Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 13th September 2005 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors Mrs M Stevens, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs F Greenwell, L Groves, J Fletcher and R Kirk. One member of the public also attended.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P Bell

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16th August 2005 were approved and signed with minor amendment viz: in Correspondence the response to the Dramatic Society should have read “……..and Drama had been responsible for everything else”. They were not responsible for anything structural.
Councillor Mrs Imeson was not satisfied with the response from Highways that they would take the proposal to make Bridge Street a one-way system no further. She objected to Councillor Fletcher giving his own observations on the scheme direct to Highways. He said that he had made his comments before the matter was brought before the Parish Council. The clerk was instructed to contact Highways again and ask that they make their own investigation as to the suitability of a one-way system.

Police Business

There was no police representative at the meeting as they were tied up with the fair. Sgt Sanderson had sent a letter with a few items for the meeting. Plain-clothes patrols were being undertaken. The bicycle provided by the Parish Council would be ready on 19th September and a media launch was planned. The Police Surgery at the library was not proving successful – only one person had attended the most recent one. Councillors felt that the police would do better to walk round the village.The statistics for August showed that there had been a total of 21 crimes including 4 autocrimes and 3 burglaries. Of 100 reported incidents 33 involved antisocial behaviour.

Cemetery

Mr Atkinson said that there was still a problem with rabbits but he anticipated it would be resolved over the winter months.
Play area The new safety surfacing had been installed and seemed to be very good.Councillor Fletcher reported that willows and alders needed to be cut back near the stone bridge. Mr Atkinson would undertake this work.

River

Mr Suggitt was unable to attend the meeting. He had repaired and refurbished the seats on Low Green. He had taped off the newly painted seats and provided warning notices. Unfortunately, these had been removed by vandals and some people had sat on the seats and damaged their clothing (see correspondence below). The Parish Council agreed to reimburse one person for a replacement pair of trousers and send compensation to another.Mr Suggitt had supervised a group of young boys removing rubbish from the river.

Matters arising

Footpaths – Riverside The Parish Council was disappointed to learn that the CPI funding avenue was no longer available bearing in mind the length of time the project had been in motion. NYCC would be asked to chase Wimpey regarding the path over their land.
Village Hall After lengthy discussion it was agreed that the services of a surveyor be sought via ProHelp to inspect the building. Once that was in hand users of the hall would be consulted for a wish list before an architect was engaged to provide ideas.
Repair to pavilion The Council considered the need for obtaining estimates for the work as per standing orders but agreed to ask Chris Pearson to undertake the job. Payment would be made from money already given for leisure facilities and would not be a charge on the ratepayer..
Alders, Low Green Minute continued
Grant for play area. The Safety surface had been installed and appeared to be a big improvement. It seemed unlikely that a grant would be forthcoming because of the Council’s reserves. Further enquiries would be made
Frontage of Bells Store. Bells accepted that the frontage not good. They would inspect it and discuss with the ParishCouncil
Grass-crete path, High Street Minute continued
Rubbish in lay-bys on B1292 HDC had dealt with the rubbish. Councillor Mrs Stevens reported that another chemical toilet had been emptied in the lay-by. Minute concluded
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Local Development Framework – Councillor Mrs Greenwell reported that it differed very little from that supplied by HDC. Minute concluded
Tip and recycling centre – Stokesley. No response from NYCC. Anecdotal evidence suggested that things had improved.
Sales signs for Rainbow Nurseries. HDC would investigate. Minute concluded
Trees overhanging Newton Road Minute continued
Disabled parking signs, “free” car park sign TIC car park Minute continued
Licence – Bells Stores. Objection to licence extension withdrawn. Minute concluded

Accounts

Correspondence

Mrs J Hodgson – request for memorial seat for Mrs Renee Richards. Approved
Local Works – request for support for Campaign to end Ghost Town Britain – The Sustainable Communities Bill. The Parish Council would support the bill
K Dixon SBLI Productions – request for support. Applicant would be advised to contact Community Education at Stokesley as the sum allocated for grants in the budget had already been used.
K Donovan – request for extra litter bins on Low Green. The Council would keep an eye on the situation and reconsider in the spring. Ms Donovan would be thanked for her interest. P Rotheram would be asked to repair the broken bins
Mrs S Pickersgill – report of damage to clothing from newly painted seats on Low Green. See “River” above
Mr L Goldinger – request for compensation for damage to clothing as above. See “River” above
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority – Integrated Risk Management Draft Action Plan 2006/7 Consultation Document - comments invited. Clerk to complete questionnaire
HDC – Hambleton Local Development Framework Development Policies DPD – Issues and Options consultation – comments invited. The Parish Council would respond that it did not want to see any change to development limits, it wanted no new development outside development limits, and agreed with the need for specific guidance on the form of settlements
Mazars – return of completed audit form. No matters raised on annual accounts
Great Ayton Conservative Club – request to sell raffle tickets on High Street in aid of North East Air Ambulance 17.09.05. Approved
Councillor P Bell – re CCTV and HDC rate capping. In response to the accusation that HDC was playing politics by going ahead with planned tax increases despite knowing it would be capped, Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that capping criteria were set after HDC’s budget had been set. Councillor Mrs Imeson observed that HDC was the third lowest tax council in the country. With regard to the provision of CCTV Councillor Mrs Imeson said that the money for Great Ayton had been earmarked and should still be used. Councillor Fletcher was asked to put forward Great Ayton’s case at Cabinet.W Kirby – re village hall. Mr Kirby’s comments were noted
E Ellis – re planting memorial tree. Mr Ellis would be advised to obtain a tree and the Council would then show him where to plant it.
The following items of information were received:-
NYCC – notification of closure of Newton Road for carriageway strengthening works for 3 days from 19th September. Councillors were concerned regarding what arrangements had been made for bus users. Urgent enquiries would be made.
CPRE – Fieldwork newsletter; notification re action on catastrophic Government housing plans; request to recruit more letter writers
Guidestar UK – notification that Captain Cook Garden charity features on website
NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda 8.12.05
Hambleton and Richmondshire Rural Transport Partnership – newsletter and brochure
Middlesbrough Council – re Local Development Framework Statement of Community Involvement
NYCC Pension Fund – newsletter; agenda for meeting 6.10.05; re change of date for Pension Benefits/Administration Briefing Sessions 19.9.05
HDC – notification that Mr D Adamson was elected second Parish Council Representative on the Standards Committee
The Local Channel – re website
HDC – invitation to attend District/Parish Liaison Meeting 12.9.05
NYCC – County Committee for Hambleton newsletter
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council – invitation to discussion workshop re Preferred Options for the Core Strategy DPD
Clerks and Councils Direct – magazine
HDC – notification of granting of premise licence for village hallNYCC Pension Fund – Interim Review as at 31.3.05; issues for employers arising from the Revocation of LGPS (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2004
NYCC – re closure of C1 from A173 to C25 Easby Lane Junction from 1.10.05 to 13.12.05. The Council was dismayed to learn that the closure was going to last so long. Highways would be asked if the contractors could remove the “road closed” signs when they were not on site as they were only required for the safety of personnel working on the road.
HDC – agenda for District/Parish Councils’ Liaison meeting 12.09.05. The Parish Council had asked that HDC consider sending out summaries of lengthy documents with the whole document being available on its website for perusal if required. Councillor Kirk who had attended the meeting said that HDC would try where possible. Where they needed a quick response they would send out the whole document. It was observed that they were less likely to get a response if they sent the whole document
NYCC – notification of closure of Newton Road from junction with Station Road to junction with Arthur Street from 19.9.05 to 23.9.05

Planning applications

Alterations and extension to existing dwelling to form a dormer window – 9 Roseberry Avenue. The Parish Council objected on the grounds that it would create a precedent, it looked very ugly, and it may be better if it did not extend so far
Revised application for the construction of a detached dormer bungalow and alterations to existing domestic garage as amended – land adjacent 12 Rosehill. The Parish Council objected on the grounds that nothing had changed. Although plans for a garage had been submitted they looked contrived and the Council doubted that a garage would be used but cars would be parked on the very long drive. It was felt that it did not “sit right” and was to the disadvantage of neighbours. The Planning Department would be asked that the application go to committee if they had a mind to approve it.
Plans approved
Single storey extension to existing dwelling – 49 Roseberry CresentApplication for replacement sewage treatment works at OS Field 5500 Gribdale Terrace
Letter from HDC in response to query regarding gates onto B1292, Langbaurgh Farm. HDC replied that the gate onto the B1292 replaced an existing gate and the other was onto the drive and not directly onto the road.
Development Control Committee Site Visit 19.9.05 at 9.30 am
Great Ayton – revised application for the construction of an agricultural livestock building and a new vehicular access

Date for fete 2006

It was agreed that the fete be held on 10th June 2006.

Allotment rents

Allotment rents would be collected on Monday 17th October at 6 .30 pm in the Working Men’s Club. Rents would be rationalised based on £15 per year for a full allotment.

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Mrs Greenwell had received a report that the hedge near Field House on Yarm Lane needed cutting. The owner would be asked to deal with it. Councillor Kirk said that the hedge on the right angled bend at Angrove House also required attention.
Councillor Mrs Stevens said that Rotary would like to give about £200 to provide something for the village. A noticeboard or sponsoring flower tubs was suggested.
Councillor Mrs Imeson reported that a tree on leased land behind the TIC had been cut down. Councillor Fletcher said that people had been complaining about bushes growing out over the footpath. In response HDC had taken it all out.
Councillor Fletcher said that the bollards on the car park at the rear of Bells Stores were broken and looked a mess. HDC would be asked if there was any way they could repair them and re-charge Yuills.

Christmas dates would be discussed at the next meeting on Tuesday 18th October 2005.