Parish Council Meeting 17^th November 1999

The meeting opened promptly at 7:30, with six councillors present and Clr. Hirst in the chair. Apologies were received, the previous minutes were accepted, with no matters arising.

There was no change in the Backdale Quarry situation. Two Planning Applications were approved, one for a change of use from holiday cottage to residential property at Castcliffe Barn, Long Lane, Wardlow, the second a retrospective approval for the erection of a shed at 1 Glebe Court, Great Longstone. Approvals from the PPPB were noted for the continued use of a tailings dam at what was Laportes, but also approval for the addition of roof lights at The Farm, Main Street, Great Longstone. The Parish Council had actually refused this application at an earlier meeting, on the grounds that it was out of character with the rest of the building, and very visible. It seems the PC’s decision has been overturned by the PPPB.

Financial Matters: The balances were £1000 in the current account, £6,144.86 on deposit. Several minor payments were approved. Much of the remainder of the meeting was taken up in setting the precept (the money the Parish Council raises from householders in the parish, via the Council Tax) for the year 2000/2001.

Most routine expenses were expected to be the same as this year, so the amounts were simply carried forward to next year. The refurbishment of the play area on Longstone Recreation Ground will continue. This is quite an expensive process; for example it is planned to put a safety surface beneath the big slide, which will cost about £3000. All work on the play area should be completed in the year 2000/1, and hopefully there will be no further expense in the area for several years. Funds will be required for the millennium celebrations (for example the free children’s mugs) and this was added to the budget. Longstone School extension is complete, so no further donations will be required. The plight of Under Fives Group, who have just had their rent raised dramatically, was considered. However in light of the promise of a donation from next year’s Art Show profits, the PC felt further funds would not be required in 2000, although consideration will be given to providing assistance in 2001/2002. The cost of replacing the notice board by the bus shelter on Main Street was taken into account. The anticipated legal costs incurred in the transfer of the allotment land were added to the budget. The final figure came to £7700, about £800 less than last year.

Nothing to report on the Village Hall, the Playground Equipment, or Village Cross.

For the Millennium, still nothing has definitely been decided, but a millennium meeting was due to take place the day after the PC meeting. The order for the Millennium Mugs will be submitted shortly. A mug will be given free to each child in Longstone under 16, and additional mugs will be available for purchase. Some discussion about a beacon fire for 31^st December took place. The PC felt this was a good idea and resolved to start planning it.

The Allotment Land transfer has started, but it will be a lengthy job due to various legal complications. The PC will have to pay any legal costs, but felt these would be well worthwhile as the land would be a valuable asset to the village.

Under the agenda item Maintenance it was suggested that the footpath down from Thornhill House to Main Street required attention, as it was becoming rather messy and it is a heavily used path. The PC will review the site and decide what remedial work needs to be done.

The Feemouth Yard resurfacing work is now with the Diocesan authorities.

Verges: Complaints have been received about the use of cones to "reserve" parking spaces near the Post Office. People with restricted mobility are often unable to park near the Post Office and either have to come back later or park on the main road. On many occasions the cones are left out all day, which the PC felt was in no way justifiable. The road in front of the Post Office is a public highway and no one has any more right to park there than anyone else. A second, related matter was the increasingly common practise of parking on pavements, particularly on Main Street. It is illegal to obstruct pavements, the way must be left clear so that wheelchairs (of which there are several in regular use about the village) and pushchairs do not have to go onto the road to get past. As both these issues are within the remit of the Highways Authority, the Council resolved to write a letter asking action to be taken against offenders. As well as this, parishioners are reminded that the cones have no legal standing and can be removed should anyone wish to park.

The finals of the Best Village competition will be in London on 6^th December. Clrs Cox and Hirst will be attending. Fingers crossed – fame for Longstone at last?

A site meeting has been held with the company responsible for Glass Recycling. Despite the fact that large vehicles managed to deliver materials for the school extension and GLSAC used to get a bus onto the Lion car park, the company insisted that it is not possible to get a larger vehicle up the side of the White Lion, and so bigger bins cannot be used. In lieu of this, they have said they will attempt weekly emptyings instead of the current fortnightly. Also, the bins are to be relocated further away from the school field in an attempt to prevent injuries due to broken glass.

Concern has been raised about rumoured proposals to base part of the DDDC cleansing fleet in Great Longstone Business Park. The full facts are not known, but it appears permission for up to eight vehicles to be based there will be sought. It is believed these will be road sweepers and the vans used by road cleaning gangs. It is not believed that any dustbin lorries will be included, so there will be no out of hours working except in emergencies.

Correspondence:

As a follow on to a letter discussed last month, about the misuse of the bus shelter a toilet, a reply was received from the PPPB to a letter claimed to have been sent by the Parish Council. This letter suggested the conversion of Ash House (the ruin next to the White Lion) to a toilet and amenity block. The PC is unaware of any such letter being sent. Anyhow, the PPPB refused this plan out of hand. As far as is known, Ash House remains unsold, as none of the bids were large enough.

A request has been received for a donation towards the cost of making a "nature trail" footpath in the small plantation that used to be the Sewage Works. The PC felt the area should be left in its natural state, and encouraging visitors would only cause other problems. No donation will be given, and the PC will not support the creation of the trail.

The next meeting will be on 15^th December, at 7:30pm in the Village Hall. All are welcome to attend.