Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 25th April 2006 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors Mrs M Stevens, Chairman, J Fletcher, Mrs J Imeson, P Bell, R Kirk, N Waters. Messrs H Atkinson and P Suggitt, and PCSO Jason Lloyd, PC Peter Henderson and Mr T Wood also attended.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs F Greenwell.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 28th March 2006 were approved and signed.

Police Business

PCSO Lloyd explained that the CCTV was now in place and undergoing testing. He had also been supplied with a head/body camera to assist in the gathering of evidence. Efforts were ongoing to deal with boy racers. Councillor Bell asked if the police could influence the implementation of a one-way system in the village. Highways were responsible for such decisions but the police could make recommendations. Other Councillors said that a one-way system was not feasible, drivers were rarely held up for more than 2 or 3 minutes and should exercise a little patience.
Councillor Fletcher commented on deckchairs on High Green, which were connected with some very young campers, and the theft of milk from doorsteps. Councillor Mrs Greenwell, via Councillor Mrs Imeson, reported that there had been many complaints from the neighbour of the TIP carpark of disturbance and noise caused by youths.
Councillor Mrs Stevens said that a lot of garden furniture was being stolen and urged residents to be vigilant and to contact the police about any problems at all.
Mr T Wood, of Community Safety, said that there had been a lot of investment in new technology and demonstrated the new headset camera, three of which had been purchased for the area.

Cemetery

Mr Atkinson had had no problems in the cemetery. He had removed a badly worn tyre swing from the play area and would try to obtain replacements as others were also in poor condition. The dog fouling on Low Green was disgusting and made cutting the grass very unpleasant.
Councillor Mrs Stevens said that a complaint had been made at the Annual Parish Meeting about planks and sheeting being on display and creating a poor appearance. There was also concern that people taking the direct route from the small cemetery gate near Yatton House to the new part of the cemetery were walking over two graves. The Cemetery Managers would meet Mr Atkinson on site to discuss what could be done.

River

Mr Suggitt had removed rubbish from the river. Councillor Mrs Imeson asked who had mutilated the hedge on Stokesley Road. Councillor Waters said that it was illegal to cut hedges at this time of year because of nesting birds, but they would probably get away with it because of highway safety.

Great Ayton Website – short presentation by I Holden

Mr Holden demonstrated the Great Ayton website which had been set up by Mr Robert Holden, and advised Councillors how to access it. The website was still in the early stages of development but items on it would include Parish Council business, tourism, local information, walks etc. Councillors were very pleased to see the result and thanks would be sent to Robert. The website can be visited at www.greatayton.org.

Matters arising from the minutes

Village Hall The expected report had not been received but was promised imminently. An extraordinary meeting would be called to discuss it.
Alders, Low Green. The work had been carried out Councillors agreed that it was a big improvement. Mr G Hetherington had sent a copy of a letter he had written to the Environment Agency concerning their lack of response to his previous correspondence. Minute concluded
Frontage of Bells Store. Minute continued
Highways matters - barrier for footpath, Chapel Steps – the matter would be chased up as cyclists were still hurtling down the path; Tree Bridge junction – Highways had responded that the proposed roundabout was 17th on the reserve list and would be reconsidered in two years’ time. The cost would be £400,000. Councillors said that this was not good enough and they could not believe that it could possibly cost so much. A letter expressing their dismay would be sent to Mr G Cresty. The potholes, blocked drain and broken streetlight reported at the last meeting would all be dealt with.
Siting of post boxes – MP William Hague had responded that he had written to the Chief Executive of Royal Mail.
Dog fouling – The Dog Warden had caught someone not clearing up after their dog and issued a fixed penalty notice. Patrols would continue. Councillor Mrs Stevens said that the worst place was the footpath from Central Way to Guisborough Road.
Arcade – Mowden Park Estate Co. Ltd had responded that they were contacting all their tenants and asking them deal with litter. The Council would reply immediately that litter and cleaning were not the main problem. It was the general air of decay and abject disrepair which concerned them. The whole area looked tatty and unkempt and the paving was uneven.
Section 106 monies – The payment of the second £15,000 had been approved by HDC and interest would also be paid. Minute concluded
Fete – Councillors were allocated responsibilities for the day. It was agreed that the prize money be increased to £30, £20 and £15 for the float competition. It was decided not to engage St John Ambulance but to ask someone from the Health Centre to be available. There would, in any case, be first-aiders on the school floats.

Accounts

Correspondence

HDC – re communications between HDC and the Parishes – new initiatives suggested and response from Parish Council invited. Clerk to complete questionnaire
Patient and Public Involvement Forum for Hambleton & Richmondshire – invitation to attend public meeting 22.5.06 at Middleham, and to become involved with the forum’s work. Deemed to far away to attend
Ms Lorna Sproates – telephone call re large fence which had been erected at station. HDC had also been notified of the fence and would deal with the matter
Mrs H Holmes-Smith – telephone call re POS footpath and stiles. Councillors felt it was not feasible to put posts at the side of the steps.
NYMNPA – Northern Parish Forum - notes of meeting 23.2.06; request for agenda items for next meeting 24.5.06; notices
Mr W Kirby – re village hall. Mr Kirby would be thanked for his interest.
Mr E Boyce – request for permission to sell raffle tickets for Christ Church Bazaar on 4th, 11th and 18th November 2006. Approved
Local Works – Campaign for the Sustainable Communities – request for support. Parish Council had already indicated support
Vitalise – request for funding. Denied in accordance with Parish Council policy
Mouchelparkman – Stokesley and Great Ayton Service Centre Transportations Strategy – invitation to meeting 11.5.06 at Stokesley Town Hall. Parish Council representatives to attend
Children’s Society – request for permission to hold cake stall 19.5.06. Approved
HDC – Stokesley and Villages Community Regeneration Group – invitation to meeting to discuss community safety issues 10.5.06, 7.30 pm Stokesley Town Hall. Councillors Mrs Stevens and R Kirk to attend.
The following items of information were received:-
NYCC – Plans for your “Local Tip” – Household Waste Recycling Centre Policies
defra – Getting to grips with the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 – a parish council guide to environmental enforcement
CPRE – Overview newsletter
NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda 13.4.06
HDC – minutes of District/Parish Liaison Meeting 13.3.06
HDC – notification of street collections – NCH 13.5.06
HDC – notification of change of responsibility for dog warden service
NYCC – agenda for County Committee for Hambleton 24.4.06
Glasdon – brochures
NYCC LGPS Regulation changes
NYCC - Resource Sharing among Local Authorities survey
NYCC – Tendered Local Bus Services – Hambleton Area
HDC - Statement of Community Involvement
Mazars – audit papers
HDC – re Flavours of Hambleton Awards
Philip Ellis – offering landscaping/gardening services

Planning applications

Revised application for the construction of an agricultural building – Langbaurgh Farm. Refusal recommended. Despite the reduction from two buildings to one, it was still felt that the building was too large for what was not an agricultural holding.
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling as amended – 38 Roseberry Crescent. No representations
Single storey extensions to existing dwelling – 19 Linden Avenue. No representations
Alterations and first floor extension to existing bungalow – 29 Linden Avenue. The proposed extension was thought to be overpowering to the neighbour
Construction of a boundary wall at existing dwelling as amended – 35 Addison Road. No representations
Proposed felling of an ash tree – Friends Meeting House. The tree was a visual amenity. HDC would be asked if they had had an independent report.
Two storey extension to existing dwelling – 3 Stanley Houses. The application was a major over-development of an already overdeveloped site. The building was obtrusive and inappropriate to the area. If the Planning Department were moved to grant the application, the Parish Council would request site visit and Committee decision.
Revised application for change of use of land and buildings from nursery to nursery and garden centre – Cooks View Nursery. No objections per se, but as the County Council was considering a roundabout at the junction, and in view of the likely increase in traffic generated if the application were to be granted, some contribution to the cost of a roundabout should be made to Highways by the applicant.
Outline application for the construction of a dwelling – Chartersmead, Easby Lane. No representations
Plans approved
Alterations and extension to existing dwelling to form a rear porch – 80 Wheatlands
Insertion of two dormer windows as amended – 13 Addison Road
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling – 15 Easby Lane
Construction of domestic garage – 70 Marwood Drive
Creation of a vehicular access to existing dwelling – 96 Guisborough Road
Notification of Appeal
Mr and Mrs N Tanfield – land adjacent to 12 Rosehill
Plans withdrawn
Construction of 6 dwellings and associated parking – 27 Newton Road
Letter from HDC re Bank Flow Farm and 15 Station Road

Matters arising from the Annual Public Meeting

See Cemetery above. Complaints were also raised about the unchecked growth of trees on High Green. Councillor Fletcher would speak to Mr J Crombie about them.

Councillors reports

Councillor Fletcher said that the damage to the railings in Waterfall Terrace, which had been repaired by Highways, had not been painted. The railings on Low Green, at Bartle Bridge, and the two white footbridges also required a coat of paint. Highways would be asked to provide the paint, and Community Service would be asked to provide the labour.
Councillor Kirk had been told by a resident that the land on which the Buck Hotel had installed paving and tables might be common land. HDC would be asked to clarify the situation. The advertising boards on the pavement caused a visual obstruction to motorists leaving West Terrace. The Buck would be asked to move them.
Councillor Bell reported that the “The Oaklands” sign was missing. Councillor Mrs Imeson would raise the matter with Broadacres or HDC. Councillor Bell requested that the County Council be asked to take commercial/trade waste at the Stokesley recycling site. He also asked for the Council’s agreement to the restriction of bonfires on the allotments. This was agreed.

The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 23rd May 2006.