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Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Thirsk Town Council
held on Monday 21st March 2011 at 7:00pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 21st March 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, A. Pagram, M. Penson, F. Roberts, A. Robinson, J. Watson.
316. TIC
Resolved: that standing orders be suspended
The Chair introduced Peter Rush and Jo Caramello to the Meeting.
Peter Rush advised that he and Jo Caramello were the directors of a newly formed company which consisted of 20 members who were all volunteers and which operated on a similar basis to the Ritz Cinema.
He explained the working arrangements of the Information Centre which involved the directors and seven duty managers. The centre would not initially be networked but was aiming to try to offer the services required for networking. All volunteers could update the website and the what’s on facility was much improved on the previous one.
HDC had reduced the rent of the premises and it was intended that the TIC would be self supporting.
Cllr Marshall commended all the volunteers for their achievement.
Cllr Penson noted the particular contributions made by Peter Rush and Jo Caramello in the matter.
The Chair thanked them for updating the Town Council.
Resolved: that standing orders be reinstated.
317. Police Report
PC Kessell and PCSO Walker were in attendance.
PC Kessell advised on current issues including the implementation of a shift review with an Officer being responsible for each ward. Operation Wagtail was to commence with dedicated Police Officers to combat rural crime.
Cllr Watson questioned the position regarding dealing with drugs and PC Kessell advised that the matter was continually on-going with warrant action dependant on information available.
318. Reports on Matters Relating to Thirsk
318.a N.Y.C.C
Cllr Dadd noted the on-going problems relating to graffiti and silting under Millgate Bridge and hoped that the matters could be resolved by NYCC and the EA.
He reported that NYCC were to introduce charges for transport to institutions such as faith schools and advised of the ‘pothole’ fund for North Yorkshire.
Members mentioned problems in relation to road signage in relation to the gas works after Millgate Bridge, road closures on Northallerton Road and past Carlton Miniott and at the A1.
Cllr Robinson commented on the positioning of temporary road signs on pavements.
Cllr Marshall advised that NYCC had been contacted with regard to the siting of two flower planters on Long Street and had responded that the new passive safety guidelines for the placement of new street furniture state that any items placed in the highway have to be a minimum of 4.5 metres from the edge of the carriageway. She noted that existing direction signs, planters and litter bins would not have complied with the new guidelines.
318.b HDC
Cllr Adamson reported on a policy review on donations which would provide some savings and the reduction of the number Overview and Scrutiny Committees from thirteen to two, with each committee comprising twelve members. Examination into the reduction of the number of District Councillors was being undertaken.
319. Minutes
319.a Town Council Meeting held on 21 February 2011
Resolved: that the minutes of the Meeting of the Town Council held 21 February 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the amendment of Minute no.309 to read Emergency Flood Planning Officer of the ‘NYCC’.
319.b Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 21 February 2011
Minute 304b HDC
Cllr Marshall questioned whether any further progress had been made in respect of the removal of the fences on the riverside path and the responsibility for the Shire Park path.
Cllr Adamson advised that letters had been sent regarding the removal of the fencing but noted that nobody appeared to accept responsibility for the Shire Park footpath. Cllr Marshall suggested that as the path had been incorporated as part of the planning permission the Planning Authority should resolve the issue.
Minute 312.
Cllr Robinson considered that bunting should be displayed in the Market Place to celebrate the forth coming Royal Wedding.
Cllr Marshall noted the work undertaken by Cllr Adamson in respect of putting the Blue Plaque trail and the Sensory Garden on the Town Councils website.
320. Committee Minutes and Reports
320.a Planning Committee
The Meeting received the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 3 March 2011.
320.b Central Areas Committee
The Meeting received the Minutes of the Central Areas Committee held on 10 March
320.c Sensory Garden Working Party
The minutes of the working party held on 17 January were received.
Cllr Marshall advised that flower planters were to be ordered for the meeting area in place of raised beds.
321. Burial Board.
Cllr Adamson advised that dehumidifiers were still being used in the Cemetery Lodge.
Resolved: that applications for memorials for Kathleen Swaine, Geoffrey Dalby, Tom Beadle Hodgson, Michael Twinn, Hilda Ypres Goldsbrough, and Thomas Western be approved.
322. Correspondence/Items Raised
322.a North Yorkshire County Council Parish Charter
The Meeting received a letter dated 7 February from NYCC regarding the introduction of a Parish Charter.
Resolved: that the letter be noted
322.b Land at Norby
An email dated 3 March 2011 was received from HDC questioning whether the Town Council was interested in some surplus land at Norby. Cllr Marshall advised that the Town Council had previously tried to gain the land for the provision of a toddlers play area.
Resolved: that Hambleton District Council be advised that the Town Council would be interested in acquiring the land for either Play area provision, public open space or allotments.
322.c Open Space, Sport and Recreation Supplementary Planning Document
A letter dated 23 February 2011 was received from Hambleton District Council regarding the adoption of the supplementary planning document.
Cllr Marshall noted the specifications for open spaces and questioned how the seven acres could have been de-classified in view of the requirements.
Cllr Adamson advised that the allocations could be added to or deleted in the future.
Cllr Roberts noted that an Environment Agency map indicated the bottom part of the 7 Acres as liable to flood.
Resolved: that the letter be noted
322.d Planning Application –Carlton Miniott
Cllr Roberts advised that a planning application in respect of development at Carlton Miniott had been submitted and she was concerned that if approved further strain would be placed on the existing sewage systems of both Carlton Miniott and Thirsk.
Cllr Watson advised that Carlton Miniott Parish Council had made suitable comments on the planning application.
The meeting discussed various issues in relation to drainage problems in the Town including the continual smell in Kirkgate and Finkle Street. Cllr Watson reported that Lumsden and Carol, the Yorkshire Water contractors, had advised that a bung had not been replaced by NYCC at the end of a drain in Kirkgate and they were pursuing the matter.
Resolved: That Yorkshire Water and NYCC be requested to keep the Town Council fully advised on drainage issues.
322.e James Halliday
The Clerk advised that several approaches had been made in respect of the retirement of James Halliday who had been a local bus driver for twenty one years.
Resolved: that a letter be sent to James Halliday with best wishes for his retirement.
323. Finance
323.a Accounts for Payment
Resolved: that the accounts for payment at 21 March 2011 be approved and cheques signed.
323.b Balance Sheet/Budget Report for February.
The Clerk advised that the Balance Sheet and Budget Report were not available for the meeting.
324. Reports from Members/Representatives
Cllr Roberts advised that the severe winter had caused several problems at the public footpath adjacent to the old tyre depot at Norby.
Cllr Marshall reported that several benches on the Holmes had suffered damage, wear and tear.
She advised that the Norby Play Area had not yet been opened pending HDC and Taylor Wimpey completing the maintenance requirements and documentation. Residents had advised that children were breaching the fencing and HDC and Taylor Wimpey had been urged to complete the formalities a soon as possible.
Cllr Adamson advised that it was Ian noble’s last Thirsk meeting as reporter for the D & S and he thanked him for his accurate work over the years and wished him well for the future.
Part II
(Private Session)
The meeting closed at 9.25pm
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