Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 4th December 2008 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.


Meeting cancelled due to bad weather

Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 15th December 2008 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.


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Minutes of a Meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on Monday 15th December 2008 at 7.15 p.m. in the Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall Annexe Present:
Cllrs J. Watson (Chairman), D.E. Adamson, C. Hesmondhalgh, J.E. Jackson, J. Marshall, A. Morton, C.M. Pack, M. Penson, F.M. Roberts, H. Kemp and the Clerk

Apologies:
Cllr A. Robinson (another meeting), County and District Cllr G. Dadd (late arrival); accepted.

Cllr Watson welcomed Mr Howard Kemp, who is taking up the position of Town Clerk in January 2009, to the meeting.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th November 2008
Proposed approved Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh; agreed.

Police Report
No representatives of the police present and no matters were raised which were required to be brought to the attention of the police.

District Council Report
Cllr Adamson advised that a District Council meeting is to be held tomorrow to deal with the budgets. They wish to spend £20K on member development and tuition; it would be necessary for members to attend at least six hours of tuition during the year and HDC reserve the right to publish the names of people who fail to attend.
£29K is to be saved on non-essential expenditure, but only until the end of the year. Cllr Adamson advised that there is also a proposal to close one set of toilets in Thirsk and the intention is to close the Millgate toilets; Cllr Adamson will be objecting to this.
Referring to parking discs, Cllr Adamson advised that there are 40,000 on order and some temporary slips have been delivered to the TIC.
The Licensing Committee meets tomorrow and there is a proposal to increase the number of taxi parking spaces in the Market Place to seven. Cllr Adamson advised that this is Officer led and he expressed concern at the fact that local members were not consulted. Cllr Penson pointed out that there are sometimes 7-8 taxis pulling up in the Market Place during the day, but she was concerned that increasing the number of spaces could make it difficult both for local buses and national coaches. She said some temporary parking slips have been delivered to the TIC, but she did not feel these were sufficient. Cllr Penson felt that two sets of toilets are necessary. Cllr Marshall expressed the view that if one set of toilets is to close it should be the Market Place ones as there are more toilets in the Millgate block and it is nearer to the coach park. Cllr Jackson pointed out that the Town Council has in the past made suggestions to HDC as to how savings can be made; he felt we should ask if the toilet in Northallerton which is manned makes money.
It was agreed not to take any action on this until Cllr Adamson reports back from the meeting to be held tomorrow.

Open Forum
No members of the public present.

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Matters Arising from the Meeting held on 17th November 2008
P088 Toilet cleaner; further details awaited from Steve Prentice.
P088 Buggies being driven on the main roads at night; further information requested from PC Kevin Brookes.
P088 Cemetery Noticeboard; noticeboard still in place – chasing Malcolm Blackburn re this.
P088 Standing Orders and Financial Regulations; now typed – to be circulated.
P088 Carrs Field; awaiting accounts.
P088 Government White Paper regarding dispensaries in doctors’ surgeries; reply received from Anne McIntosh MP advising that she has passed a copy of the Town Council’s letter to the Rt Hon Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health and she will also request that our letter is noted as part of the consultation. Copy of letter from Phil Hope MP, Minister of State for Care Services, to Anne McIntosh received advising that there is no intention to abolish dispensing doctors and confirming that the Town Council’s views will be taken into account as part of the consultation on the White Paper.
P089 Request for an additional bus stop; reply sent to Cllr Palmer, the Chairman of Asenby Parish Council and letter sent to NYCC requesting an additional bus stop.
P090 Burial Board; the Clerk has spoken to the Cemetery Groundsman regarding the proposal for disposal of waste and he is happy to do as suggested – he has asked that we look at the possibility of having a drop ended skip.
P090 Parking discs; letter sent to Alan Maudsley at HDC. E mail received from John Proud advising that he has looked into this and there are some discs available in the town. If necessary, temporary slips will be provided.
P090 Proposed archway feature; letter sent from Cllr Watson for inclusion in the “Letters to the Editor” column of the “Darlington and Stockton Times” pointing out the misrepresentation in the latest report of the Town Council meeting.
P091 Toilet in the TIC/Town Council building; letter to be sent to HDC.
P091 Town Clerk; position offered to Mr Howard Kemp, subject to the receipt of satisfactory references (now received).
P091 Broken window pane; letter sent to the local business advising that this is between them and the contractor and also a letter sent to the contractor asking him to deal with this – reply received from the contractor asking that any further correspondence be passed to him and enclosing a copy of a letter to the local business requesting further details of the damage.

Finance
Accounts for Payment
Proposed Cllr Morton, seconded Cllr Roberts that the following accounts be approved for payment; agreed:
M. Burnett: Refixing 2 slabs in Porters Vaults, repairing seat on The Holmes and removing nails from slide at McCleans play area £80.00
Repairs to bridge at entrance to Millennium Green £34.00
C.A. Amy: Play Areas inspections (3.11.08-30.11.08) £182.80
Litter picking (3.11.08.-30.11.08) £200.00
Repairs to bench on Kirkgate £45.00
Hedgecutting at East Thirsk, McCleans, Shire Park and Johnson Close play areas £280.00
Hedgecutting on Herriot Way £50.00
Cutting back shrubbery on Little Green £30.00
Cutting wildlife area at Millennium Green £40.00
Playdale Ltd: Balance of cost of play equipment at Johnson Close £1,756.00

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Balance of cost of bench for Millennium Green £71.00 Alpha Signs – fitting sign at Workhouse play area £47.00
Broxap – new finger for finger post in the Market Place £231.48
Living Concepts – installation of Christmas Tree lights etc £1,697.29
Lite – replacement bulbs for Christmas Tree lights £61.10
Thirsk Chamber of Trade – contribution to Christmas Lights £500.00
Mike I’Anson – professional services re Sensory Garden £1,285.50
Reimbursement for key cutting and WD40 for Millennium Green £15.75
Reimbursement for hardcore for Millennium Green £76.14
Keith Ledger – removal of headstones, ground levelling and erection of temporary security fence at the Sensory Garden £2,096.00
Chris Fitzgerald – 4 addtl pieces of artwork for Sensory Garden (50% of cost) £500.00
HDC – Office rent, qtr commencing 1.12.08. £1,006.25
Mayor’s Allowance (1st half) £250.00
Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall – hire of room Oct-Dec 08 £144.40
SLCC – 2009 membership £149.00
Fox’s Engravers – badges for two new Councillors £6.93
Sowerby Parish Council – one-third share of grasscutting of The Flatts £601.95
M. I’Anson – hardcore for Millennium Green and gifts for volunteers who carried out the work £109.52
HDC – Planning application fee re proposed archway £75.00
HDC – Planning application fee re ginnels’ signage £ 47.50
HM Revenue and Customs – Tax/NI, November 2008 £539.30

In addition, the salaries of the Clerk, the Assistant Clerk and the Cemetery Groundsman will be paid in accordance with the Town Council’s normal practice
Cllr Roberts requested permission to purchase a £10 wine voucher for Brian Wise who put up the Christmas tree and this was agreed.

Paid since last meeting
Petty Cash £48.28

Income Received

Refund of VAT (1.7.08.-30.9.08.) £2,357.42
Interest on National Savings Account £148.22
Burial Bd: Rent £550.00
Interments £382.00
Memorials £32.00

Monthly Balance Sheet and Budget Reports, November 2008
Proposed approved Cllr Hesmondhalgh, seconded Cllr Pack; agreed.

Precept 2009/10
Cllr Marshall pointed out that at the Finance Meeting on November 2008 the budgets were considered in detail and any amendments made. The precept has been calculated from these budgets:
(a) Report from the Finance Committee
The minutes of the Finance Meeting, held on November 2008 had been circulated. Proposed approved Cllr Adamson, seconded Cllr Watson; agreed.

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(b) Budgets for 2009/10
The budgets as amended at the Finance Meeting had been circulated. Proposed approved Cllr Adamson, seconded Cllr Watson; carried unanimously.
(c) Precept for 2009/10
The precept calculation had been circulated and Cllr Marshall explained how this was calculated. From this she recommended that a precept of £99K be requested.
Proposed Cllr Hesmondhalgh, seconded Cllr Roberts that the precept for 2009/10 be £99K; carried unanimously.
Cllr Watson thanked Cllr Marshall and the Clerk for their work with this and also all the members of the Council who put in their budgets and attended the Finance Meeting.

Correspondence
NYCC advising that it is proposed to carry out a scheme of maintenance works for Town End Footbridge at Sowerby in Spring 2009. A reply had been sent to them pointing out that this is in Sowerby, but we assume the Town Council is being consulted because of its proximity and requesting confirmation that Sowerby Parish Council has been consulted. Cllr Marshall pointed out that this bridge is a Listed structure; a reply to be sent to NYCC pointing this out and also the fact that it is part of our Interpretation Board scheme. Also pointing out that the Thirsk and Sowerby Conservation Area Advisory Group should be consulted.

Freedom of Information Act New Publication Scheme
Cllr Adamson explained that in 2001/02 the Town Council signed up to a publication scheme setting out what information we hold, how it is available to the public and whether we charge for providing copies of documents. This ran out and was extended for two years which expire on 31st December 2008. Cllr Adamson referred to the new Model Publication Scheme, saying that we cannot delete anything from it, but we can add to it if necessary. Cllr Adamson said the only items we do not currently have in place are a policy for handling requests for information and a complaints procedure; he felt it was necessary to have a complaints procedure in place. Proposed Cllr Adamson, seconded Cllr Roberts that the New Publication Scheme be adopted from 1st January 2009; agreed.

Burial Board Report
Proposed Cllr Adamson, seconded Cllr Roberts that the following applications be approved; agreed:
Application for Exclusive Rights and Memorials
Grave F4 19 Leslie Shaw
Applications for Additional Inscription
Grave GG 16 Sheila Spence
Cllr Adamson advised that Joplings have carried out their annual inspection of Cemetery Lodge and everything is in order.

Reports
Representatives
Cllr Roberts reported that she and Cllr Watson had visited Todds and were very impressed and enlightened by their recycling processes. Every bay is cleaned and sterilised every week and it is all checked by the Environment Agency each week. Nothing stays on site for more than six days.
Cllr Marshall reported that she had had a walk round the town with Peter Walker, the new Chairman of TRI. They had looked particularly at projects that TRI are involved in and ones which the Town Council have done. Cllr Marshall said that Mr Walker was very impressed.

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Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that East Thirsk Community Hall is going reasonably well. The senior citizens’ party is to be held on 17th January.
Cllr Penson reported that she, together with Cllrs Watson and Pagram, went to Allanbrooke Barracks following the complaint received from two residents regarding the powered gliders. She advised that they were all very impressed with the work which is done there; volunteers go there every weekend to encourage the ATC. Cllr Hesmondhalgh enquired about the residents who complained; we are advised that they were sent a letter from Squadron Leader Wiper at Allanbrooke Barracks, but we understand they did not respond.
Cllr Adamson advised that on Christmas Day Abigail Homer McGhee of Thirsk Clock Café and family will be cooking Christmas dinner for homeless people at Thirsk Clock and anyone wishing to give a donation to this can do so. Cllr Penson reported that she had attended the AGM of Thirsk Clock and was very impressed by the service they give.
Cllr Jackson reported that he had attended the AGM of the Flatts Preservation Trust – the principal concern is the state of the changing rooms. Planning permission has been granted and it is now necessary to obtain Building Control approval. They thanked the Town Council for its contribution to the grasscutting and insurance costs.
Cllr Morton advised that he was away when the Swimming Baths Trust meeting was held and Cllr Adamson attended in his absence. Cllr Adamson reported that the fees are going up by around 2%. A small portion of land is being transferred from the Flatts Trust to the Swimming Baths Trust.

Members
Cllr Marshall advised that she had visited the Children’s Centre at East Thirsk and she urged people to go to it. They are doing excellent work both with the under 5s and with older children.
Cllr Marshall pointed out that on Saturday there was a very large pool of water on Long Street; to be reported to NYCC.
Cllr Marshall referred to the Winter Maintenance leaflet which has just been received from NYCC and pointed out that according to this the pavements in the town should have been salted before 9.00 a.m. However, this had not been done in the recent icy weather and the pavements and the crossing in the Market Place were very slippery; a letter to be sent to NYCC about this. Cllr Hesmondhalgh had also received several telephone calls from people complaining about the state of the pavements.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh referred to the ginnel between Dowber Way and Tranmire where cut down trees are building up; to be reported to HDC again.
Cllr Penson had received complaints about vehicles parking on the pavement on Millgate; she had asked the complainants to write to the police.
Cllr Adamson pointed out that Councillors’ photographs are still required to go on the website.

Any Urgent Items which were to have been dealt with at the meeting on 4th December 2008
Cllr Watson referred to the fact that, because of the severe weather conditions, the meeting which was to have been held on 4th December had been cancelled and this item had therefore been put on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.
Sensory Garden - Cllr Marshall advised that Mike I’Anson has drawn up a newsletter about the Sensory Garden and she distributed some copies of this. The headstones and kerbstones have been taken up and are being stored in a compound on site. We are going through the legal transactions and trying to get a transfer to the Town Council. A site meeting had been held with Taylor

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Wimpey re a triangle of land between the burial ground and Nursery Gardens. After Christmas scaffolding will be put in the river in order that repairs to the harbour wall can take place. Cllr Marshall advised that Cllr Adamson took up the issues re the footpath link and there is £10K available at HDC to do the riverside walk provided the Infants School Charity Trustees and the library agree.
Norby Development - Cllr Marshall advised that Mark Wildin of George Wimpey wrote to us in November asking if we had made a decision about the pieces of land on their site and whether we are going to take them over. Cllr Marshall pointed out that the Town Council has already agreed to take over the play area and it was agreed to ask our grasscutters to look at the piece along the front and give us a price for cutting it; however, because of the condition of the land at the time they were not able to do this. Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh that the Town Council take over the pieces of land in question; agreed.
Greens and Ingramgate - Cllr Pack advised that the Greens and Ingramgate Committee is getting quotes for various projects.
Ginnels - Cllr Watson reported that a meeting re the ginnels had been held earlier in the day. Chris Fitzgerald is to do a sample sign and Cllr Watson will show this to all the businesses in the ginnels and ask them to sign an authority. Regarding the archway, letters are to be sent to the owners of the buildings to which it is proposed to affix it. Two quotes have been received for re-surfacing Batemans Yard and a third is awaited; Cllr Watson intends to bring the quotes to the January Town Council meeting. She pointed out that a lot of this work is grant funded.

Proposed Cllr Marshall, seconded Cllr Watson that the press and public be excluded for two confidential items of a commercial nature.

Cllr Marshall reported that tenders were sent out for the new path in the Sensory Garden and four quotes had been received. The Sensory Garden Working Party feel that tegula blocks would be more appropriate than tarmac. Proposed Cllr Marshall, seconded Cllr Watson that the quote from Wilf Noble be accepted; agreed.

The Clerk referred to the possibility of a new Licence Application for the sale of alcohol. Proposed Cllr Roberts, seconded Cllr Penson that a letter be sent to HDC expressing our concern at this.

The meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.