Thirsk Town Council

Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
held on Thursday 7th May 2009 at 7:30pm in the Annexe,
Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall

Present:
CllrsJ.Watson (Chair) D.Adamson, C.Hesmondalgh, J.Marshall, A.Morton, M.Penson, F.Roberts.

Apologies:
Cllrs J Jackson (abroad), C.Pack (bereavement), A Pagram (appointment)

19. Open Forum
PC Mayes was present to present the police report.
She advised that a mobile CCTV camera was to be sited on premises in Millgate. In response to various problems at Castlegarth the respective CCTV camera was to give attention to the area, and a letter drop was to be undertaken.
Problems in Carrs Field were being examined with various options being put forward for consideration.
Councillors noted problems with graffiti in the Mill Gardens area and drinking at the Millennium Green.
Discussion took place with regard to the church porch where various problems were ongoing and PC Mayes questioned whether the gate could be locked. Cllr Morton agreed to examine the matter.
Cllr Marshall advised that the sensory garden was now well underway and she questioned whether this could be incorporated into the no drinking area. PC Mayes advised that she would ask Duncan Pears to examine the matter.
Cllr Watson reported receipt of a letter dated 20 April from NYCC regarding Alcohol Respect Campaign in Thirsk which was a follow on from the successful pilot in Bedale.
Mention was made of the present position concerning Nicks Alley.
Cllr Watson thanked PC Mayes for attending the meeting and Members wished her well for her forthcoming childbirth.

20. Minutes
Resolved that the minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 20 April 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

21. Matters arising from the Town Council Meeting held on 2 April 2009
21.1 Sweeping of Pavement Areas in the Market Place
The Clerk advised that John Proud had confirmed that the pavement areas in the Market place affected by pigeons would be regularly swept and he had also arranged for power washing of the alleyway adjacent to the TIC.
The Clerk noted that John Proud had also responded to a request via member s of Thirsk in Bloom for removal of weeds and litter adjoining the library railings and seat area.
21.2 Thirsk Heritage Website
The Clerk advised that the provision of a website was a condition of the grant received in respect of the interpretation boards. Cllr Marshall gave details of the Website.
22. Correspondence
22.1 Letter dated 1/4/09 from the Environment Agency re Flood Alleviation Scheme – Tree survey.
Letter advising that consultants would be undertaking a survey of trees on land adjacent to the river.
22.2 Letter date 7/4/09 from Diane Sue and Myra re Picnic Area.
The letter gave a report on the years work undertaken on the Picnic Area and proposals for the coming year. Confirmation was sought that the finance of Ł100 would be available for the forthcoming year.
Resolved: i) that an account be set up at Baldersby Garden Centre to enable the purchase of plants for the Picnic Area.
ii) That a letter of appreciation be sent with regard to the work undertaken on the Picnic Area together with confirmation regarding the finance
22.3 Email dated 20/4/09 from HDC re May Street Collections
The Clerk reported the Street collections in Thirsk for May.
22.4 Letter dated 3/05/09
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from Mrs M Prior from Lincolnshire who highly complimented the Town following a recent visit.

23. Outstanding Amenity Items
23.1 St James Green
Cllr Adamson questioned what progress had been made by the Greens Committee in relation to the Byelaws. Cllr Marshall advised of the complex situation with regard to the Byelaws.

24. Minutes/ Reports from Committees /Working Parties
24.1 Carrs Field
Cllr Roberts noted that Mr T Jordan had advised that he wished to attend a meeting to give a full report on proposed activities in respect of Carrs Field.
24.2 Central Areas
Cllr Watson circulated the minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2009 which included the turfing of Mill Gardens, problems with graffiti on Millgate Bridge and progressing allotments.
24.3 Open Areas
Cllr Marshall advised of the progress made with Taylor Wimpy with regard to the work on the Holmes.
The East Thirsk Play Area was now subject to Playdale providing an amended scheme to take into account utilising some of the existing safety surfacing.
24.4 Sensory Garden
Cllr Marshall updated the meeting on the progress with acquisition and transfer of the areas of land, and advised of the work being undertaken including the provision of summer bedding plants by volunteers.
Cllr Marshall advised that there had been no further progress in respect of the small triangle of land owned by Taylor Wimpy and proposed that the Town Council instruct Jopling’s to formally value and negotiate the acquisition of the land.
Resolved: that Jopling’s be instructed to value and negotiate the acquisition of the triangular area of land at Sensory Garden
24.5 Ditches
The Clerk advised that he had been approached by a resident in the St Marys walk area with regard to an open ditch causing considerable problems and which the resident felt should be culveted. Members of the ditches working party were to call a meeting and would include the item for discussion.

25. Items of Information
Cllr Marshall advised that the Thircon Roundabout was extremely overgrown and that a pony was actually tethered on the roundabout which she considered was inappropriate. Cllr Marshall advised that the Hannah Packer Plaque was to be unveiled by Cooper Harding at 2 PM on Friday 29 May, with light refreshment at the Black Lion afterwards.
It was reported that there were potholes at the top of St Marys on Stockton Road.
Cllr Watson advised that she had attended the launch of the one stop cop shop on 17 April.
Resolved: that the condition of the Thircon Roundabout be brought to the attention of NYCC

26. Application for Memorial Permit
Cllr Adamson reported receipt of an application for a memorial permit for a wooden cross. The method of installation had been discussed and agreed
Resolved: that the memorial permit for N.Palliser be approved.

Part II

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.

27. Salaries
The Clerk reported the implementation of the 2008/09 National Final Salary award and implementation of the Cemetery workers holiday pay, based on 1/12, for all hours worked for the Town Council.
Resolved: that the report be noted and approved.

The meeting closed at 8.55 pm

Minutes of the Annual Town Council Meeting
held on Monday 18th May 2009 at 7:00pm in the Annexe,
Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall

Present:
Councillors J. Watson (Chair), D.E. Adamson, C. Hesmondhalgh, J. Marshall, A. Morton, A.K. Pagram, C.M. Pack, M. Penson, F.M. Robert, A. Robinson

Apologies:
Cllrs: C. Pack (bereavement), J. Jackson (abroad)

1. Election of Chair
Resolved: that Cllr D.Adamson be elected Chair of Thirsk Town Council for 2009/2010.

2. Election of Vice Chair
Resolved: that Cllr C.Hesmondhalgh be elected Vice Chair of Thirsk Town Council for the year 2009/2010

3. Minutes of the Annual Town Council Meeting held on 19 May 2008
Resolved: that the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

4. Matters Arising from the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 19 May 2008
No matters arising.

5. Committee Reports for the year ended 31st March 2009
The meeting considered the Committee reports. Resolved: that the Committee reports for the year ended 31 March 2009 be received and noted.

6. Representatives Reports for the year ended 31 March 2009
The Meeting received representative’s reports.
Resolved: that the representatives reports for the year ended 31 March 2009 be received and noted.

7. Appointment of Committee Members for 2009/10
Members indicated which committees they wished to be appointed to.
Resolved: that the schedule of Committee members be approved.

Appointment of Council Representatives for 2009/10
Resolved: that the schedule of representatives for 2009/10 be approved.

The Meeting thanked the outgoing Mayor and Town Council staff for all their hard work during the year.

The meeting closed at 7.14 pm.

Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
held on Monday 18th May 2009 at 7:15pm in the Annexe,
Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall

Present:
Cllrs D. Adamson (Chair), C. Hesmondhalgh, J. Marshall, A. Morton, A.Pagram, M.Penson, F.Roberts, A.Robinson, J.Watson.

Apologies:
Cllrs C.Pack (Bereavement) J Jackson (abroad).

27. Minutes
Resolved : that the minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 7th May 2009 be approved as correct record and signed by the chair subject to the amendment of Sgt to PC under Minute 19, the amendment of Taylor Wimpey and Joplings under Minute 24.4, the amendment of Thircon under Minute 25.

28. Police Report
No members of the police were present

29. To receive reports on matters pertaining to Thirsk
29.1 North Yorkshire County Council
It was noted that Cllr Dadd had advised that he would not be attending meetings prior to the election on 4 June to ensure a fair and level platform.
29.2 Hambleton District Council
Cllr Adamson advised that the District Council were examining legislation regarding ‘Happy Hours’ and the consultation document was 87 pages.

30. Open Forum
Tony Jordan advised that he was present as Chair of the Ethel Johnson Bequest Trust in relation to Carrs Field.
He understood that the Town Council had approved a budget of Ł2500 and following meetings with the police and representatives of HDC the Trust was looking to replace the gates for the main entrance and enhance the security of the field, particularly in relation to preventing travellers and joy riders accessing the land.
He presented two quotations in respect of the proposal.
Cllr Roberts questioned why accounts and reports had not been submitted and Mr Jordan advised that the former treasurer had left the Trustees with a considerable number of matters to resolve. Mr Jordan questioned whether the Town Council would like him to attend appropriate meetings to report on the Trust.
Cllr Roberts referred to the various proposals put forward by F W A G in relation to Centenary Field, The Holmes and Carrs Field and suggested that the plans should be turned over to the Trustees for them to examine and pursue.
Following further discussion Cllr Adamson thanked Mr Jordan for attending the meeting and advised that the Town Council would consider the quotations.

31. Matters Arising from the Town Council Meeting held on 20th April 2009
31. 1. Meetings
The clerk advised that he had not yet prepared a report.
31.2. Gifts and Hospitality Protocol
The Clerk advised that the protocol would be circulated.
31.3. Membership of the Yorkshire Society.
The Clerk advised that he had received details and an application form in respect of the Yorkshire Society.
31.4 Unveiling of Hannah Packer Plaque
Cllr Marshall noted that the unveiling had been confirmed for 2 pm on Friday 29th May.

32. Finance
32.1 Accounts for Payment
Resolved: that the schedule of Accounts for payment as at 18thMay 2009 be approved (see attached schedule)
32.2 Monthly Balance Sheet/Budget Report - April 2009
Cllr Marshall advised that the budget report was work in progress and now included income as well as expenditure. It was intended that the budget report and balance sheet cumulative figures would eventually correspond. It was noted that the income over expenditure figures in the monthly balance sheet had a typographical error.
Resolved: that the monthly balance sheet and budget report for April 2009 be accepted and approved subject to the amendment of the cumulative figures of income over expenditure.

33 Correspondence /Items raised
33.1 Public sector duties – letter dated 14.4 from Equality Human Rights Commission
Resolved: that the letter be noted
33.2 Animal Aid Compassionate Charter – letter dated 14.4 from Animal Aid
Resolved: that the letter be noted
33.3 Gliders operating from RAF Topcliffe – copy letter dated 18.4 from Mrs Suffield.
Resolved: that the letter be noted.

34. Burial Board Report / Approval Applications for Memorial
Cllr Adamson noted that R M Dickinson was continuing to do an extremely good job in the Cemetery.
Members considered applications for memorials received from Dales of Thirsk and Scott Memorials.
Cllr Watson questioned the progress in relation to a review of the stability of headstones and monuments.
Cllr Adamson reported that the headstone count had now been concluded but the whereabouts of the original plans was in question.
The Clerk advised members of the provisions of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 and noted that a professional survey of headstones and monuments should be undertaken.
Cllr Marshall questioned what had happened with regard to a problem in relation to a shallow grave in the previous week.
Cllr Adamson noted that a proposed second interment in a grave could not comply with the regulations with regard to depth. The Clerk advised that following discussions the undertaker had agreed to adhere to the Recommended Code of Practise from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s Policy Relating to Shallow Graves, whereby the coffin was hermetically sealed in a walled grave or vault.
Cllr Adamson advised that he intended to place the policy in front of the Burial Board with a view to it becoming the adopted policy.
Resolved: that the applications for memorials and additional inscriptions in respect of M.J.Hall, J.Smith, E.Powell, S.Bindoff, R.Armstrong, D.Abbott, J.Dobson received from Dales of Thirsk and the application for a memorial for P.Lennon received from Scott Memorials be approved subject to the stonemasons being advised of the requirement to leave a six month period between the date of interment and erection of a memorial.

35. Reports
35.1 Representatives
Cllr Watson noted that she had attended the launch of Shop Local and had bought the first card.
Cllr Marshall advised that the Infant School Trustees had agreed the library lease.
Cllr Roberts noted that Action for Market Towns were to hold their summer meeting in the cinema in Thirsk.
35.2 Members
Cllr Watson expressed concern that the post office had recently been closed between 1.30 to 2.30 pm due to staff shortages and whilst she sympathised she considered it was totally inappropriate for the closure to take place at lunchtime.
Cllr Watson commented on the vandalism to the bus shelter which resulted in three of the glass panels being replaced. She had contacted the police and was awaiting a response following examination of the CCTV footage.
There had also been problems on Castle Garth and it was hoped that the CCTV would provide evidence in relation to the perpetrators.
Cllr Robinson expressed concern with regard to people drinking within the exclusion area when a police caravan had been present in the Market Place and he had asked officers to address the situation.
Cllr Adamson advised that he had been approached with regard to the alleyway between the TIC and the Darrowby Inn in respect of litter and cigarette ends.
Following further discussion it was
Resolved: that the problems with litter in the alleyway be examined with a view to resolving the situation.

The meeting closed at 8.50 pm