Present
Coun. Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Gilson, Murray, Reynalds, Sandford and the Clerk

Apologies
Coun. Fendley

Public Participation

Over the Bridges report
Coun. Mrs Morton to compile. Coun. Mrs Dawson had received an e-mail from M Hodgson requesting the minutes are displayed on rothbury.com be printed on the report however the correct address is rothbury.co.uk.

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

Matters Arising from Previous Meeting

Crime and Disorder Forum
Next meeting 8/12/2008.

Rural Transport / Shopping Bus
Progressing with new drivers, currently arranging Midas training.

Play Areas
Nothing to report.

West End Entrance/Bridge Street
Coun. Bridgett reported an Alnwick area meeting next Tuesday where they will be prioritising LTP requests for the next Financial Year.

NHS Governor
Coun. Sandford mentioned the Northumbria Health Care Trust plan to have a major emergency care centre somewhere in the North East, with a decision on the site to be taken shortly - the scheme has been approved by the Government, with finance available, and members of the trust will be asked for their comments. The centre will be open 24/7 with the most up-to-date equipment, professional staff, and designed to cope with a major disaster, and there will be public consultation. Coun. Sandford had attended the health forum 22/10/08, with an item on community play service discussed - there is now an ADC Community Play Officer who looks after the welfare of 2 to 18 year olds on play, and the Youth Project are to speak to this officer. Coun. Sandford said the Journal had previously reported on long waiting lists for Mental Health appointments, however waiting time figures were provided at the meeting which have improved, and a representative is to attend further health forums.

Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford reported a confidential decision had been made regarding the provision of a nursing home.

Flooding/Dealing with Emergencies
Coun. Gilson had investigated the PC's responsibility for planning for emergencies, and reported the law was changed in 2004, and an emergency officer is now based at County Hall. Coun. Gilson had met with a number of experts and looked into action that can be taken to help emergency services in the event of an emergency. It was agreed a plan must be broad based to be completely general so all services can get on with their work.Coun. Bridgett reported ADC are to begin a review of its emergency planning and officers are putting together a plan for Rothbury, with the PC being asked for input into the plan. Coun. Gilson prepared to liase with ADC/NCC personnel. Coun. Sandford asked for an update on the Copletch land owner, Coun. Bridgett reported the Environment Agency have entered negotiations with another landowner at Townfoot and they have initially accepted the proposals, with contracts to be exchanged over the Christmas period. Coun. Bridgett said the option taken will ensure direct access. Coun. Murray queried when the pipe works are completed will it prevent further flooding, as he cannot see houses not being affected in the future, Coun. Sandford said the Environment Agency did say a couple of years ago it was very important Copletch was actioned. Coun. Bridgett to ask Environment Agency representative to next PC meeting.

Village Greens
Nothing to report.

Community Lights Committee
Quotation form submitted for electricity points - it will take up to 3 months for the work to be carried out. The Christmas present giving is going ahead as usual, with the tree to be positioned outside the National Park office. Coun. Bridgett thought lights should not be erected as they are extremely dangerous, with no public liability insurance if an incident were to occur. Coun. Sandford thought the PC could cover the public liability on their insurance, however Coun. Bridgett understood a certified electrician has to sign off the lights and they are not prepared to do this. Funding is available for stanchions which ADC are to meet the cost of. Coun. Sandford said any prompt publicity from the Lights Committee apologising for no Christmas lighting would be useful.

Website
Coun. Murray reported a letter concerning climate change by MP Alan Beith is displayed on the, site.

Signage
Coun. Morton reported a new sign at Elm Tree house being slightly garish. Coun. Mrs Dawson to look at it. Coun. Mrs Edes said the surgery sign is now positioned on the railings, which looks slightly improved. Coun. Bridgett had spoken to ADC about the surgery sign and the surgery could apply through ADC shop frontage scheme for signage. Coun. Gilson had also spoken to the Practice Manager about the sign. Coun. Murray originally raised the surgery sign as it did not require planning permission. Coun. Mrs Morton has seen other villages ruined by inappropriate signage.

NSP Partnership
Correspondence received from NALC, available for circulation.

Turks Head area gully
Coun. Gilson reiterated the drain is dangerous, an accident waiting to happen. Coun. Sandford asked if a satisfactory escape for water can be achievable if it is made less of a hazard. Coun. Bridgett said the PC could have added it to the L TP. Coun. Sandford said on the basis of one accident already occurring it should be looked at, Coun. Bridgett said the same could be said of Jacob's Ladder, and funding is scarce with NCC having to pay 15% towards costs of flooding repairs. Coun. Bridgett will ask NCC if there is any funding available for the gully improvements through their emergency fund. Coun. Gilson thought the problem had been exacerbated with tarmac being placed over old tarmac over the years.

Churchyard Wall
Clerk to contact Armstrong Estates, area not the responsibility of Northumberland Estates.

Quality Parish Council
Document received from David Francis, NALC - Coun. Sandford to look at.

Clock Chiming
Chiming still out of sync.

Rothbury Plan
Haugh Land: Coun. Sandford said Rothbury would benefit from land to develop for public and tourist use.
Parking:
Nothing to report
Hospital:
Nothing to report
Youth Project:
Coffee morning to be held.
Footpaths:
Nothing to report
Recycling:
Nothing to report
Cyclepath:
Coun. Edes reported Sustrans representative may be able to attend next PC meeting.
Speed Cameras:
Nothing to report
Street Lighting:
Coun. Bridgett to attend meeting with NCC next week.
Enhance Public Areas:
Nothing to report
Heritage Amenity Project:
Nothing to report
Information Signage:
Nothing to report

Coun. Morton reported her neighbour cutting the grass opposite the old hospital, as it had been uncut for a considerable I time by ADC. Coun. Mrs Edes said ADC have cut areas this week, and there were hold ups due to the floodingI problems. Coun. Bridgett understood these comments, and said it has to be ensured under the new authority from 1st Apri12009, that Rothbury being a larger area there is some kind of service agreement regarding areas of grass cutting, how many cuts per year etc. Coun. Sandford thought Rothbury have ADC local workers carrying out such jobs, Coun,. Bridgett said this may be different with the new authority. Coun. Mrs Edes said over the last few years the grass has not been cut to the standard of Alnwick.

The following Accounts have been authorised
i]. Request for funding - Grace House North East - Coun. Mrs Edes said public money is used for donations, and the PC should only donate to causes that affect the local population. Coun. Gilson said yes it is emotive, however it is not built yet, and it will be in Sunderland, although cover the whole of Northumberland, and did not agree with donating. Coun. Sandford proposed £50.00, Coun. Morton seconded - agreed.
ii]. G Stephenson - £405.00
iii]. M Evens - £90.00
iv]. Request for funding - Rothbury Traditional Music Festival - £200
v]. Upper Coquetdale Transport Group - £125.00 - £102 received in fees month to 6/11/08
vi]. T W Alderson - £33.00

NCC - Precept 2009/10
Coun. Reynalds reported the current inflation rate is 5%. Coun. Murray said to remember the increase will be coming from taxpayers and should be justified; if 3% will suffice this should be the increase. Coun. Mrs Edes thought the financial sub-committee should meet before the 5% confirmed. Coun. Sandford commented renting the Haugh Land can now be taken out of the budget and previously the precept was not raised for several years, but no large projects had required financing. Coun. Sa

Seats and Trees
Coun. Mrs Edes had received a telephone call requesting a donated seat from the League of Friends be placed in a location near to the hospital. The seats information Coun. Fendley was in possession of do not require maintenance, but would not be suitable on the village green. Coun. Sandford thought the League of Friends would wish to choose the seat. Coun. Murray said this area would be within the remit of Whitton & Tosson PC, Coun. Bridgett confirmed this. Invoice received from gardeners for seat repairs. Coun. Mrs Edes reported the gardeners had finished for this year, and if employed next year plants can be sown by them for the gardens, as they have used their own plants in the memorial beds. Coun. Sandford asked if they were to still increase their hourly rate - to be discussed at financial sub­committee meeting.

Paths & Verges
Nothing to report.

Unitary Councillor Report:
Coun. Bridgett attending a meeting tomorrow with the Executive Member of Corporate Services, and items to be discussed include the one stop shop for Rothbury, the Council Office, and Community/Parish Forum. Coun. Bridgett did forward e-mail's to councillor's for comments and stressed PC's collectively must take the lead, under the Belonging Community proposals, and if the parishes in the area do not come together, voices in rural areas will be drowned out. Coun. Bridgett said it is his job to convene the initial meeting, which is hoped to be in the first week in December. Coun. Sandford said there are big differences between Rothbury and smaller parishes, and by determination of population it will be difficult sitting down with other PC's. Coun. Sandford thought a member of the PC should be nominated to attend this meeting in early December. Coun. Gilson asked if what was feared at the beginning of continuing to remove the roots of democracy from Local Government would occur. Coun. Bridgett refuted this. Coun. Murray understood from long discussions with Coun. Bridgett it will be a forum, not a council, where PC's get together and look after the area, endeavouring to formulate ideas - PC's will still be making the decisions, ideas will be spread out to other PC's. Coun. Sandford said as no meetings have yet _een held, it is still an unknown quantity. Coun. Murray thought every PC councillor should be able to attend, Coun. Bridgett said this is the case but each PC will only have one voting representative. Coun. Edes asked who else will be on the forum, Coun. Bridgett said it will only be Parish Councillor's who can vote on how public money is spent and public services run. Coun. Mrs Dawson to be first representative. Coun. Gilson asked who the 4th political group is mentioned in the paperwork - Coun. Bridgett replied the Independents.

Correspondence
i]. Emails: R Thompson, ADC - Cherry Tree/Addycombe Wall- tree works to be carried out, demolition of wall to require further investigation as they are usually there for a reason
ii]. D Francis, NALC - Quality Parish Council - information
iii]. NALC - NSP Partnership Update - mentioned earlier
iv]. NALC - Banking Survey - available for inspection
v]. NCC - Road Bridge - strengthening works to be carried out F/Y 2010/11, requesting access permission from the PC.
vi]. D Metcalf - Pathway, hillside to Addycombe - regarding reduced path since fields have been fenced off
vii]. NCC - Precept 2009/1 0 - to be discussed at Finance Sub Committee meeting
viii]. Northumberland early years & childcare service - expressions of interest
ix]. ADC - Housing needs survey
x]. Community Council- AGM minutes 7/11/07
xi]. Business Club - hanging baskets - does PC wish to take responsibility for these? Coun. Bridgett can find out the fee charged by ADC for maintaining the baskets.
xii]. NCC - Northumberland Authority - to be circulated
xiii]. NCC - Alnwick Area Committee Minutes 22/9/08
xiv]. NHS North of Tyne - Strategic Plan
xv]. Communities & Local Government - Codes of Conduct
xvi]. Northumberland Estates - Churchyard walling
xvii]. National Trust - retaining wall- work to commence in Spring
xviii]. The Clerk magazine - available for circulation
xix]. Clerk & Council Direct - available for circulation
xx]. ADC - Parish Forum 27111/08 630pm - Coun. Murray hopes to attend.

Planning
            Addycombe Development: Coun. Mrs Dawson had spoken to McKinery Homes Construction Manager regarding a meeting, however they are only interested in a site meeting, and not keen on meeting with surrounding residents. Coun. Sandford felt this an excuse compared to the original discussion of emphatically organising a general public meeting. Coun. Gilson uncertain if anything can be done, if he is refusing to hold a meeting, they do not have a legal obligation to, and the PC will have to take a site meeting with him initially. Coun. Mrs Dawson said he had asked if councillor's can speak to residents and pass on their comments to him. Coun. Murray understood there had been a change in structure, and thought Coun. Dawson should be contacted and asked on his views, Coun. Mrs Dawson to contact Coun. Dawson.
               Bridge Street: White lining now in place opposite Post Office.

    Planning Applications received for the following:
   . A/2008/0530: Mr G Noble, Thrum Mill Farm - demolish stable block, erect building - Coun. Murray queried what would be stored in this
    Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:
   . A/2008/0443: Mr R O'Connor, Boots The Chemist - change of shop front colour
   . A/2008/0471: Mrs M Winter, 3 Tollgate Road - Conservatory
    Notice of Refusal of Planning Permission
   . A/2008/0376: Mr & Mrs I Gutherson, 1 Market Place - bungalow

Any Other Business
i]. Coun. Reynalds asked if anybody is to seek quotes for Deuchet Court and Closed Churchyard walling works ­Coun. Mrs Dawson to ask D Sutton for quotation to gain rough idea.

Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 10th December 2008 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hall.

The meeting finished at 9.50pm.
Claire Miller Clerk

Start of Meeting
Play Areas
Village Greens
Churchyard Wall
Accounts
Unitary Report
Planning
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