

a.       First Responder Scheme.  Cllr Hullah reported that this scheme and the use of the defibrillator was saving lives in the Dale.  It was hoped to find a group of people willing to be involved in Darley.
It was agreed that Chris Hooper be invited to the next meeting to speak to the Council and residents.

Clerk to liaise with DH to invite

1004/17    Circulation Papers
were passed to Cllr Austin for circulation.  To be returned to Clerk by 17 May

1004/18    Date of Next Meeting

Date of next meetings 24 May in Darley Memorial Hall

Annual Meeting of the Parish Council at 7.00p.m.

Meeting of the Parish Council at 7.30p.m.

Then meetings on 28 June,  26 July

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