Guisborough Town Council held virtual meetings in January and February 2021.

Parking on Hutton village road.– A Guisborough resident had emailed the town council office to complain about parking on the access road to Hutton village. Members noted that Cleveland Police had put up notices along the road and had actively engaged with motorists parking on the roadside. Councillor Berry advised that he had been involved in a consultation exercise last June, as the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (RCBC) North York Moors National Park Association representative, which had produced a difference of opinion over a proposed solution. The installation of yellow lines had been considered, however NYMNPA were against this possible solution as it was felt it would urbanise the area. Local residents were also against yellow lines along the access road as they felt that drivers would merely then park in the village and block access to properties. RCBC were aware of the issues following the consultation and were seeking alternative solutions. It was agreed to write to the resident informing them that Cleveland Police were actively engaging with motorists who park on Hutton Village access road and to also advise that RCBC were seeking solutions and to suggest the resident also contacts the RCBC ward councillors for Hutton and Councillor Barry Hunt who is the cabinet member at RCBC responsible for neighbourhoods.

Nunthorpe Parish Council.– A letter had been received from the chairman of Nunthorpe Parish Council to the chairman of Guisborough Town Council regarding support on a Neighbourhood Plan for Greater Nunthorpe. The clerk informed them that the chairman would speak with the chairman at Nunthorpe Parish Council and report back to council once more information had been obtained. Since then the clerk, Tracey Mangold, had been contacted by the Nunthorpe chairman requesting an early reply. She suggested that there could be a working party/sub-committee to report back. Councillor Peter Berry queried the procedure used through the Planning Committee and Councillor Sheila Berry thought that it was important to reply as soon as possible. Councillor Bill Clarke thought that Nunthorpe Council should do their own work. Councillor Peter Berry proposed getting more information and set up a sub-committee/working party and this was agreed with the clerk issuing invitations to members to join.

Resources.– Councillor Bill Clarke queried the February water bill for £291 for the allotments and the February electricity bill for £1,150 at a time when Sunnyfield House was closed and the allotments partially closed. The clerk responded that these were estimated bills but for the future the council had registered for self-reporting online.

Budget.– Councillor Clarke reported on calculations for the 2021/22 budget precept for Guisborough Town Council. He recommended that the grants/donations budget be reduced to £5,000 with the present £500 grants reduced to £300 for this year. The council election reserve was £4,000 but as there would be elections this year another £8,000 would be required for polling stations. It was projected that there would be income of £6,000 from the allotment fees and the solar farm community charge. There would be a budget requirement of £165,000 this year reduced by £10,000 Government Support Grant. Councillor Clarke said that this was the sixth consecutive year that there had been no increase in the precept rate for the Guisborough town residents.

Planning.– Councillor Alma Thrower reported on recent planning applications to the Redcar and Cleveland Council, to which the town council had registered objections. These related to development land west of Church Lane, Newton-under-Roseberry, for construction of dwelling houses. It was felt that the buildings were too big and would stand out like a sore thumb.

Rural Market Towns group.– The clerk reported that free membership of the group had been offered to the council up to July 31, 2021. Councillor Clarke asked if any of the group services had been used and Councillor D. Johnson asked what the organisation provided. It was also queried what charges would be applied after July 31.