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

The meeting commenced at 7.15pm

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

Coun. Bolam, NCC

Coun. Bridget, ADC

APOLOGIES: - Coun. Morton

Public Participation

Resident Cheryl Lickiss present.

Over the Bridge Report
Coun. Mrs Dawson to compile.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Crime & Disorder Forum

Next meeting to be held 3/6/08 6pm.

Rural Transport/Shopping Bus

Coun. Murray reported meeting/AGM held 3rd April 2008, with himself elected Chairman. Coun. Murray stated the vehicle faults are to be rectified, however there are problems with the shopping group, and if he is correct the group comes under the remit of the PC, the PC will have to look at solving the problems with collecting the fares. Coun. Reynalds said bus drivers will be able to collect fares, within the 4 weeks the PC has been given to resolve the problem. Coun. Sandford said he was responsible for initially setting up the service, and TINN had said at that time a Chairman had to be formally nominated - Hannah Hutton had volunteered for this, and a volunteer was secured for collecting the fares - however this person does not appear to be doing this. Coun. Murray reported Coun. Morton had received a provisional reply for grants for local transport. Coun. Reynalds said a fund raising group has been set up, with £250 secured.

Play Areas

Coun. Gilson has materials for the Addycombe repair, and will carry out the works depending on weather conditions. Coun. Murray had received comment from the web site regarding the riverside play area, with concerns about holes, and the old area requiring attention.

West End Entrance

Coun. Sandford reported Dick Frazer attending May PC meeting, which has been confirmed in writing with the issues to be discussed. Coun. Fendley said it appears the PC are in the middle of ADCINCC once again. Coun. Gilson said Dick Fraser had talked about costings, and he was amazed at how cheap pedestrian crossings are, and if these figures are accurate, 2 or 3 sets of crossings should be installed. Coun. Sandford said this can be discussed at the May meeting, however there will be no way all improvements' discussed will be carried out, and the PC will need to prioritise, with pedestrian crossing more of an urgency. Coun. Murray mentioned correspondence from Whitton View residents with problems on paths and pedestrian crossings required, and comments on the web-site regarding concerns about heavy traffic. Coun. Sandford said councillor's without Internet access have a disadvantage in gaining information about comments on the web site.

NHS Governor
Nothing to report.

Nursing Home
Nothing to report.

ADC Local Wide Plan
Nothing to report.

Village Greens

To be left for private discussion. Coun. Reynalds had looked at PC minutes from the 1950's which mentioned church officials using greens - Coun. Reynalds trying to find out further information on this.

Community Lights Committee

Coun. Mrs Dawson reported meeting held end of March, with 2 attendees arriving on the wrong night, however Alnwick Lights Committee representative are attending next meeting, whereby funding should be in place - more information will be available next month.

Picnic Area

Coun. Murray reported Tony Derbyshire had attended site, and protection has been placed on top of picnic tables and some steps repaired, and a new wooden sign to be placed at the entrance. Thanks has been passed to Sue Bolam for the planted trees. Riverside path was not discussed.

Web Site

Coun. Murray reported concerns regarding the new unitary authority, grass cutting in the churchyard had been commented on, and residents have concerns in Lee Square, who have spoken to ADC/NCC, regarding heavy traffic early morning and late at night. Coun. Fendley said similar comments have been received from Rothbury House residents; speed limits are being broken and is there anything that can be done about times of travelling. Coun. Murray thought resurfacing works could alleviate the thumping. The PC precept figure had also been mentioned, as the Council Tax bill states the PC has raised it by 6.4%, and Coun. Murray said 3% had been agreed at an earlier meeting.

Coun. Sandford said the Joint Burial Committee's precept is also added to this and this figure has not changed over the last 3 years. It was agreed to query the figures with ADC. Coun. Sandford said is it not possible before each PC meeting for a rough run down of what has been reported on the web-site, Coun. Murray replied he does not see why when other items on the agenda are only verbally reported. Coun. Sandford not satisfied a complete picture is being reported and thought written reports should be received. Coun. Gilson understood the web-site meant modern technology is used, and if now a paper chase what is the point of the web-site. Coun. Reynalds does not mind printing out copies off the web-site if that is helpful. Coun. Fendley said there is no reason why any councillor cannot access the internet, ie, at the library. Coun. Sandford said it is not a question of the public airing their views; it is essentially for the PC to know what is being commented on. Coun. Fendley said the key issue is there is a Councillor who leads the discussion of material on the web-site. Coun. Bolam referred to the complaints about traffic and said there is a Harden Quarry liaison group which was set up when the last quarry extension was agreed for local communities, it deals with wagon routes and there is a code of conduct agreed with the liaison group, Tarmac and quarry owners, and contact details can be passed on to interested persons. Coun. Gilson asked Coun. Bolam if there is a certain number of lorries permitted per day, and if they have to be so many minutes apart etc. as he himself had witnessed 3 wagons 15 feet apart. Coun. Bolam said this should not be so and the company are receptive on taking complaints/comments on board. Coun. Murray asked if it is possible to get other companies involved in the group, ego wagons visiting Caistron, Coun. Bolam said it is specifically relating to Harden as they make a contribution to road maintenance etc.

Graffiti

E-mail received from ADC - have now painted wall at riverside.

Signage

Conservation sign at Addycombe Cottages is the new standard conservation sign.

Rothbury Plan

Haugh Land: To be discussed in private.

Parking: Nothing to report

Hospital: Nothing to report

Youth Project: Coun. Sandford reported an improved financial situation, with funding for 12-18 months available, however major funding will need secured for after this date. Two projects on the go at present are a removing barriers to work project, financed by Northumberland Strategic Partnership who recently held a consultation day with young people discussing work options, and one young person involved has been selected to produce a short film of his experience living in Rothbury and relating to employment, and will be given help and guidance in finding work. A National Parks project involving young people will involve weekends away, experience in open spaces etc, and the project will know by May if this is to go ahead.

Footpaths: Nothing to report.

Recycling: Nothing to report.

Cyclepath: Nothing to report.

Speed Cameras: Coun. Fendley hoped this matter will be pushed.

Street Lighting: Coun. Murray said this matter seems to have stalled. Clerk to contact NCC regarding requested street lamp survey.

Enhance Public Areas: Coun. Murray said the public footpath from Addycombe to Hillside has had stock fence put up, stopping residents from accessing the fields for walking dogs, and would it be possible for a dog bin to be placed in Addycombe. Coun. Mrs Dawson said this area had been looked at a couple of years ago but no space had been found that would not upset anybody, Coun. Mrs Dawson & Murray to look again at the area.

Heritage Amenity Project: Nothing to report.

Information Signage: Proposals to eventually be brought to the PC for signage at Haugh, Beggar Rigg & Armstrong Cross area - materials and prices being researched, which will be dependent on available funding.

The following Accounts have been authorised

. Request for Funding - NTC - £50.00 last f/y - £50.00 agreed

. Request for Funding - Great North Air Ambulance Service - £75.00 last f/y - £100.00 agreed

. TINN - February Shopping Bus - £100.00 - fares received £139.00

. TINN - March Shopping Bus - £ 121.90 - fares received £102.00 - Coun. Reynalds to query why bill higher than February's

. Allianz - Insurance - £853.32 - Coun. Gilson asked if the PC always go with Allianz, Coun. Reynalds explained the PC have investigated other companies but Allianz specialises in covering public bodies.
. Joint Burial Committee - 30 hours x £7 = £210.00

. Coquetdale Landscapes - replacement of bridge seat - £592.00, Coun. Edes requested a letter of thanks be sent.

. J Reynalds - map copying, parking - £7.98

. Mencap request - Coun. Sandford supported this strongly, Coun. Murray supported this - £50.00 agreed - new cheque book awaited before it can be authorised.

Seats & Trees

Coun. Edes reported Ian Fletcher is to carry out cherry tree works. Coun. Reynalds & Edes interviewed the two applicants for the village gardening vacancy - in one case everything was covered, and in the other a couple of areas were not covered, eg insurance. On balance the position was offered to the two persons who will be working in conjunction, charging £10 per hour. Coun. Gilson asked if the work can be monitored - Coun. Edes does carry this out already, and they are carrying out work to a high standard. The graveyards were visited and they are prepared to look after these areas, and to wash seats and carry out seat maintenance - maintenance would be outwith the 8 hours per week. Coun. Sandford said although last year there were a few mishaps, partly due to weather, there has been questions of whether A Gaskell has the time to cut the churchyards, and in Coun. Sandford's view he is employed full time at the cemetery, and if the PC can afford £10 per hour he would prefer these person's to be employed. It was agreed they would initially carry out the cutting to the yard opposite the church. Coun. Dawson asked how many times will it be cut, and how long will it take? Coun. Edes thought they would do the necessary work, no more or less. Coun. Sandford had figures from A Gaskell stating fortnightly for the open area and the closed churchyard requiring cutting every 3 weeks, at 6 hours for each area. Coun. Edes said you cannot exactly say it needs specific times between cuts, it depends on the month. Coun. Reynalds suggested they are cut when necessary and not more often than Coun. Sandford's figures. It was agreed to ask them to attend to all areas of grass cutting, if they are willing to take all of this on.

Paths & Verges

Coun. Murray said drains and gulleys need looking at. Cars splash pedestrians, and at the end of the lane outside the Jubilee Hall there is a broken manhole. There are 4 drains between Soulsby's and Barclays bank, and 3 are blocked, with puddles at the Bank. Coun. Gilson reported the gulley machine was in the village last week. It was agreed to contact NCC Alnwick Depot about this matter.

Closed Churchyards

Discussed earlier

Correspondence

. E Mail

. ADC - discussed earlier.

. NSP Partnership update - e-mailed to councillor's - closure of Post Offices

. Post Office Network Charge Programme - e-mailed to councillor's

. NCC - Development of area travel information co-ordinators - Coun. Dawson said NCC should be carrying out these duties, and drivers should be able to change a timetable.

. Standards Board for England - newsletter - available for circulation

. Coquetdale Local Action Group - minutes - Coun. Fendley reported the group of 19 PC's have officially ceased to operate and they have seen fit to allocate grants of £ 10K to local groups, including the Pipe Band and Coquetdale Resource Group. The PC was the managing agent and have not spent all of the allocated expense budget, however the group may be revived in the future. Next meeting to be held 17/4/08 2pm. Coun. Reynalds referred to the strategy document for National Parks, however it is 80 pages long on their web-site. There appears to be a pool of money available from June to 2013, which could be as much as 50K.

. Dr J Dowson & L Phillips - B6341 - main complaint being the pathway being extremely narrow and not in good condition - there is a path on the North side, but you then have to cross the road opposite the tennis courts. However there is to be a path installed, in 18 months times, when the next phase is completed, which will come out at the police houses. It was agreed to raise the matter with Dick Fraser. Coun. Dawson suggested a traffic survey be carried out to assess pedestrian needs. Coun. Sandford said if all suggestions are put in a plan together they will have a greater chance of being accepted.

. ADC - Policy & Scrutiny overview committee - for information

. IBO - Local Council Briefing, Spring 2008 - for information

. Jubilee Institute User Group Survey - Coun. Reynalds to complete

. Community Action Northumberland - Meeting 17/4/08 - 2pm Jubilee Hall- Draft Local Development Strategy

. NALC - Royal Garden Party

. ADC - BT Payphone Review - Rothbury not included on list that may be closed. RAF - person willing to attend meeting to discuss low flying operations - Coun. Reynalds has suggested she attend July meeting and thought it should commence at 6.30pm with the public invited.

PLANNING
. Addycombe Development: Nothing to report.

. Bridge Street: Nothing to report.

. Planning Applications received for the following:

. A/2008/0193: Mr J Mason, Stanton, Pondicherry - pole mounted windmill- supported.

Notice of Refusal of Planning Permission:

. A/2008/0023: Outline Planning Permission - Land at Blaeberry Hill

. A/2006/0385/386: Removal of existing timber windows - Addycombe Cottages

Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:

. A/2008/0053: J T & R Murray, Cartington Farm - 1 The Maltings, extension

. A/2008/0052: Ms L Calvert, Steward House - change of use

. A/2008/0072: Mr E Robison, Cobblestones - TPO - 3 Knocklaw Park

Coun. Gilson asked if anybody knew what is going on where Spar & Shilton's were, as both properties are now slowly decaying. Coun. Dawson said permission was granted for the Indian Restaurant and it is now up to them whether they carry it forward. The old Spar building did advertise for staff to work for Otterburn Mill, but this appears to have fallen through. Coun. Dawson said it is out of the PC's hands, and they are privately owned properties. Coun. Murray mentioned at the last meeting about old Mackay's shop and was aware funding was available to improve shop frontage. Coun. Dawson said ADC implemented a shop front scheme but unless there is a use for the shop, it is a commercial decision whether the proprietors carry this through. Coun. Bridgett said Spar had not been signed over to the CO-OP, they had only bought the licence which prevented tenants from selling groceries for 5 years, however this covenant has now been lifted and he understood Otterburn Mill is still going ahead. Coun. Murray said as Shilton's had received a change of use permission, if another organisation came along would they also have to apply for change of use, Coun. Dawson not sure on this. Coun. Sandford felt old Mackay's shop is in a different situation, - it is almost falling down, is a listed building, and there is more urgency for this building. Coun. Dawson said ADC have responsibilities for listed buildings. Clerk to contact ADC.

Coun. Sandford met with NCC officer at Bridge Street, and NCC had said as a matter of urgency they would place a white line to demonstrate person's should not be parking at the road entrance opposite the Post Office.

Any Other Business

. Coun. Murray said the allotments have been raised in the past, and there are now some very concerned residents. . There are 3 plots in particular where rents are being paid but the gardens are not being attended to. Coun. Reynalds is currently drafting contract's for all tenants.

. Coun. Sandford raised Joint Burial Committee minutes, and reported a survey of all 73 trees in the cemetery had been carried out, with 9 requiring attention - 4 urgently - and budgetary wise this requires planning, and asked if anybody knew if the wood would be saleable? Coun. Gilson knows locals who specialise in selling wood, and will ask for further information on this. The JBC had discussed the idea of installing wrought iron railings which had initially been in place at the cemetery. Coun. Fendley to see if funding available for such items.

. Coun. Murray said the wall at the riverside supporting Armstrong plot has cracks and further along a coven is offset. Coun. Gilson said in the first instance he knew of a structural engineer who will be more than willing to look at the area.

. Coun. Murray congratulated Northumberland Gazette reporter Helen Woods for gaining trainee of the year for North East Press.

CLOSED MEETING

Haugh Land

Coun. Dawson said action required would be as minuted in previous meeting - Coun. Dawson to progress.

Village Greens

Outcome will be addressed after discussions - Coun. Dawson to progress.

Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 14h May 2008 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hal, following the Annual Assembly of the PC.

The meeting finished at 9pm.

Claire Miller, Clerk