86-2009/10

MINUTES OF EASINGWOLD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE GALTRES CENTRE EASINGWOLD AT 7.30P.M. ON TUESDAY 19 JANUARY 2010

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

Acting Clerk: Mr N A Knapton

09/216

APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

216.1 Apologies were received from Canon J Harrison.

216.2 Councillors Shepherd & Ellis 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.

Councillor Ellis declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 09/232.1 application 09/04177/FUL

09/217

It was AGREED to adjourn the meeting for up to 15 minutes to take questions through the Chairman from members of the public. All items raised by the public are recorded to enable the council to deal with at the appropriate time.

Members of the public expressed concern about the gritting of the footways in Easingwold especially around and to the sheltered bungalows. Some elderly people had been trapped inside for several days and had been unable to replenish their food stocks. A petition had been gathered around the Town.
The confusion as to whether members of the public faced legal action for clearing snow was also preventing people helping out with snow clearance. Clarification was required by central government.

County Councillor Sowray reported that Easingwold was treated equally and that only certain footways in and around the Market Place were treated by NYCC. There was no scope for increasing this as they faced a 15% budget cut over the next 3 years. A million pounds had been released by NYCC today for pot hole repairs following the bad weather.

It was reported that the cobbles outside the Galtres Centre had lifted due to the freezing conditions.

Concern was expressed that the licences had still not been received by the Market Place landlords.

09/218

SOCIAL HOUSING PROVISION
Helen Fielding of Hambleton DC gave a talk on social housing provision in Hambleton District. She highlighted the fact that there isn’t enough social housing with private housing prices high and indigenous incomes low. Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 governs who gets social housing. Broadacres manage the housing register in Hambleton. A new allocations policy will be introduced shortly called ‘Choice Based Lettings’ this will ensure that North Yorkshire residents get priority which has not been the case in the past and is a common complaint by residents. 50% of new developments must be affordable housing. There are currently 1400 people on the waiting list. Councillors then asked questions and the Chairman thanked Ms Fielding for kindly visiting the Council.

09/219

It was AGREED that minutes of the meeting dated 15 December 2009 and 4 January 2010 (already circulated) should be approved for signature.

09/220

MATTERS ARISING AND CLERK’S PROGRESS REPORT

To note progress on action points from previous minutes (information items only)

The fencing at Drovers Court had been done by Broadacres Housing Association despite Council instructing a contractor to undertake the work. The fencing was not to the standard that Council had specified.

The market had been cancelled on 8 January 2010 due to the dangerous conditions. This was after consultation with traders and other agencies.

A response from NYCC Highways indicated the pot holes reported last time would be repaired when the weather improves.

Details of the proposed licence had been sent to Hileys with instructions to draw up a formal licence. The status of the land had also been provided.

The fallen tree in the Millfields Car Park had been removed by Andrew Nelson. Nothing further had been received regarding the car park surface, this would be chased up.

The Office software had all been updated and was now correct.

A survey had been received from Hambleton DC regarding the allotments.

MATTERS ARISING:

Ø There were no matters arising.

09/221

CORRESPONDENCE

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

Correspondence for Decision

There were no items of correspondence for decision.

09/222

LAND AT THE DAWNAY

A copy of the lease was still awaited.

09/223

WINTER MAINTENANCE

It was AGREED the two additional salt bins be placed at the corner in Bonneycroft and at the end of Park Close. A gentleman had volunteered to spread the salt in Park Close. The Clerk to order the bins and have them placed. The salt bins need a notice stating’for use on this street only’.

It was agreed to consider the salting of the Market Place at the October meeting.

09/224

MEMORIAL PARK

The minutes of the Recreation Committee meeting held the previous evening were read aloud and will be circulated to all members.

09/225

PROSPECT FARM SECTION 106 AGREEMENT

It was AGREED that this would be considered at the next meeting on 16 February 2010 to allow councillors to visit the site. Councillor Ellis would circulate the appropriate plan to all members.

09/226

QUALITY COUNCIL STATUS

The Clerk had circulated the CLG document ‘The Quality Town & Parish Council Scheme’ to all members today. The status was due to expire on 21 June 2011 It was AGREED that in light of the document circulated discussion would be adjourned until next meeting.

09/227

EASINGWOLD SERVICE CENTRE & TRANSPORT STRATEGY
It was AGREED that members would complete their own questionnaires and these would be compiled into one response at an extraordinary meeting on 26 January 2010.

09/228

EMERGENCY REPAIRS & MINOR ITEMS

There were no emergency repairs or minor items.

09/229

COMMITTEE REPORTS

229.1 For Recreation Committee report see item 09/223.

229.2 Open Spaces Committee report was given at the last extraordinary meeting.

229.3 The YLCA would be publishing the new model standing orders soon. The NYCC Area Committee had reported that there could be a 15% reduction in budgets over the next 3 years.

09/230

FINANCE MATTERS

230.1 The December 2009 Income & Expenditure report was noted.

230.2 The following accounts were approved for payment:

JH & M Hutchinson	Various invoices	91.33
Easingwold Town Hall Company Ltd	Advertising	20.93
Grays Solicitors	Legal Fees	402.50
M E Willis Ltd	Servicing	239.41
Rural Action Yorkshire	Subscription	35.00
John Pearce	Market	579.60
Andrew Nelson	Various	2,026.00
St James Landscapes Ltd	Fencing	55.00
Nigel Knapton	Acting Clerk	1,056.25
Nigel Knapton	IT Reimbursement - Office 2007 etc	650.89
Staff	Leaving Present	25.00
Staff	Salary 1	1,162.92
HMRC	PAYE	237.06

230.3 It was AGREED to sign up for Internet Banking with a nil external transfer facility.

09/231

TOWN REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

A street lamp on the corner of Oulston Road and Uppleby had been hit by a van this morning due to the ice and was leaning at 45°.

09/232

URGENT ITEMS AND ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA

Ø To review the Quality Council status – February meeting.

Ø Easingwold Service Centre and Transport Strategy – Extraordinary meeting.

Ø Ninevah Drainage – February meeting.

Ø Winter Maintenance of Market Place – October meeting.

09/233

PLANNING MATTERS

This item was taken at 8.30pm.

233.1 It was AGREED that Planning Committee recommendations, following the meeting on 18^th January 2010 should be approved as set out in the following minutes of the meeting:

Ref No	Application details	Address	Applicant's name
09/03911/FUL	Alterations and extensions to existing bungalow to form health spa and treatment rooms Wish to see APPROVED	Burn Hall, Easingwold YO61 1JB	Burn Hall Hotel
09/03987/FUL	Construction of a stable block/retail unit, a polytunnel and 4 chicken enclosures Wish to see APPROVED	Burn Hall, Tollerton Road, Huby	Mr T Cook
10/00002/FUL	Proposed alterations and extensions to existing bungalow Wish to see APPROVED	Wayside, Easingwold YO61 3NZ	Mr K Neath
09/04159/FUL (without integral garage)	Revised application for the construction of a dwelling and creation of a new vehicular access Wish to see APPROVED with the following comments: · The highest point of the new property must not be higher than the highest point of the existing property Avenue House (opposite) · Prefer a common driveway between Avenue Farm and the proposed new dwelling · This proposal is preferred to 09/04160/FUL as the position is further away from the rear of properties 22 & 24 Long St	Avenue Farm, Church Avenue, Easingwold	Mr D Prosser-Higdon
09/04160/FUL (with integral garage)	Revised application for the construction of a dwelling and creation of a new vehicular access Wish to see REFUSED. See the comments for 09/4159/FUL, 3^rd bullet.	Avenue Farm, Church Avenue, Easingwold	Mr D Prosser-Higdon
09/04177/FUL	Single storey extension to the east of existing property and construction of a new porch to south Wish to see APPROVED	East Carolina Farm, Alne Road, Easingwold	Mr & Mrs G Ellis
09/04146/ADV	Application for Advertisement consent to display two externally illuminated signs and one internally illuminated sign Wish to see APPROVED	York Road Garage, York Road, Easingwold	HMJ & CM Howells
10/00007/FUL	Construction of two dwellings Wish to see APPROVED	Land adjacent to 4 Sunnybank Terrace, Oulston Road, Easingwold	Mr RF Barugh

Minor Amendments: 0

Withdrawn: 0

Street Naming & Numbering: 0

233.2 Applications considered by Hambleton District Council were noted.

The number of new dwellings 1.6.07 - date: 21

09/234

It was RESOLVED to exclude members of the press and public under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 for items 09/207-210, due to the confidential nature of the business

09/235

Part Two

STAFFING

This was discussed in confidential session

09/236

BURIAL GROUND

This was discussed in confidential session

09/237

FUTURE PREMISES FOR EASINGWOLD TOWN COUNCIL

This was discussed in confidential session

CORRESPONDENCE TO NOTE: JANUARY 2010

Date Received	From	Subject
12/12/2009	Hambleton DC	Planning Application Queries
16/12/2009	Scope	letter advising of collection dates
17/12/2009	Mr & Mrs Burge	Letter re various issues
17/12/2009	Citizens Advice Bureau	Annual report
17/12/2009	Hambleton District Council	Update Dec 2009
19/12/2009	Area 2, Thirsk Office Hambleton DC	Millfield Lane Easingwold Salt Bin
21/12/2009	Jo Foster - Record RSS	repairs at Millfields Skate Park and Memorial Park
21/12/2009	Society of Local Council Clerks	2010 Practitioners Conference
21/12/2009	Hambleton District Council	Meetings of the Area Forums notice
21/12/2009	Rural Action Yorkshire	Subscription Renewal Reminder
23/12/2009	Graeme Burge	Response to Nigel's letter
04/01/2010	YHRAF	Rural Matters Newsletter
05/10/2009	HSBC	Bank Statements
07/01/2010	Hambleton DC	Bad Weather Disrupts Collections
07/01/2010	North Yorkshire Pension Fund	Drop-in sessions
08/01/2010	CE & CM Walker	Grass cutting Contract
08/01/2010	NYCC	County Committee for Hambleton
12/12/2009	Hambleton DC	Planning Application Queries
16/12/2009	Scope	letter advising of collection dates
17/12/2009	Mr & Mrs Burge	Letter re various issues
17/12/2009	Citizens Advice Bureau	Annual report

It was AGREED that minutes of the meeting dated 15 December 2009 and 4 January 2010 (already circulated) should be approved for signature.

MATTERS ARISING AND CLERK’S PROGRESS REPORT

CORRESPONDENCE

It was AGREED the two additional salt bins be placed at the corner in Bonneycroft and at the end of Park Close. A gentleman had volunteered to spread the salt in Park Close. The Clerk to order the bins and have them placed. The salt bins need a notice stating’for use on this street only’.

It was agreed to consider the salting of the Market Place at the October meeting.

The minutes of the Recreation Committee meeting held the previous evening were read aloud and will be circulated to all members.

PROSPECT FARM SECTION 106 AGREEMENT

It was AGREED that this would be considered at the next meeting on 16 February 2010 to allow councillors to visit the site. Councillor Ellis would circulate the appropriate plan to all members.

QUALITY COUNCIL STATUS

EMERGENCY REPAIRS & MINOR ITEMS

233.1 It was AGREED that Planning Committee recommendations, following the meeting on 18th January 2010 should be approved as set out in the following minutes of the meeting:

233.2 Applications considered by Hambleton District Council were noted.

CORRESPONDENCE TO NOTE: JANUARY 2010

233.1 It was AGREED that Planning Committee recommendations, following the meeting on 18^th January 2010 should be approved as set out in the following minutes of the meeting: