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Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 4th June 2007
Present: Councillors Julia Sayce, John Davison, Diane Hinchcliffe,
Norman Hooks, Melna Martin,
Dave Porter, Tracy Warhurst-Walker. Mrs M Williams, Clerk
Also present: District Councillors Argent, Dale and Drew,
County Councillor Thompson
Apologies: Councillors, Pete Barrass, Ian Hall, Lizzie Clark.
Mrs Sayce welcomed members to the meeting and reminded
those present of the need to complete the Statutory Register of Members’ Interests
forms.
07/19 Declarations of Interest – None
07/20 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 14th May 2007 were agreed, with minor amendments,
as a true record.
07/21 Matters Arising –
County Councillor Thompson advised that the County Planning Committee would meet
on 5th June and should reach a decision about double yellow lines on Painshawfield
Road. He advised that nothing was known of the progress on the installation of
Double Yellow lines at Birches Nook.
Repairs to station wall – a message had been received
from Network Rail to say that this matter had not been forgotten.
Gateway at entrance to footpath along the cricket field – NEDL
are to be pursued on this.
Trees at the entrance to The Pastures – a paper
was tabled up-dating councillors on this issue.
07/22 Public Participation
Kates Plain – Mrs Drew asked why the grass at Kate’s Plain had not
been cut and it was explained that the farmer had padlocked the field/road gate
and it was therefore not possible to get the grass cutters to the play area.
Discussions are being held with the tenant farmer to rectify this situation.
Mrs Warhurst-Walker said that she had been asked by Mr Dryden to advise the
Council that the footpaths to the metal bridges were becoming over-grown. There
was some doubt as to exactly where this problem was and Norman Hooks is to seek
clarification from Mr Dryden.
Mrs Warhurst-Walker said that she had been approached
by former skate boarders, who have now progressed to off-road motor bikes, if
there was anywhere in the Parish they could practice their support. She said
that the bike riders were keen to do this the “right way” and pay rent for a site and insurance.
Mrs Dale said that Tynedale were aware of these requests. Councillors agreed
that no suitable site within the Parish had been identified and supported Mrs
Warhurst-Walker’s suggestion that the young people contact the major landowners
in the parish to see if they could help them. It was also suggested that the
young bikers contact the Trail Riders Federation for advice.
County Councillor Thompson advised that work on the re-surfacing of Meadowfield
Road had started.
Councillor Thompson also offered to make a contribution
of £800 towards
the costs of the Sensory Garden and this offer was gratefully acknowledged.
07/23 Correspondence
All correspondence had been listed on the agenda and was noted.
07/24 Finance
The Accounts for May had been circulated and were accepted.
A report had been received from the Internal Auditor on the 2006/07 accounts.
There were no comments or recommendations.
A proposal had been tabled to transfer money from the
Recreation Development Fund to the Branch End Regeneration Phase I to cover the
deficit in the latter fund. District Councillor Mrs Dale suggested that Tynedale
were looking at ways to make up this deficit and asked that this proposed action
be suspended – this
was agreed.
07/25 Co-option of additional members
Julia Sayce proposed and Melna Martin seconded and it was agreed that Barbara
Gravenor be co-opted to the Parish Council. Mrs Gravenor had apologised that
she was unable to attend tonight’s meeting.
07/26 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
It was agreed that, subject to her agreement, Mrs Gravenor be appointed to the
Policy Group and the Parish Plan Group.
Parish Plan – it was agreed that there was a need
to write to specific individuals and invite them to join this group in order
that this matter could be progressed.
Planning Group – it was agreed that should additional
advise be required then another councillor should be invited to attend a Planning
Group meeting. It was also suggested that should the proposed changes to the
Planning Regulations come into force then consideration be given to re-merging
the Planning and Transport & Highways
Groups.
a) Footpaths & Environment Group
A report on the progress on the proposed Merryshields Footpath was tabled and
it was agreed that
i) a letter be written to the County Council along the
lines suggested in the report with a copy to the County Ecologist. County Councillor
Thompson is also to bring this matter to the attention of the Planning & Regulations
Committee of the County Council. It was noted that although there is no official
footpath along this route, there are in fact established paths.
ii) It was agreed that the Footpaths & Environment
Group should look again at the possibility of developing a footpath Eastwards
along the south bank of the river from Bywell Bridge. It was acknowledged that
this is likely to be a long term project.
b) Play Facilities Group
New Entrance – it was agreed that a tender should be drawn up for a project
manager to specify routes, establish costs, draw up tenders for the project,
etc.
BEPA Phase 2 – An up-date on progress to date had been tabled and in
Ian Hall’s absence, Diane Hinchcliffe expanded on this. She advised that
SCA have made a donation of £500.
Kate’s Plain Fence – it was noted that
the fence was damaged again. The Handyman is to be asked to mend it and "crimp"
the top of the fence over the straining wire so that it is more difficult to
unravel. He is also to be asked to mend it immediately should it be damaged again
and then report on what has happened and what he has done. The condition of the
fence is to be reviewed at the end of the summer.
Tyre at Kate’s Plain – it was noted that
the contractor who had agreed to take the tyre away is now unable to do so and
Ian Hall is to be asked to ask him if he knows of someone who is able to carry
out this task.
Branch End Play area Fence – it was reported that the fence had been
detached from the fence post adjacent to Mrs Turley’s garden and the Handyman
is to be asked to fix this.
c) Sensory Garden
Progress on this project is held up until it is known what is to happen with
Phase 2 of the BEPA Regeneration.
d) Sports Facilities Group - Nothing to Report
e) Communication
A draft of the latest edition of NE43 News had been circulated. It was suggested
that room be made to include items on the success of the football and netball
clubs.
f) Council Representatives
Melna Martin had attended a meeting of the Burial Board and reported that the
Parish Council grant would be used to extend the path in St Margaret’s
graveyard. She also advised that fewer and fewer people are opting for burials.
Dave Porter had attended the most recent meeting of the Eastern Parishes Forum
and it was agreed that in future he will produce a brief report on these meetings
and that the full Minutes will be available from the Clerk.
g) General Purposes
Local Government Review – it was agreed, as previously, to support the
District Councils’ proposals for two unitary authorities.
County Council Annual Report – individual councillors
can respond as they think fit.
h) Policy Group - Nothing to report.
i) Planning & Highways
The Planning Report had been circulated.
A query had been raised about building work currently being carried out at
8 Birches Nook Road. The Clerk is to check whether planning permission had been
granted on this.
New Scout Hut – this application had been temporarily
withdrawn as it was thought that the Environment Agency had raised concerns about
flooding.
j) Transport & Highways
There is a need to look at the problems of traffic and parking on New Ridley
Road as a whole but in particular near the Branch End Junction with the A695.
At this junction of New Ridley Road it was felt that the times of day when most
problems occur are around 8.45 in the morning and 4.30 onwards in the afternoon
It was reported that the surface of the road at the Fords is so bad that damage
could be caused to vehicles and this is to be reported to the County Council.
A letter had been received from Slaley Parish Council
regarding traffic calming measures. It was agreed that Broomley & Stocksfield
should be represented at any meeting and that in the meantime prices should be
sorted for Vehicle Activated Traffic Signs.
It was agreed to write to Network Rail asking about the possibility of increasing
the size of the Station Car Park. It was thought that councillors should be aware
that such a move might bring about the introduction of parking charges. It was
also noted that as a fall back position the Parish Council might suggest that
it contribute towards the cost of increasing the size of the car park in order
to ensure that it happen.
k) Parish Plan - Nothing to Report.
07/27 Other business
Regional Spatial Strategy – a request had been received to comment on this
document. Mrs Sayce agreed to have a look at it.
07/28 Date of Next Meeting - Parish Council 2nd July
The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.
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