Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 6th July 2009

Present: Councillors Pete Barrass, John Davison, Pete Duncan, Ian Hall, Diane Hinchcliffe, Norman Hooks, Melna Martin, Helen Morris, Dave Porter, Katharine Russell, Julia Sayce. Mrs Margaret Williams, Clerk

Also Present: County Councillor Mrs Anne Dale, Gemma Brown - Hexham Courant, Three residents of Welton Close.

Apologies: Steve Gleadhill

09/25 Declarations of Interest - Mrs Russell declared an interest in discussions on the Welton Close Play Space and Mrs Martin declared an interest in discussions on the provision of day care centres.

09/26 Minutes - Acceptance of the Minutes of the meeting held on 1st June was proposed by Dave Porter, seconded by Julia Sayce and agreed, with the amendment of Minutes 09/22g – River Fly Testing to read the cubs and scouts are involved in the testing.

09/27 Matters Arising - Signs to the Highland Cattle Centre – No response had been received from the County regarding the provision of signage to the Highland Cattle Centre. Provision of double yellow lines – Mrs Dale advised that following suggestions from residents the lines are to be extended down Painshawfield Road on both sides as far as 1 Dale View.

09/28 Public Participation - Pete Barrass raised concerns about dog mess and asked how we got in touch with the Dog Warden. It was suggested that the Dog Warden’s contact details be included on the website and Mrs Dale offered to give Dave Porter the information.

Concerns were also raised about the hedges bordering the footpath along the A695. The Clerk is to contact the agents about the hedge at Burnside. Mrs Dale and Mr Hall are to meet with Allendale Estates and will discuss the issue of the hedge of the field opposite Broomley School. Mrs Dale also agreed to check the status of cutting the hedge at Hall Farm Close with the County.

Welton Close Play Space – Mr Hall suggested and it was agreed that as residents of Welton Close were present this item should be brought forward. Mr Hall gave a summary of the position to date, including the information resulting from the recent survey of residents. He said that he felt that the survey had been a useful exercise but that the returns, once analysed had given no clear indication as to what should happen next. Residents had attended the Parish Council meeting to find out what the Parish Council’s intentions were, the speaker herself would like the area kept as a play space but acknowledged that there were issues with parking. It was not felt that additional car parking space would resolve the parking issue. It was felt that it was important that children should be able to play safely near their own homes and currently they can be watched from their homes when they play on the play space. It was acknowledged that the resident who had originally made the complaint was not present to put his point of view. Mrs Dale suggested asking the County Solicitor what is the legal status of the area and for the residents to return in September. It was felt that if it is a play space, then the County needs to enforce it as such. John Davison said that he thought that we had resolved this issue previously. The general feeling of the meeting is that the status quo should remain. The residents were thanked for attending the meeting and invited to return in September.

09/29 Correspondence - Correspondence received since the June meeting had been listed on the Agenda and was noted. Northumberland NHS Care Trust – provision of day care facilities. Ian Hall, Melna Martin and Katharine Russell are to meet to draw up a response.

09/30 Finance June Accounts – the accounts for June 2009 were agreed. A question was raised about the possibility of funds being invested at a higher rate of interest. It was noted that funds had now been transferred to and received by the Unity Trust Bank. The report of the Internal Auditor was noted. A request by Vitalise for funding was turned down.

09/31 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) Finance & General Purposes Group – the report of their recent meeting was tabled and accepted.
Accounts Software - It was agreed that the Clerk should reload the Finance Software package and re-enter the date to see if this "cured" the fault. If it does then no new package need be purchased. The Clerk is to meet with Ian Hall and Pete Barrass to discuss the better presentation and management of the accounts.
Snooker Club - Ian Hall and Dave Porter are to arrange to meet representatives of the Snooker Club to advise them of the results of the valuation.
Branch End Toilet Site – in view of the sensitivity of the contents of the report it was agreed to defer this matter and to discuss it in camera at the end of the meeting.
Calor Village of the Year – a letter had been received advising that we had not been successful in the national competition.
Christmas Trees - after some discussion it was agreed that one tree would be provided for New Ridley. Contact would be made with the school to light up a tree in the school grounds.
Charles Arnold Baker – it was agreed to purchase a copy of the 8th edition of this publication.

b) Parish Plan – Pete Duncan advised that he and Steve Gleadhill are to meet to sort out publication and ensure that it is available for the Festival.

c) Stocksfield Festival - It was suggested and agreed that the Parish Council should have a presence at the Festival in the Community marquee. Ian Hall, Melna Martin, Margaret Williams and Helen Morris are to meet to discuss this. Big Lunch – Helen Morris suggested that in future years involvement with the Big Lunch might be something which might be done alongside the Festival.

d) Sports Facilities Football Club – It was noted that the agreement with the Football Club for use of the Sportsfield had still not been signed and it was agreed to chase this up. It was noted that press reports were suggesting that the senior football team was to move to Kimberley Park in Prudhoe as the facilities there were more suited to their requirements. MUGA – the management group had concerns about the proposed management agreement and it was felt that further discussion was needed. This will be discussed further in September. If Steve Gleadhill is unable to attend the Management Group meetings then Ian Hall offered to attend in his stead. Sportsfield Rent Review – Julia Sayce and Ian Hall are to meet the representative of Land Factor/Allendale Estates to discuss the rent review as laid down in the terms of the lease. Cricket Club – a letter had been received from the Cricket Club and it was agreed that it should be discussed. The Cricket Club is proposing to install a “grey water” collection/recycling system. This will involve digging a trench across the field. It was agreed that the Parish Council was happy for this work to be carried out.

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

e) Communication NE43 News – The next edition will be delivered on or about 3rd September. Copy is required by Dave Porter by 20th August at the very latest. Dave Porter suggested and it was agreed that for a charge of £50 delivery by a commercial delivery agent would be tried for this edition.

f) Transport & Highways
Station Car Park - Norman Hooks up-dated the meeting on the progress of the improvements to the Station Car Park. A report was tabled and accepted. Mr Hooks said that things were looking positive.
Railway Mast – nothing further to report.
Drains & Gullies – Mrs Dale suggested that progress was being made and was asked to report back in September.
Flooding Repair – Mrs Dale advised that the County had received a grant from the Government for repairs to damage caused by the floods of Sept. 2008.
Purchase of additional VACS – Mr Hall and Mr Barrass are to make a decision with regard going ahead with the purchase of this new equipment if the quoted price is below £2500. A promise of a grant of £500 had been received through the County Councillors small grants scheme.
Proposed no Waiting at Any Time Painshawfield Road/New Ridley Road – a proposal had been received from the county and with the amendments suggested above, it was agreed to accept the proposal.
Local Transport Plan 2010/11 - correspondence had been received from the County Council requesting input into the Local Transport Plan. The Transport & Highways Group had met and it was agreed that the priorities were: 1 Parking on New Ridley Road 2 The introduction of 30 mph speed limit on the Bywell Road 3 The introduction of 20 mph speed limit in Guessburn Other areas of concern were the B6309 through Hindley and the road to Hedley from New Ridley Road.

g) Footpaths Gardens & the Environment Group
Footpath 13 - Mr Hooks advised that work on the repair to this path would be started this week.
Seats – a letter had been received from a resident asking if he could have the old seats when they were replaced. However, Norman Hooks felt that the seats, being oak, actually did not need replacing just yet. The two seats in question are to be looked at again before a decision is made.

h) Play Facilities Welton Close Play Space – this matter had been covered above.
Community Garden – BEPA – The new path across the field is breaking up and Guy Rawlinson is to be asked to look at this urgently.
Provision of Skate Park Facilities – A request had been received from a resident that the Council look again at the provision of a skate park. Councillors felt that since this request had last been made nothing had changed and no suitable site for such a facility could be identified.

i) Policy Group - Proposals to develop Hospital services in Northumberland – Mrs Martin and Ian Hall to draw up a response.

j) Local Government Re-organisation – nothing to report

k) Planning – The Planning Report had been circulated. The Group had met immediately prior to tonight’s meeting to discuss applications and their responses would be forwarded to the Planning authority.

l) Council Representatives – nothing to report

09/32 Any Other Business - Mrs Russell advised that Branch End Surgery had advised procedures for dealing with the expected epidemic of Swine Flu. Arrangements for handling Planning Applications over the summer – the next meeting of the group is on 22nd July after that, Planning Applications are to be passed to Mrs Sayce. Arrangements for signing cheques and authorising action over the summer – The Finance & General Purposes Group will look at expenditure in this period.

09/33 Date of next meeting - 7th September

The meeting closed at 10.20 p.m.