Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 7th December 2004

Present

Councillors L Groves, Mrs M Stevens, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs F Greenwell, J Fletcher, P Bell, R Kirk. Mr H Atkinson, Cemetery Superintendent, and 12 members of the public also attended.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 9th November 2004 were signed after minor amendment, viz. it had been reported that Councillor Mrs Imeson had said that two cars were regularly parked on Newton Road, near the Rosehill Theatre, without lights. She did not recall saying “without lights”, and said that the cars were parked there during the day as well at night

Planning

The members of the public had attended to comment on planning applications. The Chairman therefore proposed that these two items be discussed at the start of the meeting.Construction of a detached dormer bungalow and alteration to existing domestic garage - land adjacent 12 Rosehill. The Parish Council recommended refusal on the grounds that the application represented over-development of the site. Councillor Mrs Imeson said that if the Planning Committee was minded to grant the application she would ask for a site visit. Members of the public expressed their concerns and were advised to write to the Planning Department individually. A covenant relating to the estate would not influence the planning decision but was a civil matter between the residents and their legal representatives.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 - 22 Bridge Street. A copy of the letter sent by a resident to the planning officer would be sent to the Head of Development Services informing him that the Parish Council fully concurred with the points raised. Concern would also be expressed about the utility pipe-work which was on view on a listed building, and the replacement of cobbles in the yard with block paving.
The Parish Councillors recorded their condolences on the death of Eric Brown, former Parish Clerk. He was remembered with affection.

Police Business

There was no police representative in attendance. The crime statistics for the months had been received. During November there had been a total of 16 crimes, which included 2 violent assaults, 3 auto-crimes and 2 burglaries. There had been 4 road traffic accidents, 2 of which were non-injury or animal related, and 2 resulting in injury. There had been 21 incidents of antisocial behaviour. The figures represented a significant reduction in crime compared with the same period the previous year.
Councillor Fletcher had attended the CAP meeting at which the reduction in crime and changes in staffing had been discussed. Much of the crime was caused by felons from Teesside.
The three councillors who had attended the Control Centre visit had been suitably impressed. The new phone number for the police was 0845 6060247
Councillor Bell had heard a report that Cumbria Police were having a blitz on unlicensed vehicles and asked, in view of his experience when he reported an unlicensed vehicle and was advised that it was not a police problem but a DVLA one, if North Yorkshire Police were going to have a similar blitz. A letter would be sent to Inspector Richardson asking about this, and commending the police on the reduction in crime.

Cemetery - headstones safety check - the cemetery superintendent had no problems with the proposed procedures and would instigate the inspection routine once the pro forma had been studied and accepted by the cemetery managers. Compost heap - the compost heap had been removed. Cemetery Superintendent’s hut - the roof on the hut was leaking badly and should be replaced. Estimates for a new roof would be sought.

River - report from River Warden Contractor

No report this month.

Matters arising from the minutes

Footpaths – Riverside - Councillor Fletcher and the Clerk had met the footpaths officer on site. He would investigate the likely cost of upgrading the path so that grants could be sought; stile Glebe field - this had still not been modified. NYCC would be asked to expedite the matter.
Village Hall - Councillor Kirk was authorised to engage the services of a solicitor to set up a deed for the management committee and a lease between the committee and the Parish Council. Repairs to the hall had been carried out at the Council’s expense as the repairing lease with the Dramatic Society had expired. The Dramatic Society received rents from letting the hall and would in future be asked to pay rent of £10 per week to the Parish Council, as well as continuing to pay the heating and lighting bills.
Repair to pavilion Minute continued
Highways matters - tree works Yarm Lane and Levenside - the works had been completed; hedge Guisborough Road - the hedge had been removed. Minute concluded
Play area safety inspection and disability provision - Councillor Fletcher had prepared a comprehensive report. Its conclusions were that the existing play equipment provided an opportunity for disabled children but that the Parish Council should take reasonable steps to comply with the Disability and Discrimination Act 1995 when refurbishing or renewing equipment. It was recommended that the play area and its equipment be reviewed annually in the context of the Act.
Street name sign Roseberry Drive - HDC to be reminded that the sign had still not been repaired
Alders, Low Green - Councillor Fletcher had contacted the Environment Agency and the issues arising were being considered.
Christmas - date for annual dinner - the dinner would take place on 5th February. It was agreed that Mr David Kent, who had recently retired as manager of Yatton House, be invited to join the Councillors; charity for carol singing collection - Councillor Groves chose the South Cleveland Heart Fund as the charity to benefit from the carol singing collection.

Accounts

Correspondence

NYCC - North Yorks Moors Cycle Plan, Routes 4 , 7 and 9. Comments invited. The Parish Council welcomed the cycleway which linked with its proposals for a cycle link between Great Ayton and Stokesley for utility and pleasure cycling Hambleton Citizens Advice Bureau - request for donation towards running costs. Request denied in accordance with Parish Council practice
NYMNPA - Northern Area Parish Forum meeting 26.1.04 - request for agenda items; Moors Messenger newsletter; agenda for Planning Committee meeting 9.12.04
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue - draft Integrated Risk Management Plan 2005 - 2010 questionnaire for completion. Clerk to complete questionnaire
The following items of information were received:-
NYCC - re parapet gate at School Lane. A key had been sent to the Parish Council so that the locked section of the parapet could be opened by the Council in the event of an emergency. Some mirth was generated by the fact that the lock was located at the bottom of the gate and scuba gear would be required to get at it in a flood.
CPRE - Fieldwork - newsletter
Bow House Ltd - copy of Come and Stay in Herriot Country
Wicksteed Leisure - brochure re safety grass
Standards Board for England - Local Investigations - guidance for monitoring officers and standards committees; Lobby groups, dual-hatted members and the Code of Conduct, guidance for members
NYCC - re temporary closure of Bridge Street 29.11.04 - 3.12.04
NYCC - The County Committee for Hambleton - agenda for meeting 29.11.04
By email - NYCC Pension Fund - re ODPM green paper on Facing the Future
By email - NYCC Pension Fund - minutes of NYPFOG meeting 22.904
Watson Burton LLP - re transfer of Justices’ Licence for North Eastern Co-op
SLFC - product information cardsNYMNPA - agenda for meeting 13.12.04
HDC - notices for Christmas tree recycling

Planning applications

Listed Building Consent for the replacement of garage door to existing dwelling - Beech Grove, 69 High Street. No representations
Installation of satellite dish - 117 High Street. No representations
Construction of manege - OS Field 0089, Green Lane. No representations
Construction of single storey rear extension to existing pavilion for storage use as amended - Great Ayton Cricket and Football Club, Easby Lane. No representations
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to form domestic garage and front porch - 34 Linden Grove. No representations
Plans approved
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling - Ayton House East
Plans refused
Application to carry out works to trees the subject of TPO 1998/1 - 1 Old Mill Wynd
Plans withdrawn
Outline application for the construction of a dwelling - land adjacent to 10 Roseberry Crescent
Letters of objection were received regarding plans for the Ambulance Hall, Addison Road, the application for bungalow at 12 Rosehill, and the amended application for 18 - 22 Bridge Street

Council Tax for Parishes - Revenue Estimates 2005/6

The budget indicated a decrease in the sum required from Hambleton District Council. This was due to the cemetery fees having been raised to an economic figure in the previous financial year. It was agreed to precept for £28,000, a reduction of £4,500 on the 2004/5 figure.

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Fletcher suggested that a competition for the best Christmas lights be held again. Judging would take place during week commencing 13th December and the results announced at the carol service on 17th. Certificates and prizes of £30, £20 and £10 would be awarded.Councillor Fletcher said that Peter Greenwell’s artistic talent with the High Green decorations was much appreciated.
Councillor Bell enquired if there was any way a resident’s garden could be tidied up. He was advised to suggest to the resident that he applied to Broadacres for assistance.
Councillor Mrs Stevens had received a report that a chemical toiled had been emptied in the lay-by on the B1292 near Langbaurgh Grange on at least 3 occasions. Asbestos and rubbish had also been tipped there. Although a large wagon parked there on a regular basis, wagons did not have chemical toilets and it was thought that the culprit must be a camper-van owner or caravanner. Hambleton District Council would be asked to remove the rubbish, and Highways would be asked if the undergrowth around the trees could be cut back so that the lay-by was less secluded.
The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 4th January 2005.