1-2008/09

 

MINUTES OF MEETING OF EASINGWOLD TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT THE GALTRES CENTRE EASINGWOLD AT 7.30 P.M. ON TUESDAY

15 APRIL 2008

 

 

 

PRESENT: Councillors John Tanner-Smith (Chairman), W.B. Taylor, G.W. Ellis, Revd. J. Harrison, N. Madden, F.M. Readman, D.E. Gallon & S.A. Shepherd

 

 

08/01

It was AGREED that apologies from Councillor P. Sowray should be accepted.

 

Councillors Ellis and Shepherd declared that, as members of Hambleton District Council, they would reconsider any matters at the district level taking into account all relevant evidence and representations at the district tier.

 

Cllr Taylor declared a personal interest in planning matter reference: 08/00485/FUL & 08/0486/FUL

 

08/02

MINUTES

It was AGREED that the minutes of meeting dated 18 March 2008 (already circulated) should be approved for signature

 

08/03

FOOTPATH ISSUES AT SPRINGHILL COURT

Mrs C. Greenwood, a member of the public, was present who had written in to the Town Council to register her concerns. The meeting was closed to permit Mrs Greenwood to speak. Mrs Greenwood explained that Manor Road and Church Hill are very busy; both in terms of volume and speed of traffic making it impossible for elderly members of the public to cross safely with either electric buggy or walking sticks. Mrs Greenwood’s letter was considered at the meeting.

It was AGREED that the clerk will liaise with HDC to clarify the approved planning consent. If it was established that a footpath connecting to the existing footpath at Uppleby or a new footpath connecting into Spring Street was intended then the Clerk should investigate why this had not been provided. There is a possibility it is part of the Traffic Management Strategy.

08/04

 

MATTERS ARISING AND CLERK’S PROGRESS REPORT (circulated at meeting)

a) Responses/letters sent

1. Litter at the Skate Park -  Mrs L Malton 

Letter to Mike Crosthwaite, PCSO asking for visits at night when the littering is taking place and letter to Mrs Malton advising action taken

2. Flooding of Gate Grains Lane, Long Street          

Letter to the School Council & Spencer Brown advising that the responsibility lies with NYCC Highways and giving them details of who they should contact. Also detailing information regarding the footpath from County Councillor P Sowray

3. Allianz Insurance Review

The Memorial Park roundabout and safety surface have been removed from the existing policy; the see-saw, spinning barrel and rocket have been added. The broken water pipe on Millfields is not covered by the policy

4. Forest of Galtres Society

Cobbling work completed on behalf of ETC. Action with Society and gates contractor to re-hang gates

5. Blacksmiths Cottage

Letter to Mr D Bunch advising that the Council do not accept the quality of the existing ramps on the cobbles e.g. as per the Tee Hee frontage. They would not wish to see this repeated. Additionally the Council need to see the developers’ plans of the ramp options as mentioned in the report and Council would need to approve the proposed ramp plan at a full Town Council Meeting. Any approval of a ramp on Easingwold Town Council cobbles would be subject to the receipt from the property owner of a signed acceptance that the property owner will be responsible for any liability on or caused by the ramp area. Easingwold Town Council would need to be indemnified in such circumstances and any successors in title to the property with the ramp would need to provide the same indemnity.

6. Burial Ground

Discussions with HDC Planning (Glen Robinson) regarding potential site(s) need including in LDF by September 2008

b) Flooding - Ninevah Cottages

KODB have been provisionally appointed to carry out the works; project on hold pending the securing of funding.

All parties were written to on 19.3.08 requesting confirmation of funding; £1,000 from HDC, £800-£1,000 from NYCC, £300-£400 from each of the Ninevah Cottages households. The outline shortfall of £980 would be met by Easingwold Town Council. Responses are still awaited from Ninevah Cottages residents. All others have responded favourably

c) Yellow lines at Buttercross ((Item 07/96j)

Advised by Councillor  Sowray via email on 13.3.08 that works will be undertaken by Thirsk Area 2 when next in area; being paid for by Integrated Passenger Transport

d) Memorial Park footpath (Rec Item 1.9)

The clerk confirmed that the footpath was already a PROW (ref: PROW No. 10.40/16). Clerk has written to Aidan Rayner, NYCC, re possibility of shared funding.

e) C.O.Z.I.E /TIC BUILDING (07/195) Due to the shared nature of the lease on the building (⅓ HDC; ⅔ Galtres Centre/ETC), the Clerk wrote to Hambleton District Council to ask for assistance with the repair of the roof. The remaining ⅔ will be raised through local sources. Clerk wrote to HDC Legal 29.1.08. After debate this letter has now been forwarded to Mr David McGloin, Head of Regeneration @ HDC. HDC responded on 17.03.08 stating they are unable to offer any funding towards the repairs.

Delegated powers were given to the Chairman and Vice Chairman to investigate history of lease and repairs to establish the true position. They undertook to advise all Cllrs of outcome by email by 30th April 2008.

 

MATTERS ARISING

1. Town Band concerts are highly unlikely to go ahead due to lack of volunteers to arrange. May 25th is definitely cancelled

 

08/05

CORRESPONDENCE

Items of correspondence noted are listed at the end of these minutes

 

Correspondence for Decision

5.1 Objections to takeaway license for Olive Tree extending to alcohol in addition to food - Mr D Wright

It was AGREED that the clerk will write a letter of objection to the Licensing Authority at HDC, supporting the letter already sent by Mr Wright

 

08/06

NINEVAH COTTAGES

The update given above at 08/03b refers. It was AGREED that the clerk will write to residents giving 7 days notice to undertake to pay Easingwold Town Council; otherwise they will lose the multi-agency goodwill to carry out the works. The collective amount required from the Ninevah Cottages Residents Association is £1200

08/07

NYCC CONSULTATION RE: THIRSK ROAD, EASINGWOLD

The 7.5T weight restriction/no waiting parking restriction was considered and it was AGREED that the clerk will write to NYCC supporting the proposals regarding no waiting parking restriction and additionally requesting double yellow lines from Gill Croft to the roundabout on both sides of the road. It was AGREED that the 7.5T weight restriction was no longer required and previous comments made by the Town Council should be withdrawn. The heavy traffic is significantly less and by stopping this traffic it will simply put more pressure on the alternative Easingwold approaches.

08/08

CHURCH HILL LIGHTING

It was AGREED that the clerk will write to Mr S Prentice, HDC, regarding their Health & Safety concerns arising from the poor lighting in this area. In particular

Ø      The church yard is a large open space which when dark can be dangerous

Ø      The high kerb is a hazard

Ø      Many church events in evening and parked cars are difficult to manoeuvre around

Ø      Pedestrians must use the church side pavement (which has inadequate street lighting) as there is no pavement on the opposite side

Ø      Church Hill is an important and very busy route through Easingwold to avoid the Market Place

Ø      Residents walking along this road are forced to use torches due to the lighting being so poor

Ø      One of the existing lights has been broken for over three months. It has been reported several times by different individuals but no repairs have been carried out

It was AGREED that the clerk will speak to the local Police to seek their support for additional lighting owing to the potential for concealment within the churchyard grounds and possibility of assault.

08/09

UPPLEBY PAVEMENTS

Councillor Readman expressed concern at the poor condition of the left hand side, middle section walking from the Market Place outside properties 36-50 Uppleby. It was AGREED that the clerk will write to NYCC Highways asking for repairs to be carried out

08/10

EMERGENCY REPAIRS AND MINOR ITEMS

The Clerk reported the urgent repair of the platform at the top of the embankment slide in the Memorial Park which had been vandalised. The Clerk will obtain a quotation to replace the platform as the existing wood is rotten

08/11

COMMITTEE REPORTS

11.1 Councillor Tanner-Smith (Open Spaces Committee member) had met with the miscellaneous works contractor at Millfields wetland area and arranged for some gullies to be cut to alleviate some of the flooding. They had found possibly a ruptured land drain pipe or land drain. It was AGREED that no works can be done until summer when the land should be as dry as possible.

11.2 Councillor Shepherd gave a brief summary from the Recreation Committee meeting held 14th April 2008

Ø      A separate meeting of the newly created ‘Friends of the Memorial Park’ was being arranged for Tuesday 6th May 2008 at 7pm at the Police Station meeting room.

Full minutes will be circulated from the Recreation Committee

11.3 Councillor Tanner-Smith thanked all Councillors who attended the Partnership Forum at Springhill Court on 10th April. The Police had arranged it well but public attendance was poor. It was AGREED the Clerk would write to the Police thanking them for the initiative of setting up the forum. It was felt that any future event could have improved turnout by holding the event on a Friday in the Galtres Centre.

08/12

FINANCE MATTERS

12.1 The previous month’s income was noted. The un-audited year end report Income & Expenditure 310308 by cost centre code was noted.

 

 

12.2 It was AGREED that the following accounts should be approved for payment:

Payee Name

Cheque

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firtree Electricals

100953

 

£667.40

new elec box, Mkt Pl

G Snowball & Son Ltd

100954

 

£675.63

cobbles, for Galtres gates cobble adjustments

JH & M Hutchinson

100955

 

£16.90

hardware misc

Easingwold Town Hall Co Ltd

100956

 

£187.26

newsletter mar 08

Galtres Centre Management

100957

 

£5,000.00

donation - S137, sports hall

YLCA

 

100958

 

£14.98

standing orders & chairmanship

Yorkshire Water

100959

 

£149.36

Mkt Tolls surface water, 1st half payment

YLCA

 

100960

 

£583.00

annual membership

EDCCA

 

100961

 

£1.92

photocopying

Exell Technology

100962

 

£542.68

cctv maint renewal contract

York & Humberside Brass

100963

 

£225.00

donation- 28.6.08 band day

Mr A Nelson

 

100964

 

£424.00

misc works contractor

salary2

 

100965

 

£348.85

salary2

 

salary1

 

100966

 

£1,011.71

salary1

 

HMRC

 

100967

 

£441.47

NI er's, tax, NI ee's

PETTY CASH

100968

 

£11.22

top up

 

NPower

 

DDR

 

£177.90

market stalls elec

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

 

 

£10,479.28

 

 

 

 

12.3 It was AGREED that both the Clerk and Assistant Clerk should be set up for telephone banking with HSBC with individual unique access passwords

 

12.4 The letters from the Audit Commission and Mazars LLP regarding the audit arrangements for 2007/08 were noted. The internal audit should be arranged with Bryan Metcalf and Avis Thomas as last financial year

 

12.5 The receipt of £1,000 from HDC re Ninevah Cottages remedial flooding works was noted.

 

12.6 The receipt of £1,872 from the Land Registry re Byland Estates via Grays Solicitors was noted

 

12.7 The Councillors wished to record their thanks to the Clerk for the completion of the 2007/08 accounts (un-audited) on the new Alpha accounting system

08/13

URGENT ITEMS AND ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA

13.1 SLCC 2008 Programme for Conference - 12th June, Harrogate10-3.45pm

To decide who should attend (Clerk, Assistant Clerk & a Councillor). The costs are £45 per member or three attendees for £115 + VAT.

13.2 NYCC- Children and Young People’s Plan 2008-11; Consultation

The deadline has been extended to 23rd May 2008. Clerk to circulate papers in advance of meeting to enable informal discussion

08/14

PLANNING MATTERS

 

14.1 It was AGREED that Planning Committee recommendations, following the meeting on 14th April 2008 should be approved as set out in the following minutes of that meeting:

 

 

Ref No

Application details

Address

Applicant's name

a

08/00553/FUL

Single storey extensions to existing dwelling

 

Recommendation:   Wish to see APPROVED

 

Mooracres, North Moor Road

Mr & Mrs Leach

b

08/00446/FUL

Revised application for part demolition, alterations and extensions to existing agricultural buildings to form a dwelling

 

Recommendation:   Wish to see REFUSED

 

Low Shires Farm, Forest Road

Mr D Blacker

c

08/0486/FUL

Construction of a dwelling

 

Recommendation:   Wish to see REFUSED

Cllr W B Taylor declared a personal interest and left the room during discussions. Chairman closed the meeting for members of the public to speak. Council would like to see a single storey building as concerned regarding the upper windows of the property overlooking property directly opposite and wishes to see the wall reinstated. Also council has concerns regarding access in and out of the property and would like to hear NYCC Highways comments regarding this. It was proposed that HDC make a site visit.

 

Ambleside, 57 Uppleby

Mr & Mrs P Mandefield

d

08/00503/FUL

Installation of a roof light and a window

 

Recommendation:   Wish to see APPROVED

 

3 Carpenters Court

Mr & Mrs P L Mellor

e

08/00485/FUL

Revised application for the construction of a dwelling

 

Recommendation:   Wish to see REFUSED

Cllr W B Taylor declared a personal interest and left the room during discussions. Chairman closed the meeting for members of the public to speak. Council would like to see the building in line with ‘New House’ property to the West; as per Council’s comments made on previous application. It would prefer to see a single storey building and shielding of the parking area. It was proposed that HDC make a site visit.

 

Rear of 55a Uppleby

Mr & Mrs P Mandefield

f

08/00579/FUL

Construction of a dwelling and creation of a new vehicular access

 

Recommendation:   Wish to see APPROVED

 

Brownridge, North Moor Road

Robinson Properties Ltd

h

08/00679/TPO

Application to  carry out works to a tree the subject of TPO 1995/03

 

Recommendation:   Wish to see APPROVED

 

8 Hambleton Garth

Mrs Emma Izatt

i

08/00698/FUL

Alterations to existing dwelling to form a dormer window and installation of 5 roof lights

 

Recommendation:   Wish to see APPROVED

 

43 Lime Tree Avenue

Mrs Bell

 

Street Naming and Numbering

 

Plot 1                                                               Plot 2

25 Galtres Drive                                                25a Galtres Drive

Easingwold                                                       Easingwold

YORK                                                             YORK

YO61 3DJ                                                        YO61 3DJ

 

OK                                                                  OK    

It was AGREED the Clerk will write to Mr David Bunch regarding the current ‘building site’ appearance between 25 and 25a Galtres Drive as this is a hazard and needs fencing off to protect residents, particularly young children

 

5, 6, 7, 8 Station Cottages

Raskelf Road

Easingwold

YORK

YO61 3JY

 

OK .  It was AGREED the Clerk will write to Mr Tim Wood, HDC Planning, requesting what the final access arrangements are for Station Cottages, as currently there is no drive or walkway only a muddy access. Councillors are concerned for residents who have young children

 

Retention of Elliott Unit 3023 at Easingwold School, York Road

 

The above matter was brought to the attention of the councillors and was noted. Councillors had no comments to make and agreed to its retention.

 

The Building Act 1984 Section 80, 81, 82 – Demolition of structures at 25 Galtres Drive – Approval to demolish

 

The above matter was brought to the attention of the councillors and was noted.

 

 

14.2 Application