Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 8th December 2009 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors Mrs F Greenwell, Chairman, R Kirk, Mrs J Imeson, J Fletcher and D Conroy,
H Atkinson and P Suggitt.
1.0 Apologies
Apologies - Cllrs. G Readman and N Waters
2.0 Minutes
Minutes - The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10th November 2009 were approved and signed.
3.0 Police Business
3.1. November Statistics – it was noted that the total incidents were down 13 on the same period last year; Cllr. Mrs Greenwell stated the statistics were quite encouraging.
3.2. Meeting Dates – The Councillors agreed to change the Meeting Date to the Tuesday of the week before the Hambleton District Council (HDC) Planning Meeting, the new schedule would start from Tuesday 26th January, 2010 resulting with 2 meetings in January. The Clerk will issue a calendar to interested parties. Minute concluded.
4.0 Council Services
4.1. Cemetery – A letter had been received from HDC concerning alleged smoke nuisance from open burning, the Cemetery Superintendent reported he wasn’t burning toxic waste only hedge cuttings and that after lighting the fire the wind changed direction. Alternatives were discussed, including storing the cuttings for chipping and collection in the spring by a Contractor. Cllr. Mrs Greenwell agreed to enquire with HDC other forms of collection. Minute continued.
4.2. Allotments
• High Structure – Further communication, including a picture, had been received. The Councillors discussed these and instructed the Cemetery Superintendent to discuss with the concerned party the logistics of moving to a site next to the present one. Minute continued.
• Break Ins – It was noted that there had been 14 reported shed break ins, 3 of which had equipment stolen. The Police were involved with the burglaries and evidence had been taken from site. Cllr. Kirk agreed to investigate with HDC about a Shed Alarm Scheme. Minute continued.
• It was agreed a skip could be ordered to allow new tenants to dispose of rubbish from overgrown gardens; the outgoing Tenant’s deposits had been forfeited and would pay for the skip.
4.3. Waterfall Park – The painting of the Urinal had been completed, the gate repaired and put back into position. Cllr. Fletcher stated that the black lettering on the sign had rubbed off; he had requested that this be repainted, and asked that the Clerk follow up that the work was being done. Minute continued.
4.4. Play Area – ROSPA Inspection Report – Cllrs. Readman and Conroy had met and a list of general maintenance had been given to the Cemetery Superintendent. Minute continued.
4.5. The Riverside – The stone had been delivered; the Cemetery Superintendent and the River Warden needed to schedule the required work for completion. Minute continued.
4.6. High Green – A replacement cherry tree had been ordered to replace the tree removed in the spring; it was anticipated this would be planted before Christmas. Minute continued.
5.0 River
• The River Warden reported that following the heavy rainfall gravel shoals were back at the Low Bridge. The Clerk was asked to contact the Environment Agency (EA). Minute continued.
• Cllr. Fletcher reported that during the recent floods a man hole cover opposite The Buck had raised leaking sewage. HDC were contacted, the Clerk was asked to follow this up. Minute continued.
• Cllr. Kirk asked about new growth on the trees that had been cut down at the side of the River on the Low Green; the Cemetery Superintendent confirmed this was on the list of items to do. Minute continued.
6.0 Matters arising from the minutes
6.1. Village Hall – Cllrs. Mrs Greenwell, Kirk and Fletcher’s recommended that the repairs estimated at approximately £75,000 should take place, this was accepted and agreed. Cllr. Kirk was asked to commence the process to put the work in place. Cllr. Mrs Greenwell thanked Cllr. Kirk for his work in relation to this matter. It was noted that there would be a period when the Hall would not be available for use during the works. Cllr. Kirk agreed to notify the Dramatic Society. Minute continued.
6.2. Flood Water Storage Area – Cllr. Fletcher confirmed he had spoke with Tom Barron, Civil Engineer, to start investigations. A meeting with Clive Thornton from HDC would take place. Minute continued.
6.3. School Lane Gate – NYCC Highways confirmed that they had adopted this but they could not carry out any works to the railings/gate at this time. The Clerk was asked to suggest an alternative of making holes in the stone wall to allow the excess water to drain into the river. Minute continued.
6.4. Public Conveniences – Winter Opening – C/F
6.5. Low Green Footbridge – Highways confirmed they will attach a non slip surface to the wooden bridge in due course. Minute continued.
6.6. Winter Salt Bin Roseberry Crescent – Highways had confirmed the type of salt required, the Clerk had investigated the costs and how to obtain. It was agreed that the Cemetery Superintendent would initially purchase one bag. Minute continued.
6.7. Speed Matrix – Findings from the speed matrix on Guisborough Road were discussed at the Road Safety Meeting which concluded that there was an issue, steps were being taken to address this, including the possibility of a flashing unit being deployed for 2 weeks. A matrix for Stokesley Road was still outstanding. Minute continued.
6.8. Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council (R&CBC) – Invitation to make representation on their LDF, DPD and Schedule of Local Wildlife & Geological Sites, it was agreed that Councillors with email access would look into this to see what plans (if any) were for Roseberry Topping. Minute continued.
6.9. Footpath, Chapel Steps – C/F
7.0 Accounts
Payments B Johnson (Planting) 127.00 Society of Local Council Clerks (Yearly Renewal) 106.00 Farmway (Rat Poison, Netting, Clothing for Cemetery Superintendent)) 133.09 HDC (3 Green Litter Bins, Low Green) 709.64 H. Atkinson (Mobile Phone Top Up) 10.00 R. Collins (Grave Digging) 160.00 Total 1,245.73 Receipts D Bailey (Garage Rent) 10.00 Allotment Rents and Deposit 371.25 Cemetery Receipts 1,936.00 Total 2,317.25
8.0 Correspondence
8.1. NYCC – Budget & Council Plan Consultation, feedback requested by 22/01/10 - Cllr. Kirk to respond.
8.2. Middlesbrough Council – Invitation to make representations on their LDF - Statement of Community Involvement due by 07/01/10 - The Clerk was asked to check that HDC had received this and would be attending to it on the Parish Councils behalf.
8.3. CE Electric UK – Preparing older and vulnerable people for winter, order form for posters and leaflets.
8.4. HDC – Reminder of Precept submission by 31/12/09 - The Clerk checked there were no changes and confirmed that this would be sent.
8.5. Jancie Brown – Footpath at side of Wainstones Close (email) - The Clerk was asked to contact NYCC Public Rights of Way Office about clearing the footpath and repairing the surface. Minute continued.
8.6. Miss M Cumbor – Incident at Low Green Bus Stop – The incident was noted, no further action.
8.7. NYCC Highways – Grass Verge Newton Road (email) – The Councillors agreed to extend the area for maintenance to the R&CBC border, the Clerk was instructed to confirm to NYCC. Minute continued.
8.8. HDC – Chance to order sandbags – It was agreed that sandbags would be ordered and stored in the yard behind the Captain Cook’s Museum, this would need to be cleared out and a simple plinth would be required; the Clerk was asked to organize with the River Warden. Minute continued.
8.9. NYCC Highways – Emergency Road Closure corner of Newton Road and Station Road.
8.10. NYCC – Employer Pension Satisfaction Survey due 31/12/09 (email).
8.11. HDC – Stokesley Area Forum Meeting, Stokesley Town Hall, 18/01/10.
8.12. NYCC – County Committee for Hambleton Meeting, County Hall Northallerton, 23/11/0.
8.13. NYCC – 95 Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, series of posters for notice board.
8.14. NYMNPA – Planning Committee Agenda for 10th December 2009.
8.15. NYMPNA – Meeting Agenda for 14th December 2009 at 10.00am.
8.16. NYMPNA – Local Access Forum Annual Report December 2008 to November 2009.
8.17. Steve Shaw – Empowering Parish & Town Councils through an amendment to the Sustainable Communities Act, request to write letters to MPs to support the changes.
The following items of information were received:-
8.18. HDC – Rural Housing Enabler Update (email)
8.19. NYCC –Pension Matters Employer Update (email)
8.20. NYCC – Change or Personal Details Form (email)
8.21. NYCC – Pension Fund News letter (email)
8.22. NYCC – Putting People First Newsletter (email)
8.23. Stokesley & District Round Table – Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch Party Poster (email)
8.24. Husson Play & Sports Equipment – Advert (email)
8.25. North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue – Accounts 2008/9 and Corporate Report 2009/12
8.26. York and North Yorkshire Waste Partnership – Performance Matters Winter Newsletter
8.27. Glasdon – Product for Local Councils Brochure
8.28. NYMNPA – Moors Messenger Newsletter
8.29. EMICA – Mail shot for fund raising, business planning and feasibility studies x 4 (emails)
8.30. Rural Services Network –Monthly Newsletter, request to complete for Communities Survey – Cllr. Fletcher completed (emails)
8.31. CPRE – Fieldwork Newsletter
8.32. Action for Market Towns – Survey of town and local business promotions (email)
9.0 Planning applications
9.1. Proposed conservatory to rear of existing dwelling – 84 Newton Road – No observations
9.2. Invitation to meeting of the Development Control Committee On Site Meeting re Change of use of shop to fish and chip shop 109/111 High Street, 07/12/09 at 10.15am
9.3. Invitation to meeting of the Development Control Committee re Change of use of shop to fish and chip shop 109/111 High Street, Stone Cross 10/12/09 at 10.30am
Approved
9.4. Application to remove Elm tree – 1 Old Mill Wynd
Refused
9.5. Application for erection of storage building for stabling horses, equipment and food/hay storage together with use of land for keeping of horses at land adjacent Gribdale Terrace
Appeal Dismissed
9.6. Application to use a chalet as a permanent residence at Whinstone View Caravan Park
10.0 Other Items
10.1. The Clerk was asked to send an invitation to Rt. Hon. William Hague to open the Fete and book the Band.
11.0 Councillors’ Reports
11.1. Cllr. Conroy
• Reported that the Catholic Church’s Carol Service was on the same evening as the Christmas Float.
• A complaint had been received about flooding from the fields behind Roseberry Crescent. Cllr. Fletcher commented that he was aware the EA were being approached about drainage for this field.
11.2. Cllr. Kirk
• Reported that he had toured the Village on the night of the recent floods, he noticed vehicles touring the Village to “look” at the flooding, and in some cases travelling too fast for the conditions, especially near Hollygarth Bridge; he was aware that 3 people had contacted the Police about this. The Clerk was asked to write to the Police and Highways about this issue. Minute continued.
• Other Councillors reported that they too had noticed excessive flooding at various sites. The Clerk was asked to write to Highways about blocked drains. Minute continued.
11.3. Cllr. Mrs. Imeson
• Requested that the D&S write an article about the new Memory Wall to be built at the Cemetery.
• Agreement was reached for the wording for 2 signs to be put on the Memory Wall, the Clerk was asked to liaise with the Cemetery Superintendent nearer the time for these.
11.4. Cllr. Mrs. Greenwell
• The Clerk was asked to chase the surface repairs to the footpath behind Cliffe Terrace. Minute continued.
• The Clerk was asked to contact Highways about the drain/gulley at Dump Corner, it was felt that this was possibly broken and had been brought to their attention previously, it was not clear if any work had been done to repair this. Minute continued.
The date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 5th January 2010.