Author: eileenwebb

Osmotherley Area Parish Council received a planning application a few weeks ago seeking to vary the conditions relating to the Wind Turbine scheme near Winton and Kirby Sigston to permit a start to the project before all conditions have been met. Because of this the PC have met with both the planning officers of Hambleton as well as with the developers to try to get to root of the problem. It has transpired that the MOD have yet to approve any Radar Mitigation Scheme and without this no approval should be given. As well as this the Environmental Impact Assessment is several years old and again this should have been updated. The June meeting of the PC held at Kirby Sigston resolved to send a strongly worded letter to the Planning Authority in advance of the hearing by the Planning Committee on the 25th June which is expected to be very well attended by residents from Kirby Sigston and the surrounding area. If the developers are unable after 5 years to comply with the conditions it is considered that they have failed to achieve the necessary consents and should not be allowed to proceed.

Highways are due to carry out some road repairs in the near future as well as water main works scheduled on South End at the beginning of July, these could cause considerable disruption if not handled with care. Plans have been submitted for works to Graham House on West End, the PC considered that the render on one wall should be removed and the stonework exposed and repointed. A heat source pump has been installed adjacent to the Churchyard and is deemed to be inappropriate and should be lowered to below the wall and that timber screening should then be installed.

Funding applications have been submitted for the works to the toilets and to the churchyard wall and details are yet to be received. In the case of the Churchyard wall it also requires a Faculty from the Diocese and these matters are bound by layers of red tape and are taking a long time to  resolve.

The Police report included one instance of antisocial behaviour as well as an attempted breakin to a livestock building. In addition the Police had recently stopped a vehicle on the A19 in relation to a drugs offence.

A Community Speed Watch campaign is being put into operation across the County where residents with the necessary training will be able to monitor speeds and then forward the details which will be used to generate letters to offenders.

The National Park are to introduce changes to their tariffs for many aspects of planning
including pre-planning advice as well as for applications. Plans discussed included internal
alterations to Drovers House at Chequers, an application to replace a conservatory on South End and also the demolition of outbuildings at Woodlands Farm Thimbleby to be replaced by a new B&B unit – all were supported.

The planning enforcement officer has visited to assess the condition of a house on the corner of South End, she also looked at the heat source pump at the rear of a property and which is visible from within the Churchyard.

Tenders are being received for works to refurbish the Toilets and also a Church Faculty is
being prepared before work can start to repoint the Churchyard Wall, it is hoped that funding from other sources can be obtained to offset the costs involved in these major works.

Anyone wanting further nomination packs for the forthcoming Elections is now advised to
obtain them from Stone Cross, it is advisable to ring in advance because these documents will be pre printed and can then be made ready for collection: closing date for returns is 9th April.

The Police attended the Feb meeting of the Parish Council – there had been no reported
incidents in the area during the previous 4 weeks. However PC Woodcock was able to respond to concerns following the serious congestion resulting from a well attended running event based in the village. The advice here is that organisers of such events must always seek prior approval from the Police and that should any third party become aware it is advisable that such information is forwarded to the Police.

Police are also running campaigns to make youngsters in particular, aware of the dangers of legal highs and of “sexting”. Other campaigns that are current are pet theft, a growing problem in some areas; it is confirmed that poaching should be notified by the use of a 999 call.

The road past Sheepwash is soon to be closed to help prevent further flooding in that area and Yorkshire Water has been asked to tackle various leaks elsewhere. However they have
responded to say that the chamber near the Pinfold is not their responsibility despite it being a part of the old Dales and District Water Boards pipework. The PC will continue to press for a solution to this problem.

Work to repair the Bus Shelter will be carried out in the near future but the repointing to the Churchyard wall cannot take place until a Church Faculty has been obtained. Further quotes are still to come in to refurbish the Toilets and here the PC will try to find an additional source of funding to cover the costs. Second quotes are waited for the inscriptions to the War memorial and to replace the Ellerbeck sign on the A684.

Parliamentary, District and Parish Elections will be held on May 7th. All Councillors are obliged to step down and if they wish to seek re-election they must complete the nomination process. Nomination forms for Parish Councillors will be available from the Clerk, Len Cragg, 01609 773577 from 14th of March. Anyone wanting a form is asked to phone near to that date and one will be forwarded. Once received the timescale for completion and return must be carefully followed as indicated in the pack. Also please make sure that your name is on the Official List of Electors, since without that you will not be eligible to vote.

Although funding for public activities and improvements is becoming harder to source the
Parish Council are trying to press ahead to access some of this for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. Projects under consideration include a major refurbishment of the Public Toilets, repointing of sections of the Churchyard wall and repairs to the Bus Shelter. Tenders have been sent out and it is hoped that interested persons will be able to quote to do this work, but if anyone else wishes to be considered please get in touch with any Member of the PC or with The Clerk.

An application to replace the eroded plaques on the War Memorial is also being
prepared and if successful will mean that the names of all who served in the First World War can be added to the Memorial.

The winter weather is starting to make itself felt and Highways are constantly being asked to carry out repairs to potholes and to water leaks, sometimes they respond but frequently they deem that the eroding road surfaces do not warrant them doing any work. Salting in times of frost is going ahead but not into the minor roads and Keith as Caretaker tries very hard to reach into most corners whenever possible.

Members have been concerned that some planning applications to small properties include extending them and then these properties become holiday lets, this concern is to be followed up with the National Park because these homes and those who use them will no longer support the School and other vital aspects of community life.

New line dancing class beginning Monday 12th January in Osmotherley Village hall.

The first class is free to everyone and thereafter will be £2 or £3 depending on whether child or adult. We begin at 7pm and finish at 9pm. For those who haven’t tried this very sociable pastime why not come along and see what we do. This is a most enjoyable way to keep fit and keep your mind active. You do not need a partner, you will make lots of new friends and we dance to a great variety of music from country, waltz through to modern pop.

We adjust our class to accommodate the people there. For further details you can ring Chris on 07804059414

The November meeting of the Parish Council learnt that several small scale improvements had been made within the village and that some large scale works are to be considered. The garden at the War Memorial has been replanted with a variety of perennial and annual plats with input from the Gardening Club and work by Northdale Horticulture. A commemorative and informative plaque has been sourced for The Pinfold and this is now in place for all to see, also the garden within the structure has been tidied and will now be kept that way. Other work undertaken recently has seen the removal of saplings and invasive weeds in the Cemetery and some tidying of the Yew Trees around the Churchyard has also been done.
 
Major works under consideration is a refurb of the Public Toilets which are looking rather shabby and are not to the standard of when the facility won many awards in years past. Members are aware that much of this work is also needed to make flooring safe and that hot water  must be available. Other suggestions on the wish list is to install different items within the Play Area and also a refurb of the Bus Shelter, all of these are capital projects but it was decided at the meeting that the precept for 2015/16 should remain unchanged and that these works should be paid for from reserves.
 
Planning applications considered included one for an eco dwelling within woodland along Quarry Lane; it was deemed that this lies outwith permitted development limits and that it should therefore be rejected as being entirely unsuitable for the locality. Listed building applications which met with Members approval included a division of a part of Home Farm, Thimbleby to form 2 dwellings and another was to extend a property on North End, both were considered suitable with the proviso that all materials to be used match the existing.
 
Highways matters continue to give concern ranging from the need to make the Bullamoor to Jeator Houses road safer by repairing the temporary passing places to ensuring that white and yellow lines are maintained in a manner where the public can see them and act on them. Water is again pouring from a leak near the Pinfold as well as seeping out near the Treatment works on South End, in both cases Highways will be asked to act before there are any frosts.

When Osmotherley Area PC met in October Members learnt that a framed and handwritten plaque had been found within St Peters with the names of all those who had served in some capacity during the First World War. This list will then be checked with other information and from there it should be possible to ensure that the names inscribed on the sides of the War Memorial are accurate, the next step will then be to source funding to effect a repair. The garden surrounding the Memorial needs attention on a regular basis to keep it looking fresh and following discussions with the Gardening Club a plan has been drawn up, the small amount of work involved will be carried out by Northdale Horticulture as and when necessary and the PC will fund any plants needed.
 
PC Julie Woodcock attended the meeting and as well as outlining her responsibilities reported that following the theft of vehicle number plates recently an arrest has been made. Other recent crimes include poaching and thefts including one of 5 wooden gates from a farm. If anyone is concerned about poaching or about cold callers and rogue fish sellers please ring 999 because these activities must be attended to with a degree of urgency. There were concerns about Mountain Bike riders using the footpaths instead of the road, if you know who is doing this please don’t hesitate to remind them that they are not allowed to ride of footpaths in residential areas.
 
Several road gulleys remain blocked, white lining is lacking in many locations and the condition of many tarmac areas needs attention, Highways will be tasked with attending to these concerns. Roadside potholes could easily be filled with road planings but this seems to be too simple a solution but this would prevent damage where vehicles need to take avoiding action when meeting other users on narrow roads.
 
Tree surgery is to be carried out to various overhanging branches in the Cemetery as well as the clearing away of seedlings and saplings growing on some graves. At the same time the contractor has been asked to ensure that there are no overhanging branches around the Churchyard. An information plaque has been sourced to explain the origin of The Pinfold and this will be attached to the structure and also the garden within is to be tidied.

Osmotherley Area PC met recently and the meeting was attended by Amanda Madden, the Housing Enabler who updated Members on the possibility that further housing development could be considered. She has surveyed the market and needs and has identified 19 persons or households who may qualify and who are to be encouraged to submit, with assistance, application forms to include details of their needs. It is essential that these forms are submitted because there is no waiting list  process in this type of funding scheme. There is to be an open meeting on Monday 29th September in the Village Hall when further information will be available.
 
Associated with this scheme is a desire that the Woodyard site is utilised for housing and it is to be hoped that eventually plans may be submitted to allow this to proceed. Currently the site is an eyesore and despite the need for considerable preparatory work the idea will meet with the approval of many residents.
 
The PC have received plans for a large extension to 2 adjoining properties on South End, however considerable objections have been made due to the bulk of the possible new build and to its impact on neighbouring properties. Additionally the proposal falls within the conservation area and there are many heritage features associated with site and there is concern that these may be damaged or lost. This application was discussed at the recent NPA planning committee and a decision was deferred until a full site meeting can be held in early October.
 
A recent inspection of the Cemetery has revealed that there is a need to remove some overhanging branches as well as the need to further tidy many plots which have become overgrown by volunteer saplings and similar, this work will be carried out during the autumn. Some plots are not as tidy as others and relatives are always encouraged to assist in this regard because grass cutting in particular can become an onerous task where the site is obstructed. Other maintenance tasks involve Highways who continue to flout common sense and who are constantly being asked to clear gulleys and repair potholes. It has been recently noted that some owners allow residents or their tenants to park on the Village Greens and steps will be taken to make those aware of their obligations and the greens are not a place to park vehicles.

There will be a Civic Service in St Peters Church on the 21st Sept to celebrate Tim Swales becoming Chair of the North Yorkshire County Council. . St Peter’s will welcome them, and the usual congregation, with a choir and Silver Band. Road closures will be in place that morning (10.30 – 12.00) . Removal of bins next to the Fish Shop would greatly aid disabled access to the Church from the village centre –thank you.

The Parish Council have taken on the responsibility of maintaining the War Memorial and have sought advice from the Garden Club to design a more pleasing planting scheme. The main plaque detailing the names of those who fell during the two World Wars was renovated a few years ago, however the other inscriptions are becoming illegible and will need to be restored. It would be of great assistance if anyone who has knowledge of those who were called up and returned home could pass on the details to assist in compiling an accurate list of names. Once a full list is available it is then hoped to restore the Memorial to reflect its true value to the community.

The June meeting of Osmotherley Area PC was held as is normal for June in Kirby Sigston Village Hall and was very well attended by many members of the public, most of whom have very serious concerns regarding the condition of the road from Bullamoor to the A19.

These concerns centre on the neglected condition of the carriageway which allows flooding to happen every time it rains. The verges are collapsing with very deep and dangerous potholes, many vehicles travel at high speeds and now its often used as a ‘Heavy Haul’ route in preference to these trucks using the main roads. This is despite Highways failing to use it when the A684 was closed, but now choosing to designate for the civil engineering works in Northallerton. A very strongly worded letter has been sent to Highways whose response is that they may reply within 20 working days.

Plans are being drawn up to extend the possible wind turbine site between Northallerton and the A19 but no comments will be given until the developers submit a full application. Plans have been submitted to add roof lights to the Old Police House and to extend Ravensdowne, the ormer was supported, but the latter will only be supported if they use bricks and tiles rather than any render or timber cladding.

The Village Hall Committee have drawn up a protocol for major events and users will now be obliged to seek full permission before proceeding with their chosen activity.

There is some concern that refuse bins are being left in prominent places for too long, this should not be allowed to happen, in addition trade waste bins are the responsibility of independent contractors who should be contracted to state a time for collection.