Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 19th June 2007 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors Mrs J Imeson, Chairman, J Fletcher, Mrs F Greenwell, R Kirk, G Readman, D Conroy, N Waters. Mr H Atkinson and one member of the public also attended.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 22nd May 2007 were approved and signed after minor amendment.
The Chairman invited the member of the public to speak. Ms Hood expressed her serious concerns about traffic flying up and down Newton Road. It continued until as late as 3.00 am. She had informed the police and provided them with a couple of registration numbers. The drivers also used appalling language very loudly on their mobile phones including during the day when children were about. Councillor Mrs Greenwell expressed surprise that Ms Hood had been advised by the police to report the problem to the Parish Council. The Parish Council would write to the new Chief Constable expressing the hope that there would now be more discipline in the force and that officers would do what they were expected to do. There appeared to be little enforcement, and the Council thought that continuity of service of community officers was vital. A letter would be sent to Stokesley police asking how they were getting on with the boy racer problem, and a letter also sent to the youth officers asking how they were doing.
Councillor Kirk reported that 3 or 4 scooters and motorbikes had been observed setting off at great speed down Station Road. Councillor Conroy said that vehicle noise had been bothering residents at Levenside for at least four years.
Police
There was no police presence. The statistics for May showed that the total of 15 crimes included 1 violent crime, 2 autocrimes and 3 burglaries. There had been 3 injury accidents, including one at Tree Bridge, and 2 non-injury or animal accidents. The total number of incidents for the month was 114.
Cemetery
Mr Atkinson reported a busy month, not helped by bad weather. Mr Crombie had cut down the trees causing nuisance to neighbours and would deal with those overhanging the road. Mr Johnson would cut the trees between the new cemetery and the play area.
Councillor Mrs Imeson had received two complaints regarding vases and plastic flowers in the Garden of Remembrance. She intended to visit the cemetery to see what could be done.
Mr Atkinson had seen the list of repair work required for the play area but was unable to do it all. Replacing the turf in the goal mouths and under the swings was impossible as the children simply kicked it up as soon as it was laid.
River
There had been no response from the Environment Agency regarding dredging the river between the Whitbread bridge and Hollygarth bridge.
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall – The architects had amended the drawings to show a long ramp or outside lift. They were in discussion with HDC as to what would be approved. Minute continued
Highways matters - Tree Bridge junction; railings Waterfall Terrace etc – work had started. Minute continued
Yatton House lease – Minute continued
RoSPA play area inspection – Mr Rotheram would undertake repair and painting work. Minute concluded
Planning matters - tree planting to rear of 15 Easby Lane – Mr Edwards had provided a plan suggesting ownership of the land. The Council thought this was insufficient and he would be asked to produce deeds. Minute continued.
Memorial tree at Riverside – Advice would be sought from tree experts as to what type of tree would be suitable close to the river. Minute continued
Parking of Royal Mail vans Vans continued to be parked in car parking spaces which were at a premium in the village. A letter would be sent pointing out that the problem had been caused by Royal Mail giving up the garages they previously used. The problem could be solved by re-renting the garages, or using the TIP car park.
Dog fouling – response awaited from HDC. Minute continued.
Sycamore tree – Mill Terrace – letters had been received from both Mr Merrett and the Tennis Club. Minute concluded.
Road works Yarm Lane The Council was very concerned that the mess had never been cleared up. A letter would be sent to Highways asking them to reinstate the verges and replant the daffodils.
Gates, Hall Fields - Minute continued
Buses – Councillor Fletcher corrected the statement that there were no buses on Sundays. In fact there was a very limited service, but not to Redcar or Stokesley.
Accounts
W Eves & Co. Ltd (petrol)(direct debit) 138.07 Sam Turner & Sons Ltd (repairs to mower) 111.01 Farmway (rat poison) 28.04 * R Johnson (refund allotment deposit 32B) 20.00 D Harrison Charity Account (donation in aid of prostate cancer) 35.00 Thompson’s Hardware (items for cemetery, keys) 36.42 Hambleton District Council (contribution towards cycle rack scheme) 200.00 D I Holden (reimburse phone bill) 54.96 H Atkinson (reimburse phone card) 10.00 Richard Collins (grave digging) 240.00 Arborcare (tree work Riverside) 2040.00 Receipts Cemetery receipts 1842.50 Great Ayton Working Men’s Club (flowers at village signs) 50.00 T J Robinson (grave reservation) 60.00
* Councillor Fletcher commented on the frequency of rat poison purchases. It was agreed that the situation be monitored
Correspondence
dti – consultation re nuclear power. Received
NYCC – A New Council for North Yorkshire – Parish Council Update June 2007 – reminder of final date for comments 22.6.07. Council had already commented
Government Office for the North East – North East Regional Spatial Strategy Proposed Changes – comments invited. HDC would be asked if there was anything in the document which would affect Great Ayton
Middlesbrough Council – Local Development Framework Submission Core Strategy Consultation – views sought. HDC would be asked if there was anything in the document which would affect Great Ayton
Tees Valley Joint Minerals and Waste Development Plan Documents – comments invited. HDC would be asked if there was anything in the document which would affect Great Ayton
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council – Redcar and Cleveland LDF – Communities DPD Scoping Report – views invited. HDC would be asked if there was anything in the document which would affect Great Ayton
CPRE Northumberland – invitation to attend AGM 5.7.07 at Chillingham Castle. Declined
Great Ayton Cricket and Football Club – request for financial help with equipment for junior cricket and football. Councillors Waters, Readman and Mrs Greenwell declared an interest and left the chamber. After much discussion it was agreed that a donation of £1000 from Section 106 money be made towards roll-on matting wicket
HDC – re training on planning matters. Councillors felt that one seminar, rather than regular short training sessions, would be preferable
Standards Board for England – revised Members’ Code of Conduct. Adopted – see below
B Johnson – request for secure fencing at village hall. The Council sympathised with Mr Johnson’s problem but could not assist
Action for Market Towns – details of workshop on Festivals and Events in Outdoor Spaces – 29.6.07 at Knaresborough
YRCC – invitation to renew membership. Membership to be renewed
The following items of information were received:-
Local Works – request for support with Sustainable Communities Bill
NYCC Pension Fund – NewsAlert; employer satisfaction survey; updated contact list; informal consultation letter re fresh assessment of existing 2016-2020 interface in the current Scheme regs; Pensions Focus Newsletter; Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2007; 4 circulars; re early retirement policy
HDC – street collection permits – Parkinson’s Disease Society – 16.6.07
Great Ayton Tourist Information – thanks to Parish Council for financial support
CPRE – Fieldwork magazine
Glasdon – brochure
NYMNPA – copy of nomination form for candidate in Forum area; results of elections for Parish Members – successful candidate for Northern area – Diane Elizabeth Leadley; Planning Committee agenda 14.6.07
Local Council’s Update – newsletter
Alternative Fundraising Supplier – brochure
Bow House – re new Herriot Country Website
Towns4Towns invitation to Finding Funding Event 18.6.07 in Chesterfield
Amanda Madden - Hambleton RHE update
NYCC – agenda for County Committee for Hambleton 25.6.07 Thirsk Town Hall 2.00 pm
Hambleton Sports Council – agenda for meeting 18.7.07, minutes of previous meeting
NYMNPA – agenda for meeting 25.6.07
Planning applications
Revised application for the construction of six bungalows for occupation by elderly residents and creation of a new vehicular access as amended – land at Holly Garth Close. No representations
Revised application for the construction of four dwellings – 11 and 13 Bridge Street. The Parish Council would remind HDC that years ago they had converted and restored the cottages. It would be a pity to spoil the street now by allowing the applicant to raise the roof level. Councillors agreed with the original design statement.
Change of use of existing shop to a beauty salon – 59 Newton Road. No representations
Porch extension – 8 John Street. No representations
First floor extensions as amended – 23 Roseberry Avenue. No representations
Two storey extension – 18 Roseberry Drive. No representations
Proposed works to a sycamore tree – rear of library, High Street. No representations
Proposed felling beech tree and works to an ash tree – Friends Meeting House. Councillors would ask HDC to obtain a second opinion on the condition of the beech tree which was a magnificent specimen and a significant part of the street scene. There were no objections to the works to the ash tree
Construction of a dwelling and detached domestic garage as amended – land adjacent 90 Marwood Drive. Councillors had objected to the application for two dwellings, so they could not accept an application for three. Two was over-development of the site – three was worse.
Site visit
Monday 25th June 9.30 am – construction of a dwelling and detached domestic garage - land adjacent 90 Marwood Drive
Plans approved
Proposed felling of two trees – Marwood C of E VC Infant School
Application to carry out works to a tree the subject of TPO 1998?01 – The Friends School
Change of use of existing shop (A1) to estate agents (A2) – 107 High Street
Plans withdrawn
Conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 3 Stanley Houses
Letter from Mr and Mrs S E Wakefield – re proposed construction of 6 bungalows at Hollygarth
Copies of letters to HDC – from H Stonehouse and Mrs J Lappin re application for 11 – 13 Bridge Street
Adoption of Model Code of Conduct. Amendments to Standing Orders
The Parish Council adopted the Model Code of Conduct, including paragraph 12(2), as provided by the Standards Board for England. The Standing Orders were amended to reflect this. Standing Order 19 was amended to read “With regard to expenditure, 3 tenders should be obtained for all costs involving payment of sums exceeding £1000”
Allotments manager
Mr P Bell had offered to continue managing the allotments and deal with lettings, on a commercial basis. Councillor Waters was willing to manage the allotments but had neither time nor local knowledge to deal with lettings. Mr Bell would be asked if he would consider taking on just the letting part of the job.
Councillors’ reports
Councillor Waters had received several complaints about dog fouling and litter. Councillor Fletcher said that the road sweepers were in evidence in the village.
He had previously requested that NYCC be asked to provide a footpath along Easby Lane to Goat Lane. NYCC would be asked to include it in the Stokesley and Great Ayton Service Centre Transportation Scheme.
Councillor Waters had been annoyed by the report on the front page of the Darlington and Stockton Times. It was agreed that certain comments made by Councillors had been taken out of context.
Councillor Readman commented on Marwood School’s exceptional Ofsted report. A letter of congratulation would be sent. Letters of congratulation would also be sent to Mr Tim Willis and Mr Cliff Ord who had both been awarded MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Councillor Conroy commented on the traffic problems outside Roseberry School.
He asked if tourists were aware of the Captain Cook Memorial Garden. Councillor Mrs Imeson said that it was mentioned in the tourism leaflets. Councillor Readman asked if it was possible to get a sign. Councillor Mrs Imeson said that it had to be demonstrated that there were a certain number of visitors to an attraction before a brown tourism sign could be installed.
The date of the following meeting would be Tuesday 17th July 2007