Slaley Parish Councillors would like a bottle bank in Slaley parish, find out more by reading agenda 18.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday February 12thth 2007, 7.30 p.m. in Slaley Commemoration Hall.
1. Apologies. County Councillor Wm Purdue.
Present: Councillor Mrs L. Norris in the Chair. Councillors J.K. Robson, I.C. Hancock, T. A. Henderson, Mrs C. A. Brooks, Mrs A.S. Robson. Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey.
Public: None. Slaley Notes: Jean Elphick, Courant Reporter: Lyndsey Wright. Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick
2. Declaration of Interests.
Cllr. Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 21.
3. Minutes of January Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 284-287+ appendices Action Plan update 288).
Proposed by Cllr J.K. Robson and seconded by Cllr I.C. Hancock the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
ai) Post Christmas Treat for the Elderly of Slaley Parish 19/1/07 at Slaley Hall Hotel.
Thank you letters received from: Wendy Tucker, Mildred Robson, Jean & Michael Elphick, Gwen Ridley & Joe & Mary Metcalf and many verbal thanks.
aii) One paid meal cancelled by Jim Bailey resulted in only 3@£10.50 being paid into bank therefore 8d 8/1/07 should read £31.50 and not £42.00.
aiii) Immediate E-mail thanks sent to Andrew Coney of Slaley Hall and his reply saying he hopes a repeat can somehow be made in the future. An official PC letter of thanks to be sent together with a copy of the ‘thank you’ letters.
b) 9 & 16f 8/1/07 E-mail reply from Richard Stewart re barn (discussing with landowner) & port-a-cabins (structures are temporary and connected to the approval).
c) E-mail replies re non-empty of dog & litter bin – A fortnightly collection will be acceptable for a trial period with a reduction of the annual account. Summer use of dog bin may make this unacceptable – millennium bin presently full to overflowing.
d) Councillors request for sight of Local Works Sustainable Communities Bill actual bill & Local Works campaign criteria circulating (see 7i 8/1/07 page 284; 7a 12/12/05 page 195; 4e 10/10/05 page 180; 8h 12/9/05 page 175)
e) 11b 8/1/07 E-mail reply from CC Bill Purdue: both the one and two Council proposals were passed on to the minister.
f) 7k 8/1/07 Reply from Anne Robinson confirming in writing that copies of invoices from Noreen White will be received by Slaley PC clerk.
g) Squirrel Protection Group Courant & Journal articles – 16b January 8th minutes. Meeting at St. Mary’s Church, Slaley, Monday February 19th.
h) 7g 8/1/07 NCC draft Rights of Way: Improvement Plan for Northumberland – comments by 31st March 2007 (MK has been warning us of this since April 2006) circulated and returned for report.
5. Public Participation. -
Wheelie bin collections working well at Colpitts from individual homes.
6. For discussion with County and District Councillors.
a) Cllr. IC Hancock asked about the inquiry into the role and effectiveness of Rural Councillors launched on Feb 8th by the Commission for Rural Communities (NERC Act of Parliament 2006) Questionnaire is not a tick box and the deadline is May 2007. This nationwide questionnaire will have wide ranging responses. Councillor Massey had not seen the document but said he would follow up the query and he anticipated that the answers from PC’s in Northumberland would vary considerably.
b) (see 9e below) NCC N’land Minerals &Waste Development Framework further site submissions for the Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD. Cllr Hancock was especially concerned that these highly contentious sites can be slipped in after consultation on the completed site allocation document has taken place, Short period of time to comment on the most potentially damaging proposals. The area in question constitute the most sensitive landscapes beyond the semi-industrial fringe of Tyneside and should be protected at all costs. Again Cllr Massey had not seen the documents, he took Slaley’s for reference and agreed to follow through.
7. Rural Post Offices – District Councillor Brian Massey to report.
Tynedale Council are required to give an answer to Central Government regarding rural post offices. It was agreed that a copy of our letter to Jim Fitzpatrick and his reply to us should be sent to Tynedale Council.
8. Community Trust Report.
Report attached as appendix 3/120207.
9. Correspondence.
a) Letter from Ian Kemp dated 15th January re Core Strategy Examination (see 7d January 8th minutes) Not circulated reply by Chairman & Vice Chairman only 10 days to reply
b) E-mail of Chairman & Vice Chairman’s reply to above.
c) TDC LDF reply from Ian Kemp Core Strategy Examination dated 29/1/07.
d) TDC LDF reply from Ian Kemp Core Strategy Examination dated 31/1/07. It was agreed that Cllr Hancock re-look at this and draft a reply.
e) NCC N’land Minerals &Waste Development Framework further site submissions for the Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD see 6b above.
f) Ian Watson’s letter to Courant re Wheelie Bins. Cllr Massey could not confirm what happened to the recycling material other than it goes to Tyneside.
g) TC Hanging Baskets 2007 Northumbria in Bloom 2007 Maintenance of hanging baskets would be a problem at Slaley therefore the answer is no.
h) NCC Tynedale Area Committee Papers – January 25th. Includes Local Transport Plan.
i) NALC Review of the Quality Town & Parish Council Scheme.
j) Local Works – Sustainable Communities Bill passes 2nd reading and asking that we request Peter Atkinson to write to Phil Woolas MP, Ruth Kelly MP + Sign the early day motion. (see 7i 8/1/07 page 284; 7a 12/12/05 page 195; 4e 10/10/05 page 180; 8h 12/9/05 page 175) Cllr agreed that they wished this letter to be sent.
k) Northumberland Strategic Partnership letter – Agreed Boundaries. No problem.
l) Communities & Local Government – a revised model code of conduct for local authority members replies by March 9th Cllr TA Henderson to read and report by early March.
m) NALC letter + Royal Garden Party, Joining Your Local Council, Briefing Paper, Possible re-organisation, & NALC training events. Cllr’s Norris, Brooks & Henderson wished to have a copy of Joining Your Local Council.
NTC grant aid 07/08; Bytes & Briefs a bulletin about Tynedale Council, Record Playground equipment; Timberline catalogue; Shaws – registers etc for local councils; TDC minutes of meetings November; North Pennines AONB – from peat to global warming; Glasdon advertising, CPRE Winter 06/07 Overview, Glasdon seating catalogue. ‘Shameful destruction’ Courant letter (see 11d 14th August & 7f 9th October minutes) (similar)
10. Financial report. Cheques to be signed and confirmation of interim payments.
a) Cheques to be signed
No 287 DeVere Slaley Hall – Post Christmas Lunch £714.00
No 288 Slaley Commemoration Hall 4 meetings rooms @ £10.00 £40.00
No 289 Pipex Communications UK Ltd ‘ Slaley Web hosting’ £93.41
No 290 P. Wilson Clerk’s salary Oct 06 – March 07 £750.00
No 291 Age Concern Northumberland – exercise class shortfall £30.00
Proposed by Cllr JK Robson and seconded by Cllr CA Brooks.
b) Welfare of the Elderly Account
Balance £507.72 + closing interest 64p = withdrawal of £508.36 by Cllr’s Norris & Robson to close account and pay for Post Christmas lunch see 4a above. Account Now CLOSED
c) Interim payments.
None.
d) Chairman & Clerk signed the 2007/08 precept request of £6,365.00 and returned to Tynedale Council by January 24th 2007.
e) Audit Commission check for new fees on Commission’s website www.audit-commission.gov.uk for a five year period.
11. Current Planning Applications.
20070073 Variation of condition No 4 on planning permission 20051282 – telecommunications monopole at Slaley Hall. Chairman and Vice Chairman looked at this and decided a site visit should be requested copy of e-mail to everyone. Photographs copied and hand delivered with hard copy of objections to Planning Dept. Cllr Massey to request a site visit after looking at photographs and plans.
20070121 Micro Wind Generator attached to garage – Foresters Lodge, Trygill. No Obj
Decisions from Planning Authority
20061512 Two storey side extension – Oaklea. Granted
20061359 Single storey dwelling & garage land east of Slaley House. Granted 3 years + a financial contribution of £3,264 towards play facilities and sign a 106 agreement. Cllr Massey to check this wording on a single dwelling, he explained that it was now common practice that a certain number of new dwellings should pay a financial contribution towards play facilities in the area.
20061359 First floor extension above existing garage. Single storey extension to rear and construction of dormer to rear. Beechcroft, 4 Wooley Grange. Granted
20061498 Two storey side ext & single storey front ext – Glen Cottage Refused
12. Affordable Houses – Holly Construction – Flooding at Rosslyn.
Agenda item 9 bullet points one and two 8/1/07 Flooding at ‘Rosslyn’
a) Reply from Planning re Flooding under Rosslyn floorboards
b) Reply Two Castles re flooding under Rosslyn floorboards
c) Clerk took action by personally contact Patrick Dockerty, Chief Planning Inspector, on Friday January 12th and told him of the flooding under Rosslyn floorboards. He immediately came to the building site found the old broken field drain and watched as the builders repaired the drain. He then telephoned the Clerk back during the afternoon and said the water should begin to leave the foundations of Rosslyn. The Clerk’s son, James, telephoned Mr Dockerty on Tuesday January 30th to say the south facing lawn was still like a sponge and was he aware Holly Construction had gone into liquidation. Mr Dockerty said that when new contactors were appointed he would re look at the old field drains crossing the site from the south lawn of Rosslyn bungalow. The Clerk had herself taken up the floorboards on Sunday February 11th and the water had gone from inside Rosslyn foundations.
d) Press Release Slaley PCs comments written by Chairman read to the meeting.
e) Holly Construction into administration January 22nd – No confirmation of who replacement construction company would be has been announced.
f) E-mail re Affordable Houses name. Slaley schoolchildren did not respond. Slaley Parish Council proposed Townfoot Close. Vicky Law telephoned the Clerk and said Two Castles would have the final say in naming their site. The Councillors were annoyed with this and asked the Clerk to e-mail Vicky with a copy to Two Castles and say Townfoot name would be compatible with Townhead at the west end of the village
13. Millennium Feature Landscaping work (4a 8/1/07; 15d 11/12/06)
Defer to March meeting.
14. T C Important Meeting 9/1/07 One Northumberland – Two Councils – Cllr’s L. Norris, I.C. Hancock report.
Attached as appendix 1/120207
a) Letter from Bill Brooks leader of Northumberland County Council
b) + Report to Council; 15/1/07
c) + Outline Proposals for a Single Unitary Council for Northumberland
d) + Our Future – One Council
e) Letter from Richard Robson TC One Northumberland – Two Councils
f) + Working draft submission.
g) + copy of presentation
h) Letter to Richard Robson TC One Northumberland – Two Councils and his reply.
i) TC letter One Northumberland – Two Councils + Press release.
j) E-mail Cllr I Hancock re website for ‘strong and prosperous communities’ www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1503999
15. Toddler Play Area in Slaley
a) 12c 8/1/07 Negative reply from Scott family
b) Clerk to telephone Kellett family for its reply.
16. Meeting with Alan Bawn “Speeding in Slaley village/parish” Wednesday 24/1/07.
Report attached as appendix 2/120207
A Courant article re Speeding in Bellingham was circulated to the Councillors. It was agreed that no contact with neighbouring parishes who are experiences similar speeding problems be made until we have an indication of costs ( Blanchland, Broomley & Stocksfield, Whittonstall, Corbridge etc)
17. NALC Community Empowerment Award Prize Money – Parish Seat (14 11/12/06 page 276; 4a 13/11/06 page 267; 11 9/10/06 page 255)
l) Reply from Alan Bawn regarding the B6306 site for our second parish seat.
Glasdon Seating Collection – Councillors agreed on Shrewsbury (3 seater) size 2 style. Clerk to contact Hexhamshire Hardwoods and Michael Swanson (latter made Hexhamshire millennium seats) for cost plus guaranteed availability by end of April. Also contact Trevor Golightly for a price on concrete base and metal anchorage plus fixing seat early May.
18. Bottle bank in Slaley.
Rose & Crown Inn will shortly be under new management therefore this village site is not viable at present. Non-village sites were discussed and everyone agreed that taking glass to a point outside the village was pointless. Once in a vehicle glass may as well be taken to one’s destination i.e. a bottle bank in Hexham etc. Clerk to write and ask if TC is considering any domestic glass collection as part of its recycling scheme.
19. Northumberland Strategic Partnership/ Tynedale Community Agreement Update.
Nothing to report.
20. AOB.
a) Individual Pot holes should be reported to Pot Hole Pete.
c) Slow sign still need at Hexham side of the Wooley road junction.
d) Flooding at ‘Moorland’ on Lead Road between Sandybraes and Comb Hills Farm.
e) Meeting at Wark Town Hall, Friday 23/2/07 with Peter Atkinson re closure of rural post offices and its effect on the elderly.
f) Light Pollution from Slaley Hall – Clerk to write to Andrew Coney and ask if a review of lighting is likely in view of the current conservation of energy (especially during the hours after midnight) and light pollution connected to global warming.
g) Eastern Tynedale & WCM PC’s Forum meeting on February 20th at Heddon on the Wall. Cllr Norris unable to attend. Cllr TA Henderson will try to attend.
21. BOATs update
a) Date of Spring meeting Monday February 26th.
b) NERC Bill made possible to place TRO’s on BOATs to protect wildlife. Forestry Commission done conservation work in Slaley Forest to attract Black Grouse. MK is asking for support from Slaley PC in requesting a TRO in Slaley Forest for rare wildlife such as Nightjars, Black Grouse and the red squirrels.
Meeting closed at 9 30 p.m. Date of March meeting: Monday 12th
