Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 6th February 2006
Present: Councillors Sayce, Barwick-Bell, Chainey, Davison,
Drew, Hall, Hedley,
Levitt, Martin, Porter, Wade, Warhurst-Walker.
Mrs M Williams, Clerk
Also present: District Councillor Mrs A Dale,
County Councillor Ray Thompson,
Hexham Courant Reporter – Helen Compson
Apologies: District Councillor
Mike Collins
Mrs Sayce opened the meeting by welcoming new Parish
Councillor, Dave Porter,
and asking those present to introduce themselves.
Mrs Warhurst-Walker
arrived
late. Mr Porter left before the end of the meeting.
05/82 Declarations of Interest –
None
05/83 Minutes
The Minutes of 9th January 2005, were agreed with minor amendments.
05/84 Matters Arising –
Alcohol Designation Zones – a letter had been received from Tynedale
Council in response to queries about Alcohol Designation Zones. Mrs Dale
asked if enquiries had been made with British Transport Police regarding
the comment that there have been no reported problems in the Station yard.
There is concern that residents might be deterred from using the station
if there are perceived to be problems. It was agreed that the situation will
have to be monitored. Mrs Dale advised that she had asked the Tynedale solicitor
to visit the Parish Council to discuss the question of creating bye-laws
for certain areas. Mrs Drew confirmed that she too had been in discussions
with Tynedale legal department on this matter.
NHS Restructuring – Mrs Martin gave a brief outline on a recent meeting
sponsored by VONNE. She said that all comments had been noted, that the picture
was not clear, that the NHS needs to make savings, that there is concern
that services might be lost and that there is a need for community support.
She said that the object of the exercise is regionalisation of the NHS Trusts.
A presentation is to be made on restructuring of the ambulance service in
March. There is concern that Stocksfield is on a border and ambulances could
be pulled in either direction leaving a gap. Anecdotal evidence of any problems
needs to be collated.
Play Facilities – Mrs Davidson advised that following the fund raising
event at the Dr Syntax, no cheque had yet been received. However, County
Councillor Ray Thompson has promised £5000.
Grit Bins - it was reported that the grit bin at the
top of the Scaur Steps was damaged and half full of water. Mrs Sayce volunteered
to ring the County
regarding this.
Child Abduction – it was noted that following the recent attempted
abduction of a teenager on the Bywell Road, a man was to appear in court.
It was agreed that the prompt resolution of this incident had been as a result
of good police work.
05/85 Public Participation
There was no public participation.
05/86 Website
Dave Porter gave a brief presentation on his ideas for the redesigned website.
It was agreed that he and Mrs Barwick-Bell and the Clerk should meet to develop
these ideas further. The host of the current edition of the website, David
Fenwick, is to be contacted to ensure that he is in agreement with the proposals.
05/87 Correspondence
Correspondence received was listed on the agenda.
05/88 Finance
The Accounts for January were noted and accepted,
05/89 Brief Reports from
Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) General Purposes Group
Parish Plan – A proposal to undertake the development of a Parish Plan
had been tabled. Mrs Sayce briefly outlined the benefits of having a Parish
Plan and advised that she had recently been to an exhibition in Corbridge
publicising their new Plan and how they had achieved it.
It was agreed that Mrs Sayce, Mesdames Hedley, Martin
and Drew, and Mr Hall
should form a working group to develop the Parish Plan.
A letter had been received from the Community Council
requesting funding
and it was agreed that a grant of £100 should be made in 06/07.
Spring Clean Day - a draft of a letter to groups and
organisations in the Parish had been circulated. It was noted that the date
of the event had been
changed to 29th April. It was noted that Stocksfield WI had agreed to provide
refreshments. It was suggested that cleaning street signs and name plates
might be included in the activities.
Methodist Church Coffee Club – a request for assistance with the costs
of transport had been received. Mr Hall proposed and it was agreed that £100
should be sent immediately.
b) Footpaths & Environment Group
General Grass Cutting – a letter had been received from Tynedale quoting
for grass cutting around the village in the coming season. It was agreed
to accept the prices.
c) Play Facilities Group
The Report of the Play Facilities Group had been circulated.
Branch End Play Area – Mrs Davidson reported that a cheque for £500
had been received from the Engineering Business. A meeting had been held
with representatives of SITA and further developments are awaited. Kompan
are putting together a new estimate for the proposed equipment. A meeting
had been held with Mrs Dale and Susi Goncu and a meeting is planned with
Anne-May Pottage to discuss equipment for “older” children. A
meeting is to be held with Janet Orrick of SureStart to discuss funding.
It was agreed not to go a head with the “Flying Fox” structure
as it was felt that this might arouse unwelcome interest.
It was agreed to accept Playdale’s estimate to repair the Tyre Swing
at a cost of £360.
It was agreed to accept Direct Fencing’s estimate
to install a self
closing gate at £780.
Kate’s Plain - Reports were tabled.
It was agreed that with the exception of no. 6 (the provision of a fifth
litter bin) the recommendations of the group should be endorsed, with the
closing time of both areas being set at 9.30 p.m. It was agreed not to purchase
a fifth litter bin for Kate’s Plain at present. It was suggested that
once the Code of Conduct had been agreed then it should be displayed at Kate’s
Plain. It was suggested that there should be a young people’s page
on the website. The concrete for the new seats had been put in and it was
expected that the new seats would be installed shortly. It was agreed that
it was not necessary to screen off the seats. The Kate’s Plain Working
Group next meets in May.
d) Sports Facilities Group
MUGA - Chris Catnach had advised that he had also had an encouraging meeting
with SITA.
Crowd Control – a request had been received from the Football Club
to erect crowd control barriers/advertising hoardings at the edge of one
of the pitches. It was agreed that Mrs Sayce and Mr Hall would meet representatives
of the Football Club to discuss this further. The question of Planning Permission
for such a structure was also raised.
There was nothing further to report.
e) Planning & Highways
It was agreed that Dave Porter should join the Planning and Highways Group.
It was agreed that the Planning and Highways Group should fix dates for regular
meetings, preferably in the middle of the month.
The Planning & Highways Group Report had been circulated.
Crash Barriers on A695 West of Railway Bridge – a proposal to request
the County to erect crash barriers along the edge of the A695/railway had
been circulated and it was agreed to make a formal request to the County
Council. It was suggested that the health and safety aspect of this request
should be stressed.
Local Development Framework – a letter had been received from Tynedale
on this and it was agreed to take up the invitation from Tynedale for a visit
to the Parish Council. It was felt that there was a need to consider how
the Parish Council handled consultations in general and Local Development
Framework consultation in particular.
Street Furniture – It was noted that the bollards immediately to the
east of Branch End Garage needed repair. Mrs Drew advised that she had been
told that some of the road signs may be replaced.
Dere Street Farm – it was noted that the entrance to this site was
dangerous and that vehicles entering and leaving the site could cause problems
for passing traffic.
Double Yellow Lines – the County Engineer is to be asked what progress
had been made regarding the installation of double yellow lines at Birches
Nook, Cross Street and Painshawfield Road.
LAA Final Draft – it was felt that the document was too complicated
for councillors to make any meaningful comment. Points highlighted included:
- Is Stocksfield’s natural community Prudhoe?
- Is Stocksfield’s local centre Prudhoe?
- If redevelopment of Prudhoe town centre takes place then
this may
affect
whether or not residents of Stocksfield look on Prudhoe as their natural
community.
Land Registration – a litter had been received from the Land Registry
suggesting that the Parish Council might register land that it owns. It was
agreed not to take this any further at this stage but that the General Purposes
Group should keep the matter under review.
f) Communication
Nothing to add.
g) Council Representatives
Nothing to report
05/89 Other business
Nil
05/90 Date of Next Meeting
6th March 2006
The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m. |
