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Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 4th July 2005
Present: Councillors Sayce, Barwick-Bell, Chainey, Davison,
Drew, Hedley, Martin, Wade, Warhurst-Walker.
Mrs M Williams, Clerk.
Also present: County Councillor Ray Thompson, District
Councillor Mrs A Dale, 2 representatives from Northumbria Police, Prudhoe,
8 members of the public, 1 representative from the Youth Service and 4 young
people, Helen Compson, Hexham Courant
Apologies: Councillor Bouch, District Councillors Mike
Collins.
05/28 Declarations of Interest –
None
05/29 Minutes
The minutes of the Meeting held on 6th June 2005 were agreed as a true record.
05/30 Matters Arising -
None
05/31 Public Participation
The Chair, Mrs Sayce welcomed Sgt Jan Harrison, Community Beat Sergeant and
PC V Byrne, Community Beat Manager from Prudhoe Police Station to the meeting
together with Sally Jones, Youth Worker from the East and four representatives
of the young people. Mrs Sayce also welcomed other members of the public
to the meeting.
Debate with young people
Mrs Sayce invited the young people to open the discussion.
PC Byrne advised that in the past month there had been
a total of 7 calls to the police (2 concerning a party, 2 about problems
at the station, 1 which was being dealt with by the court and 2 concerning
noise). She advised that the police had regularly called at Kate’s
Plain.
It was noted with disappointment that the new fence had
been damaged behind the “teenshelter”. The Parish Council is
trying to discourage residents from coming across the field to gain access
to Kate’s Plain. It was stated that the field would be being grazed
by cattle shortly.
The young people asked if more benches could be provided
and located further from the houses to cut down noise and aggravation. They
also asked for more litter bins and it was reported that a new bin had been
delivered and would be installed shortly.
It was acknowledged that a few young people give the rest
a bad name. It was stressed that not all young people at Kate’s Plain
are students at Prudhoe Community High School. The meeting was reminded that
young people from the High School do a lot of good work. It was also noted
that the youth service and its outreach workers do a lot of good work. It
was noted that the youth club meets on Tuesdays although it is less well-used
in the summer. Most work by the youth service in Stocksfield is currently
(in the summer) in the form of outreach work on Fridays. It was noted however
that the youth service budget had been cut and that funding for outreach
work was needed.
It was stressed that at the previous meeting of the Parish
Council no one had said that troublemakers had come specifically from Prudhoe
Community High School. It was suggested that there should be better dialogue
between the Parish Council and the High School.
Concern was again raised about a small number of children
playing on the rail tracks. Councillors were afraid that someone might be
killed or injured and young people should be encouraged not to play on the
tracks. It was suggested that BT police might be asked to attend a future
meeting of the Parish Council. It was felt that British Transport Police
should help solve problems and should be involved where railway property
is concerned.
It was reported that there was still a problem with litter
at Branch End Play Area, the bins are often full and on Sunday mornings supplements
from the Sunday papers are sometimes scattered about.
Brian Wade (a staff member at Prudhoe Community High School)
said he felt that some problems of litter in Stocksfield are from outside
as Stocksfield is the “drop zone” for McDonalds! He said that
120 students from Prudhoe Community High School live in Stocksfield and stressed
that problems tended to be cyclical and that next year the meeting place
could be Wylam or Ovingham. However, he was happy to offer support from the
school to the Parish Council.
It was agreed that the only way to contact young people
as a group is through the High School or the youth service. It was suggested
that councillors might visit the school.
It was suggested that the young people might be encouraged
to help with a spring clean effort.
Mr Wade asked where young people went if they did not
go to the Cricket or Golf Clubs – it was agreed that there was no answer
to this question. There are still problems with large groups of young people
although it was agreed that any threat might be a perception rather than
a reality. It was noted that in the past SICA had had a lot of trouble with
damage caused by members of the youth club. It was noted that young people
don’t want “structured” time, they like to “hang
out” with their friends. Councillors stressed that over the years efforts
had been made to solve the “youth” problem. It was pointed out
that in its discussions and deliberations the Parish Council had to take
into account the views of all the residents of the parish.
It was agreed that although there had been an improvement
with the current situation, there would always be a problem. It was acknowledged
that the youth workers cannot be everywhere at once. It was also noted that
youth workers can challenge young people’s behaviour and it was stressed
that any problems should be reported to the police.
One resident reported that a group of young people had “parked
themselves” in the lane behind Mount View Terrace. It was pointed out
that this lane is private property with public access.
It was suggested that young people might be involved in
helping to draw up the Parish Plan should this project go ahead.
Mr Wade advised that all Stocksfield students at Prudhoe
Community High School could be invited to a meeting and stressed again the
wish of the school to work with the community.
Mrs Sayce thanked the representatives of the young people,
the police and the youth service for attending the meeting.
BOAT 45
Councillor Chainey outlined the position to date and recommended that the
Parish Council should broadly support the proposals put forward by the County
Council.
Mrs Ruth Robson, the current owner of Christmas Cottage,
said that she and other residents of Ridley Mill were concerned that the
re-instatement of the BOAT near her house would result in traffic travelling
through Guessburn from the A695 to Ridley Mill and Batt House Road. Mr Chainey
suggested that the Parish Council should support this part of the BOAT becoming
a bridleway and suggested that the widening of the footpath would be a technicality.
County Councillor Thompson said he had spoken to Alex
Bell, the County Definitive Maps Officer, who had advised that the BOAT is
the definitive route. If the overwhelming opinion is not to have certain
vehicular rights then the fall back position is a bridleway. It was noted
that the course of the burn had moved and that to move the route of the BOAT
nearer the burn might cause erosion to the bank. Alex Bell had drawn the
route as best as he was able, transferring the information from the old map
to the current one.
Some residents felt that the original route of the byway
had been to the west (behind) Christmas Cottage.
It was agreed that a comment should be added to the response
to the County that there was strong feeling that the route of the byway should
be behind Christmas Cottage which is thought to be the original route of
the BOAT. It was suggested that steps to divert the byway might be taken
at a later date. The question of how late 19th century traffic was equated
with that of the 21st century was raised.
It was noted that the County will have to pay for the
upkeep of the BOATs although it was acknowledged that the County has financial
problems.
It was stressed that the Inclosure Award is the source
of the definitive map.
It was proposed that the County proposals be accepted
with the addition of the paragraph relating to the route near Christmas Cottage – 6
in favour.
It was proposed that the draft letter tabled as a response
to the County be accepted - 3 in favour.
It was therefore agreed that the County proposals be accepted
with the addition of the paragraph relating to the route near Christmas Cottage.
It was agreed that Councillor Chainey should have authority
to take appropriate action with regard to supporting extinguishment of other
BOATs and paths over the summer break.
It was noted that the path at Kipperlynn is already a
BOAT and it is not thought that extinguishment is possible. The County Council
will carry out minimum maintenance of this route.
Other matters raised under Public Participation
Erosion of burnside footpath – there is a need to push Tim Fish for
a timetable of action.
A request to supply a litter bin at the east bound bus
stop at Birches Nook was supported.
Hexham Hospital
Councillors expressed concern at recent press reports about patient care
at Hexham. It was agreed to write to the NHS Trust and ask for clarification.
Mrs Drew advised that as a district councillor she brings concerns about
the hospital to the Community Health & Scrutiny Committee of Tynedale
Council.
05/32 Correspondence
Correspondence received since the June meeting was listed on the Agenda.
Tynedale Local Development Framework – Mrs Sayce
to consult with Mr Bouch and respond.
NCC Minerals and Waste Development – Mr Chainey
to respond.
Mono Consultants – proposals re the Vodafone mast
site – agreed acceptable.
05/33 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council
Representatives
a) General Purposes Group
Parish Plan
A proposal to look at the possibility of drawing up a new Parish Plan had
been circulated. It was thought that this might be a way of engaging the
interests of more residents. It was agreed that a working group would be
formed to discuss the proposal and make recommendations.
The working group to consist of:
Ian Hall, Eileen Drew, Melna Martin, Julia Sayce.
b) Footpaths & Environment Group
It was agreed not to comment on the Regional Forestry Strategy document.
Seats
It was suggested that a seat was needed on New Ridley Road somewhere between
Painshawfield Road and Apperley Road – a possible site is near the
entrance to Mickley Grange – this is to be discussed in September.
c) Play Facilities Group
Kate’s Plain
Following the discussions earlier in the evening, it was agreed to order
three new seats for Kate’s Plain from the Youth Service.
BEPA
The next meeting of the BEPA regeneration group is this week. The group had
had a poor response to its mail out requesting financial support.
It was agreed to subscribe to Entrust (£100) in
order to be able to access funds from funders such as the Hanson Trust.
It was suggested that members of the youth club might
make a “Thermometer Board” for BEPA.
d) Sports Facilities Group
Skate Park
A proposal was submitted and is to be discussed at the September meeting.
Sportsfield
A quotation had been received from the County for supply and erection of
goal posts. It is uncertain why this was sent to the Parish Council.
e) Planning & Highways
It was agreed, in view of the recent flash floods in the region, to write
to the County Council requesting all gullys and drains be rodded and flushed.
f) Communication
NE43 News
The current issue is to be delivered by Scouts & Cubs
g) Council Representatives
Broomley School Open Day – This had been a successful event.
Concerns had been raised that there were no child-care facilities in Stocksfield
for pre-school children in the afternoons.
05/34 Finance
The Accounts for June had been circulated and were accepted.
Additional payments were agreed as follows:
Glasdon £178.20
Matthew Charlton £48.65
It was agreed that during the summer break the Chair would
have authority to sign cheques.
05/35 Other business
The Clerk had requested to install broadband on Tel No: 01661 843114 and
this was agreed.
05/36 Date of Next Meeting
5th September 2005
The meeting closed at 10.30 p.m.
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