9-2008/09
MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING OF EASINGWOLD TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT THE
GALTRES CENTRE EASINGWOLD AT 7.30 P.M. ON TUESDAY 20 MAY 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 & County Councillor P. Sowray
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08/15 |
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN Councillor R.J. Tanner-Smith was proposed, seconded
and unanimously elected Chairman for 2008/09.Councillor Tanner-Smith
completed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office The Chairman,
on behalf of the Council, expressed congratulations to County Councillor
Peter Sowray who is being invested as the Chairman of North Yorkshire County
Council on 21st May 2008 |
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08/16 |
APOLOGIES
AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST No apologies
received 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 08/26.1 Cllr Madden
declared a personal interest in 08/26.1 Cllr
Tanner-Smith declared a personal interest in planning matter reference:
08/00226/FUL & 08/01090/LBC Cllr Revd.
Harrison declared a personal interest in planning matter reference:
08/01078/LBC |
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08/17 |
It
was AGREED to
adjourn the meeting for up to 15 minutes to take questions through the
Chairman from members of the public
Mr & Mrs Guyatt, Post Office Slip, Easingwold expressed
their concerns at the increased noise coming from The Commercial Hotel’s new
outside pub/saloon at the bottom of the hotel garden. The noise was
particularly bad on Friday night 16th May 2008 as the ‘new’ pub
hosted the Easingwold Ladies Darts final when music and raucous behaviour
continued until after midnight.
Mr Bream, Manor Road, Easingwold expressed his concern
regarding the increased noise levels coming from The Commercial Hotel. He has
spoken to Planning Officers at Hambleton District Council expressing his
serious concerns and residents worries that the behaviour outlined above will
continue all summer.
The members of the public stayed at the meeting until the
planning agenda item was concluded
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08/18 |
APPOINTMENT OF TOWN MAYOR Councillor R.J. Tanner-Smith was proposed, seconded with
unanimous agreement to be appointed Town Mayor for the ensuing year
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08/19 |
CHAIRMAN’S ALLOWANCE A sum of £350 was agreed for 2008/09
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08/20 |
ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN Councillor W.B.
Taylor was proposed, seconded and unanimously elected Vice Chairman for
2008/09. Councillor Taylor completed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office Councillor
Ellis, on behalf of the Council, expressed his thanks to the Chairman and Vice
Chairman for their invaluable hard work over the last year, which was
endorsed by all |
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08/21 |
COMMITTEES 21.1 To review and agree
committee structure It was agreed the committee structure should remain unchanged 21.2 To appoint committees and
sub-committees
It
was agreed the
committees and sub-committees should remain unchanged
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08/22 |
REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
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08/23 |
STANDING ORDERS It
was agreed to review
the standing orders at the July 2008 Town Council meeting.
The Chairman requested Councillors to submit any
suggested amendments to the Clerk well in advance of the meeting
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08/24 |
24.1 It was agreed that minutes of meeting dated 15
April 2008 (already circulated) should be approved for signature
24.2 The draft Annual Parish Assembly minutes of 15 April
2008 were noted. It was agreed there were no items for inclusion
in the next agenda
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08/25 |
MATTERS ARISING AND CLERK’S PROGRESS REPORT (circulated at meeting)
To note progress on action points from previous minutes
(information items only)
a) Responses/letters sent Galtres Fun Runs - Saturday 28 June 2008 07/212.6 1. The Clerk has advised that the fun runs can take
place and that the banner advertising the event can be hung from the Buttercross. 2. Royal Air
Force Public Presentations 07/212.8 The Clerk has written to the RAF advising that the
talk would have to be done without a screen as there is such little time
allowed in open session. Council has yet to agree a suitable date. 3. Millfields
Car Park extension by Housing 21 OS 3.8 Concern was raised at the condition of the surface of the original car park which was meant to be completed to the same standard as the new part by the contractor. The Clerk has checked the license, the condition of car park and written to HDC to advise variance re the surface quality. HDC, Clive Thornton have taken the matter up with Housing 21 (Quibell) 4.
Parking
at Kelbalk Close - Mr. A. Taylor 07/231.1 The clerk has written and advised that the land is
not owned by the Town Council. There is a possibility that it may belong to
Broadacres 5. 10k Road
Race 3rd June 2008 - Easingwold Running Club 07/231.2 The clerk has written to the Club granting
permission for the Memorial Park to be used for the race finish 6. Donation
Request - Samaritans 07/231.3 The clerk has write to the Samaritans advising that
the Council do not donate to national charities, however they would support a
collection in the Market Place 7. Spring St.
Almshouses; Nominative Trustee 07/231.4 The clerk has written to confirm the nomination of
Cllr W.B. Taylor as Trustee for a further four year term 8. Donation
Request - RNIB 07/231.5 The clerk has written to the RNIB advising that the
Council do not donate to national charities 9. Area Forum
- HDC 07/231.7 The clerk has written to HDC noting the proposed
action and confirming Easingwold Town Council will forward issues to the Area
Forum as appropriate 10. Incident
on Manor Road, Easingwold 07/231.8 The clerk has written advising that Easingwold Town
Council do not accept liability as the alleged cause of the damage is not
proud to the highway. It is a highly visible spring with wall and railing and
has not been obscured by a lack of maintenance to the verge. 11. United
Charities: Election of Trustees 07/233 The clerk has written to United Charities confirming
the re-election of Mr. A. Beckwith and electing Cllr N. Madden as a new
trustee following the recent death of Mr. G. Richardson 12. Footpath Issues
at Springhill Court 08/03
The clerk has written to HDC, Tim Wood, to clarify
the approved planning consent. He has confirmed that the planning approval did
require the enhancement of pedestrian links in to the town and he is in
discussions with Housing 21 regarding their intentions. 13. NYCC
Consultation re: Thirsk Road, Easingwold 08/07
The clerk has written 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. Also that the 7.5T weight restriction was no longer
required and previous comments made by the Town Council should be withdrawn. 14. Church Hill
Lighting 08/08
The clerk has written to Mr S Prentice, HDC, regarding
their Health & Safety concerns arising from the poor lighting in this
area. This request is fully supported by the Police Inspector for Safety,
from whom an email was attached to the letter to HDC.
15. Uppleby
Pavements 08/09
The clerk has written to NYCC Highways asking for repairs
to be carried out due to concerns raised at the poor condition of the left
hand side, middle section walking from the Market Place outside properties
36-50 Uppleby.
b)
Flooding - Ninevah Cottages Drainage pipes were ordered by KODB and
paid for in advance by ETC on 25/04/08; cheque signed by Chairman, Vice
Chairman & Clerk for retrospective approval on 20/05/08 (decision already
made by council ref 07/228). Works are expected to commence shortly and last
approx. 7 days. Most contributions have been received, apart from two
households at Ninevah. The Clerk has written to both landowners advising them
of forthcoming works. 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. Clerk trying to arrange a site meeting for mid June with Mr
Rayner to move forward.
e) Memorial Park - new signage (Rec. Comm 14/4/08 3.7) New sign ordered and displayed at entrance to play area. Police informed and are enforcing limits f) 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. This item should be an agenda item for the June 2008 meeting. MATTERS
ARISING
1.
Vandalism
to public toilets in Market Place 16/17 May 2008; toilets now closed. HDC
have reported damage to police and are trying to arrange repairs as quickly
as possible
2.
Vandalism
to fence at rear of Memorial Park (opposite Bowling Club) at some time over
w/e 16/18 May. Clerk has requested miscellaneous works contractor to remove wooden
debris as it is reported that it was a danger with nails protruding. Council
to consider if the fence should be replaced? It was agreed the Clerk should
obtain a quotation for a wooden replacement fence
The Chairman, on behalf of the Council, wished to record
thanks to North Yorkshire County Council, Hambleton District Council and
Councillor Ellis for their contributions towards Ninevah Cottages remedial
flood works. Councillor Ellis has been a driving force in moving this matter
forward
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08/26 |
CORRESPONDENCE Items of correspondence noted are listed at the end
of these minutes Correspondence
for Decision 26.1 Request
approval to put PROW across Chase Garth open space
Council considered a similar request to create a diagonal
PROW across Chase Garth from NYCC at the council meeting held 18/10/03. The
request was not approved but council did agree to the PROW along the side of
the open space following the boundary hedge. It was agreed this
decision should stand
26.2 Speeding
vehicles- Oulston Road, Easingwold (letter from NYCC & Claypenny Neighbourhood Watch)
It
was agreed to advise
NYCC that the Council would support the introduction of a 40mph buffer zone
from the existing 30mph zone out towards Oulston.
26.3 Quote for
Memorial Park slide replacement wooden platform
It
was agreed to accept
the quotation to repair the existing platform incl. two new hand rails for
£448 + VAT.
26.4 Proposed
Permissive Footpath
It
was agreed the Clerk
should write to Mr Corner fully supporting this footpath application to
Natural England
26.5 Yellow Lines
at Wilkinson Court
It
was agreed that as
it was unclear if the road in question was adopted by NYCC Highways, this
fact should be established by the Clerk prior to any decision being made
26.6 Nominations
for Standards Committee
No nomination was forthcoming
26.7 Wildlife &
Countryside Act 1981 - application to add a public footpath to the definitive
map and statement from Manor Rd to Spring St, Easingwold
It
was agreed the
council had no evidence to submit to support or deny this application
26.8 Rating appeal
- land tribunal RA/64/2007
It
was agreed to grant
delegated powers to the Clerk to complete the form as requested by the
Valuations Office Agency
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08/27 |
MEMORIAL PARK 27.1 To consider request from
Easingwold Police to designate as an alcohol free zone and provide signage to
permit enforcement It was agreed to support this request in principle. The
Clerk was instructed to write to Mr M. Richards, Head of Legal Services at
HDC, to seek guidance on the legal position and how the Council should go
about the designation for the town centre. 27.2 To consider appropriate action for reports of vandalism
to play bark
Noted and it was hoped that action at 27.1 would reduce
the impact of such vandalism.
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08/28 |
NYCC- Children and Young People’s Plan 2008-11;
consultation It
was agreed the
following suggestions should be forwarded to NYCC and that in general the
council supported the overall objectives of the plan:
Ø Easingwold town centre to be
designated an alcohol free zone
Ø New play equipment for the play
area in the Memorial Park
Ø Additional police support to keep
trouble and vandalism to a minimum to protect young children
Ø New footpaths in the town to
enable parents to safely use pushchairs
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08/29 |
SLCC CONFERENCE, HARROGATE 12TH JUNE 2008 It was agreed to approve attendance by Clerk, Assistant Clerk and
Councillor B. Taylor at a total cost of £115 + VAT
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08/30 |
NYCC- LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN PROGRESS REPORT-
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT It was agreed that each Councillor would complete the questionnaire
and give it to the Clerk by 22/5/08 for onward submission to NYCC by 23/5/08.
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08/31 |
NEW INN LANE, EASINGWOLD To consider and agree way forward regarding parking and
access complaints
It was agreed that this is a matter which the Council shares the
concerns expressed by local residents and that it would be reviewed as part
of the Traffic Management Strategy (TMS). Discussions have recommenced and
the Council are involved in the meetings for TMS
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08/32 |
ASSET REGISTER 31.03.08 It was noted that the current register does not conform
to modern standards and does not take into account depreciation. It was agreed to instruct the F&GP
Committee to review by 31.03.09 for inclusion in the Annual Return 2008/09
and that the current figures would be used for the Annual Return 2007/08
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08/32 |
ALLIANZ INSURANCE RENEWAL; due 31.05.08 It was agreed to accept the renewal quotation of £2,704
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08/33 |
ANNUAL
RETURN 2007/08
It
was agreed to approve
the completed Annual Return subject to F&GP scrutiny at their meeting on
22nd May 2008 and submit to Mazars LLP in a timely manner
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08/34 |
EMERGENCY
REPAIRS AND MINOR ITEMS
See 08/25 Matters Arising item 2 - damage to Memorial Park
fence opposite Bowling Club
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08/35 |
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
Councillor Gallon gave a brief summary from the Town
Centre Committee meeting held 19/5/08
Ø The Galtres Gates should be in
place by the end May 2008. Note this is being managed by The Forest of Galtres
Society
Ø The Farmers’ Market will transfer
to the car park side of the market as soon as the new signage is in place.
This is expected to be operational from 16th July 2008
Ø Easingwold in Bloom - Councillors
Tanner-Smith and Gallon had volunteered to organise the award and judging for
2008
Ø Permission had been granted for
Thornhill Dexter Beef to be sold from a refrigerated van on the market place
(same location as fish man on a Monday) each Tuesday
Councillor Taylor had attended a meeting with NYCC on
14/5/08 to be appraised of the situation regarding the Traffic Management
Strategy (TMS). He advised that the scheme had needed amendment due to the
new length of buses. NYCC are awaiting a response from HDC then the TMS plans
will be released for either public consultation or comment.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Taylor for attending and
reporting back from the meeting and stated it would be necessary to wait for
the formal documentation from NYCC.
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08/36 |
FINANCE
MATTERS
36.1 The previous month’s income was noted.
36.2 It was AGREED that the following accounts
should be approved for payment:
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