The Annual Parish
Meeting was held on the 10th May 2004 in Coronation Hall, Milby in
accordance with
the Local Govt. Act 1972, due notice having been given.
The meeting
opened at 7.00pm
Present:- Cllr M Rae (Chair), Cllr M
Lister, Cllr R Wilkinson, Cllr G Owens, Cllr G Parr,
and clerk Mrs Y Jacobs.
6 members of the public
1)
Apologies:- Cllr K
Whitehouse, Cllr L Proctor and Mr G Atkinson (Bluebell Inn),
Cllr Clifford Wilson
2)
Chairman’s Report
Mr
Rae welcomed everyone to the meeting and
introduced the individual councillors. He then explained the procedure of election
for parish councillors.
He introduced Mrs Jacobs, parish clerk and advised on the hours when she can be
contacted at home.. The list of councillors,
clerk and their address’/telephone numbers can be found on the Kirby Hill Website
and notice boards. Mr Rae confirmed that members of the public are welcome at
any of the six parish council meetings, which are held throughout the year.
He went on to advise of the annual precept; this year set at £4,400.00, which
was to retain a “rolling” reserve of funds at approx. £1,000.00. Mr Rae spoke
of expenditure covering – loan for Coronation Hall, Insurance, Grass Cutting,
clerk’s salary. He also mentioned that a grant had been received from “Awards
for All” for two notice boards.
Mr Rae mentioned how the parish council liased with NYCC, Harrogate Borough Council
dealing with planning applications and many new Govt. regulatory issues, which
included the recently introduced “Code of Conduct” and the “Declaration of
Interests”.
3)
Councillors/Clerk
Reports
a)
Motorway Service Area
Mr Owens firstly advising the meeting of the background regarding this issue,
confirmed that the Inspector is still writing up his report from the Public Inquiry
which took place in 2003. A special inquiry meeting held in Boroughbridge on
the
7th May 2003 had shown the strong opposition to this project – 400 people
had attended, with 200 having to be turned away. The Inspector was clearly
impressed that evening by both the local opposition and the presentation by the
Kirby Hill RAMS. Mr Owens paid high tribute to the Kirby Hill Rams for their
dedicated input against the MSA and the subsequent success of that evenings
campaign. The result of the Inspectors findings will not be known until John
Prescott actually makes his decision on the siting of the MSA in 2005.
b)
Village Design Statement
Mr Owens spoke about this Govt. led project, which is aimed as guidance to
Harrogate Borough Council, for future planning applications for Kirby Hill.
This statement to be produced by a team of 6 people living in the village, (Mr
Owens is still requiring several residents to work on this plan) is intended to
show what residents would expect these days, where there is much pressure on
development in the rural areas. Future developers will look at this document before
proceeding with any form of planning/building. Mr Owens mentioned that it is
important to retain the village identity and not become “joined” to
Boroughbridge in a way where Kirby Hill would loose its green belt area.
c)
Overnight Parking Lay-by
Mr Owens spoke about the lay-by on the B6265. The Parish Council had considered
this area an eyesore on entering the village and were therefore taking steps to
have it closed. This is regularly used as overnight parking by HGV drivers. It
was pointed out during the Public Inquiry to the proposed MSA, that the RAMS had not appeared to object to the
HGVs parking up in this lay-by, which was actually closer to Kirby Hill than
the proposed MSA. Although a sign does indicate that there should be ”No Overnight
Parking” this is not enforced by N.Y.Police. NYCC, Highways have advised that a
closure notice could be issued, but they would still wish to deposit stockpiles
of road grit on this lay-by; consideration will then be given to looking at
seeding/planting to make a more attractive site. A NYCC inspector will make an
on site visit shortly.
d) Commuted Sums
Mr Rae explained the system of commuted sums and how this money, which is held
by Harrogate Borough Council, is initially obtained from developers within the
parish. He confirmed the amounts of monies available for each of the relevant projects
and advised on the restrictions of how this can be spent. Several members of
the public were disappointed that although a substantial amount of money is
held for a childrens’ play area, there is no land available within the parish
which fulfils the permitted criteria. Mr Rae told the meeting that a play area
is to be built in Langthorpe, off Leeming Lane and it is possible that commuted
sums money from this parish could be utilised on that project. Other monies
held will be designated in the future to additional projects.
e) Coronation Hall
Mrs Jacobs reported that the hall is an extremely popular venue and in
great demand to the extent that bookings are being turned away due to lack of
space. With this in mind, the committee is looking into the possibility of
purchasing additional land at the rear of the hall.
The Yorkshire Rural Community Council held their annual meeting in the hall last
month and Les Gill, chairman, was invited to speak about the hall, its facilities
and achievements. The delegates were suitably impressed and quite envious, but it
was easy to understand, when lettings reached a record of over £15,000.00 and
with a surplus of income over expenditure of almost £9,000.00 it had not been
difficult to convince those visitors how successful the hall is. With the
introduction of new licensing laws later this year, it is possible that the
hall would be even more attractive to potential customers.
A BBQ and disco is to be held on the 6th August at Coronation Hall;
this will be the first socially organised event by the committee since the
successful Millennium New Years Eve Dance. This is not a fund raising event, but
a further opportunity to bring together the residents of our communities for an
enjoyable social occasion.
A member of the public asked why with Coronation Hall having such good funds,
could not the loan from the Parish Council be cleared. Mr Rae replied that this
was not possible, as here there were two separate financial bodies. Mrs Jacobs
agreed to show the resident details of the loan repayments.
f) Boroughbridge
Partnership Investment Prospectus
Mr Rae explained the purpose of this Govt initiated project and how Kirby
Hill Parish Council is a full members of this partnership. The aim is to
improve the life through e.g. health, affordable housing, recycling etc for
Boroughbridge and surrounding areas through the introduction of a community
plan. Funding is to be available from Yorkshire Forward.
g) Broadband
Mr Owens explained about Broadband and how initially it was believed that
although this service was due to be introduced in Boroughbridge, Kirby Hill
would not be included. Mr Owens’ company therefore created Kirby Hill Net. - a wireless
network system around the village giving Broadband service to Kirby Hill
Primary School and residents. BT does now provide this facility in the village,
but he assured the meeting that Kirby Hill Net. is more economical and
efficient. He mentioned that he had spoken at the Boroughbridge Partnership
Investment Prospectus meeting about Broadband and was approached for his network
service from several outlying villages.
He added that in the near future all Kirby Hill will have access to Kirby Hill
Net.
h)
Website
Mr Owens advised the meeting of the various information relating to Kirby Hill
and its issues, which is held on the Website. Mr Owens had produced this site
last year and confirmed that it was proving to be very popular. Since January
2004, 500 visitors had contacted the site; 378 for the 1st. time;
with a further 120 subsequent follow up visitors.
4)
Open Floor
a) Bluebell Inn
Unfortunately, Mr Graham Atkinson landlord of the Bluebell, was unable to attend
to speak about the Inn and its changes since taking over in April. Mr Owens
though commented that £150,000.00 had been spent on refurbishment and the
public house was well worth a visit.
b) Mr Smailes
advised that the building materials on John Ellis’ site were unguarded and
children had been seen throwing stones and playing on the site. The police had
been called, spoken to the children and hopefully the matter would then be
closed.
Action: -Mrs Jacobs to telephone John
Ellis and advise him of situation.
c)
Mr Smart advised the meeting that he was concerned about speeding and HGVs
along the bend in Church Lane, at the bottom of Glebe Close adjacent to Kirby
Hill School. There is a speed and weighting restriction on this road, which at
peak times of the day tends to be ignored.
Mr Rae confirmed that the existing 30mph signs along Church Lane are due to be
re sited in the near future; this should forewarn road users to reduce their
speed well before coming into the village. Mr Smart’s points have been raised
in the past with N.Y.Police, but their response is that it is difficult to
patrol these rural areas when the misdemeanours occur.
Action: - Mrs Jacobs to pursue the two
issues.
Date of Future Parish
Council Meeting – 14th June 2004 in Coronation Hall, meeting room,
commencing at 7.15pm
Signed
Dated