Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Wednesday 12th November 2008 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors N Waters, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, J Fletcher, G Readman and R Kirk. PC M McFarlane and Mr H Atkinson also attended
Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs F Greenwell. Councillor D Conroy did not attend
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7th October 2008 were approved and signed
Police Business
Edward Kitching Terrace – a local businessman had reported that residents had complained to him about problems there. PC McFarlane said that despite delivering diaries to all residents only one had been returned.
PC McFarlane said she understood that the closure of the Linden Grove/The Hawthorns cut was imminent.
Councillors reported that they had received a complaint from a resident regarding speeding at the road works on the A172. Councillor Fletcher had responded that the works were being carried out in accordance with Department of Transport requirements.
Councillor Mrs Imeson had received a complaint about a lorry being parked outside Linden Grove Court. PC McFarlane would investigate.
PC McFarlane said that Sara Atkins was experiencing problems with using the village hall for her youth group, particularly with regard to storage of equipment. A letter would be sent to Drama to ask them if they could sort out their costumes so as to release storage space under the stairs. The youth group would be allowed to use the council chamber under supervision, and to store items there so long as the chamber was cleared for Parish Council meetings.
The statistics for October showed that there had been 3 violent assaults and 1 autocrime. There had been 1 injury accident and 2 non-injury/animal accidents. A total of 73 incidents had been reported. The figures were down on those for the same period last year.
Cemetery
Play area hedge/paved area - Mrs P Turnbull had complained about the play area being locked. The reason had been explained to her. Repairs had been carried out to the safety surface and the equipment had been painted. It was reported that vandals had since daubed the equipment with red paint. Mr Rotheram would be asked to make it good and Mr Atkinson would reopen the playground. Councillor Waters asked if there was anything against having the play area on Low Green. He was informed that this suggestion had previously been rejected at a public meeting. Councillor Readman asked what was happening to play area cut. Councillor Fletcher responded that there was a plan in place and the Council should wait to see how that worked. Councillor Mrs Imeson proposed that Councillor Readman took part responsibility for the play area with Councillor Conroy. This was seconded by Councillor Waters and unanimously agreed.
Cemetery hedge – work would start on 15.12.08.
Following an earlier break-in at his shed, Mr Atkinson had just noticed that his ladders had been stolen. He had completed grass cutting for the year.
A new beech tree would ordered to replace that which had died in the Riverside.
River
It was reported that there was a big log at the top of the waterfall.
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall – Councillor Kirk reported that there were 3 grant applications pending. He was still waiting for one estimate for the roof and windows. It was agreed that the priority was to make the hall safe and weatherproof. Councillor Mrs Imeson said that it was not possible always to have disabled access. It was thought that if the hall was for youth use the situation could be managed. It was recognised that checks would have to be made for asbestos before work to the ceiling was carried out.
Highways matters - Tree Bridge junction – an email had been received from Mr R Lappin regarding speeding (see Police Business above). Jacobs UK – had sent notification of road closure to enable the construction of the roundabout; railings Waterfall Terrace – C/F; Bridge Street pedestrian improvement scheme – the Parish Council did not like what was being done and thought it unnecessary. A letter would be sent to Highways expressing disappointment that the Parish Council’s views had not been taken into account
Library seats – minute continued
Floodwater storage scheme – minute continued
Trees High Green – Councillor Fletcher had discussed the trees with a tree surgeon and prepared a report. Permission would be sought from HDC for works to the trees
Christmas – a letter would be sent to local businesses encouraging them to decorate their premises. Councillor Waters suggested that it would be useful for Mr Greenwell to hire a cherry-picker to make putting up the lights easier and safer. This was approved by the Council and a letter would be sent to Mr Greenwell advising him of the Council’s suggestion
Accounts
Sam Turner & Sons Ltd (repairs to mower) 38.70 Farmway (Roundup, rat poison, coverall) 148.79 Playsafety Ltd (playground inspection) 98.70 G A Marwood (half year allotment rent) 250.00 D I Holden (reimburse phone account) 46.60 D Wood (refund allotment deposit 42B) 20.00 W Eves & Co Ltd (petrol (direct debit)) 84.95 Image Playgrounds Ltd (repairs to safety surfacing) 1133.36 Eric Harrison (grass cutting) 630.00 H Atkinson (reimburse phone card) 10.00 Richard Collins (grave digging) 160.00 P Suggitt (River Warder Contractor duties Aug, Sept, Oct 2008) 187.50 The Royal Oak (Captain Cook lunch) 288.00 Receipts Hambleton District Council (precept) 15000.00 Allotment rents and deposits 2470.00 Allotment rents 764.50 E Kappes (grave reservation) 60.00 D Garbutt “ “ 60.00 D Braithwaite (grave reservation for J Rolfe) 60.00 M Bulman (allotment rent) 22.00 Great Ayton Dramatic Society (final qtr rent 2008 village hall) 130.00 D Bailey (garage rent) 10.00 M Harrison and E Harrison (grave reservation) 120.00 Cemetery receipts 1348.00 HM Revenue and Customs (VAT refund) 1047.79
Correspondence
RoSPA – play area safety inspection report. This had been handed to Councillor Conroy for his attention
NYMNPA – consultation on direct elections to National Park Authorities (the consultation document can be found on NYMNPA website - www.moors.uk.net)
Sara Atkins – report on 10 week pilot project with youth; post dispersal action plan
Communities and Local Government – Codes of conduct for local authority members and employees – a consultation
Karen Stowe – re visit of actress Lindsay Wagner
HDC – request for permission for extra facilities at local recycling centre. Approved
Mr W Kirby – two letters re Captain Cook’s birthday. Mr Kirby would be thanked for his interest
Hambleton and Richmondshire Rural Transport and Access Partnership – invitation to meeting 25.11.08
Hambleton Strategic Partnership – invitation to “Developing Rural Youth Activities” 20.01.09
Mrs B Hawkins – re Fairtrade status for Great Ayton. Fairtrade would be invited to attend at the start of the next meeting.
W Eves – re replacement seat opposite petrol station. Mr Duke had kindly agreed to donate £350 towards the cost of a new seat
The following items of information were received:-
NYMNPA – re ploughing, cropping and public rights of way; Planning Committee agenda for meeting 16.10.08; re Northern Area Parish Forum 6.11.08
RAF Linton on Ouse – re night flying 13th to 16th October 2008
Shaw’s – brochure
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority – corporate report
External Environment – brochure
Stokesley and Rural Locality Extended Services Stakeholder Group Meeting – minutes
YRCC – annual accounts; conference and AGM 29.11.08 Whixley, Harrogate
Geoff Lodge – re Dispersal Order Group meeting
CPRE – Stop the Drop – litter campaign
NYCC – NYPFOG meeting 22.10.08
CPRE – Stop the Drop – parish council toolkit; Countryside Voice magazine
NYCC – County Committee for Hambleton agenda and poster for meeting 17.11.08
Clerks and Councils Direct magazine
NYMNPA – agenda for Planning Committee 13.11.08; agenda for Special Meeting 13.11.08; results of Parish Council Communications Survey 2008; Moors Messenger newsletter
Planning applications
Construction of a single storey extension to existing dwelling – 23 Easby Lane. No representations
Construction of conservatory extension to existing dwelling – 4 Easby Lane. No representations
Front access ramps with handrail – 26 Greenacre Close. No representations
Proposed works to trees – 69A High Street. No representations
Application for listed building consent for internal and external alterations (including new roof structure to existing outbuildings at Aireyholme Farm. No representations
Application to vary condition 7 of planning approval 2/03/058/0795 – 1 and 2 The Barn, Langbaurgh Farm. Councillor Kirk declared an interest. Councillors would recommend refusal on the grounds that there was great demand for holiday accommodation in the village and the original approval had been given for holiday cottages
First floor extension to existing dwelling as amended – 120 Newton Road. No representations
Application to vary condition 2 of planning consent 06/02336/MRC – Whinstone View Caravan Park. The Parish Council objected on the grounds that the cabins had been built as holiday homes. They would request that the application go to Committee.
First floor extension to existing dwelling – 19 Central Way. No representations
Plans approved
Revised application for the construction of a stable block and garage – Stanley House, Yarm Lane
Construction of replacement glass house – Cooks View Nursery
Revised retrospective planning application for the siting of a residential caravan and construction of a
dog kennel – Chapel View Pony Stud, Tunstall Lane
Single storey and two storey extension to existing dwelling – 2 Pearsonville
Retrospective application for a change of use of land from agricultural to equestrian. Siting of
temporary dwelling and stable block used in connection with existing stud farm – Angrove Stud, Stokesley Road
Change of use from ancillary living accommodation to form a dwelling – Mill Farm Stables
Two storey extension and garden room extension to existing dwelling – 40 Roseberry Road
Conservatory extension and installation of a new window – 44 Wainstones Close
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling – Langbaurgh Farm House
Application for construction of front, side and rear extensions – Mead House, 8 Dikes Lane
The Parish Council expressed its grave disappointment with the decisions on Stanley House, Chapel View Pony Stud and Angrove Stud, on all of which applications it had recommended refusal. It was also concerned that a letter sent by a planning officer to the applicant of the Whinstone View Caravan Park proposal used first names, which was felt to be on far too personal a level, and told her what to do. It was thought that this exhibited a lack of impartiality. A letter would be sent to the Head of Development Services expressing these various concerns and asking if an officer could attend a Parish Council meeting to explain.
Allotment drainage
Councillor Waters had received a letter from the secretary of the Allotment Association concerning flooding of some allotments. Councillor Waters would take the necessary action.
Councillors Reports
Councillor Mrs Imeson expressed disappointment that there was no kerbside cardboard collection and it was necessary to take it to Stokesley to be recycled
Councillor Waters reported that the Football Club would re-paint the football posts in the Riverside
The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 2nd December 2008