Pickering Town Council

Completion of audit of council’s accounts

Andrew Husband — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:16:56 +0000

The external auditor had certified that they had completed the audit of the council’s annual return for the year ended 31 March 2010 and on the basis of their review, in their opinion, the information contained in the annual return was in accordance with the Audit Commission’s requirements and no matters had come to their attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements had not been met. Notices of Conclusion of Audit and Right to inspect the Annual Return together with Sections 1, 2 and 3 had been posted on the council’s notice boards and on the website on 13 August 2010.

The annual return itself could be viewed in the council’s office in the Memorial Hall, Potter Hill, between 9am and noon, Monday to Friday. The cost of photocopy of the annual return would be 10p.

Parish Update, Summer 2010

Andrew Husband — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:35:07 +0000

For the district council’s latest quarterly parish update please go to Communications on this website. Updates on the petitioning scheme, tackling dog fouling and progress towards the Local Development Framework amongst other articles.

Update on respective proposals for junction improvement, Vivis Lane and the A170

Andrew Husband — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:16:56 +0000

The county council is trying to resume negotiations with Lidl to find an accommodation whereby congestion at the A170 junction with Vivis lane and an improvement in the community’s shopping facilities can be achieved.

Development to the south of Pickering could not take place without junction realignment.

The county council’s own planning application for realignment of Vivis lane and junction improvements to the A170 Ropery junction was to determined on 6 July 2010; however, a decision has been deferred pending a site visit (date to be determined).

Were the county council’s application to be approved, the county council would have to decide whether, an accommodation with Lidl not being successful and the company unwilling to sell the site to the principal authority, money should be allocated to pay for the compulsory purchase of the former coal yard and junction improvements.

Should the county council decide to institute compulsory purchase proceedings and Lidl oppose the actions, it might be two years before any development took place in Vivis lane.

Lidl is still committed to the development of the former coal yard site. The company will produce the detailed highway design proposals for all the associated improvement works and liaise with the county council on them.

New community park for Pickering

Andrew Husband — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:47:50 +0000

The team at David Wilson Yorkshire East has a vision to turn the land on Whitby Road into a Community Park which will provide local residents with an abundance of enjoyable uses.

At present this area of land at Whitby Road is privately owned with restricted access, but has the potential to be developed for the benefit of the community and to become a well known landmark for the town.

David Wilson’s proposal consists of some innovative designs for the land. These include; allotment facilities, a selection of picnic and play areas, pedestrian and cycle routes, a variety of sports areas and high quality family housing within a relatively small area of the site; there really will be something for everyone.

The park has been designed through consultation with Pickering Town Council and is sure to provide residents of all ages with an array of leisure activities and a place that families can spend the day together.

The developer held an open day on 15 July 2010 in the Memorial Hall to give residents the opportunity to view the plans, get involved and share their thoughts on the community park proposals. The comeback from local people will help shape the development which will shortly be turned into a formal planning application for the district council’s consideration.

Pupils at Pickering Community Junior School and Pickering Community Infant School will also get to have their say. Representatives from David Wilson will be running innovative workshops at the schools and the children will design a dream park with the best ideas to be incorporated into the plans.

Peter Morris, Development Director at David Wilson Yorkshire East said, “This is a unique opportunity to provide a new public space which will benefit the whole community.”

“As a housebuilder, we are sensitive and compassionate to the needs of the community and Whitby Road is no exception, that is why we welcome any opinions and feedback from the local residents as their views are very important to us.”

“Coupled with the fresh and exciting ideas that we are sure to get from the pupils at Pickering Community Junior School and Pickering Community Infant School the new park could be a huge success and a place that locals would be proud of.”

Should you have views on any aspect of the development, please contact the developer on consultye@dwh.co.uk or 01904 617660.

A consultation plan is available in the town council office 9am-noon, Monday to Friday.

Town Guide 2010-2011

Andrew Husband — Thu, 13 May 2010 10:11:43 +0000

The new edition of the Town Guide has been published and is already being distributed to households in Pickering and households, guest houses, hotels, caravan parks and visitor attractions in the town and outlying areas. Should you want additional copies, please contact the town council office.

Lidl’s plan for a supermarket in Pickering

Andrew Husband — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:10:59 +0000

The Planning Inspectorate has upheld Lidl’s appeal against Ryedale District Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the erection of a food store and associated parking on the site of the former coal depot, junction of Southgate and Vivis Lane. A copy of the Planning Inspector’s decision is available in the Council office. Please note that the decision does not mean that the land cannot be compulsory purchased and the County Council’s scheme for an improvement to the junction cannot go ahead.

The next council meeting

Andrew Husband — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:44:57 +0000

The next council meeting is on 20 September 2010 and takes place in the Mill Room (top floor) of the Memorial Hall. There is a lift to enable the disabled to attend the meeting.

Members of the public are entitled to address the council on agenda items during the meeting.

Copies of the agenda will be available from 15 September from the council office in the Memorial Hall (9am-1pm, Monday to Friday) and from this website. Go to “Meetings” and look for “Agenda meeting September 2010″.

The planning applications which the council will consider are listed in the “planning applications” section of this website as well as in the guide.

Council grant to Pickering Christmas Lights

Andrew Husband — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:11:39 +0000

Councillor Warriner has made the following comments in the introduction to her article on “Pickering Christmas Lights” in the latest issue of the Pickering Beacon:

First of all, may I thank you for your generous donations through the envelopes. I am just very sorry that the Town Council did not support the effort as well.

If the phrase “did not support” means financial support, the Councillor is in error. The Town Council, following a request from Pickering Christmas Lights for a grant, awarded the group £500.00. The award was made on 8 December 2009 and the cheque despatched and received shortly after.

Every year the Town Council receives applications from local groups for help in funding their activities. The application from Pickering Christmas Lights was one of these and the Council was very happy to support the group’s endeavours.

Junction realignment – Vivis Lane and the A170

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:20:57 +0000

The County Council’s plan for junction realignment at Vivis Lane and the A170 are available for study in the Town Council office. Comments on the plan should be sent to the County Council – by 22 December. Contact details: Planning Services, Trading Standards and Planning Services, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AH, mike.convery@northyorks.gov.uk

Should changes be made to the open space at Smiddy Hill?

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:05:52 +0000

The Town Council is responsible for the two open spaces in the town centre, Riverside Walk and Smiddy Hill. Some years ago, at Riverside Walk, the Town Council created an amenity area from what had become an eroded bankside. The amenity with retaining wall, trees, small scale planting, seats and picnic tables is enjoyed by local people and visitors alike. Smiddy Hill is also an area in the town centre where people can rest awhile. In the centre of the open space is a cross which commemorates the reign of Edward VII and the accession of George V. There is another memorial at the southern end to the late John Wilson. The deceased was a local councillor and a member of the Labour Party. This memorial was erected in 1950. The only other structure is a raised sensory garden in front of the Liberal Club. A small group of local people chaired by Councillor Margaret Lowe has been looking at the open space at Smiddy Hill which some members of the community will know as the Lumley Rest Gardens. The group has come up with a series of recommendations which the Town Council is considering. The main recommendation is that the lower shrub bed and attendant railings are removed. This would open up Smiddy Hill from the south and show the commemorative cross, backed by the buildings on the north side of Smiddy Hill, to better effect. The flower boxes at the base of the cross would be removed so that the structure could be seen as a whole. The shrubbed area would be turfed and the seats which run along its top side moved to the eastern side of the open space. In addition the Wilson Memorial would be re-erected in the cemetery where the remains of John Wilson are buried. It has proved very difficult to make the memorial vandal proof: the tap has had to be replaced regularly and no longer can water run freely into the lower basin where it used to be available for dogs and birds. The lead inscription has suffered much wear and tear and hardly any of the lettering remains. Grounds maintenance is undertaken by the Town Council with Pickering in Bloom and the Council is particularly grateful for the work that the In Bloom group has done with Pickering’s young people in creating floral displays in the open space. The Town Council hopes that this will continue and is also grateful to the In Bloom group for being willing to recreate the sensory garden. The Town Council would not only appreciate any information you might have about the history of Smiddy Hill once it ceased to be a cattle market in the late nineteenth century but also on the ideas for change.