Please click here for file to print or download

Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on

Monday 25 January 2010 from 7.30p.m. in Darley Memorial Hall

1001/1       Present:  Cllrs D Dickinson (Meeting Chairman), P Flynn, D Hullah ,  K Hardcastle, G Middleton, Borough Cllr L Ellington , County Cllr John Fort, Mrs S Welch (Clerk) and 3 members of the public

1001/2       Apologies: Cllrs J Austin, J Anderson

1001/3       Declarations of Interest:  None

1001/4       Public Statements

a.  Mrs J Ellison voiced concern over many of the stiles across walls encountered in local walks. Many were impossible to traverse for either elderly people or those with dogs. She asked that the Council consider requesting that some be changed into kissing gates etc, or that holes be created so that dogs could pass through.

The Council noted that it is AONB policy to keep the style of gates and stiles that has existed for years. However, it agreed to investigate any unsafe or dangerous stiles and see what could be done to help. Mrs Ellison was asked to report any particularly unsafe stiles and Councillors would also report others.

This issue to be placed on agenda for next meeting

b.  Mrs S Johns spoke on behalf of Darley in Bloom reinforcing the request for permission to install kerbing alongside the Claremont flowerbed, so that the bed was not lost.  Quotes had been obtained and the work would be carried out at no cost to the Parish Council.  County Cllr Fort reported that he was willing to offer a donation towards this work.  (Matter discussed later in meeting.  See Item 7b)

1001/5       Minutes of Meeting held on 30 November 2009  were approved

1001/6       Clerk’s Report :  Updates on on-going matters had been circulated

Further updates received as follows:

Cllr Ellington reported that the changes to the car park at the School would be discussed at a meeting on 26 January.

It was reported that car parking on Main Street near the bottom of Stumps Lane was again causing problems

The clerk was asked to arrange for a representative of Harrogate Borough Council to attend a Parish Council meeting to talk about creating a disaster plan for the parish.

1001/7       Highways

a.       Tree on verge at end of Stocks Lane. It was reported that this tree and the nearby dead tree would be felled and removed by NYCC once the weather permitted it. The Council would then consider possible replacement planting.

b.       Kerbing on flower bed opposite Claremont.  Councillors had visited the site and had some concerns about the drainage dyke at the rear of the bed and about the safety of those working on the bed. After discussion the Council agreed that Darley in Bloom should go ahead with the project, with no cost to the Parish Council.

Clerk to clarify ownership and procedures with NYCC Highways
in order to carry out the project most effectively and liaise with Darley in Bloom

c.       County Cllr Fort reported that although NYCC had good stocks of salt and grit, some of its reserved stock had in fact gone (by order of the government) to other counties who were in difficulties.  It was hoped to again store good stocks for next winter within the county. Cllr Fort pointed out that local people could grit roads and car parks if they were able, although they would need insurance cover for working on the highway. It was expected that NYCC would agree £1million for immediate emergency road repairs, hopefully matched by government funding. The severity of frost had caused much damage.

d.       Clerk reported that road between Birstwith and Hamspthwaite closed for gas repairs for up to 6 weeks.  Bus diverted up Stumps Lane.  Notices posted on boards and web site.

e.       It was reported that the cover of a gully at the top of Nidd Lane was becoming dangerous.

Clerk to report to NYCC Highways

f.         A resident had reported a flooding problem caused by water coming across Walker Lane and through fields to houses on Main Street.  The Council looked at supplied photos.

Clerk to report to NYCC Highways

1001/8       Footpaths    

a.       No issues to report

1001/9       Village Maintenance

a.       It was reported that the bid submitted for a total of £4900 funding from the LEADER scheme over the next 3 years had been successful. It was agreed that the Clerk would manage the project with the assistance of Mrs J Barker.  The Clerk was thanked by the Council for her timely efforts in gaining this money for the village.

b.       There had been no recent work undertaken.

c.       It was noted that feedback regarding the winter lights on Low Green had been very positive. The lights were switched off on 22 January.  It was noted that new lights had been purchased for the Christmas Tree, but bad weather had meant these were not installed.  It was agreed that the cabling be installed during 2010 so that the new lights could be used for Christmas 2010.
It was noted that some strings of lights had not been used, so there was the possibility of installing in other places in late 2010. This would depend on appropriate access to electricity, and money for installation.   Matter to be discussed later in year.

1001/10    Reports

a.       Nidderdale Strategic Partnership

   Meeting had been postponed

b.      No other reports

1001/11    Finance

a.       Budget for January was received and approved.

b.       Receipts and Payments were approved as follows:

Expenditure                         £  105.81           Christmas Tree lights

                                          £  535.20           Clerk Salary October – December 2009  

£    73.43          Clerk expenses  October – December 2009

£1150.00           Winter Lights installation

                                    (to be reimbursed by HBC)

Income                                £ 1793.62          HBC Commuted Sums reimbursement for winter lights

                                          £     15.33         Refund for faulty light string

                                          £   896.61          NYCC for grass cutting contribution        

c.       Commuted Sums update

Cllr Flynn reported some difficulties in obtaining permission to use Commuted Sums money to carry out work on the Darley PFA pavilion to make it appropriate for use by NYCC as a Youth Club. Cllr Ellington agreed to assist in discussions with HBC. No further updates on commuted sums projects.

d.       There were no other urgent financial matters.

1001/12    Planning

a.      Planning Decisions

09/04394/FUL            Conversion of 2 houses to form 1 and extensions, 4 Low Lane Cottages, Low Lane

                                                                                                                                    GRANTED

09/04133/PNAFUL         Erection of agricultural building,  Fairfield Farm, Sheepcote Lane

                                                                                                                                    REFUSED

b.      Planning Applications

09/04521/FUL                Substitution of house type of earlier planning permission for erection of house

                                                                                                            Brookfield, Silverdale Close

            Councillors had considered this at a site meeting

Council neither supported nor objected but wished the number of velux windows to be reduced, in line with the Village Design Statement.

            09/02820/PNAFUL         Erection of detached agricultural building,   Land adjacent to Barn, Crake Lane

                        Council supported this application

1001/13    Correspondence received by the Clerk

a.      Yorkshire Local Councils Association

Early notification of increased membership subscriptions for 2010/11

b.      Nidderdale Plus Partnership

Confirmation of membership

c.       YLCA

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  YLCA pressing Government for community funding for celebrations

Council agreed that Darley would be interested in staging events if money was available.

d.      Nidderdale Strategic Partnership

Invitation to lunch and meeting 21 January 2010

Event had been postponed and would be rearranged.

e.      NYCC

Letter re winter gritting and reduction in gritting of some Priority 2 roads to conserve stocks.

f.        YLCA (Yorkshire Local Councils Association)
Notification of Harrogate Branch meeting 9 February.  Cllrs Hullah and Anderson to attend
Paper re Parish Charter to be discussed at that meeting.  Information in Circulation Papers. 
Cllrs to give feedback to Cllrs Hullah or Anderson.

g.      Harrogate Borough Council
Update on commuted sums available, and Open Spaces registered.
Clerk to check and take appropriate action.

h.      NYCC
Request for confirmation that Darley will opt out of grasscutting service provided by NYCC.
It was agreed that this should be confirmed.      Clerk to action.

i.        NYCC
Acknowledgement of letter from Council re school choices.

Other correspondence put into Circulation Papers

1001/14    Possible Item re Parish Council policy on 10/10

Cllr Flynn withdrew this item.

1001/15    Minor Matters & Items for the Next Agenda

a.       Footpaths.  To consider possible action regarding unsafe or dangerous stiles in the parish.

b.       Parking near Stumps Lane junction.  To review current state and consider options.

1001/16    Circulation Papers
were passed to Cllr Flynn for circulation.  To be returned to Clerk by 16 February

1001/17    Date of Next Meeting

Monday 22 February 2010 from 7.30p.m. in Darley Memorial Hall

N.B.  Meeting may start earlier if presentation on Disaster Planning is arranged.

Then 29 March 2010

These Minutes are published subject to their approval by the next meeting of the Council.