Additional parking space outside numbers 9 and 12 South Park, how was it funded? Find out in agenda item 7c. Parish Council minutes are not posted on the web site until they have been accepted by the Councillors which is normally a month later than the meeting date.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday October 8th 2007, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies. None.
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors Mrs L. Norris, Mrs C. A. Brooks, Mrs A. S. Robson, S Davison, Ms M Palmer, & Clerk Mrs P. Wilson. District Councillor B.W. Massey &. County Councillor Wm Purdue
Public: Rachel Scott & Keith Robson. Courant Reporter: None. Slaley Notes Jean Elphick & Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests.
Cllr. Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 19
3. Minutes of September Parish Council Meeting (pages 344-348 + appendices 1 page 349)
Proposed by Cllr. Mrs L. Norris and seconded by Cllr Mrs A.S Robson the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising.
a) 4a 10/907; 4 a 13/8/07; Cllr. Mrs A.S. Robson had been unable to negotiate with Hollybush for a reduction in the monthly charge, however she did propose showing a parishioner around the sites to see if they were interested in tendering for the work. An advert in the village shop asking for interest in tendering for the work was suggested and agreed. No estimate from Jonathan Storey, Holly Cottage.
b) 4e 10/9/07; 12e 13/8/07 Affordable Houses - stories received - some are allocated. No reply from Vicky Law regarding the increased rents. DC Brian Massey asked if the PC had been kept informed by Marilyn Rowe, the letting officer. After a negative reply DC Massey suggested that she was the lady to contact for answers.
c) 8h 10/9/07, 18b 9/7/07 Andrew Coney, General Manager of DeVere Hotel has repaired and repositioned the two Boundary/ Standing Stones. These two stones are once again upright in a gravel surround within a wooden frame. Already they have been seen by guests and their purpose asked. Clerk Pat Wilson was invited to view the stones during September.
d) 17 10/0907 Highway drain blockage at Jameson’s Well & Troughs. Traffic lights were placed on the B6306 and work began on October 1st, the traffic lights returned today and work has resumed. Speaking with the workmen and by telephone to Kevin Allen it appears that the cause of the problem has not been identified. Work was held up for several hours last week when a member of the public stopped work claiming that the well was his property. Two households have been presented with 28 day notices for the overhanging branches, shrubs etc on the B6306 to be cut back to their boundary wall. One household who did not receive a notice decided to cut back their overhanging branches and visibility has been greatly improved for drivers going south. On a humorous note NCC Highways were contacted by a member of the public who asked, “where Wooley village was” when the old Wooley Hospital sign on the B6306 was replaced with a new Wooley sign.
e) 18 d 10/9/07 DC Brian Massey reported that the caravan standing in the Rose & Crown car park does not need planning permission.
f) 3d 13/8/07 DC Brian Massey reported that Tynedale Council Planning Department had only recently requested the 2006 annual Holiday Villa occupancy details despite a PC letter requesting the information in December 2006 and again in March 2007. Clerk and DC Massey to discuss a reply.
5. Public Participation.
a) Two very angry members of the public reported instances of people/families being offered one of the Affordable Houses at Slaley, when the local criteria stipulation was questionable. Some single people, born and bred in the parish, some working in the parish and still living with their parents have been disqualified. The view was expressed that if this is because they were single it discriminated against local single people and the very people who filled in the Parish Plan questionnaire and subsequent Housing Needs Survey that instigated the Affordable Houses being built on a green belt site. It was credibly reported that a family that had not applied for a Slaley house, did not work locally and already occupied a house in Slaley had been approached by TC offering them an alternative house at Slaley. It was suggested that liaison had occurred between the Milecastle Housing waiting list and the Slaley houses under the Two Castles RSL. The part own homes were being allocated on behalf of Two Castles by NOMAD RSL. The Scott family who gave the land to enable local people to find a home wished to record their disappointment and anger and the feeling of being let down by the system, which had left them very upset. The Chairman explained that although the Parish Council could not examine individual cases and decide if they should or should not have been given one of the Slaley houses, it was generally felt that the letting process was not achieving what we thought would be achieved. It was felt that a justifiable complaint should be made that Slaley PC had not been kept in the loop.
DC Brian Massey suggested that he and the Chairman arrange a meeting with Ms Rowe as quickly as possible. A copy of the Local Letting Policy would be needed.
b) None compliance with the agreed landscaping to replace the chippings at the Millennium Feature as reported on agenda item 11 16/4/07 pages 307/308 was angrily questioned. This was explained by a decision taken to retain the chippings as reported on agenda item 11 13/8/07 page 332. Minutes going back to November 2002, page 34 and December 2002 page 35 when the Parish Council took over the financial responsibility for the Millennium feature from the Millennium Committee were examined. Then the agreement to place £1,000 in the precept to carry out the proposed landscaping in January 2004 page 78 followed by the Minutes of June 2005 page 162 when the Parish Council agreed to take over the ownership and insurance of the Millennium Feature. The Clerk reminded the meeting of their recently agreed Standing Order No 36a referring to ‘a decision not being reversed within six months’. The Chairman agreed that this subject could be discussed again in February 2008.
6. Community Trust Report.
The CT was thanked for its October report attached as appendix 1/081007. Further information on the £170 cost of producing the 2007 report books instigated the question of the PC giving a grant of £50 towards this. (Hexhamshire PC pay the full cost for their booklets) Cllr Mrs AS Robson suggested the CT should contact Slaley Hall De-Vere for the total amount. The PC would consider financial support if the need arose. All the Councillors felt that the exercise should be repeated next year.
7. Matters for Discussion with County & District Councillors
a) CC Bill Purdue spoke of the new Belonging Communities, which will include elected members plus the great and good from selected areas and walks of life. It was questioned whether representatives would be democratically appointed.
b) DC Brian Massey stated that he is attending meetings over the coming weeks regarding this very subject and will produce a report for the November meeting.
c) CC Wm Purdue – Hard surfacing outside numbers 9 and 12 South Park completed last week. Thank you to CC Purdue for spending £6,100 of his small schemes grant on this. As Clerk’s e-mail of 18th June recorded it is a pity that the grass to the east (left) of the telegraph pole was not included in the whole scheme (see photographs via e-mail received 18th June). A letter was received from the residents of Number 9 asking why this area had been left grassed. The Clerk to reply that the 2007 funding had been depleted.
A lengthy discussion followed on what to do about this uncut grass suggestion (1) was that Highways be contacted and asked if they would cut it. Suggestion (2) was that the grass was left uncut and unsightly. Suggestion (3) was that the PC pay to have it cut but that was generally considered to be setting a precedent. Suggestion (4) was that CC Purdue request a price for the area to be hard surfaced (this was likely to include a Parish Council donation). The general agreement was to go for suggestion 4.
d) DC Massey confirmed that the demise of Tynedale Council was expected within 18/19 months and suggested that any schemes we may have pending should be put before Tynedale for funding.
e) Complaints had been received at Tynedale Council regarding advertising boards for events held at Slaley within the Hexham area. The suggestion was that organisers should have an informal discussion with Tynedale Planning department before display boards are placed outside Slaley parish.
f) The question of refunding Councillors travelling expenses was raised. The Clerk referred to correspondence from Garry Pointer about this subject in June 2005 (4 13/6/05, page 161) and said that if Slaley went down this route then an idea of expected expenditure for 2008 would need to be included in the 2008/09 Precept. DC Brian Massey suggested that the Clerk request current legislation from Garry Pointer.
8. Correspondence.
a) ET & WCM Parish Councils Forum 4/9/07 minutes received September 4th. + copy of letter to Leader NCC asking to be involved in the setting up of the Unitary Authority.
Date of next meeting November 6th at Riding Mill. Cllr L Norris will attend.
b) Slaley First School Newsletters October 2007
c) FOSS report 2/10/07
d) Defra ‘Ways to Tackle Climate Change’ – Parish & Town council guide to playing a substantial role to reduce carbon emissions. Letter + 36 page booklet. See page 8 do we want to appoint a “parish energy champion”? Not everyone read the literature.
e) Community Foundation 2 page letter – a bursary of up to £1,000 towards Fuel Poverty or Sustainable Energy schemes.
f) Standards Board for England – several interesting comments Code of Conduct, support young people etc.
g) Alnwick Development Trust New Grantfinder Service.
h) Copy of 2001 Census profile (see 8e of 10/9/07 minutes)
i) Northumberland VCS consortium - PC contact details request completed 29/9/07. Cllr AS Robson reported that a second VCS meeting was arranged for November and volunteered to attend.
j) Large sealed envelopes delivered to Clerk’s home for Councillors distributed
k) ADAPT Autumn newsletter, Milecastle Housing Home Truths Autumn 2007; Calverley Clinic 20% discount card; Vaughtons advertising brochure; Garrick Outdoor Bus Shelter advertising brochure; Glasdon advertising leaflets; NCC Tynedale Area Committee papers.
9. Financial Report.
a) Cheques to be signed. None
b) Interim payments. None.
10. Current Planning Applications.
20071063 Change of use and conversion of outbuildings to one
residential dwelling, installation of package treatment plant
and new pedestrian & vehicle access – Cocklake, Slaley. No objections
20070939 Construction of two porches at Pry Cottage No objections.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20070916 Construction of Cattle Shed Dipton Foot Farm Granted
20070626 Two storey extension etc. Trygill Farm Cottage. Withdrawn
11. Child Protection & Vulnerable Users Training Day Report from training on Friday 21/9/07 attached as appendix 2/081007.
Councillors S Davison & Mrs CA Brooks wished to add that while very interesting they thought the presentation very long winded and went into too much detail of examples rather than our role in protecting/reporting.
12. Cycle/BMX track for the Youth of Slaley. (12c 13/8/07)
Report from meeting Wednesday September 12th attached as appendix 3/081007. A meeting with the relevant landowners at 6.45 p.m. resulted in the idea not able to be carried forward.
13. Post Christmas Slaley Hall Meal for the Elderly Update.
a) Suggested date Friday January 18th 2008. Agreeable
b) Cost of meal totally covered by Slaley Hall £10.50 for 3 courses. Wonderful.
c) Held in Claret Jug Restaurant (formerly Clubhouse) Disabled toilets & access?
d) Parish Council involvement administration of tickets and transport arrangements.
e) Advertise through Slaley Notes, Parish Magazine & Slaley Post Office. YES
f) Use format of booking form for January 2007 meal. YES
g) Closing date? Friday December 21st 2007.
h) Money to be paid with booking? YES
i) Contact ADAPT for disabled transport? YES
14. Village Mobile Flashing Speed Unit Update. Report of meeting 19/9/07 attached as appendix 4/081009
a) Suggested sites for village speed unit approved by Alan Bawn & John McCann of VMS: east of ‘Reaston View’ Affordable Houses on south verge. Between Meadow Rise and Slaley house on north verge. Photograph received by e-mail.
b) Quotation received from VMS which states the unit is £2,400 not £5,0000 as previously thought.
After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk contact VMS to make certain price correct. To contact the other interested PC’s in the group and ascertain their response – if they still want to form a partnership fine, otherwise Slaley PC may go it alone and if the latter what is the final price to Slaley.
15 Pride of Tynedale Nominees
It was decided to nominate Northumbria Pedigree in the Young Business category if the owner was below 30 years of age.
16. Parish Plan October 2007 Action Plan Update. Attached as appendix 5/081007
Amendments were made.
17. Traffic Calming at Town Head (requested by Cllr M. Palmer). (Please read agenda item 6l, June minutes page 322, agenda item 14 July minutes page 333 and agenda item 4d August minutes page 338).
Whilst there is still concern at the speed traffic travels on the B6306 past Townhead/ High Clear junction it was felt that the requested new warning signs showing adult and child with the wording no footway will hopefully soon be erected and an improvement in speed noticed.
18. A.O.B.
a) Chairman asked for a copy of the Clerks Contract of Employment, including a job description & Person Specification – last updated December 2002.
Presently the Clerk is paid £2,000 which equates to £6.40 per hour x 6 hours each week x 52 weeks each year = £1,997 or minimum wage £5.52 x 7hrs x 52 = £2009. The Clerk was asked to keep an approximate record of her working week.
19. BOATs update.
a) CC Wm Purdue reported that the ROW committee had considered new evidence provided by Liz Sobell on The Broad Way proposed BOAT between Hexhamshire and Allenheads. The evidence showed that roads up to the common were public roads, but across the common were occupational. Therefore the proposal was turned down.
b) The Councillors unanimously agreed to support the A4 submission produced by AVAG to the JLAF.
b) GLEAM newsletter has a report from Dr. I.C. Hancock of Slaley entitled “Off-roaders in an AONB. A Study of their impact in Northumberland”.
The meeting closed at 10 p.m.
The Council Minutes for September 2007 are now available.
Following complaints that minutes were not available on this web site soon after the monthly meeting, this was raised under Agenda item 18 (c). It was pointed out that Minutes cannot be posted here until they have been approved by the Parish Council at its subsequent meeting. Minutes for the October meeting will therefore not be posted until approved at the November Council meeting.
Minutes of Slaley Parish Council, Monday September 10th 2007, in Slaley Commemoration Hall 7.30 p.m.
1. Apologies. Councillors S Davison &. County Councillor Wm Purdue. District Councillor B.W. Massey
Present: Councillor I.C. Hancock in the Chair. Councillors Mrs L. Norris, Mrs C. A. Brooks, Mrs A. S. Robson, Ms M Palmer, & Clerk Mrs P. Wilson.
Public: None. Courant Reporter: None. Slaley Notes Jean Elphick & Community Trust Executive Committee Member: Michael Elphick.
2. Declaration of Interests.
Cllr. Mrs L. Norris for agenda item 19
3. Minutes of July Parish Council Meeting (pages 329-333 + appendices 1 pg 334, 2 pg 335)
Proposed by Cllr. Ms M Palmer and seconded by Cllr C.A. Brooks the minutes were approved and signed.
4. Minutes of August Parish Council Meeting (circulated pages 336-341 + appendices 1 page 342 & 2 page 343)
Proposed by Cllr. C.A. Brooks and seconded by Cllr. Mrs L. Norris the minutes were approved and signed.
5. Matters Arising.
a) 4 a 13/8/07; Quote from Holly Bush Nursery for a monthly cut of grass at the area immediately in front of the roadside seat on the B6306 £35.00 (£29.79 + £5.21) Therefore: Seat £35.00, Townhead £35.00, Millennium £40.00 & Townfoot £40.00 = £150.00 each month for April - September (6 months total cost £900). Cllr. Mrs A. Robson to negotiate with Hollybush for a reduction in this monthly charge.
No estimate received from Chris Rider Landscapes at Wooley.
Stuart Bell at Oaklea replied by telephone that he did not undertake this type of work.
A fourth estimate to be requested from Jonathan Storey, Holly Cottage.
b) 4c 13/8/07, 4a 11/6/07, 4a 14/5/07, 4a 16/4/07, 4a 12/3/07, 18 12/2/07). Correspondence with Kevin Ferrol re Bottle Bank. The Slaley PC offer to be the pilot area for a glass collection acknowledge by NCC only. Then a letter dated September 3rd from Kevin Ferrol asking if we have any suggestions for bottle banks in our area! Reply saying been in correspondence continually since February 2007.
c) 12 a 13/8/07 Mirror at Glen Crossroads. In the interest of highway safety a request for the hedge on the west to be cut back to their boundary, this request was made by letter dated August 24th. Councillor Hancock then met and discussed the problem with Glen Cottage occupants and an offer was made to maintain a mirror once the PC purchase and position it. The hedge has been cut back and trimmed. Mirror recently positioned opposite The Linnels entrance. No reply from the planning department there it must be safe to assume that planning permission is not required. Decided that a mirror is not necessary.
d) 12b13/8/07 Fly tipping at the lane into a field at Trygill. M Sanderson at TC arranged for these items to be uplifted.
e) 12e 13/8/07 Reply from Marilyn Rowe, Housing Officer Scheme will be available from 12th September therefore Two Castles are keen to meet the applicants and make the allocations.
(i) Concern: It has been reported from one of the applicants, who has been interviewed that the cost for a two bedroomed bungalow is £82 each week + £5 per week for the grass cutting plus an additional charge if street lights are necessary inside the development. This is much higher than we were quoted at the Public meeting held January 12th 2006 (see February 13th 2006 minutes agenda item 4 page 206 and page 204 5 x 2 bebroomed bungalows @ £58 per week. Clerk to write to Vicky Law for confirmation of these inflated costs and that the prices are still governed by National Figures.
(ii) Boundary fence got stopped when the Scott family saw that a wooden fence was being erected. The sale agreement between the Scott family and Two Castles included a stone boundary wall.
f) August Walk-about report - action on the Wooley Bus Shelter Clerk to write to Tom Henderson for his reaction.
6. Community Trust Report.
The CT produced the Annual Report booklets and was thanked for its September report attached as appendix 1/100907
7. Matters for Discussion with County & District Councillors
Request an update from DC B Massey on progress with result from the 2006 standard survey of holiday occupancy on Slaley Hall Holiday Villas (see 3a d 13/8/07).
8. Correspondence.
a) Request for financial help from Whitley Chapel YFC – Balance sheet requested and must be received before a cheque is approved (a grant of £100.00 was agreed in December.
b) NCC Minerals and Waste Development Framework, Sustainability Appraisal Report: Core Strategy Submission Draft – Erratum. Incorrect appendix 6 was included. Correct appendix 6 received Given to Councillor IC Hanock (see agenda item 9 13/8/07). Cllr I.C. Hancock reported that the replacement is a Technical Document and it contained no comments that we need to comment upon.
c) Child Protection & Vulnerbale Users Training Day confirmation for Friday 21/9/07 circulated to those attending.
d) Slaley Show Balance Sheet Clerk to request a balance sheet with a bank balance.
e) TC published their first Equality Scheme either on web site by PDF version being e-mailed or hard copy posted. Request a copy of the 2001 census profile?
f) North Pennines AONB partnership questionnaire: scoping the review of the Management Plan – given to Councillor IC Hancock for completion in light of his April paper sent to Natural England.
g) CAN – surplus computers for £70.00 + Services Survey + Community Champions Training + News Vol 27 No 4 (interesting article on Code of Conduct for members of Parish Councils in England.
h) Reply from DeVere Hotel re Boundary and Standing Stones (18b 9/7/07 page 333) Request to meet with Clerk Pat Wilson to discuss the future of these stones as one stone has been broken.
i) Glasdon Products advertising leaflets; Queensbury Shelters advertising leaflets. NALC Conference & Exhibition 5-7 October 2007; North East War Memorials Project Newsletter No 7 Summer 2007; Clerk & Councils Direct Issue 53 Summer 2007;
Newcastle College - Opportunities to study Local and Family History; Tait Walker Chartered Accountants – Public Sector Services; NALC Annual meeting 2007; TDC minutes of meetings.
9. Financial Report.
a) Cheques to be signed.
No 312 Hollybush Landscaping September 7th roadside cut at Townhead. £35.00
No 313 Commemoration Hall 4 meetings (including 19/9/07) x £12 £48.00
No 314 P Wilson 3 months salary £500.00
No 315 BDO Stoy Hayward LLP (Annual Audit) £141.00
b) Interim payments. None.
Proposed by Cllr Mrs L. Norris and seconded by Cllr. Mrs C.A. Brooks.
c) Annual Return
The Annual Return was presented to The Council and accepted Proposed by Cllr. Mrs A.S. Robson and seconded by Cllr. Mrs L. Norris. It was then, together with the Notice of Conclusion of Audit positioned on the Commemoration Hall notice board for 14 days.
10. Annual review of the effectiveness of the system of internal audit (Accounts & Audit (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006.
The Councillors were guided by Councillor Mrs A.S. Robson on this issue and felt that the effectiveness of our audit system was satisfactory especially as the present update of the Standing Orders made reference to the audit.
11. Current Planning Applications.
20070939 Construction of two porches at Pry Cottage No objections.
20070916 Construction of Cattle Shed Dipton Foot Farm No objections.
20070626 Amended plans - Two storey extension to east and porch to south – Trygill Farm Cottage. Pending.
Decisions from Planning Authority
20070669 Construction of timber Pergola and fence Rose & Crown. Refused
20070730 Construction of two storey extension - Overdale. Refused
20070783 Extensions to dwelling, car-port, two storey garage, access gates and driveway. Wooley House. Refused
20070749 Two storey rear extension & ground floor WC & porch extension - The Coach House, East Woodfoot. Granted
** Notification, dated 13/8/07 that the owners of Glen Cottage are appealing against the % increase condition imposed upon them in 20061498 applications. Clerk to request a copy of the appeal decision.
12. Cycle/BMX track for the Youth of Slaley. (12c 13/8/07)
A site visit with Susi Goncu and Anne-May Pottage has been arranged for Wednesday September 12th at 2p.m. meeting at Slaley Commemoration Hall when possible locations will be under consideration.
13. Information Board Facilities & Services update
See Community Trust Report at agenda item 6 above. The Information Board will be low level for easy reading by wheelchair users and slanted. The permanent display will be a resin type material.
14. Post Christmas Slaley Hall Meal for the Elderly (8g 16/4/07 page 306)
The Councillors present wished to request from DeVere Slaley Hall costs for a post Christmas meal. This year it was thought that the meal should be age 60 for both sexes rather than pension age. Clerk to request prices before any press release is made.
15. Proposed Standing Orders drafted by Chairman & Vice Chair
Attached as appendix 2/100907. Text in bold we are not allowed to change, anything else can be suspended etc. Clarification from David Francis on a couple of points (i) each Council can select it sown thresholds within reason (ii) Resolutions means resolve, decide and agree use whichever we wish. Proposed that the draft Standing Orders were accepted was made by Cllr. Mrs A.S. Robson and seconded by Cllr Mrs C.A. Brooks
16. Suggested sites for village speed unit.
Cllr. C.A. Brooks suggested outside Slaley House on the north verge (for traffic travelling from Townhead to Townfoot) and just prior to the new Affordable Houses entry on the south verge (for traffic travelling from Townfoot to Townhead).
Cllr. I.C. Hancock suggested outside South Farm, opposite the entrance into Parks Side Elderly Bungalows on the south side (for traffic travelling from Townfoot to Townhead). And the same site as recorded above for the north verge. There being no further suggestions these three sites will be presented to the meeting on September 19th.
17. Highway drain blockage at Jameson’s Well & Troughs.
Kevin Allen visited site on August 16/8/07, then Ken Johnstone 22/8/07, NCC Heritage Inspector visited and repairs should be carried out without damage to the Well or the Troughs. Work with traffic light should have commenced today September 10th. Whilst these two site visits were under way the danger on the B6306 became apparent and it was suggested by both KA & KJ that the landowners who have allowed their trees/ shrubs etc to encroach onto the highway should be contacted and asked that in the interest of highway safety everything be cut back to their boundary wall. The requests were made by letter dated August 24th. A similar letter was sent to Glen Cottage (see agenda item 5c above) Action was taken at Glen Crossroads immediately. Clerk to request that NCC Highways take the necessary action on the B6306 sites.
18. A.O.B.
a) Stone slates taken off Gortmore House roof (formerly Garden House) Slaley Village and re-slated in blue states. Karen Lynch a TC Planning Technician reported that after checking planning applications the House was not listed and therefore there was no stipulation that the stone slates must be retained.
b) E-mail dated 27th August from Michael Elphick relating to upturned play equipment at Slaley First School. Suggest a sign saying “School grounds are Monitored”. This report was enlarged upon, it appears that broken glass was discovered and picked up as best as possible. Bottles and cans were discovered along the total length of the boundary hedge and evidence of fires was discovered near the dragon. It was agreed by the Councillors that a dairy recording the dates of inspection should be kept irrespective of a clean inspection or anything to report. That way a pattern of abuse could be established and this could be an end of the summer holiday type complaint.
c) Two complaints that PC minutes had not been posted on web. Clerk to include a piece that informs the public that minutes cannot be pasted until they have been agreed therefore the July and August minutes will not appear on the web until after the September meeting.
d) Caravan in Rose & Crown Car Park Clerk to ask DC Brian Massey to look into this.
e) Ream of paper given to Cllr S Davison mid month and to Cllr Mrs A Robson tonight (18b 9/7/07 page 333, 7iiB 14/5/07 page 320 & 4 13/6/05 page 161.
f) Cllr Mrs L. Norris represented Slaley PC at the ET & WCM Local Council Forum on September 4th. She reported that the Forum had obtained funding for a part-time Clerk and they had requested to be involved in the consultation process of the Northumberland re-organisation. Date of next meeting November 6th at Riding Mill. The minutes will be circulated by e-mail when they become available.
g) Cllr. Ms M Palmer had been speaking with Robin Turner of Ladycross who suggested Ladycross slabs for the area presently covered in chippings at the Millennium Feature.
19. BOATs update.
a) Reply received from JLAF answering the 4 Parishes BOATs Joint Committee question of July 19th.
b) 4 Parishes BOATs meeting on Monday September 3rd. A letter to George Astbury, JLAF Mediation Panel chairman has been sent questioning the legality of the Mediation Panel once an application has been lodged with NCC. A letter to Christine Pope, Natural England, has been sent inviting her to a guided tour and a meeting in December if the NE Policy document on Conservation of the RoW Network will be published by that time. It appears that a majors players meeting in December would not achieve the desired results if the above Policy were delayed.
c) The 4 Parishes BOATs Joint Committee were happy with the content of Slaley Parish Council reply to Neil Dawson (see 5m 13/8/07) of the NCC Proposed Diversion of Byway 41 and extinguishment of F/path 20. Whilst supporting this proposed diversion and closure we requested clarification on several matters (maintenance responsibilities, width 60 ft or present width, transfer costs from FC to ratepayer & legality etc.).
d) The 4 Parishes are expected to contact Defra regarding the question of “No gates on a BOAT” & who would be expected to cover the cost of the only cattle proof alternative “cattle grids”.
The meeting closed at 9.55 p.m.