Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 1st February2010

Present: Councillors Pete Barrass, Steve Gleadhill, Ian Hall, Diane Hinchcliffe, Norman Hooks, Melna Martin, Helen Morris, Dave Porter, Julia Sayce. Mrs Margaret Williams, Clerk. Also Present: Peter Basnett, Internal Auditor. Mrs Linda Harris.

Apologies: John Davison, Pete Duncan, Katharine Russell, County Councillor Anne Dale

The first part of the meeting was devoted to a training session on the auditing and accounting systems for Parish Councils. Peter Basnett outlined his background as an internal auditor and went on to explain the need for an internal audit, possible pitfalls and the need for internal controls. He then answered questions from Councillors.

Mr Hall thanked Mr Basnett for coming to the meeting.

Mrs Williams then briefly outlined the system used for Broomley & Stocksfield Parish Council accounts and answered questions. A discussion ensued on the presentation of the budget v spend document and this is to be amended to take into account the points raised.

09/79 Public Participation
Hoodsclose Opencast Mine – Mrs Harris circulated a leaflet from the Action Group and advised that the next meeting of the Group would be held at the Anchor on 7th February at 10.30.
Concerns were raised about the amount of dog mess on the Meadowfield Road pavement. The Dog Warden is to be asked to visit.
MUGA Lights - these have now been fixed and thanks were expressed for getting this problem resolved.
A question was asked why the VACS at Brumwell Court had been turned around. Councillors were reminded that this had been agreed some time ago. The original intention had been to move it but this had not proved practical and it was agreed to turn it round so that drivers did not become too complacent. It will be turned back in few months time.

09/80 Declarations of Interest - None

09/81 Minutes –
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 4th January were agreed with the amendment of one small typographical error.

09/82 Matters Arising
Tynedale Visitor – with a change to the headline this was agreed.

09/83 Correspondence
Correspondence received since the January meeting had been listed on the agenda and was noted.

A consultation document on a draft Landscape Character Assessment had been received. It was noted that other districts were using the assessment drawn up by Tynedale as a template and it was agreed that no further comment be made.

09/84 Finance
The Accounts for January were accepted.
The Bank Reconciliation was noted.
The Spend v Budget was noted and the amendments to the presentation will be made.
The amended details of the Precept had been circulated.

09/85 Brief Reports from Advisory Groups and Council Representatives
a) Council Representatives –
East Tynedale Community Forum – Dave Porter gave a brief report on the proceedings and said that he felt that this meeting had been less well attended than some previous meetings. Colin Charlton from the County Council had been in attendance to discuss Highways problems, including snow clearance.
County Council Area West Committee Meeting – This meeting had largely concentrated on the County’s 2010/11 budget. Mr Hall expressed concern that Tourist Information Centres might be cut. A letter is to be written to the County voicing these concerns and highlighting the facts that the economy of the district could be affected by a lack of tourists and that Hexham parks attract tourists.
A paper discussing the recent problems raised by the bad weather had been received from the County Scrutiny Committee and was tabled.
B) Transport & Highways
Station Car Park – it was reported that work on the north side had started and was expected to take 2/3 weeks. Work on the south side should start on 4th February and will be finished by 4th March. There will be no need to disrupt the parking in the existing car park until the parking spaces need to be remarked. A meeting is to be held to discuss the opening event. Current suggestions are for an event on 26th April, to include an exhibition in SICA. Dave Porter is to take photographs of the progress of the work.
VATS – a letter from Dambach had been sent to Pete Barrass for comment. Pete Barrass is to confer with the Chair on the response.
Local Transport Plan – comments on this are to be returned to the County Council by 28th February. Pete Barrass and John Davison are to look at this.
Fords – County Councillor Dale had suggested that they would be repaired by April. Norman Hooks advised that the Environment Group had raised concerns about the need to mend the Fords. It was stressed that any repair to the Fords should include the road to New Ridley which is in a parlous condition. The Environment Group would like this route turned into a Quiet Lane.

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

C) Parish Plan Action Group
The Group’s proposed action plan had been circulated and it was agreed to allow ½ hour to the plan at the March meeting.
D) Footpaths Gardens & Environment
The Minutes of the most recent meeting had been circulated. The Environment Group is to try to produce a Community Landscape Character Statement. Such a statement would help with planning issues.
Councillors were asked to read the item in the recent issue of Northumberland news on recycling green waste. It was noted that waste previously sent to landfill is now being sent to the energy-from-waste facility in the Tees Valley. An article on this is to be published in NE43 News.
Spring Tidy Up – Ian Hall and Margaret Williams are to draw up a plan.
e) Communication
Parish Information Card – Dave Porter tabled a draft. It was agreed that the style needs to be consistent. Once the draft is complete all councillors will be asked to check the data for accuracy. This edition of the card will be delivered with the next edition of NE43 News.
NE43 News – the printing and publication dates were agreed. Councillors were reminded that this edition is the one that they will deliver.
f) Planning
The Planning Report had been circulated.
Meeting with Planning Officers – this is to take place at SICA on 15th February. The Clerk requested questions to be put to the officers to be sent to her by 8th February- initial suggestions had been circulated. The relevant item from the Parish Plan and Community Landscapes is also to be sent.
g) Finance & General Purposes Group.
The report of their most recent meeting was tabled and accepted and the grants recommended agreed.
Hanging Baskets – The Clerk is to draw up a paper for the next meeting, The Plants & Gardens Society might b asked to organise a “workshop” on producing hanging baskets.
Annual Parish Meeting – it is hoped to link this to the opening ceremony of the new station car park and to ask Charlene Kane Head of Stations & External Relations North East, Northern Rail to be the speaker and talk about the past present and future of our railway line.
h) Play Facilities – nothing to report
Community Garden – planting day 13th March – pledges of plants are being received.
i) Community Development – nothing to report
j) Sports Facilities – nothing to report
k) Proposal to set up a Development Trust
Ian Hall and Norman Hooks have a meeting with FONDT shortly to discuss the proposal for a Develop0ment Trust.
i) Policy Group – Nothing to report
Ian Hall and Julia Sayce to look at the People & Places consultation on Economic Strategy.

09/86 Any Other Business – None

09/87 Date of next meeting - 1st March 2010 at 7.30 p.m.

The meeting closed at 10.10 p.m