Slaley Parish Council meets every month, normally the second Monday evening of each month. The minutes from September 2004 are printed below.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday 13th September 2004, at 7.30 p.m. in Slaley Commemoration Hall.
1. Apologies. County Councillor Wm Purdue, District Councillor B.W. Massey, Councillors A.J. Weir & D.G. Baynes.
Present: Councillor C.J.R. Ferguson in the chair. Councillors, J.K. Robson, Mrs L. Norris, Mrs A.S. Robson and Clerk Mrs P. Wilson.
Public. Michael Elphick. Slaley Notes: Jean Elphick
2. Declaration of Interests.
Councillor Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 12.
3. Minutes of August Council Meeting already circulated:
The minutes (pages 100-111) were approved and signed as a true record. Proposed by Cllr J.K. Robson seconded by Cllr L. Norris.
4. Matters Arising:
a. 7f 9/8/04: Northumberland Flag (Free) arrived and given to Cllr K Robson to fly at Hall
b. 10-9/8/04 Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Programme 2005/06 (circulated – no comments recorded) Slaley transport priorities for 2005/06 submitted as circulated. Attached as appendix 1-130904
c) E-mail support from DC B Massey re Eastgate traffic lights
d) E-mail from T Luck NCC Highways responding to July’s Highway letter.
e) E-mail from DC Brian Massey re meeting with David Robinson - disappointed with the negative decision by Slaley Parish Council on Affordable Housing – take up monies could be available. It was decided that possible funding needs exploring.
f) 4a 9/8/04 Thank you letter from Jed Woodhouse new drainage system appears to be working.
g) 119/8/04 E-mail from B Massey reference Neighbourhood Watch information. Recording a theft at Slaley. The Councillors were unaware of where the theft had taken place.
5. Village Walk about report (pages 113-114) circulated.
Letter been sent to Highways re poor condition of village Elm trees, suggested a site visit before autumn/winter winds. Councillor Weir made comments on circulation document.
It was agreed that a replacement wooden stake mounted Litter bin was needed adjacent to the Parish Seat, a second free standing or attached to a sign post near the Millennium Feature. Clerk to check prices with Highways; cost of empting by Council and any permission required.
It was also agreed that a letter be sent to Adam Scott, Stuart Ridley & Roy Foster to assess their reaction to releasing land for village improvements if an acceptable price could be agreed.
Community Trust progress on purchasing the school field was questioned. It was agreed that an update be requested from Moyra Riseborough for the Action Plan update in October.
6. Public Participation: Jean Elphick informed the Councillors that the school fields were being used by groups with adequate supervision. This had been recorded in the July Action Plan update.
7. Correspondence:
a) The Countryside Agency – new Rural Strategy circulated no comments.
b) NCC Listening to You meeting Saturday 20th September at Hexham Auction Mart – circulated.
c) Northumberland Transport Strategies: Public Consultation Draft Community Transport Strategy; Draft Bus Information Strategy; Northumberland Bus Strategy. (circulated) No comments made by Councillors. Cllr A S Robson to read
d) Forestry Commission reply no funding for litter bin. circulated.
e) NFU Countryside article about slowing traffic down in rural villages. circulated. The Councillors felt this type of signage would not achieve the desired result. Village humps were discussed. There was disagreement about this amongst the Councillors – would need to discuss when majority of members were present.
f) Review of Transport contracts in west Northumberland. circulated.
g) Northumberland Strategic Partnership Evaluation of CCN’s RCCP circulated.
h) E-mail from Mark Herbertson – 3 litter signs in Slaley Forest PC to be informed when positioned. circulated.
i) Bi-Annual joint TC/P/T Council discussion forum minutes + agenda for January meeting. Read pages 2-4 Tom W-A report on BOATs. circulated
j) NCC Local transport Plan Annual Progress Report 2003-04 presently with Cllr Ferguson.
k) TC The Licensing Act – well worth reading (I have highlighted portions) page 7 involves planning permission and page 17 the Decision Makers. presently with Cllr Ferguson.
l) Office of the Deputy Prime Minister – circulating Cllr K Robson felt it did not relate to Parish Councillors. Cllr Ferguson took to read before further circulation.
Letter - respond by 19th November 2004.
A Model Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees * this you should read as it relates to your Code of Conduct
Review of the Regulatory Framework Governing the Political Activities of Local Government Employees * this is more your District & County Councillors who have a political representation.
m) TC Future Options for Hexham Swimming Pool circulating back to Clerk for October 4th
n) TC Tynedale Council’s Overview & Scruitiny Work Programme for 2005/06 circulating issues to by returned by October 16th
o) TC. Offering a second user PC to assist Councils’ to get on line. The Cllr’s present were asked if they wanted a free computer. Those present declined.
p) Poster free event at Wentworth 10/10/04; NCC Hexham Bus Service Leaflets; Northumberland Community News; Finchale Training College – Communication Disorder Support Studio; Glasdon Environment in Focus catalogue; TC Grants for War Memorials; TDC July meetings minutes; Clerks and Councils Direct issue 35; Regional One Day Conference; Play Seminar in Darlington 30/9/04; ADAPTability September 2004; Tynedale Area Committee Snods Edge 2 p.m. 9/20/04; E T & W C M Parish Councils’ Forum Agenda for 7/9/04 & GOLD Applications Agenda + Minutes of meeting on 18th May 2004. (Appendix 4 & 5 for our BOATs meeting 10/9/04)
8. Current Planning Applications:
20041161 Detached garage +attached glasshouse The Glass House circulating
20041098 Retrospective Grain Silo Dipton Foot farm screening
20041093 Demolition of outbuildings & replace The Strothers Precedent!
20041086 Listed building consent Church View Comments
20041076 Refurbishment of attached garage Church View Comments
20041063 Replacement Sewage treatment plant Linnel Hill no objections
20040973 Conservatory at Slaley Hall Lodge (just received permission May) pending
20040844 Grain Store Dipton Foot Farm screening
Decisions from Planning Authority
20040701 Stables into Holiday Cottage East Ridley Hall refused
20040697 2 s side extension + ss rear extension (Rev) 6 South Park granted
20040680 two storey side extension Laburnum Lodge granted
20040863 Steel Framed building to create farm Dairy Marley Cote Walls granted
20040742 Revised 2 s rear ext & garage Old Barn granted
20030313 Planning reply to Old School Letter – Weatherley family not happy. Also copy of letter from Brian Massey to Pat Jewell at Planning. It was agreed that a further letter be sent indicating that without major alterations the toilet block could never be used in a workshop capacity. Also to ask if a site visit to the Old school had ever been undertaken by the planning authority.
9. Financial report. Cheques to be signed and confirmation of interim payments.
a) No 210 Commemoration Hall PC £10.00
No 211 Mrs P. Wilson Salary (6 months) March/September £500.00
Proposed by Mrs L. Norris and seconded by J.K. Robson.
Letter from HLB Audit circulated – we forgot to included our new Notice Board & Parish Seat in our fixed assets for the annual audit. Insurance company has included both in our Insurance Policy.
b) Welfare of the Elderly Account. The fund is £495.18. + June Interest of 96p giving a new balance of £496.12. No interim payments.
10. Facilities & Services Report (part of Parish Plan update) produced by Clerk & circulated with minutes.
Additional information included Parish Telephone Box; Fuel at Hexham; Self catering Cottage Clairmont Cottage (673686); check if Hillfield farm still doing B&B; B & B to include Rose & Crown + Travellers Rest (673231); Telephone numbers to be added to all entries (Flothers Farm 673240). The Bland family of Spring House (Graphic designers) to be contacted for an estimated price for this type of display board. Some of the information on the display would probably need to be altered annually. A metal glass fronted type display unit was discussed. - Prices are needed. Initial placement proposals include the Post Office garden or the north village footpath, near the Parish Seat.
Clerk to obtain initial reaction from Post Office owners and highways authority.
11.A.O.B.
a) Councillor Norris reported on the recent PC’s Forum meeting. Discussion had been undertaken on affordable housing; traffic management (feed back from PC’s needed); Quiet lanes (Councillors decided this type of measure would have little or no impact on Slaley traffic); Hexham Hospital concerns from Broomley & Stocksfield PC. Clerk to write to B & S PC and offer support and request possible attendance at October meeting with Northumberland Healthcare Trust. Web page communication between Parish Councils; Gold meeting - grants for conversion of redundant building at Horsely. Clerk to place GOLD awards onto October Agenda.
b) Public Address system in Village Hall – Councillor JK Robson informed the meeting that the Commemoration Hall had this facility although it had never been used.
c) Councillor AS Robson informed the meeting that she had been contacted by several parents and asked if the rumours to close Slaley School were true. Recent media coverage had suggested that 52 schools were to close and Slaley was likely to be one of them. It was agreed that a letter be written to Mrs Doonan our representative on the Governing Body for any updated information she may be able to provide.
d) Fire Services spent Monday afternoon at Colpitts. Leaflets were distributed and houses were checked for possible fire risks. Water hydrants were also checked. Residents were informed that there would be a 25 minute time-span before a fire engine could reach Colpitts.
12. BOATs Update
Councillor Ferguson gave a verbal account of the meeting on Friday September 10th hosted by The 4 Parishes BOATs Sub-Committee and Allen Valley Action Group together with invited Councillors from the Allen Valleys. The meeting had been organised to discuss combined problems with Peter Atkinson MP; NCC; Countryside Agency; English Nature; AONB and Northumbria Police. A lot had been discussed in a very short time.
Date of next meeting: Monday 11th October. Meeting closed at 10.
The four parishes of Blanchland, Healey, Hexhamshire and Slaley together with Allendale Parish Council and Allen Valleys Action Group, local landowners and concerned parties met on Thursday 28th October where the following Press Release was agreed.
The series of Slaley BOATs Inquires, now concluded, have confirmed a limited number of Byways Open to All Traffic, mostly 60 feet in width, in the Slaley/Blanchland moorland and forestry area.
We are disappointed with the outcome. A minority of irresponsible or ill-informed motorised vehicle users have already assumed that all the tracks in the Slaley and Blanchland areas can be used regardless of the Inspector’s decision. They appear to
assume that all tracks on maps are legally available. A proportion of the tracks are not public rights of way at all, even for pedestrians. Some are crossing open moorland.
All responsible users of the countryside should respect the new Countryside Code and ensure they only use routes to which they are legally entitled. Users are subject to Highway law on Byways just as much as they are on tarmac roads.
The group expects Northumberland County Council to signpost the new Byways clearly as soon as possible to avoid continuing confusion. We will continue to collect evidence of damage and illegal usage. We will press the Police to take appropriate enforcement action.
We are concerned that the significant costs of repair and maintenance on these new routes will be an additional burden on Council Tax payers. Claims for yet further byways in the area are being processed. We are concerned that many more byway claims will be forthcoming.
The countryside is one of the North East region’s greatest assets but it is also a place of work for many and of quiet enjoyment for the majority of visitors. Some of the area is designated both for its international conservation and landscape importance. Our area is particularly special and we will continue to do all we can to keep it that way.
The new season of Ladycross Nature Reserve talks starts on :
Wednesday, October 27th.
The first talk is given by Pat Thompson, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - "The work of the RSPB in the North east of England".
Please make a note in your diary : Slaley Commemoration Hall, 7.30 pm
The main feature on Friday 22nd October 2004 is Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Brad Pitt (Achilles), Brian Cox (Agamemnon), Eric Bana (Hector) and Diane Kruger (Helen).
We are also showing a short film (thanks to Larry Winger of Northumbrian Music Nights) about a trip to Sweden by a group of young musicians from Northumberland, where they played with young Swedish traditional musicians, as part of the SNAP (Sweden North Pennines Adventure) project.
Future shows will take place on the third Friday of each month, and the programme arranged so far will be as follows (all film titles are linked to entries in the Internet Movie Database, a mine of information about everything to do with the cinema).
Friday, 19th November, 2004 Amelie (Certificate 15)
"Amelie, a young and innocent girl with her own distinctive way of looking at the world, decides to help the people living in her part of Paris to find love. "
Friday, 17th December, 2004 Cinderella (Certificate U)
"Friendly mice and birds and a fairy Godmother help an oppressed woman escape by helping her meet an eligible prince. "
Friday, 21st January, 2005 Love, Actually (Certificate 15)
"Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely and interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London. "
Friday, 18th February, 2005 (To be selected)
Friday, 18th March, 2005 (To be selected)
Friday, 15th April, 2005 (To be selected)
Friday, 20th May, 2005 (To be selected)
As you will see, we have still to choose four films for 2005: help us to select them by sending your suggestions to Michael Elphick. This website will carry updated information about the programme, and the films to be shown.
Another amusing website is the Four Word Film Review, which includes the following brief reviews:
Troy "Time wounds all heels"
Amelie "French girl strikes matches"
Cinderella "Cindy follows foot prince"
The formation of a Community Trust was one of the key actions of the Parish Plan endorsed by the Parish Council. An informal group of volunteers met in April of this year and since then it has been agreed within the group at subsequent meetings that it would be more sensible in the first instance to form an Association but with a Constitution modelled on requirements of the Charity Commission. When it is desirable to do so such an Association could relatively easily be converted into a formal charitable trust. This decision was taken in the light of advice and the experience of other community groups that have been contacted.
Draft objectives of a Slaley Community Association have been created by the group as “An Association to maintain, encourage and promote social diversity and enterprise in Slaley Parish”. It will be proposed that membership of the Association should be voluntary and will be open to all residents of the Parish aged 18 years and over. Initially, it will be managed by a group acting as a “shadow” board until the first annual general meeting when the proposed constitution will be offered for agreement by the membership and a management committee formally elected.
Further meetings of the group are scheduled for the next two months to agree the wording of a constitution, the promotion of membership and the date of a launch upon which the community can be fully consulted. It is anticipated that an Association could be up and running in the early part of the New Year.
Current members of the group are Ian Clarke, Mike Darrington, John Flynn, Christine Hanley, Vickie Hutchinson, Peter McKendrick, Nigel Sanger and Moyra Riseborough. They would welcome any views which people might have as well as suggestions as to how an Association might fulfil its role, identified in the Parish Plan, to raise resources to protect existing services, to help provide new ones and to keep a weather eye on opportunities and options for the whole community.
Three film enthusiasts (including this one) went along to an enjoyable get-together in the Queen’s Hall last week, to meet representatives from other villages giving film shows.
Thanks to continuing support from the Queen’s Hall film group, we are now able to have regular monthly shows in the Hall. The first of these will be on October 22nd, when we hope to be showing “Troy”; after that the programme will include “Amelie” on November 19th and Walt Disney’s “Cinderella” on December 17th (this one starting earlier, at 6.30 pm. In 2005, we will be showing "Love, Actually" on January 17th. So from November film shows will be a regular event on the third Friday of each month, with a break from June until August.
Send us your suggestions for films you’d like to see!
Over 30 people turned up on Wednesday night to hear about the plans and choices for broadband in Slaley and Hexhamshire. Although David Haley (BT North East Regional Manager) was unable to come, Neil Smith (Regional PR Manager) stood in for him, and answered the wide range of questions asked with aplomb.
After a brief introduction by Michael, Neil pointed out that having made an investment in enabling an exchange for ADSL, BT were keen to have as many people as possible signed up, and would do their best to ensure that any problems were overcome; he apologised to those who have encountered difficulty in getting through on BT's call centres! He confirmed that October 8th was still the date for activation of the ADSL service.
The sort of problems that might be encountered by some people could be:
* The distance from the exchange (the 0.5 Mbit service should be OK for most within 6 kms, and it's worth trying for others). The higher 1 Mbit rate should be accessible for many as well, and in general the advice is to ask your ISP and try it.
* Some lines include aluminium rather than copper, and won't support ADSL (which they are he couldn't say). Also some houses may be on a line-sharing setup, which will need to be replaced by separate lines. Again, BT will do their best to iron out such problems.
The SDSL (Synchronous DSL, with the same speed for both up- and downloading) service is NOT going to be an option for Slaley yet; only around 300 exchanges throughout the UK (where sufficient demand is expected) will provide this.
All in all, a successful evening. Neil Smith has offered to field queries, and you can email him at:
To find out more about broadband in general, and to investigate different ISPs, go to the ADSL Guide.