Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 5th July 2010

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

Also present: County Councillor Mrs A Dale

Apologies: Pete Duncan

10/30 Declarations of Interest
None

10/31 Minutes of the Meeting held on 7th June 2010
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7th June 2010 were proposed as correct by Julia Sayce, seconded by Melna Martin and agreed. Two minor typographical errors were corrected.

10/32 Matters Arising
Community Woodland – there was nothing to report on the problem raised in June about cutting back the vegetation on some of the paths.
Pete Barrass asked about the letter received in June regarding the Federation of Broomley and Whittonstall Schools. Mrs Dale declared an interest in this topic and advised that no comments had been received on the document. She was asked how the school governors were selected and advised that there are statutory regulations regarding the governing bodies of schools i.e.
3 LEA representative 4 PTA representatives
2 staff members and a community representative.
Nominations for the community representative are put forward by the governing body and are generally people who are really interested in the school. Anyone can apply to be an LEA representative.
Flooding on New Ridley Road – The Clerk advised that in response to a letter sent to County, she had been advised that the County is to hold a private meeting with invited householders and landowners to try to find a way forward and resolve this problem. At this stage the Parish Council is not invited to send a representative to the meeting. She had been advised that following the meeting the Parish Council would be sent a copy of the report that had been drawn up on this issue and that a County Officer would be prepared to attend a Parish Council meeting to discuss the issue. Mrs Dale advised that the only reason the County were involved was because of the drainage problems.

10/33 Public Participation
Hedge Cutting – Concern were raised about hedges that were encroaching onto footpaths and pavements. Of particular concern were:
The hedge at Burnside The hedge along the Bywell Road
The hedge at Ford Rise The hedge at Welton Close (Nos. 2-16
The hedge just north of Old Ridley on the B6309
Norman Hooks advised that Tim Fish (County Footpaths Officer) is to look at the path down to Welton Close with a view to providing a handrail. He will take the opportunity to look at the hedge at the same time. He will also look at the footpath at Christmas Cottage which has been made so narrow that it is no longer possible to take a buggy through.
Window Cleaning – Mrs Sayce said that she had been contacted by a resident who needed a window cleaner. This information is not on the Information Card. Names are to be given to Mrs Sayce who will pass them on,.
Traffic Calming Guessburn – Mrs Dale advised that in response to requests from residents she has now been advised that 6 or 7 traffic calming humps are to be installed in Guessburn. Alternatively chicanes might be introduced. Mrs Dale has suggested to the County that residents should be consulted on this. She felt, and this was endorsed by councillors, that the introduction of traffic calming measures in Guessburn was not a good idea and she is to advise the County of this. The introduction of 20mph on this road was not being considered. Mrs Sayce offered to bring to the attention of members of the Tennis Club and Scouts the concerns of Guessburn residents of traffic speeding along the road.
Broomley Village – Mrs Hinchcliffe had been asked what the Parish Council did for Broomley. She said that she had been advised that residents of Broomley would like 30 mph signs. Mrs Dale said that she would ask the County about this and it was also agreed to write (with a copy to Mrs Dale) requesting that 30 mph signs be provided.
Litter Bins & Dog Waste Bins – Councillors asked about the location of the dog waste and general litter bins. The Clerk is to provide a list. It was reported that the dog waste bins at Guessburn and in the Community Woodland Car Park were not being emptied regularly. The question was raised about the ultimate destination of the dog waste – if it is being sent to the incinerator with the general waste why do we have to pay separately for the bins to be emptied.
It was noted that the litter bin next to the “gazebo” at Kates Plain was missing its top.
(John Davison arrived at 8.00 p.m.)

10/34 Correspondence
Correspondence received since the June meeting had been listed on the Agenda and was noted.
A letter from the County proposed that the remainder of the footpath past Craghead Cottages to Hindley should be made into Bridleway. At present only the first part of the path was a bridleway and this then lead nowhere! Mrs Dale suggested that the adjacent landowners were not happy about this proposal and that the present route would need widening if it were to become a bridleway. Norman Hooks queried the suitability of the route as a bridleway. A response is required by 1st Sept. And Norman Hooks is to draw one up.
A letter had been received regarding the NALC County Committee – Ian Hall and Norman Hooks are to draft a response.
A consultation document had been received regarding pharmaceutical needs. It was suggested that councillors might complete this as individuals.

10/35 Vacancy for a Parish Councillor
In June, one written application had been received and it was known that a second application had been posted through the Chairman’s door. A decision on this issue had therefore been deferred. Since then Alan Verheyden had withdrawn his application and it was agreed that a letter should be written to him thanking him for his interest and expressing the hope that he might apply in the future.
The application by Maggi Hunt was then considered. Pete Barrass proposed, Diane Hinchcliffe seconded and it was unanimously agreed that Mrs Hunt be co-opted to the Parish Council.

10/36 Finance
The Accounts for June 2010 were approved.
The Balance Sheet was accepted
The Bank Reconciliation for May was noted.
Spend v Budget – the Clerk is to provide a more recent spreadsheet for the Finance & General Purposes Group to consider.
The additional cheques listed on the agenda were approved:
Robson Print – NE43 News - £312
Dambach £3535.70
Dambach £624.89

10/37 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups & Council Representatives
a) Development of a Village Trust
Pete Duncan had sent the handouts for a Power Point presentation on this issue. It was agreed however to defer this matter until September when:
Pete Duncan would give his presentation
Anne Lawson of Social Enterprise Northumberland would be asked to attend.
One of the questions to be addressed might be where the funding for such a Trust might come from although it was suggested that grants might be available from a range of bodies.
It was further agreed that a visit would be made to Haydon Bridge to discuss what has been achieved there and how they achieved it and how long it took. The Clerk and Chairman to liaise over this.
b) Community Development – nothing to report
c) Finance & General Purposes Group
The Group had not met in June but expects to meet shortly when all outstanding matters will be discussed.
Asset Transfer –
Branch End Toilet – the initial expression of interest form was tabled and councillors requested to advise Ian Hall of their comments immediately.
Branch End Play Area – the initial expression of interest form had been sent to County.
Insurance – the Chairman had gone through the insurance schedule and suggested, and it was agreed, that in an attempt to lower the premium low cost items and items under a certain value, e.g. litter bins and dog waste bins should be removed. Computers should be reduced in value by 33% every year. The Clerk is to make further enquiries with the insurance company regarding the cost of the premium for a new for old policy on certain items.
d) Council Representatives
Outreach Youth Provision – Mr Hall advised that he and Norman Hooks had attended the most recent meeting on this topic which had been held at SICA. It would appear that the suggestion for an outreach “caravan” had been shelved. Mrs Dale said that the Group is currently gathering information. Mr Porter suggested that the discussions were dragging on and that there was a need to move more quickly. It was agreed that the Parish Council should continue to be kept informed and that the discussions should continue to move forward. It was hoped that it would be possible to report on progress in September.
Role of Community Forum – the next meeting of the Forum is 6th July. Dave Porter will attend. Dave Porter advised that he had been discussing the setting up of a website for the Forum with Adrian Hinchcliffe. Mr Porter felt that the Community Forum was not necessary. Initially it was felt that it had been a good idea but it was thought that it had now outgrown its usefulness and now appeared to duplicate the service of the County Council West Area Committee. It was felt that the Eastern Tynedale Community Forum had become so big that it had lost its commonality. Mrs Dale believes the time will come when the forums are cut. Mr Porter is to prepare a brief report on the Forum for the October meeting.
NCC Scrutiny Committee 21st June – no one had attended.
[Suspension of Standing Orders –it was agreed that Standing Orders should be suspended and the meeting should continue until 10.00 p.m.]
e) Planning
The Planning Report had been circulated.
NCC Employment Land Review Survey – no response had been sent.
f) Sports Facilities
Mrs Sayce advised that she and Chris Catnach had met with representatives of the Football Foundation who were monitoring usage of MUGA. She advised that there will be no further monitoring meetings with the Foundation for two years.
She went on to say that they had asked the Football Foundation for help and clarification on moving on with the Football Club. Discussions are on-going with the Football Club and when Pete Duncan returns from overseas a further meeting of the Sportsfield Management Group
g) Transport & Highways
Repair to Fords – this had now been completed and was felt to be an excellent job. It was however felt that the patching on the road to New Ridley was not quite what was wanted.
Double yellow lines – top of Painshawfield Road – Mrs Dale advised that these should be provided shortly and that one of the delays had been that residents had had to be reconsulted.
Branch End/Quaker Meeting House – repairs to this drain are still on the list.
h) Footpaths Gardens & Environment – nothing to report.
i) Play Facilities
The S106 Housing Development Fund application for replacement equipment at BEPA will be sent by the end of July.
Kates Plain – The youths who allegedly vandalised the seats at Kates Plain have been identified and visited by the police. It is hoped that this will prevent further acts of vandalism on this play area. It was noted that the onus is on the police to prosecute.
Community Garden - Thanks were expressed to everyone who had been involved in the opening event. The signs for the planters have now been varnished and will the bolted to them. The Chairman advised that the Parish Council account for the Community Garden was currently -£1860. It was thought that this would be reduced by £300 shortly. A statement on income and expenditure on the Community Garden will be taken to the next meeting of the Group. They are to be asked to ask Churches Together what monies are held by Churches Together on behalf of the Group. Once any outstanding monies are paid to the Parish Council it was suggested that any negative balance be written off over three years.
j) Parish Plan Action Group – in the absence of Pete Duncan it was agreed to defer this item to September.
Councillors were advised that all reports for the September meeting must be sent to the Clerk in time for circulating with the agenda. In view of the time factor, only questions not debate on the report would be allowed.
k) Communications
Ian Hall advised that he had received compliments on the most recent edition. It had been felt that it was a good idea to include flyers for the Bywell Arts Festival.
The next issue will be published in early September in order that the Fun Run can be well publicised. Distribution of the newsletter is felt to be the biggest problem and efforts are to be made to find additional helpers. It was felt that the number of distributors for New Ridley Road in particular needs to be increased. We need to know that we can get it out in good time. Mrs Dale offered to help with the distribution.
l) Policy Group – nothing to report

10/38 Any Other Business
Arrangements for handling Planning Applications over the summer – during Dave Porter’s absence, 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.

10/39 Date of Next Meeting
6th September

The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.