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Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 21st February 2011 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs: D. Adamson (Chair), C. Hesmondhalgh, J. Jackson, J. Marshall, A. Morton, C. Pack, M. Penson, F. Roberts, A. Robinson, J. Watson.
Apologies: Cllrs C. Pack, A. Pagram, A. Robinson
303. Police Report
No Police representatives were present
304. Reports on Matters Relating to Thirsk
304.a N.Y.C.C
Cllr Dadd advised that the County Council had set the first part of the budget with the second part due to be set in May.
Subsidised bus routes on Sundays and evenings had been cut, a consultation was in progress in respect of libraries and the North Yorkshire Times had been finished. Cllr Dadd advised that the effects on Thirsk were minimal.
Cllr Marshall noted that the overall opening of libraries had been extended by a year but that the future review could affect Thirsk.
Cllr Marshall questioned where Cherrygarth sat within the proposals. And Cllr Dadd advised that there were no current plans to close the facility.
304.b HDC
Cllr Adamson advised that the Licensing Committee was examining taxi parking in the Market Place and the conflict between taxi’s and buses.
He noted that the rent to be charged to the TIC was now to be negotiated.
Cllr Marshall questioned whether any progress had been made in respect of the riverside path and Shire Park path.Cllr Adamson noted that the Shire Park path was on-going but that it was hoped that the fencing on the riverside path would soon be removed.
Cllr Watson questioned whether the scheme for the cobles in the Market Place had been prepared and if the finance was still in place. Cllr Adamson advised that the money was a capital allocation and as such was ring fenced. No date had yet been set for the works to take place.
305. Minutes
305.a Town Council Meeting held on 17 January 2011
Resolved: that the minutes of the Meeting of the Town Council held 17 January 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
305.b Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 17 January 2011
Minute no.303 Reports from Members /Representatives
Cllr Watson advised that the three street lights in the Market Place were now working.
306. Committee Minutes and Reports
306.a Planning Committee
The Meeting received the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 3 February 2011.
306.b Central Areas Committee
The meeting received the minutes of the Central Areas Committee held on 8 February 2011.
Cllr Adamson noted that the remaining Town Council Christmas Lights on the Clock had been taken down by Cllr Robinson.
306.c Sensory Garden Working Party
The Minutes of the Sensory Garden Working Party held on 13 December were received.
Cllr Marshall advised that 37 names were to be incorporated in the plaque on the memorial stone with the title Salem Chapel Burial Ground and an appropriate phrase regarding others unknown.
307. Burial Board.
The minutes of the Burial Board Meeting held on 19 January were circulated. The Meeting noted the groundsman’s hourly rate of pay.
Cllr Adamson noted that the completed tree survey was comprehensive in respect of the Cemetery and requested that members of the burial board read the document prior to the next meeting of the Burial Board.
308. Tree Survey
The Clerk confirmed that the tree survey had been completed and was available in the office.
There were 16 pages of schedule of works based on assessed priority of high, medium and low.
The Aboriculturist was prepared to meet with Councillors to discuss the survey and schedule of works.
Resolved: that the Councils Committees and Burial Board consider the areas and works relevant to the Committee and report to the Council with their recommendations.
309. Thirsk Flood Plan
The meeting considered the preparation of a flood contingency plan.
It was noted that the Town Council had begun the examination of a plan some time ago but the document had not been completed.
The Clerk advised that the environment Agency had circulated leaflets regarding changes to the flood warning service.
Cllr Adamson noted that the County Council and other agencies had responsibilities in such events and members felt that the existing plans involving the various agencies should be obtained in the first instance.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh advised that she knew the Emergency Flood Planning Officer of the Environment Agency.
Resolved: that the existing contingency plans for floods be obtained from NYCC and other agencies.
310. Correspondence/Items Raised
310.a Consultation on Library Proposals
A letter dated 18 January 2011 was received from NYCC consulting on the Authorities Library proposals. Members supported Thirsk Library in its current format.
Resolved: that Councillors submit their views on the Consultation Response Form
310.b Thirsk Flood Alleviation Scheme
The Meeting received a letter dated 18 January from Miss A. McIntosh LLB, MP enclosing a letter from Dr Paul Leinster Chief Executive of the Environment Agency updating on the status of the flood alleviation scheme. Cllr Marshall expressed her disappointment at the reported outcome in relation to the scheme.
Cllr Jackson questioned whether a response had been received in relation to European money available in respect of utilising farm land for flood plains.
Following further discussion it was
Resolved: that the Environment Agency be advised of the Town Councils extreme disappointment regarding the lack of any action by the EA in Thirsk which has suffered two large floods.
310.c Litter – Carrs Field
Emails dated 24 and 31 January were received from T.Jordan regarding litter problem at Carrs Field.
Cllr Adamson noted that the litter and underage drinking problem had in fact been going on for years, moving from one area to another and it was a widespread problem for society as a whole.
Cllr Watson considered that the tarmac area on Carrs Field attracted congregation of youths and also provided the facility to smash bottles.
Following further discussion it was
Resolved:
a) that the Town Council help to monitor the situation
b) that it be suggested that the Trust consider the removal of the tarmac area at Carrs Field.
310.d Provision of Litter Bin.
The meeting received a letter dated 26 January from Carlton Miniott Parish Council asking whether the Town Council would pay half the cost of a waste bin to be sited on land to the west of the railway station in lieu of the new bin provided at the eastern approach to the station.
Resolved: that the town Council meet half the cost of the provision of the waste bin on land west of Thirsk railway station.
310.e Standards Committee- Appointment of Parish Council Representative.
A letter dated 31 January was received from Hambleton District Council giving details of the nominees for the appointment of Parish Council representatives on the Standards Committee.
Resolved: that the Town Council submits C. Artingstoll, E. Dennison and J. Crampton as its preferred candidates.
310.f Parking Charges – Snow Covered Car Parks
An email dated 15 February was received from Sowerby Parish Council requesting the Town Councils support to a request to Hambleton District Council that parking charges be cancelled during times of heavy snow when parking bays were not visible.
Resolved: that the Town Council supports the request.
311. Finance
311.1 Accounts for Payment
Resolved: that the schedule of accounts be approved for payment.
311.2 Balance Sheet/Budget Report for January.
Resolved: that the balance sheet and budget report for January 2011 be received and approved.
312. Reports from Members/Representatives
Cllr Marshall advised that in conjunction with The Crescent Residents Association who were having work undertaken, quotations had been received for the tarmacadaming of the unmade land at Ingramgate from Ingram House to the first set of wooden posts. The quotes would be detailed in Part II of the meeting.
Cllr Marshall circulated a report on the status of updating the green byelaws together with details of the original bye laws and proposed amendments. She noted that the Clerk had contacted the Byelaws Officer at the Department of Communities and Local Government questioning whether the existing bye laws could be amended or whether they should be revoked and new ones made.
Cllr Marshall advised that new model byelaws and guidance indicated that it would be possible to cover other amenity land rather than just The Green in isolation. Examination of the byelaws relating to dogs had also been undertaken.
Cllr Marshall advised that she had filled in a questionnaire from English Heritage in respect of the Blue Plaques. She had also asked the clerk to obtain costings for a website for the Blue Plaque Trail.
Cllr Adamson advised that the information could be put onto the Town Councils Website and that he would scan the leaflet.
Cllr Morton advised that he understood the Fire Service was experiencing problems with the number of retained firemen and asked for the cover situation to be clarified.
Cllr Adamson advised that someone had been clearing the Tranmire ditch and he had noted that rubbish had been removed to the banking.
Cllr Adamson advised that Cllr Robinson had questioned whether any bunting would be purchased for the Royal wedding. It was noted that the Union Jack could be displayed at the Town Hall.
Part II
(Private Session)
Resolved: that in Resolved: that in accordance with the provisions of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1964 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the discussion of confidential items.
The meeting closed at 9.45pm
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