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Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Thursday 4th February 2010 at 7:30pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs: C. Hesmondhalgh (Chair), J. Jackson, J. Marshall, A. Morton, M. Penson, F. Roberts J. Watson.
Apologies:
Cllrs: D. Adamson (hospital), C. Pack (unwell), A. Pagram (baby sitting)
147. Minutes
Resolved:
a) that the minutes of the meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on 18 January 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.
b) that the minutes of the planning committee held on 18 January 2010 be received.
148. Matters arising from the Town Council Meeting held on 3 December 2009.
148.1 Re-location of ducks
The Clerk reported that he had talked to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust who had advised regarding the legislation and the licensing body.
The representative was meeting with Natural England in February and he would raise the issue.
148.2 Greens and Ingramgate
The Clerk reported that he had received a quotation for a topographic survey of Ingramgate and the yard off Millgate in the sum of £270.
Resolved: that the topographic surveys be undertaken by ADH Site Surveys Ltd.
148.3 Environment Agency – Water Sensors
The Clerk advised that the Environment Agency had been contacted regarding checking the sensors.
148.4 Tree Survey
A. Whitehead and Associates had been instructed to undertake the tree survey.
149. Correspondence/Items Raised
149.1Church Floodlights
The Clerk advised that he had been contacted by the Parochial Church Council regarding turning off the floodlights for Lent.
Members felt that the floodlights drew attention to the church and were concerned about security.
Resolved: that the Parochial Church Council be advised that the Town Council would prefer to have the floodlights lit.
149.2 Flat Headstone – Garden of Rest
The Clerk reported that he had been approached regarding the siting of a flat headstone in the Garden of Rest.
Resolved: that a flat headstone in the garden of rest be accepted.
150. Outstanding Amenity Items
150.1 Yellow lining on cobbles.
Cllr Watson requested that the matter be pursued with the NYCC.
150.2 Running Costs of Toilets
Cllr Jackson enquired as to whether any further information had been received.
The Clerk agreed to follow up the matter with Hambleton District Council.
151. Minutes/Reports from Committees /Working Parties
151.1 Carrs Field
Cllr Roberts advised that tree planting and a litter pick involving children had been undertaken
151.2 Central Areas
The Meeting received the minutes of the Central Areas Committee held on 7 December and 4 January. It was noted that work to the trees on the riverside had been undertaken by Broadacres.
151.3 Greens and Ingramgate.
As previously reported a topographic survey was to be undertaken.
151.6 Open Areas
Cllr Marshall reported that the next Committee Meeting was to consider the ROSPA report, but there were no particular problems noted.
Cllr Watson questioned when the play area provision was to commence at Mill Gardens. Cllr Marshall advised that the land provision was conditional on the number of houses occupied and was regulated by the Planning Authority.
151.7 Sensory Garden
Cllr Marshall advised that Mike Armstrong had attended the last Sensory Garden Meeting to advise on the issues outstanding. The Meeting had also discussed the Harbour Wall and agreed that as part of the industrial heritage of the Town it would make sense to pursue having it listed.
152. Items of Information
Cllr Watson noted that the Gas Board were dealing with a pipe fracture in Kirkgate but it had already been 5 weeks and no apparent progress was being made.
Cllr Penson advised that she understood the Tourist Information Centre was to be relocated to the Herriot Centre.
Cllr Penson noted that not all plastic items could be recycled through the NYCC waste disposal units.
Cllr Jackson expressed concern at the condition of the roads following the severe weather.
Resolved:
a) that Officers from Hambleton District Council and Moors and Coast be invited to attend the Meeting of the Town Council to be held on 15 February 2010.
b) that NYCC and HDC be requested to advise on their policies of recycling.
The Meeting ended at 8.50pm
Minutes of the Town Council meeting
held on Monday 15th February 2009 at 7:15pm
in the Annexe Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs C. Hesmondhalgh (Chair), J. Jackson, J. Marshall, A. Morton, C. Pack, A. Pagram, M. Penson, F. Roberts, A. Robinson, J. Watson.
Apologies:
Cllr D. Adamson (hospital)
154. Minutes
Resolved:
a) that the minutes of the Meeting of Thirsk Town Council held on 4 February 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the chair.
b) that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 4 February 2009 be received.
c) that the minutes of the Burial Board held on 4 February 2010 be received.
155. Police Report
Inspector T. Osborne was in attendance.
Inspector Osborne advised that YO7 divert was progressing and the relationship with Allenbrooke Barracks was proving to be a major success. He reported on personnel changes, including a new PCSO.
Cllr Robinson commended the work the Police had undertaken in the Market Place.
Incidents occurring at the property in Westgate managed by Foundation Home were noted together with the ongoing issues at the Church.
156. Reports on Matters relating to Thirsk
156.1 NYCC
Cllr Dadd noted that the parking proposals for Kirkgate had been dropped following representations from various sources.
156.2 Hambleton District Council
Cllr Dadd noted that the report on the TIC was to be considered at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday and that he had written formally to the cabinet requesting full consultation to be carried out including the Area Forum.
Cllr Robinson advised on the Council Tax set for the next financial year and new rules to be applied in respect of applications for premises licences whereby any interested members could have an input.
157. Open Forum
Resolved: that standing orders be suspended.
Mr T.Naisbitt advised that he was attending the meeting to put forward his comments and views in respect of the proposal to move Thirsk TIC to the world of James Herriot and he noted that he was not a spokesman for the TIC staff and volunteers.
A report on the future of the Centre prepared by Mr Naisbitt was circulated and he went through the various details including recent events, the service provided and questions raised by the ongoing proceedings .Mr Naisbitt advised that his report had also been submitted to the HDC Cabinet.
Members thanked Mr Naisbitt for the detailed information provided.
Resolved: that standing orders be reinstated
158. Thirsk TIC
The Meeting referred to the Report being presented to HDC Cabinet on 16 February recommending that the Thirsk TIC be relocated to the World of James Herriot and that 49 Market Place be disposed of.
Cllr Marshall expressed great concern at the proposals and advised of the history of the TIC which had been moved from the Herriot Centre to its present location.
She noted that Thirsk was a Tourist Town unlike other Towns within Hambleton and it particularly relied on Tourism.
Cllr Jackson was concerned at the lack of appropriate information in the report to the Cabinet.
Cllr Robinson noted that Ward Members had not been consulted and he considered that full consultation with all interested parties should be carried out before any decision was made.
Following further discussion it was:-
Resolved: that Emails be sent to the Chief Executive and the Leader of Hambleton District Council requesting that the Cabinet defer consideration pending full consultation with all interested parties being undertaken.
159. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of 18 January 2010.
159.1 Waiting and Loading Restrictions/Disc parking/residents parking – Kirkgate/Millgate.
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from NYCC confirming that the existing parking and waiting restrictions would continue in Kirkgate.
159.2 Environment Agency – Flood Warning Trigger
The Clerk advised that the Environment Agency had sent a survey team to Thirsk and the warning trigger had been reset.
160. Finance
160.1 Accounts for Payment
Resolved:
a) that the accounts for payment as at 15 February 2010 be approved and cheques signed.
160.2 Monthly Balance Sheet and Budget Report for December 2009
b) that accounts incorporating amenity work to various areas be itemised on the accounts
schedule.
160.2 Monthly Balance Sheet and Budget Report for January 2010
Resolved: that the balance sheet and budget report for January be approved.
161. Correspondence/Items Raised
161.1 RAF Leeming
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter dated 9 February 2010 from the new Station Engagement Officer advising of his role at RAF Leeming.
162. Burial Board Report/Applications for Memorials
The Meeting noted that the Burial Board had agreed a 2.5% increase on fees for 2010/11.
163. Reports
163.1 Members
Cllr Marshall advised that progress was being made on re-establishing the Thirsk Past and Present Web Site using a local company. Discussion took place in respect of obtaining a Bank Procurement card for payments where cheques were not accepted.
Cllr Penson noted the letter to the Rt Hon Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport by D. Tucker in the Thirsk Weekly News in respect of rail services.
Cllr Robinson requested an agenda item for the meeting to be held on 15 March 2010 in respect of the future closing of public toilets in Thirsk.
164. On-Going Items
Cllr Marshall questioned whether any progress had been made in respect of the registration of land with the Land Registry. The Clerk advised that with the outstanding workload no progress had as yet been made. Members discussed ways to assist in alleviating the workload and it was:-
Resolved: that the Office be closed to members of the public on Wednesdays to enable uninterrupted working.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm
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