Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 4th February 2003 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors Mrs F Greenwell, Chairman, Mrs M Stephens, Mrs J Imeson, L Groves, R Kirk, P Bell,
J Fletcher. PC Neil Duffy also attended.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7th January 2003 were approved and signed with the following amendment to Councillors’ Reports:- “Councillor Bell reported that pooling of water at dump corner caused pedestrians to be splashed when vehicles drove through the puddle.” Highways had been notified and it was on the list for an exploratory excavation to be carried out.
Police Business
PC Duffy reported that crime figures were down on the previous month. There had been 3 house burglaries, 1 in the current month, 2 auto crimes, one of which was theft of a vehicle and the other theft from a vehicle. The total number of crimes for the month was 18. Total incidents were 97, of which 3 involved nippers. The police were to launch an initiative to target underage drinking.
A letter from Mr Stainsby concerning nuisance youths at the Methodist Church premises was read to the meeting. PC Duffy said that the Sergeant would deal with trouble at the Chapel steps and there would be a high visibility police presence. He would reiterate the Parish Council’s concerns to the Police Station.
A local builder had had his wagon stolen and concern was expressed that the police had not seemed interested. He had managed to recover it himself. PC Duffy assured the meeting that vehicle theft was taken seriously.
Councillor Bell said that the level of violence in the village was increasing. He wanted action before being offered Victim Support. PC Duffy said that Victim Support was offered force wide and was provided by a charitable organisation. Two more officers were to join Stokesley the following week, two had joined last month. There would also be two Specials on foot patrol.
There had been several complaints about parked vehicles causing obstruction in Arthur Street.
A resident had written to NYCC concerning the junction of the A172 and B1292 at which his daughter had suffered an accident. PC Duffy said that the police could monitor the situation but Highways would have to carry out any works. A copy of the letter would be sent to the Traffic Police at Scarborough. Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that statistics had been used to justify traffic calming measures in the village despite the situation being nothing like as bad as at Tree Bridge.
It was reported that the police telephone system was still not working. An attempt had been made to report a theft which was in progress, but no-one had answered. PC Duffy said that if a theft was in progress a 999 call was justified.
Cemetery
The Cemetery Superintendent reported that the drains had been jetted and a lot of rubbish cleared out. It was thought that there were still tree roots causing problems. It was agreed that Mr Snowball be asked to carry out remedial work before further flooding occurred.
Matters arising from the minutes
Bus stop, Newton Road The re-siting of the bus stop was on the next schedule of works. Councillor Fletcher was asked to find out when this would be.
Public Open Space The Transfer Deed and sum for maintenance of the open space had been received. Councillor Fletcher had produced a plan of footpaths in the open space, some of which were felt to be dangerous because of the poor surface. Highways would be asked if they would resurface them.
Village name plinth, Yarm Lane Minute continued
Pavilion rood, shower area The pavilion roof had been repaired. Enquiries would be made to find out if the shower area had also been dealt with.
Footpaths NYCC would be asked what progress was being made. It was reported that a stile at grid ref. 45745/51140 required an extra step. The National Trust would be asked to inspect it.
Parking, Low Green NYCC would survey whole area and put forward proposals to improve parking. They would be asked if it could be done before summer.
Highways matters, winter maintenance Grit had been delivered to Spence Court, Hollygarth and Beech Close. Councillor Mrs Imeson was thanked for her efforts with Broadacres.
It was reported that there were an increasing number of potholes in Yarm Lane. Highways would be asked to inspect the problem.
Cemetery drains See Cemetery above. Highways had cleaned out the drains in the road outside the cemetery and reported that the system was functional again.
Insurance for firework display The Parish Council’s insurance covered firework displays provided they were organised by the Council. It was agreed that the Scouts public liability insurance should cover them in the same way and they would be advised to make enquiries.
Closure of A173 Letter received from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council explaining the necessity for the closure and apologising for not notifying the Parish Council. Letter received from NYCC advising that they also had not been notified.
Dog waste bin, Chapel steps; hedge at alms houses HDC had re-sited the dog waste bin. They would inform NYCC of the problem with the hedge and ask them to instigate action.
Seat, Mrs Dale Mrs Dale had decided not to have a seat placed in Waterfall Park. She would leave the Parish Council a sum in her will to be used for a seat or such other item as the Council thought appropriate. A plaque recognising her kindness would be affixed to the item.
Accounts
G Ward & Son (tree seat) 705.00
Thompson’s Hardware (items for cemetery) 28.71
Hambleton District Council (salaries Oct, Nov, Dec 02) 6153.21
M L Holden (reimburse stationery, gifts for Xmas helpers) 48.49
P H Greenwell (Xmas lights £108.57, work on flood at
cemetery £170.97) 279.54
Northumbrian Water (cemetery/allotment supply) 28.55
Mazars (external audit) 293.75
H Atkinson (reimburse phone card, to replace cheque
100346 lost in post) 10.00
Sam Turner & Sons Ltd (repairs and mower service) 711.25
The Royal Oak (annual parish dinner) 435.00
Cleveland Search & Rescue (carol singing collection) 387.30
Receipts
Allotment deposit 20.00
Cemetery receipts 285.00
Hambleton District Council (sum due for maintenance of POS) 21,269.83
D Bailey (garage rent) 10.00
Correspondence
HDC – copy of Draft Community Plan – comments invited. Received
HDC – Standards Committee – invitation to nominate Parish Council representative. Parish Council would support the re-election of Mrs Swainston, the present incumbent
the experience corps – offer for Parish Council to join. Declined
YRCC – re transport survey. Parish Council would apply for grant to carry out survey
Mrs C Preston – re pillars on wall surrounding Roseberry Court. The junction was to be re-engineered and it was believed that this would iron out any difficulties
NYCC – NY Joint Structure Plan review; pre-deposit consultation draft plan – comments invited. Councillor Mrs Greenwell to complete
HDC – referendum on establishing an elected regional assembly. The Parish Council was unanimously opposed to a regional assembly. There had been reorganisation in 1972/3 and again 10 years ago and nothing had improved. A predominantly rural area like North Yorkshire should not be ruled by urban authorities. 89% of those to be consulted lived outside North Yorkshire. The Parish Council would object most strongly.
HDC – Best Value Review of Cleansing – invitation to meeting 25.2.03
Hambleton Community Safety Partnership – Home Safety Roadshow 6.2.03 and 15.5.03
NYPA – Police and Community Liaison meeting 6.3.03
Richard Stainsby – re problems with young people outside the Methodist Church premises and invitation to meeting on 6.2.03; notification of peace vigil on 8.2.03. Councillor Bell would attend meeting on 6.2.03
The following items of information were received:
Pubmaster – re application for transfer of justices licence in respect of Tile Sheds
P Peverell – Spire Church Magazine
Base Leisure – brochure
CPRE – Rural Matters newsletter; Planning Update
YRCC – Calor Village of the Year Competition
Record Playground Equipment Ltd – brochure
Clerks & Councils Direct – suppliers guide and yearbook; newsletter; sample copy of monthly update
NYMNPA – agenda for Northern Area Forum 27.1.03; agenda special meeting 20.1.03
HDC – re public entertainment licence; re payment of rates; re public speaking at Committee; re biodiversity action plan
Yorkshire & the Humber County Training Partnership – re training for Parish Meetings
NYP – re Father Christmas escort
The Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project – newsletter
Miracle Design and Play Ltd – brochure
York and North Yorkshire Playing Fields Association – newsletter and brochures
NYCC – County Committee for Hambleton – agenda meeting 20.1.03; proposed modifications to the revised deposit draft North Yorkshire waste local plan
Planning applications
Outline application for residential development as amended – land adjacent 90 Marwood Drive. The Council objected to the plan on several issues:- access; it was backland development; the area was prone to flooding which would be exacerbated by run-off from new development; a stream believed to be on the plot would have to be culverted which could also add to flooding problems; very narrow approach roads; difficulty with visitor parking; loss of green amenity.
Proposed felling and thinning of alder trees – 12 High Green. Councillor Fletcher declared a non-pecuniary interest. There were no objections
Conservatory, garage and dormer extensions (minor amendment) – 100 Marwood Drive. No representations
Removal of conditions 1 and 4 – Langbaurgh Hall. The Council felt that if the tower and associated buildings were not being used they should be removed.
Ground floor extension to existing dwelling and construction of a boundary fence with gates – 24 Romany Road. No representations
Application for erection of single storey rear extension to dwelling and extension to double garage at Lineside Cottage, Rye Hill, Station Road. No representations
Revised application for the construction of a detached dwellinghouse – 1 Stanley Houses. The Council felt that the whole building was out of keeping and the additional alterations added insult to injury
Alterations and extension to existing shop – 74 Newton Road. The Parish Council had no objection to the shop but felt that there would be a parking hazard. They thought it would be an opportunity to alter the building to fit in with the cottages on either side.
Topcliffe House – plans for information
Invitation to Development Control Committee meeting 16.1.03 re land adjacent 90 Marwood Drive. Councillor Mrs Imeson reported that it had been a very good meeting. Four people had spoken, two from Great Ayton who had been efficient and articulate.
Site visit – 22 Bridge Street, 90 Marwood Drive 10.02.03
Plans approved
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling – 24 Linden Road
Provision of dormer windows and rooflights as amended – Topcliffe House, Low Green
Change of use of existing ancillary living accommodation to a holiday unit – 1 Overbrook
Construction of a domestic triple garage and re-siting of access as amended – 1 Stanley Houses, Yarm Lane
Construction of a garden shed – 4 Overbrook
Plans refused
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 8 Guisborough Road
Application for Listed Building Consent as above
Planning appeal
Tree Bridge Hotel, Old Nunthorpe Village – appeal dismissed
Councillors’ reports
Councillor Kirk reminded the meeting that discussions about the village hall had been held some time ago and that the issue needed to be revisited. The lease with the Dramatic Society had expired two years ago. Decisions needed to be taken as to what to do with the hall. It was agreed that architects should be approached for ideas on how to develop the hall to maximise use for the maximum number of organisations at the least cost. The existing sub-committee would discuss the matter and bring proposals to the next meeting.
Councillor Groves reported that the Environment Agency had neither attended the Flood Forum meeting nor sent a report, which was felt to be most discourteous. HDC were to write to the Environment Agency and the Parish Council would do the same.
Councillor Bell reported that the wall surrounding the tree outside 23 Easby Lane was falling down. This had been reported last year to Highways, who accepted that it was their responsibility. They would be reminded that it required attention.
Councillor Mrs Imeson reported that a resident had complained about the poor street lighting outside 4 Guisborough Road. This would be inspected and if necessary HDC would be asked to look at it.
The next meeting would be on Tuesday 4th March 2003.