Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 2nd June 2008

Present: Councillors John Davison, Steve Gleadhill, Ian Hall, Diane Hinchcliffe, Norman Hooks, Melna Martin, Dave Porter, Julia Sayce. Mrs M Williams, Clerk.

Also present: District Councillors Colin Argent, Mrs Eileen Drew, Gemma Sommerville - Hexham Courant Reporter. Mrs Gravenor joined the meeting late.

Apologies: Councillor Pete Barrass. County Councillor Mrs Anne Dale

08/18 Declarations of Interest – None

08/19 Minutes
Acceptance of the Minutes of the meeting held on 12th May was proposed by Dave Porter and seconded by Norman Hooks. The Minutes were agreed.

08/20 Matters Arising
It was noted that Mrs Gravenor's letter of resignation presented at the meeting of 12th May was effective immediately. However, the Chairman proposed and it was agreed that should she attend this evening's meeting she would be co-opted to the Council for the meetings of June and July.

08/21 Public Participation
Mrs Martin advised that a resident had narrowly avoided having an accident at the top of Painshawfield Road and it was asked why the delay in installing double yellow lines at this point. It was noted that the County Council had recently advised that this proposal was no longer on the books and it was agreed to write formally to the County Council requesting double yellow lines at this junction.

08/22 Correspondence
The correspondence received had been listed on the Agenda and was noted.

08/23 Finance
The accounts for May were accepted following an explanation of the negative balance of £8706.42. It was explained that once the grant from SITA of £50,000 for MUGA was paid this negative balance would be rectified. It was also noted that in the short-term there was still an outstanding cheque to Kompan for £5000 which meant that the cash flow negative balance was in fact £3706.42.

Cash Flow Loan – It was agreed to repay Tynedale Council the final tranche of £35,000.

Additional cheques – it was agreed to pay the following additional cheques:
SISI (MUGA) £1051.62

Audited Accounts 07/08 Julia Sayce proposed and Melna Martin seconded and it was agreed that the accounts for 07/08 be accepted.

Internal Auditor's Report - The Report had been circulated and was noted and accepted.

08/24 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) Parish plan
It was reported that two Parish Plan Events would be held in July. Full details would be published in NE43 News. Mrs Gravenor will continue to "keep her finger in the parish plan pie" but from now on the project will be driven by Steve Gleadhill and Melna Martin with the assistance of Pete Duncan. Surveys are being completed and then the Parish Plan consultation events will be held. The questionnaire will be professionally conducted.

The Draft Plan will be written by Steve Gleadhill and Pete Duncan.

b) Planning
The Planning Report had been circulated.

Steve Gleadhill asked for a copy of the Tynedale Local Development Framework.

c) Transport & Highways
Following the response to earlier correspondence with the County, John Davison is to have a meeting with County Councillor Anne Dale to discuss among other things

The size of the vehicles using the A695
Traffic levels on the A695
Parking on Painshawfield Road/New Ridley Road
VACS
etc.

Improvements to Station Car Park - The County Council is to be asked to make a grant towards the cost of this project. The letter should site Sustainable Transport and the Government Strategy.

VACS – delivery is still awaited.

Railway Masts – still awaiting installation

Bus Stop Parking Congestion – it was noted that some residents living near the affected bus stops had received letters from the County and it was agreed to include an item in NE43 News. There was concern that restricting parking at Birches Nook might result in an increase of parking outside the butchers and the bridal shop. It was noted that enforcing the parking restrictions at the bus stops had been driven by a request from bus drivers.

d) Council Representatives
The Minutes of the recent meeting of the SCA Forum had been circulated. John Davison asked about the proposal to increase the speed limit on Princess Way outside SCA and will mention this to County Councillor Mrs Dale.

Ovingham Bridge – The Eastern Parishes Forum had been consulted about the traffic survey to be carried out by Faber Maunsell. There is a need to find out the source and destination of traffic and once the results have been published councillors will be able to discuss the outcomes.

Branch End Surgery Patients' Forum – The Surgery had contacted Steve Gleadhill and had suggested that the Forum might meet at lunchtime. Steve Gleadhill cannot manage a meeting at lunchtime.

(Mrs Gravenor joined the meeting at this point)

e) Footpaths, Gardens & the Environment.
The Report of the Rights of Way and Environment Group was tabled.

f) Communication
NE43 News will be distributed w/c 16th June.

Distribution - It was agreed to find out the cost and restrictions of professional delivery agents. It was also noted that some people who deliver SCAN might be able to assist.

g) Play Facilities
Information on goal posts is still awaited from Kompan.

Notice boards for BEPA - still awaiting information from Tynedale as to what is to be included.

New Access Ramp - a site meeting had been held with Guy Rawlinson when a new route had been suggested. It had also been suggested that the football area be regraded but the necessity for this was queried. Some levelling would reduce the cost of bringing soil onto the site. It was asked how the Sensory Garden would fit into the revised scheme. Ian Hall is to have further discussions with Mr Rawlinson and also to ask about possible costs of the scheme.

Kate's Plain tyre – still awaiting quotations for seating.

Kate's Plain – new tree planting – residents of Brumwell Court are still unhappy about this – Mrs Sayce and Mrs Williams to meet to look at the problem. Following discussions with Broomley School and Mr Telfer it was suggested that some of the trees might be moved to the new ponds at Merryshields.

Mr Porter advised that there had been one instance of late night noise at Kates Plain – the situation will be monitored.

[Suspension of Standing Orders –it was agreed that Standing Orders should be suspended and the meeting should continue until 10.00 p.m.]

h) Local Government Re-organisation – nothing to report

i) Sports Facility Group
The Group is to meet on 8th June.
Nothing had been heard from Dickinson Dees with regard to the leases.

j) Finance and General Purposes Group
Nothing to Report

Closure of Post Offices – Tynedale have called a meeting for 22nd July – Ian Hall and Steve Gleadhill will represent the Parish Council at this meeting. It was asked what the County were doing about closing rural post offices. It was felt that Stocksfield was privileged to have two post offices. Before any meaningful comment can be made it was felt important to know what the proposals by the Post Office were. It was agreed to book a room at SICA should it be necessary to call a public meeting to discuss the issue. Colin Argent pointed out that the Post Office has a target to close post offices and if one is saved then another will be closed. He stressed the need to collate all relevant information.

Youth Service – The Clerk had prepared an outline of expenditure on "youth". It was stressed that when preparing the precept groups requiring support should be invited to submit requests for grant aid.

Grant to SICA for Under 13s youth work – Norman Hooks advised that at present there is a small group of teenagers meeting at SICA but that these are largely 15-17 year olds. He said that the youth club seems to have rejuvenated. SICA are now in a dilemma over what to offer. The Youth Service is exploring the possibility of an under 13s group. SICA has hosted two successful music events for 15-16 year olds.

War Memorial - an application for a grant towards the repair has been submitted to the War Memorials Trust.

k) Policy Group – nothing to report.

08/25 Other business - Councillors were urged to continue to seek potential new Parish Councillors.

0826 Date of Next Meeting

7th July, then 1st September.

The meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.