Four years after adoption of the Parish Plan in January 2004 Slaley Parish Councillors are considering that the Parish Plan Steering Group be asked to reform and upgrade the Action Plan, see agenda item 14b.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday January 14th 2008, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies. S Davison.
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors Mrs L. Norris, Mrs C. A. Brooks, Mrs A. S. Robson, Ms M Palmer, & Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey & County Councillor Wm Purdue.
Public: None. Courant Reporter: Apologies Rebecca Dixon. Slaley Notes: None & Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests & Hospitality Record.
Cllr. Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 4a & 16.
3. Minutes of December Parish Council Meeting (pages 369-373 + appendices 1a & 1b pages 374 & 375, 2 page 376 & 3 page 377)
Proposed by Cllr.Mrs CA Brooks and seconded by Cllr. Mrs L. Norris the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 3 12/12/07 Modification Order No 8 2007 BOAT 44 – after discussion with The 4 Parishes BOATs joint committee and having read the legal letter from Slaley Hall the reply from Slaley Parish Council attached as appendix 1/140108 page 383 was agreed as the reply. CC Purdue asked for a copy.
b) 8 10/12/07. Belonging Communities in Tynedale. – Cllr IC Hancock attended the meeting on December 11th (8f 10/12/07). A written report was made that evening and a reply to Andrew J Dean was sent 19/12/07 with a copy to DC Brian Massey. CC Purdue requested a copy. (Also see 8c below and 8n below).
c) 10a 10/12/07 – Corbridge Parish Council Working Group on public access. After discussion with T4PBJC a request was sent to the JLAF asking if they were supporting this group. The JLAF meet this Thursday.
d) 10i 10/12/07 – TC reply from Ian Douglas re Recycle changes. (see also Journal article of 26/12/07 entitled “Drinks cartons are now included in recycling initiative”).
e) 18b 10/12/07 – Telephone reply followed by e-mail confirmation that Age Concern have no record of the £30 special grant towards the elderly exercise class at Slaley, cheque 291, issued 12/2/07, (see 12/2/07 minutes agenda item 4f, page 289, referring to 7k of 8/1/07 minutes). The cheque went through the PC bank on 1/3/07. Age Concern will continue to check. The Councillors were most unhappy with this situation.
5. Public Participation.
None.
6. Community Trust Report.
a) Copy of reply from John Green Business & Development Manager for Marstons Pub Company. Slaley PC sent a letter of support (copy given to CT).
b) January Community Information Sheet distributed by the CT.
7. Matters for Discussion with County & District Councillors
CC Bill Purdue -
a) Cost of care for the elderly will increase.
b) Council tax 1% or 2% increase.
c) Plans to return to FREE school transport for post 16 year olds.
d) Plans for Unitary Authority. At present the 6 Area Committees will become 3 New Characteristic Communities: Morpeth & Tynedale; Alnwick & Berwick and Wansbeck & Blyth.
e) Funding for GP’s surgeries – more promising news received today.
f) The promised £500 grant towards the solar powered speed unit will be activated.
DC Brian Massey
a) E-mail received – Post Office closures. 90% of population should be within 3 miles of a Post Office. When objections to a closure are successful then another PO on the list will be axed.
b) Brian reported that Slaley Parish Council had recently returned two very late planning applications to TC Planning Department therefore our comments had not been noted or considered. We have addressed this see agenda item 12, 19th December 2007 minutes, page 371 and decision to rectify on page 372.
8. Correspondence.
a) Northumberland Rights of Way Improvement Plan (with special attention to page 10 (3.34 & 3.35). Pages 22 and 23, section 2 North Pennines. Page 32, Policy EN10 Ref 25/26. Page 43, Appendix 3. A Framework for the Management of byways open to all traffic.) Cllr Hancock reported a Defra funded scheme from the late 1990′s early 21st century which funded a model RoW provision. i.e Greenways. The document to be given to the Clerk for future reference.
b) TC: LDF: Adopted Core Strategy. We were aware of policies saved and not superseded from the present District Local Plan. Document to be kept by Clerk for future reference.
c) TC invitation to 2nd meeting to discuss Belonging Communities 29/1/08 – Councillors IC Hancock & Mrs L. Norris will attend.
d) E-mail NCC Jan Chisholm re draft Community Transport Strategy. No Action
e) 14 12/11/07 Reply from Slaley School Chair of Governors stating school grounds are needed for future development of Classrooms and out of hours childcare business.
f) Thank You letter for grant from Slaley Commemoration Hall.
g) E-mail from David Francis 20/12/07 Characteristic & Belonging Communities (1 page) circulated by e-mail – No Action.
h) E-mail from David Francis 17/12/07 LGR Implementation Order (9 pages) circulated by e-mail – No Action.
i) E-mail from David Francis 14/12/07 Report of Councillors’ Commission (3 pages) circulated by e-mail – No Action.
j) E-mail from David Francis Older People in Northumberland – A longer-term view draft for Consultation November 2007 (36 pages) circulated by e-mail – No Action.
k) TC “Don’t Lose Your Vote” Poster – placed on parish notice board.
l) E-mail from The Standards Board asking when we will adopt the Model Code – Clerk replied that the Code was adopted at the meeting on July 9th 2007. (agenda item 12, page 332) and suggested they may wish to check on the Slaley web site.
m) ET&WCM Parish Councils Forum minutes of 8/1/08 circulated and reported on by Cllr. Norris.
n) ET&WCM Parish Councils Forum – letter to A Dean re Belonging Communities (see agenda 4b above). Date of next meeting April 1st 2008.
o) ET&WCM Parish Councils Forum appendix 1 – letter to Northumberland Care Trust.
p) ET&WCM Parish Councils Forum appendix 2 – letter to BP Power re Windfarm Clusters.
q) ET&WCM Parish Councils Forum e-mail reply from Alex Kerr Northumberland Care Trust entitled “Care Trust and GP’s Contracts”.
r) ET&WCM Parish Councils Forum e-mail statement from North Tyneside PCT entitled ‘A Positive way forward for the future funding of GP services’.
s) North East War Memorial Project newsletter No 8, Winter 07/08.
CE Electric UK – preparing for Mother Nature leaflets. Glasdon advertising leaflets; CAN News Vol. 27 No 6 + training dates, Children & Young people Activity questionnaire (gave a copy of this to Lesley Woodhouse). Clerks & Councils Direct January 08; Milecastle Housing Home truths Winter 2007.
9. Financial Report.
a) Cheques to be signed. None.
b) Interim payments. None.
c) E-mail from D Francis: Section 137 expenditure limited increased to £5.86 per elector = 601 electors for 2008 = £3,521.86 for things that will benefit all or part of the parish.
d) E-mail Pipex for Community web page hosting.
e) £724.50 paid into the PC bank account as payment for 69 people having a £10.50 lunch at Slaley Hall. (see agenda item 11 below)
10. Current Planning Applications.
20071381 Amendments to door & window to rear and construction of detached garage The Haining concerns re access to garage & future usage.
20071400 Construction of agricultural farm building Woodnook Hill - support
20071342 Detached granny annexe at Pinetops - object
20071327 Increase in height of boundary wall. Garden Cottage pending
20071190 Conversion to form accommodation Blackburn Farm pending.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20071228 Extension to dwelling, car port, single storey garage, alterations to access, gates and driveway. Wooley House granted
20071191 Two storey extension Overdale granted
20071238 Construction of single storey extension to garage and conversion to swimming pool house – Peel Flatt House. Withdrawn
**Planning Appeal – Glen Cottage – 20061498 Dismissed
11. Post Christmas Meal at Slaley Hall for everyone age 60 years + Update.
a) 69 people have paid for a meal. (see agenda item 9f above) This number has been reported to Andrew Coney.
b) Transport – on telephoning the application forms of those requesting transport most have now been offered transport. One wheelchair user has recently undergone head surgery and will not now attend, his wife will be taken by their son. Councillor Norris has agreed to transport the remaining couple as the ADAPT Transport Manager had indicated costs of 30p per mile + £10 per hour for both the driver and the helper.
c) Cllr Norris asked to mention the Commemoration Hall Fund Raising event – Murder Mystery Saturday February 9th.
12. Agree Precept for 2008/09
The Precept having been agreed in the December minutes the Precept form was signed.
13. Commemoration Hall Management Meeting 11/12/07 report by Cllr AS Robson.
a) Minutes circulated by e-mail from P Goodwin 3/1/08
b) Fund Raising event – Murder Mystery Saturday February 9th. Posters were given out and a mention of the event would be made at the post Christmas lunch at Slaley Hall.
14. January Parish Plan Action Plan Update.
a) Draft as circulated by e-mail was amended and is attached as appendix 2/140108 page 384.
b) It was suggested that the Steering Group who produced the Parish Plan on behalf of the Parish Council be contacted and asked if it was time for a revision and a new Action Plan be implemented. This suggestion to be placed on the February agenda.
15. A.O.B.
a) A complaint was received regarding Clay Shooting on Friday December 14th 2007 at Premier Events and Leisure. Apparently the shooting started again at 12.15 noon.
b) Jameson’s Well is once again flooding onto the B6306 and running down the south side for several metres then crossing the road and continuing to run until the gates into the field at the cattle pens. Reported.
c) Pot hole between Slaley Hall entrance and Holly Cottage on the north-bound carriageway. Reported.
d) Footpath 22 through Neds Lot Plantation has been considerably widened. It seems that a new route is being designated through the trees, many saplings have been cut back and several larger trees have red tape placed around their trunks indicating that they will be felled. Ask if Lord Allendale has carried out this work.
e) The Chairman to draft a letter regarding occupancy of the Affordable Houses when a tenant who works in the parish leaves parish employment. Will the property automatically become vacant because the local connection has been terminated? (see question 6, 12th November minutes, page 362).
f) Cllr Mrs AS Robson informed the meeting that her neighbour was interested in quoting for the monthly grass cutting (4a 8/10/07; 5a 10/9/07; 4a 13/8/07). Clerk to ask Allendale PC for a copy of their tender application form. The Chairman reminded the meeting that anyone tendering for the work would need their own public liability insurance cover and equipment.
g) Water coming to the surface from a pot-hole filling and running down the B6306 on the north bound carriageway between Forest entrance and Foresters Lodge.
h) A drain cover has caved in on the south bound carriageway on the B6306 between Foresters Lodge and Trygill (nearest Foresters Lodge). Someone has placed a red and white traffic cone on top to steer the traffic away.
i) North bound carriageway of B6306 between Foresters Lodge and gates into fields on west of highway a highway drain opposite the gates has been cemented over. Consequently the highway surface water runs over the concrete cover to an old curb which is being gradually eroded away with the constant running water.
j) Further north on the B6306, just north of West Burnside Bridge at the gates into the fields on the west (bottom of Curlew bank) north bound carriageway, the pot hole has washed out.
16. BOATs update.
a) Christine Pope of Natural England visit on December 17th.
b) NCC Long Edge BOAT No 41 acknowledged correspondence
c) NCC Ginglehaugh BOAT (No 39) acknowledged correspondence.
d) NCC e-mail Neil Dawson re No 41 & 34 acknowledged correspondence – discuss 17/12/07
e) NCC letter Neil Dawson re 41 & 34 asking Slaley PC to agree the proposed changes.
f) Thank You for 17/12/07 from C Pope, Natural England + copy of reply to AVAG to its letter to JLAF dated 8/12/07.
g) NCC John McErlane – Proposed BOAT No 15 (Espershields) – Proposal to dedicate an alternative path as a bridleway on a route further to the west and extinguish public rights over the alleged route. BOAT No 14,16 & 40 Winnows Hill BOAT – Extinguish the existing BOAT currently obstructed by forestry and propose an alternative bridleway around the perimeter of the plantation (exact route still under discussion). Deadline for comments Friday 22nd February 2008. Slaley will confer with Healey PC before replying.
h) Reply from NCC, David Brookes, re Gingleshaugh Road new western portion – work undertaken by a contractor on behalf of the County Council at a cost of approximately £4,800.
i) Sunday January 6th 2008 several Forestry Commission vehicles/men were identifying illegal mpv use in Slaley Forest from early morning to mid-day. Jane Dotchin reported much trail bike activity on the closed Dipton Mill BOAT mid morning to early afternoon. This was reported to the Footpaths Officer. By late afternoon the trail bikes were once again in Slaley Forest.
The meeting closed at 10.10 p.m.
