Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 7th April 2008

Present: Councillors Pete Barrass, John Davison, Steve Gleadhill, Ian Hall, Norman Hooks, Barbara Gravenor, Melna Martin, Julia Sayce. Mrs M Williams, Clerk.

Also present: District Councillors Colin Argent, Mrs Anne Dale County Councillor Ray Thompson Gemma Sommerville, Hexham Courant Reporter

Apologies: Councillor Dave Porter, Eileen Drew

07/109 Declarations of Interest – Mrs Dale declared an interest in the item on the Stocksfield Early Years Partnership.

07/110 Minutes - The Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd March 2008 were agreed subject to clarification of item f on page 4. The Minutes were signed by Councillor Hall who had been in the Chair for that meeting.

07/111 Matters Arising - County Councillor Thompson asked if the funds had been received for the VACS and was assured that they had.

Mrs Sayce advised that as there was to be County Council election, District and County Councillors would only be able to speak to the meeting under matters arising.

Welton Close – a sign is to be erected by Tynedale which it is hoped will resolve the parking/recreation area issue. A letter is to be written to residents advising them of this.

Burnside – members had been sent a copy of the e-mail to Adamson Developers.

07/112 Public Participation - Mrs Sayce advised members that a resident of Bywell View had raised concerns about anti-social behaviour at Branch End and alleged consumption of alcohol in the car park at Branch End Garage. A letter had been written to the police on this matter and the resident concerned advised to contact the police direct.

07/113 Shortening Meetings - Members were reminded of the need to ensure that the Clerk received papers for consideration at meetings in good time so that they could be circulated with agenda papers. Standing orders state that meetings should end at 9.30 p.m.

07/114 Correspondence - The correspondence received had been listed on the Agenda and was noted.

07/115 Finance - The accounts for March were accepted.

Spend v Budget to year end - the figures had been circulated and it was agreed that a small group would meet to study the accounts. It was also agreed that a sub-advisory group would be set up to look at the accounts on a regular basis.

Bank Reconciliation – It was noted and agreed that an adjustment had been made to the accounts of £44 in order to bring the Bank Reconciliation to zero. It was noted that should the auditor find the discrepancy then this adjustment would be reversed.

08/09 Budget – as the funding for the VACS had been received from the County Council it was agreed to transfer the £2500 allocated for the VACS system to a fund to improve the Station Car Park. Cash Flow Loan – It was agreed to repay Tynedale Council a second tranche of £50,000.

Additional cheques – it was agreed to pay the following additional cheques: Tynedale Rates Sportsfield £542.85. Tynedale Rates MUGA £269.07. Baptist Church £20. Neat Ideas £177.85.

07/116 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) Transport & Highways - Dave Porter had reported that at the recent meeting of the Eastern Parishes Forum it had been noted that Faber Maunsell had indicated that a traffic survey, in relation to the consultation for a new bridge at Ovingham, would take place in May. It was agreed that the Transport Group should send a letter to Faber Maunsell querying the exact nature of the survey.

Improvements to the Station Car Park – it was noted that Tynedale had been unable to give a grant for this project. A meeting is to be held later this week with representatives of Network Rail and Northern Rail. It was agreed that those attending the meeting from the Parish Council (John Davison, Barbara Gravenor and Norman Hooks) should meet prior to this in order co-ordinate the thoughts of the Council.

Speeding Traffic – an item is to be included in the next issue of NE43 News requesting residents to abide by the speed limits in Stocksfield.

Traffic Action Group – nothing to report.

Letter from NCC, Terry Luck re New Ridley Road – it was agreed to request clarification on the enforcement.

Vehicle Activated Control Systems - The order for this equipment had been placed and the authorities requested for responses to letters addressed to them.

It was suggested that the Camera Safety Partnership might be used to move the equipment, it was however pointed out that the equipment purchased by Broomley & Stocksfield PC was not with the Camera Partnership,

Mount View Terrace – A letter had been received from the County Council in response to concerns raised about traffic issues in Mount View Terrace. This response is quoted below:

• "There appears to be little or no scope for physical improvements such as road widening or parking areas and these would be unlikely to receive LTP funding.
• Improvements could be secured through the planning process. If the Scout Hut is to be redeveloped the traffic impact should be assessed and adequate parking provided as appropriate. The Scouts should also ask the users to arrive by other means of transport or to car share.
• It may be possible to address the situation by implementing a Traffic Regulation Order such as Residents Only Parking. This type of order usually means that residents have a pass that allows them to park in the street and another pass for visitors. Such schemes can be unpopular with residents, particularly as there is an annual charge for the passes, and are generally only implemented if there is a majority support. The impact on the other facilities in the street would have to be taken into accounts and you should also bear in mind the potential for the problem to be displaced in the surrounding area. If the Parish Council would like us to investigate this option you should included it in your LTP submission later this year."

Councillors felt there was a need to work with users of Mount View Terrace. Mrs Gravenor advised that parking problems have been included in the Parish Plan and it was agreed to leave further discussion on this issue until the Parish Plan has been published.

Railway Masts – Storm 29 had reported that the location of the proposed mast at Stocksfield next to the B6309 is to be reviewed to see if it can be moved further to the west.

Bus Stop Congestion – a letter had been received from County regarding congestion at certain bus stops on the A695. It was agreed to write to County and agree to the suggestions that clearways be installed and enforced. The Transport Group is to discuss this issue.

Sportsfield Car Park – it was reported that two suggestions had been made to the Parish Council following the work currently being undertaken on behalf of the Water Company

a) That the fence and pavement be moved north in order to create a a lay-by for vehicles using the sportsfield to park off road and off the pavement. b) That the temporary footpath into the car park be made permanent to allow pedestrians to get past cars parked on the pavement.

It was not felt that suggestion a) would be practical but the Sportsfield Management Group is to look at suggestion b). Councillors were requested to let Mrs Sayce have their reactions to the proposals by Friday.

b) Council Representatives. Mrs Gravenor had attended a meeting of the Community Transport Mr Porter had attended a meeting of the Eastern Parishes Forum.

c) Footpaths, Gardens & the Environment. Shooting at Hindley – it was reported that the police had contacted the estate gamekeeper on this issue. Further concerns should be reported to the police giving the date and time of any incidents.

The Group's report had been circulated and was self-explanatory. Mr Hooks reported that the By-way to Broomley was being repaired.

Calor Village of the Year – Mr Hooks reported that SICA were considering an entry into this competition, possibly in conjunction with the Parish Council. SICA Management Committee felt that Stocksfield was a good place to live and that this should be publicised. Councillors were asked to consider this. The matter would be discussed further in May.

Hanging Baskets – it was agreed to ask Tynedale for 20 Hanging Baskets. It was also agreed that it was not practicable to have hanging baskets over the winter as these had not been successful.

d) Communication. Some councillors had been unable to distribute NE43 News to Meadowfield Road and Apperley Road. There is a need to involve more people with the distribution and to break down the delivery rounds into more manageable chunks.

The next issue of NE43 News will be late June, early July.

e) Play Facilities. Branch End Play Area Phase II had been officially opened at the end of March. Thanks and appreciation were expressed for all the work carried out by Ian Hall, Melna Martin, Diane Hinchcliffe and Anne Davison, and all other members of the regeneration group and anyone else who had helped and supported the group in their efforts to bring this project to a successful conclusion.

A verbal quotation had been received from Robin Watson for the provision of signs.

It had been agreed to dispense with the basket ball posts at Branch End.

Kompan have still to provide the goal posts for the play area.

New Access – A proposed plan had been received from Guy Rawlinson for the installation of paths at BEPA. It was agreed that councillors would look at BEPA and make recommendations for the Clerk to pass to Mr Rawlinson. It was also agreed that the Parish Council through the Sensory Garden group would be responsible for the planting.

Kates Plain – Tyre – it was agreed to get prices for metal and recycled seats to go round the tyre. Soil is to be obtained from Mrs Harpin to fill the tyre.

Welton Close It would appear that the residents are split between the need for a recreation space and a parking space. Tynedale have said that the disputed area is a designated play area. It was agreed that residents who had made representation to the Parish Council had not been representative of all the residents of the Close. Tynedale are to put up a sign and are to be asked to contact the Parish Council prior to its erection. A letter is to be written to residents identifying the official position.

Sensory Garden - a meeting of the group is planned shortly.

[Suspension of Standing Orders – at this point of the meeting Ian Hall proposed, Melna Martin seconded and it was agreed that Standing Orders should be suspended and the meeting should continue until 10.00 p.m.]

f) Local Government Re-organisation. The latest papers and correspondence had been circulated and it was agreed to leave any further discussion until the next round of consultation.

g) Sports Facility Group MUGA – the new facility was now open for use.

Agreements for the Management of the MUGA, the Sportsfield and rental agreements between the Parish Council and the Cricket, rugby and Football Clubs would be ready for approval in May.

h) General Purposes Group Closure of Rural Post Offices – It was stated that District Councillors Dale and Garrett are to attend a meeting on 7th May to discuss this issue. It was agreed that the Parish Council needed to:

• Gather information on what residents use our post offices for
• Check the lists in the documentation and identify difficulties should either of our post offices close.
• Decide how the Council should react if either or both were identified for closure
• Draw up a campaign to provide outreach or alternative facilities should either or both close.

Mrs Sayce and Mrs Gravenor to draw up the data.

Annual Parish Meeting – a draft of the report to be tabled at the meeting had been circulated and Councillors were requested to advise the Clerk of any amendments.

Youth Service – this matter was deferred until May.

Christmas Trees A paper had been circulated and it was agreed that as a first step Dennis Conley would be asked if he could collect the trees.

Spring Clean – Mr Barrass offered to clean around the bridge.

Damage to War Memorial – quotations are to be sought for its repair. It was agreed that steps should be taken to list both the War Memorial and the War Memorial Cottag with English Heritage.

Grants – it was agreed to make grants to Selefest 2008 £30 Northumberland Theatre Co. £25 Great North Air Ambulance £50 Early Years Partnership towards cost of new computer suite at Broomley School £250 The grant to the Early Years Partnership is to be made on the condition that the facility will be available for use by the wider community.

i) Policy Group The NSP Partnership LAA Update had been circulated and was noted.

j) Parish plan The Group had held a walk-a-about and was now preparing for action events in June.

h) Planning The Planning Report had been circulated.

It was noted that Hedley Parish Council had objections to the Hollins Hill Landfill site extension. We need to stress the need for vehicles to and from the site to stick to agreed routes.

A letter had been received from Birtley Parish Council regarding planning regulations and this was noted.

07/117 Other business - Co-options – There had been no call for an election and councillors were urged to encourage residents to become parish councillors. It was felt that there was a lack of representation on the Parish Council from Painshawfield Estate and the southern areas of the parish.

Mrs Hinchcliffe reported that she had been asked to join the Police Community Neighbourhood panel.

07/118 Date of Next Meeting

Annual Parish Council - 21st April 2008
Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council - 12th May 2008

The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.