Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 14th September 2004 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors L Groves, Chairman, R Kirk, J Fletcher. Sgt S Sanderson, Mr H Atkinson, Cemetery Superintendent, Mr P Suggitt, River Warden Contractor, and three members of the public also attended.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs J Imeson, Mrs M Stevens, Mrs F Greenwell and P Bell.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 17th August 2004 were approved and signed.

Police Business

Councillor Groves welcomed Sgt Sanderson to the meeting.
The statistics provided by Stokesley Police Station showed that there had been 11 violent crimes, 5 autocrimes and 4 burglaries in the previous month. There had been one injury road traffic accident, and a total of 126 incidents, 30 of which involved antisocial behaviour.
Sgt Sanderson said that the figures were up compared with July and the previous year. The violent crime related to the riot a few weeks earlier following which arrests had been made. The matter was still under investigation. Sgt Sanderson said that she was aware of antisocial behaviour and intended to reduce it. Regular patrols would be started on Friday and Saturday evenings. Antisocial behaviour would not be tolerated and arrests would be made. Councillor Fletcher referred to the problem solving group meeting attended by Inspector Richardson, when the mini riot and the use of CCTV was discussed. There would be a follow-up meeting in October.
Superintendent Spittal had responded to the letter from the Parish Council regarding the poor communications system. He invited members of the Council to visit the call centre. A suitable date would be arranged. Sgt Sanderson advised the meeting that a new 0845 telephone number would shortly be launched and would be well publicised.Sgt Sanderson was thanked for attending the meeting, particularly during Fair Week, and advised that the Parish Council would assist the police in any way it could.
The Chairman invited Mr Eardley to speak. Mr Eardley was upset that the Darlington and Stockton Times report suggested that his letter to NYCC regarding the removal of the hedge near his house had not been received. It was explained that it had probably not reached the correct department at the time of publication. The Parish Council would reiterate its support for Mr Eardley’s proposal.

Cemetery

Several people had responded to the letters concerning the unsafe headstones and would undertake the necessary work. Councillor Fletcher would prepare a pro-forma for the suggested safety check. Mr Atkinson said that the compost heap was very large and it would require significant work for it to be removed. He would ask Richard Collins for a price. The waste matter could not be removed to the composting site at Stokesley because it contained wire and plastic from old wreaths. It was suggested that HDC be asked to provide a large waste bin for the disposal of wreaths etc in future.
Mr Suggitt was welcomed to the meeting. He had provided a report on the items removed from the river in the previous month. He had no problems other than difficulty in defining which parts of the river bank belonged to the Parish Council. He was advised that the Environment Agency would not be concerned if he tidied up those areas in its responsibility. His offer to cut back the trees overhanging the road and parking spaces on Low Green was accepted.
It was agreed that he be paid quarterly, the first payment to be made, therefore, at the December meeting.

Matters arising

Footpaths – Riverside - It was agreed to remove this item from the agenda until the legal process was completed; stile and hedge Glebe field - Minute continued
Village Hall. An estimate had been received for further works to roof. It was agreed that this work should be carried out.
Potholes, High Green, surface dressing/repair - An account had been received from the contractor (see Accounts below) and it was agreed that this should not be paid until the work was completed to the Council’s satisfaction. Councillor Fletcher had prepared a report on the unsatisfactory areas and this would be forwarded to the contractor for their attention.
Repair to pavilion - Wimpey’s legal department had passed the correspondence on to the technical department. The matter would be chased up.
Highways matters - footbridges - Highways had recognised that repairs were required to both bridges. It was hoped that they would also paint them; trees works Yarm Lane and Levenside - minute continued; trod, Linden Grove/Hawthorns - Highways had inspected the trod and been unable to identify a problem; dump corner - Highways had carried out repairs to all identified potholes; metal inspection covers Newton Road - Highways could see no problem with the inspection covers. Councillor Fletcher would arrange to meet the Highways inspector to investigate the problems.
Poorly reinstated road surface, High Green - Northern Electric, Transco and Northumbrian Water had no record of work being carried out there. Councillor Fletcher would make further inquiries.
Rabbits, allotments Yarm Town Council had responded that one of their allotment tenants had offered to deal unofficially with the problem.
Removal of payphone, Gribdale Terrace - BT was unable to consider request to retain the payphone and paint the call box at High Green at present due to volume of responses
Cycle rack, library car park - NYCC to look into costings
Car for sale, Park Square - Highways and Police were unable to take action as car was properly taxed. It was reported that the car was now parked at Poole roundabout

Accounts

Correspondence

Ray Speed re police surveillance of pavilion area and offer to provide crime number for damage to pavilion roof during mini riot. Mr Speed to be advised of current situation regarding repair of pavilion.
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - consultation papers (1) A Draft Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees (2) A Review of Restrictions on the Political Activities of Local Authority Employees and Pay of Political Assistants - comments invited. Received
NYCC - Rights of Way Improvement Plan survey for completion. Clerk to complete
Julie Wright - re current youth provision in Great Ayton. To be advised to contact Community Education Officer
HDC - invitation to attend “Crime Seminar” 22.9.04; Hambleton Community Safety Partnership newsletter; book marks. Received
NYCC - A172/B1292 Tree Bridge Crossroads - confirmation that work has started on feasibility study for future provision of roundabout; information re short term local safety scheme. Parish Council approved interim safety measures and commended NYCC on action regarding possible roundabout.
NYMNPA - Northern Area Parish Forum notes of previous meeting, notices for next, and request for agenda items. Received.
Great Ayton WI - invitation to fundraising lunch 29.10.04. Received
NYCC Committee Services Unit - re funding criteria for Community Fund/Big Lottery Fund. Received
NYCC - re North Yorkshire County Council’s Community Development Fund. Received
HDC - re tree at Waterfall Park. Retrospective approval given for removal of dangerous tree
NYCC - request for extended waiting restrictions at Station Road. NYCC to be advised that the Parish Council did not request waiting restrictions in this area and saw no need for them. They would prefer any money to be spent at Tree Bridge junction.
NYMNPA - request for help with funding mile posts and signs renovation project. To be deferred until next meeting.Mrs C Best - re application to cut down sycamore trees at tennis court. Mrs Best would be advised to take up the matter with the Tennis Club and Hambleton District Council
Paul Peverell - Christmas dates. A provisional date of 17th December for carols round the Christmas tree was suggested, subject to approval at next meeting. The band would not be available on 18th December.
The following items of information were received:-
NYMNPA - Planning Committee agenda 9.9.04
HDC - street naming and numbering Bridge Street Mews
NYCC - revocation of weight restriction Little Ayton bridge
J Fletcher - copy of email sent to S Quartermain re disturbance in High Street
BT Wholesale - notification that wayleave service order for 5 - 6 High Green has been cancelled
HDC - re referendum on regional government and review of local government
NYCC - posters re service for couples wishing to renew wedding vows
Yorkshire Rural Community Council - questionnaire on good practice in inclusive parish documents; Country Air newsletter; The Playing Field newsletter; play equipment leaflets
Glasdon - street furniture brochure
CPRE - Fieldwork newsletter
Clerks and Councils Direct - magazine
External Review - product information cards
By email:
NYCC - Local Government Pension Committee Circular 162
NYCC - North Yorkshire Pension Fund Officers’ Group - agenda for meeting 22.9.04

Planning applications

Alterations and single storey rear extension to existing dwelling - 12 Farm Garth. No representations
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling to form conservatory - 51 Roseberry Crescent. No representations
Replacement of flat roof with pitched roof over existing kitchen extension - 7 Angrove Close. No representations
Listed Building Consent for alterations to rear, including replacement double doors - 12 High Green. No representations
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling - 37 Addison Road. No representations
Alterations and side dormer to existing dwelling - 32 Roseberry Crescent. No representations
Application for creation of access drive (retrospective) Ryehill House - invitation for representative of parish council to speak at Planning Committee meeting
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling to form garage - 4 Addison Road. No representations
Plans approved
Alterations, single storey side/rear extension and rear dormer window to existing dwelling as amended - 24 Romany Road
Alterations and replacement single storey rear utility and construction of a timber detached garage to existing dwelling as amended - 79 Newton Road
Application for Listed Building Consent to install two burglar alarm bell boxes to existing building - 22 Bridge Street
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling - 23 Greenacre Close
Proposed works to sycamore tree - 83 High Street
Application for consent to carry out works to trees subject to TPO - Cleveland Lodge
Single storey side extension to existing dwelling - 5 Roseberry Road
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling to create additional bedroom - 57 Wheatlands
Creation of access drive (retrospective) - Ryehill House, Station Road

Allotment rent increase

It was agreed that the allotment rents be increased by 1½ percent in October 2005. Councillor Bell had found a source of road planings for the roads and paths. Letters of termination would be sent to several tenants because of the dirty condition of their allotments.

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Kirk reported that the street light at Dump Corner was obscured by trees. HDC would be notified.
Councillor Groves inspected the Annual Risk Report and agreed with Councillor Kirk that there were no changes.

The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 12th October 2004.