Slaley Parish Council is the regional winner in the Housing category of the NALC Community Empowerment Awards. see 5a
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday August 14th 2006, in Slaley Commemoration Hall
The August walk-about report.
On route to the walkabout the vehicle driven by the Parish Clerk containing Councillor JK Robson and prospective Councillor TA Henderson was waved down near Slaley Showfield entrance. Alan Hutchinson came and asked the Clerk if the Parish Council would have any objections to the stone wall (adjacent to the Millennium Feature owned by Slaley Parish Council) being taken down and replaced by a second gate. Apparently Northumrbria Police will stop Slaley Show unless a second entry/exit from the showground can be found/made.
Councillor JK Robson,who still owns the wall either side of the Millennium feature told Mr Hutchinson that he would not consider dismantling any wall for a second gate.
The Clerk asked Alan Hutchinson about an exit via Peter Hutchinson’s land (presently farmed by the Kellett family) – apparently Mr Hutchinson of Low House was not in favour. Then the exit from the field where the cars had been parked through Glebe House gate was suggested; the Police would not consider this exit – it was an emergency exit.
Councillor JK Robson asked Mr Hutchinson to speak with him at a more convenient time.
At Trygill the Councillors looked for a possible site for the 10 wheelie-bins serving Heatherden House, the new Trygill farm barn conversion, Trygill bungalow, Acton House and Stoneyburn. High ground adjacent to the B6306 is where the Councillors thought two larger bins could be permanently kept, this is at the entrance into the five properties however the ownership of the grassed area suggested (adjacent to a garage) would need clarification as it seems to be the access for a footpath to the north of Stoneyburn. The remaining five properties at Trygill could use their own entrances without any problem.
The wheelie bins for the Colpitts Grange road is an entirely different problem – 16 homes = 32 wheelie bins. Again the most sensible solution would be large community bins on the northern grassed verge as you enter the private road. This would mean the refuse lorry reversing into the private road. Walking right to the end of the private road the Councillors were able to determine that the old hard road from Slaley Hall was very narrow and overgrown in places with grass encroaching from the verges, indicating that no large vehicles use this route. Colpitts as a possible village for new development (workshops etc), as suggested by Tynedale Council in its Local Development Framework – Core Strategy – Identifying Villages was looked at as the walk was underway. Every corner of the previous farm buildings has been developed into an extremely tight exclusive housing estate. The only possibility for such development could be Colpittsburn House and its outbuildings situated at the private road junction of the B6306
High Clear was the final point-of-call and the site of planning application 20050787 was looked at – obviously the proposals will create problems with maintenance and emptying of the present shared septic tank for other properties. The private road was walked and again a discussion of where the eight wheelie-bins could be safely stored on the U8079. High Clear House could use a site at their eastern entrance although that was not clarified. The U8079 is a single-track lane, with field entrances to the south many of which have double gates indicating large farm machinery use. Permanent larger bins was again considered the most sensible alternative, however the site for such bins proved very difficult whilst retaining safe access for all uses and users.
The Councillors then returned to Slaley Commemoration Hall for an 8.15 p.m. business meeting
1. Apologies. District Councillor B.W. Massey & County Councillor Wm Purdue & Mrs C. Brooks.
Present: Councillor Mrs L. Norris in the Chair. Councillors, I.C. Hancock, J.K. Robson, Mrs A.S. Robson Clerk Mrs P. Wilson.
Public: T.A.Henderson & Mrs S. Hughes. Notes: None. Courant Reporter: None.
2. Declaration of Interests.
None.
3. Minutes of July Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 234-237).
Proposed by Cllr I.C. Hancock and seconded by Cllr. A. Robson the minutes were then signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 10 10/7/06 & 6i 8/5/06 LDP Identifying smaller villages – telephone report from Lucy Greenfield re our smaller villages. Circulated. Check our concerns are recorded correctly on next draft document.
b) 14 10/7/06 NCC LTP – Reply from NCC 19/7/06 re LTP + copy of letter sent circulated.
c) 14 10/7/06 Second reply from NCC dated 1/8/06
d) 18 10/7/06, 4a 8/5/06 & 14 12/6/06 Vacancy in the Office of Councillor.
Clerk had re-contacted Mr Thomas Henderson after the July meeting and he had joined the Councillors for the walkabout. Mrs S. Hughes had written to the Council on August 5th stating her interest in knowing more about the position (see 5g below). The chairman invited Mr Henderson & Mrs Hughes to stay for the meeting. The item was adjourned until the Council requested clarification of the situation from David Francis and would be reconvened at the September meeting
5. Correspondence.
a) E-mail from Vicky Law announcing that Slaley PC is the Regional Winner in the Housing category in the Community Empowerment Awards. A representative invited to take part in the best practice session in Liverpool on September 23rd. Cllr Mrs Linda Norris to represent Slaley PC at Liverpool.
b) TC Kerbside Twin Bin Recycling Scheme; question sheet, leaflet and letter + draft list of address for none kerbside collection in Slaley parish circulated.
c) E-mail from Blanchland PC re update on wheelie bin circulated
d) Environment Agency: Tyne Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP) formal consultation – consultation until October 13th circulating – September agenda item.
e) NCC Highways Consultation – completed by Cllrs Norris, Hancock, Robson & Brooks on behalf of the PC.
f) TC Joint Discussion Forum Wednesday 13th September at 6.30 p.m. Cllr Mrs L Norris will attend.
g) Vacancy for Councillor – information requested by Mrs S.M. Hughes, Rose & Crown. (see 4 d above)
h) Slaley First School July 2006 newsletter circulated.
i) TC The Gambling Act 2005 – read on line – consultation until 22/9/06. circulated.
j) TC Autumn/Winter Litter Pick – extending National Spring Clean throughout the year. Councillors decided that long grass and falling leaves does not go hand-in-hand with autumn/winter litter picking.
k) New 101 number replaces some 999 calls Courant article July 21st circulated. Posted 9/8/06 from TC, Lynn Turner, sent leaflets and poster for distribution in parish. Distributed.
l) ENCAMS Local Environmental Quality – a town and parish council guide. A file entitled ‘A guide to improving your local environment’ and two leaflets entitled ‘Litter and the Law a guide for the public’ Councillor Mrs A Robson to read Litter and the Law and report back Cllr I C Hancock to read A guide to improving your local environment and report back.
m) North Pennines AONB Partnership Annual Report 2005/06; CCoF Northumberland Information Events on the Big Lottery’s Community Building Fund – Cllr J.K Robson going; NCC Area Committee for Tynedale 20th July 2006 Stocksfield; NSP The Boundaries of belonging Communities Consultation – OK now; Selefest 2006 poster on Parish Notice Board 18/7/06; Wicksteed equipment leaflet; Rock report no.13; Pitzpatrick Woolmer equipment leaflet; North east War memorials Project leaflet Summer 2006; Society of Local Council Clerks correspondence; KOMPAN – community play areas; Glasdon products advertising leaflets
6. Financial report. Cheques to be signed and confirmation of interim payments.
a) Cheques to be signed
No 272 Slaley Commemoration Hall meetings 12/6; 26/6 (half charge) 3/7 (half charge) 10/7;
13/7 (Public Meeting); 14/8 = £50.00
b) Welfare of the Elderly Account
Balance £ 503.33
c) Interim payments – None.
Proposed by Cllr J.K. Robson and seconded by Cllr. I.C. Hancock.
d) Audit asked for the reason why the Clerk’s salary had risen by 20%. Chairman, Linda Norris and Clerk, Pat Wilson confirmed the reason to Matt Pickett by e-mail and then by hard copy i.e. increased workload and an attempt to bring salary nearer the national average.
e) It was proposed to look at a possible Christmas outing for the elderly to spend some of the money at the September meeting.
7. Current Planning Applications.
20061009 Amendments to planning permission 20050787 Stable Cottage, High Clear.
20060946 Two storey rear extension & external alterations to barns. Winter House.
20040701 Conversion of existing stables into holiday cottage East Ridley Hall Appeal.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20060697 Two storey side extension Denewood - granted.
20060798 Certificate of lawfulness 52 Slaley Park – granted.
8. Report from July 13th Public Consultation on proposed Play Area & Car Parking (appendix 1/140806).
Copy of Poster, copy of letter to neighbouring residents. Report of Consultation event.
9. Proposed Play Area & Car Parking came to an end (appendix 2/140806).
Includes letter from and to the Scott family, E-mail to everyone who has helped in project. Letter to neighbouring residents. Poster on Notice Board.
Cllr JK Robson was asked if a portion of the Show Field could be purchased for an alternative play area site. He replied “It had never been considered and it was doubtful if planning would allow a children’s play area at the very busy junction at Townhead”. Mrs Hughes thought the brewery, Wolverhampton Dudley, who owned the Rose & Crown Inn may be interested in selling the paddock to the rear of the Rose & Crown. She volunteered to “test the waters” by speaking with John Green, Area Manager, and Geoff Kane, Property and Development Manager.
10. TC Local Development Framework Site Allocations Development Plan Document – circulated.
Make a September agenda item.
11. A.O.B.
a) Caravans still at rear of Rose & Crown Inn – public inquiry dated 20/6/06 (8 weeks on Tuesday 15/8/06) – Mrs Hughes informed the meeting that both caravans would be removed during September.
b) Note of telephone call re speeding agricultural vehicles circulated – Clerk to reply to concerned parishioner.
c) E-mail regarding Northumbria Water – water shortage during hot weather of July. Slaley Notes carried the telephone helpline number 0800 171100. First the Clerk telephone the PC helpline 0845 3370151 set up in March 2006 and was told by a recorded message that the number has not been activated (see page 217, 10j from April 10th 2006 meeting). Clerk to write and say number not activated.
d) Highway report from Stephen Kellett copy of letter sent to NCC highways.
e) Mrs Hughes offered the Rose & Crown car park as a possible site for a Glass Recycle Container – Clerk to contact Philip Hindmarsh with this suggestion.
f) Letter from Margaret Pickering of Peel Flatt about no grass cutting on the Riding Mill road this year – dangerous. Councillors confirmed they had not noticed this particular road being cut back. Clerk to contact NCC Highways about this.
g) Date of September meeting brought forward by one week due to other commitment by Clerk.
Meeting closed at 9.45 p.m. Date of September meeting Monday September 4th
