Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 18th August 2009 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors Mrs F Greenwell, Chairman, R Kirk, Mrs J Imeson, N Waters, G Readman and D Conroy. Sgt N Walther, Ms J Cumbor and two members of the public also attended.
Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Fletcher and Mr H Atkinson
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 21st July 2009 were approved and signed
Police Business
The statistics for July showed that of a total of 19 crimes there had been 5 autocrimes, 1 dwelling burglary, 1 other burglary, 5 incidents of criminal damage, 1 other crime and 6 thefts. A total of 101 incidents had been reported. These figures were higher than for the same period last year.
Sgt Walther reported a couple of incidents at the play area. These had not been reported by residents but were the result of active police patrols. Alcohol had been confiscated from youngsters and poured away in front of them. Councillor Kirk asked if the source of the alcohol was known. Sgt Walther said that some of it was coming from parents and some from out of town. There was little evidence of it having come from the village. Two youths aged 15 and 16 had been caught in action in Newton Road, and a dog stolen from Kildale had been recovered. Councillor Readman queried the autocrime figures. Sgt Walther said there had been 3 incidents on Newton Road and two attempts. A plain car had been used in connection with boy racers, which whilst not resulting in arrests, had given some of them pause for thought. Councillor Mrs Imeson asked if the bike provided by the Parish Council was still in use. Sgt Walther confirmed that it was used regularly by the PCSO. Officers now had to attend a course to be able to use the bike.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell thanked Sgt Walther for attending.
Joanne Hodgson (Redcar & Cleveland Council) re Odin’s Glow
Joanne Hodgson, Arts Officer for Redcar and Cleveland, explained the vision for Odin’s Glow. It would run for 4 nights from 22nd October 2009, and would necessitate the closure of the A173 from 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm each night. Roseberry Topping and parts of Newton under Roseberry would be illuminated and there would be various installations in the village. Eight thousand tickets would be sold for the event and visitors would be ferried to Newton under Roseberry by a park and ride system from Guisborough and Eston. It was hoped that one could also be arranged from Stokesley. The National Trust and North York Moors National Park Authority were partners in the scheme and environmental issues had been covered, as had health and safety matters. Councillors raised various concerns including police cover at Great Ayton and Gribdale Gate, and the possibility of tickets being issued pro rata. Ms Hodgson took all comments on board and would send an event plan to Sgt Walther.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell thanked her for attending.
The members of the public were invited to state their business.
Mr Johnson said that he wanted to give the Parish Council advance notice that he intended to apply for planning permission for a hot food licence for the photography shop.
Cemetery
Burial of non-residents – Councillor Mrs Imeson expressed concern that whilst burial of non-residents was prohibited, the interment of ashes of non-residents had been permitted in the Garden of Remembrance, with the accompanying plaque on the Wall of Remembrance. This was felt to be anomalous and Councillor Mrs Imeson proposed the construction of a second wall to accommodate plaques for non-residents whose remains were not in the cemetery, but who had a connection with the village. After some discussion this proposal was agreed in principal with the proviso that the detail be decided at a later meeting.
Allotments
Rent increase, rent collection. It was agreed that the rent of a standard allotment be increased from £22 per annum to £25, the increase to take account of the cost of rat control. The rents would be collected on Wednesday 14th October between 6.00 and 7.15 pm in the Working Men’s Club
Play area
Repairs to equipment; security fencing, towers on play equipment. Councillor Readman said repairs had been carried out. A new location for the play area would be required in a few years time when the land was needed for the cemetery. The Council was advised that land to the rear of Roseberry Crescent had been offered for sale but as it was land locked access would be a problem. The Clerk would write to Mr Petch to ask if he would consider selling his plot of land on Newton Road for the good of the village. Letters would be sent to Mrs Tanfield and Mr and Mrs Heaviside to inform them of the warning from the play equipment manufacturer against the removal of the tower roofs and possible re-siting of the play area. Minute concluded.
River
Mr Suggitt had reported that the alders on the A173 side of Low Green required some attention as they were hanging into the river. Councillor Waters would ask Highways to deal with them.
Matters arising from the minutes
Village Hall – Councillor Kirk reported that structural surveyors had given a verbal report indicating that the main building was sound. He was awaiting a report on the roof area. There was still one grant application to be decided. Minute continued
Highways matters - railings Waterfall Terrace etc. Work was ongoing, including cemetery railings. Minute concluded
Flooding - Floodwater Storage Scheme – the Environment Agency would be asked for their advice on progressing a scheme; Roseberry Crescent - minute continued; School Lane – Highways would inspect the blockage; Hollygarth bridge; riverbed – minute continued
Beehive bins – Councillor Mrs Greenwell had inspected the bins and found them to be in a shocking state. Having consulted the street cleaner she proposed replacing the two bins on High Green with one green metal bin, and replacing all 3 bins on Low Green with green metal ones. Wooden bins were very expensive and this would be the cheapest option. The proposal was approved and Councillor Mrs Greenwell would arrange with HDC for the new bins to be ordered. Minute concluded
Archiving of cemetery books, receipt and payment books, and minute books – the Clerk would take the books to the Records Office in Northallerton. Minute concluded
Darlington and Stockton Times – minute concluded
Flower tubs – an appeal for volunteers to look after the flower tubs would be published in the D and S Times
Ambulance service – Councillor Mrs Greenwell would report back from the next Area Forum meeting. Minute continued
Public conveniences – Mr McGloin would be reminded that he had not yet replied. Minute continued
Accounts
W Eves & Co Ltd (petrol (direct debit)) 164.02 Sam Turner & Sons Ltd (sharpen blade) 21.74 Think Interiors Ltd (paint for railings, brush handle) 27.32 Farmway Ltd (gloves, rat poison, Roundup) 152.30 D R Barker Ltd (replacement benches library) 1056.18 S L Rudge (replacement cheque for 101161 returned) 574.00 Receipts I Machin (grave reservation) 61.00 D Bailey (garage rent) 10.00 McColl’s (flower tub sponsor) 40.00 Cemetery receipts 740.00 Great Ayton Dramatic Society (3rd qtr village hall rent) 130.00
Correspondence
I Sproates – request for Parish Council to prune tree. The Parish Council would investigate
NYCC – invitation to official opening of Stokelsey and Villages Sure Start Children’s Centre 26th September 1.30 to 4.00 pm at Stokesley Primary School
NYCC – re temporary closure of in-patient paediatric unit at the Friarage Hospital. Unit expected to reopen on 26th October.
Rotary Club of Guisborough and Great Ayton – request for permission to continue planting of bulbs on road side of Low Green. Approved
Ms L Johnson and HDC Environmental Health – re leakage of sewage into river. A sewer had been blocked underneath the mini roundabout, Roseberry Crescent. Matter resolved
LexisNexis – re new edition of Arnold Baker Local Council Admin. Copy ordered for new clerk
NYCC – questionnaire re development of new Local Transport Plan and request for comments on satisfaction with Highways and Transportation Service. Councillor Mrs Greenwell would complete
P Docherty – request for information on property agencies. Mr Docherty would be advised to consult Yellow Pages
NYMNPA – invitation to Parish Training Event 13.10.09
HDC – re Draft Domestic Extension Supplementary Planning Document consultation. Invitation to surgeries on 25.8.09 and 4.9.09. Councillors Mrs Greenwell, Waters and Readman would peruse the document
The following items of information were received:-
HDC – re help with business rates bills
NYMNPA – Parish and Community Newsletter; Planning Committee agenda 13.8.09
Hambleton Sports Council – AGM agenda 5.8.09
Rural Action Yorkshire – Country Air newsletter
RoSPA – notification of playground inspection – September 2009
External Environment – product review
Shaw’s – brochure
NYCC Pension Fund – EST Form 1; Completing Employer Starter Form (Pen11); Employer Newsletter; re NYPF Advisory Panel
Geoff Lodge – re Problem Solving Group meeting 9.9.09
National Council for Voluntary Organisations – invitation to join
NYCC Highways – re emergency closure of A172 at Stanley House 31.7.09
Rural Services Community – Weekly Rural Focus newsletter x 3
Cleveland Search and Rescue – thanks for donation
Amanda Madden – update of year’s work
NYCC – Self Directed Support – Putting People First newsletter
Great Ayton Cricket and Football Club – thanks for Parish Council input on )z Cricket/Capt Cook Day
Margaret Cumbor – thanks for replacement seat outside library
HUCK Play – re play equipment
Chris Hole, Evening Gazette – offer to print request for flower tub volunteers
Planning applications
Proposed extension to rear of dwelling and side dormer – 26 Marwood Drive. No representations
Single storey extension to rear of existing dwelling – 41 Wainstonnes Close. Councillors Mrs Imeson, Kirk and Readman declared an interest. The Parish Council wished to see the application refused on the grounds that it was too big and overbearing. It would alter the roof-line of the street
Application for alterations and extensions to dwelling at Ryehill Farm, Station Road. Councillor Kirk declared an interest No representations
Two storey extension to rear and conservatory – 18 John Street. Councillor Mrs Greenwell declared an interest. No representations
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling – Herdholt, Little Ayton Lane. No representations
Proposed replacement of garage roof – 1 Rowan Drive. No representations
Plans approved
Provision of external ventilation stack – 107 High Street
Alterations to form 2 dormer window extensions as amended – 8 Sunnyfield
Development Control Committee Meeting 20.08.09 at 1.30 pm
Alterations and extensions to existing dwelling to form ancillary accommodation – Stanley House
Printer/copier for new clerk
The current clerk used her own printer/copier as the Parish Council’s was not fit for purpose. It was agreed that suitable equipment be purchased for the new clerk.
Councillors’ Reports
Councillor Waters said that the visit of the Australian cricketers had been a great success and had done the village a lot of good.
He had received comments on the height of the new house being built in Roseberry Crescent. The Parish Council had responded to the Planning Department consultation that it was too big for the site, and agreed that it seemed very high. Councillors Mrs Greenwell and Kirk would take up the matter with HDC.
Councillor Waters commented on the closure of shops on the High Street and expressed concern that the High Street was fragile during the recession.
Councillor Readman said that the Captain Cook birthday celebrations would include the Day of Sail on 28th October and the dinner on 30th October. Councillors Mrs Greenwell and Kirk would tell HDC what was required of them.
Councillor Kirk had received a complaint from a cyclist that the trees overhanging the wall of Cleveland Lodge along Newton Road were causing obstruction. Councillor Waters would speak to Highways.
The date of the next meeting would be Tuesday 15th September 2009