Aysgarth and District parish councillors have expressed concern once more about the dangerous state of Yore Mill at Aysgarth.
Richmondshire District councillor Yvonne Peacock reported at the last meeting that the issue was being dealt with by the district council’s legal department. Another district councillor, Caroline Thornton-Berry, added that it had been discussed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) in private session.
The councillors accepted that this was a complex issue but hoped to see it resolved soon.
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Festival of Remembrance. – Pip Land gave an overview of the planned arrangements for this inclusive event which will be hosted by Aysgarth church from November 9 to 11.
The festival will include: a preview to be opened by Rishi Sunak MP; a flower festival and exhibition about local involvement during WWI; a concert on the Saturday afternoon of words and music; and a Remembrance service on the Sunday.
The council agreed to make a donation of £100 towards the cost and to assist with a grant application to the Richmondshire Area Partnership. Ms Land thanked it on behalf of the Parochial Church Council committee organising the event.
Aysgarth. – A letter of thanks will be sent to Mr and Mrs Calvert to thank them for offering to manufacture and fit a bespoke stone sign on their wall by Aysgarth Surgery at no charge to the parish council. This will inform people that on weekdays the car parking space there was for those going to the surgery.
Cllr Robert Walker updated the meeting concerning the ongoing intermittent problems with the solar light between Aysgarth Surgery and Aysgarth Falls Hotel. It was agreed that a local electrician should be asked to inspect it.
The meeting was informed that work had been carried out on the fat trap outside the George and Dragon to stop it leaking and that a new one needed to be installed inside the pub.
It had been ascertained that the verge outside The Smithy, where a car is parked, was not registered as village green.
Westholme. – The clerk will contact the district council to clarify where the boundary is between Aysgarth and District and Burton cum Walden parishes. This was in response to receiving notification of an application for licensed premises at Aysgarth Luxury Lodge Holidays (previously Westholme Caravan Park).
She was also asked to check with the YDNPA about tree felling at that site.
West Burton school. – It was agreed to send a letter to the Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton Federation of Schools (BAWB).
This would support all three schools in the BAWB Federation to remain open and for West Burton CofE School to de-federate.
Thoralby. – Cllr Brian McGregor reported that a parish meeting had been organised in Thoralby to discuss the possibility of creating a car parking space in Low Green Lane and the renovation of the Reading Room.
Cllr Alison Sayer said there had been a number of near miss accidents on Mill Hill due to people parking dangerously along the narrow road. The clerk will draft a letter asking owners to display a message in the holiday lets requesting people to park responsibly.
She will also inform the county council highways department that whilst a large expanse of tarmac had been laid on the road from Aysgarth to Tom Gill Bridge the area which actually needed repairing had been missed.
Responses were still awaited concerning repairing Low Green Bridge and the potholes along Westfield Lane.
Cemetery. – Cllr McGregor informed the meeting that the clerk to the cemetery, Anne Clarkson, wished to retire. The clerk will contact Mrs Clarkson to find out what the role entailed.
The parish councillors appointed to the cemetery committee were Brian McGregor, David Wood, Linda Cooper and Alison Sayer.
Annual meeting. – Cllr John Dinsdale was re-elected as chairman with Cllr McGregor as vice chairman.
The following were elected as parish representatives: Cllr Peter Windle to the Upper Dales Area Partnership; Cllr Dinsdale to the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations; and Cllr McGregor to the Upper Dales Health Watch.
The accounts for 2017/18 were approved by the council and the councillors agreed that the Annual Governance Statement was a true and correct record.
Next meeting. – Is in Aysgarth Institute at 7.30pm on Thursday July 12.
