Present
Coun. Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Dawson, Fendley, Gilson, Murray, Reynalds, Sandford (part of meeting) and the Clerk
Coun. Bridgett - NCC

Apologies

Meeting with -

Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed after minor amendments

Matters Arising
Coun. Sandford reported on the following before leaving the meeting. Seat to hospital - base in, seat to be erected shortly. Meeting held with Whitton View developers, two persons' from McInerney Homes Head Office present, site visit carried out, and correspondence sent confirming points raised - fencing 14 Addycombe Close, dog bin, path outside Addycombe Cottages (Cheviot Housing), hedge cutting, drains and path to be destroyed - Coun. Bridgett had spoken with NCC Planning regarding the path and believed it incurred on ADC land without permission, awaiting further information. Coun. Murray reported a path at Addycombe currently being dug up and water pipe laid, which will avoid interruptions with water, area to be fully reinstated.
Coun. Sandford had spoken to NHS regarding out of hours phone line between 630pm to 8am, who thought the problem would be with the person ringing their GP number in error, however Coun. Murray confirmed it was the out of hours number contacted. Coun. Sandford said as this was the case the matter could be taken further. Coun. Sandford looked into the cost of hospital telephone charges, and they are run by a commercial organisation. Help the Aged had confirmed Vitalise, who had requested funding did help people from Northumberland.

Crime & Disorder Forum
Next meeting 21/9/09.

Rural Transport / Shopping Bus
Group now have lap top provided by NCC.

Play Areas
Annual report received from RoSPA. Coun. Gilson had had no further contact with the local youngster's, but had tried to get them to look after the area themselves, i.e., rubbish collection. The slide had been fixed by Newtown Engineering, however new proofing installed had been ripped off. Coun. Gilson commented the RoSPA report is not easily understood, but there was one medium to high risk point being the drain access cover missing, however is was thought the drain was outside of the gate, therefore NCC responsibility. Coun. Fendley asked how far vandalism should be subsidised. Coun. Morton said when the Mart estate is finished there was to be a sum set aside for the play area, this was £l0K and ear-marked for the riverside play area, and was also a condition of the Whitton View completion. It was agreed to keep the park in good condition within the budget of £250, and ask the village gardeners to maintain the area on a monthly basis.

NCC/LTP
Correspondence received from NCC regarding request for pedestrian crossing within Whitton View vicinity. Limited funding available, and initial inspection suggests the area inadequate for a crossing, and pedestrians could use the riverside path instead of crossing the road, however the suggestion could be placed into LTP. Coun. Dawson commented a crossing had been installed at Longhorsley which has worse sight lines and Rothbury should be entitled to improvements.

NHS Governor
Nothing to report.

Nursing Home
Nothing to report.

Flooding/Dealing with emergencies
Coun. Bridgett reported NCC Scrutiny Meeting with relevant agencies being held 7/9/09 7pm Middle School. NCC Flood Co-ordinator had spoken to communities, and is to attend flood warning meeting tomorrow night. Coun. Murray suggested notices be placed in the village advertising the 7/9/09 meeting. Coun. Dawson suggested NCC Leader & Chief Executive be contacted to say RPC are extremely unhappy about not being informed officially, asking if the meeting is to be publicised and clarification what is meant by a public meeting. Coun. Gilson suggested as Coun. Dawson has experience of working with councils he should draft the correspondence on behalf of RPC, agreed. Coun. Murray said a Mr Paul Hendy involved with flood alleviation would be beneficial to contact - Coun. Gilson replied he is more interested in talking to other's with the power to make useful suggestions. Coun. Morton thought the PC as a whole should look after residents and have input into what happens before flooding occurs. Coun. Gilson wished to see RPC being a link with local knowledge. Coun. Murray said persons affected with flooding were concerned about the proposed cycle path making future flooding worse. Coun. Morton mentioned funding available in other areas with no mention of Rothbury, Coun. Bridgett reported Morpeth improvements had been brought forward after the September flooding.

Village Greens
To be taken off agenda.

Community Lights Committee
Funding approved for electrical points. Stanchions could be supported financially by NCC.

Turks Head area gully
Nothing to report.

Churchyard Wall
Quotes to be requested for next meeting.

Quality Parish Council
Nothing to report.

Clock Chiming
Coun. Dawson had received further information from W Potts, an engineer had been in the area and could carry the work out for £880, work had been agreed and is in progress.

Hanging Baskets
Nothing to report.

Community Forums
Locality Co-ordinator NCC to organise meeting with collective parishes.

Lord Armstrong Bi-Centennial
National Trust to arrange a committee meeting. Coun. Bridgett had spoken to NCC Street Lighting Department who were to carry out a lighting survey in the village and funding may be available to possibly illuminate Armstrong Cross. Coun. Dawson hoped NCC would carry out survey within darkness, this confirmed.

Bus Service
Meeting held with NCC/Coun. Bridgett, the unit had not received any formal complaints about the unreliability of the service since February when new services began, and details are to be publicised of personnel to contact with complaints. Regarding removal of post bus service - funding is available to provide a link on a Monday with Upper Coquet parishes, TINN to be involved. A bus link to Alnwick could be viable through LTP.

History Project
Coun. Murray in touch with 3 organisations regarding eligibility for funding. Initially the project was to record historic events in Rothbury, however to meet requirement of funders Upper Coquetdale will need incorporated, agreed.

Planning - scroll down
       Planning sub-committee meeting held last night
       Planning Applications received for the following:
     . A/2009/0298: Mr Griffiths, Wake House - conservatory
     . A/2009/0308: Mrs A Brown, Ballachan, Hillside - extension
     . A/2009/0332: Mrs E Fisk, Cloud House Hillside - extension
     . A/2009/0268: A/2009/0334: Mr C Cockerline, McInemey Homes - pruning works, Land at 32 Whitton View.

    Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:
    . A/2009/0261: Mr & Mrs Staff, Stone lea - extension
    . A/2009/0227: Mrs J Ramsey, Coquet View, Back Mount Terrace - replace dwelling
    . A/2009/0220: Ms C Page, 7 Coquetdale Apartments - replace windows

    Notice of Appeal:
    . A/2009/0086: Mr & Mrs K Storey, Dove Crags, Hillside - extension

Addycombe Development:
Coun. Murray reported problems with groundwork's looked after within the estate, householders pay maintenance charges and area had been very untidy, however Cheviot Housing and developers are rectifying the problem.

Rothbury Plan - scroll down
Parking: Nothing to report.
Footpaths: Nothing to report.
Cyclepath: Coun. Dawson attended Whitton & Tosson meeting regarding proposed cycle path. Rothbury residents had been pres nt who felt they had not been informed of the path and RPC should have called meetings, W&T had asked why RPC did not inform them about the proposals. Coun. Dawson did say RPC had supported the project, though not unanimously, and it was not RPC criteria to contact other PC's, but up to NCC/Sustran's. W&T had requested RPC forward monthly PC agenda/minutes to themselves. An extraordinary meeting of W &T had been held, and they had produced a questionnaire forwarded to their constituents which was currently being collated. Coun. Murray said if there is still room for consultation on the path this was different to what NCC/Sustrans's had said when attending PC meeting.
Speed Cameras: Nothing to report.
Enhance Public Areas: Stepping stones still damaged - Environment Agency to be contacted. Coun. Murray had asked NCC to review emptying of recycling bins as there are overflowing problems. Riverside wall and toilet block have graffiti once more, and seat at play park next to wall is totally destroyed. Vandalism had occurred at Beggar Rigg with 8 trees destroyed, a resident had approached campers and suffered abuse, and had contacted the police, who said they will visit the area regularly - clerk to forward correspondence to police confirming their help in future policing. Grass cutter funding offer had been received from NCC, however no further progress, Coun Murray prepared to purchase mower and hope funding is reimbursed from NCC - £399 including V AT from Newtown Engineering. It was agreed to purchase mower and PC would fund if money not received from NCC. Comments received regarding shabby appearance of railings at War Memorial. Coun. Dawson reported further vehicular damage to the railings. Coun. Edes thought the posts at the west end near the fish shop require painting which gardeners could carry out, agreed. A bollard had been damaged at riverside. Coun. Gilson reported the two large skate park containers at Haugh are blocking coach parking.