Minutes of January 2010 Parish Council Meeting

Held on Wednesday the 20th at 7:00pm in the Village Hall.

Present Visitors:
  1. Mr. Mark A Skelton, prospective purchaser of a village house.
    2. Mr. Skelton was requested to outline the problem he had concerning the purchase of a house fronting to the village green, for which the vendors solicitor had requested a right-of-way across the green from BPC and also acknowledgement that the BPC did not claim ownership of a part of the property jutting onto the green . BPC as custodians (not owners) of The Green, are unable to provide this, but could provide an easement only for access to the property. Two councillors who have properties fronting the green stated that they had solved their access problem with such easements backed by indemnity insurance policies, as have several other owners of properties abutting The Green. The council agreed to use their best efforts to alleviate the problem whilst maintaining their legal obligations as custodians of The Green. Further discussions took place regarding the porch at 14 The Green. All documents held by Bishopton Parish Council show that the Village Green goes up to the front wall of the property and that the porch is in fact on The Green. Suggestions were made to Mr Skelton as to how he might overcome this problem.
    Mr. Skelton left the meeting at 7.25pm.

  2. Mr. Steve Ainsley, Resident, Bishopton.
    3. Mr, Ainsley reported on several aspects of the traffic speeding problems experienced in the village following the negative response to requests for further monitoring from DBC. Several documents covering traffic problems in rural villages were presented to the BPC by Mr. Ainsley and will be copied by him to the clerk for dissemination to the BPC. Discussions concerning traffic safety not related simply to speeding, and to perceived rather than experienced dangers (i.e. the likelihood of a fatality rather than an actual one) indicated that traffic calming could be introduced without actual evidence of speeding. A survey of the villagers and users of the village roads such as the numerous cyclists and horse riders as well as pedestrians was considered. Further actions are planned to make Bishopton safer.
    Mr. Ainsley left the meeting at 7.40pm.

  1. Apologies
    1. Cllr P Slater
    2. Cllr B Jones - representative for Darlington Borough Council

  2. Declaration of interest in items on the agenda
    1. Cllr P Bence declared an interest in Manor Farm development.

  3. Approval of previous minutes
    1. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, amended, agreed and signed by the Chairperson as a true record of the December 2009 meeting.

  4. Matters arising from previous minutes
    1. Football Pitch Facility
      2. Letter received from Mr. and Mrs. Brannen outlining conditions they will apply to further use of the field. The BPC assigned Councillor Fieldhouse to respond.
    2. Traffic Thru' Village
      3. See visitors above

  5. Planning matters
    1. Field No. 5542, Cobby Castle Lane 09/00649/FUL
      2. An amended planning application was received by BPC and discussed. It was decided that the original conditions made by BPC in their Conditional Acceptance must stand, and, as the amended planning application broached these conditions, BPC must object to the granting of planning permission. Accordingly, a letter of objection was sent to DBC.
    2. Glebe Farm
      3. Nothing official received at present.
    3. Hill Top
      4. No developments since last meeting.
    4. Moor House Wind Farm
      5. No Developments
    5. No. 5 Anesty Court
      6. Awaiting documents, not yet received.

  6. Matters raised by councillors
    1. Tree Felling
      2. Three quotations received. Clerk instructed to place contract with
    2. Salvation Army Band at Carol Service.
      3. Clerk instructed to write letter of thanks and request a booking for 21st. December 2010.
    3. Standards Committee meeting.
      4. BPC was not represented.
    4. NEEP North East Empowerment Partnership Meeting
      5. BPC elected not to attend.
    5. Internet /email facilities for Villagers
      6. BPC decided to take no action as most villagers already have these facilities.
    6. Bus Shelter at west end of village.
      7. Clerk instructed to write to Streetscene agreeing to removal of shelter.

  7. Village Green
    1. Damage to green by vehicles
      2. Persistent driving of vehicles across the village green has been reported. Clerk instructed to write to DBC solicitor to ascertain what powers/sanctions BPC have to discourage this.
      Tree that was knocked down by vehicle in snow outside 1, The Green has been replanted.

  8. Wind Farm Proposal
    1. Cllr P Wood reported that a new planning application has been made for six turbines at Thomsons Farm, Lambs Hill. These would be visible from Bishopton.

  9. New Residents
    1. Cllr Fieldhouse was deputed to deliver Welcome Packs to new residents at Manor Farm.

  10. Financial
    1. Income
      2. A payment of £500 was received from the Village Hall Committee towards the cost of the new Village Hall boiler.
    2. Expenditure
      3. A cheque for £40 was authorised to pay for hire of the Supper Room in the Village Hall for BPC meetings during the past four months.
      A cheque for £41.12 was authorised to pay the invoice for the replacement BPC laptop computer battery.

  11. Correspondence
    1. Incoming
      2. Village Hall Information Sheet 2 for Parish Council Help for Village Halls, as requested from Peter Bryan of ACRE by the clerk – thanks sent.
      Letter from resident G Baines concerning planning application 09/00649/FUL.
      Letter from DBC Planning regarding amended planning application 09/00649/FUL
      Quotations for removal of dead sycamore tree adjacent to war memorial from three contractors.
      Letter from Close Thornton (Solicitors) and supporting documents regarding access rights and other matters related to proposed purchase of 14, The Green.
      Letter from Mr. and Mrs. Brannen regarding football field.
      Letter from DBC regarding Holocaust Memorial Ceremony 2010 at Arts Centre, 1.0pm on 27/01/2010.
      Letter from Parish Church Committee regarding 2010 Salvation Army Band.
      Letters from DBC regarding actions required for bus shelter at west end of village and light permanently on outside Anagre House.
    2. Outgoing
      3. Letter to DBC regarding wind farm development at Moor House, Great Burdon.
      Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Brannen regarding football field.
      Letter to Mrs. E. Brown regarding land.

  12. Next Meeting
    13. Village Hall at 7.00pm on 17th. February, 2010.

    Cllr. P. Bence left meeting 8.45pm.

  13. Manor Farm
    14. BPC was updated on progress and a copy of letter from Mr & Mrs Bence to the Planning Department was received.

    Meeting closed 8.47pm.

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