Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 4th December 2006

Present: Councillors Sayce, Barwick-Bell, Chainey, Drew, Davison, Hall, Hedley, Martin, Porter, Wade.

Mrs M Williams, Clerk

Also present: District Councillor Dale, County Councillor Thompson.

Apologies: Councillor Warhurst-Walker, District Councillor Mike Collins,

06/64 Declarations of Interest – None

06/65 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 6th November were agreed as a true record.

06/66 Matters Arising –
Provision of Double Yellow Lines – County Councillor Thompson advised that the meeting of the County Planning & Regulations Committee would meet the next day to discuss the provision of double yellow lines on:

Birches Nook Road – on the two major corners and beyond the nursery on the north side
Cross Street – both corners and on the surgery side.

Councillors expressed disappointment that particularly on Cross Street the double yellow lines were not being provided on both sides. However it was agreed that the situation should be monitored and further double yellow lines pressed for at a later date if it was felt to be desirable.

Councillors questioned why the double yellow lines proposed for the junction of Painshawfield and New Ridley Roads had not been applied when the white lining was carried out. It was assumed that this was because the two jobs were carried out by different crews.

Councillor Thompson advised that a dropped kerb had been installed on Meadowfield Road.

06/67 Public Participation
Land at Branch End Terrace – District Councillor Mrs Dale tabled a report from Tynedale indicating who owned what. She is to provide the Parish Council with a copy of the report. It was noted that the Parish Council had not submitted a Statutory Declaration 15 years ago in relation to this site. It was agreed that it was essential that the residents of Branch End terrace need to be kept informed as to what the Parish Council is doing about this site. It was noted that originally the registration of interest had been undertaken at the request of the then residents of the Terrace. It was agreed that the Parish Council should review the situation with regard to this site, and assess the possible courses of action.

West bound bus shelter at Branch End – Following a request by a member of the public at the last meeting, the Planning & Highways Group had looked briefly at this question and proposed that the County be asked to look into possible sites for such a shelter.

06/68 Correspondence
The correspondence received since the November meeting had been listed on the agenda and was noted:

Tynedale Community Partnership – a letter had been received regarding the Tynedale Community Plan – members were asked to respond individually.

Northumberland Fire & Rescue Service – Mrs Barwick-Bell agreed to draw up a response to the Risk Management Plan consultation.

Northumbria Police - Information on powers in relation to the way vehicles are driven – this information is to be used to write an item for NE43 News. Members were advised to ring the new 101 number should they experience problems with vehicles being driven irresponsibly.

06/69 Finance
The Accounts for November had been circulated and were approved.

Additional cheques was also approved as follows:
Robson Print – NE43 News £285.00
J R Scott & Sons – Christmas Trees £564.00
Allendale Estates – Sportsfield Rent £450.00

Precept 2007/08 – A draft of the Precept/budget for next year had been circulated and was accepted

06/70 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives

a) General Purposes Group
The General Purposes Group Report had been circulated.

It was agreed to make grants to the following in 07/08
WRVS £50
Age Concern £30
Crimestoppers £25

It was agreed to make a grant of £100 in the current year to the Mid Tyne Kids Club.

Youth Service – It was stressed that the Parish Council needs to be clear about what is expected from the Youth Service and that the areas of concern need to be clarified – for instance the numbers of boys and girls attending at Stocksfield and Prudhoe and their relevant ages. Also clarification of what being a member means should be sought. Sally Jones the new Senior Youth & Community Worker will attend the January Parish Council meeting and it was agreed that Malcolm Woodhall, the Anti-Social Behaviour Officer also be invited to attend. It was agreed that there was little point in pursuing the establishment of a Code of Conduct for Kate’s Plain and other areas as there appeared to be little support at present from either the High School, the Youth Service or the Police. It was suggested that it might be an idea to use the Prudhoe Community High School Newsletter to get our message over. It was stressed that following the meetings early in 2006 residents had felt that a workable document would be produced and that something positive would come out of the meetings. It was felt that the Police, School and Youth Service were reluctant to set up such things as codes if they were unable to enforce them

It was reported that George McCreedy had retired and although no official notification had been received about this, it was felt that the Parish Council should acknowledge his contribution to the youth service in eastern Tynedale over many years.

Play Facilities Convenor – It was proposed and agreed that Ian Hall should be Play Facilities Co-ordinator.

Co-option of new Parish Councillor - it was agreed to defer a decision on this matter until January.

Grant Aid – it was agreed that recommendations on grants in 200708 to SICA, Mid Tyne Kids Club and the Scouts be referred to the General Purposes Group.

b) Planning & Highways
The Planning & Highways Report had been circulated and a second report was tabled.

Mrs Dale agreed to look into the question of responsibility for the fence at Hall Farm Close which was reported to be damaged.

The report from the County re traffic speeds was noted and accepted but it was agreed that a further letter be sent to County Council advising that residents are still expressing concerns about traffic speeds and saying that the Parish Council would still be interested in flashing speed indicators.

Broomley Village Development – the comments on the latest planning permission for this development were noted in particular with regard to the provision of a play area. Mrs Dale said that she understood that the proposed play area would be for public use and that she believed that Tynedale would be responsible for the maintenance of any play areas provided at Broomley as a result of the development. She also advised that any monies made available through “planning gain” would have to be applied for. She is to clarify the situation on this matter.

c) Parish Plan
Mrs Sayce gave a brief report on the Parish Plan Training Course that she and other councillors had attended. She said that they had been advised that the steering committee for the parish plan should consist of 3/4 councillors and 7/8 residents. It should also be possible to receive a grant towards expenses. She asked if any other councillor would like to be involved with the Parish Plan steering group. Mrs Barwick-Bell indicated that she would be willing to help with consultation with the younger residents of the parish.

Mrs Sayce advised that other recent parish plans, and discussions held in Stocksfield to date, had suggested around 20 issues or concerns which included:

• There is a need to have a clear idea of what we want to get out of the plan
• NALC believes that Parish Plans should be reviewed every five years
• There is a need to get the view of the 20-30s and 30-40s
• Residents are fairly satisfied with what is already available
• There is a danger of being complacent with the status quo

d) Footpaths & Environment Group
Mr Chainey advised that the Community Rail Partnership is to provide two information boards and it is suggested that one will be located at the station and after discussion two options for the location of the other were suggested

One at Branch End near the bus shelter adjacent to the Surgery
One at New Ridley

e) Play Facilities Group
The Play Facilities Report had been circulated.

Mrs Dale had requested that she attend the meeting arranged with Susi Goncu of Tynedale. Mrs Sayce and Mrs Davison are to meet representatives of the children at Ovingham Middle School.

Branch End Play Area – it was felt that the temporary paling fence at the play area was unsightly, but agreed that it should be left until decisions about the new access have been made. It was suggested that the design for the new access should include a path to the new play area but concerns were expressed that a tarmac path might create an authorised “skate park”. The new access to the play area will define much of what happens in the play area in the near future.

f) Sensory Garden
It was confirmed that Churches Together support this project and that Paul Revill will complete the grant applications after Christmas. It was agreed that the design and location of the Sensory Garden are dependent on the location of the new access and path to the play area of Branch End Play Area. It was hoped that it would be possible to construct the Sensory Garden during May half-term.

g) Sports Facilities Group
Councillors were encouraged to support the Multi-Sports Area fund raising event.

h) Communication
Concern was expressed at the amount of “SPAM” being received. Dave Porter agreed to investigate this.

Dave Porter urged councillors to advise him of events which can then be included on the website.

i) Council Representatives
Mr Hall had attended the recent meeting with SCA. He said that this had been well-attended but felt that it was largely an “endorsement” machine.

Reports on other meetings attended were tabled.

06/71 Other business
A letter had been received from the County Council requesting comments on their budget proposals. Comments were requested by 8th January and it was agreed to write saying the Parish Council would not be able to comment until after that date. The Clerk is to circulate the letter to Councillors who were requested to consider the matter.

06/72 Date of Next Meeting

8th January 2007

The meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.

Following the meeting a short reception was held to mark the resignation of Mrs Anne Davison from the Parish Council and also to celebrate Christmas.