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Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 2nd July 2007
Present: Councillors Julia Sayce, Pete Barrass, Lizzie Clark,
John Davison, Ian Hall, Diane Hinchcliffe, Barbara Gravenor, Norman Hooks, Dave
Porter, Tracy Warhurst-Walker. Mrs M Williams, Clerk
Also present: District Councillors Argent, Dale (from approx
8.10pm), County Councillor Ray Thompson.
Bill Richmond (Resident Birkdene). Will Green, Hexham Courant
Apologies: Councillor Mrs Melna Martin, District Councillor
Mrs E Drew
Mrs Sayce welcomed Mrs Gravenor to the Parish Council.
07/29 Declarations of Interest – None
07/30 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd June 2007 were agreed as a true record.
07/31 Matters Arising –
It was unclear exactly what Mr Dryden's concerns had been and it had not
proved possible to contact him – the Clerk is to write to Mr Dryden seeking
clarification of his concerns.
Yellow lines
County Councillor Thompson advised that following the advertisement in the local
press of the proposal to install yellow lines on Birches Nook Road, two complaints
had been received. These responses knock back the implementation of the proposal.
Councillor Thompson thought that a compromise had been reached earlier in the
year, and felt that in spite of the belated objections the
order should go Committee in August, and be raised again in September.
The general feeling of the meeting was that as a minimum remedy to the problems,
yellow lines should be installed at the junction of Birches Nook Road and the
A695, and that the situation should be reviewed once the installation had been
made.
The order for yellow lines on Cross Street was now going ahead.
The whole process for the provision for yellow lines at the junction of Painshawfield
Road/New Ridley Road should be gone through again. Councillor Thompson personally
felt that this proposal should go ahead.
Entrance to the Cricket Field – a representative
of NEDL had met with Norman Hooks and had agreed with him that NEDL would pay
for the materials for an appropriate gate if the handyman would do the installation.
Re-surfacing Meadowfield Road Councillor Thompson advised that the drains
and pavements were being replaced during this operation.
07/32 Public Participation
Concern was expressed about the condition of the footpaths between Meadowfield
and Apperley Roads and residents are to be asked to cut back the hedges.
Mr Richmond, a resident of Birkdene, was attending the Parish Council meeting
to represent the views of other residents of Birkdene on the proposal in NE43
News to provide hard standing at the entrance to Birkdene for parking. He said
that residents felt that this would devalue their properties, spoil the entrance
to the estate and give properties a poor outlook. John Davison confirmed that
there was total opposition to the proposal which had been suggested as a way
of reducing the number of parked cars at the top of Painshawfield Road. Councillors
accepted the views of residents and agreed to look at alternatives to this problem
and to take this suggestion no further. Mr Richmond was thanked for attending.
It was drawn to Councillors' attention that where cars were being parked on
pavements (Birches Nook Road and Cade Hill Road were cited in particular) users
of electric wheelchairs and parents with buggies were then unable to use the
pavements.
Flood Damage - Councillor Thompson reported on the flood
damage caused by the recent cloud bursts. It was noted that twice in the space
of 10 days, debris from the gallops at Mickley Grange Farm had come down onto
New Ridley Road and into Tynedale Gardens. Councillor Thompson thanked the Council
workers for their prompt responses to these events. He said that the gully cleaner
had come out and cleaned the drains (and those in Cade Hill Road). He said that
any householder whose property had been affected should contact their insurance
company who would liaise with the farmer’s insurance company.
District Councillor Colin Argent advised that this was thought to be a long-standing
problem and he has spoken to the Environment Officer at Tynedale, who is to look
into ways of minimising this problem in future. It was thought that the chippings
from the gallop had blocked the drains and that the cattle grid below the gallop
had been filled in. It was also thought that this particular gallop was no longer
used.
The footpath from New Ridley Road to the bottom of Tynedale Gardens had been
cleared.
Anyone with any relevant information on this matter should contact Councillors
Thompson or Argent on this matter.
(District Councillor Mrs Dale arrived at this point)
Colin Argent also advised that he had been contacted by the resident of the
first cottage on Birches Nook Road. Apparently this cottage has continuous problems
with flooding. Colin Argent has asked the Environment Officer to look at this,
as there is subterranean water at this point. It was felt that there was little
the Parish Council could do on this matter.
687 bus
it was alleged that the new provider (Classic Coaches) of the service from Whittonstall
to Newcastle had restructured the fares, that the drivers would not give return
or concessionary fares, and that different drivers charged different fares. Councillor
Thompson is to take this up with the County.
Dog Litter Bins
Colin Argent asked if a dog litter bin could be provided east of Branch End.
It was agreed that that he would take this matter up with Prudhoe Town Council
as it was within the boundary of Prudhoe Parish.
Ponds near Broomley Grange
Councillor Norman Hooks advised that concerns had been raised about the apparent
creation of a pond between the Five Lane Ends and the entrance to Broomley Grange
to the west of the road. It had been suggested that a shooting pond was being
created. It was noted that no planning application had been received about this.
It was thought that ownership of this land had changed recently. Mrs Dale offered
to find out more on this subject.
07/33 Correspondence
NALC – A letter had been received requesting nominations to the Standards
Committee – no one was nominated.
Tynedale – A letter had been received inviting
members to a meeting regarding the new Code of Conduct. Mrs Sayce and Mrs Gravenor
volunteered to attend
Tynedale - A letter had been received regarding advertising acceptance of
the revised Code of Conduct. This is to be deferred until after the meeting above.
Tynedale - A letter had been received regarding the
Tynedale Local Development Framework Site Allocations consultation. It was agreed
that the proposed site allocations need to be assessed in the light of Tynedale’s
Core Strategy and the Parish Council response will be considered after the public
meeting to discuss this matter on 30th July.
Tynedale – A letter had been received inviting
members to the Tynedale Parish Council Forum on 9th July. Mrs Sayce, Mrs Walker-Warhurst
and Ms Clark volunteered to attend.
All correspondence had been listed on the agenda and was noted.
07/34 Finance
The Accounts for June had been circulated and were accepted.
It was agreed to hold the transfer of monies from the Recreational Development
Fund to the BEPA Phase 1 to clear the deficit until clarification on grant aid
for this project had been received from Tynedale.
A letter had been received from the Branch End Play
Area Regeneration Group requesting that the Parish Council underwrite any shortfall
(at the time of the meeting around £11,000) in funding for Phase II. The
group is to continue to raise funds for this project. Dave Porter proposed and
Norman Hooks seconded and it was agreed that the Parish Council underwrite any
shortfall in funding.
07/35 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) Play Facilities Group
Branch End Play Area – Diane Hinchcliffe confirmed that the project would
receive a £50,000 grant from the BIG Lottery through Tynedale’s Play
Strategy bid.
Section 106 – The Clerk explained the process
of receiving Section 106 funds.
Tynedale will issue a spreadsheet from time to time advising
how much is likely to be paid under Section 106. They will then invite the Parish
Council to apply for the funds which cannot be used retrospectively, so for instance
could not be used to pay the shortfall on Phase 1 of BEPA. Use of Section 106
funds is restricted by the terms of the Play and Open Spaces Strategies. The
funds are outwith any other funds applied for from Tynedale (in effect they are
a bonus). They can only be spent within our Parish, but presumably if the Parish
Council had no use for them at the time the funds could be applied for by other
organisations whose projects qualified. If they are not spent, they are held
until needed.
There could be a steady trickle of funds, as individual houses
and not just developments over 5 properties have to make a payment.
The main
thing is that it is not possible to budget for these funds as it is not possible
to say when they will be paid. So for instance we could not budget in the BEPA
project for say £2000 from the Broomley development as it may
not be paid for some time.
BEPA New Access – Ian Hall and Norman Hooks are
to look at the tenders for the Project Manager and make a recommendation.
Kate's Plain - It was reported that there were
still holes in the fence.
Dave Porter advised that recently there had been youths
under 18 in Kate’s
Plain with alcohol. He had rung the 101 service. An hour later the toddler area
had been trashed and one youth had left by the hole in the fence. The police
had spoken to the youths, taken their names, and made them clear up the rubbish.
Dave Porter said that the damage to the fence was nothing to do with footballs
but was regularly being used to access Kate's Plain from the field.
It was agreed to keep the situation under regular review and in particular
at the end of the summer holidays.
b) Sensory Garden
The Sensory Garden Group is to meet later in the week.
c) Sports Facilities Group
Sportsfield Management – Agreement with Sportsfield Users – this
matter to be deferred to September.
Multi Use Games Area – It was reported that a grant had been promised
by SITA for £50,000 towards the cost of this project. It was noted and
accepted that as the Contributing Third Party, the Parish Council would be required
to pay £5278.50.
Cricket Field Grass Cutting – The outer area of
the Cricket field had not been cut this summer. Mrs Sayce advised Councillors
of the background to the Cricket Field Grass cutting arrangements, and reported
that Broomley First School had terminated the contract (a Service Level Agreement
between the School and the County Council) but had overlooked informing the Parish
Council. No grass-cutting contract had therefore been in place since March. It
was noted that the Cricket Club would look after the grass cutting for the remainder
of the season, once the heavy growth on the outfield had been cut.
d) Communication
Dave Porter advised that he would be away in August and would therefore not be
able to do much work on the website.
e) Council Representatives
SCA – Ian Hall had attended the most recent SCA Forum meeting. He gave
the Clerk a copy of the Forum Constitution for the file. SCA have expressed interest
in what happens in the community.
SCA Forum – Ian Hall had attended the most recent
meeting and advised that the road issue had been raised. The next meeting is
on 15th October. Councillors were asked to advise Ian Hall of any issues they
wished to raise.
f) General Purposes
Regional Spatial Strategy – Mrs Gravenor gave the background to this document.
She said that she felt that the Strategy would on the whole be of benefit and
referred to our correspondence in 2005. She is to respond on line. She was thanked
for taking the time to read and respond to this document.
g) Policy Group - Nothing to report.
h) Planning & Highways
The Planning Report had been circulated.
Concerns were expressed about the hedge at Burnside. It was stressed that
this was a safe route to school and Allendale Estate is to be requested to cut
the hedge.
i) Transport & Highways
Railway Masts in Tynedale – Pete Barrass offered to act as the Council’s
representative on the Storm 29 Group.
Traffic Calming Measures – It was felt that the Parish Council should
look seriously at the costs of providing and maintaining our own Vehicle Activated
Traffic Calming Sign (VATCS), possibly a movable one. Other makes and the regulations
for installing are to be researched. Dave Porter proposed and John Davison seconded
and it was agreed that in principle the Parish Council should “go it alone” on
this issue. Ray Thompson is to be asked for further information.
Local Integrated Transport Programme – John Davison
and Pete Barrass are to draw up a response.
j) Parish Plan - Nothing to Report.
k) Footpaths & Environment Group
South Bank Footpath – draft letters to SITA and Land Factor had been circulated,
referring to earlier correspondence on the provision of a footpath from near
Bywell Bridge towards Prudhoe on the south bank of the river, and it was agreed
to send these.. Norman Hooks advised that Tim Fish (County Footpaths officer)
is to look into the possibility of funding a bridge across the Stocksfield Burn.
Climate Change – it was agreed to defer discussion
on this matter.
Tree Preservation Orders - it was agreed to defer discussion on this matter.
The Clerk to send a copy of the current list to all councillors.
It was noted that Google Earth now covers our area.
07/36 Other business
Co-options to the Council – The Chairman asked the Council if they were
prepared to discuss this matter although it had not been on the Agenda, and it
was agreed. Mrs Sayce advised that Steve Gleadhill had offered to be co-opted
as a Parish Councillor. Barbara Gravenor proposed and Norman Hooks seconded that
Steve Gleadhill be co-opted as a Parish Councillor and it was agreed.
A letter had been received from the County Council regarding
the Minerals & Waste
Development Frame-work Consultation - Julia Sayce and Barbara Gravenor are to
look at this and formulate a response.
It was agreed that over the summer break the Chair and Vice-Chair had authority
to sign cheques and to take appropriate action.
07/37 Date of Next Meeting - Parish Council 3rd September
The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m
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