Rural Crime was a lenthy discussion topic in Public Participation at the June meeting read more in agenda item 5
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday June 8th 2009, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies: None
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillor Mrs C. A. Brooks, Ms M Palmer, Mrs A. S. Robson, Mrs L. Norris & S. Davison. County Councillor C.W. Horncastle. Clerk Mrs P. Wilson.
Public: Richard Ferguson & PC Dougie Kidd. Courant Reporter: Rebecca Dixon. Slaley Notes: Jean Elphick. Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests and Hospitality Record.
Cllr. Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 16.
County Cllr CW Horncastle for agenda item 10
3. Minutes of May Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 523- 526 + appendix 1 page 527, appendix 2 page 528).
Proposed by Cllr. CA Brooks and seconded by Cllr. L. Norris the minutes were approved and signed
4. Matters Arising.
a) 4a 11/5/09, 4a 20/4/09, 4a 9/3/09; 4b9/2/09, 4d 12/1/09, 17a 8/12/08 Three bed-roomed Council House not eligible for a family with 5 children. Cllr Davison provided room sizes. Clerk to compile a comparison and place on July agenda. Cllr Hancock to provide back up information from the new unitary council lettings policy.
b) 4d 11/5/09, 7b 20/4/09 Request for financial & practical help by St. Mary’s Parish Church circulated by e-mail for the April meeting and again for the June meeting. After further discussion it was agreed that a reply should state that the PC could help financially with specific projects e.g. the church building, the churchyard, the hearse house and the lych gate. However spiritual matters such as the ‘Parish Share’ could not be supported through the Precept. Clerk and Chairman to agree a reply.
c) 9e 11/5/09 Landing Strip on Wooley Road. Further correspondence by e-mail 18/5/09 resulted in a letter seeking information from R. Stewart, Planning Enforcement Officer. There has been no reply. It was agreed that the same letter be sent to Mike Hales, Low Flying Systems Manager at RAF Wittering.
d) 9g 11/5/09 M. Elphick contacted Marcus Byron regarding damage to a small portion of the Information Board, MB had contacted Shelley Signs who had not replied by 5/6/09 therefore a further e-mail had been sent.
e) 9h 11/5/09 Letter sent to residents at Greencroft regarding the hedge growing onto the public footpath and causing a prickly obstruction. No one had checked if action has been taken.
5. Public Participation.
a) Rural Crime: The lack of policing during the hours of darkness was the concern of one parishioner. Hexhamshire Hardwoods has been broken into five times over the past twelve months. Over the past two weeks three rural businesses have been affected by theft : High Staples, Dukesfield and Ladycross Quarry. In rural areas, thefts are often of expensive heavy plant and machines. The vulnerability of rural premises was discussed and the perceived concentration of Policing in urban areas. Targeted crime on a small rural area has a huge impact.
Slaley PC Chairman felt this could be an issue for the Community Forum.
PC D Kidd confirmed that resources go to where crime is greatest. Resources for this area are managed from Hexham and there is a night shift police presence. However, in an area of 800 square miles it is unlikely that the police will get to a crime during its commital without a ‘tip-off’. Farm Watch and Neighbourhood Watch were mentioned. Security marking, and recording of serial numbers makes it possible to return recovered stolen goods to their owners. PC Kidd acknowledged that while ours is a low crime area, the value of stolen goods is substantial. The Police were able to provide help when it appeared that a rural business was being repeatedly targeted.
It was agreed that the PC write to Inspector David Thornhill at Hexham with a copy to the Chief Constable extending an invitation to attend a future meeting (probably joint with neighbouring parishes) where suggestions for improvement can be discussed.
b) Danger from motor cycles to horse riders in Slaley Forest: PC Kidd agreed that user confrontations in Slaley Forest go back ten years or more. Illegal users are difficult to track down, the area is vast and motorcycles easily move out of sight through the trees. A combined police / forestry commission day was held earlier this year and will hopefully be repeated in the near future. School holidays always produce more under age drivers. Large posters were discussed informing the public that it was illegal to allow minors to ride motorcycles on the Byways, because unknown to most people Byways are public roads. This would need discussing with NCC and the Forestry Commission.
c) Vehicles parked on village footpaths were questioned. PC Kidd confirmed that it is an offence to park on the footpath and cause an obstruction for wheelchairs and double buggies etc. Allowances have to be made in a small village, especially if large numbers of vehicles are parked due to a special function at Church, Chapel or Commemoration Hall when it is important not to obstruct the road. However, prolonged footpath parking can be reported to the police by providing the registration number. A friendly reminder that is an offence to block a public footpath to the vehicle owner from a local policeman will follow.
d) Middle School-age boys playing football at the side of the Hall are in real danger when a ball rolls onto the road, especially if vehicles are parked inside the Hall yard and outside on the highway. PC Kidd recommended that these boys would be safer on the school field. Younger children would be under parental control and could possibly play safely around the Hall.
6. Community Trust report
Circulated as appendix 2/080609
Concern was expressed that some of the information in the reports booklet would be out-of-date in the Autumn. The chairmen of the CT and PC agreed to look at this nearer the publication time.
7. Matters for Discussion with County Councillor Colin W Horncastle.
a) CC C.W. Horncastle took a copy of the 2009 Highways Report for discussion with Colin Charlton.
b) It was explained to the PC why the June meeting of the West Area Committee was being held in the Beaumont Hotel. He explained that the new CC officials had followed TC’s previous use of the hotel without realising that with TC’s demise the Hexham Council Chamber would probably be available. Other venues will be used in future. He reported that there will be an annual West Area Committee meeting for Parish Councils only.
8. Correspondence.
a) NCC draft statement of Community Involvement thank you for Slaley PC responses.
b) Circulated by e-mail 14/5/09 Sustainable Rural Communities Seminar 26/6/09 Braintree.
c) Circulated by e-mail 30/5/09 Clerk’s Training Bursary Scheme.
d) Came and Company – Schedule of Insurance Cover.
e) E-mail to Clerk from Kate Wilson re underage motorcyclists in Slaley Forest causing concern to horse riders. Reported to PC Susan Cockburn and e-mail reply. (see 5b above)
f) By e-mail 2/6/09 NALC training sessions at Bellingham 6/7/09
g) By e-mail NCC Area Committee dates: West Area Committee 9/6/09.
h) By e-mail 28/5/09 re proposals for membership on NSP new deadline of June 4th
i) By e-mail 6/6/09 NSP ballot papers. A vote was taken and it was agreed to vote for Rob Macfarlane.
j) By e-mail NCC Ailsa Coverdale, Locality Development Manager introduction letter.
k) By e-mail NCC key contact details on new authority.
l) North Pennines AONB Partnership: Annual Forum & Management Plan Launch Monday June 22nd 10.30 a.m. Mickleton Village Hall. Open Seat election Nomination Form.
m) North Pennines AONB Identification Guide of flowers, grasses, shrubs, mosses and lichens of the Moorlands.
n) E-mail circulated 28/5/09 Outdoor Display Cases from Whitehill Direct Ltd.
o) Glasdon advertising brochure, CE Electric UK policy information leaflets during a power cut, Adapt News May 2009: AGM 10/7/09 + Safer Driving for Life courses at Hexham 11/11/09 & 8/3/10, NCC – May half-term play Programme – nothing at Slaley.
9. Financial Report.
a) Audit: Display Notices June 15th – June 28TH
Internal audit June 15th – June 28th
Records available to public 29 June – July 24th
Audit date 31st July 2009
b) Cheques to be signed:
No 378 Alex Evison grass cutting £85.65 *
*See note millennium seat area infested with dandelions ACTION and PRODUCT to safely use. Clerk to write and request NCC to carry out necessary work.
Proposed by Cllr L. Norris & seconded by Cllr M. Palmer the cheque was signed.
c) Interim Payment: No 376 JT Golightly siting base for location board £184.00
No 377 Return to NCC Simonburn Precept accident sent to Slaley PC bank account £750.00
Signed by Cllrs IC Hancock and CA Brooks.
10. Current Planning Applications.
20090316: Construction of single storey garage to extension to the side of detached bungalow at 46 Slaley Park. No objections, but pointed out that the property is not a bungalow.
20090260 Retrospective – Construction of open top silage pit. White House* Concerns.
* Clerk has been informed that neighbours have now been consulted
20090162 OUTLINE Construction of 78 holiday lodges, Slaley Hall (see appendix 1/110509) Objections.
20090082 Resub.det. annexe in association with main dwelling Pinetops Hearing 14/5/09. Site Visit 29/5/09 and new hearing date of Hearing 11/6/09.
20080046 Internal refurbishment – Slaley Hall Pending.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20090195 Construction of two-storey side extension single-storey rear extension, a front entrance canopy. Demolition of existing garage and widening of existing access.
Aultmore, Slaley village. Granted
11. Consider a reply to letter received from Mrs R Scott circulated. Reply from Slaley Commemoration Hall Management Committee attached as appendix 1/080609.
a) Public funding requires a minimum of a 21-year lease.
b) Clerk asked the new planning department where the fund allocated for play and sport in Slaley was held. There has been no reply. CC C.W. Horncastle will look into where the Slaley funds for play and sport are currently held. They are not under the control of the Parish Council.
c) School grounds, especially the toddler play area, which is out of bounds to the public, were discussed. Was the toddler play area funded by public money?
d) No bikes are allowed in the school grounds. The needs of toddlers learning to ride bicycles and of older groups wanting a BMX track are not met by the school grounds.
e) Slaley had a successful Youth Club for almost two years. Due to lack of adult supervisors it was forced to close. It was pointed out that in a small population the age range of children can vary over time, causing changes in the provision needed.
f) CC CW Horncastle intends speaking to the Chair of Governors and the Head Teacher of Slaley First School to discuss his recent involvement with Extended Services at Community Schools. He was given a brief history of the school grounds closure – the public meeting of June 2002; the setting up of a Steering Group to produce a parish plan; the adoption of the Parish Plan by the PC in December 2003/January 2004; the re-opening up of the school grounds following negotiations by The Community Trust.
g) CC CW Horncastle noted that there was under-provision of play and sport facilities for all ages of children and young people in Slaley. Slaley PC has repeatedly sought sites for an equipped play area for the younger members of our parish and an area for bicycle riding for the older members, without success. CC Horncastle could obtain government grant money if land could be found.
h) It was therefore agreed to write to Slaley Commemoration Hall Committee and state that Slaley PC did not wish to take the matter further at this time because of point (a) above and while CC CW Horncastle was looking into various alternatives.
i) It was also agreed that a reply be sent to the Scott family answering the questions in their letter. The PC does not have the funds from the Reaston View affordable housing development – the money went into the Tynedale Council ‘Housing Development Fund’.
12. Public Consultation on NHS proposals attendance at June 23rd meeting held at Hexham Mart
6a 11/5/09, 6k 9/3/09, page 504 minutes (circulated by e-mail 5/3/09).
PW is attending. No specific questions requested.
13. Parish Plan Annual Dog Fouling Review
Cllr M Palmer reported that the area around the school is improved.
Cllr S Davison reported that the area between South Park and the Rose & Crown is OK.
Cllr A Robson reported that fouling appears overnight between Parks Side Bungalows and the Commemoration Hall.
There is always an improvement in mid summer. Culprits could be seen during the light nights.
14. Parish Plan Annual Heritage Review
The 2009 review was presented to the meeting although the photographs were not included.
15. A.O.B.
a) Complaint made from a Councillor that wheelchairs and double buggies are unable to travel the footpath because of parked cars on the footpath. A request was made through Slaley Notes on Friday June 5th, one particular vehicle remained on the footpath over the weekend, (see agend item 5 above)
b) PW had a swarm of bees at her main house doorway Friday May 29th, 12 midday. PW telephoned NCC and spoke to four different people over the next hour. She was finally told that since bees are protected the NCC pest control could not help. By 2 p.m. with more bees getting into the house PW telephone the Hexham Courant where a very helpful reporter gave her telephone numbers for local Bee Keepers, but none were immediately contactable. Eventually Northumberland Pest Control advised that a bee keeper was needed to find the queen bee, but could not provide any help to find one. About 6 p.m. bee keeper Roz Doonan replied to PW’s message and gave the necessary advice and assistance. Slaley Notes will provide Roz’s contact details and these should be included in the future edition of the Where to Buy Locally leaflet. The PC agreed that NCC ought to be able to provide bee keepers association contact details for such emergencies.
c) Mobile Post Van Provision at Slaley. Monday May 25th Bank Holiday – no provision.
Tuesday May 26th – no provision on any Tuesday. Wednesday May 27th – system was down, no transactions could take place – six people waiting with urgent business, including Margaret Ward wanting to bank her Village Shop takings. Margaret says that when the Shop system failed it was approximately 2/3 hours before it was up and running again. When Margaret’s PO was open all day, 5 days each week, a temporary breakdown was not too serious. In this instance, with the mobile PO, Slaley had its last service at 9.45 a.m. Saturday May 23rd and was unable to do business until 4.20 p.m. Thursday 28th May. The PC wondered if the mobile van was getting the same IT service as the village Post Office did.
It was reported by a Councillor that the van sometimes closed early, or at least the doors were closed early. Clerk to check with some of the residents if they have noticed this.
d) The grass at Parks Side has recently been cut and looks messy. A close watch should be kept.
e) The parish roadside grass verges have been cut today. Monday June 8th.
f) Cllr Palmer is concerned about continued speeding in the center of the village she asked if more 30-mph sings could be placed either side of the school. Cllr Hancock recalled that we were told that it is illegal to place repeater signs where regular street-lights exist. Cllr Hancock to check on the school transport plan for the yellow flashing signs at school times.
g) East Burnside Bridge at The Glen crossroads appears to have a crack at the Lead Road junction. There is often dampness and Cllr Hancock suspects subsidence.
h) Request a copy of the vehicle volume and weight survey undertaken by NCC on the U8080 at the TRO sign. Clerk to contact Colin Charlton about this with a copy to Northumbria Police.
16. BOATs update.
E-mail from Stephen Rickitt 20/5/09 confirming that the Magistrates Court had made the order reducing the width to 5 metres on Byway 44. Clerk to request written confirmation should be sent to all affected properties.
17. Date of July 2009 meeting. Monday July 13th.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10 p.m.
