PCM 27 February 2007
Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 27th February 2007 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors R Kirk, Chairman, J Fletcher, P Bell, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs M Stevens, Mrs F Greenwell, N Waters. Sara Atkins and Donna from 4Youth, PC P Snowdon, and two members of the public also attended.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 30th January 2007 were approved and signed.
The Chairman invited the two members of the public to speak.
Mr C Tanfield read out a letter which he intended to send to Hambleton District Council Planning Department expressing his anger that permission had been granted for the large new development in the grounds of Chartersmead.
Mr D Capes wanted to understand the reasons for the siting of the disabled parking spaces. Councillor Mrs Imeson said that the space outside the Post Office had been chosen because it had plenty of room. Councillor Kirk said that many disabled people would prefer to have it there. Councillor Fletcher said that whereas leisure centres and retail parks had large parking areas with disabled slots designed into them, parking space in Great Ayton was limited. Disabled people could park outside the shops when there was a space, but other drivers could not use an empty disabled space. Mr Capes suggested that the space for disabled parking in the TIP car park be moved to outside the shops. In answer to a question from Mr Capes, Councillor Fletcher said that the Integrated Transport Strategy had yet to be implemented. So much had been spent on the consultation process that there was little money left for schemes. Councillor Mrs Imeson suggested that Mr Capes write to the library asking it to provide a designated space. Councillor Fletcher would also make enquiries.
Police Business
PC Snowdon reported that there had been an increase in burglaries and auto-crime. An initiative to deal with the problem was planned but the necessary manpower was not available. Sgt Murray had been involved in a car accident and was away from work. Enquiries would be made of the station officer as to the number of reported accidents at Tree Bridge. Councillors believed that if there were no injuries and insurance details had been exchanged, accidents were not reported to the police, thus giving a false picture of the safety of the junction.
Councillor Mrs Stevens said that there had been problems with youngsters riding trail bikes in Langbaurgh Close and Whinstone View. They did not wear helmets and were believed to be underage. The scooter rider had been seen again in the playing field.
Councillor Waters said that there had been more trouble at the Chapel with graffiti and windows broken.
Councillor Fletcher reported broken windows at the antique shop and graffiti at Roseberry School. Elderly neighbours of the antique shop were fearful of what was happening. PC Snowden said that the problem solvers, Glyn Jones and Michelle McFarlane, should be contacted.
PC Snowdon said that the shift system had been changed to a 5 shift system. On 3 shifts only one constable was on duty, covering an area from Appleton Wiske to Kildale. There were two constables and a problem solver on the other 2 shifts. The bike provided by the Parish Council worked but could not be used when only one officer was on duty.
It was agreed that Councillor Fletcher would speak to the Acting Chief Constable about the Parish Council’s concerns regarding the levels of policing in the village, and Inspector Richardson would be invited to the next meeting.
The Police Authority had approved a rise of 3% in the police element of the council tax. A police budget of £127,634,000 had been approved for 2007/8.
The Parish Council had been notified by letter of the retirement of Stokesley Special Officer
Sara Atkins and Donna from 4Youth explained that large restructuring was underway in the Youth Service. Donna would spend time on the streets talking to youths and trying to promote respect and trust. They would be asked what they wanted. Boxing, fishing, motorbikes etc would all be considered as possible interests to distract youths from antisocial behaviour. It was recognised that some kids had really bad problems at home. The youth van had failed at the Working Men’s Club because of a health and safety issue. Youths had been hanging off the van when it was in motion, and intimidating the youth workers. Sara and Donna hoped to forge good relations with shopkeepers, residents and police. They would be very grateful for any useful information and advice.
Councillor Fletcher pointed out that the village hall could be made available for youth projects.
Councillor Kirk said that any solutions needed to be long term, not a quick fix. He thanked Sara and Donna for attending.
Cemetery
Trees overhanging cemetery – Minute continued; grave shoring – contact had been made with a firm of shoring manufacturers who would be in the area in the near future. An appointment would be made to see them, and a visit to Guisborough Cemetery would also be arranged; a letter from Carters had been received explaining the misunderstanding at a recent interment; increase in cemetery fees – it was agreed to increase the fees by 3% with effect from 1.4.07.
River
Flood forum meeting – the meeting had been very useful; bund for water storage – Minute continued.
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall Minute continued
Highways matters - Tree Bridge junction; railings Waterfall Terrace etc. Minute continued
Riverside Park – copse. Minute continued
Yatton House lease Minute continued
Replacement seat – Bartle Bridge – The new seat had been installed. Minute concluded
RoSPA play area inspection Minute continued
CCTV camera – A further letter from Mr McGloin at HDC had been received, reaffirming the situation with CCTV cameras. Minute concluded
Planning matters - caravans at Bank Flow Farm and in field off B1292 – Minute continued; tree planting to rear of 15 Easby Lane. Minute continued
Appointment of Parish Council representative to Standards Committee Minute continued
Accounts
Sam Turner & Sons Ltd (equipment service) 574.49 P Suggitt (assistance at cemetery) 24.00 Richard Collins (grave digging) 80.00 H Atkinson (reimburse phone card) 3.55 R D Alderson (hedge cutting) 146.87 Receipts R Johnson (half year allotment rent 32B) 10.00 J Imeson, N Waters, F Greenwell, M Stevens (reimburse
annual parish dinner)126.00 J Fletcher (reimburse annual parish dinner) 36.00 D Bailey (garage rent) 10.00 Great Ayton Dramatic Society (rent 1st qtr 2007) 130.00 R and M Brown (grave reservation) 120.00 M Grainger (grave reservation) 60.00 Cemetery receipts 1807.05
Correspondence
Stokesley Branch of the Hambleton Sports Council –invitation to agm 28.2.07. Councillor Waters to attend
HDC – review of polling districts and polling places for Parliamentary elections. No representations
NYMNPA – North York Moors Local Development Framework – Core Strategy and Development Policies Interim Version – comments invited
Northallerton and Richmondshire Carers’ Centre – request to speak to Parish Council to raise awareness of work done by centre. The Parish Council thought it was unnecessary to have the organisation attend a meeting, but suggested that the Carers’ Centre might consider holding a public meeting.
Communities and Local Government – Revised Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members – consultation paper
Audit Commission – notification of extension of appointment of Mazars as auditor
Mrs M Wilsdon – complaint re dog fouling Newton Road. HDC Dog Warden had been informed
Complaints from residents re bonfires on allotments; dogs kept in shed on allotments. A letter had been sent to the allotment holder instructing him to desist from having large fires and burning material other than that produced on his allotment. The tenant with the dogs had been instructed to remove them from the allotments immediately. Councillors agreed that any allotment tenant who had been warned about bonfires causing nuisance would be evicted for a second infringement.
NYCC – request for extension to footway – Yarm Lane. Councillors could not support the application
Stokesley and Villages Community Regeneration Group – invitation to agm 11.4.07. Councillors Fletcher and Mrs Greenwell to attend
Local Works Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill – request to write to MP to support Bill; National Rally 26.3.07; draft letter to send to MP. Received
Surinder Virdee – request to plant memorial tree. Councillors agreed that the only suitable site was the Riverside. The applicant would be so informed
HDC – re District/Parish Liaison meeting 26.3.07 – request for agenda items. Councillor Mrs Imeson to attend
HDC – notice of Pre-examination meeting 15.3.07. Councillor Kirk would peruse the papers and attend the meeting if necessary.
Mr and Mrs D Capes – re disabled parking spaces. See above – “members of the public invited to speak”
The following items of information were received:-
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council – LDF Local Development Scheme 2006- 2010 and LDF Annual Monitoring Report 2005-6
HDC – notification of opening hours of public conveniences – 8.00 am to 6.00 pm
NYMNPA – Northern Area Parish Forum agenda 22.2.07; Planning Committee agenda 15.2.07
NYCC - Pension Matters Newsletter; copy of final report LGPS Draft Regulatory Proposals for New-Look Scheme; Great Resources Workshop 13.3.07; date for NYPFOG meeting
Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council – poster for Saltburn Railtours – Saltburn to Canterbury 29th June to 2nd July 2007
Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project – thanks for letter of support
HDC – street naming and numbering – 88A and 88B Marwood Drive
Wicksteed Leisure – brochure
Enjoy England – Celebrate St George’s Day – guide to taking part
Local Works – the future of the Post Office network – national lobby of Parliament 20.2.07
CPRE – Overview newsletter
Synergy – copy of proposed scheme for development at Hollygarth. Councillor Mrs Imeson declared an interest
York and North Yorkshire Playing Fields Association – The Playing Field newsletter
North Yorkshire Criminal Justice Board – leaflets “Working together for justice in North Yorkshire
NYCC – information leaflet summarising the proposal for a new unitary council
YRCC – Parish Government Conference 2007 2-4.3.07
Asda – further request for information re land suitable for development. Asda would be advised again that there was no suitable site in Great Ayton
Defra – review of the Quality Town and Parish Council Scheme
HDC – newsletter re Local Government Reorganisation; copy of letter to Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP
HDC request for Parish Clerk to hold Electoral Register and nomination packs for candidates for election
External Environment – product review; product information cards
HDC – Hambleton Flood Forum newsletter
HDC Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 – notices
Sciencehorizons – invitation to participate in group discussions
Planning applications
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling as amended – 128 Roseberry Crescent. No representations
Application to carry out works to two trees and fell one tree the subject of TPO – South View, Low Green. No representations
Councillors’ reports
Councillor Waters had received a copy of a letter from a resident to HDC concerning the early recommencement of green bin collections. It was reported that many villagers were already making good use of the service.The date of the following meeting would be Tuesday 27th March 2007
The Cricket Club had asked permission to remove the fencing between the cricket field and the river. It was in a very poor state. The Parish Council agreed that it could be removed.
He expressed concern at the loss of momentum with the proposed public meeting. It was recognised that progress had been halted because of Sgt Murray’s accident.
Councillor Bell reported that the owner of the golf driving range did not want to upset anyone with the floodlights. He was using fewer lights, was planting a tree screen, and was operating within his planning conditions.
Councillor Fletcher asked that reimbursement for the demolished flower tub on High Green be pursued.
He said that at the Flood Forum meeting it had been suggested that every other tree on the riverside at Low Green be removed each year, resulting eventually in the removal of all of them. Historically they had not been there and were all self-set. Councillors felt that it would be a shame to remove them. Councillor Mrs Imeson proposed, seconded by Councillor Mrs Greenwell, that they should be left alone. This was agreed.