ROTHBURY PARISH COUNCIL

The next meeting of Rothbury Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 14th February 2007 in the Jubilee Hall, Rothbury commencing 7.15 pm.

Minutes of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council held on  Wednesday 17 January 2007

The meeting commenced at 7.15pm

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

Apologies             Coun. Fendley 

Co-Option Vacancy

The three applicants had replied with further information - all councillor’s to read and decision to be made later in the meeting

Over the Bridge Report

Coun. Mrs Dawson to compile

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed after minor amendments

Matters Arising

Matters not on agenda

Donkin’s Lamp scroll down

Coun. Dawson had contacted NCC, who have stated there would be a charge for any work carried out by NCC on the structure, and they would require formal correspondence requesting maintenance works.  Coun. Reynalds thought if the cost minimal the PC should accept this, Coun. Dawson to request an estimate from NCC before further action is taken

Christmas Lights

The committee to meet in the near future.  Coun. Sandford mentioned the article in the Gazette advertising the Christmas Fair, and should the PC not have been mentioned as supporters of the committee?  Coun. Mrs Dawson to request to the Business Club that the PC be acknowledged in future years

Crime & Disorder Forum

Coun. Sandford had attended a meeting with the Youth Project - Sergeant Danagher confirmed everything reported in the Gazette was correct, however the police station has not been open to the general public (manned desk) for some time

Rural Transport Initiative Sub-Committee

Upper Coquetdale Transport Group AGM to be held 1 February - Coun. Reynalds to attend

Play Areas

Nothing to report

West End Entrance

Nothing to report

Rothbury Shoppers Group

Coun. Sandford requested the monies received in fares by the users of the bus should be minuted against the monthly invoices being paid

War Memorial

Coun. Dawson reported the stone is ordered, and works to commence in the near future

Nursing Home

Correspondence received from Southern Cross Healthcare Ltd stating they may be interested in pursuing the matter of a nursing home within Rothbury

Ambulance Service

Coun. Dawson & Sandford had attended the last review meeting, and reported ongoing debates between the unions and employers regarding working through meal breaks, but they hope to reach agreement soon.   As far as Rothbury is concerned, if employees are called upon they will work through meal breaks. Coun. Sandford had visited the control room and found hardworking people within a calm atmosphere, but they had said it is difficult training young people , as they use historical tapes of emergency calls which can be upsetting.  Coun. Sandford currently carrying out a study on patient transfer and asked Coun. Dawson for details on a Rothbury patient travelling to the Freeman hospital.  Coun. Sandford had been told by the NHS Trust when appointments are clarified in writing at the bottom of the letter it asks if you need transport, in the past you had to contact your GP,  however this is now not the case and apparently  Northumberland patients have to contact personnel in Newcastle, who can tell you whether you are eligible or not for transport

Police Station Relocation

Coun. Reynalds understood the station is to relocate to Alnwick, Coun. Dawson explained a statement was made by a Deputy Chief Constable in the Evening Chronicle - the police are looking at how front desks are operated, where there is a low demand there would not be a desk,  and they will be allocating staff to busier stations - there is a document reporting where there would not be a desk, with Rothbury being one of them.  However, the front desk at Rothbury is not currently manned, but if you go up when shifts start or end you can usually speak to somebody.  It is hoped civilian volunteers can be recruited, Coun. Dawson had attended a meeting yesterday, and it will be discussed again at the next Crime & Disorder Forum 29/1/07, however there seems to be a lack of consultation happening.  The relocation matter is still ongoing and Coun. Dawson said it is being pushed very strongly.  Coun. Reynalds suggested writing to the Chief Constable, stating to be suddenly told in the press about theses changes is unacceptable.  However Coun. Dawson reiterated it is only the front desk that may be cut.  Coun. Morton asked why the police did not attend PC meetings anymore, Coun. Reynalds replied this was because of shift changes.   Coun. Dawson said in fairness to local officers they carry out an efficient service and are sometimes not told by their superiors what is going on.

ADC Local Wide Plan scroll down

Being the new requirement to provide a different approach to planning in the area.  The Core Strategy Development Plan has a short consultation period - the document had become available 14/12/06 for a seven week period.  However, Coun. Reynalds not able to understand the document very clearly - it was available on ADC website at 109 pages long, Coun. Sandford had been in possession of a copy but had had to hand it back, there were two copies in the library and Coun. Reynalds in receipt of one of these, however it seems to be attempting to balance several different things.  A lot seems to be how it will be produced on the ground, and any comments have to be made on a specific form. Coun. Reynalds has produced a 4 page summary listing the key points. Coun. Dawson said at some point there will be a document specific to Rothbury, and that is when the PC will have to thoroughly peruse it.  Coun. Sandford said the main thing is to understand this document is a pre-curser - Coun. Sandford had attended the ADC meeting last week with 40 person’s present and 3 workshops running.   ADC had also stated by the end of March 2007 all planning paperwork will be received electronically, and by September 2007 all observations  will have to be made electronically.  However this will create problems with printing plans as they will not be in planning form, and an overhead projector will have to be purchased.  Coun. Sandford thought the guidance notes for the Local Wide Plan were threatening, and ADC officers had agreed it was extremely difficult for lay persons to complete the forms.  Coun. Dawson said the most important point was the land allocated for development now within the plan -  and if any land in the current plan has planning permission it will continue into the new plan.  Regarding the site adjacent to the first school, which has not received any permission, this area will be reassessed.  Coun. Sandford said because there was a backlog, there will be no necessity for any new land to be designated planning permission until 2010.  Coun. Edes presumed whatever is put into the plan will stay whatever happens to any subsequent local authority changes.  Coun. Reynalds went through his summary -  under Alnwick District - holiday homes account for 6.8% of stock, there is a serious lack of affordable housing with the average house price 8 times that of the average income.  Recent house building have been mainly 4 bedroom houses on Greenfield sites.  Industry - shift to manufacturing and service/tourism, less than 15 large employers in the region.  Objectives & Vision: protect environmental resources, landscape setting protected & enhanced, on the other hand development will be concentrated, secondary area being Rothbury.  Sustainable village centres - already community amenities, District calling them urban areas, in terms of Alnwick District. Industrial sites to support rural innovation, develop tourism & leisure; school sites - education centres in Amble, Alnwick, Rothbury, really saying have to have schools as important village centres.  Coun. Sandford said the document refers to three main areas - Alnwick, Amble & Rothbury Towns, and thought persons in Rothbury would not wish it to be referred to as a town, and looking in planning terms it could be detrimental to be called a town.  However ADC confirmed ‘Town’ can be altered in the document.  Coun. Morton referred to industrial sites - Rothbury have one and cannot gain a recycling depot, and the site does not belong to ADC anyway, Coun. Dawson replied it is trying to identify an area of land of x, y, z within Rothbury for industrial use, and it does not matter who it belongs to.   The main centres should have active bases for primary health care, and innovative public transport appropriate to rural communities.   The plan states they want less houses than ADC wish to see, 135 between 2004-2011;.  2011-16 - 90 per annum, then 50 per annum to 2021.  Target of 228 affordable homes by 2010, after 2011, a new provision of 10% in Rothbury, with density of 30/hectare.  3 dwellings to be affordable in smaller settlements per development.  Coun. Dawson said with smaller villages it was thought a development of 5 houses could be thought of as large. Economic prosperity - a wider range of local jobs and better access to higher education; sustainable tourism - active recreation; Market town status given to Rothbury; Planning - sufficient land to meet the need of expanding local business’s.  Development more appropriate to urban areas - museums, galleries, nightclubs, fitness centres.  Provision of car parking.  Support pedestrian/cycle routes; Design improvements - natural environment, prevent unnecessary loss of land.  Built environment- designated conservation area supported by ADC, village design statements can be retained, ADC can adopt them as supplementary planning documents.  Service/Communities - school campus becomes pivotal focus.  Improve public transport to leisure centres.  Minimum of 10% energy from on site renewal sources on new developments.  Coun. Dawson did not think a special PC meeting to discuss the document is required on the basis of Coun. Reynald’s report.  Coun. Sandford had a few comments to make - Rothbury being called a ‘Town‘, Sustainability Criteria - listed in very bold bullet points, then states on the bottom if any extreme reason for going against this criteria it would be ignored, and can’t see how this could be ignored, and requires re-wording.  On a number of instances they designate Rothbury as a particular centre based on a range of transport options, but Rothbury has not got these options.  With reference to area of outstanding natural beauty on the map, this only runs down the coastal area, Coun. Dawson said there is a coastal strip, which is different to inland areas, it was agreed Coun. Sandford submit his comments on behalf of the PC.

Village Greens

Coun. Dawson had met with the solicitor and made a declaration, the matter to now go before the Land Registry

Shrubbery

E-mail received from NCC reporting an Autumn tidy up carried out, and asking if the PC can identify volunteers for litter picking on a weekly basis.  Coun. Sandford thought the Youth Project could be involved, and Coun. Reynalds said the scout groups could be interested, but once a week is a fair amount of time.  It was agreed to ask these organisations for their help and advertise in the PC notice board for volunteers.  Coun. Dawson said the National Parks used to employ a person to litter pick and the car park is their responsibility, NCC annual maintenance is not adequate - in the summer paths could not be accessed due to vegetation.  Coun. Sandford thought NCC were trying to say they did not have the money for this work and suggested asking NParks for help - Coun. Dawson said NParks have their own budget and a group of volunteers.  It was agreed to contact Nparks.

Roadside Memorial

A reply had been received from NCC stating they will not be taking any action to remove the memorial and giving reasons as it is unofficial; acting insensitively; stating the location could still be used for a focus point; and there are several memorials in the county and it would be unfair to only remove this one; and it could act as a road safety measure for vehicles.  Coun. Dawson wishes to know NCC’s policy regarding memorials, Coun. Morton asked how big do they have to become before constituting a danger?  Coun. Sandford does not think it is a danger, and cannot see why  the PC are discussing it.  It was agreed to ask NCC for their policy on roadside memorials.

Co-Option Vacancy scroll down

All councillor’s have looked at the applicants further information - Councillor’s proceeded to vote in private (on paper) - R Murray duly elected - clerk to inform Mr Murray and explaining the whole council stands for re-election in April, and informing the unsuccessful applicants of this fact and they will be welcome to stand at that time through ADC.

Ten Year Plan

Haugh Land: Nothing to report

Hospital: Correspondence received from NHS - stating they share the concerns about lighting but car park safety is a key component on this; aware of the lack of reception cover and looking at the use of meet and greet volunteers.  Confirming the trust will write to ADC about removing the old hospital sign.  Information had been received from local residents stating the lighting has been toned down.  Coun. Sandford said the PC did write to NCC regarding pathway lighting, which is being looked into, and he had spoken to hospital staff who say it is their number one priority, as some employees are walking to work in the dark.  Coun. Edes had received comment it is not as far to walk as the old hospital from Addycombe.  Coun. Dawson had also spoken to hospital staff, and said the acknowledgement letter from NCC stating they will reply within 15 working days (if necessary) has now elapsed, and if street lighting had not been implemented on the planning application the PC have a right to ask why not.  Clerk to action.

Jubilee Hall: Nothing to report

Recycling:   Nothing to report

Parking:  Nothing to report

Cyclepath:   Correspondence received from Sustrans reporting the proposed route between Rothbury & Thropton is to be included in their recommendations of new cycling schemes for the county.

Speed Cameras: Nothing to report

Footpaths:  NCC - Draft improvement plan, comments required by the end of March -  regarding upgrading the footpath down Wellstrand to a bridleway, which was thought to already be a bridleway.  Coun. Reynalds said there is a general policy and one specific to Wellstrand.  Coun. Morton had been approached by an elderly person trying to post a letter in the box by the CO-OP who had been frightened she would fall with the poor state of  the path.  Coun. Dawson said the area requires tidying up beside the post and telephone box.  Coun. Edes could ask A Boyce on maintaining this area, but she would not be around until the end of February.   Coun. Dawson thought a dropped kerb should be installed and the area built up and levelled off.  It was agreed to contact B.T. and Royal Mail.

The following Accounts have been authorised

      x      J Gregory & Sons - flag pole - £941.18 - Coun. Dawson said this was an insurance claim and there is a shortfall between the claim and actual cost and suggested the PC pay the invoice and Coun. Dawson would then submit an additional claim to the insurance company

      x      T W Alderson & Sons - compost - £10.00

      x      Transport in North Northumberland - November fee - £56.80

      x      Transport in North Northumberland - MiDAS Course - F Bettany - £75.00

      x      Request for Donation - Citizens Advice Bureau - £50.00 agreed

      x      North Northumberland Hospice - £50.00 agreed

      x      Community Council - £50.00 agreed

      x      Transport in North Northumberland - December bus fee - £72.00

Paths & Verges

Discussed earlier

Seats & Trees

Coun. Sandford raised the matter of the seat on Hillside West opposite the postbox, Coun. Edes to push A Boyce on this repair

Correspondence scroll down

      x      E-Mails: NCC - Beggars Rigg/Memorial - discussed earlier

      x      R Murray - Vacancy - discussed earlier

      x      ADC - Local Development Framework - discussed earlier

      x      Southern Cross Healthcare Ltd - Residential Care - discussed earlier

      x      Adult Learning & Leisure in Coquet dale - for information

      x      Alnwick Playhouse - New Year 2007 - for information

      x      North East War Memorials Project - Newsletter - for information

      x      ADC - One Northumberland, Two Councils - background information.  Coun. Dawson reported ADC/NCC had decided on Monday on the stance they would take and had understood PC’s would be asked for their views on the subject as to whether they supported their proposals - however this had not occurred

      x      Community Action Northumberland - Donations (Community Council)

      x      NHS - Hospital - discussed earlier

      x      West Coast Energy - Debdon Wind Farm - for information

      x      Community Council - Outcomes Training - for information

      x      Northumberland Community News - available for circulation

      x      Terry Davey - Codes of Conduct - for information

      x      NNPark - Framework Consultation - for information

      x      NCC - Modification Order No 7 2006 - discussed earlier

      x      NCC - Acknowledgements - Hospital/Youth Shelter Lighting

      x      Sustrans - Cycle path - discussed earlier

      x      NCC - Consultation on Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan

      x      Clerk’s & Council’s Direct - newsletter - available for circulation

      x      ADC Planning Meeting 10/1/07 - discussed earlier

      x      Forestry Commission England - reviewing design plans for forests within Kielder Forest district, notice of meeting to be held Jubilee Hall 7/2/07

      x      ADC - end for comment 25/1/07 - Coun. Edes concerned with one council being urban it would be detrimental against the rural council having roads to maintain, could one council maintain it all, and would council tax payers pay the same amount?  If one council it would need strong representation from the rural side.  Coun. Dawson said NCC took the stance on the day central government issued the instructions in their view the best thing to happen would  be one unitary authority, having powers to do everything, and not willing to enter into any partnership arrangement with district councils.  Coun. Sandford said listening to the debate in the press, NCC are trying to protect their existence.  Coun. Dawson said unfortunately the public have no say in the matter and will not be consulted which is totally wrong.   Coun. Reynalds asked who present is in favour of a single unitary?  No councillor’s were strongly for or against either option

      x      ADC Street Naming - Old Mart Site Development - Mart Field suggested

      x      NCC - Alnwick Area committee - available for circulation

Bridge Closure

Coun. Dawson and Coun. Fendley had attended a meeting 14/12/06 with Mr Brewis Project Manager and Mr Hodgson NCC and had explained the PC were very unhappy to not have been consulted on the matter.  NCC had attended with a full set of plans and had explained in great detail how the work will be carried out/its necessity, with the bridge being one of the last to be surveyed for new weight restrictions - every bridge has to be checked for its capability.  It will be surveyed underneath the bridge, and they also have to look at it from the top of the bridge, which entails the whole of its surface, with 50mm drill holes to be taken to check the substance and trial pits to dig - they have to see how the surface is bonded into the top of the arches, assess the safety of the arches, and it is necessary to dig large amounts of holes right across the bridge, which would not allow HGV’s to use one side, and there would be insufficient width for a motor vehicle to pass.  NCC had considered every option to keep the bridge open, but it physically cannot be done due to the nature of the work.  Alternative routes will be maintained in adverse weather conditions and reinstated if any damage occurs, emergency services concerns would be addressed if necessary.  There will be pedestrian access, and if necessary, provision of a minibus service for access from the bridge to the hospital.  Work will commence at the start of the school holiday half term, with 8 days to carry it out, and if it is not finished NCC will pull off the job.  Coun. Dawson reiterated every combination of retaining access was looked at, and if the bridge requires major repairs it would mean complete closure, which will necessitate the installation of a temporary bridge alongside the existing.  NCC to issue a press release and to contact road hauliers/quarries etc.  Coun. Dawson to devise an information notice for  board.

Planning

      x      Addycombe Development:

·    Planning Applications received for the following:

      x      A/2006/0648: Mr & Mrs Ewen, 4 Lordenshaw Drive - conversion - supported

      x      A/2006/0634: Mr G Wilson, Alnwick - Springfield House - change of use - supported

      x      A/2006/0624: Mr & Mrs Metcalf, 5 Blaeberry Hill - extension - supported

      x      A/2006/0653: Mrs C English, 12 Beech croft - extension - supported

      x      A/2006/0651: Lloyds TSB - signage - supported

      x      Mart - Windows - amendment

      x      APPEAL NOTIFICATION: NA/A/2006/0332: Mrs Rutherford, Hurley Knowles - Retention of Conservatory.

     Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:

      x      A/2006/0523: Mr P Edlington, Post Office - extension

      x      A/2006/0571: J  Brook Hex ham - Pine Tree House, Central heating flue

     Notice of Refusal of Planning Permission

      x      A/2006/0562: DMC Developments Ltd, North side - land adjacent to Oak Trees Cragside View, change of use

Youth Shelter Lighting

To be taken off agenda

Any Other Business

      x      Coun. Edes reported an All Saints Church clock fault - not striking hours - Coun. Dawson replied it had been working up until New Year’s Eve, however the bell ringers had rung  the bells whilst the clock was striking, which can knock the chimes out of sequence.  Coun. Dawson to contact W Potts

      x      Coun. Dawson had been in discussions with the Environment Agency regarding Copletch Burn problems, and they will inform the PC of any works they intend to carry out

      x      Burial Committee Minutes - any comments/queries please ask Coun. Sandford

      x      Coun. Sandford reported several electricity cuts to Hillside & Addycombe before Christmas, he had rang the supplier and been informed of a malfunction on the transformer in Pondicherry which had required maintenance works

      x      Coun. Mrs Dawson reported a light off at the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder - NCC reported it had been fixed 5/1/07, however NCC to look at it again

Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 14th February 2007

The meeting finished at 945 pm