Slaley, Northumberland

Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday August 8th 2005.
The 2005 August walk-about began at 7 p.m. in the area around The Glen & Glen crossroads, then C265 westerly to Sandybraes & Pine Hill then southerly on the U8081 to join the U8080 south of Woodnook Farm. Continued on the U8080 to the Telecommunications Tower near Garden Cottage and finally through the Holiday Villa site at Slaley Park to identify the lawful dwellings and the objection raised by Mr Ken Hill (see 6 11/7/05 page 166).
Report: Speeding traffic was quite an eye opener on the C265 between The Glen and Sandybraes. The Councillors witnessed vehicles having very near misses after taking a dive for the grass verge when confronted by a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. During the fifteen or so minutes that the five members of the Parish Council were walking this road it was astonishing how fast vehicles passed and continued on to blind corners, road junctions or single track hill tops as outside Moorland View. The static caravan at Pine Hill was viewed and discussed. Clerk to request an update from TC on this. The proposed 60 foot BOAT on the U8081 & U8080 was discussed ‘on site’ as was the unsightly area at the junction of the U8081 east of Pine Hill entrance; this particular piece of land was owned by Sandybraes, however due to the prospect of it being designated as a BOAT the owners had decided not to tidy that part of their garden. (This had previously been identified as a possible site for recycling with a safe area for cars to pull off the highway to unload their recyclable materials or as a BMX track for the young people of the parish. Produced in a Report August 2004). Whilst walking up the U8080 an ’03 registration’ gold coloured BMW drove slowly past, Keith Stoddard, of Fell Cottages, who was looking for a water burst did not know the vehicle. Several golf buggies were using the U8080 from the Timeshares Lodges to the northern area of the Golf Course. These buggies are not road taxed or insured to be driving on a public highway. One young man was seen twice during the visit and he was assessed as being 14 years of age. Young people were also spotted driving the golf buggies on the Slaley Park ‘Holiday Villas’ site. Although this is a private road there are now 12 lawful private residences and as such the highway law presumably applies for under age drivers and uninsured vehicles. Clerk to report this to De-Vere head office. At 9.10 p.m. south of the junction with the C265 the Councillors were passed by a large unmarked Silver Mercedes van NG03 FFT, again this vehicle could have been using the incorrect road as exit from the Slaley Hall complex. It was interesting to note that 52 Slaley Park ‘Eagle Lodge’ has not applied for lawfulness. We spoke with Mr Ken Hill of 17 Slaley Park and a young couple who recently moved into 23 Slaley Park and saw the two villas recently built with balconies overlooking number 17 & 23 private dwellings. The part-time Enforcement Officer of Tynedale Council had made a visit to see the new villa and discuss this with Mr Hill – comments from Tynedale Council Planning department are expected in the next few days. A dog fouling incident in Slaley village was discussed during the journey back to the vehicles. On Wednesday August 3rd, Councillor JK Robson witnessed a dog foul on the grass outside Highfield House, Slaley Grange. The dog was recognised by the Councillor and subsequently the dog’s owner, at Ingleside, was informed of the incident. The owner apologised and accepted that this had happened at a time when the gates would have been open due to the older children and their friends coming and going during the Summer holidays. The Councillors decided that this was a one-off occasion and no further action would be taken.
1. Apologies. County Councillor Wm Purdue, District Councillor B.W. Massey & Councillors D.G. Baynes & Mrs A.S. Robson.
Present: Councillors A.J. Weir, J.K. Robson, I.C. Hancock, Mrs L. Norris, &. Clerk Mrs P. Wilson.
2. Matters Arising: (On return to Slaley Commemoration Hall)
a) 5a 11/7/05; 3-13/6/05 E-mails between David Frances & Ian Hancock re complaint through LGO & copy of the advice DF received from the Association. Clerk requested to ask District Councillor Brian Massey for possible avenues of assistance.
b) 13e 11/7/05 Townhead tidy – negative telephone reply from Bill Bates. Work carried out by Hollybush Nursery. Letter from (Clive) Hollybush Nursery suggesting a monthly tidy. Councillors to review and discuss September.
c) 5f 11/7/05; 7c 13/6/05 Updated e-mails regarding the telecommunications tower at Slaley Hall. Councillors considered this an unacceptable site, it should be on the hotel. Generator providing temporary power has a constant hum with fans frequently cutting in this is unacceptable close to private residential homes. On checking with the original planning application it was discovered that the present placement is adjacent to the U8080, this is much closer to the public road than the 1999 rejected application. Clerk to write to De-Vere head office in Warrington.
d) 12 11/7/05 Acknowledgement from NCC re M&W DF Consultee reference is C415
3. Correspondence.
1. Swing on the roadside verge at Slaley (C. Charlton e-mailed back said NCC would take down)
2. E-mail from Bill Purdue re ‘small schemes grant’ (previous grants have included -tarmac the footpath outside Slaley First School, Concrete base for Slaley First school PE equipment shed etc). Councillors suggested new play area – more information after August 17th meeting.
3. View: Shaping the North east – Regional Spatial Strategy. Claim they are the Regional Planning Body – Can we use them for our TC planning problems? No, – forward planning only.
4. CCofN Northumberland Building Community Life Competition – Take part? Councillors decided they had no time to take this on.
5. Telephone message – Ash tree at Orchard House got fungus – coming down.
6. Mid Tyne Lions – Message in a Bottle Parish Magazine records Janis Irvine supervising this.
7. Handout given to Cllr Weir at Joint Discussion Forum 13/7/05 circulating
8. Clerk reported Millennium Seat showing signs of graffiti on seat. Councillors think the names will wear away but Clerk to ask Slaley Notes to put something general in the column.
9. Red Squirrel disease around Slaley. Posters placed in Notice Board, Village Hall & Slaley Notes.
10. Fire & Rescue service Community Safety leaflet Comments please – circulating
11. Local Transport Plan – circulating agenda item for September
12. Brian Massey chasing Premier Pursuits Planning Application.
13. E-mail from Slaley ‘Wooley’ resident direct to DC Brian Massey re number of refuse bags. Apparently TC have a maximum of 5/6 black bins bags this residents feels that this is not sufficient. Councillors suggested more recycling needed at this household.
14. E-mails between Bill Purdue & Pat re School Governors. Mr N Sanger (Slaley) & Mr C Astvury (Blanchland) be appointed LEA Governors.
15. NCC Linnels Bridge closure order for one month from August 16th. Clerk requested to reply asking that repairs are treated with some urgency and more ‘diversion’ signs needed in Hexhamshire.
16. Affordable Housing meeting with Scott family, their chosen RSL and Vicky Law’s replacement at Tynedale Council. Confirmed for 7 p.m. on Wednesday August 17th.
17. Selefest 2005 (placed Notice Board); Community Foundation; TAC 28/7/05 agenda; Society of Local Council Clerks circulars.
8. Current Planning Applications:
20050888 Construction of outdoor arena, Wooley Park circulating
20050787 Conversion & extension to barn & outbuildings to link existing dwelling at
Stable Cottage, High Clear. objections
20050746 Replacement barn opposite South Glen check drainage
20050557 Renewal of temporary planning permission for permanent use of land as outdoor pursuits area etc. Slaley Hall. pending
Decisions from Planning Authority
20050562 Certificate of lawfulness 5 Slaley Park granted
20050603 Certificate of lawfulness 53 Slaley Park granted
20050604 Certificate of lawfulness 47 Slaley Park granted
20050606 Certificate of lawfulness 46 Slaley Park granted
20050607 Certificate of lawfulness 18 Slaley Park granted
20050610 Certificate of lawfulness 17 Slaley Park granted
20050613 Certificate of lawfulness 2 Slaley Park granted
20050649 Certificate of lawfulness 6 Slaley Park granted
20050652 Certificate of lawfulness 23 Slaley Park granted
20050676 Certificate of lawfulness 19 Slaley Park granted
20050744 Certificate of lawfulness 4 Slaley Park granted
20050770 Certificate of lawfulness 1 Slaley Park granted
9. Financial report. Cheques to be signed and confirmation of interim payments.
a) Interim payment
No 241 26/7/05 Hollybush Nursery for Townhead work £99.87
b) Cheques to be signed
No 242 Nicholson Portnell for work representing Mr Robson Millennium Seat £352.50
No 243 Gibson & Co work representing Slaley Parish Council Millennium Seat £220.25
No 244 Hollybush Nursery Townhead August cut £55.00
Clerk to contact and say charge too high.
Proposed by Cllr Mrs L. Norris and seconded by Cllr I.C. Hancock.
b) Welfare of the Elderly Account. The fund is £498.38.
Date of September meeting: Monday 12th September 2005. Meeting closed at 10.15 p.m.