The Town Council - A Quality Council

local Government Elections

Elections for parish and town councils in Ryedale and for the district council  are to be held on 5 May 2011.

To stand as a candidate for parish and town councils you need to be nominated and meet a number of electoral qualifications. Further information about the qualifications for election and holding office as a councillor are available from the town clerk and the council website. For information about the nomination process please contact the Returning Officer at Ryedale House, Malton.

The current members of the council together with the town clerk are happy to talk to members of the public about the role of a councillor and the activities of the town council.

Salting the town’s footpaths

Nearly all the footpaths in the town are the responsibility of the county council. During the recent snow and icy conditions the local Highways Authority chose to salt and clear footpaths but only those in, or bordering, the town centre: the Market Place, The Ropery, Hungate, Smiddy Hill and Birdgate (known as Priority 1 footpaths). The town council is responsible for salting Riverside Walk and the paths at the front of the churchyard and did so. In addition the town council paid for some additional footpaths to be salted and cleared but, when the exercise became too costly and the Highways Authority restricted the use of salt to the Priority 1s, this could not continue.

Because of this winter’s experience, the town council decided that it could not  take on additional salting in future, as the costs are beyond its means. The county council is trialling a scheme whereby voluntary groups may work with the Highways  Authority to be involved in salting and gritting their local area. Anyone  interested in this initiative should contact the Area Manager, Highways and  Transportation Area 4, 0845 3669504.

Will I be held liable if someone falls on  a path that I have cleared?

There is no law preventing you from  clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your property, pathways to your property or public space. It is very unlikely you would face any legal liability as long as you are careful and use common sense to make sure you do not make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before. People using areas affected by snow and ice have a responsibility to be careful themselves.

This information comes from the “ny times” (the county council’s newspaper) December 2010/January 2011.

Cobra…

…is a scheme anchored in volunteers who are prepared to help recycle low energy light bulbs. Should you be interested, please contact the council office.

Play areas

Three members of the public who have kindly given of their time to open and close play areas near their homes can no longer do so. The council is looking for volunteers to help open and close the Hawthorn Lane play area at the weekend, and the Greenlands and Otter Drive play areas daily.

Grants

Voluntary organisations whose activities benefit the residents of Pickering are  eligible to apply to the council for consideration for a grant from the moneys  allocated each year in the budget for this purpose.

Dog dirt and litter

The district council is intending to launch a publicity campaign regarding dog fouling in the Spring on the back of  introducing Fixed Penalty Notices for both litter and dog fouling. Police Community Support Officers are to be involved.

Castle Passes

Pickering residents are eligible for a  castle pass which gives them free entry to the castle. The passes are available from the council office and cost £1.00 each. Passes are issued to adults only – those who have children have their names recorded on their pass. Each adult who wants a pass should bring a passport size photograph and proof of residence when they come to the office.

Town Council Office

Kitching Room, Memorial Hall, Potter Hill, YO18 8AA, 9am-1pm, Monday to Friday.    Tel: 01751 476503.

e-mail:    townclerk@pickering.gov.uk

website:  WWW.pickering.gov.uk

The town clerk is Andrew Husband.

The council meets in the Memorial Hall on the third Monday of each month at 7pm. The next three meetings are on 21 March, 18 April and 16 May. The agenda is available on the Tuesday preceding the meeting from the council office and its website. Members of the public are entitled to make representations, answer questions and give evidence in respect of any item of public business on the agenda.