Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 3rd December 2009 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs D. Adamson(Chair), C. Hesmondhalgh, J. Marshall, C. Pack, M. Penson, J. Watson.
Apologies:
J. Jackson (abroad), A. Morton (ill), F. Roberts (holiday)
118. Minutes
The Clerk noted that he had been advised that Carlton Minniot Parish Council had responded to the Post Office relocation consultation and had requested that the functions of the village Post Office be extended to include the issue of car tax discs and stocking of passport forms.
Resolved:
a) that the Minutes of the meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on Monday 16 of November be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.
b) that the response to the Post Office consultation regarding the relocation includes support for the request by Carlton Minniot Parish Council.
b) that the Minutes of the planning committee held on 16 November 2009 be received.
119. Matters arising from the Town Council Meeting held on 5 November 2009.
119.1 Street Litter Offences
The Clerk advised that John Proud was setting up a meeting with interested parties to discuss litter problems.
Cllr Watson expressed an interest in attending.
119.2 Tourist Information Centre
The meeting was advised that Moors and Coast had amalgamated with Harrogate and District.
119.3 Christmas Festivities
Cllr Adamson advised that the turn on of the Christmas Lights on 29 November had been very well attended even though the weather had been poor.
120. Correspondence/Items Raised
120.1 RSPCA: Re-location of Ducks
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from the RSPCA in response to the Town Councils enquiry regarding relocation of ducks.
The RSPCA believed that relocation would probably not solve the problem as it was quite possible that any mallard relocated could simply fly back to the original site.
The RSPCA also gave details of the various statutes that applied.
Following further discussion it was:
Resolved: that the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust be contacted for their advice.
120.2 Thirsk and Sowerby Flatts Preservation Trust
The Clerk advised that the AGM was to be held on 15 December at 7.00pm at the Town Hall.
120.3 Development Management Committee Site Visits
The Clerk advised that a site visit was to be held on 7 December in respect of the revised application for 8 St James Green.
121. Finance
Resolved: that a meeting of the Finance Committee be held on Tuesday 15 December 2009 at 7.00pm.
122. Outstanding Amenity Items
Resolved: that Yellow Lines on Pick Lane be removed from the schedule.
123. Minutes/Reports from Committees /Working Parties
123.1 Carrs Field
Cllr Marshall noted that Thirsk Community Woodland Group together with other groups had planted trees on Carrs Field as part of the BBC Tree O’Clock. She wished that the Town Council had also been approached as managers of land in Thirsk.
123.2 Central Areas
The Meeting received the Minutes of the Central Areas Committee held on 2 November.
Cllr Watson advised that Tuesday’s meeting had been cancelled and was to be held the following Monday.
It was intended to write to all residents of Nicksgate Alley in respect of the one-off clean by NYCC and the responsibility for future maintenance.
123.3 Christmas Festivities
Cllr Adamson reported that the machine used in erecting the tree had broken down for the original date and the work had been rearranged.
T. Iveson who supplied the tree had suggested that the tree stem hole in the Market Place should be made bigger and it was felt that two bollards needed replacing with removable types to enable better access to the site.
Resolved: that HDC be contacted regarding work to the Market Place for future siting of the Christmas tree.
123.4 Ditches
Cllr Marshall reported that the Solicitors acting on behalf of Barratts had requested the Town Council to contact Barratts in this matter.
123.5 Greens and Ingramgate.
Cllr Marshall advised that it was intended to have a survey carried out for preparation of a scheme for Ingramgate.
Cllr Watson noted that it was intended that a survey of an area of land off Millgate between Queen Bead and the sweet shop leading up to Gillings Court would be undertaken at the same time.
123.6 Open Areas
Cllr Marshall reported that a joint committee meeting had set the budgets for open areas, greens and Ingramgate and other amenity items that did not come under any specific committee.
She noted that Long Street would be finished by the siting of two additional planters.
The Long Street enhancement budget heading would be replaced by Ingramgate enhancement.
Cllr Marshall advised the meeting that planning permission had been given for the work to the tree at Castlegarth in order to enable CCTV coverage of the seat and bin.
She noted that although the County Council had undertaken repairs to the footpath, there were still repairs required at the Tesco end of the path.
The ROSPA report had been received with no major problems reported.
Playdale had been to East Thirsk to carry out an inspection and were to produce a report on the findings.
123.7 Sensory Garden
Cllr Marshall advised that an application for Yorkshire Forward monies through TRI had not been sanctioned due to it being considered that the land ownership would not be resolved before the end of the current financial year.
124. Items of Information
Cllr Watson advised that she was to have her meeting with Inspector Tim Osborne on the following Monday.
She intended to raise the issue of heavy wagons proceeding through Thirsk and the issue of vehicles parked on cycle paths, particularly in Station Road
Cllr Marshall advised that there had been no flood warning or flood watch for Thirsk on the Environment Agency Website and suggested that the Environment Agency be asked to check the sensors in the river.
She noted that there was debris on Station Road alongside the racecourse.
Cllr Marshall reported that the Thirsk Past and Present Website had gone down and apparently Streamline who hosted it required £61 .36.
Cllr Adamson suggested that Streamline be contacted to ensure that information was still available.
Cllr Marshall advised that stocks of the Past and Present leaflet had run out.
The leaflet had originally been funded by lottery local heritage.
The cost of reprinting was £403 for 5000 £605 for 10000.
Resolved:
a) that the Environment Agency be requested to check the water sensors
b) that the Thirsk Past and Present Website be reinstated
c) that 10000 Past and Present leaflets be reprinted.
d) that TIC, Sowerby Parish Council and Hambleton DC be asked for a contribution to the cost of reprinting the Past and Present leaflets.
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 21st December 2009 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs D. Adamson (Chair), C. Hesmondhalgh, J. Jackson, J. Marshall, A. Pagram, M. Penson, F. Roberts, A. Robinson, J. Watson.
Apologies:
A. Morton (ill), C. Pack (other engagement)
127. Open Forum
Cllr Adamson advised that in view of the numbers attending and the meeting to be held at the Methodist Church he intended to take the open forum as the first item.
Resolved: that standing orders be suspended.
Representative speakers on behalf of the residents of St James Green advised that it had become apparent that Thirsk Clock was in the process of a move to the Methodist Church Hall. Residents had a strong depth of feeling in the matter and were particularly concerned that they had not been initially told or consulted.
It was stressed that the residents were not opposed to Thirsk Clock and the work it carried out, but it was considered that the proposed relocation into a residential area was inappropriate.
Cllr Adamson noted that the Town Council could not become involved in a private transaction between the two parties but would take into account the comments and representations made if a planning application was submitted in respect of the premises.
Resolved: that standing orders be reinstated
128. Minutes
Resolved:
that the minutes of the meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on 3 December 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.
129. Police Report
Cllr Watson reported on her monthly meeting with Inspector Osborne.
The Police were holding monthly crime surgeries at Tesco’s, were undertaking youth functions in association with other groups including Allenbrook Barracks, the project at Carrs Field was still progressing, another youth disco had been held at Aspire on the 11 December, neighbourhood watch was to be re-promoted, Clare Mayes was to visit local schools on a weekly basis, country watch was being expanded, anti-social behaviour was being targeted in the Town.
Cllr Watson agreed to take up an issue raised by Cllr Jackson at her next meeting.
Resolved:
a) That the report be noted
b) That the Police be complimented on their endeavours.
130. Reports on Matters relating to Thirsk
130.1 Hambleton District Council
Cllr Adamson advised that the cabinet decision on markets had been called in by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
131. Matters arising from the Town Council Meeting held on 16 November 2009.
131.1 Police Report
Cllr Marshall advised that planning permission had now been received to carry out work to the tree obstructing the CCTV camera.
131.2 Replacement Sign on Station Road/A61
Cllr Marshall questioned whether a date had been fixed for the provision of the new sign.
The Clerk advised that the County Council were in the process of appointing a contractor but he was not aware of the date for commencement of the works.
131.3 Post Office Re-location
The Clerk advised that two letters had been received from the Post Office acknowledging the comments made by the Town Council and confirming that the relocation would proceed as planned.
132. Finance
132.1 Accounts for Payment
Resolved: that the accounts for payment as at 21 December 2009 be approved.
132.2 Monthly Balance Sheet and Budget Report for November 2009
Resolved: that the balance sheet and budget report be approved.
133. Precept
The meeting received the minutes of the finance committee held on 15 December 2009 together with the revised precept calculation.
Cllr Marshall noted the various matters discussed at the Finance meeting and the resulting precept calculation.
Resolved: that the Town Council request a precept of £99000 for the financial year 2010/11.
134. Correspondence/Items Raised
134.1 Remembrance Sunday Refreshments
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter dated 26 November 2009 from the Royal British Legion requesting the Town Council to make a contribution to the refreshment costs for Remembrance Sunday.
It was noted that the budget included the sum of £300 for the wreath contribution and refreshment costs contribution.
134.2 Joplings
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter dated 11 December from Joplings advising of a change of personnel.
134.3 St James Green
The Clerk reported receipt of two letters from residents regarding the relocation of Thirsk Clock to St. James Green
135. Burial Board Report/Applications for Memorials
Resolved: that memorial applications from Dales of Thirsk in respect of Daniel, Fitch, Jackson, McGuigan, Windross, Brennan, Cartman, and Cattle be approved.
136. Reports
136.1 Representatives
Cllr Roberts noted that TRI had approved the application for grant aid submitted in respect of a seat and a litterbin.
Cllr Marshall advised that the Thirsk Infant School Trustees had allocated grants to East Thirsk Community Hall, Thirsk Community Primary School and Thirsk School.
Cllr Jackson reported that he had attended the AGM of the Thirsk and Sowerby Flatts Preservation Trust .The windows had been ordered for the new changing rooms and the Town Council and other bodies responsible for donations had been thanked.
136.2 Members
Cllr Robinson reported that part of the fence around the Christmas tree was down.
137. On-Going Items
Cllr Marshall questioned the position regarding land for allotments.
The Clerk advised that he was still waiting to hear from HDC.
The meeting closed at 8.40pm