Heavy snow resulted in the cancellation of the Special Presentation and was indirectly the reason why only two Councillors made the meeting. Read how this affected the meeting.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday February 9th 2008, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies: Councillors S. Davison, Ms M Palmer, Mrs L. Norris, Mrs A. S. Robson. District Councillor B.W. Massey & County Councillor C.W. Horncastle.
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillor Mrs C. A. Brooks. Clerk Mrs P. Wilson.
Public.None. Courant Reporter: None. Slaley Notes: None. Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
Special Presentation beginning promptly at 7.30 p.m.
Alison Germany, Deputy Clerk to the Northumbria Justices, responsible for Magistrates’ Courts in Northumberland and two or more Magistrates will give a short presentation on ‘The role of the magistrate in our local community’. Part of the presentation will be via ‘powerpoint’ with sufficient time for questions and answers. CANCELLED due to severe winter weather. It is hoped that this will be deferred to March meeting.
Cancellation notices placed on Notice Board, in Village Shop, on web page and by e-mail to all 4 invited parish councils.
2. Declaration of Interests and Hospitality Record.
None
3. Minutes of January Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages Minutes of January Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 489-493 + appendix 1 page 494, appendix 2 page 495, appendix 3 page 496).
Proposed by Cllr Mrs L. Norris by e-mail and seconded by Cllr Mrs CA Brooks the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 4a 12/1/09, 6 8/12/08 Trevor Golightly met NCC’s Kevin Allen & Clerk 10a.m. 20/1/09 to safely erect Information Board. On unwrapping board it was noticed that the information was not correct. Cllr Hancock was contacted and it was agreed that the posts be placed in the ground. Michael Elphick was contacted and he has requested a replacement corrected board. Mr Elphick reported that Marcus Byron will deliver to the Clerk the new and correct information Board when it is ready.
b) 4d 12/1/09, 17a 8/12/08 Three bedroomed council house eligibility copy of correspondence sent to Cllr Davison for a second delivery. Signed form received today asking the Parish Council to investigate why the family were not eligible. An e-mail reminder to Cllr Davison regarding the room sizes (see 17a 8/12/08) has been sent. To be discussed when a quorum of Councillors present.
c) 5 12/1/09 E-mail reply dated 21/1/09 from Mel Richardson who has agreed to attend the March PC meeting to discuss the issues raised about our highways. Because of the probability of the Magistrates meeting during March it may be wise to ask Mr Richardson for an April attendance.
d) 9/10 12/1/09: Slaley web page: E-mail from Michael Elphick 3/2/09 still unable to get Healey notes onto the web. Clerk needs information on how to upload pdf files i.e. Slaley & Healey Freedom of Information Scheme & Where to Buy Locally leaflet. Cllr. IC Hancock has placed the pdf files onto the web. For the moment Healey has gone onto the Slaley Parish Council page.
e) 15 12/1/09 Slaley Hall Post-Christmas Meal for the Elderly – January. Thank You card from Mary Metcalf. Telephone call from Ann Lishman and verbal thanks from Bobby Johnston, Audrey Hutchinson and Margaret Ward. Slaley Hall telephoned and asked if everything OK. Cllr Hancock received an offer for a free meeting room for up to 10 people at Slaley Hall.
5. Public Participation.
None.
6. Correspondence.
a) (i) Susi Goncu e-mailed Slaley, Blanchland, Hexhamshire, Shotley Low Quarter, Healey and Hedley on the Hill Parish Council Chairs and Vice Chairs to set up a meeting to discuss developments around community forums. This was organized for 3/2/09 however because of heavy snow it was cancelled and rescheduled for 3/3/09.
(ii) Cllr Norris e-mailed to all 23/1/09 the Constitution (5 pages) and explanatory notes (1 page) for the East Tynedale Parish Councils Forum.
b) David Francis e-mail ‘Progress on the Charter’ circulated by e-mail 15/1/09. Two pages of a briefing paper. (see 8d, page 472 of November 10th 2008 meeting when Slaley questioned the ICT requirements for Councillors.)
c) David Francis draft Charter for Development Management, (Planning Services) 13 pages, circulated by e-mail 29/1/09. Point 1: 2.2 Three Area Development Teams will determine planning applications (not minerals, waste or major physical projects). Areas are south east, north and west, Slaley comes under west? Point 2: 4.2 Charge will be made for pre-application enquiries. Point 3: 5.1 all applicants are encourage to submit planning applications electronically. Point 4: 6.7 Parish Councils will still be consulted in applications.
d) TC reply for cost of collecting grass at Parks Side bungalows (8a 13/10/08; 4a(ii) 8/9/08) £400 for 20 cuts = £20 per cut. To be discussed when a quorum of Councillors present. Meanwhile Clerk to try and establish if 20 cuts do actually take place each year.
e) E-mail from Kevin Ferrol re Bottle bank in village. Circulated by e-mail 4/2/09, several suggestions made, including Commemoration Hall car park which was refused during 2007. Out of village suggestion of near The Flothers Bridge was proposed. The Clerk thought that there was sufficient space on the grass verge outside the telephone exchange building almost opposite the village shop. Kevin Ferrol has been at Slaley today and looked at sites in village, he e-mailed photographs of possible sites in time for the meeting. To be discussed when a quorum of Councillors present. Meanwhile the Clerk to ask for clarification on “within the 30 mph” statement; A letter to Church View and The Paddock for their initial reaction to the bins; Copy of Kevin Ferrol correspondence to the Commemoration Hall Committee for discussion at its February 25th meeting.
f) E-mail from David Francis circulated 5/2/09 re ‘ICE’ stored as emergency contact person on mobile telephone. Clerk to send copy of e-mail to ME for inclusion in Slaley Notes & Cllr Brooks to mention in News-sheet.
g) E-mail from David Francis circulated 19/1/09 re dates of meetings between 2-13 February which could be filmed. Clerk replied with February date. Acknowledgment received from Melissa Jordon Communication Officer.
h) E-mail from Graeme Whitfield, Journal, Northumberland Editor, 29/1/09 requesting date of monthly meetings as The Journal is extending its commitment to Northumberland by covering Parish council meetings. Clerk replied by e-mail.
i) Reminder 13/1/09 from TC that litter and dog bin empty invoices were not paid (must have crossed in the mail).
j) Receipt from Came & Company with new schedule including the Information Board and the Highway Mirror.
k) NALC Royal Garden Party 21/7/09 circulated by e-mail 27/1/09 Chairman declined to be nominated.
l) Slaley First School January Newsletter circulated by e-mail 25/1/09 & request for The Times book vouchers by e-mail 16/1/09.
m) Thank You from Age Concern for grant aid 08/09 cheque (moved address and first enveloped returned to Clerk reposted 5/1/09).
n) E-mail from Moyra Riseborough circulated 9/2/09 re Update on Age Concern trips etc. Cllr Brooks to speak with Moyra for more information for News Sheet.
o) Great North Air Ambulance letter quest for grant aid – in Precept for 09/10
p) CAN request for grant aid – in Precept for 09/10
q) Rural Services Community Newsletter called Weekly Rural Focus Digest circulated by e-mail 27/1/09 *Is this the same as 6s below? Is yes why has it a different name?
r) Adapt News January 2009 + North East Membership 2009 To be discussed when a quorum of Councillors present. Cllr Hancock remarked that we were being asked to pay to pass information to other people.
s) Rural Services Community Weekly News Digest circulated by e-mail 3/2/09* See 6q above!
t) TC February Half-term play programme – Slaley – Wednesday 18th February 10 – 11.30 a.m. (notice board, shop and village hall).
u) Northumberland Theatre Company request for grant aid; Strutt & Parker Property Update: First quarter 2009; Wicksteed brochure; TDC minutes November – January; Mencap request for grant aid.
7. Financial Report.
a) Cheques to be signed.
No 366 Pat Wilson quarter share in BOATs expenditure £22.55
To be passed when a quorum of Councillors present.
b) Interim Payment: None
c) Income: £900 from Tynedale Council towards the Information Board
8. Current Planning Applications.
20090082 Resubmitted detached annexe in association with main dwelling Pinetops
20090039 Construction of two agricultural buildings Marley Cote Walls Support
20080046 Internal refurbishment – Slaley Hall Pending.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20081147 Two storey detached dwelling. Tree Tops, Main Street. Granted
*We have still not received a reply from our letter of August 17th requesting the 2008 confirmation of Slaley Hall Holiday Villas. A reminder to be sent with a request for assurance that the new Development Management Service (Planning department) will continue with this annual check.
9. A.O.B.
a) Martin Nichol (Stocksfield Post office) telephoned Clerk about 3 p.m. 2/2/09 to ask about road conditions to Slaley for the mobile post van at 4.20 p.m. Clerk told him to travel via the B6307 from Corbridge then the B6306 from Linnel bank top to Slaley village. Well cleared and gritted throughout the day. By 4.20 after an hour of intermittent heavy snow Martin telephoned back and said conditions were too dangerous there would be no post office provision thisafternoon.
b) 5/2/09: Post Office van freezing for customers. Also the untreated road into OAP bungalows dangerous for pedestrians using the Post Office Van.
c) Footpath around the OAP bungalows not treated very dangerous for old people. For the best part of 20 years Tony Lambert cleared all the footpath around the square. Now there is no-one. It was suggested that we should consider one or two salt bins for the elderly to use. Clerk telephoned Winter Services Team to have the square gritted and some salt left for the footpaths. Gill Hutchinson confirmed that small sand heaps were left outside each house however she had not seen the gritter or noticed any quick improvement in the entrance road. Clerk to contact Milecastle Housing to ask what their policy is for clearing the paths around accommodation for the elderly and if they would consider a bin for salt/grit somewhere in the square.
d) Footpath down the length of the village untreated and dangerous. It was reported that in some European countries and some states of America it is an offence not to clear the pathway to a private house from the main road. Should prolonged snow and ice become an annual problem then establishing Local Bylaws may be considered.
e) An agricultural Bob Cat stolen 4/2/09, forensic team at Reaston Lane looking for finger and foot prints.
f) R. Ferguson reported poaching at fields below High Clear and Springhouse.
g) P. Hutchinson would like the PC to consider putting Roy and Margaret forward for a national honour again. Mr Elphick reported that the Community Trust were considering doing this.
h) Up to five cars are being parked on the village street outside Winter House each night. No tyre tracks through the snow from the off-street parking area. Consequently this area is not being gritted until all the vehicle are gone.
i) It has been reported that parking for the delivery and collection of children from Slaley School is a problem. The Councillors checked planning conditions on Winter House which made a provision for three off-street vehicles. Clerk to contact Slaley School and ask if complaints have been received regarding a parking problem. If a positive answer is received a plan of action can be agreed when a full quorum of Councillors is present.
j) Discussions by the PC Clerk to the potential occupiers of the two part-own Affordable Houses indicated that the deposits were paid in January 2009. Cllr Hancock has also spoken with their solicitor who confirmed that a mortgage company finally agreed to the local clause and everything was now signed and with Two Castles Solicitor.
k) A verbal third-hand report received by the Clerk that a disabled lady at Springhouse requested Ladycross Quarry staff to clear snow from the privately owned track between the U8078 and Ladycross Caravan Site entrance. The PC does not know if this request was from a member of Ladycross Caravan Park staff or if it was someone staying in the warden’s house or in a caravan on site.
10. BOATs update.
a) A meeting of the joint BOATs joint committee is scheduled for Monday February 23rd when a discussion will take place with AVAG and Allendale PC about which direction we are going. The Natural England appointed Stakeholder Working Group is working on the Discovering Lost Ways project and it is felt that a new name for our joint committee needs to reflect the changes taking place. Liz Sobell suggested “The 4 Parishes Joint Rights of Way Watch”
b) Clerk to ask for an update on Byway 44 from NCC Solicitor with special emphasis on the owners of Slaley Hall having provided an alternative north/south route.
11. Date of March 2009 meeting
Monday March 9th
