Minutes of the meeting of Rothburv Parish Council held on Wednesday 11th June 2008

The meeting commenced at 7.15pm 

PRESENT 

Coun. Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Dawson, Murray, Reynalds, Sandford and the Clerk Coun. Bridget, ADC

 APOLOGIES

Coun. Fendley, Gilson

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Alistair Costley present and wished to speak about the Annual Assembly as he believed a copy of the Chairman's report was to be included in Bridges, and thought the public could become disenchanted with the lack of information ­Coun. Reynalds passed around copies of his report. Coun. Murray explained as the May meeting had been held after the deadline for inclusion in Bridges the report will be included in the next issue. Coun. Reynalds did e-mail the report but was informed it was not Bridges policy to include inserts. Coun. Dawson thought this strange as Bridges is a newsletter for the valley. Coun. Mrs Dawson to contact Rosie Stacy of Bridges. Coun. Mrs Edes thought it could be a manpower reason for not including inserts and she was prepared to help with this, however Coun. Reynalds had suggested this to Bridges.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS: As last year

Dr Thomlinson's Trust: Coun. Mrs Edes, Mrs Dawson

Community Lights: Coun. Mrs Edes, Mrs Dawson

Finance: Coun. Mrs Dawson, Morton, Sandford

Planning: Coun. Mrs Dawson, Morton, Sandford

Greens: Coun. Mrs Edes, Gilson

Over the Bridge Report Coun. Mrs Dawson to compile.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Matters Arising from Previous Minutes

Crime & Disorder Forum

Coun. Morton, Dawson & Fendley had attended the meeting held 3/6/08. The police are to continue monitoring parking and speed limit enforcements, and are to carry out a speed audit in Swarland. It was confirmed the police station is to be relocated, and a general discussion on public houses and their order had occurred. Coun. Mrs Morton said the meetings are open to the public which is not a well known fact, but only two members of the public had attended. It was thought the forums should be publicised more - next meeting 9/9/08 6pm.

Rural Transport/Shopping Bus

Coun. Reynalds reported UCCTG had requested the PC hold the finance to purchase the bus for community use, and 3 members of the PC now sit on the management group - the brokerage group were encouraged to join and had wished to attend the AGM but subsequently did not. Coun. Reynalds reported with 9 days notice Tinn contacted UCCTG to say they did not want them to be part of the brokerage and subsequently withdraw the insurance, fuel card and Section 9 permit. An emergency meeting had been held and it was decided UCCTG would go independent. The shopping bus will continue on a Friday for the foreseeable future. Support and information had been received from Adapt, a company based in Hexham. It was agreed a transport higher structure will be more user friendly, and the charges will be 75p a mile, however longer journeys could receive a discount. Coun. Sandford asked if the increasing fuel costs would affect figures, however this had been taken into account. Tinn have also written to all members of the shopping bus to say they are no longer involved which had caused alarm to the users. Coun. Sandford had originally been in touch with Tinn and had formed the nicest possible impression of the organisation, and is most surprised at this decision, and asked is there was any other reason for the it, bar a difference of opinion? Coun. Reynalds had received e-mails stating they had asked for meetings and been turned down, however this is inaccurate, and the unanimous view of Tinn was it was in the interests of both organisations for the brokerage arrangement to stop, and it will allow UCCTG to take over full management of the bus without the constraints of brokerage. Coun. Sandford thought there had been a tremendous change in the set up of Tinn by them taking over different areas, and said they had become more commercially minded, more led by financial reasons. Coun. Edes said last Wednesday she used the bus and found the service most adequate. Coun. Morton asked ifthe UCCTG bus was driven by a UCCTG driver, Coun. Edes confirmed this. Coun. Reynalds said Tinn had taken trade away from UCCTG, and thought it a disgraceful way of behaving. Coun. Murray stressed the sterling work person's within the group have carried out with Coun. Morton securing additional funding - £2K from ADC & £2K from Sear's Foundation, with a view to further funding in the next 2 years, dependent on a progress report from UCCTG, and extra bookings have been secured. Coun. Mrs Dawson thanked all involved for their work, Coun. Dawson said have Tinn not been supported by PC funds in the past, however the clerk did not think so. Coun. Sandford asked about bookings, Coun. Murray said Reverend Julie Glover and the Scouts have booked the bus since the changes came into effect on 6/6/08. Coun. Dawson proposed correspondence be sent to Tinn saying the PC are very disappointed with their decision, and not to have the courtesy to arrange a meeting with persons running the service is disgraceful, at such short notice, with no valid reason. Coun. Edes asked if the bus needs advertising, Coun. Murray said this was in hand and a note is to be placed in Over the Bridge.

Play Areas Nothing to report.

West End Entrance

Coun. Mrs Morton said there is a patch of grass past Rothbury House that has not been cut, opposite the old hospital. Coun. Bridgett said the cut off period to remove daffodils is 2/6/08.

NHS Governor

Coun. Sandford was to arrange a public meeting with NHS North ofTynel Northumbria Care Trust and are to ask the public on their views including after hours, GP services, care in the home, with a 3 month consultation May, June, July, and a public meeting to be held 24/7/08 7pm in the Parish Hall where there will be a team of people to answer questions. Coun. Sandford did inform Dr Cameron and he asked if the surgery should be present officially, it was thought at the last PC meeting this might be awkward for the public, so turned the offer down. Coun. Sandford had information to circulate regarding Northumberland Stars - a handyman service for over 60's to book free of charge, ego Hanging curtains, moving furniture.

Nursing Home Nothing to report. 

ADC Local Wide Plan Nothing to report. 

Community Lights Committee Nothing to report.

Allotments

Coun. Murray requested his name be added to the list.

 Website Nothing to report.

 Golf Club Entrance

Coun. Dawson had written to ADC Enforcement Officer, awaiting reply.

Turks Head area gully

Reply received from NCC stating a site meeting had been carried out, but the gradient onto the main road precludes any short term solution, however further investigations are to take place. 

Dog Bins

Coun. Mrs Dawson reported the bin had been sited on Hillside East, and bins are awaited for Addycombe.

Posts & Chains

Acknowledgement received - Dick Frazer responsible for this area.

Precept figure

Coun. Sandford as being Chairman of JBC explained ADC did used to cover budgetary figures, and the JBC had liased with ADC Senior Accounts person. The Council tax has only been raised by 3%, not 6% as printed. Coun. Murray does not understand why the form says 6%. Coun. Dawson suggested the matter could be raised at the parish forum provisionally arranged for30/7 /08.

Churchyard wall Nothing to report.

Closed meeting resolution

Coun. Dawson has information on exclusion of the Public and Press, Section 100A.

Picnic Area Nothing to report.

Signage Nothing to report.

Rothbury Plan

Haugh Land: Discussed earlier.

Parking: Coun. Reynalds commented on Bank Holiday Monday the main roads were reduced to one lane, with no police presence evident, and thought in future a field should be hired for persons' to park, Coun. Mrs Dawson replied this had been suggested but there was nowhere suitable. The police did say they did not consider Spring Bank Holiday Monday required police presence. Coun. Dawson said all organisations need to be aware there are now different senior officers in the area, and when an event is held the police should be informed prior and problems, if any, stated.

Hospital: Nothing to report

Youth Project: Nothing to report

Footpaths: Coun. Morton reported no further information received following NCC Footpaths Officer wishing to purchase land from owners of the riverside, however path repairs have been carried out. Coun. Morton has received a complaint about person's walking up the CO-OP alley and discovering biker's urinating - matter for the police.

Recycling: Nothing to report

Cyclepath: Nothing to report.

Speed Cameras: Nothing to report

Street Lighting: Still no action to request for review, Coun. Sandford said this may be as when asking for general requests NCC find it hard to respond to - Coun. Murray specified additional street lighting on the high street, clerk to contact NCC.

Enhance Public Areas: Nothing to report.

Heritage Amenity Project: Nothing to report.

Information Signage: Nothing to report.

The following Accounts have been authorised

Jubilee Hall- use of room 2007/08 - £65.00

C Miller - quarterly salary & expenses - £833.82
TINN - April bus - £100.00 - person collecting fares - £237 received 18/4 - 6/6/08.

Society of Local Council Clerks - annual membership - £80.00

T W Aldersons - £20.50

M Evens - Gardening - £290.00

G Stephenson - £330.00

Audit of Accounts 2007/08 - Statement of Accounts to be authorised for audit Points 1 to 8 read through - all statements agreed to. Point 9 not applicable.

Seats & Trees

Coun. Murray reported the seat by the bridge had previously been thrown into the river, lifted out, and now had a complete leg and arm missing. Coun. Edes thought Mike Evens may be able to action repair.

Paths & Verges

Coun. Reynalds had received a complaint from the PCC about grass not being cut around the gravestones, Coun. Edes had spoken to Judy Glover and it will be actioned from now on, it has not been cut on a regular basis, and it was always left at one time with the PCC's instruction. Coun. Murray said the rest of the area has been cut outstandingly.

Correspondence

E Mail

 Email: Sandy Hunter, riverside path - pleased to see the repair carried out

Brewery Lane parking - site is being monitored
ADC - Tree Preservation Order, land at Auction Mart - to be discussed in private

NCC - Posts & Chains - discussed earlier

NCC - Turks Head Triangle - discussed earlier

ADC - Appointments to Office - for information

Rothbury GP - Newsletter - to be displayed in noticeboard

NALC - New Leader Approach - for information

NALC - Hadrian's Wall- for information

....PLANNING

. Addycombe Development: Coun. Dawson had contacted ADC development Control, and the Enforcement Officer is looking to see what the conditions are and that they are being complied with. The public meeting had not been held, although various complaints have been received it was thought pointless holding a meeting until further information is known. Coun. Murray thought the pathway down old Addycombe an important issue. Coun. Dawson said this subject will be part of the discussion. Coun. Sandford and Fendley had stopped meeting with the developer, but if there is a future need for meetings they can be arranged. Grass verges at the site have now been cut at least twice.

. Bridge Street: Access still being parked across.

. Planning Applications received for the following:

. A/2008/0312: Demolition Garage, Nether House, Garleigh Road - supported

. A/2008/0303: Extension, Sandaig, Hillside - supported

. Approval of Planning Application received for the following:

. A/2008/0086: Mrs M Rutherford, 6 Hurley Knowles - conservatory

Any Other Business

Coun. Murray reported verges on the left hand side when coming into Rothbury are left until they are extremely overgrown and cannot see why they can't be cut when the hedge is cut as happens at the Rothbury sign at the top end and outside the middle school. Coun. Sandford said ADC cut around the signs but it is n_t strictly their task, but had agreed to do it as a gesture, and he thought the foliage looked picturesque. Coun. Murray said it does need trimming - Dick Thompson did agree to carry this work out. Coun. Murray reported the footpath past the five a side pitch and the hedge require attention, Coun. Dawson said it is the Recreation Club who action this area – there is a stone wall and thought the best course of action not be to weed kill the grass.

. Coun. Dawson thought community transport issues could also be aired at the Parish Forum.

. Finance Sub Committee meeting arranged Tuesday 17th June at Daisy Cottage, 630pm.

. Coun. Dawson understood the RAF are attending the next PC meeting, which will hopefully be an issue that will interest members of the public, and publicity would be beneficial, meeting to start at 630pm.

Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 16th July 2008 commencing 630pm in the Jubilee Hall.

The meeting finished at 930pm.

Claire Miller, Clerk