Agenda and minutes

Your chance to visit the mobile Police station and find out more about Environmental Protection, Youth Services and York’s World Heritage Bid. Your Ward Councillors, Street Environment Officer and Neighbourhood Management Officer will also be available to answer your questions.

i.Councillor Wiseman introduced the meeting and the minuets of the last meeting were approved. 

ii. Q. What action has been taken regarding item 6?

A. JS has passed to highways and will ask for a progress report.

Your chance to find out more about youth provision in the area.

i. Sharron Hutchinson, Youth Services Area Team Leader outlined current youth provision in the ward.

In Strensall detached youth work continues weekly. Efforts are currently being made to use the primary school as a venue for youth activities.

The Urbie bus is in Stockton on the Forest  between 7:00pm and 9:00pm every Monday. They currently have several young people attending regularly.

ii. Youth Services would like to  meet with Parish Councils to enable co-ordinated work around youth provision. Action: SH and Parish Councils to arrange.

iii. Q. Is the youth club at Huntington Secondary School for everyone in the school?

A. Yes it is so young people from the ward can be involved as many of them attend Huntington School.

iv. Q. How can you find out what young people want?

A. Youth Services go to school assemblies etc and get information by word of mouth.

v. Q. Have Youth Services got any data on what young people in Stockton on the Forest want?

A. No, there are only a few young people involved with Urbie in Stockton on the Forest. 

vi. Q. Could Youth Service get ideas from younger people in Primary Schools?

A. Youth Services remit is to work with young people between thirteen and nineteen. However, this possibility is being looked into.

Find out about noise, light and other kinds of pollution and what you can do about it.

i. Alison Brown, Environmental Protection Officer, gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining the work of the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU).

EPU investigate a range of complaints concerning noise, odour, smoke, dust and light. EPU will investigate complaints and take action against anyone causing a statutory nuisance. They also review planning and licensing application to prevent nuisances from developing.

ii. Q. When does an intruder alarm become a nuisance?

A. If an intruder alarm continues for more than twenty minutes it can be dealt with as a statutory nuisance. EPU can obtain a warrant to switch off the alarm, the owner will then be billed for this. Residents with intruder alarms are advised to send details of key holders to EPU or the Police.

iii. Q. What are the regulations concerning bonfires lit by developers on building sites?

A. Some developers do have exemption to burn wood. However, if dark smoke is being produced (this would occur if rubber or cable is being burnt) please report this immediately as it is an offence.

iv. Q. Do EPU deal with fly tipping?

A. No, your Street Environment Officer, Angus Young, can deal with this.

v. Q. Do EPU deal with endangered species?

A. No, this is dealt with by organisations such as the English Heritage Trust.

vi. Q. Do EPU deal with traveller? There is a particular problem on Towthorpe Road.

A. This is an issue for Street Environment. Action: JS to pass on concerns to Angus Young.

vii. Q, What can be done about fireworks not on bonfire night?

A. EPU can deal with this nuisance before 11:00pm after which the Police can deal with it.

viii. Q. Can EPU deal with fire alarms?

A. If there is no fire and they are causing a nuisance EPU can deal with them.

A discussion of the 2008-09 ward budget priority list.

i. Councillor Wiseman explained that the provisional priority list for local improvement schemes for 2008/2009 has been approve by the ward committee.  These schemes are subject to budget availability, feasibility and legality.

Residents were asked for final comments.

ii. An Earswick resident announced that planning for the Scented Garden (ST-08-07) project is underway.

iii. Q. Regarding ST-08-01, where would the street lights be?

A. At the end of the road where it is dark.

iv. Q. Why was ST-08-06 (to place seating in the Garden Village, Earswick) not included on the provisional list?

A. This area is not CYC adopted land and is not owned by the Parish Council so ward committee funds cannot be used.

v. Q. How many people voted?

A. Two hundred and sixty people returned ballot papers.

vi. It was commented that this does seem a good method of allocating ward funds.

Your opportunity to raise issues and concerns with your ward councillors.

i. It was commented on that Stockton on the Forest seems to have got dirtier.

The ward committee are aware of this. Specific problems need reporting to Street Scene.

ii. Q. What is done in Stockton on the Forest about the litter problem?

A. The Parish Council go on walkabouts with Angus Young, Street Environment Officer, every month to identify particular problems.

iii. There is a particular problem with cleanliness between Ox Car Lane and Lord Moor Lane in Strensall. Action: JS to ask Angus Young to follow up.

The white lines also need replacing. Action: JS to refer for follow up.

iv. Drains in Earswick are blocked with leaves along Strensall Road and The Village. Action: JS to ask Angus Young to follow up.

v. It was requested that drainage is included on the agenda for the next meeting. Action: SW to ask a member of the Foss Internal Drainage Board to attend.