1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008

Dear Parishioners

A second year as Town Mayor has brought home, yet again, how important local initiative is to the well being of our community. This initiative can take many forms. We only have to look out of our windows or open our doors to see a van passing or parked in the street with contact details on the side and rear panels of a local firm, often a "one man band". We, still, have locally owned businesses in our town centre. And so much of what makes it worthwhile to live in Pickering is the result of people giving their time voluntarily. The Town Council has an office and holds its meetings in the Memorial Hall, a building which in itself is a tribute to the determination of local people to ensure that a decrepit structure should be refurbished and become useful to the Pickering and wider community; however, refurbishment wasn’t the end of the matter; the hall is still dependent on the commitment of a group of volunteers to manage, promote and maintain it. The new bus shelter in Pike Road is a much smaller structure than the Memorial Hall but equally appreciated by those who shelter in it whilst waiting for the town bus. Mrs Frances Taylor led the campaign that led to its installation. Bridget Robinson-Clark worked tirelessly on the castle path – an amenity that is already bringing pleasure to residents and visitors alike. Barry Hood works hard for the Junior Pikes. And still with the town’s young people in mind I’ll just mention the leadership that Ray and Lynne Bowman and Cathy Davis give, respectively, to the Scout and Guide movements in Pickering. Finally, David and Janet Warin who through their Christmas lunches make sure that no one needs to be alone at Christmas. These are but a few names, the tip of the iceberg; thank you all for all that you do.

Individuals can, and do, through their activities bring about benefits for the community as do voluntary organisations. Amongst these, we recognise the work of those who give of their time to secure better protection for our town against floods. We recognise, too, our Fairtrade group whose work has resulted in the town being awarded Fairtrade status.

Below is a summary of the Town Council’s activities during the year in terms of the objectives it set itself.

The Council has continued to work with residents in order to establish what needs to be done in the town and to do our best to see that improvements are achieved. Members of the public regularly attend Council meetings and address

the Council on matters relating to the community. Planning has been of particular interest this year as there have been several major controversial planning applications where the council and residents have worked together to present strong local views to Ryedale District Council and the planning inspectorate. The Council is not against large scale development per se, but buildings last a long time so we need to do everything possible to get things right. As we move into a new planning period, it is essential that careful thought is given to where new development should take place and, through that development, the ways in which the community as a whole should benefit.

The Council’s website includes a page inviting residents to express views and concerns for members’ attention. A quarterly entry in the Council’s Newsletter, published in "The Beacon" invites similar participation. All letters to the Council are given careful consideration. We continue to be active in "The Northern Ryedale transport group" and to support the members of "Pickering in Bloom" who work tirelessly to improve the visual environment. We consider applications for grants – the procedure and criteria for which are available on our website and in our office.

We undertake risk assessments in terms of all Council equipment and responsibilities in order to ensure public safety. We work with the police who, from time to time, attend Council meetings, in order to address concerns relating to traffic safety, parking-problems, anti-social behaviour and litter. The dog warden also works with the Council in order to tackle the problems related to irresponsible dog owners. We continue to salt the footways in the town centre as and when appropriate, and make a contribution to the CCTV system. As a lighting authority we try to ensure that faulty lighting units are repaired within five working days. We have contributed to the Pickering Town Flood Plan now distributed to all whose properties are at risk. Copies of the Plan are available in the Town Council office.

We have established a town centre improvement group in order to work with residents to effect changes for the better. As a result of local surveys we are currently looking at a range of issues including business needs, the visual appearance of the town, street and footway cleaning, dog fouling, disability access, the state of road and footway surfaces, car parking and possible improvements to Market Monday. In these respects the views of pupils at St Joseph’s Primary School are relevant: "The pupils were well aware of what a good place Pickering is to live and cited many reasons: countryside, fresh air, range of shops, swimming pool, near to coast, football team, good schools-they really do appreciate how fortunate they are; however they are not blinded by this and also had a list of things they didn’t like – litter, cigarette ends, smells in some parts of town, noisy pubs, not enough safe play areas."

One of the outcomes of the improvement group’s activities was the launch, in May, of a "Pride in Pickering" campaign. We invited local schoolchildren to enter a competition to design a logo for the campaign. The logo itself will, we hope, encourage everyone to do their bit to make the town a more attractive place in which to live and work.

We are pleased that the experimental arrangement between Pickering Recreation Ground Committee and Ryedale District Council whereby part of the ground will be allocated for parking is to function this tourist season. We are aware of the demand for additional public open space. We are aware of the continuing eyesore that is the former coal yard.

The first phase of the re-equipping project for Manor Drive is complete. A range of traditional equipment has been installed and also a cantilever swing and an activity net which are proving very popular. We were fortunate to secure a grant of over £18000.00 from Yorventure (an organisation which provides landfill tax funding for local projects) and £3500.00 from Safer Ryedale. The Community Events Group has raised money for toddler equipment and a multiplay unit has already been installed. A seesaw, roundabout, springer and swings – all for toddlers – will be installed this year.

We continue to meet regularly with members of the other Ryedale town councils to discuss common problems and to lobby for improvements to services. Issues that are being explored include planning agreements (how to ensure that local communities benefit from the development of housing estates), whether the towns should employ a "town caretaker", (an individual who, amongst other things, would complement the work of the principal authorities in keeping our towns clean), and the role and nature of market days.

We work with Richard Marr, Area Manager, Highways North Yorkshire, on issues relating to footpaths, highways and traffic management. We hope that the experimental closure in the Market Place is being effectively monitored. We have yet to see a solution to the concerns of residents in Norman Close and of those who seek improvements to the junction of the A170, Outgang Lane and Outgang Road. We welcome the installation of a pelican crossing in High Backside and are alert to the view that Pickering remains a town unfriendly to the disabled. We are urging the County Council to commit more money to resurfacing our worn footpaths and roads.

We are in frequent contact with Ryedale District Council, particularly its planning officers, and the Commercial Services section, especially with regard to street and footway cleaning. We have a particular issue with the pigeon excrement in Picture House Alley and are looking for regular cleaning in the short term and an effective solution in the long term. Should you know of areas where litter collects you can either let us know or ring 01653 600666 and ask for Commercial Services or contact one of the four district councillors for Pickering.

This town council has to deal with a wide range of issues as well as being responsible for delivery of services. We recognise the need for training, more particularly when, following local government elections, new councillors join us. Training as in so many walks of life is an ongoing activity and will help your councillors to better serve the community. Please refer to the last page of this report for contact details for individual councillors.

The Quality Parish and Town Council scheme was launched in June 2003, following the publication of the Government's Rural White Paper in 2000. The scheme is designed to provide benchmark minimum standards for parish and town councils and enable them to better represent the communities they serve. The scheme also aims to enhance relationships between local councils, principal authorities and community and voluntary sector organisations. The tests exceed the statutory duties of parish and town councils and represent the standards that an efficient, well run local council should achieve. The Town Council hopes to gather the evidence to secure Quality status during the coming year.

We continue to endeavour to keep you fully informed of our activities. We are indebted to the local press who attend and report on all our meetings. These take place on the third Monday of every month at the Memorial Hall at 7pm and are, by law, open to you all and there is always the opportunity to make your views known from 6.55pm. Our quarterly newsletter is published in the "Pickering Beacon" and our website can be accessed on www.pickering.gov.uk  Our agenda, papers and decisions are published on the website and may be accessed at the Library. You may also ask for copies of our papers by contacting the Town Clerk. In addition to our three public notice boards in the Town - the Market Place, the southern end of Potter Hill and the western end of Eastgate - we have our own notice board in the Memorial Hall.

1. Involve the Pickering community in identifying the town’s present and future needs;

2. work for the safety of residents;

3. promote and develop "Pride in Pickering";

4. work to improve car parking facilities in the town;

5. work with Ryedale’s market towns and the principal authorities for the benefit of the community;

6. encourage a more participatory, coordinated and coherent response to the development of the town;

7. provide training for town councillors;

8. achieve and maintain Quality Status;

9. keep members of the public informed about Town Council activities and local issues.

Should you have any queries about any of the above, please contact the Town Clerk.

In closing may I send my best wishes to you all and my personal thanks to those who have assisted me through this most enjoyable year.

Councillor Julie Hepworth

The Town Council approved expenditure for financial year 2007-08 of £173,587.00, moneys which would cover the cost of maintaining seven play areas and several public open spaces, cutting the verges, running and developing the cemetery in Whitby Road, footway lighting and salting, a contribution towards the CCTV system, repairs to litter bins and public seats and supporting the Town Council in its representational role. In the event, expenditure was £172954.22, slightly lower than the budgeted estimate.

The Pickering community was asked for £104000.00 which was collected through Council Tax payments. The balance was to be met from miscellaneous sources of income (of which cemetery fees, a contribution from the County Council towards the cost of cutting the verges and grants would together form the largest element) and from the Town Council’s reserves. The Town Council was successful in securing £21513.00 in grants towards the cost of the Manor Drive play area re-equipping project.