Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 4th January 2007 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Page P094
Present:
Cllrs J Marshall (Chair), C Hesmondhalgh, J Jackson, R Mallett, A Morton, C Pack, F Roberts, J Watson, I Noble (Darlington and Stockton Times), J.C Harding (Secretary of the Thirsk and District Museum Society), Inspector Sarah Sanderson, PC Sarah Beacham (North Yorkshire Police) and the clerk
Cllrs D Adamson; accepted.
Proposed Cllr Marshall, seconded Cllr Mallett that Item 3 be dealt with before Item 2; agreed.
Open Forum:
Inspector Sanderson reported that she has been promoted and is now the Inspector for Thirsk, Easingwold, Bedale and Northallerton. She said there had been a number of minor burglaries in December and she urged everyone to keep their doors locked to thwart sneak thieves. She said a policy of zero tolerance had been adopted before Christmas and this will continue, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights when offenders will be arrested. She is sending letters to parents whose children have offended for such things as underage drinking etc. Inspector Sanderson advised that PCs Kevin Brookes and Duncan Pears are the problem solvers for Thirsk. Cllr Marshall pointed out that we are still waiting for the problem solving group at East Thirsk to meet. We have some work on hold because of this and Broadacres have approached us about putting a replacement hedge or fence in alongside the East Thirsk Play Area; a decision on this is pending awaiting the implementation of the East Thirsk problem solving group. Referring to the speeding on St James Green and the Town Council’s request to have the speed matrix there, Inspector Sanderson said this can only be used in the very short term, a medium term solution is giving tickets to offending motorists, but long term would be down to Highways. Cllr Mallett felt that congratulations are in order for the police officer who recently saved someone from the beck and Cllr Marshall asked that our congratulations be passed on to the officer concerned. Cllr Roberts asked whether it is planned to have the Police Office in the Market Place open longer hours, but Inspector Sanderson said that at the moment it is not possible to keep it open any longer than at present.
Presentation by Mr Cooper Harding on Hannah Packer:
Cllr Marshall welcomed Mr Harding to the meeting.
Mr Harding explained that he had first started researching the history of Hannah Packer in March 2001 following an email to the Museum. He gave the history of Hannah Packer saying she was born in Thirsk in 1841, one of the daughters of John Packer from Baldersby who was House Steward at Thirsk Hall. Following the death of John Bell he set up in business as a wine and spirits merchant. In 1860 Hannah Packer married Richard Carter, a bank clerk, and lived above the bank in Bank House, Market Place, Thirsk. Following Richard Carter’s sudden death Hannah moved to Liverpool and became a nurse and in 1879 Matron. She then became Matron of York County Hospital. There she met Dr Davidson and they went to Minas de Corralas in Uruguay. This was at the time of the gold rush, but then this failed and the company
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went bankrupt. Hannah and Dr Davidson set up a miners’ cooperative and produced enough gold to keep going. There was then a Civil War and Hannah and Dr Davidson set up an emergency hospital, which received a commendation from the International Red Cross. Hannah Packer brought professional nursing to Uruguay.
Cllr Marshall said we have sent greetings to Bill Hayes in Uruguay and have said we are happy to look at linking.
Minutes of the Meeting held on 18th December 2006:
Proposed approved Cllr Hesmondhalgh, seconded Cllr Morton subject to two minor amendments on page P089 and one on page P090; agreed.
Matters Arising from the Meeting held on 7th December 2006:
P084 Meeting with ACC Collins of North Yorkshire Police; arranged for Monday 8th January at 7.00pm in the TRI meeting room. ACC Collins would like details of what is required – agreed that it should be a question and answer session.
P084 Wheeliebins on St James Green; letter done and to be sent.
P084 Christmas Lights; the lights are to be switched off on the 6th and removed week commencing 15th January.
P084 Trees near the boundary of 22 Whiteless Close; Chris Amy reminded to cut these back from the boundary.
P084 Drain next to the bus shelter; nothing further on this as yet.
P084 Roses Yard; work still ongoing.
P085 Lease of Town Council Office; nothing further heard from HDC as yet.
P085 Central Areas; the painting of the bus shelter is just about finished.
P085 Greens and Ingramgate; the stone for this is to be ordered.
P085 Open Areas; the Wetpour has now been installed on The Holmes.
P085 Yorkshire in Bloom Judging; letter sent.
P085 Replacement tree on Long Street/Stockton Road; application for Licence sent to NYCC and acknowledgement received.
P086 Piece of land at the western approach to the station; reply sent to Sowerby Parish Council agreeing with their suggestion that this be designated as part taxi rank and part pick up parking.
P086 Vandalism to the Town Clock; letter sent to Peter Simpson at HDC and reply received from Dave McGloin advising that the Town Clock is covered by CCTV and is proactively monitored. They requested a copy of the letter from the police, which states otherwise. Proposed Cllr Watson, seconded Cllr Marshall that a copy of the police letter be sent to Dave McGloin saying we are pleased the Town Clock is being regularly monitored and we hope the police will prosecute anyone causing damage to it.
P086 Bus stops on Stockton Road; letter sent to Sarah Hutchinson at NYCC together with a copy to Nicola Wells pointing out that the Town Council did not oppose the bus stop, but requested that it be left as a Hail and Ride.
P086 Remembrance Day; donation of £100 for poppy wreaths sent to the Royal British Legion.
P086 Proposed Extension of Waiting Restrictions on Picks Lane; reply sent to NYCC approving this.
Page P096
P086 Thirsk Clock Café; Cllrs Pack and Mallett had taken up the Clock Café’s invitation to join them for coffee and mince pies on 15th December. Cllr Pack said she was very optimistic about the Clock Café.
P087 Tree near the river; email sent to Clive Thornton at HDC.
P087 Christmas Fayre; letter of thanks sent to Sue Dalton.
P087 Roses Yard; Bikers advised that we wish them to continue with the laying of the cobbles as agreed and do not feel it is necessary for this to be done to the Market Place specification.
P088 Potholes in St Mary’s; reported to NYCC.
P088 Drains on the footpath on Millgate; reported to NYCC.
Correspondence:
NYCC re Thirsk Rural Business Centre; Cllr Marshall explained that at the County Council’s budget setting meeting the need for a roundabout at the Auction Mart was raised. John Marsden agreed to investigate this and Cllr Marshall asked for a copy of the reply. This has now been received and with it was enclosed a copy of the report of the County Committee for Hambleton Meeting dated 19th June in which it explained why a roundabout was not provided. Cllr Roberts felt we should ask the police to let us know whenever there is an accident there in order that we can build up a dossier; agreed.
Schedule of Outstanding Amenity Items:
This had been updated and circulated to Councillors; no particular points raised.
Reports:
Carrs Field - Cllr Roberts had nothing to report.
Central Areas - Cllr Watson advised that Potts will be servicing the Town Clock next Wednesday.
Christmas Festivities - Nothing to report.
Greens and Ingramgate - Cllr Pack had nothing to report. She will be calling a meeting quite soon.
Millennium Green - Cllr Hesmondhalgh had nothing to report.
Open Areas - Cllr Marshall had nothing to report.
Town Development Working Party - Nothing to report. Cllr Marshall pointed out that the Committee need to think about what to do next regarding drawings and tenders as an amount for alleyways has been included in the budget for 2007/8 and other monies will need to be obtained. Early action is therefore important.
Cllr Jackson pointed out that Town Council meetings now do not last as long and asked that the question of whether we need to have two meeting a month be considered. Agreed that this be an agenda item for the meeting on 15th January.
Page P097
Cllr Roberts pointed out that when it rains large pools of water collect on Stockton Road near Alexander Close and on Long Street opposite the Stammergate entrance; NYCC to be asked to deal with this.
Cllr Watson reported that the car park at the railway station has been resurfaced. She also mentioned the drain opposite Austin Reeds where large pools of water collect; this has been reported to NYCC in the past and will be mentioned to them again.
Cllr Marshall advised that she is to arrange a meeting re the Barretts ditch.
Cllr Marshall reported that the pointing on the exterior of the Town Council Office has now been done by HDC’s contractors.
Cllr Pack had nothing to report.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm.
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 15th January 2007 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Page P098
Present:
Cllrs J Marshall (Chair), D Adamson, C Hesmondhalgh, J Jackson, R Mallett, C Pack, F Roberts, A Robinson, J Watson, County Cllr G Dadd, I Noble (“Darlington and Stockton Times”) and the Clerk
Apologies:
Cllr A Morton (ill); accepted.
Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 4th January 2007:
Proposed approved Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh; agreed.
Police Report:
No members of the Police present. Email received from Sgt Frank advising that Inspector Sanderson had suggested the police attend one Thirsk Town Council meeting per month and neither he nor Inspector Sanderson are able to attend this meeting.
Cllr Marshall thanked the Councillors who had attended the meeting with ACC Collins; she felt this had been a very useful meeting. Cllr Marshall advised that Inspector Sanderson had sent an email about setting up the problem solving group for Thirsk generally and she asked that any Councillors interested in being on this group to give their names to the Clerk.
Cllr Watson referred to the fact that on a previous Saturday Bakers Alley was taped off and she felt the police should let us know what occurred. An Email to be sent to Inspector Sanderson requesting that, if it is not confidential information, they let us know what happened.
Reports:
District Council
Cllr Adamson reported that he had attended a presentation by the District Council setting out the pros and cons of the effect should the County Council decide to put forward for a County Unitary Authority. Cllr Adamson felt that were this to go ahead we would not get as good a service as at present and it would not save money. A vote on putting in a bid for County Unitary Authority is to be taken at the County Council next week.
Cllr Marshall advised that she has been dealing with some issues where people’s drains are overflowing and draining across the Market Place. Agreement has been obtained from owners/occupiers of all the relevant buildings to sort this out.
Cllr Robinson had nothing to report
Open forum:
No members of the public present.
Matters Arising from the Meeting held on 18th December 2006:
P090 Speed matrix; nothing further on this, although Inspector Sanderson had referred to it at the last meeting saying it could only be used in the very short term. It was pointed out that at the meeting with ACC Collins he had said that it would be possible for us to have the speed matrix; agreed that we ask for it to be put on St James’ Green.
Page P099
P090 Fire Certificate for the Town Council Office; a company commissioned by HDC had last week carried out a risk assessment of the Town Council Office, the TIC and the TRI premises. The clerk had queried the need for a Fire Certificate with them and they had advised that this is not needed.
P090 Audit; Mazars, the external auditors have signed off the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2006. They had no queries or items of concern.
P090 Skip and building materials on Stockton Road; a representative of the County Council visited the house owner concerned who already held a licence to store the materials/skip there. Cllr Roberts spoke to the householder concerned and explained that we did not know of this. Concern was expressed that the County Council had not advised us of this fact when the matter was raised with them.
P090 Lorries parking at the end of Alexander Close; reported again to the police. They asked whether we have registration numbers of the vehicles in question.
P090 Weeds under the flower boxes outside the library; these have been removed.
P091 Meeting with ACC Collins on 8th January; meeting held.
P092 Precept 2007/8; letter sent to HDC requesting a precept of £86K.
P092 Hambleton CAB; letter sent asking them how many people in Thirsk they assist and reply awaited.
P092 Refreshments for Remembrance Sunday; cheque for £80 sent to the Royal British Legion (Thirsk Branch).
County Councillor’s Report:
Cllr Dadd advised that he is receiving complaints about the surface of the road in Chapel Street and the County Council’s Norby Depot has put forward a bid for funding for resurfacing it. They are waiting to see what development takes place before a roundabout at the top of Chapel Street is considered. Referring to the Local Government Reorganisation, Cllr Dadd advised that he has reservations about this as he does not think it is in the best interests of the town or the district and so far no major reason has been put forward to convince him otherwise. He said there has been no public consultation so far and he hopes that Government will consult. He will forward details of any financial implications for the residents of Thirsk in due course. Cllr Dadd reported that he has requested repairs to a couple of streetlights and he asked that people contact him if they experience difficulties in getting lights repaired.
Referring to the list of items given by the Town Council to Norby depot in October 2005, Cllr Dadd advised that the County Council’s Area Manager returned to the office today and Cllr Dadd hopes to arrange a meeting with him during which he will go through the list again. Cllr Watson asked that the County Council look at the road surface at the back of the Coop near Gillings Court which is very bad. She also pointed out that a barrier on Westgate near the Town End roundabout is damaged and bent out of shape.
Cllr Pack asked if there was any news on the Market Place since the site meeting held with Town Councillors and Highways Officer, Jayne Charlton, on 16th October 2006. Cllr Marshall said that white lines have been painted near Bakers Alley. However, Cllr Pack referred to the access from the parking on the cobbles near Finkle Street where she felt it is very narrow and where some cars have hit the bollard. Cllr Dadd advised that he has been chasing this up since the site meeting was held. Cllr Marshall reported that the white lines outside the Auction Mart have been burned off today. Cllr Robinson stressed the need for the potholes in Chapel Street to be repaired and
Page P100
also expressed concern at the holes in the tactile surfacing and footpaths around the town.
Cllr Dadd referred to Picks Lane, advising that it looks as though the yellow lines will be put in outside the Masonic Lodge. Cllr Robinson felt that cars will simply park further down beyond the yellow lines.
Finance
Cllr Marshall thanked the Clerk for her work with the audit which had resulted in an unqualified approval by Mazars.
Accounts for Payment
Proposed Cllr Hesmondhalgh, seconded Cllr Roberts that the following accounts be approved for payment; agreed.
Record Playground Equipment Ltd – Wet Pour on The Holmes £11,750.00
R & E Waite – Painting bus shelter £230.00
R. Bennett – Cleaning bus shelter £72.00
Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall: Room Hire, Oct-Dec 06 inclusive £149.62
Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall Insurance £985.56 Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall
Wired – Repairs to Christmas Lights £141.00
BT – Internet Services £77.51
Thirsk Business Association – Contribution to Christmas Lights £500.00
Rural Arts – Interpretation Boards Website registration £20.00
Inland Revenue – Tax/NI, December 2006 £656.68
Staples – office stationery £33.95
Sam Turner – chains and padlocks to secure seat in Market Place £21.93
Mazars - external audit fee £646.25
C Amy – Play area inspections £182.80
Litter picking £210.00
Holmes – maintenance of young hedges (46 new plants) & Planting 10 cricket bat willows £301.37
in addition, the salaries of the Clerk, Assistant to the Clerk and Cemetery Groundsman will be paid in accordance with the Town Council’s usual policy
Paid since last meeting:
Zurich Insurance Company – insurance for Carrs Field £966.36
Dell Products – new computer £601.60
Thirsk Royal British Legion – donation to poppy wreaths and refreshments £180.00
Income Received
Burial Board: Rent £385.37
Interments £266.00
Grave Purchase £116.00
Memorials £72.00
Reimbursement from Thirsk in Bloom £1,216,13
Page P101
Bank Interest £309.06
Monthly balance sheet and budget accounts for December 2006:
Proposed approved Cllr Mallett, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh; agreed
Correspondence
YRCC – Hambleton Rural Housing Enabler re Affordable Housing Programme; noted.
Hambleton Strategic Partnership re Thirsk Area EngAGE Project. Cllr Marshall explained that the object of this is to promote activities for older people in the town. Cllr Watson felt that the only way the Town Council could assist with this would be by giving a donation. Agreed that this be an agenda item for the Town Council meeting on 19th February 2006.
M. Minter of Falcon Lodge of Freemasons; invitation to Members of the Town Council to attend a presentation meeting at the Masonic Hall on 20th January – Cllr Watson to attend.
Thirsk Cricket Club; request for sponsorship (Cllr Marshall declared an interest). Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Mallett that the Town Council sponsor a cricket ball at a cost of £25; agreed.
HDC inviting nominations for the Parish Council Representatives’ places on the Standards Committee with effect from May 2007. Cllr Watson felt it would be difficult to do this in view of the elections in May; agreed that a letter to this effect be sent to HDC.
Action for Market Towns inviting renewal of the Town Council’s membership at no increase on last year, i.e. £100 if renewed before 28th February 2007; agreed that this be renewed.
J Smith, CCTV; invitation to any Councillors to visit the CCTV Control Room. Five Members plus the Clerk expressed interest in attending.
From Tabled Correspondence:
TRI Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour figures; it was pointed out that there is no key to abbreviations; to be requested.
Copy letter from HDC re naming and numbering of new development to be known as 1 – 12 Nursery Mews. Cllr Roberts expressed the view that to have another ‘Nursery’ address would be confusing. A letter to be sent to HDC saying we are concerned about replication of names.
Cllr Watson referred to the email regarding the Police Budget. She expressed concern at this and proposed that a letter be sent. To be discussed later in the meeting.
Cllr Mallett asked to be added to the list for the TRI Policing meetings.
Response by the Planning Committee to the Objections to the Alternative Policy Boundaries part of HDC Local Development Framework:
Cllr Roberts gave details of the Town Council’s proposed response, which is that we object to this request and feel that these parcels of land should be retained as amenity/recreational areas. The objectors are also asking that Tesco be considered as being included in the primary retail area rather than the secondary. It was felt that this had merit. Cllr Roberts pointed out that some of the land in question is in Sowerby and Cllr Mallett felt this should be discussed with Sowerby Parish Council and if they are in agreement then we should also support their objection. Proposed Cllr Roberts,
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seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh that the comments outlined by Cllr Roberts as the views of Thirsk Town Council be submitted to HDC; agreed.
To consider and decide upon whether two Town Council Meetings per month are required:
Cllr Jackson had asked that this be included in the agenda. He reminded Members that originally it had been decided to have two meetings per month because of the amount of business which needed to be got through. However, he felt that, in view of the fact we have well run committees and administration, the meetings are shorter and he felt the second one should only be scheduled if a meeting is required rather than having it every month. Cllr Roberts expressed concern at the reference in the “Darlington and Stockton Times” to the efficiency of the staff, saying she would not like previous clerks to feel this was a slur on their efficiency. Cllr Roberts felt there is a necessity for two meetings per month. She proposed we have one full council meeting and an Amenity Committee which would comprise only some Councillors, i.e. the Chair, Deputy Chair and the Chairmen of the various committees; seconded Cllr Watson. Cllr Mallett felt that if this was the case the Councillors who were not Chairmen of Committees would not have any input. He felt we should maintain the status quo until after the election. Proposed Cllr Jackson, seconded Cllr Adamson that there should only be one Town Council meeting per month; this was put to the vote and there were 2 in favour and 7 against; motion defeated.
Applications for Exclusive Rights and Memorials
Proposed Cllr Adamson, seconded Cllr Mallett that the following applications be approved; agreed.
Grave F5 5 Pang Tai Cheng
Applications for Additional Inscriptions
Grave G4 34 Elizabeth Robinson
Grave A6 2 Ethel Murray
Burial Board Report
Cllr Adamson advised that he had amended the grasscutting tender insofar as the Cemetery is concerned to give two options for contractors to quote, i.e. Option (a) as at present and Option (b) to allow for cleaning grass off memorials.
Reports:
Representatives
Referring to the email about the Police Budget mentioned earlier, Cllr Watson proposed that a reply be sent saying we do not feel any increase should be in excess of 3.5%, that there should be greater accountability on how the budget is spent and also query how much is in reserves, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh; agreed unanimously.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh advised that she had received a letter from the CCA about a course for Trustees.
Page P103
Members
Cllr Robinson expressed concern at the fact that the Town Council’s Planning Committee had no observations on an application for a UPVC window and door at a house on Westgate, pointing out that this is within the Article 4 Direction area.
Cllr Mallett advised that the Town Council had reported to the County Council that some drains on the footpath in Millgate were blocked. The County Council has now replaced the slabs around the drains but do not appear to have unblocked the drains; to be queried.
Cllr Mallett referred to vehicles parking between the bollards on the grassed area at Millgate and churning up the grass. Photographs of this to be sent to HDC.
Cllr Jackson referred to Cllr Robinson’s previous comments, saying there is nothing in the planning legislation which prevents having UPVC windows and doors in an Article 4 Direction area, it merely says that appropriate materials must be used.
Cllr Marshall reported that prior to Christmas, she and Cllr Watson had attended a drinks evening with the Group Captain of RAF Leeming
Cllr Marshall circulated drawings of the Interpretation Boards saying that the Committee met last week. Some slight alterations were made and they will be going to the manufacturers for production very soon.
Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Watson that the public and press be excluded for a confidential item of a commercial nature.
Cllr Marshall referred to the arrangements for Thirsk Festival outlining the current position. Discussion took place on the various options.
The meeting closed at 9.24pm