Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 17th August 2004 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors L Groves, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs M Stevens, Mrs F Greenwell, P Bell, J Fletcher.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Kirk

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 20th July 2004 were approved and signed.

Police Business

There was no police representative at the meeting but a report had been sent. In July there had been 5 violent crimes - 3 related to the same incident at Gribdale Gate involving youths from Middlesbrough. There were 2 burglaries and 7 auto-crimes. One injury accident was reported. There was a total in 95 incidents, 19 of which were anti-social behaviour. The level of burglaries was half that of the same period last year, and anti-social behaviour incidents showed a slight drop. The police would continue to concentrate on these matters.
The Parish Council felt that written reports did not satisfactorily replace a police presence at the meetings. The fight against crime and anti-social behaviour would be improved by direct contact between the police and the Council so that joint conclusions could be reached. The Council missed the opportunity to discuss incidents, and issues raised by residents, with the police. On a positive note, there had been a swift response to a request to deal with youths in the cemetery, and the patrols in the vicinity of Edward Kitching Terrace seemed to be working. A letter raising these matters would be sent to Inspector Richardson.There was still dissatisfaction with the call centre with people being left hanging on after being told they would be transferred, and some being promised calls-back or follow-ups which did not materialise. A strong letter would be sent to the Chief Constable regarding these problems.

Cemetery

The Cemetery Superintendent had compiled a list of unsafe headstones. Letters would be sent to those relatives who could be identified asking them to confirm their intention to reinstate the headstones within one month, or the stones would be laid flat by Mr Atkinson for safety reasons.
Councillor Fletcher suggested that Mr Atkinson should carry out a regular safety check on headstones so that the Parish Council could demonstrate that it had taken reasonable precautions in the event of an accident. A vigorous discussion ensued. Councillor Mrs Imeson did not agree that the graves should be listed. A vote was taken, four councillors being in favour of the proposal, with abstentions from Councillors Mrs Imeson and Mrs Stevens.
Mr Rickerby of Broadacres had replied that the fence between the cemetery and Linden Close belonged to the Parish Council. However, Broadacres did intend to renew their own fences in the near future. He commented on the large rubbish heap at the rear of the cemetery which could be used as a ramp by youths to get over the fence. The Council agreed that it should be removed, as it was also very unsightly.
Mr Atkinson had reported on the comparatively large number of burials for non-residents. It was agreed that unless non-residents had very strong familial reasons for being buried in Great Ayton cemetery, future requests would be denied because of the limited space available. A letter advising of this ruling would be sent to all local funeral directors. A lady had complained that a shrub which she had planted on her late husband’s grave had been removed. Investigation had revealed that the Cemetery Superintendent had transplanted it into the hedge. The Council reiterated the ruling that only spring bulbs, which could later be mown, should be planted.

Matters arising

Footpaths Thief Lane - a team had been working on the path and it was understood that the work was complete; Riverside - minute continued.
Village Hall Only one quotation had been received for repairs to the guttering. This would be accepted.
Potholes, High Green Minute continued.
Repair to pavilion A response from Wimpey indicated that they were now looking into the matter. C Pearson would be asked to carry out repairs to the roof which had many broken tiles. The “No Golfing” signs had been delivered and would be sited at either end of the playing field.
Highways matters Bridges - Highways had stated that it was unlikely that funding would be available for painting bridges. Councillor Fletcher felt that the bridges needed to be painted for tourism purposes. Councillor Mrs Imeson said it was disgraceful that the Parish had to do Highways work for them. Councillor Fletcher would speak to Highways; tree works Yarm Lane and Levenside - Highways said that tree works were very expensive but they would see what could be done; hedge Langbaurgh corner - Highways had not received the letter from Mr Eardley but thought that removal of a hedge may be beyond their resources; overgrowing vegetation, Guisborough Road - this had been dealt with.
Addressing of correspondence A response had been received from Royal Mail stating that they were unable to change the postal address. The Clerk would respond that the Council was very disappointed with the reply and would continue to use North Yorkshire, as did most of the residents of the village.
Appointment of River Warden Mr Suggitt had accepted the “roles and responsibilities” document. He was unable to attend the meeting but had sent in a report of duties carried out.
Tree, Low Green Mr Crombie reported that the die-back could be spray damage. However, the tree was now coming away again and would probably survive.
Fences at rear of cemetery See Cemetery above
Trod, Linden Grove/Hawthorns Broadacres and NYCC Footpaths replied that the trod was not their responsibility. Highways would be asked to deal with it.

Accounts

Correspondence

Esk Valley Railway Development Company - request for volunteers to care for station. The Darlington and Stockton Times reporter would ask for volunteers in his column
Dr Paul Shelton - re public open space, cycle hitching rails, High Green parking spaces. The Parish Council would notify Dr Shelton of the location of the public open space, and what was meant by “water storage”. The Parish Council would ask the Library and NYCC if the cycle racks in the library car park could be upgraded to afford secure storage for bicycles. Parking spaces at the side of High Green had been in existence for many years and was evident on postcards from the 1930s.
Mrs J Roberts - re paving on High Street. Mrs Roberts reported that a lorry delivering bricks had damaged the new paving stones outside 1 High Street, and that a utilities company had replaced a paving slab near the Chapel Steps with one which did not match the others, Highways had been notified. Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that Highways had still not improved Dump Corner, and there were also 2 or 3 metal inspection covers which had been lifted and not properly replaced between Rosehill Theatre and Sams Bakery. Highways would be informed. Councillor Fletcher reported that a utilities company had re-laid cobbles and concrete incorrectly on the East side of High Green. Letters would be sent to all the utilities companies asking if they were responsible.
Hambleton Sports Council - request for affiliation fee. Agreed
Powergen - request to identify sites for small wind farms. The Parish Council was not in favour of wind farms
The Dogs Trust -request for permission to conduct microchipping road show 26.8.04. Approved
Bow House - Herriot Country 2005, Short Breaks and Visitor Guide. The tourism advertisement would be placed as before.
NYCC - Hambleton Area Committee Newsletter; North Yorkshire Police Authority Community Survey 2004 for completion. Councillor Bell to complete
NYMNPA - Local Produce Guide - comments invited. The Council approved the guide and requested further copies.
D Kenward - re rabbits on allotments. The Clerk would contact Yarm Town Council to ask if they had had any success with the elimination of rabbits
Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber - proposed changes to draft revised regional planning guidance - comments invited. ReceivedMrs R M Waterton - re Himalayan balsam at Low Green. The River Warden would be asked to remove it where possible
P Scrope - copy of letter sent to HDC re wheeled bins
BT - re payphone provision. A case would be put for the retention of the callbox at Gribdale Terrace as it was a useful emergency phone for walkers. Not everyone owned a mobile phone and signals were not always reliable in the countryside. BT would be asked to paint the box in the High Street
Hambleton and Richmondshire Rural Transport Partnership - invitation to attend six monthly meeting 14.9.04
The following items of information were received:-
HDC - postal address for new property - 144A Newton Road
NYMNPA - agenda for Northern Area Parish Forum 28.7.04; Planning Committee agenda 12.8.04
Street, Landscape & Play Product Review - brochure
NYCC - Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan - North Yorkshire - leaflets and poster
Mrs J Duffey, WI - thanks to Parish Council for advising on grant funding
NYCC - Northallerton College prospectus
RoSPA - notification of inspection of play area September 2004

Planning applications

Alterations and extension to existing dwelling - 52 Guisborough Road. No representations
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling - 23 Greenacre Close. No representations
Application for creation of access drive at Ryehill House, Station Road. No representations
Alterations and part single/part two storey side extension to existing dwelling - 1 Roseberry Crescent. No representations
Alterations and single storey side/rear conservatory extension to existing dwelling - 5 Skottowe Drive. No representations
Construction of agricultural building and formation of new access - OS Fields 5890 and 6300. The Parish Council thought that the building was very large and would prefer to see it lower, as it was in a very prominent position on the hillside. The Council wished to see the building used for cattle and not for commercial purposes. The Council had complained previously about the gate and felt that the applicant had been high handed. The Council would strongly resist any future residential application to look after cattle
Alterations and ground floor extension to existing dwelling - 8 Roseberry Avenue. No representations
Proposed felling of two sycamore trees and replacement of both trees - Great Ayton Tennis Club. No representations
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling - 44 Wheatlands. No representations
Plans approved
Proposed works to 4 holly trees and 1 flowering cherry tree - 17 High Green
Single storey extension to existing dwelling - 10 Langbaurgh CloseApplication for construction of replacement garden room at 8 Dikes Lane.
Planning Appeals
Mr J M Hewison, Greenhow Moor Farm, Pannierman Lane

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Bell said that the allotment rents were due in the first half of October. A date would be arranged. Permission was given for the purchase of gravel for the tracks and parking spaces.
Councillor Mrs Imeson objected most strongly to the Park Square car park being used for the sale of cars. A car with a “for sale” notice had been parked there for over a week. Councillor Fletcher objected to a camper van being parked on High Green for weeks on end.
Councillor Groves reported that the stile at the Ayton Hall Farm end of the footpath from Guisborough Road was too high and needed replacing. The bushy hedge at the side of the path also needed to be trimmed. The Footpaths Officer at NYCC would be notified.

Such other business as, in the opinion of the Chairman, should, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

The external auditors had returned the annual accounts for amendment. Parish Council assets should not be depreciated and had to be removed from the balances and payments. The Council approved the amendments and the Chairman and Clerk initialled the alterations to the annual return.

The date of the following meeting would be Tuesday 14th September 2004