Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 23rd June 2009 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors Mrs F Greenwell, Chairman, Mrs J Imeson, J Fletcher, R Kirk, P Conroy, N Waters. Sgt N Walther, PC G Jones, Mr H Atkinson, and three members of the public also attended
Apologies
Apologies were received from Councillor G Readman who said he would be a little late
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 26th May 2009 were approved and signed
Police Business
The statistics for May showed that there had been 4 autocrimes, 2 dwelling burglaries, 3 other burglaries, 4 incidents of criminal damage, 1 other crime, 6 thefts, and 7 incidents of violence. The total number of crimes was 27 and the total number of incidents 100. All these figures, apart from the number of incidents which was down by 5, were an increase on the figures for the same period last year. There were 6 road traffic accidents.
PC Jones said that there had been 24 reports of antisocial behaviour for June, none of which related to the play area. Sgt Walther said that CCTV for the play area was unlikely to be approved because there was insufficient recorded evidence for its need. The cost, should the Parish Council decide to go it alone, would be in excess of £6000. He pointed out that if antisocial behaviour was not reported to the police it did not exist. The police would try to enforce the law but people would have to provide statements. Two arrests had been made and one was pending for criminal damage. Two six year olds had been spoken to in front of their parents.
PC Jones said that youngsters had compiled their own set of rules for behaviour in the play area. He would have some posters printed, if the Parish Council agreed. Councillor Greenwell expressed concern about the proposed 10.00 pm finish. Councillor Fletcher felt that it was best not to interfere as it would upset them, and the Council should see how it worked through the summer. PC Jones said that it would be useful to have a seating area for them and there was money available. This idea would be pursued although it was felt that the youngsters should prove themselves with the respect rules before any money was spent.
Councillor Fletcher welcomed the reduction in crime and the work done with the young people in the problem solving group.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that instead of the statistics, which she thought were meaningless, it would be more useful to have 2 or 3 lines written on burglaries, felons caught, etc. Such a report should go into the paper so that everyone knew what was happening. Sgt Walther said that current presentation of the statistics was the easiest way to provide information.
A vigilant resident had observed a suspicious character lurking in Marwood Drive in the early hours of the morning. His report to the police had resulted in a man being caught in the act of breaking into a shed. The man, who was also in possession of a stolen bicycle, had been remanded in custody.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell said that the Parish Council was most grateful for the police presence at the meeting.
Sgt Walther said that a Respect event was to be held in Park Square on 28th August.
HDC – public conveniences
Mr Steve Prentice of HDC was unable to attend. The Parish Council would write to Mr D McGloin, HDC, advising him that the village was full of visitors, particularly cyclists and walkers, throughout the year and that, unlike Northallerton and Stokesley, Great Ayton did not have alternative facilities in shops etc. He would also be advised that the Parish Council objected to the decision to close the toilets being made without prior consultation
Cemetery, Allotments, Play area
Burial of non-residents – minute continued
Allotments – a modification to a recently repaired tap required attention. Mr Greenwell would be asked to look at it. Councillor Waters would make an inspection of the allotments with Mr Atkinson
Play area - repairs to equipment – Councillor Readman would liaise with Mr Rotheram regarding repairs; security fencing – this was thought not to be a viable proposition as no-one was willing to take responsibility for getting children out of the play area at closing time; towers on play equipment – an email from the manufacturer advised against removal of towers. Councillor Mrs Imeson suggested that the manufacturer be asked if the equipment could be moved and at what cost.
River
There was no report from the River Warden Contractor. Flooding issues - see floodwater storage scheme in matters arising below
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall – repairs – minute continued. In view of the low interest rates is was decided not to reinvest the High Interest Deposit Bond but to leave it in the reserve account so that it would be readily available; trees - minute continued
Highways matters - railings Waterfall Terrace etc - minute continued
Floodwater storage scheme – there had been no response from the EA - minute continued. Clive Thornton, HDC, had responded that he saw no straightforward solution to the problem of water cascading down Roseberry Crescent in times of heavy rainfall. The owner of the field did not feel the surface water run-off was his problem as the developer of the houses should have put in measures to deal with it. The Parish Council would respond that it had great faith in Mr Thornton and was sure he would find a solution. He would be asked to identify which properties were affected, and for an update as to what Northumbrian Water were doing - minute continued
Beehive bins – minute continued
Archiving of cemetery books, receipt and payment books, and minute books – minute continued
Darlington and Stockton Times – a response had been received from the editor explaining his position and saying that he would keep the matter under review. Councillor Readman said that he could not be sure what Great Ayton readers were missing. He would do some research and report at next meeting - minute continued
Local Works – Reviving Communities – responses from Rt Hon Ed Balls and Rt Hon Hazel Blears. Minute concluded
Odin’s Glow – interested Councillors would be contacted direct by the organisers. Minute concluded
Flower tubs – minute continued
Ambulance service – an explanation of the proposed new service had been received. Councillors felt there was insufficient detail and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service would be asked to say exactly what cover would be provided – would it be an ambulance, or two, or a paramedic on a motorcycle. The Council would ask for the matter to be included in the agenda for the next meeting of The County Committee for Hambleton and Stokesley Area Forum - minute continued
Accounts
*Allianz Insurance plc (policy renewal) 3134.42 W Eves & Co Ltd (petrol (direct debit)) 140.85 Sam Turner & Sons Ltd (parts) 25.58 Think Interiors Ltd (paint for railings) 29.66 Great Ayton Cricket and Football Club (donation towards drainage) 300.00 Roseberry Decorating (planting tubs and signs) 574.00 M A Beeforth (audit fee) 150.00 Marie Curie Hospice (vintage tractor visit donation) 35.00 D I Holden (reimburse phone bill £49.82, antivirus £44.99) 94.81 H Atkinson (reimburse phone card) 10.00 Receipts D Bailey (garage rent) 10.00 J Harrison (flower tub sponsor) 15.00 B Alcock (allotment deposit 74B) 20.00 Cemetery receipts 178.00
*quotations would be obtained from Zurich and the NFU before next year’s renewal
Correspondence
M D Foden – re path to rear of Wheatlands – NYCC Footpaths Officer would be asked to inspect the path and take any necessary remedial action
Middlesbrough Council – invitation to include any issues in DPD Scoping Report – HDC and NYMNPA would be asked to confirm that they would cover issues pertaining to Great Ayton
Amanda Madden – request for details of pubs, shops and services which have closed in the past year due to lack of rural houses or the recession
Yatton House – request to sell raffle tickets for Yatton House Gala. Approved
Rural Community Network – re distribution of weekly digest. Councillors did not want to be added to the mailing list
M Beeforth – internal audit report – Mr Beeforth had completed his work and confirmed that in his opinion the internal control and record keeping continued to be of a high standard
The following items of information were received:-
HDC – Update newsletter
Alzheimers Society – posters re Befriending Scheme
CPRE – Fieldwork newsletter
NYMNPA – Planning Committee agenda 11.6.09
Glasdon – brochure
Northallerton and District Voluntary Service Association – Wheels 2 Work poster
Amanda Madden – Village SOS; NY RHE June newsletter
Amanda Jones – Ill health monitoring group; contracted out earnings for SU5 form
Rural Services Community – weekly rural news focus
Camilla Govan – Maximising the Impact – Community Planning workshop 16.7.09
NYMNPA – agenda 29.6.09
SMP Playgrounds – leaflet
HDC – notification of result of European Parliamentary and Local Government elections
Rennison Tree Specialists – advertisement
HDC – street collections – Captain Cook 4.7.09; Alzheimers 18.7.09
Rural Services Network – newsletter
Charity Commission News – newsletter
NYCC NYPF – Employer Discretion Documents
Outdoor PA Systems - advertisement
Planning applications
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to form ancillary accommodation – Stanley House, Yarm Lane – the Parish Council wished to see the application refused. It had objected to the original development as being over-development of the site and saw no reason to approve further over-development. Notwithstanding the glazed link, it was a separate dwelling and the footprint appeared to be as big or bigger than that of the original building
Provision of external ventilation stack – 107 High Street – Councillors Mrs Greenwell and Mrs Imeson disassociated themselves from remarks attributed to them in the application. The Council had no objection to the application but foresaw problems in future
Alterations to form 2 dormer window extensions as amended – 8 Sunnyfield. No representations
Single storey extension to existing dwelling – 24 Linden Road. No representations
Plans approved
Application for listed building consent for the fitting of a handrail – 6 Richardson Hall
Single storey extension and dormer window extension to existing dwelling – 6 Sunnyfield Nurseries
Dismantling and reconstructing pillars at entrance – Hunters Lodge, Station Road
Proposed timber decking partly exceeding 300mm height and proposed timber garage – 79 Newton Road
Alterations and second floor extension to existing dwelling – 39 Addison Road
Extension to existing building and construction of an aviary – Great Ayton Animal Centre, Yarm Lane
Demolition of existing garage and construction of replacement garage – Angrove House, Yarm Lane
Planning appeal
Whinstone View Caravan Park
Councillors’ Reports
Councillor Waters reported that a gully sucker had been observed discharging its load into the main sewer. This had been reported to the authorities.
He proposed forming a working party from members of interested groups to help with the arrangements for the visit of the Australian Over 60s cricket team. Councillors Readman and Mrs Greenwell agreed to join him.
Councillor Kirk said that the matter of a disabled parking space outside the Methodist Chapel had again been raised with him. It was agreed that discussion of the matter had been exhausted and Highways had confirmed that there was insufficient space.
Councillor Mrs Imeson said that her resignation from the Captain Cook Museum Trust necessitated a replacement from the Parish Council. Councillor Readman proposed Councillor Waters. This was seconded by Councillor Fletcher and unanimously agreed.
The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 21st July 2009