Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 9th January
2006
Present: Councillors Sayce, Chainey, Davison, Drew, Hall,
Hedley, Levitt,
Martin, Wade, Warhurst-Walker, Barwick-Bell
Mrs M Williams, Clerk
Also present: District Councillor Mrs A Dale, Hexham Courant
Reporter – Helen Compson
Apologies: District Councillor Mike Collins, County Councillor
Ray Thompson
Mrs Sayce opened the meeting by wishing all those present
a Happy New Year.
05/72 Declarations of Interest –
None
05/73 Minutes
The Minutes of 5th December 2005, were agreed as a true record.
05/74 Matters Arising –
It was reported that County Councillor Ray Thompson was disappointed that
the whole of Meadowfield Road had not been re-surfaced. He will put pressure
on the County for this to be done. It was felt that re-surfacing the road
was more important than resurfacing the pavements.
It was noted that across the Estate many of the pavements
were blocked where hedges had not been cut back far enough. The Estate Committee
is to be asked to bring this matter to the attention of householders at the
next AGM.
Youth Service - The question of discussions with
the youth service and SICA had been raised with George McCreedy but nothing
further had been heard from him. With regard to working with young people,
the question of decorating
the bus shelters was also raised.
Alcohol Designation Zones – mixed messages
were being received about whether or not the station and the Back Lane were
to be included in these zones. It was confirmed that the Back Lane had been
included in the proposals. A letter is to be written to Tynedale to clarify
the position on the Station.
05/75 Public Participation
It was reported that a residents of North View Terrace and Glen Avenue had
difficulty in exiting onto the A695 because of the condition of the surface
at the point of exit, vans parked in the lay-by and the speed of traffic.
County Councillor Thompson has been asked for help on this matter and it
is believed that a County officer has already visited the site.
It was reported that the Christmas Tree outside the Bridal
Shop had been vandalised. It was agreed that a letter should be written to
Rosina Brown expressing regret that this had happened and saying how much
her display
had been appreciated by residents.
05/76 Correspondence
Correspondence received had been listed on the Agenda and was noted.
Tynedale Joint Discussion Forum Meeting – Mrs Sayce
to attend.
LAA Partnership – no further comment to make.
Age Concern - (Mrs Martin declared an interest) – It
was proposed and
agreed that a grant of £25 be made.
Victim Support - It was proposed and agreed that a grant
of £25 be
made.
Northumberland Fire & Rescue Service – the letter
and papers were
being circulated for comment.
Branch End Toilets – comments previously made are
to be repeated with the addition that it is hoped that Tynedale will continue
to care for the
site until it is disposed of.
05/69 Finance
The Accounts for December were noted and accepted.
05/77 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council
Representatives
a) General Purposes Group
First Responders – a query had been raised about what would happen
if there was a major incident/disaster in Stocksfield. Mrs Sayce advised
that in the first instance 999 should be rung, the police would then get
in touch with the Emergency Planning Officer at the County Council who would
then if appropriate contact the WRVS who would set up such things as emergency
accommodation/feeding centres.
Precept 2006/07 – Final documents outlining
the budgets for 2006/07 had been circulated. It was agreed that the precept
for 2006/07 should be
set at £49,000.
Youth Disturbance – the notes on a recent
meeting held with the Police, Youth Service and representatives of the High
School had been circulated. It was agreed that residents affected by disturbances
at Kate’s Plain should be invited to a meeting with the police on 16th
January. It was also agreed that should any concensus on the closing times
of Kate’s Plain
be agreed then this should be implemented.
Annual Parish Meeting – 24th April
Suggestions for a speaker/topic for the Annual Parish Meeting were:
Northumberland Schools Re-organisation
Re-structuring the Health Service.
Branch End Surgery – an up-date on the expansion of services.
It was agreed that the preferred option was to ask Dr
Alan Maguire to talk about the expansion on services at Branch End Surgery
and current changes in Primary Care and hospital with particular relation
to patients of Branch
End surgery and residents of Stocksfield.
(Councillor Mrs Tracy Warhurst-Walker arrived at this
point).
A copy of a notice of meetings with regard to changes
to structures with the NHS had been received and circulated. Surprise was
expressed that parish councils had not been included in the circulation for
this consultation.
Mrs Martin volunteered to attend one of the meetings.
b) Footpaths & Environment Group
Tubs & Planters – following discussions late last year, advice
had been sought from the Plants & Gardens Society and a proposal subsequently
drawn up and circulated. The suggestions made in the proposal were accepted
and the Handyman is to be advised accordingly.
Handrail on Path from New Ridley Road to Welton Close – after
some discussion it was agreed that the County should be consulted about this
and
Mr Chainey advised that he would take this matter up with Tim Fish.
It was noted that the fence by the bridge at Birkdene
had been vandalised
again.
Spring Clean – it was agreed that a skip
would be provided for the two weeks over Easter and that a Spring Clean Day
would be organised for the Saturday after Easter. The WI would be asked to
provide refreshments for the workers. The draft letter circulated to councillors
would be amended. It was suggested that the burn at Birkdene might be included
in the project. Gloves, bin bags and litter pickers would be left at the
Community Centre.
c) Play Facilities Group
Kate’s Plain
Mrs Davison and the Clerk had agreed on a site for the new litter bin and
this would be installed as soon as possible.
The Handyman was congratulated on the great job he had
done, in cleaning
up the fence at the back of Brumwell Court.
The cost of collecting litter on Saturday mornings is
to be investigated
with Tynedale.
The problem of disturbance at Kate’s Plain appears
to have reduced
in recent weeks.
It was noted that there is a larger litter bin can be
provided for the west
bound bus stop at the station – the Clerk is to contact Tynedale on
this.
Branch End Play Area
Mrs Davison reported that nothing had been heard form SITA by the Regeneration
Group in relation to funding.
It was reported that a fund raising event organised by
the customers of the
Dr Syntax at New Ridley had raised a magnificent £2150. A letter of
thanks is to be sent.
Mrs Davison has spoken to the Kompan representative about
a slightly cheaper
design for the project.
A quotation had been received from Playdale for repairs
to the Twist and other items at Branch End. It was agreed that this should
be carried out, with the exception of repairs to the Cradle Swing (which
is to be replaced
and the Burma Bridge which is to be removed.)
Direct Fencing is to be contacted for a price for a self-closing
gate.
d) Sports Facilities Group
MUGA – The recent meeting of the MUGA Regeneration Group had reviewed
the constitution and made one or two minor amendments. The notes on the meeting
will be circulated to councillors. It was reported that Sport England had
rejected the application for funding. An application for funding had also
been made to SITA.
e) Planning & Highways
Councillor Warhurst-Walker apologised to members of the Planning Group and
the Council for the confusion over the planning meeting.
Traffic Speed at Branch End – Concerns had
been raised regarding the speed of traffic through Branch End and a discussion
ensued on the practicalities involved in speed cameras and similar controls.
It was acknowledged that there seemed to be little that could be done at
present but that the situation
would continue to be monitored.
It was noted that the most recent planning application
for the development
at Broomley Village had been withdrawn.
Tynedale Council Homelessness Strategy – Mrs
Warhurst-Walker advised that she had read this document over the Christmas
break. She had found it to be an interesting and in-depth report and felt
that there was nothing
that the Parish Council could add.
Grit Bin – It was noted that the Grit bins
at the tops of Painshawfield
and Batt House Roads had been tipped over.
f) Communication
Nothing to report.
g) Council Representatives
Nothing to report
05/80 Other business
A child had been allegedly attacked shortly before Christmas late one afternoon – the
Police are to be asked if there is any further information on this.
A letter had been received from the Community Rail Partnership
regarding a meeting on 10th February. Councillors are to advise the Clerk
if they wish
to attend this meeting.
Mrs Sayce and Mr Hall are to ask about the condition of
the Tetley’s
sign at the entrance to the Sportsfields.
05/81 Date of Next Meeting
6th February 2006
The meeting closed at 9.45 p.m. |
