Slaley, Northumberland

Action Plan update now available!

The April 2004 Minutes of the Parish Council referred to an appendix giving details of progress with the Parish Plan. This Action Plan update is now available as this PDF file. You can view it on screen, or print it, provided that you have a version of Adobe Acrobat (which comes with most PCs nowadays).

May Minutes

The monthly Parish Council meeting for May was held during the Annual meetings.

Minutes of the May meeting held during the Annual Slaley Parish Council Meeting on Monday 10th May 2004, at 7 45 p.m.
1. APOLOGIES
Mrs A. Robson; County Councillor Wm Purdue & District Councillor B. Massey
PRESENT: Councillors Mrs L. Norris, J.K. Robson, A.J. Weir, C.J.R. Ferguson and D.G. Baynes. Clerk Mrs P Wilson. Representing the Parish Council on the School Governing Body Mrs R. Doonan.
Slaley Notes Reporter: Jean & Michael Elphick PUBLIC: None

2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
BOATs issues Councillors Norris & Baynes.

7. CORRESPONDENCE
a) NCC Review of Definitive Map – Application for Modification Order (Byway 44) will be considered by the CC Rights of Way Committee at its June meeting. 38 pages of a draft report to the Committee received the Parish Council is invited to comment. The BOATs Sub Committee will read this document carefully and reply by Friday May 26th.
b) Thank You card from Whitley Chapel Young Farmers Club.
c) E-mail received from Forest Enterprise re Rally Car Test in Slaley Forest 22/23 April. Clerk produced Warning Posters & placed in Slaley Post Office on Parish Notice Board and a copy given to Councillors Ferguson & Weir J Robson + Kath Acey & Ken Hall. Too late for Slaley Notes.
d) 14e 5/4/04 Reply from TC they had a site meeting and state the Environment Agency of Newcastle is now dealing with the matter. Clerk to write for assurance that the mess will be cleared away.
e) TC Planning explanatory letter and notes entitled ‘How we deal with planning applications’ to circulate.
f) TC Code of Conduct – Register of Members Interests circulating
g) Tynedale Crime & Disorder Reduction Strategy - see attached sheet do we use this to give voice to some of our concerns over the BOATs issues? June agenda
h) Progress on Establishing a Community Trust from Moyra Riseborough circulating
i) TC Launch of Environmental Champions Scheme given to Slaley Notes.
j) Letter from Catherin Lincoln (given her a Housing Needs Survey it’s gone off with ours) circulated
k) Slaley Forest Design Plan – rare plant species (updated maps distributed AGM) circulated
l) Slaley Forest Design Plan – meeting at Ladycross Wednesday 14th July? Circulating – June agenda
m) Update Interactive Speed Signs – Insurance & Grant circulated
n) Article mentioning the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Circulated.
o) NCC Changes to the Fire & Rescue Service circulated
p) pmp on behalf of T C review of Hexham swimming pool Clerk completed; NCC Food Hazard warning Jelly Mini-Cups Clerk pasted on notice board
Glasdon products; Countryside Agency – booklets to help produce a Parish Plan; TC replies to Interim Planning Policies on Housing Clerk replied all replies represented SPC; Energy Audit Company – Northumberland Cavity Wall Project; ET&WCM Parish Councils’ Forum Minutes from 23/3/04 + GOLD & Objectives 2 Funding Application Minutes; TC Dog Fouling Survey reply – no mention of bag dispenser only posters and bags; N. Community News Vol 24 issue 2; TC poster ‘cut your council tax’ Clerk placed on notice board; Cancer Bridge St. Camillus Garden Fete 5/6/04 poster Clerk placed on notice board; TDC minutes for March meetings.

8. CURRENT PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
20040417 Single Storey Porch Heatherden House * late return
20040424 SS side ext + 2 dormer wind Deneside Wooley * late return
20040440 2S side ext + ss ext 6 South Park * late return
The Clerk reported that the revised circulation of planning applications was still not working. New arrangements were agreed – the Chairman will write to Councillor A. Robson with the alternative arrangements.
20040331 Conservatory Slaley Hall Lodge pending
20040313 Change to residential – Old School pending

Planning decision
20040315 FF rear ext + garage – Old Barn refused
20031344 Reconsultation – Rowantree Grange permitted circulating
20040147 dorm wind + wind to gable Middle Grange refused circulated
20040208 2 s side ext – Laburnum Lodge - refused circulated
20040229 2 ss ext + refacing in stone – Woodside –conditionally circulated
Planning permission 20031453 (Conservatory Old farmhouse WW/ft) questioned April meeting – Planning reply permitted 28/1/04 circulated
Planning permission 20031255 (demolition & construct at Ashleigh) questioned April meeting – Planning reply permitted H Winter signed 15/12/03 circulated
Also in April meeting 14b – conservatory at Moorland View. Building work seen by Councillors. Clerk contacted Planning who, after checking, telephoned back with the answer that it was permitted development and did not require planning permission! The Clerk to request written confirmation that this is correct and why.

9. FINANCIAL REPORT:
The accounts as circulated were presented as a true record and signed by the Chairman. Proposed by Mrs L. Norris Seconded by A.J. Weir
The Welfare of the Elderly Account is £495.18
Copy as appendix 1-10/05/04
The Clerk confirmed that the £260.79 (PC £198.27 & PP £62.52) Vat reclaim for 2003/04 had been sent off. The books were presently with Margaret Weatherley, the internal auditor, and the timescale for the audit was as follows: Notice of Audit with electors rights for 14 days June 14th – June 27th. Records available to public 20 working days June 28th – July 23rd. Date for accounts to auditor July 26th.
A requested copy of Slaley Youth Club accounts were presented and accepted.

10. APPROVAL of THE STATEMENT of ASSURANCE AND ADOPTION OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT
The Statement of Assurance on the annual Audit as circulated was approved by the Councillors. The Risk Assessment as circulated was adopted by the Councillors. Copy as Appendix 2-10/05/04

11. CHEQUES TO BE SIGNED:
Confirmation of Interim Payments - Replacement Cheque to NCC and not Slaley First School No 99 replaces No 96 (returned*) signed by K Robson & A Weir.
No 100 Allianz Cornhill Insurance £187.37
No 102 Commemoration Hall hire of hall £ 10.00
No 101 A.J. Weir photograph development/copies £ 16.20
Proposed by D.G. Baynes and seconded by Mrs L. Norris.

12. SLALEY PARISH PLAN – ACTION PLAN UPDATE
Parish Plan Update by Parish Council on 5/4/04 circulated was accepted copy as appendix 3-10/05/04

13 A.O.B.
a) Parish Council’s Forum Councillor Mrs L. Norris is happy to continue representing Slaley PC on this committee. A request for a second copy of the web page indicating that Speed Restrictions can be financed through the Transport Grant by May 18th.
b) Another Holiday Villa at Slaley Hall for sale through Rook Matthews for £305,000. Brochure produced. Clerk to write to planning.
c) Slaley Show Committee have requested its donation for 2004. D.G. Baynes proposed and J.K. Robson seconded the motion that the cheque be made out. This was duly written and signed. Cheque No 103 Slaley Show £300.
d) The starting time for future meetings will revert back to 7.30 p.m.
Date of next Parish Council meeting Monday 14th June at 7.30 p.m.
Meeting closed at 8.46 p.m.

April Minutes

The minutes of the April Parish Council meeting are now available for all to read.

Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday 5th April 2004, at 7.45 p.m. in Slaley Commemoration Hall.

1. At 7.30 p.m. the Parish Council was addressed by Neville Geddes who presented the Slaley Forest Design Plan. Many maps were presented to the meeting and the presentation lasted for 60 minutes instead of the predicted 15 minutes. The Councillors to digest the information and report any suggestions/alterations etc at the June meeting. Mr Geddes was thanked.

2. Apologies. County Councillor Wm Purdue. Mrs A.S. Robson,
Present: Councillor Mrs L. Norris in the chair. Councillors: C.J.R. Ferguson, D.G. Baynes, J.K. Robson, A.J. Weir and Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey.
Public: None Slaley Notes: None.

3. Declaration of Interests.
Councillors Norris & Baynes for Agenda item 15.

4. Minutes of the Previous Council Meeting already circulated:
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record. Proposed by J.K. Robson, seconded by C.J.R. Ferguson. It was decided that private information (holiday dates etc) would be deleted before posting on the community web page.

5. Matters Arising:
a). 4c 8/3/04, 6f 9/2/04 - Reply Helen Winter re Holiday Villa for sale circulated + reply from TC finance dept re reduction in Community charge for second homes circulated. DC B. Massey suggested that the pressure is kept up with our concerns over these villas.
b) 4d 8/3/04, 10 9/2/04 Litter signs & telephone signs in Forest. Apparently no litter signs and the only telephone number appeared on the Operations Poster Clerk to write.
c) 5a 8/3/04 Letter from Mr & Mrs Gordon-Johnson expressing concern circulated.
d) 5a 8/3/04 Reply from NCC Highways – marker posts to stay. + reply to 6c 8/12/03 no resident parking signs possible. Clerk to write to Mr J. Dodds & Mrs P Anderson informing of these decisions.
e) 6b 8/3/04 YFC balance sheet received for 01/02 & 02/03. (Cllr Mrs A Robson asked her comments be recorded “personally not happy making a donation to any organisation which is £2,000 in credit”.) After discussion it was agreed to make an initial grant of £100 with a possible top up later in the parish year. Write and ask that future requests be made in November with a diary of the groups anticipated activities.
f) 6m 8/3/04 No offer to meet the Councillors for a face-to-face meeting. See correspondence from Helen Winter referred to at (a) above.
g) 7 (20031311) 8/3/04 Planning Conditions received circulated
h) 13 8/3/04. Proposed visit of Richard Robson was cancelled for Friday 2nd April. No alternative date as yet. DC B. Massey explained that the Slaley Clerk had been involved purely for geographical reasons. The visit was not an opportunity for RR to meet Parish Councillors. RR has 52 parishes within Tynedale Council and the purpose had been to visit the District Councillors. Slaley Councillors suggested inviting RR to a PC Meeting. Cllr Massey asked what subjects they wished to discuss and explained that Slaley Hall planning issues were under Helen Winter and the BOATs issues were with Northumberland County Council. Because of RR’s work-commitments no firm decision regarding the invitation was made.
i) 14b 8/3/04 The Clerk produced a list of possible ‘Local Heritage Initiative’ ideas circulated & on community website. Other suggestions for a school activity are being discussed with Mrs Ross. Grant application package arrived but not read. Billy Hall has been asked for a price for rebuilding Trekking well and repairs to Jameson’s well.

6. Public Participation: None

7. Correspondence:
a) NCC Eastgate closure 21/3/04. circulated
b) TC Interim Planning Policies on Housing circulated responses received.
c) TC National Spring Clean circulated. It was decided to ask for a volunteer to co-ordinate a parish spring clean through Slaley Notes. The Councillors are willing to take part and suggested the week May 2nd – 8th. As a last resort Cllr Weir volunteered to organise.
d) First Regional Forest Strategy for the North East of England circulated
e) Reply from David Francis re Councillor Norris discussing BOATs at meetings circulated
f) Defra – Partnership in rolling out Broadband to rural communities. circulated.
g) NCC Library service questionnaire. –Clerk to complete.
h) HLB AV (March 30th) Audit 2004 Briefing & briefing questionnaire.
i) HLB AN Audit (April 2nd) Audit forms.
j) Shotley Low Quarter reply for interactive speed camera query with Cornhill Insurance – not a popular idea will circulate to other parishes.
k) TC European Parliamentary Election Posters; Democracy Commission Northumberland – Requests for Written Submission of Evidence; Society of Local Council Clerks; Adaptability march 2004; Water Voice Northumbria; Community Council of Northumberland Spring Meeting 12/5/04; NALC Local Authority Handbook 2004, Parish Councils’ Forum agenda circulated.

8. Current Planning Applications:
20040331 Conservatory Slaley Hall Lodge concerns as appendix (1)
20040315 First Floor Rear Extension + garage Old Barn – Object as appendix 2-050404
20040313 Change to residential Old School – Object as appendix 3-050404
20021344 Re-consultation Swimming Pool etc Rowantree Grange prefer 1st plans + H20
20040208 Two storey side extension Laburnum Lodge – slight concern
20040229 Two storey side extension Woodside – Chinese Slates? Blend in?
Decisions from Planning Authority
20031255 Demolition & construct Ashleigh pending
20031453 Conservatory Old Farmhouse WW/f – pending
20040147 Dormer windows & gable window Middle Grange – pending
Cllr Baynes informed the meeting that the conservatory at WW/f was built. Clerk requested to write to Planning for confirmation. DC B. Massey suggested that each objection should state that SPC expected the application to be discussed by the Planning Committee and not by delegated powers.

9. Financial report. Cheques to be signed and confirmation of interim payments.
No 95 Commemoration Hall PC 5/4/04 £10.00
No 96 Slaley First School Photocopying Housing Needs Survey £38.70
No 97 Patricia Wilson HNS Postage Stamps & Envelopes £54.10
No 98 Whitley Chapel YFC grant £100.00
Proposed by Councillor DG Baynes, seconded by Councillor A.J. Weir.
b) Welfare of the Elderly Account. The fund is £495.18.

10. Arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual General meeting of Slaley Parish Council on Monday May 10th (Reports pasted on the Slaley web?)
Deadline for the written Reports to be e-mailed to Councillors or Posted was April 30th therefore any written reports would need to be with the Clerk by April 28th. Mrs Doonan be asked to provide a written report. The full reports would be pasted on the community web site. Councillor Norris informed the meeting that she would not be standing for a further term as Chairman.

11. Progress of the Parish Plan Actions.
It was agreed that the process is to be carried out every three months January/April/July/October. Progress as appendix 5-0504004

12. Housing Needs Survey by Monica Burns update Pat to report.
The Clerk printed off the 260 address labels (Previously used for the Parish Plan circulation). Councillor JK Robson and the Clerk spent two hours stapling the survey then placing in envelopes and fixing the address labels on Monday 15th March at Lawn House. On Tuesday March 16th the Clerk fixed the stamp and then delivered to Slaley Post Office. We have a return of 67 surveys. Monica Burns has been contacted for collection.
13. Parish Councils’ Forum – Councillor Norris to Report.
Rural Transport – no problems to report at Slaley (unfortunately the opportunity did not arise for Interactive Speed Signs available through the RT grant, agenda item 12, 8/3/04, to be discussed. The Forum will write with general concern about BOATs. Slaley representative is on the grant making body for GOLD applications.

14. A.O.B.
a) Footpath 22. Cllr Ferguson reported new wooden footpath signs erected (9/3/04) then 23/3/04 reported that the whole stretch of footpath had been laid with Hoggin and a lot of money had been spent. On the afternoon of 23/3/04, the Clerk telephoned CS-H at Penrith who are responsible for the Dukesfield Woodlands. C S-H said they had received a complaint from NCC that the footpath was impassable, they had understood the complaint had originated from the Parish Council. A large amount of money had been spent clearing the site of wind-blown trees, scrub etc. 2 new way markers placed at either end of the footpath and then lorry loads of Hoggin delivered and levelled on the path. Clerk to write and confirm telephone conversation that Slaley Councillors did not report this to NCC.
b) Large unmarked white van stopped Cllr Ferguson (Thursday March 11th) and asked for directions for Morton’s at Moorland View. They had driven from Bradford and had plans for a large conservatory. No evidence of any conservatory – Councillors to monitor.
c) The tipping of rubbish/ fridge etc at Pine Hill opposite Sandybraes was reported. - Councillors to monitor.
d) New Parish Seat has a broken arm. Cllr Ferguson asked to investigate.
e) The tipping of old furniture, metal, fridge etc was reported on the east of the U8080 south of Wood Cottage, the ground is very churned up leading to this tip. Also on the Slaley Hall estate the tipping of tin sheeting and other items is located to the left of the woodland past the Clay Pigeon Shooting area. Clerk to contact TC Environmental Health.
f) Milk Bottles. A complaint has been made to the Clerk concerning the stacked milk crates standing around the parish especially those between Church View and the Telephone exchange. The Clerk to write and request their removal.
g) Curlew Bank. Request from Mrs B. Hutchinson for replacement Chevron signs and signs at top of bank of ‘z’ bend, narrow bridge and ice (as at Linnels) Five accidents this winter and two telegraph poles broken. Clerk report to NCC Highways.
h) Pot Holes – South of Townhead on the B6306. Councillor JK Robson volunteered to conduct a parish check on the highways for the AGM in May.
i) Hexham Courant Looking Back 100 years ago to March 26th 1904
The cleanliness of village streets is sometimes a cause for comment these days, but the same applied 100 years ago. At Corbridge’s annual parish meeting, complaints were lodged by a member of the public about the county council roadmen’s habit of sweeping “clarts” into heaps, and then leaving the mess there for a week or 10 days. As the streets were not lit, the complainant said this was a hazard, especially if one had one’s Sunday boots on.

14. BOATs Update (without Councillors Norris & Baynes)
a) Minutes of 22/3/04 (accepted by e-mail as a true record by Brian Massey & Shirley Lee, typos reported by Councillor A.J. Weir and duly amended)
b) Councillors Ferguson & Weir report on meeting 23/3/04. Members of the TRF presented themselves as family men and caring members of the Countryside. However, Councillors understood the need for TROs, if not total ban then at least seasonal.
c) Decision to be sent to Planning Inspectorate re section 53 by April 16th Received by Recorded Delivery from NCC It was agreed to go with the recommended advice of Jon Williams and say no further evidence had been established.
d) Public Meeting for Slaley parishioners? – It was decided that No Public Meeting be held.
e) Correspondence – Reply from Peter Atkinson dated 17th March, Reply Defra dated 4th March, Reply David Brookes dated 8th March, & NCC A Bell dated 18th March all circulated.
f) Shotley Low Quarter also has a BOAT. Going through from the Barley Hill / Kiln Pit
Hill road onto the A68. District Councillor Ross Adamson has joined The 4 Parishes
BOATs Sub-Committee and he will represent this route.
g) BOATs activity: Weekend March 20/21 Richard away his son Graham said trail bikers using the road from Ladycross to Pennypie. - add to case history.
g) Video of BBC BOATs interviews in the Yorkshire Dales & Lake District from Jacqui Hodgson. Clerk to write and thank Jacqui. Cllr Ferguson taken the video to watch.
h) Agenda for BOATs meeting on April 19th An agenda was presented for consideration this was amended and accepted.
i) A reminder that the Allendale Public Inquiry was Tuesday 6th April at 10 a.m. Cllr Robson reported that Look North would be reporting the event.
j) Cllr Robson produce a very interesting letter in Monday’s Newcastle Journal, entitled ‘Trail Riders Have Rights Too’

Date of next meeting: Monday 10th May. Meeting closed at 10. 45 p.m.

Ladycross Nature Reserve

Dates for your diary :

Circular evening walk, Baybridge (Blanchland) to Riddlehamhope, Tuesday, June 15th, led by Colin and Ken. For start time and details please phone Colin Jewitt at 10434 673302 (day) or 10434 602916 (evenings).

July 25th. Annual ragworth cull at Ladycross. Your help would be greatly appreciated. More details next month.

This month's picture : clubmosses, a Slaley Forest speciality. Please read on ....

Clubmosses are a speciality of hills and mountains in the north and northwest, and are very choosy about where they grow. We are fortunate in having three species growing close together in and close to the Reserve. This gives a rare opportunity to compare them, particularly at this time of year when the stagshorn clubmoss is developing its "antlers" and the other two types are not yet burried in other vegetation. Look for them on unstable shale banks beside the tracks. Click the thumbnail to see photographs of them taken in Slaley this week.