The minutes of Slaley Parish Council March 2005
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday 14th March 2005, at 7.30 p.m. in Slaley Commemoration Hall.
1. 1 The Clerk explained the resignation of Councillor CJR Ferguson with immediate effect on Tuesday March 8th.
1. 2 (12 14/02/05) A decision by Cllr A.J. Weir to resign as a Councillor on March 31st 2005 has been withdrawn.
1. 3 Slaley Parish Council now has a need to appointment a Chairman until the AGM in May
Nomination Cllr AJ Weir
Proposed by Cllr Mrs A. Robson
Seconded by Cllr JK Robson
There being no further nominations, Cllr AJ Weir was duly elected Chairman.
1. 4 Appointment of Vice Chairman until the AGM in May
Nomination Cllr DG Baynes
Proposed by JK Robson
Seconded by Cllr Mrs A. Robson
There being no further nominations, Cllr DG Baynes was duly elected Vice-Chairman
1. 5 Vacancy of a Councillor
The Clerk explained that a vacancy notice issued by Tynedale Council, dated Thursday 10th March, and had been placed on Slaley Notice Board on Thursday March 10th. If TEN electors of the parish request an election to fill the vacancy then an election will be held otherwise the Council can co-opt an elector onto the Parish Council. Mr Ian Hancock is very interested in joining the Council and is attending tonight as a member of the public. TC Chief Executive, Richard Robson will inform in writing if there is to be an election or the Council can go ahead with a co-option.
1. 6 Apologies. District Councillor B.W. Massey & Mrs L. Norris.
Present: Councillor A.J. Weir in the Chair. Councillors, J.K. Robson, D.G. Baynes, Mrs A.S. Robson &. Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. County Councillor Wm Purdue.
Public: Ian Hancock. Slaley Notes: Jean & Michael Elphick. Courant Reporter: None.
2. Declaration of Interests.
Councillors D.G. Baynes for agenda item 17
3. Minutes of February Council Meeting circulated:
The minutes (pages 138-141). (+ appendix 2/140205 & subsequent notes pages 142-144) circulated 28/2/05. Approved and signed as a true record. Proposed by Cllr JK Robson, seconded by Cllr Mrs A. Robson.
4. Matters Arising:
a) 4a 14/02/05; 5a 10/01/05 & 6a 8/11/04: The new litter-bin (without lid) at the post office. It has been suggested that it should also have a lid – action Monitor and see if litter blows out.
b) 6e 14/02/05 Invitations to Councillors to attend Youth Club Wed 16/3/05 circulated
c) 13b14/02/05 Reply from Jonathan Farries circulated – litter problems are a fact of life.
d) 13c 14/02/05 Reply from TC Philip Hindmarsh re Fly Tipping circulated – no increase identified (or possibly reported) elsewhere in Tynedale.
e) from page 142 Excellent meeting with Playground Equipment (in the snow) representative, Adam Scott, Rachel & Jake Scott, Kerry Jewitt, Richard & Pat – design and quotation to follow.
f) from page 142-144 e-mail from Vicky Law possible non-green belt sites for affordable housing. Slaley House, south of Rose & Crown, Carden Cottage, Cautley Cottage, Oak Lea and Ashlea entrance via field gate near dog bin & public footpath. A letter sent to Gwen & Alan Ridley, the landowners, A negative reply was received. The final site was north of bungalows in corner of Hillfield entrance (the site suggested for off road parking). Richard and I looked and thought to small. Two castle Housing now offering to make a presentation.
It was decided to get confirmation letters from Slaley House and Hillfield Farm landowners of their interest in selling their land for affordable housing. Clerk to arrange for Milecastle Housing and Two Castles to make a presentation at the April meeting.
5. Public Participation: None
6. Correspondence:
a) TC State of the Area Debate- Flooding in Tynedale circulated
b) TC Bi-Annual Joint Tynedale Council/Parish Council discussion forum questionnaire circulated – Clerk to complete Litter & Fly Tipping increase in Tynedale especially A69. Parish Councillors hours of unpaid work. Stationary allowance & travelling expenses from which budget.
c) TC Rough Sleepers in Tynedale circulated – None to report.
d) Putting the Learner First: Part A The Vision & Strategy; Part B Models for School Organisation; Appendices 1-4; Appendices 5 -12 – still circulating + Area Committee new meeting Thursday 17th March at Haydon Bridge. CCllr Bill Purdue elaborated on the present situation, he confirmed that generally school in Tynedale do very well whereas schools elsewhere in Northumberland are not achieving as well as Tynedale. The meetings test opinions, there is a good case for each change whichever is chosen it will mean 15 years of disruption.
e) Tynedale Local Development Framework: Core Strategy Letter; Timetable for Local Development Framework; Tynedale Local Development Framework. Core Strategy: Discussion Paper on Issues views by April 15th; Tynedale Local Development Framework. Core Strategy: Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report views by April 15th. Circulating
f) Great North Air Ambulance – Guest Speaker contact details & grant application – already allocated in 05/06 Precept.
g) NCC Consultation on the Monitoring and Enforcement Strategy for Minerals and Waste Sites – comments by 22nd April 2005; The Standards Board for England – A Code for the Future 5 copies distributed; TDC January meeting minutes -First green page BOATs article; North Country Leisure – Office Move; WRVS request for grant aid; Tynedale Area Committee – Committee Papers 14th Feb, 25th Feb & 1st March; Northumberland Community News Vol 25 No 1; CCofN Donation request – already allocated in 05/06 Precept; NALC Training; The Tree Council leaflets; Egger Publication Supplement as appeared in the Hexham Courant; The Countryside Agency – the conclusive map of open country and registered common land in upper north west England – Area 4; Glasdon advertising sheets; Clerks and Councils Direct March 2005; Age Concern volunteer news March 2005; Society of Local Council Clerks Regional Conference 28th April.
7. Current Planning Applications:
20050220 Conversion of barn to residential and removal of adjacent
farm building Trygill Farm circulating
20050149 Conservatory to west, L shaped conservatory to north + increased
height of boundary wall. Slaley Village Garden Cottage objections
20041564 Change of Use & conversion of existing agricultural
building & construction of porch rear of Orchard House pending
20051520 Demolition of existing outbuildings & construction
of a replacement garage. The Strothers pending
Decisions from Planning Authority
20050001 Freestanding winter fodder & livestock building Reaston Hill granted
20041467 Conversion of barn & change of use Trygill Farm withdrawn
20041418 New vehicular access Linnel Hill refused
20040147 Appeal by Sir & Lady MJ Darrington Middle Grange withdrawn
Requested update on the static caravan at Pine Hill from Martin Eggenton received – authority not aware of any proposals for a dwelling.
No reply to update letter re the sale of Holiday Villas at Slaley Hall from the above.
Clerk to request an update for the Parish Plan Action Plan April Update.
8. Financial report. Cheques to be signed and confirmation of interim payments.
a) Interim payments.
No 228 Pipex Hosting – Slaley Web page £93.41
b) Cheques to be signed
No 229 Commemoration Hall 14/3/05 £10.00
No 230 Clerk’s Salary September 04 – March 05 £500.00
No 230 also to include annual Clerk’s expenditure £ 267.39 £267.39
Proposed by Cllr AJ Weir and seconded by Cllr Mrs A Robson.
c) Welfare of the Elderly Account. The fund is £496.12.
9. Sustainable Communities Plan – Councillor Ferguson to report.
On collection of this document from Mr Ferguson the Clerk to circulate.
10. New text for Information Display Board.
It was decided that Cllr AJ Weir speaks to the Community Trust about completing this project.
11. Grant Applications from the Northumbria Water Pipeline Fund
Confirmation received. Over £300,000 worth of requests made for the £150,000 allocation.
Meet the Funders event Wednesday March 9th attended by Cllr JK Robson & Clerk Pat Wilson. Other avenues of funding for Toddler Play Area to be followed through.
12. Parish Litter Pick. – Sunday April 3rd circulated.
80 Sacks and 50 pairs of gloves ordered from Philip Hindmarsh (652275) and will be delivered to Clerk’s home. Any surplus to be returned to TC. TC will arrange to have the sacks uplifted from Slaley Commemoration Hall on Monday April 4th. Advertising through Slaley Notes and a copy given to Parish Magazine editor. Cllr Mrs A Robson confirmed by e-mail that she would do refreshments. Cllr Mrs A. Robson to purchase, Supermarket Receipts to Clerk for reimbursement. It was decided to ask for several reflector Tabards, hand held litter pickers (for elderly), ‘SLOW’ or ‘Litter Picking’ signs. Cllr Weir agreed to hand out parish maps to participants if they requested an area to clean. Posters in the parish and also ask Slaley School to mention the litter pick in a newsletter to parents.
13. Adopt the Annual Risk Assessment as circulated
The draft Annual Risk Assessment was adopted and will become page 145 of minutes.
14. Surveying the Condition of Slaley Parish Highways for Annual Report as circulated
Each Councillor allocated a stretch of parish highway and given the criteria to make their report. The Councillors will return the completed forms to the April meeting after which the Clerk will combine the information to make the Annual Report at AGM in May. C.Cllr Purdue confirmed that the county highway maintenance budget had been knocked back and the post of Area Maintenance Manager had been disbanded. On our behalf Cllr Purdue had complained of this.
15. Freedom of Information Act training at Hexham CC 2nd March report as circulated.
Adopt the draft FOI Risk Assessment, the draft FOI Audit and the draft FOI Publication Schedule circulated – The draft FOI & DDA Risk Assessment documents were accepted by the meeting.
16. A.O.B.
a) Sub-committees for parish council business – the system used at Allendale Parish Council for sub-committee of 4 Councillors was discussed. Allendale has 13 Councillors and numerous sub-committees including staffing; rights-of-way; town; churchyard; dog walking; finance etc. Only Maggie Keyte on the RoW committee is a non-Councillor. Each sub-committee makes its report & recommended action at the main monthly meeting. The Clerk still does all correspondence.
b) An e-mail reply from Gail Philipson regarding Review of Councillor numbers at Slaley to request more Councillors, between 4 yearly elections, a parish consultation exercise must be undertaken either by leaflet drop with a response slip or local paper advertisement with response slip. It was decided to wait until the 4 yearly election date in 2007.
c) Community Trust event March 11th had been attended by Cllr’s Weir, Robson & Baynes. Elected officials are Chairman: Moyra Riseborough; Treasurer Christine Hanley; Secretary Peter McKendrick. 32 members of public attended to support the launch and CT members were complimentary of Slaley Parish Council. Cllr Weir recommended that the CT be involved as much as possible with the Parish Council. There was no evidence or suggestion of empire building, which had been attributed to individual members. Cllr Weir reported that a working party was being set up to take forward the opening up of the school grounds again with the Trust taking on the public liability insurance.
d) Reimbursement for the cost of paper to download all the attachments circulated with the agenda was questioned by one councillor. It was agreed that the Clerk would provide a ream (500 sheets) of paper to the Councillors who received their minutes by e-mail.
e) Cut branches on the B6306 have been left lying on the grass verge south of Curlew Cottage. Cllr JK Robson to make enquiries if this is highway maintenance or private work.
17. BOATs Update (without Councillor Baynes)
a) Cllr Ferguson resigned as Chairman of the BOATs sub-committee The Councillors confirmed their wish to remain involved with the The 4 Parishes BOATs Sub-committee. However the question must be asked of David Francis if Clerk, Pat Wilson, could represent Slaley Parish Council on the BOATs Sub-committee.
Date of next meeting: Monday 11th April 2005. Meeting closed at 9 07 p.m.
