Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 21st August 2007 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors Mrs J Imeson, Chairman, J Fletcher, P Conroy, N Waters, Mrs F Greenwell, G Readman
Apologies
Apologies had been received from Councillor R Kirk but he joined the meeting shortly after the start.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 17th July 2007 were approved and signed
Police Business
The police apologised for being unable to send an officer, but the July statistics and a report from PC Jones were provided. There had been 16 crimes in the month (slightly less than in the same month the previous year) which included 6 autocrimes, 6 thefts, 1 burglary from a dwelling, 1 other burglary and 1 incident of criminal damage. Of the total of 105 incidents reported, 24 related to antisocial behaviour, 14 of which concerned nuisance vehicles (eg boy racers). There were 4 road traffic collisions, none serious and none at Tree Bridge. The police had initiated Operation Embolden to target antisocial behaviour, particularly on the High Street, High Green and the TIC carpark. It was hoped that the formation of a Neighbourhood Action Group in the near future would be able to address longer term solutions. An operation to target boy racers in Hambleton concentrated on Great Ayton for one day and resulted in 7 vehicles being taken off the road for various offences.
Councillor Fletcher welcomed the initiative to form a Neighbourhood Action Group.
Councillors queried the presentation of the statistics, which did not seem to add up. Enquiries would be made of the police to find out how the figures were arrived at. Councillor Mrs Greenwell asked if calls made to the call centre were recorded and reported to the Parish Council.
Cemetery
Grave shoring – minute continued; vases Garden of Remembrance – a resident had reported that the area was still very untidy. Councillor Mrs Imeson would follow the matter up. Flooding in gateway – the cctv survey had been carried out and a report was awaited.
Mr Atkinson was unable to attend the meeting but had sent a report saying that he had taken delivery of gravel for the paths; the allotment hedge had been trimmed and would be properly cut later in the year; the seat opposite the petrol station was beyond repair and had been removed.
River
Two letters and a petition had been received urging the Council to reconsider the removal of the alders on Low Green. A copy of a letter from the Environment Agency was also received which stated, inter alia, that they considered that the trees did not considerably affect river flow and were not in an unsafe condition. Councillor Fletcher said that the National Parks were encouraging landowners to take out trees to make clear flow following the damage to bridges during the floods. Further investigation and discussion would take place before a final decision was made.
The Environment Agency was to commence work on the feasibility study for flood water storage.
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall – Councillor Kirk reported that the architect had made progress with the planners. A letter had been received from Great Ayton Dramatic Society asking for an update. Councillor Kirk would meet them and report.
Highways matters - Tree Bridge junction; railings Waterfall Terrace etc – minute continued; road works, Yarm Lane - minute continued.
Councillor Fletcher had attended a meeting on the Road Traffic Management Scheme. He had reiterated the Parish Council’s views on the proposals for Geat Ayton, which were recorded in the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 22nd May 2007.
Councillor Readman had been approached by a trader who wished to see a 2 hour maximum limit on parking outside the shops. He was advised that this issue had been raised several times in the past and the situation had not changed. Parking restrictions would be very difficult to impose as the land where cars parked was in different ownership. The Parish Council, the District Council and the County Council were all involved.
Yatton House lease – minute continued
Planning matters - tree planting to rear of 15 Easby Lane. No deeds had been forthcoming from the person who had planted the trees. Councillors believed that action for the Council to acquire ownership of the land would be difficult and expensive. Enquiries would be made of HDC Legal Department as to the likely success and costs of such an exercise. Mr Lappin said that neighbouring residents were opposed to the land being taken over without proof of ownership. Minute continued
Memorial tree at Riverside – in view of the ongoing discussion regarding trees on Low Green, it was agreed that the applicant be advised to plant the tree at the Riverside. Minute continued
Parking of Royal Mail vans No response had been received from Royal Mail. Further contact would be made. Minute continued
Dog fouling and litter – HDC had responded that one dog owner in Great Ayton had been caught and fined after allowing his dog to foul the footpath. Minute concluded.
Gates, Hall Fields – a reminder would be sent to the owner. Minute continued
Accounts
W Eves & Co. Ltd (petrol)(direct debit) 153.15 Hambleton District Sports Council (affiliation fee) 3.00 Think Interiors Ltd (paint and materials for railings) 151.34 M A Beeforth (audit fee) 150.00 HCS Drain Services Ltd (clearing cemetery drains, cctv survey) 161.57 J C Pearson (concrete base for cemetery shed) 359.55 Sam Turner & Sons Ltd (mower repair) 187.93 P H Greenwell Contractors (pumping out flood water, cemetery) 203.98 Farmway (rat poison) 31.14 Richard Collins (grave digging) 80.00 Receipts Cemetery receipts 1555.00 D Bailey (garage rent August) 10.00 Great Ayton Dramatic Society (3rd qtr rent village hall) 130.00 Cemetery receipts 695.00
Correspondence
South Tees Hospitals – Foundation Trust Consultation and Membership – leaflets and application forms. A notice would be displayed advising that leaflets and application forms were available in the Library.
Middlesbrough Council – Middlesbrough LDF Submission Core Strategy – alternative site allocation representations consultation. The Council would reply that it wished to see SAR1 (land between Nunthorpe and Poole Hospital) preserved as open space in order to mitigate the effect of urban sprawl.
Patient and Public Involvement forum for North Yorkshire – re highway signage for health centre. The Council did not support the request for signposts for the Health Centre.
NYMNPA – Open Access Management: Great Ayton Moor – comments invited. The Council had observed no change in use. NYMNPA would be advised, however, of the increase in fires and misuse of motorcycles at Gribdale Gate
HDC – Code of Member Conduct – requirement to advertise the adoption of the Code; training sessions for new members. Great Ayton Parish Council had adopted the Code of Member Conduct. It accepted HDC’s offer to include it in a composite advertisement on behalf of all Parish or Town Councils
Community Care Association – re inclusion on Voluntary and Community Sector Common Database. The Council did not wish to be included on the database
Yorkshire Cancer Research – request for permission to sell cards etc 5.10.07. Approved
HDC – request for agenda items for District/Parish Liaison meeting 24.9.07
Mr and Mrs G Hetherington – re proposed felling of alders on Low Green. See River above
Mr D Capes – ditto. See River above
Robert Holden – update on website usage. Over 1000 people had visited the site in July from places as far afield as Australia, Brazil and Japan. It was top of the list for all search engines when searching for Great Ayton, and about 30 people a month visited it to read the Parish Council minutes. Robert would be thanked for his efforts.
The following items of information were received:-
Hambleton Local Development Agencies – Community News; questionnaire
North Yorkshire Playing Fields Association – The Playing Field newsletter; play equipment brochures
HDC – Tree Preservation Order
NYCC – North Yorkshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Sites Allocations Issues and Options
Local Works – Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill
HDC – newsletter re non-implementation of single unitary council
York and North Yorkshire Sub-regional Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure Consortium – survey
NYMNPA – agenda for Northern Area Parish Forum meeting 9.8.07
Amanda Madden Hambleton HRE – re possible meeting for autumn
Judith Fozzard – newsletter for Action for Market Towns in Yorkshire and the Humber
HDC – street collection dates – Cleveland Search and Rescue 4.8.07
RoSPA – notification of playground safety inspection September 2007
YRCC – invitation to LEADER event 22.8.07
Wicksteed – play equipment leaflet
External Environment – play equipment brochure
NYCC Pension Fund – notification of meeting of NYPFOG 24.10.07; notification of LGPS 2008 Benefit Regulations – Changes to Employee Contributions; LGPS Consultation
NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda 16.8.07
Yorkshire and Humber Assembly - Assembly Digest – newsletter
Vitalise - request for funding
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council – Adoption of Core Strategy and Development Policies DPDs; notification that Low Grange Farm Supplementary Planning Document is available for consultation
Askham Bryan College – prospectus
HDC – notification of change of business name – Tile Sheds to Newton Rose
HDC Street Naming and Numbering – new property – Plot 3 land adjacent 90 Marwood Drive
Amanda Madden Hambleton RHE – newsletter
NYCC – Pensions Focus newsletter
NYCC – request to consider impact of possible Post Office closures
Planning applications
Proposed felling of four trees and works to one other tree – Firbeck House, Easby Lane. Already approved
Alterations and extensions to existing domestic garage – 2 Angrove Close. No representations
Alterations to existing dwelling to form two dwellings as amended – Mill Farm, Stokesley Road. Already approved
First floor extension to existing dwelling – 105 Wheatlands. The Council objected to the application on the grounds that it would change the aspect of the road at that end, and create a precedent for other unacceptable developments
Application to carry out works to 8 trees the subject of TPO 1999/16 – Chartersmead, Easby Lane. No representations
Revised application for a conservatory extension – 3 Stanley Houses. The Council objected that this was overdevelopment of an already overdeveloped site
Alterations and extensions to existing agricultural building to form an LPG vehicle conversion centre – Greenhow Hill Farm, Pannierman Lane. Councillors Mrs Greenwell and R Kirk declared an interest. No representations
Single storey extension to existing dwelling to form a garden room – 6 Linden Grove. No representations
Alterations to garage door and two roof lights – The Wheelhouse, Langbaurgh Grange. No representations
Application for Listed Building Consent for alterations to three windows and one door plus installation of a roof light, a rainwater pipe, and two flues – 15 High Green. No representations
Construction of a boundary wall – 1 Mill Terrace. The site would be inspected prior to comment
Conservatory extension – 1 Byemoor Avenue. No representations
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling – 55 Wheatlands. The Council objected that the proposal reduced space around the house and limited off road parking
Change of use of agricultural land to the siting of 15 log cabins and associated works – land adjacent Angrove Plantation, Yarm Lane. The Council objected that there was already permission for similar developments at Whinstone View and Little Ayton and there was no need for any more. It was out in the open countryside; Yarm Lane was unsuitable for pedestrians; it would cause congestion on the road; it had the look of permanency. The Council asked for the application to go to Committee if the Planning Officer was minded to approve it.
Proposed works to a beech tree – 1 Beech Close. No representations
Plans approved
Replacement conservatory and alterations to part roof of existing dwelling – 26 Easby Lane
Proposed felling of four trees and works to one other tree – Firbeck House
Two storey extension – 18 Roseberry Drive
Porch extension – 8 John Street
Revised application for the construction of 4 dwellings – 11 and 13 Bridge Street
Change of use of existing shop to a beauty salon – 59 Newton Road
Proposed works to a sycamore tree – rear of the library
Alterations to existing dwelling to form two dwellings as amended – Mill Farm, Stokesley Road
New enforcement hearing appeal for Mr A R Kitching OS field 4116
Councillors’ reports
Councillor Fletcher reported that the hedge on the footpath between Easby Lane and Hollygarth needed to be cut. Highways would be notified. He had also received complaints about Yatton House hedge.
Councillor Readman reported that the Community Archaeology Project had received a grant of £43,700, which was excellent. He regretted that Great Ayton youth did not appear to have been included in the summer activities organised by 4youth. Councillor Kirk said that they had been included and had received notification of the events via school and the youth centre. Councillor Mrs Imeson felt that the Parish Council should have been kept informed. Councillor Fletcher would contact the youth workers, Sara Atkins and Donna Westbrook.
Councillor Conroy said that he did not want to see any delay to the work at Tree Bridge.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell reported that the trod at the rear of Cliffe Terrace was very overgrown, and that the surface was in dangerous condition. Highways would be informed.
The date of the following meeting would be Tuesday 11th September 2007