Present: Chairman D Mitchell, Councillors C Champion, J Armsby, A Barwick, J Smith, N Fowler, I Longster, B Rowe, County Councillor J Kenyon, Borough Councillor M Harland, Inspector D Barf and PC H Baker of North Yorkshire Police and Ms C Gough of the Whitby Gazette. One member of the public was in attendance, C Barwick.

Minutes of the previous meeting
County Councillor Kenyon pointed out that there was an error on her report which states:
"That to ease pressure on council tax payers during the current economic downturn and keep the increase to an absolute minimum there would have to be cuts in services. These would be kept to a minimum but it was felt that they were unavoidable given the situation".
This should read:
"That to ease pressure on council tax payers during the current economic downturn they would keep the increase to an absolute minimum to avoid there having to be any cuts in services".
Subject to this amendment it was proposed that the minutes of the January meeting be accepted as an accurate record of events.

Matters raised by/with North Yorkshire Police
PC H Baker began with a review of 2008's policing initiatives and issues and went on to confirm that there has been a 31% reduction in crime over the same period last year – the best result of all the rural areas. PC Baker then offered his thanks to Hinderwell Parish Council, the Whitby Gazette and other significant parties who he has had the pleasure of working closely with over the past few years. PC Baker confirmed that he is currently working on developing a Rural Watch Scheme and wanted to encourage people to get involved.
Finally PC Baker advised that he was very saddened to announce that he was being moved to take up a post covering Whitby commencing at the end of February.
Councillors Fowler and Mitchell both expressed their sadness and regrets at the loss on behalf of the whole parish and confirmed that PC Baker would take with him the respect and affection of the entire population of Hinderwell parish. We all wish him very well for the future and are shocked and appalled by his loss.
Inspector Barf then advised that Harry would be replaced by PC Dave Mainprize who was shortly to experience a shift change which would mean that he would work mostly Monday to Friday making him much more available to people in the parish. Councillor Mitchell stated that we welcomed PC Mainprize but requested that there be a period of overlap during the changeover.

Reports from County/Borough Councillors
County Councillor Kenyon confirmed that the police authority would be setting their final precept figure on Monday 9 February and it would be in the region of 2.5% to 3.5% increase with the emphasis being placed on keeping it as low as possible whilst avoiding cuts in front line services. Any necessary cuts would be made in administrative/back office departments.
Councillor Kenyon confirmed that she has written to Timothy Kirkhope MEP suggesting an informal meeting of all interested agencies with regard to the water quality at Staithes as neither Mr Kirkhope nor Ms Kenyon were able to make the meeting scheduled for 4 March.
Councillor Mitchell has had telephone communication with Yorkshire Water who have visited Staithes and photographed the inside of Staithes drainage pipes. They confirmed that there are currently three different agencies taking water samples from various places in Staithes but that there is absolutely no communication between them about when and whereby samples are taken, nor sharing of the subsequent findings. Councillor Kenyon left at 7.25pm to attend another meeting.
Borough Councillors Armsby and Harland had nothing to report at the present time.

Matters Arising
The issue of the bollards outside Staithes Garage/Co-op building site was raised again – PCF to go through old planning applications and minute books from around 10-12 years ago.

Planning Applications
• Staithes Caravan Park – no objections
• Serenity Caravan and Camping Park, High Street, Hinderwell – no objections

Planning Decisions
• Seaton Hall, Staithes – granted 17 conditions
• Hillside, Runswick Bay – disposed of
• Gugs Cottage, Webster Steps, High Street, Staithes – granted 5 conditions
• 2 Railway Cottages, Hinderwell – granted 6 conditions
• Barrass View, High Barrass, Staithes – granted 1 condition

Correspondence
• SBC regarding protocol for communications between parish/town councillors and senior officers of SBC – for information
• SBC regarding 'Raising Awareness' events – clerk to advertise
• NYMNPA regarding parish and community newsletter – for information
• NYMNPA regarding Planning Committee meeting – for information
• HSBC Bank statements – for information
• NYCC regarding timing of future meetings of the Yorkshire Coast and Moors County Area Committee – for information
• Whitby DAG newsletter – for information
• NYCC regarding capacity training – for information
• NYMNPA regarding business plan – for information
• NYCC regarding Minerals and Waste Development Framework Mineral and Waste Core Strategies for information
• SBD regarding parish training event (planning) for information
• Standards Board for England research – clerk to respond
• SBC regarding arrangements for meetings with the borough and county councils – clerk to respond
• NYCC regarding Whitby and Esk Valley Service Centre Transportation Strategy – clerk to respond

Parish Maintenance
• SBC's on Staithes sea front require urgent attention
• Landslide at Seaton Garth – clerk to contact D Baker to request removal of debris and SBC to request provision of a skip to facilitate
• Clerk to request NYCC/SBC paint reflective bands on bollards along Staithes Lane opposite the Co-op following accidents
• Clerk to request SBC address salt bins along Church Street and Staithes Bank as the sea inside is solid and useless and no delivery was received this year.
• Fence is loose along Barrass (behind Streonshall) – clerk to contact SBC/NYMNPA
• Clerk to request SBC grass cutters remove cuttings from play areas
• Clerk to look into cutting back trees adjacent to Brown's Terrace play area
• Clerk to report pothole in Hinderwell High Street opposite Post Office to NYCC once more
• Clerk to request NYCC address pooling of water around drain outside 138 High Street, Hinderwell
• Empty builders 'dumpy' bags have been left at the bottom of Bells Ban, Staithes – clerk to report to SBC
• Mud on road behind St Hilda's Church and collapsed banking around Port Mulgrave Bank – clerk to report to NYCC
• Field run-off across A171 at lay-by west of Hinderwell a problem during current freezing conditions

Councillor Rowe left the meeting

St Hilda's Churchyard – draft letter to the parochial church council
The clerk had submitted a draft letter to all councillors regarding the rear stairs to St Hilda's Churchyard. It was resolved to send the letter and also to raise the issue of disabled access and maintenance of the ramp at the same time.

Any other business
Councillor Smith raised the issue of the rock armour and access to Runswick Bay beach and his findings from the first meeting of the Beach Management Committee and it was agreed that he would draft a further letter to be sent to Mr J Dillon, Chief Executive, SBC for approval by other councillors prior to the next meeting with a copy to be sent to the Health and Safety Executive. Clerk to request an additional life buoy be placed near to the yacht club on Runswick beach.
Councillor Fowler confirmed that PC H Baker had helped Staithes residents acquire security cameras which are essential security lights on PIR which take pictures at a cost of just £103 each. He left a supply of leaflets with the clerk in case any other residents were interested in purchasing ones for the protection of their own properties.
The issue of the low cost housing for Hinderwell was raised and it was agreed that Councillor Mitchell would keep chasing up Colin Huby and Home Housing for a response. It was agreed that in the current climate financing is likely to be proving a problem.

Date of next meeting: Thursday 5 March