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 M Stevens, Mrs F Greenwell, R Kirk, L Groves, J Fletcher and P Bell. Mr C Petch also attended.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 22nd July 2003 were approved and signed.

Police Business

There was no police representative present.  Mr Petch was invited to speak and expressed his disappointment that there was no officer present.  He was surprised by the Chief Constable’s pride in the high visibility police cars.  Mr Petch felt they would be more effective if they were less visible and he expressed concern about the cost of the livery.

Sale of Manor House, Stokesley  Mr Petch asked if the Parish Council would challenge the sale of the Manor House which he believed had been bequeathed to the people of the Rural District of Stokesley.  He questioned the claim that the building was unsuitable for a modern, up-market library and thought it would be more difficult for the current users of the building if the facilities were moved to North Road.  Councillor Mrs Imeson said that when Stokesley Rural District Council folded Hambleton District Council took on the Manor House and when they no longer had use for it, it was sold to North Yorkshire County Council.  It was suggested that County Councillors Fletcher and Mrs C Seymour, who was also unhappy about the proposal, should look at the deeds.

High Green bylaws  It was agreed that the existing bylaw be amended to restrict the playing of ball games to children aged 7 or under.

Cemetery

Mr Atkinson reported a busy month.  A new grave in the old part of the cemetery had to be abandoned and another site used as the digger had hit whinstone.  Mr Crombie had identified 4 trees which required attention.  Mr Greenwell had provided pipe for the new tap which Mr Atkinson would lay.  The clerk had consulted Sam Turner & Son about the possibility of leasing a mower and the suitability of the existing mower.  It not would not be possible to lease a mower.  The existing machine was the best for the job and should be used until it failed.  Mr Atkinson had purchased a ladder.  The wire bins had not yet been timber-clad.  Councillor Mrs Imeson would make enquiries about cemetery rubbish disposal when wheelie bins came into use in September.

The large slide in the play area had been broken.  It had been taken out of service until Mr Ward, blacksmith, could repair it.

Matters arising

Footpaths  Thief Lane C/F; Riverside C/F; farm track, Station Road  NYMNPA suggested three options: to do nothing; to apply to NYMNPA for a Definitive Map Modification Order; to ask NYMNPA to consider the creation of a public footpath by agreement with respective landowners.  As there had been strong objection to the second and third proposals NYMNPA recommended the first.  It was agreed therefore to do nothing.  Minute concluded.
Village hall  It was noted that the lease with the Drama Society had expired.  They would be advised accordingly and informed that until such time as the Parish Council had decided what to do with the hall they would be required to pay rent.  They would be advised of the amount of rent in due course.
Highways matters  Signs for Pannierman Lane C/F; junction A172/B1292 - Councillor Fletcher had spoken to Mr M Moore and Mr P Sowery of NYCC and the matter was under discussion;  parking Low Green - Highways had ordered the work to be carried out, minute concluded; kerb near post office - decision still awaited from Highways.
Memorial seats in cemetery  Councillor Fletcher thought that the original design would not work.  It was agreed that a half hexagon seat be designed.  It was agreed that there would then be sufficient seats in the cemetery and no further seats would be allowed.  People wishing to have memorials for loved ones would be invited to plant a rose bush with a small plaque alongside.
Riverside - grass cutting  The grass had been cut.  The area would be weed-killed, ploughed and reseeded in the autumn.  Minute concluded.
Sign TIC car park  Minute continued
Nuisance youths, Library car park  A letter from Head of Libraries stated that she understood the complaints were infrequent and problems too minor for her to take any action.  A letter and photograph of empty bottles on the library roof had been received from a neighbour of the library.  Copies of these had been forwarded to the Head of Libraries for her attention.  The Parish Council could not take any action if the Library would not do anything.  Councillor Fletcher would pursue the matter.
Water pump house, Station Road  This had been repainted.  Minute concluded
Dog waste bin, Linden Avenue  Minute continued
Beehive bin, High Green  A new bin had been constructed.  The clerk had received a report that there was a problem with it.  Minute continued
Quality Parish Council Scheme  Councillor Kirk had studied the proposal.  It was clear that the Government wanted to devolve certain local services more locally, ie to Parish Councils.  It was thought that the guide had been written with Unitary Authorities in mind.  The Parish Council agreed to take no action at present.
Indemnities for authority members  Councillor Groves reported that the consultation paper tidied up legislation passed in 2000 to indemnify members and officers against liability in the course of their business.  It was agreed that the Parish Council would concur with the proposals.
Effluent in river near Whitbread Bridge  The Environment Agency would investigate the matter.  People living in Wheatlands and the Roseberry estate who were affected by sewage flowing into their properties during very wet periods were advised to contact Northumbrian Water at Abbey Road, Pity Me, Durham DH1 5FJ.  The Parish Council would also write expressing its concerns.
Potholes, High Green  Report awaited from Mr M Roberts, Highways
Beech hedge, Little Ayton Lane  HDC Enforcement Officer said that landscaping conditions expired 5 years after completion of a development.  He would, however, have a look at it.  He advised writing to the maintenance contractors and asking them to deal with the problem.  The Parish Council would write to the developer, Ideal Homes, asking if they would stand by the conditions imposed at the time and reinstate the hedge.

Accounts

Correspondence

Esk Valley Railway Development Co - Agenda for meeting 12th August, 13.00 at The Coliseum, Victoria Square, Whitby
NYCC - Doorstep Crime Initiative - invitation to become involved
HDC - Licensing Bill 2003 - Great Ayton Village Hall
Red Tape Roadshow - request to bring mobile unit to Great Ayton 28.8.03.  Approved
HDC - re Section 106 agreement on Wimpey development at Frankfield Place.  HDC to be asked to hold on to £15,000 paid by Wimpey under the Section 106 agreement for time being until Parish Council had decided how it should be spent
NYMNPA - request for agenda items for Northern Area Parish Forum 22.10.03; notes of meeting on 16.7.03; notices
Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project - invitation to dedication service for plaque in memory of airmen shot down in 1940 - 8.10.03.  Parish Council representatives would attend
HDC - Best Value Review of Street Cleaning - questionnaire.  Councillor Mrs Imeson to complete
HDC - Training for Parish Councils on Planning 20.8.03 - invitation to submit questions in advance
Yorkshire and Humber Assembly - Draft Revised Regional Planning Guidance for Yorkshire and the Humber to 2016 - comments invited
The following items of information were received:
defra - re Rural Services Standard 2003
NYCC - Consultation on Council Plan and Local Government Review
Turftrax - product information
Hambleton Community Safety Partnership - Community Safety News - newsletter
Malcolm Lane & Son Ltd - street furniture brochure
YRCC - Country Air newsletter
NYMNPA - Planning Committee agenda for information
Northallerton College - prospectus
The Standards Board for England - guidance booklet
HDC - Elected Regional Assemblies and Local Government Review - explanation for lack of consultation
HDC - re Parish Accounts and Practical Testing for Internal Auditors

Planning applications

Extensions to existing bungalow - 22 Easby Lane.  No representations
Construction of 2 self-contained flats - land adjoining 49 Romany Road.  No representations
Proposed retention of a Vic Hallam prefabricated unit No.2 at Roseberry Community Primary School.  Three councillors declared an interest.  No representations
Provision of a dormer window on existing dwelling - Rainbow Nurseries.  No representations
Revised application for Listed Building Consent for part demolition of and alterations and extensions to existing dwelling - 6 High Green.  Councillor Fletcher declared an interest.  The Parish Council objected to the removal of the garage.  It would alter the street scene and would not improve the features of the house which was a listed building.  It would not remove a car from the limited access road.
Application for Listed Building Consent for a conservatory extension to existing dwelling - 6 High Green.  No representations
Extension to existing bungalow as amended - 2 Greenacre Close.  No representations
Alterations and two storey extension to existing dwellinghouse to include the provision of a dormer window as amended - 2 Roseberry Road.  No representations
Construction of domestic double garage to replace existing garage - minor amendment to add a shed to the side of the garage - 17 Greenacre Close.  No representations
Plans approved
Proposed works to 4 trees - Holly Garth
Porch extensions to existing dwellinghouse - 22 Wheatlands
Ground floor extensions to existing dwellinghouse with domestic garage - 11 Roseberry Avenue
Provision of replacement first floor windows and bricking up of an existing first floor window - 11 High Street
Revised application for alterations and ground floor extension to existing dwellinghouse - 30 Roseberry Road
Construction of a greenhouse to replace existing - Rainbow Nurseries
Use of existing agricultural land for the storage of caravans - Angrove West Farm
Site visit
Marwood School - 29th August 2003 at 10.30 am

Annual Accounts for approval and signature

The accounts were accepted by the Parish Council and signed by the Chairman.  The Statement of Assurance was approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman.

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Fletcher reported that the County Council were investigating the possibility of lowering kerbs on Yarm Lane and Low Green following representation by a disabled person.

Councillor Kirk expressed surprise that the County Committee for Hambleton were exploring the possibility of a one way system in Bridge Street.  Councillor Mrs Imeson said that it had been a throw-away comment by one of the Highways officers and related to the part of Bridge Street in front of the old fish and chip shop. It was thought it would not be such a bad idea.

Councillor Groves had been approached by a resident about broad band internet connection.  It required at least 250 residents to express an interest for BT to do something about it.  Residents were advised to contact BT if they were interested.

He had inspected the recently tidied Trod and found 56 bits of rubbish, and a fish aquarium.  The Parish Council was looking for the owner.
Councillor Bell reiterated concern about the rat population and asked that the Parish Council reverse its decision not to write to HDC regarding removing charges for pest control.  Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that the Scrutiny Committee were looking at it.  The Parish Council would write supporting HDC’s decision to take another look at the matter.

Neighbours of the allotments had been satisfied with the Allotment Manager’s explanation regarding the letting of allotments to youths and there had been no further problems.  Hens had escaped into Skottowe Drive because a gate had been removed.  Allotment rents would be collected during the first or second week of October in the Working Men’s Club.

Councillor Mrs Imeson had received an invitation from Guisborough and Great Ayton Rotary Club to attend the official opening of the new kissing gate in Waterfall Park.  Several Councillors would attend and Rotary would be invited to join them for coffee at the Royal Oak after the ceremony.

The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 16th September 2003.