The proposed closure of Slaley Post Office continues to take up a lot of additional time for members of the Parish Council. For more details read agenda item 11.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday July 21st 2008, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies. Councillor S. Davison & County Councillor C.W. Horncastle.
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.
Public. J.W. Allen. Courant Reporter: None. Slaley Notes None. Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Peter McKendrick.
2. Declaration of Interests and Hospitality Record.
Cllr Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 19.
3. Minutes of June Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 424-429 + appendix 1 page 430, appendix 2 page 431, appendix 3 page 432 and appendix 4 page 433)
Proposed by Cllr L. Norris and seconded by Cllr AS Robson the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 6a 9/6/08 CC Horncastle reported back to the member of public & PC Clerk that there were no plans to introduce rural brown waste wheelie bins. DC Massey e-mailed to confirm no announcement by TC had been made for villages south of the Tyne.
b) 13 9/6/08, 4d & 12a 13/8/07, 5c 10/9/07 – Glen Cottage request to have hedge cut back has generated letters and several e-mails. NCC highways appear to have issued a 28-day notice to have the hedge cut back, this seems to have been dated June 19th. An e-mail has been sent to NCC for steps to be taken for non-compliance of the 28 days.
Mr & Mrs Willis of Burnside reaffirmed their agreement for a mirror to be placed in their garden. The mirror was purchased and after delivery Cllr Hancock, Pat & James Wilson met at Burnside with Mr & Mrs Willis to agree height position etc. Unfortunately the garden wall is down where the mirror needs to go and this wall is the subject of discussion between insurance companies. Until an agreement is reached regarding the rebuilding of the wall we are unable to proceed with sighting the mirror. It was suggested that all complaints concerning the lack of visibility be logged with NCC Highways.
c) 15 9/6/08 Speed Unit in Village – the unit was installed Thursday July 17th. It was suggested that PC Robertson be contacted and asked if Northumbria Police would conduct a speed check to see if unit is slowing traffic through the village. The purchase of a logging device is also a possibility – Clerk to obtain details.
d) 17 9/6/08 Parish Plan – Action Plan – Heritage Information Review. Terry Rogerson the NCC Search Officer is very interested in trying to establish the ownership of Wooley Bus Shelter & Slaley Home Guard Hut etc.
e) 20f 9/6/08 Neal Crocker the new Slaley Hall Managing Director replied that due to work commitments he would prefer to met the PC later in the year.
f) 20g 9/6/08 Rose & Crown advertising sandwich board was removed. Then highway work on the C270 caused a sign to be placed at Townhead saying road ahead closed. Bob Mills construction manager had apparently told the R&C tenants, after they complained about the closed sign, to replace their sandwich board on the Townhead grass verge. It is still there several weeks after the completion of the C270 road work. The Clerk to request its removal now that the road works are completed.
5. Public Participation. None.
6. Community Trust Report
Report circulated and attached as appendix 1/210708, page 439.
The report was further detailed as follows: Interpretation Board – Reg Corbidge is leading the group with further alterations to the design sheet for the Councillors consideration. CT is having a display in a marquee on Slaley Showground where achievements of the CT will be displayed (Newssheet, Parish Report Booklets & Reopening of School Playing Field). CT work-in-hand will also be on display (Interpretation Board & Miscellany Book) There will also be a raffle. Members of the CT are unhappy with the non-allocation of the part-ownership Affordable houses and intend writing to TC and Two Castles. Members of Parish Council had conflicting reports of the allocation of these two properties and it was agreed to invite Barry Moore to Slaley Parish Council for a second meeting. If the reason for non-allocation is funding the question should be asked if these properties could become rented.
7. Matters for Discussion with County & District Councillors
a) 20b 9/6/08 DC B Massey provided exchange of e-mails relating to the kerb outside West Ridley Hall.
8. Correspondence.
a) Request from Healey PC to put Motorcross activities at The Cleugh on our agenda. Meetings have been held during June and July and noise factor seems worse over the March burn on the Healey side. Several complaints have been received at Healey PC from Healey residents. Diversification planning permission was discussed – DC B Massey to make enquiries. It was suggested that a letter be sent to the landowners at The Cleugh asking them to attend a PC meeting and discuss their Motorcross activities and ideas to reduce the noise.
b) Reference agenda item 14 of Annual Parish Meeting 12/5/08 – NCC Highways reply re C280 closure and work not completed – basically budget was exhausted by the work completed and no further funding was available. Extra placed on 2009/10 programme of work. The system of sending a letter saying a response will be made in 15 working days is, in the eyes of the Councillors, a waste of public money. Ask if an e-mail reply would be more cost effective.
c) Allianz Insurance plc requested return of Employers Liability Certificate for 2008/09 – this was returned on 16/6/08.
d) TC Current list of Parish Councillors held by the Election Services Officer. List OK.
e) Came & Company – Insurance documents + Your Parish Council Policy (143 page booklet) Councillors happy not to read.
f) TC Planning – Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) e-mail 2/7/08 + hard copy dated 2/7/08 (copy sent to an interested parishioner and a thank you response from him asking us to keep him abreast of further developments)
g) Government Office for the North East – Communities & Local Government – Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021 letter and CD. Cllr CA Brooks to report. See agenda item 15 10/3/08, page 397 & appendix 6/100308 page 404.
h) CE Electric UK – Building links within our community – Parish Council Liaison – consultation document later in July, regional workshops for interested parties. Looking to us to identify vulnerable customers in our community. None Reported.
i) From David Francis by e-mail circulated 30/6/08 Killian/Pretty Review – Planning Applications a Faster and More Responsive System. + End to National Training Scheme. + NALC National Conference speech by Secretary of State, Hazel Blears MP, 22 pages.
j) Local Works – Guide to the Sustainable Communities Act – process starts in October we will need to “opt in” otherwise our voice will not be heard. Too late for the Post Office closures. Circulated. See our record of support for this Bill under:
6e 11/2/08 page 387; 5l 13/8/07 page 339; 6e 11/6/07 page 322; 8i 16/4/07 page 306; 8k (rally) 12/3/07 page 299; 9j 12/2/07 page 290; 7i 8/1/07 page 284; 7a 12/12/05 page 195; 4e 10/10/05 page 180 & 8h 12/9/05 page 175.
k) TC Summer Play Programme posters – Slaley Wednesday 13th August 1.30 – 3 p.m. placed Notice Board and Commemoration Hall.
l) NCC Area Committee for Tynedale 24/7/08 + letter dated 17/7/08 re item 12(3) omitted from original agenda. Post Office closures on agenda 12 (1) with app C.
m) Eastern Tynedale & Western Castle Morpeth Parish Council Forum (formerly attended by Cllr Norris Minutes of 2/7/08, copy of letter to Cllr J Reid re PC & community links with new Unitary Authority and Belonging Community Forums minutes 7/7/08. Cllr Norris suggested she continue to attend this Forum until such time as a more local group is established. This was agreed.
n) Northumberland Home Improvement Agency + TC letter of support – ‘Making homes warm, safe and secure’. Posters with telephone number 01670 840469. Placed on Notice Board and Commemoration Hall.
o) Selefest 12th July 2008 Poster placed on PC Notice Board.
p) AAS – Asbestos Your Legal Requirements; DeVere Slaley Hall Summertime breaks advertising brochure + e-mail of Forthcoming events at Slaley Hall; Samaritans asking for financial aid; TDC minutes of meetings May + Refuse Collection arrangements for August Bank Holiday – Notice Board; Milecastle Housing Home Truths Summer 2008; ADAPT Annual Report 2007/08; Wicksteed advertising leaflet; Clerk and Councils Direct July 2008; Society of Local Council Clerks 34th National Conference 2008 19/10/08; Community Action Northumberland News Vol 29. No. 3; Rock Reports No 17 Summer 2008; Glasdon advertising leaflets; Are you a Local Council Clerk working from home – home office liability insurance with AON; Tyne Rivers Trust conference 19/20 July; Lloyds TSB revised Business banking Code. J Parker wholesale catalogue of Dutch bulbs.
9. Financial Report.
a) Cheques to be signed.
No 339 Alex Evison – grass cutting Invoice No 4 dated 14/7/08 £81.50
No 340 JT Golightly – repairs to parish seat on B6306 £25.85
No 341 Linda Norris – traveling expenses to NCC 25/608 & 11/7 £16.00
Proposed by Cllr Mrs CA Brooks and seconded by Cllr Mrs AS Robson the cheques were signed.
b) Interim payments.
No 338 Mirror for Glen crossroads (see agenda item 4 b above) £137.42
Signed by Cllr AS Robson and Cllr Mrs L Norris
c) (i) Audit Date: 1/8/08
(ii) Display Notice: 16/6/08 – 29/6/08
(iii) Available for public inspection: 30/6/08 – 25/7/08
(iv) Internal Audit successfully completed by Margaret Weatherley.
(v) Signature of Chairman on accompanying letter.
10. Current Planning Applications.
20080625 Construction of first floor extension over single storey garage.
Gortmore House. No objections, however this is the third extension in 10 years.
20080613 Demolition of existing conservatory and construction of new sun lounge.
Wood Nook Hill Support
20080563 Construction of single storey rear extension.
7 South Park. No objections providing neighbours do not object to 3.5m ridge.
20080473 Construction of conservatory to north east elevation
Worth House, Wooley Grange. No objections
20080520 Variation of condition number 5 of planning permission 75/E/460- extension of operating season from nine months to twelve months.
Spring House Caravan Park. Objections. To be determined August 20th
20080210 Tree Preservation Order – felling of eight trees Townhead Farm. Pending *
20080046 Internal refurbishment – Slaley Hall Pending. *
*asked for a copy of these decisions as they must have been determined. Also a letter to Helen Winter with a copy to Ian Hutchinson as Chairman of Planning Committee. Asking why we are not getting planning applications, decision notes and sometimes the weekly list.
Decisions from Planning Authority
Listed Building Consent & Construction of a rear conservatory. Alteration and conversion of attached stable and attics to provide residential accommodation. Stanegarth, Slaley Village. Granted
11. Proposed Post Office Closures (19 9/6/08; 4a 12/5/08; 4c 14/4/08; 9m 10/3/08; 7 (2a) 14/1/08).
a) Verbal report from Cllr Mrs L Norris who attended NCC Community Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Open meeting on proposed Post Office closures, held Friday July 11th. Official minutes to follow.
b) Report from Public meeting on Monday July 14th attached as appendix 2/210708, page 440.
c) Action plan arising from this meeting for response on August 11th.
Public and business needs may be very different. The PC to try and achieve a public response on type of outreach service through simple questionnaire, web article and letter to all parishioners. Slaley Notes and CT newssheet to encourage parishioners to complete the questionnaire on preferred outreach service. (Community Trust to contact Peter Atkinson MP for any help he can give and assess business usage from its members). Cllr Norris to obtain an analysis of PO usage from the owners. A meeting prior to the official response to Post Office Ltd should consolidate all of the above in a reply. This meeting should consist of one member from The CT, the PC, the School, the Commemoration Hall and a Slaley ran Business representative and should be held, at the latest, one week before the consultation deadline, possibly Monday August 4th.
d) Attendance at the TDC meeting on Tuesday July 22nd
Councillors IC Hancock, L. Norris and Clerk P Wilson will attend.
12. Northumberland Electoral Review Parish & Town Council presentation at County Hall on June 25th 2008. Report by Cllr Mrs L Norris & Cllr Mrs CA Brooks. Copy of slides from David Francis circulated by e-mail 30/6/08. Boundary Commission is different to the Boundary Committee of the Electoral Commission. There are six stages of review and the recommendations are not binding.
13. Integrated Transport Programme priorities for 2009/10 circulated Reply by August 29th. Circulating.
14. Parish Plan – Toddler Play Area Review.
TC correspondence entitled ‘Funding Opportunity for Natural Play’ circulated for comment. Without a site the PC sees this as ‘not relevant to Slaley’.
It was suggested that a compulsory purchase of land in the village could be made for an equipped play area. The Clerk was requested to look into this.
15. Parish Plan – Action Plan Update attached as appendix 3/210708, page 441
Draft copy amended.
16. Forestry Commission meeting where Ted Liddle outlined his concerns in Slaley Forest. Report circulated and attached as appendix 4/210708, page 442.
17. Area for August walk-about.
Springhouse Caravan Site and The Cleugh Motor Cross activity site were suggested and rejected. It was agreed that The Village would be the venue. Councillors to meet at the Hall for 7 p.m. the normal monthly meeting will follow at 8.15 p.m.
18. A.O.B.
a) Man hole cover dislodged on Lead Road disclosing a three-foot deep dangerous hole. Reported to Clerk Sunday 6/7/08 a.m. checked by Clerk, covered over with highway warning furniture and reported by e-mail to NCC at 13.17 hrs. Immediate action was taken on Monday 7/7/08. Clerk was given the 24/7 emergency telephone number 0808 8 9 10.
b) It has been reported that the Rose & Crown are keeping pigs. Defra licenses for keeping livestock and feeding swill etc were discussed. Cllr Robson confirmed that a license for keeping pigs was held by the tenants.
c) E-mail from a Slaley Councillor regarding the legality of keeping a caravan on the public highway outside 12, South Park. Clerk to write and ask about the duration of the caravan on the Highways section of parking outside South Park.
d) Shooting at Premier Events outside of agreed hours has been reported from a Colpitts grange resident.
e) Cllr AS Robson sent an e-mail to NCC contact centre re lack of action on the dropped kerb at Slaley School. PC Clerk forwarded to Richard McKenzie. RM replied that work was issued to contractors last month who would schedule the work.
19. BOATs update.
a) Two e-mail replies from NCC Solicitor re Byway 44 – near the top of his list.
Meeting closed at 10.15 p.m.
Date of next meeting 7 p.m. Monday August 11th.
