Minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting
held on Thursday 4th April 2002 at 7:30pm in the Annexe,
Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs Robinson, in the chair, Adamson, Hubbard, Murkett, Pack and Salmon, 1 press reporter and the clerk.
Apologies:
Cllrs Bull, Hall, Jackson, Marshall and Roberts: accepted.
Minutes: 7th March 2002:
Approval proposed Cllr Pack seconded Cllr Hubbard, agreed.
Matters Arising:
Pole, St James Green/ path to Carrs Field: Clerk asked to write to the chairman of BT, explain the problem and ask for response and action; Carrs Field Trust to write also.
Cllr Adamson arrived.
Coop delivery vehicles, Gillings Court: Councillors suggest the area could be cobbled
/concreted so that if wagons do run on the area there would not be any problem; to
suggest to NYCC contact Coop re responsibility.
Skate park: Cllr Robinson reported it had been agreed to look at a site near the
swimming baths; if this fails then other sites would be considered: Mr D Goodwin,
HDC is studying all aspects that may be affected and also the leasing of the land; a
report back is expected shortly.
Toilets, Market Place: Cllr Robinson reported he had contacted HDC re the state
of the toilets; it was agreed to write to HDC Environmental Health Officer, copy to
Chief executive, as the present situation is not satisfactory to either residents or
visitors of the town.
Old notice, in Tan Express window: removed.
It was agreed to ask a Consignia representative to next amenity meeting to explain
changes in service to the town.
Correspondence:
Mr Walker, grass cutting contractor, has reported that the area he has been asked to cut
at Hambleton Drive/Whitestone Court is all brambles; NYCC to be asked to clear or
exclude from grass cutting contract.
Brochure of designs and details of self-closing gate show; noted.
HDC Street cleaning reply, (All Councillors had been given a copy):
Discussion on the time that it is taking for new schedules to be implemented; agreed
to ask Mr Amy re litter being picked and put in HDC bins; there was some debate re
the position if the Town Council undertook the street cleaning in the town; Cllr
Robinson said he had been informed that the Town Council would not be able to take
on the work.
Seats:
Agreed that the clerk contacts the same contractors as had tendered last year.
Signatory, Craigs Way:
Cllr Adamson proposed seconded Cllr Murkett that Cllr Roberts should sign, agreed.
Committee Reports:
Thirsk in Bloom: Cllr Pack reported on the recent judging by Yorkshire in Bloom; judges had been impressed by the 'water buggy' and the brochure put together showing the work in progress of group; Cllr Robinson explained that due to illness Cllr Roberts had been unable to welcome the judges. Cllr Pack raised her concerns re Mill Gardens and will confer with Cllr Hubbard.
Other Items of Interest and Information:
Cllr Robinson reported that the new Tourist Information Centre had been opened the previous week, both Town and District councillors had not been told; short opening hours were discussed; there had been a better service provided when the TIC was in the Museum and at The World of James Herriot; letter to be sent to Mr D Goodwin asking for some explanation of the situation, copies to HDC Chief Executive, Mr S Quartermaine, HDC and the Leader of the Hambleton District Council.
Cllr Adamson reported that on Little Green there are 2 trees that have been snapped off; Cllr Robinson said the Greens Committee will be meeting soon and will look at them.
Press reporter left the meeting (9.11pm).
Cllr Robinson reported on the last meeting of the Market Towns Regeneration: now all the schemes for 3 years have to be submitted; it is estimated that the proposed Drop-in cafe will use £180,000, more than half the budget.
The meeting closed at 9:17pm.
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
held on Monday 15th April 2002 at 7:15pm in the Annexe,
Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall
Present:
Cllr Roberts, in the chair, Adamson, Bull, Hall, Hubbard, Jackson, Marshall, Murkett, Pack, Robinson, 1 Police officer, 3 members of the public and the clerk.
Apologies for absence:
Cllr Salmon, Cllrs Pack and Bull (late arrival attending Town Clock cafe meeting), accepted.
Cllr Marshall arrived.
Minutes:
add 'developing Arts policy'.
Cllr Adamson arrived.
Correction: Cllr Marshall was asked to chase response to correspondence re boundary changes and parish responsibility.
Cllr Hubbard arrived.
change" Councillors cannot restrict issue of licence as others already have the same licences"
Cllr Hall arrived.
Approval of the minutes after correction proposed Cllr Murkett seconded Cllr Marshall, agreed.
Police officer arrived.
Police Report:
PC A. Studd gave a brief report of an incident that had taken place in the Market
Place on the previous Saturday night; Councillors raised their concern at the age of
the offenders and that there had been 9 police vehicles present; groups of people,
though not illegal, can be very intimidating, particularly to the elderly, so Councillors
asked if CCTV had shown the problem developing? PC Studd reported that there had
been 2 arrests one of which had later been charged.
Cllr Marshall raised the incidents of vandalism that had occurred recently in the St.
Mary's Walk area of the town; a letter passed to the Town Council for information by
Mrs Storm from a resident was read.
All councillors felt that a police presence in uniform around all areas of the town
would stop most of the reported problems that are happening.
Cllr Hall asked if any progress towards having community wardens had been made?
PC Studd was unable to give a specific reply but outlined some of the advantages and
disadvantages of having community wardens.
Cllr Hubbard reported that there was a possibility of a 'community watch' type
warden system being introduced; in the meantime the police rely on members of the
public reporting incidents; Cllr Murkett said that now there are only 2 incident rooms
for Yorkshire the staff are unlikely to know the area a caller is referring to and this causes delay and problems.
PC Studd was thanked for attending the meeting and asked to remain for Open Forum.
Suspension of Standing Orders proposed Cllr Marshall seconded, agreed.
Open Forum:
Mrs Robinson, Three Tuns Hotel, expressed her great concern re the incident in the Market Place, the age of the group and questioned the responsibility of their parents; did not think the proposed coffee bar in the town centre a good idea as it would not last; concerns re the number of cars racing round the town at night and the parking in the Market Place where the car radios are played very loudly.
Mrs Dodds reported the problem caused by children sitting around the clock area persistently pressing the button to stop traffic at the pedestrian crossing; this matter to be reported to Mr C Lewis, Thirsk School.
Mr Twiss raised the issue of the delay in the installing and correction of existing dropped kerbs; Cllr Marshall replied that NYCC have agreed to the requirements and the funding is available this year; Mr Twiss hoped that someone experienced in the requirements of the disabled had been consulted.
Mr Twiss expressed concern re the road surface at the entrance to the library; Cllr Marshall gave details of the problems there had been and still are with the developer of the adjacent site.
The number of signs on Station Road warning motorists of a "slippery surface" seems to be excessive; NYCC to be asked for a explanation.
Mrs Dodds complained about the hours of opening at the TIC; the fact that an accommodation list is now displayed in the window is a poor substitute for personal service; more staff and volunteers are expected to mean that the centre will be open longer.
Resumption of Standing Orders proposed Cllr Adamson seconded Cllr Marshall, agreed.
Matters Arising:
Cllrs Bull and Pack are attending the first meeting of the committee of Town
Clock Cafe.
Land ownership at the rear of the Coop/Gillings Court will hopefully be
established by the next Amenity meeting.
York Road: No response to date.
County Council report:
Cllr Marshall reported that J Smith & Sons had got the contract to run the town
service; new bus timetables are out.
NYCC Gritting, Thirsk Division will be discussed at a County Council meeting on
21st June 2002.
Thirsk cycle plan, approved by the Area committee; there is to be consultation on
Station Road to town centre and Stockton Road to Kilvington schemes; to be
completed this year.
District Council Reports:
Cllr Robinson reported: that repair work on the toilets in the Market Place has begun; various Councillors had reported the problems to HDC; problems with the contractor were to blame for the delay in repair; Cllr Jackson suggested that the problems could be solved by having attendant supervised toilets; the situation is to be monitored. Cllr Marshall reported: Thirsk Local Plan meeting next Monday will be discussing the District Wide Local Plan to 2016: at the next meeting of HDC Cultural Committee further progress on the Arts policy will be made.
HDC have cleared the footpath between Gormire Close/Hambleton Ave (refuse deposited), Tranmire Ditch and the ditch behind Rymer Way and East Thirsk Community Hall.
Planning Report:
YLCA had provided the following details re consultation on planning applications: committee must meet; suggested twice per month; minutes of meeting recorded; decisions and details sent to HDC to be recorded; approval at next meeting. Cllr Roberts proposed Cllr Murkett seconded that the method suggested by YLCA be tried for 6 months, agreed. (5 for 3 abstained)
As Cllr Murkett had to leave the meeting he informed members that he was to attend The Standards Board for England on behalf of NALC on 30th April at which there would be workshops; he asked Councillors which workshop they wished him to attend, 1st choice - Registering of Interests, 2nd Choice Role of Monitoring Officer.
Cllr Murkett left the meeting.
Cllrs Bull and Pack arrived.
Planning
Applications: Granted:
2/01/152/0357B Prop: Provision of a new shop and change of use of existing first
floor and seconded floor office and domestic accommodation and of existing third
floor domestic accommodation to associated storage accommodation.
Location: 5-5a Finkle Street, Thirsk
Applicant: Bathroom Emporium (TC no objections)
2/02/152/00679 Prop: Ground floor extension to existing dwelling house.
Location: 3 Herriot Way, Thirsk.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Huxley. (TC no objections)
Refused:
2/01/152/0671 Prop: Construction of boundary fence as amended and as plan as received by HDC on 7th February 2002 and supplemented by letter and photographs dated 27th February 2002.
Location: 21 St Mary's Walk, Thirsk.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Garbutt (TC refused)
Applications:
2/01/152/0141N Prop: Application for LBC for an extension to existing gas supply
pipe.
Location: 65-67 Market Place, Thirsk
Applicant: Yorkshire Co-operatives Ltd (TC no objections)
2/01/152/0216 Prop: Change of use of workshop/office to a dwelling
Location: Porters Vaults, Chapel Street, Thirsk (TC no objections but)
2/02/152/0334N Prop: Retrospective LBC Application for the erection of a replacement non-illuminated fascia and projecting signs. Location: 48 Market Place, Thirsk
Applicant: Imperial Cancer Research Fund (TC no objections)
2/02/152/0598A Prop: Proposed lifting and thinning of ash tree
Location: The Bungalow, Picks Lane, Thirsk
Applicant: Mrs B J Binns (TC no objections)
2/02/152/0681 Prop: Construction of a domestic garage.
Location: 23 Craigs Way, Thirsk.
Applicant: W L Neesam (TC refused) 2/02/152/0683 Prop: Alterations to existing shop
Location: 17-19 Millgate, Thirsk Applicant:
Mr A Denton (TC refused)
2/02/152/0684 Prop: Conservatory extension to existing dwelling house
Location: 63 Norby, Thirsk Applicant:
D J Moon (TC no objections)
Accounts:
Cllr Adamson declared a pecuniary interest.
Payment of the following accounts proposed Cllr Marshall seconded Cllr Hall,
agreed.
C Amy: Weekly insp, play/amenity areas £162.80
Mill Gardens £120.00
Picnic area £40.00
Castlegarth, pick litter, cut back snow berry/brambles £ 55.00
White Mare shrubbery/roundabout, litter/weed £10.00
East Thirsk Play area: surfacing gateways £ 80.00
Carrs Field, hedge cutting £15.00
Thirsk Cemetery, plant beech hedge £90.00
K. Dickinson, clean office windows £6.00
Staples, stationery £70.91
Yorkshire Water, Cem. Lodge £134.96
Yorkshire Water, office £42.00
Power Point Ltd, bolts Burial Board £4.84
Thirskweb.com, Basic Web Hosting service £32.00
A Swift, Burial Board oil leak repairs £96.12
Kettlewell Fuels Ltd, replacement fuel Burial Board £113.03
Northern Electric, office £175.33
HDC C Tax, office DD £120.45
Correspondence:
NYCC Winter Maintenance Review, Cllr Marshall has given details to NYCC of
more areas that require gritting.
HOC, York Road, Thirsk, reply noted.
HDC, Bench, Millgate Car park in memory of John Gormley; councillors felt that it
will not be used much in evenings as lorries are in the park.
HDC, Parish Liaison meeting, minutes: passed for Councillors to read.
HDC request for temporary road closure, Woolmoor Close: noted.
NYCC, temporary 40mph speed limit, A170: noted.
NYCC Environmental Management Best Value Consultation: to be copied to each
Councillor for individual filling in.
Henry Hyams, renewal of Bingo Licence, Regent Bingo: amendment to application
for the provision of gaming machines; request for the machines to be kept in a
restricted area for use by persons aged over 18 years.
NYCC, Restriction of waiting, A61, Station Road, copy of order: noted.
Workhouse play area: Cllr Marshall read a letter to HDC from Mrs Fixter and HDC
response; Cllr Adamson proposed Cllr Pack seconded that the transfer to Town
Council should go ahead as soon as possible so that the equipment can be installed,
agreed.
Burial Board Report:
Cllr Hall reported:
There had been an oil leak at Cemetery Lodge, now repaired, hence the payment for
replacement oil in this month's accounts.
Notice board now almost complete; will be installed soon; work on grassed footpath
to commence shortly; donated seat has been installed; first grass cut has taken place.
Water pipe to the Garden of Rest area/ separate metering not to be undertaken;
supervision would be difficult.
Adoption of Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001 (S.1.3576):
Proposed Cllr Adamson seconded Cllr Marshall, agreed.
To delete Standing Orders no: 50 to 52 and amendment of Standing Order no: 53:
Proposed Cllr Adamson seconded Cllr Marshall, agreed.
Further details required, to be considered at next Amenities meeting; Cllr Adamson and the clerk to compile and circulate. Cllr Adamson gave details of how the Register of Interests would be kept; in special binder; copied to HDC with restriction on publicity by any means; Town Council will have to do own advert re adoption of the code and Councillor's registration of interests.
Suspension of Standing Orders proposed Cllr Adamson seconded Cllr Jackson, agreed.
Tourist Information Centre:
Cllr Marshall has spoken to Mr S Quartermaine HDC and to Mr D Goodwin, HDC, who have assured her that the present opening hours are only temporary; there will eventually be 2 employees (job sharing) and a team of volunteers; discussion on present situation followed; agreed to monitor the situation.
Representatives Reports:
Thirsk Clock Cafe: Cllr Bull reported that Cllr Pack and himself are now directors of
the Trust; charitable status is being applied for; possible funding has been agreed; a
business plan being complied; looking for premises.
Chamber of Trade: Cllr Hubbard reported that the opening hours of the TIC had been
discussed; HDC officer to be asked to next meeting to explain the policy and hear
traders views.
East Thirsk Community Association: Cllr Adamson reported that at the recent AGM
Cllr Marshall had agreed to remain chairman for the coming year.
Further suspension of Standing Orders for 10 minutes proposed Cllr Marshall seconded Cllr Roberts, agreed.
Members Reports:
Cllr Marshall wished to commend Mrs Wilde for the clearing and planting she had
done at the rear of Thirsk Museum/Abbeyfield.
Cllr Pack has been approached by the Girl Guides re planting in Millgate car park,
where the seat in memory of Mr J Gormley is to be installed; Councillors suggested in
front of the Thirsk Hall in Kirkgate would be more suitable.
Cllr Robinson had a meeting with Mr C Vincent and Mr G Holder, HDC re ownership
and responsibility of areas a the side of Little Green/Todds Court area; further
investigations are to follow.
Cllr Hubbard asked what stage flood protection schemes had reached? Cllr Marshall
replied that The Environment Agency survey was not yet complete.
Cllr Jackson raised his concerns re 33 Market Place, time taken; car parking spaces
being used as builders yard; understood work was to be completed by Easter; now
parking vehicles opposite; letter to HDC, copy to NYCC, requesting cleaning of
'builders yard' and restoration of parking spaces.
Cllr Bull reported that the Summer Fayre at East Thirsk Community Primary School
to held be on 28th June 2002.
Exclusion of press and public proposed Cllr Robinson seconded Cllr Marshall, agreed.
The meeting closed at 10:21pm.