The November Minutes of Slaley Parish Council.
Discover how an old 1984 Youth Club account came to be on the Parish Council agenda.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday November 14th 2005, in Slaley Commemoration Hall.
1. Apologies. Mrs A.S. Robson & County Councillor Wm Purdue.
Present: Councillor D.G. Baynes in the Chair. Councillors J.K. Robson, I.C. Hancock, Mrs L. Norris, Mrs C. Brooks &. Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey.
Public: Slaley Notes: Lesley Woodhouse. Courant Reporter: None. Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Nigel Sanger from 8.45 p.m.
2. Declaration of Interests.
Councillors Baynes & Norris for agenda item 15.
3. Minutes of October Parish Council Meeting circulated pages 180-183):
The minutes pages 180-183 were approved and signed as a true record. Proposed by Cllr J.K. Robson, seconded by Cllr I.C. Hancock.
4. Matters Arising:
a) 4d 10/10/05; 8g 12/09/05: Rural Social & Community Programme Invitation from CCof N for Wed 16/11/05 7 – 9 p.m. Hexham Community Centre e-mailed Clerk & Cllr Hancock will attend and report back.
b) 9 10/10/05: Lloyds TSB confirmation that signatories amended as requested.
5. Public Participation.
None.
6. Community Trust Report.
Deferred until 8.45 p.m. Nigel Sanger reported a meeting between the CT and Slaley School Governors on 13th October 2005 to discuss the reopening of the first school grounds to the public. A project team of five members have been working tirelessly on this project and they are now 75% confident that they will be able to achieve their target. The CT has been offered FREE Insurance from the LEA and individual Governors will no longer be held responsible for any claim. An informal meeting with School staff and parents was held last week and the parents who attended confirmed their wish for the reopening of the school grounds by a show of hands. The plans for the school grounds include an adventure trail, tennis courts, picnic tables, benches and somewhere to play games and football with permanent football posts. A meeting with stakeholders (School Staff, Sunday Football Club & Youth Klub etc) is still to be undertaken. The Parish Council were asked to reaffirm their commitment by providing a litterbin and covering the cost of emptying of this bin each week. When asked the style, size and position of the litterbin Mr Sanger indicated an area outside the school premises. The Clerk informed the meeting that obstruction to the footpath would not be allowed under health and safety rules. The footpath belongs to NCC highways and footpath furniture follows very strict guidelines. It was agreed that all Councillors would look carefully at the area outside the school grounds for a possible site and report back at the December meeting.
7. Correspondence:
a) TC Planning Dept Lucy Greenfield dates for training circulated – Monday January 9th booked. Slaley will be joined by Blanchland & Healey members. (Unconfirmed numbers from Hexhamshire indicate 5 members).
b) 4e 10/10/05; 8h 12/09/05: The Sustainable Communities Bill – Early Day Motion confirmation circulated from Peter Atkinson MP & Local Works. Belford meeting declined.
c) 4h & 14a,b,d,e 10/10/05; 15d 12/09/05: Parish verge cut after Slaley Show correspondence from Ian Hendry, Area Maintenance Manager + e-mail from Colin Charlton. No charge for 2005 grass cut. Also reported October/November flooding in the parish asking for landowner contacts. Circulated. Anthony White & GP Hutchinson (Shield Hall corner). A. White and Mrs A. Dodds Shield Hall (Whitley Chapel Road). Kellets of White House farm part.
d) TC emptying of Litter Bins etc replies from Margaret Sanderson + invoices (see 9 below) circulated
e) 14f 10/10/05: Reply from Slaley Hall regular taxis will be advised + guest may only drive a golf buggy when a full driving licence has been produced. Circulated. Plus Slaley taxi firm at Sandybraes telephoned the Clerk and confirmed that they never use the old road and would pass on a reminder to colleagues.
f) Request from R Stewart Planning Enforcement Officer -Static Caravans clarify various facts Clerk produced photographs and background. E-mail acknowledgement from Cllr B. M.
g) NCC Linnels bridge closed 20/11/05 8.00 hrs – 17.00 hrs circulated + Slaley Notes.
h) Letter from Slaley Vicarage offering a third party to carry out maintenance work on Parish Notice Board circulated. Clerk to contact Mr Band request, costs, timescale, work etc.
i) Invest 2006 campaign – Postcard campaign circulated. Councillors decided against support.
j) Northumberland Community News Vo. 25 – No 5 (interesting articles on second page; first Parish Councils Files and Records, second Reaching the Parts that Others Can’t which relates to the 2006 regional postcard campaign); Councillors encouraged to read.
k) Standards Board for England – Town & Parish Standards 05 (July 05) Page 4 Circulated
l) Standards Board for England – Town & Parish Standards 05 (Nov 05) All – the new Code of Conduct (5 copies) were distributed at the March 2005 meeting see page 147 Agenda item 6g. circulated comments included “some good points but a lot of sociological jargon”.
m) NCC Provisional N Local Transport Plan 2006-11. Comments by 23/12/05 (see page 151 – 8 c and report by Cllr Hancock + pages 159 & 160 – 10 + appendix 1-090505 full report page 160(a)) circulated Cllr Hancock reported from web site. 150 pages. Rural transport possible further services when criteria established. Highways Maintenance 10 year plan adopted 2002 – 2010 (8 years?). Gully cleaning twice yearly, safety inspections 6 monthly, surface patching cost effective, bridge culverts inspected bi annually, verge repairs only if surface of highway is in danger. Automated Scanner Clerk requested to write for clarification on health and safety aspect of Automated Scanner. School transport = 20 years to make a School transport Plan for every school in Northumberland. Annex: Rights of Way Improvements – end of year maximum access with detailed monitoring!
n) TC Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2006/07 If we wish to add something report by 25/11/05 Cllr Hancock proposed Environmental & Social impact of BOATs + Fly Tipping – Clerk to report this.
o) Do we want to join CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England)? Circulated Decision that membership could lead to conflict of interests and perceived bias?
p) NCC ‘join Northumberland Life’ – Friends of Ladycross – Cllr Hancock to establish. Youth Klub – Lesley Woodhouse to establish. Slaley Sunday Football Club LW to pass on to Elphick family.
q) Leisure & Culture Newsletter circulated; BBC Domesday Project 1986 Slaley entry circulated.
r) CE Electric UK information leaflet regarding forthcoming power cuts for vegetation clearance circulated.
s) Eastern Tynedale & WCM Parish Councils Forum agenda for 16/11/05. Cllr Norris attending asked if there was anything Slaley Councillors wished to have discussed.
t) Countrywise Consultants Statutory Duty of ‘Relevant Authorities to have regard to the purposes of national parks, AONB’s and the ‘Broads’ Questionnaire to complete by 29/11/05. Clerk to contact the Countryside Agency before completing this.
u) Northern Rock foundation ‘lead the field’ brochure; TDC Minutes of meetings September 2005; TC refuse Collection services Christmas & New Year notice Poster placed on Notice Board; Community Council of Northumberland meeting 9/11/05; Society of Local Council Clerks branch meeting at Wylam; The ARC-Addington Fund brochure; Tynedale Council Annual Report & Accounts 2004-5 circulated; Clerks & Councils Direct Issue 42.
8. Current Planning Applications:
20051335 Renewal of planning permission 2000755 Dwelling @ Tree Tops No objection
20051282 22.5 telecommunications tower Slaley Hall * objections
* 4b 10/01/05; 5b 12/09/05; 2c 8/08/05; 5f 11/7/05; 7c 13/06/05: Latest telecommunications tower letter from Mr Tully read to meeting. Decision as attached Appendix 1-141105
20051185 Conversion of barn to residential Trygill farm no objections
20050953 Alterations to existing BB accom: alterations of bed and breakfast accom to single holiday let unit: change of use of holiday let & stable to dwelling house. Change of use from agricultural land to Orchard. Rye Hill. pending
20050787 Conversion & extension to barn & outbuildings to link existing dwelling at
Stable Cottage, High Clear. Pending
20040701 Conversion of existing stables into holiday cottage East Ridley Hall Appeal**
** TC Letter dated 25/10/05 of appeal hearing following day 26/10/05 at 10 a.m. e-mailed
+ E-mail from Cllr B Massey appeal hearing deferred.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20051039 Certificate of lawfulness 20 Slaley Park granted
9. Financial report. Cheques to be signed and confirmation of interim payments.
a) Cheques to be signed
No 252 TC Empty Dog Bin 1/4/05-31/3/06 £277.23
No 253 TC Empty Litter Bin at Townhead £138.60
Proposed by Cllr Hancock and seconded by Cllr Norris.
b) Welfare of the Elderly Account. The fund is £498.38.
10. Slaley Hall Holiday Villas – Reply from Minister for Housing and Planning.
4a 10/10/05; 5a 12/09/05; 2a 8/08/05; 5a 11/07/05; 3-13/06/05. Slaley Hall lawful dwellings – individual member of the PC complaint not acceptable, Peter Atkinson written to the Minister responsible for Planning. Reply from Yvette Cooper circulated. Clerk to write to Helen Winter, copy to Richard Robson for update of progress. 6 months since announcement, status of remaining holiday villas can TC confirm that enforcement can be made on holiday conditions. Looses of community revenue any progress?
11. 1980′s Slaley Youth Club Account & Silver Trophy Update
7 f 10/10/05 account closed and funds be transferred into the Parish Council account. The interest has been added and a total of 29.98 has, (hopefully no letter or balance sheet arrived with the return of the pass book) been transferred into the PC account. Small silver trophy – Slaley Badminton Club not competitive however Slaley Youth Club considered this to very acceptable for a yearly incentive. The Silver Trophy was passed to Lesley Woodhouse for Slaley Youth Klub.
12. Affordable Housing & Play Area Update.
Telephone conversation today at 11.45 a.m. when no reply to letter of 4/11/05 when Chris Brinton reported that he hopes to attend our December meeting to arrange (hopefully) a Public Meeting. Following this telephone conversation an E-mail reply received by Clerk p.m. attached as appendix 2/141105
13. Consider Precept Spending April 06 – March 07 balance sheet circulated
Correspondence from Alianz Cornhill to cover Millennium Feature for material damage would be £64.57 per annum circulated. After discussion it was agreed to pay the additional premium.
Received 3/11/05 the Title Information Document together with the Epitome of Title from Gibson & Co. Therefore the Millennium Feature officially belongs to Slaley Parish Council. Clerk to write to TC and ask if any facilities exist for Storage of these type of documents for Parish Councils.
Grants for various beneficiaries would be considered at the December meeting. Appendix 3-141105
14. A.O.B.
a) Pot hole near the water tank on U8078 north of new surface.
b) U8078 From the U8079 High Clear Lane to Holly Hill verge brush clearance this week danger from sharp cuttings on roadside grass.
c) Left hand side of road (north-east) broken away and very dangerous between Glen Cottage and Holly Cottage C265
d) Two telephone poles have been erected at Pine Hill and neighbours understand that the telephone has been installed.
15. BOATs update (without Councillors Baynes or Norris)
a) Hexham Courant NCC notices 11/11/05 Stopping Up of Byway at Guessburn, Stocksfield hearing at Tynedale Magistrates Court 15/12/05
b) NERC Bill Part 6, hearing in House of Lords recommended that concerned parishioners ask members of HoL to support the Bill.
Date of November meeting: Monday 12th December 2005. Meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.
