The August 2007 minutes of Slaley Parish Council. The Councillors look at the Wooley Bus Shelter- (see August walk-about report)
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council are not posted on the web site until the month they are agreed, therefore September minutes will not appear until late October.
August walk about ‘the Wooley Road’ 7.30 – 8.40 p.m.
Councillors I.C. Hancock, Mrs L. Norris, Mrs C. A. Brooks & S Davison. Clerk Mrs P. Wilson enjoyed a very clear, warm evening for their annual parish walk-about.
Starting at St. Lukes Cottage the Councillors were given the history of the 90-acre site purchased from Lord Allendale in 1915 which over the following sixty years was to become the Settlement of Wooley.
St. Lukes was specifically built for the hospital and the Priest in Charge was the Vicar of Slaley until its sale in 1972. During 1975 & 76 planning applications were received to convert the chapel into a dwelling house. The present owner has landscaped the gardens and they are a visual delight. Wooley House built for the Doctor in Charge has a planning application pending for substantial alterations. The bus shelter was looked at and its soundness of both roof and walls was commented upon. Cllr Hancock looked closely at the roof joists and timbers to assess how easily it could be moved because one suggestion was to move it to the village for youngsters to hang out in. The roof was bolted together in two parts and the walls are concreted into a floor channel. The area in front of the bus shelter underneath the grasses and brambles is flagged. Uses for the bus shelter were not agreed upon. Being opposite a Queen Victoria wall mounted letter box once suggestion was that it would make a lovely feature if cleared and kept maintained possibly with flowering tubs. It is part of the heritage of the Wooley road and decisions have to be made which could include ideas from the Wooley road residents.
Wooley Park was glimpsed through the roads shrubbery, The Lodge, Rose Cottage, Elm Cottage, Deneside, Atlasta Cottage were walked passed. The Councillors met Geoff Jackson who said he thought the bus shelter roof was rotten and a fist could be put through (that must have been a prior bus shelter). He felt that the shelter on the B6306 has been a good site and should never have been taken down. He also talked of a wind (recorder) which had been attached to The Lodge (his home) during the hospital era and winds of 115 mph had been recoded.
Wooley Grange has five street lights 33SF – 37SF and a well maintained cul-de-sac road.
The entrances into West Woodfoot and Eastwood Foot were passed and the converted farm buildings were only glimpsed from the road.
The Councillors then had a look at the dairy at Marley Cote Walls Farm. David Baynes kindly gave a brief history of why he, Richard & Paul had decided to embark on their Northumbria Pedigree milk and cream business. The workings of the dairy was interestingly described then with the final questions asked it was long passed time to return to Slaley Commemoration Hall for the meeting.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday August 13th 2007, in Slaley Commemoration Hall from 8.50 p.m. after the August walk-about
1. Apologies. Councillors Mrs A. S. Robson, Ms M Palmer &. County Councillor Wm Purdue.
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors Mrs L. Norris, Mrs C. A. Brooks, S Davison, District Councillor B.W. Massey & Clerk Mrs P. Wilson.
Public: None. Courant Reporter: None. Slaley Notes & Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests.
Cllr. Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 13
Cllr Mrs C.A. Brooks for planning application 20070626 Amended Plans, Trygill Farm Cottage.
3. Minutes of July Parish Council Meeting (un-circulated pages 329-333 + appendices 1 pg 334, 2 pg 335)
Due to the breakdown of the Clerk’s e-mail facilities the minutes had not been circulated therefore this agenda item deferred until the September meeting.
3a Due to the lateness of the hour District Councillor, Brian Massey, wished to bring forward for discussion the following.
a) Appeal against Glen Cottage planning application restricting the size of extension to 33%. Because the owners were forced to live in a caravan they decided to proceed with building work on the agreed application whilst appealing on the size limit. Planning department was requesting the opinion of the PC as to whether written evidence, rather than a public hearing, would be sufficient for the appeal. The Councillors expressed the view that written proceedings would be adequate. (see 7** below)
b) TC Review of Polling Districts & Polling Places. This would have an effect on parts of District Councillor Massey’s patch. (see 5q below)
c) Successful bid for a single unitary council in Northumberland. Councillor Massey thought that Tynedale District Council would not waste time appealing against the Government’s decision, an appeal would cause delays and staff moral would suffer. Instead the District would spend its remaining seventeen months deciding how best to retain its financial assets without being capped. How to retain its officers needed to carry schemes forward. Any scheme worth more than £1m must be accompanied by a paper trail and that obviously includes proposals for Hexham Abbey, Tyne Green etc. Going down the line of a legal challenge as Shropshire is doing is not being discussed at present. (see 5s below)
d) Request from TC’s Planning Department’s Enforcement Officer for a copy of the standard annual letter to residents of Slaley Hall Holiday Villas also the question asked if the 2006 survey had produced a satisfactory conclusion. Neither had received a reply during the last eight months. Clerk to forward copies of letters (15th March 2007 & 18th December 2006) to DC Brian Massey.
e) Further telephone calls regarding the Affordable Houses at Slaley being allocated to people outside the area. Clerk to contact Marion Rowe (see 4c 9/7/07, 6a 11/6/07) and ask when a discussion with Slaley PC regarding allocation of houses can take place.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 11 9/7/07 Quote from Holly Bush Nursery for a monthly cut of grass at Millennium
Feature estimate £40 per month ( 5.96 Vat +£34.04 ex vat ) This estimate was considered very high. After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk ask for estimates from Chris Rider Landscapes at Wooley, Stuart Bell at Oaklea, as well as Hollybush, for a weekly cut of all four areas: Townhead entrance presently undertaken by Hollybush Landscaping at £35.00, area around the Millennium Seat (estimate as above), the area immediately in front of the roadside seat on the B6306 and the south side of the village from the Affordable Houses entrance to Townfoot corner, stopping opposite the north footpath.
a) Acknowledgment from Lucy Greenfield (7b&c 9/7/07) that Slaley does not need to call a meeting on the LDP Site Allocations Document.
b) Philip Hindmarsh asked David Hunt to confirm if cleansing the Wooley bus shelter was possible. Certainly appears to have been done.
c) Bottle Bank site reply from Kevin Ferrol indicating suggested sites likely to cause Fly Tipping (4a 11/6/07, 4a 14/5/07, 4a 16/4/07, 4a 12/3/07, 18 12/2/07) e-mail circulated. Question asked informally to Travellers Rest Inn – the reply was negative. Question also asked to Commemoration Hall Management Committee the response was a unanimous NO. The latter suggested that the PC propose to TC that glass collection boxes be part of the household recycling package. It was agreed that the Clerk write to TC stating that the residents of Slaley parish have offered to be the pilot area for a glass collection on the condition that this offer does not cause an increase in community charges for parishioners. Copy the letter to NCC and the Hexham Courant.
d) NCC Local Transport Integrated Programme 08/09 (14 9/7/07): Alan Bawn informed the Clerk that help towards the cost of proposed mobile speed unit was not eligible on the LTIP where there is no history of speed related injury accidents. The 2005 request to extend the 30 mph speed limit from Lawn Cottage to Townhead Farmhouse entrance (given the highway remarks of insufficient length and density of frontage development to justify an extension) was re submitted replacing 30 mph signs with No footway signs of an adult and child walking on the highway. These will be considered in the programme. A mirror for Burnside Bridge garden wall to assist traffic at the Glen crossroads (requested to NCC Highways on June 15th) was also included in our transport priorities. Mirrors such as the highly effective once on the B6306 for traffic exiting Colpitts Grange are not approved by the Department for Transport are in fact illegal if sited on the highway. The Government considers that mirrors distract drivers because drivers concentrate on the mirror and not on the road. See 12 a below
5. Correspondence.
a) Letter from Tynedale Council re PCF feedback + Parish Council Contact Sheet (6j 11/6/07 Cllr S. Davison completed the feedback sheet.
e) Tynedale Community Partnership – Tynedale Sustainable Community Plan 2007
f) ADAPT News Summer 2007 – placed on Notice Board.
g) TC BT Courtesy Notification of Change to Public Payphone service Not Slaley
h) TC Overview & Scrutiny Work Programme for 07/08
i) Northumberland Rural Services Survey - completed by Clerk & Chairman
j) NCC Development of Parish Transport Representatives – Clerk to reply that the PC are happy to continue receiving information as usual but with only route 870, 6 days each week 4 times daily and route 869 second Tuesday of each Month once between 9.00 and 15.00 hours an individual as suggested in correspondence, is un-necessary and Slaley have no designated bus stops to keep clear of graffiti etc.
k) NCC Local Government re-organisation letter from Cllr P Hillman. No action.
l) Local Works – Sustainable Communities - Bill progresses to Lords
m) NCC Proposed Diversion of Byway 41 and extinguishment of F/path 20. It was agreed to support this proposed diversion and closure whilst requesting clarification on several matters (maintenance responsibilities, width 60 ft or present width, transfer costs from FC to ratepayer & legality etc.).
n) TC Garry Pointer Adoption of Revised Code of Conduct Confirmation that Slaley will appear on joint advert.
o) TC Tynedale Planning Forum meeting 1/8/07 10 a.m. Council Chamber, Hexham it was felt Slaley did not need attend.
p) TC The Licensing Act 2003 – TC must every 3 years determine its policy – draft revised policy at www.tynedale.gov.uk comments by 5th October 2007.
q) TC Review of Polling Districts & Polling Places – TC must review on a four-yearly cycle comments by September 14th 2007 Information at www.tynedale.gov.uk Councillor Hancock volunteered to check that no alterations have been made to the present arrangements at Slaley.
r) E-mail copy of Blanchland B6306 road closure received from DC Brian Massey – Slaley Notes carried notices during August.
s) E-mail from DC Brian Massey that the bid for a single unitary council in Northumberland has been successful.
t) E-mail report to TC, Margaret Sanderson saying dog bin overflowing 2/8/07. E-mail reply dated 3/8/07 saying bin would be emptied that day. IT WAS.
Home truths Milecastle Housing Summer 2007, Glasdon advertising leaflet, Wicksteed Playscapes, Local Councils Update, Give your Operation the Push it needs. NCC Committee Papers Tynedale Area Committee, North Pennines AONB Annual Report 06/07
6. Financial report. Cheques to be signed and confirmation of interim payments.
a) Cheques to be signed.
No 311 Hollybush Landscaping July 19th roadside cut at Townhead. £35.00
b) Interim payments. None.
Proposed by Cllr L. Norris and seconded by Cllr. I.C. Hancock.
7 Current Planning Applications.
20070626 Amended plans - Two storey extension to east and porch to south – Trygill Farm Cottage. As previous application less a reduction in overall extension % and changes of detail. The PC’s previous comments still stand..
20070749 Two storey rear extension & ground floor WC & porch extension - The Coach House, East Woodfoot. Very little change from previous permission.
20070783 Extensions to dwelling, car-port, two storey garage, access gates and driveway. Wooley House. Suggest a site visit very prominent site.
20070626 Two storey extension to east and porch to south – Trygill Farm Cottage concerns.
20070626 Reconsultation - Two storey extension to west and porch to south.
20070669 Construction of timber Pergola and fence Rose & Crown. concerns
20070730 Construction of two storey extension - Overdale. concerns
Decisions from Planning Authority
20070600 Advertisement consent to display two internally illuminated signs at Slaley Hall. Granted
* Affordable Houses – complaints from the public about the Yorkshire boarding wooden porches. Cllr IC Hancock sent an e-mail to Vicky Law.
** Telephone message from Brian Massey stating that the owners of Glen Cottage are appealing against the condition imposed upon them in either 20061498 or 20070265 planning applications.
8.NALC Code of Conduct and Standards Framework report by Cllr C A Brooks & Clerk P. Wilson (attached as appendix 1/130807)
Cllr Hancock asked for clarification on when a declared interest may be personal & prejudicial and when it is in the interests of most within the parish. Cllr Brooks answered that the trainers conceded that it could be a very grey area.
9. Northumberland Minerals & Waste Development Framework Report by Cllr Hancock. (see 7l 9/7/07)
Report as appendix 2/130807. There was identified sand and gravel deposits on Palm Strothers land which may or may not be quarried in the future. A second site is immediately opposite the above in White House field.
10. Suggested sites for village speed unit.
(4a 9/7/07, 4e 11/6/07; 4l 14/4/07) Corsenside Parish Council is the fifth PC to join in the grouping interested in purchasing a mobile speed camera. Councillor Brooks will represent Slaley PC at the meeting on Wednesday September 19th at 9.30 a.m. Positions for the camera were discussed and suggestion will need to be looked at and agreed at September meeting.
11. Standing Orders (see agenda 12 9th July 2007 minutes)
The draft standing orders from NALC had been circulated. Councillors Norris & Hanock to meet and draft standing orders relevant to Slaley Parish Council for discussion and possible adoption at the September meeting.
12 A.O.B.
a) Accident at Glen crossroads (see 4 d above) Councillor Hancock produced information on commercially available mirror styles. Owner of Burnside wall spoken to and he has no objections in principle. A letter sent to NCC highways with a copy to planning department and asking if planning permission is needed. September meeting.
b) Fly tipping, August 11th, (Slaley Show day) just off the B6306 at the lane into a field at Trygill. A portable TV and hi-fi system. Clerk to report to M Sanderson.
c) Cycle park for older boys should we be looking at part of Reaston land which was put forward by the owners of the land as part of the initial affordable houses site investigation. Tynedale Council recently won £200,00 for four play projects in Tynedale this will be split between three schemes at Stocksfield, Prudhoe and Haltwhistle + funding for a worker to support the schemes.
d) Was everyone aware that Corbridge Police Station had lost its front desk for enquiries. Although the front desk has closed officers and staff will still be working at the station and people will be able to get assistance by the direct phone line from outside the police station.
e) Unsubstantiated rumors about the letting of the Affordable House continue to be reported to the PC. The PC requested the Clerk to press TC and Two Castles again for assurances that the terms of the lettering agreement are being strictly observed and for speedy information on the Two Castles shortlist.
13 BOATs Update.
a) Attendance of the JLAF meeting on Thursday July 19th where a presentation was made by Margaret Keyte and Alan Kind. The 4 Parishes question was not answered that evening or by hard copy since.
b) NCC letter re public byways 38 & 39 Slaley and 25 & 80 Hexhamshire NCC has decided to place a temporary TRO on these two routes for a period of 6 months.
c) September meeting date to be confirmed.
The meeting closed at 10.40 p.m.
Date of September meeting will be Monday September 10th.
Minutes of July 2007 Slaley Parish Council Meeting. Who has responsibility for Wooley Bus Shelter? (see agenda item 4b)
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday July 9th 2007, in Slaley Commemoration Hall.
1. Apologies. Councillor Mrs A. S. Robson & District Councillor B.W. Massey. Councillor S Davison representing Slaley Parish Council at the Parish Council Forum. Beaumont Hotel Hexham to meet directors from the service departments – Environmental Services, Regeneration and Communities, Planning, Tourism, Culture and Communications and Health and Public Protection.
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors Mrs L. Norris, Mrs C. A. Brooks, Ms M Palmer &. Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. County Councillor Wm Purdue
Public: Slaley Notes: Jean Elphick. Courant Reporter: Will Green. Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests.
Cllr. Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 19
Cllr Mrs C.A. Brooks for planning application 20070626 Trygill Farm Cottage.
3. Minutes of June Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 321-324 + appendices 1 pg 325, 2 pg 326, 3 pg 327 & 4 pg 328)
Proposed by Cllr L. Norris and seconded by Cllr C.A. Brooks the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 4e 11/6/07; 4l 14/4/07) Flashing Speed Unit letter sent to invite interest from neighbouring parishes to share the costs, then the offer of a site visit could be agreed. Replies from Otterbun, Broomley & Stocksfield & Shotley Low Quarter. A meeting is in the process of being organised with the 4 parishes to meet Alan Bawn.
b) 4g 11/6/07; 7 (ii) a 14/5/07 Wooley Bus Shelter reply from Margaret Field, Project Assistant Integrated Transport Unit NCC – NCC does not own bus shelters or has any funding to repair bus shelters. NCC highways, Burn Lane telephoned about this and suggested Tynedale Council Street Cleansing should be instructed to clean out and disinfect the shelter. Clerk to speak to TC. Still waiting for a reply from Planning Dept, Northumberland Healthcare Trust & Local Education Authority to ownership of shelter.
c) 6a 11/6/07 DC Brian Massey e-mail from Marilyn Rowe, Housing Officer meeting on June 25th with Two Castles Housing association when Slaley Affordable Houses are on the list. Also e-mails circulated amongst councillors regarding an application for a council owned property in Slaley parish.
d) 10 11/6/07; 4e 14/5/07. Unitary Article for Government web page acknowledge by e-mail on 22/6/07 an announcement will be made by the end of July 2007.
e) 15d 11/6/07 Slaley Post Office reported a site meeting at the Elm Trees outside The Paddock between NEDL and NCC staff on Friday 15th (or 22nd) June (7iic page 320 14/5/07; 4g page 273 December 2006; 17d page 271 November 2006). Unfortunately meet and talk is all they did. The dead branches remain. It was suggested by a Councillor that the resident of The Paddock wished Slaley PC to take no further action.
f) Councillor Brooks strimmed the grass in front of the new seat. Thank You. Unfortunately the request for a rota of cutters through the Slaley Notes column had not brought any volunteers forward. Councillor Hancock volunteered to undertake a strim during July. Jean Elphick asked to mention once more in Slaley Notes.
g) 15g 11/6/07 E-mail reply circulated to everyone from DC Brian Massey who spoke to Kevin Ferrol of environmental services. Apparently he and his fellow officers are not satisfied that there is a problem. He felt that some commercial users has underestimated the amount of their commercial rubbish and had to obtain a bigger bin. No further action to be taken as no business has actually made a complaint.
5. Public Participation.
None.
6. For Discussion with County & District Councillors.
a) CC W. Purdue reported that the grassed areas outside numbers 9 & 12 South Park would be made into hard surfaced parking areas the cost of this would be in the region of £6,100 and would be met through his CC Small Schemes Grant. The actual areas had been e-mailed to the Clerk and after Councillor Hancock had seen the intended work confirmation was given and a message sent that it was hoped that the small area to the east of the telegraph pole could be made into a hard standing area for people waiting for the bus etc rather than left long grass. CC Purdue was again thanked for using his grant money for this scheme.
b) CC Purdue will attend the Joint Local Access Forum (JLAF) meeting at Allendale on July 19th when damage to BOATs in our area will be on the agenda. He felt that the recent voluntary restraint on the Gingleshaugh BOAT after prolonged wet weather may not provide the answer to the damage because not all users are members of the various associations who entered this voluntary restraint agreement with NCC.
c) The water coming onto the surface of the highway at Hillfield entrance was discussed. The Clerk had reported this by telephone to Northumbria Water and by e-mail to Kevin Allen NCC highways on June 18th. The water continues down the main street then surfaces again through the BT cover outside Muddle House and once again continues down the main street until it finally goes down a street drain. Mrs Goodwin of Muddle House has been in contact with BT over this water problem and copied the Clerk in on her correspondence. CC Purdue said it was an NCC problem and they should be re-contacted and asked to address the problem.
d) CC Purdue acknowledge that Shotley Low Quarter PC and Slaley PC both wanted to enter into a contract with the Camera Partnership for a Speed Flashing Unit. He therefore pledged a small contribution of £500 towards the two PCs joint costs. CC Purdue also reported that CC Ray Thompson had pledged a similar amount for his area of Broomley & Stocksfield. CC Purdue was thanked for this.
7. Correspondence.
a) Reply from Northumbria Water states that NW fully reinstated where exploratory holes were dug at Townhead and NW is not willing to contribute to the reinstatement costs of the area. (No reply from NCC to the same request by e-mail on 15/6/07).
b) Tynedale LDF – Site Allocations – Options, June 2007 + Accompanying letter +
Form for Comments. Circulated it appears that our concerns over Wooley & Colpitts recorded as areas for future development have been withdrawn.
c) TC Local Development Framework Site Allocations Consultation – Public Meeting during July or August. A joint meeting suggested to Hexhamshire (no reply), Blanchland no need Low Crewe lands and Healey no need no sites allocated. In light of b above it was felt we had no need to call a meeting.
d) NALC Code of Conduct and Standards Framework – meeting Thursday 5/7/07 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. New date Monday 16th July at 7.30 p.m. Pat Wilson and Cllr C A Brooks will attend.
e) Tynedale Council – State of the Area Debate. Thursday 5th July 2007 the subject of the forum was the Tynedale Sustainable Community Plan. The Tynedale Local Strategic Partnership has revised the 2003 Community Plan through extensive consultation etc. Please note Eastern Tynedale & Western Castle Morpeth Parish Council’s Forum on November 21st notes (see last paragraph indicating one consultation event). (3) Parish/Town Councils Joint Discussion Forum on November 20th (all of report indicating a second consultation event). Circulated and Cllr Ian C Hancock had indicated his intention to attended but found that was not possible. He telephoned and asked for a copy of the minutes to be sent and was directed to the website. Apparently volunteers are now being requested to form an Action Plan and take matters forward.
f) NALC Tynedale Standard Committee casual vacancy – Nominations by 16/7/07 circulated No Interest.
g) TC registration of property – The Old Farmhouse, West Woodfoot.
h) TC Naming of new Property – Granary Steps, (south of Orchard House)
i) TC Renaming of Property – Trygill Bungalow to Foresters Lodge
j) TC Registration of Village Hall – Slaley Commemoration Hall
k) Registration of Holiday Cottage – Moorgair Cottage.
l) NCC Northumbrland Minerals & Waste Development Framework – Consultation of Submission Draft DPDs letter + submitting comments online instructions + CD Cllr Hancock read and reported previously see agenda item 7 9/10/06 minutes page 253 and appendix 1/091006 page 258) Cllr Hancock to read and report by August 10th.
m) Selefest July 7th event publicity leaflets. ADAPT AGM Friday 13th July; Rock Report No 15, Summer 2007; Talking Tynedale June 2007; Parkers Wholesale Catalogue (the greatest name in Dutch bulbs); Clerk & Councils Direct July 2007 Issue 52; Glasdon Seating & Litter leaflets. NALC ‘Cracking the Code’ essential training day 19/7/07 at Birmingham for Council with a budget income under £25,00 a special discounted rate of £41.12; TDC minutes of meetings April/May June/July 2007. Refuse Collection arrangements for August Bank Holiday placed on NB)
8. Community Trust report circulated
Copy as appendix 1/090707 (page 334)?
9. Financial report. Cheques to be signed and confirmation of interim payments.
a) Cheques to be signed.
No 307 Community Trust grant £100.00
No 308 Commemoration Hall 4 meetings X £12 £48.00
No 309 Hollybush Landscaping Townhead June cut £35.00
No 310 P Wilson 3 months salary £500.00
No 310 P Wilson quarter share of BOATs expenditure £25.97
b) Interim payments. No 306 Hollybush Nursery £283.00 (a reduction of £38.50 – the cost of the Townfoot area which we had not agreed to).
Proposed by Cllr IC Hancock seconded by Cllr CA Brooks.
10. Current Planning Applications.
Weekly list received today indicates that two planning applications are on their way The Coach House, East Woodfoot and Wooley House.
20070626 Two storey extension to east and porch to south – Trygill Farm Cottage concerns.
20070626 Reconsultation Revised description* - Two storey extension to west and porch to south.
20070669 Construction of timber Pergola and fence Rose & Crown. concerns
20070730 Construction of two storey extension - Overdale. concerns
20070600 Advertisement consent to display two internally illuminated signs at Slaley Hall. pending
Decisions from Planning Authority
E-mail reply from Enforcement Officer (see 20b 16/4/07; 4b 12/2/07; 9(i) 7 16f 8/1/07) Occupant of the land has undertaken to remove the pole barn structure.
11. Millennium Feature Landscaping work (4f 14/5/07) deferred from June.
Cllr CA Brooks has done exploratory information gathering on Woburn paving slabs via the internet. A lengthy discussion regarding replacing the chippings with paving stones resulted in the unanimous decision that no one wanted the chippings removed. The parishioner who cuts the grass insisted that if he was to continue cutting the grass FOC then the chippings must go because they frequently get misplaced onto the grass and cause damage to his grass cutting machine (see agenda item 11 16/4/07 minutes pages 307 & 308). It was agreed that a quote ONLY would be obtained from Hollybush Landscaping to cut this area when they did the Townhead area each month. It was agreed that this request would be in writing with the warning that no immediate action was to be taken. Depending upon the outcome of this quote Councillor Hancock volunteered to speak with the present grass cutter should the need arise.
12. Pass a Resolution to adopt the Model Code of Conduct including paragraph 12(2) (5f 14/5/07) deferred from June.
The decision was taken to adopt the Model Code of Conduct including paragraph 12 (2). Clerk to inform Garry Pointer at TC of this. Clerk to distribute the Standing Orders to the Councillors these compiled by NALC (dated 1996) had been adopted when Pat Wilson became the Parish Clerk in 1996.
13. Government Office for the North East – North East Regional Spatial Strategy Proposed Changes – submit comments on online by August 6th. CD provided. Cllr C A Brooks took to report (6d 11/6/07)
Cllr Brooks reported a broad development strategy covering 57 policies. It was a vision for the North East and contained words such as Sustainable, Wonderful habitats for wildlife etc. Airports, Windfarms and Employment sites in rural areas were mentioned. In all 111 changes were suggested and the completed document would be used by Local Authorities until the year 2021. It was felt that no action need to taken.
14. NCC Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Programme 2008/09 reply by 3/8/07 (6l 11/6/07). Councillors given a copy of letter at June meeting.
Mobile Speed Unit would cover A1 AS1 & SR2. Having received the County Councillor support (see 6 above) should support the case. B6306 traffic calming between Lawn Cottage & Townhead Old Farmhouse entrance needs different wording.
Provision for pedestrian coming out of the Affordable Houses site was questioned, this could be included in the Programme if nothing on plans. Clerk to look at plans and/or inquire from TC.
15. Parish Plan Action Plan July Update draft circulated.
Minor amendments were made to page one Appendix 2 090707 (page 335)
16. Toddler Play Area Review
Nothing new to report. The lack of an equipped play area remains on TC’s list of improvements.
17. August walk about arrangements. (2006 – Trygill, Coalpitts & High Clear; 2005 Slaley Hall, Glen and Lead Road; 2004 Village) The suggestion of the Wooley Road especially looking at the Bus Shelter and recent residential development was agreed upon.
18 A.O.B.
a) E-mail from Alex MacLennan, Forestry Commission regarding our Boundary Stones. Normally the FC only check monuments on a case by case basis whenever an operation which could potentially effect them takes place.
b) A discussion about the parish boundary stones followed and the Clerk was instructed to write to Andrew Coney and ask if the fallen and abandoned boundary stone within the Hall grounds could be repositioned near the Hall in a place of safety. Planning permission would be needed for this because the stones are listed or scheduled ancient monuments
c) Councillors at the meeting each received a ream of paper (500 sheets) as requested 7ii b May 14th 2007 minutes, page 320 and previously on agenda item 4 13/6/05 minutes, page 161.
19 BOATs Update.
a) A meeting of The 4 Parishes BOATs Joint Committee took place on Monday July 2nd 2007. Attendance for the JLAF meeting on Thursday July 19th was confirmed. Two of the speakers at this meeting will be Margaret Keyte and Alan Kind. The 4 Parishes have entered a question, which they would like the JLAF to answer. Cllr Hancock who devised the question which basically is concerned with damage to the flora and fauna and asks who do the JLAF get their information from and how do they access that information.
The meeting closed at 10.10 p.m. Date of August meeting will be Monday August 13th.
Are you interested in learning how to trace your family history?
We are planning a course of weekly sessions using the Commemoration Hall computers. You would learn how to use sources on the internet and about where to find information without using a computer.
We are also considering whether to try and run a separate course on Digital Photography. If you are interested in either of these proposals, please contact:
Ian Hancock (telephone 673 502, e-mail: hancock@glenlodge.free-online.co.uk
or:
Michael Elphick (telephone 673 443, e-mail: editor@slaley.org.uk)
We will need sufficient interest to justify putting on these courses, and there will have to be a fee (not yet determined) to cover the costs. Also, if there are any other courses using the computers that you might be interested in, please let us know.
Nigel Green is offering to start up a monthly gardening club in Slaley, and would like to see if there is any interest in the parish. It’s very early days, but the general idea is to have speakers, and exchange ideas & plants.
Another aim would be to encourage an increase in the number of entries in the Horticulture section at the Slaley Show.
Please ring Nigel on (01434) 673210 if you think you might be interested.
The Slaley Charity Auction, in aid of the Parkinson’s Disease Society and Cancer Research UK, will take place on Saturday 29th September, so come along and pick up a bargain! The auction starts at 1 pm prompt, and will include antiques, collectors' items, curios, bric-a-brac, furniture, linen, pictures, books, garden tools and much more.
There will be a viewing period on the Friday evening from 6 to 9 pm, and on Saturday morning from 9 am. Refreshments (provided by the "Slaley Ladies")will be available on both Friday evening and Saturday.
More items are still needed, however. Albert Weir can organise collection of any items, but please contact him on (01434) 673534 as soon as possible.