Minutes of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council
held on Wednesday 12th March 2008

The meeting commenced at 7.15pm

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

Apologies Coun. Fendley, Gilson

Coun. Bolam reported the Healthy Living Centre's fitness centre & consulting room works were to go ahead - there had been a problem with the land but agreement had finally been received with a joint lease between Dr Thomlinson's Trust, NCC & Northumberland Leisure Trust.

Coun. Sandford to contact Dick Frazer reference Bridge Street project site meeting request.

Over the Bridge Report
Coun. Mrs Dawson to compile.

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

Crime & Disorder Forum
Forum held 4/3/08 which Coun. Morton had attended. There had been a planned police drugs raid carried out last Friday night, however police had parked at Abbeyfields and pub-users had therefore been pre-warned. A person had carried out two assaults a fortnight ago - Inspector Peart had been attacked, although she was not in uniform. Coun. Sandford reported a further Hillside robbery on Sunday, almost identical to the previous. Coun. Morton reported funding is available for hand held speed cameras. Coun. Reynalds said there is an increased police presence in the village. Next Forum to be held 3/6/08.

Rural Transport
Meeting held about the link with Tinn and suggestion they could take the bus over. Coun. Murray had attended and reported the AGM to be held 3rd April 2008, but is still unsure about the constitution. Coun. Murray had explained to John Lazarus his working hours but is still willing to nominate him as Chairman. Coun. Sandford explained the system for booking the Shopping Bus, and said rules were 'bent' to make it easier for older person's. The only task they carry out is collecting the fares and putting them through the clerk's door. Regional One Conference held, Coun. Reynalds had attended but it had been cancelled without notification. Coun. Reynalds had e-mailed Tinn regarding discrepancy published in Northumberland Gazette.

Play Areas
Nothing to report.

West End Entrance
Nothing to report.

Rothbury Shoppers Group
To be discussed outside of meeting.

NHS Governor
Letter received from NHS regarding GP services. Coun. Murray reported an incidence with out of hours services whereby a patient had rang at 11 pm and the GP did not attend until 4am. Coun. Sandford prepared to take the matter up with appropriate personnel.

Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford said there are now two firm bidders - he had attended a meeting with the two groups as an observer, they have been given more time to put proposals together for Northumberland NHS Trust board.

Ambulance Service/Patient Transfer
To be taken off agenda.

ADC Local Wide Plan
Six councillors' had attended the Belonging Communities Forum. Coun. Dawson said it was very much a semi-formal discussion covering whether PC's should be the sole voting right on the committee's, and concern whether interested community groups could create undue influence on decisions put forward. Whoever is a unitary councillor could sit on as an adviser/listener but not be part of the decision-making. Coun. Murray thought it very frightening, and said the PC should hold a special meeting to solely discuss the item, he was worried when Mr Batey had stood up and said the timescale for PC elections had been put back to 2013, but then said it could be changed, and there will be unelected officer's, however Coun. Dawson said this is incorrect; there could be a review of the timescale due to boundary changes. Coun. Murray concerned about existing ADC councillor's being elected as Parish Councillor's, Coun. Reynalds thought it was a different angle as not enough space on the unitary authority. Coun. Dawson reported the government decided 2013 would be the next year for PC elections, which will be the longest time ever for PC's to serve, and pointed out some councillor's may not even be here by that date. The whole change will be a huge learning curve for all involved, Coun. Sandford thought it would be useful to hold a meeting to decide what the PC wants to be and does not want to be involved with. Coun. Murray said the PC has been asked in the past about various duties, and at that particular time the PC were not prepared. Coun. Murray thought the brochure says PC's do not work, and unselected forum's will work. Coun. Bolam said there is an important issue about accountability, all elected councillor's are bound by a code of conduct, and these forums will not be. Coun. Dawson said whether the issue is liked or not, that is what the Government has put into the bid, and all had the opportunity to voice concerns at the time.
Coun. Bolam said the decision did not have any democratic endorsement at all, and was not debated democratically. Coun. Murray said the people overseeing the procedure were chosen on their job applications, not by councillor's or MP's, but others. Coun. Sandford said PC's work because they have the experience, and anybody who knows PC's strengths would never supersede with a new arrangement. Coun. Dawson suggested waiting until after the elections on 1st May, and thought June/July for a special meeting. Coun. Edes asked where information could be sought from, Coun. Reynalds said there is information being received all the time.

Village Greens
To be discussed later.

Community Lights Committee
Meeting held end February, progress being made.

Picnic Area
Coun. Murray reported planting works carried out at Beggar's Rigg with NCC providing trees. Benches have been repaired and plates put on top, graffiti on wall slowly being actioned by himself and gave thanks to Coun. Bolam & Bridget and Jeremy Bolam who carried out the planting. .

Village Shrubbery
To be taken off agenda.

Web Site
Coun. Murray had met with Michael Hodgson informally. The site is progressing nicely, with PC minutes being put on the village forum and Michael's personal site. Meeting to be held tomorrow night at Coun. Fendley's house regarding information boards. Coun. Dawson said Coun. Fendley had discussed with National Parks the possibility of pamphlets, history boards, etc, and is asking if the PC will support these discussions, all agreed.

Graffiti
Wall at play park riverside still has graffiti, matter previously raised with ADC.

Signage
Discussed earlier.

Rothbury Plan
Haugh Land: To be discussed in closed meeting.
Parking: Nothing to report
Hospital: Coun. Sandford reported the 30mph signs have been changed. The marked area outside of the Cemetery which is the across the access to the golf club entrance has now been agreed. Coun. Sandford had asked ADC or NCC to write to the Golf Club to observe the changes. Correspondence received informing the hawthorn hedge will be cut by the persons's responsible (not NCC). Coun. Dawson can remember when the hedge was planted and NCC put it in, however they are now stating they have notified the owner of the hedge to carry out the works. It was agreed to ask why they did not themselves carry out the works, Coun. Murray said NCC contact farmers to carry out works as a matter of course.
Youth Project: Coun. Sandford said the project have accepted seat works suggested by the PC, however with about 40 seats it may be asking too much, Coun. Edes reiterated it would only be painting works, not repairs, but will require organisation. Coun. Sandford said the three seats in the Closed Churchyard are now devoid of any treatments, in the first stages of rotting and require urgent attention.
Footpaths: No correspondence received about moss on Addycombe footpaths or riverside footpath.
Recycling: Correspondence received from NCC, reiterating the time spent trying to identify sites, but stating the situation will be kept under review.
Cyclepath: There is funding available for a cycle path and Bridge Street proposals, Coun. Morton to attend NCC committee meeting tomorrow.
Speed Cameras: Coun. Murray asked if a temporary basis as at Scot's Gap & Belsay, being portable on a trailer, which indicates speed of vehicles, would be suitable for Rothbury - Coun. Bridgett replied it is under review for Rothbury.
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
. C Miller - quarterly salary & expenses - £875.89
. Rothbury & Coquetdale Youth Project - Request for Donation - Coun. Mrs Dawson, Dawson, Reynalds & Sandford declared an interest, Coun. Sandford said the project has been going 7/8 years, and when the PC first supported it it was agreed the PC would support it ongoing financially - £750.00 agreed
. Coquetdale Local Action Group - rent of Jubilee Hall - £35.00
. Donation Acknowledgement received: Pipe Band/Community Action/Citizens Advice Bureau
. The following has been banked
. Community Action - £660.00 - Coquetdale Local Action Group.
. Coun. Murray raised again shopping bus fares and what happens to the fares and invoices paid out, ie. the difference, Coun. Sandford said when the scheme commenced it was not known whether the fares would cover the rental, but there is usually a £8/9 monthly profit, which would enable the PC to underwrite any future shortfalls. Coun. Edes said at the start of the scheme training of the drivers was paid for by the PC.

Seats & Trees
Cherry Tree pruning permission received, subject to only the dead branches being attended to. Coun. Edes to talk with ADC & lan Fletcher. Two applications for gardener received, to be discussed in private meeting. Crocus bed and daffodils looking well maintained, and Coun. Edes said it would be nice to have more planted August/September. Coun. Dawson said the white seat at the bridge end needs to be looked at as a matter of urgency and suggested the most practical situation is to remove it, Coun. Edes thought only one plank is in need of repair and could be reinstated. Coun. Dawson reiterated removing it, he has specifically visited the site and said it is unsafe and could easily tip over. The type of seat it is replaced with should be looked at, instead of wooden supports they should be metal fixed to the wall. Coun. Edes asked who could carry out this work? Coun. Reynalds suggested New Horizons at Morpeth. Coun. Morton said there is a handyman's card in the Newsagent's window. Coun. Edes asked if a recycled seat could be placed there, Coun. Dawson not sure about this, Coun. Sandford said surely something should be placed on it saying it is unsafe. It was agreed to source any local person's for the removal, or New Horizon's, and a laminated notice purchased.

Paths & Verges.
Nothing to report.

Closed Churchyards
Coun. Dawson had met with Judy Glover - the PCC would like to see grass around the church churchyard cut on a more regular basis than last year, however it does look smart at present - the PCC have trimmed,trees etc. Judy not as concerned about the closed area, and if any future problems with grass cutting the general feeling is to maintain the church area first. Coun. Sandford said seeing as the cost is always being questioned, has anybody thought how much this will cost the PC.

Correspondence
. EMail
. R Thompson ADC - Addycombe Cottages - sign now in place - Coun. Edes said the sign thought not suitable for a conservation area and perhaps councillor's should visit the area, Coun. Murray said it is the same as signs in other conservation areas, although these are elongated. Coun. Dawson suggested it be asked if the sign is appropriate for a listed building - Coun. Murray to action. Coun. Sandford said there is a sign at Hillside West lying in a heap, the supports have given way. Clerk to contact ADC
. R Thompson ADC - Post Box/RI. Box - ADC are to look at reinstating the land
. I Derbyshire NCC - Has previously inspected Jacob's Ladder - reinstatement works programmed to be carried out in the next few weeks - Coun. Mrs Dawson said works have now been carried out. Coun. Edes said funding is being sought for works on the whole structure.
. NCC - Wildlife & Countryside Action 1981 - for information
. Northumberland VCS Consortium - Conference 17/3/08
. Community Action Northumberland - Village of the Year Competition - for information
. Community Action Northumberland - Newsletter - copies available
. Local Government Review Programme - for information
. Northumberland Strategic Partnership - Simonside Stakeholder Brainstorming Day - for information - agreed to ask about any W/C facilities
. NCC - Alnwick Area Committee - discussed earlier
. NCC - Acknowledgement RE: parking, hawthorn hedge - discussed earlier
. Northumberland & Newcastle Society - newsletter - copies available
. Alnwick Playhouse - Spring 2008 - for information
. City & County - newsletter - available for circulation
. Clerk & Council Direct - Coun. Dawson to look at
. The Clerk - magazine - available for circulation
. NCC - Committee Meeting agenda - discussed earlier
. Reorganisation Adult Learning Service restrictions

PLANNING
. Addycombe Development: Nothing to report.
. Pondicherry Windmill: Coun. Reynalds thought this had been discussed and the PC had had no objections, however Planning Application has now been turned down.
. Bridge Street: Nothing to report.
. Planning Applications received for the following:
. A/2008/0072: Mr E Robison, 3 Knocklaw Park - TPa - supported
. A/2008/0057: Ms L Calvert, Steward House - change of use - supported
. A/2008/0086: Mrs M Rutherford, 6 Hurley Knowes - conservatory - supported
. A/2008/0053: J Murray, Cartington Farm - Single storey extension, 1 The Maltings - supported

Joint Burial Committee Minutes
Circulated to all councillor's - no comments from councillor's.

Any Other Business
. Coun. Mrs Dawson has been approached by a resident next to Phillip's Newsagent - there used to be a wooden railing for person's to tie dogs up, which is no longer, consequently the householder has had to put a sign up on her property stating no dogs to be tied to her gates, and could ADC/NCC put a post up, Coun. Dawson thought it is up to the shop owner. Coun. Reynalds agreed and said the person should firstly contact the shop owner.
. Coun. Dawson reported pigeon control is to be discussed at ADC next month, which is an ongoing problem everywhere, and should Rothbury be mentioned as having a problem?
. Coun. Morton reported Tony Derbyshire and herself had carried out a site visit at the riverside path and in Coun. Morton's opinion NCC are only postponing the problem by attempting to purchase additional land, and looking for a quick fix.
. Coun. Murray reported the Catholic Church area manhole cover repairs had been actioned, and had been informed if specific issues need to be raised to NCC, the request should include the person's details who originally noted the problem.
. Coun. Murray said as there is funding available for shop fronts should something not be done about old Mackay's shop?
. Coun. Murray to contact NCC regarding when Road Bridge will be resurfaced.

Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 16th April 2008 commencing 7l5pm in the Jubilee Hall.

The meeting finished at 9.45 pm.

Claire Miller, Clerk