Minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting
held on Thursday 7th April 2005 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Page P0146
Present:
Cllrs D Adamson (Chairman), R Mallett, J Marshall, A Morton, C Pack, K Reynard, F Roberts, J Watson, District Councillor S Hubbard, P.C. Kevin Brookes (2nd item only) and the clerk.
Apologies:
J Jackson (away); accepted.
To receive Police Report:
PC Brookes introduced himself, advising that he returned to Thirsk in 2003 and has just been deputed to the new neighbourhood policing team. He advised that Inspector Richardson had been at a meeting that day about the neighbourhood policing team, sorting out new duties, hours of work and their remit for the job. At the request of Cllr Marshall, PC Brookes gave the names of the people who would be on the Thirsk team, viz. PCs Harman, Thackrah, Pears and Brookes with Sgt Ponte as the sergeant responsible. Cllr Marshall enquired whether the police are to put out publicity about this. PC Brookes to raise this matter although he thinks it may have been discussed at today’s meeting. He advised there are to be dedicated e-mail addresses for the Thirsk neighbourhood policing team and possibly a dedicated telephone line. They are encouraging a number of new Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. A new system using both telephone and e-mail has replaced the Ringmaster system. PC Brookes extended an offer for a Councillor to join them out on a shift and for Councillors to visit the new premises on the Industrial Estate.
Minutes of the previous Town Council Meeting held on 21st March 2005
Proposed approved Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Mallett, subject to one minor amendment on Page P0140.
Matters Arising:
P0135 Grass verge outside Foxwynd; letter sent to Steve Pimperton.
P0136 Millennium Green and Dowber Way ditch; discussed at a meeting with Mike Armstrong and a letter to be sent to Barretts as per his advice. Cllr Marshall to speak to Steve Quartermain and she asked that we do not send a letter until she has done this.
P0136 Church floodlighting; letter with supporting details sent to HDC requesting permission to install two more floodlights.
P0136 Kissing gates on Castlegarth; Keith Emerich away until 11th April – a chasing e-mail has been sent to await his return.
P0136 Additional street lights on Hambleton Place; instructions given to NYCC to proceed with this.
P0136 Damaged trees on The Holmes; a site meeting has been held to look at this. Cllr Marshall advised that additional work was identified at that meeting and it was agreed to do this with as little disturbance to the wildlife, particularly birds, as possible. Chris Amy has now done this work.
P0137 Litter bin on Castlegarth; HDC have agreed that if the Town Council provide a bin they will empty it once a week. HDC will also pay 50% towards the cost of a bin; agreed we should go ahead with this.
Page P0147
P0137 Light on Marage Road; reported again. Cllr Marshall advised that a new top for this is required and an order for it has been placed.
P0137 Condition of toilets; reply sent to Ms Miller. Letter sent to HDC and reply received giving details of the hours spent by the cleaner and also the cost of providing attendance at the Applegarth toilets in Northallerton. District Cllr Hubbard advised that he has spoken to Peter Simpson and should the Town Council wish to take over responsibility for the toilets HDC would be prepared to discuss this. Nothing can be done on this until the Town Council sets its budget for 2006/7. District Councillor Hubbard would like to be involved should we decide to take this further. Agreed that at this stage a meeting be held with David McGloin to look at the problem.
P0137 Vacancy for Town Councillor; Notice from HDC displayed also a separate one advertising the vacancy and giving some details has been put on both noticeboards.
P0137 Four trees at East Thirsk Play Area with bacterial canker; Chris Amy asked to proceed with this as per his quote.
P0138 Litter bins; telephone reply from HDC advising that they will be replacing the yellow bins with new bins early next week. The state of the bin outside ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ was mentioned and it was queried whether the other bins will be repainted. Cllr Marshall advised that Mike Kneebone has a rolling programme of bin repainting.
P0138 Alleyways Scheme; monies now received from Peter Penny. Two more contractors have been on site to look and queries from a third one received today.
P0138 Cinema Anniversary; Cllr Marshall advised that the Charity Gala Evening took place and donations were made to two cancer charities.
P0138 Wreathes; the clerk had obtained the picture used by Rowley’s Florists. Cllr Adamson showed two designs to go on the wreaths and one of these was chosen.
P0139 Seat Maintenance; Chris Amy given the go ahead to deal with the seats.
To receive Correspondence:
E-mail from Dave Goodwin – advising that 5th May is not convenient. Agreed he be asked to come to the Town Council meeting on 2nd June.
To consider and where applicable, decide upon, the items contained in the schedule of Outstanding Amenity Items:
Cllr Marshall asked that the site meeting to look at the seats near Cod Beck be arranged.
Loose cobbles – it was mentioned that there are a number of loose cobbles; to be reported to HDC.
To receive Reports:
Carrs Field - Cllr Roberts mentioned that there is a lot of litter and broken glass around the skateboard area. Cllr Reynard said she would deal with this. The clerk had also reported it to Tony Jordan.
Central Areas - Need to meet to elect a new Chairman.
Christmas festivities - Committee needs to meet shortly.
Page P0148
Greens and Ingramgate - Cllr Mallett advised that a Greens Committee meeting had been held, mainly to look at the White Mare Roundabout. Cllr Roberts has now joined the Greens Committee. Dean Landscapes have been asked to do the work and Cllr Mallett showed their design to the meeting . This is to have shrubs in the centre with turf round and four beds in the turfed area. These to be planted with bedding plants, which will be renewed seasonally. It will be possible to get on the roundabout from the beginning of May.
Yorkshire Water have quoted £6K to put water on the roundabout and Cllr Mallett has obtained prices for having a stand pipe which can be connected to the hydrants. Jill Miller and Bill Calvert have offered to sponsor the roundabout and it is hoped to enter into a four year contract with them. Cllr Mallett has spoken to Steve Pimperton about obtaining a license and he is dealing with this.
Cllr Marshall reported that we have the planters for Long Street. Quotes have been accepted from the companies doing the groundwork and planting the planters and flowerbeds. The question of watering them needs to be looked at and Cllr Marshall suggested we advertise for someone to do this. It was suggested there should be a joint advert for watering for the Town Council and Thirsk in Bloom, but Cllr Reynard would like to discuss this with Thirsk in Bloom first. Cllr Marshall proposed we advertise for someone to water the roundabout and Long Street, seconded Cllr Mallett. Cllr Reynard expressed the view that the roundabout should be sprayed. Cllr Marshall advised that at the moment it is not felt it needs to be sprayed, but it will be kept under review.
Millennium Green - Nothing to report.
Open Areas - Cllr Marshall referred to The Holmes saying we have a long standing management plan for the wild areas and The Whitelass and she gave details of this.
Town Development Working Party - Nothing to report.
Other items of interest and information:
Cllr Marshall reported that work on the entrances started on Monday.
Cllr Marshall advised that she and Cllr Morton had changed the time on the Town Clock when the clocks changed. She felt it is necessary to set up a system to deal with this when the clocks change. Cllr Watson agreed to do this.
Cllr Marshall reported that following on from the unveiling of the plaque to Thomas Lord by Roger Knight, Thirsk Cricket Club is playing West Meon at Lords in August. We have received a promise from the Chairman and Vice President of Yorkshire Cricket Club that they will unveil the plaque to George Gibson Macaulay. We have also received a promise from Professor Simon Owens, the Keeper of the Herbarium at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew to unveil the plaque to John Gilbert Baker in Bakers Alley.
Cllr Marshall advised that we have three mock ups of the Interpretation Panels to go on Castlegarth. It is necessary to apply for Scheduled Ancient Monument Consent and we have also asked John Bell for his consent. Other Interpretation Boards are with RANY.
Page P0149
To receive report from Thirsk in Bloom:
Cllr Pack advised that the unannounced judging will be starting on 18th April. She advised that work is taking place in the empty shops. A community clean up is to be held on 17th April. Cllr Pack has spoken to the racecourse and they are to let Britain in Bloom put a banner on the railings.
Cllr Watson asked about Mill Gardens. Cllr Reynard said a lot of shrubs were very old and it would not have been advisable to put new shrubs in next to them. Everything on the left hand side has been removed and it is to be replanted. Prices are currently being obtained. Cllr Marshall asked whether it would be appropriate to have a liaison group between Thirsk in Bloom and the Town Council in order that things can be moved forward between meetings. Cllr Pack expressed her agreement with this. Cllr Adamson felt we should deal with this when the new Committees are drawn up. Anyone wishing to do this to give their names to the Clerk.
The meeting closed at 9.45pm.
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 18th April 2005 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall
Page P0150
Present:
Cllrs D Adamson (Chairman), J Marshall, R Mallett, A Morton, C Pack, F Roberts, A Robinson, J. Watson, Ms C Thorpe (‘Thirsk Weekly News’), 1 member of the public and the clerk
Apologies:
Cllrs J Jackson (away), K Reynard (another commitment); accepted.
Minutes:
Proposed approved Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Roberts, accepted.
To receive the Police Report:
No representative of the Police present and no matters raised which required to be brought to the attention of the police.
Open forum:
No items raised.
Matters arising:
P0141 Damaged tree near Millgate Bridge; the clerk had spoken to John Bell and the tree has since been dealt with.
P0141 Damaged trees on the far side of the beck and fire damaged tree on The Holmes; site meeting held and the work identified has been carried out.
P0141 White Mare roundabout; a site meeting to be held with Yorkshire Water tomorrow to look at the possibility of putting water on the roundabout. The quote from Dean Landscapes for landscaping works on the roundabout has been accepted.
P0141 Roadways on The Green; quote from Dean Landscapes for filling the holes and chipping accepted.
P0142 Flooding Plan; meeting held. A meeting to be arranged with the people who have volunteered to be wardens.
P0142 Local Plan meeting; meeting arranged for 14th April, but not quorate. Letter now received from HDC re a meeting to be held on 4th May. Cllr Roberts felt that Councillors who wished to do so should go to this meeting and then put any points forward.
P0142 Presentation by PCT; attempting to arrange this for the Town Council meeting to be held on 20th June.
P0142 Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall; letter received from Eccles Heddon outlining one amendment to which the Charity Commissioners will not agree.
P0142 Dave Goodwin; invited to attend Town Council meeting on 2nd June – reply awaited.
P0143 Thirsk Festival; donation of £1,000 sent.
P0143 Trees on the Carrs Field side of Cod Beck; reply sent to Tony Jordan. Chris Amy advises that the tree guards should be left on to protect them from damage by rabbits etc.
P0144 Burial Board Report; quote from British Gas to put gas into Cemetery Lodge accepted. Two quotes now received for the running of gas through Cemetery Lodge, provision of new boiler etc.
P0144 Flooding Plan; meeting held.
Page P0151
P0144 Two further floodlights for St Mary’s Church; request sent to HDC. It is hoped these can be dealt with as an amendment to the existing planning consent.
P0145 Roundabout at Town End; the County Council have been asked to repaint this.
P0145 Street washing machine; now been used in Thirsk Market Place.
P0145 Soil in the Tranmire Beck; letter of apology received from the County Council together with an assurance that the matter will be rectified.
To receive Reports:
District Council
Cllr Marshall advised that HDC has now received official notification that it is to be capped unless it can give good reason as to why it should not be. Cllr Marshall had attended a presentation by the Health and Safety Executive who are working with the District Council. She had also attended a Standards Committee meeting. A meeting re the Local Development Framework is to be held in Thirsk on 4th May.
County Council
Regarding Blakey Lane, Cllr Marshall advised that RCS are still being pursued for a date when the work will be done.
Referring to the cycleway on Topcliffe Road, Cllr Marshall has asked the County Council to let Sowerby Parish Council know the results of the survey and they are to do this. There will therefore be no immediate decision on whether to retain the cycleway.
Entrances to Thirsk; Cllr Marshall expressed her annoyance at the fact that the work was due to start a week ago, but this has not yet begun. Cllr Marshall has asked Ian Beighton to investigate the possibility of going ahead with the signs, which are to be fixed to existing stonework. Cllr Marshall advised that the County Council are putting new streetlights in at East Thirsk to replace the concrete columns. She said the new lights are not acceptable as they do not shed enough light and ‘black holes’ have been created. A site visit has been carried out by officers of the County Council. Cllr Marshall advised that it is possible to increase the wattage from 50 to 70 and to change the angle of the bulbs to light further. Cllr Marshall has asked Paul Gilmore and David Bone to take this issue up.
The Hambleton Area Committee Meeting was held on 11th April. Cllr Marshall advised that one of the topics discussed was the Local Transport Plan and the Town Council has been consulted on this.
The proposed 20mph speed limit on Hambleton Drive is out to consultation.
A discussion had been held re the proposal to have 20mph speed limits outside schools. It had been felt that this would only be needed during term time and therefore other ways of dealing with this rather than introducing this speed limit restriction are being looked at. Cllr Adamson felt the speed limit is necessary all the time because of children playing.
Finance:
To approve accounts for payment:
Proposed Cllr Morton, seconded Cllr Watson that the following accounts be approved for payment:
Mazars - Audit Fee 2003/04 £775.50
Page P0152
Fox’s Copy Centre – photocopying etc £55.01
Thirsk Museum – research, advice etc re Blue Plaques £257.50
Rural Arts – Artists’ fees re Interpretation Boards £1,600.00
Power Point – Hire of shredder by Thirsk in Bloom £88.13
M.L. Burnett – Repairs to seats in Mill Gardens £115.50
HDC – Rates of Town Council Office, May 2005 £63.30
Allianz Cornhill – Insurance Premium 2005/06 £2,564.61
YLCA – Membership Fee 2005/06 £512.00
YLCA – Association of Burial Authorities Membership £50.00
Thirsk Hall Farms – Annual Agreement Fee re Castlegarth £120.00
Julie Harron – Salary, April 2005 £287.18
Elaine Coulson – Salary, March 2005 £1,016.37
Streetmaster Products – plank for picnic bench in picnic area £61.10
D E Adamson – Web Site hosting service £38.16
C A Amy – weekly inspections £182.80
Litter picking £200.00
Tree work on The Holmes £350.00
Aon Ltd – Insurance premium for Millennium Green £444.97
Cllr F Roberts – travelling expenses to conference £41.40
Paid since last meeting
British Gas – running gas to Cemetery Lodge £507.61
Inland Revenue – Tax/NI, March 2005 £571.30
Petty Cash £49.74
Thirsk Festival – donation £1,000.00
Income received
Burial Board: Rent of Cemetery Lodge £397.12
Grave Purchase £220.00
Interments £110.00
Inscriptions £22.00
TRI Grant re Long Street Enhancement £10,000.00
TRI Grant re Interpretation Boards £500.00
Bank Interest £1,061.79
b) To receive and approve the monthly balance sheet and budget report for March 2005
Proposed approved Cllr Mallett, seconded Cllr Watson; agreed
c) To receive and approve the balance sheet for the year ended 31st March 2005:
Cllr Marshall queried Account No. 00669695 which has a balance of £207.87. Proposed Cllr Adamson, seconded Cllr Marshall that these monies be moved to the Cemetery Extension account; agreed. Proposed Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Marshall that the balance sheet be approved; agreed.
Page P0153
d) To receive the report from the External Auditors for 2003/4:
The clerk advised that the External Auditors have signed off the accounts – they had no items of concern.
e) To nominate a new cheque signatory:
Cllr Roberts proposed that Cllr Morton should be the new cheque signatory, seconded Cllr Watson; agreed.
To approve Applications for Exclusive Rights and Memorials
Grave No F3 8 Mr John Hodgson
Application for headstone and vase received from RGR Memorials Ltd. It was not clear what is actually required and further details are to be requested.
To receive Correspondence:
NYCC – Proposed Introduction of Waiting Restrictions in Nursery Gardens, Thirsk; no problems with the proposal.
Royal British Legion – thanks for donation
YRCC – Questionnaire re Local Connection Criteria. This had been circulated to Councillors and the questionnaire was completed.
HDC – Property name change from ‘Applegarth’, York Road, Thirsk to ‘Brynklehowe’, York Road, Thirsk.
Thirsk Hall Farms - Annual Herbage Agreement re Castlegarth; agreed that this be signed.
NYCC re Winter Service 2005/06; it was felt that the winter service in Thirsk was very good. Cllr Marshall advised that she has asked the County Council to include Hambleton Drive, Dowber Way and St Mary’s in future years’ gritting programme.
Mr. T. Bond of Nottingham re church floodlighting which he felt was very good.
Mr E A Jones of Malton expressing his congratulations on the flower tubs in the Market Place.
To receive Burial Board Report:
Cllr Adamson advised that two quotes have been received for the new boiler etc at Cemetery Lodge and the Burial Board has accepted the lower of the two. The contractor will be asked to go ahead once the gas to the property has been put in.
Cllr Morton asked about the rubbish at the top part of the Cemetery where a donated seat is to be placed. Cllr Watson is dealing with this. She will obtain a quote for removing the rubble and a separate quote for removing the soil heap near the wall.
To receive Reports:
Representatives
Cllr Roberts gave details of the North Yorkshire Market Towns website. We are invited to participate by supplying copy about the town – no cost involved. Cllr Mallett proposed we do this. Cllr Roberts and the clerk to deal with it.
Cllr Pack reported that she had attended a meeting of Thirsk Clock Café. Things are going very well there. The CCTV cameras have been installed and are working.
Cllr Mallett reported on a Community Education meeting. He advised that the County Council wish to abolish Area Committees. The headmaster feels there should be some
Page P0154
local input and he is sending a letter about this – he will let the Town Council have a copy and he hopes he will have our support. Cllr Morton expressed the view that it would be a great pity if this area is not represented. The school had received an excellent Ofsted Report and Cllr Morton asked that a letter be sent congratulating them on this.
Cllr Roberts advised that the application to construct a dwelling in Nicks Gate Alley has been granted on Appeal.
Cllr Adamson advised that the East Thirsk Community Association is going well.
Reporting on the Thirsk Community Primary School, Cllr Adamson said that his term of office as School Governor comes to an end very shortly. Parish Councils no longer have the right to be represented on the governing body but they can be co-opted onto it.
Members
Cllr Watson referred to the flooding in the railway station car park and asked that a letter be sent.
Cllr Watson pointed out that the new bus shelters do not have sides; to be queried with the County Council. She also requested they be asked when they are going to put the timetables in.
Cllr Pack advised that she has been speaking to Lionel Twiss and they have three seats to be put on Millgate. Cllr Marshall advised that these are to be put on the areas going from Millgate Car Park to the river and she asked that the site meeting to look at this be organised.
Cllr Marshall had attended a meeting held at the St John’s Ambulance office. This had been organised by HDC with the intention of setting up an industrial forum on the Industrial Estate. Another meeting is to be arranged.
Cllr Marshall reported on the blue plaques saying that most of them have now been received. Listed Building Consent is being sought where appropriate and we are approaching the owners of the buildings where the others are to be placed to ascertain where they would like the plaques to be sited and also whether they would like to have an unveiling ceremony.
We have received an offer from the Vice President and Chairman of Yorkshire Cricket Club to unveil the plaque for George Gibson Macaulay and Dr Simon Owens, the Keeper of the Herbarium at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, has agreed to unveil the plaque to John Gilbert Baker in Baker’s Alley.
She advised that Thirsk Cricket Club are to play West Meon at Lords and the fact that we had Roger Knight, the Secretary and Chief Executive of the MCC, to unveil Thomas Lord’s plaque helped with this. Interpretation Boards; Copy mock-ups of the three boards to go on Castlegarth are now in the office
. The landowner has given his consent for these to go on Castlegarth and we now have to apply for Scheduled Monuments Consent. The other interpretation boards are being worked on by Rural Arts.
Cllr Adamson advised that Thirsk Rotary, in conjunction with the Red Cross, are attempting to provide wheelchairs for people needing them, the responsibility for the maintenance of the wheelchairs being the Red Cross. A suggestion had been made that one be kept in the Tourist Information Centre or the Town Council Office – the latter was not thought to be feasible. Cllr Watson to contact Lionel Twiss re this.
Page P0155
Cllr Pack announced that from today Thirsk in Bloom is having its unannounced judging.
Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Adamson that the public and press be excluded for a confidential item:
The relationship between the Town Council and Thirsk in Bloom was discussed and it was agreed that a Liaison Committee comprising Cllrs Marshall and Watson from the Town Council and some members (to be agreed) of Thirsk in Bloom be set up. Cllr Pack to request that everything goes through the Liaison Committee.
The meeting closed at 9.25pm.