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Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 5th June 2008 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Page P027
Present:
Councillors J. Watson (Chairman), C. Hesmondhalgh, J. Marshall, A. Morton, C.M. Pack, A.K. Pagram, M. Penson, F.M. Roberts, Ms D. Keal (Environment Agency), I. Noble (“Darlington and Stockton Times”), 1 member of the public and the Clerk
Apologies:
Councillors D.E. Adamson (ill), J.E. Jackson (away); accepted
Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Pack that Standing Orders be suspended; agreed.
Presentation by Di Keal of the Environment Agency re Flooding Plan
Ms Keal advised that she is currently the Campaigns Coordinator at the Environment Agency, covering an area from Middlesbrough to the Humber, and is working with Councils re Community Flooding Plans. A Flooding Plan has been agreed with HDC to cover the whole district, but the Environment Agency are encouraging parishes to do a plan themselves. Ms Keal referred to such a plan which had been drawn up by another town and suggested that Thirsk could think of doing a similar one. She said that in the event of a flood an incident room, possibly the Town Council Office, could be set up to offer practical advice to those at risk and a list could be kept of vulnerable residents in high risk areas. If a Flooding Plan was drawn up, the Environment Agency would help to put a guide together to go out to residents from the Town Council and a pack containing various leaflets etc would be sent out from the Environment Agency with the Town Council’s leaflet; the Environment Agency would also issue a press release about this. They have also produced a leaflet which is aimed at businesses in flood risk areas encouraging them to think about flooding. Cllr Marshall pointed out that the Town Council went some way towards this some time ago, but hit snags with the public. Cllr Hesmondhalgh suggested that the Committee which has been formed to look at the Emergency Plan could also incorporate the Flooding Plan. Referring to the suggestion that the Town Council Office could become an incident room, Cllr Penson pointed out that there is only one telephone line there and therefore in an emergency people would not always be able to get through. She also mentioned that during the last crisis the local radio stations were very behind with their information; Ms Keal said the Environment Agency has been in contact with the radio stations and has asked them to ensure they are up to date. Cllr Marshall said she felt that during the 2005 floods Thirsk was abandoned by all the agencies. It was agreed that we wish to pursue the possibility of drawing up a Community Flood Plan and Cllr Watson suggested that three Councillors be involved in this. Ms Keal advised that she is leaving the Environment Agency, but her successor will be taking this on. Cllr Watson thanked Ms Keal for attending the meeting and giving her presentation.
Open Forum
Mr Wilkinson referred to the footpath from the White Bridge to St. Mary’s Church saying that vegetation is growing onto this; he was particularly concerned about nettles and the fact that a bramble is growing across the footpath, also the fencing is in
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need of repair. Cllr Marshall confirmed that these items have been reported to the County Council’s Public Footpaths Officer; we will chase it up. She pointed out that the land alongside it belongs to Mr Calvert and we will also contact him. Mr Wilkinson also advised that in Stammergate cars are often parked across the entrance to the access road which runs behind some of the houses and this prevents people gaining access to or egress from their properties. He was concerned that an accident could be caused because of this and he asked whether it would be possible for “Keep Clear” to be put on the footpath adjacent to the access road; to be taken up with Highways Department.
Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Morton that Standing Orders be reinstated; agreed.
Minutes of the Meeting held on 19th May 2008
Proposed approved Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh, subject to one addition on Page P025; agreed.
Matters Arising from the Meeting held on 1st May 2008
P014 Requests for allotments; reply received from Mick Jewitt at HDC giving some information and suggesting that the project could be extended to include a community garden. Cllr Watson had spoken to Mark Haynes, who is putting in a bid for some funding, and understands that a community garden is more likely to receive funding. She suggested it be passed to Central Areas; agreed.
P014 Public conveniences; E mail received from Steve Prentice at HDC advising that the signs giving details of who to contact are up in the toilets. The cleaning schedule signs were up, but have been ripped off. He is now considering purchasing embossed plastic signs. The Clerk had checked the ladies toilets in the Market Place and there were no signs in evidence; reported to Steve Prentice. Agreed that Steve Prentice be asked to obtain some more permanent signs.
P014 Signboards on the Industrial Estate; nothing further heard from HDC.
P014 Finger Post; a quote for a new finger has been obtained and passed to Central Areas. Malcolm Burnett has painted over the “Post Office” on the existing finger. He is to be asked to move the finger which is pointing the wrong way on the finger post on Castle Gate.
P014 Crossing near Bakers Alley; reply received from Jayne Charlton at NYCC confirming that the Town Council’s suggestion of a zebra crossing will be considered as part of the investigations they are to carry out.
P014 Plasticrete near Todds Cottages; letter sent to Peter Simpson at HDC with copies to Steve Quartermain and Clive Thornton and acknowledgement received advising that this has been passed to Dave McGloin. Letter sent to Eccles Heddon and reply received requesting sight of the Agreement which dealt with the exchange of land; John Bell to be asked whether he has a copy. Letter received from Clive Thornton of HDC requesting a further site meeting; Cllrs Marshall, Pack and Hesmondhalgh to attend. Cllr Marshall advised that when the exchange of land took place there would have had to be a change in the registration of the common land; agreed that Eccles Heddon be asked for a price for obtaining a copy of the registration and that, provided this is not expensive, they be asked to go ahead with this.
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P015 Car Parking Charges; reply from Dave McGloin giving an explanation of the percentages referred to in the report from Faber Maunsell. In reply to the letter from the Town Council requesting details of the costs involved in implementing and running the system, Cllr Barker advises that the revenue costs will be considered by Cabinet on 17th June. The current capital allocation for the scheme is £303K, phased over 2007/08 and 2008/09; this is to cover all the physical elements such as machines and signs and also fees for the consultants and traffic orders. Cllr Marshall advised that she had looked on the HDC website and was concerned that as far as the car parking charges issue is concerned it is not up to date and there is no record of letters which people have sent in. Proposed Cllr Penson, seconded Cllr Marshall that a letter be sent to HDC saying there is insufficient information on the website; agreed. Cllr Pack referred to the fact that referendums are to be held in Northallerton and Bedale; Cllr Marshall pointed out that the Town Council organised a public meeting.
P015 Central Areas; work has now started at “The Three Tuns”.
P015 Request for yellow lines on Picks Lane; reply received from NYCC advising that this has been added to the Area Office’s Traffic Management Priority List of matters awaiting investigation. However, in view of HDC’s proposal to implement parking charges and the resultant displaced parking, it is unlikely that any additional restrictions on Picks Lane will be implemented until a decision on the parking charges is made.
P015 York Road Roundabout; the Clerk attended another meeting at Severfield Reeve; nothing further received from them since. A chasing E mail was sent to Michael Coates and a reply has now been received from him advising that this has been held up because of staff holidays.
P015 Buildings on the corner of Newsham Road; no reply received, but it is understood that Lidl are now looking at applying for planning permission to have a store there.
P016 Carrs Field: E mail sent to Tony Jordan asking for dates for a meeting; no reply received and a further E mail sent; reply received advising that he will come back on this. He also advises that Ray Ballard has been co-opted as the third Trustee.
P016 Traffic lights in the Market Place; now adjusted and working correctly.
P016 Damaged floodlights; no reply received from the Chief Constable. Cheque now received from the insurers in the amount of £407.88, being the cost of repairs to the floodlights less the excess.
P016 Bus times; reply received from NYCC but the information given does not appear to be correct; to be taken up with them again.
P016 Signage on shop fronts; Cllrs Watson and Roberts met with Tim Woods of HDC to look at the various signs. The Enforcement Officer is now dealing with the ones that do not comply with regulations.
P016 Floodlights; reply received from English Heritage suggesting we speak to the Secretary to the York Diocesan Advisory Committee; the Clerk will contact him. However, they point out that for the type of floodlighting we have in mind it would be necessary for a faculty to be obtained; the application for this would need to be put in by St. Mary’s PCC.
P016 Proposed new footpath onto The Holmes; John Bell is in agreement with this and Taylor Wimpey have therefore been given the go ahead. Mr Walker has been asked for a price for cutting the piece of land alongside the Northallerton Road, but he is unable to do this until he knows the amount of land involved; Taylor Wimpey to be
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asked for a more detailed plan. Cllr Marshall advised that she has looked at the work that Taylor Wimpey have done to install the drain to the Cod Beck and she is not happy with the way it has been left; the grass seeding is not very good, a pin kerb is missing, the seat has been put back, but is bent in the middle, the path which we recently had resurfaced has been left in a rough condition and the end of the new pipe is very prominent; a letter to be sent to Taylor Wimpey.
P017 Removal of rubbish; letters sent to NYCC and HDC.
P017 “Visit Thirsk” leaflets; advised Mark Haynes that the Town Council will contribute £250 towards this.
P017 A19 resurfacing and reinstatement scheme; plan requested, but not received as yet.
P017 Willows on The Holmes; advised Mike I’Anson that we have no objections to them recording the details of the willows.
P017 NYCC Local Transport questionnaire; replies were received back from some Councillors and the Clerk completed the questionnaire from these.
P018 Greens and Ingramgate; Footpath from the white bridge to St. Mary’s Church; reported to Peter Penny. The benches on the Green which require attention have been reported to Chris Amy.
P019 Hannah Packer ceremony in Uruguay; speech done and E mailed to Uruguay.
Correspondence
Request by Revd Roger Wilde for traffic calming at the end of Chapel Street. Cllr Pagram was not happy with this and suggested that if a sleeping policeman is to be installed it should be nearer to the Swimming Baths. Agreed that we contact NYCC and the Swimming Pool re this and suggest to Revd Wilde that he, together with anyone else who is concerned at the traffic speeds on Chapel Street, contact them as well.
HDC; copy of letter to Mrs L Cross confirming the name change of her property from “Shanter Way” to “Serendipity”.
TRI; agenda for next Safe Meeting, to be held on 11th June at Borrowby Village Hall.
E mail from Clive Thornton of HDC in response to an enquiry from Cllr Dadd as to whether it would be possible to site a bench on the “Golden Fleece” side of the Market Place as he had received a request about this; agreed that this be passed to Central Areas.
The Clerk drew the attention of Members to a Report from Cllr Dadd regarding the Lidl application and Station Road housing/roadworks, of which they have a copy.
Schedule of Outstanding Amenity Items
This had been circulated to Councillors and the following comments were made:
Benches in Millgate Car Park: Cllr Watson advised that the seat is currently being tidied up and is to be positioned on the grass on the Millgate Car Park side of the bridge. Cllr Marshall referred to various items which were on the list given to Eddy Hayward; she pointed out that he has now left and suggested that all outstanding items be passed to Nigel Smith at NYCC. Cllr Watson advised that she is to have a meeting with Nigel Smith regarding the crossing near Bakers Alley and suggested these be passed to him then. Land on the Foxwynd side of Ingramgate: Cllr Roberts queried whether we should ask Mark Haynes if there would be any funding available for this work. Buildings on Marage Road: Cllr Roberts queried the reason for writing
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to Mr Calvert and she asked that this be taken off the Schedule. Cllr Marshall pointed out that this is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and we were concerned about it.
Appointment of Town Council Committee Members
Members present completed the forms indicating the Committees on which they wish to serve; to be finalised at the next meeting.
Reports
Carrs Field - Cllr Roberts advised that it is necessary to nominate someone for the Carrs Field Trust to replace Chris Amy; a piece to go in the press report and a notice to be put on the noticeboard.
Central Areas - Cllr Watson advised that the minutes of the last Central Areas Committee Meeting have been circulated; the next meeting is to be held on 11th June. Cllr Marshall suggested that, whilst the works to Millgate Bridge are ongoing, a sign be put in Mill Gardens saying the nearest picnic place is the Picnic Area.
Christmas Festivities - Nothing to report.
Greens and Ingramgate - Cllr Pack advised that a meeting to look at the byelaws is to be held on Tuesday 10th June. Cllr Marshall expanded on that, saying that one meeting had already been held to look at the byelaws and these had been gone through in detail; research is to be carried out as to what we need to do regarding the byelaws and the common land. She had acquired information on this, including a copy of the Common Land 2006 Act, and she passed this to Cllr Pack.
Millennium Green - Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that the new path is currently being put in at the East Thirsk Play Area and as a result of this the entrance to the Millennium Green play area from the East Thirsk Play Area is temporarily closed off.
Open Areas - Cllr Marshall confirmed that, as Cllr Hesmondhalgh had said, the new path is going in at East Thirsk. A walk round Open Areas was held on 10th May and a Meeting on 13th May. One of the seats attached to the picnic table which was recently put on The Holmes has been broken off and there is a lot of graffiti on the table; Cllr Watson advised that PC Pears contacted her about this and she advised him that we wish to prosecute. Cllr Marshall advised that at Shire Park there are two metal kissing gates to stop cycles and these are in need of re-painting; Peter Penny to be contacted to ascertain whether these are on public rights of way. She reported that the Committee had considered a suggestion made by Edward Barker and have referred this to Peter Penny also. Cllr Marshall advised that Open Areas looked at the suggested LAP at Norby and recommend to the Town Council that we take it over from Wimpey. They are not recommending we take over the amenity space until more information as to the design, cost implications etc. are available. The Committee would like to update the equipment on the Johnson Close Play Area and have obtained two quotes; it is intended to write to the neighbouring properties for their views. Monies to pay for this are being identified in the Play Areas account (some to come from the Picks Lane monies) and the Committee recommend accepting the quote from Playdale in the
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amount of £11,500. Cllr Marshall advised that £43K of Big Lottery Money has been granted for East Thirsk; she met with Lisa Wilson of HDC and an application is to be made to NYCC Hambleton Area Committee for more money to make up the shortfall otherwise the scheme may have to be cut. The lease of the land is to be properly sorted out.
Sensory Garden - Cllr Marshall advised that there is no further progress; the meeting to be held on Monday has therefore been postponed.
Ditches - Cllr Marshall advised that a meeting was held on 6th May; the working party went through the report from Mark Haley and sent some questions to him.
Other Items of Interest and Information
Cllr Roberts advised that the TRI’s Midsummer Forum is to be held on 2nd July at 6.30 p.m. at the Auction Mart.
Cllr Marshall pointed to the fact that some of the parking spaces outside “The Three Tuns” are being used for materials in connection with the works taking place in the building and she asked whether we have been informed of this; no notification has been received and this will be taken up with HDC.
Cllr Pack advised that she has asked Hollin Barn Nurseries to do the planting on the White Mare Roundabout and in the planters/beds on Long Street. She has also spoken to Thirsk in Bloom and they have agreed to do the watering.
Cllr Penson pointed out that there is a planning application in for change of use of the shop next to Elizabeth Taylor’s to a solicitors.
Cllr Watson advised that she and the Clerk had attended the Mayor’s Event at County Hall the previous Friday and the Richmond Meet on Sunday 25th May.
The meeting closed at 9.35 p.m.
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 16th June 2008 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Page P033
Present:
Cllrs J. Watson (Chairman), D.E. Adamson, C. Hesmondhalgh,
J.E. Jackson, J. Marshall, A. Morton, C. Pack, A.K. Pagram, M. Penson,
F.M. Roberts, County and District Cllr G. Dadd, I. Noble (“Darlington and Stockton Times”), PC Clare Mayes and PCSO Nigel Warby (North Yorkshire Police) and the Clerk
Apologies:
Cllr A. Robinson (family commitments); accepted.
Minutes of the Meeting held on 5th June 2008
Proposed approved Cllr Hesmondhalgh, seconded Cllr Morton, subject to one amendment on Page P030 and three on Page P032; agreed.
Police Report
PC Mayes advised that a very successful drugs operation had taken place in the Market Place. In respect of the incident involving PC Pears someone has been sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and another person is still awaiting sentencing. The implementation of the On Street Drinking Ban has been delayed for five weeks. Cllr Roberts queried the wording of the notices and PC Mayes confirmed that this is correct. Cllr Dadd pointed out that the intention of the Ban is to stop people drinking if they are causing trouble or antisocial behaviour. PC Pears is taking up the position of some of the signs with HDC. Cllr Morton asked how effective the On Street Drinking Ban would be on race days and PC Mayes said she felt it would be very effective. Cllr Marshall referred to the graffiti on one of the picnic tables on The Holmes; PC Mayes advised that PC Pears is dealing with this. PC Mayes reported that the person who put the graffiti on the Market Clock has also been identified; it had been intended that the person concerned should clean off the graffiti, but the Town Council has had this removed and therefore another job is to be found. The Clerk advised that an ‘E’ mail had been received from Inspector Sarah Sanderson advising that she is moving to be the Staff Officer to the Chief Constable; a reply to be sent thanking her and wishing her well and also thanking her for her recent successful negotiations with the travellers who were on the Millgate Car and Coach Parks.
Reports
County Council
Cllr Dadd said he had raised concerns regarding the delay in starting the work on Millgate Bridge; this had occurred as a result of Licensing Agreements between NYCC, English Heritage, the Environment Agency etc. John Smith of NYCC has said that any children who wish to go and look at the history of the bridge can do so, by prior arrangement. Cllr Dadd advised that a meeting is to be held with NYCC, himself and representatives of the Town Council regarding the crossing points in the Market Place. Engineering problems are causing flooding around the traffic calming in Hambleton Place and this is being dealt with. A sewerage problem has also been identified and this may require part of the road to be taken up. On Station Road a
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compromise has been reached between NYCC and the developers and the works to install the second roundabout will be taking place between 18th and 30th June.
Referring to the recent influx of travellers in the town, Cllr Dadd complimented HDC and Inspector Sanderson on their actions to deal with this. He advised that the travellers were moved as quickly and with as little disruption as possible. HDC’s cleaning team also did a very good job after the travellers had left. Cllr Dadd advised that a new hospital is to be built between Stockton and Hartlepool and the impact of this on James Cook and The Friarage hospitals will need to be considered.
District Council
Cllr Dadd advised that the Area Forum is to meet in Thirsk on 16th July to discuss the LDF. He will be asking for a report on the situation regarding the travellers and the possibility of a strategy to prevent it happening again. Referring to car parking charges, Cllr Dadd confirmed that a decision on the principle of car parking charges has not yet been made and he is opposed to such a principle. Cabinet is meeting tomorrow and they will be making recommendations to go to Full Council next Tuesday. They will need to (1) take a decision on the principle of car parking charges; and (2) if the implementation of charging is approved then they will need to look at the proposed scales of charges. Cllr Dadd advised that he is proposing to oppose the implementation of car parking charges and is to ask HDC instead to make further economies and if these do not raise enough then to go back to government and ask for consent to lift the capping on council tax.
Cllr Adamson also referred to car parking advising that he has written to every member of the Cabinet pleading Thirsk’s case as a special one on economic grounds. He has asked for one hour’s free parking on the whole of the Market Place and a 20% discount for workers who have to bring their cars into Thirsk. Cllr Jackson felt that if it is accepted that no decision to implement car parking charges was taken then the decision to employ outside consultants was ill-advised. Cllr Adamson pointed out that if it is necessary to make a decision on economic grounds then Cabinet can do so, including the decision to employ consultants.
Cllr Marshall pointed out that she had maintained throughout that the decision on the principle of car parking charges had not been made and she has written to the Audit Commission about it.
Cllr Marshall asked Cllr Dadd whether the HDC Health Scrutiny Committee will be consulted on Tesco’s application to have a pharmacy; Cllr Dadd advised that he will E mail the Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee and will ask that it be put on the agenda.
Cllr Watson queried whether rumours that the travellers had left money with HDC were correct; Cllr Dadd to look into this. Cllr Watson asked that a letter be sent to HDC thanking them for dealing with the travellers and she also expressed thanks to Cllr Dadd for all his help with this.
Matters Arising from the Meeting held on 19th May 2008
P021 Post Office; Cllr Adamson advised that he understands the Coop have made a hostile bid for Somerfield; should this go ahead it may be that the post office will move to the Somerfield building.
P022 Works to Millgate Bridge; work ongoing.
P022 CCTV statistics; E mail sent.
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P022 Car Parking Charges; the Report to HDC Cabinet and the Consultation Response included in Tabled Correspondence.
P022 Natural England; the Licence application form is to be completed.
P022 Insurance; most of the matters raised at the meeting to look at the insurance cover have been dealt with and the cover has been increased accordingly – this has also caused an increase in premium. Cllr Marshall queried the position regarding the insurance of the Mayor’s Chain; Cllr Watson advised that she has contacted Fattorini’s and they have given a costing for the links and are to look back through their records and give a costing for the medallion. She will then take it to Pattisons Jewellers and ask them to confirm the valuation and also to inscribe the names of the previous Mayors on it.
P023 Cemetery Noticeboard; quote obtained from Malcolm Blackburn and passed to the Burial Board.
P024 Application by Tesco Stores for inclusion in the Pharmaceutical List; a letter opposing this was sent to the NHS PCT.
P025 Water heaters in the TIC building; letter to be sent to HDC.
P025 Request for dog waste bin on Cemetery Lane; bin now in place.
P009 (April meeting); letter received from The Samaritans thanking the Town Council for its donation.
Finance
Accounts for Payment
Proposed Cllr Hesmondhalgh, seconded Cllr Roberts that the following accounts be approved for payment; agreed:
CE & CM Walker grasscutting – 6th and 21st May £1,522.80
C.A. Amy – Play area inspections (5.5.08-1.6.08) £182.80
Litter picking (5.5.08.-1.6.08.) £200.00
Remove trees from path and beck £105.00
Patching turf/painting goalpost at Shire Park £110.00
Re-staining bench on The Holmes £35.00
Fence repairs at Craigs Way £85.00
Trimming trees on St. James Green £75.00
Weeding White Mare shrubbery £110.00
Painting panels at Allerdale Close £60.00
Repairing/painting swings at East Thirsk £80.00
HDC – Office rent, quarter commencing 1.6.08. £1,028.13
Hambleton IT Services – restoring power to office computer £35.00
BT – Office telephone £107.12
Castle Colour Printers – photocopying etc £55.82
Viking Direct – printer cartridges £91.64
HDC – Office Rates, June 08 £54.00
Inland Revenue – Tax/NI, May 08 £471.96
Allianz Insurance – additional premium following amendments
to schedule £65.96
Nigel Burn – gardening on White Mare Roundabout and Long Street £185.00
In addition, the salaries of the Clerk, the Assistant to the Clerk and the Cemetery Groundsman will be paid in accordance with the Town Council’s normal practice
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Paid Since Last Meeting
Allianz Insurance – additional premium following increased
valuations etc £183.92
Alexander Rose – part to repair picnic table/seat on The Holmes £10.00
Petty cash £48.75
Income Received
HM Customs and Excise – refund of VAT (1.1.08.-31.3.08) £2,662.27
Millennium Green Trustees – reimbursement of 50% of cost of
resurfacing path on the Millennium Green £2,062.50
Burial Bd: Interments £483.00
Grave Purchases £508.00
Memorials £ 52.00
Monthly Balance Sheet and Budget Report for May 2008
Already circulated to Councillors. Proposed Cllr Morton, seconded Cllr Adamson that this be approved; agreed.
Town Council’s Standing Orders and Financial Regulations
Already circulated to Councillors. It was pointed out that any proposed amendments need to be listed individually as agenda items. Cllr Watson suggested we note the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations and that any amendments be detailed on the agenda for the Town Council meeting on 21st July. She asked that requests for such amendments be given to the Clerk before the Agenda for the meeting on 21st July is sent out.
Town Council’s Risk Assessment
Already circulated to Councillors. Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh that this be accepted; agreed.
Annual Return 2007/08:
Statement of Accounts:
This has been circulated to Councillors together with a copy of the Income and Expenditure account detailing how the figures are made up. Proposed Cllr Hesmondhalgh, seconded Cllr Jackson that it be approved and signed; agreed.
Annual Governance Statement:
This had been circulated to Councillors and it was completed at the meeting. Proposed Cllr Adamson, seconded Cllr Pagram that it be signed; agreed.
Correspondence
HDC – Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Order. This came into effect on 13th June 2008 and applies to Millgate Car Parks, Market Place Car Parks, Nursery Gardens Car Park, Library Car Park, Swimming Pool Car Park, Millgate Picnic Area, Riverside Gardens, Castle Garth, Sowerby Memorial Park, Sowerby Play Park and Sowerby Flatts; noted.
HDC - Appointment of a Parish Representative onto the Standards Committee; only one nomination has been put forward and that is for Cllr Edward Dennison of
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Thornton-le-Beans and Crosby with Cotcliffe Parish Council; Cllr Dennison meets the eligibility criteria and his appointment will be ratified by the Full Council on 24th June.
Mr and Mrs Peter Suffield; complaint about powered gliders flying from Allanbrook Barracks over their property. Cllr Penson understands that aircraft are not allowed to fly below a certain height over built up areas. Cllr Adamson felt there are other areas
they could fly over where it would not cause problems. Allanbrook Barracks and RAF Linton on Ouse to be asked what commitment they have to such power gliders.
Applications for Exclusive Rights and Memorials
No applications received.
Burial Board Report
Cllr Adamson advised that the new Cemetery Groundsman is doing very well.
An estimate for repairing the noticeboard has now been received from Malcolm Blackburn in the amount of £1,030 and this is to be passed to the insurers of the vehicle which caused the damage.
Cllr Watson referred to the fact that some time ago members of the Burial Board had been asked to count headstones and queried the position regarding this; Cllr Adamson to look into it.
Appointment of Town Council Committees 2008/09
A copy of these had been circulated to Councillors. Cllr Watson pointed out that there are rather a lot of Councillors on Christmas Festivities and Town Office; Cllr Hesmondhalgh withdrew from Christmas Festivities. Proposed accepted with this amendment Cllr Adamson, seconded Cllr Morton; agreed. Cllr Watson asked the Committees to meet as soon as possible to each appoint a Chairman.
Reports
Cllr Roberts advised that she had attended the YLCA AGM at which five members were present. Mrs Gallon from Easingwold was elected Chairman.
Cllr Roberts reported that some training days for both longstanding and new Councillors are to be held in the Autumn and she felt that some of these should be attended.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that progress with East Thirsk Community Association is moving very slowly.
Members
Cllr Marshall referred to the recent travellers in Thirsk, advising that discussions had taken place between the authorities and the police as forward planning is necessary if Thirsk is going to be part of their route in the future.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that the path at Favenfield is overgrown by nettles; to be reported to Peter Penny at NYCC.
Cllr Penson referred to the trees behind the recycling bins in Millgate Car Park where there is another dead tree; to be reported to HDC.
Cllr Adamson asked that the Town Office Committee look at disposing of the old computer which is currently in the Town Council Office. He also pointed out that dumping in Tranmire Ditch is still taking place.
Cllr Penson felt that very few people know who their Councillors are and she suggested that each Councillor provide a photograph to be put on the list of
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Councillors’ names and addresses which is on the Council noticeboard in the Market Place. Cllr Marshall pointed out that we have for some years intended to produce an Annual Report which would be delivered to all houses in Thirsk and which would
contain a list of Councillors. Proposed Cllr Penson, seconded Cllr Pagram that Councillors’ photographs be put on the noticeboard; this was put to the vote and the
motion was carried with 6 votes in favour and 4 against. The photographs to also be put on the website.
Cllr Marshall reminded Councillors that there are some orange tabards in the Council Office for use by Councillors on appropriate occasions.
The meeting closed at 8.52 p.m.
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