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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF KNARESBOROUGH TOWN COUNCIL (Planning Matters) HELD AT KNARESBOROUGH HOUSE, KNARESBOROUGH ON MONDAY 3 AUGUST 2015
PRESENT: Chair: The Mayor – Councillor A Willoughby
Councillors: R Aspin, J Batt, S Batt, D Bulmer, M Clemmitt,
E Collins, H Gostlow, H Lyon, L Powell, B Rigby and C Willoughby.
Staff Present: The Clerk and the Office Assistant
Also Present: Councillor W Sanderson, 20+ Residents and Knaresborough business owners, a representative from the Chamber of Trade.
Late Arrivals: None Early Departures: None
P15/072 ITEM 1 – To receive apologies for inability to attend the meeting
Apologies were received from Councillors J Monaghan, D Goode and
M Joy.
P15/073 ITEM 2 – Councillors’ Disclosure of an Interest
Councillor J Batt / Member of HBC – will consider any same item at HBC in the light of new information.Councillor C Willoughby / Member of HBC – will consider any same item at HBC in the light of new information.
P15/074 ITEM 3 – KTC Public Speaking Session
Due to the number of people present and HBC’s Health and Safety Regulations for the
building, the Mayor asked everyone present to move to the Assembly Hall for Item 9,
9.1.1.
1a. Representatives from 3 local businesses on Waterside spoke about their pride in Knaresborough and Waterside. Only one of these businesses is able to provide a toilet facility for their customers. The area around Waterside is extremely busy with both visitors to the area and local people; the 3 cafes represented are open 7 days a week and taking the facilities away would not only impact business in the area it would impact on Knaresborough as a tourist destination.
1b. A local resident described Waterside and Abbey Road as big attractions in Knaresborough and said that denying tourists to the area the opportunity to relieve themselves was ridiculous.
1c. A member of the Chamber of Trade said that toilets are being closed all over the country as it is a discretionary service and an easy target for Councils to make cuts. There is evidence that closing toilets leads to an increase in anti-social issues and can turn people away from the area. He asked what can be done to save them and mentioned Boroughbridge as an example.
After a brief opportunity for questions the Mayor moved to take Item 9.1.1
9.1.1 Letter emailed 24.7.15 from HBC re Public Consultation – Public Toilet Provision in the Harrogate District
RESOLVED: That as an initial response from KTC, regarding closure of toilets, and reserving the right to make further comments at a later date:
1. We strongly object to closure of any toilets in Knaresborough. Toilets have been removed in the past and as a tourist town with a growing population we need these facilities.
2. We particularly object to the closure of toilets on Waterside as these are in a popular part of Knaresborough and nearby cafes are dependent on these facilities for the continuance of their businesses.
3. We cannot consider any transfer of responsibility for toilets without further detailed information regarding what is on offer.
4. We are very concerned about the poor condition of all public toilets in Knaresborough and would like to see HBC improve all of the toilets, and not close any. (unanimous)
The members of the community present for the item above left the meeting at this point. Those remaining returned to the Chamber for the rest of the meeting.
2. Scriven Parish Councillor, W Sanderson, spoke about the planning application for the Yorkshire Lass. She pointed out that this was a critical building and location in Knaresborough. Councillor Sanderson objects to the plans as the mass of the proposed building is not correct, the change of use is wrong as it should remain a place of relaxation for the people of Knaresborough, the design lacks any character and due to the mass may lead to the loss of trees.
The Mayor moved to take Item 6 – 6.100.364.K.FUL, The Yorkshire Lass – planning application.
RESOLVED: KTC object on the grounds that:
1. The site is within statutory Green Belt. The proposed redevelopment of the site due to the siting, size, mass and design would have a detrimental impact on the openness of the Green Belt.
2. The application site is within the Nidd Gorge Special Landscape Area and Knaresborough Conservation Area. The proposals, due to the siting, height, mass and design, would have a detrimental impact on its setting, being harmful to Knaresborough, its Conservation Area and the openness of the Green Belt and Nidd Gorge Special Landscape Area.
3. The access and egress to the site cannot be accommodated within the application site; there are inadequate sightlines especially with the pedestrian island. Entry into the site will compromise the safety of pedestrians and cyclists using the Beryl Burton cycleway. (nem con)
P15/075 ITEM 4 – To consider and, if thought fit, approve as a correct
record, the Minutes of:
4.1 Monday 20 July 2015
RESOLVED: That minutes of the Council Meeting held on Monday 20 July 2015, be
approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. (nem con)
P15/076 ITEM 5 - Business Remaining
5.1 Email re: Harrogate and District Local Plan Consultations (deferred from previous meeting, 20/07/2015). Consultation end date 28 August 2015.
Due to timing, the Mayor moved this item to the end of the meeting.
5.2 NYCC bus subsidies consultation (deferred from previous meeting, 20/07/2015). Consultation end date 14 August 2015.
RESOLVED: That KTC opposes the cuts due to reasons outlined below:
i) Increasing social isolation
ii) Discriminating against people living in rural areas
iii) No other way for rural residents to get to essential services, doctors, hospitals, shops.
iv) Elderly people who have given up their cars now have no way to get to essential services as above.
v) One bus a day within such a tight timescale is ill thought out, what is the point in having free bus travel paid for by the tax payer when the bus doesn’t run.
vi) Need to be mindful of the interdependence between transport infrastructure and Knaresborough itself. Knaresborough’s own well being will suffer as a result of such cuts.
vii) KTC would like to see the provision of a service for getting to and from work between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge. (unanimous)
The remaining member of the public left at this point.
P15/077 ITEM 6 - To consider the following Planning Applications relating to Knaresborough and make such observations as may be appropriate:
Ref: / Applicant / Details of Application / KTC Comments6.100.364.K.FUL
14/03375/FUL** / Graycliffe Homes Ltd / Erection of 4 apartments with underground garage parking and demolition of existing Public House (Site area 0.08ha). The Yorkshire Lass, Harrogate Road, HG5 8DA. / See item 3 above
6.100.530.FUL
15/03053/FUL* / Mr & Mrs K Smalley / Erection of boundary wall. 46 Scriven Road, HG5 9EJ. / KTC object to this application as the height of the wall will be detrimental to the amenity of the street. (unanimous)
Councillor B Rigby left the meeting at this point
6.100.1517.B.FUL
15/02958/FUL* / Mr & Mrs R Bell / Erection of 1 dwelling and formation of vehicle access and hardstanding (Site area 0.04ha) (revised scheme). 24 Stockwell Road, HG5 0JZ. / No Objections (unanimous)
6.100.2338.F.FUL
15/00917/FUL* / Taylor Design Architects Ltd / Erection of single and two storey extensions for use as additional office, showroom, workshop, storage and plant space. Harrogate Audi, Grimbald Crag Road, HG5 8PY. / KTC support this application
(unanimous)
Councillor B Rigby returned to the meeting
6.100.2956.LB
15/02458/LB* / Mr S Wrist / Listed building consent for installation of replacement timber windows. 103 High Street, HG5 0HL. / No Objections (unanimous)
* Item to be determined by Harrogate Borough Council Chief Planner ** Item to be determined by HBC’s Planning Committee
P15/078 ITEM 7 – Planning Correspondence
No correspondence for Knaresborough – the Mayor moved to the next item
P15/079 ITEM 8 – To note the HBC Planning Committee Meeting – Tuesday 04 August 2015, at 2.00pm – Council Offices, Crescent Gardens, Harrogate at which the following for Knaresborough is to be discussed:
No applications for Knaresborough – the Mayor moved to the next item
P15/080 ITEM 9 – To consider the following correspondence:
9.1 The following correspondence is for discussion:
9.1.1 Letter emailed 24.7.15 from HBC re Public Consultation – Public Toilet Provision in the Harrogate District
RESOLVED: See Item 3 above
9.1.2 Parish Consultation Meetings for 2015, 21 September 2015, Knaresborough House, 6pm
i) Members to decide on 2 representatives to attend
ii) Members to submit questions for the Office to collate
RESOLVED: That this item be deferred to a future meeting (unanimous)
9.1.3 Email from HBC re Roecliffe and Westwick Neighbourhood Area Designation (deadline 7/8/2015)
RESOLVED: To receive and note (unanimous)
9.1.4 Letter from North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority (received 17/7/2015) re Consultation July – October 2015
During discussion it was felt that further clarification was needed as there was a discrepancy in some of the information individuals had heard.
RESOLVED: That this item be deferred to a future meeting (unanimous)
9.2 The following correspondence is to be received and noted:
9.2.1 Email from YLCA (dated 27/7/2015) re Grants and Funding Special Bulletin 2015.
RESOLVED: To receive and note (unanimous)
P15/081 ITEM 10 - Reports from Clerk
10.1 To approve the Schedule of Accounts
KNARESBOROUGH TOWN COUNCILSchedule of Accounts - August (1) 2015
A list of payments yet to be made:
Payable to & Description / File Ref. No. / Amount excluding VAT / VAT / Total Amount (to be paid)
Mrs M Richards (new/replacement glasses Civic Event) / 56 / 26.67 / 5.33 / 32.00
Commerce Business Systems (copying/printing) / 57 / 62.28 / 12.46 / 74.74
TLC Office Supplies / 58 / 13.25 / 2.65 / 15.90
Swift Wines Ltd
(The Wine Shop) (TT Event) / 59 / 108.00 / 21.60 / 129.60
Mr S O'Neill
Canape Central (TT Event) / 60 / 600.00 / 0.00 / 600.00
TOTALS / 810.20 / 42.04 / 852.24 / 852.24
RESOLVED: To approve the schedule of accounts above, totalling £852.24 (unanimous)
10.2 Finance figures for June 2015
RESOLVED: To receive and note (unanimous)
P15/082 ITEM 11 - Reports from Committees/Working Groups
11.1 To receive and note the report and recommendation of the allotments working group, and consider the rental charges and contracts to be issued in 2016
The Mayor moved this item to the end of the agenda due to its possible confidentiality.
P15/083 ITEM 12 – Information Exchange
Councillor C Willoughby informed all that the Britain in Bloom judges would be in Knaresborough tomorrow.
Councillor M Clemmitt thanked all members and staff of the council for their hard work for making the 45th Anniversary of Town Twinning celebrations such a success.
Councillor J Batt was very concerned that political posters are being displayed in the notice board on this public building and asked that they be removed as he believed it to be against the rules. The clerk notified members that as far as the office knew they were the only ones with a key, but they had not put up the posters.
Councillor A Willoughby apologised and said that he had put them up and that he had a key for the box.
The legality of this practice is to be checked.
Councillor L Powell had been to a recent Mayoral event at Menwith Hill where the 2 non-military representatives made her very welcome and were keen to continue the relationship with Knaresborough.
The Clerk drew members’ attention to Charter Day on August 16th when the bell ringers would be ringing the bells in Knaresborough.
The Clerk informed members that we now have the maximum figures when using the rooms in Knaresborough House for Health and Safety reasons, which are:- Council Chamber 20 – Committee Room 40 and the Assembly Hall 80, and these figures must be a total of all present, including staff and Councillors.
The Mayor then returned to the following item:
P15/082 ITEM 11 - Reports from Committees/Working Groups
11.1 To receive and note the report and recommendation of the allotments working group, and consider the rental charges and contracts to be issued in 2016
RESOLVED: That in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted re ITEM 11.1 pertaining to rental agreement, the item be dealt with
in private session and, subject to the provisions of Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (as amended), the meeting be not open to members of the public
This part of the meeting related to KTC’s allotment sites, in particular a new contract and a change to annual rental at the Stockwell Road allotment site.
RESOLVED: That KTC offer KASH a four year contract with an annual rent of
£1500. (unanimous)
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the allotments working group be tasked with coming up with a suitable contract. (unanimous)
The Meeting moved out of confidential session.
The Mayor returned to Item 5.1
P15/076 ITEM 5 - Business Remaining
5.1 Email re: Harrogate and District Local Plan Consultations (deferred from previous meeting, 20/07/2015). Consultation end date 28 August 2015.
Councillor Bill Rigby referred to his previous email on the subject and highlighted the need for a ‘corporate’ response. This would not stop Councillors responding to the consultation as individuals and indeed should be encouraged to do so.
RESOLVED: That a working group be set up to look at the consultation in detail and bring a recommendation back to Council at the next meeting. (unanimous)
Bill Rigby agreed to coordinate the group and the following Councillors also volunteered to be a part of it:
R Aspin, S Batt, D Bulmer, E Collins, H Lyon and A Willoughby.
It was also suggested that Councillors not present should be contacted and given the opportunity to join the group.
Meeting Closed at 9pm
Signed by the Mayor (Councillor A Willoughby):______