Present
Coun. Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Fendley, Gilson, Murray, Reynalds, Sandford and the Clerk
Coun. Bridgett - NCC

Apologies

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

Matters Arising from Previous Meeting

Crime and Disorder Forum
Nothing to report.

Rural Transport / Shopping Bus
Coun. Murray to resign his chairmanship December 2009, position could be advertised in PC notice board and local press. Fastenings for wheelchairs received.

Play Areas
Coun. Gilson attended NCC funding meeting for play areas - cut off date this Friday for Statement of Intent submission. £1.1 million set aside for 2010/11 to fund development within 25 play areas in the county. Options are constrained by Play England, with new areas not to be the 'usual,' but as natural as possible adventure areas, suitable for 8-13 year olds who will be able to take 'risks' and learn for themselves. Coun. Gilson had identified Haugh and proposed play area as part of Whitton View estate as possible sites - Armstrong Estates prepared to sell PC land, however expensive. N/Estates would re-consider lease for Haugh, also looked at two privately owned pieces of land, but problems in all areas mentioned. Full application submission required by Friday 8/1/10, then further short listing, with final proposals February/March. NCC would prefer walls and natural barriers as opposed to fencing, however dog mess a concern of open plan. Green spaces away from built up areas would be preferential. It was agreed to initially declare Statement of Intent - Coun. Gilson to action.

NCC/LTP
Maps provided with problematic areas marked, with centre of Rothbury indicating planned maintenance.

NHS Governor Matters
Northumbria Health Care Trust annual check had received an excellent rating with Wansbeck stroke unit number two in UK. Correspondence received regarding proposed emergency care centre, proposals accepted.

Nursing Home
Planning application submitted. Coun. Fendley thought residential home a more appropriate agenda heading.

Flooding/Dealing with Emergencies
Flood warning group is in being and to next meet 25/11/09. Public meeting held 10/11/09, EA, NCC, Natural England present, however nothing in physical terms to demonstrate any action, and there seems to be no sense of urgency. Coun. Bridgett reported Rothbury as far as EA and Natural England are concerned was not seen as a priority until the July 2009 flooding scare. There are temporary pallets being delivered that can hold water back at Armstrong Cottages area, and a barrier system is to be installed at riverside entrance. In the medium term, NCC are to bid to DeFRA, and individual householders can bid for up to £5K funding. Drains at Whitton View a cause for concern, with developer waiting until road adopted before reinstatement works. Coun. Murray concerned Stepping Stones area full of rubbish, however the power sub-station at riverside has been heightened, and flood bank reinstated. Next official flood meeting in 6 months ­however Coun. Bridgett had proposed a riverside walk with all organisations and residents before Christmas.

Community Lights Committee
Lights purchased for five trees, with a low key switch on 6/12/09, Coun. Mrs Dawson to resign as secretary. Further donations have been received - £IK RES wind farm company, £IK Alnwick Lions, and stanchion funding received. Written consent required from PC to NEDL for permission for stanchion work - Coun. Bridgett to pass details to clerk. Late night shopping scheduled for 8/12/09.

Turks Head area gully
Coun. Bridgett reported works in programme for the following: resurfacing Knocklaw, Turks Head Gully, potholes opposite CO-OP, Church Street paving stones, resurfacing near Jubilee Hall, drains near Rothbury House, potholes at Gravelley Bank, Industrial Estate and Silverton Terrace; drains in Bridge Street, a possible cycle stand to be installed within village, and resurfacing works at Garleigh Road. Signage for Blue House would require permission of the landowners. Siting of road crossing near War Memorial would be problematic due to lack of footpath on North side, however a survey is to be carried out by NCC and a bid formulated.

Churchyard Wall
One quote received, Coun. Mrs Dawson to visit site with second contractor.

Quality Parish Council
Coun. Sandford reiterated he is not in a position to devise a newsletter on a regular basis for Bridges magazine to distribute. Bridges Editor had recently contacted Coun. Fendley on including a regular PC article. Coun .Murray understood the 'newsletter' only has to be displayed publicly; however the distribution does have to be wider than notice boards, and has to meet criteria for QP Council. It was thought local press may be prepared to include newsletter.

Community Forums
Next Parish Cluster meeting 1/12/09 Thropton Village Hall. Leader and Chief Executive NCC to attend, along with Peter Brewis NCC Bridge Engineering Team who will be discussing bridge refurbishment.

Lord Armstrong Bi-Centennial
Meeting to be held 18/11/09

History Project
Coun. Murray not making any progress regarding funding etc, to be taken off agenda

War Memorial
Coun. Fendley to attend War Memorial meeting 2/12/09, Newcastle University. Railings still unrepaired at village memorial.

Dealing with Correspondence
Coun. Murray forwarded NALC questionnaire, which may need further information if position changed regarding dealing with correspondence between meetings

Bridge Repairs
Nothing to report.

Planning
    Planning Applications have been received for the following:
   . A/2009/0457:Mr R Edes, Haw Hill Cottage - retrospective consent for sun deck - initial permission not required, however due to regulation change now required - supported
   . A/2009/0389:Mrs M Hedley, Thrum Mill - Internal tanking to basement & drainage - further information should be sought regarding flood prevention issues - sub-committee to look at

    Notice of Approval of Planning Permission:
   . 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

Addycombe Development:
Path still a mess - requiring reinstatement and with temporary fencing in area, however the land belongs to NCC and the developer did not seek permission - NCC have issued a certificate to developer which requires signing before further work can be carried out. Northumberland Estates have retained a piece of land which in the future could be used for further dwellings.

Bridge Street Proposal:
Nothing to report.

Rothbury Plan
Parking:
Nothing to report
Street Lighting:
Lights on Jubilee Hall, hillside nick and near Queen's Head repaired.
Footpaths:
Nothing to report
Cyclepath:
Agreement reached with Coun. Morton's land - part of paddock to be purchased
Speed Cameras:
Nothing to report
Signage:
Nothing to report
Enhance Public Areas:
Replacement concrete posts required at riverside, one post has no concrete at bottom - Craig Scott had carried out previous work, however Coun. Gilson thought it could require expert help and he would seek quotations

The following Accounts have been authorised
i]. M Evens - two months gardening - £457.50.
ii]. G Stephenson - two months gardening - £695.00
iii]. UCCT October Bus - £125 - two months fares £165
iv]. H Edes - Bulbs - £24
v]. Royal British Legion - wreath - £16.50
vi]. Acknowledgement of Donation - Age Concern/North East Trust for Aphasia
vii]. NCC - £300 received for purchase of lawn mower

agreed to print additional information of what accounts are for, i.e. Gardening services, and bus fares to be printed - however clerk no longer receives bus fares, will have to be added after meeting

Seats and Trees
E-mail received offering tree donation - Coun. Edes not sure where it would go, but would liase with donee. Request received from Environment Agency for Leylandi removal at riverside for flooding survey works - ADC had planted these to screen dwellings from play area - agreed.

Paths & Verges
            . Bulbs planted at Stephenson Terrace, thank you letter to be sent.
            . National Parks have planted wild flower patch.
            . War Memorial cleaning carried out.
            . A car accident at Wellstrand had knocked over some plants which the
              gardeners have attended to - car owner to pay for plants.
            . Railing works opposite hospital being actioned by gardeners.
            . Steps at War Memorial in dangerous position due to fallen leaves.
            . Bulb donation received for Beggar's Rigg from Audrey & Colin Shell of Addycombe

Unitary Councillor Report:
            . Group to bid for funding for broadband improvements.
            . Officer's Group to meet on monthly basis (not public meetings) with various
               representatives to discuss local issues and PC's able to request priorities. Coun.
               Morton to attend as a member of the public.
            . Road closure at Knocklaw Bank, 16-20 November, closed from New Moor
              crossroads, and B6344 junction.
            . Approval granted for interactive speed signs.
            . Addycombe residents have given thanks for leaf clearance on school bank and path
               through wood.
            . First School Head teacher raised issue of there no longer being a cannon salute on
               Armistice Day - Coun. Fendley said British Legion had discussed the matter, but
              had found difficulties organising it with clock chimes/silence.
            . Jacob's Ladder leaf clearance and tree cutting carried out.
            . Stepping Stones - Coun. Morton wished to see refurbished - this will happen,
              however there is a delay due to Natural England.

Correspondence
            . Coquetdale Parish Cluster - minutes
            . Community Action Northumberland News - available for circulation
            . NALC - Annual Report/AGM Minutes 2009 - for information
            . S. Foggon, Football Club - referring to casual place to play football mentioned at
               last PC meeting printed in Gazette ­Coun. Gilson volunteered to reply to e-mail
               and to state PC have always supported current 5-a side pitch
            . G Marshall - tree donation - discussed earlier
            . NSP - Revising for Sustainable Community Strategy - for information
            . People & Places - bulletin - for information
            . Community Action - AGM minutes 5/11/08 - for information
            . NCC Community News - for information
            . Jubilee Institute - trustee and user group meeting - for information
            . N.N. Parks - Review of NP Statement of Community Involvement - for information
            . Request for dog bin - end of industrial estate - PC had previously discussed this
               and thought not viable as it is private land and there is a bin at the other end -
               dog warden is to attend monthly NCC officers meeting and they can be asked to
               patrol this area
            . Northumbria Police - young driver road safety initiative to be held tonight
            . UCCT - questionnaire - NCC - PC only sponsor bus and cannot complete form
               which is extremely intrusive, only the shopping bus users could fill them in
               individually
            . NHS North of Tyne - improving hospital services - discussed earlier

Any Other Urgent Business/Items for Next Agenda
            . Simon Caple Round Table requesting meeting involving PC, police and RT to discuss street fair parking problems ­monthly officer group could discuss this
            . Beggars Rigg chicane plans had been rejected - Executive Member NCC had decided against proposal, 13 public votes against and 12 in favour had been received - Coun. Fendley thought the nature of the consultation worrying, and the manner it was conducted and presented to PC unacceptable, appears to be a large shift in policy, and PC should have been informed of changes. Coun. Reynalds thought matter had been treated as a secret referendum. Coun. Bridget said NCC policy has always been 70% approval required for all proposals and they cannot change the policy and thought the matter would not even be discussed if chicane had been authorised - Coun. Fendley wished Coun. Bridget to withdraw this comment, rejected. Coun. Murray commented PC had initiated scheme and surely NCC realised they would be in favour of it, and individual councillor's could have commented as members of the public

Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of Rothbury Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 9th December 2009 in the Jubilee Hall, commencing 715pm.

The meeting finished at 10.0pm.
Claire Miller Clerk
Rothbury Parish Council

Start of Meeting
NCC/LTP
Turks Head Area Gully
Correspondence Issues
Accounts
Correspondence
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