Agenda and minutes

Residents had the opportunity to speak informally with Councillors Steward and Gillies.  PCSOs Thompson and Piercy were on-hand to provide advice on home security. Ward grant application forms were available and residents were able to complete a survey relating to ward priorities.

Before Agenda item 1 the Police were invited to give an update.

PCSO Thompson provided an overview of crime, crime prevention and policing in the Ward.  It was noted that they are still working on the old ward boundaries and therefore crime figures for Copmanthorpe were also included in the report and that Skelton figures were excluded.

Burglaries - PCSO Thompson reported that there had been an increase in burglaries in Poppleton and that these had tended to be at vulnerable premises. A number of arrests have been made.  It was noted that spikes in the number of burglaries in both Copmanthorpe and Poppleton accounted for much of the increase in figures.  It was reported that cycle thefts were also on the increase.  New property marking equipment has been purchased and PCSOs will be visiting villages in the Ward with this equipment during the next couple of months.

Speeding – Whilst efforts are currently focussed on 3 main areas: Millfield Lane, Tadcaster Road and the A59 at Hessay, there are a number of other areas which are also being checked.  There have been 165 violations this year, two of which resulted in a summons.  PC Thompson reported that the North Yorkshire Police now have high vehicle data logging equipment to check and investigate problem roads.

Neighbourhood Watch - In response to a query, PCSO Thompson reported that a number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes do operate in the Rural West area.  The Police are able to put out messages to scheme contacts, who can then disseminate that information.

Ward Committtees - New Arrangements - Cllr Steward outlined the new arrangements around neighbourhood working, including the Ward committee, Ward team and Ward budgets.  Such arrangements have been designed to empower local residents and to support Ward members in identifying, developing and delivering on local priorities.  There is also budgetary devolvement to Wards for allocation to local priorities.

Ward Budget - The Ward budget for 2015/16 is as follows:

Pride in York Fund (One-Off)         £4,091

Pride in York Fund                          £7,912 *   

Community Grants Fund                £5,934

Community Care Fund                            £2,967

Highways Programme                    £9,890

(*reduced pro rata to £3,956 for the remainder of 2015/16)

General Ward Budget - Community groups are welcome to submit applications for grants under the Community Grants Fund.  It was noted that Parish Councils are now also eligible to apply for such grants.

Ward Highway Programme Budget - It was noted that the Ward Highway Programme Budget was in addition to the highways services already provided by the Council.  The Council is due to publish a list of their forthcoming highways schemes in priority order  in November and wards will be able to use the budget to do schemes lower down the list.  It was further noted that this budget could be carried forward into future years to fund a more significant scheme if this was deemed appropriate. 

Grounds Maintenance – Residents were provided with a copy of a spreadsheet detailing the grounds maintenance work carried out within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

See Agenda item 2

Broadband – Cllr Gillies reported that Askham Bryan, Askham Richard and Hessay will now all receive broadband.  This follows an agreement with BT that they will use telegraph poles rather than running the fibre optic cable underground.  This scheme has been brought forward from the original date of the first quarter of 2017.

It was noted that BT may not be able to improve broadband in some other areas and that BT has recommended an alternative supplier such as Virgin.  Cllr Gillies reported that discussions are ongoing with TalkTalk and Sky, both of whom have recently rolled out a broadband programme in the Rawcliffe and Clifton Without areas.

Transport – Cllr Gillies updated residents on public transport issues, including:

·        The n^o10 bus is now back on a 30 minute schedule

·        Dial & Ride now operates in Poppleton, providing a door-to-door service for people who cannot access public transport (timetables were available at the meeting).

·        The Council is aware that York does not have a central bus station.  There are currently no plans for development.

·        The Leeds-Harrogate-York train line is due for electrification, but not until 2023.  This should bring improvements to this service. 

In response to queries, residents noted that Transdev now provided a ‘night bus’ service into Poppleton.

Devolution – Cllr Steward gave an overview of York’s current position in relation to the government’s devolution of powers.

He explained that there are three options for York:

·        To become part of a block that included a number of West and North Yorkshire councils;

·        To become part of a York City region;

·        To become part of Greater Yorkshire (which would include all of Yorkshire except for South Yorkshire).

There are a number of factors to be taken into consideration with each option and the Council are canvassing views on where York is best placed.  Cllr Steward emphasised that this is a great opportunity for York.

Local Plan – Cllr Steward reported that it was hoped to submit the revised Local Plan early next year following the six week consultation period.  Whilst the plan did contain a limited amount of green belt development, much of the development was to take place on brown field sites.  In response to a query, Cllr Steward confirmed that in the planning process, ‘safeguarded’ land meant land that had been reserved for future development needs.  He confirmed that new housing would not be built on flood plains.

Kay Bailey reported that the first Poppleton Residents’ Association meeting took place last week with a dozen or so people attending.  The Association has a constitution and has been formally set up as a committee.  Meetings will be held monthly and there are vacancies for more residents to join.

There followed a general question and answer session during which the following issues were discussed:

·        The financial viability of the local Over 60s club

Action - Kay Bailey is to investigate whether it is possible to provide any financial support.

·        Poor surfacing of roads and pavements in areas of Poppleton, leading to significant puddles.

Kay Bailey commented that this may be eligible for considered under the Highways Fund.

·        Loss of the post box outside the post office making it further for older residents to walk to one.

Action - Cllr Gillies advised that he was pursuing the issue with the GPO and that a couple of new sites have been suggested.

·        Extension of the 20mph zone along Main Street in Poppleton

Cllr Gillies explained that the length of this zone was determined by the proximity of the primary school.

Residents were thanked for their participation in the meeting.  Whilst the date of the next meeting is yet to be confirmed, it is likely to take place in January 2016.  The date will be publicised within the Ward and sent directly to those residents who have provided their contact details.