Slaley Parish Council looked at the village Speed Survey results, for more information see agenda item 7a.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday April 20th 2009, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies: Councillor Mrs A. S. Robson, Mrs L. Norris & S. Davison. County Councillor C.W. Horncastle.
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillor Mrs C. A. Brooks, Ms M Palmer. Clerk Mrs P. Wilson.
Public: Eileen & Ben Rutter (The Pry), William Bliss & Penelope Hewart (Sandybraes), Joe Melvine (Holly Hill), John Mullholland (village), Tom Henderson (Wooley), Russell Stephenson (Espershields), Louise English & John Knowles (Colpitts), Reg Corbidge, Tim Troman, Samantha Ingham & Robert West (Eagle Lodge) Slaley Park. & PC Iain Robertson. Courant Reporter: Rebecca Dixon. Slaley Notes: Jean Elphick. Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
Special Discussion beginning promptly at 7.30 p.m.
Mel Richardson of Northumberland Highways on concerns with Slaley parish highways.
Unfortunately Mr. Richardson has taken ill and was unable to attend the meeting.
2. Declaration of Interests and Hospitality Record.
None.
3. Minutes of March Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 502- 505 + appendix 1 page 506, appendix 2 page 507, appendix 3 page 508, appendix 4 page 509, appendix 5 page 510).
Proposed by Cllr. C.A.Brooks and seconded by Cllr. M. Palmer the minutes were approved and signed
4. Matters Arising.
* Special 9/3/09 E-mail from Magistrates thanking us for letter & positive feedback.
a) 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 deferred to May meeting due to absence of Cllr Davison and no room sizes provided. Cllr. Hancock has down loaded information which he will circulate when the matter can be discussed.
b) 4c 9/3/09 Grass collection at Parks Side bungalows. Reply from Mr. Evison circulated. Councillors felt that the cost was prohibitive. It was agreed to monitor the grass this year with special notice just prior to Slaley Show and if possible keep Mr Evison on stand by for early August if needed.
c) 4e 9/3/09 6r 9/2/09 E-mail reply from Brian Massey, which did not explain what the Adapt Membership covered. Received a membership reminder. Agreed to pay £10 membership.
d) 4h 9/3/09, 9j 9/2/09 The two part-ownership homes at Reaston View are now occupied.
e) 6d 9/3/09 “Narrowing the Gap” consultation on education currently with Cllr A Robson.
f) 6e 9/3/09 Planning Portal information circulated. It was agreed to sign up for this. In humour it was suggested that an Internet Kiosk in the village shop might allow access to these planning portals.
g) 6g 9/3/09 Information Board installed during March.
h) 9 9/3/09 Community Forum: Correspondence 30/3/09 from ET&WCP PC’s Forum, Adrian Hincliffe and Alice Ellison Clerk to Blancland PC about comments regarding the formation of a Rural small parishes CF. It would appear that someone reported that we were definitely forming one and not that we were considering it. E-mail 7/4/09 from Hexhamshire – they are willing to host a rural forum and would welcome an opportunity to discuss. Alice Ellison replied 15/4/09 that Blanchland would prefer to have the rural forum. Clerk instructed to write to CF group welcoming the offer to Host by Hexhamshire PC and request a further meeting to discuss.
i) 13 9/3/09: Nine people took part in the Annual Litter Pick many positive comments were received by passing cyclists, vehicles and walkers. A microwave was the most unusual item, which won the prize.
5. Report of the Special Meeting held on 6/4/09 to discuss planning application 20090162. OUTLINE- 78 Holiday Lodges, Slaley Hall Complex. Notes from 6/4/09 circulated as appendix 1/200409. Questions for Jonathan Nicholson circulated and attached as appendix 2/200409.
Copy of correspondence to planning Department from: Tim Troman, Karen Sykes, Drs Keith & Claire Brewster, Simon Knight, Jason & Jeannie Abdelnoor
E-mails between ICH and Planning – Gordon Halliday’s deputy (Mr Bell), Jonathan Nicholson & Susannah Buylla
E-mails of suggestion for help from Guy Opperman (a barrister).
E-mails between PW & planning re permission sites + PC Iain Robertson re safety on U8080 if additional traffic are allowed + Stephen Rickitt & David Brookes regarding the public footpath issue.
Draft of SPC reply using the wording of Policy NE12.
Cllr Hancock reported on a meeting during the afternoon of 20/4/09 between Community Trust members & Dr. Albert Weir.
The Chairman confirmed the PCs receipt of various bits of professional and semi professional advice, which tried to determine if the planning application related to Policy NE12. The strongest objections relate to the rural character etc. Nature and conservation are a very important aspect of the area. The 1.2% allowable development was discussed and Cllr. Hancock reported that the present planning committee were unable to confirm how this 1.2% is measured /worked out. Were car parks, holiday villa gardens, the football field, premier events ground etc part of the allowed development? Clerk to contact Audrey Hutchinson, former Mayor of Hexham and who was part of the consultation team who agreed this 1.2%,
Cllr. Hancock reported that the Environmental Agency has concerns that some of the proposed new dwellings are too close to watercourses. Felling woodland may instigate an ecological assessment.
Cllr Hancock reported on Policy TM12, which relates to holiday & caravan sites and gives conditions to expansion of existing sites. The PC will also use this Policy in its final reply.
The current planning officers have requested that all outstanding planning permissions for un-built accommodation buildings are rescinded before this application is determined.
Cllr Hancock encouraged the public to continue submitting comments. He encouraged them to look closely as Policies TM12 and NE12 and ask general questions for the justification of this planning expansion in any submission to Susannah Buylla.
During the discussion it was generally agreed that the holiday accommodation generated by Slaley Hall did have a positive impact on the rural economy. Locally Slaley Village Shop and the two Inns definitely benefited from the extra business holidaymakers provided. Outside the immediate parish local businesses especially food establishments also benefited.
The public made a request that any new findings or knowledge could be made available, possibly at the Post Office. The Chairman confirmed that he would comment on the final PC response via the Newssheet and on the web site.
Police Constable Iain Robertson reported his action to the PC’s request for help with the safety issue of extra traffic using the U8080, which this application, if successful, would generate. The Police are not automatically consulted on a planning application, it is the duty of the highways authority to comment on highway safety on a planning application. The Police can not comment until the plans are granted. However with regard to general safety on the U8080 PC Robertson had spoken with Richard Cheesman, Property Manager at Slaley Hall regarding unlawful use of the U8080 with a TRO. Mr Cheesman has written a staff-notice requesting use of the new access road to Slaley Hall in preference to U8080. PC Robertson had negotiated with NCC who has agreed to hold a two-week survey on the Coal Road to assess its current use.
6. Public Participation.
No further issues.
7. Correspondence.
a) Speed Survey results from PC Iain Robertson. His concerns about speeding passed the school relayed to School and asked for an update on its 20 mph reduction outside school. ICH volunteered to visit school and look at its transport project. PC Robertson commented that main speeders appeared to be during a golf tournament or associated with race meetings.
b) Request for financial & manual help by St. Mary’s Parish Church circulated by e-mail – to be discussed with a full council.
c) E-mail dated 6/4/09 regarding winter let of the Springhouse Caravan Site Manager’s accommodation. Cllr Hancock checked web site and the property is let as Hadrian’s Cottage which sleeps 6. Clerk instructed to contact Enforcement officer with this information, initially with a telephone call then followed by a hard copy. Confirmation from neighbours that the outside hot-tub has been used by holidaymakers staying at Hadrian’s Cottage almost weekly since Christmas. ** At this point the electricity was switched off because of a major electrical fault in Slaley village therefore the remainder of correspondence was not discussed in detail.
d) NCC Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles information.
e) Minutes of the Community Trust AGM 25/3/09 (note the incorrect date of 2008)
f) E-mail circulated 16/4/09 from David Francis re Sport England funding for rural areas.
g) E-mail circulated 13/3/09 re Temporary road Closure for Derwent Cycle Race.
h) E-mail circulated 12/3/09 re Boundary Committee carrying out review of boundaries.
i) E-mail circulated 12/3/09 re NALC Final salary award for Clerks.
j) E-mailed from Cllr Norris 12/3/09 re ET&WCM PC’s F minutes of 6/1/09 & meeting on 17/3/09 asking if anyone wished to attend.
k) E-mailed Weekly Rural Focus 31/3/09, 7/4/09, 14/4/09
l) Questionnaire from James Whitley re Affordable housing completed by Clerk.
m) NCC Fare Trade, March 2009. Edition 2009/01 circulated.
n) Local Works. Campaign to implement the Sustainable Communities Act. Action by May 8th circulating.
o) Equality & Human Rights Commission Public sector Duties. Equality Bill into force 2011. circulating.
p)NALC Networking Lunch 1/5/09 information circulated by e-mail, Littlethorpe bus shelters brochure; Taking care into the Home ‘sponsored walk suggestion’; Easter Play Programme (Slaley 9/4/09) Posted on notice board and leaflets into Slaley village shop. East Hire (NE) Ltd advertising brochure; Information Commissioner’s office DVD ‘Tick Tock’ on FoI Scheme; Society of Local Council Clerks Training Day 22/4/09 & Regional Conference 9/6/09; Tynedale Council meeting minutes, Bank Holiday refuse collection (placed on notice Board), Advice for protecting homes and business from flooding; Norwich union Your Parish Council Key features; CAN Vol 29 N0 2 issue. Minutes of the last Meeting of Tynedale Council 24/3/09. Record RSS play ground advertising leaflet; Queensbury Shelters Advertising leaflet; CPRE overview Spring 2009. Vacancies at Abbeyfield sent and recalled and sent again; Dogs Trust notice and leaflets.
8. Financial Report.
a) Balance Sheet circulated as appendix 5/200409.
b) 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
c) Confirmation of first-half of 09/10 Precept paid into bank account.
d) Receipt from Tynedale Sports Council for £50 donation.
e) Cheques to be signed:
No 371 Clerk’s annual expenditure for 08/09 £275.61
No 372 ADAPT annual membership £10.00
Proposed by Cllr Palmer & seconded by Cllr Brooks the cheques were signed and the Balance Sheet agreed.
9. Annual Governance Statement as per Annual Audit. Circulated as appendix 3/200409
Agreed.
10. Current Planning Applications.
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. Concerns over size, lack of garage, proximity to immediate neighbour.
20090162 OUTLINE Construction of 78 holiday lodges, Slaley Hall (see agenda 5)
20090082 Resub.det. annexe in association with main dwelling Pinetops Pending
20080046 Internal refurbishment – Slaley Hall Pending.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20090039 Construction of two agricultural buildings Marley Cote Walls Granted
** 9/3/09 Reply from Enforcement Officer, Richard Stewart re silage pit at White House Farm a planning application will arrive in due course.
11. Update Highways Annual Report.
a) Reports received from Cllrs Hancock, Palmer & Davison. Clerk Pat Wilson.
12. Request Reports for Annual Public Meeting in May
Chairman. County Councillor. District Councillor. Representative on the Commemoration Hall Management Committee. BOATs Chairman. Community Trust.
13. Parish Plan, Action Plan: April update. Draft circulated as appendix 4/200409.
No alterations to draft.
14. A.O.B.
None.
15. BOATs update.
a) Espershields Magistrates Court hearing will be a preliminary hearing due to the user groups objection to the proposals. A full 2/3 hearing is expected, possibly June.
b) BOATs 4 Parishes Joint Committee meeting on Wednesday May 6th at 7 p.m.
16. Date of May 2009 meeting May 11th. (Annual Slaley Parish Council Meeting, followed by Annual Public Meeting followed by a shortened monthly meeting)
