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Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 6th November 2006
Present: Councillors Sayce, Barwick-Bell, Chainey, Drew, Davison, Hall,
Hedley, Martin, Porter, Wade, Warhurst -Walker
Mrs M Williams, Clerk
Also present: District Councillor Dale, County Councillor Thompson, Norman
Hooks, Ruth Forster, Iris Dobson
Apologies: District Councillor Mike Collins,
06/55 Declarations of Interest – None
06/56 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd October were agreed as a true record.
06/57 Matters Arising –
Cross Street – County Councillor Thompson advised that the holes in
the road surface were to be filled in.
Painshawfield Road – Councillor Thompson
also advised that the holes were to be repaired.
Birches Nook Road - Councillor Thompson said that it was hoped to progress
the matter of the double yellow lines on Birches Nook Road shortly.
06/58 Public Participation
Norman Hooks gave a brief report on the progress to date on the creation
of a new footpath route around the ponds at Merryshields. A copy of his report
is attached. Following his report, a brief discussion ensued during which
the following points were raised:
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The conditions of the planning permission for the creation of
the ponds should be researched
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The creation of a path from Bywell Bridge was more difficult
and costly because of the necessity to create a bridge over the burn.
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The water level in the new ponds made it unsuccessful as a fishing
pond. It is only about 4 feet deep as it had not proved possible to achieve
the depths originally planned.
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A permissive footpath might be the preferred designation of
the new route as this would mean it would be easier to control access by
dogs.
Norman Hooks and his group were thanked for their efforts to date and
requested to pursue this project.
Mrs Iris Dobson requested that consideration be
given to the provision of a bus shelter at the west bound bus stop at Branch
End. After a brief discussion it was agreed that the Planning & Highways
Group should look into this and make recommendations.
Mrs Dobson asked if it was possible for the County to cut the grass verges
outside the houses opposite Branch End Play Area. She said that as the residents
of these properties grew older they found it more difficult to keep the grass
cut. It was pointed out that although the County Council had responsibility
for grass verges, where they were cut by residents and others the County
did not usually cut them more than once a year and then only for a metre
or so back from the road or footpath. However, it was agreed to look into
this problem.
Mrs Dobson also asked if it was possible for the Main Road to be re-numbered
but it was pointed out that the last time this was considered, residents
had not wanted to pursue the idea.
District Councillor Mrs Dale advised that as a result of two pedestrians
falling on the uneven pavement on the even-numbered side of New Ridley Road
Tynedale Council have liaised with the County who have agreed to carry out
repairs between numbers 80 and 160 and for substantial works to be carried
out outside nos. 150 to 152 and 124 to 130.
Parking outside Branch End Play Area – Mrs
Warhurst-Walker raised concerns about cars parking on the pavement near the
gate to the Play Area opposite the traffic island. She pointed out the cars
were blocking the pavement and access to the play area and thus presenting
a hazard to pedestrians and also to users of the play area.
It was noted that the “dumpy” bags had
been taken away from Painshawfield Road.
It was requested that the County be requested to fill the grit bins before
the winter.
06/59 Correspondence
The correspondence received since the October meeting had been listed on
the agenda and was noted:
Peter Elphick – a letter had been received
regarding the sight lines at the junction of the A695 and the B6309. It was
agreed to write to the County on this matter.
SCA Forum - the first meeting of the Forum is to be held on 22nd November.
Ian Hall will attend on behalf of the Parish Council and suggest that future
meetings might be held later in the day to enable councillors who work to
attend.
Eastern Parishes Forum – Ian Hall to attend
the next meeting when among the topics to be discussed will be the Youth
Service.
Disorder in the Station Car Park – Malcolm Chainey advised that
he had had discussions with the Police who had been aware of the knife attack
which had been reported in the press recently. Northumbria Police were to
suggest that extra lighting be provided in the Station car Park and it was
suggested and agreed that the Parish Council should add £200 to the
precept as a contribution towards this.
Concern was raised at the apparent length of time between the alleged
knife attack and its reporting in the press. It was suggested that in the
intervening 7 weeks British Transport Police had been advertising for witnesses.
It was agreed to write to BTP emphasising these concerns and asking what
progress had been made in the investigation. It was suggested that witnesses
were reluctant to come forward.
Tynedale Joint Discussion Forum – Mrs Sayce
and Mrs Warhurst Walker are to attend this meeting on 20th November.
Land Registry – a response had been received
following our request for information. The response was not very helpful
and it was agreed to ask for further advice from former councillors Peter
Askew and Graham Ashley.
NALC – Community Strategy – Mrs Sayce
offered to look at this document.
George Bishop – a letter had been received
and responded to with regard to the provision of skate boarding facilities.
A comment was made that youngsters were skate boarding down Batt House Road
and that this was a dangerous practice.
NALC Training Events – It was agreed that Mrs Warhurst-Walker would
attend the event on Land & Property Matters and that Mrs Sayce, Mr Hall
and Mrs Wade would attend the event on Parish Plans.
NCC Minerals and Waste Development Framework – no
comment to be made.
Youth Service – a report had been received
on the work of the Youth Service in Stocksfield. Doubt was expressed that
this term, the Tuesday Youth Project was actually operating. A letter is
to be written to the Youth Service thanking them for their report and raising
concerns that the current impression is that activity on Tuesday evenings
appears to be negligible.
06/60 Finance
The Accounts for October had been circulated and were approved.
An additional cheques was also approved as follows:
Glasdon UK - £361.98
Precept 2007/08 – A draft of the Precept/budget
for next year had been circulated and Councillors were requested to let the
Clerk have their comments by 20th November.
06/61 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) General Purposes Group
Remembrance Sunday – Mrs Sayce advised that she had asked Dennis Wellings
to lay the wreath. Photos of the event were requested.
Resignation of Anne Davison – it was with regret that Councillors
received the news that Mrs Davison would be resigning as a Parish Councillor
in December. Mrs Davison’s work on the play areas, and in particular
the regeneration of Branch End Play Area was much appreciated. She advised
that she would continue to work for the regeneration of Branch End as a volunteer.
It was agreed to co-opt a new Parish Councillor for the remainder of the
term.
It was noted that a number of present councillors would not be standing
for re-election in May and members were urged to actively seek new recruits
to the Council
It was agreed that the following items be deferred until the December
meeting
Code of Conduct – Kate’s Plain
Risk Assessment
b) Planning & Highways
The Planning & Highways Report had been circulated.
Mrs Warhurst-Walker advised that while she was off work, she was trying
to take photos of potholes and signs in order to record areas of concern.
A letter had been received from Northumbria Police outlining the results
of a traffic speed survey and it was agreed to request further details.
The notes on the recent meeting with the County Council had been circulated
and were accepted.
Concern was raised that it appeared that on some house extensions the
bricks and window frames did not match the original building and a letter
is to be sent to Tynedale raising concerns on the principles of planning
permission.
Tynedale Core Strategy - no comment to be made.
County Councillor Thompson asked if the Parish was to be given a flashing
speed indicator sign, where it should be sited. After some discussion it
emerged that the most favoured site is near Branch End for traffic heading
west. Mr Thompson is to discuss this with County.
County Councillor Thompson and Parish Councillors Warhurst-Walker and
Barwick Bell then left the meeting.
c) Parish Plan – nothing to report
d) Footpaths & Environment Group
The notes on the Meeting of the Footpaths Group held on 9th October had been
circulated.
It was agreed not to put up a fence on the repaired stretch of Footpath
13. Both County and Milecastle Housing accept the risk and it was noted that
erecting a suitable fence would be difficult. It was noted that should there
be an accident then the County and Milecastle would be responsible, however
should the Parish Council erect a fence then they would be liable for its
maintenance and should there be an accident the Parish Council would bear
no responsibility It was agreed to write to the County accepting the recommendation
not to erect a fence but stressing that the Parish Council still had concerns
about the safety of pedestrians at this point. It was stressed that this
was a pedestrian footpath and that it should not be used by cyclists.
Broomley Woods - it was noted that Allendale Estates had been represented
at the Footpaths Group meeting and that this had proved to be a useful contact.
It was agreed that they would be invited to future meetings of the Group.
Parish Councillors and residents were urged to report anything untoward happening
in Broomley Woods to the Estate.
Uncut hedge on Apperley Road/New Ridley Road – it
was reported that the County Council are taking action on this.
Concern was raised that the road from the Fords to Ridley Mill was becoming
very narrow.
New Walks Leaflet – there is no time scale
for the production of this, ideas are being considered, including a possible
link with Healthy Walks
Hanging Baskets – it was agreed to replant these spending a maximum
of £200
e) Play Facilities Group
The Play Facilities Report had been circulated. Mrs Davison commented on
the recent seminar she had attended in Carlisle and urged councillors to
look at the HSE website and in particular the leaflets on “Reducing
Risk – protecting people”. She said that the Council needs to
have a “Play Strategy” but that there was no need to re-invent
the wheel as reference could be made to Tynedale’s Play Strategy. Anyone
interested in seeing the presentations given at the Carlisle Seminar should
see Mrs Davison as she has them on a CD.
Kate’s Plain – it was agreed to take
no action where the Matta was lifting under the equipment, but to monitor
the situation. It was noted that there was quite a lot of graffiti and knife
damage to the teen shelter.
It was agreed to accept the quotation from Outdoor
Life to mend the fence at a cost of £130 but not to extend the height
of the fence.
Branch End Play Area – a copy of the RoSPA final installation report
had been sent to Kompan for comment. The handyman is to be asked to clean
the fireman’s pole on the new climbing frame.
Metal Swings - A letter had been received from SMP
Playgrounds regarding the tiles under these swings. SMP advised that they
believed that the tiles had now outlived their useful life. It was accepted
that these swings would probably be replaced sooner rather than later and
that SMP’s advice
to take no further action be accepted.
BEPA Phase II – Mrs Davison said that she
was prepared to continue to help with the regeneration of the Play Area but
as a volunteer rather than a councillor. Mrs Dale offered to help with grant
applications.
Play Facilities Convenor – The appointment
of the Play Facilities Convenor was deferred to the December meeting.
Ian Hall is to act as the Parish Council’s
representative on the Branch End Regeneration Group.
New Entrance Branch End Play Area – deferred
to December meeting.
f) Sensory Garden - Nothing to report – discussion
deferred to December
g) Sports Facilities Group - Nothing to report
h) Communication
NE43 News - A draft of the next edition was circulated – comments were
requested by mid November
Website – Dave Porter requested Councillors
to keep him informed of events in order that the website might be continually
up-dated.
i) Council Representatives - Nothing to report
06/62 Other business - None
06/63 Date of Next Meeting
4th December 2006
The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.
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