Healey Parish Council has asked if its Minutes and Freedom of Information Scheme can be displayed on this web site. Read more about this under agenda item 9.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday January 12th 2008, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
Apologies: None. Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors Mrs C. A. Brooks, Ms M Palmer, Mrs L. Norris, Mrs A. S. Robson, S. Davison, Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey & County Councillor C.W. Horncastle. Healey Councillor: Mrs M. Gibbs (apology from T Warde-Aldam). Public. Derek Hull. Courant Reporter: Rebecca Dixon. Slaley Notes: Jean Elphick. Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
Declaration of Interests and Hospitality Record.
Cllr Mrs Linda Norris for agenda item 21. CC C.W. Horncastle for agenda item 13.
3. Minutes of December Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 480-484 + appendix 1 page 485, appendix 2 page 486, appendix 3 page 487, appendix 4 page 488). Proposed by Cllr CA Brooks and seconded by Cllr L. Norris the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 6 Information Board delivered to Clerk’s home. Christmas holidays followed by frozen ground has delayed installation. Project Monitoring Form completed by Michael Elphick. Clerk completed claim form with accompanying invoices. Richard Powell at TC confirmed receipt of paperwork.
b) 8a 8/12/08 Register of Members Interests from Cllr Sid Davison posted by Clerk to Garry Pointer. Cllr Ann Robson dropped hers into the Council Offices.
c) 8c 8/12/08; Flooding on the B6306 identified as a burst water main. Work undertaken on Thursday 8th January 2009. The problem is resolved.
d) 17a 8/12/08. Regarding a family with five children not being eligible for a three-bedroomed Council House the Clerk delivered a letter asking for written permission for the PC to take this matter further on their behalf. There has been no response.
e) 17d 8/12/08 The caravan at 12 South Park in now parked inside the private garden of the property.
f) 17f 8/12/09) Dipton Foot Bridge was reopened shortly after the PC letter was sent consequently there has been no acknowledgment to our question.
g) 17h 8/12/08: The parking of PO customer vehicles at the mobile Post Office operating from Parks Side bungalows and the probable need for a lay-by financed through CC CW Horncastle County Small Capital Scheme Grants will be monitored by PC Iain Robertson
h) 18c 8/12/08: Break in the fencing into Ladycross Nature Reserve. PC Iain Robertson provided the incident number 1032 22/11/08 and wished to report that our area gets regular visits by all staff at Corbridge
i) 18e 8/12/08: Reported from PC Robertson who spent the day in Slaley Forest on Sunday December 7th with a representative of the FC and a member of the TRF as part of the crack down on illegal use. No motorcycles were seen. However 3 4×4 vehicles were stopped and a seat belt offence warning was given.
5. Public Participation.
The public is appalled by the standard of work on the B6306, which was resurfaced late summer 2008, and already the surface is wearing away and the sides are breaking up. The surface is still weeping on the Slaley side of Dipton Cut, which was not resurfaced. (The surface water problem was reported in the Annual Highways Report of May 2008, page 15). Also the section of the C280 between the Dukesfield road junction (C279) and the lane to Red Lead Mill is in a poor state. Again this section was not included in the resurfacing work of the C280 during April 2008. (reported in the Annual Highways Report of May 2008, page 14 and by letters dated May 16th 2008 and July 28th 2008). CC CW Horncastle suggested asking Mel Richardson to attend a PC meeting to discuss these issues.
6. Community Trust Report.
The Committee will meet this Thursday. M Elphick asked for a copy of the PC Action Plan January 2009 Update.
7. Matters for Discussion with County & District Councillors
DC B Massey has 12 weeks left before Tynedale Council is disbanded. Many Tynedale Council staff are still in limbo about their future.
CC CW Horncastle reported that in any community everyone knows Parish Councillors, most know their District Councillor but few know their County Councillor. The new authority must have everything up and running by April 1st 2009. The budget will be decided in February 2009. There is currently a huge debate over all cuts in services including front line services. Reduction in salting of the ‘C’ and ‘U’ roads over the Christmas freeze has been noted throughout the County. Cllr Palmer reported that provision of salt heaps has not taken place this year on U8078. Clerk reported non-gritting of Riding Mill road C275, three cars into Peel Flat field 5/1/09. Cllr Horncastle suggested that he be contacted when salt heaps are needed or when the ‘gritter’ is required on a particular road.
8. Creating one council for Northumberland – Local Planning Authority – Statement of Community Involvement (CSI) as part of its LDF. Views and suggestions by 30/1/09. CC CW Horncastle to report: Slaley Councillors joined by Healey Councillors for this agenda item.
(see 8f 8/12/08)
CC CW Horncastle reported that the six District Councils all had a Local Development Framework in place and we have more listed buildings than any other district in the county, therefore a LDF for the whole of the County will be very difficult to achieve. He suggested that Healey and Slaley PCs confirm their wish to be consulted on all planning matters. It was recommended that a conscious effort should be made to make sure there are plenty of elected members on the various committees.
9. Discuss Healey Parish Council to rent space on www.slaley.org.uk – Michael Elphick to give a report. Slaley Councillors joined by Healey Councillors for this agenda item.
a) E-mail letter from Healey PC 14/12/08 asking for comments on Healey sharing some of www.slaley.org.uk web space. This was thought to be acceptable by the Slaley Councillors providing M Elphick had no problems.
b) Initial response from Michael Elphick by e-mail dated 23rd December 2008 suggesting several ways to include Healey news.
c) E-mailed from ME on 1/09 three pages of notes on Slaley web site with his costs. (£120 initial fee to upgrade present web site and then an annual fee of £40).
d) Healey was asked if using the Slaley web site was a short or long-term proposal. Cllr Mrs M Gibbs reported that it was long-term. After discussion it was agreed by both Slaley and Healey Councillors that an initial contribution of £50 would be made by Healey Parish Council towards the setting up of the system afterwards a percentage of the annual WebFusion Hosting £100 cost and £40 maintenance costs.
10. Freedom of Information Scheme & List of Information to be published on the Slaley web page.
(see 8b 8.12.08)
The draft Scheme was amended as necessary and the Councillors agreed for their names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses being published. Attached as appendix 1/120109, page 494
11.Correspondence.
a) TC letter 11/12/08 offering Dog Warden to attend a meeting or join a Councillor on a patrol Circulated – Cllr. AS Robson will monitor the situation and inform the Clerk of the best time to invite one of the wardens for a village patrol.
b) TC Licensing Act 2003 & Gambling Act 2005 Comments by 6/2/09. Circulated – It was agreed that the Clerk ask how does a private individual or the Parish Council know that a license is being applied for.
c) E-mail circulated 22/12/08 Planning Department – revised date of Planning Forum is 29/1/09. Resend to Cllr AS Robson.
d) E-mail from Freda Whyte circulated 22/12/08 re Council Tax Consultation. Views on proposed cuts/charges by 22/1/09. (see 11m below – meeting organised for 19/1/09)
e) Hexham Courant offer of a Slaley entry of 200 words for Tynedale Visitor 2009.
f) E-mail from Clerk 16/12/08 regarding frozen roads, potholes, a ladrador out on its own and extending the participation for the Slaley Post Christmas lunch to younger people and friends of parishioners. Replies were as follows (i) Newsletter to remind the public that during freezing conditions to use the B6306 to the nearest A road not C & U roads. (ii) For damage to vehicle by a pothole previously reported – NCC Internal Audit & Risk Management Department with details of claim. (iii) Ladbrador was safely returned to owner Susan Henderson at Sawmill Bungalow. (iv) Keep the lunch for Slaley elderly parishioners otherwise it becomes a normal event without any significance.
g) Correspondence between Chris Brinton & potential purchasers’ solicitor regarding problems with the 106 agreement with the purchase of rural affordable houses.
h) Eastern Tynedale & Western Castle Morpeth Parish Council Forum agenda for 6/1/09 and minutes of 7/10/08 circulated by e-mail 4/1/09.
i) NSP Partnership Update for Northumberland December 08 (10 pages) circulated by e-mail 4/1/09. Slaley is very concerned that many un-elected people appear to be making decisions, there is no indication that parish councils will be directly involved with the NSP and until there is involvement at parish council level Slaley can not make comment.
j) Eastern Tynedale & Western Castle Morpeth Parish Council Forum minutes of 6/1/09 circulated by e-mail 12/1/09
k) Communities and local Government – Communities in control: Real people, real power; Code of recommended practice on local authority publicity A consultation (letter and 34 page booklet – comments by March 12th 2009). (see also 8g 10/11/08 & 8f 13/10/08). Cllrs Hancock & Norris reported that the content was aimed at local authorities rather than PC activities. 1.23 Websites- Old, out-of-date information accumulates on websites – the code ought to recommend regular spring-cleaning to avoid confusion.
l) E-mail 12/1/09 Meeting called by Susi Goncu for the Chairman and vice Chairman of several local PC’s to meet with Cllr Horncastle for a discussion on Community Forums. Slaley agreed to provide the venue for the event and lease with the other Councils & Susi. Costs covered by SGs budget.
m) E-mail circulated 12/1/09 Leader of NCC Budget meeting 19/1/09 at Beaumont Hotel – Cllr Hancock hopes to attend. (see 11d above)
n) North Pennines News Autumn & Winter 08/09; CAN News Vol 28 No 6; CAN Annual Report 07/08; NALC Making it Happen Annual Report 07/08; CPRE Overview Winter 2008; NCC Tynedale Area Committee meeting January 20th 6 p.m.; Clerk & Councils Direct January 2009.
12. Financial Report.
a) Cheques to be signed.
No 361 Marcus Byron – Information Board £3,182.05
No 362 Broker Network Ltd (Came & Co insurance) £25.00
No 363 TC empty litter and dog bins £598.46
No 364 Pat Wilson salary £1250.00 + backdate £61.25 £1,311.25
No 365 Saley Hall De Vere Post Christmas Lunch 51@£15 £765.00
Proposed by Cllr. IC Hancock and seconded by Cllr L Norris the cheques were signed.
b) Interim Payment: None
c) Income: Cheques and cash for Post Christmas Lunch 51 @ £15.00 = £765.00
Allocation of TC Beacon (Better Public Places) & LPSA grant = £1,700.00
13. Current Planning Applications.
20081147 Two storey detached dwelling. Tree Tops, Main Street. No objections
20080046 Internal refurbishment – Slaley Hall Pending.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20081048 Lawful Development Certificate, Conservatory to front elevation. The Cottage, Main Street. Granted
14. “Where to buy locally” Update (13 8/12/08; 13 10/11/08; 13/10/08; 12a 8/9/08; 12/6/08). Discuss suggestion of a village hall event to promote publication and local produce (See December minutes). Sunday dates available are Sunday February 1st at £8 per hour. Sunday February 8th; Sunday February 15th Sunday February 22nd. It was decided to leave this event until a later date.
15. Slaley Hall Post-Christmas Meal for the Elderly – January 2009 (16 13/10/08)
51 parishioners have paid and are booked to attend. (None presentation of £30 was made after the accident report of Mrs B. Bainbridge). Transport needed by Mr & Mrs Hammett, as last year Cllr Mrs L Norris agreed to provide the transport. Clerk to ask if main hotel or club house entrance.
16. Agree Precept for 2009/10.
Circulated as appendix 2/120109 page 495.
E-mails with Came & Co regarding Insurance Quote to include Information Board & Mirror from December 2008 = £25.00. 2009/10 = 3% increase = £321.00
Total £8,639.95 Less the £2,000 anticipated brought forward = Precept request of £6,640
17. Agree text for Slaley entry in Hexham Courant “Tynedale Visitor”.
Amendments were made to 2008 text.
18. Parish Plan January 2009 Action Plan Update. Circulated as appendix 3/12/0109, page 496 One small amendment was made. Community Trust asked for a copy of this.
19. Allocation of TC Beacon (Better Public Places) & LPSA grant circulated
a) Notification circulated by e-mail 17/12/08. Slaley to receive £1,700. Bank Statement confirms this amount was paid into the bank on 19/12/08
b) E-mail from DC B Massey confirmed that the grant was unconditional. The intention was that the money should be used to pump prime projects rather than reduce future precepts.
c) There were no suggestions from Councillors as to a possible use for this grant. The Clerk proposed that yellow salt bins with a shovel should be placed at key locations on C & U roads in the parish where winter highway services are not being undertaken and indications of further financial cuts indicate a reduction in services rather than improvement i.e. Riding Mill road (2): south of Peel Flat corner, south of Dipton Foot Farm; Wooley Road (2), U8078 (3) Rye Hill bank, Holly Hill bank and Ladycross bank; Lead Road (2); B6306 (2) Curlew Cottage bank, Trygill bank. Slaley Notes and News letter to inform the public of this allocation and ask for any proposals of parish improvement.
20. A.O.B.
a) Wind blew door off PC notice Board during the evening on Sunday 11/1/09 and morning of 12/1/09. Apparently Mr. Band of Middle Farm has taken the door away to fix replacement screws. The doorframe is presently in clamps after he used glue to repair the damage.
b) Times of mobile Post Van on a Wednesday are not correct according to the Postmaster in the van as told to Margaret Ward. Times of the service should have been in Slaley Notes and Newsletter Clerk has telephoned Jean Elphick for this Friday and Joan Galley for February issue. Clerk actually used the mobile service tonight at 5 p.m. with her elderly father. There is a serious health and safety issue in that the area around the mobile van is not lit up until the opened back of the van is located. The Clerk instructed to inform Post Office Limited of this.
c) Recent break in Electric supply at Cornerfield when an unsafe tree at Moorland was cut down.
d) Sunday January 4th Trygill area without power from 11 p.m. Npower repair-men in area until power restored 12 midnight – 2 a.m. Excellent service.
e) Sunday January 4th a vehicle containing unlicensed trail bikes, which were being ridden heedless of designated BOATs, was reported to NP. PC I. Robertson has replied that the vehicle has been identified and a warning issued.
21. BOATs update.
a) NCC Recorded Delivery dated 8/12/08 confirming the DMMO on 24/11/08. A Scott returned his to PC Clerk. E-mail to S Rickitt 18/12/08 re change of Hotel Manager, owners of Sandybraes and grass parks + asking for an update. E-mail reply from Stephen Rickitt 2/1/09- Byway 44 J. McE still in discussions with Slaley Hall.
b) Espershield BOAT proposed as a Bridleway is due at the Magistrates Court March/April 2009 according to MK’s latest e-mail
22. Date of February 2009 meeting.
Monday February 9th
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.05 p.m.
