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Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 2nd September 2010 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs: C. Hesmondhalgh (Chair), J. Jackson, M. Penson, F. Roberts, J. Watson.
Apologies:
Cllrs: D. Adamson (away), J. Marshall (ill), A. Morton (injury), C. Pack (unwell), A. Pagram (engagement).
247. Minutes
Resolved:
a) that the minutes of the meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on 16 August 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair subject to spelling amendments.
b) that the minutes of the Planning committee held on 16 August 2010 be received.
248. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 5 August 2010.
248.1 Prohibition of Traffic – A61 Thirsk (min.234.1)
The Clerk advised that a letter dated 20 August had been received from NYCC noting that the road would now be closed from Monday 13 September from 7.00pm to 7.00am to ensure that the works were completed as quickly as possible. No details regarding any amendment to the diversion route had been received.
Resolved: that the NYCC be again requested to examine providing a shorter diversion route.
248.2 Open Areas (min.236.5)
The Clerk noted that the landscaped margins referred to by Tim Wood were the planted area around the central open space.
C. Thornton of HDC had advised that at the current stage they were limited to the approved layout for the central open space. He had also advised on the commuted sums for the open spaces and play area and that the Town Council could negotiate an additional sum for the wall if it wanted to due to the extra responsibility.
Resolved: that the report be noted
249. Correspondence/Items Raised
249.1 Skipton on Swale Bridge
The Meeting considered a letter dated 13 August 2010 from Jacobs/NYCC to HDC regarding works to the Skipton on Swale bridge.
The work to maintain the structure was expected to start on the 20 September and last for approximately 12 weeks.
Cllr Roberts noted that the diversion was via the A167 to Northallerton and the A168 to the junction with the A1 up to the A61 junction and pointed out that a much shorter route was available via Topcliffe and the A167 south.
Resolved: that Jacobs/NYCC be advised of the shorter local routes.
249.2 Christmas Free Parking
The Clerk advised that Sowerby PC had advised that they were submit a request for a three week period of free parking in the run up to Christmas.
Resolved: that a request be submitted to HDC for three week free parking in Thirsk for the run up to Christmas.
249.3 Community Songs of Praise Sunday 19 September 2010
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter dated 9 August from St Marys Church inviting members of the Town Council to community songs of praise service on 19 September at 6.30pm.
250. Meetings/Variation of Standing Orders
The Meeting received the resolution for variation of standing orders in respect of the frequency of meetings from the Town Council Meeting held on 16 August 2010.
Cllr Roberts advised that the Planning Committee needed to continue to meet twice per month.
Resolved:
a) To enable the Town Council to operate a system of one Council Meeting per month for a trial period of 6 months the following variation of standing orders be applied:-
i) That Standing Order no. 1(a) be varied to read: - the Council shall meet on the third Monday of every month, except where that Monday falls on a bank holiday in which case the Meeting will be held on the previous Monday, commencing at 7.15pm unless the Council decide otherwise and the business shall be completed by 9.45pm unless moved otherwise.
ii) That Standing Order no. 13 be varied to read :-The order of business at Council Meetings, unless the Council decide otherwise on the grounds of urgency, shall be as follows:
1) To receive apologies for absence.
2) To receive Police report.
3) Open Forum for members of the public.
4) To receive reports on matters relating to Thirsk from the District and County Councillors.
5) (a) To receive and approve Council Minutes (b) Matters arising.
6) To receive Committee Minutes and Reports.
7) To receive Burial Board Minutes and Report, applications for exclusive rights and memorials.
8) To receive correspondence/items raised.
9) To receive and approve monthly accounts for payment, balance sheet, budget report.
10) To receive reports from Members and Representatives.
11) On-going items.
b) That Committee Minutes and Reports be circulated with the agenda.
c) That the planning committee continues to meet twice monthly.
251. Schedule of ongoing amenity items
251.1 Running Costs of Toilets
Resolved: that updated figures be obtained from HDC
252. Reports from Committees/Working Parties
252.1 Central Areas
The meeting received the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 August 2010.
Cllr Watson noted that a letter was to be sent to all residents and businesses in Finkle Street and Nursery Gardens area to advise on collection policy for sandbags. A meeting was to be held on 7 September at the Town Hall to pursue the formation of a working party from various organisations to help enhance the Market Place.
252.2 Open Areas
The Clerk advised that the Assistant Clerk had inspected the play areas and there were no major issues to report.
252.3 Sensory Garden
A meeting was to be held on 6 September
253. Items of Information
Cllr Roberts noted that a tree had been blown over at the Holmes and a large branch had broken from another one.
Cllr Watson questioned what works were to take place in Stammergate. She noted that the Police Station had been closed on several occasions in the last week and questioned what the opening times were.
Cllr Penson noted two new shops opening in the Town.
Cllr Jackson advised that a visitor from Peterborough had praised the Town, its shops and facilities.
Cllr Jackson noted that the ash waste produced by incinerators was used in the manufacture of breeze blocks and that breeze blocks were now no longer used in the UK. He questioned what NYCC would do with the ash produced by an incinerator.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh read out a letter printed in the Thirsk Weekly News from a visitor to Thirsk complementing the Town.
The Meeting closed at 8.31pm
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 20th September 2010 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs: D. Adamson (Chair), J. Jackson, J. Marshall, A. Morton, C. Pack, M. Penson, A. Robinson, J. Watson.
Apologies:
Cllrs: C. Hesmondhalgh (holiday), F. Roberts (holiday).
254 Police Report
Cllr Watson noted that the Town Council had previously been advised that the Police Station would be open on a more regular basis when staffing matters had been resolved but it appeared that there were still issues with the opening hours.
255 Reports on Matters Relating to Thirsk
255.1 N.Y.C.C
Cllr Dadd advised that the winter gritting and maintenance programme was currently being considered. Trials were to be carried out in seven areas at the beginning of winter to promote self help in respect of gritting. It was noted that a roadshow about incineration would commence in December.
256. Thirsk TIC
Resolved: that standing orders be suspended.
Mr P.Walker, Chair of the Thirsk Regeneration Initiative, was in attendance for discussion of this item.
The Clerk read an email from D.McGloin which advised that reports on the TIC and WoJH would be going to the Cabinet Meeting on the 19 October where decisions would be considered for each service. In keeping with the outcome of the extraordinary Town Council meeting the common factor in the various proposals was the remodelling of the Market Place Public Convenience building as the new location for Tourist Information. It was noted that it was felt that the offer from the Herriot Attractions Group would not be acceptable.
P.Walker advised that TRI had agreed to examine undertaking the management of a volunteer based TIC. He had approached the Clerk with regard to Town Council involvement and was attending the meeting to seek the Town Councils decision in this respect.
Cllr Adamson noted that advice had been received from YLCA that it was questionable whether S144 of the Local Government Act 1972 was sufficient power to support a local council administering a TIC. A representative could however be appointed to a separate and voluntary management board.
P.Walker estimated that the involvement would not exceed 2 hours per week.
Cllr Marshall noted that the Town Council could put forward resources as its contribution to the project but that the terms needed to be clear and specific.
Following further discussion it was
Resolved:
a) that the Town Council supports the TRI in its efforts to ensure the continuation of the TIC
b) that the Town Council agrees in principle to providing office resources to the management
board of a volunteer TIC with the time period and level to be determined when full details are
available.
c) that standing orders be re-instated.
257. Minutes
257.1 Town Council Meeting held on 2 September 2010
Resolved: that the minutes of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 2 September be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair
257.2 Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 16 August 2010
Minute no.239.2 Hambleton District Council
Cllr Watson advised that HDC had hoovered the Market Place and utilised the power wash on the mini sweeper on Friday morning.
258. Burial Board.
Cllr Adamson advised that A. Whitehead Associates Ltd, who were undertaking the Tree Survey, had put forward a proposal for a planting scheme at the cemetery which would be assisted by the NHBC and also attract grant monies.
The Burial Board would give further consideration when further details were available.
259. Correspondence/Items Raised
259.1 Tree Survey
The meeting received a letter dated 6 September 2010 from A.Whitehead Associates Ltd advising that they were running almost a month behind, particularly as a result of difficulty in obtaining OS digital plans. The submission date was likely to be into October.
Resolved: that the letter be noted
259.2 Speeding Concerns-Norby Front Street
A letter dated 3 September 2010 was received from Hambleton Community Saftey Partnership advising of action taken in respect of speeding issues at Norby Front Street.
Cllr Adamson was to attend a meeting on 21 September at the NYCC area office.
Resolved: that the letter be noted.
259.3 Flood and Water Management Act.
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter dated 14 September from Anne McIntosh MP advising that she had written to the Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs on the points raised by the Town Council.
Cllr Marshall advised that she had obtained further information which included the possibility of IDB’s having a bigger role in flood management. Members questioned whether the IDB’s had the appropriate capabilities in this respect.
Resolved:
a) that Anne McIntosh MP be made aware of the additional information and advised of
the question regarding the involvement of IDB’s.
b) that the letter be forwarded to the Flood Officer, NYCC
259.4 A170 York Road Thirsk
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter dated 15 September from NYCC advising of repairs and improvements to the footway along York Road which were to commence on 20 September and last one week.
Resolved: that the letter be noted
260. Finance
260.1 Accounts for Payment
Resolved: that the accounts for payment as at 20 September 2010 be approved and cheques signed.
260.2 Monthly Balance Sheet and Budget Report August 2010
Resolved: that the balance sheet and budget report for August 2010 be received and approved
261. Reports
261.1 Members
Cllr Watson advised that a meeting had taken place with regard to the Market Place and had been attended by Cllrs Penson, Roberts and herself together with D.Grainger of Street Scene, C.Reynard of Thirsk in Bloom.
Cllr Morton advised that the problems with drinking in the Church porch had arisen again. He also noted that the caps off gateposts in St Marys Walk had been removed and thrown into gardens.
Cllr Adamson noted that soil had been piled on the side of the Tranmire ditch and that bricks and concrete were in the ditch.
Resolved
a) that the Police be advised of the incidents in the Church porch and at St Marys Way.
b) that HDC be advised of the situation at the Tranmire Ditch.
261.2 Representatives
The Meeting was advised that the Millenium Green was 10 years old.
Part II
The meeting closed at 9.25pm
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