The Parish Council makes arrangements for a possible Post Office Closure read about the discussion on agenda item 19.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday June 9th 2008, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies. Councillor Ms M Palmer.
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors Mrs L. Norris, Mrs C. A. Brooks, Mrs A. S. Robson, S. Davison & Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey & County Councillor C.W. Horncastle.
Public: Mrs J. List & Mr W.G Machin. Courant Reporter: None. Slaley Notes & Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Apologies from Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests and Hospitality Record.
Cllr Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 21.
Cllr C.W. Horncastle for agenda item 11
3. Minutes of May Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 421-423)
Proposed by Cllr CA Brooks and seconded by Cllr A Robson the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 5a 12/5/08 – The Parish Councillors’ Pack (given at the training event Monday 19th May) circulated Good to have an update – it is sometimes easy to lose site of what we are responsible for and what we can achieve.
b) agenda item 14 of Annual Parish Meeting: 2008 Parish Check on Highways: letter to Tim Dent why sections of C280 were not repaired when road closed for two weeks. Reply from NCC Administration Officers saying reply in 15 working days = June 10th.
c) 4j 12/5/08; 18b 14/4/08: Clerk confirmed that no reply had been received from Planning department regarding the changes at Springhouse Caravan Park.
5. Deferred from Annual Parish Council Meeting agenda item 4a Election of
Vice-Chairman.
Cllr C.A. Brooks was nominated by Cllr IC Hancock and seconded by Cllr L. Norris there being no further nominations Cllr CA Brooks was elected Vice-Chairman.
6. Public Participation.
a) A member of the public stated that a newsletter earlier this year from Tynedale Council had indicated that brown wheelie bins for garden waste would be introduced into Tynedale parishes south of the Tyne. It was estimated that due to increased fuel prices it was costing £150-£200 a year for Slaley residents to dispose of garden waste at the Bridge End Civic Amenity Site. Would there be a refund on the community charge if this service were not provided for the Slaley area? CC Horncastle volunteered to look into this and report back to the Clerk. He did however indicate that it was not the policy of TC to refund community charge portions when a particular service was not available to everyone in the district.
b) Was there any reason why recently the date of the next Parish Council meeting was not given at the end of the minutes? This was an oversight and we have not even been aware that it had happened. The date would once again be included at the end of the minutes. Slaley PC does meet every second Monday of each month.
7. Community Trust Report
Report circulated and attached as appendix 1/090608, page 430
8. Matters for Discussion with County & District Councillors
Cllr Horncastle gave a report on the new single unitary authority. He indicated that there were problems, which would take many months if not years to sort out. He reported that discussions were taking place about Belonging Communities and suggested the Characteristics Communities could change in size.
9. Correspondence.
a) TC Local Development Framework: Proposals Maps covering letter.
Tynedale Planning Update May 2008 information sheet
TC Local Development Framework: Proposals Map October 2007
Tynedale District Schedule of Adopted Policies – this document does not give the details of the adopted policies therefore it would be advisable to retain the Local Plan.
b) North Pennines AONB Partnership – Annual Forum 7/7/08 invitation
North Pennines AONB Partnership – Annual Forum agenda
North Pennines AONB Partnership – Open Seat – no one was interested in standing.
North Pennines AONB Partnership – Open Seat Nomination Form
North Pennines News Spring & Summer 2008
North Pennines AONB Partnership – questionnaire (completed by Clerk)
c) Came & Co acknowledge receipt of Insurance cheque and informed us that our old Employers Liability Certificate needs to be retained for a further 40 years. Cllr Hancock suggests that a note is put in the community news that the certificate is available for inspection.
d) 5b 14/4/08 – NCC David Brookes reply to the cost of BOAT maintenance and repair Apl 07 – Mch 08 £11,021.00 – the whole sum was spent on byways in the Slaley Forest area. The member of public who raised this question has been informed by telephone. Cllr Hancock telephoned David Brookes, who confirmed that this is Public Information and can be reported. We do not know what percentage this is of the local RoW budget.
e) NCC Road closure notice C270 Glen crossroads to Townfoot 12 June – July 4th (This was advertised in Hexham Courant for 5 weeks beginning 19/5/08 (see Annual Parish meeting agenda item 14: 2008 Parish Check on Highways)
f) Allianz Insurance request for payment. Reply sent saying better quote from another company.
g) Mencap National College – request for funding. After discussion it was decided against funding Nationally, however, the PC may financially support local fundraising for the college at Dilston.
h) Minutes of Tynedale Planning Forum Meeting on 15/5/08 circulated by e-mail 29/5/08.
i) TC Parish/Town Council Elections. Do we at Slaley consider there should be June 2009 Parish Council elections? The Councillors felt there should not be elections in 2009. There is NOT a local appetite for such elections. The PC did not believe that a significant proportion of seats would be contested. This information would be conveyed to Mrs Gail Philipson at TC.
j) E-mail from David Francis – Hadrian’s wall Management Plan leaflet and update information. Circulated to Councillors by e-mail 9/6/08.
k) E-mail 5/6/08 from David Francis re Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership, Application Form. Available for any interested Councillor. CPRE Overview – Summer 2008; Lloyds TSB leaflet – your telephone banking service is now open for longer; Glasdon advertising brochure.
10. Financial Report.
a) Cheques to be signed.
No 337 Alex Evison – grass cutting Invoice No 2 dated 30/5/08 £81.50
Alex Evison – grass cutting Invoice No 3 dated 8/6/08 £81.50 + £163.00
Mr Evison reports that if the current growth rate continues more than 7 cuts may be required in total.
Proposed by Cllr Mrs L. Norris and seconded by Cllr Mrs CA Brooks the cheque was signed.
b) Interim payments.
No 335 Came & Company Insurance Withdrawn £286.30
No 336 Broker Network Ltd (to Came and Company) Insurance £286.30
Signed by Cllr IC Hancock 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
11. Current Planning Applications.
Listed Building Consent & Construction of a rear conservatory. Alteration and conversion of attached stable and attics to provide residential accommodation. Stanegarth, Slaley Village. Circulating
20080210 Tree Preservation Order – felling of eight trees Townhead Farm. Pending
20080046 Internal refurbishment – Slaley Hall Pending.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20080262 Construction of single storey spa facility Slaley Hall. Withdrawn.
20080045 New two storey leisure club – Slaley Hall. Withdrawn
12. Draft Interpretation Board (report of meeting 19/5/08 and revised text) attached as appendix 2/090608) page 431.
Cllr Hancock had spoken with Mr Elphick regarding the content suggested by three Councillors and Steering Group Chairman, Moyra Riseborough. The Councillors discussed the various views. The Councillors would like illustrations to be restricted to Slaley parish only. It was acknowledged that accommodation brochures advertise the wider area of places to visit, but it was understood from the Parish Plan that the information board was to persuade people to stay at Slaley for accommodation or food and generally to help with the local economy by buying locally, supporting the village shop and post office and enjoying the many attractions on offer.
The Councillors agree that commercial information of local business (Blackburn Cattery, Pat Goodwin Design, Chris Ryder landscape etc.) should not be included. However where to buy locally eggs/milk etc should be on a separate, regularly updated, leaflet somewhere accessible, although the whereabouts of the leaflet should be recorded on the board.
The CT would like a parish map for use in this and other publications. The PC parish map was provided by TC and Slaley PC has no copyright on it to use elsewhere. A hand drawn copy might be a way round this. CC Horncastle suggested speaking with Lynn Turner, Director of Leisure and Tourism at Tynedale Council for further ideas and suggestions.
The Councillors look forward to viewing the next draft for comment.
13. Road safety at The Glen crossroads. (4d & 12a 13/8/07, 5c 10/9/07)
There has been at least one actual accident where Burnside wall has been damaged. Further near misses have been reported to members of the PC. Including concern expressed at the reconvened meeting of the Steering Group on 4/6/08.
Cllr Hancock spoke to NCC Area Maintenance Manager, Mel Richardson, about the problem. As a result of this discussion and ongoing complaints the clerk was requested to send a letter to the owners of Glen Cottage asking if the height of the roadside hedge could be cut back. The Parish Plan Steering Group also lodged its concern over the danger at this crossroads and urged members of the PC to purchase a mirror as soon as possible. A local Healey resident has also complained and reported a near miss. The lady felt lack of visibility was now so bad that the Police and NCC highways should enforce action before a fatality occurred. Clerk to check with Mr & Mrs Willis of Burnside that they are still agreeable for the mirror to be placed in their garden. If agreeable to purchase a mirror and have it installed without delay.
14. Jameson’s Well.
4i 12/5/08; 18a 14/4/08; 15b 14/1/08; 4d 8/10/07; 17 10/9/07. Cllr IC Hancock and Clerk Pat Wilson together with Peter Hutchinson met Mel Richardson and Duncan Roberts at the Well on Monday June 2nd. It was felt that the recent repairs had not rectified the problem. It was proposed that the troughs be cleared out completely and a new drainage channel be created between the well and the troughs and then beyond the troughs.
This has been confirmed by letter and will be carried out as soon as resources become available.
15. Speed Unit in Village
The poles for the unit were placed in the village on May 30th and we anticipate the unit any day now.
16. Parish Plan – Action Plan – Dog Fouling Review.
Several people still report dog fouling in the village. Most reports are from the centre of the village towards The Church. CC CW Horncastle informed the PC that TC has appointed a second dog warden therefore if a time of day can be provided when the fouling is most likely to take place the dog warden will be available to hopefully catch and prosecute the adult owner of the culprit. Cllr Hancock to provide this news for the Community Trust newssheet. Also something placed in Slaley Notes.
17. Parish Plan – Action Plan – Heritage Information Review. Attached as appendix 3/090608 page 432.
In trying to establish ownership of Wooley Bus Shelter & Slaley Home Guard Hut etc a letter was sent to Dick Fraser of NCC Highways Policy Unit. Mike Collins of English Heritage was asked about old wells both on and off the public highway. Mike Collins replied by e-mail that his expertise was the Roman period. NCC Highways replied that a detailed response would arrive within 15 working days.
18. Report of the meeting (4/6/08) of the reconvened Parish Plan Steering Group to look at the Action Plan.
Minutes of meeting circulated by e-mail and attached as appendix 4/090608 page 433. The members at the meeting wished to report their support in the PC’s endeavours to retain Post Office provision at Slaley and offered any help they could give.
19. Proposed Post Office Closures (4a 12/5/08; 4c 14/4/08; 9m 10/3/08; 7 (2a) 14/1/08; 7 12/2/07; 7k 12/12/06; 7o 13/11/06).
Letter from TC re Post Office Closure Programme meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday July 22nd for presentation by Post Office Limited. The meeting is to coordinate a response and provide additional information before the end of consultation period on August 11th. Councillors Hancock and Norris and the Clerk will attend. Cllr Hancock had downloaded information from Savour Our Post Office web site and the Parliamentary Select Committee report on Post Office closures, on which he reported to the PC. Post Office provision together with a local school, retail outlet, inns and community building is part of the sustainability criteria for rural villages which justify more housing and a continued bus service. However, a part-time outreach Post Office service, provided from a van or some public building does count as continuing Post Office provision AS FAR AS THE Post office and Government are concerned. It was agreed that the Commemoration Hall would be booked for a Parish Council led Public Meeting on Monday July 7th at 7.30 p.m. on the assumption that Slaley Post Office is under threat. It will be an opportunity for objection at parish level. We will be informed on July 1st if Slaley is to lose its present provision. If it is NOT then the meeting need not go ahead. Clerk to request Slaley Notes to place something in the Courant, invite Peter Atkinson MP and ask if someone from ‘Postwatch’ would attend to offer advice on how we might respond to the alteration in service.
20. A.O.B.
a) A broken, engraved piece of standstone found abandoned on Blanchland Moor near the gate from Slaley Forest. The two pieces of stone have been given to PW for safekeeping and to try and establish where they were originally placed. Letters to Friends of Ladycross and Lord Crewe Trustees had so far drawn a blank. Clerk to contact Blanchland PC and ask if something could go in local newsletter, shop or wherever. Failing an answer from Blanchland try the Hexham Courant letters page.
b) Owner of West Ridley Hall reported that repairs to the highway edge had resulted in the highway being the same height as the curbstones, consequently when rainwater runs down the bank from East Ridley Hall entrance it goes straight down West Ridley hall drive to the house. During the flooding of April 27th/28th sandbags were needed. DC Massey mentioned this to Mel Richardson and action will be taken to rectify the problem.
d) Alex Evison reported that the base bracket on the Community seat situated on the B6306 had been vandalised. Cllr Hancock looked at the damage and instructed the Clerk to contact Trevor Golightly. Mr Golightly said he would take his tools with him and hopefully repair the base bracket without a huge expenditure.
e) Thieves have recently stolen two cycles from a home in Slaley. Apparently they have been found and returned to the owners.
f) It was decided to invite the new Slaley Hall Managing Director, Neal Crocker, to a Parish Council meeting.
g) Rose & Crown advertising sandwich board placed on the grassed area of the Public Highway at Townhead during May. Letter hand delivered May 29th 2008 informing the new tenants of the Parish Council’s decision with regard to local advertising (See 19a 12/12/06 & 7c 8/10/07). Also that permission is needed for notices on the public highway. Copy circulated by e-mail to Councillors 1/6/08.
21. BOATs update.
a) Hexham Courant 16/5/08 letters page – John Lynch, Kitty Frisk, Hexham wrote the main letter entitled “Bikers are allowed to take over forest”. The letter carried a photograph of Slaley Forest.
b) Hexham Courant 23/5/08 letters page – Peter Cullen, Allerwash, replied giving the users point of view.
c) Hexham Courant 6/6/08 editorial by Brian Tilley entitled Motorised traffic allowed on tracks Scooters in forest pose safety risks. There was a photograph of Maggie Kyte and gave the AVAG point of view to the letter from John Lynch
d) Moyra Riseborough reported 4 landrovers driving up the U8217 Sunday morning (8/6/08) while she was attempting to ride the route as a safe bridleway. Then as she attempted to return that way twelve trail bikers appeared in convoy and for obvious reasons she and her horse decided not to compete with these recreational vehicles on the narrow green lane.
e) Six 4×4 vehicles travelled from the U8080, down the U8081 to the C275 early afternoon on Sunday 8/6/08. This is the proposed Byway 44, but has a TRO in place.
f) Clerk to contact NCC Solicitor, Stephen Rickitt and ask if Byway 44 is near the top of the list.
Meeting closed at 9.50 p.m. Date of next meeting Monday July 14th.
