MINUTES of the ENVIRONMENT, MAINTENANCE & ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING of BURLEY PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 9th March 2015 at Queen’s Hall, Burley in Wharfedale
Present: Cllr Chris Hill (Chair) Cllr David Nuttall Cllr Sandra Pearson Cllr John Grimshaw Cllr Sylvia Tilford Friends BHF rep Bruce Speed BVWG rep Peter Riley Cllr Mike Wild
Clerk: Ian Orton
M135/1415 Chair’s remarks Cllr Hill welcomed everyone to the meeting.
M136/1415 Apologies Cllr Stuart Bottomley, Cllr Peter Beaumont, Pete Burnell and Juliette Newsham
M137/1415 To receive any disclosures of interest None
M138/1415 To consider written requests for a dispensation on any matter to be discussed. None requested.
M139/1415 Public Participation There were no members of the public present.
M140/1415 Minutes of the previous meeting Proposed by Cllr John Grimshaw Seconded by Cllr David Nuttall RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting on 26th January 2015 be accepted as a true and accurate record and accepted.
M141/1415 Clerk’s Report The clerk indicated he would present relevant comments as items were discussed from the agenda.
M142/1415 Village Green The clerk gave an update on progress with tree surgery adjacent to the Village Green, confirming that the land ownership of the relevant sites was being resolved with Bradford MDC. It was anticipated that the work should commence using our own contractors in the new financial year.
M143/1415 Request to name part of the Village Green Canada Gardens The clerk gave details of a request to name part of the Village Green Canada Gardens to commemorate the death of 19 Canadian soldiers who died in Burley in June 1944. Given that a plaque is in place and the event is not forgotten in the village, it was agreed the naming of part of the Village Green Canada Gardens was not required.
Environment, Maintenance & Allotments Committee – 9th March 2015
Signed Date M144/1415 Allotment Holders Meeting 2ND February 2015 The clerk read out the main points raised by the 6 allotment holders present at the meeting on 2 nd February 2015. It was agreed the Allotment Guidelines should be tightened up regarding trees so the wording stated only fruit trees should be grown and up to a height of 3 metres. The request for a toilet was not supported as the cheapest waterless toilet was £1500 plus £300 for disinfectant etc. The Committee supported the idea of an Allotments BBQ on 5th September 2015 but felt the allotment holders should organize the event.
M145/1415 Prospect Road Allotments As it still the ‘fallow’ season on the allotments there was no update. It was confirmed the skip would be delivered on Friday 22nd May and would be in place for a week.
M146/1415 Aireville Terrace Allotments Concern was raised about one of the Aireville Terrace allotments which was not being used for 75% cultivation. Cllr Pearson confirmed that the new guidelines inspection process will make the allotment inspections a lot more straightforward.
M147/1415 Oak Avenue Allotments Society There were no updates re Oak Avenue allotments.
M148/1415 Open Gardens 2015 The clerk confirmed Burley Open Gardens will be held on Saturday 20th June 2015. Bruce asked about the timescale of the opening and the clerk anticipated 11am to 3pm.
M149/1415 Burley House Field: Additional Recreational Use The clerk gave details of the Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire completed by 170 people. The Section Village Facilities within the Questionnaire when the community were asked how important 10 facilities such as recreation grounds and local shops were within Burley and voted Burley House Field 6 . As Burley House Field costs the parish council around £2500 a year the clerk asked if EMA Committee wished to consider adding some recreational facilities such as a Trim Trail to the encourage greater use of the field. It was noted Burley House Field has Village Green Planning Status and it is anticipated that Village Green’s should encourage recreational use as part of a healthy living regime. The suggestion was noted.
M150/1415 Burley House Field General Management: Bruce indicated that there had been complaints about the new plastic bench in Burley House Field both the colour and the seating being uncomfortable. The clerk stated that the plastic benches purchased in 2013 were not available anymore. Bruce gave details of the work carried out to cut back the ivy on the listed wall. It was agreed 2 tons of sand to keep down the mud for the area around two main gates into Burley House Field would be purchased in early April. Friends and Volunteers: Bruce confirmed the friends met on the second Sunday in the month. Budgets: The clerk indicated the BHF spend to date in the current year was £2492 and the draft budget for 2015-16 was £2500.
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Signed Date M151/1415 Maintenance & Appearance of the Village Cllr Grimshaw briefed the Committee on the work to date on creating a riverside pathway indicating that the various partners such as landowners and the Anglers Club were involved in the discussions.
After a discussion about dog pooh it was agreed to purchase three pooh bag dispensers for the Village Green and one each for the two entrances to Burley House Field. The dispensers would be reviewed and if they appeared to be helping people to ‘pick up’ then further dispensers in the village would be considered.
M152/1415 Update from Burley Village Wildlife Group Peter Riley gave details of the winter work being carried out by the Group and the beginnings of very early spring. He also confirmed that Bradford MDC would cut the verges in July and October. Peter provided an update on the Paint Balling Planning Application for Catton Woods.
M153/1415 Minor items and items for the next agenda It was agreed that part of the hanging baskets partnership funding to Burley Community Trust should be spent on barrier baskets. Given that barrier baskets take up more room and when watered can be a slight hazard it was agreed it was essential to agree the best sites for them. It was agreed 4 baskets plus plants etc would be purchased from the hanging basket project funds.
M154/1415 Date of next meeting Monday 20th April 2015 at 7.00pm
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Signed Date