Highways
i)                    Pot Holes
The pot holes on Mill Lane, Straight Lane and Scarah Lane have been reported to Highways for urgent attention.  Please make further reports online through the NYCC website, the more complaints received the more likely they are to take action.  The pot holes that have been filled on Scarah Lane but to an unsatisfactory standard have been reported and discussed with the Highways Inspector for urgent attention.

ii)                  Flooding on Station Lane
It has been requested that a proposal is put together for the 2012/13 financial year to improve the dangerous area of regular flooding in heavy rain.  This has been an ongoing problem which we have been communicating to Highways over the last 3-4 years, rolling this issue forward for yet another year is not acceptable.  It is surprising that this issue, so far, has not been treated urgently by Highways.  As well as the risk to traffic travelling in both directions without any warning of possible flooding, we have also reported the extreme harm the flooding is causing to the neighbouring farmland and hedgerow. 

 Elections
Parish Council Elections are on Thursday 3rd May, there is a notice of nominations on the notice board.  There is one seat that will still be available which the parish council will be able to co-opt in the next meeting.  If you are interested in becoming a councillor, please contact the clerk.
 
Litter Pick
The parish council has had another successful litter pick this year.  A massive thank you to everyone who helped, it really has made a difference and it was heart warming to have so many volunteers.

Next meeting
The next meeting will be the Open and Annual Meetings to be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 14^th May 2012 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to listen to the chairman’s report, raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting.

Planning
The parish council have received notification of a planning application for the play equipment for the new playground at The Sports Field, Burton Leonard.  This application will be discussed at the next parish council meeting and the plans will be available to view. 

High Green Yew Trees

 The councillors decided to go ahead with some tree maintenance; planning consent will be applied for and pruning works will be instructed.

Elections
Parish Council Elections are on Thursday 3rd May and we are looking for prospective candidates to be nominated.
 
This is a great opportunity to get involved with the village and for new people to be elected.  There are currently 5 seats which need to be filled and current parish councillors may or may not be putting themselves forward.  Now is the time – your village needs you!
 
Please could you let me know if you are interested and would like further information?  If you would like to be nominated or know anyone who would be interested, then please contact the Clerk for a nomination paper pack.
 
Nominations papers must be completed and returned to the offices in Harrogate by 4th April 2012.

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 16^th April 2012 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting.

Since then we have consulted with three more independent tree specialists for advice & suggestions to help make an informed decision as to the future management of the trees.  It was confirmed that the trees are indeed healthy with no obvious defects.  2 of the 3 specialists suggested that it is not necessary to do anything to them.  However, all 3 said it would do no harm to them if we wanted to prune the trees to make them look tidy and more uniform.  It was suggested that we could reduce the height of the trees by approx. 1.5m, to form a more common height level throughout the line.  This would lessen the current height irregularity between the bigger and smaller trees, thus creating a more consistent height appearance.  A wine glass shaped appearance would be created ie fat curved canopy with a flat top. 

Any works would be subject to planning consent and it would not be guaranteed that it would be granted.  The parish council promised to consult with residents before making a final decision; therefore we propose the following two options: To prune and reduce the height of the trees or to take no maintenance action.

Poll Results
Total web votes: 37
Total postal votes: 2

To take no further action: 43.24%
To prune and reduce height: 56.76%

Thank you for your input.

This consultation closed on 5^th March 2012.  Thank you for your patience on this matter.  The councillors will use this information to make their final decision which we hope will be made in the meeting on Monday 5^th March, at 7.30pm in St Leonard’s Hall; you are very welcome to attend.

Station Lane – Road Works
Highway road works will start through the village scheduled for Monday 27^th February and when Yorkshire Water (Morrisons) have completed their works locally.  Highways will be working from the A61 at Wormald Green to Lime Kiln Lane; advance signs will be erected on site prior to the works and they will be allowing buses through the works, as well as residential access.  Traffic ambassadors will also be on site to assist motorists throughout the duration of the works.

Urgent request for new road markings & up-to-date signs
A warning sign for no road markings has been placed on the green.  The road will be re-lined once the above works are complete.  We have requested that the road signs that were highlighted in our meeting/sign survey with the highways inspector in November 2010 should now be replaced and improved to prevent any further accidents. 

Dog Waste Bin
A villager held a meeting to discuss dog waste in the village and unfortunately nobody attended.  We would like to thank them for their input and ideas.  The parish council would be happy to supply an additional dog waste bin at ‘Perkins Patch’ if the council will empty it; unfortunately they have stated that this would not be possible at this time.

Little Red Bus
Little Red Bus Travel Club are promoting their itinerary for forthcoming events which is available on the notice board and website. They are trying to encourage people to get out and about and visit local attractions.  They are also still operating the Demand responsive services to shops, doctors and hospital appointments.
Information Hotline 01423 526655.  www.littleredbus.co.uk

Planning
The parish council have received notification of a planning application to erect a replacement single storey extension, alterations to windows and removal of chimney stack at The Cobblers, Station Lane, Burton Leonard.  This application will be discussed at the next parish council meeting and the plans will be available to view. 

Spring Litter Pick
We will be holding our annual litter pick on Saturday 31st March, meeting on the low green at 10 am.  Please let us know if you are able to help – many hands make light work, we appreciate all the help we can get from the community!

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 5^th March 2012 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting.

The Chairman is Marie Barker
The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, becks_coates@hotmail.com

Copgrove Road Closure
Morrisons, contractors for Yorkshire Water, have now notified us that the works are due to restart on 6th February, between the junction with Quicher Lane and the Copgrove Hall Lodge due to regeneration works of the existing water mains.

The road closure has been put into effect by notices and signs and a local alternative route will be signed on site.  It is envisaged that the works will be undertaken in two phases as follows:-

The first phase will be from 06/02/12 until 26/02/12 and the second phase will be from 19/03/12 until 06/04/12.

Pedestrian access to premises will be maintained at all times and vehicular access to premises will be maintained whenever possible.

A diversion route map is in the shop window.

An additional bus service with Eddie Brown will be available for Burton Leonard residents and will run at the usual bus times following the diversion route.  Click on the following links for bus times & letter.

Service 56 Enc[1]

Service 56 Letter[1]

For further information please contact Becky Coates by email at becks_coates@hotmai.com.

High Green Trees
We have received independent advice regarding the possible maintenance of the trees and we are now seeking quotes for the necessary work to enhance the trees.  We will be communicating our proposals in the next newsletter and we will not make any decisions until we have consulted with the village.

Planning
The parish council have received notification of a planning application to erect a dormer window to replace roof lights to the rear of elevation at 2 Sunnyside Gardens, Burton Leonard.  This application will be discussed at the next parish council meeting. 

Sports Field Trust
The group of dads proposing the new plans have said that they intend to hold an open meeting to discuss any proposals regarding the Sports Field and Village Hall.  Any further information will be communicated directly from them.

Preparations for winter
We now have a team of volunteers to grit the paths in the village and we have a weather watcher to notify us when it needs doing.  We hope that this will keep the village accessible in snowy conditions (if it arrives!).

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 6^th February 2012 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting.

The Chairman is Marie Barker
The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, becks_coates@hotmail.com
www.burtonleonard.org.uk

Works will be carried out between Fish Pond Bridge and The Lodge in Copgrove to replace water mains over a stretch of 200m.  The road will be closed for a period of 6 weeks and a diversion will be in place.

We have been advised that residents of Copgrove and Burton Leonard will be notified in writing prior to work commencing. 

We have asked for a representative to be present in our next meeting on Monday 6^th February to provide further information and give you a chance to ask any questions.  If they are able to be present we will confirm this on the next agenda.

For further information please contact Becky Coates by email at becks_coates@hotmail.com

Vacancy on Burton Leonard Parish Council

Would you like to be a parish councillor and help to make the parish of Burton Leonard an even better place to live?
The council can now fill the vacancy by co-option, which is a process whereby the council considers applications from interested persons and can then select someone to fill the seat.  If you are interested in becoming a parish councillor, please write to the parish council and include a few details of why you would like to become a councillor.  If you need any information about qualification for being a councillor or just want more information about the role, please contact Becky Coates, Clerk to the Council at the details below.  The deadline for written applications has been extended to prior to the next meeting on Monday 9^th January 2012.

Preparations for winter
We now have a new path gritter and some extra salt/grit.  We would welcome any more volunteers to help when the forecast is to snow/freeze.  Please contact the clerk if you are able to help. 

Highways
North Yorkshire County Council intends, after at least seven days from the date of this notice, to make an Order which will be to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along the C378 Station Lane and C377 Copgrove Road, Burton Leonard, from junction with A61 Harrogate Road, Wormald Green to junction with Limekiln Lane, Burton Leonard in the Borough of Harrogate from 03/01/12 to 02/07/12 inclusive due to essential carriageway resurfacing, patching and drainage works.

Burton L Station R.16011 6 07.12.11[1]

The closure will be put into effect by notices and signs and a local alternative route will be signed on site.  It is envisaged that the works will be undertaken over a 21 day period within the above timescale.

Pedestrian access to premises will be maintained at all times and vehicular access to premises will be maintained whenever possible.  Buses will also continue to run.

 All enquiries to: Tel: 08458 727374 – Ask for Boroughbridge Highways Office                             
Email: area6.boroughbridge@northyorks.gov.uk

Letter from resident in Wormald Green
We have received a letter from a resident in Wormald Green (which is available to view on the website), raising concerns over the increasing speed and hazard through Wormald Green and at the turning into Burton Leonard from A61.  If you would like to help lobby and help make a difference you could: a) ring NYCC and voice concerns 0845 8727374 b) ring the police and report the increased speed we must have all noticed 0845 6060247 c) attend the next parish council meeting in Markington on Monday 30^th January d) write to your MP Julian Smith.

11 Wormald Green Letter re A61 301111

Bulbs
Paul Bappoo and Mark Snowdon have planted all the bulbs again this year, some have been planted near the parking bay on Mill Lane.  We would like to say a big thank you to them on behalf of the village and look forward to seeing them in spring.

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 9^th January 2012 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting. 

The Chairman is Marie Barker
The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, becks_coates@hotmail.com

For many years we have had the benefit of having a village hall and sports facility, both have served our community very well in the past, however, both of these facilities require major investment to keep them fit for purpose.  There is a ground swell of positive public opinion that Burton Leonard should have “new and modern facilities”, if Bishop Monkton and North Stainley, to name a few, can have these new, modern buildings then why can’t we?

A group of like minded “Dads” have met and given this idea some thought and feel that this is something as a village we should consider and pursue, both the Village Hall and Sports Filed Trust members are very supportive of this idea, and I must stress this is an idea at this stage, but, we now need to find out what Burton Leonard think as a whole.

We must stress that this is very much at an idea stage and no firm plans have been put into place, we need your input as a Village, if the Village as a whole is behind it then we can pursue further.

We want to be able to provide clean modern facilities that are environmentally friendly, we want a facility that can provide much needed services that we have recently lost, a library room ? a crèche facility ? a hall for the school to use for school plays ? modern changing rooms for Sports and a Village Hall that can accommodate fund raising nights without the need to pay to hire in marquees etc etc

We deserve a new facility that caters for all the existing user groups.   As I said earlier, this is an idea and it will not work without your views and input.

We have asked the Parish Council to put this idea as an agenda item to be discussed at the next PC meeting, if you can’t attend and simply wish to express an opinion or idea then please feel free to email me on jonobaker@btinternet.com or drop a note through my door.

We hope that you embrace this idea and agree, like us, that Burton Leonard needs a new facility for the benefit of the whole village.

Thank you…..

Jonathan Baker

Vacancy on Burton Leonard Parish Council
Would you like to be a parish councillor and help to make the parish of Burton Leonard an even better place to live?
The council can now fill the vacancy by co-option, which is a process whereby the council considers applications from interested persons and can then select someone to fill the seat.  If you are interested in becoming a parish councillor, please write to the parish council and include a few details of why you would like to become a councillor.  If you need any information about qualification for being a councillor or just want more information about the role, please contact Becky Coates, Clerk to the Council at the details below.  Deadline for written applications is prior to the next meeting on Monday 5^th December 2011.

Thank You
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Snowdon for all his hard work and wealth of knowledge that he has brought to the council over the last 5 years.  He has been an asset to the council and we thank him for all his time and support on behalf of the village.

Preparations for winter
The parish council have ordered a path gritter, a new grit box to be located on Mill Lane and some extra grit to help keep the paths clear this winter.  We will be running a rota of volunteers so please get in touch if you can offer some help.

Yorkshire Water Works – Station Lane
A new water main is being put in, which runs from the reservoir down the road to Sunnyside Gardens, works are due to take around 8 weeks. They will try to keep access to properties clear so far as possible.  Residents are urged not to park on the main road, if possible, especially near the traffic lights at the village hall end.  At some point they will switch over to the new main and all properties along the route will be without water for a short while but they should be notified prior to this.  Further information and contact details are available on the website below.

High Green Yew Trees
The parish council are looking into getting some further independent advice regarding the trees and what maintenance, if any, should be undertaken in order to preserve and enhance the health and life of the trees.  It will be discussed again at the next meeting.

Nature Reserve
The Nature Reserve will be the home to some Hebridean sheep during the winter months.  Volunteers are required to help check on them.  Further information is available on the website below.

Dog fouling
Dog fouling in the village continues to be a problem; full bags are being left in hedges and there is lots of mess around the village.  Please can we urge dog owners to pick it up and put it in the bin and not to leave it in a bag in the hedge or on the pavements?

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 5^th December 2011 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting.

The Chairman is Marie Barker
The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, becks_coates@hotmail.com

There is currently a vacancy on Burton Leonard Council.

The Council can fill the vacancy by co-option, which is a process whereby the council considers written applications from interested persons and can then select somone to fill the seat. 

(If the vacancy occurs within six months before the day on which the councillor whose office is vacant would regularly have retired, an election shall NOT be held and the vacancy may be filled either by co-option by the Parish, or at the next ordinary election of councillors on 3rd May 2012.)

If you are interested in becoming a parish councillor, please write to the parish council and include a few details of why you would like to become a councillor.

If you need any information about qualification for being a councillor or just want more information about the role, please contact Becky Coates, Clerk to the Council via email at becks_coates@hotmail.com or phone 677963.

Deadline for written applications: Prior to the next meeting at7.30pm in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 5th December 2011.

In the meantime, we would like to thank Mark Snowdon for his hard work and wealth of knowlege that he has brought to the council over the past 4 years.  He was a great asset to the council and we thank him for his time and support.