Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 22nd July 2003 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors Mrs J Imeson, Chairman, Mrs F Greenwell, Mrs M Stevens, L Groves, P Bell, J Fletcher and R Kirk.  Sgt D Merritt and Paul Gilbey of the Police Community Support Team also attended.  Danny Greenhalgh joined the meeting at 8.05 pm.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 24th June 2003 were approved and signed.

Police Business

Sgt Merritt reported that there were 102 incidents in June including 28 crimes, 4 house burglaries, 1 break-in, 6 thefts (mostly from cars at Gribdale).  Overall there had been an increase in burglaries in the Stokesley and Great Ayton area.  There had been some success in relation to solving crimes and a number of people had been arrested and stolen property recovered.  The number of reports of antisocial behaviour had reduced but it was speculated that the trouble may have moved elsewhere.

Paul Gilbey described his role in some detail.  There would be 3 Support Staff to cover the Hambleton area, 2 of whom would be working in Stokesley and Great Ayton.  The aim was for a high visibility presence to discourage crime.  They would be able to issue fixed penalties for various offences including dog fouling and cyclists using the pavement.   In answer to a query, Councillor Bell was advised that the penalty for cycling on the footpath was £30 but could only be imposed on people of 18 years and over.

Councillor Mrs Imeson reported that a mother had telephoned her to complain about her son and his father being prevented from playing football on High Green.  Sgt Merritt said that they had been using the trees as goal posts and had been advised to play elsewhere to avoid damage to the nearby apartments.

Cemetery

There had been further problems with the mower.  The possibility of leasing a mower was discussed and the clerk would seek the advice of Sam Turner & Sons.

There had been damage to the conifers planted in the new part of the cemetery and garden rubbish and dog dirt had been thrown into it.  The clerk was instructed to write to the occupiers of all houses which backed onto the cemetery asking them to desist if they were responsible.

Mr Atkinson found that cutting the play area hedge was difficult and dangerous.  He was advised to purchase suitable ladders to enable him to carry out the work safely.  He should also ask for assistance from Yatton House.

The new tap had not yet been installed.

It was agreed that the wire bins which contained plastic water carriers would look better if they were clad in wood like the beehive bins on the village greens.  Mr Rotheram would be asked if he could modify them.  The bin closest to Yatton House would be removed.

Matters arising

Bus stop - Newton Road  Councillor Fletcher reported that the location for the new lines had been marked out by Highways.  Minute concluded.
Footpaths - Thief Lane; Riverside; farm track Station Road  Minute continued
Village Hall  A letter from Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project regarding leasing the hall was read to the meeting.  They would be advised that the future of the village hall was still under consideration and they would be notified in due course of any decision.
Highways matters  Signs for Pannierman Lane - a further negative response had been received from NYCC re the installation of “go slow” markings.  Councillor Fletcher would speak to Mr Beighton.  Junction A172/B1292 - Councillor Fletcher would consult Mr P Sowrey.  Parking, Low Green - a plan prepared by Highways was approved by the Parish Council.  Curb near Post Office - Highways and the Post Office were considering possibilities.
Memorial seats in cemetery  The Cemetery Managers had agreed a location for a double seat.  
Transfer of POS at Tilesheds Farm development  The developer had decided to maintain the area rather than transfer it to the Parish Council.  Minute concluded.
Riverside - grass cutting  Minute continued
Sign TIC car park  Minute continued
Litter at Gribdale  Mr Pickles of NYMNPA reported that they had carried out all the intended work.  The heap of road planings had been levelled, large boulders had been placed around the grassy area, the grass had been cut, a barrier had been erected across the track, fencing either side of the cattle grid had been renewed and a new gate installed.  The road-side edge of the area beyond the grid had been banked up (boulders inappropriate here because of danger to sledgers in winter), and a sign erected on the bridleway advising that it was SSSI Moorland and motorbikes and fires were prohibited.  A voluntary ranger would patrol the area at weekends.  The Forestry Commission had started to replace their wire fencing with post and rail.  Minute concluded.
Prohibition of alcohol consumption in public places  HDC would install signs when the order had been made and the 6 month period would commence from the installation of the signs.  Minute concluded.
Bus service to Middlesbrough  Arriva had responded that, as a commercial operation, they could afford to run only economic services.  The late night service between Middlesbrough and Great Ayton was insufficiently used to make it viable.  Minute concluded.
Nuisance youths - Library car park  Minute continued
Beech tree, Low Green  The Twinning Association had offered to obtain a replacement tree on their visit to France in October.  This offer was accepted.
Water pump house, Station Road  Minute continued
Dog waste bin, Linden Avenue  Minute continued
Beehive bin, High Green  Mr P Rotheram’s estimate for building a new bin was accepted.  Minute concluded.

Danny Greenhalgh addressed the meeting on the noise made by Youth Drama and apologised for disturbing the Parish Council.  He explained that noise was part of the exercises he was doing with the youngsters but that he would try to keep it to a minimum whilst Council meetings were in progress.  He was thinking of finishing Youth Drama at 7.30 pm in future.  The Parish Council said that they would be very grateful if noise could be kept down.

Accounts

Correspondence

Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project – re lease of village hall.  See Village Hall in Matters Arising above
HDC – re Quality Parish Council Scheme.  Councillor Kirk to study scheme and report to next meeting
defra – as above
NYCC – Consultation on Council plan and local government review – request for comments and invitation to attend consultation meeting 29.7.03 at County Hall
The Boundary Committee for England – Local government review of two-tier areas in Yorkshire and the Humber – invitation to submit representations
Dr P Shelton – re road closure and other  matters
Mr B Sanders – request for permission to sell tickets for Cricket and Football Club Family Fun Day on 9th and 16th August.  Approved
HDC – re Licensing Bill 2003. Invitation to submit views on HDC’s Statement of Licensing Policy
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister – consultation paper on indemnities for relevant authority members and officers – comments invited.  Councillor Groves to peruse paper
Bow House – invitation to renew tourist advertisement.  Agreed
Ms J Garbutt - request to plant tree in garden of remembrance.  It was agreed that there was no room for a tree but a rose bush in the rose garden would be allowed.
The following items of information were received:
CPRE – Rural Matters, Planning Update newsletters
Tim Lawn – thanks to Parish Council for supporting his nomination as Parish Member to NYMNPA
HDC – minutes and attachments for Flood Forum 25.6.03
HDC – report of rat on riverside, Low Green.  HDC to deal with matter later in year.  Parish Council to be aware that there is now a charge for this service.  Councillor Bell requested that a letter be written to Hambleton District Council pointing out that charging discouraged people from reporting vermin.  His motion was defeated by 6 votes to 1.  The Environment Agency would be asked if anything could be done about the drain discharging into the river near the Whitbread bridge.
NYMNPA – agenda for Northern Area Parish Forum meeting 16.7.03; Planning Committee agenda for information
HDC – street naming and numbering Ayton Hall and Ayton Hall Farm
HDC – notification of street collection permits – Cleveland Search and Rescue 12.7.03.  Date amended to 2.8.03
Clerks and Councils Direct magazine
The Standards Board for England – revised copies of guidance booklet
NYCC – Best Value Performance Plan 2003/4
Hambleton Strategic Partnership – Community Plan for Hambleton
NYMNPA – Best Value Performance Plan 2003; Adoption of North York Moors Local Plan
HDC – Best Value Performance Plan 2003/4
NYCC - Hambleton Areaa Committee Newsletter; agenda for County Committee for Hambleton 28.7.03 and notices; Action for Sustainability in North Yorkshire - newsletter
NYCC Highways - notification of temporary road closure - Roseberry Avenue

Planning applications

Construction of domestic garage to replace existing – 11 Addison Road.  No objections but the Parish Council expressed the hope that the Planning Department would investigate the concerns of the resident at 9 Addison Road and ensure that the alterations were carried out in accordance, if necessary
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling and construction of a domestic double garage – Langbaurgh Farmhouse.  No representations
Construction of greenhouse to replace existing – Rainbow Nurseries.  No representations
Proposed works to 4 trees – Holly Garth.  No representations
Roof extension to existing dwellinghouse – 11 Wheatlands.  No representations
Porch and conservatory extensions to existing dwellinghouse asd amended – 34 Wheatlands.  No representations
Alterations and two storey extension to existing dwellinghouse to include the provision of a dormer window – 2 Roseberry Road.  No representations
Plans approved
Porch and conservatory extensions to existing dwellinghouse as amended - 34 Wheatlands
Listed Building Consent for the demolition of part of existing wall and for the construction of a boundary wall - The Royal Oak
Construction of domestic garage - 37 Newton Road
Change of use of redundant farm buildings to eight office and light industrial units (B1) as amended - Winley Hill Farm
Listed Building Consent for internal and eternal alterations to redundant farm buildings as above
Change of use of existing workshop building to use as a ground floor shop and first floor storage accommodation - 2 Park Square
Application for listed building consent for alterations to existing dwelling to form 3 dwellings - 18-22 Bridge Street
Application for listed building consent for demolition of existing extension, construction of extension and alterations to existing outbuilding/extension - 6 High Green
Alterations and extensions to existing garage and outbuildings for use as 8 dwellings, alteration of existing dwelling to form 3 dwellings and formation of car park as amended - 18-22 Bridge Street
Construction of double domestic garage to replace existing - 17 Greenacre Close
Conservatory extension to existing dwellinghouse - 7 California Grove
Change of use of existing yard area to use as a beer garden in conjunction with existing adjacent public house - The Royal Oak

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Fletcher had been approached by a resident of 15 years standing asking if a map could be produced showing “dump corner”, “camp corner”, “Baldock’s bank” etc.

Potholes were appearing on the entrance to the road around High Green.  Mr Roberts of North Yorkshire Highways said that the asphalt was badly worn and needed surface dressing or resurfacing.  He would contact the contractors and advise.
The beech hedge in Little Ayton Lane should have been reinstated when the development at Leven Court was finished.  It had not been maintained and now consisted of 15 foot trees with gaps in between.  The verge was thistles and nettles.  The Enforcement Officer at Hambleton District Council would be asked to investigate.

Councillor Bell said that it would be timely to issue a reminder to householders to keep their hedges trimmed.
He suggested that allotment holders who had received letters asking them to clean up their allotments but who had not complied should be made to pay a £20 deposit if they wished to retain their tenancy.  It was agreed that this would be difficult to administer and that they should be evicted.
Councillor Mrs Imeson asked why 2 allotments had been let to thugs who held bar-b-qs and parties and disturbed neighbours with their late night activities.  Councillor Bell would investigate the complaints.

She had received a letter from David Collins about a plaque for the tree on High Green which was planted by him and Mark Ritson in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of VE Day.  A plaque would be ordered and David advised accordingly.

The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 19th August 2003