The town has seen a number of events and activities including a number of civic events with the Ryedale District Council Chairman holding two events in Kirkbymoorside, presentation of the ‘Long Service Awards’ at Age UK and extending birthday wishes a resident on their 100th birthday.
The last year has also seen the opening of the new community library on the 1st of April which was a huge success and well supported by the town with support by the Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band offering the occasion with a true feel of community spirit. The adoption of the library services by Friends of Kirkbymoorside has also facilitated the relocation of the Town Council office to Church House. In March 2017, Kirkbymoorside became the first and only town in Ryedale to offer free wi-fi in the town centre.
Grants
Since the Annual Town meeting on 25th April 2016 the following grants have been awarded by the Town Council:
All Saints Church, £2000 to contribute towards the maintenance of All Saints Churchyard;
Kirkbymoorside History Group, £1200 to purchase one wasp waisted mannequin, made to order, two child mannequins and six sets of archival storage containers for hat/dress combinations;
Kirkbymoorside Bowling Club, £439.92 for the purchase of 8no. Henselite Bowls Gatherers to satisfy safety criteria;
Friends of Kirkbymoorside Library, £1500.00 to contribute to the annual cleaning costs of the Community Library;
Kirkbymoorside Cricket Club, £2096.51 to contribute towards the cost of the installation of showers and mixer valves in the home and away changing rooms;
Moorsbus Community Interest Company, £400.00 to contribute towards 2017-18 contract costs.
At the instigation of the Kirkbymoorside Bowling Club the Town Council is proud to have supplied and installed a Community Defibrillator, which is located on the exterior wall of the bowls club at the Sportsfield, New Road.
New business
The year welcomes the addition of two new businesses to Kirkbymoorside with the Bils and Rye Gallery on Market Place and Mark John Barbering in Crown Square.
Parking
The Town Council has successfully negotiated with Ryedale District Council for 1 hour free parking in the Town Farm car park between 12midday and 2pm. Further negotiations are underway to extend this free parking to any period during the day.
Royal Mail vans – The Town Council has made efforts to determine the feasibility of the post vans parking in the Town Farm car park as an alternative to occupying the parking spaces on the cobbles on High Market Place and subsidiary streets. The Town Council, in conjunction with Ryedale District Council, endeavoured to negotiate with Royal Mail for the postal vans to utilise the Town Farm car park. Unfortunately the response to all proposals was that Royal Mail would not be willing to move to paid parking in Kirkbymoorside until such time as all free parking is repealed in the local area.
Old Highways Depot, Manor Vale
The site at the former NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Highways depot, Manor Vale is an ongoing concern for the Town Council and residents alike. The Town Council continues to represent the best interests of the residents in response to proposals for development on the site.
Ings Lane investment
2017 sees the proposed £475,000 scheme to upgrade Ings Lane, including alterations to the A170 roundabout to allow better access to Marshall Advanced Composites. Kirkbymoorside is the only area in Ryedale to benefit from this funding.
Precept
Despite the absence of any grant funding from Ryedale District Council the Town Council has retained the precept at £73,500. Despite continued reduction of support from Ryedale District Council and North Yorkshire County Council, and for the fourth year the Town Council have retained the same precept whilst not compromising on service provision and with a resultant reduction in the council tax bills for 2017/18