Minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting
held on Thursday 2nd September 2004 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Page A0073
Present:
Cllrs S Hubbard (Chairman), D Adamson, R Mallett, J Marshall, A Morton, C. Pack, F Roberts, J Watson, Ms C Thorpe ("Darlington and Stockton Times"), 3 members of the public and the clerk
Apologies:
Cllrs J Jackson (ill), K Reynard, accepted.
Minutes:
Proposed accepted Cllr Mallett, seconded Cllr Watson, subject to one amendment on page A0069.
Open Forum:
Proposed Cllr Morton, seconded Cllr Watson that Standing Orders be suspended.
Mr Norfolk referred to the planning application submitted by R S Hall Engineering for Change of Use from B2 print works to engineering works. He pointed out that when consent for the Industrial Estate was granted it was a condition that there was only to be B1 use along the western boundary to create a buffer zone of quiet uses near the neighbouring properties. In 2000 consent for change of use to B2 was granted to Stratus Holdings, but for printing only. Mr Norfolk felt that should this application be granted it would be contrary to that policy. Cllr Hubbard advised that he had spoken to Maurice Cann who had said that each planning application is judged on its own merits. Sound recordings will be taken in the existing building and in the area of the proposed site. Cllr Marshall pointed out that in order to get the Industrial Estate, HDC made the concession of this quiet zone and she felt we should protect what was agreed. Cllr Hubbard assured the residents that they would have the support of this Council in their objection.
Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Adamson that Standing Orders be reinstated.
Matters Arising:
A0069 Branches in Cod Beck; reported to the IDB.
A0069 Damaged tree on The Holmes; reported to John Bell.
A0069 Path to Picnic area; reported to the grasscutters.
A0069 Stable on Marage road; nothing further on this as yet.
A0069 Benches in Millgate car park/landscaping; nothing further on this as yet. Cllr Marshall expressed her concern at the time HDC are taking; a letter to be sent to Steve Quartermain. Cllr Marshall said that Rotary have some spare benches and there may be a possibility of siting one next to the pathway going down to the picnic area in the shade.
A0069 Grass verge outside Foxwynd; a further letter sent to John Bell.
A0069 Fencing around The Holmes Play Area; no reply from Sheena Spence as yet. She has been reminded.
A0069 Play Area on edge of Castlegarth; reminder sent to John Bell.
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A0069 Storage of building materials/skip on St James' Green; the building materials have been removed. Todds are to remove the skip by tomorrow evening.
A0069 Todds Court; reply received from Broadacres confirming that there is currently no provision for the charging up of battery powered scooters. They are looking at where they can develop such a facility, but are bound by financial constraints.
A0069 Grassed area at the end of Herriot Way; letters done - to be delivered.
A0069 East Thirsk Play Area; Chris Amy and the clerk have looked at the swings currently in the Cemetery shed and have confirmed they are for East Thirsk. Chris to put them in place as soon as possible.
A0070 Uncut grass at Fairfield; this has now been cut.
A0070 Building on garage sites on the Hambleton Estate; A petition has been received from residents opposing this and this has been sent to HDC and Broadacres. Cllr Marshall had advised HDC that they should have consulted the Town Council as a neighbour and also the Millennium Green Trust. Cllr Marshall expressed the view that, although we understand the need for housing, the application for development behind 123 Hambleton Place includes a house next to the East Thirsk Play Area and we would not wish to have complaints about the Play Area from whoever moves into the property. Also the proposed development is next to the Tranmire Ditch and the Millennium Green Ditch and we would not want drainage to be into these watercourses.
A0070 Willow trees near Todds Court; reply received from Broadacres advising that they are not their trees. A letter to be sent to John Bell.
A0070 Weeds alongside Newsham Road; letter sent to the County Council and acknowledgement received.
A0070 White Mare Roundabout; Chris Amy was asked to have it sprayed and cleared - the clerk has reminded him.
A0070 Damage to tree on St James' Green; reply from Mr Walker advising that strimmer guards need to be fitted. The clerk advised that she has examined the trees and they have strimmer guards fitted and there is no damage visible.
A0071 Christmas Festivities; a letter has been sent to Mr Woodhead about the tree and to Roger Hall about putting it up and taking it down. Wired are being chased for their quote.
Correspondence:
NYCC; Copy of a Notice of a Traffic Order re one-way traffic on the A61 Millgate. Concern was expressed at this as it was felt better to retain the two-way section; Cllr Marshall was opposed to the suggestion of retaining the status quo. Proposed Cllr Mallett, seconded Cllr Roberts that we request the two-way section be retained, five in favour, two against.
NYCC; Copy of a Notice of a Traffic Regulation Order re proposed 20 mph speed limits on various roads in Thirsk; noted.
Thirsk Museum; letter of thanks re the Town Council standing the cost of £50 for the hanging baskets at the museum. Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Mallet that the Town Council should bear the cost.
NYCC re Topcliffe Road cycle path; the works to implement the scheme will start during week commencing 16th August and the six month trial period will start on 1st
Page A0075
September. At the end of that period the scheme will be reviewed and a decision made on whether it should remain. The Town Council will be consulted again at that stage.
BT re review of public payphones (letter already circulated to Councillors). It was noted that the payphone in the lay-by on Long Street is scheduled for removal and it was proposed by Cllr Adamson, seconded by Cllr Mallett that no objection to its removal should be made.
NYCC; copy of Notice of Traffic Regulation Order re reduction of speed limit to 30mph on the A61 Long Street/Stockton Road.
NYCC; notice re temporary closure of the A170 Sutton Road from 20th September for
resurfacing works.
NYCC; Notice re temporary closure of Picks Lane for 2 weeks from 6th September for maintenance of the underground apparatus.
NYCC; proposed stopping up of the highway turning head in St Mary's Walk. Proposed Cllr Marshall, seconded Cllr Watson that we support this.
RAF Leeming; advice re increased flying on 3rd September to celebrate the X1(F) Squadron Association Reunion.
Reports
Carrs Field - Cllr Roberts referred to a request from the Carrs Field Committee for payment of the insurance; agreed. Cllr Marshall referred to the fact that one of the provisions of Ethel Johnson's will was that there was to be an annual sports day. A shield was made for this and is currently being stored in the office. It was agreed that the shield be passed to the Trustees with a suitable letter.
Central Areas - Cllr Marshall said it is necessary to have a meeting.
Christmas Festivities - Cllr Adamson reported that we are still waiting for the quote from Wired. He does not foresee any problems getting the Christmas tree and Roger Hall has been asked if he will put it up and take it down.
Greens and Ingramgate - Cllr Mallett reported that the Committee has now met and he was elected chairman. The White Mare roundabout has not yet been sprayed - Cllr Mallett and the Clerk to meet with Chris Amy re this and other items. They are to investigate turfing it in order to make it look tidy for the moment. Cllr Mallett to investigate the possibility of tar spraying on the tracks on the Green. He will report back to the next meeting.
Millennium Green - Nothing to report.
Open Areas - Committee not yet met.
Town Development Working Party - Referring to the alleyways, Cllr Hubbard advised that he had met with Peter Penny to discuss whether there is any funding for this - there is the possibility of a small amount. Other possible sources of funding are being looked at and once it is known what amounts are available it will go out to consultation.
Page A0076
Other items of interest and information:
Cllr Marshall advised that the Clerk has carried out a seat survey and it was agreed that this should go out to tender. It was agreed to add the picnic benches on The Holmes and in the Picnic Area and the seats in the Cemetery on to the tender.
Reporting on Long Street, Cllr Marshall said that since the Exhibition the Working Party has held two meetings. A site meeting is to be held to talk to residents on each part of Long Street. No works are to be carried out south of Hambleton Drive because of concern about loss of parking. On the remainder of Long Street they are looking at marking entrances and exits in a buff colour rather than red. The £5K from the County Council is to be used to purchase some planters to put trees in. It is hoped to convert the pebbled area at the Stammergate junction into a flower bed(s), but all this is dependant on what becomes apparent when they go on site. When the site visit has taken place Cllr Marshall will come back with a plan showing the position of the planters. Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Watson that the Town Council support this.
Cllr Marshall referred to the Schedule of Ongoing Amenity Items which is circulated with the minutes. It was agreed that looking at the matters on this schedule should be an agenda item in future.
Cllr Mallett pointed out that he was quoted in the 'Darlington and Stockton Times' when it was actually Cllr Morton who spoke.
Cllr Pack reported on the Thirsk Clock Café who have just celebrated their first anniversary. A barbeque had been held which was very successful and there is to be a dinner at the Golden Fleece. A football tournament had been held and she asked whether the Town Council would consider donating a trophy at a cost of £25. Proposed Cllr Adamson, seconded Cllr Mallett that the Town Council do this.
Cllr Adamson reported that he had met with Lionel Twiss and other parties re the entrances into Thirsk. The object of the meeting was to look at who is responsible for each of the roundabouts, i.e. the ones at South Kilvington, the Busby Stoop, York Road and the White Mare roundabouts. Another meeting will be held in the near future to decide on the way forward.
Cllr Adamson advised that the YLCA have been asked how often the District Council has a boundary review.
Cllr Pack asked about the signs at the entrances and Cllr Marshall advised that a group from the TRI were looking at the signs and also at the fingerposts in the town.
Cllr Watson reported on the progress on the blue plaque scheme saying that a planning application has been submitted for the one on 'The Three Tuns' and a site has been identified for the plaque to go on the Herriot Centre.
Page A0077
Cllr Watson advised that she had been approached by children wanting to use the Skateboard Park, but were prevented from doing so by older youths. Cllr Hubbard said they are trying to get more supervision.
Cllr Roberts reported that the footpath from the Black Bridge to Stockton Road and the Centenary Field is overgrown and, as a consequence is very narrow - to be reported to Peter Penny.
Thirsk in Bloom:
Cllr Pack advised that the competition results will be out next Tuesday - they are hoping for a good result.
Proposed Cllr Marshall, seconded Cllr Pack that the public and the press be excluded for a confidential item.
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 20th September 2004 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall
Page P0100
Present:
Cllrs D. Adamson (Chairman), S. Hubbard, J. Jackson, J. Marshall, A. Morton, C. Pack, K. Reynard, F. Roberts, A. Robinson, M. Cann, Head of Development Control at HDC, (second item only), 1 member of the public and the clerk
Apologies:
Cllrs R. Mallett (ill), J. Watson (ill); accepted.
Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Jackson that Standing Orders be suspended.
Talk by Maurice Cann, Head of Development Control at HDC
Mr Cann pointed out that when a planning decision notice is issued a report is now included giving the reasons for the decision and containing comments received. In the last year there have been approximately 100 planning applications in Thirsk, of these the number of cases where HDC have made a decision contrary to the Town Council’s recommendation have been less than 10%. Mr Cann outlined some of the planning applications where the views of the Town Council and HDC have differed and gave the reasons for these.
The subject of replacement UPVC windows was raised and Mr. Cann said that where a property is within the Conservation Area but outside the Article 4 Directive Area, then each application is considered on its own merits. He felt the strength of the planning guidelines lay in the ability to consider each application on its own merits rather than giving a carte blanche refusal to, say, UPVC windows. Mr Cann also made the point that HDC employs people with planning qualifications to make decisions, although he stressed that the input from Parish Councils was always taken into account.
Cllr Roberts said that sometimes planning applications give very little information and Mr Cann explained about the new planning application forms which give applicants details of how to apply. Cllr Adamson expressed concern that applicants sometimes use very old OS maps to show the site location and these may not show any recent buildings etc. Mr Cann advised that the planning officers now have some new mapping software.
Cllr Marshall referred to the recent application for Change of Use on the Industrial Estate, pointing out that the western edge of the Estate was designated as B1 by HDC in order not to cause disruption to nearby residents. Mr Cann advised that details of the noise level tests are awaited and no decision will be made until these are received and the Town Council has been consulted again.
Cllr Marshall also referred to the applications by Broadacres to build on the garage sites and expressed concern particularly about the application to build behind 123 Hambleton Place where the Town Council is the neighbouring landowner. Cllr Marshall pointed out that in a large number of cases people are using their front gardens for parking and Mr Cann advised that planning consent is not required, particularly on unclassified roads where no permission to create an access is needed. Cllr Jackson referred to amendments, saying it is not always clear what the amendment is. Mr Cann explained that there is a very tight timescale on amendments,
Page P0101
but he will take this up with the planners. The Chairman thanked Mr Cann for attending the meeting.
Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Jackson that Standing Orders be reinstated.
Minutes
Proposed accepted Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Morton, agreed.
Police Report
No members of the Police present.
Open Forum
Proposed Cllr Hubbard, seconded Cllr Roberts that Standing Orders be suspended.
Mrs Sue Dodds referred to the report in the “Darlington and Stockton Times” that refreshments are to be available in the Herriot Centre and she queried whether change of use is required for this. Cllr Roberts pointed out that at the time the Herriot Centre opened the idea was that it would bring trade to the shops, cafes etc in the town. Cllr Hubbard had spoken to Dave Goodwin who had carried out a survey and found there is a shortfall in the opening times of the cafes. Cllr Robinson pointed out that Cabinet has made the decision and Cllr Marshall said it is actually a refreshment cart which will be sited in the garden. She said Cabinet has gone against the decision made at the time the Herriot Centre opened. Agreed that a letter be sent to Cabinet expressing the Town Council’s disappointment that they have now gone against the promises made to the people of Thirsk. It should also be mentioned that neither the Town Council nor the Ward Members were aware of this until the decision had been made.
Proposed Cllr Hubbard, seconded Cllr Jackson that Standing Orders be reinstated.
Matters Arising:
P0095 Cycling on the Market Place; letter sent to Inspector Broadley, reply awaited.
P0095 Emergency Plan; meeting held with various outside bodies. E-mail received from Stephanie Renno of NYCC advising that the Environment Agency are currently updating existing plans for each district. She will send one when they are available.
P0095 Safety issues in the Cemetery; reply received from Bedale, Aiskew, Leeming Bar and Burrill Joint Burial Authority. The clerk is making arrangements to go to Northallerton Burial Board.
P0095 Removal of swan necked lamppost from Picks Lane; Paul Gilmore advises that this was the property of HDC not the Town Council. Some are being removed from East Thirsk if we require one. HDC to be asked whether they are aware that this lamppost is now at the Leeming Bar depot.
P0096 Cemetery noticeboard; plasterboard obtained and put in place.
P0096 Public toilets; reply from David McGloin advising that the toilets are cleaned daily and the missing door has been vandalised and is being repaired. He will keep the situation under review.
P0096 Bollards on Picks Lane; reply from Mike Roberts advising that he is liaising with County Hall re the missing bollard.
Page P0102
P0096 Surface of Station Road; reply from Mike Roberts advising that they have identified what work is required on Station Road and are liaising with Yorkshire Water.
P0096 Wheeliebins on Westgate; NYCC advise that we should contact HDC. Gary Brown is writing to the occupants of the houses. Agreed that a further letter be sent to NYCC as the wheeliebins are obstructing the pavement.
P0097 Presentation at St Mary’s Church on 7th October; letter sent advising that this is the same night as Amenities, but that Cllr Adamson will be attending the presentation.
P0097 BT removal of payphone; circulated and discussed at Amenities. No objection to the removal of the payphone, therefore no reply sent.
P0097 Bow House, ‘Herriot Country 2005 – Short Breaks Visitor Guide’ advert placed.
P0097 Planning application to build on garage sites on the Hambleton Estate; letter of objection sent, as neighbours, to the application to construct dwellings behind 123 Hambleton Place.
P0098 Proposed Infrastructure Plans for Thirsk and the surrounding area; reply received from NYCC advising that they are required to put the path across the grass verge on Stockton Road to ensure that all passengers have a Right to Access. They advise that if the Town Council are opposed to this the stop could be left as a ‘Hail and Ride’. Agreed that we request it to be left as a ‘Hail and Ride’. NYCC confirm they will amend their drawings to show the stop in Dowber Way as being outside 42/44/46 Dowber Way.
P0098 TRI; The clerk advised that she had been consulted by David Potts.
P0099 Rubble in the river/silt in the river near the library car park; reported to the IDB.
P0099 Town Council/Amenity Meetings; Cllr Jackson raised the question of what Amenity Committee meetings should be called in future and it was felt this should be kept as at present.
Finance:
Accounts for Payment:
Proposed Cllr Morton, seconded Cllr Roberts that the following accounts be approved for payment:
K Dickinson – cleaning office windows £4.00
HDC - Town Council Office rent £660.94
Fox’s Copy Centre – photocopying £39.18
C E & C M Walker – grasscutting £1,527.50
M. Dodds – watering for Thirsk in Bloom £125.00
BT – office telephone £109.65
Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall – Hire of Hall, July-September £160.00
Plus Publishing Services – “Clerks and Councils Direct” £82.50
SLCC – “Working with your Council” (Course documents
re Clerk’s qualification) £195.00
Julie Harron – Salary, September 2004 £260.00
Elaine Coulson – Salary, August 2004 £989.67
Inland Revenue – Tax/NI, August 2004 £555.29
HDC – Town Council Office Rates, October 2004 £58.00
Page P0103
C A Amy Weekly inspections £182.80
Litter picking £200.00
Little Green weeding £20.00
Paid since last meeting
Carrs Field – Ethel Johnson Bequest Trust – Insurance Premium £555.22
Income received
Burial Board: Interments £495.00
Grave Purchase £220.00
Memorials £44.00
MTI Grant for Interpretation Boards £2,500.00
MTI Grant re Long Street £10,000.00
To receive and approve the monthly balance sheet and budget report for August 2004 (copies already circulated):
Proposed approved Cllr Jackson, seconded Cllr Hubbard that these be approved.
To receive applications for Exclusive Rights and Memorials:
Proposed Cllr Robinson, seconded Cllr Mallett that the following applications be approved.
Elizabeth Graham
William Boynton, Mary Jane Boynton, Emily Thompson, Edward Thompson.
Additional Inscriptions:
George Henry Wilson
To receive Correspondence:
HDC; Referendum on Regional Government and Review of Local Government
National Association of Civic Officers re meeting on 21st September
Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber; Proposed Changes to Draft Regional Planning Guidance for Yorkshire and the Humber (already circulated to Councillors); no comment.
HDC re Crime Seminar on 22nd September; Cllr Robinson advised that this has now been cancelled.
HDC; copy of letter to Mr Delderfield confirming the postal address of the new dwelling as 39a St James Green
NYCC; details of the County Council Community Development Fund
Thirsk Team Ministry; giving twelve months’ informal notice of their intention to serve a three month statutory notice requesting that the Town Council take responsibility for the closed churchyard at St. Mary’s Church. Proposed Cllr Marshall, seconded Cllr Adamson that a similar letter be sent to HDC.
Mr. J.R. Fisher; making reference to the minutes of the July Town Council meeting regarding matters in Long Street.
Mr Peter Banthorpe; advising that he would like to purchase a seat in memory of his late father, Herbert Banthorpe. Cllr Adamson suggested we ask if he would like to site this in the new Garden of Rest.
Page P0104
Postwatch; notice of meeting to be held on 28th September in Pickering.
Howard Mendell; enquiry about purchase of garage sites
NYCC; Closure of the A170 Sutton Bank for five days from 20th September for maintenance works.
NYCC; Proposed extension of the 30 mph speed limit on the A61 Stockton Road, giving details of the proposed Gateway traffic calming – no comments
To receive Planning Committee Report:
Cllr Adamson referred to the Town Council’s comments on planning applications which he felt did not always give planning reasons. However, Cllr Roberts pointed out that, as Mr Cann had said earlier, Parish Councils have local knowledge and this can be of help to the planners when making a decision.
To receive Burial Board Report:
Cllr Adamson advised that the plasterboard is now in the notice board and will be painted shortly. A Burial Board meeting is to be arranged and following this it is hoped to come back to the Town Council with a new set of Burial Board rules to go on the noticeboard. Cllr Adamson had laid some unstable memorials down in the new part of the Cemetery and he is continuing to monitor this. The original vehicle prevention post has been removed and replaced with one which sinks into the ground in order that it is not a trip hazard.
To receive Reports:
a) County Council
Cllr Marshall advised that the County Council has not met since July. The Economic Development Scrutiny Committee is looking at how schoolchildren are prepared for work and this is to form part of the curriculum. Cllr Marshall referred to a report from the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly re scrutiny of market towns. Currently looking at what happens when the term of Regeneration ends.
b) District Council
Cllrs Hubbard and Robinson had nothing to report. Cllr Marshall advised that the Cultural Scrutiny Committee is continuing to look at Tourism and Town Centre Managers.
Referring to planning applications, Cllr Pack asked whether the District Council take into account the views put forward by local residents on planning applications.
Cllr Robinson referred to the Forward Plan and said we should put our views via the Scrutiny Committee.
To receive Reports
Representatives
Cllr Morton had attended a meeting of the Swimming Pool Trustees. A new pricing structure is to be brought in from 1st January 2005.
Cllr Pack advised that Thirsk in Bloom have received an invitation from Yorkshire in Bloom to enter Britain in Bloom and they were asked whether they had the support of their local authorities. Cllr Pack thanked the Town Council, as the main contributor of finance, for its support during the years Thirsk in Bloom have been in the competition and asked whether they could rely on the Town Council’s continued support. Cllr Pack advised that she is also writing to the County and District Councils. Cllr Jackson
Page P0105
asked that this be an agenda item for the next Amenity Meeting to look at the increased support required to enter Britain in Bloom, agreed. Cllr Robinson asked that a letter of congratulations be sent to the “Black Swan” at Norby, agreed.
Cllr Marshall had attended a meeting of the Thirsk Infants School Trustees. Three grants have been made; one to Thirsk Primary School for play and gym equipment, one to improve the disabled access to the Courthouse and one to Thirsk in Bloom. Cllr Marshall mentioned the Thirsk Map, which is currently upstairs in the library. Cllr Pack to look into this.
Cllr Adamson advised that he had been to RAF Linton earlier this month where there had been refreshments followed by a flying demonstration. He had also taken up an invitation for drinks with John Dennis at the County Council. He had received an invitation from the Diocesan Chairman of the Mothers Union to a family day at the racecourse last Saturday and this had been very enjoyable.
Members
Cllr Robinson referred to the fact that quite a number of streetlights are not working.
Cllr Hubbard advised that there are three cars with “For Sale” signs on them on St. James’ Green and he felt we need to look at amending the byelaws. Cllr Marshall suggested we inform Trading Standards of the vehicles for sale.
Proposed Cllr Adamson, seconded Cllr Morton that the public and the clerk be excluded for a confidential item, agreed.