Great Ayton

Minutes of the Annual Public Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 29th March 2006 at 7.00 pm

Business

Chairman’s welcome and report
Minutes of the 2005 Public Meeting
Matters arising from those minutes
Councillors’ attendance
Any other business

Present

Chairman’s Welcome and Report

Councillor Mrs Stevens welcomed the electors to the meeting and introduced the Councillors.  She expressed her thanks to her fellow councillors for their work during the year and especially the work done by the Clerk, Mrs Holden.  

Mr Waters had been co-opted onto the Council in January following the death of Councillor Len Groves.  Councillor Groves had worked tirelessly for the village both as a parish and district councillor.  He was a gentleman and would be missed by all the organisations with which he was associated.

Councillor Mrs Stevens’ report covered the many events which had occurred during the year including the commemoration of the end of World War II with a service at Christ Church, and the retirement of Dr Davies after 27 years of service to the village.  The regular Christmas events had been successful and thanks were due to all who helped, especially Peter Greenwell.  Howard Atkinson and Paul Suggitt were praised for keeping, respectively, the cemetery and river in good order.

The Council was still actively seeking a solution to the village hall problem, and continued to put pressure on NYCC to carry out improvements to the Tree Bridge junction.  Antisocial behaviour by youths and children, and dog fouling on pavements continued to cause problems for residents.

Minutes

The minutes of the Annual Public Meeting held on Wednesday 12th April 2005 were approved and signed.

Matters arising

Flooding  The Environment Agency had carried out a study of the upper Leven.  There were to be no engineering works in the foreseeable future and flood prevention measures would be limited to enhanced maintenance of the riverbed.

Councillors’ attendance

At the thirteen meetings since the last Annual Parish Meeting Councillors’ attendance was as follows:- Councillors Mrs Stevens, Mrs Imeson, Mrs Greenwell and J Fletcher 12, Councillor Kirk 10, Councillor Bell 9, Councillor Groves 5 of a possible 8, Councillor Waters 1 of a possible 2.

Any other business

Mr H Petch complained that the planks and sheeting on view in the cemetery looked very untidy, and several graves had sunk and needed to be filled in.  He also asked if the cyprus trees were to be cut.  Mrs J Duffy suggested that a proper footpath be installed from the small gate near Yatton House as people were walking on the corner of a grave.  These matters would be investigated by the Parish Council.

Mr R Winterschladen commented that the worst problem in the village was the antisocial behaviour of youths.  He said that there had been no problem when the police were a regular presence in the village.  Councillor Fletcher responded that there was now a neighbourhood policing team comprising a sergeant and several other officers.  Residents were urged to report all incidents to the police.

Mrs J Duffy asked what was the purpose of the allotments.  They looked very untidy with high fencing and sheds.  Councillor Bell said that he had received many complementary remarks about the improvement in the condition of the allotments and there was currently a waiting list of 16.  High fences were necessary to keep out thieves.  Skips were regularly hired for the disposal of rubbish.

Messrs H Petch and R Winterschladen asked if the Council had a policy for keeping trees in check.  The Council would inspect those on High Green and take any necessary remedial action.

Councillor Mrs Stevens brought the meeting to a close and thanked the members of the public for attending.

Mrs M Hopper thanked the Councillors for their hard work during the year.