Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 2nd March 2004 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors Mrs J Imeson, Chairman, L Groves, Mrs F Greenwell, Mrs M Stevens, J Fletcher, P Bell, R Kirk. Inspector J Richardson also attended.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 3rd February 2004 were approved and signed.

Police Business

Inspector Richardson apologised for the lack of police attendance at recent Parish Council meetings. Crime figures for the two months since 1st January were as follows: 44 crimes compared to 58 in the previous two months; 45 incidents of disorder compared with 54 previously. There had been 368 incidents in 2002 and 270 in 2003, a reduction of 27%. There had been a spate of burglaries over Christmas, which had come to a halt on 10.2.04. The stop and check policy had resulted in 2,500 vehicles being stopped and had produced some very good results, with the added benefit of deterrent value. Inspector Richardson said that the aim of the police with regard to traffic issues was to get a process in place. They were hoping to get two hand held radar guns. It was reported that there had been yet another accident at the Tree Bridge junction.Councillor Mrs Imeson thanked Inspector Richardson for attending the meeting.

Cemetery

A new scale of fees was agreed which brought Great Ayton’s charges broadly into line with other local cemeteries.Mr Atkinson said that he had cut down the brush and overgrown shrubs in the Riverside. He was authorised to purchase grass seed. Councillor Fletcher said that the alders near the stone bridge should be cut back. A complaint had been received about the height of the hedge at Yatton House. Councillor Mrs Imeson would speak to Mr Kent and obtain agreement for Mr Atkinson to assist with lowering it.

Matters arising

Footpaths - Thief Lane; Riverside Mrs Shepherd of NYCC said that the intention was to stone the Thief Lane path but the current year’s budget was now spent. She was still trying to obtain information from Wimpey regarding the status of the path past the bowling green before any action could be taken on the Riverside path.
Village hall Meeting to be arranged with hall users
Highways matters - mini roundabout Newton Road Mr Hayward of NYCC Highways said that the roundabout was designed using a computerised tracking system which confirmed that the largest hgvs could negotiate the roundabout and refuge island. He would be reluctant to remove the refuge without waiting to see if people got used to it. Its removal would certainly speed up traffic, which could create safety issues.
Dog waste bin Chapel steps; beehive bin High Green The dog waste bin had been correctly positioned and the beehive bin repaired. Minute concluded.
Potholes, High Green, surface dressing/repair An estimate had been received and was accepted.
Ambulance hall Minute continued
Repair to pavilion Minute continued
Flooding on Roseberry estate Minute continued
Village fete Judges for the fancy dress had accepted their invitations.
The Riverside An estimate for improving the grass had been received from Mr P Thompson. This was accepted and he would be asked to commence work as soon as the weather permitted. Minute concluded.
Porch, Richardson Hall Ms L Farrell, solicitor at NYCC, had acted on behalf of the Parish Council and confirmed that the Council accepted no responsibility for the porch. Minute concluded.

Accounts

Correspondence

A letter had been sent to Mr D Barker to thank him for putting up the plaque for the linden tree on High Green.
HDC - re postponement of annual parish/town liaison meeting
Hambleton and Richmondshire Rural Transport Partnership - invitation to meeting 16.3.04; newsletter
HDC - re parish database for Hambleton website. Councillor Groves would put together some information for the website and pass it on to the other councillors to make any further additions.
Mrs P Turner - request for memorial seat. Permission to purchase a segment of the hexagonal seat on High Green granted.
Hambleton Citizens Advice Bureau - request for donation. Denied in accordance with Parish Council policy
YRCC - invitation to renew subscription; Country Air newsletter; Vital Villages Update newsletter; rural trends survey questionnaire; Rural Community Halls Conference 24.4.04; The Playing Field newsletter. Subscription to be renewed.
North Yorkshire Fire &Rescue Service - report on emergency lighting system in village hall. Report to be handed to Dramatic Society for action.
Rotary Club of Guisborough and Great Ayton - request to erect gazebo on High Green in aid of Stroke Awareness Day 3.4.04. Approved
The following items of information were received:
HDC - confirmation of precept for 2004/5 at £32,500
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - response to letter to Rt Hon Keith Hill MP re Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill
Justine Forrest HDC - on site newsletter
CPRE- planning update newsletter; TCG News; membership card; raffle tickets; Houses and Gardens handbook; Countryside Voice magazine
NYMNPA - Planning Committee agenda 12.2.04; Northern Area Parish Forum - notes from meeting 21.1.04; notices for next meeting 21.4.04
Plantscape - product catalogue
NYCC - County Issues
Askham Bryan College - training services update
NYCC - notification of road closure - A173 at Levenside 15.3.04
Telephone call from Nigel Sandford, Mouchel - re survey of pedestrian safety in Great Ayton

Planning applications

Conservatory extension to existing dwelling as amended - 25 Angrove Close. Already approved
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling as amended - 87 High Street. Already approved
Application for Listed Building Consent for alterations and extension to existing dwelling - 3 Low Green. Decision deferred by HDC
Construction of a detached dwelling and domestic garage - land adjacent 146 Newton Road. No representations
Application for Listed Building Consent to replace windows with double glazing - 69 High Street. No representations
Alterations and side conservatory to existing dwelling - 11 Easby Lane. No representations
Alterations and single storey rear extension to existing dwelling - 103 Wheatlands. No representations
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling as amended - 10 Wheatlands. The amendment was regarded as a slight improvement.
Alterations and two storey side and rear conservatory extension to existing dwelling - 25 Roseberry Road. The Council would respond that the extension appeared to be very large for the site and very close to the neighbour
Proposed erection of a storage extension at Marwood CE VC Infant School. No representations
Proposed Listed Building Consent for erection of a storage extension at Marwood CE School. No representations
Plans approved
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling as amended - 87 High Street
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling as amended - 25 Angrove Close
Alterations and construction of dormer window - 23A Linden Avenue
Alteration and construction of conservatory to existing dwelling - 69 Marwood Drive
Proposed felling of 1 beech tree - Friends Meeting House Burial Ground

Date for Annual Parish Meeting

The annual parish meeting would be held on Wednesday 31st March at 7.00 pm in the village hall.

Accounts - accounts for financial year 2002/2003 approved by external auditor

The annual accounts for 2002/2003 had been passed by the external auditor.

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Kirk had attended a meeting at Thirsk with NYCC Education Service. Eight parish areas had been selected and small amounts of money would be made available. Outreach workers would talk to youngsters about what they wanted and a further meeting would be arranged with some parish councils to decide what should be done with the money. The target age group was 13 - 17 years.
Councillor Groves presented to the Council a copy of the Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project, which had taken two years to prepare.
Councillor Mrs Stevens asked how often the dog waste bins were emptied as the bin at Langbaurgh corner was full.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell reported that the painting of white lines to mark parking bays on Low Green had made the road too narrow and would cause a problem with traffic. Councillor Fletcher would investigate.
Councillor Mrs Imeson had been given a copy of a letter of thanks and appreciation from Disneyland to the Bradley School of Dance.

The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 30th March 2004.