Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 1st March 2005 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors L Groves, Chairman, R Kirk, P Bell, J Fletcher, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs F Greenwell, Mrs M Stevens. Mr H Atkinson, Cemetery Superintendent, Mr M Cann from Hambleton District Council, and one member of the public also attended

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 1st February 2005 were approved and signed.

Planning issues

Councillor Groves welcomed Mr Cann to the meeting. Mr Cann addressed the various concerns raised by the Parish Council and explained the limitations of the planning system. The sign at Rainbow Nurseries advertising retail sales was not on the highways verge and did not therefore breach planning regulations. An application for part retail use was anticipated. Highways would decide on the suitability, or otherwise, of access. Planning permission was not required for the tarmac entrance at Strawberry Field, which merely reinforced an existing gateway. With regard to the agricultural building at Bank Flow Farm, the application had been withdrawn last year. Hambleton had received an agricultural appraisal from the applicant’s agent but thought it seemed to be a very thin case. A proper assessment would be made when the application was received. Councillor Mrs Imeson said that parishioners were angry about activities going on unchecked and had approached Parish Councillors with their concerns. Mr Cann explained that it was agricultural land and the owner was engaged in agricultural activities. The planning system discouraged the Planning Department from going in heavy-handed. However, the building did seem very large for a small holding. In answer to a question, Mr Cann explained that they did not need permission to do what they were doing as it was agricultural work. Councillor Kirk asked if it was necessary for the applicant to show that he was making agricultural wages from the land. Mr Cann confirmed that there was a financial consideration.Councillor Groves thanked Mr Cann for attending the meeting.

Police Business

There was no police officer in attendance. A copy of the crime statistics had been supplied by the Darlington and Stockton reporter. There had been 18 reported incidents, a decrease on last year’s figure of 21 but up on the January figure of 12. This was partly due to youths throwing snowballs. There had been 1 report of violent crime (assault), 4 autocrimes and 10 burglaries, both dwelling and non-dwelling. A suspect had been arrested and investigation was ongoing. There had been 8 road traffic accidents, 4 of which involved injuries. The increased number could be attributed to the bad weather. Councillor Kirk reported that Frankfield Place was a gathering place for youths and some “artwork” had appeared on the walls.
Councillors expressed disappointment that, despite North Yorkshire Police emphasising that communication was important, the meeting had no officer, no statistics and no notification that the inspector had left Stokesley. A letter would be sent to Inspector Richardson congratulating him on his “promotion” to Thirsk but expressing disappointment that the Parish Council had not been apprised of his intended departure.

Cemetery

C Pearson had been asked to replace the hut roof, there being no response to the two other tenders. Len Wilson, who had been asked to make new signs for the gates, had retired. It was agreed that wooden signs were appropriate and further enquiries would be made. Mr Atkinson reported that he had treated the paving at the Wall of Remembrance with some success. He asked and was granted permission to purchase a new barrow. After some discussion it was agreed that an old mower be sent for auction.

River

Councillor Fletcher reported that there was a fallen tree in the river just above the waterfall. The Environment Agency would be informed.

Matters arising

Footpaths – Riverside Minute continued
Village Hall An application had been made to the Charity Commission to appoint a trustee
Repair to pavilion Minute continued
Alders, Low Green Minute continued
Storage and inspection of sandbags. HDC had replied that the Parish Council was responsible for checking sandbags. The clerk was instructed to respond that the council did not feel competent to assess the condition of sandbags and believed that as the bags belonged to HDC it should take responsibility for them.
Weight limit - railway bridge at Little Ayton. NYCC replied that it was reconsidering the need for permanent restriction
Overgrown hedges, and frontage of Bells Stores Sainsburys had responded that Bells head office in Loftus was responsible for the store in Great Ayton. The letter had been forwarded to Bells. Letters had been sent to the owners of the overhanging hedges. One, who had cut his hedge, asked if anything could be done about parking and speeding cars in Roseberry Crescent near the school. The Council agreed that it was a police matter.
Football posts for POS. Posts had been ordered

Accounts

Correspondence

Hambleto n District Council - re Licensing Act 2003. Councillor Kirk would peruse the literature and report back to the council
Dr Paul Shelton - re lorries using A173. The Council would reply that it was sure that Dr Shelton must be aware that these matters had been raised previously and that there was no requirement for a weight limit for the stone bridge. With regard to speed traps at Newton under Roseberry, that location was under the jurisdiction of Cleveland Police
Dr Alan Cuthbert - re introduction of one-way system in village. The Council would reply that it felt there was nothing wrong with traffic in the village that could not be solved by a little patience. The present two-way system also had the advantage of keeping the speed of traffic down.
Mrs S Shepherd - list of donations made by Hollygarth Line Dancers; cheque for flower tub sponsorship. Mrs Shepherd would be thanked for her donation and congratulated on the work she had done for the community.
NEDL - request for contact details so that information re power cuts can be communicated to village
YRCC - invitation to renew subscription; booking form for Rural Community Halls Conference 14.5.05; reminder for Parish Government Conference 2005; RoSPA leaflet; information re Calor Village of the Year competition; Yorkshire and Humber Assembly - topic papers for inspection; Country Air newsletter; brochures for play equipment; The Playing Field newsletter. Subscription to be renewed.
Tees Valley Rural Community Council - World War II 60th anniversary events - advice on funding. It was suggested that the vicar be asked to conduct a joint service on VJ Day to commemorate the end of the war
ODPM - discussion documents - Citizen Engagement and Public Services: Why Neighbourhoods Matter, and Vibrant Local Leadership. Comments invited
defra - re Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill. Clerk to peruse website and report back
Mrs J Gawthorpe - re reporting of untaxed vehicles. Mrs Gawthorpe would be thanked for her letter
Esk Valley Railway Development Company - steam trains return to Whitby - invitation to join group at Whitby station on 5.3.05
Standards Board for England - review of contents of Code of Conduct. Comments invitedMrs J Stonehouse - re hedge Station Road. Owner of hedge would be asked to cut it back
Roseberry PTA - permission requested for cake stall. Permission given
Scouts - permission requested for duck race on 15.5.05 and to sell tickets and hold cake stall on 7.5.05. Granted.
The following items of information were received:-
Environment Agency - Upper Leven Flood Risk Management Strategy - consultation update
HDC - Christmas tree recycling results
SLFC - product information cards
HDC - invitation to renew public entertainment licence
NYCC - report summarising the responses to consultation on Council Plan
NYCC - notice of works to be carried out to footway in Linden Road
NYCC - circular from the Local Government Pensions Committee regarding changes to LGPS from 1.4.05
Askham Bryan College - brochure
Linfoot Associates - brochure re bespoke village sign service

Planning applications

Revised application for the demolition of existing ambulance station and construction of 4 apartments as amended by plans received by HDC on 3.2.05 - Ambulance Hall, Addison Road. A neighbour believed that the measurements were incorrect. HDC would send engineer to check. If they were wrong the application would have to go back, if correct there would be no further representations.
Proposed felling of 1 flowering cherry and 1 crab apple tree - Ayton Hall. No representations
Application to fell two trees subject to TPO 1982 - Ayton Hall. No representations but recommendation made that applicant be asked to replace the beech tree
Alterations to existing agricultural building to form commercial and domestic vehicle store - Langbaurgh Farm. Councillor Kirk declared a non pecuniary interest. No representations
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to form first floor accommodation - 14 Wainstones Drive. Letter from neighbour re application also received. The Council supported the difficulties raised by the neighbour and requested that they be properly checked out. The Council raised concerns about the light into the neighbour’s bedroom and the fact that the proposed dormer roof did not meet that of the neighbouring house. HDC would be asked to ensure that matching materials were used.
Installation of a conservation area roof light to existing dwelling - 4 The Mill, School Lane. Letter in support of application from applicant. No representations.
Alterations to existing dwelling and installation of 2 dormer windows - 3 Wainstones Drive. No representationsAlterations and side/rear extension to existing dwelling - 7 Angrove Drive. No representations
Revised application for alterations and two storey extension to existing dwelling - 27 Rosehill. The Council felt that it was a very large extension and appeared to be over-development of the site.
Plans approved
Installation of satellite dish - 117 High Street
Construction of manege - OS field 0089 Green Lane
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling to form porch - 61 Skottowe Crescent
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to form domestic garage and front porch - 34 Linden Grove
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to form conservatory as amended - 23 Roseberry Avenue
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to include 2 dormer windows - 21 Linden AvenueDemolition of structures at existing ambulance station, Addison Road - approval given
Appeal decision - Greenhow Moor Farm, Pannierman Lane - appeal denied

Date for Annual Parish Meeting

The date for the meeting would be Tuesday 12th April 2005 at 7.00 pm

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Bell had been asked by a resident that the sign for Angrove Close be altered to read “1 - 43 odd numbers only”. The other councillors felt that this was unnecessary.
He enquired if any action had been taken on his previous request to have a mirror put on the wall of the house opposite the end of Beech Close and was advised that Highways would not put one up unless there had been a serious accident.He complained that the bin lorry had arrived in Addison Road earlier than usual and that most people had not put their bins out. He was advised that HDC had made it clear that bins should be put out the night before collection day as collections could be as early as 6.00 am.Councillor Mrs Imeson had received a complaint that vehicles parking on the pavement near numbers 15 and 17 Newton Road were causing it to buckle. Councillors did not believe that there was a problem. Hambleton Strollers were looking for a couple of leaders in Great Ayton. Councillor Kirk would ask two people he thought might be willing to help.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell had received complaints from residents of Frankfield Place that people from the new flats were using their road. She was advised that Highways would not put up “residents only” signs as the road was un-adopted. Residents would not be permitted to put up their own signs if the road was a right of way.
Councillor Fletcher reported that the roads on the Friends School development had now been adopted and that the wrought iron gates at the Durham Gate had been welded open.

The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 29th March 2005.