Burton Leonard

These notes are highlights from the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 4th October together with information since the meeting and will be published in the Parish Magazine in November.

High Green Yew Trees
Recommendations have been put forward that might be agreed to through a planning notification to enhance the health & life of the trees.  The following options were discussed.  Option 1 – take out 6 out of 10 trees to allow remaining trees to stay healthy.  Option 2 – Crown lift those 6 trees instead to improve visibility.  Option 3 – No action.  Option 4 – treat as a hedge (no planning restrictions).  Within the guidelines that we have been given cllrs are here to action what the villagers want and are keen to find the best solution. 

Generally there was a positive feeling in the meeting that we should move forward with this and ensure that effective management of the trees should happen to preserve and enhance the trees.  Suggestion to remove the weakest trees under the sycamore tree and crown lift the rest.  Although this was suggested that it would be aesthetically unpleasing.  Further discussions are to take place with Paul Casey at HBC and a final proposal to be put together, the importance of having his support was discussed as he is part of the planning process.   

Review of parliamentary constituencies
Consultation on the proposals is taking place until 5 December 2011.  Details of public hearings to be held in each region can be found on this website, together with further information.  www.independent.gov.uk/boundarycommissionforengland 

Queen’s Jubilee
If you are intending to organise an event for the Queen’s Jubilee could you give proposed details to the clerk to ensure that any activities are co-ordinated.

Home delivery library service
 If you are unable to access the local library in Ripon, you may be able to make use of the home delivery library service which is run by volunteers.  It provides free home delivery of books, audio books, music on CD, DVDs, large print books, children’s books and information. If you, or someone you know, want to use this service, it’s very easy to join. Just phone or e-mail Ripon Library using the details below.  They’ll visit you to ask about your reading interests and then choose books especially to suit you. You can still request your favourite books and authors and it’s all free! Telephone: 0845 034 9524  E-mail: ripon.library@northyorks.gov.uk 
Also books are available to purchase from the village shop.

North Yorkshire Waste Action Group (NYWAG)
Planning notices will now be posted and the scheme advertised in the local media. NYWAG and the Parish Councils’ Group, which together have led opposition to the scheme, will be going over the application with a fine toothcomb over the next couple of weeks before developing a detailed ‘case against’. You can see the plans here: http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17992.  Please refer to their website for further information at www.nywag.org.

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 14^th November 2011 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting.

The Chairman is Mark Snowdon
The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, clerk@burtonleonard.org.uk

These notes are highlights from the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 5th September together with information since the meeting and will be published in the Parish Magazine in October.

Planning
6.68.146.F.FUL Installation of 40 photovoltaic panels to roof of barn at Woodlands Farm, Burton Leonard.  This application will be discussed at the next parish council meeting.  You are very welcome to attend the meeting, listen to the discussions and the plans will be available for inspection.  You can also access the plans if you visit www.harrogate.gov.uk.

School sign
Improvements to the signage of the schools location have been made amidst some confusion and consternation.  At the last meeting, some residents expressed their concern regarding the delay in the erection of the sign.  The Parish Council acts upon the interests of the residents and the delay was a result of having to follow the necessary bureaucracy associated with such issues.  The Parish Council has to follow set procedures, protocols and guidelines.  Whilst consent was not given to site the sign on the green, ongoing discussions took place with the Highways agency until a satisfactory conclusion was reached.  The Parish Council did not work in opposition to the sign, quite the contrary; they worked within the constraints imposed on them to reach the best possible solution for the sign.  Delays, although regrettable, were not the fault of the Parish Council and ultimately what the Parish Council, school and residents all requested has now happened.

High Green Yew Trees
Following a meeting with Harrogate Borough Council Arborist, a proposal to maintain and enhance the trees has been put together and will be presented at the next parish council meeting; you are very welcome to attend.  It is hoped that visibility of the school will be improved whilst retaining some of the trees.

Please be aware that the yew tree berries on the high green are poisonous and present a potential hazard to children and the public.  

LDF Newsletter
A public consultation has started for urban areas and next year both urban and rural areas will be sent for final public enquiry.  The newsletter does give a link to a summary of the latest rural consultation responses at www.harrogate.gov.uk/pages/harrogate-6695.aspx. The planning policy team can be contacted on 01423 556586 or email ldf@harrogate.gov.uk.  Also further information can be found at www.harrogate.gov.uk/ldfconsult.

Graffiti
The graffiti on Scarah Lane has been reported to North Yorkshire Cleansing department.

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 3^rd October 2011 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting.

The Chairman is Mark Snowdon
The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, clerk@burtonleonard.org.uk

These notes are highlights from the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 1st August and will be published in the Parish Magazine in September. 

Planning
6.68.136.A.FUL Erection of single storey extension at 8 West Terrace, Scarah Lane.  This application will be discussed at the next parish council meeting.  You are very welcome to attend the meeting, listen to the discussions and the plans will be available for inspection.  You can also access the plans if you visit www.harrogate.gov.uk.
Information about Village Greens
‘Village greens are vested in and managed by the parish council for the benefit of the inhabitants.  A parish council must not allow a village green which it owns to be encroached upon or to be misused.’  (Taken from the Parish Councillors Guide by Paul Clayden – 19^th Edition)

School signs
‘Burton Leonard is largely free of the clutter of signs and street furniture that disfigure other places.  However, the design and appearance of street furniture and advertisements in the village needs careful consideration in order to maintain the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.’ (Taken from the HBC Burton Leonard Conservation Area Character Appraisal February 2010)

Taking into account the above statement and that the Parish Council has a duty of care to protect the greens; The Parish Council sort to enquire if previously acceptable signs (which were less intrusive than the 2.1m sign Highways proposed) which were discussed at a meeting with Highways last November could be considered.  Highways rejected all the suggestions put forward and it is understood that Highways are to contact BT to ascertain where their cables are under the green, as this will have an impact on the sighting of any sign.  We await their update.  At no time has the Parish Council sort to block the erection of a sign. 

School access
Issues regarding the school access over village green are ongoing.  The Parish Council are instructing YLCA legal advisers to help come to a mutual agreement with the school and to get the problem sorted once and for all. 

Graffiti
The police were notified of the recent graffiti around the village and we are grateful to North Yorkshire Cleansing department who got rid of it very quickly. 

County Council Waste & Quarrying in North Yorkshire
A consultation is currently in progress and consultation documents can be viewed at your local library, district council main offices or on the following website www.northyorks.gov.uk/mwdf .  Please call 0845 8727374 or email mwdf@northyorks.gov.uk for further details.  A poster has been placed on the notice board.

Community Chest
Harrogate Borough Council Community Chest grant aid scheme is open for applications from community and voluntary groups until 23^rd September 2011.  Grants of between £500 and £3000 are available and application forms and guidance notes are available to download from www.harrogate.gov.uk/voluntary. 

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

The Chairman is Mark Snowdon

The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, clerk@burtonleonard.org.uk

These notes are highlights from the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 4th July and will be published in the Parish Magazine in August.

Planning

6.68.174.FUL Extension of existing conservatory at Oldfield House, Scarah Lane; planning was granted on 12^th July 2011.

The following applications will be discussed at the next parish council meeting.  You are very welcome to attend the meeting, listen to the discussions and the plans will be available for inspection.  You can also access the plans if you visit www.harrogate.gov.uk.

a.       6.68.57.B.FUL erection of two storey and first floor extension and installation of 1 roof light (Revised Scheme) at 3 Church Lane.

b.      6.68.128.F.FUL installation of 10 solar panels and heat reclaim to existing roof slopes at Thornfield Farm, Apron Lane, Burton Leonard.

c.       6.68.51.F.FUL demolition of redundant barn and erection of semi-detached dwelling and 1.8m high boundary wall (site area 0.03ha) at Flatts House, Scarah Lane, Burton Leonard. 

Mobile Library Services
Due to cost cutting North Yorkshire County Council are stopping the mobile library service on Friday 16 September 2011.

They are now trying to identify ways to continue to provide a service for those people unable to access the library service by any other means.  This may include having a library service outlet collection in a suitable venue such as your local village hall, as well as extending the Home Library and Information service provided by volunteers to people in their own homes.

If you wish to know more about the Home library service as a user or volunteer please contact library secretaries on 01609 533811 or email libraries@northyorks.gov.uk.

School signs
Discussions are ongoing regarding a suitable sign to identify the school location, which has been agreed by Highways.  Cllrs have a duty to ‘protect and enhance’ the village green and the proposed 2.1m school sign on the corner of the village green does not seem acceptable.  Alternative options are currently being discussed. 

School access
The Parish Council continue to seek a solution to the issues around access routes across the village greens.    The general issues have been raised with MP Julian Smith who has assured us that he will raise the matter with the Parliamentary all-party group for Parish Councils and with the responsible Minister.    In the meantime, the School have been told that unless an agreement for the maintenance of the access road is made, then access may be withdrawn. 

County Council Highways and Transportation Services
Maintaining road surfaces are a priority, limited to safety issues only.  Winter maintenance budgets are being protected.  Road safety education & training reduced.  No maintenance due in this area.  Further information about the new local transport plan (LTP3), which runs until 2015/16 can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/ltp.

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 1^st August 2011 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting.

The Chairman is Mark Snowdon
The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, clerk@burtonleonard.org.uk

These notes are highlights from the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 16th May 2011 and 6th June 2011 and will be published in the Parish Magazine in July.

Chairman’s Annual Report from the Open Meeting on 16^th May 2011.

The Parish Council have completed some successful projects over the last year;

a)      Low green drainage
Since the maintenance of the drainage system the low green has been free from flooding.  The Parish Council are grateful to all those volunteers who helped with the various investigations which took place, especially to Nick Sambidge and his extensive knowledge in this area.

b)     Community Resilience Scheme
This scheme has been set up for Burton Leonard detailing how we would respond to an emergency or disaster in the village.  The committee are finalising the details; special thanks to all the volunteers and especially Avril Clarke for making it happen.

c)      Highways
The parking bay on Mill Lane has been completed and is now being used.

d)     Community involvement
The Royal Wedding Celebration was a very successful event; supported by the Parish Council and very well organised by ladies from the Toddler’s group.

      On the down side there are a number of ongoing issues;

a)      Quality of services
The quality of services from County and Harrogate Borough Council are in decline due to the budgets and costs being reduced which has had a negative impact on Highway road maintenance, waste management and the mobile library service which is now no-longer running.

b)     Local Development Framework
The LDF issues are ongoing and in autumn we will be notified of the final submissions.

c)      Dog mess
This is an ongoing problem which is regularly discussed in meetings!

d)     School access
The access road to school over the village green is still an ongoing issue which has taken up a lot of the councillors’ time for over a year.

Statement of accounts.
The Parish Council account is looking reasonably healthy.  There could be some substantial bills that require financial back up in the near future.  Such as if further drainage maintenance is required on the low green this could be costly.  The Water pump near the church wall also needs repairing. 

Planning
6.68.174.FUL Extension of existing conservatory at Oldfield House, Scarah Lane.
This application will be discussed at the next parish council meeting.  You are very welcome to attend the meeting, listen to the discussions and the plans will be available for inspection.  You can also access the plans if you visit www.harrogate.gov.uk.

CE Electric
The post at the bottom of Front Street will be taken down on 23^rd June and they will use a mole to replace underground cables; residents will be notified directly.

School & Village signs
Highways have agreed to position a sign to identify the school’s location; which should be located in the near future. 

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 4^th July 2011 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting.

The Chairman is Mark Snowdon
The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, clerk@burtonleonard.org.uk

These notes are highlights from the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 16th May  2011 and will be published in the Parish Magazine in June.

Planning

6.68.24.D.COU Change of use of land from agricultural field to form extended playground at the Sports Field, High Peter Lane, Burton Leonard.
Planning permission was granted on 11^th April; subject to conditions.

6.68.57.B.FUL Erection of two storey and single storey extension at 3 Church Lane, Burton Leonard.
This application will be discussed at the next parish council meeting.  You are very welcome to attend the meeting, listen to the discussions and the plans will be available for inspection.  You can also access the plans if you visit www.harrogate.gov.uk.

School & Village signs
Communication has been made with Highways regarding the improvement of school and village signs, especially improving the visibility of the school’s location.  Highways have promised to investigate further.  The parish council are awaiting feedback from the County Councillor and Highways.

Pot Holes
Due to the current economic climate and budgetary constraints Highways have informed us that they are only able to attend to defects that present the greatest danger to highway users.  The Highways inspector will continue to monitor the condition of the road and should the condition of the carriageway deteriorate to become dangerous he will arrange for any defects to be made safe.

Household Waste Recycling Centres
As from 1^st July the County Council’s household waste recycling centres will be CLOSED every Wednesday, this decision followed consultation to reduce cost in the waste management service.  A poster has been put on the notice board.  Further information can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/hwrc or contact the customer service centre on 0845 8727374.

Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 6^th June 2011 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns and observe the business of the meeting.

 The Chairman is Mark Snowdon
The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, clerk@burtonleonard.org.uk
www.burtonleonard.org.uk

These notes are highlights from the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 4th April  2011 and will be published in the Parish Magazine in May.

Village grass cutting
We are pleased to confirm that we have instructed Field & Land services to maintain all of the public grass areas in the village.  We apologise to villagers for the interruption of the grass cutting on the high green, we have taken over this responsibility from the school for the immediate future.  If you have any concerns about this please contact the Clerk. 

Next meeting
The next meeting will be the Open and Annual meeting of the parish council which will be held in St Leonard’s Hall on Monday 9^th May 2011 at 7:30pm, members of the public are invited to raise their concerns, listen to the Chairman’s report and observe the business of the meeting.

The Chairman is Mark Snowdon
The Clerk is Rebecca Coates, 3 Burnett Close, 677963, clerk@burtonleonard.org.uk