Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 1st October 2009 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs C. Hesmondhalgh (Chair), J. Jackson, J. Marshall, C. Pack, M. Penson,
F. Roberts, J. Watson
Apologies:
Cllrs D.Adamson (hospital), A.Morton (holiday)
101. Thirsk Flood Alleviation Scheme
Richard Hartley the Environment Agency Project Manager circulated details of the scheme, which included project background, appraisal, the preferred option, outline design, construction constraints and the programme.
The preferred option provided flood storage north of Thornton le Street, embankment along bottom of gardens at St James Green, raising of road between Todds Court and The Crescent, raised kerbs, existing defences and floodwalls.
The project appraisal report would be submitted for approval in December.
It was noted that the design was merely in outline and if approval was given consultation would be carried out on the detailed design.
Cllr Marshall noted the work carried out at the Sensory Garden and the fact that the coping stones and railings would have to be removed to allow for the wall to be raised.
Cllr Penson expressed concern at the installation of floodwalls which she felt could have a detrimental effect on the visual aspect of Thirsk and could affect existing trees.
Cllr Roberts considered that other areas of the country were in far greater need of flood defences.
Richard Hartley advised that there would be some impact on Thirsk but this was balanced against flood damage and the resulting distress.
It was noted that a water sump may be required as part of the proposals which could be located in the library car park.
It was agreed that Richard Hartley would attend a meeting of the Town Council in January following the submission of the scheme for approval.
102. Open Forum
A resident of Riverside Mews read a statement expressing concern at aspects of the proposed flood alleviation scheme which it was considered would be detrimental to Thirsk.
She noted that a lot of views had been expressed to the Environment Agency at the Public Forum but did not appear to have been examined.
103. Minutes
Resolved:
a) That the minutes of the Meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on 21 September 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the inclusion of ‘creating a new post.’ after ‘He noted that a new Assistant Chief Executive had been appointed’ in Minute 93.2
b) That the Minutes of the Planning Committee held on 21 September be received.
104. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 3 September 2009
104.1 Running Costs of Toilets.
Further information awaited from HDC
104.2 Tree Assessment Survey
Plans to be prepared indicating trees on land managed by the Town Council to enable quotations to be sought for a survey.
104.3 Footpaths/footways Ingramgate
Specification to be sought from HDC/NYCC
104.4 Christmas Festivities
The Clerk advised that the tree had been ordered and the electrician was to provide sight of his public liability insurance and advise on bulbs required.
105 Correspondence/Items Raised
105.1 Letter dated 25 September 2009 from HDC re: Hambleton Local development Framework-Draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal Supplementary Planning Document.
Consultation on conservation area character appraisals.
The Clerk noted that an exhibition was to be held in Thirsk on Thursday 15 October.
Resolved: that the consultation be placed on the Agenda for the next Meeting
105.2 Letter dated 23 September 2009 from a resident: re Castle Garth
Letter expressing concern regarding incidents in and around Castle Garth.
Cllr Watson noted that Duncan Pears had identified the trees which needed attention to enable the CCTV camera proper view of the area, one of which was in within the Tesco site.
Cllr Marshall noted that re-establishing a problem solving group was being progressed.
Resolved: that the resident be advised of the action being taken.
106. Outstanding Amenity Items
No matters to report.
107. Minutes/Reports from Committees/Working Parties.
107.1 Central Areas
The Meeting received the Minutes of the Central Areas Committee held on 2 September 2009.
Cllr Marshall noted that the third arch under Mill Bridge was silted-up and questioned if this was a continued responsibility of NYCC.
Cllr Watson advised that the original work carried out by NYCC had been a one-off.
107.2 Ditches
Cllr Marshall reported that Barratts Solicitors had advised that they were experiencing difficulties in obtaining a response and had requested that the Town Council contact Barratts to move the matter.
107.3 Greens and Ingramgate
A meeting was to be held in the near future.
107.5 Office
Cllr Jackson noted that some appropriate heating units had been available but had now been sold.
107.6 Open Areas
Cllr Marshall advised that the seat on Castle Garth had been broken and would be repaired when the CCTV had clear view of the area.
The access to the pathway on the Holmes opposite Mill Gardens had been made accessible to disabled buggies.
Cllr Marshall and the Clerk had met with officers of the Environment Agency to discuss the waterfall adjacent to the Holmes and seek advice in relation to the walls.
It had been suggested that the stability of the footbridge should be examined by the NYCC bridges section.
Cllr Marshall advised that bolts and fastenings had been deliberately removed from the play equipment at the East Thirsk Play Area which had resulted in two swings being taken down.
She was concerned at the apparent ease that fastenings had been removed and the manufacturers were to be contacted in this respect.
107.7 Sensory Garden
The legal issues in respect of the land transfers were still on-going.
108. Items of Information.
Cllr Penson advised that three of the new parking meters in the Market Place had been vandalised.
Cllr Pack noted that the gutters in Finkle Street were blocked, with grass growing out of the drainage holes.
Cllr Watson advised that photographs of various items in and around the Town Centre had recently been sent to HDC and NYCC but she considered that members of the public needed to take responsibility for some of the issues such as litter and cigarette ends.
Cllr Roberts noted that in York fixed penalties of £80 were issued in respect of litter on the streets and she questioned whether HDC took any action.
Cllr Marshall questioned if a reply had been received in respect of the items raised regarding parking meters.
Resolved:
a) That Hambleton District Council be requested to take action in respect of street litter offences.
b) That a reminder letter be sent to HDC regarding questions raised in respect of parking meters.
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 19th October 2009 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs. C. Hesmondhalgh (Chair), D. Adamson, J. Marshall, A. Morton, F. Roberts, A. Robinson, J. Watson
Apologies:
Cllrs. J. Jackson (abroad), C. Pack (unwell), M. Penson (abroad).
110. Minutes
Resolved:
a) that the minutes of the meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on 1 October 2009 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
b) that the minutes of the planning committee held on 1 October 2009 be received.
111. Police Report
Resolved: that standing orders be suspended
Inspector T. Osborne and Sergeant S. Findlay were present.
Inspector Osborne referred to issues raised by the Town Council. He advised of the current staffing and working arrangements in Thirsk which included the Safer Neighbourhood team and ten response officers who covered the area working from the station. Traffic officers and the armed response unit were based at Vale House. The opening hours of the Police Station had been affected by long term sick leave.
Inspector Osborne went through the various operations and activities that had been undertaken in Thirsk which included working with Trading Standards in relation to young people obtaining alcohol and enforcement of the DPPO.
Sgt Findlay advised of the progress made in relation to items raised, including the cemetery and East Thirsk Play Area and of the initiatives being undertaken in respect of young people.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh thanked Inspector Osborn and Sergeant Findlay for the reports.
Resolved: that standing orders be reinstated
112. Reports on Matters pertaining to Thirsk
112.1 NYCC
Cllr Dadd advised that services at the Friarage were to resume with effect from Monday 26 October.
The County Councils over 50’s road show was to be in the library on Wednesday 25 November between 10.00am and 2.00pm.
The national pay settlement had been agreed at 1.00% to 1.25%.
He advised that he had supplied the Clerk with the planning decision for Todd’s Site which included the various conditions applied.
Cllr Watson noted that the road surface adjacent to Tesco Petrol Station was in a bad condition.
Cllr Marshall noted concern regarding the road surface on Long Street to Barbeck, including the anti-skid surface adjacent to the roundabout.
Cllr Morton noted the condition of road signs where the information could not be read due to the accumulation of dirt.
112.2 HDC
Cllr Robinson noted that the cobbles in the Market Place were to be replaced.
Cllr Watson questioned the timescale for replacing the cobbles.
Cllr Robinson advised of proposals going to the Prosperity Board regarding Northallerton and Thirsk Markets including the purchase of lightweight stalls and tarpaulins which would be offered to all permanent traders.
Cllr Marshall noted the car park usage following the introduction of parking charges, and questioned when the District Council would review the effect of car parking charges on Thirsk.
Cllr Robinson noted that there had not been the displacement that had been envisaged.
Resolved: that Hambleton District Council be requested to advise when a review of the effects of car parking charges on Thirsk would be undertaken.
113. Matters arising from the Town Council Meeting held on 21 September 2009
113.1 Choice Based Lettings Consultation Event
Cllr Roberts advised that she had attended the consultation event which had been well staffed with various leaflets and information brochures available.
Only three other people had attended the event by 6.50pm.
113.2 Contribution to Thirsk and Sowerby Preservation Trust
Cheque for signature in accounts for payment,
113.3 Pay Settlement 2009 – Cemetery Worker
The Clerk noted that the Town Council had accepted the National Pay award but that this did not relate to the Cemetery Workers fixed rate.
Following further discussion it was
Resolved:
a) that an increase of 1.25% be effected from the 1 April 2009 in respect of the rate of pay.
b) that the Burial Board examine the rate of pay.
113.4 Consultation Meeting re: night time minor injury service at the Lambert Hospital
Cllr Marshall advised of the meeting and noted the security facilities at the hospital and the GP out of hours led service. She considered that not many people had been aware of the service offered.
Following further discussion it was
Resolved: that the York and North Yorkshire Primary Care Trust be requested to supply details of the basis for setting up the service, how it was managed and financed, and how the service would be replaced.
114. Finance:
114.1 Accounts for payment
Resolved: that the schedule of accounts for payment as at 19 October 2009 be approved. (see attached schedule)
114.2 Monthly balance sheet and budget report for September 2009
The Clerk advised that the budget report was not available but would be circulated for budget preparation.
Resolved:
That the monthly balance sheet for October 2009 be approved
114.3 Sensory Garden
Cllr Marshall advised of the current situation with regard to the land ownership but noted that it would be beneficial for the planting of shrubs to be undertaken at the present time which would cost £500.
Resolved: that £500 be spent on shrubs for the Sensory Garden.
115. Correspondence/Items Raised
115.1 Letter dated 25 September from HDC re: Draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal
Conservation area character appraisals had been prepared for 5 market towns and HDC were consulting on the documents.
Cllr Roberts advised that she had attended the exhibition on the 15 October and noted the items included in the document.
It was noted that the cinema was not within the area.
Resolved: that the letter and documents be noted.
115.2 Letter dated 29 September2009 from HDC re: Car Parking at Tesco Store
Hambleton DC was to consider removing the condition regarding unrestricted public car parking and Tesco’s proposed to introduce a time limit of two hours.
Cllr Robinson considered that a three hour limit would be required to enable linked shopping in the Town Centre.
Resolved: that HDC be advised that the Town Council considers that the condition should be varied to stipulate that members of the public shall have unrestricted free use of the car park for three hours every day.
115.3 Letter dated 2 October 2009 from NYCC re: Raised Crossing Point at Bakers Alley
Letter advising that a zebra crossing facility would not comply with transport regulations due to the proximity of the controlled crossing.
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter dated 19 October from NYCC advising that work would be carried out on 25 October and 1November to remove, repair and reinstate the road surface at the crossing points adjacent to Bakers Alley and Millgate.
Cllr Watson advised of a previous meeting with the NYCC and expressed concern that the Authority was continuing with the crossings.
Resolved: that NYCC be advised that the Town Council still continues with its concerns regarding the raised crossing facilities.
115.4 Email dated 23 September 2009 from Sowerby Parish Council re: Traffic Congestion
Copy Email from NYCC noting that the raised crossing points operated well on a courtesy basis and contributed to the traffic calming measures.
115.5 Proposed Replacement Sign on Station Road/A61
The meeting received a plan of the proposed replacement sign.
Resolved: that NYCC be advised that to make the signage more visibly pleasing the nameplate should be the same size as the Carlton Miniott sign with the name being centred and if possible appropriately enlarged.
115.6 Letter dated 12 October 2009 from NYCC re: Carriage Resurfacing Works – B1448
Letter advising of works to be carried out from 9 November for two weeks.
116. Burial Board Report / Approval of applications for Memorials
Cllr Adamson advised that Joplings had carried out an inspection of the Cemetery Lodge noting that the property was clean and tidy throughout with minimal wear and tear.
He noted the vandalism that had happened at the Cemetery and the ages of the children that had been responsible. He asked whether the school governors would note to the schools the dangers of such actions together with the upset that could be caused.
Resolved
a) that the report be noted
b) that applications for memorials for Wood, Peacock, Fitch and Barker be approved.
117. Reports from Representatives/Members
117.1 Representatives
Cllr Adamson advised that he had attended the Chairman’s Civic Service at Northallerton Methodist Church and an event organised by the White Rose Camcorder Club with David Bellamy as guest.
Cllr Hesmondhalgh noted that the AGM of the East Thirsk Community Hall was on Wednesday.
117.2 Members.
Cllr Morton advised that on his recent holiday to Slovenia he had noted how clean the streets were and a wheelie bin with a two stroke engine and tube was used for cleaning.
Cllr Adamson noted the arrangements for the Remembrance Day service at St Marys Church.
Cllr Robinson advised that Alan Blundell had retired from HDC after 40 years service.
Cllr Marshall advised that the cinema was to show to several films from the British Film Institute under the title Britain at Bay on Friday 23 October.
Resolved: that a letter be sent to Alan Blundell wishing him well for his retirement.
The Meeting closed at 9.32pm