Anyone interested in becoming a Magistrate should contact Mike Cumberland see Special Presentation for details.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday March 9th 2008, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies: Councillor Mrs A. S. Robson.
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillor Mrs C. A. Brooks, S. Davison, Ms M Palmer, Mrs L. Norris, Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey & County Councillor C.W. Horncastle.
Public: Richard Ferguson, Albert Weir, John Wilson & Claire Loughlin. Courant Reporter: Rebecca Dixon. Slaley Notes: Jean Elphick. Community Trust Executive Committee Member: None.
Special Presentation beginning promptly at 7.30 p.m.
‘The role of the magistrate in our local community’ was presented by David Walker JP, Gareth Hughes JP, Ms Jo Eldridge JP, Glen Hogg, Court Manager & Mike Cumberland, Court Manager at Hexham. Many questions were asked during the excellent presentation. Copy of ‘Powerpoint’ presentation attached as appendix 1/090309, page 506. Mr Cumberland invited everyone to visit the Magistrates Court at Hexham and see proceedings. If anyone were interested in becoming a JP he would be happy to discuss either in the courtroom or in his private office at the Hexham courts. A letter of thanks to be sent for the interesting and informative presentation.
2. Declaration of Interests and Hospitality Record.
Cllr Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 15
3. Minutes of February Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 497-501).
Proposed by Cllr IC Hancock and seconded by Cllr Mrs CA Brooks the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 4b 9/2/09; 4d 12/1/09, 17a 8/12/08 Three bed-roomed council house eligibility for a family with five children. Signed form received 9/2/09 asking the Parish Council to investigate why the family was not eligible. Cllr Davison is still establishing the layout of the dwellings and room sizes (see 17a 8/12/08) between the two properties. Cllr Hancock to provide relevant information from Tynedale Council for an agenda item in April.
b) 4c 9/2/09; 5 12/1/09: E-mail reply dated 6/3/09 from Mel Richardson who has agreed to attend the April PC meeting to discuss the issues raised about our highways.
c) 6d 9/2/09; 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. Clerk contacted Mr & Mrs Urwin of Parks Side who confirmed that during a good summer the grass is cut every week and does not need collection. However, during wet weather the grass is not cut and grows long resulting in a mess when it eventually gets cut. The Councillors felt that a piecemeal type of collection would not be possible with the NCC and instructed the Clerk to invite the local tender for grass cutting to give a price for the collection of grass when it is needed.
d) 6e 9/2/09; Correspondence glass recycling in Slaley village. Clarification on “within the 30 mph” is because outside 30 mph sites are often used for fly tipping. Letter to neighbouring properties proved negative in the main. The Commemoration Hall Committee discussed at its February 25th meeting and several question were raised and forward to Kevin Ferrol. An insurance quote through the Parish Council, Came & Co, confirmed that cover would be in the PC’s public liability. However, as Slaley PC does not own the bins we cannot be responsible for them. Mr Ferrol continues to try for insurance cover from NCC. Ms Loughlin who lives locally to the proposed site has strong feelings about glass recycling at Slaley and especially the proposed coloured bins and felt that children may climb them and could cause themselves injury from broken glass inside the bins. The Chairman asked for more information to be given in Slaley Notes about these bins and Rebecca Dixon was interested in an article with photographs. DC Massey reported that the bins would still be available after 1st April, contracts would then be with NCC and not through Tynedale Council.
e) 6r 9/2/09; Adapt North East Membership 2009. DC Massey reported that elderly people of Hexhamshire used ADAPT transport at reduced rates. Cllr Brooks pointed out that elderly people were entitled to free public transport. DC Massey to report to Cllr Hancock after Hexhamshire PC meeting when ADAPT are giving a presentation.
f) 9c 9/2/09 Reply from Milecastle Housing (circulated). It is NCC’s responsibility for clearing and gritting the paths around accommodation for the elderly. Milecaste are requesting a bin for salt/grit to be placed somewhere in the square from NCC. Discuss this further with Mel Richardson at the April meeting.
g) 9i 9/2/09; Parking problems outside Winter House and the school. Clerk contacted Slaley School and asked if there is a parking problem. Funds had been earmarked to enlarge staff parking at school until leaks in the roof were discovered and all the improvement allocation has gone on repairing the roof. This was reported to CC Horncastle for possible financial help from his small schemes grant. The School and Cllr Horncastle are in correspondence about this.
h) 9j 9/2/09: DC Massey reported that the keys would be handed over 10/3/09 to the two tenants of the part-buy affordable houses at Reaston View.
i) 10b 9/2/09: Byway 44 reply from NCC solicitor 12/2/09 (see agenda item 15 below).
5. Public Participation. None.
6. Correspondence.
a) E-mail from Community Trust – AGM 25/3/09.
b) E-mail saying Springhouse Caravan Park open day 31/8/09, invitation for locals to have a fund raising stall on the site.
c) E-mail from Cllr Norris 13/2/09 re NSP Standing Conference.
d) E-mail circulated 23/2/09 re Narrowing the Gap consultation on education (Hard copy came in post – consultation period until June 5th) Clerk to circulate.
e) Parish & Town Council Forum on Planning Services in the new Northumberland Council 3/3/09. Slaley Councillors unable to go due to other meeting Cllr M Gibbs from Healey represented Slaley and made the report as circulated by e-mail attached as appendix 2/090309, page 507. Clerk very concerned about e-access through the planning portal, which will act as a hub for consultation. Grants to help purchase the correct system if required. Clerk to check how this would work and what size is the system.
f) TC offer of hanging baskets circulated. Gardening Club has spoken directly to TC.
g) E-mail from ME, 16/2/09 re Information Board panel. Manufacturing company is waiting for a delivery of the return edge base panels before they can progress. Anticipated two weeks delivery = 2/3/09. Update from JE at meeting – completed panel due with Marcus Byron by Friday 13th March.
h) Daniel Bingham CV circulated by e-mail – specializes in roadside clearance, tree felling etc.
i) E-mail circulated 5/3/09 re New Councillor Training.
j) E-mail circulated 9/3/09 The Boundary Committee for England – Electoral review. Hard Copy also arrived asked if anyone wanted for circulation. Comments by May 11th, followed by a ten-week public consultation. + A poster “Your Council is Changing” placed on Slaley Parish Notice Board.
k) E-mail circulated 5/3/09 re NHS north of Tyne ‘new specialist emergency care hospital off the A19′ + 8 page document. The current TV advertising campaign on identifying stroke symptoms and the need for immediate medical treatment was presented as needing an answer on quick life saving treatment if emergency care is taken from the district hospitals to a built up area on the outskirts of our major city. The Councillors felt this was a good Community Forum discussion topic.
l) E-mailed Rural Services Community Weekly New Digest 18/2/09; 26/2/09 & 6/3/09.
m) Tynedale Sports Council grant aid request. Councillors agreed to give £50.00.
n) E-mail 15/2/09 from Theo Street, re Earth Shelter Construction an acceptable form of rural housing? Forwarded to Cllr. Hancock who will complete questionnaire.
o) Clerks & Councils Direct March 2009; The Safety Surface Experts brochure; Town & Parish Standard February 2009; Community Action Northumberland News Vol 29. No 1; CAN Reader Survey; Glasdon products advertising leaflets.
7. Financial Report.
a) Cheques to be signed.
No 366 Pat Wilson quarter share in BOATs expenditure £22.55
No 368 Slaley Commemoration Hall Hire of meeting room £87.50
No 369 Tynedale Sports Council £50.00
Proposed by Cllr Mrs Norris and seconded by Cllr Mrs Brooks the cheques were signed.
b) Interim Payment: No 367 Webfusion hosting for web site £91.43 signed by Cllr’s I.C. Hancock & L. Norris.
c) Income: £50.00 from Healey Parish Council for the use of our web site
8. Current Planning Applications.
20090082 Resubmitted detached annexe in association with main dwelling Pinetops OBJ
20090039 Construction of two agricultural buildings Marley Cote Walls Support
20080046 Internal refurbishment – Slaley Hall Pending.
Decisions from Planning Authority
*initial reply dated 17.2.09 (circulated) from our reminder letter requesting the 2008 confirmation of Slaley Hall Holiday Villas occupancy conditions. Second reply dated 6/3/09 gave the 2008 occupancy details and asked that we forward an annual reminder to the Planning Enforcement Officer.
** What looks like a new shed being erected at White House Farm or possibly a silage pit. Clerk to ask TC planning department about planning permission.
9. Report from Community Forum Meeting on March 3rd with Susi Goncu.
Attached as appendix 3/090309, page 508.
The Councillors agreed that they did not wish to be permanently identified with Hexham CF. The unanimous decision was to be part of the suggested Rural CFs. It was also agreed that Slaley Parish Council did not wish to HOST the rural CF.
10. Highways Annual Report participation.
List of highways produced for the meeting and Councillors and Clerk agreed their various routes. It was considered a good idea if these routes were looked at for the April meeting when Mel Richardson will be attending.
11. Annual Risk Assessment (page 3 is the Annual Governance Statement) attached as appendix 4/090309, page 509.
Record the FoI scheme on the web site with special conditions for Clause 5: under Policies & Procedures & Standing Orders. It was agreed to provide the Milecastle Housing contact details as a possible provider, ‘ for other languages, large print & Braille’, on 01434 611400. The Annual Governance Statement for the 08/09 Audit was agreed. If any alterations occur when the audit forms arrive an update may need to circulated and be recorded at a later meeting.
12. Asset & Investment Register.
Attached as appendix 5/090309, page 510
An annual of increase of 3% was agreed for the insurance policy and the value of the solar powered units on the insurance policy to be added.
13. Agree the Annual Litter Pick date in April
Sunday April 5th at 1.30 p.m. starting from Slaley Commemoration Hall. JE to mention in Slaley Notes. Cllr Brooks in Newssheet. Jean Elphick volunteered to give a prize for an unusual item.
14. A.O.B.
a) Concerns from R F include grey squirrel notices being removed. Poachers 22/2/09 & activity on BOATs etc.
b) Will Smith a Councillor of Shotley Low Quarter made initial inquiries to PW and Mr Elphick about Shotley Low Quarter renting space on the Slaley web site. A new Clerk will be appointed in May and they will hope to discuss the matter further then if Slaley PC gives agreement ‘in principal’. Maybe this is also something for the Community Forums to consider.
c) Affordfable Houses – e-mail from BM at TC dated 13/2/09 saying complete next week. RC reported on 27/3/09 that illness at TC legal services had not provided the completion.
15. BOATs update.
a) NCC Stopping Up Application Healey No 16 & Slaley No 40. To be heard on Thursday 23rd April at Hexham Magistrates Court.
b) NCC Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. Modification Order (No8) 2007 – Byway 44 Confirmed as unopposed.
c) NCC Stopping Up Application Byway 44. To be heard on Wednesday 20th May 2009 for those portions being outside the 5 metre wide length.
16. Date of April 2009 meeting Monday April 20th. (one week late due to Easter Holidays)
There being no further business the meeting ended at 10.35 p.m.
