Category: PC News

The Council met on Thursday 21st January 2016 and discussions began with the Police Community Support Officer discussions issues relevant to our area. These included incidents on the border of the parish area and the initiatives surrounding drink and drug driving over the December month leading and over Christmas. These included a 20% increase over the corresponding period in 2014.

It was also highlighted that fish sellers were noticed in the area and it was agreed that vigilance would be needed by all to ensure that these were genuine.

A discussion introduced by the Chairman, which followed on from last months meeting regarding CCTV cameras. The proposal is to place these around the North Hambleton district ward on private land and property. The council will undertake to assist with the purchase of the necessary CCTV equipment and make the necessary claim for reimbursement from NYCC.

There were a number of continuing maintenance issues and these include the toilets the churchwall and the repairs to the Bus Shelter remain outstanding.At West Halsey, trees were blocking a footpath but it was reported that this is in hand to be sorted out by the land owner; the steps up to the catholic church were causing problems in the bad weather and it was agreed that this be investigated further and there were a number of water leaks due to bad weather which were being attended to and the Pinfold water leak had been repaired but more work was still required to ensure that this is completed.

A village collection to place a commemorative bench for Mr and Mrs  Holmes had been made and the parish council had been asked to agree a suitable site for this and it was agreed to place the bench near The Old Hall (Catholic Church).

Planning applications were received from two Osmotherley village properties, one from Sowerby under Cotcliffe and one from Winton and these were supported in principal.

Finally it was noted that the Tour de Yorkshire cycle event was coming through part of the parish area and Hambleton Council were coordinating efforts in the region to support the event which will have full to coverage this year. Farmers were encouraged to dress fields accordingly to promote the locality.

The next meeting is scheduled to be Thursday 18th February at 7:30pm.

Highway concerns continue to one of the dominant issues for Osmotherley Area Parish Council. A private contractor was been brought in to try and find the cause of the North End waterfall after Highways had failed to achieve a result. The problem appears to be due in part to tree roots blocking an outfall pipe but also to a collapsed Fire Hydrant junction, both of these will now be repaired and hopefully the flooding will be a thing of the past when the repairs are completed. Potholes need filling in many locations, the public can report these directly by accessing the nycc website and going to reportapothole. The cattle grid near Greenhills Farm is a terrible state but again Highways do not appear to be in any hurry to make it safe.

Planning applications included proposals to erect an Eco house in the quarry along Quarry Lane, this was considered to be entirely unsuitable both in terms of its location as well as the proposal to create a small holding to make it self sufficient and the PC recommended that it should be refused. Another application was for 3 cattle buildings and a silage clamp at Home Farm, this included a landscape plan in order that these new buildings will be screened from both the road as well as from Thimbleby. Also in Thimbleby was an application for an array of solar panels, no objections were made because these will be hidden from view at the rear of the property.

Although the Police did not attend the meeting their report was considered to be far from accurate because it did not include the theft of a car from outside Keepers Cottage, nor did it refer to the theft of a teleporter from within the Shooting Ground. After this vehicle was crashed the Police did make 2 arrests and these persons are now on bail. Because there is unease about security of property and to individuals the Police have been asked to attend the next meeting with a view to them advising and highlighting ways of cascading information as soon as an incident occurs, prevention is always better as a cure.