Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 10th December 2002
Present
Councillors Mrs F Greenwell, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs M Stevens, L Groves, J Fletcher, P Bell, R Kirk. Two members of the public also attended.
Plans for the development in Bridge Street were discussed. See Planning Applications below.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 12th November 2002 were approved and signed.
Police Business
A report from North Yorkshire Police was read to the meeting. In the month of November 11 incidents were reported of which 9 were youth related. There were 33 crimes including 7 thefts from motor vehicles and 3 thefts of motor vehicles. No burglaries were recorded. There were 3 road traffic accidents, 2 of which were non-injury.
Councillor Bell said that pigeon sheds on the allotments had been broken into and £2,500 worth of equipment stolen.
The clerk had received a report that the memorial seat on Halfpenny Hill had been damaged by a vehicle. The blacksmith had been asked to inspect it and repair it if possible.
Cemetery
Permission was given for the mechanical digger to be stored at the cemetery, at the owner’s risk.
Play Area Mr Atkinson reported that he had put up the new baby swing and moved the football goalposts to rest the ground. It was agreed that the play area be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
The trees on the riverside near the Stone Bridge had been cut back and he had cut as much of the allotment hedge as he could. A contractor would be engaged to cut deal with the awkward areas after which Mr Atkinson would be able to maintain the hedge. He was complimented on the good job he was doing.
He was asked to replace the uprooted footpath sign in the football field.
Matters arising
Bus stop – Newton Road Minute continued
Public open space The transfer deeds had been signed by Wimpey. Results of final searches were awaited.
Village name plinth, Yarm Lane Contractors had been instructed to carry out the repair.
Pavilion rood, shower area Mr M Drabble would be asked to expedite the matter.
Christmas dates, carols Dates were confirmed. The float would depart from Cliffe Terrace at 5.30 pm on 23rd. Councillors agreed that it was time to update the Christmas lights. Enquiries would be made as to costs and what was available for next year. Traders should be encouraged to decorate their shops.
Footpaths Councillor Fletcher would provide a plan for work to footpaths around the POS. Application would then be made to NYCC for grant.
Precept Councillors studied the prepared budget and accepted the figures. The clerk was instructed to precept for £34,500. It was agreed in principle that, should a CCTV scheme be installed, the Parish Council would match a sum to be spent on cameras by a local trader. The cost would be met from surplus in 2002/2003 budget.
Parking Low Green Minute continued
Sale of fireworks Copy of letter from HDC to Mrs Taylor received. Trading Standards were campaigning to stop the sale of large fireworks because of the danger they posed. Additionally, HDC had carried out campaigns to encourage people to attend organised displays and not have their own firework parties.
Highways matters; winter maintenance, kerb outside post office NYCC said that the junctions at Romany Road/Newton Road and Roseberry Crescent/Newton Road did not meet the requirements of its policy therefore salt bins could not be provided at these locations. The Parish Council recalled that there used to be a grit bin at the corner of Romany Road. NYCC would be asked to reconsider. NYCC could not paint the kerb outside the post office as there was nothing unusual about the circumstances in this location and they would be setting a precedent if it were done.
Erosion to river bank NYCC Bridges Department had carried out an inspection of the bridge and did not believe that anything other than minor, non-urgent works were required. There had been no response from NEDL, though they had inspected the electricity pole.
Paintwork, Swans Jewellers Mrs Swan had been disappointed that adverse comments had been received. If it was felt to be a major problem she would revisit the issue in the spring. The clerk was instructed to compliment Mrs Swan on her excellent Christmas decorations.
Accounts
1st Great Ayton Scouts (donation for distributing leaflets) 100.00
S Cross (refund allotment deposit) 20.00
North Yorkshire Cancer Fund (donation for providing
Captain Cook lunch) 50.00
M L Holden (reimburse stationery, telephone) 79.31
Mrs J Imeson (reimburse gift) 19.95
M L Holden (reimburse gift vouchers, tea etc) 36.06
Bow House (tourist advertisement) 279.65
Mrs M Stevens (sweets Father Xmas float) 46.88
Richard Collins (grave digging) 70.00
Receipts
Grave reservation Mr Porritt 100.00
Cemetery receipts 245.00
Allotment rents/deposits 1377.00
NYCC (grass cutting) 1411.62
Grave reservation 100.00
Allotment rents 147.50
Cemetery receipts 130.00
Allotment rents 26.50
Allotment rents 362.25
D Bailey (garage rent) 10.00
Allotment rents 143.50
Correspondence
HDC – Legal Services – survey of performance. Clerk to complete questionnaire
Inspector Richardson – copy of letter from G Hetherington re alcohol free zone. The clerk would write to Inspector Richardson stating that the Parish Council did not want to see anywhere but High Green designated as an alcohol free zone. A six month trial period would show if such a scheme were required elsewhere. It was thought that CCTV would solve problems in the Arcade and Park Rise.
Esk Valley Railway Development Co – request for support. Letter of support to be sent. Councillor Bell suggested that the station be moved to Newton Road.
Mrs J Brown – re damage to seat at Halfpenny Hill. Police had not received report of any accident. The blacksmith had been asked to inspect the seat and carry out repairs if possible.
Mrs J Roberts – re dog fouling, High Street. Mrs Roberts would be advised to photograph owners and dogs and send evidence to HDC who would prosecute.
HDC – Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 - recommendation to support removal of requirement for Parish Councils to have internal audit if income and expenditure is less than £100,00. Parish Council to support removal of requirement.
Mrs M Irvine – re Christmas lights. Mrs Irvine would be advised that the Council were considering updating the lights for next year.
The following items of information were received:
Information Commissioner – Freedom of Information Act 2000 – publication schemes - acceptance of model scheme
NYMNPA – agenda meeting 9.12.02 for information; Funding Fair posters 27.11.02
NYCC – County Committee for Hambleton – agenda meeting 9.12.02; Hambleton Area Committee newsletter;
Action for Sustainability – newsletter
Shaws – brochure
NYCC – Pension Fund – interim review as at March 31st 2002
HDC – street collection permits – Children’s Society 21.12.02
CPRE – Planning Update; Rural Matters newsletter; TCG newsletter
DCE Publications – brochure
Hambleton Community Safety Partnership – Community Safety newsletter
Glasdon – brochure
HDC – agenda for Flood Forum 18.11.02
RSPCA – thank you letter for use of allotment
NYCC – poster re Christmas waste minimisation promotion; County Issues – newsletter
Bow House – Come and Stay in Herriot Country – magazine
HDC – Register of Electors 2003
Planning applications
Provision of dormer windows – Topcliffe House, Low Green. No representations. The Parish Council asked what was to happen to the solar panels.
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 8 Guisborough Road. No representations
Application for Listed Building Consent as above. No representations
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling – 24 Linden Road. No representations. Neighbour would be asked if she was aware of the planning application.
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to include the provision of dormer windows – 20 Sunnyfield. Councillor Mrs Stevens declared a non-pecuniary interest. No representations.
Construction of garden shed – 4 Overbrook. No representations.
Layout of land and construction of 3 dwellings, alterations and extensions to existing garage and outbuildings for use as 5 dwellings and alterations to existing dwelling for use as 2 dwellings – 18 – 22 Bridge Street. The Council considered this to be overdevelopment. There should be no new build at the back of the site. A site visit would be requested.
Application for Listed Building Consent for alterations to existing dwelling to form 2 dwellings – 18 – 22 Bridge Street. No representations.
Plans approved
Demolition of existing extension, construction of extension and alterations to existing outbuilding/extension as amended – 6 High Green
Listed Building Consent as above.
Ground floor extension to existing dwelling – 17 Angrove Close
Application for Listed Building Consent for the provision of glazing in part of existing door – 10 High Green
Provision of dormer windows as amended – 13 Cliffe Terrace
Planning appeals
Cornish-Earle – Topcliffe House
Councillors’ reports
Councillor Bell reported that there was a large log in the river. It was agreed that the Environment Agency would do nothing about it as it was not impeding the flow.
Councillor Mrs Imeson said that she had received phone calls expressing concern about bus services following the closure of Stokesley bus station. The clerk would write to Arriva on behalf of the people who use the buses expressing concern.
Councillor Fletcher reported that there was a significant bank forming under the Stone Bridge. The Environment Agency would be advised that head room was fast disappearing and that the bank would impede the flow of the river.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that following the change in the Captain Cook Museum Trust it would be necessary to nominate two members for the new trust. Councillor Mrs Imeson nominated the two existing trust members, Councillors Mrs Greenwell and Mrs Stevens. This was agreed.
The date of the following meeting would be Tuesday 7th January 2003