Additional parking space outside numbers 9 and 12 South Park, how was it funded? Find out in agenda item 7c. Parish Council minutes are not posted on the web site until they have been accepted by the Councillors which is normally a month later than the meeting date.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday October 8th 2007, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies. None.
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors Mrs L. Norris, Mrs C. A. Brooks, Mrs A. S. Robson, S Davison, Ms M Palmer, & Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey &. County Councillor Wm Purdue
Public: Rachel Scott & Keith Robson. Courant Reporter: None. Slaley Notes Jean Elphick & Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests.
Cllr. Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 19
3. Minutes of September Parish Council Meeting (pages 344-348 + appendices 1 page 349)
Proposed by Cllr. Mrs L. Norris and seconded by Cllr Mrs A.S Robson the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 4a 10/907; 4 a 13/8/07; Cllr. Mrs A.S. Robson had been unable to negotiate with Hollybush for a reduction in the monthly charge, however she did propose showing a parishioner around the sites to see if they were interested in tendering for the work. An advert in the village shop asking for interest in tendering for the work was suggested and agreed. No estimate from Jonathan Storey, Holly Cottage.
b) 4e 10/9/07; 12e 13/8/07 Affordable Houses – stories received – some are allocated. No reply from Vicky Law regarding the increased rents. DC Brian Massey asked if the PC had been kept informed by Marilyn Rowe, the letting officer. After a negative reply DC Massey suggested that she was the lady to contact for answers.
c) 8h 10/9/07, 18b 9/7/07 Andrew Coney, General Manager of DeVere Hotel has repaired and repositioned the two Boundary/ Standing Stones. These two stones are once again upright in a gravel surround within a wooden frame. Already they have been seen by guests and their purpose asked. Clerk Pat Wilson was invited to view the stones during September.
d) 17 10/0907 Highway drain blockage at Jameson’s Well & Troughs. Traffic lights were placed on the B6306 and work began on October 1st, the traffic lights returned today and work has resumed. Speaking with the workmen and by telephone to Kevin Allen it appears that the cause of the problem has not been identified. Work was held up for several hours last week when a member of the public stopped work claiming that the well was his property. Two households have been presented with 28 day notices for the overhanging branches, shrubs etc on the B6306 to be cut back to their boundary wall. One household who did not receive a notice decided to cut back their overhanging branches and visibility has been greatly improved for drivers going south. On a humorous note NCC Highways were contacted by a member of the public who asked, “where Wooley village was” when the old Wooley Hospital sign on the B6306 was replaced with a new Wooley sign.
e) 18 d 10/9/07 DC Brian Massey reported that the caravan standing in the Rose & Crown car park does not need planning permission.
f) 3d 13/8/07 DC Brian Massey reported that Tynedale Council Planning Department had only recently requested the 2006 annual Holiday Villa occupancy details despite a PC letter requesting the information in December 2006 and again in March 2007. Clerk and DC Massey to discuss a reply.
5. Public Participation.
a) Two very angry members of the public reported instances of people/families being offered one of the Affordable Houses at Slaley, when the local criteria stipulation was questionable. Some single people, born and bred in the parish, some working in the parish and still living with their parents have been disqualified. The view was expressed that if this is because they were single it discriminated against local single people and the very people who filled in the Parish Plan questionnaire and subsequent Housing Needs Survey that instigated the Affordable Houses being built on a green belt site. It was credibly reported that a family that had not applied for a Slaley house, did not work locally and already occupied a house in Slaley had been approached by TC offering them an alternative house at Slaley. It was suggested that liaison had occurred between the Milecastle Housing waiting list and the Slaley houses under the Two Castles RSL. The part own homes were being allocated on behalf of Two Castles by NOMAD RSL. The Scott family who gave the land to enable local people to find a home wished to record their disappointment and anger and the feeling of being let down by the system, which had left them very upset. The Chairman explained that although the Parish Council could not examine individual cases and decide if they should or should not have been given one of the Slaley houses, it was generally felt that the letting process was not achieving what we thought would be achieved. It was felt that a justifiable complaint should be made that Slaley PC had not been kept in the loop.
DC Brian Massey suggested that he and the Chairman arrange a meeting with Ms Rowe as quickly as possible. A copy of the Local Letting Policy would be needed.
b) None compliance with the agreed landscaping to replace the chippings at the Millennium Feature as reported on agenda item 11 16/4/07 pages 307/308 was angrily questioned. This was explained by a decision taken to retain the chippings as reported on agenda item 11 13/8/07 page 332. Minutes going back to November 2002, page 34 and December 2002 page 35 when the Parish Council took over the financial responsibility for the Millennium feature from the Millennium Committee were examined. Then the agreement to place £1,000 in the precept to carry out the proposed landscaping in January 2004 page 78 followed by the Minutes of June 2005 page 162 when the Parish Council agreed to take over the ownership and insurance of the Millennium Feature. The Clerk reminded the meeting of their recently agreed Standing Order No 36a referring to ‘a decision not being reversed within six months’. The Chairman agreed that this subject could be discussed again in February 2008.
6. Community Trust Report.
The CT was thanked for its October report attached as appendix 1/081007. Further information on the £170 cost of producing the 2007 report books instigated the question of the PC giving a grant of £50 towards this. (Hexhamshire PC pay the full cost for their booklets) Cllr Mrs AS Robson suggested the CT should contact Slaley Hall De-Vere for the total amount. The PC would consider financial support if the need arose. All the Councillors felt that the exercise should be repeated next year.
7. Matters for Discussion with County & District Councillors
a) CC Bill Purdue spoke of the new Belonging Communities, which will include elected members plus the great and good from selected areas and walks of life. It was questioned whether representatives would be democratically appointed.
b) DC Brian Massey stated that he is attending meetings over the coming weeks regarding this very subject and will produce a report for the November meeting.
c) CC Wm Purdue – Hard surfacing outside numbers 9 and 12 South Park completed last week. Thank you to CC Purdue for spending £6,100 of his small schemes grant on this. As Clerk’s e-mail of 18th June recorded it is a pity that the grass to the east (left) of the telegraph pole was not included in the whole scheme (see photographs via e-mail received 18th June). A letter was received from the residents of Number 9 asking why this area had been left grassed. The Clerk to reply that the 2007 funding had been depleted.
A lengthy discussion followed on what to do about this uncut grass suggestion (1) was that Highways be contacted and asked if they would cut it. Suggestion (2) was that the grass was left uncut and unsightly. Suggestion (3) was that the PC pay to have it cut but that was generally considered to be setting a precedent. Suggestion (4) was that CC Purdue request a price for the area to be hard surfaced (this was likely to include a Parish Council donation). The general agreement was to go for suggestion 4.
d) DC Massey confirmed that the demise of Tynedale Council was expected within 18/19 months and suggested that any schemes we may have pending should be put before Tynedale for funding.
e) Complaints had been received at Tynedale Council regarding advertising boards for events held at Slaley within the Hexham area. The suggestion was that organisers should have an informal discussion with Tynedale Planning department before display boards are placed outside Slaley parish.
f) The question of refunding Councillors travelling expenses was raised. The Clerk referred to correspondence from Garry Pointer about this subject in June 2005 (4 13/6/05, page 161) and said that if Slaley went down this route then an idea of expected expenditure for 2008 would need to be included in the 2008/09 Precept. DC Brian Massey suggested that the Clerk request current legislation from Garry Pointer.
8. Correspondence.
a) ET & WCM Parish Councils Forum 4/9/07 minutes received September 4th. + copy of letter to Leader NCC asking to be involved in the setting up of the Unitary Authority.
Date of next meeting November 6th at Riding Mill. Cllr L Norris will attend.
b) Slaley First School Newsletters October 2007
c) FOSS report 2/10/07
d) Defra ‘Ways to Tackle Climate Change’ – Parish & Town council guide to playing a substantial role to reduce carbon emissions. Letter + 36 page booklet. See page 8 do we want to appoint a “parish energy champion”? Not everyone read the literature.
e) Community Foundation 2 page letter – a bursary of up to £1,000 towards Fuel Poverty or Sustainable Energy schemes.
f) Standards Board for England – several interesting comments Code of Conduct, support young people etc.
g) Alnwick Development Trust New Grantfinder Service.
h) Copy of 2001 Census profile (see 8e of 10/9/07 minutes)
i) Northumberland VCS consortium – PC contact details request completed 29/9/07. Cllr AS Robson reported that a second VCS meeting was arranged for November and volunteered to attend.
j) Large sealed envelopes delivered to Clerk’s home for Councillors distributed
k) ADAPT Autumn newsletter, Milecastle Housing Home Truths Autumn 2007; Calverley Clinic 20% discount card; Vaughtons advertising brochure; Garrick Outdoor Bus Shelter advertising brochure; Glasdon advertising leaflets; NCC Tynedale Area Committee papers.
9. Financial Report.
a) Cheques to be signed. None
b) Interim payments. None.
10. Current Planning Applications.
20071063 Change of use and conversion of outbuildings to one
residential dwelling, installation of package treatment plant
and new pedestrian & vehicle access – Cocklake, Slaley. No objections
20070939 Construction of two porches at Pry Cottage No objections.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20070916 Construction of Cattle Shed Dipton Foot Farm Granted
20070626 Two storey extension etc. Trygill Farm Cottage. Withdrawn
11. Child Protection & Vulnerable Users Training Day Report from training on Friday 21/9/07 attached as appendix 2/081007.
Councillors S Davison & Mrs CA Brooks wished to add that while very interesting they thought the presentation very long winded and went into too much detail of examples rather than our role in protecting/reporting.
12. Cycle/BMX track for the Youth of Slaley. (12c 13/8/07)
Report from meeting Wednesday September 12th attached as appendix 3/081007. A meeting with the relevant landowners at 6.45 p.m. resulted in the idea not able to be carried forward.
13. Post Christmas Slaley Hall Meal for the Elderly Update.
a) Suggested date Friday January 18th 2008. Agreeable
b) Cost of meal totally covered by Slaley Hall £10.50 for 3 courses. Wonderful.
c) Held in Claret Jug Restaurant (formerly Clubhouse) Disabled toilets & access?
d) Parish Council involvement administration of tickets and transport arrangements.
e) Advertise through Slaley Notes, Parish Magazine & Slaley Post Office. YES
f) Use format of booking form for January 2007 meal. YES
g) Closing date? Friday December 21st 2007.
h) Money to be paid with booking? YES
i) Contact ADAPT for disabled transport? YES
14. Village Mobile Flashing Speed Unit Update. Report of meeting 19/9/07 attached as appendix 4/081009
a) Suggested sites for village speed unit approved by Alan Bawn & John McCann of VMS: east of ‘Reaston View’ Affordable Houses on south verge. Between Meadow Rise and Slaley house on north verge. Photograph received by e-mail.
b) Quotation received from VMS which states the unit is £2,400 not £5,0000 as previously thought.
After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk contact VMS to make certain price correct. To contact the other interested PC’s in the group and ascertain their response – if they still want to form a partnership fine, otherwise Slaley PC may go it alone and if the latter what is the final price to Slaley.
15 Pride of Tynedale Nominees
It was decided to nominate Northumbria Pedigree in the Young Business category if the owner was below 30 years of age.
16. Parish Plan October 2007 Action Plan Update. Attached as appendix 5/081007
Amendments were made.
17. Traffic Calming at Town Head (requested by Cllr M. Palmer). (Please read agenda item 6l, June minutes page 322, agenda item 14 July minutes page 333 and agenda item 4d August minutes page 338).
Whilst there is still concern at the speed traffic travels on the B6306 past Townhead/ High Clear junction it was felt that the requested new warning signs showing adult and child with the wording no footway will hopefully soon be erected and an improvement in speed noticed.
18. A.O.B.
a) Chairman asked for a copy of the Clerks Contract of Employment, including a job description & Person Specification – last updated December 2002.
Presently the Clerk is paid £2,000 which equates to £6.40 per hour x 6 hours each week x 52 weeks each year = £1,997 or minimum wage £5.52 x 7hrs x 52 = £2009. The Clerk was asked to keep an approximate record of her working week.
19. BOATs update.
a) CC Wm Purdue reported that the ROW committee had considered new evidence provided by Liz Sobell on The Broad Way proposed BOAT between Hexhamshire and Allenheads. The evidence showed that roads up to the common were public roads, but across the common were occupational. Therefore the proposal was turned down.
b) The Councillors unanimously agreed to support the A4 submission produced by AVAG to the JLAF.
b) GLEAM newsletter has a report from Dr. I.C. Hancock of Slaley entitled “Off-roaders in an AONB. A Study of their impact in Northumberland”.
The meeting closed at 10 p.m.
