PCM 5th December 2006
Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 5th December 2006 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors R Kirk, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs M Stevens, Mrs F Greenwell, N Waters and P Bell. Sgt K Murray, Messrs H Atkinson and P Suggitt, and one member of the public also attended.
Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Fletcher
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7th November 2006 were approved and signed.
Police Business
Tim Woods, Community Safety Officer, had responded regarding the removal of the CCTV camera that it was always to be a temporary fixture and would move at some point to a new location. He was sure it would be returned but did not envisage that happening for some time. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Leader of HDC asking when the promise to provide Great Ayton with CCTV would be fulfilled.
The Clerk to the Police Authority had replied on behalf of the Chairman that the Chief Constable had been asked to respond to the Parish Council’s concerns.
Sgt Murray reported that there had been 6 incidents of criminal damage. A greenhouse and cars had been damaged and a “for sale” sign put through a house window. There were no leads to offenders. There had been one common assault and a person had been arrested and charged. There had been one theft from an unlocked motor vehicle, and a licence plate had been removed from another.
Councillor Mrs Stevens had received a report of youngsters throwing sods of earth from the play area onto the houses which back onto it. It was suspected that the youths had used golf clubs to fling the earth. The hedge adjacent to the footpath had also been wrecked. It was agreed that there was no point in extending the security fence as the youths still got into the play area from the cemetery and Yatton House.
Councillor Mrs Stevens also commented that the Chapel steps were a real mess and the fence had been damaged. Councillor Bell said that youths congregated on the seat but as it was well used by villagers it could not be moved.
Councillor Kirk thanked Sgt Murray for attending.
Cemetery
Trees overhanging cemetery – Minute continued.
Mr Atkinson reported that his barrow had been stolen and he had had to replace it. He had purchased a substantial lock and chain and fastened the equipment together to prevent further thefts. The rabbit numbers had been substantially reduced.
River
There had been no response from HDC regarding the creation of a local flood forum.
Mr Suggitt reported that the river had been cleaned by increased flow following recent rain. An otter had been sighted crossing Easby Lane.
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall Minute continued
Highways matters - Tree Bridge junction – Mr G Gresty reaffirmed the County Council’s position to objectively assess schemes that address safety problems and allocate limited cash resources to best effect. The suggestion of a 40 mph limit had been considered but the site did not meet NYCC’s criteria; railings Waterfall Terrace, footbridges –NYCC had replied that the footbridges had been inspected a year ago and had been found to be generally sound. A further letter would be sent expressing the Parish Council’s particular concern about the bridge near the Conservative Club and the wobbling paving stones at its end; barrier Chapel steps – the work would be carried out during December
Riverside Park – footpath – it was agreed that no further work to the footpaths be carried out; copse – minute continued
Hedges – footpath to rear of Cliffe Terrace – minute continued
Yatton House lease – Mr W Towler had agreed to prepare the lease. Minute continued
Replacement seat – Bartle Bridge – minute continued
Christmas – the poster for Christmas events was approved, with minor amendment. Fewer councillors than normal were available for the float. The Chairman chose NCH as the charity to receive the collection from the carol singing. It was decided that the annual parish dinner be held on Saturday 27th January 2007.
RoSPA play area inspection – minute continued
Sustainable Communities Bill – Wm Hague MP had responded that the Conservatives supported the Bill which would shift the balance of power in favour of local communities
Accounts
Sam Turner & Sons Ltd (repairs to mower) 112.08 Farmway (protective clothing, rat poison) 160.19 Society of Local Council Clerks (annual subscription) 95.00 M L Holden (reimburse shrub for Capt Cook garden) 7.50 J Harland (refund allotment deposit 23A) 20.00 Richard Collins (grave digging) 80.00 W Eves and Co Ltd (petrol, direct debit) 61.32 C L Prosser & Co Ltd (hire of skip) 141.00 Receipts Great Ayton Dramatic Society (rent final qtr 2006 village hall) 130.00 G Frankish (allotment deposit 23A) 20.00 J Brown (grave reservation) 60.00 M Peppper (grave reservation) 60.00 Cemetery receipts 807.50
Correspondence
The Rotary Club of Guisborough and Great Ayton – request for permission to erect trailer tent on High Green on 28.4.07 to hold Stroke Awareness Day - approved
HDC – request for temporary Christmas tree recycling point. HDC would be advised to contact Yatton House
NYMNPA – re parish member elections
HDC – Council Tax for Parishes – revenue estimates 2007/08. The prepared budget was approved and it was agreed to precept for £29,000
The following items of information were received:-
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council – Local Development Framework, Core Strategy DPD and Development Policies DPD Examinations and Pre-Examination Changes – notice of examination
RoSPA – invitation to request annual safety inspection
HDC – notice of amended wheeled bin collections
NYCC – agenda for County Committee for Hambleton 27.11.06
HDC – Tree preservation order
NYMNPA – agenda for Northern Area Parish Forum 23.11.06; Moors Messenger newsletter
North Yorkshire and York NHS Primary Care Trust – article on Department of Health’s “Keep Warm, Keep Well” campaign
NYCC – notice of temporary closure of Mill Terrace 14.11.06 to 4.12.06 due to gas leak
Balfour Beatty – notification of range of services offered
North Yorkshire Local Access Forum – notice of meeting 16.11.06
RAF Linton-on-Ouse – night flying notice – 13-16.11.06
HDC – Street naming and numbering – new property land adjacent 49 Romany Road – upstairs flat 53 Romany Road, ground floor flat 51 Romany Road
CPRE – Fieldwork newsletter
Planning applications
Alterations to form a pitched roof on part of existing dwelling – 6 Greenacre Close. No representations
Proposed works to an ash tree – 12 Rosehill. No representations
Proposed works to eight trees – 63 High Street. No representations
Application to vary condition no 3 of planning consent 06/01080/FUL – Whinstone View Caravan Park. No representations
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling – 11 Linden Avenue. No representations
Change of use of previous shop to tattoo studio – 7 Arthur Street. The Parish Council had no real objection but was concerned that if it closed down it would leave the door open for other non-retail use. The limited street parking was also a concern
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 87 Roseberry Crescent. No representations
Replacement single storey extension to existing dwelling and installation of two roof lights – 30 The Hawthorns. No representations
Single storey extension to existing dwelling – 64 Roseberry Crescent. No representations
Three storey extension to the rear – 19 Linden Grove. The design was out of keeping with neighbouring properties. The Parish Council had no objection to a loft conversion with roof lights but this looked like another storey. The property was semi-detached and occupied an elevated position
Plans approved
Single storey extension to existing dwelling – 2 Farm Garth
Single storey extension to existing dwelling to form a garden room – 20 Skottowe Crescent
Retrospective application for the construction of a garden shed as amended – 35 Addison Road
Single storey extension to existing dwelling as amended – 12 Bridge Street
Construction of four dwellings – 11 and 13 Bridge Street
Construction of conservatory extension – 34 Marwood Drive
Construction of single and two storey extensions – 12 Dikes Lane
Change of use of agricultural use to equestrian use and construction of a stable block – Langbaurgh Farm
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 5 Farm Garth
Plans refused
Change of use of existing opticians to a hot food take-away – 3 The Arcade
Planning appeal by Mr J Nesbitt at Cooks View Nursery
Letters from residents against development at Angrove plantationMr M Cann, Head of Development Services, would be asked what was happening about the residential caravan at Bank Flow Farm, and the two caravans parked in a field near the lay-by on the B1292.
Update on Parish Council website
Robert Holden had sent a report showing the world-wide distribution of visitors to the site. It had been running for 8 months without interruption and was the top result for “Great Ayton” in all major search engines. It had an average of 350 visitors per month, 10 pages per visitor. There were, however, unfulfilled searches which included accommodation, scouts, cricket and football club, library, tennis and bus times. Councillors observed that the village still did not have access to bus times. Links would be sought for the other items. A letter would be sent to Robert thanking him for his work.
Councillors reports
Councillor Mrs Greenwell reported that she and Councillor Mrs Imeson had been angered by the article in the Darlington and Stockton times regarding the Tourist Information Point. Mr Stonehouse had been vociferous in the need for money to run the TIP and funds had been provided by the Parish Council. It had been agreed unanimously that the surplus, which Mr Stonehouse wanted to use to treat the 30 volunteers to lunch, should be put towards next year’s running costs, or returned to the Parish Council as it was taxpayers’ money. It was pointed out that Parish Councillors were also volunteers, albeit elected, and were paid absolutely nothing, nor did they receive expenses. They had an annual dinner for which they paid themselves. Councillors Mrs Greenwell and Mrs Imeson had written to the paper’s editor.
Councillor Waters reported that Great Ayton Cricket Club was in the final three of the Evening Gazette Northeast Team of the Season, which was an excellent achievement. The other contenders were Middlesbrough FC and Billingham Bombers ice hockey team.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell asked about a Compass Royston coach which had been parked in Bridge Street. She was reassured that this was not a regular occurrence.
Councillor Mrs Stevens praised all the uniformed youngsters who had attended the Remembrance Day parade. They had been a credit to themselves and their leaders. Councillor Mrs Imeson thought it wonderful that the scouts had laid a poppy at the cenotaph for every Great Ayton soldier who had died in the wars.
Councillor Mrs Stevens had been disappointed with the comments made by Rev Hutton in the Darlington and Stockton Times when she was reported to have said that the Parish Council had simply wrung its hands over troublesome youths. A great deal of effort had been put in by many people over the years with youth clubs, etc, but these had been spoiled for the many by the few troublemakers.
Councillor Kirk reported that Rainbow Nurseries had advertising boards on the grass verge outside their premises. Highways would be notified.
The Parish Council had been informed that a large number of conifers had been planted on a piece of land, which was believed to belong to NYCC, behind number 15 Easby Lane. Highways had been notified.
Mr Lappin asked permission to comment with regard to the cubs. It was their 90th birthday this year and they had been given a challenge of 90 jobs. One cub had achieved all 90 and had received a certificate. Next year would be the 100th anniversary of Baden Powell’s scout movement.
The date of the following meeting is Tuesday 2nd January 2007