A speeding vehicle set off the Townfoot flashing speed unit and then pulled in at Slaley Firest School at 3.21 p.m. Read more on agenda item 19a
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday October 13th 2008, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies Councillors Mrs A. S. Robson, Ms M Palmer.
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors Mrs C. A. Brooks, Mrs L. Norris & S. Davison & Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey & County Councillor C.W. Horncastle.
Public. None. Courant Reporter: Rebecca Dixon. Slaley Notes: Jean Elphick. Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests and Hospitality Record.
Cllr Mrs Linda Norris for agenda item 20
Cllr C.W. Horncastle for agenda item 10.
3. Minutes of September Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 449-453 + appendix 1 page 454, appendix 2 page 455, appendix 3 page 456 and appendix 4 page 457. Proposed by Cllr CA Brooks and seconded by Cllr IC Hancock the minutes were approved and signed.
3. Matters Arising.
a) 5b 8/9/08 Mr Page acknowledge receipt of PC letter to Post Office Ltd.
b) 5c 8/9/08 Reply from NCC (Mel Richardson) that running a business from a mobile van on the highway is legal providing the van is roadworthy. Reply from NCC County Solicitor – assuming the mobile unit is not blocking the road for other users a mobile post office would be regarded as reasonable. Street Trading regulations come under Tynedale.
c) 7a 8/9/08 Flooding at West Ridley Hall after discussion with Mrs Robson it was agreed that the PC follow up would make the most of her vulnerability. The NCC reply stated “the work is on the list and we will get to it a.s.a.p.” The Hexham Courant also reported the incident. DC B Massey has since discussed different avenues of approach to this problem with Mrs Robson.
d) 7b 8/9/08 planters for Gardening Club reply from Cllr Brooks indicated that the club would be discussing planters at their Meeting on October 30th. DC B Massey indicated that the £75,000 recorded in the Courant was under consideration and not something he could report on at present.
e) 8g 8/9/08 Official opening ceremony at Reaston View at 11.30 a.m. on 30/9/08 attended by Cllr Ian C Hancock. Lots of people attended the ceremony and it had been an opportunity to look into the unoccupied house.
5. Public Participation. None.
6. Community Trust Report
Attached as appendix 1/131008, page 465.
A draft copy of the Interpretive Board was tabled, one or two mistakes were identified and additional information was suggested. Possible confusion about the status of some rights of way as shown on the map was recognised and it was suggested that David Brookes at NCC be shown a copy and asked for his advice on how best to show the confirmed BOATs and other rights of way under review. The PC was asked if they have an Ordnance Survey Licence. Clerk to check.
DB B Massey drew the Community Trust’s attention to an underused funding body. Office of the Third Sector ‘Grass Roots Grants’ give community grants of £250 – £5000. The CT was already aware of this and would be considering seeking funding from them.
7. Matters for Discussion with County & District Councillors
a) Re: Press release 12/9/08: After a vote ‘three area committees’ will govern Northumberland. CC CW Horncastle confirmed that Slaley will come under the West Area Committee covering Hexham, Haltwhistle, Ponteland and Prudhoe – essentially the present Hexham parliamentary constituency. Colin himself has responsibility for in excess of 4000 voters.
b) Re: Press release 26/9/08: New unitary authority should be made up of 79 councillors. CC CW Horncastle confirmed this was the proposal of the CC to the Electoral Boundary Committee.
c) Re: Press release 3/10/08: Council job losses fear – None of the key lower level directorships at the new authority have gone to Tynedale’s senior officers. Instead of making a £17 million saving by combining the seven district councils the new unitary council is already facing a £55 million black hole in its finances. CC CW Horncastle thought that the black hole was nearer £63 million plus the £23 million recently lost in the Iceland Bank collapse.
d) Re: Press release 10/10/08: Potholes – once a report is received the council aims to register and investigate it within 10 working days, and where it is deemed to be dangerous, it aims to carry out a repair or make it safe the following working day. The response depends on the type of road and the location of the pothole. CC CW Horncastle explained that potholes should be reported immediately they form and a report reference number established to ensure a “paper trail” in case of accidents. NCC uses the global positioning system (gps) for reported potholes.
e) Re: Hexham Courant article on DC Brian Massey. The Councillors congratulated Cllr Massey.
f) CC CW Horncastle reported that some members of the new Unitary Authority wished to change the name from Northumberland County Council to Northumberland Council. This change over would cost approximately £5 million. The suggestion will be circulating for consultation.
g) Strategic Partnerships were discussed and CC CW Horncastle reported that the County emphasis was strongly on elected membership. DC B Massey concluded from the proceedings of a meeting he had attended that the promised user-friendly organisational chart of all the partnerships, forums and area committee was not yet available.
8. Correspondence.
a) Reply from TC re the uncollected cut grass at Parks Side bungalows (4a(ii) 8/9/08). Head of Operations on holiday – he will provide a costing for its collection to the Parish Council on his return. A second reply from Mel Richardson indicated that the road into Parks Side is the U8263.
b) Tynedale Council – New Allocations Policy letter + Homefinder Scheme Guide and Banding Policy Consultation + lettings Policy consultation questionnaire. The Councillors expressed concern that the new policy could affect the future letting of Reason View. CC CW Horncastle explained that Tynedale’s 106 agreements would continue to be legally binding following the takeover of the new Unitary Authority on 31.3.09. The new scheme for large housing stocks will not give preference to local people after 31/3/09.
c) NCC Dipton Foot Bridge Redecking work lasting 14 weeks from September 15th includes a temporary single lane road with traffic lights. Noted.
d) E-mail from PC Ian Robertson – survey of traffic speed using a hand held speed detection device was undertaken at Slaley Wednesday 8th October afternoon (the day the speed unit was moved from Townfoot to Townhead post). New Police Sergeant at Corbridge, Sgt Mick Garrett, is keen to attend a PC meeting. Noted.
e) Town & Parish Standard – September 2008 issue 3. Circulated.
f) Communities and local Government letter + 29 page booklet entitled Communities in control: real people, real power The making and enforcement of byelaws. Consultation response by November 20th. Circulated and noted. The Councillors had no comments to make.
g) E-mail from owner of Winter House (appendix 2/110808, page 448) – the projecting gate hook was there when the house was purchased and it has local character – intends to make a feature of it to increase its prominence and visibility.
h) TC October Half term Play Programme – Nothing at Slaley. PC Clerk asked why.
i) Slaley School September 2008 newsletter circulated by e-mail.
j) E-mail from Lisa Hamlin, Clerk to several PC’s asking for help with village warning signs and stone entrance signs. Slaley has neither.
k) E-mail from NALC circulated 15/9/08 re “Does your council manage a cemetery?” Noted – Slaley PC does not.
l) E-mail circulated 15/9/08 “Save our Squirrels”. Poster on Notice Board . Article in Journal 2/10/08 and Courant 26/9/08 & 10/10/08 where Slaley is mentioned.
m) Age Concern grant aid request. Noted.
n) E-mail from NALC circulated 1/10/08 re NALC AGM. Noted.
o) E-mail from CAN circulated 1/10/08 re Report of the NALC Chief Executive (12 pages). Noted.
p) E-mail from NALC circulated 1/10/08 re Unitary Authority Electoral review of Northumberland submitted by NCC (37 pages). Cllr Hancock printed off several maps of interest.
q) E-mail from Hilary Carter circulated 6/10/08 re Tynedale Community Radio – No interest in becoming a DJ from the Councillors.
r) E-mail circulated 13/10/08 Invitation to Slaley First School harvest and tree planting. Noted.
s) NCC Application to extinguish and create public rights of way in the parishes of Healey and Slaley. (Discussed January 2008 meeting see agenda 16g 14/1/08, page 382 then conferred with Healey PC and letter of support wrote 17th February 2008). Slaley PC will consult with Healey PC regarding this and then confirm our agreement of the application being made.
t) NCC letter from Steve Mason, Director of Finance, Parish Precepts and Council Tax 09/10 – Precept requirement by Friday January 9th. Noted.
u) E-mail circulated 9/10/08 re CAN AGM Stocksfield 5/11/08 + letter of invitation; Appts & constitutional; + Executive Committee + directional map document. Councillor Hancock may attend.
v) E-mail circulated 13/10/08 re CAN AGM 5/11/08 minutes of 2007.
w) Eastern Tynedale & Western Castle Morpeth Parish Councils Forum minutes of meeting 7/10/08 attended by Cllr L Norris. E-mail to Cllr’s Palmer, Davison & Robson.
x) North Pennines AONB Partnership Management Plan 2009-14 Consultation Draft. Cllr CA Brooks to read and comment.
y) Shaw’s Forms, records and registers for Councils advertising leaflet; Citizens Advice Bureau “Bereavement Advice Line” letter and flyers. (flyers left in Commemoration Hall). NALC (2 copies of each) AGM agenda; Minutes of 2007; Subscriptions 09/10 & Annual Report 07/08; Lloyds TSB telephone banking leaflet; Tynedale Area Committee Papers for 16/9/08; Adapt North East News Autumn 2008.
9. Financial Report.
Cheques to be signed.
No 347 Alex Evison – September cut £81.50*
No 348 BDO Stoy Hayward LLP – audit £141.00
No 349 Grant Whitley Chapel YFC £100.00
No 350 Grant Great North Air Ambulance £150.00
No 351 Grant St. Mary the Virgin Churchyard £100.00 includes new mower donation.
No 352 Grant Slaley Show £325.00
No 353 Grant Slaley Commemoration Hall £900.00
No 354 Grant Age Concern Northumberland £100.00
No 355 Grant CAN £20.00
No 356 Grant Slaley Community Trust £120.00
Proposed by Cllr L. Norris and seconded by Cllr CA Brooks the cheques were signed.
* The rusty hole in the pole of the Slaley sign at Townhead + the small black pipe cover on the western verge at Townhead to be reported to Highways.
Interim payments. None.
Audit: (i) Audit for year ended 31 March 2008 completed by BDO Stoy Hayward there were no matters which required clarification.
(ii) The annual return was presented to the Council it was approved and accepted by the Council was proposed by Cllr Brooks and seconded by Cllr Norris
(iii) The Notice of Conclusion of Audit was completed and placed together with the Annual Return on the Commemoration Hall notice board for 14 days.
(iv) The Contact details were retained; the date selection for 08/09 was 31/7/09, the survey 07/08 was completed, the account was paid (see 9a above)
10. Current Planning Applications.
20080878 Single storey extension to provide games room, provision of handrail and construction of retaining wall. 20 Slaley Park, Slaley Hall. No objection
20080842 Construction of sun lounge. The Flothers. No objections.
20080046 Internal refurbishment – Slaley Hall Pending. Decisions from Planning Authority
20080684 Construction of first floor side extension, entrance lobby and detached garage. The Paddock, Main street Granted
Press Release 26/9/08 & 3/10/08 relating to the Changes to Planning Permission Rules & Shifting the planning goalposts. As from October 1st The Government has moved the planning permission goalposts. Permitted Development will now include up to a three metre deep, two-storey extension, beyond the rear wall of the original dwelling; or four metres beyond the rear wall for a single storey extension; or a single storey extension onto a side elevation with a width of up to half that of the original dwelling. CC CW Horncastle explained that 1947 is the base year for planning guidelines, therefore generally the additions relate to the size of the property in 1947. He was unable to give further details until the planning department has had time to thoroughly understand the implications for properties which have undergone several additions and/or alterations during the last 6 decades. Also, special conditions for listed buildings and those in the green belt may still apply.
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 (8a 8/9/08)
A draft reply to be circulated. DC B Massey asked when the BOATs Sub committee were meeting. He hoped that a combined response would be sent.
12. Proposed Post Office Closures ( 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) Confirmation of altered times arrived on a replacement poster at Slaley Post Office.
(ii) Reaction to these altered times asked for in writing through Slaley Notes & web site. No response has been received – unfortunately the Slaley Notes article was not printed. Jean Elphick to do a late copy.
(iii) No satisfactory response to the request to PO Ltd for help with costs for a monthly advertisement. The reply seemed to be a robotic general reply rather than an answer to our question. It was decided not to pursue the matter at this stage
(iv) Press release 10/10/08: “Tynedale Post Office cull gets under way” – last paragraph “A spokesman for Post Office Ltd said information on when the 11 branches replaced by the outreach services would happen will be displayed on posters in each branch as soon as possible”. Cllr Norris reported that during the ET&WCM PC Forum meeting it had been suggested that this would not happen until sometime early in January 2009
13 “Where to buy locally” Update (12a 8/9/08; 12/6/08).
The Clerk wrote to16 individuals asking if they would like their businesses to be listed. Three were not interested for various reasons. Drafts of the Business Directory and the Where to buy Locally leaflet were presented to the meeting. (Hexhamshire PC has already printed and circulated its Business Directory and is currently considering a Where to Buy Locally leaflet) After discussion, additions and alterations it was agreed to place all advertisements in a box and after agreement with the producers place these two documents on the web site and inform the public through Slaley Notes and the newssheet that alterations can still be made. Where to Buy Locally leaflet as appendix 2/131008, page 466 and Business Directory as appendix 3/131008 page 467.
14 Footpaths leaflet. 12b 8/9/08.
A list of the footpaths presented for discussion as appendix 4/131008, page 468. DC Brian Massey informed the meeting that he was aware of two leaflets already in circulation about footpaths in Slaley parish. He offered to obtain a copy. Jean Elphick thought that the Rambles Association also had Slaley footpath leaflets. It was agreed to wait until the PC had a copy of these before embarking on any additional leaflets.
15 Parish Plan; Action Plan October Update. As appendix 5/131008, page 469
Amendments were made to the draft Update.
16. Slaley Hall Post-Christmas Meal for the Elderly – January 2009
Telephone reply from suggesting any Monday in January 2009 Cost of the lunch would be £15 per head. It was agreed to go for Monday January 19th. Clerk to look at advertising for 2008 meal and provide something for Slaley Notes, the notice board and the monthly newssheet.
17. Deferred from April – Date of Annual Litter Pick.
Due to the very wet conditions and the length of the grass it was decided to leave a litter pick until Spring 2009.
18. Pride of Tynedale Nominees.
The Tourism Award
The Retailer Award
The Community Award
The School Enterprise Award
The Young Business Award
The Councillors were unable to identify any eligible nominees for the five catagories.
19. A.O.B.
a) Speeding vehicles; one passed the Clerk on the C 270 at 3.21 p.m. the vehicle set off the Townfoot flashing speed unit and then pulled into the school waiting area for collection of children. This was reported to the school and they intend making comment in a newsletter.
b) E-mail from DB asking if the chevron corner sign could be replaced on the south bank of the Glen crossroads. Forwarded to NCC highways. Clerk to mention again.
c) Sign on The Cleugh gate indicating that Motorcross activities have ceased until Spring 2009.
d) Invitation to Tender Grass Cutting during 2009. Notice to be given out.
e) Road closure for 6 months at U8119 was mis-identified in the Courant 10/10/08 advertisement as being in Slaley. Clerk telephoned Highways – the closure is at Stocksfield. A correction will be made.
f) Parking area outside Slaley Village Shop is in a poor state of repair. Margaret Ward mentioned this to KA of the Highways Department, who agreed the area needed attention. This was also reported in the PC’s annual report (page 14). Clerk to mention again.
g) A large elderly back Labrador was recently seen on two occasions wandering unattended in the Townhead area of Slaley village. It is believed to live at Highfield House. Letter to be sent.
h) The ‘z’ bends on the south section of Dipton Cut on the B6306 are continually wet. There seems to have been a problem since the north-bound highway verge work was undertaken prior to resurfacing. Clerk to request that Highways rectify the problem before the winter frosts arrive
i) Areas where the cutting back of verge gorse, saplings etc have been missed during 2008 and are now causing a problem. (1) Saplings on the B6306 north-bound highway south of Trygill, opposite the main entrance into Colpitsburn House. So overgrown as to provide no grass verge for pedestrians. (2) B6306 crossroads with Lead Road C279, gorse obstructing view when travelling from the west (Blue Gables farm) to go straight ahead or left and right. (3) Mainly gorse both sides of the Lead Road C265 between ‘Sandbyraes’ and ‘Moorland’, this stretch of road is so narrow with virtually no verge that vehicles are being scratched by the encroaching gorse. The danger is increased at the wooden style onto Footpath 12 between the two properties.
j) Pothole reappeared on C265 Kellas road, north bound carriageway approximately 200 metres north of Slaley Hall entrance. Clerk to report.
20. BOATs update.
See agenda item 8 s above
Cllr. L.Norris reported 2 convoys of about 6 4×4 vehicles each on Sunday October 12th traveling on the U8081 which has a TRO in place. Mr. Norris stopped the first driver of the second convoy and asked if they knew the road had restricted access. The reply was that the NCC web site showed no record of a TRO. Apparently the vehicles contained families. PC to ask NCC if the website should show where TROs are in force.
21. Date of November meeting.
Monday November 10th
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.55 p.m.
