Minutes
of
the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council
held on
Wednesday 16th January 2008
The
meeting commenced at 7.15pm
these minutes
will be ratified at the February PC Meeting
The meeting commenced at
7.l5pm
Present:-
Coun. Reynalds, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton,
Fendley, Murray, and the Clerk
Apologies:-
Coun. Gilson, Sandford, District Coun. Bridgett, County Coun. Bolam
Over
the Bridges
Coun. Mrs. Dawson to compile report.
Minutes
of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed after minor amendments.
Crime
& Disorder Forum
Report available for circulation
Rural
Transport
Upper Coquetdale Group AGM to be held 18/02/08 where TINN's offer to take
over the minibus will be discussed. Since the PC's intervention it has
been suggested there may be people in the village willing to help
fundraising - the Upper Coquetdale Group seem to be interested in
remaining stand alone and not being run by TINN. John Lazarus looking at
possible funding sources and is to meet with Julia Crocker - Community
Action Northumberland 30/01/08 - if anyone wishes to assist they are
welcome to attend this meeting. Coun Murray thought John Lazarus is under
the impression the PC have formed a funding committee, Coun Reynalds also
thought this. Two members from the Scout group are also willing to be
involved with funding. Coun Murray reported John has suggested attending a
conference for 2008 Community Transport at Choppington 31/01/08. Coun
Reynalds to try to attend this
Play
Areas
Nothing
to report.
West
End Entrance
Coun Murray reported residents in Bedlington were surveyed and 70% were in
favour of tabletop calming measures.
Rothbury
Shoppers Group
Nothing to report, however the public bu late evening and Sunday service
have now been abolished.
NHS
Governor
Nursing
Home
Coun Morton had information of a local resident not wishing to be put into
nursing care outside Rothbury, and provided with person's visiting 4 times
daily in her home instead. Coun Murray wondered how accessible information
is concerning care in the home, Coun Morton replied there is an individual
Care Manager appointed for each patient. Coun Murray said when the
web-site is up and running this type of information would be useful to
display. Coun Edes thought it strange no new persons have been put onto
meals on wheels scheme for a year.
Ambulance
Service/Patient Transfer
Nothing to report.
ADC
Local Wide Plan
Coun Reynalds reported an e-mail received regarding changes to the local
structures in Northumberland, which covers the abolition of District
Council's and the replacement council being called 'Northumberland
Council'. The correspondence states all PC elections will be postponed
from 2011 to 2013. Coun Fendley said there is a meeting 31/01/08 where
some details of Characteristic Communities will be explained by various
people. A briefing from Community Action has been received - the official
deadline for comments being 30/11/07 but comments can still be made. The
'Belonging Community' is Coquetdale, 'Neighbourhood Community' is Rothbury
and the 'Characteristic Community' is the South East corner, and two rural
parts North & West called the 'Rural Borderline' and 'Rural
Hinterland'.
Village
Greens
Nothing to report.
Bridge
Closure
Nothing to report.
Christmas
Lights Committee
Spar
Shop
Coun Morton had heard
Otterburn Mill may be taking over the premises
Picnic
Area
Nothing to report.
Village
Shrubbery
Nothing to report.
Web
Site
Coun
Murray reported Coun Gilson liasing with Michael Hodgson who has been in
touch with Duncan Elson. Michael has developed a village forum and 3 sets
of minutes are on display, and he would like a meeting to discuss what the
PC want with regard to a web-site before he actually announces it to the
press/public. Coun Murray more than happy to help out. Coun Fendley
thought a meeting useful, Coun Murray to contact Michael about this, and
will liase with Coun Gilson.
Graffiti
Nothing to report.
Signage
Coun. Murray
still looking at various areas, but thought a sign indicating 'Addycombe
Cottages' is imperative - clerk to contact ADC.
Community
Action
Discussed earlier - meeting to be held 31/01/08.
Rothbury
Plan
Haugh Land: Still
awaiting N/Estates reply.
Parking: Nothing to report.
Hospital: E-mail
received regarding posts and chains on path - NCC stating they should not
have been put there, but are to look again at the area. Coun Murray
surprised they have been knocked over.
Youth Project: Coffee morning to be held
to raise funds, donations welcome.
Footpaths: Coun Edes reported a
request received to clean up Pilgrims Way. Coun Mrs Dawson said Dick
Thompson ADC maintains the area, although it does not come under the remit
of ADC. Letter from NCC received stating they have adopted the footpath by
the old graveyard - it was agreed this would also benefit from
maintenance/lighting improvements. Coun Morton reported bad dog fouling
problems at the Haugh Play Area - clerk to contact ADC dog warden.
Seats
& Trees
Coun Murray previously offered
trees for use and reported he has used these at Beggars rigg car park in
strategic spots so as not to spoil views. Coun Edes reported the fish shop
railings were repaired almost immediately after the PC had requested
attention to the area.
Cherry
Trees
Ian
Fletcher has given a verbal estimate for pruning the tree of £150.00 - the
PC will have to gain permission from ADC for works - Coun Edes to complete
application. Coun Edes reported ADC are asking for ideas for the memorial
bed, Coun Fendley said he may be able to come up with something. Coun Murray
suggested a simple bed in memorial to Amanda Boyce, Coun Reynalds also
thought it could be in memorial of Brian Hardy. Coun Edes asked a letter of
condolence be sent to Amanda Boyce's home address - Coun Reynalds to draft a
note. Coun Edes suggested a notice be put in 'Over the Bridges' advertising
for village help. Coun Edes and Fendley to devise a job description.
Paths
& Verges
Nothing to report.
Closed
Churchyards
Coun Reynalds reported the volunteer who tidied the area had asked for a
donation to Rothbury football club - the PCC have agreed a £50 donation, so
the PC do not need to take further action. Coun Edes has been assured by
Alistair Gaskell he will shortly action the areas.
Correspondence
- scroll down
E Mail
i].
NCC - concrete posts -
discussed earlier
ii].
D Francis - Characteristic
Belonging Communities - discussed earlier
iii]. D
Francis - LGR Implementation - discussed earlier.
iv]. Crime & Disorder Forum - Minutes 4/12/07 -
available for circulation
v].
Alnwick
Playhouse - Spring 2008 - for information
vi].
NCC
area committee minutes - antiskid material for roads discussed and changes
to Morpeth & Alnmouth railway stations, Coun Morton reported a new bus
link from Alnmouth railway station to Morpeth and along the coast to Berwick
vii]. NCC - Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 - modification order -
discussed earlier
viii]. Community Action Northumberland - newsletter
ix]. Funding Acknowledgement - Alnwick Playhouse/Music Festival
x]. North East War Memorial Project - newsletter - for
information
xi]. Clerks' & Councils' Direct - information included about
PC accounts
xii]. The Clerk - article on reviewing process of internal audit
xiii]. NCC - Archaeology in Northumberland - for information
xiv]. NHS - GP funding - discussed earlier
xv]. RAF - wishing to talk to community about low flying
aircraft
Planning
Planning Applications
received for the following:
A/2007/0687:
Mrs A. Bilclough, 4 Front Street - extension - supported, but with proviso
as the property is in a prominent position no further stages of development
should be permitted
AI2008/0005:
Listed Building Consent - structural repair/restoration - iron bridge
Cragside House - supported
Approval
of Planning Application have been received for the following:
A/2007/0619:
Mr K. Lee, 5 Walby Hill - tree works
A/2007/0561: Mr Abu Essa, 10 Railway Street,
Tyne & Wear - restaurant, Shiltons
A/2007/0518: N Hemming, The Copse - extension
A/2007/0585: R J Waugh, Sun Croft - extension
Addycombe
Development: Nothing to report.
Bridge Street: Nothing to
report
Any
Other Business
i]. Coun Reynalds again mentioned donated seats - Morpeth
Town Council charge £70 for 10 years maintenance per seat. Coun Edes &
Fendley to compile report on current state of seats.
ii]. Coun Edes reported children at Church House on
Christmas Eve to meet Father Christams with parcels given in the name of
Parish Councillor's, Coun Murray had helped beforehand but Coun Mrs Dawson
& Edes the only Councillor's there on the night. 120 parcels were put
together with 20 left - which were taken to the Cottage Hospital on
Christmas Day.
iii]. Coun Murray reported Go-North East now provide bus
tickets through text message.
iv]. Coun Murray reported Rothbury Motors Alnwick bus
service now goes to Swarland and Newton on the Moor
