Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 24th June 2003 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors Mrs J Imeson, Chairman, Mrs M Stevens, Mrs F Greenwell, P Bell, J Fletcher.  PC Richard Barnes and two members of the public also attended.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L Groves and R Kirk

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 27th May 2003 were approved and signed.

The two members of the public were invited to state the purpose of their attendance at the meeting.  They were most concerned that the late buses to and from Middlesbrough had been withdrawn.  This made it impossible for anyone wishing to spend an evening in Middlesbrough, and difficult for hospital visiting.  Arriva Northeast would be asked to reconsider the withdrawal of the services, if only at weekends.

Police Business

PC Barnes reported that there had been 106 incidents in the previous month. There had been 28 crimes including 2 stolen vehicles, 1 burglary at the sewage works, 9 thefts from vehicles (mostly in the Gribdale area and two arrests had been made), 2 offences of damage, 1 robbery and 6 other thefts.  There had been 5 house burglaries, 1 accident and 1 rape.

A letter from Mr H Petch concerning nuisance youths in the library car park was discussed.  Councillor Fletcher would take up the matter with the County Council and the clerk would write to the Chief Librarian to enquire if any security measures could be taken.

Mrs M Storey had raised concerns about cyclists on the pavement.  PC Barnes agreed that it was an offence and not a council matter.  The Council wanted to see more policemen on the beat but PC Barnes thought that was unlikely to happen.

The Council had been advised to obtain advice from the local Crime Prevention Officer regarding the security of the pavilion.  PC Barnes informed them that there was no Crime Prevention Officer.

The clerk would write to Sgt McLachlan to express the Parish Council’s concern that cars were parking on the road near dump corner and causing danger.

Cemetery and play area

Mr Atkinson reported no problems in the cemetery. 

Mrs M Stevens reported that youths had climbed into the play area after it had been closed.  They had bottles and were using bad language.  The greenhouse of a neighbouring house had been damaged by air rifle fire.  Councillor Bell said that three greenhouses on the allotments had also been damaged by air rifles.

Mr Atkinson was asked to cut down the vegetation on the river bank.

Matters arising

Bus stop – Newton Road  Councillor Fletcher would chase up the contractors.  Minute continued.
Footpaths – Thief Lane; Riverside; farm track Station Road  Councillor Fletcher reported that the finger post from the football field to the Riverside had been uprooted and thrown into the river.  Residents living adjacent to the river would be asked to look out for acts of vandalism and report to the Parish Council.  Minute continued.
Village Hall  Minute continued.
Highways matters  NYCC had rejected request for “Go Slow” signs for Pannierman Lane at Rainbow Nurseries and Red Roofs.  They would be asked to revisit Red Roofs and reconsider.  Highways were satisfied that the bus shelter at Stokesley roundabout was in the right place.  Councillor Bell thought that the brick bus shelter at camp corner should be replaced with a glazed one in the interests of passenger safety.  The surplus bend warning sign on Levenside had been removed.  Other matters continued.
Memorial seats – cemetery  Minute continued
Transfer of POS at Tilesheds Farm development  Minute continued
Walnut tree  The provision of the walnut was proving to be more complicated than initially thought and would not be without cost.  It was agreed to pursue the matter no further.  Minute concluded.
Caravan – allotments  The caravan had been removed.  Minute concluded.
Riverside – grass cutting  Minute continued.
Sign TIC car park  Minute continued.

Accounts

Correspondence

NYCC – re Regional Government and options for local government re-organisation in North Yorkshire – comments invited.  The majority of the Parish Councillors were very much opposed to Regional Assembly and thought that local government would become  more and more remote.  Councillor Bell thought that one authority would be better. 
HDC – re elected regional assemblies
The Boundary Committee for England – periodic electoral review of NYCC – draft recommendations – comments invited
Great Ayton Twinning Association – re beech tree; twinning sign Yarm Lane.  The Parish Council agreed to replace the beech tree, though it did not accept responsibility for its demise.  Having once provided twinning signs, the Parish Council declined to replace the missing one.
A G McDine – re footpath to rear of Wainstones Close.  The householder whose hedge was encroaching onto the footpath would be asked to cut it back
NYMNPA – Northern Parish Forum – meeting 16.7.03.  Request for agenda items.  Litter at Gribdale was a perpetual problem.  NYMNPA were currently dealing with this and would be asked for a progress report.
HDC – Planning training for Parish Councils 13th or 20th August at Civic Centre.  Councillor Mrs Stevens would attend.  Councillor Kirk would be asked if he wished to attend
HDC – Alcohol consumption in public places – Order under Section 13 of The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, and plan showing prohibited area.  Hambleton District Council would be advised that the Parish Council supported the order, asked who would provide the signs and asked to confirm that the 6 month prohibition period would commence from the date the signs were installed
NYCC – re North Yorkshire Strategic Partnership Consultation – comments invited
NYCC – Best Value Review of Countryside Services – questionnaire.  Councillor Mrs Greenwell to complete
Yatton House – request for permission to sell tickets for Gala on 9th and 10th July, and permission to use play area for parking for Gala on 12th July.  Approved
Mrs M Storey – re cyclists on footpaths.  See Police Business above
Mr H Petch – re nuisance youths in library car park.  See Police Business above
The following items of information were received:
The Standards Board for England – Code of Conduct video
HDC – Land Certificate for Public Open Space
Action for Market Towns – Finding Funding Seminar 16.7.03
Shaw & Sons – product information
NYCC – grass cutting contribution from NYCC £1455.38 for 2003-4 period, to be paid in October or November 03
NYCC – expenditure on local bus services
CPRE – AGM and Summer Event 28th June, Housesteads
NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda 12.6.03 for information
YLCA – results of North York Moors National Park Authority Parish Member election – Northern Area Forum Mr T Lawn
HDC – Hambleton Flood Forum 25th June 2003
Goodswens Solicitors – notice of application for new justices on licence in respect of Whinstone View Caravan Park
CPRE – Countryside Voice magazine; light pollution chart
NYMNPA – agenda 30th June for information
HDC – Air Quality Review and Assessment – Updating and Screening

Planning applications

Extension to existing bungalow – 2 Greenacre Close.  There were no objections but HDC Planning Department would be asked to be sure that the neighbour was not overlooked.  The Council hoped, on safety grounds, that the pedestrian access was never made into vehicular access
Porch extension to existing dwellinghouse – 22 Wheatlands.  No representations
Use of existing agricultural land for the storage of caravans – Angrove West Farm.  No representations.  Stokesley Parish Council would be asked if they had been consulted as the application would affect Stokesley more than Great Ayton.
Construction of domestic double garage to replace existing – 17 Greenacre Close.   No representations
Conservatory extension to existing dwellinghouse – 7 California Grove.  No representations
Porch and conservatory extension to existing dwellinghouse – 34 Wheatlands.  No representations
Application for Listed Building Consent for the demolition of part of existing wall and for the construction of a boundary wall – The Royal Oak.  No representations
Construction of domestic garage – 37 Newton Road.  No representations
Change of use of redundant farm buildings to eight office and light industrial units (B1) as amended – Winley Hill Farm.  No representations
Provision of replacement first floor windows and bricking up of an existing first floor window – 11 High Street.  No representations
Revised application for alterations and ground floor extension to existing dwellinghouse – 30 Roseberry Road.  No representations
Ground floor extensions to existing dwellinghouse with domestic garage – 11 Roseberry Avenue.  No representations
Plans approved
Revised application for alterations and extensions to existing dwelling as amended – 19 Station Road
Construction of a domestic garage to replace existing garage – 10 High Green
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 8 Guisborough Road
Listed Building Consent as above
Construction of domestic outbuilding to replace existing building – Eastbrook, Stokesley Road
Alterations and extensions to existing disused agricultural building for use as 2 holiday units as amended – Strawberry Farm, Pannierman Lane
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling – 41 Addison Road
Conservatory extension to existing bungalow – 49 Skottowe Crescent

Closure of High Street

Highways had apologised for not informing the Parish Council of the impending closure of the High Street.  Many people had been inconvenienced by the closure, particularly bus users who had been unaware of the diversion of the bus services.

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Fletcher reported that the water pump house in Station Road was covered in graffiti.  Northumbrian Water would be asked to clean it up and paint it green.

He said that there was a litter bin, but not a dog waste bin at the bottom of Linden Avenue.  Hambleton District Council would be asked if one could be provided.
Councillor Bell thought that white lines marking parking bays outside the shops on the High Street would lead to better parking.  Highways would be asked to consider painting green lines.

He reported that the trod near James Court required attention.  Councillor Mrs Imeson said that Broadacres cleaned it.  It was thought that it needed doing more often.

Councillor Mrs Stevens reported that the hedge near the bus stop next to Langbaurgh Hall fields was very overgrown.  Highways would be asked to inspect it.

Councillor Mrs Imeson had received another report of someone tripping on the curb near the Post Office.  Mr Ancell would be asked if it was possible to have the post box in the wall as at the old Post Office.  If he agreed the Post Office would be consulted.  If relocating the box was not possible Highways would be asked to look at the footpath with a view to widening it and/or lowering the curb.

It was reported that the beehive bin on High Green near the bus stop was disintegrating.  Hambleton were unable to replace it with anything similar.  Mr P Rotheram would be asked if it he could repair it or construct a similar one to replace it.

The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 22nd July 2003.