Minutes of a Meeting of Great Ayton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 14th March 2000 at 7.00 pm
Present
Councillors R Kirk, Chairman, Mrs F Greenwell, Mrs M Stevens, L Groves, P Bell, L Groves. Mrs J Essex and two members of the public also attended.
Apologies
Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor J Fletcher
Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15th February 2000 were approved and signed.
Police Business
Councillors had no police business to report, nor was a police representative present.
Matters Arising
Ayton School development/lease for sports field The lease had been received. There were a number of areas of the playing fields which could cause problems. Councillor Fletcher to arrange meeting with Wimpey and Mr S Quartermain of HDC before the Council sign the lease.
Whitbread bridge Tender from NYCC Contracting received. Councillor Fletcher to peruse tenders.
Flagpole outside Library The flagpole had been installed. A cover plate for the base was to be ordered in the interests of safety.
Internet/computers Minute continued.
Play area - plan for improvement Following a visit to the play area to study plans received from Image, it was decided to arrange a further site visit with a representative from Image. Some items were not required and it was thought that money saved could be used to improve the football area and provide a basket ball net.
It was reported that the roundabout had been repaired but the rubber tiles had not yet been relaid.
CAPE Scheme - fencing Low Green Minute continued
Community Service Jobs Minute continued
Highways matters - footbridge Low Green Minute continued.
Cemetery Regulations Minor amendments to be made to draft. New notice board to be ordered.
Village Hall Councillor Kirk had arranged to meet with Chairman of Drama Society to discuss lease.
Arcade A letter from Mowden Park Estate Company expressed disappointment that the Parish Council was unable to become involved with refurbishment of the arcade in a material way. Further developments to be awaited.
Access - 2 Easby Lane Minute continued
Parking outside shops Response from HDC awaited.
Tree, garage wall, High Street Minute to be put on hold pending response from RA and JM Parker.
Gas governor house - Yarm Lane Response from BG Transco indicated that following recent works there would be no gas present in the governor house. Transco to be asked if the house needed to remain as it was still a potential hazard at a dangerous junction.. NYCC to be asked if junction could be changed so that Yarm Lane and the road to Stanley Houses would become the major route, and the end of Yarm Lane leading to the A172 would be the minor road.
Cherry trees, High Green Minute continued
Burnt fence, rubbish heap - allotments Tenant denied responsibility for burnt fence which he said had occurred on bonfire night. It was agreed that the Council would have the fence repaired.
WI tree for Millennium A Highways representative had inspected the site and declared it to be unsuitable because of the services under the verges. Highways to be contacted again to ask if there is no room at all for a tree close to the hedge. Otherwise WI to be asked for suggestions.
Dog fouling It was agreed that HDC be asked if the fines collected from offending dog owners could be used to provide an additional bin on Low Green.
Weight restriction, Little Ayton Bridge A permanent weight restriction is to be considered by the members of the Area 1 Highway Sub-committee. Councillor Fletcher is to represent the Parish Council's views at the meeting.
Trees, Low Green Minute concluded.
Cemetery rates Enquiries to other Parish Councils indicated differences in the way graveyards were rated. HDC are to be asked for advice/information.
Storage of old minute books The Library had agreed to store the books in the Parish Council's filing cabinet when they were returned from HDC.
Accounts
M L Holden (clerk) 295.89
W B Helm (Cemetery superintendent) 744.03
Inland Revenue (Tax and NI) 345.24
E K Williams Ltd (petrol) (direct debit) 15.75
M L Holden (reimburse ink cartridges and phone calls) 54.08
Rainton Construction Ltd (road planings for allotments) 56.40
P Bell (reimburse flower tubs) 80.00
Harrison Flagpoles (flagpole) 486.45
Thompsons Hardware (compost, creosote, gas etc) 33.47
Bell Enterprises (reimburse Millennium programmes) 473.76
1st Great Ayton Scouts (donation prog. delivery) 100.00
Great Ayton District Guides ditto 100.00
W B Helm (reimburse phone rental) 32.75
Receipts
Cossey (garage rent) 10.00
A Fletcher (reimburse annual dinner) 14.75
HM Customs and Excise (VAT refund) 1434.05
Cemetery 205.00
Councillor Fletcher joined the meeting.
Correspondence
Rt Hon William Hague MP - re possible abolition of Parish Councils - request for views. The Parish Council to respond that it supports Mr Hague in his intention to retain parish councils.
NYCC - re 100th birthday of Mrs Parr. Chairman to deliver gift of plant on behalf of Parish Council.
Hambleton and Richmondshire Rural Transport Partnership - nominations for user reps. Received
NYCC - re works to trees in Byemoor Avenue. Parish Council to respond that the trees are a significant feature of the street scene and that they would be reluctant to see the trees cut down unless they were diseased.
NYCC - re grass cutting. Received
Atkinson Garden Machinery - information re mowers. Prices from other suppliers to be obtained.
NYCC - re marker posts, Low Green. Parish Council to monitor situation over summer.
Mrs C Lishman re. Buck Hotel car park - bottle banks etc. HDC, brewery and Buck Hotel to be contacted in an attempt to have car park and bins tidied. Parish Council solution would be to have bins moved to other end of car park behind bus stop. Mrs Lishman to be notified of PC's intentions.
The following items of information were received:
HDC - environmental information - leaflets
Clerks and Councils Direct - magazine
Mouchel - re closure of Great Ayton Bridge 5th March
Recycled Products Ltd - info. re safety surfaces. Councillor Mrs Stevens to peruse.
CPRE - new membership card, Voice magazine
YRCC - Village Halls Conference - Helperby Village Hall 29.4.00
NYCC - Pensions Section re AVCs
NYMNPA - agenda for information
Planning
Application for erection of chimney stack at Ayton Banks Farm. Completed
Alterations and extension to existing dwellinghouse - 21 Addison Road. No representations
Construction of building for storage of theatrical equipment to replace existing building - Parochial Hall. No representations. Councillors Mrs J Imeson and L Groves declared an interest.
Application for Conservation Area consent for the demolition of existing building - 117 High Street. Insufficient information received. Assumed that it was the same application as had been refused previously. Further information requested.
Application for erection of a conservatory at the White House, Dikes Lane. No representations
Plans approved
Construction of welling as amended - Land adjoining 49 Romany Road
Millennium
Domesday Book Mrs Essex reported that it was proceeding well. The list of names to be included would be displayed in the Library until 24th March. There was to be a display of children's photographs in the Library from 7th to 28th April.
Ball Minute continued
Millennium Programme Cost of Post Office delivery prohibitive. Great Ayton Scouts and Guides had been asked to deliver them. A donation of £100 to each organisation was agreed. Extra copies to be placed in Library and TIC.
Millennium entertainment Meeting of entertainers with Mrs Brown to be arranged. Admission to be by programme. Fee agreed at £4, children under 14, £3. Church concert admission fee agreed at £4.
Fete Judges to be invited.
Councillors' reports
Councillor Mrs Stevens reported further complaints from neighbours of the Kebbell development on Easby Lane. NYCC to be informed.
Councillor Bell asked if planning permission was needed for drop boxes for post deliverers. He was advised that concerns should be addressed to Highways.
Councillor Groves deplored the disgraceful conduct of Barclays Bank in closing down the Great Ayton Branch. It was observed that the Government practised a zero exclusion policy but the Bank was excluding many customers, particularly the elderly and disabled who would not be able to manage the steps at Stokesley. Telephone and internet banking were not used by most Great Ayton people, and the service element of their business appeared to have been forgotten. The Clerk was instructed to write expressing the Council's outrage.
Councillor Fletcher reported that the gates onto the railway line at the top of the Hall fields were disintegrating. He said that the Council had been offered a flagpole. He is to arrange for it to be uplifted and stored pending a decision on where to site it.
Councillor Mrs Greenwell raised the question of the Annual Parish Meeting. This was arranged for Thursday 6th April at 7.00pm.
She reported that when the lamppost opposite Park Rise had been removed, the sign to the public toilets had also gone. HDC are to be asked to replace it. She requested that a sign be put on the end of the toilet block to indicate its existence. A disabled sign was also required.
The new phone box on Newton Road had been erected but was not yet operational.
Councillor Kirk noted that it was the final evening of Parish Council reporting for Carole Freeman. She was thanked for the work she had done for the village and wished well for the future. A card from the Parish Council was presented, to be followed by a gift at a later date.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 11th April 2000.