Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 7th July 2008

Present: Councillors Pete Barrass, John Davison, Steve Gleadhill, Ian Hall, Diane Hinchcliffe Norman Hooks, Melna Martin, Dave Porter, Julia Sayce. Mrs M Williams, Clerk.

Also present: District Councillors Colin Argent, Mrs Eileen Drew County/District Councillor Mrs Anne Dale

Apologies: None

08/27 Declarations of Interest – None

08/28 Minutes Acceptance of the Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd June was proposed by Steve Gleadhill and seconded by Julia Sayce. The Minutes were agreed.

08/29 Matters Arising NE43 News – no prices had yet been received for distribution by distribution companies. Councillors felt that Issue 27 had been a very good publication.

Calor Village of the Year – It was announced that Stocksfield had been short-listed for entry into the next step of the competition. Judges are to visit in the next few weeks and will be given a 2-hour presentation on what makes our "patch" special. Norman Hooks and Margaret Williams were congratulated on their efforts to date.

Traffic Survey re Tyne crossing - Councillors expressed concern that during this survey by Faber Maunsell, drivers were not stopped and asked for the source and destination of their journeys. Dave Porter explained that the purpose of the survey was to see what traffic movement there was over Wylam, Ovingham and Bywell bridges. The conclusion of the survey should quantify this movement.

08/30 Public Participation - Hedge Welton Close - Concern had been raised by councillors and residents that this hedge was so overgrown as to make passage over the footpath difficult if not dangerous. It was reported that contact had been made with the County Footpaths' Officer, and that arrangements had been made for Tom Richardson to cut the hedge back. This had been done. The County are to contact Wimpey to see if they can take responsibility for this hedge.

Mrs Dale advised that Tynedale are to take over responsibility of "left over" plots of land all over the district and to include them in their planned maintenance programme. Tynedale are to advise the parishes which areas of land are to be included. It was agreed to write to Tynedale to ensure that this hedge is included on the list.

Dog Bins – it was reported that individuals have challenged dog walkers who have been observed putting bag dog waste in ordinary litter bins. It was noted that this was acceptable if the there was not a dog waste bin close by. It was suggested that the dog waste bin in Birkdene was often full and the necessity to provide another bin in that area was queried. John Davidson said that he felt that the Birkdene bin was not often full and offered to monitor the situation. It was thought that part of the problem was that dog walkers did not always put their faeces bags right in the bin and that the ends hanging out gave the impression that the bin was full. The Clerk was asked to price larger bins.

Hedges – It was reported that hedges on the Painshawfield Estate were encroaching over the pavement and that where hedges were cut the clippings were not picked up. It was also reported that in other areas of the parish shrubs and hedges were being allowed to spread over the pavement. A letter is to be sent to residents of Painshawfield Estate and an item will be included in the next issue of NE43 News.

08/31 Correspondence - The correspondence received had been listed on the Agenda and was noted. The letter from Stuart Threadgold regarding the recreation area in Welton Close is to is to be discussed by the Finance & General Purposes Group.

A letter had been received from Hadrians Wall Heritage regarding a consultation on the Hadrian's Wall Management Plan. A response is required by 31st August and comments are to be sent to the Clerk by mid-August.

Tyne Rivers Trust – Community Conference – Norman Hooks to attend. There is to be a talk on the work of the Tyne Rivers Trust in Stocksfield on 17th September.

A letter had been received from Tynedale regarding Section 106 funding.

Other correspondence was listed on the agenda.

08/32 Finance - The accounts for June were accepted.

It was noted that the Baptist Church had returned the £500 grant for youth work as at present they are not operating a Youth Club.

The Bank Reconciliation for the period to end of May was noted.

The Spend v Budget summary was discussed.

Additional cheques – Agreed. SISIS Equipment – (MUGA) - £699.12 Neetfleet £20

08/33 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives

a) Finance and General Purposes Group The Finance & General Purposes Group is to meet shortly.

A report had been received from the Youth Service regarding attendance etc at Stocksfield and this is to be discussed by the Finance & General Purposes Group and those councillors concerned with youth services. It is hoped that a "contract" with the Youth Service will have been drawn up in time for approval at the September meeting.

War Memorial – a breakdown of the quotations received had been circulated and it was agreed that Falon Nameplates should be given the contract. It was also agreed to look into the question of insuring the War Memorial against damage and theft once the repair had been completed.

Re-dedication of the War Memorial - it was agreed that the most suitable date for this would be Remembrance Sunday, 9th November. It was also agreed that subject to agreement by the St George's Mickley PCC the new vicar, Ref. Bill Rigby be asked to conduct this service. It was further agreed to contact Albemarle Barracks to see if they could send a contingent to the service.

A letter from Mencap requesting grant aid is to be discussed by the F&GP Group.

Closure of Rural Post Offices – The list of proposed closures had now been published and as neither of our Post Offices was currently under threat the public meeting planned for 9th July was cancelled. Ian Hall and Steve Gleadhill are to attend meetings at Tynedale and County on this topic. It was noted that a large number of local businesses use our two post offices. Mrs Dale suggested that the Post Office was "not listening" to concerns. She also suggested that there could be discussion about the future of the Post Office at West Wylam as the authorities had not realised that this was a regeneration area. It was noted that quite a number of residents walked to the post office for exercise. There is a need to be vigilant with regard to this situation.

b) Parish plan Steve Gleadhill advised that plans for the Action Planning Events on 24th and 26th July were well in-hand and asked if councillors would be available, and for which event, to help facilitate the event. He said that there would be boards summarising the different themes and the key issues. Residents would also be asked to complete questionnaires.

250 households are to be contacted by professional researchers asking for their views. This will cost around £2000.

NE43 News would be issued in time to advise residents of this research and would also contain a summary of the Action Planning Events.

c) Sports Facility Group Sportsfield Users Agreement – a draft agreement had been circulated. Mrs Sayce was thanked for her efforts in brining this matter thus far. The Final documentation would hopefully be available for the September meeting of the Parish Council.

It was noted that if the Football teams are promoted to higher leagues then better "crowd control" facilities are mandatory. However, any changes would change the nature of the Sportsfield and would need careful consideration. This was one matter which might be discussed at the Action Planning Events. The Football Club in fact has no formal structure or management structure – it is a loose collection of teams. The Parish Council needs to know what its aspirations are, where the funding is to come from. The Football Club needs to communicate with the Parish Council in writing.

MUGA Management Agreement – a draft was tabled and it was reported that the Clerk had concerns about this. It was felt that the word profit should be substituted by the word surplus. Mrs Sayce was again thanked for her efforts thus far and is to come back to the September meeting with a more detailed draft. It was noted that bookings for MUGA were going well. It was agreed that a report on the booking figures was needed. It was also stressed that there should be transparent audit trails on income, expenditure and management.

Sportsfield Leases – nothing had been heard from either our own of Allandale Estate's soclitors.

[Suspension of Standing Orders –it was agreed that Standing Orders should be suspended and the meeting should continue until 10.00 p.m.]

d) Policy Group – nothing to report. A response to the consultation on Urgent Health Care was tabled and agreed.

Patients Forum – Steve Gleadhill advised that the timing of the meetings had been changed and that he would now be able to act as the Parish Council representative on this group.

Sustainable Communities Bill – documents on this had been circulated and councillors were asked to consider these over the summer and it was agreed that it would be debated in September.

e) Planning The Planning Report for June had been circulated.

Tynedale Planning Forum - the next meeting is to be held on 21st August. It was felt that at present our councillors were fully stretched but should there be an issue which was felt to be relevant to Stocksfield then Mrs Sayce would try to attend.

A document had been received regarding the Killan/Pretty Review – it was agreed that although this should be looked at it might be best to wait and see what the outcome was.

f) Transport & Highways Improvements to Station Car Park - we were still awaiting a response from the Railway..

VACS - should be installed shortly.

Railway Masts - still awaiting installation

John Davidson had had a useful meeting with County Councillor Mrs Dale. The matters they discussed will be useful for the Parish Plan. John Davidson was asked to prepare a written report for circulation with the September agenda papers.. It was noted that the provision of double yellow lines at the junction of Painshawfield and New Ridley Roads was "back in play".

g) Council Representatives Eastern Parishes Forum – Dave Porter gave a brief verbal report on the recent meeting. Among the items discussed were: Northumberland Uplands Leader Programme Parish Council Insurance Belonging Communities – although the name of these forums will be changed the concept has not been scrapped. It was agreed that there must be a conduit between the Parish Councils and the Unitary Authority. The Unitary authority may not continue with charity relief.

Full details will be contained in the Forum Minutes.

h) Footpaths, Gardens & the Environment. The Report on the recent meeting of the Rights of Way Group had been circulated. Mr Hooks drew attention to item 2 regarding shooting. It was felt that it would be a good idea to write to the owner of the Hindley Shoot and encourage him to marshal his shoots sensitively.

Quite Lanes – Norman Hooks reported that a meeting was planned with a County Council Officer on this matter. He said that a Quiet Lane is defined as a public highway or an unclassified road which is used by pedestrians and riders rather than motor traffic. Suitable routes for categorising as Quiet Lanes have been identified.

i) Communication - As agreed above the next issue of NE43 News will be in mid-September.

j) Play Facilities Brach End Phase II – The Big Lottery were requesting an outcomes report and Ian Hall and Diane Hinchcliffe are to monitor usage and prepare a report.

New Access Ramp – Ian Hall had received an e-mail from Guy Rawlinson outlining the latest proposals for the new access ramp. This is to be discussed with the Play Facilities Group and if they are happy with then Guy Rawlinson will be requested to obtain three quotations for the work.

Kate's Plain Tyre – it was felt that the cost of providing a seat around this tyre was disproportionate. Ian Hall is to contact a scrap merchant to obtain a price for its removal.

BEPA Fence – it was agreed to repair the fence panel at a cost of £125.

Fresh Opportunities for Natural Play – a letter had been received from Tynedale requesting bids for this project being managed by the County Council. It was agreed to write to the County protesting at the short notice given for responses.

Kompan – a response from Kompan regarding the goal posts at BEPA was still awaited.

k) Sensory Garden - no further progress on this until the new access has been completed.

i) Local Government Re-organisation - Notice had been received regarding a meeting about Electoral Review for the Northumberland Unitary Authority

A letter had been received from Tynedale asking if there was likely to be an appetite for Parish Council elections in 2009. It was agreed to respond that it was unlikely that there would be an appetite for such elections and that it was unlikely that should there be an election the seats would be contested.

08/34 Other business - Councillors were urged to continue to seek potential new Parish Councillors. It was thought that Rachel Cochrane might be interested at some time in the future. Kathleen ver Heyden was interested but cannot attend meetings on Mondays.

Arrangements over the summer break – Cheques – It was agreed that cheques up to £500 could be signed unless the expenditure had previously been approved.

Planning Applications – Julia Sayce will act as convenor of the Planning Group while Dave Porter is away.

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment - a letter had been received from Tynedale requesting identification of sites. It was agreed to do nothing at present and monitor the situation.

Apologies – Dave Porter gave his apologies for the meeting on 1st September.

08/356 Date of Next Meeting - 1st September

The meeting closed at 10.05 p.m.