Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 3rd January 2006 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors R Kirk, Vice Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs F Greenwell and J Fletcher. Messrs H Atkinson and P Suggitt also attended.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs M Stevens, Chairman, and P Bell

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 6th December 2005 were approved and signed.

Police Business

Statistics received from North Yorkshire Police indicated that there had been a total of 12 crimes in December, which included 3 autocrimes and 5 burglaries. There had been one injury road traffic accident. Of 112 incidents reported, 42 involved antisocial behaviour. The police would be asked where the accident had occurred. There was evidence of a collision at Tree Bridge junction. Mr M Moore of NYCC would be informed.
The Police would be thanked for escorting the Father Xmas float. As usual, their presence was invaluable in keeping troublesome youngsters at bay and assisting Peter Greenwell with traffic management.Councillor Mrs Greenwell reported a complaint of loud music in the TIC car park. Councillor Kirk said that 15 to 20 youngsters were using the arcade as a gathering place. Councillors agreed the arcade was a mess and a blot on the landscape. Councillor Mrs Imeson complained that fireworks had been let off the night before New Year’s Eve and had terrified pets.

Cemetery

Mr Atkinson had had the equipment serviced ready for the spring. Councillor Mrs Imeson enquired about flowers which had been hung in the tree in the Garden of Remembrance. Councillor Fletcher queried the age of the mower and was reminded that it had recently had a new engine and was giving no problems.

River

Mr Suggitt reported that he had removed 3 bags of rubbish and a bike from the river.
The Environment Agency had responded satisfactorily to queries regarding the removal of the silt banks. The tree in Waterfall Park was the responsibility of the riparian landowner but the Environment Agency would inspect it for safety. The sewer pipe across the river below Hollygarth bridge belonged to Northumbrian Water with whom the Environment Agency was in contact regarding its relocation as it was recognised as an obstruction. The Parish Council supported the Environment Agency in this matter and Northumbrian Water would be advised accordingly. The cracks caused by the alders in the river wall below the stone bridge were the responsibility of the riparian landowner.
Northumbrian Water responded to the query regarding flooding at Roseberry Crescent and said that they had cleared roots and debris from the sewer, which should solve the problem. The Council was unconvinced that the sewer which had been cleared was the one causing surcharging at Farm Garth and foul drains backing up at the bungalows at the bottom of Roseberry Crescent. Northumbrian Water would be asked to identify which sewer they had cleared.

Matters arising from the minutes

Footpaths – Riverside As NYCC were unable to provide funding for the path it was agreed, by 3 votes to 1, that the Parish Council would proceed alone with the project
Village Hall The Prohelp architect, who had experience of village halls, would make a further visit and report on the hall and the possibilities for its improvement.
Alders, Low Green Permission would be sought from the Environment Agency and HDC for the thinning out of the alders
Frontage of Bells Store Further request to be made to Bells to tidy up the frontage of store
Highways matters - barrier for footpath, Chapel Steps – minute continued; Tree Bridge junction – Mr Moore would be advised that there appeared to have been another accident at Tree Bridge. The Council was very agitated about it and he would be asked to expedite improvements.
Repairs to dog bins Councillor Fletcher had inspected the bins and concluded that they did not require attention. Minute concluded
Christmas The float had again been a great success and thanks were due to Peter Greenwell, the police and the “reindeer” helpers Paul Suggitt, Geoff Dodds and Robert Wilson. It was suggested that the float stop outside the Royal Oak and the Buck to enable the helpers to collect from customers. Councillor Fletcher would ask the licensees for their permission when delivering the posters. Father Christmas should be given more opportunity to hand out sweets to the children.
The Christmas lights competition had been disappointing. Shops would be invited to compete next year and a letter would be delivered along with the Xmas posters. It was agreed that many houses had put on an excellent display.
Reindeer on sale at Strikes would be inspected for their suitability for the float.
Play area safety inspection report Minute continued
Cycle racks A majority of councillors voted for three sites for cycle racks. A meeting would be arranged with Lisa Wilson from HDC. Dr P Shelton would be thanked for his agreement to monitor cycle lockers at the station.

Accounts

Correspondence

Hambleton and Richmondshire NHS – request for views on proposal to reconfigure the four current primary care trusts into one organisation. Notification of meeting 8.2.06 at Friarage Hospital 7.00 pm. The Council wanted what was best for the local area and if that was the status quo, that was what they would prefer to see. It was felt that local was best and the trust between James Cook and Friarage hospitals sufficed.
Local Works – request for information on problems in local area
Middlesbrough Council – Local Development Framework: Core Strategy Preferred Options – request for views. Councillor Fletcher to prepare response
Hambleton Strategic Partnership – Review of the Community Plan for Hambleton – Parish Council Consultation – request for views on postcards provided. Clerk to respondNYCC – questionnaire re archaeology and building conservation services. Clerk to respond
NYCC – re review of bus services. The Parish Council supported the use of community rural networks and would be reluctant to see the demise of useful services
The following items of information were received:-
NYPA – Newsletter
UNITE – re free training course for people interested in becoming voluntary mediators
NYCC – re draft changes to Local Government Pension Scheme; Pension Fund Annual Report
Middlesbrough Council – Adoption of Middlesbrough Council’s Local Development Framework: Statement of Community Involvement – adoption notice
RoSPA - re safety inspections
NYCC – notice of temporary closure of Newton Road 19 – 23.12.05
North Yorkshire Criminal Justice Board – newsletter
HDC – re Christmas tree recycling; posters
Bow House – copy of Herriot Country 2006
Christmas card from North Yorkshire Police

Planning applications

Application for Listed Building Consent for replacement roof to existing museum – 101 High Street. Councillors Fletcher, Mrs Imeson and Mrs Greenwell declared an interest. No representations
Application for conservation area consent to demolish existing warehouse and dwelling – 11 and 13 Bridge Street. No representations
Application for Listed Building Consent for internal alterations to existing dwelling – Rosehill Lodge, 21 Newton Road. Councillor Kirk declared an interest. No representations
Construction of two agricultural buildings – Langbaurgh Farm. The Council asked what would be the use for two huge agricultural buildings on what was not an agricultural holding. Councillor Mrs Greenwell would ask for the application to go to Committee
Plans approved
Application to carry out works to 2 trees the subject of a TPO – 30 Hollygarth
Single storey extension to existing dwelling – Redcroft, Pannierman Lane
Plans refused
Revised application for alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to form first floor accommodation – 14 Wainstones Drive

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Fletcher reported that although the station was clean and tidy, the timetable was out of date. Northern Rail would be informed.The pumping station in Station Road was covered in graffiti. Northumbrian Water would be asked to clean it up.
Councillor Mrs Imeson relayed a complaint from Councillor Mrs Stevens regarding the siting of the post boxes used by post delivery people. Several were planted in grass verges making it difficult to cut the grass. The Post Office would be asked if they could be moved and located against walls where they would not cause obstruction.

The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 31st January 2006.