Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 26th May 2009 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors N Waters, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, Mrs F Greenwell, J Fletcher, D Conroy, G Readman and R Kirk. P C Glyn Jones, Mr H Atkinson, Mr P Suggitt and four members of the public also attended.
Election of Officers
Councillor Waters called for nominations for Chairman. Councillor Mrs Imeson proposed Councillor Mrs F Greenwell. This was seconded by Councillor Fletcher and unanimously agreed. Councillor Mrs Greenwell called for nominations for Vice-Chairman. Councillor R Kirk was proposed by Councillor Waters, seconded by Councillor Fletcher and unanimously agreed.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 28th April 2009 were approved and signed.
Police Business
An email from PC Glyn Jones reported the imminent retirement of Inspector J Richardson. A letter would be sent to Inspector Richardson wishing him well. The car parked in Station Road was not illegally parked.
Three possible solutions to address the problem of antisocial behaviour had been raised at the meeting held at the play area – CCTV, the removal of the roofs from the towers, and security fencing.
1. CCTV – a lamppost would be required for power and height. It could be possible to purchase one and install it in Yatton House grounds. Availability and costs would be investigated.
2. Removal of tower roofs – the manufacturers said that they thought removal would not compromise the structural integrity of the tower but would make a site visit to check.
3. Security fencing – an estimate of £3125 plus VAT had been received for the provision of the fencing. Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that it would only work if someone were willing to lock the gate. Experience had shown that it was very hard to get the children out of the play are at closing time and even the police had found it difficult. Finding someone willing and able to do the job would be a problem.
Councillor Fletcher said that the “respect area” should be explored before turning the play area into a prison camp. PC Jones said that the youngsters had been consulted and come up with some designs for posters. He was hoping that they would lay down their own rules of conduct. Councillor Kirk said that security fencing would not work as the children found ways round it and it would not prevent them from throwing things into the neighbouring gardens. Mr Atkinson said that a fence would make cutting the hedge very difficult. He said that there had been no evidence of drinking in the play area for at least 2 weeks. PC Jones said that the police had received no reports of antisocial behaviour at the play area since the end of April. Mr Heaviside said that a gang of girls had been drinking there the previous weekend but he had not reported the incident. Residents were reminded to report all incidents so that the police had an accurate picture of what was happening and could deploy resources accordingly. It was agreed that the CCTV option would be investigated, and that the roofs of the towers would be removed if it were safe to do so.
PC Jones said that action was being taken against several children for antisocial behaviour. There had been a burglary in Wainstones Close. There had been a rise in the number of complaints about boy racers.
Cemetery, Allotments, Play area
Cemetery – Mr Atkinson reported no problems. Councillor Mrs Imeson expressed concern about the apparent lack of clarity regarding the burial of people who resided outside Great Ayton. The Cemetery Regulations would be studied and recommendations brought to the next meeting.
Allotments – bonfires. It was only fairly recently that complaints had been made about bonfires. Most allotment tenants behaved responsibly and those causing problems could have their tenancy terminated. Minute concluded. Rats – there were fewer problems with rats in the summer. The situation needed to be kept under control. Allotment rents would be increased in October to cover the cost of rat poison
Play area - repairs to equipment – minute continued; security fencing – estimate received – see police business above
River
Mr Suggitt had cleared the river of bottles, cans etc. The rat problem had been dealt with. Councillor Fletcher commented that the village along the riverbanks was looking very good and thanks were due to Mr Atkinson and Mr Suggitt.
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall – trees – minute continued; letter from Drama re repairs to hall. Councillor Kirk had received details of costings and would meet with sub-committee to discuss. The lock on the hall door had been broken. Mr Suggitt would be asked to replace it. Minute continued
Highways matters - railings Waterfall Terrace etc. Minute continued
Floodwater storage scheme – meeting held with EA. Letter from Mr P Ross. Councillor Fletcher said that there was a build up of silt under the bridges; water flow was restricted through Hollygarth. The Environment Agency did not intend to do anything about a water storage area. A letter would be sent to the EA confirming the Parish Council’s concerns, together with a copy of Mr Ross’s letter.
Trees High Green – work completed. Minute concluded
Beehive bins – an inspection had shown that the bins at Newton car park were no more suitable than those on Low Green. Councillor Fletcher had spoken to the refuse collector and believed a simple solution was required. He would outline what work the bins needed and Mr Rotheram would be asked to do what was necessary.
Archiving of cemetery books, receipt and payment books, and minute books – NYCC had responded that there was no legal requirement for the books to be held at the records office but they would benefit from being stored safely and in a controlled environment. Copies could be made for local use. It was agreed that the books be sent for archiving. Minute concluded
Darlington and Stockton Times – no response from editor. Minute continued
Local Works – Reviving Communities – a letter had been received from Rt Hon William Hague MP detailing his response on Early Day Motions about Local Spending Reports and the Green Energy Bill. Minute concluded
Odin’s Glow – no Parish Councillors had been able to attend the meeting but the Council still wished to be involved. Minute continued
Flower tubs – McColls had not responded to the invitation to sponsor a flower tub. They would be reminded and the photography studio would also be invited to participate. Minute continued
Library seats – it was agreed that the Parish Council would pay for both replacement seats as they were of benefit to the community and well used. Henceforth it would be policy not to replace seats, other than those provided by the Parish Council, if they fell into disrepair. Minute concluded.
Accounts
W Eves & Co Ltd (petrol (direct debit)) 67.03 Farmway Ltd (rat poison, Roundup) 211.83 Think Interiors (paint etc for railings) 41.43 Thompson’s Hardware (items for cemetery) 27.72 D I Holden (reimburse ink cartridges, printer paper) 66.74
Paul Suggitt (work at Waterfall Park) 120.00 T Wealleans & Sons (skips for village hall) 322.00 Receipts L Monaghan (flower tub sponsor) 15.00
Archers Law LLP (cemetery receipt) 88.00 Great Ayton Working Men’s Club (flower sponsors) 50.00 Broadacres (flower tub sponsor) 15.00 D Bailey (garage rent) 10.00 P Suggitt (flower tub sponsor) 15.00 Great Ayton Dramatic Society (2nd qtr village hall rent) 130.00 Great Ayton & District Conservative Club (flower tub sponsor) 15.00 S Tighe (grave reservation) 61.00 A and K M Pearson (flower tub sponsor) 15.00 T Lambert (allotment deposit 63A) 20.00 Cemetery receipts 702.00
Correspondence
Yatton House, Mrs W Richardson – request for permission to construct a wooden building as a sensory room. Approved but Yatton House would be advised that they would require planning approval from HDC
NHS Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton on Tees – Improving access and choice in primary areas – survey. The Clerk would complete the survey. Councillors raised concerns about the proposed changes in emergency cover for Great Ayton. Ambulances would no longer be despatched from Coulby Newham but would come from North Yorkshire, which Councillors thought could mean Northallerton or even York. Enquiries would be made and assurances sought that ambulance response times would not be worsened by the changes
Great Ayton Cricket and Football Club – request for financial assistance for drainage. Councillor Waters declared an interest. After much discussion the Parish Council agreed to donate £300
CE Electric – priority treatment during a power cut information leaflets
Paul Peverell – High Street Collection for Bwindi; request for help for Bwindi. The Council raised no objections to the proposed street collection
CPRE – re litter and fly-tipping
Mercury Wealth Management – re sponsorship of new roundabout. The applicant would be asked what he had in mind for the roundabout
Erica Consulting – re funding for community building project
NYCC – notification of authorisation of order to stop up footway – The Hawthorns/Linden Grove
Stokesley and Villages Community Regeneration Group – invitation to AGM 10.06.09 at Stokesley Town Hall from 7.30 pm to 8.15 pm
CPRE – invitation to AGM 23.6.09
NYCC – notification of red scrim sites – remedial treatments to carriageway
The following items of information were received:-
Geoff Lodge – minutes of Problem Solving Group x 2
Rural Services Community – weekly Rural Focus News
Steve Hague, Brompton PC – re broadband speed
NYCC Pension Fund – re ill health benefits to LGPS members
Rural Services Network – re Sustainable Rural Communities Seminar, Braintree 26.6.09
Amanda Madden – re rural housing campaign
NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda 7.5.09; Northern Area Parish Forum agenda 19.5.09
Rural Action Yorkshire – Country Air newsletter
Kompan – play equipment brochure
Clerks and Councils Direct – magazine
S J Danby Ltd – playscheme brochure
External Environment – brochure; product information cards
NYCC – re placing into Administration of Civic Trust
NYMNPA – Moors Messenger newsletter
Planning applications
*Construction of new proposed aviary and whoopsie away extension – RSPCA Animal Centre, Yarm Lane
*Proposed felling of a pine tree – 19 Station Road
Retention of temporary storage unit – 115 High Street. The Parish Council strongly objected to the proposal. The car-park should be used for parking cars, not for storage
Proposed timber decking partly exceeding 300mm height and proposed timber garage both to rear garden of existing property – 79 Newton Road. No representations
Conservatory extension to existing property – 8 California Grove. No representations
Planning permission and Listed Building Consent for partial infill of existing courtyard at Marwood CE Infant School, Low Green. Councillors Mrs Greenwell and J Fletcher declared an interest. No representations
Single storey extension to existing dwelling and construction of detached domestic garage – 1 Arthur Street. No representations
Single storey extension to existing dwelling to form a garden room and installation of 7 roof lights – 2 Rawdon House. No representations
Alterations to form 2 dormer window extensions – 8 Sunnyfield. The Parish Council objected to the proposal on the grounds that a precedent would be created – there were no other dormers in the street. Dormer extensions would spoil the scene of old terraced houses
* date for comment passed
Plans approved
First floor extension to existing dwelling – 5 Old Mill Wynd
Construction of a dwelling and detached domestic garage – Ayton House East
Revised application for alterations and extensions to existing dwelling and detached domestic garage – Herdholt
Single storey extension – 80 Roseberry Crescent
Application for conservation area consent to demolish existing garage/outbuilding – Ayton House East
Application for Listed Building Consent for the fitting of 2 handrails – 1 Richardson Hall
Revised application for the construction of a dormer bungalow – 10 Roseberry Crescent
Application to carry out works to a tree the subject of TPO – Friends Meeting House
Alterations to existing shop/house to form 2 dwellings – 17 Arthur Street
New refrigeration plant to rear of building as amended – 117 High Street
Letters from Dr N Burgess objecting to applications relating to McColls and the Co-op
Annual accounts for signature; annual governance statement for completion
The accounts were signed. The annual governance statement was approved by the Parish Council and signed
Councillors’ Reports
Councillor Conroy reported that a young boy from Great Ayton had won a BBC poetry competition. It was agreed that he should be congratulated on his achievement.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell thanked Councillor Waters for his Chairmanship and all the work he had put in, much of it unseen. Councillor Waters responded that he had thoroughly enjoyed his year in the chair and thanked his fellow Parish Councillors, and the Clerk, for their support.
The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 23rd June 2009