Parish council

The Staintondale Parish Council meeting was held on September 17. Present were Cllr W Terry, chairman, Cllr Ms C Broadhurst, Cllr S Darrington, Cllr F James, Cllr E Morgan, Cllr B Normington and Cllr Mrs V Russell. Also present were Mrs J Marley, clerk, PCSO 5627 Kitson and PCSO 5208 Lockey, and one member of the press. County and Borough Cllr Bastiman sent his apologies (prior commitment).

There were no declarations of interest, and the minutes of the meeting of July 16 were approved as an accurate record and signed by the chairman.

Police. A written report was received and varied information exchanged, mainly regarding the vandalism at the playground on the cricket field. PCSO Lockey also explained the changes in the policing areas which had resulted in PCSO Kitson and herself now covering the area from Newby to Ravenscar.

Parish. Cllr Terry reported on the matter of litter bins in Station Square – a resident had reported problems with badgers foraging in the bins. The clerk had contacted the borough council – one bin was programmed for replacement, the other was not. The parish council could pay to have the second bin replaced at a cost of £550 to £600. Councillors agreed this replacement cost was not acceptable. Cllr Mrs Russell suggested (and it was agreed) that the bin outside Crag Hill was removed and used to replace the old bin on Station Square (the clerk to contact Scarborough Borough Council).

Grass cutting review. Cllr Mrs Russell reported that, on the whole, Ravenscar verges had been cut by householders. The worst area was probably the first 50 yards of Church Lane from its junction with Raven Hall Road (some of which abutted the church). It was asked if the church would be prepared to cut this stretch of grass - Cllrs Darrington and James will take the matter to the parochial church council for consideration. Staintondale verges were overall reasonable though there had been issues with poor visibility when exiting Prior Wath Road. A letter from a parishioner regarding the verge encroaching onto the pavement up to Hill View Barn was considered (clerk is to write to Highways asking for pavement to be sided out). On balance councillors felt they had been right not to increase the precept in order to cut the verges, however the situation would continue to be monitored and reviewed again in late 2016.

Station Square cycle rack. The clerk read out the exchange of emails with the borough council regarding council’s request for a cycle rack to be located on the verge in front of the platform. Council could not understand why borough council was so resistant to the proposed location. The clerk will attempt to set up a site meeting, to include Cllrs Terry, Morgan, and Mrs Russell.

Correspondence The following was received: a) election of co-opted member to North Yorkshire County Council Area Committee - noted no vote submitted as there had been no absolute majority for any candidate; b) donation to newsletter costs - letter of thanks from Mrs L Williams received; c) NYMNP Joint Area Parish Forum (September 30 at Whitby) Cllr Darrington was to attend; (d) Scarborough CAB – letter requesting donation towards their costs – agreed donation of £125 be made and cheque authorised for signature; (e) reduction in numbers of grit bins and salt heaps – a letter from county council was received and noted. Councillors were appalled at the proposals which would have a huge impact on safety and economic development. The hilliest road in the area (radio mast to Stoupe Beck) was in Fylingdales Parish, and over a third of the heaps were to be removed despite it having one in four hills. The country council was trying to save money at the expense of parish councils who were expected to put up their precept thereby forcing double taxation on parishioners. The clerk will try and arrange a site meeting with Highways and Cllrs Terry and Normington.

Correspondence received after September 1 2015 and requiring a response before next meeting: 1) the chairman highlighted correspondence from a parish Councillor regarding the publication of draft minutes of parish council meetings on the council’s website. There ensued a robust and lengthy discussion regarding the legal requirements for publication. Cllr Mrs Russell proposed the clerk be thanked for her work. The council accepted the action of the Clerk in fulfilling the role of paid officer. Resolved the minutes continue to be produced in draft form and put on the council’s website without prior checks by a councillor.

Planning matters. Applications received: alterations and extension to garage to form separate unit of accommodation at Moraine, Raven Hall Road - comments of objection submitted by clerk under delegated powers were confirmed; erect reception building at the Falcon, Whitby Road – agreed application fully supported; construct conservatory extension at Dunholme, Raven Hall Road – noted the proposals will block off access to garage from road and reduce parking within curtilage of property agreed no objections.

Decisions received and noted: convert redundant agricultural buildings to three local occupancy units (two with flexible use to include holiday letting) and storage space with access and landscaping at North Bridge Farm, Staintondale - granted.

Accounts. Having been previously notified, the following was approved for payment Staintondale Village Hall hire for the evening’s meeting £10.

The next meeting is on November 19 in Ravenscar Village Hall.

The following was handed to Cllr Normington for circulation: Clerks and Councils Direct magazine (September 2015).