It is almost 2 years since the Moorside Room was opened and it is now used regularly by a wide variety of groups. A children’s Film Club has been started and recent events have included a photographic display and an exhibition and book launch entitled, “Sailing in the wake of Captain Cook’s Ship ‘the Endeavour’”.
Meetings have been held by six commercial organisations and five local groups. There are three types of fitness classes here each week and also a children’s craft group meets each month.
Four local groups have taken up the offer of using the room free of charge on one Wednesday each month. There have also been birthday parties and a family reunion.
Having evaluated the running costs of the Moorside Room and noting the increase in revenues the Town Council agree that this is a valuable and popular community asset at an acceptable cost.
Flooding
There have been Flooding in Manor Vale Lane, Castlegate and Park Lane. The Town Council has expressed its concern to the relevant authorities and is keen to support those residents whose properties are at risk. There will be a meeting in the town tomorrow with representatives from NYCC including a Project engineer from the Flood management Team.
Planning
Unfortunately the future of old highways depot in Manor Vale is still unknown. An application for light commercial use was refused by RDC and recent application for residential development was withdrawn.
The Library
In July last year NYCC decided that our Library will be funded by the community and run by volunteers from April 2017. We are in discussions with NYCC and the library steering group to relocate the Town Council office to the library as soon as possible.
Initiatives
The speed of vehicles in the town and along the A170 has been of concern for several years and in November the council agreed to hire a temporary vehicle activated sign(VAS)that displays a 30 mph speed limit with two sockets at a cost £4000. These have been installed on the A170 and Gillamoor Road.
Information panels have been placed in the car park and on the main Town Council notice board.
Grants
During the past year the council has awarded the following grants:
£5,000 to Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band to contribute towards the cost of development of the Band Hall.
£2,500 to All Saints Church, for upkeep of the churchyard and the removal of a large diseased limb of the weeping ash tree;
£400 to Moorsbus Community interest Group towards the provision of a Sunday service in July, August and September.
Precept
The Council keeps a close eye on expenditure throughout the year and always endeavours to provide good value for money. This year when setting the precept we noted that for the second year there was no grant from Ryedale District Council and the near total withdrawal of funding from NYCC for grass cutting. The Council considered it important to maintain the grass cutting service and in order to achieve this, agreed savings across the budget. It was agreed that the precept be once again be set at £73,500. This is £24,500 per annum less than 5 years ago.
May 1st is going to be a great day for the town with the 3 events taking place; the Tractor Run, the 10K Run and the Tour de Yorkshire.
I’m sure everyone agrees that all the decorations are fantastic. Having the Tour de Yorkshire coming through the town gives us the opportunity to really showcase Kirkbymoorside and it’s great to see so many people getting behind the event. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the day in any way.
I would like to end my report by saying that it has been a great privilege and a pleasure to be your Town Mayor during the past year. I have enjoyed working with the Town Clerk and my fellow councillors and want to take this opportunity to thank them for their work during the past year.
Mayor Chris Dowie