Gilling West Parish Council meeting held May 28th 2008
Cllr. Brian Metcalfe was unanimously voted as Chairman for the coming year.
Village Green Sign is in the process of being repaired and the clerk will speak to Mr. Raban-Williams again to urge this.
New Footpath: Cllr. B. Metcalfe stated that Ian Beighton had not yet contacted him regarding the kerb side height of the footpath.
20 m.p.h. speed limit in Millgate.
The Clerk stated that the results of the recent speed tests survey, show that during the time of the test, no vehicles travelled above 30 m.p.h.
Hanson Aggregate Lorry Movements through Gilling West
The Chairman thanked Cllr. Maureen Howarth for hosting a joint meeting on 16th May attended for Hanson’s by Dominic Doyle - Quarry Manager, Ben Ayres - Senior Surveyor, representatives of the Parish Council and residents.
Following the meeting, Cllr. Howarth wrote to Hanson’s, confirming key points of agreement and thanking the company for writing to their drivers in May, flagging up the concerns of residents and urging drivers to use the improved A66/A1 route to Catterick Garrison, rather than the B6274 through Gilling West and Richmond.
It was agreed that every effort would be made in future to include a specific directive incorporated into driver’s contracts, to use the A66/A1 route. The company admitted that it was a question of habit, requiring re-education and changed behaviour of the drivers concerned.
The Parish Council are hopeful that Hanson’s will positively assist in this process since, through their Press Officer, David Weeks, they have gone on record as saying that now they have been made aware of the difficulty, the company takes residents concerns very seriously.
The Parish Council recognises that making these changes will take time to put in place, and thanked Hanson’s for reassurances given that modifications to existing practise, will be proactively applied and monitored by them through the quarry manager.
The opportunity was welcomed to hear Hanson’s analysis and response to the problem and the meeting was optimistic that ‘Best Practise’ will be observed – confident that it will not be necessary for Gilling West to replicate sensitive negotiations encountered with other parishes and Forcett Quarry, in the past.
The open and supportive approach of Hanson’s is encouraging and the Parish Council and residents will be tracking changes as they ‘bed in’ and hopefully, witnessing the reduced impact of quarry wagons on our rural village amenity.
It was agreed, that the measure of our collective success in reducing the volume of aggregate lorries using the village road, would be for no further meetings to be required in future. Monitoring the improvement over the next quarter will be by telephone, between Cllr. Howarth and Mr Dominic Doyle.
Lettering of War Memorial Mr. Pickard promised to carry out the work in early June
Flooding: Cllr. Michael Gauntlett expressed concern regarding the effectiveness of the large drain near his home, following the flooding of fields close by. Cllr. William Heslop stated that, in his opinion, the drain is working very well and has been properly cleaned out. Cllr. Paul Metcalfe reported on ongoing work to the drains along Sedbury Lane. Coun Howarth reported that farmers in the village had been active and cooperative in taking preventative measures and Cllr. B. Metcalfe reported that in seeking joint funding to urgently improve drainage at the North end of the village, Skelton and Gilling Estates regarded the installation of a new drain across their land as a ‘Highways’ problem and not one they were minded to support.
Replacement of Roadside Village Nameplates - Highways Department have quoted in the region of £300 each. Cllr. P. Metcalfe and Cllr. David Allison agreed to assess and confirm what work is required.
Footbridge and overhanging branches. Richard Bradley to carry out the necessary work to assist.
Planning Applications Cllr. D. Allison explained variations in connection with plans for proposed employment park south west of Scotch Corner.
Bus Service 29 Richmond – Darlington: Arriva North East have been operating the service from 28th April,
Matrix Boards The introduction of new matrix boards will be available to Parish Councils.
Any other business.:
Cllr. Brian Metcalfe expressed concern as to the slow progress of work in connection with the clearing of the beck and vegetation. Cllr. Allison agreed to urge the Environment Agency. The third arch of the bridge also needs clearing again. Insurance: Parish Council Insurance this year amounts to £258.19.
Date of next meeting for 10th September 7.30pm.