Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 27th May 2003 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors Mrs J Imeson, Chairman, Mrs M Stevens, Mrs F Greenwell, L Groves, J Fletcher.
PC Richard Hampson also attended.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R Kirk and P Bell.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 6th May 2003 were approved and signed.

Mr D Goodwin, HDC – re cycle track

Mr Goodwin was unable to attend the meeting but sent a written report.  Four possible routes for a cycle track between Stokesley and Great Ayton had been explored.  The Parish Council unanimously favoured the most direct route and would ask that Hambleton District Council pursue Option A, the provision of an off road cycle track adjacent to the A173.

Police Business

PC Hampson reported that total crimes were down to 29 from the previous month’s total of 35.  House burglaries remained the same at 1, with burglaries from other property down from 6 to 5.  Total incidents were also down from 126 to 116, and “nipper” problems down from 17 to 11 which was thought to be encouraging.  During the year to date overall crime figures for the whole area were decreasing.

Councillors reported that residents were still experiencing great difficulty in getting through to the police on the telephone.  Councillors had tried themselves on behalf of residents and had experienced the same problems.  A letter would be sent to the Chief Constable deploring the lamentable service.  Councillor Mrs Greenwell observed that if people were unable to contact the police to report incidents they could give up trying and this would have an influence on the crime figures. 

Councillor Mrs Stevens reported that closing the play area at 4.00 pm seemed to be reducing the problems and asked that the police continue to patrol the play area and cemetery.  A resident had queried the lack of update from the police following in an incident in a garden.  PC Hampson said that they did not have sufficient time to give an update in all cases but if the resident had been promised one she should have been given one.  Certain youths were having action taken against them and would be receiving formal cautions.

Cemetery and play area

Mr Atkinson reported that there had been acts of vandalism in the cemetery.  These occurred mostly between 5.00 and 8.00 pm after the play area had been closed.   It was agreed that the Council would not operate the play area for the benefit of thugs and that it would have to be closed permanently if matters did not improve.
Mr Atkinson reported that the grass cutter had required attention due to wear and tear.  He had purchased some edging shears. Mr Alan Dale had been engaged to cover cemetery duties during Mr Atkinson’s absence on holiday.
The Clerk and Mr Atkinson had inspected the trees and shrubs around the edge of The Riverside.  Mr Atkinson would thin out the shrubs and tidy up the area in the autumn.

Matters arising

Bus stop – Newton Road  It was reported that yellow-lining operations had been carried out in the village and the bus stop would be inspected to see if it had been moved.
Footpaths  NYCC would be thanked for the excellent work on the Trod.  Minute continued
Parking, Low Green  Minute continued
Village Hall   Deferred for one month
Junction A172/B1292  Response received from NYCC to the effect that the incidence of personal injury accidents did not warrant consideration of an improvement of the junction.  Councillor J Fletcher would see the Group Engineer and discuss the matter.
Memorial seats in cemetery  Minute continued
Transfer of POS at Tilesheds Farm development  Minute continued
Use of A173 by heavy lorries  Mrs J Swabey had undertaken to note names and addresses of haulage contractors using the road if the Parish Council would then write to them.  This was agreed.  Councillor Fletcher would ask NYCC to move the lorry sign on the A172 at Stokesley roundabout to the Helmsley road, where there was no sign, and put an improved sign on the A172.
Walnut tree  Minute continued
Caravans – Wainstones Drive; allotments  The owner of the caravan in Wainstones Drive had written explaining that it was only parked there infrequently when she was packing or cleaning it; it was normally stored at a farm.  The Clerk reported that she had been visited late at night by an unpleasant and verbally abusive man who had taken exception to the report about the caravan in the Darlington and Stockton Times.  There was no report on the caravan on the allotments.
Litter in forest at Gribdale  The NYMNPA had responded that they intended to tidy up the area, renew fencing, spread tarmac and construct an earth bank to prevent cars parking on the grass.  The area was to be designated a SSSI (site of special scientific interest).
Riverside Park – grass cutting  Mr Neil Waters had agreed to “top” the grass and the Cricket and Football Club would give an estimate for maintaining it thereafter.
Highways matters – signs for Pannierman Lane; bus shelter Stokesley roundabout; bend signs Levenside  Minute continued
Parking outside St Margaret’s Church  Mgr Charlton had responded that if a large gathering was anticipated in future the police would be notified.  He apologised for inconvenience caused.

Accounts

Correspondence

Hambleton Strollers – invitation to join inaugural walk of Walking for Health Scheme.  Councillors Mrs Imeson and Stevens to attend.
Mrs Hutchins – request for ‘no ball games’ sign on corner of Linden Avenue/Linden Grove near James Court.  The Council agreed that it was a matter for NYCC and would be impossible to police.
HDC – re Code of Conduct training for Parish Councillors 15th and 18th July 2003.  Councillor Mrs Stevens would attend if possible.
Stokesley Parish Council – re height of park benches.  The Council would consider making them  higher  when seats were replaced
Wendy Smith – re sponsored walk in aid of Samaritans.  The date for the Village Fete was fixed for 12th June 2004 so the sponsored walk could take place on 5th June 2004.
NYMNPA – re Parish Member elections.  The Parish Council voted for Mr T Lawn
Tim Lawn – nominee for NYMNPA parish member
Carol McGee – re NYMNPA parish member elections
HDC – re provision of link from their website to parish council website.  Councillor Groves to deal with
NYCC Ian Beighton – re provision of ‘keep clear’ marking at 22 High Street.  The Council had no objection to the provision of ‘keep clear’ marking in the location
Esk Valley Railway Development Co – invitation to make a declaration of interest in being a member of a ‘Stakeholders Group’.  The Council supported the initiative and would send a donation of £10
The following items of information were received:
defra – Good Councillors Guide
Street Landscape and Play – brochure; information re seminar on sports facility construction; plant brochure
Clerks and Councils Direct – magazine
HDC – Public Entertainment Licence
Action for Market Towns – re event on 9th June at Beverley
YRCC – Country Air newsletter; Playing Fields Association invitation to join
HDC – notification of appointee to Standards Committee – Jennifer Clare
NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda 29.5.03 for information
CPRE – Transport Campaign Group newsletter
HDC – list of street collection permits – Diabetes UK 28.6.03

Planning applications

Change of use of redundant farm buildings to eight office and light industrial units (B1) as amended – Winley Hill Farm.  No representations
Construction of domestic outbuilding to replace existing building – Eastbrook, Stokesley Road.  No objections but the Council would like the old name to be retained
Construction of domestic garage to replace existing garage – 10 High Green.  Councillor Fletcher declared an interest.  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 as amended – 18-22 Bridge Street.  The Council would ask that if the application were granted the road and car park be surfaced in materials commensurate with Conservation Area i.e. stone sets
Change of use of existing workshop building to use as a ground floor shop and first floor storage accommodation – 2 Park Square.  No representations
Change of use of existing yard area to use as a beer garden in conjunction with existing adjacent public house – The Royal Oak.  No representations
Application for Listed Building Consent for demolition of existing extension, construction of extension and alterations to existing outbuilding/extension – 6 High Green.  The Council objected to the multiplicity of extract grills on the gable elevation.  The vehicular and pedestrian access is narrow and it was thought that the boiler flue would stick out.
Plans approved, refused, appeals
Outline application for residential development including siting and access, as amended – land adjacent to 90 Marwood Drive

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Fletcher commented on how nice the new kissing gate at Waterfall Park looked.  The Rotarians would be thanked and asked if they intended to put up a plaque.

Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that the sign in the car park advising walkers of the availability of parking facilities at the station was very small and faced the TIC.  It needed to be larger and face the entrance.  Walkers were blocking parking spaces for the whole day.  It was thought that a two hour limit would merely move the problem.

The lady who had fallen over the kerb outside the Post Office would be advised to write to NYCC if she wished to complain about their refusal to paint the kerb white.

Councillor Mrs Stevens said that the senior youth club had been closed due to trouble.

The date of the following meeting would be Tuesday 24th June 2003