Minutes of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council
held on Wednesday 18 April 2007

The meeting commenced at 7.15pm

Present
Coun. Reynalds, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Dawson, Fendley,  Mills, Murray, Sandford and the Clerk

Apologies

Member of the Public Present
Two members of the public present

Over the Bridges Report
Coun.Mrs Dawson to compile.

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

Matters Arising not on agenda

ADC - Street Naming
A problem was reported concerning resident Mr Davy who lives in a property called Whitton View at Hillside, and is receiving deliveries for the Whitton View development.  Coun. Reynalds thought this problem would cease when the new development postcode is registered.  Coun. Sandford to advise Mr Davy on solving the problem. 

Donkin’s Lamp
Coun. Dawson reported NCC’s agreement is  to clean once yearly.  Coun. Sandford commented  it is cleaner, but he had thought it being a relatively simple structure to clean, somebody local could carry out the work 3 or 4 times a year, the NCC annual charge being £60.  Coun. Sandford thought the antique value of the structure may come into the high price, and suggested local window cleaner Kevin Dawson be asked to carry out cleansing work.  Coun. Sandford proposed Mr Dawson look at the lamp and ask for a quote, this agreed.

Crime & Disorder Forum
Minutes of previous meeting received.  Coun. Mills interested to see crime has gone down in the area, but no actual figures are available which would be beneficial.  Coun. Dawson had attended the meeting 28/3/07, and reported 3 volunteers have been secured for manning the police station desk.  Date of next meeting 5/6/07 in the Jubilee Hall.

Rural Transport Initiative Sub-Committee
Coun. Sandford had attended the TINN AGM and reported TINN are expanding - they have taken over an organisation based in Morpeth carrying out similar duties, and were impressed Coun. Sandford had attended the AGM and taken interest in them.  Coun. Sandford had reported at the meeting RPC were grateful for the assistance with running the shopping bus.  Coun. Reynalds reported the UCCT meeting had been postponed and representatives were to visit Yorkshire to discuss transport issues.

Play Areas
Addycombe play area Rospa report recommendations have not yet been carried out - 5% retention money being kept by PC until this work rectified.  Coun. Murray reported the play area has already been vandalised and posts were knocked out, however himself and another resident have carried out remedial works and they had been surprised at the unsuitable screws on the posts.  Coun. Murray had contacted the police to report the incident, but had had trouble speaking to somebody and eventually been informed if the criminal damage was not currently being carried out, police would not visit the site, and was told to contact the local council instead, and it would be interesting to know the guidelines being followed.  Coun. Sandford did report similar problems several months ago.  Coun. Murray said on another occasion he had reported vandalism to his car but had managed to speak to a local officer and had secured action from the police, eg. Receiving a crime number.

 West End Entrance/Bridge Street
Reply received from NCC regarding the LTP - NCC have considered the suggestions made, unfortunately they are unable to provide signage to the west end, saying this would have little impact.  However, previous points made can be requested to be placed on the next LTP.  Coun. Sandford said comments have been made for years, and promises from NCC made, and still no action.  Coun. Reynalds wished to reply to NCC asking what is the research that has shown signage not working and inviting the Highways Chief Executive John Smith to a future PC meeting, where traffic calming measures, Bridge Street proposals and the proposed War Memorial crossing can be discussed.

Rothbury Shoppers Group
Invoice for March - £69.60, fares received £140.00

War Memorial
Coun. Dawson had spoken to the contractor who apologised for not completing the works by 31/3/07, and they are to inform Coun. Dawson a week before they commence the remaining work.  Coun. Edes reported Amanda Boyce has repaired the broken rail.  Newsletter received from the North East War Memorial project, which contains information on useful web site links.

Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford had attended a meeting in the surgery with Dr Cameron and the Northumberland Care Trust, they had invited 4 company representatives who had showed interest, sadly only one turned up, being Southern Cross Healthcare - the Care Trust are to chase up the absent companies.  The realisation is with the size of Rothbury’s population, any private trust will spend a few million erecting an establishment, and be taking a risk within a small population, compared to other locations.  Coun. Mrs Morton asked who the other companies were, this not known.

Ambulance Service  
Coun. Mrs Dawson had been informed persons travelling by ambulance are no longer allowed anybody accompanying them, due to cost cutting.  Coun. Sandford reported rules have been changed when issuing travel, reasons for granting it can now be down to a lack of public transport or travelling by public transport involving bus changes and waiting for connections, and patients are asked if these factors would cause problems to existing medical conditions.  Coun. Fendley wondered why there would be an additional cost to persons travelling with the patient, Coun. Sandford thought the reason was if other patients were being collected along the way, there would be less patient room available.   Coun. Dawson suggested senior representatives of the ambulance service be invited to attend a future PC meeting.  Coun. Sandford will be contacting personnel tomorrow morning.  Coun. Murray suggested before inviting personnel, the PC will need to know what will be discussed.  Coun. Reynalds suggested Coun. Sandford initially contact the ambulance service.  Coun. Sandford mentioned a television programme regarding paramedics, which reported in certain parts of the country there had been instances of persons with life threatening problems, having paramedics not trained to deal with certain medical conditions.  Coun. Dawson and Morton replied the local paramedics are fully trained.  Coun. Dawson said the programme pointed out pitfalls in not having fully trained paramedics who are unable to administer certain medication.  Coun. Morton reported excellent attention carried out by local paramedics to Mr Morton recently.

Police Station Relocation
Nothing to report.

ADC Local Wide Plan
Coun. Reynalds reported training through NALC available, however this event had already taken place.

Bridge Closure
E-mail received from NCC, stating they are still digesting the facts and figures from the investigation and will carry out a feasibility study if action is required.

Christmas Lights Committee
AGM to be held next month.  Fund raising event to be held in August towards £10K cost.  Request for funding of £500 to the Parish Council received from the committee.  The points will also be available for community use.  £500 agreed

Ten Year Plan
Haugh Land: Coun. Dawson had met with Mr Wilson of N/Estates, and pointed out the PC had been waiting a considerable length of time for discussions - N.E. have now fully signed the lease for the Golf Club and in a position to proceed with the lease for the Haugh Land, and will be giving it their attention as soon as possible.  Coun. Edes asked if there was no doubt in securing the land, this was confirmed.  Coun. Edes suggested a plan for its use be created.  Coun. Sandford did suggest this previously, at the time however it had not been agreed how much land was to be required, and it will have to start with a public meeting.  Coun. Fendley said councillor’s had previously been asked for suggestions for its use and this could be discussed at the next PC meeting.
Hospital:   Coun. Sandford reported the pathway works nearly completed, and the  lighting works have commenced.  Coun. Fendley noted the path extended to the bridge, as indeed have the lights.  Coun. Sandford suggested Mr John Smith, Highways Executive Chairman NCC be thanked for the works.  Correspondence from NCC received regarding moving the speed limit signs, stating there is a scheme to improve the road surface being carried out next year, and there will be funding for signage within this scheme.  Coun. Dawson suggested informing Mr Smith of Mr Bawn’s letter, and suggesting they look back to the original planning approval for the new hospital, and as a highways condition, see if signage changes were recommended west of the entrance, and if the case, planning consent would need implemented.  Coun. Murray mentioned the digging up of the path for the lighting works - he has looked at the site, and it appears the reason why the path was dug up, was because of an obstruction, and thought people with wheelchairs  will be using the path, and 2 lights on the actual path could restrict wheelchair access.  Coun. Reynalds suggested members look at the path before the next meeting.  Coun. Sandford said there are at least 2 concrete posts and chains totally broken.  Coun. Dawson reported some are the PC’s responsibility and some NCC, and he would look at them to see whose responsibility they are.
Youth Project:  Coun. Sandford reported funding bids still being submitted with 3 rejections to date - however there is funding until the end of the year.  £45K per year is required.
Recycling:   Nothing to report.
Parking:  Haugh car park has had parking machine installed.  Coun. Fendley understood any charging would be directly related to controlling the parking situation in the rest of the village.  Coun. Sandford did keep an eye on the car park over the Easter holiday, and despite the charges the car park was almost full all the weekend.  Coun. Mrs Dawson reported all vehicles did appear to be displaying parking tickets.  Coun. Mills thought 20p per hour nominal, and persons will pay.  Coun. Morton had witnessed walkers parking in the village and leaving cars all day.   Coun. Sandford asked about the parking committee, Coun. Dawson reported at the PC meeting held November 2005 with ADC/NCC, it had reached the stage of a verbal agreement to work towards a small workable scheme within the village centre, to be carried out before May 2006, and put into the local transport plan, however after that meeting Coun. Dawson had taken ill, and no further progress made.  Coun. Edes wondered why parking was on the agenda, as throughout the lifetime of RPC it has been raised every meeting, and nothing ever happens.  Coun. Dawson suggesting asking ADC/NCC why they have not done what they said they would.
Cyclepath: Nothing to report.
Speed Cameras: Nothing to report.
Footpaths:  Nothing to report.
Signage: Coun. Murray asked if signage for the bridge end with historical information could be erected -  at the bank at Jacob’s Ladder, he believes is the old road to Whitton, however no signs state this - it was previously named Cinder Bank - and there  seems to be several areas in the village which would benefit from signage.

Coun. Reynalds suggested the Ten Year Plan be reviewed after the new council takes over 3/5/07.

 The following Accounts have been authorised 
Request for Donations -
i]. Rothbury & Coquetdale Youth Project - after a lengthy discussion, £750 proposed, and seconded, 4 in favour, carried.

ii]. Rothbury Projects, Christmas Lights - £500.00 agreed

iii]. 2nd Rothbury Cub Scouts - £200 proposed, seconded, carried

iv]. Allianz & Cornhill - Annual insurance - £816.36

v]. Rothbury Joint Burial Committee - 107.5 hours x £7 = £752.50 (A Gaskell village works)

vi]. TINN - March shopping bus - £69.60

vii]. Jubilee Hall - use of meeting room 2006/07 - £60.00

Finance Sub Committee Minutes
Coun. Dawson asked about the Haugh Land project being ‘self funding’ - this meant the running costs, the rental would be met by the PC.  Coun. Sandford  said no figures have been put down to what the running costs would be, as they would be met by the management group/users.  Coun. Dawson thought if the PC secured the lease they would be responsible for certain costs.   Coun. Edes queried £4,000 for seats/trees in budget this year, when £6,000 spent last year, however some of these payments had included seat donations.  Coun. Fendley asked what the HERS £1K budget 2007/08 was for, Coun. Reynalds said there could still be outstanding bills for trench digging, electricity supply.

 Paths & Verges
i]. Coun. Murray mentioned the path to the stepping stones being in a terrible state, and equally bad on the other side. The  path had been reinstated after works, but no edging put on the side of the road, and when full of water flooding occurs.  It was agreed to contact the Footpaths Officer NCC.

ii]. Coun. Murray reported the poor state of the path on Cinder bank, Footpaths Officer NCC to be contacted.
iii]. Coun. Murray reported the footpath on Garleigh Bank is breaking up, and the path  from the riverside past the play park is in need of attention - it had previously received remedial work below the old hospital.

iv]. Coun. Dawson reported the Environment Agency are aware of the sewage problem in the gasworks  area and did carry out investigative works in August last year. Clerk to ask EA on progress.

v]. Coun. Morton asked about the post box path - photograph of problem to be forwarded.  Coun. Murray reported the B.T. telephone box requires cleansing works.  Coun. Dawson said there has been previous dispute over the box, as it is in a conservation area, it was agreed to contact BT stating the box is in a conservation area and in dire need of painting/ attention.

Seats & Trees
Coun. Edes reported the village in good condition.  A Boyce had carried out works for Easter weekend and is to put posts back in the near future.  The memorial bed is looking well, and ADC will replace the bulbs this summer celebrating 30 years of Rothbury Music Festival, however suggestions for future beds are required.  Coun. Edes suggested a further 1,000 bulbs be purchased and planted in the village.  Coun. Sandford mentioned the willow tree on the riverbank opposite the car park, and the fact the PC have previously contacted Northumberland Estates frequently on this.  It was proposed a letter be forwarded stating the PC has written before and received no response, but feel it is NE’s responsibility to clear up the mess and make safe.  Coun. Fendley asked if they would take liability in the event of an accident, or would it be the PC’s responsibility because they rent the land.

 Dog Fouling Wellstrand
A Wellstrand resident had complained about dog fouling in Wellstrand to ADC and been told to contact the PC, however Coun. Dawson stated this was the Dog Warden, ADC’s responsibility, and he would contact them himself.

Correspondence
i]. E-Mails: R Thompson ADC/J Hodson NCC - discussed earlier

ii]. Coquetdale Amateur Dramatics Society - donation thanks

iii]. Rothbury Projects - Christmas Lights donation -  discussed earlier

iv]. North East War Memorials Project - Newsletter - discussed earlier

v]. NCC - Integrated Transport Priorities 2007 - 08 - discussed earlier

vi]. IBO - Local Council Briefing - Spring 2007 - Coun. Reynalds to look at

vii]. IBO - Notice of Audit August 2007 - to be completed for next meeting

viii]. NCC - Whitton Bank - Speed Limit Extension - discussed earlier

ix]. NCC - Local Government reform - consultation stage

x]. Smith of Derby - Clock - rectified fuse failure problem

xi]. NALC - Training Events - for information

xii]. NALC - Model Contract of Employment for Clerk‘s - document to be looked at by Coun. Reynalds

xiii]. ADC - Electronic Consultation of Planning Applications - asking for PC comments and offering training, the first stage would be to invite ADC to a future meeting - clerk to action.

xiv]. ADC - Parish Council Elections - 8 persons for 9 places, therefore no election required, new council takes effect from Midnight 3/5/07, recommended to co-opt as soon as possible.  Coun. Dawson said there is an expense form in the pack that must be completed and returned, and councillor’s should put nil on the form if no expenses incurred.  Coun. Fendley reported his oversight on not returning the form on time.  Coun. Mills thought it ridiculous the forms were received so late.

xv]. Alnwick Playhouse - Spring 2007 - for information

xvi]. ADC - Proposals for future unitary structures in Northumberland

xvii]. Community Action Northumberland - Spring Meeting to be held in Jubilee Hall

Planning
Addycombe Development: Correspondence received from ADC regarding waste disposal, stating there are no reasons why residents cannot be provided with recycling bin, but no mention of the requested skip.  The problem with steps and bin-men had occurred as the alternative access points at the time were being blocked by the contractor‘s, e-mail also included comments stating the requested definitive street map will be forwarded in the near future.  Coun. Fendley had mentioned the skip proposal to Bowey’s, and as more houses are inhabited the problem will worsen.  The meeting had also discussed a temporary path for the persons in the social housing, however Bowey’s had said this would not be possible, as the possible route was on land owned by N/Estates.  The new junction is in place but seems to be a disaster waiting to happen.  Coun. Murray had raised problems when the plan was first mooted, and said it is extremely dangerous, with no beware signage, and the original give way signs still in existence.  Coun. Murray reported the builders waste is going into the adjoining fields - the field on the Alnwick side is full of drink cans, plastic sheets, etc.   The walls put in were designed to stop rubbish, however the 3 manholes in the area are both solid, full of muck, generally the contractor‘s do not seem to be looking after the site.  Coun. Murray has spoken to current residents and been informed with the grass cutting and general landscaping, the rental tenants will be contributing to the cost of this on top of their rent.  There has been trouble with the developers not rotivating the gardens, and there appears to be disagreement between the developers and housing association with the way works are going.   Coun. Sandford and Murray will meet with the developers in the near future.  Coun. Dawson said regarding the drains, it will remain an estate road until adopted by NCC, so responsibility lies with the contractor.   With the problems of gardens, the tenants need to take this up with Cheviot Housing, and tenants do pay a contribution towards grass maintenance at the Addycombe Cheviot Housing properties.  With the road junction problems, time is of the essence, and Coun. Dawson willing to contact NCC on this, and request a site meeting, this agreed.  Coun. Fendley said at the  side of the road is a crash barrier with a total drop, an accident waiting to happen.  Coun. Murray said the electric cable installation work through Rothbury did not cause major hassle and was carried out quickly and efficiently, the only proviso being a section of road not reinstated outside the first school, however Coun. Dawson reported the contractor’s are returning to the village, as the cable and joints are still to be installed.
Bridge Street:
Nothing to report.

Planning Applications received for the following:
          A/2007/     Wagtail Lane extension - supported

Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:
          A/2007/0114: Mr J Homer - 3 Milburn Mews - garage
             A/2007/0143: Mr G Hoye, Hexham - tree removal, Rothbury Clinic

 Any Other Business
i]. Coun. Murray commented the relocation of the  fire station had been discussed in the Northumberland Gazette, and why is this to happen?  Item to be added to next agenda.

ii]. Coun. Sandford reported the Joint Burial Committee minutes will be circulated in due course, and any questions can be directed to himself.

iii]. Coun. Reynalds reported One northeast had requested permission to film in the village, Coun. Reynalds and Mrs Edes had agreed to this.

iv]. Coun. Reynalds requested congratulations be sent to Rothbury 1st School on the 100 year celebrations.

v]. Tree works to be carried out at Deuchet Court.

vi].Coun. Reynalds had received comments of part of riverside land fenced off, however this land does belong to the home owner.

Village Greens
Coun. Dawson had discussed the village greens with N/Estates and explained the PC’s situation.  Rory Wilson had been surpised NE did not own the other parts of the village greens.  Coun. Dawson had said these had been formally registered as village greens, and asked if NE would be prepared to donate the land in question to the PC for the benefit of the community or be prepared to sell it, however NE were not prepared to do either of these options, but would lease the areas to the PC.  The piece that can be registered should be proceeded with, being the edge of the footpath at the Newcastle Hotel to Rodsley Court entrance.  Coun. Fendley asked what could be leased, Coun. Dawson replied the piece in front of the Parish Hall and triangular piece to the churchyard gate.

Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 23rd May 2007

The meeting finished at 9.55 pm.
Claire Miller Clerk