More than that, after an in depth investigative questionnaire, (HERE) and two public meetings with voting taken on this subject, it is equally apparent that there is little local apparent need for any affordable housing at this moment in time in the opinions of the villagers.
Now that the villagers have made their viewpoints clear, the duty of the Parish Council is to pass on those views to Craven District Council, meanwhile a Press Report has been sent to the local media, and may be seen HERE.
When it comes to important decisions such as this it is important to realise that the Parish Council must ask the public for their views, only then can we relate those views honestly to the District Council, and to the District Councillor. It may well appear to some that the Parish Council had set its mind down a particular path, this is untrue, we are simply determined to learn the truth of what the parishioners of Cowling want, and we will then fight for those things.
There can be no possible doubt that the District Councillor (Ady Green) and the leader of the District Council (Chris Knowles-Fitton) know exactly where the wishes of the people of Cowling lie, and this is due in part to the fact that new ‘affordable homes’ cost, at this moment in time, considerably more than many of the properties presently for sale in Cowling.
Having determined accurately and honestly the wishes of those people, then the District Council HAS to listen, for affordable housing on exception sites can only be granted if the people of that area genuinely need or want it.
It should not be granted in order that people from other areas, who would simply prefer to live in Cowling at a ‘cut price’ can be granted their desires, affordable housing is first and foremost for the people of that area, and their families.
If you feel that you would still wish to make your viewpoint known, then please write to Craven District Council via the District Councillor, details on the CONTACTS page, meanwhile a very large
THANK YOU
To all of you who turned out to the meeting, and empowered your Parish Council and councillors to work on your behalf.
Firebird Homes have purchased 4 houses from Skipton Properties at Acre Mill for affordable housing, so there will at least be 4 homes available although demand would appear to be much more limited than was the case some years ago.
There has been some mention that Craven District Council did not send any representatives to answer questions because the date was preselected by the Parish Council, and was unsuitable for those representatives.
This is incorrect, the date was accepted by two people from Craven District Council, Sarah Close and Wyn Ashton, with the possibility of a third, Guy Wilman, before invitations were sent to Manningham Housing, and it was 13 days later that the officers from CDC found themselves unable to attend the meeting at which they had earlier agreed to appear.
Our clerk also wrote to the Chief Executive requesting the attendance of an officer, and our County Councillor who chaired the meeting requested the attendance of an officer.
It was felt by the officer dealing with the site discussion that he could contribute but little as no application had been made, and that was his response.
The relevant e-mails are HERE
Toilets
The toilets in Cowling have closed, on April 1st, the letter telling us of the decision, which was made by Craven District Council, is HERE.
Our original letter in response is HERE, and our latest mail to CDC is HERE.
The cost of running the toilets is a little under £8,000 p.a. which would require a permanent increase of 25% in precept. The parish council does not have that money this year, and will ask the villagers for their decision for next year.
If you have any feelings on this matter please contact your district councillor, Ady Green, as the closure is a district council matter, not parish council.
Cowling Charities
Click HERE to see information regarding Cowling charities.
Old Cowling.
Picture courtesy Cowlingweb.
The people of Cowling turned out in force for this meeting, to let councillors know their feelings concerning affordable housing and a proposal to build on a greenfield site close to Acre Mill.
The Parish Council has maintained a neutral stance on this subject, needing to hear what the villagers wanted before deciding what position we would take.
That position is now very clear - the villagers do not want this site being turned into housing.
Click on the picture for news or old news items.
The Parish Council and the Village Hall Management Committee have sent in a request to Craven District Council that enforcement be carried out against the developer of the village hall to either complete the hall, or provide it ‘as is’ along with sufficient funds to allow for completion - over £200,000
A copy of that document may be seen HERE and any progress will be reported a soon as is known.
The parishioners of Cowling were asked, via a questionnaire in the newsletter, what they would like to see happen to the greenfield site, which lies to the south west of the Acre Mill development.
The voting forms were returned to a ballot box in the FM Café and this was unlocked at the July parish council meeting by our County Councillor. Almost half the residents posted their forms directly to the parish clerk, actually paying the postage themselves!
The questionnaire asked if residents wanted affordable housing on this greenfield site in Cowling It also asked for the residents wishes for the site should they not want to see affordable homes on the site.
The response was 222 votes; 100 by post and 122 in the box. Some people had also provided comments to clarify their views.
These are the results:
Want affordable homes 9 (3 did not want them on this greenfield site)
Do not want affordable homes 213
Want allotments 94
Want other 1 (playground)
Want site to remain greenfield 118
Summary (rounded to nearest percent):
3% want affordable homes on the greenfield site
1% want affordable homes elsewhere in the village
96% do not want affordable homes in Cowling at all. Of these:
42% want allotments on the site
53% want the site to remain as greenfield
1% want the site to become a playground or amenity site
To see some of the comments people have written, click HERE.
The Parish Council was not happy about the survey being undertaken by Arc 4, and said so in a letter to the council, click HERE to see that letter.
The Parish Council part has not been increased, instead it’s been reduced by 41% - A substantial amount, because we appreciate that any money we spend is really your money, and hard earned at that, so we do our best to safeguard it.
Regrettably the county and district councils, along with the fire and police authorities, have increased their demands, in the case of the district and county by the maximum they could without being capped by the government.
The amount now paid by a Band D home – the average – is over £1,500 a year, and to many on fixed incomes such as pensioners is their largest yearly outgoing, and one over which they have little or no control. We at the Parish Council have no control over the spending at district and county levels, but rest assured we have criticised those increases to the respective councillors. If you have any feelings on this subject, and would like to voice them, then contact details are on the ‘Contacts’ page above.
In amongst the smaller matters was an appeal by local developers Skipton Properties, regarding developing the former Carr Mill site.
In brief, the developer had requested consent to build 22 houses on the site, but Craven District Council had refused consent unless a proportion of those houses were deemed to be ‘affordable.’
The appeal was decided by an Inspector appointed by the Government, who granted permission for the construction of 22 houses. If it is shown by the developer that affordable housing is not viable as part of the scheme, then there will be no requirement to build any.
Full details are available HERE.
As Meerkat would say, “Simples!”
It’s happening.
North Yorkshire County Council representative, Cllr. Patrick Mulligan, informed us on Monday 12th that it’s going ahead. Some parts are made and in store, others are at the design stage, and somewhere near October is the estimated build date. The deadline is approaching for tendering stage, and the bridge is expected to be completed by September, before the new budget from the government.
Patrick has stated that a large deciding factor in this bridge matter has been the attitude of the people of Cowling. Seeing so many (around 150) turn out at the meeting where this was discussed had a real influence on North Yorkshire County Council.
So it’s down to YOU that we have had bridges replaced, and a new replacement under way – Time to give yourselves a pat on the back!
Other bridges have been replaced, and the only comments the council has had have been good ones.
Questions have been asked concerning the width – 1.2 metres – Why so wide?
These things are laid down by legislation, and are out of our hands. The only person to contact in this matter, if you have strong feelings about it, would be your MP, the Parish Council can do nowt about such mattersJ
Meanwhile, with the advancing of years corresponding with hip measurement, I really like the extra width!
Public dissatisfaction with councillors and police is very high, and a report (available HERE) from a recent Whitehall survey reported that neither councils nor police forces listen to what people have to say. It goes on to state that fewer than 3 in 10 thought they could influence council decisions, and that two thirds do not believe that local government gives value for money.
This is not the way that life should be, and so Cowling Parish Council and the local police force thought about what could be done.
There are strict instructions on councillors to consult the public, (HERE on para. 25) and from April of this year the Police Authority also had to be involved; hence the ‘knocking at doors’ by your local councillor along with a local police officer. If you don’t want to be called upon in the evening, please put a notice in your window!
On the morning of March 15th Parish Councillors and a police officer were in attendance at Drystone Radio Café. This is so that any parishioners who don’t want to go out on dark nights to attend Parish Council meetings can meet their councillor. It’s for a trial period of three months, but if you want us to keep it up, then we probably will - it really is up to you!
