Local Beat Manager, P.C. Iain Robertson was present at the November meeting. See agenda item 5
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday November 10th 2008, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
Apologies Councillors Mrs A. S. Robson & S. Davison. County Councillor C.W. Horncastle.
1. Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors Mrs C. A. Brooks, Ms M Palmer,
Mrs L. Norris & Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey .
Public. Richard Ferguson & PC Iain Robertson. Courant Reporter: Rebecca Dixon. Slaley Notes & Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests and Hospitality Record.
Cllr Mrs Linda Norris for agenda item 18
3. Minutes of October Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 458-464 + appendix 1 page 465, appendix 2 page 466, appendix 3 page 467, appendix 4 page 468 and appendix 5 page 469. Proposed by Cllr L. Norris and seconded by Cllr CA Brooks the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 3c 13/10/08; 7a 8/9/08 Flooding at West Ridley Hall E-mail from DC B Massey thanking Mel Richardson for work and stating that Mrs Robson is pleased.
b) 6 13/10/08 Rights of Way on Interpretation Board. Clerk telephoned DB 14/10/08 then spoke with ME and explained what DB needed. DB replied by e-mail 15/10/08 with a link to NCC RoW map. ME had a meting with Clerk on Friday 17/10/08 to confirm routes onto draft map.
c) 8s 13/10/08; 16g 14/1/08 NCC Application to extinguish and create public rights of way in the parishes of Healey and Slaley. After discussion with Healey PC a letter to confirm our agreement of the application being made has been sent.
d) 8x 13/10/08 North Pennines AONB Partnership Management Plan 2009-14 Consultation Draft. Cllr CA Brooks to read and comment. Note MK has questioned EU9 and has been invited to rewrite the section.
e) 9 13/10/08 Thank You letters for grants from: CAN £20; Slaley Commemoration Hall £900 & Great North Air Ambulance £150.00
f) 14 13/10/08; 12b 8/9/08. Footpaths leaflet. DC Brian Massey circulated a leaflet of three walks in Slaley already in circulation. Clerk to obtain several copies.
g) 19f 13/10/08 The parking area outside Slaley Village Shop has been repaired, as has the Pothole which reappeared on the C265 Kellas road (19j 13/10/08). The work to lower the kerb at South Park has also been done and repairs to the B6306 south of Trygill (these relate to much earlier requests.
h) 19g Reply to the PC letter re unattended dog in the Townhead area of Slaley village. Circulated. Clerk to send a reply and ask if we could be contacted if a polluter at the Townhead area is identified.
5. Public Participation.
a) Squirrel Action Group called ‘Slaley Red Squirrels’; Co-coordinator is Margaret Bates at Wood Cottage. Telephone 673461. The group has been given 12 extra traps from the Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT). The culling of grey squirrels has improved the local sightings of red. If a grey squirrel is spotted the public should be encouraged to telephone Margaret with the location of the sighting. Richard and Robin Turner, Manager of Ladycross Quarry, will attempt to trap the grey with a humane disposal. The NWF should be sending leaflets to Slaley in the very near future. Slaley Notes & the News Sheet reporters were asked to mention this group.
It is unfortunate that Slaley Hall, formerly such a staunch supporter of the red squirrel, appears to have lost interest in protecting the native species. The Councillors were asked if they could mention the group to the new management.
b) Poaching at Low Springhouse and East Dukesfield was reported.
c) There is no feed back from unlicensed trail bike reports to Northumbria Police.
d) PC Robertson confirmed that this weekends reports had been acted upon however, the trial bikers stopped where all members of the TRF and the bikes were licensed.
e) A Birch tree blew down across the B6306 north of Colpitts. Apparently RA Ogle of Comb Hills removed the obstruction.
* Although comments from PC Robertson happened later in the meeting for the sake of clarity those comments are recorded here:
f) PC Robertson reported a summer of stopping trail riders in an around Slaley Forest. Many were TRF members; some were from the Blakelaw/Cowgate area of Newcastle. Several had illegal number plates. The correct sized number plate when riding a public highway, which a BOAT is, is a standard square (as used on other vehicles). Instances where illegal plates have been found the owner has several days to get the correct plates fitted. The police request is stamped by the garage, which provides the new plates thus providing a satisfactory conclusion. If new plates are not fitted then the Police can confiscate the offending trail bikes.
g) PC Robertson intends to spend a day in Slaley Forest with Mark Herbertson, Forestry Commission and Trevor Whitehead, TRF. The three will monitor and stop all users and check that each vehicle is roadworthy for the purpose it is being used. A feedback after this exercise will be given to the PC..
h) The reduction in fuel price is thankfully resulting in a reduction of crime figures for the area.
i) PC Robertson has undertaken several short sessions in Slaley village with his hand-held speed gun. No vehicle has been discovered speeding; this may be partly due to the highly visible reflective coat worn whilst conducting the check. It does however send out a message that the Police are frequently checking vehicle speeds in Slaley village and can be more effective than an actual conviction.
6. Community Trust Report
Attached as appendix 1/101108, page 476.
a) The Councillors asked if the proposed style would fit comfortably into the space? ME answered that the area had been measured with a mock up board.
b) The Councillors thought metal posts and stand rather than wooden. They would however like to see a colour chart.
c) Installation costs £350 plus Vat. The Councillors wished to know what this costs entails and asked ME to get clarification.
d) Later on while setting the Precept the question arose of what the cost of replacement would be should the Board get damaged. This would be needed for the insurance policy. ME was asked to obtain a replacement cost.
7. Matters for Discussion with County & District Councillors
a) DC B Massey told the meeting that the present DC’s have a legal duty to co-operate with members of the new unitary authority.
b) TC has raised an objection to the early date of setting parish Precepts when parish responsibilities have not been established.
8. Correspondence.
a) Lombard Rally 6/11/08 Information circulated & placed on PC Notice Board. Cllr Hancock asked for further information and the reply circulated by e-mail.
b) Reply from TC Planning Dept. re Motorcycle Track on land at Healey Cleugh circulated. Noted.
c) Hexham Community Partnership meeting 10/11/08 + Newsletter No 28 circulated and suggested place on PC Notice Board. Done.
d) NCC letter re Charter + 16 page document Northumberland Charter for Local Councils. Circulated hard copy Cllr Hancock printed 2 pages of comments for circulation. This was also circulated from David Francis by e-mail on 4/11/08. respond by questioning the ICT requirements.
e) Tynedale Community Hospice – Taking Care into the Home- circulated All Cllr’s indicated a wish to support this. (add to Precept)
f) TC – Northumberland Homefinder Scheme circulated Cllr’s suggested publish and display weekly properties available. Circulated Cllr’s suggested the PC Notice Board & Village Shop through a member of the PC & Commemoration Hall through a member of the Management Committee. Clerk e-mailed this information and requested a sample of the proposed weekly information because most venues were not suitable to read more than one page.
g) Communities and Local Government – Communities in control: Real people, real power; Codes of conduct for local authority members and employees – A consultation. (letter and 35 page booklet) – comments by 24/12/08) (see also 8f 13/10/08 circulated for October meeting) Circulating
h) TC Townfoot Cottage name change to Ashton Byre circulated and noted.
i) TC Firework danger Poster & leaflets. Placed on PC notice Board, leaflets in shop.
j) E-mail from David Francis re Banking Crisis and response Pro-Forma for Parish Councils to respond by 14/11//08. Clerk completed.
k) E-mail 27/10/08 from David Francis re Partnership Update for Northumberland. Cllr Hancock circulated some comments on 28/10/08 he suggested that a paragraph from the PC Forum minutes be sent together with a request for a diagram of interactions and a glossary of abbreviations. It was agreed to send this.
l) Tynedale Citizens Advice Bureau – financial request.
m) Northumberland Early Years and Childcare Service – Expression of interest invited to upgrade our children’s play areas. Also recorded in the Hexham Courant of 31/10/08.
n) North Pennines AONB Peatscapes – Peatlands and flooding leaflets. Circulated and noted.
o) CAN News Vol 28 No 5 lead article ‘Local Councils – The Way Forward.
p) TDC meeting minutes + Christmas refuse Collection; Tynedale Area Committee – Haydon Bridge High School 13/11/08 6 p.m.; Clerks and Councils Direct November 2008 issue 60; Easy hire (NE) Ltd advertising leaflet; CAN AGM hard copy; Wicksteed advertising brochure.
9. Financial Report.
a) Cheques to be signed.
No 358 Alex Evison – October cut £81.50
No 359 Commemoration Hall meetings £63.00
b) Interim Payment
No 357 (21/10/08) VMS Rotation Speed Unit £111.63
Singed by Cllr’s I.C. Hancock & L. Norris
Proposed by Cllr L. Norris and seconded by Cllr CA Brooks the cheques were signed.
10. Current Planning Applications.
20080930 Alteration to provide caravan park with 89 static pitches to replace 79 static pitches and 20 touring pitched, play area, fitness suite, and office operating for 12 months of the year. Spring House Caravan Park. Objections from residents Object*
*DC B Massey informed the meeting that this particular application will go to the full planning committee for determination in December.
20080046 Internal refurbishment – Slaley Hall Pending. Decisions from Planning Authority
20080842 Construction of sun lounge. The Flothers. Granted.
20080878 Single storey extension to provide games room, provision of handrail and construction of retaining wall. 20 Slaley Park, Slaley Hall. Granted
11. Review of the Definitive Map & Statement of Public Rights of Way. U8074 upgraded to BOAT 33; U8079 upgraded to BOAT 34; U8091 upgraded to BOAT 36 & U8127 to BOAT 37 ( 11 13/10/08; 8a 8/9/08)
A draft reply circulated. BOATs joint Committee met 3/11/08. Slaley PC is the only council that has produced a reply. Without background information at the meeting and without a full compliment of Councillors from the four parishes no decision could be taken for a joint response.
12. Proposed Post Office Closures ( 12 13/10/08; 11 9/8/08; 11 11/8/08; 11 21/7/08; 19 9/6/08; 4a 12/5/08; 4c 14/4/08; 9m 10/3/08; 7 (2a) 14/1/08).
(i) No reaction to these altered times from the Slaley Notes article.
(ii) There has been no correspondence to indicate when new arrangements are likely to happen.
(iii) Letter from NCC re Network Change Proposals. Circulated. Cllr Hancock has spoken with Mg & Roy Ward at Slaley PO their feelings remain the same. John Hamilton writer of the letter telephoned the Clerk at 5.30 p.m. today asking for an indication of what could be done for Slaley which he could report to PO Ltd at the next meeting. Chairman to telephone John Hamilton.
13 “Where to buy locally” Update (13 13/10/08; 12a 8/9/08; 12/6/08).
Updated leaflet circulated. Copy available at Post Office and at the Show Coffee Morning on 7/11/08. Press Release in Slaley Notes has produced more interest.
Draft 2 attached as appendix 2/101108 page 477. More alterations to text and front page suggested.
14. Business Directory update (13 13/10/08)
Much interest and appreciation continues with this. An offer from ME to print and circulate this with the Annual Reports was given. No decision was made.
Draft 2 circulated and attached as Appendix 3/101108 page 478
15 Slaley Hall Post-Christmas Meal for the Elderly – January 2009 (16 13/10/08)
a) Invitation sheets to Councillors and those known on e-mail. Plus a supply left with Margaret at Slaley Post Office.
b) Posters at PC Notice Board, Village Shop, Elderly Bungalows and Commemoration Hall notice boards. Notice also in Slaley Notes (without the price)
c) Confirmed participants to-date FOUR
d) Correspondence from Slaley Hall asking for confirmation of booking details. The Pro forma suggests 80 people. The Clerk was asked to check this.
16. Consider Precept for 2009/10.
a) Copy of 08/09 Precept, expenditure to date, still to pay & anticipated carry forward amount. Circulated and attached as appendix 4/101108 page 479.
b) E-mail from David Francis re Revised Scale of salary for Local Council Clerks circulated by e-mail 4/11/08. After discussion the Councillors decided that a 2.45% increase backdated to April should be paid this year and included under Clerks salary for the Precept. This is £61.25 for this year and a salary of £2,561.25 for 09/10
c) Tender for grass cutting – tender invitation sent to Hollybush Landscaping, Mr A. Evison & pasted on PC Notice Board.
d) Audited accounts 07/08 for Slaley Commemoration Hall
e) See 8e above Tynedale Community Hospice – Taking Care into the Home- circulated All Cllr’s indicated a wish to support this. (add to Precept)
f) DC B Massey reported that a paid official from the new unitary authority would be attending parish council meetings in the New Year to discuss Precepts.
17. A.O.B.
a) Report of a foreign male living in a caravan in Slaley Forest. His vehicle is dropping oil and has been reported to the police. The report has also been sent to Landfactor, Lord Allendale’s agent.
18. BOATs update.
a) Boats joint committee meeting on November 3rd. Unfortunately Cllr Short (Hexhamshire) had the flu, Cllr Kennedy (Blanchland) was delayed getting home and Cllr Hancock (Slaley) had an earlier meeting. It was agreed by circulation to the missing Councillors that two letters be sent to Natural England asking for a reply to our draft- Protocol questions of March 2008 and also the Broad Way site visit survey anticipated by the JLAF in July 2008. Both letters were copied to Peter Atkinson MP and David Brookes.
b) Report from the public of a blue van carrying unlicensed trail bikes entered Slaley Forest early morning of Saturday November 8th.
c) Report from RF of a Volkswagen grey/yellow van, pulling a trailer with unlicensed trail bikes at 11.55 a.m. Sunday November 9th. This was reported to the police. No feedback has been received.
19. Date of December meeting.
Monday December 8th
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.25 p.m.
