21-2008/09
MINUTES OF EASINGWOLD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE GALTRES
CENTRE EASINGWOLD AT 7.30 P.M. ON TUESDAY 17 JUNE 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
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08/41 |
APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST It was AGREED that apologies from County 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
Madden declared a personal interest in 08/44.3, flying of Lions flag Cllr
Gallon declared a personal interest in 08/45, COZIE roof repairs |
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08/42 |
It was AGREED to adjourn the meeting for up to 15 minutes to take
questions through the Chairman from members of the public.
Mr M Whillock of Easingwold
expressed his view that he wished to encourage the speedy implementation of
the Traffic Management Strategy in Easingwold and also requested that the people
of the town be kept informed, especially via the local press. He requested
that the cobbled area outside the Galtres Centre wall (near telephone kiosk
and Galtres Gates) be no longer allocated as parking spaces to enable
pedestrians to use the area safely.
The Chairman advised the item was
being discussed as an agenda item at tonight’s meeting.
Mr Whillock also wished to offer
his help with regard to the Millfields wetland enhancement, in particular the
planning and maintenance aspects, as a result of Easingwold Town Council’s
successful bid under the Breathing Places Big Lottery Fund for £10,000.
The Chairman advised that
Councillor Readman would be publicising information in the local press in the
near future.
The member of the public stayed
at the meeting until the Traffic Management Strategy agenda item was
concluded
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08/43 |
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 1. Letter from Over 50’s Forum requesting Town
Council’s attention (TCC 190508 Item 9.2) - various matters
regarding lack of footpath from Springhill Court, lack of pavements in
Easingwold affecting people in wheelchairs and with pushchairs and access
across the cobbles car parking on pavement on Tanpit Lane, especially on
market days.
2. Proposed Permissive Footpath (ACM 200508 08/26.4)
- Clerk wrote to Mr
Corner fully supporting this footpath application to Natural England
3. Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 - application
to add a public footpath to the definitive map and statement from Manor Rd to
Spring St, Easingwold (ACM
200508 08/26.7)
Clerk wrote to NYCC advising that
the council had no evidence to submit to support or deny this application.
4. Rating appeal - land tribunal RA/64/2007 (ACM 200508 08/26.8)
The Clerk returned the completed
form as requested by the Valuations Office Agency
5. NYCC- Children and
Young People’s Plan 2008-11; consultation (ACM 200508 08/28) The Clerk wrote to NYCC
explaining 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
6. NYCC- LOCAL TRANSPORT
PLAN PROGRESS REPORT- STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT (ACM 200508 08/30) Completed questionnaires from
Councillors given to the Clerk by 22/5/08 were forwarded to NYCC on 23/5/08
7. Planning applications 08/00485/FUL and
08/00486/FUL for 57 and rear of 55a Uppleby (ACM 200508 08/38.4)
It was noted that the above plans
have been approved by HDC. Easingwold Town Council requested a site visit for
both applications due to the high level of public interest, but visits did
not take place prior to approval. The Clerk has written to the Head of
Planning, Mr M. Cann at HDC, requesting an explanation regarding the
applications which were approved without the requested site visit. ETC would
appreciate a written response from HDC or for the Head of Planning to attend
the next Town Council meeting on 17 June 2008 to explain. No response
received yet, however Mr Cann has been away from the office and returned
16/06/08.
b)
Flooding - Ninevah Cottages Most
contributions have been received, apart from two households at Ninevah. Work
was completed early June 2008. c)
Yellow lines at Buttercross ((Item 07/96j)
Work completed in early June by Integrated Passenger
Transport, NYCC
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 met with Mr Aidan Rayner, NYCC PROW Team
Leader on 17.06/08 to hold site visit and discuss way forward. Mr Rayner
advised request for funding met with PROW improvement objectives and was
optimistic funding would be forthcoming. He also agreed to advise required
footpath standard required as previous quotes had been obtained on a standard
necessary for vehicular access, not footpath. This should alter the costs
significantly.
e) Footpath at
Springhill Court (TCM
150408 08/03)
Clerk wrote to T.Wood, HDC 29.4.08 and he confirmed that
the approval for Springhill Court did require the enhancement of pedestrian
links in to the Town. Mr Wood advised he would seek guidance from Housing 21
of their intentions in respect of the footway improvements.
f) Planting of tubs to celebrate 25th anniversary of the
Yorkshire Countrywomens Association in 2008 (TCC Item 3c)
Work completed
g) Millfields Car Park extension by Housing 21 (O.S 170308 Item 3.8)
Clerk wrote to HDC re poor surface on 4.3.08 and Mr C
Thornton, HDC advised that Quibell will return to the site to carry out
further works including removing of debris and surfacing. The Clerk has
chased up Mr Thornton today for a timescale as this work is still
outstanding.
h) Memorial Park - Damage to embankment slide (Rec Comm 140408 Item 7b) Platform
part repaired/replaced in June 2008-06-17 i) Uppleby Pavements (TCM 150408 08/09)
Clerk wrote to NYCC Highways
29.4.08. Response awaited
j) New parking sign in Market Place (TCC 190508 Items 5.1 & 5.2)
The new sign has been ordered and
will be in place early July. It will include reference to the Farmers’ Market
moving to the car park side from the Butter Cross side of the cobbles
MATTERS
ARISING
1.
The
public toilets are not being locked due to staffing issues at HDC and are
being cleaned every other day.
2.
The
Clerk, Assistant Clerk and Councillor B Taylor attended the SLCC Regional
Conference in Harrogate on 12/6/08. The presentation by Mazars Audit
(especially regarding the Asset Register and confirmation of best practice)
and Mr M Cann, Head of Planning HDC, were of particular interest and
relevance.
3.
Meeting
- The County Committee for Hambleton on 23/6/08at 2pm in Bedale; Cllr Taylor
is representative for council.
4.
Internal
Audit carried out 16th June 2008. Outcome was successful and
report is awaited from Mr Brian Metcalf and Mrs Avis Thomas.
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08/44 |
CORRESPONDENCE Items of correspondence
noted are listed at the end of these minutes Correspondence for Decision 44.1 NYCC re Town Mayors
Reception - invitation accepted; Mayor to attend
44.2 Mr Guyatt re Commercial
Hotel - letter noted but matter has moved forward and is being dealt with in
totality by Hambleton District Council
44.3 Mr Sutherland re Permission
to fly Lions Flag on 28th June (Brass Band Fayre) - It was AGREED to approve this request
44.4 Mrs Wintermeyer re damage to
bandstand in Memorial Park - It was
AGREED the Clerk
should obtain more quotations for the work from local builders
44.5 YLCA re Strategic
Partnership Meeting in Harrogate on 17th October 2008 - It was AGREED the Clerk should obtain more information about the
topics for discussion to enable a decision to be made regarding attendance
44.6 Mrs Hardy re Request for
stall on Butter Cross - It was AGREED to approve this request
44.7 NYCC re Mineral Core
Strategy Examination on 17th July 2008 - It was AGREED a representative from Easingwold Town Council would not
attend
44.8 NYCC Scouts re Invitation to
Mayor to AGM on 11th July 2008 - It was AGREED the
Mayor will attend
44.9 Mrs Johnson re loan of
Market Stalls for Easingwold Primary School Summer Fair on 6th
July 2008 - It was AGREED to approve the loan of the stalls
and that in future all requests of this nature should contain the following
paragraph: ‘Easingwold Town Council has
no liability for the loss or damage to the stalls on loan to you or liability
for any injuries sustained by you for the duration of the loan (including
collection and safe return).’
44.9 Mr & Mrs Walton re
Sponsorship of a Tub - It was AGREED to approve this request and for
the Clerk to nominate a suitable tub on Long Street.
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08/45 |
COZIE ROOF REPAIRS
Councillors discussed the report
produced by the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Councillor Gallon advised that
COZIE would like to become the legal tenant, providing the roof was properly
repaired, rather than patched. She also stated that COZIE are waiting for a
notification of a grant application. Additionally would it be possible for
the Council to consider having the lease direct with COZIE rather than via
the managing landlord, The Galtres Centre Management Committee?
The Clerk advised that this would
need to be investigated with Hambleton District Council, Mr Martyn Richards
(Head of Legal), as the owners of the land. If this proposal was acceptable
to HDC, a Deed of Variance would probably be required.
45.1 It was AGREED that the Clerk should contact HDC
Legal and explore the possibility of a direct lease between ETC and COZIE
45.2 It was AGREED to await an update from COZIE
regarding the success of their grant application.
45.3 Councillor Gallon agreed to
provide the current costs of repairing the roof, which COZIE has obtained, to
the Clerk
45.4 It was AGREED the Clerk should add this item as
an agenda item for the next Council meeting in July, to enable a decision to
be made on the way forward.
Councillor
Gallon declared a possible prejudicial interest in item 08/45 but remained in
the room as no decision was made or vote taken, only a discussion of the
report produced by the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Her input was vital to
enable full understanding of the complex leasing and legal position. |
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08/46 |
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME
46.1 The plans discussed were the
new version dated 7/4/08 by Jacobs and comparison made with previous plan by
Mouchelparkman dated 19/1/04 (incorporating amendments up to E dated
17/8/04). Councillor Taylor highlighted the changes to all Councillors.
46.2 The Chairman invited all
Councillors to record their individual comments/questions which will be
referred to NYCC Highways for a response. These are detailed as follows:
i) Councillor Shepherd
a. The footpaths across the
Market Place are no longer Yorkstone - why?
b. Unhappy at the tarmac
extension to the market green outside the Co-op; why is this necessary? It
should be noted that the original (Nov 2004) proposal, agreed in principal,
showed that extension to be grassed, in effect adding back grassed area which
had been removed to accommodate the bus stops.
c. Feels the one way system is
flowing the wrong way
ii) Councillor Readman
a. Where it is intended that cars should not park,
bollards should be erected to prevent parking
iii) Councillor Ellis
a. Plan loses 40 vehicle parking spaces; is it
dependant on a disc parking scheme?
b. Double yellow lines around the
market place will create a displacement of vehicles in the nearby roads
c. Increased number of road signs
will be detrimental to the appearance of the market place which is within a
conservation area
d. New bus shelter will be
detrimental to the appearance of the market place which is within a
conservation area
e. Unhappy at the tarmac
extension to the market green outside the Co-op; why is this necessary? See
i)a.
f. Against the implementation of
a disc parking scheme
g. Butter Cross cobbles - is it a
parking area or not? It currently is a well used parking area
h. Disabled parking allocation is
10 which is too high
j. Existing parking outside the
George Hotel and York Hotel cobbles is not shown on the map; are they parking
spaces or not?
k. pathways on the cobbles across
the cobbled areas of the market place need to be a flat surface for ease of
access for pedestrians and disabled users
iv) Councillor Madden
a. compromise of plan was agreed by Easingwold Town
Council in 2004; why does this need to change?
b. Parking spaces in front of the
Galtres Centre car park wall should not be there and would like to see
bollards in place to avoid parking in this area
v) Councillor Gallon
i) Opposed to the bus stop on
Chapel Lane
ii) Supports the use of Yorkstone
for the pathways across the cobbles
iii) Need controlled crossing
between the market green outside the Co-op and the cobbled market place on
the Butter Cross side, especially with the re-positioning of the two bus
stops
iv) Supports the paving on the
west side of the market place adjacent to the individual market greens
vi) Councillor Revd. Harrison
a. Unhappy at the tarmac extension to the market
green outside the Co-op; why is this necessary? See i)a.
b. Whilst appreciating the
aesthetic benefit of Yorkstone paving, very concerned at how slippery under
foot it becomes when wet. Is it possible to have an alternative non-slip
surface used where Yorkstone indicated?
vii) Councillor Tanner-Smith
a. There is no mention of parking control with the
plan; is it dependent on disc parking being implemented?
b. Would like to be aware of the
rationale behind the decision to have the direction of the one
way flow as shown on the map.
viii) Councillor Taylor
a. Acknowledged the Market Place in only one aspect
of the larger Traffic Management Strategy for all of Easingwold. Would like
information and plans of all of the other areas; in particular the proposed
one way system on Spring Street, taking into account the forthcoming footpath
from Springhill Court into town via this route.
b. Is disc parking still under
consideration?
c. If disc parking is going to be
implemented, will it include all of the ‘Commercial Area’ as defined by the
previous Hambleton & District Local Plan or is it to be restricted to the
market place area?
d. Supports other Councillors’
view that one pedestrian access should be upgraded to a controlled crossing,
either from the Co-op side or the chemist side to the market place cobbles.
e. Would like to see a taxi rank
and cycle racks re-introduced to the revised plan
f. There are far too many
disabled bays in Windross Square and the number should revert to the original
two bays
g. Is Windross Square intended to
retain its “40 minutes” waiting limit or to be absorbed into the proposed
disc parking scheme
h. Is in favour both of disc
parking and of the currently proposed clockwise direction of flow in the
Market Place
i. Has “herring-bone” parking
been considered for Spring Street (East side)?
j. Supports other Councillors’
views that the tarmac extension north of the Co-op should match the existing
village green and provide some compensation for the amount taken to widen the
footway at its boundary with Chapel Lane
k. Physical deterrents – whether
bollards or chains – are needed in several places where motorists regularly
mount the kerb and block footways to the detriment (and danger) of
pedestrians
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08/47 |
BIG LOTTERY FUND - NOTIFICATION OF AWARD
47.1 The Clerk advised that the
bid for £10,000 for the enhancement to Millfields Wetland from the Breathing
Places Big Lottery Fund had been successful. Payment is expected 1st
July 2008.
47.2 It was AGREED the Clerk should write to Mr Dave Goodwin, HDC advising
him of the success and obtaining HDC’s written permission to go ahead, as
they are landlords of the area.
47.3 It was AGREED the Clerk should circulate the BLF Terms and Conditions
for the award to all Councillors
47.4 Councillor Readman updated
the meeting, as this had been an agenda item at the Open Spaces Committee on
16th June 2008. Highlights as follows:
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The
damaged drain and rutted land was to be discussed with BTCV to gain
assistance in assessing the damage and finding a solution concomitant with
the work relating to Breathing Places
Ø
Invite
BTCV to discuss with the newly formed Breathing Places Working Party (BPWP)
how to go about the project
Ø
The
BPWP would also consider naturalised bulb planting in this area as part of
the discussion
Ø
An
advisory/support group will be advertised to the public and created
Ø
It was AGREED that Councillor Readman will
advertise the award of the funding in the Easingwold Advertiser
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08/48 |
EMERGENCY REPAIRS AND MINOR ITEMS
The Clerk reported that under
Delegated Powers as per Standing Orders Appendix 2 the following had been
undertaken:
48.1 The Memorial Park fence had
been replaced (at the rear of the park, opposite the Bowling Club) after
vandalism had destroyed the existing one
48.2 Updates for the Clerks
Manual had been purchased
48.3 A new litter bin had been
purchased from HDC as the old one was broken and causing broken glass to be
scattered on the grass when emptied
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08/49 |
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councillor Readman gave a brief
summary from the Open Spaces Committee meeting held 16/6/08
Ø
Approx.
300 trees in Easingwold; all will be tagged and part of inventory, which will
eventually form the Periodic Plan Maintenance of Trees
Ø
TPO
work on trees on Tower Croft and Oulston Road are underway
Ø
Dawnay
Allotments annual inspection will take place on 18.6.08
Ø
Millfields
Open Space was reported under agenda item 08/47
Ø
Committee
are investigating options to prevent horses accessing Millfields Open Space
Councillor Taylor gave a brief
summary from the F&GP meeting held 22/5/08
Ø
The
Annual Return was approved after scrutiny by the committee
Ø
The
review of the Risk Register and Asset Register was underway
Ø
The
annual review of the Clerk and Assistant Clerk’s salary was carried out and
an increase awarded
Councillor Gallon had attended
the YLCA meeting and advised:
Ø
Cllr
Gallon has been appointed Chairman
Ø
Quality
Council status criteria has been revised with regard to possible nominees
must be elected and evidence of advertising must be given
Ø
Training
this year will be on Chairmanship
Ø
Local
Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007: gives the power to
create and abolish parishes
Councillor Gallon had attended
various Citizens Advice Bureau meetings and advised:
Ø
The
financial position had improved when compared to last year
Ø
The
Honorary Treasurer is resigning in August 2008 and they are anxious to identify
a replacement
Councillor Taylor had attended
the EDCCA meeting and advised:
Ø
Councillor
Featherstone advised that a meeting regarding the new Easingwold One Stop
Shop would be held in the near future
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08/50 |
FINANCE MATTERS
50.1 The previous month’s income
was noted.
50.2 It was AGREED that the following accounts should be approved for
payment:
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