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Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 21st November 2011 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs: C. Hesmondhalgh (Chair), D.Adamson, D. Duffey, E. Fraser, A. Morton, M. Penson, F. Roberts, A. Robinson, J. Watson.
Apologies:
Cllrs: J. Jackson (abroad), H. Mills (alternative engagement)
399. Police Report
PCSO Morrison reported the crime figures for the last 30 days which comprised four burglaries including one on Long Street for which there had been an arrest, two vans being broken into on Gormire Close, seven instances of violence, and a motor vehicle being stolen from Long Street which was linked with a similar crime in Northallerton.
The Police were undertaking an operation dealing with poaching and rural crime with joint patrols in Ryedale and utilising farmer volunteers.
A multi agency initiative regarding metal thefts was being undertaken and a drink drive campaign leading up to Christmas was underway.
PCSO Morrison advised that in relation to the issue raised by the Town Council in respect of the parking bays fronting Arabica and the Blacksmiths Arms there was no time limit on the bays and Jane Charlton of NYCC would review the issue in the new year.
Cllr Watson asked what the opening hours of the Police Station were and was advised that they were 9.30 am to 1.00pm Monday to Friday.
Cllr Robinson noted that a police vehicle had recently been parked on the bus collection point in the Market Place which prevented buses accessing the area and requested that the matter be noted.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh thanked PCSO Morrison for his attendance and report.
400. Reports on Matters Relating to Thirsk
400.a N.Y.C.C
Cllr Dadd advised that a decision on the outcome of the library review was to be made on Tuesday and he noted that it was likely that Thirsk would only have a small reduction in the weekly opening hours. Cllr Dadd noted that he was pressing the Environment Agency for the dredging of the Cod Beck and removal of the silting under the bridge.
Members noted the condition of Station Road, where St Marys Walk joined Stockton Road and the footpath at the bottom end of Chapel Street.
400.b HDC
Cllr Dadd reported that Aspire had had its daily licensing hours reduced from 2.30 am to 1.00am and had been closed by the managing company. He advised that HDC had decided that it would not be in the public interest to pursue any action in respect of the tarmacadaming of the Methodist church car park.
Cllr Robinson advised that the Yorkshire Air Ambulance had ceased working from Bagby Airfield pending a planning application being submitted.
Cllr Adamson reported that the Scrutiny Committee was to review Thirsk and Northallerton Markets the following Tuesday. He advised that the scheme for re-cobbling the Market Place was being considered at the next Cabinet meeting with£100,000 being sought.
Mention was made of the refusal to allow the sale of woollens at the market in view of an existing stall but it was considered that the two ranges were quite different.
401. Open Forum
No members of the public were present.
402. Minutes
402a Town Council Meeting held on 17 October 2011
Resolved: that the minutes of the Meeting of the Town Council held 17 October 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to amending minute 389.b to read Cllr Adamson advised that examination of utilising the company set up by NYCC and York City Council for internal audit was being undertaken.
402.b Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 17 October 2011
Minute no.394.g Request for bulb planting at Norby
The Clerk advised that an additional £17.00 had been spent by Thirsk in Bloom
403. Committee Minutes and Reports
403.a. Planning Committee – 3 November 2011
Resolved: that the minutes be received
403.b. Open Areas committee- 10 November.
The meeting received the minutes of the Open Areas Committee held on 10 November 2011.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that it was intended to continue the boundary fencing on the Holmes to prevent unauthorised access by vehicles.
It was noted that local mothers were intending to form a group to improve the facilities at Shire Close play area and Cllr Adamson pointed out the insurance aspects in this respect. Cllr Hesmondhalgh confirmed that this would be addressed.
The meeting noted that Elaine Coulson undertook the planting at the sign on Station Road at her own expense and it was considered that a contribution should be made.
Resolved:
a. that the minutes be received and noted
b. that a yearly contribution towards the planting on Station Road be made
404. Burial Board
Cllr Adamson advised that it was intended to hold a Burial Board Meeting to consider the cemetery charges for the next financial year.
Resolved: that the headstones and inscriptions for Mary McKinley, Marjorie Snelling, Tom Swales, Lesley Frost, Constance Dodds, Dagmar Paula Brosch be approved.
405. Correspondence/Items Raised
405.a Thirsk in Bloom
A letter dated 21 October was received from Thirsk in Bloom requesting confirmation that the safety net for any shortfall up to £500 was still available for the current financial year and noting the requirements for the next financial year.
Cllr Watson noted that specific details of any shortfall would be required.
The budget for the next financial year would be considered when the precept was set.
The meeting was advised that Cllr Duffey had offered to become the Town Councils representative on Thirsk in Bloom.
Resolved:
a. that Thirsk in Bloom be advised that specific details of any financial shortfall for the current financial year would be required.
b. that the last full year accounts and the programme for 2012/13 are required for consideration for the budget for 2012/13
c. that Cllr D.Duffey be the Town Council’s representative on Thirsk in Bloom.
405.b Yorkshire Forward
A letter dated 28 October 2011 was received from Yorkshire Forward advising about the closure of the organisation and transition of responsibilities to other bodies.
Resolved: that the letter be noted
405.c YLCA Training Event
The Clerk reminded members of the ‘What Councillors Need to Know’ training event to be held on 23 November by the YLCA at a cost of £35.00 per place. There were currently fifteen attendees from parish councils in the area.
Resolved: that Cllrs Duffey, Penson, Roberts and Watson attend the training event.
406. Meetings/Committees
Resolved:
a. that an Extraordinary Meeting of Thirsk Town Council to set the precept for 2012/13 be held at 6.00pm on Friday 16 December at Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall
b. that a Personnel Committee Meeting be held at 2.00pm on Thursday 8 December at the Town Council office.
c. that a committee to deal with the Millgate Public Conveniences be established based on the membership of the working party.
407. Finance
Resolved:
a. that the accounts for payment be approved and cheques signed.
b. that the balance sheet and budget report for October be received and approved.
408. Reports from Members/Representatives
Cllr Duffey advised that the planting of bulbs at the new development at Norby had been undertaken by residents in conjunction with Thirsk in Bloom.
Cllr Watson reported that the Central Areas Committee had been attended by Jill Miller who had updated on the Christmas Fayre which was to take place on Friday 25 November through to Sunday 27 November. She proposed that the Business association be thanked for all their hard work and achievement.
Cllr Morton advised that the Thirsk and Sowerby Swimming Bath Charity had agreed a 4% increase for the coming year.
Cllr Adamson reported that the Millennium Green Trust had undertaken a clean-up but because of the high level of water in the beck it had proved difficult.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh noted that she had attended the Remembrance Sunday service and parade and had been very impressed with the turn out.
Cllr Watson advised that she and Cllr Roberts had altered the Market Place clock and had been present for the erection of the Christmas tree.
The meeting closed at 9.17 pm
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