Minutes of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council
held on Wednesday 16th January 2008

The meeting commenced at 7.15pm
 

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

Apologies: Coun. Gilson, Sandford, District Coun. Bridgett, County Coun. Bolam

Over the Bridges
Coun. Mrs Dawson to compile report.

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

Crime & Disorder Forum
Report available for circulation.

Rural Transport
Upper Coquetdale Group AGM to be held 18/2/08 where Tinn’s offer to take over the minibus will be discussed. Since the PC’s intervention it has been suggested there may be people in the village willing to help with fundraising - the Upper Coquetdale group seem to be interested in remaining stand alone and not being run by Tinn. John Lazarus looking at possible funding sources and is to meet with Julia Crocker Community Action Northumberland 30/1/08 - if anyone wishes to assist they are welcome to attend this meeting. Coun. Murray thought John Lazarus is under the impression the PC have formed a funding committee, Coun. Reynalds also thought this. Two members from the Scout group are also willing to be involved with funding . Coun. Murray reported John has suggested attending a conference for 2008 Community Transport at Choppington 31/1/08. Coun. Reynalds to try and attend this.

Play Areas
Nothing to report.

West End Entrance
Coun. Murray reported residents in Bedlington were surveyed and 70% were in favour of tabletop calming measures.

Rothbury Shoppers Group
Nothing to report, however the public bus late evening and Sunday service have now been abolished

NHS Governor
Correspondence received from NHS regarding possible cuts in funding, but stating most GP’s will be able to remain open, but could have reduced opening times. The NHS are trying to offer some hospital facilities at surgery’s.

Nursing Home
Coun. Morton had information of a local resident not wishing to be put into nursing care outside of Rothbury, and provided with person’s visiting 4 times daily in her own home instead. Coun. Murray wondered how accessible information is concerning care in the home, Coun. Morton replied there is an individual Care Manager appointed for each patient. Coun. Murray said when the web-site is up and running this type of information would be useful to display. Coun. Edes thought it strange no new persons have been put onto the meals and wheels scheme for a year.

Ambulance Service/Patient Transfer
Nothing to report.

ADC Local Wide Plan
Coun. Reynalds reported an e-mail received regarding changes to the local structures in Northumberland, which covers the abolition of District Council’s and the replacement council being called ‘Northumberland Council. ‘ The correspondence states all PC elections will be postponed from 2011 to 2013. Coun. Fendley said there is a meeting 31/1/08 where some details of Characteristic Communities will be explained by various people. A briefing from Community Action has been received - the official deadline for comments being 30/11/07 but comments can still be made. The Belonging Community is Coquetdale, Neighbourhood Community is Rothbury and the Characteristic Community is the South East corner, and two rural parts North and West called the Rural Borderline and Rural Hinterland.

Village Greens
Nothing to report.

Bridge Closure
Nothing to report.

Christmas Lights Committee
Coun. Mrs Dawson & Edes reported meeting to be held 30/1/08, Coun. Dawson & Murray to also attend. Coun. Edes has contacted NEDL regarding their quote and persons are to attend site 23/1/08 to see where the points are required, with electrician David Young also in attendance.

Spar Shop
Coun. Morton had heard Otterburn Mill may be taking over the premises.

Picnic Area
Nothing to report.

Village Shrubbery
Nothing to report.

Web Site
Coun. Murray reported Coun. Gilson liasing with Michael Hodgson who has been in touch with Duncan Elson. Michael has developed a village forum and 3 sets of minutes are on display, and he would like a meeting to discuss what the PC want with regard to a web-site before he actually announces it to the press/public. Coun. Murray more than happy to help out. Coun. Fendley thought a meeting useful, Coun. Murray to contact Michael about this, and will liase with Coun.Gilson.

Graffiti
Nothing to report.

Signage
Coun. Murray still looking at various areas, but thought a sign indicating Addycombe Cottages is imperative - clerk to contact ADC.

Community Action
Discussed earlier - meeting to be held 31/1/08.

Rothbury Plan
Haugh Land: Still awaiting N/Estates reply.
Parking: Nothing to report.
Hospital: E-mail received regarding posts & chains on path - NCC stating they should not have been put there, but are to look again at the area. Coun. Murray surprised they have been knocked over.
Youth Project: Coffee morning to be held to raise funds, donations welcome.
Footpaths: Coun. Edes reported a request received to clean up Pilgrim’s Way. Coun. Mrs Dawson said Dick Thompson ADC maintains the area, although it does not come under the remit of ADC. Letter from NCC received stating they have adopted the footpath by the old graveyard - it was agreed this would also benefit from maintenance/lighting improvements. Coun. Morton reported bad dog fouling problems at the Haugh play area - clerk to contact ADC dog warden.
Recycling: Nothing to report.
Cyclepath: Coun. Edes had contacted Sustrans and they have advised the PC to write to Dick Frazer NCC and also ask Thropton PC to write to him and request a feasibility study for a cyclepath.
Speed Cameras: Inspector Peart has agreed traffic management is a priority in Rothbury
Recycling: Nothing to report.
Street Lighting: Acknowledgement only received from NCC requesting street lighting survey.
Enhance Public Areas: Nothing to report.
Heritage Amenity Project: Coun. Murray had downloaded information regarding the John Barleycorn festival and thought more ideas could be thought about for this years event - Coun. Fendley replied the report was the basis of a generic paper he had formed for the project, and will contact Roz Tinlin.
Information Signage: Coun. Dawson had indicated sources of potential funding and Coun. Fendley has researched some themes and would be interested to include Michael Hodgson in this discussion, as he has a detailed tour of the village on his web-site.

The following Accounts have been authorised
 TINN - November Bus £125.00 - fares received £154.00
 TINN - December Bus - £100.00 - fares received £106.00

Seats & Trees
Coun. Murray previously offered trees for use and reported he has used these at Beggar Rigg car park in strategic spots so as not to spoil views. Coun. Edes reported the fish shop railings were repaired almost immediately after the PC had requested attention to the area.

Cherry Trees
Ian Fletcher has given a verbal estimate for pruning the tree of £150 - the PC will have to gain permission from ADC for works - Coun. Edes to complete application. Coun. Edes reported ADC are asking for ideas for the memorial bed, Coun. Fendley said he may be able to come up with something. Coun. Murray suggested a simple bed in memorial to Amanda Boyce, Coun. Reynalds also thought it could be in memorial of Brian Hardy. Coun. Edes asked a letter of condolence be sent to Amanda Boyce‘s home address - Coun. Reynalds to draft a note. Coun. Edes suggested a notice be put in Over the Bridge advertising for village help. Coun. Edes & Fendley to devise a job description.

Paths & Verges
Nothing to report.

Closed Churchyards
Coun. Reynalds reported the volunteer who had tidied the area had asked for a donation to Rothbury football club - the PCC have agreed a £50 donation, so the PC do not need to take further action. Coun. Edes has been assured by Alistair Gaskell he will shortly action the areas.



Correspondence
 E Mail
 NCC - Concrete posts discussed earlier
 D Francis - Characteristic Belonging Communities - discussed earlier
 D Francis - LGR Implementation - discussed earlier

 Crime & Disorder Forum - Minutes 4/12/07 - available for circulation
 Alnwick Playhouse - Spring 2008 - for information
 NCC Area Committee Minutes - antiskid material for roads discussed and changes to Morpeth & Alnmouth railway stations, Coun. Morton reported a new bus link from Alnmouth railway station to Morpeth and along the coast to Berwick.
 NCC - Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 - Modification Order - discussed earlier
 Community Action Northumberland - newsletter
 Funding Acknowledgement - Alnwick Playhouse/Music Festival
 North East War Memorial Project - Newsletter - for information
 Clerk’s & Council’s Direct - information included about PC accounts
 The Clerk - article on reviewing process of internal audit.
 NCC - Archaeology in Northumberland - for information
 NHS - GP Funding - discussed earlier
 RAF - wishing to talk to community about low flying aircraft

PLANNING
• Planning Applications received for the following:
 A/2007/0687: Mrs A Bilclough, 4 Front Street - extension - supported, but with proviso as the property is in a prominent position no further stages of development should be permitted
 A/2008/0005: Listed Building Consent - structural repair/restoration - Iron Bridge Cragside House - supported
• Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:
 A/2007/0619: Mr K Lee 5 Walby Hill - tree works
 A/2007/0561: Mr Abu Essa, 10 Railway Street, Tyne & Wear - restaurant, Shilton’s
 A/2007/0518: N Hemming, The Copse - Extension
 A/2007/0585: R J Waugh, Sun croft - extension
 Addycombe Development: Nothing to report.
 Bridge Street: Nothing to report.

Any Other Business
 Coun. Reynalds again mentioned donated seats - Morpeth Town Council charge £70 for 10 years maintenance per seat. Coun. Edes & Fendley to compile report on current state of seats.
 Coun. Edes reported children at Church House on Christmas Eve to meet Father Christmas with parcels given in the name of Parish Councillor’s, Coun. Murray had helped beforehand but Coun. Mrs Dawson & Edes the only councillor’s there on the night. 120 parcels were put together with 20 left - which were taken to the Cottage Hospital on Christmas Day.
 Coun. Murray reported Go North East now provide bus tickets through text message.
 Coun. Murray reported Rothbury Motors Alnwick bus service now goes to Swarland and Newton on the Moor.

Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 13th February 2008 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hall.
The meeting finished at 9pm.
Claire Miller, Clerk