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Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday, 14th May 2007
Present: Councillors Barrass, Davison, Hooks, Porter,
Martin, Sayce, Warhurst Walker, Mrs M Williams, Clerk
Also present: District Councillors, Colin Argent, Mrs E Drew,
Mrs A Dale,
County Councillor Ray Thompson, Lizzie Clark, Ian Hall, Diane Hinchcliffe,
Joseph Tulip, Hexham Courant.
07/01 Nomination of Chairman
The Clerk, Mrs Williams, invited nominations for Chairman. Councillor Warhurst
Walker proposed and Councillor Porter seconded Councillor Mrs Sayce. The Clerk
advised that it was the custom and practice of Broomley & Stocksfield Parish
Council for Chairmen only to hold office for two years. Councillors agreed to
suspend this practice and Mrs Sayce was duly elected as Chairman.
Mrs Sayce took the Chair.
07/02 Co-option of Additional Councillors
Following the election on 3rd May, Broomley & Stocksfield Parish Council
had five vacancies for Parish Councillors.
The following were proposed for co-option:
Ian Hall proposed by Norman Hooks; seconded by Melna Martin
Diane Hinchcliffe proposed by Dave Porter; seconded by Melna Martin
Elizabeth Clark proposed by Tracy Warhurst Walker; seconded by Julia Sayce
All three were co-opted as Parish Councillors.
Mrs Sayce then invited those present to introduce themselves.
07/03 Apologies for Absence – None
07/04 Declarations of Interest
Norman Hooks declared an interest in matters relating to SICA
Melna Martin declared an interest in Planning Application Ref. 2007 0457 in relation
to 127 New Ridley Road.
07/05 Public Participation
Tracy-Warhurst Walker expressed concern at the uneven surface left by BT following
work to the south of New Ridley.
Concern was expressed at the poor parking at the junction of New Ridley Road/Painshawfield
Road, on New Ridley Road near Branch End, on Guessburn and Birches Nook Road.
It was suggested that should residents have concerns about a particular problem
they should ring the new Non-Emergency Number 101. It was also suggested that
once again the bins on Birches Nook Road were not being emptied because the refuse
wagon could not get up the road because of the parked cars. Councillor Thompson
said that it was hoped that the double yellow lines on Birches Nook Road would
be installed shortly and that the installation has been advertised in the Courant.
The County are to be asked once again to look at the problems of the get out
from the lane behind nos. 62-78 New Ridley Road onto Painshawfield Road. It was
suggested that the possibility of providing hard standing at the entrance to
Birkdene should be explored again.
Northumberland County Council Area Committee Meetings – County
Councillor Thompson urged members to attend the Tynedale Area Committee Meetings.
The next meeting will be held on 19th July.
Mr Barrass advised that there is a small amount of top soil available for
collection in Brumwell Court.
Mrs Drew asked if the repair to the wall at the Station could be chased.
07/06 Election of Vice Chair
Ian Hall proposed by Julia Sayce; seconded by Tracy Warhurst Walker
Mr Hall was duly elected.
07/08 Election of Advisory Groups and Council Representatives.
Mrs Sayce opened the discussion on this item by outlining the purposes of
the Advisory Groups. All appointments to advisory groups and other bodies are
listed on the attached sheets.
County Councillor Thompson left the meeting at this point.
07/09 Finance
a. Responsible Financial Officer - It was agreed that the Responsible Financial
Officer would be the Clerk, Margaret Williams.
b. Internal Auditor - The appointment of Mr Peter Basnett as Internal Auditor
was agreed.
c. 06/07 Accounts – The unaudited Accounts for
2006/07 had been tabled and were accepted and Sections 1 and 2 of the document
duly signed.
07/10 Calendar for 2007-08
The Calendar for 2007-08 had been tabled and was accepted. It was agreed that
the Annual Parish Meeting would be held on 21st April 2008.
07/11 Management of
land adjacent to Branch End Terrace
It was reported that during 2006/07 Broomley & Stocksfield
Parish Council has continued to maintain this site, keeping the grass cut and
the planting and shrubs cared for appropriately. After consultation with the
Land Registry it has been agreed to take steps to register a caution on this
site.
07/12 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd April 2007 were agreed
07/13 Matters Arising
Branch End Play Area Regeneration – Phase II - The meeting was advised
that Tynedale Council are to grant £6000 to this development in addition
to any funds received from the Big Lottery. It was also believed that the £5000
promised for Phase I will not be paid as the original bid had not been submitted
in time. This is to be clarified.
It was also noted that Victoria Howey of Tynedale is to clarify
the situation with regard to Section 106 agreements. Tynedale are to be asked
if we can have a copy of the bid to the Big Lottery
07/14 Brief Report on Annual
Parish Meeting/Spring Clean Event
Annual Parish Meeting.
A brief verbal report on the Annual Parish Meeting was given. Around 30 people,
although unfortunately no young people, had attended. It was agreed that the
debate on the provision of services for young people had been worthwhile and
informative. It was felt that the activities for young people were heavily weighted
towards sports but agreed that other activities would only get off the ground
if volunteers stepped forward to run them.
Spring Clean Event
A brief verbal report on the Spring Clean Event was given. Its success had been
diluted by the Bag Pack in aid of BEPA and another event. It was however agreed
that the village looked tidier and noted that although they had not taken part
on the day several people, including the Cubs, had litter picked on other occasions.
It was noted that the skip had been taken away on the morning of the event. It
was suggested that individual residents or groups might take responsibility for
a particular area and look after it all the year round.
07/15 Finance
The Accounts for April were agreed.
Fidelity Guarantee – At the suggestion of the Internal Auditor it proposed
to write to Allianz Cornhill and request that the cover be increased to £100,000
p.a. and this was agreed.
Grants
Baptist Church A letter had been received from the Baptist Church requesting
a contribution towards their youth club. In accordance with the precept it was
agreed to grant £500.
SICA A letter had been received from SICA requesting
permission to transfer the grant originally allocated towards the cost of the
new driveway to replacement windows and this was agreed.
07/16 Correspondence
Correspondence received had been listed on the Agenda. It was agreed that non-urgent
correspondence be transferred to the June agenda.
The Transport & Highways
Group is consider the future requirements of the Council for the Local Transport
Plan in readiness for when the County asks for priorities later in the year.
07/17
Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives.
Reports had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Sensory Garden – defer to June. Mrs Sayce is to
try to arrange a meeting between the Sensory Garden Group and the Regeneration
Group in order to determine the position of the new entrance to the Play Area
and the necessary paths within it.
Play Facilities – The Play Facilities Group Report had
been tabled and was accepted.
Branch End Play Area - New Entrance. It is understood
that the construction of the proposed new entrance to Branch End Play Area has
been taken out of the bid for Big Lottery Funding. It is therefore proposed that
the Parish Council take over this part of the project,
- Draw up a specification
- Request quotations
- Let the project
It was suggested and agreed that the Clerk set this in motion.
BEPA Phase II Members of the Regeneration Group had met officers from Tynedale
Council to discuss the bid for Big Lottery Funding. The feeling is that the outcome
of this bid is likely to be successful.
The Bag Pack at Tesco had been successful (£744) and those who had helped
were thanked for their efforts. It was thought that more money would have been
raised if it had been possible to recruit more volunteers on the day. Tracy Warhurst
Walker had been thanked for organising a “candle party’” which
had raised £100 for BEPA funds.
Kates Plain - Recently there had been problems at Kates
Plain again. It was felt that those causing the problems were a different group
of young people to previously. It was noted that if the police were called, the
young people had an effective mobile phone network which meant that by the time
the police arrived any problems had ceased or dispersed. It was noted that the
fence behind the teenshelter had been damaged again and that the Handyman had
repaired it. Diane Hinchcliffe was asked to bring these problems to the attention
of staff at the High School and the Youth Service. It was noted that one reason
the Parish Council supports the Youth Service is to ensure that outreach workers
are able to come to Stocksfield. It was also suggested that should further problems
develop then residents should ring the non-emergency police number 101. It was
agreed to continue monitoring the situation.
Sports Facilities
a) It was suggested that the white diamond fence bordering the outfield be replaced.
The Parish Handyman to carry out the work. This was agreed
b) It was suggested that the fence bordering the pavement from the Merryshields
end to the School end be replaced. The Handyman to carry out the work.
c) It was suggested that the barrier at the school end of the inner footpath
be repaired (it has not been possible to contact NEDL on this matter) and in
view of the comments made by Malcolm Chainey in his e-mailed report on the Footpaths
Group meeting [There is now a British Standard which governs gates and stiles.
This requires a structure to be negotiable by a vertical 1 m diameter cylinder.
This is for reasons of access for wheelchairs, buggies and the like] to ensure
that this snicket meets these regulations as it is used by mothers with buggies
on a regular basis. The Handyman to carry out the work.
In view of a letter received from a resident, a decision on proposals b) and
c) was deferred until a site visit can be arranged and further discussions held
with NEDL.
Communication
Dave Porter urged members to let the Clerk have news items for NE43 News. He
is to liaise with SICA with regard to the website. It was also suggested and
agreed that the website would list claiming dates. He urged members to encourage
residents to use the website.
Council Representatives – nothing to report
General Purposes
Archive Storage - SICA Management Committee have proposed that the Parish Council
Archive stores be moved from their current site in the boiler room to “Davy
Jones Locker”. This would provide the Parish Council with more space, easier
access and be less of a fire risk. It is therefore proposed that the archives
be moved and that additional shelving and filing cupboards/cabinets be acquired
as appropriate. This was agreed
Local Government Review - Mrs Sayce outlined the background
to this correspondence. It was agreed that the General Purposes Group would draw
up a response for approval at the June meeting and subsequent submission to the
relevant Government department
NALC – Parish Council Training Events the best
date for members was 4th June which is a Parish Council meeting date. No decision
was taken as to other dates to be taken up.
NCC – Annual Report Consultation The General Purposes
Group is to look at this and make a recommendation at the June meeting.
Planning & Highways - The Planning & Highways Group Report had been
tabled.
Scout Hut – planning application for replacement - A number of residents
had raised concerns at the size of the proposed replacement, its proposed use
(overnight accommodation in particular) and increased use of the building which
it was felt would result in increased levels of noise, increased levels of traffic
to the facility. Concern had been expressed at the number of on-site parking
spaces provided, the possible restrictions on access for emergency services given
the number of elder people living near by. These concerns are to be taken into
account by the Planning & Highways Group when making their recommendations.
Station Car Park - The Proposals for an increase in the size
of the Station Car Park and the traffic problems on New Ridley Road are to be
deferred to June and considered by the Transport and Highways Group.
Parish Plan – defer to June
Footpaths Garden & the Environment -
The following proposals were made at the recent meeting of the Footpaths Group,
the Minutes of which had been tabled.
a) Scaur Steps
The Parish Handyman be instructed to scrape the base of the slope parallel to
the steps. This was agreed.
b) Footpath 45 (alternative burnside route to A695)
In order to improve the surface for "Healthy Walkers" and the less
able-bodied – the Parish Council pays for small gravel to be spread. 2
or 3 “dumpy” bags of suitable gravel to be ordered from Charltons.
This was agreed but it was also agreed that Tim Fish, County Footpaths officer
should be consulted initially.
c) Roadside verge opposite railway station
To improve access, particularly for the Health Walkers, it was requested that
the Parish Council approach the County to level the verge from the little gate
adjacent to the care home westwards beyond the large gate as far as the railway
bridge. This was agreed
d) Trees at the Pastures
A paper outlining the threat to the Oak Tree at the entrance to Pastures had
been tabled. It was understood that the owner of the neighbouring house had legitimate
concerns about the condition of his property and it was agreed to continue to
monitor the situation.
07/18 Any Other Business
Pete Barrass queried possibility of distributing more documentation electronically.
It was agreed that although this was a good idea in theory as not everyone had
e-mail the Clerk had to do a certain amount of photocopying and also copy documents
received in the mail. It was stressed that the papers for today’s meeting
had been unusually numerous.
Date of Next Meeting - Monday 4th June 2007 7.30 p.m.
The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.
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