Minutes of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council
held on Wednesday 13th February 2008

The meeting commenced at 7.15pm

PRESENT - Coun. Reynalds, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Dawson, Fendley, Gilson, Murray, Sandford and the Clerk

Coun. Bolam, NCC Coun. Bridget, ADC

Member of the Public Present
Alistair Costley thanked the PC for his time and wished to comment on Coun. Murray's excellent works at Beggar's Rigg - and said as it is a recreational/picnic area the vegetation needs to be kept down and the footpaths negotiable. Alistair cannot see how the area can be defined as a site of special scientific interest and wondered if this patch is appropriate as an SSI, and perhaps adjacent areas are more interesting. Coun. Sandford thought it was the coquet that was an SSI, Coun. Dawson said it is the riverbanks but this does not mean work cannot be done on them, and endorsed Alistair's comments of Coun. Murray carrying out an excellent job and said it should have been done years ago. Coun. Murray wished to thank Coun. Bolam and Bridgett for their support regarding the meeting with NCC Footpaths Officer Tony Derbyshire. Coun. Bolam is actively involved in securing shrubs for the area. The riverside path towards the play area will take major engineering works to rectify, which would involve metal frames with stones in or an alternative option is to approach householders - Coun. Morton reported she had already received a telephone call about the possibility of NCC purchasing some of her land. Coun. Bolam said there is a small budget for improving pathways, which would include negotiating moving the footpath.

Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Crime & Disorder Forum
Coun. Reynalds reported there had been a burglary on Hillside - Coun. Sandford had spoken to the police about this who had taken some details but did not come back to him. Information and pictures had been received about local police personnel. Coun. Fendley noted the next police forum as 4/3/08. Coun. Dawson reported the police station relocation is to go ahead.

Rural Transport
Coun. Reynalds had attended the meeting in Choppington and paperwork is available from this. There does seem to be two main groups in the county working on community transport, Tinn and an organisation based in Hexham. A meeting about fundraising for UCCT to keep the minibus under their control was held and a fundraising group formed, however it would be useful to have another Parish Councillor on this committee. The bus requires £2K annually to keep it running. UCCT AGM Meeting to be held which Coun. Murray will chair.

Play Areas
Coun. Gilson had met with Lisa Mason concerning the Addycombe Play Area, but as she has now moved from the estate and not willing to be involved has passed the paperwork on. Coun. Gilson has a source of free absorbent rubber, which can be wrapped around the dangerous parts of the climbing frame and on the seat, as repositioning of the seat is not viable. The Rospa report had asked for signs of action as they had given it a moderate threat level.

West End Entrance
Coun. Fendley said as time goes on he comes across numerous chicanes in Northumberland, except for Rothbury, and the PC are consistently told by the police they are unworkable. Coun. Dawson said it is most frustrating, always hearing what cannot work, but not what can. Coun Fendley has been assured by Inspector Peart speeding is one of her priorities.

Rothbury Shoppers Group
Nothing to report.

NHS Governor
Coun. Sandford had attended a governor's meeting at the Cottage Hospital - the Chairman and Chief Executive from Northumberland Health Trust had been present. There had been no formal agenda, instead an informal conversation, and quite surprisingly the Chief Executive had come up with suggestions of making more use of the cottage hospital. The first was to utilise room for some sort of day care, which used to happen at the old hospital. A second suggestion was the lack of use of the physio room, Coun. Sandford had suggested this previously - and the Chief Executive said they were to think about opening up the area to be used by community groups. Three organisations are now interested in the proposed nursing home. Coun. Sandford had attended a meeting today with Northumberland Care Trust who are to hold a meeting regarding ideas of local patients input on improvements/changes. Coun. Sandford said the new emergency centre talks are still ongoing, and they haven't as yet pinpointed a specific location. The trust has been given the go ahead as a bowel cancer-screening centre - North Tyneside would be the first area where screening would take place. Coun. Murray said there had been an article published whereby people between 60 and 69 could buy a self-help kit covering bowel cancer and for those over 70 there is a free phone number. Coun. Reynalds had commented the downstairs part of the hospital is underused. There are still plans for the doctors' surgery to move there and the opinion was a 30-bed care home would be viable.

Nursing Home
Discussed above.

Ambulance Service/Patient Transfer
Coun. Murray reported an excellent service received by his wife and mother-in-law recently.

ADC Local Wide Plan
Coun. Fendley reported Community Action Group Northumberland meets 21/2/08 l0am to which all councillor's are invited. A meeting is to be held 25/2/08 630pm where Bill Baty will be discussing some of the issues, however only one representative has been invited from the PC, and it had been thought this would be a public meeting. Coun. Bridgett had tried to contact Bill Baty as he was also under this impression. Coun. Sandford asked if all the details were clear, as he did not think so. Coun. Bridgett said members of NCC will also be present, Coun. Reynalds thought it an early stage of setting up a local forum and thought the Business Club would be invited. Coun. Bridgett concerned, and thought a Belonging Community Forum should be elected and accountable. Coun. Bolam said it is being kept under wraps, with very little democratic debate, and is concerned the forum will take the place of the opinions of the constituent Parish Council's. Coun. Fendley understood Parish councillor's will still be in existence until 2013, Coun. Bolam confirmed this. Coun. Reynalds to attend on behalf of the PC, Coun. Bolam said all of Harbottle PC are to attend regardless. Coun. Dawson had received different correspondence about the meeting, and the way it reads is how will the forum be started off, and he cannot see a problem if all councillor's attend. Coun. Fendley reported at least 6 people from the Coquetdale group of PC's will attend. Coun. Murray has concerns forums from the community will bypass the PC. Coun. Fendley said it was recorded in previous minutes there was a meeting held 31/1/08 where all councillor's had been invited, and the procedure explained by David Francis. Coun. Gilson had attended two meetings last year where he was the only PC representative from Rothbury and as a result he attended the launch of the results document. Coun. Reynalds thought it seemed as if the PC did not receive a formal invitation. Coun. Gilson had read about the meetings in the Northumberland Gazette.

Village Greens
Coun. Dawson to visit solicitor on Friday

Bridge Closure
Coun. Dawson suggested this be taken off the agenda.

Christmas Lights Committee
Coun. Mrs Dawson asked if this item could be changed to Community Lights Committee. Next meeting to be held 27/2/08. Coun. Edes had received forms from NEDL for the stanchion works which David Young, electrician, will complete. Coun. Gilson asked why it is to be renamed. Coun. Dawson explained if it is under a general title it could open additional funding sources.

Spar Shop
To be taken off agenda.

Picnic Area
Discussed earlier.

Village Shrubbery
Nothing to report.

Web Site
Coun. Gilson said several meetings ago nobody had volunteered to liaise with Michael Hodgson, so he himself had tried to get in touch with MH, but had subsequently noted e-mails flying between other members of the PC & MH and can he step down from it now. Coun. Murray did say at the last PC meeting he would contact MH but did not wish to step on anybody's toes, but was happy to continue liaising with MH who is on holiday at present.

Graffiti
Coun. Mrs Dawson reported graffiti on the sign at the bottom of Jacob's Ladder - NCC to be asked to remove this.

Signage
Meeting concerning funding to be held, and Cheviot Housing Association are anxious to be involved. Coun. Murray asked if progress had been made on the sign requested for Addycombe Cottages, no reply as yet. Coun. Reynalds did e-mail the St Oswald's Way representative and Coun. Dawson had spoken to him.

Community Action
To be taken off agenda.

Rothbury Plan
Haugh Land: Coun. Dawson reporting asking for draft plans within the next three months, which NE are to action.
Parking: Coun. Murray reported problems with parking at Bridge Street relating to Maughans Yard, whereby the street can become blocked off, and it is becoming a frequent problem and could white lines be placed on the area. Coun Bridgett asked if the PC had received a response from D Frazer regarding parking in the centre of the village ¬nothing to date - Coun. Bolam said Dick is to attend the next Area Committee meeting in Rothbury to be held 1030am Thursday 13th March in the Parish Hall.
Hospital: Coun. Dawson suggested the PC invite Dick to a PC meeting perhaps in April to see if progress is being made on parking, the pedestrian crossing at the War Memorial and the Bridge Street project.
Youth Project: Coun. Sandford reported a successful coffee morning held whereby young people manned the stalls. The young people wished to be involved in tasks around the village and are there any suggestions? Coun. Edes said they had already cleared leaves near the library. Coun. Gilson said the ragwort problem is the responsibility of the persons who rent the land, so the PC would be liable if it spread to other persons land. Coun. Fendley said there is a seat maintenance problem and many would benefit from a coat of preservative, and this could be viable for the young person's. Coun. Murray asked if any young persons would be interested in being involved with the web site and M Hodgson had also suggested this.
Footpaths: Coun. Murray said an area at Addycombe bungalows had a path then paths to the front doors, where elderly persons are resident and there is an awful lot of moss on the paths - he is quite happy himself to clear this up. Clerk to contact ADC. Coun. Morton asked if access to the B.T telephone box had ever been resolved, Coun. Murray thought the PC had agreed to rectify the area themselves. Coun. Dawson said at present there is a public phone box and a post box which is not suitable for the public to use, and it is these companies responsibilities. Pilgrim's Way leaf clearance has been actioned.
Recycling: Nothing to report.
Cycle path: Nothing to report.
Speed Cameras: Nothing to report.
Recycling: Nothing to report.
Street Lighting: Nothing to report.
Enhance Public Areas: Nothing to report.
Heritage Amenity Project: Nothing to report.
Information Signage: Discussed earlier.

The following Accounts have been authorised
Community Action Northumberland - request for donation - £50.00 agreed
Citizens Advice Bureau - request for donation - £100.00 agreed
Northumberland Estates - Rent for riverside - £40.00 - Allotments - £25.00
TINN - January Shopping bus - £100.85 - fares received £106.00
Rothbury Highland Pipe Band - Request for Funding - £400, as agreed previously

Notification of appointment of external auditor received

Seats & Trees
Coun. Murray thought a seat had disappeared from the Haugh after recent flooding. Coun. Edes and Fendley had inspected all the seats and had not noticed this - a report had been prepared by Coun. Fendley. All seats are in need of some kind of service with the one at the end of Bridge Street requiring a joiner along with the railings. Coun. Edes does not know who will carry out these works. Coun. Gilson said at a previous meeting he thought it had been stated the white seat and railings were either NCC or ADC property - Coun. Dawson said previously there had not been a seat there, but the PC had turned part of the railings into a seat. Coun. Gilson said was it not raised where persons had donated seats they were to be asked for maintenance monies - however this was for any future seat donations. Coun. Gilson asked will all 'dangerous' seats be repaired by the PC? Coun. Reynalds said it is a rolling cycle, with a review carried out each year. Coun. Edes said New Horizons did carry out repairs but it was felt they were slightly expensive, Coun. Fendley had drafted an advert for Amanda Boyce's replacement, and Coun. Edes asked if the proposed advertisement was suitable, Coun. Reynalds read out the advert, it was thought a return date should be advertised. Coun. Edes had attended Amanda Boyce' s funeral and Coun. Reynalds said a red rose and card were sent from the Pc. Coun. Murray said with regard to missing seats on the riverside, should these be replaced with the' green' seats Coun. Fendley had looked at. It was agreed not to renew these seats at present. Coun. Dawson asked if a decision had been made about purchasing green seats in future, Coun. Edes replied she would not like to see such seats on the village greens.

Paths & Verges
Coun. Sandford had been contacted by a member of the public reporting Jacob's Ladder is in a bad state of repair and dangerous, and thought this matter had been raised so many times in recent years. Coun. Mrs Dawson said the steps are crumbling at the sides and there is a problem with vegetation during the summer - when holes are filled in there are problems with NCC personnel gaining access for repair works, and it is all a matter of funding. Coun. Sandford asked for persons dependent on using it is it dangerous? - Coun. Mrs Dawson and Bridgett replied yes. Coun. Mrs Dawson said holes were filled in 18 months ago but the steps are again deteriorating, Coun. Dawson had personally written to Tony Derbyshire NCC, and it was down to finance, but NCC had said they were to put a bid in for this coming years budget. As it is a registered public footpath there is a duty to make sure it is safe for the public to use, and thought the easiest way to solve the problem is for the NCC Footpaths Officer to inspect the path and state whether it is safe or not. Coun. Bridgett said ADC/NCC should attend twice yearly, and two accidents have occurred due to damp weather with wet vegetation. Coun. Fendley suggested the path be closed and the public informed. Coun. Murray had brought up the area last year and requested additional handrails - at the time it was said NCC had agreed it was in need of repair and had been placed into next FY budget. Coun. Sandford proposed the Footpaths Officer attend the area for an inspection as a matter of urgency.

Coun. Dawson said the hawthorn hedge adjacent to the new footpath to the hospital is in dire need of attendance - it is NCC's responsibility but should not be cut mechanically and it is at the stage now where it can become a beautiful hedgerow.

Closed Churchyards
Coun. Dawson had received a letter from Judy Glover last year regarding the lack of cutting in the closed churchyards and thought the best solution would be a meeting with the PCC. Coun. Sandford said Alistair Gaskell had had problems last year regarding regular cutting, and it had previously been agreed if AG could not fulfill future obligations the PC would employ somebody else. Coun. Gilson asked if anybody knows how long it takes to cut the areas, and might the 8 hours per week for person to be advertised not be raised to 10 hours to cover this work. Coun. Fendley supported the general view, but said the advert states persons have to provide their own equipment. Coun. Edes reported she has asked AG to attend to the areas, and had hoped they would be done this week and they would need cutting 10 times during the season. Coun. Dawson to write to Judy Glover and say the matter is being looked into. Coun. Sandford said if he thought AG was dragging his feet he would say so but said he is not that kind of person.

Correspondence
E Mail
Sandy Hunter - Riverside Path - discussed earlier
NHS Care Trust - Adult Education Services - for information
ADC - Policy Framework for 2008/09 - for information
CPRE - Newsletter - for information
NNParks - Simonside Hills - for information
Audit Commission - appointment of external auditor - reported earlier
NCC - Minerals &Waste Development Framework - Recycling Depot - Coun. Dawson pointed out everybody is suffering from increased fuel charges, and if travelling to Alnwick to dispose of wastage it would mean a 22 mile round trip and something has to be done. Coun. Morton reiterated previous comments she wished to push and push this subject, Coun. Fendley wondered how many people have a black wheelie bin which does help matters and not as costly as travelling to disposal sites.
Coquetdale Local Action Group - agenda meeting 21/2/08
Government of North East - Spatial Strategy - for information
North Northumberland Hospice - awareness function
ADC - Belonging Community Meeting - discussed earlier
Scouts - information event - Coun. Edes reported a successful event held last night by local groups - scouts, brownies, etc.

PLANNING

Planning Applications received for the following:
A/2008/0023: 4 Dwellings - Blaeberry Hill - Coun. Sandford thought M Hodgson had
details from the original planning application that said there would be no more than 6 properties - agreed to comment .original opinion of there being no more than 6 properties in total.

Addycombe Development: Coun. Fendley reported spasmodic flooding continuing. Coun. Murray said there had been activity on the temporary haul road, and a nearby resident had been concerned, and Coun. Murray had e-mailed the developer. Coun. Fendley said the pathways are in the process of construction.

Bridge Street: Nothing to report.

Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:
A/2007/0650: Mr P A viston, Conway Cottage - sub-division of dwelling
A/2007/0651: Mr P A viston, Conway Cottage - listed building consent
A/2007/0298: Mr & Mrs Robison, Knocklaw Park - tree works
A/2007/0687: Mrs A Bilclough, 4 Front Street - conversion
Notice of Refusal of Planning Application
A/2007/0610: J D Mason, Stanton - windmill power generator

Any Other Business
i]. Coun. Murray reported somebody had placed a lid and stone on top of the bin at the Parish Hall and there were concerns persons may be injured, 'Of the brick could end up through somebody's window and ADC are to remove the stone - Coun. Edes reported seeing a new bin there today.
ii]. Coun. Murray reported the new bin had been installed at the top of the 1st school bank.
iii]. Coun. Murray reported the barrier was now outside the Post Office.
iv]. Coun. Murray reported the manhole below the Catholic Church is coming apart; the area had been actioned but had not lasted and requires proper remedial work. Clerk to write to NCC.
v]. Coun. Sandford had been contacted by Help the Aged who can provide transport for persons to go to social ventures - information to be passed to Over 60's and Rodsley Court, and be displayed in notice board. The library and Over the Bridge could also be given copies.
vi]. Coun. Fendley said flooding takes place at Bridge Street and the much-maligned new junction
vii]. Coun. Fendley asked if consideration could be given to realigning the white traffic markers at the south end of the bridge, as persons turning right are crossing over them.
viii]. Coun. Edes had been contacted by a person asking if work experience could be provided for Brian Hardy's son at the Catholic Church, and thought he could help tidy up the war memorial Brian used to attend to.

Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 12th March 2008 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hall.

The meeting finished at 10 pm.
Claire Miller, Clerk