Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 12th August 2008 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors N Waters, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs F Greenwell, D Conroy, J Fletcher, G Readman. PC Glynn Jones and Mr H Atkinson also attended.
Apologies
Councillor Kirk did not attend.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15th July 2008 were approved and signed.
Police Business
The statistics for July showed that out of a total of 5 crimes there had been one violent assault and one burglary. There had been one injury accident and nine non-injury or animal accidents. A total of 83 incidents had been reported. The figures were significantly down on the same period for the previous year. PC Jones said that the news on the dispersal order was still positive and diversionary tactics seemed to be working. 4Youth were using the village hall. The biggest problem was still youths in cars but they were going to be hit hard in the next few weeks. Eight of the worst offenders had been sent letters and dialogue had been started. Councillors Waters and Readman commented favourably on the increased police presence in the village. Councillor Mrs Imeson had received a report regarding noise from the Tilesheds. PC Jones expressed surprise that the person who had complained had been told that there was no police officer available to attend. There had been police officers on patrol in the village at the time.
Cemetery
Mr Atkinson had no problems in the cemetery. The mower had broken down again and was approaching the end of its useful life. Councillor Waters would liaise with Mr Atkinson and suppliers regarding the purchase of a new machine. The conifer hedge in the cemetery was now 25 to 30 feet high. Estimates would be obtained from three tree surgeons to reduce the height to 9 feet.
Play area hedge – A letter had been received from neighbours of the play area regarding the possible removal of the hedge. Mr Atkinson said that each time he attempted to cut the hedge residents complained. The play area was better now than it had ever been and there was no evidence of youngsters drinking there. Police patrols had proved successful. Councillor Fletcher would produce a plan for the play area boundary. Minute continued.
River
Undermining of river bank – NYCC had been monitoring the situation. Minute concluded; disposal of rubbish – permission had been granted for Mr Suggitt to dispose of rubbish from the river at Stokesley depot. Minute concluded.
HDC would be notified that there was evidence of rat infestation at the drain outlet upstream of the Whitbread Bridge.
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall – Councillor Mrs Greenwell reported that the hall was being used on Wednesday evenings for youth activities, including demonstrations by a street artist. The Youth Service was paying for the project. Councillor Fletcher said that work was urgently needed to repair defects in the building and to deal with the undergrowth around the hall. Councillor Kirk would be asked to bring a plan to the next meeting.
Highways matters - Tree Bridge junction – NYCC proposed to commence work on a roundabout in September 2008; railings Waterfall Terrace etc – the two footbridges on Low Green had been painted and looked much better. Minute continued; hedge Guisborough Road – NYCC would be asked to leave the hedge in place. Permission was given for the removal of the tree which would otherwise obstruct the new footpath. Minute concluded; Stone Bridge – NYCC was unaware of any problems being caused by the narrowness of the bridge. They intended to investigate the possibility of enhancing the signs at Stokesley roundabout to advise drivers to use an alternative route; Beech Close – a “no through road” sign would be erected within the next three months. Minute concluded
Library seats – Councillor Fletcher would obtain prices for replacement seats. Minute continued
Apple Bridge Farm – the Parish Council had not been consulted as the property was not in Great Ayton parish. Minute concluded.
Accounts
Sam Turner & Sons Ltd (oil, nylon line) 45.46 Alan Dale (grave digging) 150.00 Paul Suggitt (gardening works£250; River Warden Contractor duties
May, June, July 2008 £187.50)437.50 Great Ayton Dramatic Society (hire of hall for youth group) 8.00 W Eves & Co Ltd (petrol (direct debit)) 170.81 Farmway (rat poison) 64.40 H Atkinson (reimburse phone card) 10.00 Gary Frankish (works on High Green £220, allotments £100) 320.00 Receipts J Imeson (reimburse fete lunch) 8.75 Gt Ayton Working Men’s Club (donation towards cost of fete band) 175.00 Cemetery receipts 228.00 D Bailey (garage rent) 10.00
Correspondence
HDC – District /Parish Liaison Meeting 15.9.08 – request for agenda items
NYCC – Stokesley and Great Ayton Service Centre Strategy – Bridge Street Pedestrian Improvement Scheme – comment invited. The Parish Council would respond that the dropped crossing point on Yarm Lane was not needed; the footpath on the bridge was too narrow for dropped crossings; the proposed crossings for Guisborough Road should be moved 20 metres further north; the crossings on Linden Avenue were acceptable.
Mencap – request for financial assistance. Denied in accordance with Parish Council policy
Dr N A Burgess – complaint re storage unit outside McColl’s Store. HDC were investigating the matter
NYCC – Library and Information Service consultation. Comments invited. No comments
G Hetherington – re barbecues on Low Green. Received
Amanda Madden – invitation to affordable housing tour w/c 8.9.08
Resident – re noise from Cricket and Football Club. The Parish Council did not respond to anonymous correspondence. Councillor Waters said that the noise levels were higher than normal as a wedding party had been held at the club.
J and M K Heaviside – re play area hedge. Received. (See Cemetery above)
The following items of information were received:-
HDC – LDF Affordable Housing – Supplementary Planning Document
NYCC Pension Fund – Ill Health Guidance and Certificates; NYPF Employer Charging Structure; NYPFOG meeting 22.10.08
HDC Street Collections – Cleveland Search and Rescue 9.8.08
NYMNPA – agenda for Joint Parish Forum meeting 6.8.08
Biker Contracts – brochure
NYCC - Kate Peel, Parent Support Advisor – letter of introduction
NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda 14.8.08
RoSPA – notification of inspection of play area during September 2008
NYCC – Pension Fund employer’s newsletter
CPRE – reminder to watch Panorama re anti litter campaign 11.8.09
NYCC Highways – notification of resurfacing Newton Road
Planning applications
*Proposed change of use of land to the keeping of horses – Langbaurgh Ridge. A delay on the decision had been requested. The Parish Council objected to the proposal on the grounds that the area was an SSSI and as such would not be improved by the grazing of horses. According to the DEFRA website the Government’s expectation was that development proposals which would damage SSSIs would normally be refused.
*Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling and installation of solar panels as amended – 122 Newton Road
Proposed works to trees – Hunters Lodge, 3 Station Road. No representations
Construction of a replacement Miscellaneous Animals House – Great Ayton Animal Centre, Yarm Lane. No representations
* Delegated decisions – date for comment passed
Applications approved
Porch extension to existing dwelling – 12 Captain Cooks Way
Construction of a conservatory at existing dwelling – 11 Roseberry Drive
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling and installation of solar panels as amended – 122 Newton Road
Replacement single storey extension to existing dwelling – 11 High Street
Plans refused
Outline application for the demolition of a dwelling and construction of 2 dwellings – Havna, 6 Farm Garth. The Parish Council had not been consulted on this proposal. HDC said that the consultation documents had been sent out.
Enforcement notices
11 and 13 Bridge Street
McColl’s 115 High Street
Councillors Reports
Councillor Fletcher commented that the cobbles installed by Tim Hall and Richard Winterschladen looked very good. He reported that the bus timetable on the chemist’s wall was out of date. Arriva would be notified.
Councillor Conroy said that people were upset by the early closing of the public toilets in the summertime. Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that they should close at dusk. She would investigate. Councillor Conroy commented on the condition of Frankfield Mews. He was reminded that residents knew the situation when they bought their houses and the purchase price would have reflected the fact that the road was unadopted.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell had been approached by a resident asking if the Parish Council would recognise the contribution made by the Land Girls to the war effort. The Parish Council appreciated the work done by the Land Army and said that there were many other groups who also contributed. It was difficult to see what could be done to celebrate their efforts.
Councillor Waters commented on the recent flooding in Roseberry Crescent, to which the Fire Brigade had been called. Northumbrian Water and HDC would be asked if any action had been taken to prevent fruther flooding. Councillor Waters reported that the drains, on Easby Lane in particular, were overgrown and in need of attention. NYCC would be asked to investigate.
He brought to the meeting examples of energy efficient, unbreakable light bulbs with which it was proposed to replace the existing Christmas lights. The Council approved the cost of £300.
The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 9th September 2008