Minutes of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council
held on Wednesday 15th August 2007

The meeting commenced at 7.15pm

Present
Coun. Sandford , Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Dawson, Fendley, Gilson, Murray, and the Clerk
Councillor Sue Bolam - NCC

Apologies Coun. Reynalds

Meeting with Fire Officer
Coun. Sandford welcomed Fire Officer Mr Hesler and Jan - Sure Start Representative - to the meeting. Mr Heslar explained however one appliance stations such as Rothbury are only able to carry 6 fire fighters, and following an overall review of the service, it was decided to place second appliances in retained stations, being Isuzu vehicles which carry 5 persons, and are equipped to deal with rural fires. This allows the potential for 11 fire fighters to attend each call. As Rothbury station required a second bay, ADC advised it would be unlikely planning permission would be granted for the existing station due to tree preservation. Luckily there was available premises at the old ambulance station. Flood rescue equipment will also be able to be stored, and more work options within the communities, with the Fire Service wishing to roll out a scheme for young fire fighters to sign up, which has been very successful throughout the county. Work has also started with the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Prince's Trust. Jan explained the work of Sure Start which improves services for children and families, with the government wishing to roll the programme out to every community by 2010. Wherever possible they are co-locating, and with the fire station being used only one night a week, several activities can be held, eg baby massage, toddler group, CAB, anything the community wants in a way the community finds acceptable. Sure Start is about filling the gaps in the community, and mapping exercises are to be carried out in Rothbury. Stringent risk assessments are carried out to ensure separation between children and fire engines. Coun. Fendley asked Jan where Sure Start will be based - this will be the new fire station, not old, with an outreach team of 7 with provision of a play bus, and the ability to deliver services as required by the community. Coun. Edes asked if it would be similar to the day centre previously run in the fire station, Jan confirmed this. The planning application has now been approved, with the training tower height not protruding above tree height. Coun. Murray thought it would be of benefit to the local area, but going back to moving the station, he cannot understand why this had to happen, and thought when the existing was first built there were plans for a second bay there. Mr Heslar understood it was built with the provision of a second bay, but ADC planning were adamant the existing trees could not be damaged. There is more equipment and staff now than 50 years ago, and an issue around providing female W/C facilities. The existing is also an expensive building to run, with daily costs high compared to modern facilities. Coun. Murray asked if a bigger engine could not have been purchased instead, Mr Heslar replied yes, but they have to be specially built, and the fleet replacement programme takes 15 years. The 4x4 also allows fire fighters to carry out community demonstrations, fit smoke alarms etc, instead of taking out the fire engine. Coun. Murray asked if there were stipulations in the plans if the new building needs enlarged further down the line. Mr Heslar replied it is difficult to write anything into planning issues. Coun. Gilson suggested the two visitors be given the PC's full support, Coun. Sandford verified these comments. Coun. Murray asked what is to happen to the existing station, Mr Heslar replied it would be put on the open market for sale. Coun. Sandford thanked Jan & Mr Heslar for their attendance and information.

Member of the Public Present
Alistair Costley present.

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

Crime & Disorder Forum
Next meeting to be held 4/09/2007

Rural Transport Initiative Sub-Committee
Nothing to report.

Play Areas
Annual Addycombe play area report received - Coun. Gilson to look at.

West End Entrance/Bridge Street
 Nothing to report.

Rothbury Shoppers Group
Invoice for July - £56.00 - fares received £116.00. Correspondence received from TINN regarding the £10 annual fee - this amount authorised.

War Memorial
Last stone to be replaced - Coun. Dawson has arranged provisional date of 30/09/07 for re-dedication of the memorial..

Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford had been contacted by the interested party, who had been rung by Northumbria Health Care Trust estates manager, and told under regulations the trust operates, the proposals had to be advertised throughout Europe.

Ambulance Service/Patient Transfer
Coun. Dawson reported a hospital coffee morning to be held 15/09/07, and paramedics will be attending to explain to the public their role.

Police Station/Fire Station Relocation 
Fire Station to be taken off agenda.

ADC Local Wide Plan
Correspondence received from ADC regarding the Local Core Strategy with onshore wind power proposals mentioned.

Village Greens
Awaiting reply from solicitors

Bridge Closure
Nothing to report.

Christmas Lights Committee
Coun. Mrs Dawson reported persons from an illumination company attending site to give advice. NEDL have said Rothbury Projects cannot apply to get them installed and the PC will have to formally apply as they are responsible for the land. At least £10k will be required, £2k secured to date, and funding bodies are being contacted. Coun. Fendley said the PC should have no problem in applying for the bid. Coun. Sandford thought the PC would also look favourably in financial support. Coun. Dawson asked who would be maintaining the points once/if installed, as they will need serviced/checked etc. Coun. Sandford said the points could be used by the whole community. Coun. Dawson suggested contacting the Alnwick lights committee, however Coun. Mrs Dawson replied Chairman Chris France has already done this. Coun. Sandford mentioned the present set up being overloaded and local electricians wary in carrying out work, however electrician David Young is on the committee. The matter for the PC making bids will have to be fully discussed with the lights committee.

Standards Board Code of Conduct
To be taken off agenda.

Spar Shop
No reply from Co-op manager, Coun. Murray reported no replies from the office of fair trading or competition commission to his personal correspondence - they do not reply on specific cases, however the matter has been in the local press, and OOFT are looking into the Co-op and mergers.

Cemetery Stop Cock
To be taken off agenda

Picnic Area
E-mail received stating T. Derbyshire NCC has been informed of the comments regarding the picnic tables. Coun. Murray said the forestry commission's practice is to have a steel plate the full width of the table set on steel spacers so persons using barbecues can place them on this. Coun. Murray also mentioned the signpost pointing in the wrong direction, and offered to contact T. Derbyshire himself..

Village Shrubbery
Coun. Fendley said it is extremely hazardous when turning right from the bridge, and with no road markings it does not offer safe driving, Coun. Dawson said presumably this issue will be resolved when the road is tarmacced. Reply received from NCC reporting shrubbery is to be cleared.

Web Site
Nothing to report

Ten Year Plan
Date of review suggested as Wednesday 19/09/07
Haugh Land: Nothing to report
Hospital:   Nothing to report.
Youth Project:  Nothing to report.
Recycling: Nothing to report
Parking:  Nothing to report.
Cyclepath: Nothing to report.
Speed Cameras: Nothing to report.
Footpaths:  Nothing to report
Street Lighting: Nothing to report.
Signage: Nothing to report.
Recycling:- Nothing to report.
Enhance Public Areas: Nothing to report.

The following Accounts have been authorised
i].   Northumberland & Newcastle Society - £15.
ii].   ROSPA annual inspection - £70.50
iii].  Flowers & Foliage - £125.96
iv].  Northumberland Estates - rent - £30.00
v].   TINN - July bus - £56.00 - fares received £116.00
vi].  A. Boyce - £423.75
vii]. TINN - £10 - annual subscription
viii]. John Barleycorn Festival - accounts paperwork received covering total income from last years event. Clerk to enquire who donation cheque will be made out to.

Seats and Trees
i].      Coun. Gilson understood there is an ongoing disagreement with N Estates regarding encroachment upon the riverbank, however NE have replied stating work will be carried out, but Coun. Gilson thought it was the Environment Agency that are responsible for the land. Coun. Sandford replied the willow trees are on the land owned by N Estates. Coun. Murray said a company from Durham are to fell part of the tree and a planning application has been put into ADC for this work. Coun. Gilson thought for any future riverbank problems the EA should be contacted initially. Coun. Murray said if anybody wishes to comment they can on the ADC web site, and with the approximate position it appears they are unsure where the trees are. Coun. Dawson said this matter has been discussed for more than 2 years, NE know which tree it is and he is sure the contractors will also be aware of the exact location.
ii].     Coun. Dawson said leaves on the chestnut tree are starting to flap against the War Memorial and he is prepared to prune this area.
iii].    Coun. Sandford reported a tree being taken down in the cemetery, at the end by the sheds, a very large chestnut which has now split.
iv].     Coun. Murray was approached about the possibility of a seat being placed between the play park and Beggars Rigg, there used to be a seat below the RAF home. Coun. Edes thought Rothbury House had removed the previous seat due to it being unsafe. Coun. Dawson suggested the next donated seat to the PC be placed in this area.
v].      Coun. Murray reported 3 sycamores and 5 horse chestnuts available which the PC could have.
vi].     Coun. Murray thought it was 150 years since the trees in the High Street were planted and will this be marked in any part?
vii].    Coun. Sandford had been in the closed Church Yard, and apart from enormous undergrowth, the 3 newest seats put in the area have been varnished in such a way it has come off, Coun. Sandford did mention this previously to Coun. Reynalds who organised the purchase of the seats, but did think the maintenance was the remit of the PC.
viii].    Coun. Edes reported Amanda Boyce would steam clean seats in future, and she would ask Amanda is she could varnish the aforementioned seats before winter.
ix].      Coun. Fendley asked if plastic seats could be purchased in future, Coun. Morton had seen a curved structure, Coun. Fendley happy to look into the option of plastic seating.
x].       Coun. Edes reported a thank you letter and photograph from 2nd Rothbury Scouts for donation for bed works.

Paths & Verges
i].  Coun. Murray previously mentioned various areas in need of repair, NCC have said they will eventually be added to their schedules. Coun. Fendley thought the stepping stones area is regularly maintained, but work is never ending. Coun. Murray still awaiting reply regarding his honeycomb kerbing suggestions.

Addycombe Drains
Nothing to report

Post Office Barrier
Reply received from NCC stating the barrier suggestion would not be viable, as it would cause obstruction difficulties. An alternative solution would be to provide a guardrail in staggered formation on the steps themselves. Coun. Gilson asked has anybody actually been knocked over in Bridge Street and severely injured? Coun. Fendley said the rail at Rodsley Court doesn't seem too problematic to erect, Coun. Dawson mentioned the Bridge Street proposals that showed a barrier, and did not think it beyond NCC to place a similar barrier to the structure at Rodsley Court. Agreed to comment to NCC there are 2 similar barriers within Rothbury.

Correspondence
i].     E-mail - NCC sewage problems - T. Derbyshire NCC has visited the area and is proposing to carry out path works to improve the situation. Coun. Dawson said the Environment Agency know where the source of the problem is, correspondence to be sent to EA as a matter of urgency, asking for update on the situation.
ii].    NCC - local government re-organisation - covering the new possible arrangements, intend to create 26 belonging communities, PC's will play a key role.
iii].   NCC - development of parish transport representative - asking PC's to provide an individual who may be willing to become the local transport expert - does not have to be a parish councillor. Coun. Gilson suggested Coun. Murray as he used to be a bus driver and now a wagon driver, Coun. Murray thought it should be down to NCC to carry out tasks as detailed, Coun. Gilson commented he did not appreciate the work involved when suggesting Coun. Murray. Coun. Fendley replied it is the responsibility of the local authority to carry out these duties. It was agreed to contact NCC stating in favour of a 'expert', but do not agree to carrying out maintenance issues. Coun. Gilson thought notices could be placed at bus stops advertising for a volunteer.
iv].    Northumberland Strategic Partnership - rural services survey - clerk to complete.
v].     ROSPA - inspection report - discussed earlier
vi].    NCC post office - discussed earlier
vii].   ADC - LDF Core Strategy - discussed earlier
viii].  R Thorpe - Core Development Strategy - ADC - for information
ix].    Community Action - survey - Coun. Fendley also reported Community Action is dealing with a group of PC's in the area with the overall intention to facilitate access to funding that has a community purpose. Next meeting 30/09/07, Coun. Fendley to attend, where they hope to put together a panel
x].      TINN - subscription renewal - discussed earlier
xi].     Community Action Northumberland - computers & keyboards/Community Champions training - for information
xii].    NACL - AGM 27/10/07, Morpeth
xiii].   ADC - Housing Strategy 2007 - 10 - questionnaire - Coun. Sandford to look at literature/may attend next meeting 12/09/07
xiv].   Community Champions Training - for information

Planning
Coun. Gilson discussed a previous planning application for change of use of Shiltons Shop to an Indian restaurant, and did not think the PC comments made to ADC were in relation to comments made in the press, and felt the change of use was supported by the PC. Coun. Sandford thought it fair to say comments made are not long winded and would mainly dwell on the objections. In future it was agreed that if the PC do generally support an application this should be stated as well as objections. Coun. Dawson said whenever decisions are taken, ADC have hard and fast rules on which their decisions are based.

Planning Applications received for the following:
          A/2007/0394: P Edmondson, 6 Lordenshaw Drive - conservatory - supported.
          A/2007/0302: Northumberland Estates: comments made by sub-committee: would object to any tarmacced road being maintained on the land, apart from immediate access point off the B6341
          Blaeberry Hill - 8 New Dwellings - amendment - comments made would only wish to see 4 dwellings on site, and reiterated previous objections
          A/2007/0408:Mr & Mrs Gutherson, 1 Market Place - dwelling - Coun Sandford has looked at the site, Coun. Murray asked what the access would be, Coun. Sandford said there is already a legal access point for vehicles, Coun. Murray would not like to see a mess of building materials, Coun Sandford suggested if persons are keen to make comments can they contact the clerk

Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:
          A/2007/0318: Mr & Mrs Swailes, Cranston Cottage - conservatory
          A/2007/0279: Co-op - signs

Notice of Refusal of Planning Permission:
          A/2007/0288: Mr V. Thompson - 4 dwellings - land at Blaeberry Hill
          CC/2007/0008: Fire Service - change of use - observations from ADC - no objections

Addycombe Development: (Whitton View)
Coun. Fendley reported the developers have attempted remedial work, by putting in a French drain which looks effective, and they are well aware of the flooding problems. Coun. Fendley pleased to recognise Coun. Bolams assistance, however the first set of traffic lights when leaving Rothbury look as if they will be in situ for a long period. Coun. Gilson thought the PC should be grateful for what work is happening. Coun. Bolam said acquiring the land was achieved in record breaking time by NCC, however Highways are adamant the developers contractor have to carry out the work, agreed as part of the contract for the road, and that is where there are problems. Coun. Dawson reported the footpath has been negotiated, and the south bus stop will be set back, but the traffic lights seem to fail on a regular basis. Coun. Dawson had received a call from a resident to say a road user had burst two tyres and buckled two rims at the lights - Coun. Dawson had contacted NCC and they had attended site to fill in tarmac.
Deuchet Court
Coun. Murray reported plans on ADC web site to reinstate the area.
Bridge Street: Nothing to report.

Electronic Planning Applications
To be discussed at next meeting - clerk to ask about loaning equipment as discussed at meeting with P Biggars.

Any Other Business
i].     Coun. Murray reported the play area wall and viewing point at Beggars Rigg have graffiti, clerk to contact R Thompson ADC
ii].    Coun. Fendley reported Battle of Britain event 15/09/07

Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 18th September 2007 commencing at 7.15pm in the Jubilee Hall

The meeting finished at 9.45pm.
Claire Miller Clerk