At the July meeting of Aysgarth and District parish council Richmondshire District councillor John Blackie outlined his suggestions for the new wards following the Boundary Commission review which will mean that the number of district councillors will be reduced from 34 to 24.
The pattern of wards, he said, should, as far as possible, reflect the interests and identities of local communities, and he will propose that the three district councillors representing the Upper Dales parishes will have a mandate to speak solely on Upper Dales matters.
According to his proposal the parishes will be grouped as follows: Ward One – Hawes, High Abbotside, Low Abbotside, Muker and Gunnerside; Ward Two – Askrigg, Aysgarth, Thornton Rust, Bainbridge, Bishopdale, Newbiggin, Thoralby and Burton cum Walden; Ward Three – Marske, Arkengarthdale, Marrick, New Forest, Reeth, Downholme, Hudswell, Low Row, Stainton, Walburn, Ellerton Abbey and Grinton.
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The parish councillors agreed to support him once he has completed his consultations with the other areas. They suggested that Yoredale might be a good name for Ward Two.
Cheese making. – Adam and Ben Spence of Thorngarth Home Farm at Aysgarth attended the meeting. They explained that they wanted to look at producing cheese in their proposed processing room.
The council agreed to support their application for a processing room attached to the new barn at the farm.
Cllr Blackie suggested that the planners should be advised that a decision needs to be made before mid-September to assist the applicant in the LEADER grant process.
Highways. – The deteriorating condition of Bishopdale Bridge had been reported to the county council’s Area 1 Highways department but, as yet, there had been no response.
It was reported that the drain at the side of the road beyond the Old Mill in Thoralby had been badly repaired within the last 18 months and now needed further attention. It was stated that when it rains heavily the drain cannot cope which results in a fountain of water spurting from the manhole.
The clerk was requested to ask the grass cutting contractor to strim the verges of Goose Lane. As the county council had restricted its expenditure to essential safety grass cutting works the parish council would have to tidy up the lane.
Aysgarth. – The council was informed that at Aysgarth there was now a lack of parking spaces for patients attended the doctors’ surgery as walkers were parking their cars outside Flatlands.
The clerk was asked to contact the surgery to suggest that a sign should be placed there stating: “Reserved for patients attending the doctors’ surgery”.
Next meeting. – is in Aysgarth Institute at 7.30pm on Thursday, September 14.
