Minutes of the Meeting of Burley Parish Council held remotely via video conferencing on Thursday 8th October 2020 at 7.30pm

Present: Councillor Duncan Ault Councillor Debbie Cox Councillor Bob Felstead Councillor Jan Lepley (Chair) Councillor Gary Scott Councillor Chris Turner Councillor Mike Wild

Officers: Clare Smith (Clerk)

085/2021 Item 1 – Chairman’s Remarks Councillor Lepley welcomed those present to the meeting.

086/2021 Item 2 – Apologies for Absence All members were present.

087/2021 Item 3 – Disclosures of Interest No declarations of interest were made in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 s32 and the relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 from Members or Officers.

088/2021 Item 4 – Dispensation Requests None requested.

089/2021 Item 5 – Public Participation No members of the public were present.

090/2021 Item 6 – Minutes of the Previous Meeting Proposed by Councillor Chris Turner Seconded by Councillor Mike Wild RESOLVED that the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 10th September 2020 be accepted as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the Queens Hall reopening date being amended to ‘September’.

091/2021 Item 7 – Matters arising from Previous Minutes There were no matters arising.

092/2021 Item 8 – Minutes of Council Committees It was RESOLVED that the following minutes be accepted by the Council: 8.1 Staffing Committee – 14th September 2020; 7:30pm 8.2 Library Committee –22nd September 2020; 9:00am 8.3 Planning Committee – 28th September 2020; 7:30pm

093/1819 Item 9 – Parish Council Vacancy It was noted that the vacancy had now been advertised and no petition had been submitted by members of the public to call for an election. The Parish Council was therefore authorised to fill the casual vacancy by co-option. 1

RESOLVED: That the vacancy will be advertised in the November hard copy newsletter, on the website, the Facebook page and in the local press. Interested parties would be invited to observe the December Council meeting and the successful candidate would be co-opted at a meeting in January 2021.

094/2021 Item 10 - Finance

10.1 Schedule of Receipts and Payments (September 2020) RESOLVED: The schedule of receipts and payments for September 2020 was approved.

10.2 Bank Reconciliation September 2020 RESOLVED: The bank reconciliation for September 2020 was approved.

10.3 Budget Report – Year to Date (at 30th September 2020) Overall, the anticipated final result for the year is now a small surplus of £14,530 (compared with an original budgeted deficit of £4,770) a favourable variance of £19,300. The balances brought forward at the beginning of the year were £136,431.

The reasons for the main anticipated variances from budget are as follows:

(i) Income of £15,550 and £10,000 from for covid related grants for rates rebate and small business funding respectively. These are shown as administration income (ii) Lower admin expenses (£7,200) than budget mainly election costs not needed and lower building project costs. (iii) Higher parks expenses (£1,000) as a result of improvements in Grange Park (drainage and paths) (iv) Allotment income will be higher than anticipated (£2000) as we are changing the calendar year to January so will have 18 months income this year (v) Lower library income (£4,000) due to Covid restrictions in place but slightly lower costs (£1500) to compensate. (vi) Significantly lower Q H income (£15,000) with very little from rentals anticipated this financial year apart from Blood Donor sessions. Income from Jolly Tots rent benefits from a new lease and charging electricity although they received a 3-month rent holiday during the lock down. (vii) Expenses for the Queens Hall are likely to be slightly below budget with lower salaries (no overtime) and reduced utility bills. Major refurbishment (approx. £5000) is currently taking place in Jolly Tots area of the Queens Hall. (viii) The extra grant income highlighted in (i) is mainly to compensate for the Queens Hall income shortfall. (ix) Roundhouse income will benefit from the longer term let to a local business. (x) The roof work on the RH and toilet block have been completed satisfactorily. (xi) Although D of E regular meetings are suspended due to Covid restrictions there is some online activity and the expeditions for the 3 levels are taking place this Autumn. A financial review of this activity will take place after the October half term holiday. There has also been a recent meeting with Bradford Youth Services to review ongoing youth provision and training in Burley. (xii) Public Works Loan Board loan repayment and interest is made 6-monthly with 2 payments in the financial year. (xiii) Salary levels for this year are anticipated to be slightly below the original budget (no weekend overtime in Queens Hall)

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10.4 Banking Arrangements The Clerk reported that there were currently some issues with the banking arrangements especially around adding new payees to the system which was causing a lot of inconvenience. The local branch was also listed for closure in early 2021. The Clerk circulated information about business banking arrangements and charges for several well-known banks. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk be given approval to change the Council’s current account provider to Unity Bank Trust.

095/2021 Item 11 – Action Plan & Capital Expenditure Plan The Council’s action plan was reviewed and updated (see Action Plan).

096/2021 Item 12 – Car Parking Strategy Burley Parish Council has engaged in discussion with Bradford Traffic and Highways on a number of improvements to traffic concerns in the village. The following proposals were put forward for consideration as an initial starting point.

(i) 20 MPH Zone through Burley Previous discussions on the key issues in the village as part of the Neighbourhood Planning activities suggested support for 20mph scheme through the village. However, proposals were dropped when Bradford Traffic and Highways advised that they were unable to support. Legislation has since changed and after further requests, Bradford Traffic and Highways would be able to support with the legal requirements of such a scheme but could not fund it in its entirety. The estimated cost of the scheme in its entirety is £55k. (ii) Parking Improvements – Grange Road One-Way System & Echelon (nose in) parking As in many commuter communities, car parking is an ongoing challenge. As part of our Neighbourhood Plan we committed to promote a suitable level of car parking in accessible locations. One proposal to create additional car parking in the village is to create a one-way system along Grange Road, and allow ‘nose in’ parking along one side of the road. Grange Road is in the centre of the village and as such we believe it has potential to be used for station parking as well as shops. This scheme would require two Traffic Regulation Orders: one for the one-way system and one for yellow lines to stop cars parking on one side of the road. The estimated cost of this project is £18k. Alternatively safety would be much improved if the current parking along both sides of the road remained but a one-way system was put in place. (iii) Speeding on the Bypass Bradford Council has committed to carry out a camera assessment on the bypass by mid-November. Funding for a such a scheme would be required from Bradford Council. Normally the justification for speed cameras is based on casualties, but where it is not appropriate to wait for fatalities to occur there is a scheme in the pipeline (Random Road Watch) which might provide funding for schemes like this. However, no date has been provided for the implementation of this scheme. Reducing the speed limit on the bypass has been considered but Bradford do not believe this can be realistically achieved without dangerous driving taking place i.e. fast drivers will continue to overtake law abiding drivers who are now driving slower.

It was RESOLVED that the Council supports, in principle, a one-way system along Grange Road (travelling one-way from west (Station Road) to east (Back Lane) on the basis of further investigation. The parking along Grange Road would remain on both sides of the road to maximise parking provision but one side should have a time restriction imposed.

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It was FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council supports, in principle, the implementation of a 20mph zone for the village and commits to further investigation being carried out.

097/2021 Item 13 – Greenway Update

13.1 Councillor Scott reported that a (virtual) meeting has been arranged with Sustrans and the biodiversity consultant to summarise the feedback issued to Burley Parish Council from Bradford Council as part of the planning application submitted to them, to address the comments made and agree the action points required to progress.

13.2 A resident of Greenfields Way had contacted the Council regarding the embankment of a stream and the flow of water at the rear of Greenfields Way. It was agreed that the BMDC Senior Drainage Officer should be consulted to obtain some expert advice on the matter and that a site visit should be arranged.

098/2021 Item 14 – Grange Park

14.1 Zip Wire and Play Equipment Both the zip wire and play equipment have been sourced from reputable suppliers who are on Bradford Parks Department’s approved list of suppliers. Three quotes have been obtained. The zip wire supports will be wooden to ensure it is sympathetic to the surroundings within the park. Other equipment will be within the fenced play area and will be brightly coloured and mainly metal. Equipment will be restricted to 4m in height and planning permission will therefore not be required. The play equipment will include an activity net, a new roundabout, a spin-a-bounce and other smaller balance and activity equipment.

Once orders are placed then installation should be between 6 to 10 weeks. The equipment will be purchased by Burley Parish Council for ownership, insurance and maintenance. The trustees of Community Trust have agreed in principle to fund a £30,779 contribution. Bradford Council has also confirmed the contribution from S106 funding generated by the Millstone Close development.

COSTS £ Zip Wire: Playdale 13,521 Play Equipment: Wicksteed 27,714 Fencing 1,580 Contingency 1,000 TOTAL COST 43,815

FUNDING Community Trust current fund 15,779 Community Trust extra funding 15,000 S106 Monies (Millstone Close) 8,022 CIL Monies (Queens Head) 2,840 Parish Council contribution 2,174 TOTAL FUNDING 43,815

It was RESOLVED that an order should be placed with Playdale for the zip wire (including installation) at a cost of £13,521 and an order should be placed with Wicksteed for the additional play equipment at a cost of £27,714.

14.2 Footpath The footpath in between Salem Church Hall and the play area is uneven and in need

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of repair due to tree root damage. Three quotes have been obtained for the work which vary from £7,000 to £2,000. It was RESOLVED that the quote from Chevin Landscapes to relay the paving stones at a cost of £1950 + VAT be accepted.

14.3 Litter Bins To refer this matter to the Community & Environment Committee.

099/2021 Item 15 – Noticeboards It was agreed that Cllr Lepley would assist the office staff with updating the noticeboards at the library, and the village green. The Assistant Clerk will prepare the notices to be displayed so that all noticeboards were up to date and displayed the same information.

100/2021 Item 16 – Sustainability Policy This item was deferred to the next Council meeting due to time constraints.

101/2021 Item 17 – Reports from Councillors – Other Meetings Attended

Cllr Wild reported that he had attended a meeting of the Scouts Executive and it had been agreed that £40 would be requested from each member to assist with the ongoing costs of the upkeep of the Scouts and Guides building throughout the Covid pandemic.

The Clerk reported that she had attended the BMDC Parish Liaison meeting. A decision had been taken to cancel Remembrance Services and parades across the district due to Covid. One central service will be held at Bradford . Attendance will be by invitation only and a live stream of the service will be available to the public. Further communication was expected shortly but it was thought that local organisations and groups would be invited to lay wreaths informally throughout Remembrance week.

Cllr Lepley reported that the a joint decision by the Community Trust and the Summer Festival had to cancel the Christmas Market due to Covid.

102/2021 Item 18 – Report from Councillors – Concerns Raised by Members of the Public Cllr Lepley reported that a member of the public had raised a concern over easements and encroachment onto public land at various locations throughout the village. This would be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

103/2021 Item 19 – Diary Dates Finance Committee – 12th October 2020; 7:30pm Community & Environment Committee – 19th October 2020; 6:30pm Planning Committee – 19th October 2020; 8pm Staffing Committee – 22nd October 2020; 7:30pm Library Committee – 2nd November 2020; 9:00am Planning Committee – 9th November 2020; 7:30pm Full Council – 12th November 2020; 7:30pm The meeting closed at 9:50pm

Signed (Chairman, Councillor Lepley): Date:

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