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ROTHBURY
PARISH COUNCIL
The next meeting of Rothbury Parish Council will be
held on Wednesday 1 November 2006 in the Jubilee Hall, Rothbury commencing
7.15 pm
Minutes of the meeting of Rothbury
Parish Council
held on Tuesday 4 October 2006
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm
Present
Coun. Reynalds, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Dawson, Fendley, Mills, Sandford and
the Clerk
Apologies
Coun.
Morton
Over the Bridge Report
Coun. Mrs Dawson to compile.
Vacancy
Chris Oakey has handed in his resignation, due to
work commitments. Vacancy to be advertised in noticeboard and ADC
notified.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.
Matters Arising
i]. Barleycorn Project
Coun. Sandford asked if a written financial statement
would be received from the group after the event. Coun. Fendley to
contact the organisation about this.
ii].
Remembrance Sunday
Coun. Reynalds reported the Parish Council wreaths
have been ordered.
iii].
Battle of Britain Service in Alnwick
Coun. Reynalds had been unable to attend this event.
iv].
Newcastle Hotel
Matter resolved regarding tables and chairs - now
removed from footpath.
v].
Shilton’s Shop Planning Application
Coun. Reynalds had forwarded comments to ADC on the
plan discussed at September PC meeting.
HERS
Coun. Reynalds reported the churchyard plaque is now
in place.
RCV/Development Trust
Nothing to report.
Rural Transport Initiative Sub-Committee
Nothing to report.
Play Areas
Coun. Fendley reported the Addycombe play area works
will commence by mid October.
West End Entrance
Nothing to report.
Rothbury Motors Bus
Coun. Sandford requested the agenda be altered to
‘Rothbury Shoppers Group‘. Coun. Mrs Dawson has devised
information cards for the users. Invoice received from Transport in
North Northumberland - £310 - (John Lazarus ) Upper Coquetdale Transport
Group to pay half of the bill - clerk to forward copy invoice to UCTG.
War Memorial
Coun. Dawson had collected the stonework sample which
had been agreed by the Conservation Officer and Development Control ADC -
Classic Masonry to commence works, however if works cannot be completed by
4/11/06, they are not to commence work until after 20/11/06. The new
flagpole will hopefully be installed by this date. Three cheques
have been received from the insurance company for the works, one made out
to the PC for the flagpole, one to John Gregory & Sons and one to
Classic Masonry. Coun. Dawson reported he has an idea in mind to
rectify the drooping railings problem.
Dog Bins
Nothing to report.
Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford reported on progress - the Care Trust
has now promised to approach some individual companies on behalf of the PC
- a draft report has been prepared, the clerk to action. Coun.
Sandford and Dr Cameron have talked to the Executive Care Group who have
quite a number of homes in the North East and are extremely interested in
the possibility of a home in Rothbury. The piece of land will need
negotiated, HMC will have to be approached and maybe Northumberland
Estates and the NHS who have the lease from NE, but this is a very
positive move. Coun. Mrs Edes asked if the company have a home in
Morpeth, Coun. Sandford replied no but they are taking over Hillcrest in
Alnwick.
Ambulance Service
Coun. Sandford had been rung by Mrs Mcdonald who had
been the resident waiting 5 hours for an ambulance service journey home -
she had written to the body but had not received a written reply, but was
contacted by telephone yesterday lunchtime after Coun. Sandford’s
intervention. Coun. Sandford in possession of literature regarding
non emergency transport - it appears to work well when going to hospital,
but problems occur when persons are over schedule in their appointments,
and after 5pm and weekends the service becomes nearly non existent - Coun.
Sandford to look into this further and thinks it is either under funded or
the system requires tweaking - hospitals have budgets for non emergency
journeys. Coun. Fendley not sure whether the family mentioned
previously would wish their name to be in print (Northumberland Gazette).
Coun. Sandford and Dawson had attended the last ambulance meeting, and
those present all had the same feeling the new paramedic system is working
properly and very well.
Police Station Relocation
Coun. Dawson said no progress made at present,
however Northumbria Police land and property office are extremely keen to
relocate the police station into the old part of the library, however NCC
as owners of the property do not want to appear to give this part of the
building up - it could cause problems with the registrar‘s office,
although they are only on the premises a few hours a week, and could they
not be relocated to the new hospital. Coun. Fendley said NCC may be
holding matters up as they had also offered the space to the Heritage
Centre, although they have turned the offer down. Coun. Edes said
there is also the community room upstairs in the library building that is
not being used.
Defra Fixed Penalty Fines
Item has been added to ADC Forum agenda for meeting
to be held later in October. Coun. Sandford commented the subject
had not been discussed in detail at the PC meeting, and the small parishes
making up the forum meeting will not be as interested in the matter as
Rothbury PC. Coun. Reynalds said Coun. Morton had said she would
re-read the literature, but unfortunately she is not present tonight.
Coun. Fendley and Coun. Mrs Dawson to attend the Forum meeting, and will
report back to the PC after this meeting. Coun. Mrs Dawson to
request literature from Coun. Morton.
Access to Riverside
Coun. Edes had been told there was a bollard two
thirds down - there are infact two and they look as if they can be used,
but she could not lift them herself, but if ever they are required she
thought they could be utilised. Coun. Fendley had been approached by
an interested party who thought the notion of a lockable bollard not
workable. Coun. Dawson asked whose authorisation this would come
under, Coun. Edes replied they were put in when the development was built.
Shrubbery Beggars Rigg
Coun. Dawson said this area gets mentioned every
year, and surely NCC have a maintenance programme, at times it is an
absolute mess, and it is very seldom you can walk the paths between the
road and car park. Coun. Sandford reported a visitor commenting the
whole Beggar’s Rigg area a jungle, Coun. Sandford did ring ADC about
this, but had never received feedback. Comments to be passed to NCC.
Ten Year Plan
i]. Haugh Land:
Coun. Dawson had met with Rory Wilson
Northumberland Estates, and it was hoped to have something definite
in writing by the November PC meeting - terms of lease etc - NE have
verbally agreed to the original PC bid. Coun. Sandford would like to
look at this literature if it is received by the next PC meeting, Coun.
Dawson said he would get the document looked at professionally if need be.
ii]. Hospital: Coun. Sandford remembered the Heritage
Group discussing a dedicated pathway between this side of the village and
over the bridge, but has heard this has not happened - parts of the
thoroughfare are not clearly a path, and he has also heard the road
widening has not been carried out, Coun. Dawson said part of the road has
been widened, although a very small part, and the Model Buildings pathway
has infact been resurfaced over to the West end exit of the Haugh car
park. Coun. Edes not sure this whole area is tarmacced, Coun. Dawson
confirmed the whole area has been resurfaced.
iii]. Recycling: Literature received from NCC covering
waste recycling, with one document covering a plan for Rothbury showing
the whole of the industrial estate as a possible site. Coun. Dawson
had written to NCC stating as confirmed at the ambulance meeting, the
ambulance station will become redundant when the new hospital is opened,
and has suggested this site for a recovery centre. Coun. Fendley
said ADC/NCC were no longer looking at a site in Rothbury because of
access, Coun. Dawson replied yes, but this was at the eastern side, the
ambulance site is near to the industrial estate entrance, and there would
only be a short stretch of 100yards of roadway. Coun. Fendley said
the only real alternative is driving to Alnwick. Coun. Sandford
suggested an urgent grip be kept on the matter, and the PC will have to
receive a reaction quickly, Coun. Dawson has stressed this in his
correspondence, and reported different recycling regulations are being put
into place daily.
iv]. Parking: Coun. Edes has received complaints about
cars parking across places for dropped kerbs, and it does not seem obvious
you are not allowed to park in such areas, Coun. Mills said it is not
very clear. Clerk to contact Northumbria Police about this matter.
v]. Cyclepath:
Tim Carpenter still trying to
contact personnel, Coun. Sandford said the project seems to be running out
of steam. Coun. Edes to liase with Tim once again.
The following Accounts have been authorised
i]. BDO Stoy Hayward LLP - £305.50
ii]. Transport in North Northumberland - £310.00
iii]. A Boyce - gardening - £450 - purchases - £37.96. Coun. Reynalds
said the gardening budget has already been exceeded this year, Coun. Edes
said services paid for also include grass cutting in the graveyards/seat
repairs. Budgets expended so far to be prepared for next PC meeting.
Seats &
Trees
Coun. Sandford had looked at the seat on Hillside
West opposite the post box, Coun. Edes reported it had been half repaired,
but it had been agreed previously to replace the seat with the next
donation seat received. Coun. Reynalds thought it should be
repaired, as it had been like this for a while, Coun. Edes thought A Boyce
may be able to repair it, it was agreed to see whether it would be worth
repairing, Coun. Edes to action. Coun. Edes reported the bulbs have
arrived, cubs to plant 17/10/06 (ADC meeting held 6pm in Jubilee Hall on
this date), 530pm, and it would be appreciated if councillor’s could
offer their support, being outer bed beside Stephenson Terrace. Coun.
Fendley and Sandford had carried out seat report, A Boyce has agreed to
carry out seat maintenance, as discussed at last PC meeting.
Paths & Verges
Plant pot purchased for Turks Head Stump, Coun. Edes
reported A Boyce was prepared to action this work and has suggested
suitable plants, Coun. Edes in possession of pictures of flowers, and A
Boyce diagram, and painting of suggestions created. Coun. Sandford
asked if the work could be done this Autumn, Coun. Edes replied yes but it
would be extra to A Boyce’s regular hours. Two plants would cost
in the region of £18 and additional plants extra, but it would be less
than £100 with labour costs, this was agreed. Coun. Sandford said
if it all goes to plan it will be a centrepiece for the village.
Correspondence
i]. Community Council - meet the funders - Coun. Reynalds to attend Morpeth
meeting
ii]. NCC - Delivery report on LTP 2001-2006 - not much covering Rothbury - Coun.
Sandford said obviously it does not cover areas such as the West End, as
these are to be hopefully included 2007.
iii]. Chris Oakey - Resignation - discussed earlier
iv]. Northumberland Playing Fields Association - Registry of play inspectors -
course to be held at £60
v]. Alnwick Playhouse - Autumn 2006 - pamphlets available
vi]. BDO Stoy Hayward LLP - Audit y/e 31/3/06 - Coun. Reynalds reported items
for future years to be borne in mind - internal auditing, tender
procedure, budgeting
vii]. W Potts & Sons - Church Clock - Coun. Dawson had met with the
engineer, and the fault had been repaired and the mechanism in the belfry
adjusted, and the clock is working correctly at present - work was carried
out at no cost to the PC.
viii]. Clerk’s & Councils Direct- available for circulation, article on
village greens, Coun. Dawson to look at.
ix]. Northumberland College - Entry to Employment - 16 to 18 year olds gaining
experience before moving onto an apprenticeship - they will carry out work
around the village labour free, under the guidance of professional
lecturer’s with construction skills. Coun. Reynalds suggested
areas could be thought about for the next PC meeting. Coun. Edes
asked if gardening works could be carried out, Coun. Reynalds thought
there was another group at Kirkley Hall that could be utilised for this
type of work.
x]. Coun. Sandford mentioned an article in the Defra publication about young
persons and has passed the information onto the Youth Project.
xi]. NALC - Training Events - for informationxii]. NALC - AGM to be held in Morpeth
Planning
Addycombe Development: Nothing to report.
Planning Applications received for the
following:
i]. A/2006/0458: Mr A Kell, 23 Cragside View - supported.
ii]. A/2006/0477: HMC Group Ltd - Illuminated sign, community hospital -
supported, Coun. Dawson assumes signage in Bridge Street will be erected
for the hospital whereabouts. Coun. Reynalds queried whether the
swimming pool sign had been uncovered yet.
iii]. A/2006/0470: Mr & Mrs Holmes, Tynemouth - Hospital Site - 7
apartments/one dwelling - Coun. Fendley would like to know the nature of
the letting, bought, rented, summer lets etc, as there is no indication on
the plans. 12 to 15 cars could end up being parked on the front area
and Coun. Fendley was dismayed at this, and would link it to failed
attempts for traffic calming at the West End. Coun. Fendley reliably
informed a new development has to support some form of recreational/play
facility, and he has serious reservations for this planning application.
Coun. Sandford wondered about the garden area at the back, and it was an
automatic thought if there was any form of planning stipulation to
preserve the area in its current state and not being developed. Coun.
Fendley supported these comments, and thought the grounds should match the
high standard of Rothbury House next door. Coun.
Reynalds asked if affordable housing would come under this planning
application, Coun. Dawson replied as a point of information, the local
plan states AH is only applicable on developments of 10 or more
properties.
Renovations to Youth Shelter
Still awaiting lighting works.
Any Other Business
i]. Coun. Sandford reported a meeting with the PC/Youth Project at 6pm
on 12/10/06 in the Jubilee Hall which will be recognising Democracy Week -
youngsters can ask the PC questions and vice versa. Probably 4/5
young persons will be present, Coun. Dawson, Sandford, Reynalds, Coun.
Edes and Mrs Dawson to attend.
ii]. Coun. Fendley reminded all of the John Barleycorn festival being held
28/10/06, and 11/11/06 the usual two minute silence at the War Memorial
and12/11/06 the actual remembrance day service, and reported a further
meeting with Bowey Homes to be held 17/10/06 2pm, any points to be raised
can be requested.
iii]. Coun. Reynalds thought a pathway from the Alnwick junction to Cragside is
an urgent matter. Coun. Fendley replied there is a footpath proposed,
however it is at the worst possible phase of the Addycombe development at
present, as the road is narrower than ever with junction problems, and
after Knocklaw that stretch is equally dangerous.
iv]. Coun. Sandford had raised the matter of Donkin’s Lamp previously, which
is now absolutely filthy, and considering what the PC did to bring it back
to life, he thinks the village is being badly let down. Coun. Dawson
to ring NCC about this.
v]. Coun. Mrs Dawson said Jacob’s Ladder lack of lighting is glaringly
obvious - when stepping onto the wide steps from the narrow bit at
the bottom you cannot see where you are placing feet, and the trees are
obscuring light, Coun. Edes thought the shrubbery at the bottom extremely
overgrown. Coun. Dawson to ask NCC advice on this, ie. ownership,
and it will have to be borne in mind that hidden in the shrubbery there is
a listed structure - the pillbox - so the owner has a duty of care.
vi]. Coun. Reynalds has been approached by the scouts who plan to run events on
Music Festival weekend and possibly at Christmas - partly as a service,
partly as fund raising - and can they use parts of the village green in
front of the Parish Hall and National Parks office - this was agreed.
Coun. Reynalds reported a member of the public had donated £200 to the
scouts after being impressed by their recent litter pick
Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 1 November 2006.
The meeting finished at
8.40pm.
Claire Miller Clerk
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