Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 6th December 2005 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors Mrs M Stevens, Chairman, R Kirk, J Fletcher , P Bell, Mrs F Greenwell, Mrs J Imeson. Messrs H Atkinson, P Suggitt, and two members of the public also attended.
A minute’s silence was observed in memory of Councillor Len Groves who had recently died. Councillor Mrs Imeson said that he had been on the Parish Council for 24 years. He thought highly of the village and the village thought highly of him. He was one of the nicest men one could wish to meet and everyone would miss him.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 8th November 2005 were approved and signed.
The Chairman invited the members of the public to speak. They wished to protest that the consultation on the Local Development Framework had been insufficiently advertised and not many people knew that the information vehicle was in the village. They asked that the Parish Council spread the information more widely next time. It was pointed out to them that the event had been advertised in the Hambleton News and by way of posters in the noticeboards. Councillor Fletcher reassured them that the village would not be changed. Councillor Mrs Imeson said that it was good that villagers wanted to be involved, and councillors appreciated the support of the village.

Police Business

The monthly statistics and newsletter had been received. During November there had been a total of 19 crimes which included 9 autocrimes and 1 burglary. One hundred and eleven incidents had been reported of which 42 involved antisocial behaviour.
Councillor Mrs Imeson had been told by a resident of an unpleasant experience involving an aggressive driver. On reporting it to North Yorkshire Police the lady had been told to contact Cleveland. North Yorkshire police finally visited the her 3 days later. Councillor Mrs Imeson had also received a copy of a letter written by a resident to the police regarding a burglary. The resident had received a far from satisfactory service and the Council expressed its dismay. A third resident had complained that cars were speeding past his house in Roseberry Crescent. All these matters would be raised with the police.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell provided the date and time of an unsatisfactory response from the call centre.
Councillor Bell reported that a concert in the Methodist hall had been interrupted by youths throwing stones at the windows. It was thought that the perpetrators, children aged 6 to 12 years, must be known to the police but nothing was done about them. Councillor Mrs Stevens stressed the importance of reporting all incidents to the police immediately.
A survey had been received regarding the proposed mergers of police forces. The Council would respond that it wished North Yorkshire to remain as at present. The county was sufficiently large to warrant its own force. There was a fear that if North Yorkshire joined a metropolitan force, resources would be directed to the major population centres and the expertise of the police in rural areas may be lost. Councillors observed that the merging of police forces was another example of regionalisation by stealth.

Cemetery

Mr Atkinson reported that he had painted the fence next to Yatton House, which now blended in with the trees. He had filled in the holes in the grass-crete path next to the river. Councillor Mrs Imeson said that the soil had already been washed out. Mr Atkinson would try again with gravel. He had tidied up around the back of the village hall.

River

Mr Suggitt had not been able to do much when the river was high. He had observed that the Environment Agency men had taken only one load of silt out of the river near the stone bridge and spread the rest out. It was felt that the result was actually worse than it had been before. The shoal banks below Hollygarth bridge and below the weir near The Buck had not been touched. The Parish Council was fearful that flooding could occur if these problems, and that caused by the pipe across the river below Hollygarth bridge, were not addressed. The Environment Agency would be asked to take urgent action. It would also be asked again to remove the dangerous tree overhanging Waterfall Park. It was noted that Northumbrian Water had not confirmed that they had resolved the problem with flooding sewers at the bottom of Roseberry Crescent. They would be invited to come and talk to the Council.

Matters arising

Footpaths – Riverside. There appeared to be no progress in this matter. Councillor Fletcher suggested that the Parish Council got on with the work. It was agreed that NYCC be asked to pay half the cost and the Parish Council would pay the rest.
Village Hall Councillor Kirk had heard from ProHelp and would arrange an inspection of the hall.
Alders, Low Green The Environment Agency would be advised that the Parish Council wished to apply for planning permission to deal with the trees. It would be asked to make its report urgently.
Frontage of Bells Store Minute continued
Highways matters - grass-crete path, High Street – Mr Atkinson had filled in holes with soil – minute concluded; barrier for footpath, Chapel Steps - continued; Tree Bridge junction - continued
Repairs to dog bins Minute continued
Christmas Mr Suggitt had arranged for someone to help him with the collection. As previously this would go towards providing and replacing Christmas decorations for the village. The Council agreed that a Mother Christmas outfit seen in a shop would be a useful purchase.
Play area safety inspection report Minute continued
Cycle racks Councillor Fletcher and the clerk would liaise with HDC and Sustrans
Hiring of village hall – response received from Great Ayton Dramatic Society explaining letting procedures.

Accounts

Correspondence

HDC – Council tax for parishes – revenue estimates 2006/07. After discussion of the prepared budget it was agreed to precept for £28,000.
North Yorkshire Police Authority – changing police force structure – questionnaire. See Police Business above
NYCC – consultation on rubbish recycling. Clerk to complete questionnaire
HDC – Christmas tree recycling – request for recycling point. Council suggested HDC ask Yatton House as in previous years
Great Ayton Dramatic Society – proposal re rent payments. Proposal to pay rent quarterly approved.
CPRE – request for volunteers to join
Great Ayton Cricket and Football Club – request for payment of new metal security door; request for help with cost of cricket nets. The Parish Council agreed to pay for the security door but was unable to assist with the cost of cricket nets.
Great Ayton Dramatic Society – re village hall. GADS to be advised that the Parish Council was aware of the issues involved, and discussions would take place in the New Year.
Hambleton Citizens Advice Bureau – request for help with funding. Denied in accordance with Parish Council policy
The following items of information were received:-
HDC – re wheelie bin collections
Mayor, Scarborough Council – thanks for Capt Cook lunch
G Hetherington – copy of letter sent to HDC re Local Development Framework
NYMNPA – agenda for Northern Parish Forum meeting 22.11.05
HDC – notice of granting of Premises Licence
NYCC – agenda for County Committee for Hambleton meeting 28.11.05
Countrywise – questionnaire re Statutory Duty of “Relevant Authorities” to have regard to the purposes of National Parks. Completed by Councillor Fletcher and Clerk with authority of Chairman
HDC – poster and promotional mailers re take up of Housing and Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
North Yorkshire Tree Services – advertising services
NYCC – potential changes to Local Government Pension Scheme
SLFC – product information cardsNorth Yorkshire Pension Fund – re proposed changes to Pension Scheme; outcome of Tripartite DiscussionsNYMNPA – agenda for planning committee meeting 8.12.05; agenda for meeting 12.12.05; reminder of availability of funding for helping make community buildings in the National Park more environmentally friendly
RAF – notification of night flying 29.11.05 to 8.12.05
Charity Commission – newsletter
NYCC – winter service leaflet. Leaflet to be displayed on noticeboard
CPRE – Fieldwork newsletterYRCC – Country Air newsletter; The Playing Field newsletter

Planning applications

Single storey extension to existing dwelling – Redcroft, Pannierman Lane. No representations
Proposed erection of a teaching extension at Roseberry CP School – revised plans. Councillors Mrs Stevens, J Fletcher and R Kirk declared an interest. No representationsAlterations and extension to existing dwelling to form a conservatory – 30 Angrove Close. No representations
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling to form a conservatory – 1 Sunnyfield Nurseries. No representations
Application for Listed Building Consent for alterations to one window and new entrance door to existing dwelling – 3 Low Green. No representations
Application to carry out works to four trees the subject of TPO 1993/13 – Holmlea. No representations
Two storey extension to existing dwelling – 9 Mill Terrace. No representations
Plans approved
Application to carry out works to a tree the subject of a TPO – 52 Guisborough Road
Plans refused
Application for the construction of an agricultural livestock building and a new vehicular access – OS Fields 5890 and 6300, Great Ayton
Plans withdrawn
Change of use of land from a nursery to a garden centre and nursery – Cooks View Nursery, Green Lane
Planning appeal
Mrs P Morrish at OS Field 0089, Great Ayton

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Bell asked if one of the parking bays outside the Methodist Chapel could be designated a disabled bay. Councillors suggested that a sandwich board put out when required would be more appropriate. This was agreed.
Councillor Fletcher asked that NatWest be notified that their gutters were blocked and overflowed in wet weather.
The Clerk notified the Council that her phone system had been changed to Broadband and she now had a new number, 722292. She asked the Council to agree that division of charges could be based on previous usage. It was anticipated that the charge to the Council would be reduced. This was agreed.

The date of the following meeting would be Tuesday 3rd January 2006