Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 18th October 2005 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors Mrs M Stevens, Chairman, Mrs F Greenwell, Mrs J Imeson, L Groves, J Fletcher, P Bell and R Kirk. PC Marcus Carter, PCSO Jason Lloyd, Mr H Atkinson, Mr P Suggitt and two members of the public also attended.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 13th September 2005 were approved and signed.

Police Business

PCSO Jason Lloyd reported that the monthly statistics for September showed a significant reduction in crime compared with the same period last year. A total of twenty crimes included 3 violent assaults, 2 autocrimes and 3 burglaries. One injury road traffic accident had occurred. Seventyseven incidents were recorded of which 31 involved antisocial behaviour. He reported that there was a major problem with fireworks and Trading Standards had been informed.
Shops in the village were all now linked to Ringmaster and free radios had been made available for one month leading to the Christmas period. The Parish Council expressed its appreciation to Bells Stores and the Co-op who had agreed to fund part of the scheme.
There had been reports of youths in cars causing nuisance in the TIC car park and it was suggested that collapsible bollards could be used to shut the car park at night. Councillor Fletcher was perturbed by the problem and said that the Parish Council had been unaware of it.
The police said that people reporting incidents should do so at the time and directly to the police, not via Parish Councillors. However, they agreed that a late report, for the records, was better than no report at all and would add to the overall picture of crimes and incidents in Great Ayton and thus to improved policing. It was recognised that there was still some difficulty in making contact via the call centre but matters were continually improving.
Both policemen expressed gratitude for the bicycle and felt that it was a great asset. Councillor Bell made his annual plea for something to be done about youths riding on pavements and without lights. There was a particular problem with cyclists hurtling down Addison Road and round a blind corner onto the footpath leading to the Chapel steps. Highways would be asked if a barrier could be erected.
Councillor Mrs Stevens said that there had been several incidents of vandalism including the knocking over of dog bins in Central Way and the Chapel Steps, a flower tub at Hollygarth and a resident’s fence at Langbaurgh Close.
PC Carter reported that there had been incidents of cold calling at Hollygarth late at night. Residents were advised to keep chains on their doors and to ask for ID. Doors should not be opened to cold callers at any time.
PC Carter informed the Council that he was being transferred from Great Ayton to other duties. He reiterated his thanks for the bicycle and thanked the Council for its support.Councillor Mrs Stevens thanked the police for attending.

Cemetery

Mr Atkinson reported that the small cemetery gate and swings in the play area had been repaired. He asked if the alders and willows adjacent to the road near the stone bridge should be cut down. This was agreed. It was also agreed that he trim the willow near the pump on High Green. He had painted the seats on the Green.Councillor Mrs Stevens remarked that the wall at the Garden of Remembrance looked very untidy with many vases about. Mr Atkinson said that many of the vases were heavy and people complained if they had to collect them from his hut every time they wished to use them. He would monitor the situation.

River

Mr Suggitt had cleared the river and strimmed the bank side. The shoals in the river had still not been removed. Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that the Leven in Great Ayton had been discussed at the recent Flood Forum meeting when it had been decided that all that could be done to safeguard against flooding, as walls were inappropriate, was to keep the river bed clear. The Environment Agency would be asked to expedite the matter. Councillor Fletcher reported that the Environment Agency now recognised that the sewer pipe crossing the river below Hollygarth was a problem.

Matters arising

Footpaths – Riverside Minute continued
Village Hall Councillor Kirk reported that ProHelp were actively seeking assistance for the Parish Council. He would contact them again before next meeting for a time scale. Councillor Mrs Imeson said that HDC’s surveyor would report on the hall for a reasonable fee.
Repair to pavilion Repairs were under way. Mr Pearson would be asked to repair the broken gutter also. Minute concluded
Alders, Low Green Minute continued
Grant for play area – Parish Council not eligible for grant due to reserves held. Minute concluded
Frontage of Bells Store Minute continued
Grass-crete path, High Street Minute continued
Tip and recycling centre – Stokesley. Explanation of working of new tip received from NYCC. Minute concluded
Trees overhanging Newton Road. Trees had been cut back. Minute concluded
Disabled parking signs, “free” car park sign TIC car park HDC would try to incorporate “free” into car park sign. The disabled bay on Park Square was the responsibility of NYCC.
Hedges Yarm Lane Minute continued
Bollards Park Rise Minute continued

Accounts

Correspondence

Great Ayton Dramatic Society – query re responsibility for repairs to toilets in village hall. It was agreed that Drama were responsible for the repairs.
Miss M Grainger – information re funding sources for village hall refurbishment; letter enclosing copy of letter from HDC re ownership of wood, Marwood Drive. Councillor Kirk would investigate funding sources
NYMNPA – re website. Information had been supplied to NYMNPA by the clerk
HDC – LDF: Allocations Development Plan Document – Issues and Options Consultation – dates for exhibitions and public meetings (Stokesley villages mobile unit exhibition 27.10.05)
HDC – requirement for electrical certificate for village hall. Mr Greenwell would be asked to inspect electrics
NYMNPA – Northern Area Parish Forum request for agenda items for meeting 22.11.05 and notes of meeting 11.8.05
Tees Valley Rural Community Council – invitation to consultation event 11.10.05
email from Peter Morgan requesting information re Cook’s cottage in Melbourne. Mr Morgan would be advised to contact Mr D O’SullivanW Kirby – re exterior of village hall. Mr Atkinson would work on garden during winter months
HDC – notification of damaged bins. The bin in Waterfall Park not really necessary. The bin on High Green would be inspected for possible repair
Northumbrian Water – invitation to pay by direct debit. Approved
Mrs M Simpson – request for permission to hold tombola 20/21.10.05 and sell raffle tickets 27/28/29.10.05 in aid of Coronary Care. Approved
HDC – proposal to consider handing control of public conveniences to Parish Council. Parish Council declined to take on responsibility for the public conveniences
NYCC – North Yorkshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Draft Statement of Community Involvement Regulation 26 Consultation. Pre-submission proposals for a statement of community involvement – comments invited. The clerk would check that Great Ayton was not directly affected. The Parish Council agreed with SCI aims
HDC – re housing grants. The Darlington and Stockton Times reporter would advertise the availability of grants
Mr R Lappin (received at meeting) – re Highways delay in preparing feasibility study for works at Tree Bridge junction. An urgent letter would be sent to Mr M Moore together with a copy of Mr Lappin’s letter stating that the Parish Council agreed with his comments and also expressing concern that Highways had not responded to the Parish Council’s letter of July.
The following items of information were received:-
Northumbrian Water – re increased use of water on allotments
Yorkshire Rural Community Council – invitation to AGM 15.10.05; annual report
SMP Playgrounds – invitation to seminar – play and leisure provision for parish councils at Garden Rooms, Thirsk Racecourse 20.10.05 at 10.30 am
NYCC – Pension Fund – re reform of Local Government Pension Scheme
HDC – invitation to Flood Forum 29.9.05
Mrs Pickersgill – thank you letter for compensation for damaged clothing
Glasdon – brochures
NYMNPA – agenda for meeting 26.9.05
NYCC – agenda for meeting of The County Committee for Hambleton 26.9.05
Northallerton & District Voluntary Service Association – poster for Hambleton Funding Fayre
External Review – product information cards
Wicksteed Leisure – brochureNYMNPA – re grants for community buildings in the National Park; Planning Committee agenda for meeting 13.10.05
HDC – grants information guide
Hambleton Strategic Partnership – Community Plan Review Events – poster
NYCC – re reorganisation of Highways – leaflet
CPRE – Voice magazine; advertising leaflets
External Environment Product Review - brochure

Planning applications

Application to carry out works to a tree the subject of a TPO – 52 Guisborough Road. No representations
Construction of a boundary wall at existing dwelling – 35 Addison Road. No representationsChange of use of land from a nursery to a garden centre and nursery – Cooks View, Green Lane, Newby. The Parish Council had no objections but expressed concerns regarding the junction. HDC to be advised that the property was not in Newby
First floor extension to existing dwelling to form conservatory – 1 Low Green. No representations
Plans approved
Application to carry out works to four trees, fell four trees the subject of TPO – 5a High Green
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling to form conservatory – 79 Marwood Drive
Plans refused
Revised application for the construction of a detached dormer bungalow and alterations to existing domestic garage as amended – land adjacent 12 Rosehill
Development Control Committee meeting 20.10.05
Great Ayton – revised application for the construction of an agricultural livestock building and a new vehicular access

Dates for Christmas festivities

The vicar had provided dates for church services – St Oswald’s, Newton 15.12.05, Christ Church 18.12.05, All Saints 20.12.05. It was agreed that carols round the tree be held on Saturday 17th December when the band was available. The float would tour the village on 21st December if this was acceptable to Peter Greenwell. He would also be asked if he would kindly collect and erect the Christmas tree. Tom Maddison would be invited to be Father Christmas.

Half year accounts for approval

The accounts were approved. Ian Holden would be thanked for his efforts

Remembrance Sunday

The Remembrance Day parade would be on Sunday 13th November. The Police would be asked to stop the traffic in Guisborough Road. Yatton House would be open all day selling crafts and lunches.

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Fletcher reported that sewage was still surcharging into the river near Yarm Lane. The Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water would be contacted again urgently.
Councillor Kirk said that the footpath by the play area was a disgrace with dog dirt and litter. HDC would be asked to ensure that it was being cleaned regularly.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell requested that the Dog Warden be asked to visit again as Newton Road, the footpath to the rear of Cliffe Terrace, and the play area footpath were awful.
Councillor Mrs Imeson reported that a lady had fallen and broken her arm on uneven paving opposite Hollygarth near the cedar tree. Highways would be notified.
Councillor Mrs Stevens reported that rubbish had again been dumped in the lay-by on the B1292. It was believed that HDC had an address from the rubbish, and hoped that a prosecution would result.

The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 8th November 2005.