Parish Council

Present 
              Coun. Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Dawson, Fendley, Gilson, Murray,
              Reynalds, Sandford and the Clerk
              Coun. Bridget, NCC,    PC Kilburn

Apologies                 Apologies
              None

Election of Officers
Chairman - Coun. Mrs Dawson nominated and seconded

Bridge's Report
Coun. Fendley reported he had provided Bridge's editor with a 120 word resume of the April PC meeting, however it would appear to have been a waste of time as the report was not included - the editor had forwarded an e-mail regarding items having to be omitted due to lack of space. Coun. Fendley said whilst he defended the right of any editor to edit articles he thought the comments received not respectful to the Parish Council. Coun. Sandford said with the Quality PC in progress and hoping to rely on Bridges including PC newsletters, he was prepared to contact the editor explaining this and suggested the PC could provide financial support. However the e-mail stated they did not include reports from other PC's. Coun. Dawson said when looking at the magazine it is for the community, the PC plays a large part in the whole valley and should be recognised and how a magazine supporting the community cannot accept a PC article is astounding. Coun. Mrs Morton said the editorial staff are new, but they seem to have room to publish jokes so why not news for the community. Coun. Gilson said the PC do not financially support the magazine and therefore have no right to complain. Coun. Reynalds proposed writing to the editor and expressing regret Bridges are unwilling to engage with RPC who have amenities used by the whole valley - agreed.

Police Presence
PC Kilburn present and reported the station has now been relocated, however with minor problems concerning IT equipment, they are currently working between the old and new station, with an official opening date of 30/5/09. Coun. Murray asked if the public can attend the open day - Police Sergeant was hoping to send invites to the community. Coun. Reynalds asked if plans for the constabulary axing the motorcycle division were true, this was confirmed. Coun. Dawson asked how visiting motorcyclists can be policed in Rothbury. The Chief Constable had said the usual campaign would start later this year, and issues are addressed annually, however PC commented it is very difficult to police grown males, and there will be accidents. Coun. Murray thought the relocation of the police station will be of benefit to the village.

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

Matters Arising from Previous Minutes

Crime & Disorder Forum
Next forum 15/6/09, 630pm Jubilee Hall.

Rural Transport / Shopping Bus
Nothing to report.

Play Areas
Coun. Murray reported an e-mail received from Michael Hodgson commenting on the riverside play area. Coun. Gilson said to remember this play area is not the PC's responsibility.

West End Entrance
Coun. Sandford asked Coun. Bridgett if the plan for the current f/y had been confirmed, Coun. Bridgett replied officially yes. Coun. Sandford mentioned a letter published in the Gazette suggesting permanently relocating the road bridge to the stepping stones area. Coun. Bridgett replied there would be flooding and danger issues, NCC engineers did look at the area, but it was not feasible, even for the temporary bridge, and the road bridge works are necessary for EU regulations. Coun. Gilson not convinced the bridge needs to be worked on yet again and heartily agreed with points made to Gazette. Coun. Bridgett said it is dependent on finance, and NCC receive one of the lowest allocations of funding from central government in the country. Coun. Fendley thought the mart bank gradient would be a problem and totally impractical. Coun. Murray said how long did it take Lesbury to get their new bridge, and that was a straightforward project, and thought an entrance into Stepping Stones would create even more traffic problems. Coun. Gilson asked if it had really been looked at and discussed properly. Coun. Bridgett replied NCC engineers looked at various solutions, and the existing bridge will be aesthetically pleasing and provide work for local stonemasons and English Heritage would not allow 'just any work' to occur. The Environment Agency have specified work on the river can not be carried out after 31/10/09.

NHS Governor
Coun. Sandford had discussed the possibility of daytime respite care at the hospital, and had been informed the Care Trust who would finance a scheme and are looking at it favourably, but require assurance of a public need. The Friends of Hospital have forwarded correspondence, along with the surgery, and Coun. Sandford suggested the PC also send a letter - this was agreed. The proposed emergency care centre is currently under debate and a meeting for the general public is to be held 19/6/09 6pm Jubilee Hall. Coun. Sandford had attended a meeting at Hexham with the ambulance trust present, to discuss whether ambulance staff and vehicles would be able to work efficiently. Coun. Fendley hoped ambulance motorcycles do not get abandoned along with the police branch.

Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford had spoken to Mr Lee and made him aware the concerns regarding dementia patients, and room availability for local people. Mr Lee is currently in discussions with the Care Trust, and will attend a future PC meeting to update on progress.

Flooding/Dealing with Emergencies
Coun. Gilson to arrange a meeting with the relevant authorities. Coun. Fendley understood the Environment Agency are holding a surgery in the Jubilee Hall tomorrow for flood victims. Coun. Bridgett had written to all agencies involved and received responses, and a public meeting will be held on either 23/24/25 June.

Village Greens
Nothing to report.

Community Lights Committee
Meeting to be held 22/5/09

Picnic Area
Nothing to report.

Web Site
Coun. Murray said this can now be taken off the agenda. Coun. Gilson wished to re-thank Coun. Murray for the web­site but is disappointed not more people are using the forum.

Turks Head Area Gully
Coun. Gilson understood the CO-OP are refusing to provide details of their wagon crashing there, and it also appears as if a further vehicle has caused damage. Coun. Sandford said NCC did make assurances they could make improvements to the area.

Churchyard Wall
Coun. Bridgett had spoken to NCC engineer, who is to contact Coun. Mrs Dawson shortly.

Quality Parish Council
Coun. Sandford repeated if there is a problem using Bridges in the future with regard to a quarterly newsletter, the PC may have to go in a different direction and councillors should think about options. Coun. Murray said it would have to be ascertained how many households are within RPC boundary, however Coun. Sandford said copies only had to be made available in various public places, e.g. library.

Clock Chiming
Coun. Dawson had contacted W Potts who were to arrange an engineer's visit, and the matter is in hand. Coun. Reynalds reported it is still out of sync, Coun. Dawson to re-contact W Potts.

Hanging Baskets
NCC are to contact Parish Council about baskets.

Community Forum's
Coun. Bridgett had attended a meeting yesterday with new locality officers from NCC who will be covering North Northumberland, and is surprised to see budgets are being made available for running and administration for forums. It was agreed to look more closely at the model adopted in Glendale whereby forums act as a body managing funding, but with local elected councillors. A meeting is looking to be convened July/August under the Boundary Review ­the Rothbury division has been selected for review. Coun. Fendley supported these comments, and reported the RPC did act as manager for a Community Action local funding scheme and there is still a balance in the PC account belonging to this group.

NCC Local Development Framework
Comments due middle June - Coun. Mrs Dawson to forward.

Rothbury Plan
Hospital: Nothing to report.
Haugh Land: Coun. Sandford disappointed there is not an alternative piece of land elsewhere to develop. Coun. Edes said the overhead swing is still in storage.
Parking: Nothing to report.
Youth Project: Nothing to report.
Footpaths: Coun. Morton mentioned moss still on footpaths - Coun. Bridgett has forwarded e-mail and letter and received assurances the area will be actioned. The problem with drains on Bridge Street has been resolved. Coun. Fendley had been approached about a raised pavement opposite All Saint's Church. Police Sergeant thought it was dislodged and wobbling, Coun. Bridgett to follow up.
Recycling: Nothing to report.
Cyclepath: Correspondence received from Sustrans/NCC - Coun. Morton declared an interest and temporarily left the meeting - Sustrans stating the width of the path needs to be a certain size to secure funding (3m), however the NCC letter states the width could be 2m, and a compromise may need to be reached. Coun. Sandford said it is not the whole scheme only the part at the riverside causing concern. Coun. Bridget had spoken to NCC and said he would not support anything over 2m, as any larger would not be appropriate for the area, however Coun. Sandford reported this is only a small part of the scheme and the wider it is the safer it will be. Coun. Dawson said in certain parts the width would not be a problem, but when looking at a hard surface from the bridge and through the play area it would look like a tarmac road, and there are parts at the cemetery wall where it could not be greater than 2m. Coun. Dawson thought the surface should be gravel rolled in, and the old cemetery area would require photographic evidence of the existing kerbs, and when upgraded the stone should be put back in the same positions, and historical features in that area left untouched. The play area needs very careful consideration, and the existing hedgerow retained, and the bridle path redefined. It should not be forgotten most people hoped for a path to go along the B-road. Coun. Murray has concerns - the plans showed the path made up of different sections - and the 2m included a section for horse riders, Coun. Gilson had walked the area and made assurances there had not been horses in the area recently, but numerous dog walkers and cyclers, yet most of the anti voices at the meeting came from horse riders and the whole project had started as a traffic free route for kids to cycle from Rothbury to Thropton, and it would serve this purpose. Coun. Murray did know of regular horse users. Coun. Sandford explained opening it up to more users would generate extra funding. Coun. Fendley said the PC recommendation is 2m and suggested inviting Sustrans back to a PC meeting. Coun. Murray said at the Sustrans meetings he had attended there was no mention of signs to prevent vehicle users access on the route and restrictions should be put in place. Clerk to invite Sustrans to future PC meeting.
Speed Cameras: Coun. Gilson conscious of other villages in Northumberland who have warning signs etc, and would like the PC to stress they are still concerned about speeding and traffic flow in Rothbury. Coun. Dawson agreed with these comments. Coun. Fendley said at the recent Crime & Disorder Forum one reason mentioned was cost, and PC's could be prepared to help with finance. Coun. Dawson replied if it is cost he would like to know where smaller hamlets receive funding from. Coun. Bridgett said he had funds available to purchase signs but NCC adhere to strict policy in not allowing speed indicator signs in Northumberland, but are working towards changing this policy. Signs would either become the responsibility of a speed camera partnership and therefore not based in Rothbury, or it could be seen if local parishes are prepared jointly to fund running costs. Coun. Murray thought there no reason why the NCC mobile structure cannot be placed in Rothbury occasionally. One reply on the PC web-site concerned speeding at Garleigh road area and Coun. Murray requested this be minuted. Coun. Sandford added a much forgotten area is the cemetery bank, the 30mph signs were moved back, but there is a tremendous gradient encouraging speeding and the bank narrows to a blind corner. Police Sergeant said the police have a constant battle with traffic/speeding/parking in Rothbury, and thought there had been an agreement for traffic calming measures at Armstrong Cottage entrance, Coun. Bridgett said this will be going ahead.
Street Lighting: Coun. Bridgett thought funds had been allocated for additional lighting, however three recent structures had not yet been connected.
Enhance Public Areas: Coun. Morton mentioned the area on the High Street not being cut where there are daffodils and reported her neighbour had cut it, and if he can why can't the council action the area. Coun. Bridgett suggested contacting Bill Baty NCC.
Heritage Amenity Project: Nothing to report.
Information Signage: Coun. Reynalds understood historical sign funding had been lost, and could the project be resurrected. Coun. Fendley replied it had been at the advanced planning stage, but then fell through the ADC mesh, and if similar signs could be designed he would be happy to pursue. Coun. Murray reported seeing numerous persons reading the sign at Beggar Rigg.

The following Accounts have been authorised.
Unable to authorise accounts as cheque book with auditor.

Seats & Trees
Coun. Edes had rundown of seat maintenance carried out - Mike Evens had produced report of repairs carried out and further repairs required. Coun. Sandford had rung Friends of Hospital regarding a seat to the hospital, the PC will pay and be reimbursed. The plastic seat company were to send a full catalogue; however a seat had been chosen and could be ordered and delivered to Coun. Sandford's house.

Paths & Verges
  Nothing to report.

Unitary Councillor Report
Coun. Bridgett reported NCC area committee have been granted community chest funding. The boundary review were proposing moving Elsdon, Rothley, Hollinghill and Nunnykirk into a new Longhorsley division, however the parishes would ideally wish to stay in the Rothbury division.

Correspondence
i].   Notice of appeal to Planning Inspectorate - A/2008/0376: Mr & Mrs I Gutherson, 1 Market Place - bungalow - for information
ii].   NALC - PC appointments to Northumberland Strategic Partnership - comments required by 22/5/09 - does any Councillor wish to be on this committee? Coun. Fendley volunteered
iii].   HospiceCare North Northumberland - newsletter - available for circulation
iv].   NALC - PC fuel allowances claimable - for information
v].    NCC - Area Committee meeting dates 2009/1 0 - for information
vi].   WRVS - Getabout - poster displayed
vii].  Clerks & Councils Direct - newsletter - available for circulation
viii]. AGM Jubilee Institute - 28/5/09
ix].   The Clerk - newsletter - available for circulation
x].    NCC - weed spraying - to be carried out on path to hospital
xi].   NCC - Alnwick Local Development Framework
xii].  NHS - Consultations
xiii]. Longframlington PC - complaints received about the bus service between Thropton & Newcastle being re-routed through Stannington and Wideopen, poor time keeping and dirty buses. Coun. Murray said the original problem was the bus not going through Loansdean anymore, and perceptions it was taking longer, and he understood it would revert back through Loansdean. Coun. Bridgett said it was to be reinstated and he was happy to follow this up and it could also be discussed at the Parish Forum meeting. Coun. Murray said there are buses running with lack of passengers and this should be borne in mind.

Planning
           Addycombe Development: No site meeting yet held.
                   Bridge Street:

              Planning Applications received for the following:
      ·        A/2009/0179: Mrs B Johanson, 1 Police Houses - fence retention
      ·     Amendment proposal description: A/2009/0148: N/Estates - new link access to Whitton View. Coun. Gilson assumed the PC objections have gone through, Coun. Murray said they have been registered and are on the web­site. Coun. Dawson said it is an amended application, and from its first conception it quite clearly stated it would be a stand alone estate with no link road, and thought it very strange two months after the demise of ADC to link the estates up. Coun. Fendley said a pre-condition of Whitton View being approved was quite clearly the isolating of the trunk road to the estate. Coun. Sandford thought legally this part of an application will stand for all time. Coun. Dawson said it is separate from the application approved, a separate piece of land N/Estates own, with the development planned and numerous discussions it should have been thrashed out completely years ago, but it wasn't, and he does not know why the link road is necessary. Coun. Sandford said the PC need to phrase an objection in terms of access being left as at present with Whitton View residents being considered. Coun. Edes thought if barriers are put in place as at Cragside, traffic at Addycombe could travel East and relieve Brewery Lane. Coun. Murray said roads in Whitton View are not designed for the best of parking and residents have already made objections. Coun. Dawson asked when the next planning meeting is, Coun. Bridgett thought it would be discussed in June. Coun. Dawson agreed to attend this meeting on behalf of the PC as a member of the public.
     ·        A/2009/0206: Mr R Sutton, Moorside - TPQ tree maintenance
     ·        A/2009/0180: Mr Cockbum, Stepping Stones - Conservatory

Any Other Business
i].     Coun. Edes said it should be requested the traffic lights at the village entrance be temporarily removed for the bank holiday weekend - Coun. Gilson agreed to contact NCC.
ii].     Coun. Murray reported free driving refresher courses available for the elderly which are advertised on the web-site.
iii].    Coun. Murray to display local events on the web-site, and if anybody knows of any events to inform him.

Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 17th June 2009 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hall.

The meeting finished at 9.15pm.
Claire Miller, Clerk