Meetings and Minutes
MARTON PARISH MEETING
Minutes of the Meeting held on Friday 20 November 2009 in Marton Chapel The Meeting commenced at 19h33.
Present: D Denton (Chair), P Mansfield (Clerk), R Denton, M Worley, R Clark, D Clark, V Piercy, A Dawson, W Fielding, R Lawton, A Allen, B Higgs, J Milner, A Chambers, J Chambers, J Turnbull.
2. Minutes of the previous meeting 25.08.09 RLawton moved that these be adopted; this was seconded by R Denton and agreed.
4.1 The Chairman reported on previous applications:-
4.1.1 The application by Mr and Mrs J Turnbull (Minute 4.2 of previous meeting) had been approved.
4.1.2 The application by Mr and Mrs D Lumley for a Certificate of Lawful Use (Minute 4.3 of
previous meeting) had been withdrawn.
4.2 Application by Mr and Mrs Chambers of The Gables, The Gables Road, Marton for the change of use and extension of the barn to create a two bedroom self-contained residential annex to include erection of a single-storey extension to replace the existing outbuildings (Application 09/01102/FUL) The Chairman stated that the application had been modified, in that the annex would no longer be self-contained, but would have a door to the main dwelling. He added that this application had had a long history. J Chambers confirmed these two statements, and added that the provision of a kitchen in the annex was no longer proposed. A Allen considered that this development would enhance the village. J Chambers and A Chambers withdrew. The Chairman then pointed out that some residents dissented from the proposal, and had made their views known to the District Council. A secret ballot was taken; there were 12 votes in favour and 1 against. J Chambers and A Chambers returned, and were informed of this result, which the Chairman would communicate forthwith to the Council.
5. Treasurer's Report
5.1 The Clerk reported a balance in the current account of £245.58, with £ 1311.81 in the deposit account. Outpayments since the last meeting had been £ 162.15 for the War Memorial wreath, photocopying, Chapel hire and £57.50 to auditors (necessary because the total receipts had exceeded £500, owing to the grant for the "History of Marton"). In payments were £210 (rate precept). The Clerk proposed that the rate precept for 2010/11 be set at £420 as in the present year. R Denton asked if this would be sufficient to cover the insurance; the Clerk stated that this should be so. B Higgs seconded the precept proposal, which was agreed.
5.2 R Lawton expressed the view that the £500 threshold for audit requirements was outdated, having been set some years ago when the value of money was greater. The Clerk agreed to raise this matter through the Yorkshire Local Councils Association.
6. Village Hall Committee
D Clark reported that the Domino Drives and Line Dancing had restarted in September. The bowling on Wednesdays continued. The film evenings had been successful, with good attendance.
7. To receive further news on traffic flow and speeds through Marton, and on road maintenance
7.1 The Chairman stated that he had sent the Fire Service report on speeds to PC Marsden. The police had attended in the village, and had stopped motorists. Unfortunately, despite the information supplied about the times of most excessive speeding, the police had come at other times, which would tend to diminish the extent of the problem. The Chairman confirmed that the police, in carrying out speed checks, had to be plainly visible at all times.
7.2 The proposal to change the speed limit towards Kirkbymoorside to 40 mph, with a 30 mph limit closer to the village, was (as the Chairman understood) going ahead, but the Police were slow to respond to enquiries. it would, however, require planning consent, and could take up to 2 years to be implemented. R Lawton noted that a similar limit applied at Great Habton, although not at Great Barugh. D Clark asked that the speed limit change be expedited. Lady Piercy suggested that letters were more effective than e-mails in eliciting a response from the Police; the Chairman replied that e-mails now had legal validity.
7.3 Road Maintenance The Chairman noted that, to the east of the village, the increasing size of lorries and the loss of one passing place, had caused deterioration of the verges, making the road muddy and potentially dangerous. An application to widen the road could, however, give rise to objections from residents.
8. Marton Village Roadside Signs The Chairman explained that changes to road signs now required planning permission, and a sign such as that at Helmsley would nowadays be likely to be turned down. The existing sign could be renewed, and possibly raised 12 inches; the County Council would have to visit and confirm this. He would continue to urge such a visit.
9. To consider using the river flowing through Marton to generate electricity R Lawton had supplied a press cutting on initiatives elsewhere, and considered that, if the river had driven millwheels in the past, it could be harnessed for electricity generation now. A Allen and J Turnbull doubted that this would be feasible. At J Chambers' suggestion, the Clerk agreed to contact the County Council or Sarah Kettlewell to inquire.
10. Correspondence received The Clerk reported:-
10.1 Ryedale District Council had offered to provide additional dog waste bins at a subsidized cost. Lady Piercy commented that these were likely to be unsightly red bins. It was agreed that no further bins were needed.
10.2 The County Council had written to say that they were prepared to provide salt and grit bins for £85, with an ongoing cost of £75 per year to replenish them. It was agreed that these were not needed. 10.3 The North Yorkshire Police had requested help in drawing up Neighbourhood Profiles for each village, using volunteers from each village to compile and keep updated the profile. The Clerk stated that, if he gave up his office in 2010, he would perform this task. The Chairman proposed, and R Lawton seconded, that this offer be accepted. This was agreed.
11. Any Other Business
I 1.1 The Chairman read a letter from Lady Piercy, stating that an efficient photocopying machine was available through the Marton Jubilee Charity, which would diminish printing costs. It was agreed to take advantage of this offer.
I 1.2 The Chairman pointed out that he and the Clerk had previously stated that they would not seek re election in 2010. If the Clerk stood down, he would accept to continue for one more year, so that both officers were not replaced at once. He asked that people consider who could take over the Clerk's role.
MARTON PARISH MEETING
Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 23rd March 2010 in Marton Chapel The Meeting commenced at 19h34
Present: D Denton (Chair), P Mansfield (Clerk), R Denton, M Worley,V Piercy, M Fielding, A Allen, B Higgs, J Milner, J Turnbull, P Woodall, P Leonard, B Ralphs, P Pickles, J Pickles, L Lumley, G Kennedy, D Sturdy, A Sturdy.
1. The Chairman explained that this meeting had been convened to consider a planning application which constituted a follow-up to matters discussed at previous meetings. In order to give a response to Ryedale District Council(RDC) within the required timescale, this meeting had to take place now. As a further meeting would have to be convened in late April/early May, together with the AGM, he intended to deal now only with this planning application; other matters would be considered at the subsequent meeting.
2. With deep regret, the Chairman informed the Meeting of the death of Professor Richard Lawton (sometime Clerk to this Meeting) on 22 March 2010. He reminded those present of the invaluable service that Richard Lawton had rendered as Clerk, and that he had produced in 2009 the "History of Marton" on behalf of the Parish. He had always been a firm friend to the people of Marton, and a staunch defender of the Village; he was, in short, a good man in the best sense of that description. (The Chairman admitted that Richard could occasionally be forthright in expressing his views!) The Meeting stood to observe a minute's silence in honour and recognition of Richard Lawton. The Chairman added that his funeral would take place at Kirby Misperton Church on 30 March at 14h30.
2. Planning Application
Change of use of land to domestic curtilage and erection of detached open-fronted double garage and turning area at Potters Lodge, Marton Road, Marton (Application by D & L Lumley)
2.1 The Chairman explained that the proposed development was within the Conservation Area but outside the development area. He had asked the RDC Planning Department whether this would constitute a precedent to build houses outside the development area on former agricultural land, and had been assured that this would be a special dispensation and not a precedent. RDC had stated that when the new Ryedale Plan was published, it would be clear that national policy was to take a more relaxed view on applications of this sort for the benefit of the existing owner of the land, but not for additional residential development.
2.2 P. Leonard pointed that there was an appeal in progress against an enforcement order to discontinue the present use of the land in question. This application was therefore in respect of land already subject to an enforcement order. The Chairman stated that a vote tonight on the Planning Application would be heeded by RDC, but would not prejudice other proceedings. P Leonard wondered if the RDC Conservation Officer might oppose the application. In response to a question from B Higgs, P Leonard clarified that his own garage lay within the development area. B Ralphs asked why this particular site had been chosen for the garage; L Lumley explained that it was the best available site. P Woodall considered that this planning application would be determined on its own merits, irrespective of the pending appeal.
2.3 P. Leonard proposed that the Meeting defer a vote on this planning application, because other issues regarding the use of the site had not been finalized, and the planning application could not be considered
until those issues had been resolved. B Ralphs seconded this proposal. P Woodall commented that RDC would not be persuaded to delay consideration of the planning application by the Meeting passing this proposal; the Chairman stated that that was the opinion of RDC, but that might change. A secret ballot was taken, and the proposal was rejected by 12 votes to 4.
2.4 There was no further discussion on the application. L Lumley withdrew, and a secret ballot was taken. The application was agreed by 10 votes to 5. The Chairman stated that he would inform ROC that the application had been agreed by a majority vote.
3. Any Other Business The Chairman informed the Meeting that P Mansfield intended to resign as Clerk and Treasurer at the AGM, and it was essential that a successor be found if the Parish Meeting was to continue. He personally was willing to continue as Chairman for one further year, in order to ensure an orderly handover, but would also be happy to relinquish his duties if another candidate was available; he had been Chairman for 9 years (which in his opinion was enough for frail human nature!).
