In keeping with its policy of accessibility, communication and transparency, members of Bishop Monkton P.C. would like to encourage as many parishioners as possible to attend the Annual Parish Meeting, the date for which they fixed at their March monthly meeting. It is to be held on Wednesday May 14th at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall. Chair, Coun. Dean Culshaw stressed “This is not the AGM of the Council, this is a meeting for parishioners, facilitated by the parish council, but not under its jurisdiction”.

The meeting is a chance for various village organisations (including the parish council), that may wish to do so, to present a report as well as providing an opportunity for people to learn what is happening and also raise any questions about “anything village”. For its part, the council hope to gauge whether there is any parishioner interest in establishing “no cold calling” zones within the village and holding drop-in sessions, or surgeries, with councillors.

More details of this meeting will appear on this website and also on the parish council's own website in due course. click

Major issues within the village that remain very important for both residents and councillors alike are centred around the movement of traffic. A recent meeting with the Highways Department, over concerns about the safety of the Hungate cross roads, had not resulted, unfortunately, in any positive outcome. Highways considered that there was sufficient visibility from all four sides of the crossroads and that there was no requirement to erect a Stop sign on either Moor Road or Hungate. Its recent survey had recorded an average speed of 29.9 m.p.h. Despite the proposed installation in the near future of two illuminated speed signs at either end of the Knaresborough Road into the village, councillors did not feel this would help with this issue. These speed signs also known as VAS (Vehicle Activated Signs) are being co-funded by the Village Hall and the Parish Council and will also capture vehicle speed and numbers data.

North Yorkshire Police operate 11 mobile speed units and councillors considered whether it would be worthwhile asking if, on occasion, one could be sited somewhere along Knaresborough Road.

The Council will write to NYC asking that, where possible, if any future roadworks are planned, consideration be given to single lane traffic with traffic lights controlling flow, rather than simply closing the road completely. Residents along Boroughbridge Road are particularly concerned that, if a closure coincides with heavy rain and the flooding that sometimes can then occur, they are effectively an island and do feel very vulnerable. In no way mitigating the need for traffic lights rather than road closure, reassurance has been given by Ripon Fire Station that its officers are 100% confident that they would reach any resident if any emergency arose.

Funding for the new children's playground is still being sought although progressing more slowly than anticipated, Nonetheless progress is being made and an application for a National Lottery grant is nearly ready for submission.

A report was also given about a recent meeting of the Uredale Community Partnership attended by two councillors. The partnership, a local group set up by NYC, brings together public, private, community and voluntary sectors to identify local issues and to influence the decisions and service delivery of the council and other bodies. It may well prove beneficial to the village as the group does have funding available, including access to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. At that meeting the creation of the village's Coronation Heritage Walk, a walk of just over 3.5 miles, roughly around the perimeter of the parish, was raised and was an issue about which the Community Partnership expressed interest as such a project could fall within the designation of culture and green space, one of the six key areas identified.

For the P.C.'s outline of these and other key points of the meeting click. A full version of the minutes will also be posted there in due course.