Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 17th July 2007 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors Mrs J Imeson, Chairman, Mrs F Greenwell, J Fletcher, N Waters, P Conroy and R Kirk. PC Sally Bunce, PCSO Jason Lloyd, Mr H Atkinson, Mr P Suggitt, and one member of the public also attended.
Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor G Readman
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 19th June 2007 were approved and signed.
Police Business
The statistics for June showed that of a total of 14 crimes there had been 6 autocrimes and 2 burglaries. There had been two non-injury/animal road traffic accidents, and the total of incidents recorded was 97.
Newsletter and news alert had been received from NYPA
It was reported that lead had been stolen from the Chapel roof. The police response to a 999 call had been very disappointing. PC Bunce said that response officers came from Thirsk and unless it was a matter of life and death, had to observe the speed limits. Two young boys had been arrested in connection with the theft.
A letter had been received from Inspector Richardson in response to those sent to the Chief Constable. He pointed out that deployment of the CCTV camera lay with Mr T Woods, the ASB Coordinator. He informed the Council that Stokesley had set up a Neighbourhood Action Group, and it was hoped to replicate this in Great Ayton. Councillors welcomed this suggestion and PC Bunce would arrange a meeting with other interested parties. He considered the comment about the apparent lack of enforcement to be unfair and pointed out that the Stokesley/Great Ayton police team had achieved a 16% reduction in crime in the first quarter of this year. He was aware that antisocial behaviour from boy racers was causing concern and his officers were taking action to combat this. PC Bunce said that in an effort to divert them from antisocial behaviour, Stokesley had set up football teams with amazing results. She hoped similar action would work in Great Ayton. PCSO Lloyd said that the head cameras could now be used to confront troublemakers. He also reported that Bells Stores was to review its opening hours and would only open late if there was sufficient demand.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell asked if the apparent lack of local police presence was due to a lack of officers. PC Bunce responded that there were more than ever, which accounted for the reduction in crime.
Councillor Fletcher said that there was a lot of trouble at Gribdale Gate with forest fires being lit and cars and scooters racing along the road.
Cemetery
Grave shoring – minute continued; vases, Garden of Remembrance – it had been decided to store empty vases behind the wall so that the front of the wall could be kept clear for flowers.
The gateway had been flooded during the recent heavy rain and 8000 gallons of water had been pumped out. Councillor Waters was thanked for turning out to deal with the problem. It was reported that the drains had been jetted but this had not solved the problem. It was agreed that a cctv survey should be carried out to identify problems prior to a decision being taken on action.
A broken manhole had been repaired. Mr Atkinson’s time had been fully occupied with grass cutting and other jobs had had to wait. More gravel for the cemetery paths would be ordered.
River
The high level of the river had prevented Mr Suggitt from doing anything other than cutting the bank sides.
The Environment Agency had responded to enquiries that it did not own anything in Great Ayton and would therefore not repair defects to the wall in Waterfall Park. They would not dredge the channel between the Whitbread bridge and Hollygarth bridge as it would be unlikely to increase the capacity of the watercourse and could undermine the bank sides. They stated that the bed level was now slightly lower than when the bridge had been built.
Councillor Fletcher had repaired a report about the river in spate, including photographs showing the alders in the middle of the water. The Council, with the exception of Councillor Mrs Greenwell, agreed that those alders and willows growing out of the riverbank between the waterfall and the bottom Low Green footbridge, which were in the domain of the Parish Council, should be removed in order to minimise obstruction when the river was in flood. The Environment Agency would be advised of the proposed works and a copy of the report would be sent to them.
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall – minute continued; a report had been received that the wall at rear of hall was crumbling. Users of the hall would be advised to use the main entrance until the problem was dealt with.
Highways matters - Tree Bridge junction; railings Waterfall Terrace etc – work was in progress. Minute continued
Yatton House lease – minute continued
Planning matters - tree planting to rear of 15 Easby Lane – minute continued
Memorial tree at Riverside – an issue had arisen regarding the suitability of Low Green for tree planting as it was believed that sewer pipes ran below the Green. A plan showing the location of the pipes had been requested. Minute continued
Parking of Royal Mail vans. There had been no response from Royal Mail. A further letter would be sent.
Dog fouling – There had been no response from HDC. Newton Road was still bad. Further representation would be made to HDC
Road works Yarm Lane NYCC had replied that planting of daffodils had been arranged for autumn. They would be asked to tidy up the verges before planting. A copy of the request would be sent to the contractor responsible.
Gates, Hall Fields - minute continued
Buses – NYCC had responded that Sunday and late evening buses had been withdrawn in April 2006. This was probably due to the fact that the journeys had ceased to be commercially viable. There was no plan to reinstate those journeys at the present time. Minute concluded
Various consultation documents - None of the documents referred to Great Ayton. Minute concluded
Allotment manager – Mr Alan Bradshaw had responded to the advertisement and was willing to deal with the lettings for £250 per annum, plus rent-free allotment. This had been agreed with the Chairman and the paperwork handed to Mr Bradshaw. A letter of confirmation would be sent and Mr Bradshaw would be asked to liaise with the Allotment Manager. Minute concluded
Footpath Easby Lane – NYCC had responded that a footpath in this location may not score highly in terms of its contribution to the County Council’s shared priorities. A survey had been carried out which showed that although vehicle speeds were high there was sufficient verge for pedestrians on both sides of the road. The Parish Council would be notified when the outcome of the assessment was known. Minute concluded.
Accounts
W Eves & Co. Ltd (petrol)(direct debit) 66.26 Farmway (rat poison) 31.14 Hambleton District Council (salaries April, May, June 07) 6973.42 D I Holden (reimburse virus protection) 30.00 Northumbrian Water (cemetery £5.92, allotments £136.98) (direct debit) 142.90 M A Fletcher (reimburse hanging baskets) 48.47 Great Ayton Football and Cricket Club (Sec 106 donation for equipment
for juniors)1000.00 Yorkshire Rural Community Council (annual subscription) 35.00 Eric Harrison (grass cutting) 615.00 Richard Collins (grave digging) 80.00 H Atkinson (reimburse phone card) 10.00 P Suggitt (river warden contractor duties May, June, July07) 187.50 Receipts D Bailey (garage rent June) 10.00 J Tolland (grave reservation) 60.00 D Bailey garage rent July) 10.00
Correspondence
NYCC – re obstruction to footbridge by parked cars, Yarm Lane. The Council agreed that the two metre white line at the end of the bridge, as proposed by NYCC, was acceptable
Stokesley and Villages Community Regeneration Group – invitation to meeting 10.10.07, 7.00 pm Stokesley Town Hall re Area Group name – future developer contributions; Visitor Website for the Stokesley area. Councillors Mrs Greenwell and J Fletcher would be attending
NYMNPA – Northern Area Parish Forum meeting 9.8.07. Request for agenda items; poster
HDC – Hambleton Carbon Reduction Grant Scheme 2007/8 – leaflet and application form
F Allison – copy of letter sent to Northumbrian Water re flooding. HDC would be advised of the name of the owner of the land to the rear of Roseberry Crescent
D W Taylor – re damage to Stone Bridge wall/parapet. Letter to be forwarded to NYCC Highways
E Harrison – re broken seat at top garage; yellow F/H plastic marker; litter. Mr Atkinson would be asked to inspect the seat; North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue would be notified re broken F/H marker; HDC would be asked to deal with litter problems. It was reported that the bins at Yatton House and near the bus stop on the B1292 had not been emptied in June, the litter behind Bells Stores was dreadful, and the path at James Court had not been cleaned.
M Goat – re vandalism at allotments. Mr Goat had been advised to report all acts of vandalism to the police
HDC – copy of letter to Dr Shelton re litter on verges
W Kirby – letters re village hall; dog fouling. Mr Kirby would be thanked for his complimentary remarks. The Council would confirm that it had not received any complaints from Mr Kirby regarding dog fouling
The following items of information were received:-
NYCC – notice of temporary closure of Little Ayton Lane 17.7.07
NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda for meeting 19.07.07
Mr T Willis – thanks for Parish Council’s congratulations
HDC – street collections for July – Alzheimers 14.7.07
Yorkshire Planning Aid – Planning White Paper Free Information Event 14.7.07
Gareth Davies Tree Care – introductory letter
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority – Corporate Plan
CPRE – raffle tickets; Countryside Voice magazine
Clerks and Councils Direct magazine
YRCC - Country Air newsletter
HDC – newsletter, including results of survey re single unitary council
Great Ayton Bowls Club – re selling of raffle tickets 6.7.07
NYCC – signing of approved cycle route – Walney to Wear
Yorkshire Local Councils Association – Joint Training Conference for Parish and Town Councillors and Clerks at The Royal Hotel, Scarborough 28.9.07 to 30.9.07
NYMNPA – Moorsbus leaflets and poster
External Review – product information cards
NALC – training day Cracking the Code, 19.7.07 at Hilton Birmingham Metropole
SMP advertisement leaflet
Yorkshire Local Councils Association – Assembly Digest newsletter
Planning applications
Alterations and extensions to form two dwellings from existing – Mill Farm, Stokesley Road. The Parish Council queried whether there were already too many dwellings using the lane
Replacement conservatory and alterations to part roof of existing dwelling – 26 Easby Lane. No representations
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to provide utility room and construction of replacement detached domestic garage and new vehicular access – 47 Addison Road – minor amendment. No representations
Development Control Committee meeting
Thursday 28th June 10.00 am – construction of a dwelling and detached domestic garage - land adjacent 90 Marwood Drive
Plans approved
Revised application for the construction of six bungalows for occupation by elderly residents and creation of new vehicular access as amended – Land at Holly Garth Close
First floor extensions as amended – 23 Roseberry Avenue
Two single storey extensions – 10 Easby Lane
Single storey extension – 31 Romany Road
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling – 10 Linden Road
Plans withdrawn
Proposed felling of one tree and works to three trees – Firbeck House
Enquiries would be made of Mr M Cann, HDC, regarding the current position on the application by Mr A Kitching
Amended Standing Orders for signature
The new standing orders were signed
Councillors’ reports
Councillor Conroy said that he did not agree that Great Ayton was rural. The other Councillors disagreed with his view.
Councillor Kirk reported that Mr Peter Bell was in hospital. A letter would be sent wishing him a speedy recovery.
The date of the following meeting would be Tuesday 21st August 2007