ROTHBURY
PARISH COUNCIL
The
next meeting of Rothbury Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 6
December 2006 in the Jubilee Hall, Rothbury commencing 7.15 pm
Minutes
of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council
held on Wednesday 1 November 2006
The
meeting commenced at 7.15pm
PRESENT
Coun.
Reynalds, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Dawson, Fendley, Mills, Sandford and
the Clerk
APOLOGIES
Coun.
Morton
Vacancy
Co-Option
vacancy placed in notice board - return for applications being
30/11/06, one application received to date.
Over
the Bridge Report
Coun.
Mrs Dawson to compile.
Member
of the Public Mr Alistair Costley present
Alistair
thanked the PC for displaying minutes in the library before the
following meeting, and wished to talk about the new hospital and
shrubbery.
Alistair
welcomed the new hospital, and commented although the design is not to
everybody’s liking, but he was concerned about the lighting and is
of the opinion it is excessive, and
not sure all the lamps are necessary, and asks if the PC
consider these concerns. Regarding
roadside hedges, Alistair has concerns when leaving the Haugh car park
and turning right, as the view is quite obscured from protruding
hedges, and also at Beggar’s Rigg car park.
The fact leaves are falling has eased the problem, but it is
cause for concern. Alistair
then left the meeting.
Coun.
Mills agreed with the lighting comments and does not know why they
have to be so bright. Coun.
Edes has received adverse comments from people, and thinks unnecessary
energy is being used. However
Coun. Sandford thought the boldness of the lights have a reassuring
aspect to the hospital, rather than being dim and subdued.
Coun. Fendley thought there could be a happy medium.
Coun. Reynalds asked councillor’s to look at the lighting by
the next PC meeting.
An
e-mail had been received regarding Beggar’s Rigg, stating NCC will
look at the area for maintenance 2006/07.
Coun. Dawson said the hedge leading up to the hospital has been
planted for 20-22 years, and should not be cut with a machine, but
layered properly, which is a specialist task.
Clerk to contact NCC regarding this.
Matters
not on agenda
The
Barleycorn Project seemed to gain interest, Coun. Fendley in
possession of financial projection, and would endorse the general
positive nature of the event and thanked the PC for their financial
support.
All
councillor’s invited to the Remembrance Day Service.
The 2 minute silence will be held on 11/11/06 at 11am at the
War Memorial, all invited to participate.
Minutes
of
Previous
Meeting
The
minutes of the
previous
meeting were
agreed.
Matters
Arising
None
HERS
Correspondence
received stating the scheme had now closed and ADC are not to reclaim
the overfunding paid to the PC- HERS invoices received since the
overfunding have not exceeded the overpayment.
RCV/Development
Trust
Coun.
Sandford asked about the October meeting, nobody had information if
this had occurred.
Rural
Transport Initiative Sub-Committee
Nothing
to report.
Play
Areas
Coun.
Fendley reported the Addycombe play area construction has commenced.
On the assumption it will be finished shortly, does the PC go
through Rospa for certification/final approval etc?
It was agreed to approach Rospa on this issue.
Coun. Reynalds had attended the Parish Forum 25/10/06, the ADC
Play Strategy was discussed, and it seems
Big Lottery funding was available for projects of at least 50K.
There is to be a Play Development Officer employed for 3 years,
however the Play Partnership does not have a Parish Councillor on the
body. Coun. Edes said
would this personnel be able to carry out the Addycombe safety check,
Coun. Reynalds replied the Job Description did not cover this task.
Coun. Sandford thought the plans for the Haugh could come under
this person’s remit.
West
End Entrance
Discussed
earlier
Rothbury
Shoppers Group
The
first bus usage had occurred last Friday, and all had went fairly
well. However Coun.
Sandford had rang Tinn beforehand regarding the volunteer driver, and
was told it was the task of the group/PC to organise this, as
apparently the 5 trained drivers are all drivers for the Rothbury
Shoppers Group only. Coun.
Edes had taken this task over for finding a driver for last Friday,
however driver Mr Brian Goundry has now taken over the rostering of
the drivers. The only
problem found was the driver (Tim Carpenter) had not been familiar
with some of the drop offs, and had suggested a side kick would be
useful for getting users off the bus with shopping etc. and taking
them to their door. Coun.
Fendley asked who would be liable for injury to such persons.
Coun. Sandford said the lift does not work on the vehicle at
the present time, but it was verified all the users are not invalided,
just elderly, but takes this point on board.
Coun. Fendley asked if the passengers are covered under
insurance, this was confirmed, Coun. Fendley said presumably there is
a notice displayed in the bus stating this.
Coun. Sandford could not confirm this, but passengers have to
be listed each week for insurance purposes.
War
Memorial
Nothing
to report.
Dog
Bins
Invoice
received from ADC for bin at Hillside West, Coun. Reynalds thought the
bin was sub-standard, the top has missing paint and serious rust is
evident. Clerk to write
to ADC and invoice to be held.
Nursing
Home
Information
sheet forwarded to NHS Care Trust to distribute to interested
developers.
Ambulance
Service
Coun.
Fendley referred to the previous minutes, about the ‘non existent’
taxi service back from hospital appointments.
Coun. Sandford in receipt of document regarding the Patient
Transfer Service, although it is booked through GP/hospital, the
organisation paying for it are the Care Trust, Coun. Sandford trying
to arrange a meeting to see why the service is lacking.
Coun. Fendley applauded these efforts.
Police
Station Relocation
Coun,
Dawson arranging a meeting with the leader of NCC.
Defra
Fixed Penalty Fines
Coun.
Mrs Dawson and Fendley could not attend the Parish Forum, however Coun.
Morton had made a synopsis of the Defra information.
Coun. Edes suggested copies of this document be circulated with
the next PC minutes. Comments
at the Forum had been it would only be PC’s with employees who could
put this service into operation, and thought even these would have
difficulty in running the scheme/following the law/collecting
evidence, and one councillor present had voiced concerns over
retribution. ADC had
offered to put training on, but only 2 persons had been interested in
the last course.
Access
to Riverside
Coun.
Edes had received a complaint about the speed of vehicles travelling
down the area. Coun.
Sandford thought traffic calming would work in this area.
Coun. Dawson thought common sense has to prevail, it must be a
stretch of 100yards or less, and persons should telephone the police
if they witness speeding.
Shrubbery
Beggars Rigg
Discussed
earlier.
Dropped
Kerbs
Reply
received from Northumbria Police, advising parking next to these kerbs
can be dealt with by fixed penalty notices, and the Traffic Warden to
take note
Northumberland
College Services
Coun.
Reynalds had spoken to personnel, and they do not operate in
horticultural services. John
McQueen was looking to secure land for use as horticultural for
disadvantaged persons - Coun. Reynalds to contact Mr McQueen about
this.
Donkin’s
Lamp/Jacob’sLadder
Coun.
Dawson has spoken to NCC about this.
Coun. Sandford suggested the PC arrange works instead of
waiting for NCC.
Ten
Year Plan scroll
down for items
Haugh
Land:
Correspondence received from Northumberland Estates who are working on
documentation for a lease.
Hospital: Coun.
Sandford had walked the path to the hospital, and the short stretch
running alongside the road is a disgrace.
He had rung the NHS who are well aware of the problem, and had
also spoken with NCC and they have said there is a dispute between
ADC/NHS/NCC as in the original plans there was supposed to be a
dedicated pathway out of the site onto the car park.
Coun. Edes said there is a right of way from the hospital land
onto the Haugh, Coun. Dawson thought you would not be able to use
this. Coun. Fendley
reported an elderly acquaintance falling on the path.
Jubilee
Hall:
Coun. Reynalds invited to attend the grand re-opening of the J Hall -
Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall attending.
Recycling:
Coun.
Dawson had written to NCC regarding utilising the ambulance station
land, and the reply received being basically no, due to NCC having to
find savings, and they do not intend to pursue the issue of a site in
this area. Coun. Dawson is trying to arrange a meeting with NCC, and
thinks they must consider it, and it is NCC’s preferred site.
Coun. Sandford said it is interesting as previously NCC had
said problems were not due to a funding issue, which it now appears to
be.
Parking:
Noting
to report.
Cyclepath:
Coun.
Mrs Edes had rang Greg Parks, and then the Head of the cycle path
company, and they require the PC to write to Brian Dawson stating the
interest in a cyclepath.
Speed
Cameras: Coun.
Reyanlds said 7 parishes at the Parish Forum were interested in this,
and looking at a mobile speed unit, however NCC personnel has said
some equipment is illegal. It
was agreed to write to the PC’s involved asking how much units would
cost. Coun. Fendley said
the whole subject of Traffic Management is an important issue.
Coun. Dawson said is 30mph a safe speed through the village, or
should it be lower, as a number of years ago there was a patrol car
with a speed camera for monitoring purposes
and one in three drivers were speeding up to 41mph. Coun.
Dawson thought if there was a 20mph speed limit, cars would probably
travel at 30mph instead of 40mph.
These comments were supported - clerk to contact NCC Highways.
Coun. Sandford said after problems on Hillside East, John
Danagher had said this area was in the 30mph zone, but persons should
be travelling slower than that in some places.
The
following Accounts have been authorised
i].
Age
Concern - Request for Donation - it was agreed to donate £20.00 more
than last year.
ii]. T
W Alderson & Sons - £15.00 - A Boyce purchased - weed killer
iii]. Rothbury
Joint Burial Committee - £208.50 - loan overpayment
iv]. Royal
British Legion - £20.00 - wreath
v]. Cubs
- £25.00 - donation/thank you for bulb planting works
Precept
2007/08
Sub-Committee
agreed to raise precept by 3% as usual.
Paths
& Verges
Coun.
Edes asked correspondence be forwarded to ADC thanking them for the
Armstrong Cross bed works. The
village bed works are not finished this year, and Coun. Edes asked if
A Boyce can work for another couple of weeks outside the set budget,
this was agreed. Coun.
Reynalds said the grass at All Saints church is well overgrown, Coun.
Edes has contacted Alistair Gaskell about this, Coun. Sandford to also
speak to him.
Seats
& Trees
Correspondence
received from Mrs Minto regarding the seat on Hillside, and asking if
they can purchase a cheaper seat from Heighley Gate as a replacement.
Coun. Reynalds to call into Heighley Gate and see it the seat
would be suitable, Coun. Mrs Edes to speak to A Boyce to see how much
the placement of a new seat would cost.
Coun. Edes reported the cubs had planted 1,000 bulbs, and
requested a letter of thanks be sent to them.
The scouts have to raise £100 each for a trip, Coun. Fendley
said the concept of ’Bob a Job’ was made illegal several years
ago. Coun. Reyanlds
suggested a £25 donation for the cub activities, this was agreed.
Youth
Project
At
the AGM it had been discussed young persons should be involved in good
works around the village. Coun.
Fendley suggested graffiti cleaning be carried out, Coun. Sandford
said there was a scheme afoot for this.
A meeting had been held with the PC/Youth Project, Coun.
Reynalds reported a variety of items discussed covering transport,
sporting facilities, housing, youth shelter and youth project.
On transport they were not particularly discontented.
The young persons would like a gym and permanent skate park,
and an area for playing football.
On housing they would prefer access to their own flat - ADC
cannot legally build houses but can approach Housing Associations,
comments were made on affordable local housing -
young people did not know how to qualify for affordable housing
and that hey had to be on ADC/Local Housing Association list.
Youth Shelter - comments saying it faces the bridge and people
can see them, and it is not positioned next
to the seating nearby, although they do appreciate the
facility. They would like
more youth residential trips, and comments were made about not being
able to access the Alnwick sports centre easily.
On employment, they had all eventually found jobs, although it
had taken some a while to find one they could travel easily to.
Coun. Fendley said transport to the Alnwick Sports Centre was a
problem for all in the village.
Turks
Head Stump
In
hand.
Correspondence
scroll
down for correspondence items
i]. Berwick
Conservatives NHS Dentistry - looking for support - Coun. Sandford not
thought advisable to offer support as it would be seen to be
supporting a particular political party.
ii]. Rothbury
Recreation Club - Tree - overhanging branch of tree at Gasworks
Cottage - not sure the PC can do anything about this - agreed to write
to home owner stating the PC have been contacted by the Recreation
Club.
iii]. Northumbria
Police - Crime & Disorder Forum 6/9/06 - Direct numbers to local
stations were to be removed/diverted.
Coun. Sandford found it a joke when historically he had got
through to Ponteland and the personnel answering had not known where
Rothbury was. Double
yellow lines were mentioned - being extending them past the Rothbury
garage site, it was thought more appropriate the PC request this, not
Northumbria Police. Coun.
Edes however thought the road was fairly wide and lines would affect
the business. Coun.
Fendley thought there were more demanding issues for the PC.
Coun. Mills did not feel this area was particularly dangerous -
vote - 3 in favour, 3 against, Coun. Reynalds abstained.
PC to monitor the situation.
iv]. Community
Council - AGM/Annual Report - for information
v]. NALC
- Draft Community Strategy for Northumberland - strategy of collective
agendas covering the next 15 years, with short term targets for the
next 3-5 years, looking at communities of interest, however a complex
concept, and asking for comments under various headings.
Coun. Sandford said the average wage stated was not relevant
unless adding in persons working outside the area/retired persons etc.
vi]. NCC
- Bridge - closed between 17/02 & 25/2/06, diversions through
Pauperhaugh, Coun. Edes said the bend by Pauperhaugh and Bushy Gap is
horrendous, Coun. Dawson said the closure is concerning a survey for
the suitability for modern day lorries using the bridge, and would
strongly object to the closure - weather conditions in February can be
horrendous, and the
proposed route may not be gritted/ploughed etc. and it should also be
borne in mind the hospital location.
Although the survey would take longer, he suggested a one
way/traffic light system, and reiterated vehicles must be able to use
the bridge. Coun. Fendley
thought Pauperhaugh bridge extremely hazardous.
Coun. Dawson suggested writing back very strongly, stating the
only solution is for a traffic management system, realising this will
create problems, but it is the only suitable solution, and inviting
personnel to attend a future PC meeting.
Coun. Fendley suggested it also be raised at the next Parish
Forum.
vii]. Strategic
Partnership - Draft Sustainable Community Strategy - for information
viii]. Addycombe
- bricked up windows on affordable housing - comments noted -
residents of Addycombe Close Mr & Mrs Murray reporting they have
written to ADC and copy of ADC reply
ix]. Lighting
up projects for North East - requesting suggestions - Coun. Sandford
suggested lighting the bridge, Coun. Mrs Edes thought no lighting at
all due to green issue, but projects are only short term.
x]. Mr
Kell, 23 Cragside View - Mr Kell stating works have not commenced
prior to planning permission being received, as reported to Coun. Mrs
Dawson and minuted at last PC meeting.
Previous information recorded as being incorrect.
Planning
Addycombe
Development:
Coun.
Fendley & Sandford had met with the developers, no major issues
had been raised, however residents have concerns over security fencing
and drainage down the main road.
It would appear some residents are concerned as to the actual
shape of the affordable housing and amendments would appear to have
been made to the original application.
Having read the reply from ADC to Mr & Mrs Murray‘s
correspondence, it seems to hinge on ADC exercising delegated powers
in October 2005 for the minor changes.
Developers reiterated the intention for the road to be finished
by Christmas. Coun.
Sandford said regarding the bricked up windows, he does not understand
why this has been done, and thought it may look rather ‘ghettoish,’
Coun. Reynalds to look at correspondence more closely.
Coun. Edes said Cragside estate had wished to have more contact
with Rothbury, and should they be contacted regarding a proposed path
to Cragside.
Planning
Applications received for the following:
A/2006/0508:
Coquet Leisure LLP Seahouses - Caravan Park - Supported
A/2006/0485/486:
Mrs P Stewart, 11 Pinfold - extension/change use of open space -
supported
Post
Office - extension - supported
Youth
Shelter Lighting
Coun.
Sandford reported works to be carried out this month.
Approval
of Planning Application received for the following:
Fabco
- old Shilton’s shop conversion
Any
Other Business
i].
Coun.
Reynalds had attended a Funders meeting 18/10/06, and is in receipt of
funding information.
ii]. Coun.
Fendley had been approached regarding the roadside floral memorial
going East, and being a distraction/danger. Coun. Reynalds said there
are police guidelines, Coun. Dawson though it is an emotive subject,
and the PC will have to be very careful about the feelings of the
family. However because
of where it is placed it has the potential to create another serious
accident, if it was situated on Cragside straight it would be more
appropriate, Coun. Sandford said the PC do not have the powers to
decide on this. It was
agreed to contact NCC.
iii]. Next
police forum meeting 22/11/06.
iv]. Coun.
Dawson said early next year the PC will receive paperwork from ADC
regarding the new local plan, and would need to spend one meeting
going through what it means for Rothbury, and there will be a
timescale for response. Coun.
Fendley said the health check is a useful basis together with the
Village Design Statement, Coun. Dawson said all this will be taken on
board, and once getting to allocated sites for development the PC
should be very aware of locations etc.
Coun. Sandford suggested the public be influenced to make
comments.
Date
of Next Meeting
Wednesday
6th December 2006.
The
meeting finished at 915 pm.
Claire
Miller Clerk
