Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 10th October 2006 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors R Kirk, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs M Stevens, Mrs F Greenwell, J Fletcher, P Bell and N Waters. PC W Goldburn, Mr H Atkinson, and one member of the public also attended.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 12th September 2006 were approved and signed.
Police Business
The statistics for September indicated that there had been a total of 10 crimes comprising three violent crimes, two autocrimes and five burglaries. There had been a total of 84 incidents.
Councillor Mrs Stevens again raised the problem with youths riding mini motorbikes. PC Goldburn said that the police had the powers to seize the bikes if they could catch the riders.
Following the fatality at Tree Bridge PC Goldburn had enquired about the possibility of employing a speed gun at the location. Unfortunately no-one was trained in the used of a speed gun and there was no time or staff to train. An email had been received from a resident enquiring about the large police presence at Tree Bridge. It had been a Cleveland Police operation but it was noted that the mere presence of police vehicles had made the traffic slow down. PC Goldburn would look into what would be required to impose a 40 mph speed limit.
With regard to other matters raised at the last meeting - the problem at Drax Power Station had reduced the number of police officers available locally but there had been nothing they could do about it; Northallerton would have something in place for Remembrance Sunday; it was recognised that it sometimes took 20 or 30 minutes to get through to the call centre and that people should dial 999 if the matter was urgent.
Cemetery
Mr Atkinson reported a busy month. The grass cutter had had to be put in for repair but Mr Atkinson was confident that it would be mended in time for him to deal with the grass on the village greens. One of the tubs on the triangle at High Green had been demolished by a car. It was agreed that its replacement be sited elsewhere. Approval was given for him to purchase new boots and waterproofs.
River
A meeting had been held with Mr Ian Cooke from the Environment Agency. The Parish Council had pointed out that there were no flood defences to maintain but it was vital that the river bed was kept in good order. John Bell at the Darlington office was responsible for maintenance. The Council had expressed its concerns about the pinch points at the two bridges, and the sewer pipe below the Hollygarth bridge. Mr Cooke would inform the Council when he heard from Northumbrian Water about moving the pipe. Councillor Fletcher had asked where was the training wall planned for the Stone Bridge. Mr Cooke said that it had not yet been approved.
Councillor Waters had arranged to meet Mr Cooke on site at the Riverside to consider its suitability for floodwater storage.
Mr Cooke said that it was not economical to do any more in Great Ayton than was already being done. He had been asked how he equated that with the misery of the 87 householders who were in danger of being, or had been, flooded.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell observed that the flood maps prepared by the Environment Agency, which were used by Insurance Companies, were not very accurate.
The Parish Council had said that the most important thing was to remove shale when it built up and that the Environment Agency should carry out the necessary work on a regular basis, and when advised to do so by the Parish Council which was on the spot.
Councillor Kirk had thanked Mr Cooke for attending and pointed out that the 87 houses at risk were a very significant part of the village.
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall. A draft constitution was being discussed with the Charity Commission. When it had been approved a meeting of members of the group would be held. It was agreed that the Parish Council would meet on 31st October to decide what it wanted to do with the hall, before the committee was formed.
Highways matters - Tree Bridge junction – A reply from Cllr P Sowray indicated that Highways officers would reassess the site prior to the appraisal and ranking of projects. The Parish Council would write to William Hague MP for support. Councillor Fletcher would take Mr Sowray to the junction to see it for himself. Again anger was expressed that money had been found for traffic calming which no-one had wanted but could not be found for the dangerous junction. Highways had agreed to reinstate the white lines in the near future; railings Waterfall Terrace, footbridges – minute continued; barrier Chapel steps – minute continued.
Riverside Park – footpath; copse – Minute continued
Hedges – footpath to rear of Cliffe Terrace – some work carried out but trees were still overhanging path. Highways to be contacted again.
Pest treatments – allotments – HDC replied that it was unable to provide a contract for pest control because of the difficulty of gaining access to individual allotments. It was agreed that allotment holders should get together so that problems can be dealt with in one visit.
Yatton House lease – minute continued
Replacement seat – Bartle Bridge – prices for replacement bench to be sent to insurance company
Christmas – minute continued
Accounts
W Eves & Co Ltd (petrol, direct debit) 124.60 D I Holden (reimburse laminating pouches) 19.98 Northumbrian Water (direct debit) (cemetery ) 6.70 “ “ (allotments) 49.33 Eric Harrison (grass cutting) 400.00 Mazars (audit fee) 411.25 L R Taylor (repair to allotment tap) 12.75 M Hodkinson (refund allot rent 52A) 20.00 Richard Collins (grave digging) 160.00 H Atkinson (reimburse phone card) 10.00 Hambleton District Council (salaries July, Aug, Sept 06) 6608.67 Playsafety Ltd (play area inspection) 98.70 Receipts J Fletcher (memorial seat High Green) 175.00 P Sinclair (allotment deposit) 10.00 E Bell (grave reservation) 60.00 Yatton House (annual rent) 200.00 D Bailey (garage rent) 10.00 O Tanfield (grave reservation) 60.00 Hambleton District Council (precept) 14,000.00
Correspondence
NYMNPA – questionnaire on car park charges
Middlesbrough Council – Local Development Framework Core Strategy and Regeneration DPD Preferred Options Consultation – views sought. The Council expressed its support for a park and ride scheme
HDC – Review of Polling Places/Polling Stations – questionnaire. Completed
Mouchel Parkman – invitation to attend workshop re Stokesley and Great Ayton Service Centre Transportation Strategy – 16.10.06, 11.00 am Stokesley Town Hall. Councillor Mrs Greenwell to attend
NYCC – North Yorkshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Core Strategy Strategic Spacial Options and Site Allocations Policies Document Public Consultation Exercise – views sought. Does not directly affect Great Ayton
Great Ayton Archaeology Project – request for permission to sell books on High Green on 14.10.06. Approved
NYMNPA – Invitation to Planning Parish Training Event 16. 11.06 at Danby Village Hall; Statement of Community Involvement
HDC John Proud – re litter bins in poor condition. Mr Proud would be asked to inspect bins and replace those beyond repair, preferably with double bins. Councillor Mrs Greenwell asked why new bins had been installed in Station Road instead of replacing old bins.
D Williams – re police activity at Tree Bridge Hotel 28.9.06; telephone call re highway’s inspection of junction; notification of 2 caravans in lay-by on B1292. See Police Business above. HDC would be informed re caravans
RoSPA – play area safety inspection report for consideration. Councillor Fletcher to report
The following items of information were received:-
HDC – Update newsletter; information pack; Community Plan for Hambleton
HDC – property name change – 41 Station Road to The Hollies, Station Road
NYCC Pension Fund – response to New Look LGPS Consultation; report to the Pension Fund Committee regarding the Interim Actuarial Review 2006
NYCC – notification of closure of C136 Yarm Lane for repairs week commencing 30.10.06
RAF Linton on Ouse – notification of night flying 25 to 27 September 2006
HDC – revised agenda for District/Parish meeting 18.9.06
NYCC – agenda for County Committee for Hambleton meeting 25.9.06
NYMNPA – agenda for meeting 25.9.06; NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda 12.10.06
CPRE – brochure
Housing Advice Resource Project – housing advice for rural communities; poster
S J Danby Ltd Playscheme – brochure
Yorkshire and The Humber Regional Training Partnership – autumn newsletter
NYCC Pension Fund – revised ADNOTFORM; Employers’ newsletter; NYPFOG minutes 6.9.06 and questionnaire
Planning applications
Change of use of agricultural use to equestrian use and construction of a stable block – Langbaurgh Farm. No representations
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 5 Farm Garth. No representations
Change of use of existing opticians to a hot food takeaway – 3 The Arcade. The Parish Council objected on the same grounds that they had objected to a proposed fish and chip shop last month. Again it was thought that Community Safety should be consulted.
Construction of a conservatory extension – 34 Marwood Drive. No representations
Single storey extension to existing dwelling – 12 Bridge Street. No representations
Retrospective application for the construction of a garden shed – 35 Addison Road. The Council, with the exception of Councillor Bell, objected on the grounds that the shed was obtrusive at the front of the property.
Revised application for alterations and extensions to existing dwelling as amended – 15 Easby Lane. The Council objected that it was over-development of the site
Application for construction of single and two storey extensions at 12 Dikes Lane. No representations
Plans approved
Single storey extension to existing dwelling – 15 Greenacre Close
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 47 Wainstones Close
Construction of a dwelling and creation of a new vehicular access – land adjacent Chartersmead, Easby Lane
Single storey extension to existing dwelling – 4 Easby Lane
Plans refused
Application for Listed Building Consent for two replacement windows at existing dwelling – Ayton Hall
Change of use of existing opticians to a fish and chip shop – 3 The Arcade
Planning appeal
Appeal by Mr G Miller at 3 Stanley Houses, Yarm Lane
Financial matters – half year accounts; investments; bank mandate
The half year accounts were approved. The Parish Council agreed that £20,031.56 in a Public Open Space account be invested in a high interest deposit bond. A new bank mandate was completed to include Councillor N Waters.
Councillors reports
Councillor Bell reported that there had been a problem with thefts from allotments. He asked that the Parish Council approve a £200 reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of thieves. This was agreed.
Councillor Mrs Stevens had been asked by a resident who was responsible for the maintenance of the Chapel Steps Path. She would be advised that HDC was responsible for removal of rubbish, and NYCC for path maintenance and removal of vegetation.
Councillor Fletcher reported that he had sent a message expressing concern at the low level of police resources. He had received a reply that the police were aware of the problem.
The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 7th November 2006.