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ROTHBURY
PARISH COUNCIL
Parish
Council
Minutes
of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council
held on
Wednesday 13th August 2008
The
meeting commenced at 7.15pm
These Minutes
of the Parish Council are in draft form (before ratification) - click on
floating menu
Present
Coun. Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Dawson, Fendley, Gilson, Reynalds,
Sandford and the Clerk
Coun. Bridgett ADC/NCC
Apologies
Coun. Murray
Public
Participation
Over
the Bridges report
Coun. Mrs. Morton to compile
Minutes
of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous
meeting were agreed after minor amendments
Matters
Arising from Previous Meeting
Crime
& Disorder Forum
Nothing
to report
Rural
Transport / Shopping Bus
Coun. Murray had verbally requested funding from the PC for UCCTG - to be
placed on next agenda. Coun. Sandford asked why funding was required,
Coun. Morton replied it would help towards the cost of a lift for the back
of the bus £4K for new, £2.7K for second hand. Coun. Sandford asked if
other PC's had been asked for funding, Coun. Morton had only been asked to
ask Rothbury PC, and is also writing to outside organisations for
financial assistance.
Play
Areas
Coun. Gilson not happy with the recent Addycombe improvements carried out,
and commented the old play area at the Haugh is marked out by rubber
matting, and could some of it be removed, Coun. Mrs Dawson had spoken to D
Thompson ADC, and seating is to placed in that area. Coun. Edes thought
ADC would not mind if some matting was lifted, however Coun. Mrs Dawson
said seats and tables were to be placed there, Coun. Gilson to ask R
Thompson if some of the matting can be removed. Coun. Morton said a bin
would also be required if picnic tables and seats are placed there, Coun.
Edes asked if the PC will ultimately be responsible for these structures
and willing to agree to this. It was agreed to ask R Thompson for
clarification on this.
West
End Entrance/Bridge Street
Nothing
to report.
NHS
Governor
Coun.
Sandford currently in talks about opening the hospital in the daytime for
day caring sessions, being an opportunity for long term carers to have a
little time off, and persons being looked after at home to gain social
meetings.
Nursing
Home
Coun.
Sandford said a decision is to be made 21/8/08 about the preferred
contractor.
ADC
Local Wide Plan
Nothing
to report.
Community
Lights Committee
Quotes
received from NEDL, meeting to be held in near future.
Website
Coun.
Mrs Dawson has spoken to M Hodgson who is happy to continue with the
web-site which has received 1300 hits in the past month.
Golf
Club Entrance
Regarding
painting directional signs for vehicles, Coun. Dawson reported action is
awaited from NCC.
Signage
Coun. Gilson had spoken to the surgery about the new sign and discovered
ADC had inspected the sign after a written complaint had been received,
however it is within the permitted criteria and the current situation is
ADC are allowing the surgery to consider which direction they want to go
in and financial help for taking down and replacing the sign can be
sought. Coun. Sandford had looked at the sign and found it perfectly
acceptable. Coun. Fendley can understand bad feeling when other person's
have to comply with rules regarding signs, and can remember several heated
discussions on signage within PC meetings. Coun. Fendley reported positive
discussions with ADC regarding town trail signage, with a meeting to be
arranged.
NSP
Partnership
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Coun. Mrs Dawson had information on the unitary authority, Coun. Bridgett
reported proposals have been put forward for area committees which will be
debated in full 15/9/08. Coun. Dawson asked where Parish & Town
Council's are in the overall plan, Coun. Bridget said he is speaking to
all PC's, and would only support elected representatives. Coun. Dawson
said a meeting had been held ADC 29/7/08 and assurance given the new
council would be consulting with PC's - the PC would need to know what the
consultation would be about if they are asked to take on extra
responsibilities, what they would be, and at what cost. Coun. Fendley in
receipt of correspondence, and understands the need to put forward models,
Coun. Bridgett said the PC's will be consulted about the proposed models,
and boundary reviews are also being considered,. Coun. Sandford said
whatever model is taken on, geographically, Coquetdale, let alone
Rothbury, is a wide area, and the isolation this could bring in terms of
detennining an area committee could leave the PC out on a limb, Coun.
Bridgett understood this, and if 5 area committees are given with
statutory obligations, eg planning, he did not think there will be enough
councillor's.
Turks
Head area gully
Nothing
to report.
Posts
& Chains
Coun.
Sandford reported a post in need of repair at the Memorial Church, Coun.
Edes said the gardeners are actioning a post at the top of the village and
they could also look at this, agreed.
Churchyard
Wall
Coun.
Gilson reported Eric Jensen has not yet inspected the wall.
Rothbury Plan
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Haugh Land: To
be discussed in private.
Parking: Correspondence
received from the Round Table about PC comments printed in the Gazette,
and they would appreciate public acknowledgement that the police were
informed and problems should not be attributed to the RT. Coun. Gilson did
not read the Gazette article, but having read the PC minutes he cannot see
what the fuss is about. Coun. Dawson stated he had reported to the PC what
was said at the Police Forum that organisations did not report to the
police about forthcoming events and it had been said it would be extremely
helpful if new police officers were informed of the date/time of the
nature of events. Coun. Reynalds thought it would be useful to arrange a
meeting with RT, as there were minor problems. Coun. Bridgett said when
comments were made at the police forum they had been by the previous
sergeant.
Hospital: Nothing
to report
Youth Project: Nothing
to report
Footpaths: Nothing
to report
Recycling: Nothing
to report
Cyclepath: Footpath area to be looked at in September between Rothbury & Thropton.
Speed Cameras: To be discussed
at the next Crime & Disorder Forum
Street Lighting: Nothing to report.
Enhance Public Areas:
Nothing to report.
Heritage Amenity Project:
Nothing to report.
Information Signage:
Nothing to report.
The
following Accounts have been authorised
i]. D Metcalf - Accounts internal audit - £113.75
ii]. Northumberland & Newcastle Society - Membership - £15.00
iii]. ADC - Dog Bins - £146.99
iv]. Northumberland Estates - £30.00
v]. UCCTG - July Shopping Bus - £ 1 00.00
vi]. T W Alderson - £15.45
vii]. M Evens - £365.00
viii]. G Stephenson - £230.00. Coun. Edes said there is another person
aiding the gardeners, who may submit an invoice. Coun. Fendley asked if
they were being paid for from the budget, Coun. Edes replied the
gardeners are paid 8 hours per week for flower beds, and payment for
this person is for seat painting.
ix]. Playsafety Ltd - Addycombe play area inspection - £70.50
x]. AD Sandford - £10.00
xi]. Craig Scott - £290.00
Seats
and Trees
Coun.
Edes reported the gardeners are to submit a quotation for planting flowers
and work would come within their 8 hours. Coun. Edes in possession of an
advert for crocuses and could these be purchased, ifbuying 100 an
additional 50 are received free of charge - £16.00. This agreed, scouts
to plant in bed in tront of vets. Coun. Edes reported the broken seat had
been fixed and placed between the library door and next house. Coun.
Reynalds asked if permission was needed for placing on a pavement, Coun.
Morton replied the librarian has asked authorities if permission is
required. Coun. Fendley said if crocuses' are to be priced, could the
price of daffodils and tulips be sought also, as the southern part of the
river the PC were directly involved with would benefit from planting,
Coun. Edes to action.
Paths & Verges
Coun.
Morton said from the white house to Rothbury House there is overgrown moss
on the paths on both sides, which becomes slippy in wet weather. Clerk to
contact R Thompson, ADC.
Paths & Verges
Coun.
Morton said from the white house to Rothbury House there is overgrown moss
on the paths on both sides, which becomes slippy in wet weather. Clerk to
contact R Thompson, ADC.
Correspondence
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i]. E-Mails: R Thompson - Play Area - discussed earlier
ii]. I Cameron - Union Flag - Requesting a flag be flown at all times -
Coun. Bridgett happy to provide a Northumberland Flag. Coun. Dawson
repiied the PC do have a flag which has never been flown, and
previously,.due to the nature of the flagpole, a flag was stolen and never
traced.
iii]. S Rickett - Village Greens - to be discussed in private
iv]. ADC - Review of Parish Boundaries - for information
v]. NNPark - Local Development Strategy for information
vi]. NHS North of Tyne - move of premises - for information
vii]. Northumberland Strategic Partnership - for information
viii]. Post Office Network Change Programme - for information
ix]. The Boundary Committee - electoral review - Coun. Dawson said this
should have been actioned 3 years ago before the decision about ADCINCC -
and it could have serious implications for the new unitary authority, and
looking at the areas to be covered it is ludicrous - there is a cut off
point for comments 15/9/08. Coun. Sandford said would it be fair to
consider additional annual expenditure, Coun. Dawson replied this a
separate issue, the Boundary Commission only work on population. Coun.
Bridgett said the BC are only bothered about electoral numbers, with 3957
electors in the Rothbury area. Coun. Dawson thought it grossly unfair it
is only based on numbers. Coun. Fendley said the PC could express concern
and thought the number of councillors linked to this area should be
doubled, Coun. Dawson said it does not work that way, and there would be
no guarantee an extra councillor would be in the Rothbury ward. ADC are
stating the overall number should be 90, and this can be quoted to the BC.
Coun. Sandford recommended saying the PC is unsatisfied with the small
representation, and would suggest the number is increased to at least 90
which is being advocated by ADC, this agreed.
x]. NCC - Post Office Review - for information
xi]. Jubilee Institute - presentations - powerpoint equipment available to
hire for presentations.
xii]. Alnwick Continental Market - for information
xiii]. NCC - Area Committee Meeting - for information.
xiv]. Rospa - Addycombe play area inspection report - Coun. Gilson to look
at.
xv]. NCC - LTP - Coun. Dawson thought the War Memorial should be top
priority. Coun. Sandford said 2nd priority should be west end approach,
Bridge Street 3rd priority, and eastern approach 4th. It was agreed these
areas the most important requests, and affecting many person's.
Planning
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Addycombe Development: Coun.
Fendley reported repetitive problems on the site, and suggested an
informal meeting of the residents, planners and developers be arranged and
there is concern being expressed by residents. Coun. Bridgett said P Gee
ADC had also visited the site, and he should be invited to such a meeting.
Coun. Dawson suggested the developers be contacted and asked if they are
prepared to hold a meeting with the residents, as it is the developers
causing the problems, clerk to contact Mcinerney Homes.
Bridge Street:
Planning
Applications received for the following:
. A/2008/0376: Mr & Mrs I Gutherson, 1 Market Place - Bungalow -
supported
. A/2008/0377: P Rogers, 4x4 Centre - 4 Dwellings, Birch Hill, Hillside -
Coun. Sandford - unoccupied for quite considerable time, 4 dwellings
grossly overdeveloped - comments to be forwarded to ADC.
. A/2008/0384: Mrs D Reygate, Hillcote, Garleigh Road - sun room extension
Approval of Planning Application have been received
for the following:
. A/2008/0230: Ms D Mennim, Dalmatia, Garleigh Road - half storey
extension
Any
Other Business -
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i].Coun. Gilson had received comment the PC notice board seemed to
be 50% PC business and 50% private enterprise business, Coun. Dawson
replied any notice is attempted to be accommodated in the board, and there
are times it could give the impression of a private enterprise, ego
advertising guided walks, photography services, but if there is space in
the board and material is not offensive, it will be placed there.
ii]. Coun.
Murray has requested the new unitary councillor devise a report every
month - item to be added to agenda.
iii]. Coun.
Fendley had correspondence regarding free-range poultry farming in the
Thropton area
iv]. Coun. Dawson to
contact W Potts regarding clock chiming fault.
v]. Coun. Bridgett left contact detail forms for councillor's and
clerk to complete.
Date
of Next Meeting
Wednesday
17th
September 2008 commencing 7.15pm in the Jubilee Hall
The
meeting finished at 9.30pm.
Claire Miller Clerk
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