Minutes of Meeting held on Monday 30th January 2006 at 7.30pm
in the Pavilion, Queensway, Potterhanworth

1. Public Open Forum

Six members of the public were present.

Brian Haynes said that he had spoken to Pygott & Crone, the Estate Agents handling the sale of the Chequers and had been told that there had been ‘monumental interest’. He asked whether the Parish Council (PC) was likely to consider involvement in prospective purchase of the pub, to be run as a village asset. The Chairman said that the future of the pub as a continuing asset was extremely important but that there was no truth in any suggestions that the PC were interested in buying and running the pub – the implications for the use of public money and management of the business were far too complicated.

The PC would, however, support any interest group within the village having the aim of rallying support for its retention as a public house, but stressed that the PC must remain independent of any such group.

He explained that a letter written by Councillor Mountain on behalf of the PC had been sent to the agents handling the sale. The letter set out the concerns of the PC around the potential loss of a valuable village asset and indicated that there was believed to be a significant groundswell of public opinion that may fight any application for change of use to a private dwelling or building development. The letter also indicated that minor modifications to the structures of The Chequers to assist in making a viable business might be considered in a favourable light, subject to these meeting the best interests of the village and the conservation area in which it sits.

District Councillor Frost confirmed that any change of use would require appropriate planning consent from NKDC and qualified this by stating her interest as a serving member of the Planning Committee.

The Chairman totally refuted rumours circulating in certain areas that The Chequers had been bought by a developer who would re-sell to the PC at a knock-down price, or donate free of charge. These rumours are totally without foundation. An appropriate insert would be placed in the next issue of the Grapevine to this effect.

Mr and Mrs Brackenbury asked about the current situation with the Dog Warden. They were extremely concerned that the instances of dogs fouling the area local to their property at the bottom of Barff Road had escalated significantly. Councillor Mountain confirmed this, having been contacted by Mrs Brackenbury about two weeks ago. The Chairman re-stated the reason for the previous Dog Warden cancelling the contract and said that the Clerk had been trying to contact Julie Hill to see whether she was interested in being contracted to the job. Due to the Clerk’s unavoidable absence form the meeting the PC were not aware of the outcome of any contact that had been made. He re-iterated the PCs commitment to obtaining a new Warden. The Clerk would be asked to increase his efforts to obtain a new Warden.

District Councillor Frost reported that NKDC’s Council Tax increase for the coming year would be around 5%, assuming current central funding levels were not reduced. She stated that NKDC now had an Anti-social Behaviour unit set up, which she chairs. Once policy had been agreed, information would be circulated for Notice boards, containing contact numbers etc to report such behaviour. NKDC now have a new CEO in place.

County Councillor Marianne Overton reported that county levels of taxation would be approximately 5% up on last year but with no cuts to existing services and including funds to grow IT services. Her expected meeting with Chief Constable Tony Lake had unfortunately been deferred due to his personal circumstances but she recognised the need to maintain policing levels in rural situations, including CPSO numbers at or about the current level. Lobbying for beneficial tax advantages for the potential use of sugar from British sources in the generation of bio-fuels would continue. An event is being held on 23rd February at Lincoln University to promote the use of bio-fuel, with the attendance of Fiona Leggatt and her racing car.

The Southern by-pass route dialogue continues and looks at least 10 years away from fruition. The ‘Missing Millions’ campaign continues with central government.

2. Attendance and Apologies

Mr S Matusiewicz (Chairman)
Mr G Holmes
Mr M Andrews
Mr K Goodwin
Mrs K O’Leary
Mr D Thew
Mr G Mountain (stand-in Clerk)

Apologies for absence:

Mr R Spence (Clerk)

3. To Receive Declarations of Interest

Councillor Thew declared a personal interest in item 7, erection of dwelling and garage, land at Friars Orchard.

Councillor Andrews declared a personal interest in item 7, change of use from agricultural to domestic garden, Cherrystone Cottage, Potterhanworth Heath.

4. Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 November 2005

The members received the Minutes of the meeting held on 12th December 2005.

It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 12th December 2005.
be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

5. Matters Arising

The Dog Warden situation was still outstanding – see earlier.

The kissing gate on Barff Road had not yet been repaired but it had been reported to appropriate authorities for action. Councillor Andrews would pursue repairs.

Councillor O’Leary reported that the next meeting of the Parish Council and Local Businesses Forum with local police will meet on 15th February – she will attend.

The static caravan was still on site (for 31 weeks now) on land behind Moor House. The Clerk had received information from NKDC that Councillor Mountain passed on to the meeting. NKDC had used the good offices of East Yorks District Council to determine the owner of the land. A Planning Contravention Notice was due to be served to the owner, this being a pre-cursor to a potential Planning Enforcement Notice, requiring the owner to apply for appropriate planning permission for the caravan’s presence.

The Chairman reported that the Clerk had contacted Michael Samson at NKDC for advice following the disappearance of the VPA cups. The advice was that the matter should be reported to the Police. The Clerk would be asked to comply.

Purchase of bark for the play area – see item 8.

The Chairman reported that Keith Orton had fitted a new sink in the Pavilion Committee Room. Mr Orton said that advice received from appropriate sources on the current boiler was that a standard boiler should replace it. This was in hand.

6. Correspondence

• Letter received from Patricia Jenkins, lately the licensee at The Chequers public house. The letter refers to the rumours outlined in the Public Open Forum, above. The Chairman again refuted the rumours as totally untrue and without foundation.

• Councillor Thew reported that he and Councillor Mountain had been invited to attend a meeting at the school on Tuesday 31st January to discuss car parking problems.

In the absence of the Clerk there was no other known correspondence.

7. Planning Applications

• Erection of dwelling and garage, land at Friars Orchard, Nocton Road.

Comments were made that the proposed building looked large for the plot, being now of ‘one and a half’ height elevation. Concerns were again raised about the access onto Nocton Road.

• Erection of dwelling and garage (outline), land to rear of Leander, Moor Lane.

Several Councillors commented on whether this might be in the ‘windfall’ category, although it was accepted that access would be gained directly from Queensway.

Councillor Holmes expressed concerns about potential problems with sewage routes.

• Change of use of land from agricultural to domestic garden, Cherrystone Cottage, Potterhanworth Heath.

Due to the absence of the Clerk there were no plans to view but Councillor Andrews, having declared a personal interest gave a précis of what he understood the application was likely to comprise. There was no further discussion.

8. Purchase of bark for Play Park

Councillor Mountain revisited the two quotes placed in front of the Council at last month’s meeting. These were £638 and £448 ex-VAT for 12 cubic metres, delivered in bulk to site. He believed that prices were to be held into 2006. The Chairman proposed that the lower quote should be accepted, seconded by Councillor Thew – unanimously approved.

Councillor Mountain would progress at a later date when better weather could be assured.

9. Verge Grass Cutting contract 2006

The Clerk had received quotations from Service Team for cutting frequencies of 12 and 16 cuts per year. The higher number of cuts resulted form a recognition that grass seems to be growing over a longer period now and 12 cuts results in a significant amount of long growth which then lays on surfaces and detracts from the appearance of the village. Councillor Mountain reported on information provided to him by the Clerk that a price of £51 per cut had been quoted (believed to be ex-VAT) and that 16 cuts per annum equated to £816 ex-VAT.

It was resolved that the Clerk would agree a contract with Service Team for 16 cuts per annum.

In reply to a question from Mrs Brackenbury about periodic omissions from the Barff Road cutting schedule, Councillor Mountain said that he had asked Service Team to provide a written schedule of cutting areas to the Clerk along with the quotations. It was not known whether this had happened.

10. Adoption of Model Complaints Procedure

Acceptance proposed by Councillor Goodwin and seconded by the Chairman. Approved unopposed.

11. Pavilion Committee/Fund Raising Report

Fund-raising: Nothing to report.

Pavilion Committee: see earlier comments under item 5, Matters arising.

Councillor Holmes reported that moles were again in evidence on the playing field – he would contact the mole catcher.

The Chairman commented on the need to obtain a suitable quantity of earth (30-40 tonnes in Councillor Holmes’ opinion) to fill in the depressed areas around the old bowling green – Councillor Holmes would make enquiries as to sources.

Purchase of putting equipment will also be needed; possibly from the ex-Youth Club monies as the prime users would be young people from the village. Another source might be the Fund-raising Group.

12. Accounts for payment

Per the attached sheet provided by the Clerk.

No comments other than a request by Councillor O’Leary that the monies released into the Council’s safe-keeping by the Youth Club’s demise should be moved into National Savings account in order to earn interest. Unanimously agreed.

The Clerk would be asked to arrange this.

Accounts accepted unanimously, proposed by Councillor Goodwin, seconded by Councillor Holmes.

13. Date of next meeting

Monday, February 27th 2006 at 7-30 pm in the Pavilion.

G Mountain 31st January 2006