Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 1st April 2003 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors Mrs F Greenwell, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs M Stevens, L Groves, R Kirk, J Fletcher. Sgt M McLachlan also attended.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P Bell

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 4th March 2003 were approved and signed.

Police Business

Sgt McLachlan reported that there had been a total of 126 incidents in the previous month, of which 29 related to youngsters. There had been no dwelling burglaries, 6 burglaries of garden sheds etc, 3 general thefts, 7 reports of damage of which 6 were vehicle related, 1 stolen motor vehicle, 3 assaults – 1 child orientated, 1 in a pub and 1 domestic, 2 incidents of making off without payment and 1 shoplifter. There had been 3 road traffic accidents – 1 involving a dog, 1 reversing out of a parking bay and 1 outside Church Drive involving 3 youths who had tried to break into a car and crashed when trying to escape pursuit.

Sgt McLachlan said that the three special constables for the Stokesley sub division were a valuable supplement to the force and he was keen to recruit a further three. Anyone interested was encouraged to contact him. Training would be given and hours were flexible.

Stokesley’s current level of manning was the highest ever with 15 PCs, 2 sergeants, 1 inspector, 1 CID officer and 3 specials.

Councillor Mrs Stevens reported that a resident was hoping to establish a youth newspaper and club in his home. Community Education were following this up.

Councillor Mrs Imeson reported a poor police response to a report of youths breaking street lights in Arthur Street. Sgt McLachlan reiterated that residents should contact him or Sgt Merritt if they had problems getting a satisfactory response from the police.

Councillor Mrs Imeson said that many unkind things had been said at the Annual Public Meeting about the traffic calming measures with which the Parish Council agreed. Tree Bridge junction was still a major cause of concern. The clerk read out a letter from R M Bentley, Eastern Traffic Management Officer, concerning the junction. Councillor Fletcher thought that improvements could be made to the lighting and the gradient of the road. Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that statistics had been used to justify the roundabout at Hookstone garage and also to justify not having a roundabout at Tree Bridge – they couldn’t have it both ways. Residents would have preferred to have the money spent at the latter. TC Bentley would be asked for statistics of accidents at that location.

Councillor Mrs Stevens reported that children were “playing chicken” by riding their bikes in the dark down Spence Court and straight across Arthur Street when they heard cars approaching. This was very frightening for the drivers.

Sgt McLachlan said the police hadn’t the resources for policing traffic during funerals at Christ Church as suggested by a resident at the Annual Public Meeting. Councillor Mrs Greenwell thanked Sgt McLachlan for attending.

Cemetery

Mr Atkinson had attended and passed a pesticide training course. He had received complaints about vases being removed from the Wall of Remembrance. Several plastic containers had been used for flowers on Mother’s Day, which looked awful. It was agreed that Mr Atkinson should try taking all the vases to the Wall in time for Easter and see if that worked. A complaint had been made about the storage of shuttering and disposal of surplus soil in the cemetery. It was agreed that a shed be obtained to store the shuttering and rubber matting tidily and securely, and that a skip be ordered occasionally to take away surplus soil.

The play area was reported to be in good order and the children behaving, apart from someone having yet again destroyed the padlock. It was agreed that a combination lock be tried.

A resident of High Green had complained about Mr Atkinson parking his car on road to the rear of the Green when he was painting the seats. It was pointed out that the road was part of the Green and belonged to the Parish Council. He was therefore at liberty to park there. The beehive bins were in poor condition and would only last this season.

Matters arising

Bus stop – Newton Road Minute continued
Village name plinth, Yarm Lane The wall had been rebuilt but the name plate not yet affixed.
Footpaths Councillor Groves reported that the National Trust had scraped the surface of the Liverick and exposed a good base. There were still one or two bad spots. The stile from Cliffe Rigg wood to Aireyholme had been improved. He had met Helen Shepherd of NYCC at the Trod and it was agreed that a massive clearout was needed. Neighbours of the Trod would be leafleted advising them not to throw their rubbish into it.
Parking, Low Green Minute continued
Village Hall Minute continued
Juntion A172/B1292 See Police above
Memorial seats in cemetery It was thought a half hexagonal seat would be suitable for the cemetery. It could be divided into 6 separate seats. It was also agreed that people could purchase parts of the existing hexagonal tree seat on High Green for memorials.
Youth Club fun day It was agreed that the Low Green would be a more suitable venue for the activities planned.

Accounts

Correspondence

Mrs M Smith – re increase in grave reservation fee. Mrs Smith had been advised that the increase was due to increased running costs in the cemetery. It was agreed that the cost of reserving graves would be frozen at April 2003 level for the future.
Yorkshire Cancer Research – request for permission to sell Xmas cards etc 3rd and 10th October. Agreed
HDC – re electronic planning newsletter; District Wide Local Plan key issues report and questionnaire; Local Plan Monitoring Report. Councillor Mrs Greenwell would peruse reports and deal with questionnaire.
HDC – appointment of parish council representative to Standards Committee – nomination paper The Countryside Agency – Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Draft map and comment form; leaflets. Councillor Mrs Greenwell would study map and deal with comment form.
Mr I Merrett – re parking on verge in Mill Terrace. Mr Merritt to be advised that the Parish Council did not intend to take any action.
Mrs S Graham – request for memorial seat in cemetery. See Cemetery above
NYCC – re expenditure on local bus services – comments invited
HDC – agenda for District and Parish Councils’ liaison meeting 2.4.03
Rev P Peverell – dates for Christmas
HDC – request for Parish Council to accept transfer of land at Tilesheds Farm development. Decision deferred for one month until land in question had been inspected
The following items of information were received:
HDC – election nomination papers
Record Playground Equipment Ltd – invitation to roadshow – Gateshead Stadium 30.4.03
NYMNPA – notification of change of venue for Parish Forum meeting; re National Park Parish Member election process 2003; Planning Committee agenda for information
Clerks and Councils Direct – magazine
CPRE – TCG newsletter; village halls conference 5.4.03; invitation to renew membership
NYCC – winter 2002 edition of Pensions Focus
Allianz Cornhill – reminder of policy renewal
DEFRA – re the “QUALITY” Town and Parish Council Initiative
HDC – agenda for District/Parish Councils’ liaison meeting 2.4.03

Planning applications

Conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 8 Guisborough Road. No representations
Application for Listed Building Consent as above. No representations
Layout of land and construction of 1 dwelling, alterations and extensions to existing garage and outbuildings for use as 7 dwellings and alterations to existing dwelling for use as 3 dwellings – 18-22 Bridge Street. The Parish Council objected that the building in the orchard looked ridiculous. They felt that the siting of the proposed dwelling was in the wrong place. Notwithstanding , they could not visualise anything else there and would prefer to keep it open.
Plans approved
Conservatory extension to existing dwellinghouse – 77 Marwood Drive
Ground floor extension to existing dwellinghouse – 15 Newton Road
Ground floor extension to existing dwellinghouse – 30 Roseberry Road
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 84 Marwood Drive
Application for erection of single storey rear extension to dwelling and extension to double garage – Lineside Cottage, Rye Hill, Station Road
Appeals
Topcliffe House - appeal dismissed.

Date of May meeting

The date of the May 2003 meeting would be Tuesday 6th

Matters arising from Annual Parish Meeting

Heavy lorries using A173 through village Local businesses did ask drivers to use the alternative route but could not enforce it. Routemaster directed them along the A173. The Road Haulage Association did not, and had not, instructed members to use the A173 or any other road. NYCC would be asked to consider a weight restriction, except for access, in the interests of protecting their roads and the fabric of the village, and to assess the effectiveness of the signing at Stokesley roundabout.

Dog fouling, Hall fieldsThe Parish Council agreed that it would be willing to split the cost of a dog waste bin in the Hall fields with Mrs Ward, provided that HDC were willing to install and empty it.

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Groves had received a request from the Scouts for permission to hold their annual duck race on 4th May at 3.00 pm and to sell tickets for it on 19th April, 3rd and 4th May. This was agreed.

The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 6th May 2003.