An alternative to the Post Christmas lunch at Slaley Hall was suggested for January 2011. Read all about it under agenda item 11.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday January 18th 2010, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m. (Postponed from January 11th due to adverse weather conditions).
Apologies: Cllr. Mrs L. Norris, Mrs A. S. Robson & S. Davison.
1. Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors, Mrs C. A. Brooks & Ms M Palmer. Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. County Councillor Colin W Horncastle from 9 p.m.
Public: None. Courant Reporter: None. Slaley Notes & Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests and Hospitality Record.
Clerk, P Wilson, declared an interest in planning application 20091004.
3. Minutes of December Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 569-572 + appendix 1 page 573, appendix 2 page 574).
Proposed as a true record by Cllr. A.S. Robson and seconded by Cllr. C.A. Brooks the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 8b 14/12/09: NCC Housing Developer Funds for Outdoor Sport and Play – four application rounds in 2010. Clerk wrote to Val Knowles and asked if Slaley funds are still ring-fenced for Slaley. Reply stated that records show developments in Slaley with contributions due to be collected. Cllr Hancock asked that this be forwarded to CC Horncastle for help and also we look for past correspondence confirming that monies were held.
b) 10 14/12/09: 20090410: Two storey extension to side. Linnel Hill. E-mail sent asking if this is still to be determined. E-mail reply from planning officer, Jenny Green, confirming that the application is still ongoing with minor changes having been made.
c) 13 14/12/09 & 4d (ii) 9/11/09: Precept amount increase for web site design: Michael Elphick is examining several different formats; he intends to set up one or two sites on his own site for people to try. He proposes that Zen Internet should host the new site. He suggested that the new arrangements begin in February 2010 when the annual payment is due. Initial indications are that Zen annual charge will be in the region of £60. This was verbally agreed.
d) 16 c 14/12/09 Clerk asked villagers if trees were cut back when the electric company switched off the power in village. Rita Ridley said not outside South Farm but she thought yes elsewhere.
e) 16 d 14/12/09: Increased parking on the single-track entrance into South Park causing an obstruction was reported to Milecastle Housing & Local Community Police Officer. Has there been an improvement? PW has certainly noticed many vehicles parked on the village street.
5. Public Participation.
Mr Elphick gave a general thank you to the winter services team who have kept the B6306 road clear and treated the ‘C’ roads making them passable. The parishioners living on the ‘U’ roads were not so fortunate. The possibility of having a parish data base of e-mails was discussed for use by the parish clerk when important information needs to be circulated like the dumpy bag of grit delivered to Parkside for the use of everyone. The Chairman had ascertained from David Francis that this would not be a problem under the Data Protection Act. However, while this might be feasible, it was pointed out that anyone capable of receiving emails would also be able consult the village website, where the information could be posted.
6. Community Trust Report
None.
7. Matters for Discussion with County Councillor.
a) See 8b above.
b) 7a 14/12/09 & 17 b 9/11/09: Planning Permission 20050557: Renewal of temporary planning permission for permanent use of land as outdoor pursuits area etc. CC Horncastle was to check if the permission had been temporary or permanent. No Answer received to date.
8. Correspondence.
a) NCC letter re Post Office Network Reorganisation – One Year On. This was scanned and circulated to Councillors. It was agreed that a copy of our minutes and problems be sent to Councillor Glen Sanderson. The meeting on 26th January at 2 p.m. may not be possible to attend.
b) NCC letter saying the Northumberland News is now available on the Council’s website.
c) Northumberland Fire & rescue Service: Letter re Modernisation: Working to maximize the well-being of our communities. An e-mail was sent asking if parishioners has received a copy of this. The negative answer indicates that this response is because Slaley PC completed a survey on the Service
d) E-mail 15/12/09: NALC asking for help in deciding the best way of proving events for PCs. Councillors Linda Norris (Slaley) and Monica Gibb (Healey) having attended events were asked to complete representing their respective PCs.
e) E-mail 16/12/09: NSP Community Forum Update. Community Action Plan mentioned. The appendix does not mention our Five Parishes Rural Community Forum.
f) E-mail 16/12/09: From David Francis the direct information service (17 pages long) subscription form (2 pages). Comments such as PCs will have a direct say over how their neighbourhood is policed – we know from experience that this is not correct.
g) E-mail 18/12/09: The Food & Environment Research Agency requested via David Francis information on bee keepers. Slaley notes were asked to mention this.
h) E-mail 21/12/09: Draft Landscape Character Assessment view and respond on-line between 21/12/09 – 18/1/10. Councillors asked to complete themselves.
i) E-mail 26/12/09: public meetings re NCC budget at Haltwhistle 12/1/10 & Ponteland 13/1/10 + separate additional information.
j) E-mail 26/12/09: From Daid Francis – assess the likely impact on budget cuts and consider the likely outlook for increasing pressures on PC budgets.
k) E-mail 2/1/10: From Mike Bird with an internet access address for relevant budget meeting papers.
l) E-mail 2/1/10: From Haydon Bridge PC re transfer of services to PCs and the reply from NCC to Haydon Bridge that they could continue to provide certain services at a cost to the individual parish residents.
m) E-mail 4/1/10: RSN re a new free service for Community Groups – The Asset Transfer Unit.
n) E-mail 5/1/10: NCC Scratch card competition ‘Don’t bin it, bring it!’ – small electrical items to household waste recovery center.
o) E-mail 5/1/10: NHS hospital car parking charges letter and 38 page consultation document for completion by 23/2/10. Clerk to look at this.
p) E-mail 8/1/10: from Janis Irvine thanking PC for grant and offering PC members to visit St. Mary’s to view the notice which details the full works.
q) E-mail 8/1/10 NHS message to old people keep warm
r) E-mail 8/1/10 NCC priorities – information re rock salt and NCC help line pasted on web site.
s) E-mail 11/1/10 now two meetings at NCC on 26/1/10 Winter Services and Post Office.
t) E-mail 11/1/10 Regional Minutes from 17/10/09 with frequent mention of Allotments.
u) E-mail 11/1/10 RSN Parish Newsletter
v) E-mail 11/1/10 Refuse lorry drivers said one thing on Monday and it appear the Thursday drivers did something different/
w) E-mail 11/1/10 Members area of the NALC website.
x) E-mail 11/1/10 NALC Local Council Awards 20910 reminder
y) E-mail 11/1/10 Thank You letter from Whitley Chapel YFC for grant
z) E-mail 14/1/10 Sustainable Communities Amendment Bill, second request to lobby MP
aa) E-mail 18/1/10 Local Transport Plan available on line for comment. Cllr Hancock to look at this.
ab) E-mail 19/1/10 Swine Flu update January 15th.
ac) Christmas card from David & Shirley Woodard; CAN Annual report 08/09 + CAN financial aid request + CAN News Vol 29. No 6; CPRE Overview Winter 2009,Clerk & Councils Direct January 2010; Notts Sport Ltd advertising leaflets.
9. Financial Report.
Cheques to be signed
Cheque No 399 One Dumpy bag of rock salt from Matthew Charlton £84.99
Proposed by Cllr CA Brooks & seconded by Cllr M. Palmer the cheque was signed.
10. Current Planning Applications.
20091004: Application for prior notification of proposed agricultural building to be used as livestock housing/storage Reaston Hill, Slaley. James Wilson received a letter saying the Planning Officer assigned to the case would inspect the site and if by 7/1/10 James had not heard from the planning department he may proceed with the development. The application was advertised in the Hexham Courant but no plans for the application were received by Slaley PC. Parish Clerk declared an interest in this application. County Councillor to request an explanation.
20090906: Certificate of lawfulness for proposed single storey rear extension. Middle Grange, Slaley Village. No objections
20090918: Demolition of outbuildings and construction of car port to side of dwelling. South Cottage, High Clear. No objections
20090928: Amendments to previously approved application 20090396 use of silage clamp building for livestock housing, Flothers Farm. Will present silage pit and slurry lagoon be large enough?
20090902: Extension to Livestock Building. Flothers Farm. No Objections
20090787: Re-consultation as amended Outline. Construction of one residential unit. Winter House, Slaley Objections
20090787: Construction of one residential unit. Winter House, Slaley.
A note from NCC arrived with a copy of new ownership certificates. Objections.
20090410: Two storey extension to side. Linnel Hill. Pending
Decisions from Planning Authority
11. Slaley Hall Post-Christmas Meal for the Over 60′s – January 2010 Arrangements.
31 people confirmed. After discussion it was decided to go ahead with this as many of the confirmed numbers were widows and there enjoyed was looked forward to. Cllr Linda Norris will contact Mr & Mrs Hammett who need transport.
Cllr M Palmer suggested that she would be prepared to cook a meal at Slaley Commemoration Hall for future years. Mr. Elphick offered to show a film after the meal making it a parish event. Cllr Palmer was thanked for this offer. It will be discussed again in September when the Post Christmas Lunch will be on the agenda.
12. Community Forum meeting at Slaley on Wednesday 27th January
We need to have a copy of the report of inferior B6306 resurface work, agenda item 5, on January 12th 2009 minutes.
Poster placed in Village Shop and mentioned in Slaley Notes.
Agenda and minutes of preliminary meeting attached as appendix 1/180110 page 580.
E-mails received today from Susi Goncu and Brian Massey re speakers and invitations.
Mr. Elphick asked if the public would be able to raise questions for discussion not on the agenda. The Clerk replied that the questions could be raised but an answer may not be provided at the meeting if it was not an Agenda item.
13. Parish Plan Action Plan January 2010 Update circulated as appendix 2/180110 (page 581) See 4d(iii) 9/11/09 and 15 e below:
14. AOB
a) Drain cover displaced again on C265. Clerk informed NCC highways by e-mail 5/1/10.
b) Salt in yellow salt bin at Parks Side elderly bungalows for use at mobile Post Office and the elderly, has all been used by villagers. Clerk e-mailed 5/1/10 and asked NCC Highways to refill.
After discussion with PC Chairman, Ian C Hancock, Nigel Pickering was asked if he could clear the highway in Parks Side bungalows. This was satisfactorily done by his JCB.
c) Ordered a 1 tone dumpy bag of rock salt from Matthew Charlton to be delivered to Parks Side bungalows (Building Dept, order 604911) and placed near the yellow salt bin for use by parishioners. Cost is £85 including Vat. Clerk paid by credit card.
d) Mobile Post Office Provision between Christmas and New Year at Slaley. Last at Slaley Wednesday December 23rd. Thursday 24th no service from 12.30 nationwide and the Slaley service is late afternoon on a Thursday. Friday 25th Christmas Day. Saturday 26th Boxing Day. Sunday 27th No service. Monday 28th No service holiday in lieu of Boxing Day being on a Saturday. Tuesday 29th No service at Slaley on a Tuesday. Wednesday December 30th service as usual after SEVEN days without any provision. Mr Hayden of Townhead walked down Slaley village to the mobile Post Office for an 8.30 a.m. start on Wednesday December 30th. He found two other villagers waiting. The mobile Post Office van did not arrive until 8.55 a.m. The driver blamed a technical fault that had obliged him to return to Stocksfield. The question was raised of what technical fault could be discovered whilst driving between Stocksfield and Slaley.
PLUS e-mail 6/1/10 to Cllr Hancock Stocksfield PO tel Clerk to ask about road conditions at 8.45 a.m. vehicles still to dig out, then again at 9.07 to say not coming.
e) After talks with Linda Foster it must be reported to interested parties that all users of the Age Concern trips must first undergo a face to face interview with project worker Christine Aitchison this interview included medication and medial issues before anyone of age 50 and above can put their name forward for the service. This enables medical action should there be an accident or if anyone was taken ill. People who are fit and healthy and able to look after themselves must also have this interview. Interested parties should initially contact Project Co-ordinator Karen Moses at Age Concern Prudhoe 01661 836011 between 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The trips are only advertised to the people who have had the interview and that is why so few people know when the trips are taking place or where the trips are going.
f) What looked like an abandoned vehicle near the Townhead junction was reported to the police on 8/1/10. PC Iain Robertson telephone Clerk back and said vehicle belonged to a local person. Did the PC wish the Police to deal with it or would the PC act. The owner of the vehicle was contacted and asked if the vehicle could be moved further from the junction. This was done. Several vehicles have used the same area over night but the others have been moved early in the morning and did not prohibit the gritting and clearing of the junction. Several other vehicles in the village have caused problems. The PC agreed that the following statement should be made in the monthly newssheet “In general we survived the snow very well. Some concerns about parked vehicles causing difficulties for winter services were noted. Thank You to everyone who cleared snow, shopped for their neighbours or kept the village highway clear of obstruction”.
g) Pot holes to be reported: B6306 Dipton Cut & Travellers Rest corner. U8080 north west section. U8078 between High Clear Lane and Holly Hill. C265 Kellas road at East Burnside and Holly Cottage.
15. BOATs Update
BOAT No 71 had been confirmed between points P & Q previously an unclassified road No U8065. Receipt of notification acknowledged to Alex Bell.
16. Date of February 2010 meeting.
Monday February 8th
There being no further business the meeting ended at 9.40 p.m.
