BACK

GILLING WEST

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held in the John Ross Suite on Wednesday 26^th May 2010 at 8.00 p.m.

Cllr Brian Metcalfe chaired and welcomed all to the meeting which started at 8.00pm

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from PC John Wilbour

2. Report from the Parish Council by Cllr Brian Metcalfe

Cllr Metcalfe presented a report on behalf of the Parish Council. The report highlighted key progress that had been made in the last twelve months concerning flood prevention in the Parish:

• The clearing and cleaning of the drainage ditches

• The felling of the trees along the Millennium Field, which were considered to be a factor exacerbating the flooding.

• The development of double gullies to collect and direct surface water into the existing drainage systems,

Cllr Metcalfe expressed thanks to all the local farmers for their work, in particular Paul and Matt Bradley. Thanks were also conveyed to the North Yorkshire Highways department for all their work over the last twelve months in helping the parish to overcome the flooding problems and to the members of the Parish Council, in particular, Cllr David Allison, for all his hard work.

Although progress had been made, Cllr Metcalfe advised that there was still work to do such as dealing with the silting problems of the river arches, the problems associated with the drainage problems on the A66 and the project to divert flood water from Hartforth Lane.

Cllr Metcalfe thanked CE Electric / NEDL and Maureen Howarth for all the work and investment afforded to the Parish, resulting in the Parish now becoming one of the best performing rural networks in the area.  Thanks were also conveyed to Ann Wells (previous Clerk) and Jon Rutherford (present Clerk) for all their work over the last twelve months.

Cllr Metcalfe concluded his report and took a number of questions.

A question was raised concerning the increased water flow to the beck and the increased risk of flooding to Anteforth View. It was advised that this was a project for this year.

A question was raised concerning the stone abutments on the east wall of the bridge that required attention. It was advised that this matter had already been raised to NYCC.

A question was raised concerning the measures available to decrease the vehicle speed in the village. It was advised that this matter had been raised by the Parish Council on numerous occasions and that a speed matrix deployment was to be scheduled for 4^th June. County Councillor Heseltine further advised that the findings of the deployment are analysed on a weekly basis to determine the average speeds and that action plans are developed to address any speeding problems.

3. Report from County Councillor Michael Heseltine

County Councillor Michael Heseltine presented his annual report. The report detailed the numerous and varied committees and boards on which Cllr Heseltine works including the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Authority, the Transport and Telecommunications Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership and the Road Safety Task group.

Cllr Heseltine commented on the bad winter and the problems this caused on the counties roads, further commenting that many other counties fared a lot worse and that praise should be given to the County Council staff who worked tirelessly throughout the period. Cllr Heseltine explained the process for treating roads based on their priority rating and that the key aim was to keep at least one access road open to each settlement.

Cllr Heseltine concluded a very comprehensive report by making reference to the Area Committee’s small project fund. In the past year all those parishes who applied received grants to help fund a variety of local projects ranging from new notice boards, fire alarm systems and repairing village seats and play area equipment.

The Chair thanked Cllr Heseltine for the report.

4. Report from District Councillor William Heslop

District Councillor William Heslop presented his annual report. The report detailed the various committees on which Cllr Heslop works including the Safety Partnership and the Scrutiny committees.

Cllr Heslop advised that the shared services iniative with Hambleton is on going and that it is likely that communities would have to rely even more on self help in the light of budget constraints.

The Chair thanked Cllr Heslop for all his hard work throughout the year, in particular for his work on the flood prevention within the parish.

The meeting closed at 9.20pm