2009 Parish Council AGM meeting
1)This meeting followed the 18/03/2009 Committee Meeting and was very well
attended. The Chairman opened the meeting by thanking Sheila Hillary, Parish
Clerk, retiring after 45 years generously serving the council. Sheila was
presented with gifts and flowers and everyone thanked her warmly for her unique
contribution to the village. Mrs. Ann Wells was introduced as the newly
appointed Clerk.
2)The minutes of the previous year were read from a minute book handwritten, and
dating back to 1894.
Questions from the floor followed, and included the ongoing problems of clearing
the river, trees in Oswin Grove to be felled, overhanging trees, widening of the
Millennium Field, the difficult situation in garnering support from some
landowners, the helpful remedial work carried out by the farmers, with further
questions relating to any longstanding authority of the ‘Beck Constable’ and any
unilateral action the Parish Council might be able to take.
3)The Chairman, and other councilors, stressed that flood protection measures
are complex and difficult involving agreement and funding from a number of
agencies. This parish council is not minded to take any actions resulting in
litigation against them.
Cllr P. Metcalfe referred to an in depth geological survey being undertaken
including the impact on the village of the A66 upgrade, and the possibility of
balancing ponds leaking.
4)Post Office security was discussed and the Chairman requested an increased
police presence in the village. Speeding through the village was raised and
County Cllr. Michael Heseltine discussed the structured introduction of matrix
boards, as favored by the Community Safety Partnership.
5)District Councillor William Heslop presented his annual report and in
particular referred to the benefits of shared services with Hambleton area and
spoke on other issues relating to a full range of RDC services. He was asked to
report back on the derelict state of garages in Anteforth Way.
6)County Cllr. Heseltine presented his annual report and discussed safety
concerns relating to the line of sight on the A66, at the top of Gilling Bank.
He will report back on this issue and confirmed that the A66 4kms missing link
at Ravensworth, was not a priority to upgrade in the next 10 years.