Minutes of a meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on 17th March 1998 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors P. Bell, Chairman, Mrs M. Stevens, Mrs. J. Imeson, R. Kirk, B. Winn, L. Groves, J. Fletcher.
PC Williams also attended.
Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 17th February, 1998 were read and approved.
Police Business
PC Williams reported that there had been 1 attempted house break, 1 shed break in and 25 car crimes, including thefts from and of vehicles. A theft from a wagon at Pearsons was included in the figures.
The Police have been issued with stab-resistant vests and new digital radios.
The Clerk read out a letter from Sgt. McCardle concerning the pursuit of recompense from the parents of the boys who had vandalised the byelaws sign. The meeting was advised that the police had the necessary material for the Parish Council to be able to pursue the matter in a small claims court.
Councillor Mrs Imeson had been contacted by a horse rider who had complained about congestion in Yarm Lane near the Marwood School.. A motorist who was squeezing between the parked cars had bumped her leg when a dog barking had caused her horse to sidestep. The motorist had not stopped. A local farmer had been unable to turn into Yarm Lane and had had to go take an alternative route. People living across the river were reported to be parking there and leaflets asking for more consideration were to be put on windscreens. It was suggested that Highways be contacted re. parking markings. Councillor Fletcher reported that a meeting had been held with Highways at Low Green and markings would probably be reinstated by Spring. Poor parking was also causing difficulty at Arthur Street/Whinstone View, Tilesheds pub corner, Newton Road near the fish shop, and Roseberry Crescent near the school where parents were actually parking on the zig-zag lines. At Baldock's Bank/Guisborough Road cars turning in were mounting the pavement and had nearly caused an accident. It was suggested that a bollard might solve the problem here.
PC Williams, in response to a question, said that the "hot spots" in the village were always quieter in the winter. The police were asked to keep an eye on the play area.
Matters Arising
Ayton School Development - Public Meeting The Council had been very disappointed to read a letter in the Darlington and Stockton Times from Mr. David Taylor criticising their silence at the meeting. The meeting had been convened to enable the public to express their views and concerns. The Parish Council have their say at Parish Council meetings which are minuted and available for all to read. Councillors Mr P Bell and Mrs J Imeson had replied to the letter.
Councillor Mrs Imeson reported that she, Wimpey and the planners had met and it was thought likely that plans would be submitted for a roundabout and the access altered. If this was approved the urinal would have to be moved (at Wimpey's expense) and a suggested site was against Donald Petch's wall near the Whitbread bridge where a urinal had originally been. It was felt that the urinal should be functional. Councillor
Fletcher expressed concern that the structure could be brittle and care would be needed in the move. Other aspects of the plans were also being looked at and it was thought that the Mill could be retained.
Safety inspection - play area The Clerk reported that the roundabout was now in correct working order. Mr Wilson had not yet repaired the slide. A reply is still awaited from NPFA regarding a date for the inspection.
Waste bins, Arcade The Clerk is to contact Heagneys and The Premier Collection to ask if they would be willing to contribute.
Grass, High Green Councillor Kirk had received three quotes, the lowest of which was from Mr. E Harrison. It was agreed to give him the contract and decided that this would be for 1 cut per week for 20 weeks.
Memorial seat, Mrs Ward Thompson This was postponed due to the illness of Mrs Noble. Councillor Winn expressed concern as to the safety of the tree under which the tree was placed. Councillor Bell is to establish ownership and a professional check is to be made.
Rear wall, toilets There is insufficient time to comply with the conditions made by HDC. It was decided to reapply in the next financial year.
Trees Langbaurgh corner. The tree planting season has now been missed and the work will be postponed till autumn.
Security fence, play area A further letter was received from Mr and Mrs Heaviside requesting that the height of the proposed fence be restricted to the height of the existing hedge and that the regulations board be rotated 90 degrees. The Clerk is to reply that in the interests of uniformity and safety the fence height should match that of Yatton House. The sign is to remain in its present plane where it is instantly visible to anyone entering the play area.
Tree, corner Addison Road Minute cont.
Lights, Chapel steps Minute cont.
Allotment rents Minute cont.
Footpath, Hall fields Mr Phalp has laid down 75 tons of roadstone and replaced the refurbished gates. It was reported that the path looked much improved and the Parish Council wished to express their thanks to Mr Phalp.
Photo album Minute cont.
Damage to byelaws sign The Clerk reported that payment had been received from one family. It was agreed that the Clerk would write again to the second boy's family.
Grass verge, Linden Road Councillor Bell had seen Mr Lowther about the lorries and the matter is now resolved.
Street Cleaner of the Year Award A number of signatures in support of Mr Benn had been collected and the forms submitted.
Sponsorship, flower tubs Councillor Fletcher had produced some leaflets and these are now to be sent to businesses in the village.
Precept Councillor Mrs Imeson reported on a suggestion from HDC that each village raise their precept for one year to fund their own millennium activities. This was agreed.
Accounts
The following were passed for payment:-
P H Greenwell 481.75
James C Pearson 130.42
W B Helm 26.90
W B Helm 694.98
M L Holden 27.99
M L Holden 213.06
Inland Revenue 323.92
M Stevens 35.00
Bayford and Co Ltd (direct debit) 34.45
Correspondence
HDC - notification of District/Parish Council liaison meeting on 15.4.98. Councillors Mrs. M Stevens and R. Kirk will attend.
NYMNPA - Northern Area Parish Forum - notes from meeting on 14th January 1998, notices for next meeting on 28.4.98 in Great Ayton Village Hall. Councillors P. Bell and B. Winn to attend. An agenda item concerning cars spoiling the grassy areas at Gribdale Gate is to be raised.
A letter from Mrs. van den Toorn asked the Parish Council to consider parking permits for residents of High Green. The Parish Council felt that they could take no action at present but would continue to monitor the situation.
HDC - World of James Herriot - promotional material and request for donation. It was agreed to donate £250.
A letter from Watson Burton, solicitors, notified of an application to transfer the Off Licence at the North Eastern Co-op from I N Drinkell to Patricia A King.
HDC - Request for Parish Council to consider acceptance of public open space at Tilesheds Farm development. The Parish Council agreed that they did not wish to accept the transfer of the land to them.
The following items of information were received:-
Bins'n'Benches - brochure
NYMNPA - Agenda for meeting on 16.3.98
NYCC - Pension Fund Advisory Forum - consultation on 1997 LCPS Regs. Notes of meeting on 17th February, 1998.
Planning
The following applications were received:-
Layout of land and construction of 11 dwellings with garages, 98 Newton Road. The Parish Council were concerned re. the proximity of plot 6 and the garage between plots 6 and 7 to adjacent houses in Wheatlands.
Application to fell trees subject to TPO 1998/1, Ayton School. The Parish Council wish as many trees as possible to be retained.
No representations were considered necessary for the following:-
Provision of dormer window, 3 Linden Road
Provision of dormer windows, 60 Marwood Drive
Alterations and extension to 2 existing dwellings, 10/12 Yarm Lane
Listed Building Consent " " " " " "
Alterations and extension as amended, Ivy Cottage, High Green
Listed Building Consent " " " " "
Alterations and extension as amended " " " "
Plans Approved
Application for listed building consent for the boarding up of existing windows, Ayton School
Application for conservation area consent for the demolition of existing buildings, Ayton School
Application for listed building consent - removal of 2 areas of masonry paint, Ayton School
Extension - 40 Marwood Drive
Alterations and extension, Ivy Cottage, and Listed Building Consent.
Plans refused
Erection of attached garage, alterations of window openings and insertion of two new window openings, one rooflight - Fir Tree Barn, Lonsdale
Extension to existing bungalow, 41 Marwood Drive.
Any Other Business
Councillor Winn reported subsidence of the footpath at the junction of Roseberry Avenue and Roseberry Crescent. The Clerk is to notify Highways. He also reported that the Whitbread Bridge was showing signs of rust. The bridge had been inspected 2 years ago by Highways but it was felt that it should be examined again in the interests of preservation.
Councillor Kirk reported that the light at the top of the Chapel Steps was not working. This has been reported to HDC.
Councillor Groves reported deep potholes in the road outside 16 Wheatlands. The Clerk is to contact highways.
Councillor Mrs Imeson commented on how nice the daffodils which the Scouts had planted were looking and expressed her thanks. She had received a report from a resident that the trod was becoming impassable and was badly in need of clearing. Highways are to be contacted.
Councillor Bell expressed concern that two recent street collections had not been authorised by HDC and their authenticity was questionable. The Clerk is to contact HDC monthly to check on authorised collections.
The Annual Parish Meeting is to be held on Wednesday 8th April at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.
Following representations from several organisations it was agreed to change the theme of the floats for the fete from "soaps" to "children's books".
As the Silver Band has been disbanded for several years it was decided that the uniforms should be sold by the Clerk for £10 each.
It was agreed that the burial fees for the cemetery be raised by 3% from 1.5.98.