27th February 2006

PRESENT: Mr Ian Reynolds (Chairman); Mr Steve Smowton; Mr Brian Forster; Mr Peter Skilbeck; Mrs Gina Mannix; Mrs Carole Wainwright; Mrs Liz Casling (North Yorkshire County Councillor and Selby District Councillor)

APOLOGIES: – Ms Judy Wanless; Mr Mike Russell; Mr Charles Forbes Adam; Mr Bill Reader

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING WERE READ AND APPROVED

MATTERS ARISING

Mr John Reader apologised for his absence from the meetings. This had been due to his work pattern but this has altered and he hopes in the future to attend more regularly.

YELLOW LINES ALONG MAIN STREET: This work has still not been started as promised for the end of January.

LIGHT AT THE BUS SHELTER ON MAIN STREET: The light has been repaired but Mr Brooksbanks found that the timer was broken. He has ordered the part and will replace as soon as possible.

ESCRICK PLAYING FIELD ASSOCIATION: It was agreed that Mr Anderton had done an excellent job in ridding the field of moles but unfortunately more mole hills have appeared and he will be asked to return to deal with these accordingly. It was also agreed that he should visit the village green at the same time and deal with the mole problem that has appeared there as well.

The replaced tarmac in front of the basket ball net will be “white lined” as soon as weather permits. Lapsett have now completed all outstanding matters on the site.

The PFA have decided to proceed with the printing of a calendar for 2007 and a competition is to be held seeking suitable drawings. This will be advertised in the Parish magazine.

Quarterly safety checks are due to be carried out this month. Mrs Mannix had enquired about a safety check course and the cheapest one available is at Bishop Auckland. It was agreed that she would investigate a venue nearer to Escrick.

Mrs Mannix brought examples of the notice proposed to be erected at the entrance to the playing field and it was unanimously agreed to proceed. The cost of the sign is £395 + VAT.

Mrs Mannix advised that they hold a credit balance of £1,248.31 and there have been no more fund raising events since the last meeting.

The PFA have stated that they would wish to see a high solid gate erected at the entrance of the paddock from the A19. The Parish Council position is that this is not acceptable. It is however still proposed to go ahead with the planting scheme.

Mr Reynolds had demolished the old shelter and burnt or removed the debris. Mrs Mannix had removed the rubbish and Mr Alan Wright will remove the concrete stanchions from the site.

Access to the playing field was discussed. It was agreed that the only access available to the public is that via the footpath through the Junior School from Main Street. It was also agreed that this is a suitable disabled access. The access from Escrick Park Gardens is not considered suitable and is only available for ground maintenance. It was also considered that access via this route would be hazardous and in particular alterations to the gate would have to be made. Use of this access other than for maintenance is not considered by the Parish Council to be a viable alternative.

SKIPWITH ROAD BIN: This has been replaced but in a new position. The old post has however been left and the Clerk is to ask the District Council to remove this as it is considered unsightly and a potential hazard. A letter from Selby District Council had been received requesting a contribution of 50% towards the cost of replacing the new litter bin. It was agreed that the Parish Council would not be contributing.

STREET CLEANING: Mrs Casling’s request for Selby District Council to have the streets swept and tidied had resulted in the contractors doing a thorough job. It had been noted that because of parked cars they had been unable to gain complete access.

DEVELOPMENT AT C OF E ESCRICK PRIMARY SCHOOL: Mr Reynolds was able to advise the meeting that it was anticipated that a Section 106 Agreement would be completed shortly and that the Planning Permission would then be available. He had been advised that work to extend the Junior School could start at the end of the summer term and would hopefully be completed by Easter 2007. He believes it is the intention of the Education Department to invite tenders for this work in the near future.

LARCH FENCE ADJOINING FORMER ESTATE OFFICE: It was noted that this fence had been stained green to tone in with the surrounding shrubbery. Mr Forbes Adam had advised the Chairman that it was also intended that the adjoining hedge would be allowed to grow to the height of the fence to screen the same. The fence had been erected for safety reason.

ACCOUNTS

It was agreed to pay:
Room hire Escrick & Deighton Club: £10.00
Mole Control – Playing Field: £84.00
Mrs V Cumberland – postage & stationery: £8.83
Mrs V Cumberland – salary: £1,560.00

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

8/10/3U/PA: Re-cladding of an existing manufacturing and warehouse unit Brickworks Riccall Road Escrick – No objections in principal. Please refer to our previous comments on planning application 8/10/3T/PA ref 2005/0360/OUT – SDC permission granted on both these applications.

Mr Forster had contacted the planning department to query why there had been two Planning Permissions granted in respect of this site. The reply was that the applicants had asked for both applications to be considered and as a consequence both had been granted.

NYCC – Extension to Escrick C of E V C Primary School, Escrick: no objections to the minor amendments proposed to the originally agreed scheme.

8/10/177C/PA: Erection of a first floor extension to the side of Benmore Lodge Carr Lane Escrick – no objections.

INCIDENT AT THE DUCK POND, VILLAGE GREEN

The alleged perpetrators had denied any involvement. Councillor Mrs Casling had spoken to various parties and the Parish Council was happy with the way that matters had been dealt with. PC Herbert had previously been contacted by Mrs Mannix and he had advised that if there was any information regarding the use of drugs that he would take any necessary action. The Chairman commended Councillor Mrs Casling in her absence for the work that she had carried out investigating matters.

CORRESPONDENCE

A letter had been received from North Yorkshire County Council on the proposed alterations to the York/ Selby bus corridor. It was agreed that the Chairman would reply pointing out that advance notification ought to have been given as the work has already commenced on the “hail and stop” bus stop on the main A19. Apparently they had been advised by their Safety Officer that the present bus stop close to the lych gate was not considered safe, hence the reason for moving it further north to the existing lay-by.

A request had been received from Whitley Parish Council to support their objections to a planning application for 89 dwellings in their Parish. The reasons for the objections were that some of the dwellings were proposed to be four storey high. It was agreed to support Whitley Parish Council.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Mr Smowton reported that the guest book on the website had over 700 entries. The site has now been re-developed and the name of the village has to be entered before access can be gained.

Mr Forster noted that several villages had “light up signs” showing the speed of vehicles passing and asked if it were possible for these to be placed on Skipwith Road and Carr Lane. A letter is to be written to Selby District Council asking for information.

Mrs Wainwright is concerned about overhanging branches of a fir tree on Carr Lane close to the entry to the Junior School. A letter is to be sent to North Yorkshire Highways requesting them to deal with the matter appropriately. Similarly North Yorkshire Highways are to be asked to replace the damaged reflector posts on Main Street.

A Parishioner had reported to the Clerk that the light at the lych gate which is used as a bus shelter had been broken. The Clerk had asked Mr Bill Reader as to ownership of this and was informed that it belonged to the Church and he requested that she ask Mr Brooksbank to replace the bulb to the light as necessary. Mr Brooksbank had agreed to replace the bulb when he could gain access to the Church as apparently the light switch is inside the building.

Mr Reynolds announced he is to stand down as Chairman at the next Annual General Meeting.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING (ALSO THE AGM): Wednesday 24th April 2006 at 7.30pm in Escrick & Deighton Club.