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Newsletter December 2011 Message from the Chairman In some ways the Christmas and New Year holiday this year will provide a breathing space at a time when a lot has been happening in Easingwold. The need for cuts in local authority budgets has meant that parish councils and communities are being asked to do more, so discussions on toilet provision and the future of the library have been major items on the Town Council's agenda recently. In addition, our views have been sought on planning applications for major housing, commercial and retail developments which raise significant traffic, highways and other issues for the town. Some very pleasing developments are that the Town Council will be able to move its office to a room in the library building in the New Year so it will be close to the Market Place, the new footways across the cobbles and the facelift to the market cross area have been proving very popular, and there has been a magnificent response from Easingwold residents volunteering to help with celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year. The Town Council wishes everyone involved in this project every success and would like to wish everyone living or working in Easingwold a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Public Toilets in Easingwold At the Easingwold Town Council (ETC) Meeting on the 18th October 2011 the Town Council again reiterated its desire to maintain and keep open the Public Toilets in the Market Place. With a deadline of November 1st for the transfer to take place, there was much to sort out and clarify if the toilets were to be kept operational. ETC delayed its answer to Hambleton District Council (HDC) on the toilets and asked for confirmation that all other HDC toilets were being taken over by local parishes to show that ETC was being treated fairly. Since that meeting it has been confirmed that HDC, on the basis that Easingwold Town Council will become the new operators, will keep the toilets open after November 1st and charge the Town Council for their operation. HDC have also confirmed that they will affect any repairs and undertake a "deep clean" prior to the handover. Already a new stainless steel urinal trough has been installed in the men's toilets. An offer was received from a cleaning company to take on the cleaning of the toilets which proved acceptable to the Town Council and a Service Contract will be drawn up. Other issues around the safe operation of the toilets as well as practical matters around the maintenance of wash-room equipment and the provision of sanitary ware have all had to be addressed in a very short space of time. At time of writing most things had been prepared to allow the Town Council to move ahead with their plans later in November. The Town Council's solicitor is carrying out the necessary checks to aim for the legal transfer of the toilets to take place in late November. Therefore, assuming there are no legal delays, it is hoped that Easingwold Town Council will be both the owner of and operator of the Market Place Public Toilets within a matter of weeks. Diamond Jubilee Next year sees the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with celebrations concentrated on the Bank Holiday weekend, from Saturday, 2nd June, right through to the extra bank holiday on Tuesday, 5th June. Following a public meeting held by Easingwold Town Council, a steering committee was formed to arrange and encourage community celebrations. The committee is made up of the following: Charlotte Cranfield, Richard Graves, Carol Hull, Joanne Nutbrown, Sue Smith, Jane Wintermeyer, District Councillor Nigel Knapton, Councillors Shirley Shepherd, Richard Tanfield and Neil Madden. Progress can be followed from regular articles and announcements in "The Advertiser", and an Easingwold Jubilee web site will be set up shortly. In addition to the work of the committee, it is hoped that many local groups and organisations will arrange events to be included in the programme of Jubilee celebrations. At this stage, arrangements are far from complete, but events presently under consideration include special children's events with a fancy dress parade, sports, bouncy castle, a picnic /tea and a leading children's entertainer; a jubilee charity market; and various events in the Galtres Centre including an exhibition, an amateur radio station and of course with refreshments available. Also planned is a festival of live music encompassing a wide range of musical genres from jazz, folk and rock to classical, and with performances from local singers and choirs. The community celebrations wind up on the Monday with the lighting of the Jubilee Beacon and a firework display. Although giving much encouragement, the government has not made available any financial support for the Jubilee celebrations. Even so it is hoped that the majority of Jubilee events in Easingwold will be free, and to this end an appeal is being made to all businesses, community organisations and clubs in Easingwold for ideas, help and financial assistance. To start the ball rolling, Easingwold Town Council has agreed to donate £2,500 to the Jubilee Celebrations. Bulb Planting Bulbs were planted in the Memorial Park on Saturday 29/10/11. Cllr Shepherd, Cllr Readman and her husband Eric, plus three parents and their sons attended. All worked well and the majority of the bulbs were planted in the park. A few left over bulbs were planted at the Claypenny site. Planting at Chase Garth open space will be a priority in 2012. The number of bulbs planted in the park should give a wonderful show in Spring 2012. Market Cross Works NYCC have completed laying the new paved surface to the Market Cross including the extension to permit easier access to buses from the platform. There is also a new access path linking the Market Cross to the recently laid footpath on the eastern side of the Town Hall building. Individuals from the town have, on a voluntary basis, monitored the NYCC work and have advised the council of problems found. These have been reported to NYCC and a snagging list made. NYCC have advised that all snagging items should be resolved in November 2011. The bus stop markings will be in place on the east side of the Market Place by the end of November and the south side markings will be completed at the same time. The Town Council will be pursuing quotes and appropriate Listed Building Consent for re-painting of the columns on the Market Cross and installing pigeon deterrent. Winter Maintenance Whilst NYCC places very high priority on the winter maintenance service, it is not possible for the County Council to treat all footways and roads in the county during severe winter weather conditions. NYCC have issued the 'Snow Code' which gives invaluable practical advice and is available on the Town Council's website. The essential elements from NYCC are as follows: Will I be held liable if someone falls on a path I have cleared? There is no law preventing you from clearing snow & ice on the pavement outside your property, pathways to your property or public spaces. It is very unlikely that you would face any legal liability, as long as you are careful, and use common sense to ensure that you do not make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before. People using area affected by snow & ice also have responsibility to be careful themselves. Easingwold in Bloom cards Photographs of this year's displays are being made into blank greetings cards to promote Easingwold. They will be available shortly from the Tourist Information Centre for a small sum. All proceeds will be given to a local charity. Christmas and New Year Market dates The Christmas Market will be held on Friday
23rd December and the next market will be the following Friday,
30th December. The Farmers' Market will be held on the second
Wednesday, December 14th and on the third Wednesday, January
18th 2012. Calendar 2011/12 December 12th Planning Committee 18.30
January 16th Planning Committee 18.30 February 13th Planning Committee 18.30 Correspondence for consideration by the council at the meeting must be received at the Clerk's Office by close of business six working days before the meeting day e.g. meeting date 13/12/11 then correspondence must be received by 2/12/11. Council Office
The office is open daily from 9.30-12.30. Information on the Town Council and the minutes of meetings can be found on our website which is http://www.easingwold.gov.uk/ Information on Hambleton District Council, including planning matters, local development framework and all other services can be found on www.hambleton.gov.uk You are welcome to contact a councillor to discuss any complaints or queries.
A larger print version is always available if requested from the Clerk. |
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