Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 7th December 2006 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
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Present:
Cllrs J Marshall (Chair), C Hesmondhalgh, J Jackson, R Mallett, C Pack, J Roberts, J Watson and the clerk
Apologies:
Cllrs A Morton (ill), F Roberts (away), A Robinson (work commitments); accepted
Open forum:
No members of the public or police present.
Minutes of the meeting held on 20th November 2006:
Proposed approved Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh; agreed
Matters arising from the meeting held on 2nd November 2006:
P072 East Thirsk Problem Solving Group; Cllr Marshall pointed out that this has not been set up as yet.
P072 Meeting with police; some dates had been obtained for when Assistant Chief Constable Collins could come and speak to the Town Council. Agreed that 8th January be selected, with the 9th January as the second choice.
P073 Wheeliebins on St James’ Green; letter to be sent.
P073 Christmas lights; the Christmas tree is now up and the lights are on.
P073 Signs denoting Town Council land; now received.
P073 Millennium Green and Dowber Way Ditch; £20K now received from HDC. Cllr Marshall advised that she proposes to call a meeting of the Working Party soon.
P073 Trees near the boundary of 22 Whitelass Close; copies of all the relevant correspondence sent to Eccles Heddon and a letter sent to Mrs Kilvington; reply received advising that she does not wish to pursue this. Chris Amy to be reminded about cutting the trees back from her border.
P073 Proposed French Market in Thirsk; reply sent to Thirsk Business Association.
P073 Drain next to the bus shelter; nothing further on this as yet.
P073 Dead trees near Millgate Car Park; HDC have now removed these.
P073 Graffiti in the alleyway alongside Woollens and Harwood; Alan Scargill at HDC feels it would be better to paint over the graffiti rather than trying to remove it. Cllrs Marshall and Watson reported that this had been done.
P073 Sponsorship of the White Mare roundabout; letters sent to the sponsors.
P073 Thirsk in Bloom re autumn bulb planting; planting now carried out by Thirsk in Bloom.
P073 Flood Alleviation Scheme; letter sent to the Environment Agency.
P074 Benches in Millgate car park; reply received from Clive Thornton at HDC advising that it is proposed to extend Millgate car park in February/March 2007. The planning application for this is currently being finalised and once this has been done the appropriate locations for two benches will be identified. The benches can be installed during or shortly after the car park works.
P074 Alleyway outside the Town Council office; reimbursement for the pressure washing has now been received from the County Council.
P074 Roses Yard; work started on 27th November.
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P074 Floodlighting at St Mary’s Church; John Howse has removed the grass from inside the cages and has also repaired one damaged light.
P074 Lease of Town Council Office; nothing further heard from HDC as yet.
P074 Vandalism at Castlegate Mews; passed to the police and reply sent to Mr and Mrs Delamore.
P074 Relationship with Youth; Cllr J Roberts circulated Councillors with a copy of a research document he had drawn up on youth involvement within the community. Following research he had carried out Cllr Roberts advocated the creation of a Thirsk Youth Council. He felt the first step would be to organise a meeting between the school, the Town Council, the Clock Cafe and a small number of young people. To succeed the young people would need the Town Council’s support, training, status and funding. Cllr Roberts felt that external partnerships with local businesses, e.g. a local garage giving a demonstration of mechanical skills, a local construction firm demonstrating engineering and youth leaders teaching abseiling etc. could be set up. However, all this would depend on what comes from the meeting. Cllr Mallett advised that he had spoken to PCSO Ian McNeil and he is very interested in being involved. Cllr Roberts felt that the motivated young people would bring the unmotivated ones in. Cllr Marshall expressed the view that if it is decided to move forward on this then the school should be approached first and Cllr Roberts is to see Chris Lewis at Thirsk School. Proposed Cllr Mallett, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh that we proceed on the basis outlined in Cllr Roberts’ report. Agreed that funding would be available from the ‘Youth Activities’ budget. Cllr Mallett volunteered his help. Cllr Watson thanked Cllr Roberts for all the work he has done on this.
Cllr J Roberts left the meeting.
P075 Central Areas; painting of the bus shelter has started and it is hoped this will be finished on Sunday. The graffiti has been cleaned off the Town Clock.
P075 Greens and Ingramgate; the stone to fill in holes is to be ordered.
P076 Open Areas; weather permitting, the installation of the Wetpour on The Holmes Play Area is starting on Monday 11th December.
P076 Yorkshire in Bloom Judging; letter to be sent.
P076 St James’ Green; Cllr Mallett referred to the bald patches which have appeared on St James’ Green, saying these are quite large. Cllr Pack wondered whether it would be possible to put some grass seed down.
P076 Shower in the Chief Constable’s office; reply received advising that a thorough review of the matter is taking place at present and the findings of this will be widely publicised.
Correspondence
HDC; Copy of letter confirming that the name of one of the new properties on Front Street, Norby is to be changed from ‘Vallini’ to Tremar’.
NYCC; Copy of letter to Mrs Early of Long Street regarding the cherry tree, which was removed some time ago. NYCC are not able to plant a replacement tree, but suggest the Town Council could apply for a licence to do so. Agreed that such a licence be applied for.
Thirsk Regeneration Initiative; Notice of a Community Safety meeting to be held on 19th December at Topcliffe Village Hall.
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Sowerby Parish Council; suggestion that the small piece of land at the western approach to Thirsk Station be designated as part taxi rank and part pick up parking. Agreed the Town Council support this suggestion. Cllr Marshall pointed out that this has been discussed by the TRI at its meeting.
North Yorkshire Police regarding recent vandalism to the Town Clock; advising that the clock is not covered by CCTV, all lines of enquiry have been exhausted and the investigation has been closed. Cllr Marshall suggested a letter be sent to Peter Simpson at HDC saying the clock is in the centre of the Market Place and yet is not covered by HDC’s CCTV; agreed.
Nicola Wells re bus stops on Stockton Road; she has been advised by Sarah Hutchinson of NYCC that the Town Council agreed that bus stop markings on Stockton Road would be dangerous. Cllr Marshall explained the NYCC wrote to us and proposed putting in a bus stop consisting of a raised area etc. on the then new cycle path and the Town Council felt this was not appropriate. The Town Council had supported the bus stop being Hail and Ride. Agreed that a letter be sent to Sarah Hutchinson with a copy to Nicola Wells pointing out that the Town Council did not oppose the bus stop.
Thirsk Clock; invitation to coffee and mince pies on 15th December; Cllrs Mallet and Pack to attend.
Cllr Marshall read the various emails she had received from Mr Bill Hays of Uruguay concerning Hannah Packer who was a native of Thirsk but who moved to Uruguay and is held in high regard in Minas de Corrales, Uruguay, together with her replies. Mr Hays’ daughter, Mrs Catherine Howson, lives in Bradford and is going over to Uruguay and will present an overview of Thirsk to the local Town Council. He advises that on her return she could do a similar presentation to Thirsk Town Council. A copy of one of Cooper Harding’s books on Thirsk, together with some leaflets etc. were sent to Mrs Howson to take out to Uruguay. Agreed to explore setting up links with Minas de Corrales. Cooper to be invited to come to the Town Council meeting on 4th January to give a presentation on Hannah Packer.
Remembrance Day; agreed that a donation of £100 for poppy wreaths be made to the British Legion.
NYCC ; proposed Extension of Waiting Restrictions on Picks Lane; Proposed approved Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh; agreed.
Schedule of Outstanding Amenity Items:
An updated Schedule had been circulated to Councillors. Some items had been dealt with since the Schedule was issued and it was agreed that some others be chased up.
Reports:
Carrs Field - In Cllr F Robert’ absence the clerk referred to a report Cllr F Roberts had done. In this she advised that Carrs Field is in fairly good condition although there is still some litter and the litter bin needs anchoring down. In her report Cllr F Roberts expressed her concern that Carrs Field has no insurance. However, the Clerk confirmed that the Treasurer of the Carrs Field Trust has now renewed this.
Central Areas - Cllr Watson referred to the recent vandalism to the Town Clock when the Perspex was broken; strengthened glass is now to be fitted. Cllr Mallett mentioned that another
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tree near the river is dead in the middle and HDC contractors are to inform Clive Thornton. A letter to be sent to Clive Thornton.
Christmas Festivities: - Cllr Watson reported that the switch on of the Christmas lights went well. The Christmas Craft Fayre was very successful and because of the number of stalls it was moved to the Town Hall. Santa was very popular. Cllr Marshall thanked the Christmas Fayre Committee for all their hard work. Proposed Cllr Marshall, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh that a letter of thanks be sent to Sue Dalton; agreed.
Greens and Ingramgate: - Cllr Pack advised that she is to call a meeting after Christmas to look at the byelaws. The cobbles on the White Mare Roundabout have been weeded and cleaned up. Quotes are still awaited for Long Street. Cllr Pack advised that money has been put in the budget to look at the ownership of the land on Ingramgate.
Millennium Green - Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that there had recently been a clean up on the Millennium Green and it is looking very good. There are still branches in the stream near St Mary’s Walk.
Open Areas - Not met. Cllr Marshall advised that a letter has been received from Broadacres offering to build a fence at East Thirsk Play Area. She is holding fire on this until we have the problem solving group.
Town Development Working Party - Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that she has spoken to Malcolm Parker re Batemans Yard. He was concerned that the original pathway had a pin kerb in the middle and that is no longer there and he was also concerned about drainage. She reported that the original drawing by Chris Vincent of HDC had been checked and a quote is being obtained for pressure washing the yard.
Regarding Roses Yard, Cllr Marshall reported that the contractors started on 27th November and a site meeting attended by Peter Fishburn of Biker Contractors, Clive Thornton of HDC, Cllr Marshall and the clerk was held, together with the residents of Saddlers Cottage. Modifications to the footpath near Saddlers Cottage were agreed on site, but these will not affect the cost. Mark Haynes is trying to get some Conservation Area money towards the cost of Roses Yard, but they require us to use a different type of mortar. At the site meeting Clive Thornton agreed with the contractors’ suggestion of a 300mm level. Cllr Marshall expressed concern that a week and a half later we received an email from Chris Vincent at HDC enclosing a specification for cobbles on the Market Place suggesting this be used for Roses Yard and this has been sent to the contractor. Proposed Cllr Jackson, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh that it is not felt to be necessary for Roses Yard to be done to the Market Place specification and that the contractors should carry on as previously; agreed. It was further agreed to forego the Conservation Area grant if to do the work they require would be too expensive.
Other items of Interest and Information:
Cllr Pack reported that she had met with Cllr Marshall, Lionel Twiss, Eddy Hayward and Gareth Dadd to talk about the entrances and it was agreed to concentrate on York Road. Cllr Marshall advised that she has asked John Proud to get HDC to do a litter pick. Rotary have got £2K to spend on ‘extras’ such as plants, bulbs etc. Eddy Hayward is to find out the cost of putting chippings around the roundabout.
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Cllr Pack referred to potholes in St Mary’s saying these are now worse. A letter to be sent to Highways.
Cllr Mallett reported that there are three drains on the footpath on Millgate which are full; to be reported to Highways.
Cllr Marshall referred to the Interpretation Boards which are now almost at the final draft stage. We have been in contact with the manufacturers to let them know we are ready to go. Cllr Marshall advised that Scheduled Monument Consent is not required for the Interpretation Board on Pudding Pie Hill.
Cllr Marshall advised that she had been to a meeting this morning. Thirsk is to be used as a pilot for two weeks in May for activities for older people. Local organisations are being asked if they want to do something during that fortnight. A consultation meeting will be held in February.
Thirsk in Bloom:
Cllr Pack advised that she is waiting for the minutes of the last Thirsk in Bloom meeting and will report at the January meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.34 pm
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 18th December 2006 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
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Present:
Cllrs J Marshall (Chair), D Adamson, C Hesmondhalgh, J Jackson, A Morton, C Pack, A Robinson, J Watson, PCs Julie Kessell and Sarah Beacham (North Yorkshire Police), I Noble (“Darlington and Stockton Times”), 2 members of the public and the clerk
Apologies:
Cllrs R Mallett (another commitment), F Roberts (ill); accepted
Following a suggestion from the Chair, it was proposed by Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh that Item 5 (Open Forum) on the agenda be dealt with before Item 4 (County and District Council Reports); agreed
Minutes of the meeting held on 7th December 2006:
Proposed approved Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh; agreed.
Police Report:
PC Kessell advised that she and PC Beacham, as new members of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, are standing in for Sgt Frank who is unable to attend. PC Kessell gave a report saying that in North Yorkshire as a whole there has been an increase in personnel with 1,636 Officers this year compared with 1,587 in November 2005. The latest Annual Report shows that the performance of North Yorkshire Police continues to improve. Out of 23 categories there were improvements in 17 and 6 stayed the same. There is an overall reduction of 8.4% in all crime. PC Kessell said the police are taking measures to keep criminals off the road and to deter irresponsible drivers from using the roads. Over last weekend they had had a purge on antisocial behaviour and had removed alcohol from underage drinkers. Cllr Watson queried whether it is necessary for vehicles to have lights in a 40mph zone; PC Kessell said this is not necessary providing the vehicle is facing the correct way. Cllr Watson also referred to lights on cycles and PC Kessell said it is necessary for cycles using the highway to have lights – this includes cycle paths on the road. Cllr Jackson referred to cars parking on the cycle tracks and PC Kessell said this is illegal. Cllr Marshall mentioned that there had been two incidents at the East Thirsk Community Hall last week.
Proposed Cllr Morton, seconded Cllr Pack that Standing Orders be suspended.
Mr Ellwood referred to a village near Durham where residents had used speed cameras themselves. PC Kessell pointed out that people have to be trained to use these otherwise there could be problems. Mr Ogleby referred to large exhausts on cars and PC Kessell said these are illegal. Mr Ogleby agreed to report the registration numbers of any vehicles seen with such exhausts. Cllr Marshall advised that we have a meeting lined up with Assistant Chief Constable Collins in January 2007 and we can speak to him about this. Mr Ogleby expressed concern at youths congregating in the alleyways off the Market Place and felt dispersal orders should be brought in. He also expressed concern at the length of time taken by the County Council to repair a defective streetlight on St. James’ Green. Mr Ogleby referred to the Town Council precept, mentioning particularly the figure of £24K in the budget for the half seven
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acres. Cllr Marshall explained that this amount has been in the budget for a number of years as it is hoped this land will be transferred to the Town Council, however we have not precepted for it for many years. The land has been designated for leisure in the District Wide Local Plan for over 20 years. Cllr Marshall gave Mr Ogleby details of the amounts in the Town Council’s accounts, but pointed out that a lot of this is committed to schemes.
Mr Ellwood referred to the silt under the bridge, enquiring whether this is a priority. Cllr Marshall said we are pressing the Environment Agency on this. She said the County Council’s Highways Department had committed themselves to clearing this on an annual basis, but they have now declined to do it. A list of jobs requiring attention, of which this was one, was sent to the County Council over a year ago.
Proposed Cllr Morton, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh that Standing Orders be reinstated.
Reports:
District Council Reports
Cllr Robinson advised that there is a Government White Paper on Local Government Reorganisation. Cllr Marshall explained that Local Authorities are being invited to make a decision on what they want to do and the County Council have decided to put in a bid for being unitary. Cllr Adamson said the County Council are looking at closer working with the District Council on waste management. Cllr Adamson reported that there was a District Council meeting last week and the extra CCTV camera requested for Thirsk will not be happening. Cllr Marshall advised that there is a planning application in for an additional thirty spaces in Millgate car park. She said we now have an extra light in the TIC yard. Existing lighting in other alleyways will be improved and there is the possibility of an additional light in Roses Yard. Cllr Marshall reported that there appears to be a problem with the discharge of water from waste systems in some of the alleyways and this is running into the Market Place. She has reported it to Environmental Health.
Matters arising from the meeting held on 20th November 2006:
P078 Request for speed matrix signs; letter sent.
P078 Yellow lines along Picks Lane; Town Council consulted at last meeting
P080 Fire Certificate for Town Council Office; copy awaited.
P080 Burial Board Report; Swifts have been chased again about connecting up the water pipe in the cemetery.
P080 Audit; nothing further heard from Mazars as yet.
P080 Skip and building materials on grass verge on Stockton Road; County Council reminded again.
P080 Lorries parking at the end of Alexander Close; to be chased up.
P082 Thirsk and Sowerby Civic Society; reply sent to the Civic Society agreeing they can use the coat of arms on the mayor’s chain on their programme and stationery.
P082 Blocked downpipe on the alleyway between the White Horse Café and Help the Aged; now cleared, but the exterior of the downpipe has not been cleaned.
P082 Weeds under the flower boxes outside the library; some work done, but not finished; to be reported.
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P083 Remembrance Sunday Commemorations; letter sent to Colin Northridge of Thirsk Royal British Legion.
P083 Meeting with the Assistant Chief Constable; arranged for 8th January 2007 at 7.00pm.
Finance:
Accounts for payment
Proposed Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Adamson that the following accounts be approved for payment
F.D. Todd & Sons Ltd – skip hire for Millennium Green and
emptying of Cemetery skip £288.80
BT – Office telephone £99.18
HDC – Office rent, quarter commencing 1st December £660.94
Fox’s Trophies and Engraving – ownership signs for Play Areas £176.25
Society of Local Council Clerks – membership renewal £135.00
C.A. Amy: Play area inspections £182.80
Litter picking £160.00
Litter picking and removing fence at Castle Garth £100.00
Little Green – pruning £30.00
Play areas – pruning £45.00
Removal of trees from weir £250.00
Inland Revenue – November 2006 £656.36
Bow House – advert in ‘Herriot Country 2007’ £716.75
Mick Hanock – watering for Thirsk in Bloom £80.00
Sowerby Parish Council – reimbursement for grasscutting on The Flatts £624.00
In addition, the salaries of the Clerk, the Assistant Clerk and the Cemetery Groundsman will be paid in accordance with the Town Council’s usual policy
Income received
HDC – Payment re Barretts ditch £20,000.00
NYCC – Repayment for pressure washing TIC Yard £85.00
Bank Interest £859.28
Burial Board: Rent £485.37
Interments £498.00
Bank Interest £91.47
Monthly balance sheet and budget report for November 2007
Proposed approved Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh; agreed.
Precept 2007/8
The minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 6th December 2006 had been circulated to Councillors. The budgets, as agreed at the Finance Committee meeting, were circulated to Councillors at this meeting and Cllr Marshall explained these. She referred particularly to the £4K for the Apex system which had been included in the budgets for 2006/7 saying that at the Finance Committee meeting it had been agreed
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that if this is not spent in this financial year then it will not be rolled over into the next. The Precept calculation sheet was circulated to Councillors at this meeting and, based on the existing bank balances, the projected income and expenditure to 31st March 2007 and the amounts in the budgets for 2007/08, this produced a figure of £98,739 for 2007/08. As this is a considerable increase on the 2006/07 precept Cllr Marshall recommended that the £24K included for the half seven acres be reduced to £12K. Proposed Cllr Robinson, seconded Cllr Adamson that the whole of the £24K be removed. However, after some debate this motion was withdrawn. Proposed Cllr Jackson, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh that Cllr Marshall’s suggestion of removing £12K from the budget be adopted and that a precept of £86K be approved; agreed unanimously.
Applications for Exclusive Rights and Memorials
Proposed Cllr Robinson, seconded Cllr Watson that the following applications be approved, subject to the proviso that in the case of Kathleen Barber six months be allowed to elapse before the headstone is put in place.
Grave No. II 73 Kathleen Barber
Grave No. LL 34 Hilda Isobel Shields
Applications for Additional Inscriptions
Grave No. E6 9 Clifford Lynch
Grave No. D5 8 Valerie Kelsey
Correspondence
HDC; notification of names of the new properties on the site of the Old Rectory, Cemetery Lane as follows: Plot 1 – Church Bank House; Plot 2 – Trinity House; Plot 3 – no name as yet. Agreed that in future such notifications will be included in Tabled Correspondence.
Hambleton CAB – request for financial support. It was queried how many people in Thirsk they assist and Cllr Jackson queried whether the Town Council would be acting responsibly in giving a donation as there is no CAB in Thirsk. Proposed Cllr Morton, seconded Cllr Robinson that a letter be sent asking them how many people in Thirsk they assist; agreed
Royal British Legion; request for 50% of the cost of the refreshments for Remembrance Sunday, i.e. £80. Proposed Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Pack that this be paid; agreed.
HDC; Local Development Framework: Submission Development Policies Plan Document, enclosing a list of representations received which have put forward alternative policy boundaries. Any comments on this are required by 26th January 2007. Agreed that this be passed to the Planning Committee.
NYCC; North Yorkshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Core Strategy Preferred Options and Supplementary Sites Issues and Options enclosing a CD Rom containing various relevant documents. Any comments on this are required by 2nd February 2007.
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Burial Board Report:
Cllr Adamson had nothing to report. He said a short meeting of the Burial Board is to be held at the end of this meeting.
Reports:
Representatives
Cllr Marshall reported that the East Thirsk Community Hall Christmas Party went very well and she thanked all who helped with this.
Members
Cllr Robinson referred to the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 20th November 2006, saying that an application for change of use from retail to office on Kirkgate was considered by the Planning Committee and was recommended for approval. He felt the Planning Committee should have recommended that this be refused as he pointed out that it is 3 non retail in a row; noted.
County Councillor’s Report:
Cllr Dadd referred to the Government White Paper regarding Local Government Reorganisation which is now becoming a Bill. He expressed his reservations about this as he questions whether it would be of benefit to the town and only when he gets a satisfactory answer to this will it get his support. He is to have a meeting with the Chief Executive of the County Council and will put his points to him.
Cllr Dadd thanked the Town Council, particularly Cllrs Marshall and Watson, for their help and support with the problem solving group on Castle Garth which has proved to be of great benefit. Cllr Dadd advised that he has been approached by the Thirsk Business Association and others about the lack of a police presence in the town. He is hoping to meet with the Chief Constable early in the new year. He advised that he is going out with the police one evening.
Cllr Marshall referred to the crossing near the McCarthy and Stone development, asking where we are on this as we had a question about the marking out of the pavement which got reduced when the development happened. Cllr Dadd said the County Council’s contractor will be producing a final works schedule. ‘Keep Clear’ signs will be put outside Bradbury Close.
Cllr Dadd confirmed that the traffic calming in Hambleton Place is to be done before the financial year end, possibly in February.
Cllr Marshall referred to the list of items sent to the County Council over a year ago. Cllr Dadd confirmed that he has spoken to Eddy Hayward about this.
Cllr Robinson referred to the County Council streetlights expressing concern at the fact that in some instances faults are not being dealt with quickly enough. Cllr Dadd asked that details of any such defective streetlights be e-mailed to him.
Cllr Pack referred to the speed matrix at Thormanby asking how effective it is. Cllr Dadd felt it works well in the correct location, i.e. on a main road.
The meeting closed at 9.10 pm.