|
Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 4th February 2008
Present: Councillors Julia Sayce, Pete Barrass, John Davison,
Steve Gleadhill, Ian Hall,
Diane Hinchcliffe, Norman Hooks, Barbara Gravenor, Melna Martin. Mrs M Williams,
Clerk.
Also present: District Councillors Colin Argent, Mrs Anne
Dale, Mrs Eileen Drew, Four members of the public,
Gemma Sommerville, Hexham Courant Reporter
Apologies: Councillor D Porter, County Councillor Ray Thompson.
07/90 Declarations of Interest –
Mr Hooks declared an interest in SICA.
Mr Gleadhill declared an interest in discussions on the development at Burnside.
Mr Hall declared an interest as a member of the Traffic Action Group.
07/91 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 7th January 2008 were agreed and signed by
the Vice Chair Mr I Hall who had chaired the meeting.
07/92 Matters Arising
Burnside Development – Mr Gleadhill advised that the development was up
for sale again and said that he had written to the developers requesting more
information.
Welton Close – A draft letter to residents on the problem of parking
on the recreation space at Welton Close had been tabled and it was agreed to
send this to the residents of Welton Close apart from those who live in the “terraced” part
of the street. It was agreed to amend the letter to say that the recreation space
is owned by Tynedale Council.
Tynedale are to be asked to put up a sign saying that this is a play space.
Residents were thanked for bringing this problem to the attention of the Council.
Shooting in Broomley Woods – Ian Hall had had
a meeting with the police and their comments had been noted. It was noted that
the police were willing to visit the Estate and other land owners to discuss
the question of shooting near public footpaths and bridleways and it was agreed
to ask the police to contact the Estate and the various syndicates shooting in
the area.
07/93 Traffic Calming Measures – Provision of
Vehicle Activated Signs
As members of the public were present who were concerned about this matter it
was agreed to bring the item forward.
Letters had been received from two residents raising concerns about traffic
levels and speed. One letter reported a recent incident at Merryshields and it
was stressed that such incidents should always be reported to the police.
Mr Barrass will take on board the comments when making recommendations regarding
Vehicle Activated Traffic Signs. Notes on the inaugural meetings of the Traffic
Action Group had been tabled. It was noted that this Group is not an advisory
group of the Parish Council. A meeting is to be held with the traffic police.
It was however stressed that there is a need to co-ordinate the efforts of the
Transport Group of the Parish Council and the Traffic Action Group.
Mrs Gravenor is to meet Alan Bawn of the County Council to discuss the siting
of VATS. Mr Hooks is also to attend this meeting.
Mrs Dale advised that the School Governors were to meet with the police to
discuss issues relating to Broomley School. She also advised that Faber Maunsell
are currently preparing a report on the source and destination of traffic.
John Davison proposed and it was supported that the Parish Council was in
principle in favour of the introduction of VATS subject to agreement of the Highways
and Police.
Mrs Gravenor advised that Inspector Brayshaw of Northumbria Police in Prudhoe
is to contact her regarding meeting to discuss the siting of VATS. It is possible
that a member of the TAG might also be invited to attend this meeting.
It was suggested that the whole village needs to be looked at when considering
traffic problems and Mrs Gravenor said that it is hoped to achieve this through
the Parish Plan which is currently being drawn up.
07/94 Public Participation
Closure of rural Post Offices – press reports had suggested that consultation
on closure of post offices in Tynedale would take place in July/August. Mrs Dale
reported that Tynedale is to write to the Parish Councils regarding this and
also to ask the Post Office to re-schedule the consultation period.
It was stressed that when closure of one post office is discussed and there
is strong opposition then while post office A might be averted, the next one
along the line is threatened. It was suggested that a petition be drawn up supporting
both post offices in Stocksfield.
Mrs Gravenor advised that she had produced a paper on our Post Offices ten
years ago.
Points to cover when supporting two post offices in our community might be:
Stocksfield is a physically divided community.
The A695 is a dangerous road.
What would be the knock on effect on the other businesses carried out
in the post office building
It was noted that the Post Office considered the turnover of the post office
business only when considering closures.
Gritting – concern was expressed that during recent
snowfalls, grit bins had been emptied and not refilled. After some discussion
it was agreed that it would not be right to ask the Handyman to grit the pavements
both from a practical (the current handyman does not work for the Parish Council
every day) and possibly an insurance point of view. It was agreed however to
write to the County and ask them to provide an extra grit bin at Branch End and
to ensure that it and other grit bins are kept filled.
07/95 Correspondence
The Correspondence received had been listed on the agenda and was noted
A letter had been received from the Dept of Communities & Local Government
regarding Consultation on Orders and Regulations – the Parish Council had
no comment to make.
A notice had been received from Northumbria Police regarding
a meeting at Prudhoe on 13th February – Mrs Sayce said that she would attend
if she could.
A notice had been received from the Community Transport
Association regarding a Road Show in Newcastle on 3rd April – Mrs Gravenor
volunteered to attend.
07/95 Finance
The Accounts for January were accepted, however the payment to the Youth Service
was queried and this matter was discussed later in the meeting.
07/97 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) Play Facilities
Branch End
A report on the most recent meeting of the Branch End Regeneration Group had
been circulated and was noted.
Concern was expressed that Branch End Play Area should not be “over-pathed”.
It was agreed to leave the decision on the route of the paths to the Regeneration
Group.
Care should be taken that when considering planting, which should be low and
not tall growing, the play area should remain visible from the road.
Goal Posts – it was reported that boys would like larger (as opposed to
5-a-side size) goals. Mrs Hinchcliffe is discussing this with Kompan.
The entrance to the new area is still very muddy and it was noted that Kompan
have still to re-instate the ground.
Official Opening – the decision of the Regeneration Group was noted but
it was stressed that the requirements of the Big Lottery should be borne in mind.
Signage – It was agreed that one sign was sufficient. It was noted that
Anne Davison was keen to have two signs. It was stressed that the names of all
funders should be included on any sign. The layout/design and number of signs
is to be left to the Regeneration Group.
Sensory Garden – nothing to report
Kates Plain
Tyre – Mrs Hinchcliffe had spoken to some of the mothers and a meeting
is to be held to discuss whether or not a seat should be put round the tyre and
the tyre then filled with suitable plants.
b) Local Government Re-organisation
Correspondence had been received on this matter over the past few weeks and this
had been circulated. Mrs Sayce and Mr Gleadhill had attended a meeting at Tynedale
on this matter on 29th January. It was reported that there was still concern
about what the responsibilities of Belonging Communities might be. It was agreed
that there will be opportunities but it is not clear what these might be. Tynedale
will try to accommodate the wishes of parish councils. Community Forums may be
delegated to provide local services. It was asked if parish councils should provide
local services. There is a need to ensure that parish councils are in control
of local services. Richard Robson and Andy Dean of Tynedale are to meet with
the Community Forums.
c) Sports Facility Group
The Sportsfield Management Group had met and the report on the meeting was tabled.
The rents proposed for the three clubs was noted and agreed.
Agreement with Clubs on use of Sportsfield – this
matter was still under discussion
Proposed new Football Pitch – the recommendations
proposed by the Group were accepted.
d) General Purposes Group
The General Purposes Group had met and their report had been tabled.
The recommendations on grants were accepted:
07/08 SICA £100
08/09 Stocksfield Scouts £500
Age Concern Northumberland £50
Stocksfield Cricket Club £500
Community Action Northumberland £50
Ayton Close Play Space – Mrs Dale reported that
Tynedale were looking at this space. It was noted that in the past the Parish
Council had agreed that it was not suitable for play equipment. It was agreed
not to accept the recommendation of the Group. It was however agreed to ask the
Handyman to tidy it up and remove any debris.
Youth Work – A report on the meeting with the new Senior Youth & Community
Worker at Prudhoe, Lucy Roberts, had been circulated. Councillors felt let down
that currently there appears to be little youth work done in Stocksfield and
expressed the view that the expectation was that grants given would be used to
provide a youth service for Stocksfield. It was reported that a lack of male
youth leaders meant that it was not possible currently to provide a youth club
in Stocksfield. It was likely to be the end of March before any additional youth
leaders were appointed. Ms Roberts seemed to take on the idea of working with
11-13 year olds and was also keen to continue to work with the youth club in
Stocksfield.
It was proposed and agreed that the Parish Council needs
to have some form of contract in return for the grant it gave to the youth service.
Councillors need to feel they are receiving value for money. It was agreed that
Councillors Hall, Hooks, Hinchcliffe, Gravenor and Gleadhill would draw up this “Service
Level Agreement/contract”.
It was noted that the provision of youth services relates to the production
of the Parish Plan.
Primary Care Funding –It was noted that doctors
are still negotiating with the Care Trust. The Parish Council needs to continue
to keep in touch with the Surgery.
e) Policy Group
Older People’s Strategy - Councillors had drawn up a response and it was
accepted – councillors were thanked for looking into this question.
f) Parish plan
A paper had been circulated. It was agreed to accept the proposals made in the
paper.
g) Planning
The Planning Report had been circulated and was noted.
h) Transport & Highways
Station Car Park – A proposal had been circulated and it was agreed to
investigate the cost of enlarging the car park. It was also agreed to write to
Northern Rail ? to say that the Parish Council would not support the introduction
of pay and display at the Station Car Park.
i) Footpaths, Gardens & the Environment.
A report on a recent meeting of the Rights of Way Group had been circulated.
It was agreed to pursue the question of the South Bank Footpath. It was also
agreed to re-open the question of designating Quiet Lanes within the Parish.
j) Communication
Nothing to report
k) Council Representatives
Mrs Sayce advised that she had attended the County Council Area Committee Meeting – a
report on this had been circulated.
Eastern Parishes Forum – The Minutes of the most
recent meeting had been circulated.
07/98 Other business - None
07/99 Date of Next Meeting - Parish Council 3rd March
2008.
|
