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Minutes
of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council
held on
Wednesday 12th September 2007
The
meeting commenced at 7.15pm
these
minutes will be ratified at the October PC Meeting
Present
Coun. Reynalds, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Dawson, Gilson, Murray, Sandford , and the Clerk
Apologies
Coun. Fendley, Coun. Sue
Bolam
Member
of the Public Present
Alistair Costley present.
Minutes
of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the
previous meeting were
agreed after minor amendments
Crime
& Disorder Forum
Meeting held 4/09/2007, next meeting to be 4/12/2007. Coun.
Dawson reported the usual items were discussed and crime figures are
falling in Rothbury. A temporary speed camera was installed and
subsequently speeding tickets issued. Coun. Gilson reported a traffic
warden in the area, and he himself noticed a large wagon travelling at
speed through the village. The Police Station is definitely to be
relocated. Coun. Edes reported traffic count carried out by NCC which
registered the number, weight and speed of vehicles - it was agreed to
ask NCC for any results of this available.
Rural
Transport Initiative Sub-Committee
Coun. Murray reported ARRIVA are terminating their bus services for
Rothbury on 22/09/2007, Northumbria Coaches have stepped in and will be
running some extra services, but late buses on a Friday & Saturday
night will cease, and no buses at all will be running on a Sunday. Coun.
Sandford thought this strange news as within the last month the press
had reported additional services to be run. Coun. Murray had received
correspondence from ARRIVA confirming the termination of the services,
however Coun. Sue Bolam is aware of the fact and looking at ways of
gaining extra funding, and NCC are to approach ADC for available funds.
Coun. Gilson assumes decisions have been made on a commercial basis, and
are there facts and figures available as to how many persons use the
Sunday service. Coun. Murray replied rural services are usually
underused, and figures are available from the bus companies ticket
machines. Coun. Gilson wondered whether great time should be spent on
this subject when nothing economical can be done. Coun. Dawson said the
way it has been handled is discourteous, surely common sense says if
there has been a funding problem, the bus company and NCC should inform
the areas affected. Coun. Sandford said it is even more difficult to
accept the decision after new bus routes were promised. Coun. Murray
thought ARRIVA would suddenly have contacted NCC about funding problems.
Northumbria Coaches have recently been taken over by Go-North East,
although Northumbria Coaches are to be left to run their side - GNE are
not to put their own management team in. Coun. Murray commented when bus
services first went private, the organisation who took over North of the
Tyne tried different ideas, and put the effort in, and this should be
being done now by the present companies. Coun. Dawson said NCC are
supposed to be working in partnership with ADC and PC's, and how they
operate is a matter for the operators, but he is unaware of any
correspondence received from NCC - if this is happening now, going to
one unitary authority will it be any better? Coun. Sandford suggested a
resolution, Coun. Reynalds expressed serious concern over cuts to local
services, particularly when the local plan encourages people to use
public transport - comments to be forwarded to NCC. Coun. Reynalds
reported ARRIVA are dropping their teen card, though Go-North East are
introducing a similar scheme.
Play
Areas
Coun. Gilson had looked at the Addycombe Rospa report and visited the
play area - there is one medium risk observation which has been noted on
the T swing with the cradle and junior seat - an obstacle in the free
space/fall area at seat and fencing - Coun. Gilson not quite sure what
this means. The head injury criteria requirements of climb-n-slide are
medium risk, but not explained in detail. There is also a problem with
the gate latch being ripped off. Coun. Sandford said the plan was given
to Rospa before the new equipment was installed with no comment given
from them then. Coun. Gilson had spoken to nine children at the park,
comments were to give their roundabout back. Coun. Gilson also looked at
the Riverside play area - two gates were missing and both baby swing
cradles bars are broken. It was agreed to contact ADC on this and also
remind them about the reinstatement works required to the old area. Coun.
Murray said the catch at Addycombe play area has been put on by various
parents, but the children are throwing it shut to smash it off. Clerk to
give Coun. Gilson details of Climb-n-slide for advice on the latch.
West
End Entrance/Bridge Street
Nothing to report.
Rothbury
Shoppers Group
Invoice for August £146.25 - fares received £145.00.
War
Memorial
Coun. Dawson in receipt of the final account for the work, insurance
cheque to be forwarded to them, although now out of date. Re-dedication
of the memorial to be carried out 30/09/07 @ 2.30pm, with parade from
Providence Lane. Coun. Gilson wondered if current military could attend,
however the Cadets are sending three attachments. for re-dedication of the memorial..
Nursing
Home
Coun. Sandford & Dawson had visited Wentworth Grange,
Riding Mill and spoken to the staff who had been asked by the owner what
they thought improvements to the present establishment were required.
Coun. Sandford & Dawson most impressed with the nursing home and
staff, being very well run with pleasant atmosphere. The owner had met
with the NHS trust, and are now trying to arrange a meeting in Rothbury
with the Trust to look at the whole site and they could go back to the
original scheme and share certain facilities with the hospital.
Ambulance
Service/Patient Transfer
Nothing to report.
ADC
Local Wide Plan
Amendments received - Coun. Reynalds thought none important to this
community. Coun. Sandford still not clear with the LWP concerning
certain areas dedicated to housing development, and how in simple terms
will it work. Coun. Dawson understood there is an allocated amount of
housing to be built throughout the district, 40% in Alnwick, 40% in
Amble, 10% Rothbury & 10% for other communities, ADC will state
sites identified and what will be built on the site, styles, materials
etc, affordable percentage, and if contractor's do not agree with the
criteria other developers can step in.
Village
Greens
Nothing to report.
Bridge
Closure
Nothing to report.
Christmas
Lights Committee
Meeting to be held within the next month..
Spar
Shop
Coun. Reynalds had heard the covenant was not to be permitted. Coun.
Sandford thought Alan Beith was concerned about the closure and getting
involved. Coun. Gilson stated his disappointment the old Shilton's
building planning application being withdrawn, and the centre of the
village is starting to look run down and the longer delays go on the
worse these buildings will become. Coun. Dawson said similar problems
occurred in Bridge Street previously with empty properties. Coun.
Sandford commented they are all private concerns, and it is finding
business persons willing to pay the rent which becomes a problem.
Picnic
Area
Coun. Murray reported T. Derbyshire has the picnic table request in hand
and the entrance sign has been removed, graffiti is still there, however
ADC have said they will remove this, although it is not within their
duties.
Village
Shrubbery
Area attended to being the tree at bridge end
Web
Site
Nothing to report
Ten
Year Plan scroll
down
- Date of review suggested as
Wednesday 19/09/2007 - 6.30pm - also Finance Sub-Committee
Haugh Land:
Coun. Gilson reported the area is 12.012 acres, and the
rental amount the Duke is asking the PC to pay is 5 times per acre a
farmer would be charged for equivalent grazing land in the area. Coun.
Dawson said the press cannot be present in contract negotiation. Matter
to be discussed fully at 10 year plan review.
Hospital: Coun. Sandford
reported fierce weed problems on the second part of the new path and it
is bubbling up alongside one part, he has spoken to NCC and been given
assurances they will treat the area.
Youth Project: Nothing to
report.
Recycling: Nothing
to report
Parking: Coun. Sandford has
received 3 complaints recently about parking, and the problem seems to
have been worse this summer than ever. Coun. Gilson thought 3 complaints
not bad at all considering the chaos that occurs, and is not part of
Rothbury life. Coun. Dawson reported he had tried for the best part of
20 years to improve matters, and there has been no increase in parking
provision since he was born, with no form of parking control whatsoever.
More than 2 years ago at a meeting an aborted scheme was rejected and an
agreement made with ADC/NCC to draw a small scheme up for the 2006
budget, however Coun. Dawson later took ill and all progress stopped.
Coun. Sandford asked when the last parking meeting was, this was
November 2005. It was thought Dick Frazer NCC should be invited to a
meeting, along with ADC and Northumbria Police. Coun. Edes reported 30
spaces have been lost because of yellow lines.. Coun. Gilson wished to
see proof of the economic downfall of Rothbury due to parking problems.
Cyclepath: Nothing to report.
Speed Cameras: Nothing to
report.
Footpaths: Coun. Murray was
approached and asked when the hospital path lighting would be turned on,
NCC have made assurances they are only waiting for a meter, and they
should hopefully be in working order by the end of the week.
Street Lighting: Coun.
Murray reported the light at Brewery Lane is not working, and this has
been reported to NCC on two occasions. The Station Road lights have now
been painted.
Signage: Nothing to report.
Recycling:- Nothing
to report.
Enhance Public
Areas: Nothing to report.
The
following Accounts have been authorised
i]. C. Miller - quarterly salary & expenses £819.52
ii]. John Barleycorn - £500
iii]. T. Sandford - travelling expenses - £33.12
iv]. TW Alderson - £39.70
v]. NCC - £57.19 - cleaning Donkins Lamp in February
vi]. Request for funding - Adult Education, Tomlinson's Middle
School - Coun. Sandford supported this in principal, but thought there
had to be a ceiling figure, and is it possible people could take
advantage of the scheme, once it is known the PC is willing to
supplement it. Coun. Mrs Dawson replied their is a criteria for eligible
person's. Coun. Edes said it will be the first come first served until
the funding runs out. Coun. Dawson said the PC should agree a maximum
figure, and is it a one off request, or will it become annual? Coun.
Edes and Sandford thought it could be ongoing. Coun. Dawson thought if
future changes in funding occur, the PC could be asked for a greater
contribution. Coun. Dawson would only support the scheme if other PC's
agreed to fund, Coun. Sandford said if funding is to come from the
precept for Rothbury the PC's contribution should be specifically for
Rothbury residents. Coun. Sandford proposed it be supported for Rothbury
residents this year, and can be reviewed next year, with a ceiling of
£400, agreed.
Seats
and Trees scroll
down
Coun. Gilson & Mrs Edes had inspected the village, and certain parts
are in need of attendance. Coun. Gilson reported the white wooden fence
near to the Chinese restaurant is rotten and definitely needs replacing
- NCC responsibility. Coun. Edes said bulbs have been purchased
previously for Scouts to plant and an extra 1,000 would cost £50, this
agreed. Coun. Gilson mentioned the pot at the Turk's triangle, and did
not think this suitable for a rural community, Coun. Sandford said the
issue was debated for a year and he himself had purchased the pot from
Heighley Gate, at the expense of the PC, as an expedient, and if
something else is to be put there suggestions are welcome. Coun. Gilson
proposed a wooden structure, Coun. Edes suggested this be placed around
the pot, Coun. Sandford requested an illustration and costing be brought
to the next PC meeting. Coun. Murray reported the seat at the top of the
1st school bank has been repaired, although the arm requires attention,
and a waste bin next to the seat is required. Coun. Edes reported wedges
have been replaced on seats cleaned by Amanda Boyce. Coun. Sandford
reported the replacement seat at Hillside needs securing.
Paths
& Verges
Coun. Sandford had been contacted by a Hillside resident commenting the
path from Hillside East through to the village - Tynemouth Lane -
persons are dumping hedge/grass cuttings on this path. Coun. Dawson said
fly tipping should be reported to the Environment Agency, clerk to
action.
Addycombe
Drains
Nothing to report
Post
Office Barrier
Correspondence received from NCC stating they are willing to provide a
2m pedestrian guardrail, but requesting the PC seek agreement from the
PO and adjacent property Ashliegh. Coun. Dawson said it is NCC
Highways who should carry out consultation. Coun. Murray asked what the
reasoning is for asking the neighbours, and to remember a small child
very nearly suffered an accident.
Correspondence
scroll down
i]. E-mail - .
ii]. RAF - Battle of
Britain service 16/09/2007 - Chairman invitation - Coun. Reynalds to
attend.
iii]. Northumberland &
Newcastle Society - Journal - available for circulation
iv]. Environment Agency -
sewage problems - Coun. Dawson reported T Derbyshire has agreed to
remedial works to raise the footpath over the problem area, Coun. Dawson
had contacted EA and asked why nothing happened - the crux of the matter
is ADC have powers to make the householders have the area rectified, the
problem being the legalities, every householder connected to the system
has to be identified, and unless they can find all the householders they
cannot enforce the action. Coun. Gilson said the e-mail states they know
there is a broken pipe, Coun. Dawson said the problem is the pipe is
discharging into the river. Coun. Murray said there are problems around
the country due to broken drains, which could effectively lead to foot
and mouth outbreaks. Coun. Gilson suggested replying saying it is
difficult to understand in this time a raw sewage problem can go for so
long without the responsible body rectifying the problem, then looking
for the culprits.
v]. NCC - fire
station approval - for information
vi]. ADC - revised
members code of conduct
vii]. NCC - Development of
area travel information co-ordinators - reply to correspondence sent.
viii]. NCC Minerals & waste
development framework - Coun. Dawson noted there is still an identified
site in this document for a waste disposal centre on the industrial
estate.
ix]. ADC - polling
district review - comments to be received by 27/09/2007
x]. Community
action Northumberland - Leader Funding - deadline for bids 21/09/2007,
requesting a letter of support.
xi]. Clerks
& councils direct - available for circulation
xii]. ADC - Chairman's
civic and youth awards
xiii]. The Clerk -
newsletter - available for circulation
xiv]. North East war
memorials project - newsletter
xv]. Funding request
- Leisure classes - Dr Thomlinson Middle School - discussed earlier
xvi]. NCC - post office
barrier - discussed earlier
xvii]. NCC area committee for
Alnwick - meeting tomorrow morning 10.30am
xviii]. Green Seats - information from
Coun. Fendley - to be discussed at 10 year plan
xix]. Parish Forum - 17/10/2007
Planning
Planning
Applications received for the following:
A/2007/0446: Mr
& Mrs J Crane, 2 Deuchet Court - repairs to stonework - supported.
A/2007/0467: Dr
& Mrs Wilkinson, The Rowans, Silverton Lane - conservatory -
supported
Approval of Planning Application have been received
for the following:
A/2007/0394: P.
Edmondson, 6 Lordenshaw Drive - conservatory
Withdrawal of Planning Application:
A/2007/0343: Mr Abu Essa -
Shilton's Shop - change of use
Addycombe
Development: (Whitton
View)
Coun.
Sandford would like to know when the lights at the new junction are to
be switched on, and there are still uneven surfaces at the junction,
Clerk to contact NCC
Deuchet Court
Bridge Street: Nothing to report.
Electronic
Planning Applications
To be discussed at next meeting -
clerk to ask about loaning equipment as discussed at meeting with P
Biggars.
Any
Other Business
scroll down
i]. Coun. Sandford reported the closed
churchyard grass cutting was discussed at the joint burial committee
held 11/09/2007, and the problems with overgrown shrubbery had occurred
due to adverse weather conditions. If the cemetery superintendent is
unable to cope with the work in the future he is to contact Coun. Edes/Sandford
and alternative arrangements can then be made.
ii]. Coun. Murray reported planning permission
had been given for the tree works at riverside
iii]. Coun. Murray requested additional signs for dog
fouling be placed around the village.
iv]. Coun. Murray reported no road signs on Station
Road, Whitton Road and had mentioned a while ago a sign for Cinder Bank
- clerk to contact ADC
v]. Coun. Murray reported NE65 7 postcode
comes up as Morpeth and causes problems for delivery drivers. Coun.
Reynalds does not know the answer to solving this problem, Coun.
Sandford said Morpeth is the official postal address.
vi]. Coun. Edes reported the large cherry
tree west of the cross opposite the surgery needs serious pruning and
could it be looked at and agreed if this work should be done. Coun.
Dawson said Ian Fletcher did carry out a report but was then not to
happy at the subsequent works carried out by the PC. Coun. Gilson
thought the PC should employ a professional tree surgeon. Coun. Edes
proposed asking Ian Fletcher to provide a report, this agreed.
vii]. Coun. Dawson Said it is likely PC's
will be asked to take on additional duties within a unitary council, and
thought it would be helpful to hold a meeting specifically on Planning
Applications - how decisions are based etc, which do occur at Alnwick
occasionally. It was suggested P Biggars be requested to attend a
specific meeting for this
Date
of Next Meeting
Wednesday 17th October 2007
commencing at 7.15pm in the Jubilee Hall
The
meeting finished at 9.05pm.
Claire Miller Clerk
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