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Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 1st January 2009 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
PUBLIC HOLIDAY -NO MEETING HELD
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 19th January 2009 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Page P098
Present:
Cllrs J.Watson (Chair), D.E.Adamson, C.Hesmondhalgh, J.E.Jackson, J.Marshall, C.M.Pack, M.Penson, F.M.Roberts, the Clerk.
In Attendance: Ms E. Coulson, Cllr.G.Dadd
Apologies:Cllrs. A.Pagram (ill), A.Morton (hearing aid malfunction), A. Robinson (ill)
1.Retiring Clerk
Cllr Watson stated that she would like to take the opportunity to thank Elaine Coulson on behalf of the Town Council for all of her work and commitment over the last six years, and to wish her all the best for her retirement.
Elaine stated that she had really enjoyed her time in the post and thanked the Town Council for giving her the opportunity to undertake the work and meet many nice people who she had come into contact with.
2. Minutes
(Proposed: Cllr. Hesmondhalgh Seconded: CllrRoberts)
Resolved: that the minutes of the Meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on 15 December 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the amendment on PO96 of ‘Cllr Adamson attended in his absence’ to read ‘Cllr Adamson reported in his absence.’
3.Police Report
(Proposed: Cllr Roberts Seconded Cllr.Hesmondhalgh that standing orders be suspended)
Cllr Hesmondalgh advised of the on-going anti-social behaviour problems at the East Thirsk Community Hall.
PC Brooks noted that the vegetation between the Hall and the school needed cutting and he would examine the area.
PC Brooks reported that work was proceeding on an application for a dispersal order for Thirsk and Sowerby which gave the police power to disperse two or more people if they were carrying out anti-social behaviour.
There had been problems experienced in Chapel Street including the Alzheimer’s Office where eighteen windows had been broken. Youths congregated on the fire escape at the rear of the bakery and caused the damage by throwing bottles.
PC Brooks was to approach the property owners and investigate improved lighting.
Operation Ladybird was proving successful with farmers on watch schemes and mobile patrols.
Operation Drystone which targeted problem areas had been running for three weeks and the teams were actually based in Thirsk when not tasked.
Cllr Marshall questioned whether there had been feedback on how the designated public places was working.
PC Brooks advised that to date there had been no negative feedback and considered that the scheme would come into its own over the coming year.
Cllr Watson thanked PC Brooks for his report.
(Proposed: Cllr Roberts Seconded Cllr. Hesmondhalgh that standing orders be reinstated)
4.District and County Council Reports.
Cllr Adamson reported that the cabinet had agreed the precept which was a four and a half percent increase on Band D properties.
As with other Councils the pay rise was still not settled with the employers side and was going to arbitration.
Page P099
On the Area Committee Fire and Rescue review of retained stations a letter from the Divisional Officer was worth reading and was circulated.
Cllr Marshall questioned whether there was any further information regarding the public toilets and Cllr Adamson advised that he would report back when any details were available.
Cllr Dadd advised that the re-provision of the Lambert hospital in Thirsk was at the top of the PCT list together with Whitby and would go ahead as soon as finance became available.
Funding of the PCT would increase by 11% over the next two years.
There was support for the MP for York for the PCT’s historic debt to be cleared, and a letter was to be sent to the government in this respect.
There was an emphasis to keep the increase in the council tax substantially below 5%.
Cllr. Jackson considered that Councils should be making a substantial effort to keep the Tax rise as small as possible such as 1% or 2%.
5. Open Forum
No members of the public were present.
6. Matters arising from the Meeting held on 15 December 2008.
P092 Toilet Cleaner; further details from S.Prentice awaited
P092 Buggies driven on road at night; details of website awaited
P092 Cemetery Notice board; Malcolm Blackburn proceeding with.
P092 Standing Orders on Agenda
P092 Carrs Field - awaiting accounts/insurance details
P093 Request for additional bus stop; reply from NYCC awaited.
P093 Burial Board; no further action regarding green bin at the moment
P093 Parking Discs; Cllr Penson advised that 60000 had been printed but to date none had
arrived.
P093 TIC toilet storage; reply from HDC awaited.
PO93 Broken window pane; matter concluded.
PO94 Precept; Letter delivered to HDC.
PO94 Town End Footbridge; letter sent toNYCC.
PO95 Water on Long Street; reported to NYCC.
PO95 Pavements during icy conditions; letter sent toNYCC.
PO95 E mail sent to HDC re. trees cut down at Dowber Way/Tranmire.
PO96 Councillors photographs still awaited.
PO96 Norby Development; letter sent to Taylor Wimpey.
PO96 Sensory Garden footpath tender; letters sent to Wilf Noble/unsuccessful contractors.
PO96 Licence application; Email sent to HDC/no application to date.
7.Finance.
7(1) Accounts for payment:
M. Burnett:
Repair to cemetery tap £15.00
Repair to fencing on St. James’ Green and repair/staining of planters on Long Street £227.96
C.A. Amy
Play area inspections (1.12.08.28.12.08) £182.80
Litter picking/sweeping £200.00
Tree work at East Thirsk Play Area £1,250.00
Page P100
Fox’s Trophies and Engraving – sign for Millennium Green £52.90
Power Point – hire of equipment for Millennium Green £16.10
Keith Ledger hire of fencing for Sensory Garden £123.34
Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall – 50% of insurance premium £1,465.96
Castle Colour Printers - photocopying etc £11.31
HM Revenue and Customs – Tax/NI, Dec 08 £425.01
M.Burnett - Replacement Office lock £58.23
Mazars -Fee for Audit £632.50
Thirsk and Sowerby Flatts Pres.Trust - 50% of insurance premium £302.50
In addition, the salaries of the Clerk, the Retiring Clerk, the Assistant Clerk and the Cemetery Groundsman will be paid in accordance with the Town Council’s normal practice
7(2) Paid since last meeting
Petty Cash £49.22
BT – combined bill for telephone and Broadband £268.65
Hambleton D.C. planning application fee - alleyway signage £47.50
7(3) Applications for Exclusive Rights and Memorials
None at 13.1.09.
7(4) Monthly Balance Sheet and Budget Report for December2008
The Clerk advised that there was a typographical error on the budget report and circulated amended reports.
(Proposed :Cllr Roberts Seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh)
Resolved: That the monthly balance sheet and amended budget report be approved and accepted.
7(5) Bank Mandate
Cllr. Watson advised that the bank mandate needed to include the new Clerk.
It was considered that Councillors who were regularly available should be signatories.
(Proposed: Cllr Roberts Seconded: Cllr Hesmondhalgh)
Resolved (a) That signatories on the bank mandate consist of Cllrs Morton, Roberts and Watson together with the Clerk.
(b) That cheques be signed by any three of the signatories.
7(6) Annual Audit of Accounts
The Clerk reported that the annual audit had been completed and no matters had been raised.
(Proposed:Cllr Hesmondhalgh Seconded:Cllr Pack)
Resolved: that the Town Council extends its thanks to Cllrs.Marshall, Roberts and the Clerk for all the work undertaken in preparing the annual accounts for audit.
8. Correspondence
8(1) Thirsk and District Business Association – letter of thanks for donation
Page P101
8(2) Environment Agency – Topographic Surveys along the course of the Cod Beck for approximately 3 weeks from 5th January 2009. Cllr Marshall stated that this was good news.
8(3) HDC – Naming of properties converted from Cobblestones, 1 Batemans Yard – to be named
1 and 1A Batemans Yard, Market Place, Thirsk YO7 1EZ
8(4) NYCC - closure of Blakey Bridge for up to 5 days from 19th January for repairs to the bollards.
8(5)Land Registry - outlining the benefits of registration and fees. Cllr. Marshall considered that it would be beneficial to the Town Council for its land to be registered particularly by defining boundaries.
(Proposed: CllrAdamson Seconded: Cllr Hesmondhalgh)
Resolved: that the Town Council examine voluntary registration of its land and property.
8(6) Thirsk Cricket Club - letter of thanks for support and detailing sponsorship for 2009.
Resolved: that The Town Council sponsor a match ball in the new season commencing in April 2009.
8(7) NYCC - details regarding examination of the draft Minerals and Waste Core Strategy as part of the North Yorkshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework, and the proposal to withdraw draft strategies to produce revised documents.
8(8) Royal British Legion - thank you letter for the Poppy Appeal contribution.
8(19) Communities and Local Government - consultation paper on Code of recommended practise on local authority publicity.
(Proposed:Cllr Robert Seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh)
Resolved: (a) that the consultation document be circulated for consideration
(b) That an item be placed on the agenda for the Meeting to be held 16 February.
8(10) Sowerby Parish Council - letter enquiring as to whether Thirsk Town Council would join Sowerby in asking Hambleton District Council to allow free car parking in Thirk during December 2009 in order to help traders .
Members supported Sowerby but also considered that Hambleton DC should review the whole proposal of car parking charges in Thirsk in view of the current financial climate.
(Proposed:Cllr.Marshall Seconded: Cllr Hesmondhalgh)
Resolved: (a) that Thirsk support the request made by Sowerby Parish Council in respect of Christmas car parking.
(b) That Hambleton be requested to re-examine the introduction of car parking charges in Thirsk in view of the economic climate and effect on traders and residents.
9. Burial Board Report.
Cllr Adamson advised that there were no items to report.
10. Standing Orders.
(Proposed Cllr Roberts Seconded Cllr Hesmondhalgh)
Resolved: that sub-paragraph (f) of Standing Order no 10 ‘To appoint School Governors’ be removed.
Page P102
11. Reports.
(a) Representatives on Outside Bodies
i. Y.L.C.C.
Cllr Roberts advised that she had attended the Joint Executive Committee. Ian Strong was in much better health, and a full report on Allotments was to be undertaken.
ii. Thirsk Infants School Trust
Cllr Marshall reported that the Trustees had negotiated a new lease with N.Y.C.C.
iii. Millenium Green Trust
Cllr Marshall advised there had been a tidy-up of the green.
iv. East Thirsk Community Hall
Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that the senior citizens Christmas meal had been a great success, and that tenders were been sought to have the hall floor sanded and polished.
(b) Members
Cllr Marshall noted that the road surface adjacent to the HSBC was in a bad condition.
Cllr. Penson advised that the Clerk had taken photographs and reported the matter to NYCC who had subsequently tarmacadamed the problem area .
Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that tree branches had been thrown in the in the alleyway between Dowber Way and Tranmire Avenue and considered that Hambleton DC should be approached to remove the items.
Cllr Pack advised that the Water Authority were to examine what could be done about the problems at the roundabout.
Cllr. Adamson noted that the planning application by Wetherspoons had been refused by Hambleton DC.
Page P103
12. Confidential Items
Resolved: that in accordance with the Public Bodies ( Admission to Meetings ) Act 1960 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the discussion of the confidential items.
The Meeting closed at 8.55pm
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