Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 2nd November 2009

Present: Councillors John Davison, Pete Duncan, Steve Gleadhill, Ian Hall, Diane Hinchcliffe, Melna Martin, Dave Porter. Julia Sayce, Mrs Margaret Williams, Clerk. Also Present: County Councillor Anne Dale, Gemma Brown, Hexham Courant, Mr Fred & Mrs Linda Harris, New Ridley residents.

Apologies: Norman Hooks, Katharine Russell, Pete Barrass

09/52 Declarations of Interest - Pete Duncan declared an interest in item 8c – Development of a Village Trust

09/53 Minutes – It was proposed by Steve Gleadhill and seconded by Dave Porter and agreed that the Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd October be accepted.

09/54 Matters Arising
Mrs Dale up-dated councillors on the position with regard to the development at Burnside. She advised that the site was now owned by a different developer and that no houses were currently being developed and therefore the developers were not in breach of the planning conditions with regard to the roadway. She advised that the enforcement officers were looking at the entrance to the site. Steve Gleadhill declared an interest and said that he found it strange that the road has not been completed. The difference between this development and others is that there are already residents on the site.
Stocksfield Festival – Mrs Sayce advised that the profits from this event will be channelled into supporting future Festivals. It had been suggested that the Festival Committee would buy a couple of marquees which could be hired out to other groups and individuals.
Mr Hall outlined a discussion he had had with the Head Teacher of Broomley School.

09/55 Public Participation
The Chairman welcomed Mr & Mrs Harris to the meeting. Mr & Mrs Harris have concerns about the speed of traffic through New Ridley Village, particularly southbound traffic. Mrs Dale advised that she is to ask the police to visit and monitor traffic speeds. It was suggested that the current level of street lighting might be inadequate for current regulations.
Mr Harris is on the Hoodsclose Action Group (Opencast proposals for Whittonstall). He outlined some of the concerns of the group. He said that few of the children who attend Whittonstall School actually live in the village. Dave Porter outlined the lengthy discussion on opencasting and windfarms held at the Eastern Parishes Forum. It was felt that the A68 was not suitable for a high volume of commercial traffic.
Steve Gleadhill said that Allendale Estates were not cutting the paths on the Round Hill. He also asked about the possibility of treating the nettles with herbicide.
Ian Hall raised the problem of the lighting of the MUGA and said that the lights continue to shine in motorists’ eyes. Julia Sayce is to chase Gordon McArthur about this.
Anne Dale advised that Jean Robinson had said that the drain outside her house A695 near Baptist Church) is still blocked.
Melna Martin had been approached by a number of residents who had concerns that despite arrangements having been in place for a considerable time, their wheelie bins were not being returned to their properties by the dustmen. David Hunt at Tynedale is to be contacted about this.
Melna Martin advised that there continue to be problems with parking at the Sportsfield. It was noted that cars can be parked on the Eastern field. A sign is to be provided saying “Cars Parked at owners’ risk”.

09/56 Correspondence
Correspondence received since the October meeting had been listed on the agenda and was noted.
Correspondence had been received from the County regarding the Local Development Framework and the Perfect 10 debate. Ian Hall and Julia Sayce said that they should be able to attend the debate in Hexham. Questions need to be asked as how the County will support the parishes and devolved services. It is important that the Parish Council is involved in discussions. The authorities have to be careful that there are not to many plans. How at strategic level will the County support local plans. The Parish Council should also consider a response in writing to the consultation.

09/57 Finance
October Accounts: The Accounts for October were agreed.
The Bank Reconciliation to 30th September was noted.
The Spend v Budget to end September was noted.
It was agreed to ask the internal auditor Peter Basnett to talk to the Parish Council about accounts
2010/11 Precept/Budget – the first draft of the budget for 2010/11 had been circulated. Pete Barrass proposed and Melna Martin seconded and it was agreed that the total precept would be increased by 1% on the current year. A discussion ensued and a further draft will be presented to the Council in December.
Additional Cheques – it was agreed that the following be paid
Neat Ideas - £497.44 - Stationery

09/58 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) Tyne Crossing Study
Dave Porter advised that this document had been received. The conclusion was that the amount of traffic using the bridges was reasonable for the size of the area and that most of the traffic was local. The least use bridge is Bywell. Usage of Wylam and Ovingham bridges is about the same. The number of HGVs using the A695 are acceptable for an ‘A’ road. Dave Porter feels that the data collection in the report is flawed. It is unlikely that a new Tyne crossing will be provided in the foreseeable future.
b) Sports Facilities
MUGA – a paper showing the usage of MUGA was tabled. It was noted that at the current rate, usage is not hitting the targets set when applying for the funds.
c) Proposal to set up a Development Trust
Julia Sayce would be welcome to join the group set up to look into this proposal. A paper had been tabled and the recommendations set out therein accepted.
d) Parish Plan Action Group
The group is to meet on 12th November. Anyone else is welcome to attend. The Report to CAN was noted and accepted.
e) Planning
The planning report had been tabled. The Group had held a meeting this evening. The appeal for 14 Batt House road had been dismissed. The Public Information Exhibition on the proposals for the opencast surface mine at Whittonstall would be held at The Anchor on 10th November between 3 and 8 p.m.

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

f) Communication
Parish Information Card – the group has made an initial proposal and will come back to the December meeting with firm proposals for the next edition of the card.
Items for NE43 News should be with Dave Porter within the next two weeks. The next edition will be published and distributed in early December.
g) Policy Group
Nothing to report
h) Play Facilities
A further letter had been received from a resident and enquiries had been made to the Legal Dept of the County who had replied and said;

“That appropriate insurance is in place.
This open space, like all other similar sites, is covered by the County Council insurance policy as it transferred over from Tynedale.

Householders have been informed that they need to have liability insurance for any damage caused by their children to surrounding property and vehicles.
The County Council never informs householders to do this anywhere in the county, this area should be no different. Damage would be covered by any householder's own building and property insurance, not by the insurance of parents and guardians of anyone who should wish to use the area. Apart from anything, it would be impossible to contact every person who might ever wish to enter this public land and impossible to bar anyone who did not wish to comply in any case.

‘No ball games’ signs are erected, time restrictions are in place and enforceable e.g. 9.00 – 7.30 p.m.
This is against County Council policy and is not enforceable. The County Council does not have this at any other site in its area. A local bye-law could be created, but there would be nobody to enforce it so its use would be limited. It would be better to work with Play workers and Community Safety officers if the usage of the site becomes antisocial in nature, rather than be draconian from the outset.

Appropriate safety measures taken, e.g. Fencing to burn.
County Council officers will look at this and if appropriate carry out this work.

Hedging and fencing maintained.
As above.”

Branch End & Kates Plain Play Areas – the response to the RoSPA report is deferred to December.
Consideration might be given to requesting funding for Adult Play Equipment through the Section 106 funding. Funding for new swings is to be sought through the Community Chest. Ian Hall offered to apply for these funds.
The Clerk had been informed that a visitor to Branch End Play Area had broken her leg. It was agreed that the insurance company should be advised but that no claim was being made.
i) Community Garden – Mrs Martin advised that the Community Garden Committee is to start looking for sponsors for the garden. Three and a half planters have been planted. A fund raising coffee morning is to be held on 4th December.
j) Finance & General Purposes Group.
The F&GP Report had been tabled. The recommendations contained therein were noted and endorsed. It was agreed that the grants for the Cubs and Scouts be taken from the Youth work funds.
The Clerk had requested that the Parish Council replace her computer and it was agreed that she could spend up to £750 + VAT.
Christmas Trees – Ian Hall had met with Sheila Coulson the Head Teacher at Broomley School and had agreed with her that from next Christmas (2011) no Christmas Tree would be provided for the school but that the tree near the boundary fence would be lit with Christmas lights
Mrs Coulson had also expressed her willingness in becoming involved with the formation of a village development trust.
Remembrance Sunday – Joe Bennington is to lay the wreath.
Valuation of the Rifle Club - Ian Hall had met with Chris Catnach and Dave Nichol and reported to them on the valuation supplied by the Valuation Agency. Ian Hall offered to liaise between the Scouts and the Rifle Club if necessary.
Further requests for funding had been received and these are referred to the F&GP Group.
k) Transport & Highways
Station Car Park – The Minutes of the most recent meeting had been circulated. The next meeting is on 18th November.
Mrs Dale advised that it is hoped that the West Hill to Hedley would be repaired during 2010/11. She also expressed hope that the repairs to the Fords would be carried out before too long.
VACS – the Clerk advised that the contractor had arrived to install the third machine but had not been able to complete the work as the overhead cables were too close. It was agreed to write to Dorman Varitext and ask why no mention of this had been made. Ian Hall and the Clerk to make a visit to the site.
l) Footpaths Gardens & Environment – nothing to report
m) Community Development - The Parish Plan Group is to consider the production of a new residents welcome pack.
n) Policy Group – nothing to report
o) Council Representatives – A report on the most recent meeting of the County Council Area Committee was tabled. The next meeting of this Committee will be held in Stocksfield.

09/59 Any Other Business
Clerk’s Salary – was discussed in camera. Branch End Toilet Site - was discussed in camera

09/60 Date of next meeting - 7th December 2009.

The meeting closed at 10.30 p.m.