Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 5th February 2009 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Page P105
Present:
Cllrs. J.Watson (Chair), D.Adamson, C.Hesmondhalgh, J.Jackson, A.Morton, C.Pack, A.Pagram, M.Penson, F.Roberts, the Clerk.
Apologies: Cllr J.Marshall (ill)
1. Open Forum.
No members of the public or police were present.
2. Minutes.
Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on 19 January 2009 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the deletion of Cllr. Roberts from resolution 7(6) P100.
3. Clerks Report on Matters arising from the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 6 November 2008
P082 Carrs Field; email received advising of Meeting on 29 January/ report to come including insurance details.
P082 Floodlights; still to pursue
P082 Taylor Wimpey; “No Parking” sign still in the Town Council Office, but the position of where it was to be sited on the Little Green had been identified and Malcolm Burnett was to undertake in due course
P082 Planters on Long Street; no response from the gas board’s contractors yet. One quotation received. Malcolm Burnett to provide details for repairing and painting the planters.
P083 Damaged Interpretation Board on St. James’ Green; new Interpretation Board now in place and Pryor Signs have removed damaged Board. Invoices for new Interpretation Board and for fencing had been sent to the insurers.
P083 Plasticrete on the Little Green; letter received from Hambleton D.C.
P083 Councillors’ photographs; some still awaited
P083 Cemetery Notice board; notice board still in place/work to commence in near future
P083 Letter of complaint re public toilets and footpaths; letter received from Hambleton D.C. to be reported under correspondence
P083 Flyposting; no response from the NHS
P083 Picnic Area; letters sent to Mrs Diane Miller and to grass cutters
P083 Visit to the CCTV; four Councillors indicated they wished to visit.
Page P106
P084 Schedule of Outstanding Amenity Items; NYCC to be contacted re outstanding items. E mail sent to Clive Thornton re dead tree
P085 Central Areas; Bikers requested to provide quote for replacing broken slabs in the alleyway outside the Town Council Office
P085 Greens and Ingramgate; quotes had been obtained for resurfacing works in Ingramgate
Resolved: that the Clerks report be noted.
4. Correspondence.
4(1) Public Toilets and Street Cleaning in Thirsk
Letter dated 18 November 2008 from Hambleton D.C. advising of the reasons behind the closure of the Market Place toilets on 14 September, a revised cleaning regime and the street cleaning schedules.
Resolved: that Mr Dale be forwarded a copy of the letter from Hambleton DC.
4(2) Hambleton Play Partnership
The agenda for the meeting of 10 December and minutes for the meeting of 17 September were received.
4(3) Record Playground – Inspection and Maintenance
Letter dated 13 January 2009 advising of inspection and maintenance services available.
4(4) Plasticrete surfacing adjacent to Todds Cottages, Little green, Thirsk.
Letter dated 23 December 2008 from Hambleton DC. Passed to Cllr. Pack/Greens and Ingramgate Committee.
4(5) Winter Maintenance
Letter dated 22 January from NYCC advising of the winter maintenance policy.
4(6) Thirsk Town Clock
Letter dated 26 January from Smith of Derby reporting that the engineer had carried out the routine annual service.
4(7) Hambleton Local Development Framework: Proposed Submission Allocations Development Plan Document
Paper/CD copy of the document received with formal representations to be submitted by 6 March 2009.
Resolved: that the document be circulated to members with views and comments to be reported to the Town Council Meeting to be held 5 March 2009.
4(8) East Thirsk Play Area
Letter dated 3 February from Eccles Heddon enclosing Counterpart lease document and revenue form.
Resolved: that Cllrs Watson and Hesmondhalgh be authorised to sign the lease and revenue form for and on behalf of Thirsk Town Council.
Page P107
4(9) Licence Application
The Clerk reported receipt of an email from Hambleton D.C. regarding a licensing application for the White Horse Stores on Long Street and in view of the time scale for representations the item needed to be considered urgently.
Cllr Adamson noted his involvement with the Licensing Committee and left the room for the length of the discussion.
The application was for a licence to sell alcohol between the hours of 7.00am and 10.30pm seven days per week. The premises were to install internal and external cctv and the police would have remote viewing for up to 28 days.
Following further discussion it was
Resolved: that the Town Council make no representations in respect of the licence application.
4(10) Tabled Correspondence
Aquilo Anti-damage coatings letter.
NYCC Final Report of the Transport and Telecommunication Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Winter Maintenance.
CCTV Newsletter and Statistics
York and North Yorkshire Playing Fields Association – “The Playing Field” newsletter
YRCC Annual Report 2007/08
YRCC – “Country Air” newsletter
Urbanspace – Product Catalogue 2009
Blueton Street Furniture Catalogue
Glasdon Street Furniture Catalogue
Wicksteed Playscapes Catalogue
Base Newsletter
Smith of Derby Newsletter
The Milestone Society Newsletter
5. Schedule of Outstanding Amenity Items
The Clerk noted that there appeared to be a lot of old items on the schedule and members agreed that some should be deleted.
The Clerk advised that he would examine the various items on the schedule.
6. Reports from Committees
6(1) Carrs Field - Cllr Roberts advised that the Trustees had held a site meeting on 29 January and Christine Ridsdale had attended. She was happy to be the Town Councils nominated representative.
Cllr Roberts expressed her concern regarding the insurance and accounts.
Resolved: that Christine Ridsdale be nominated as Thirsk Town Councils representative on the Ethel Johnson Bequest Trust.
6(2) Central Areas - Cllr Watson advised that the re-seeding of the area near Mill Gardens had not been successful and it was felt that the area should be turfed.
Cllr Watson noted that there was a blocked gully near the bus shelter, there were concerns regarding plastic signage and windows and problems with litter and debris in Nicks Alley.
A site meeting with PC Brooks was to be arranged to discuss solutions for the Alley.
A maintenance schedule was awaited from NYCC in respect of jetting of drains.
Page P108
6(3) Christmas Festivities - Cllr Adamson advised that it was intended that there would be more lights for the coming Christmas period.
6(4) Greens and Ingramgate - Cllr Pack noted that the Clerk had passed to her quotations for resurfacing in Ingramgate.
Cllr Morton advised that the drains in Stamergate and Long Street could not cope with normal rainfall and needed jetting out.
6(5) Millennium Green. - Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that a substantial clean-up had taken place.
6(6) Open Areas - It was noted that East Thirsk Play Area could proceed following completion of the lease documents.
6(7) Sensory Gardens - The outstanding items, comprising the 20 sq.m of land in the ownership of Taylor Wimpey, pedestrian access and small area of land excluded from the transfer, were all being pursued.
6(7) Ditches - No items to report
Page P109
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 confidential items.
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 16th February 2009 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Page P110
Present:
Cllrs J.Watson, A.Morton, J.Jackson, J.Marshall, C.Hesmondhalgh, C.Pack, D.Adamson, M.Penson, F.RobertsA.Robinson.
Apologies: Cllr A.Pagram (family illness)
1. Minutes
Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on 5 February 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the amendment of minute 3/P105 Mill Gardens to read Picnic Area.
2. Police report
No representative of the Police was present.
3. NYCC and HDC Reports.
3.1. The County Councillor was absent.
3.2 Cllrs Adamson and Robinson advised that there were no matters to report.
4. Open Forum
No members of the public were present.
5. Clerks Report on matters arising from the Thirsk Town Council Meeting held on 19 January 2009
5.1 Bank Mandate
The bank mandate had been completed and sent to the relevant office for actioning.
5.2 Land Registry
The Clerk advised that the majority of Council owned land such as play areas could probably be registered as one estate with a nominal value for the sum of £30.
The Cemetery which included the lodge would have a value and would need to be registered separately at a rate determined by the value.
Cllr Marshall noted that values could be obtained from the insurance schedule.
Resolved:
a) That the Town Council pursue registration of its land with Land registry.
b) that a letter be sent to John Bell advising of the benefits of registration in respect of St.James Green and the Holmes.
5.3 Sowerby Parish Council/Christmas Parking
The Clerk reported that letters had been sent to Hambleton DC and Sowerby Parish Council.
5.4 Dowber Close/Tranmire Avenue
The removal of branches from the footpath was still to be pursued.
5.5 Sensory Garden
The various matters were proceeding.
5.6 Batemans Yard
A temporary stopping-up order was required in respect of the public footpath and it was hoped that this would be in operation mid March to enable the works to be undertaken before the end of the financial year.
Page P111
5.7 Savings Account
The Clerk advised that he had obtained the necessary form for the withdrawal.
5.8 Communities and Local Government/Code of Recommended Practise on Local Authority Publicity
Cllr Roberts noted that the Town Council had its own website which was comprehensive about its activities and publicity was also obtained through local newspapers and by working with other bodies. She considered that this was sufficient for the Council.
Resolved:
a) That the Clerks Report be noted
b) That Communities and Local Government be advised that the Town Council consider that the publicity received from its Website, local newspapers and working with other bodies is sufficient.
6. Finance
6.1 Accounts for payment
The Clerk advised that a letter dated 11 February from Zurich Municipal to the Carrs Field Trust had been delivered to the Town Council Office.
The letter referred to the unpaid insurance renewal premium. A note had been included from Tony Jordan requesting that the premium be paid.
Members noted that the effective date of the insurance policy was 7 December 2008 and were concerned that they had not had sight of the policy document or the Trusts accounts.
Resolved:
a) that the insurance premium in respect of Carrs Field together with an invoice for tree work at the Millennium Green be added to the schedule of accounts for payment.
b) That the schedule of accounts at 16/02/09 be approved for payment.
(See Appendix A)
c)that a letter be sent to all Trustees of the Ethel Johnson Bequest Trust expressing the Town Councils concern regarding the insurance policy and accounts.
6.2 Monthly Balance Sheet and Budget Report for January
Resolved: that the monthly balance sheet and Budget Report for January be approved.
7. Correspondence
7.1 Email dated 21/01/09 from Bag It up Ltd re: article on Website/news letter.
Email requesting article on website/newsletter.
Resolved:
That Bag It Up be advised that a notice could be placed in the Town Council Notice boards.
7.2 Copy letter dated 26 /01/09 from NYCC to Asenby T.C. re: bus stop at Tesco.
Copy letter advising that it had not been possible to identify a safe position within the new Lidl development.
7.3 Letter dated January 2009 from Age Concern re: Appeal.
Resolved: That the letter be noted
Page P112
7.4 Copy letter dated 28 January from Hambleton D.C. re: street naming and numbering Batemans Yard.
Letter confirming address of Woodpeckers Weeds Ashmore House Batemans Yard.
7.5 Copy letter dated 10/02/09 from Hambleton D.C. re: Property name change – Old Rectory Garden.
Change of name to The Rectory
7.6 Letter and enclosures dated 30/01/09 from N.Y.C.C. re: Proposed Disc Parking/Prohibition of Waiting Order, Various Roads.
Cllr Watson noted that this and the following item were closely linked and asked Cllr Pack to chair both items and took no further part in discussion or voting.
Cllr Pack in the Chair.
The Clerk read the letter from NYCC which advised that it was anticipated that off-street parking charges would result in parking displacement onto adjacent streets.
NYCC had developed proposals for Traffic Regulation Orders that would address the anticipated displacement issues.
The proposals included the extension of the existing two hour limited waiting restriction disc parking scheme together with local areas of no waiting at any time.
Members questioned where discs would be available from and who would monitor the scheme.
Cllr Adamson advised that District Councils enforcement officers were to monitor on behalf of the County Council and more part time officers were to be employed by Hambleton.
Cllr Marshall noted that double yellow lines were to be installed on one side of Riverside Mews, extended at Picks Lane with lines on both sides of the road, extended at Piper Lane and St. James Green. She was concerned that non-residents would take up available parking areas and use would be made of grassed areas.
.
Resolved:
That the Town Council raise the following issues with NYCC:-
a) The Town Council is concerned that people may take up parking places outside of the area covered by the order thereby displacing local residents and that parking will occur on grassed areas.
b) How will the disc parking/prohibition of waiting be monitored?
c) How will discs be obtained?
d) The Town Council is concerned that certain residents will have to pay a fee for the right to park near to their property and which fee will not even guarantee a parking space
e) How has the £15 charge been determined and what will the fee be allocated to?
7.7 Letter and enclosures dated 5/02/09 from Hambleton D.C. re: Hambleton D.C. (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2009.
The Clerk read the letter from Hambleton DC which advised that the effect of the order was to incorporate off-street parking in Bedale, Northallerton, Stokesley Showfield and Thirsk into one order and to introduce car parking charges.
Thirsk Marage Car Park would become a short stay car park and the Nursery Car Park long stay.
The first hour of parking at the Market place would be free.
Page P113
Cllr Penson was concerned about the lack of concession for some disabled badge holders and questioned how the 1 hour free parking would operate.
Cllr Jackson questioned what would be the financial loss in the first year of operation and what would be the gain in the second year.
Following further discussion it was
Resolved:
a) That Thirsk Town Council considers that the introduction of car parking charges will have a serious detrimental effect on Thirsk, its residents, businesses, organisations and bodies.
b) That the Town Council reiterates the representations previously made.
7.8 Elaine Coulson
Cllr Watson reported receipt of a letter from Elaine Coulson thanking the Town Council for the gift voucher which she had used to buy a painting she had long admired and which would remind her of her years at the Town Council.
8. Burial Board report/Approval of Applications for Memorials.
Cllr Adamson advised that there was nothing to report from the Burial Board.
Three applications for memorials were received.
Resolved: that the memorial applications from Dales of Thisk dated 22/12/2008, 13/01.2009 and 30/01/2009 in the names of Sanderson, Robinson, Bowes be approved.
9. Reports
9.1 Representatives.
a) TRI
Cllr Roberts advised that there had been a large report in respect of schools and out of hours schools.
A comedy festival was to be held in July with the aim of attracting performers on the way to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
It was intended that the cinema would show an appropriate film and there would be stand-up performances and talks commencing on the 17 July.
Cllr Marshall advised that there was an extended schools co-ordinator who was to improve core offer provision for all schools in the Thirsk cluster.
The festival would build up each year with a cultural Olympiad in the year of the Olympics.
b) East Thirsk Community Hall
Cllr Hesmondhalgh reported that the caretaker had resigned and matters were proceeding to find a replacement.
c) Thirsk in Bloom
Cllr Pack reported the Bloom dinner had taken place.
The Girl Guide Group were to maintain planters on Long Street for their centenary year.
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d) Thirsk Clock
Cllr Adamson advised that Thirsk Clock were still looking for premises.
A property in Chapel Street had been considered which was an ideal size but required considerable funding for a new roof.
9.2 Members
Members noted that the wall to the Texaco Garage on Long Street was in a bad state of repair and there was litter around the premises.
Resolved: that the Town Council write to the Texaco Garage advising of the start of the Tourism season and the need to keep Long Street in a tidy condition to enhance the Town.
Cllr Marshall advised of incidents on the Holmes and Johnson Close where a waste bin had been knocked over and there had been a lot of broken bottles.
Resolved: that the Police be informed of the incidents.
Cllr Jackson was concerned about the government’s intention with regard to secondary education facilities and questioned where in particular schools were to be built.
Cllr Morton advised that Chapel Street had recently been subject to delays due to the amount of traffic usage.
He questioned about traffic surveys and whether the junction could be examined.
Cllr Marshall noted that the pedestrian lights were favouring traffic and suggested a priority change.
Resolved:
a) That NYCC be requested to undertake a traffic study in Chapel Street and examine improvements to the junction
b) That the NYCC be requested to change the priority of the pedestrian lights in the Market Place.
Cllr Watson reported that an application for a tempory footpath closure had been made for Batemans Yard to enable the resurfacing works to be undertaken.
The alley signage was been made and it was intended to undertake a structural survey of the National Westminster Bank Building and the opticians where the metal arch was to be sited, subject to receiving permission from the Bank.
The meeting closed at 8.55