Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 6th August 2009 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs D. Adamson (Chair), C. Hesmondhalgh, J. Jackson, J. Marshall, C. Pack, M. Penson, F. Roberts, J. Watson.
Apologies:
None
69. Open Forum
Resolved: that standing orders be suspended.
Mr A. Newton advised of the problems with litter, broken glass and the condition of the footpath at Castle Garth. He expressed concerns about a lack of public policing.
Cllr Marshall explained the situation regarding Castle Garth and the facts concerning the public right of way and CCTV at Tesco’s.
She also noted that in the past the Town Council had set up a problem solving group but this had ceased meeting due to matters being resolved.
She suggested that in the light of recent events the group may have to be resurrected.
The Clerk referred to emails with the District Council and the Police Authority regarding Castle Garth.
Mr R.Hinton questioned the progress in relation to Nicksgate Alley.
Cllr Watson advised that a site meeting had been held with P.Penny NYCC and A.Maudsley HDC when the options available had been discussed.
There was an ongoing legal issue as to whether a public footpath was a highway, which could be cleaned by a Local Authority, and whilst NYCC and HDC were examining the matter it was unlikely it would be resolved in the near future. Cllr Watson advised that it may be that the owners and residents would have to address the current issues.
The Central Areas Committee were to discuss the matter further and HDC Environmental Health were to be contacted to ensure that the alleyway complied with all relevant legislation
Resolved:
a) That standing orders be reinstated
b) That the condition of the footpath at Castle Garth be raised with NYCC
c) That the problem solving group be re-established.
d) That the tree(s) obstructing the CCTV camera be pruned.
70. Minutes
Resolved: that the minutes of Town Council Meeting held on Monday 2 July 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
71. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 2 July 2009.
71.1 Nursery Garden – Section 106 Agreement
Re-drafted Land Registry Transfer document signed and returned to HDC.
71.2 Visit by French Teacher and Children
Event to be organised through Queen Marys School
71.3 Millennium Green and Dowber Way Ditch
The Clerk advised that HDC Environmental Health were pursuing the issues in respect of the ditch to the rear of Darrowby Close.
71.4 EU Finance/Flood Alleviation Scheme
The Clerk advised that he had contacted the Environment Agency on the matter and had sent a letter requesting details of any outcome.
71.5 Toilets
The Clerk advised that he had received an email from HDC giving details of the attendant supervised toilets at Northallerton.
The meeting discussed the toilet facilities at Thirsk and how they could be improved.
Following further discussion it was
Resolved:
a) that HDC be requested to provide details of its future intentions in respect of the toilet facilities at Thirsk
b) that the running costs of the toilets at Northallerton and Thirsk be obtained.
72. Correspondence/Items Raised
72.1 PLasticrete Surfacing – Access Road adjacent Todd’s Court
Letter dated 23 July 2009 from HDC advising that a report was being taken to the prosperity board about infrastructure assets and their maintenance.
The Senior Engineer advised that he understood the outcome the Town Council was seeking to achieve and the issues HDC were seeking to resolve and he needed to discuss further how a satisfactory conclusion could be reached.
Following discussion it was
Resolved: that the Town Council s Solicitors be consulted for their views on the on-going matter.
72.2 Re-Location of Ducks
Letter dated 10 July 2009 from P.Mason who owned a 100 acre farm with ponds and who would be willing to take any ducks that were to be relocated.
The Clerk advised that he had talked to G.Buckley and had agreed that the best way forward would be to write to the RSPCA and Natural England for a complete and detailed procedure.
Resolved: that the Town Council write to the RSPCA and Natural England for a detailed procedure.
72.3 Meeting for Remembrance Sunday Service.
Letter from the Royal British Legion regarding a meeting for the Remembrance Sunday Service.
72.4 Flower Tubs on Long Street
The Clerk advised that he had received a request to move a Flower Tub from a resident of Long Street who was having difficulty parking due to the re-opening of the Fish and Chip shop.
The resident had also noted that the play area in Johnson Close was littered with broken bottles and cans after being used by youths on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Cllr Marshall noted that the Flower Tubs had been positioned following agreement with local residents, although she considered that the plan should be examined in case there had been movement following the incident with the Gas Board.
It was also noted that moving a full flower tub might cause a stability issue.
The Clerk advised that the Amenity Contractor had been instructed to examine the play area.
Resolved: that the location plan for the Flower Tubs in Long Street be examined to confirm that the tubs were in the correct position.
72.5 Whitemare Roundabout
The Clerk advised that he had been approached regarding highway visibility at Whitemare Roundabout in relation to the lavender plants in the centre.
The Clerk had written to NYCC as Highway Authority for its opinion.
Resolved: that the report be noted.
72.6 Hambleton Strollers Launch of Thirsk Walk Packs
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from Thirsk Strollers who were to launch the Thirsk Walk Packs on 19 August 2009.Cllr Adamson advised that he would examine attending the event.
72.7 N.A.L.C Direct information Service
The Clerk advised that NALC produced a fortnightly news service which provided all the latest information relevant to Town and Parish Councils. The cost of the email version for one year was £90 plus VAT.
The Meeting discussed the Council Direct Magazine received which went to all Councillors.
Resolved
a) that the email version of Direct Information Service be ordered for 1 year.
b) that 2 copies of Council Direct be ordered
73. Ongoing Amenity Items
73.1 St.James Green
Cllr Marshall advised that she had discussed the issue of the Byelaws with the Clerk with a view to the matter moving forward
74. Minutes/Reports from Committees/Working Parties
74.1 Central Areas
The Meeting received the Minutes of the Central Areas Committee held on 7 July 2009.
Cllr Watson advised that she was impressed with the archway feature.
Cllr Penson noted that the Police would be the responsible authority for monitoring parking on the side of roads under the NYCC scheme. She also advised that the parking bays were not being individually marked for vehicles.
Members expressed concern that the various parking signage was not being covered until it was legally enforceable.
Cllr Watson noted that the Central Areas Committee considered that allotments should be a full Town Council issue.
74.2 Ditches
Cllr Marshall advised that a ditches Meeting had been timetabled but cancelled.
No further progress had been made in relation to the transfer of the land.
74.3 Greens and Ingramgate
The position regarding the byelaws had been reported under on-going amenity items.
74.4 Open Areas
Cllr Marshall advised that the East Thirsk Play Area was to be officially opened by members of the school council on Monday 10 August.
She reported that a request had been received for high netting on Shire Park to prevent footballs being kicked out of the area and advised that costings would be obtained.
With regard to Castle Garth Cllr Marshall expressed concern regarding the number of police officers available in Thirsk and noted that as far as she was aware there was only one neighbourhood police officer.
Cllr Penson noted the opening times and staffing of the Police Station.
Following further discussion it was
Resolved: that the Chief Constable be advised of the Town Councils concerns regarding levels of policing in Thirsk
75. Items of Information
Cllr Hesmondhalgh advised of an incident at Dowber Way when a person selling Sky TV had gained access to an elderly couple’s house.
It was noted that the cold calling incident should be reported to Trading Standards.
Cllr Penson advised that a chocolate shop was to open.
Cllr Jackson expressed concern at the lack of ventilation in the Town Council Offices and suggested that an Office Meeting should be held to review the matter.
The Meeting closed at 9.25pm
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 17th August 2009 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs D. Adamson (Chair), C. Hesmondhalgh, J. Jackson, J. Marshall, A. Morton, C. Pack, M. Penson, F. Roberts, J. Watson.
Apologies
Cllr.A.Pagram (family visiting)
76. Shop Local
Resolved: that standing orders be suspended
Cath Grimsey from the Chamber of Trade in Bedale gave a presentation in respect of the Shop Local scheme.
Shop Local included eight other Towns, and was a loyalty card scheme involving independent retailers which produced small promotions discounts and offers.
Thirsk had become part of the scheme in May and there were currently 20 local members.
The Chair thanked Cath Grimsey for attending.
Resolved: that standing orders be reinstated.
77. Minutes
Resolved:
a) that the minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 6 August 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair subject to the amendment of Resolution 71.5
(b) to read ‘at Thirsk and Northallerton’.
b) that the Minutes of the Planning Committee held on 6 August 2009 be received.
c) that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Burial Board held on 8 August 2009 be received.
78. Reports on matters pertaining to Thirsk
78.1 North Yorkshire County Council
The Clerk advised that Cllr Dadd had submitted his apologies.
78.2 Hambleton District Council
Cllr Adamson advised that Licensing was to go online initially just with decisions.
79. Matters arising from the Thirsk Town Council Meeting held on 20 July 2009
79.1 Variation of Premises Licence – The Royal
The Meeting was advised that the application was to go before the Licensing Committee on 3 September.
79.2 NYCC Scrutiny of Health Committee – service provision/recording of calls/storage
The matter was to be referred to the Committee.
79.3 Pay and Display Machine locations
HDC advised of the Town Councils comments.
79.4 Allotments
Cllr Marshall confirmed that the land between South Dowber Lane and the A19 had been identified in 3 local plans as Allotments. She noted that the Town Council could pursue the matter as a facilitator for an Allotment Association.
80. Finance:
80.1 Accounts for payment
Resolved: that the schedule of accounts for payment as at 17 August 2009 be approved.(see attached schedule)
80.2 Monthly balance sheet and budget report for July 2009
Cllr Marshall advised that the donations for CCA and CAB included in the budget needed to be paid.
Resolved:
a) That the monthly balance sheet and budget report for July 2009 be approved
b) That the donations to CCA and CAB be paid.
81. Correspondence/Items Raised
81.1 NYCC Local Transport Plan Survey
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter dated August 2009 from NYCC advising of the development of the new Local Transport Plan and enclosing a questionnaire for Parish and Town Council comments on their satisfaction with the Highways and Transportation service.
Resolved: that the Survey questionnaire be circulated to all Councillors for comments.
81.2 Swine Flu – Collection Points
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter dated 17 August 2009 from Mrs P.Dunning advising that there were no designated collection points for Tamiflu in Thirsk and expressing concern at this.
Resolved: that the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust be requested to provide full details regarding collection points.
81.3 Access to land surrounding Cod Beck
A letter dated 12 August 2009 was received from N.Angelopoulos and M.Smith who were students undertaking work investigating how river morphology affected fish and who wished to gain permission from landowners for access to the Cod Beck.
Resolved: that the Town Council gives permission for access across land under its control and advises the students of other contacts.
82. Burial Board Report / Approval of applications for Memorials
Cllr Adamson referred to the meeting of the Burial Board held on 8 August.
He noted that the YLCA were to be contacted to utilise their network to establish the availability of companies to undertake memorial inspection.
It had also been decided to seek tenders for renovation of the roadway.
Resolved: that the report be noted
83. Reports from Representatives/Members
Cllr Hesmondhalgh advised that there had been a spate of broken windows at the East Thirsk Community Hall.
Cllr Jackson reported that the Thirsk and Sowerby Flatts Preservation Trust had made progress on the changing rooms but were seeking assistance in finishing the project.
It was agreed that consideration of the matter be deferred pending receipt of final details and a formal approach.
Cllr Morton advised that the work at the swimming pool was well ahead of schedule.
Cllr Roberts noted that the guides wished to plant bulbs between Thirsk and Kilvington as part of their centenary year.
It was agreed that the area within Thirsk Parish could be undertaken as part of Thirsk in Bloom and that the Parish Council and Hambleton District Council should be consulted with regard to the area outside of Thirsk parish.
Cllr Watson noted that NYCC had not yet progressed the replacement Thirsk/Carlton Miniott sign.
Cllr Pack advised that the NYCC had undertaken signage in Westgate in relation to the forthcoming parking restrictions.
Cllr Jackson advised that an Office Committee Meeting held before the Burial Board Meeting had agreed to contact HDC regarding the installation of air conditioning in the office.
Cllr Morton questioned the issue regarding visibility at Whitemare roundabout.
Cllr Marshall noted that the Town Council had written to NYCC in this respect.
Cllr Pack agreed to contact S.Turner to undertake any necessary work.
84. On-Going Items
Cllr Watson questioned whether there had been any response from HDC regarding the provision of a bicycle stand area. The Clerk would pursue the matter.
The Meeting closed at 8.35pm