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Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 2nd October 2006
Present: Councillors Sayce, Chainey, Drew, Davison, Hall,
Martin, Porter, Wade, Warhurst-Walker,
Mrs M Williams, Clerk
Also present: District Councillor Dale, County Councillor
Thompson, Helen Compson, Hexham Courant
Apologies: Councillors Hedley, Barwick-Bell,
District Councillor Mike Collins.
06/46 Declarations of Interest – None
06/47 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on
4th September were agreed as a true record, subject to the following amendment.
In Para. 06/40 Mrs Dale suggested that the numbers of the house referred
to should be changed to 29-40 and this was agreed. She also suggested that
the comment about the developer going out of business was inaccurate and
it was agreed to remove this phrase. Under 06/43 Kate's Plain – "goal" had
been misspelled and was corrected.
06/48 Matters Arising - None
06/49 Public Participation
County Councillor Thompson advised that agreement had been reached to install
a dropped kerb in Cross Street. He said that he hoped to get Cross Street
re-surfaced. He advised that he is discussing with the County Engineers possible
changes to the layout of Cross Street.
He advised that he had received a letter from Shaping Health who are setting
up a commission for patient involvement and are looking for volunteers to
join the Northumberland Primary Care PPI Forum. Anyone interested should
contact Councillor Thompson direct.
Councillor Thompson advised that he had requested that the drain at Batt
House Road/Well Road be dug out and that the bracket at Well Road be cut
back. He said that a complete survey of New Ridley, Cade Hill, Meadowfield,
Apperley and Painshawfield Roads was to be carried out. It was noted that
the pavement at the lower part of New Ridley Road was in particularly bad
condition. Complaints had been received about the overgrown hedges at the
narrow point of the pavement below North View on the Main Road and Councillor
Thompson is to look into this. Complaints had also been made about hedges
encroaching onto the pavement on New Ridley Road and this is to be investigated
further.
Councillor Thompson advised that the recommendation for double yellow
lines to be installed on Birches Nook Road will be carried out this financial
year, subject to planning permission.
06/50 Correspondence
The correspondence received since the September meeting had been listed on
the agenda and was noted:
A letter had been received from the Healthy Walking Group expressing gratitude
for the repairs to the Burnside footpath.
Correspondence had been received from Allendale Estates regarding unauthorised
activities in Broomley Woods. This was referred to the forthcoming meeting
of the Footpaths Group to which a representative of Allendale Estates was
invited.
An invitation had been received to attend the NALC AGM. No one from the
Parish Council is able to attend.
06/51 Finance
The Accounts for September had been circulated and were approved.
Additional cheques were also approved as follows:
Northumberland Playing Fields Association
(Play Area Inspection Course – M Stewart) £60.00
Soccertackle.com £289.94 (Football Club grant for goals)
The Report from the Auditors on the 05/06 accounts was received. No matters
had been raised and the Clerk was thanked for her efforts.
A proposal to review the banking arrangements was tabled and it was agreed
that:
1. That all the accounts are combined into one (the Bank
of Ireland).
2. That the General Purposes Group review the current banking
arrangements and consider whether or not the Parish Council account be transferred
to a different bank.
It was also agreed that it would be necessary to review the current cheque
signatories in the light of the fact that some parish councillors would not
be standing for re-election in May.
06/52 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) General Purposes Group
Code of Conduct Kate's Plain – It was agreed
to make a formal request to Prudhoe Community High School and the Youth Service
to progress this matter. It was noted that there had been a fair amount of
disturbance recently in the Station Car Park and it was felt that a General
Code of Behaviour should be drawn up and discussed with the students and
youth clubs. It was stressed that it was important that all parties, both
residents and young people should try to see things from each others points
of view. It was also stressed that not all young people in the parish attended
local schools or the youth clubs.
Christmas Trees - it was agreed that Christmas Trees would be provided
for Broomley School and the Dr Syntax as previously and that the trees in
the Branch End garden would be decorated with lights.
b) Planning & Highways
The Planning & Highways Report had been circulated.
Complaints had been received about levels of car parking on New Ridley
Road and Painshawfield Road and these matters are to be brought up at the
forthcoming meeting with Alan Bawn (NCC). It was also suggested that consideration
be given to providing additional parking on the grassed area at the entrance
to Birkdene. It was not felt that parking on New Ridley Road slowed down
the traffic but did annoy drivers.
Proposal re Traffic through Stocksfield – A paper had been circulated
suggesting ways to reduce the level of traffic through Stocksfield. After
some discussion, it was agreed that it would be unrealistic to pursue the
provision of a by-pass for Stocksfield but that the Parish Council should
push for the provision of a river crossing to replace Ovingham Bridge. It
was felt that a crossing in an appropriate situation should alleviate the
level and weight of traffic using the A695. It was agreed that Planning & Highways
would look at the paper and draw up a coherent proposal to put to the Eastern
Parishes Forum. It was noted that the County Highways budget had been reduced
in order to fund other areas of County expenditure.
Meeting with Alan Bawn – This meeting had
been arranged for 10th October. Mrs Sayce, Mrs Drew, Mr Porter and Mrs Walker-Warhurst
and Mrs Wade will attend.
SCA – Correspondence had been received from representatives of SCA
regarding setting up a Community Consultation Forum – it was agreed
to ask Mrs Barwick-Bell if she would be able to attend meetings of this Forum.
Correspondence regarding NECTAR had been circulated
to the Planning & Highways
and parish Plan Groups.
No 12 Batt House Road – Tynedale Planning
Committee are to hold a site meeting to look at the planning application
for this site.
Broomley Village – Mrs Warhurst-Walker raised
concerns at the lack of response from staff at Tynedale Planning to queries
regarding the most recent planning application for Broomley Village.
c) Parish Plan
Mrs Sayce advised that a productive meeting had been held with student representatives
from Prudhoe Community High School. The students are to compile q questionnaire
to be circulated to students at the High School and Ovingham Middle School.
Mrs Martin is gathering information from senior residents of the Parish.
She advised that generally residents appear to be happy with the services
and facilities on offer.
Mrs Davison is also talking to the Secretary at the Middle School who
had suggested that they were ken to be involved with the local community.
d) Footpaths & Environment Group
The next meeting of the Footpaths Group will be held on 13th October. Councillors
were requested to let Mr Chainey know of any concerns and in particular their
thoughts on the possible provision of a fence where the footpath has been
repaired by the Guessburn.
Mr Chainey also advised that there are still some outstanding issues with
regard to the earlier problems with BOATS. This will be brought up at the
Footpaths Group meeting.
Planters – The Youth Service had advised that
they were unable to provide these and it was suggested that quotes be obtained
from Dilston Daybreak and the Prison Service.
It was noted that the Salt Bin at the bottom of Birches Nook Road still
had to be replaced.
e) Play Facilities Group
The Play Facilities Report was circulated at the meeting.
Kates Plain – it was noted that the central pole in the Teen Shelter
at Kate's Plain had been damaged – it was however agreed that no action
should be taken to repair this but that the condition of the shelter be monitored.
It was agreed that a sign should be put on back
board of the basket ball net – saying it was not safe to swing on the
ring.
The handyman is to be asked to move the litter bin nearer to the seats.
Branch End Play Area -
It was noted that Kompan had under-estimated the cost of earth moving but
that no additional charge had been made for this.
The official opening of the new facility would be on 21st October. Councillors
were asked to volunteer with the refreshments.
The handyman to be asked to fence the gap in the hedge.
It was noted that a scale drawing of BEPA was needed in order that the
site of the Phase II equipment, the new entrance and the Sensory Garden can
be planned.
f) Sensory Garden
It was agreed that Mrs Martin would be the Parish Council representative
on the Sensory Garden Project. It was felt that it was important to know
who is leading this project. A committee needs to be appointed to raise funds.
g) Sports Facilities Group
The Sportsfield Management Group is still discussing rental levels and responsibilities
with the users of the Sportsfields. Mrs Sayce advised that the Football Club
are looking to attaining a Club Charter Mark which is something required
by the FA if they are to be eligible for grants and training courses, etc.
MUGA – a community fund raising effort is
being planned for immediately after Christmas. Anyone with ideas for this
should see Julia.
h) Communication
Website – Dave Porter advised that he relies on residents to advise
him of items to go on the website. The Surgery is to be asked to e-mail Mr
Porter the text of their Surgery Newsletter to include on the website.
NE43 News – It was agreed to continue with
the current format but to possibly try a tri-fold issue in the spring. D
Porter is to look at other possibilities. The possibility of taking advertising
was briefly discussed but it was agreed not to pursue this.
It was agreed that the Christmas issue should be in full colour.
i) Council Representatives
Eastern Parishes Forum – The Minutes of the most recent meeting had
been circulated. The next meeting will be on 21st November at Stamfordham.
Mr Chainey is unable to attend, but Mrs Sayce will try to be there.
06/53 Other business -
None
05/54 Date of Next Meeting
6th November 2006
The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.
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