Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 7th December 2009

Present: Councillors John Davison, Pete Duncan, Steve Gleadhill, Ian Hall, Diane Hinchcliffe, Norman Hooks, Melna Martin, Dave Porter, Katharine Russell, Julia Sayce, Mrs Margaret Williams, Clerk
Also Present: County Councillor Anne Dale, Gemma Brown, Hexham Courant, Mr Fred & Mrs Linda Harris, New Ridley residents

Apologies: Pete Barrass, Helen Morris

09/61 Declarations of Interest - None

09/62 Minutes – It was proposed by Melna Martin and seconded by Dave Porter and agreed that the Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd November be accepted with typographical errors being amended.

09/63 Matters Arising
Mrs Dale advised that the problem with the drain on the A695 near the Baptist Church was being investigated.
With regard to the development of the Burnside site and the entrance road, the point was made that the planning officers had advised that they could not take enforcement action until someone was living on the site.
Footpaths in the Community Woodland - Norman Hooks said that he had spoken to the resident who had raised concerns and advised them that the path in question was not way-marked and was not a permissive footpath and that the Estate was not obliged to keep it clear. He said that from time to time the Estate did cut new paths in the wood.
MUGA – Pete Duncan advised that he had had a meeting with Gordon McArthur regarding the light which dazzles motorists and confirmed that it is to be adjusted.
The Clerk confirmed that the County are to provide a 30 mph roundel immediately south of New Ridley Village, outside the 30 mph zone.
The provision of a sign for the sportsfield has still to be done.

09/64 Public Participation
Mrs Harris gave a brief up-date on the UK Coal Exhibition at Whittonstall. She advised that UK Coal is interested in organising other exhibitions in neighbouring parishes. A planning application is unlikely to be submitted before the spring. If the application meets the conditions of the County Mineral Plan it is likely to be granted. It was stressed that “planning blight” can affect the value of properties. The matter had been discussed at the East Tynedale Community Forum meeting. The majority of those present had been against the proposal. It was however noted that at such meetings 100% consensus of opinion was unlikely.
Steve Gleadhill said that the main route for objection to this and other similar proposals should be through the East Tynedale Community Forum. He felt that this was a test case for the Forum to take a district wide view and that the Forum was a means to unite the member parishes and to start showing the power of the group.
Mrs Dale said that there is a need to look at the County’s Minerals policies, particularly when they come up for renew. There is a need to be active in the consultation exercise. It was felt that the County does not have the cash to fight applications that fall within the current policy but that it was not robust enough. Mrs Harris said that the hope is that the new Minerals policy will be in force before a decision is made on the Hoodsclose planning application.
Mrs Dale suggested that the Parish Council write to the County Council and request clarification on the status of the current Minerals Policy and the consultation for a new policy.
Christmas Tree at School – a message had been received from Mrs Coulson, the Head Teacher saying how attractive this was this year, and expressing appreciation from staff, pupils and parents.

09/65 Correspondence
Correspondence received since the November meeting had been listed on the agenda and was noted.
Correspondence from County regarding People & Places Local Development Framework – Ian Hall and Julia Sayce to draft a response. Mrs Dale suggested that some items in the Tynedale Core Strategyshould be carried forward to the new Framework.
Correspondence from the County re consultation on the Gambling Policy – no comment.
The Clerk was requested to send copies of responses to planning applications, particularly where they differed from the Parish Council recommendation.

09/66 Finance
November Accounts: The Accounts for November had been circulated and were agreed.
The Bank Reconciliation to 31st October was noted. However, the dates on the document had not been amended and the Clerk is to re-issue the document. Mrs Sayce raised some queries about the bank reconciliation which the Clerk answered
The Spend v Budget to end November was noted.
It was agreed to ask the internal auditor Peter Basnett to talk to the Parish Council about accounts
2010/11 Precept/Budget – the Finance & General Purposes Group had made recommendations and these were noted and are to be incorporated. Other minor changes to the layout were suggested.
Additional Cheques – it was agreed that the following be paid
J R Scott & Son – Christmas Trees £603.75 (inc VAT)
Cabinlife – Fence panel – BEPA - £143.75 (inc VAT)
Neat Ideas – stationery - £137.98 incl VAT

09/67 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) Sports Facilities
A letter had been received from Allendale Estates regarding the level of rent to be paid on the eastern sportsfield. The Estate had suggested £1150 pa and it was agreed to accept this.
b) Proposal to set up a Development Trust – pending
c) Parish Plan Action Group
A report had been tabled and was noted. The Group is to have a further meeting before Christmas but because of the Christmas holidays, further discussion by the Parish Council might be postponed until February.
d) Planning
The planning report had been circulated.

[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 latest edition had been published and was being distributed. Initial feedback suggested that this issue had been well-received. Distribution continues to be a problem.
Parish Information Card – The Group is well on the way to being able to make a proposal for the new card. Currently they are proposing that commercial companies will be charged for their entries. It is also proposed that attempts be made to get a sponsor for the card. The group will report further in January.
f) Policy Group –
Northumberland Cultural Strategy – a response is required by 16 December – Ian Hall and Julia Sayce to formulate a response.
g) Play Facilities
It was noted that the RoSPA report suggested that a second gate was required to the Play Area in Kates Plain. However, as there is only one possible exit to Kates Plain this was not thought to be either practical or necessary.
Community Garden - a successful fund raising coffee morning had been held. Stocksfield WI had been very supportive of this event.
h) Finance & General Purposes Group. – the issues had been covered under other headings and in the F&GP’s report.
i) Transport & Highways
Station Car Park – The Notes of the Meeting held on 18 November with officers from the County and Railway had been tabled. It was noted that County Highways would start work on the northern side before Christmas and that Northern Rail would start work on the southern side on 4th January.
Norman Hooks gave the background to the notes and outlined the problems of the Northern Rail Management fee. A business case is being put to Northern Rail to drop the management fee, The support of the County officers was acknowledged. He said that this project had been a learning curve for all concerned and stressed the need for contracts to be laid down at the start of the process. It was agreed that once the project was complete a letter should be written to Northern Rail setting out constructive criticism.
Publicity and promotion – it was agreed to involve the school in this and the Head Teacher is to be invited to the next meeting of the group. It was suggested that the opening event should be held on 26th April – the same day as the Annual Parish Meeting.
Drains & Gullies
Mrs Dale said that the County Council is working hard in this area. It was reported that the problem at Birches Nook is a spring outside the Baptist Church. The problem at Branch End is a collapsed sewer. The problem at Merryshields is being investigated. The gully sucker will visit the parish sometime.
Charlton’s gallop – this problem is still under investigation.
The repair to the Ford should be undertaken before the end of March.
j) Footpaths Gardens & Environment – nothing to report
k) Community Development – nothing to report
l) Council Representatives –
Eastern Tyndale Community Forum – the next meeting, an open meeting, will be held at Stocksfield on 12th January.
Katharine Russell advised that as she had changed her job she was no longer able to act as the Parish Council representative on the Patients’ Forum. Melna Martin volunteered to attend the Patients’ Forum.
Perfect 10 Debate – Reponses to this consultation were required by 15th January. The recent meetings had largely been workshops. The Development Framework needs to mention infrastructure. Ian Hall had raised the question of migration of young people. It was noted that there had been no employers at the Cramlington event. It was reported that the NSP are to consult with young people separately. Comments are to be sent to Ian Hall or Julia Sayce.

09/68 Any Other Business – None

09/69 Date of next meeting - 4th January 2010

The meeting closed at 9.50 p.m.