MINUTES of the ENVIRONMENT, MAINTENANCE & ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING of BURLEY PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 19th May 2014 at Queen’s Hall, Burley in Wharfedale

Present: Cllr Chris Hill (Chair) Cllr David Nuttall Cllr Peter Beaumont Cllr Sylvia Tilford Allot rep Peter Burnell Cllr Sandra Pearson BVWG rep Peter Riley

Clerk: Ian Orton

M001/1415 Election of Chair It was proposed by Cllr Nuttall and seconded by Cllr Tilford that Cllr Hill be elected as Chair for 2014-15.

M002/1415 Chair’s remarks Cllr Hill thanked everyone and asked for nominations for Vice Chair.

M003/1415 Election of Vice Chair It was proposed by Cllr Pearson and seconded by Cllr Tilford that Cllr Nuttall be elected as Vice Chair for 2014 -15.

M004/1415 Apologies Cllr Beaumont, Cllr Bottomley, Cllr Grimshaw, Bruce Speed and Juliette Newsham had sent apologies; these were received and accepted.

M005/1415 To receive any disclosures of interest None

M006/1213 To consider written requests for a dispensation on any matter to be discussed. None requested.

M007/1415 Public Participation There were no representatives from the public.

M008/1415 Minutes of the previous meeting Proposed by Cllr Nuttall Seconded by Cllr Pearson RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting on 17th April 2014 be accepted as a true and accurate record and accepted accordingly

M009/1415 Clerk’s Report The clerk indicated he would present relevant comments as items were discussed from the agenda.

M010/1415 Village Green The clerk reported that complaints had been received about the state of grass on the village green and more cuts were needed. The Committee noted the concern but did not wish to take on the responsibilities of Bradford MDC. Cllr Tilford indicated that more volunteers were needed to support the monthly Village Green sessions. The clerk confirmed the Village Green would be cut in time for the Duck Race.

Environment, Maintenance & Allotments Committee – 19th May 2014

Signed Date M011/1415 Open Gardens Scheme The Clerk confirmed 8 gardens were now signed up for the Open Gardens Scheme; as some people had indicated they preferred just one day for Open Gardens it was agreed the event would take place just on Saturday 21st June 10am to 4pm. The clerk thanked the Chair for including his own garden for the event.

M012/1415 Prospect Road Allotments The clerk confirmed the annual skip would be delivered on Saturday 24th May and collected Saturday 31st May. Peter Burnell asked if letters had gone to the tenants at plots 1 to 8 about the hedges needed trimming and the state of the paths. The clerk said he had written about the hedges but not the paths as section 5.3 of the agreement was a little ambiguous on the subject. It was agreed the agreement needed revising and it was requested that new draft regulations be brought to the next meeting. The clerk thanked Peter Burnell for turning on the water given his recent injury to his thumb.

M013/1415 Aireville Terrace Allotments The clerk tabled a photography showing the constructive changes to plot 2b. Some members felt that raised beds were not in keeping with the ethos of an allotment and it was agreed this could be discussed during the revising of the regulations.

M014/1415 East End Allotments The clerk gave details of the AGM of East End allotments Society on 1st June. Cllr Nuttall agreed to attend to represent the Parish Council.

M015/1415 Burley Public Toilets: Update Bradford MDC had indicated that they might not be able to maintain the public toilet around Le Tour. The clerk confirmed that to ensure the toilet was operational he would obtain sufficient toilet tissue etc from Bradford MDC to meet anticipated demand.

M016/1415 Burley House Field 1. Tree in Wood Head Beck. Cllr Nuttall and Bruce Speed met the contractor who proposed lifting out the whole tree and root ball and placing it in a hollow about 20 feet upstream, where it should continue to grow. Any dieback can be removed later by our volunteer group. This was agreed at a cost of £75. 2. Botanical Survey. The purpose of the survey is to establish the species and habitats present, their distribution and abundance to serve as a baseline for future monitoring. Data collected will allow description referenced to National Vegetation Classification for grasslands. The survey involves five or more quadrats in representative stands of vegetation, using GPS to allow the quadrats to be revisited. The Friends agreed that this survey should be carried out and feel it will help our volunteers with the proposed regular monitoring. The cost of the survey and the report is £650 (ex VAT), and we hope the EMA Committee will endorse this proposal. If a digital map is supplied, the cost is £66 plus VAT. 3. Ha-ha. It is proposed to include both a request for unwanted stone (we will collect), and a request to the public to subscribe for stone (“Buy a Stone”), in the next Parish Newsletter. A photograph showing progress will be provided. 4. Festival Week. In addition to the Kite-making Workshop and possible inclusion in the village Treasure Hunt, it is proposed that a dry-stone walling course will take place on 16th August including children’s walling with plastic stones, assisted by the local Association. 5. Mowing Regime. The mowing programme previously agreed has been endorsed by recent research, showing that a first cut after 15th July and leaving at least 10% untouched is good for other wildlife that requires long grass, e. g. grasshoppers. Whilst we are largely in the hands of the farmer to cut, bale and remove at the optimum time, I believe our agreed regime is in line with best practice.

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Signed Date Safety. A risk assessment is in draft form and will be finalised at our next meeting. The Committee endorsed the report from the Friends of Burley House Field.

M017/1415 Maintenance & Appearance of the Village Concern was raised about the increasing number of professional dog walkers using facilities in the village, the clerk confirmed that Leeds MDC state ‘no more than 4 dogs’ however Bradford MDC have no such byelaw. It was agreed to refer to Council to approach Bradford MDC re this issue.

The clerk gave details of the recent lopping of trees on Bradford MDC land on St Michaels Way. Although the adjacent neighbours understood the dangers of high trees they missed the lopped trees and had requested the parish council replant with new trees. Agreed a report come to the next meeting.

Some trees on the old railway line at the top of Heather Rise had been removed and concern was raised if this had been carried out without permission, the clerk to check with Bradford MD.

M018/1415 Update from Burley Village Wildlife Group Peter Riley updated on the reed beds confirming that the majority of the beds were growing back. He explained that the crowds anticipated for Le Tour might damage the natural habitat on both of the roundabouts on the A65 route. It was confirmed Peter and the clerk will put signs up the week before Le Tour to protect the habitat but if cut of the grass is required prior to Le Tour this should be left for Peter to negotiate with Bradford MDC.

M019/1415 Minor items and items for the next agenda The clerk proposed to bring a report on Green Dog Walkers.

M020/1415 Date of next meeting Monday 30th June 2014 at 7pm This was agreed.

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Signed Date