Great Ayton

Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 22nd May 2007 at 7.00 pm

Present

Councillors R Kirk, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs F Greenwell, J Fletcher, G Readman, D Conroy.  PC M McFarlane, Mr H Atkinson, Mr P Suggitt, and three members of the public also attended.
Councillor Waters was not present.

Election of officers

Councillor Mrs Imeson was proposed as Chairman by Councillor Mrs Greenwell, seconded by Councillor Fletcher, and was unanimously elected.  Councillor Kirk thanked his fellow councillors for their support during his year of office.  Councillor Mrs Imeson thanked Councillor Kirk for all his work, which had been much appreciated.  She offered congratulations to the three elected District Councillors and welcomed the two new Parish Councillors.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell proposed that Councillor Waters be elected Vice Chairman.  This was seconded by Councillor Kirk and unanimously agreed.
The following responsibilities were agreed:  Allotments – Councillor Waters; Cemetery - Councillor Mrs Imeson;  Play Area – Councillor D Conroy; Captain Cook Schoolroom Musuem – Councillors Mrs Imeson and G Readman.  (Councillors Fletcher, Kirk and Mrs Greenwell would attend from Hambleton District Council); Village Hall – Councillor Kirk; River and Flooding – Councillor Fletcher; Planning – Councillor Mrs Greenwell; Fairtrade – Councillor D Conroy. 

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 24th April 2007 were approved and signed.

Police Business

A news release had been received introducing the new Deputy Chief Constable, and a letter had been received from Sgt Walther with the results of speed matrix equipment operation.  The statistics for April indicated that of a total of 23 crimes there had been 4 violent crimes, 8 autocrimes, and 4 burglaries.  There had been a total of 5 road traffic accidents of which 3 had resulted in injury.  The total number of reported incidents was 119.
Councillor Fletcher complained that the village was plagued by noisy, speeding motorists who displayed a total disregard for the law.  There was a perception that nothing was being done about them.  PC McFarlane said that the police were tackling boy-racers but their efforts were hampered because the drivers used mobile phones to advise their friends when the police had gone.  Problems with mini-motorbikes were difficult to deal with as the bikes did not display number plates, although two youths had been caught
Councillor Kirk reported that there had been an accident at the Hookstone garage roundabout.
Councillor Readman requested an update on progress with the boy-racer problem for the next meeting.

Cemetery

Trees overhanging cemetery – minute continued; grave shoring – minute continued.  Mr Atkinson had obtained prices for sheds, which averaged about £500.  He was told to chose whichever best suited his needs.  A builder would be employed to put down a concrete plinth.  Mr Atkinson would start refurbishing the village seats when time allowed.  He would also look at the leylandii trees between the new cemetery and the play area with a view to topping them.
Stephen Johnson would be asked to cut down the trees and shrubs which had grown up around the village hall

River

Mr Suggitt said that he cleaned the river every Friday, and had strimmed the bank sides.  He expressed concern about the low level of the river, and Councillors remembered when it was impossible to walk in the river between Suggitts bridge and Hollygarth bridge because it was too deep.  The Environment Agency would be asked to give it a proper clear out.  Mr Suggitt and Mr Atkinson would remove alder saplings from the river-bank at Waterfall Park and the stone bridge.

Matters arising from the minutes

Village Hall – Councillor Kirk had met with the architect who was in discussion with the planners to discuss Listed Building issues.  There were also problems with the ramp.  Minute continued
Highways matters - Tree Bridge junction; railings Waterfall Terrace etc – Minute continued
Riverside Park copse – the work was in progress.  Minute concluded.
Yatton House lease – Minute continued
RoSPA play area inspection – Councillor Fletcher had prepared a report on work needed. He would pass on all relevant information to Councillor Conroy who had taken on responsibility for the play area.   Mr Rotheram would be asked to carry out repairs and painting of equipment.  Minute continued
Planning  matters - tree planting to rear of 15 Easby Lane – the land was not registered with Land Registry; no reply had been received from the person who had planted the trees.  Minute continued
Memorial tree at Riverside – Minute continued
Parking of Royal Mail vans  Minute continued to see if there was any improvement in parking of vans
Dog fouling – The matter had been reported to HDC who said that sixteen fixed penalty notices had been issued.  Mr Atkinson had complained that there was still a significant problem on Low Green, which he believed occurred between 6 and 8 am.  The dog warden would  be informe, and also asked to attend the next Parish Council meeting to discuss the problem.
NYMNPA Parish Member appointment  Councillor Mrs Imeson had decided not to stand.
Sycamore tree – Mill Terrace   A letter had been sent to Tennis Club.  Minute concluded
Road works Yarm Lane  An inspector from NYCC was being sent out to check the works

Accounts

W Eves & Co. Ltd (petrol)(direct debit)	67.67
Sam Turner & Sons Ltd (repairs to mower)	139.36
Paul Suggitt (River Warden Contractor duties Feb, Mar, Apr)	187.50
Allianz Cornhill (insurance premium)	2816.98
E Harrison (grass cutting)	615.00
J Harland (refund of allotment deposit)	20.00
P Sinclair (refund allotment deposit 17A2)	10.00
B Alcock (refund allotment deposit 82)	20.00
C Marsden (refund allotment deposit 17B)	20.00
Farmway (rat poison, Roundup)	108.93
Richard Collins (grave digging)	160.00
M L Holden (reimburse bonfire leaflets)	10.00
Roseberry Decorating (planting tubs and signs)	465.89
Receipts
Northern Electric (wayleave)	17.25
Allotment receipts	70.00
Hambleton District Council (precept)	14500.00
Bells Stores (flower tub sponsor)	15.00
Great Ayton Dramatic Society (rent 2nd qtr 2007)	130.00
Cemetery receipts	1537.50

Correspondence

Ipsos Mori – survey on future pattern of local government – handed to Councillor Kirk for completion.  A letter would be sent making known the Parish Council’s opposition to a unitary authority
Environment Agency – re renewal of registration as carrier of controlled waste.  Registration to be renewed
P Jones – re usage of track from Easby Lane to cricket field.  The track had been surfaced.  The correspondent’s concerns regarding speed would be made known to the Cricket Club
HDC – appointment of Parish Council Representatives – Councillor Mrs Imeson appointed to the Standards Committee.
HDC – notification that Great Ayton Tourist Information Management Committee had signed lease.  Balance of Parish Council grant paid into their bank account £446.00
Mr P Bell – notification that Crash Bang Wallop had inserted a poster into Parish Council noticeboard obscuring election notices.  Crash Bang Wallop had been notified that this was unacceptable.
Standards Board for England – re new Code of Conduct.  The Parish Council would adopt the Model Code of Conduct including paragraph 12(2).  Standing Orders would be put in place.
Mrs S Taylor – re footpath on B1292 from Langbaurgh Grange to Guisborough Road.  Received
Yorkshire Local Councils Associations – invitation to join.  Declined
NYCC – housing developments in parish – information required to estimate number of pupils expected to attend schools from new developments.  No further developments planned for Great Ayton.
Mrs J Roberts – re traffic survey and public transport.  The Council agreed with her comments about the lack of public transport.  Councillors thought it ridiculous that it was impossible to get in or out of Great Ayton on a Sunday, and it was difficult for anyone making hospital visits as the buses ceased to run after about 7.30 pm any day.  The Council would make representations to NYCC to have the bus service reinstated, although a ring and ride service might be a more economic solution.  Mrs Roberts’ letter would be forwarded to NYCC for their attention
Dr P Shelton – re rubbish on grass verge and grass cutting.  Letter to be forwarded to HDC and NYCC for their attention.
Evening Gazette – re representative to contribute to Gazette website for TS9 community.  Councillor Readman said that the Parish Council should try to engage with the Gazette, and he would undertake to make contact. The clerk sent copies of the minutes and agenda each month but no acknowledgment was ever received.  A letter would be sent to the editor reminding him that the paper’s circulation extended to Northallerton and beyond but there was never anything in for HDC or the villages

Great Ayton Scouts – request for permission to hold duck race 13.5.07
NYCC – notification of public exhibitions re Stokesley and Great Ayton Service Centre Transportation Strategy.  A consultation questionnaire was completed expressing the Council’s view that it was opposed to the provision of a controlled pedestrian crossing across the A173 Guisborough Road; it approved extension of the parking restrictions on Guisborough Road only as far as the former police house, so as not to interfere with events in the parochial hall or church; it approved a footway link between the A173 Guisborough Road and Langbaurgh Close; it approved improvements to A173/Newton Road junction; it was opposed to 20 mph zone and parking restrictions in Roseberry Crescent; it approved Station Road footway improvements.
HDC Amanda Madden – offer to come and speak to Parish Council re Affordable Housing
Judith Fozzard – details of regional event “New Routes for Market Towns – Experience Change”
YLCA – re election of Parish Member to NYMNPA
Charity Commission – newsletter
HDC – Local Government Review – newsletter and findings of Ipsos Mori survey with local residents; reminder of Parish Liaison meetings.  The Council would make known its opposition to the creation of a single unitary authority
Community Care Association – thanks for contribution to production of The Stream
RAF Linton-on-Ouse – notification of night flying 10.5.07
Clerks and Councils Direct – magazine
NYMNPA – Joint Parish Forum – agenda for meeting 8.5.07
NYCC Pension Fund – agenda, minutes, slides and handouts for NYPFOG meetings; LGPS (Benefits, Membership and Contributions) Regs 07 – intention to amend Reg 3
Invitation to attend Towns4Towns event, Rheged, Penrith
North Yorkshire Criminal Justice Board – newsletter
HDC – details of District/Parish liaison meetings
NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda 24.5.07; Moors Messenger newsletter

Planning applications

Revised application for the construction of six bungalows for occupation by elderly residents and creation of a new vehicular access – land at Holly Garth Close.  No representations
Single storey extension – 10 Easby Lane.  No representations
Proposed installation of kitchen ventilation at Roseberry CP School.  Councillors Fletcher and Kirk declared an interest.  No representations
Propoosed felling of one tree and works to three trees – Firbeck House, Easby Lane – already approved
First floor extensions – 23 Roseberry Avenue.  No representations
Single storey extensions – 90 Roseberry Crescent.  No representations
Construction of a bungalow and detached domestic garage – land adjacent 90 Marwood Drive.  The Parish Council objected strongly that the application represented over-development of the site.  The Planning Department would be reminded that it had been reluctant to allow two bungalows on the site and had  only agreed after negotiation and a site visit.  A further site visit would be requested.
Conservatory extension – 38 Wainstones Close.  No representations

Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to form a pitched garage- roof and dormer window – 51 Roseberry Crescent
Single storey extensions to existing dwelling – 58 Roseberry Crescent
Proposed felling of one tree and works to three trees – Hollybrook, Easby Lane
Single storey extension to existing dwelling and re-siting of detached domestic garage – 42 Marwood Drive

Letter from Mr and Mrs Wakefield re proposed development at Holly Garth   

Annual Accounts for consideration

The accounts had been circulated at the previous meeting.  They were approved and signed.  The Annual Governance Statement was approved and signed.

Councillors’ reports

Councillor Fletcher reported that the gates at the ends of the plantations in the Hall fields were either missing or in a state of disrepair.  They were a feature of the village and added to its charm.  A letter would be sent to Mr Ward asking if the estate would consider it worthwhile replacing and repairing the gates.  Councillor Kirk said that there was a very good new kissing gate beyond the railway line.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that Councillor Groves used to walk the public footpaths to check on their condition.  She intended to follow his precedent.
Councillor Kirk said that part of the footpath round the top of the quarry had collapsed, the fence post was wobbling, and it was very dangerous.  The National Trust would be informed.
Councillor Mrs Imeson proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to Peter Bell and Margaret Stevens for all the hard work they did during their sixteen years on the Council.

The date of the following meeting would be Tuesday 19th June 2007