Council 4th September 2012
WALKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
4TH SEPTEMBER 2012
VILLAGE HALL, WALKINGTON
Present: Councillors J Drew (Chairman), C Acum, C. Dixon, D. Drew, P Drummond, N. Dunning, K. Hearne, Mrs H Hird, Mrs V. Swann and R Taylor.
Also present: Ward Councillor Pollard and J Smith (Clerk)
An apology for absence was submitted from Councillor Southern.
Members of the public: Nil
108. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS – There were no declarations.
109. CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS - The Chairman referred to Agenda Item 3 (b) and reported that he had explained to the neighbour that the Parish Council could not pre-empt planning applications and the neighbour had indicated that he would not be attending this meeting. That item would therefore be withdrawn as there were no proposals to consider. The Chairman also reported that he had received a request from All Hallows Church for the payment of the grant of £5,000 that had previously been approved in respect of improvements at the Church. The Chairman also reported that he had received from the some Health and Safety reports regarding the road crossing patrol near Autherd Garth and suggested that the information might be included on the next Agenda.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
110. The Barn House, 18 East End – This item had been included at the request of the proprietor but the she was not present.
111. Trees at 38 East End – Item withdrawn (Minute 109 above refers).
112. MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17th July 2012 having been printed and previously circulated be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING
113. Routine Matters - Irresponsible Car Parking near School – A Councillor referred to Minute 106 (c) and re-iterated her concerns at the difficulties caused by vehicles parking on the bend in Crake Wells near the junction with Autherd Garth. A copy of the response received from the Police regarding the request by the Parish Council that the Police should monitor the approach to the school, particularly at the start of the new term was submitted.
Resolved – (a) That the response from the Police be noted with regret, and (b) that the Clerk check with East Riding Planning Enforcement and also the agreement granting a right of way over the amenity area in Crake Wells whether there is any condition that the occupiers should not park a vehicle on that part of the highway.
114. Other Matters – Walkington Heads and Coppleflat Lane Cross Roads - Further to Minute 85 Councillors commented on the prompt action taken by Ward Councillor Birmingham as the hedge had been cut back the day after the matter was raised with him at the previous Council meeting.
Resolved – That Councillors’ thanks be conveyed to Ward Councillor Birmingham.
115. Routine Matters - Notice Boards – Further to Minute 87 Councillor Swan reported that she had passed to Councillor Southern information she had obtained from Plantscape regarding notice boards which that company supplies. Councillor Dixon undertook to check the safety of board at Megson Way which the Council had previously said was beyond repair.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
116. Venue for Meetings of the Parish Council – A Councillor referred to Minute 105 and commented that the Methodist Church had not yet received notification regarding bookings of the meeting room for Council meetings. The Clerk stated that orders would be placed.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
117. Routine Matters - Need for Speed Monitoring along Beverley Road – Further to Minute 106 (b) a copy of the reply received from the Police was submitted.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
118. Routine Matters - Hedge Overhanging Footpath at 37 All Hallows Road – Further to Minute 106 (i) a copy of the reply received from East Riding Council was submitted.
119. LOCALISM ACT 2011 – CODE OF CONDUCT – Further to Minutes 60 and 92 a report was submitted drawing attention to a letter from East Riding Council dated 2nd August 2012 enclosing an updated version of that Council’s Code of Conduct. Attention was also drawn to a subsequent email from the Monitoring Officer, East Riding Council which had been circulated to Councillors electronically prior to this meeting enclosing correspondence with the Minister of State for Local Government regarding concerns expressed by some Parish Councillors over the requirements to register pecuniary interests of their spouse or partner and the requirement for the register of interest to be available for inspection on the website of East Riding Council. The correspondence also included a guide entitled “Openness and transparency on personal interests - A guide for councillors”.
Resolved – (a) That notwithstanding the decision at its meeting on 18th June 2012 (Minute 60 refers), the Parish Council agrees “That the Code of Conduct, as approved by East Riding of Yorkshire Council on 25th July 2012 and set out in the Appendix to these minutes be adopted; (b) that notice of the adoption of the revised Code be published on the Council’s Notice Boards and in the Village Newsletter; (c) that the decision of the Parish Council be also forwarded to the Monitoring Officer, East Riding Council, and (d) that the correspondence from the Monitoring Officer and the Councillors’ Guide be noted;
120. COMMUNITY SAFETY MATTERS – A copy of the latest Parish/Town News Release giving an update of policing incidents in Beverley Rural Ward had been circulated prior to the meeting. Councillors commented that it was disappointing that there was no representative of the Police present to allow Councillors to raise policing issues.
Resolved – (a) That the information be noted, and (b) that the Police be asked if a representative could attend meetings on a quarterly basis in future.
(Councillor Pollard arrived at 8.00pm)
EAST RIDING COUNCIL MATTERS
121. Review of Walkington Conservation Area – Ward Councillor Pollard reported that due to work being undertaken on other area reviews it was anticipated that the Walkington review would be progressed during October 2012 and that East Riding Council would write to confirm the timescale.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
122. Road Signage at Walkington Heads and Coppleflat Lane Cross Roads - Further to Minute 114 Ward Councillor Pollard reported on discussions with Officers of East Riding Council regarding the parish Council’s request for improvements to be made at the crossroads in the interests of road safety. Councillors reiterated that they had requested that the hedgerow should be cut back to improve the sight line but that work had not yet been carried out. It was suggested that the best way forward would be for Parish Councillors to meet Officers from East Riding Council on site to discuss improvements at the junction.
Resolved – That a site meeting be arranged and that the arrangements be forwarded to all Councillors.
123. Planning Application - Land west of The Manor House, Walkington Heads - Retention of static caravan for use as a temporary equestrian workers dwelling for a period of 3 years (ref 12/01283) – It was reported orally that this application had been approved but that formal notification was still awaited. In response to concerns raised regarding road safety Ward Councillor Pollard undertook to check on the situation regarding the access that had been opened up from the site on to Walkington Heads.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
124. Gulley Cleaning and Drainage Issues – It was reported that the drains along West End seem to be repeatedly blocked, resulting in pools of standing water at times of rainfall and yet those drains never seemed to be cleaned when the Gully Cleaner vehicle visits the village. It was also reported that there were drainage issues outside nos. 20/24 Kirk Lane and that effluent from properties above no. 24 was coming out of the tarmac. Ward Councillor Pollard undertook to raise the matters with East Riding Council.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
125. Other Matters – Damaged Footpath in Northgate - Further to Minute 91 a Councillor reported that the footpath in Northgate was still in need of repair. Ward Councillor Pollard undertook to raise the matters with East Riding Council.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
126. Brown Waste Bins Not Emptied – A Councillor reported on problems that had been experienced with the waste collection along Northgate recently. Ward Councillor Pollard undertook to pass on the concerns raised to East Riding Council.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
127. Beverley Rural Ward Councillors/Members Meeting – The Council was reminded that the next meeting would be held on 27th September 2012 and that it had been agreed that the Chairman and Councillor Dunning would attend.
128. PLANNING APPLICATIONS - Resolved - That the following comments be forwarded to East Riding Council on the application stated:
Application / Comments(1) Orchard Farmhouse, 32 West End - Erection of single storey extension to rear following loft conversion, alterations to existing ground floor and first floor layout, installation of new roof windows and erection of new store for oil tank and garden storage following demolition of existing store (ref 12/03217) / The Parish Council feels strongly that the velux windows are an incongruous feature in the roof and should not be approved.
(2) Land south of Hill Crest 77 East End - Erection of dwelling - (ref 12/03514) / The Parish Council support as a principal the present approved limits for development and recommend refusal on that basis.
If, however, the planning authority are minded to make an exception here then the dwelling should be redesigned to create a building that harmonises with the traditional brick and pantile styles of Walkington as depicted nearby in Autherd Cottage, Mere View Cottage, the dwelling immediately behind the pond, and Acacia House. The East Riding Council is also advised that it would need to be completely assured that there is enough space for a 4 bedroomed dwelling such as this without inviting calls for more tree removal in the future.
The Parish Council requests that a Tree Preservation Order should be placed on the existing trees on the site.
The Parish Council feel strongly about this application and if Officers are minded to recommend approval would request that the application is submitted to the Planning Sub-Committee for determination.
(Ward Councillor Pollard left the meeting at 8.50pm.)
129 Decisions Received – Resolved – That the decision of East Riding Council on the application set out below be noted:
Application / Decision(1) Dog And Duck Inn, 1 East End – Amended Plans Showing TV - retention of re-designed beer garden including retaining wall with chimney, barbeque area and 2 gazebos (ref 12/01914) / Approved.
(2) 42 East End - Amended Proposals - Erection of first floor extension to front with dormer window and raised patio area to rear (ref 12/02438) / Approved
(3) 14 Huzzard Close - Erection of single storey extension at rear following demolition of existing conservatory (ref 12/02412) / Approved
TREES
130. Application(s) – Notification had been received from East Riding Council’s Streetscene Services of the intention to fell two dead Elm trees at Walkington School. Details had been circulated to Councillors electronically and no observations had been received.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
131. Decisions - Resolved – That the decision of East Riding Council on the application set out below be noted:
Application / Decision(1) 42 Northgate – removal of 2 Poplars and 1 Ash tree (ref 10/03318 / Exempt
132. Appeal Decision – 13 Waudby Close – It was reported that the appeal against refusal of permission to fell a Sycamore tree (ref 11/05199) had been dismissed. A copy of the Inspector’s report had been circulated electronically to Councillors.
Resolved – That the decision be noted.
133. Tree Preservation Order Plans – It was suggested that East Riding Council should be asked for a copy of its plans showing trees that are protected in the village for submission to the next meeting and that Councillors should have a walk around the village to see if there are any mature trees which should also be listed.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
134. Townend Pit – Reference was made to a response from Humberside Police that they would be taking no further action with regard to the complaint made to them. It was reported that a response was still awaited from East Riding Council with regard to its investigations.
Resolved – That this matter be deferred until a response is received from East Riding Council.
CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS
135. Humberside Fire Authority – Draft Vision for 2020 and Integrated Risk Management Plan for 2012-15 – A copy of the consultation documents was submitted.
Resolved – (a) That the information be received, and (b) that an item be included in the Village Newsletter drawing residents’ attention to the consultation documents.
136. East Riding of Yorkshire Council – Attention was drawn to the following consultation documents:
(i) Draft Empty Homes Strategy (previously circulated).
(ii) Draft Older People’s Housing Strategy (previously circulated).
(iii) Draft Housing Strategy for Vulnerable People (previously circulated).
Resolved – That the consultation documents be received.