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

Apologies
Coun. Dawson, Mrs Morton Coun. Bridgett ADC/NCC

Public Participation

Over the Bridges report
Coun. Mrs Dawson to compile

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

Matters Arising from Previous Meeting

Flooding
Coun. Sandford had been approached regarding the Copletch landowner not being happy with the culvert works and it was suggested they would be claiming compensation. Coun. Fendley understood the works covered a minimal part of the owners land. Coun. Sandford suggested an e-mail be sent to Coun. Bridgett enquiring whether he has taken action, as had stated he would at the last PC meeting. Coun. Gilson asked for flooding to be added to the agenda. Coun. Murray understood utility companies could access anybody's land without requiring permission.

Hillside Tree Felling
Coun. Sandford had spoken to ADC Tree Preservation Officer regarding Hillside tree felling, they were aware of the situation and as it is not in a conservation area, works are permitted. Coun. Sandford explained there were resident concerns.

Crime and Disorder Forum
Nothing to report.

Rural Transport / Shopping Bus
Coun. Murray thanked the PC on behalf of UCCT for the generous donation towards training and installing a lift on the bus, and reported the group have advertised for further volunteer drivers. The lift being looked at is £3378 delivered, but not fitted. Coun. Murray had attended an open day in Durham and realised issues such as sleeping policeman need to be taken into consideration, therefore a suspension raising kit will also be required, along with a reversing camera, proximity sensor, fitting of the lift, and seat restraining measures required for wheelchairs. Coun. Morton had progressed funding from other sources. Coun. Fendley said the RAF A bus has been equipped with all these constraints and could be looked at. Coun. Gilson said if there is any reason to connect wheelchair users with the Armed Forces, organisations such as the British Legion can be contacted who may be able to help with funding. Coun. Murray reported a total of 387 passengers, £354 expended on fuel, with revenue of £ 1090 and 2018 miles covered since the group took over the running of the bus on 6th June.

Play Areas
Coun. Gilson had looked at the Rospa report, arid basically there are no major problems.

West End Entrance/Bridge Street - scroll down
Reply received from NCC regarding priorities to be placed on 2008/09 plan. Coun. Sandford reported contacting NCC regarding a drain at the bottom of Hillside East being totally silted up - Richard Stow NCC had said the whole drain required digging out and replacing, and had been trying to get the piece of road actioned along with the drain. Coun.  Sandford had rung Jim Long NCC regarding white lining opposite the Post Office, and Jim had expressed surprise the works had not yet been carried out, Coun. Sandford had also spoken to Alan Bawn NCC regarding Moor House crossroads as he is conscious there is almost no lighting there at all and had requested a survey be carried out.

NHS Governor
Coun. Sandford had met with representatives regarding daytime respite care. The main person present had been Barbara Scott who is Head of nursing for the Healthcare Trust, and had said it would be something she would like to do, and will report back within 6 weeks.

Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford had attended the meeting, but the outcome will not be known until the end of the year.

ADC Local Wide Plan
To be taken off agenda.

Village Greens
Stephen Rickett had sent an e-mail stating he has not yet been contacted by the PC.

Community Lights Committee
Quotation form to be submitted for point works.

Website
Coun. Murray reported comments received regarding parking and the new Unitary Authority logo changing - Coun. Mrs Dawson hoped common sense would prevail and changes not made. Thanks had been received from flooding victims via the website.

Signage
Coun. Fendley reported himself and Coun. Dawson had met with an ADC senior representative prepared to authorise funding towards this project - the proposal being the existing PC notice board be replaced and designed to take on board the type of visual plan and highlights linked to the village trail. The actual siting of the board would be in the region of church house looking towards High Street. The Haugh car park sign would not be changed, but the content and design altered to be more user friendly. The PC would be asked to support the scheme up to £500. Coun. Edes asked if the PC board would be totally different, Coun. Mrs Dawson said it would be incorporated into the Town Trail map, Coun. Edes asked if the present PC board could be recycled, however Coun. Fendley & Sandford thought it had always been a dangerous structure. Coun. Sandford proposed the PC financially support the scheme, this seconded.

NSP Partnership
Nothing to report.

Turks Head area gully
Coun. Gilson thought there must be a competent engineer somewhere who can rectify the problems. Coun. Mrs Edes asked if a bollard could be placed in front, however Coun. Sandford said there are enough bollards in the area already.

Churchyard Wall
Coun. Bridgett had left note to say the area had been inspected and also the wall adjacent to Deuchet Court by an NCC engineer. A number of defects were exhibited but there does not appear to be any imminent danger, however re-pointing and packing of voids should be carried out, and the areas monitored. Legal advice should be sought regarding the lack of handrail on the churchyard wall. Coun. Reynalds thought Northumberland Estates maintain that part of the area. Coun. Murray said Michael Hodgson had mentioned previously about railings being available, and will contact him about this. Coun. Sandford said hefty costs are being suggested and would be happy if the PC made their own assessments, Coun. Gilson asked who is a trained structural engineer in the PC? and Eric Jensen had firstly looked at the area and expressed concern. Coun. Gilson suggested purchasing wooden railings and erecting them ourselves, Coun. Mrs Dawson asked if a wooden fence would be in keeping for a conservation area. Coun. Reynalds advised works would have to go through the PCC for permission. Coun. Murray suggested co stings be sought. Coun. Reynalds said a further engineer should inspect Deuchet Court for a second opinion. Coun. Gilson said is appears the PC have the responsibility for the work but do not have the authority to carry out the works, and why is this. Coun. Reynalds replied the PCC has responsibility for closed churchyards only in terms of planning. Coun. Mrs Edes said is a railing absolutely necessary, Coun. Mrs Dawson replied it is in these times due to Health & Safety issues. Coun. Fendley suggested Newtown Engineering be asked for a quote initially for the railing. Coun. Reynalds thought Northumberland Estates could be informed about the railing issue. Coun. Gilson said a stone mason could cost Deuchet Court works. Coun. Fendley did know of somebody who could be asked. Coun. Murray suggested enquiries be sought for grants.

Quality Parish Council
Coun. Sandford had rung David Francis NALC, and to qualify in terms of councillor's being properly elected, if more than a third are co-opted the PC would not qualify. Coun. Sandford thought there were 3 members co-opted. Coun. Mrs Dawson asked if it would be of any benefit, Coun. Murray thought it was worth looking into, Coun. Gilson asked how it would make the PC function better, Coun. Fendley thought to have this kite mark would not do any harm. Coun. Edes said it would certainly not disadvantage the PC.

Rothbury Plan
Haugh Land: To be discussed in private.
Parking: Coun. Gilson did hear Coun. Bridgett talking about setting up a steering group, Coun. Mrs Dawson said Dick Fraser was keen, however Coun. Bridgett was to firstly carry out another survey. Coun. Gilson asked why old ground was being covered again - the subject is on the PC minutes about a steering group, and either the PC have a group or ADC do, Coun. Sandford said the last group was initiated 3 years ago, and little or nothing had been learnt from them.
Hospital: Nothing to report
Youth Project: Coffee morning to be held 15th November, donations gratefully received. Coun. Gilson asked if the event was to raise funds, Coun. Mrs Dawson confirmed this.
Footpaths: Nothing to report
Recycling: Nothing to report
Cycle Path: Coun. Edes awaiting further information.
Speed Cameras: Survey carried out by hand held device, and it was thought all vehicles recorded were speeding.
Street Lighting: Coun. Fendley said with the combination of flooding and no lighting at Armstrong Cottages, when turning left at the new development it is now a black chasm until Rothbury garage. Coun. Reynalds said it is very dark, and there are now more pedestrians using the area. Coun. Murray said lighting on the High Street are not equal distances apart, and when shop lights are not on there are dark areas - previously reported to NCC on several occasions with no acknowledgements received. Clerk to contact Steven Bridgett for advice, and write again to NCC Lighting Department.
Enhance Public Areas: Nothing to report
Heritage Amenity project: Nothing to report
Information Signage: Nothing to report

The following Accounts have been authorised
i]. Royal British Legion - £20 agreed
ii]. Grace House North East - hospice being built in Sunderland for terminally ill children - request for donation Coun. Gilson thought it should be left until next month's agenda, and the matter discussed further.
iii]. BDO - Audit of Accounts 2007/08 - £158.63
vi]. Age Concern - request for donation - £75 agreed
v]. Smith of Derby - All Saints Church Clock - service - £189.18 - Coun. Gilson asked why the PC are responsible for this, Coun. Reynalds said it was put in at the request of the Civic Authority, Coun. Fendley confirmed this. Coun. Murray said it is 15 minutes out with the chiming. Cheque to be withheld until Coun. Mrs Dawson contacts Coun. Dawson regarding quarters.
vi]. Rothbury Shoppers - September bus - £100
vii]. T W Alderson - £13.00
viii]. M Evens - £315.00
ix]. G Stephenson - £205.00
x]. H Edes - £126.26 - bulbs purchased
Income Received
i]. ADC - Precept £6351.00

Seats and Trees
Coun. Edes reported the seat outside the CO-OP and slipped flagstones had been rectified, however there is another donated seat in that area that has fallen apart and it was thought it had been vandalised. Coun. Sandford said could it not be claimed on insurance. Coun. Mrs Edes reported the plaque had been removed by the seat donees, and should the seat be replaced by the PC. Coun. Gilson thought it should be reported to the police and a crime number received, and insurance company contacted, and if no money received from insurance, the seat should not be replaced. Coun. Fendley said money is being squandered on seats, and plastic seats had been discussed for future purchases. Coun. Mrs Edes reported seats had been varnished by the gardeners, and read a report out by Mike Evel1s, which also covered grass cutting. Coun. Sandford said the flood damaged seat at the riverside could also be claimed by insurance. Coun. Edes reported ADC had replaced the memorial beds, and had noticed a cherry tree with a hole requiring felling which they said ADC could carry out. Coun. Edes said Ian Fletcher will have to be contacted to say it does not now need pruned, then ADC can fell it and hopefully complete the paperwork. Clerk to contact R Thompson ADC, however Coun. Fendley thought the stump should also be removed.

Paths & Verges
Coun. Murray had been contacted by an Addycombe Close resident regarding a path near a wall and flight of steps ­with no lights on the step it is dangerous and he had been asked if ADC can remove the wall so there is light at night on the steps, however the wall has been there since the estate was built. Coun. Edes said the west side bank side opposite the old hospital has been washed away by the rain, and Mike Evens could carry out remedial work. Coun. Murray thought Tony Derbyshire NCC could help. Coun. Edes said the PC had carried out work there before, Coun. Sandford said if it needed attention again it must be a permanent problem, however Coun. Edes said diversion work can be carried out. It was agreed to ask Mike Evens to carry out works. Coun. Edes requested a letter of thanks be sent to the cubs for bulb planting.

Unitary Councillor Report:
Coun. Bridgett not present.

Correspondence
i]. M Hodgson - Blaeberry Hill proposals - Coun. Murray said there appeared to be conflict over what had been agreed or not agreed.
ii]. NCC - LTP - discussed earlier
iii]. Standards Board - Newsletter
iv]. Communities & Local Government - byelaws
v]. ADC - Amendments to permitted development rights for householders
vi]. NALC - Minutes AGM 27/10/07 Annual Report
vii]. BBLSP - Cross-Border Community Energy Conference
viii]. Chairman ADC - Winter Charity Ball 5/12/08
ix]. Boundary Committee - Unitary electoral review
x]. IBO - Audit of Accounts 2007/08 - no issues raised
xi]. ADC - Policy Scrutiny & Overview Committee - Alnwick Area Health Forum
xii]. Hospice Care North Northumberland - Newsletter
xiii]. NCC - Precept
xiv]. Business Club - Hanging baskets

Planning - scroll down
            Addycombe Development: Coun. Mrs Dawson had been in contact with McInerey Homes and a meeting will hopefully be held.
                               Bridge Street: 

    Planning Applications received for the following:
. A/2008/0471: Mrs M Winter, 3 Tollgate Road - Conservatory
. A/2008/0377: Mr P Rogers, Northern 4x4 - Birch Hill, Hillside - 4 dwellings - Coun. Sandford to contact ADC Development Control for clarification as this plan previously submitted and it does not state it is a re­submission.
    Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:
. A/2008/0420: Mrs N Rutherford, 6 Hurley Knowles - conservatory
. A/2008/0435: Boots the Chemist - Signage
    Appeal to Planning Inspectorate
. A/2008/0023: Mr V Thompson, Sale & Partners, Wooler - 4 dwellings Blaeberry Hill

Any Other Business
i]. Coun. Mrs Edes reported PC representation at Thomlinsons' Trust, money to be donated to students in the area. . Coun. Mrs Edes had attended the opening of the fitness centre with over 100 members.
ii]. Coun. Mrs Edes attended nurse Gillian Thompson's retirement party at the hospital.
iii]. Coun. Mrs Edes attended Jubilee Hall User's meeting, event to be held displaying photographs.
iv]. Coun. Reynalds reported slide show 21/11/08 for past pictures of Rothbury.
v]. Coun. Gilson requested dealing with emergencies be added to the next agenda.

Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 12th November 2008 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hall.

The meeting finished at 9.15pm.
Claire Miller Clerk

Start of Meeting
Hillside Tree Felling
NHS Governor
NSP Partnership
Quality PC's
Seats and Trees
Unitary Report
A.O.B.
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