Minutes of the Meeting of Sowerby Parish Council
Held in Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall
on Thursday 9th November 2006.
Present.
Cllrs. P. Bardon, D. Cartridge, S. Hoyland, D. Murkett, H. Newcombe, M. Robson, Cllr. Ms. E. Storm, Cllrs. D. Stratton, A. Turner, and County Councillor W. Barton.
In Attendance.
4 members of the public.
Darlington and Stockton Times reporter: Ian Noble.
Members of the public were invited to table any comments.
- The Council was asked to prioritise work to the pavements around the village Greens to remove the puddles. Cllr. Robson hoped that the imminent repairs to the access roads would alleviate this problem by preventing run off.
- Council's attention was drawn to the parking on Front Street which flouted Sections 214 and 222 of the Highway Code, regarding parking against the flow of traffic. These points would be referred to the Police
1. Apologies for Absence.
Apologies were received from Cllrs. A. Sowerby and S. Wilson.
2. a. To approve and sign the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12th October 2006.
The Minutes were approved and signed.
b. To approve and sign the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26th October 2006.
The Minutes were approved and signed
3. To receive the report from County Councillor W. Barton on items of relevance to Sowerby and Thirsk.
County Councillor Barton reported that the County Council had not yet decided if a 30 or 40mph speed limit would be installed at the A19/ Blakey Lane junction. The Chairman made it very clear that the issue was with the lack of a temporary speed limit of 30mph during the period 7th August to 31st December which had already been legislated for.
He assured the meeting that the haulier from Bagby would refrain from using Blakey Lane.
The Chairman reiterated that the Parish Council was looking for the Auction Mart to take measures within their own property to request that their users avoid using Blakey Lane.
The Clerk reported that the Mart had been invited to apply for retrospective planning permission for the Car Boot Sales. Cllr. Robson stressed that once the application was in the system there could not be any enforcement until the planning application had been determined and therefore no body had the power to close the Car Boot Sale down. As the planning consent had been given for agriculturally based activity the District Councillors were requested to raise the matter with Maurice Cann and also include the Furniture Sales.
It was suggested that a list of questions requiring answers be given to the County Councillor each month.
4. To receive reports from District Councillors.
Cllr. Murkett reported that he had attended a number of meetings. There had not yet been a report from the Cabinet to Council about future spending and cut backs.
Cllr. Robson reported that the white lines at the junction of Blakey Close and Blakey Lane would be painted when the road works were done for the new development. Blakey Lane would be closed in January for putting in water pipes and cabling so the footpath and street lighting would only be done at the completion of the work. It was estimated that the development would be completed in June 2007.
5. To Discuss Matters Arising.
5:1 Blakey Bridge/English Heritage. Photographs of the bridge before and after the repairs had been carried out had been sent to English Heritage.
5:2 Play Area. Four quotations had been obtained for playground equipment. A meeting was being arranged with the schools on 23rd November and the Play Area sub-committee would report to the full meeting in due course. Mrs Law from HDC had agreed to give assistance with filling in forms for grant applications.
5:3 Back Lane Shop. Environmental Health had given assurance that there was no perishable food in the shop. Councillors recorded their regret that the shop was closed.
5:4 Flatts Walk. Although the Flatts Walk had been resurfaced it was noted that the entrance to it and the cycleway still needed resurfacing.
5:5 2 King's Gardens. The Court Decision was read to the meeting. Verdict. Fine and costs totalling £700. Site to be cleared with immediate effect. Further penalty for continuing offence up to £100 per day.
5:6 Conservation Advisory Group Meeting. An agenda for the meeting had been sent.
5:7 Leylandii Trees. The Clerk was asked to seek clarification regarding the situation when removing Leylandii trees in a Conservation Area.
5:8 Minerals and Waste Development Plan. Cllr. Cartridge felt that there were no implications in the plan for Sowerby.
5:9 Car parked illegally. It was reported that the car was still there. Cllr. Robson had met the new Police Acting Inspector and hoped that she would attend the December meeting. Councillors requested that the police attend all meetings as there has been great concern at the perceived lack of policing.
5:10 Article 4. The Clerk was asked to formally write to follow up the concern raised at previous meetings and stress that Article 4 was proposed in 1999 when a need was noted.
6. Front Street Improvements. Cllr. Robson reminded Councillors that tenders had been sought and the quote from RCS had been agreed. The existing stone would be pulled back and the edging squared up as agreed between the Council and Contractor at a rate of
£8,659.93 +VAT. NYCC would be requested to look at works to the pavements where puddles were causing problems for pedestrians. Quotations for work to lay tarmac at the road entrances were in excess of the amount authorised so would not be followed up. Weather permitting it was hoped that the work would be completed by the end of November. The Parish Council would deliver letters to all householders informing them of the works and RCS would inform individual households prior to work in their area.
The Council was reminded that a rolling programme of positioning setts had been considered and it was felt that this should be built into the long term plan.
7. Planning Applications.
7a Decisions.
See updated pro forma.
7b New Applications.
See updated pro forma.
8. Financial matters.
8a Receipts. As tabled.
8b Payments. These were approved as tabled.
9. Correspondence.
- HDC Property name changes:
- New Development - Blakey Lane. Thirsk Rural Business Centre, postal addresses.
- Thirsk Clock. Offer to Four ways withdrawn as funder has pulled out.
- Hambleton Community Safety Partnership. Local Projects Scheme.
- HDC. Temporary road Closure during Remembrance Parade.
- NYCC. Budget Consultation Meeting. 11th December. 6-9pm. Thirsk Rural Business Centre.
- HDC. John Proud. Litter bin at The Close, Back Lane.
- Countryside Alliance. Re concerns about the future of local Post Offices.
- NYCC. Monthly Newspaper. Has the November issue arrived yet?
- HDC. Funding of costs associated with Parish elections.
10. Reports from Sub-committees.
Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall. A Risk assessment Document was being drawn up.
Pack Horse Bridge. Cllr. Hoyland reminded the meeting that a visual inspection of the bridge used to be done every two years by NYCC. This had not been the case recently and the Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting with Highways at the bridge.
11. Any Other Business.
- Locks Bridge. Cllr. Robson reported that The Environment Agency had been carrying out a survey of the bridges and trees in the vicinity, leading to tree work in the future.
- Station Car Parking. Cllr. Cartridge reported that the small car park at the western side of the station, which was traditionally used for short term parking by taxi drivers and people collecting passengers, is now being used by travellers for whole day parking. The taxi companies would like it to become designated for a taxi rank and dropping off as before. The Clerk was asked to contact Carlton Miniott and Thirsk Town Councils in the first instance, followed by HDC, NYCC and British Rail.
- Businesses on Front Street. The question was asked about was there a need for businesses to apply for permission to operate from homes? Does the Parish Council have any powers under the byelaws? Does the Council have any legal power to amend the byelaws? The Clerk was requested to consult with NALC and defra.
- Carol Singing. The relevant planning had been carried out for the 19th of December at 7pm.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 21.15hrs.
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Chairman Date
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