Minutes of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council held on Wednesday 13th August 2008

The meeting commenced at 7.15pm

PRESENT Coun. Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Dawson, Fendley, Gilson, Reynalds, Sandford and the Clerk,Coun. Bridgett ADC/NCC

APOLOGIES Coun. Murray

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Over the Bridge Report
Coun. Mrs Morton to compile.

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

Matters Arising from Previous Minutes

Crime & Disorder Forum
Nothing to report.

Rural Transport/Shopping Bus
Coun. Murray had verbally requested funding from the PC for UCCTG - to be placed on next agenda. Coun. Sandford asked why funding was required, Coun. Morton replied it would help towards the cost of a lift for the back of the bus - £4K for new, £2.7K for secondhand. Coun. Sandford asked if other PC’s had been asked for funding, Coun. Morton had only been asked to ask Rothbury PC, and is also writing to outside organisations for financial assistance.

Play Areas
Coun. Gilson not happy with the recent Addycombe improvements carried out, and commented the old play area at the haugh is marked out by rubber matting, and could some of it be removed, Coun. Mrs Dawson had spoken to D Thompson ADC, and seating is to placed in that area. Coun. Edes thought ADC would not mind if some matting was lifted, however Coun. Mrs Dawson said seats and tables were to be placed there, Coun. Gilson to ask R Thompson if some of the matting can be removed. Coun. Morton said a bin would also be required if picnic tables and seats are placed there, Coun. Edes asked if the PC will ultimately be responsible for these structures and willing to agree to this. It was agreed to ask R Thompson for clarification on this.

West End Entrance
Nothing to report.

NHS Governor
Coun. Sandford currently in talks about opening the hospital in the daytime for day caring sessions, being an opportunity for long term carers to have a little time off, and persons being looked after at home to gain social meetings.

Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford said a decision is to be made 21/8/08 about the preferred contractor.
ADC Local Wide Plan
Nothing to report.

Community Lights Committee
Quotes received from NEDL, meeting to be held in near future.

Website
Coun. Mrs Dawson has spoken to M Hodgson who is happy to continue with the web-site which has received 1300 hits
in the past month.

Golf Club Entrance
Regarding painting directional signs for vehicles, Coun. Dawson reported action is awaited from NCC.

Signage
Coun. Gilson had spoken to the surgery about the new sign and discovered ADC had inspected the sign after a written complaint
had been received, however it is within the permitted criteria and the current situation is ADC are allowing the
surgery to consider which direction they want to go in and financial help for taking down and replacing the sign can
be sought. Coun. Sandford had looked at the sign and found it perfectly acceptable. Coun. Fendley can understand bad
feeling when other person’s have to comply with rules regarding signs, and can remember several heated discussions
on signage within PC meetings. Coun. Fendley reported positive discussions with ADC regarding town trail signage, with a
meeting to be arranged.

NSP Partnership
Coun. Mrs Dawson had information on the unitary authority, Coun. Bridgett reported proposals have been put forward
for area committees which will be debated in full 15/9/08. Coun. Dawson asked where Parish & Town Council’s are
in the overall plan, Coun. Bridget said he is speaking to all PC’s, and would only support elected representatives.
Coun. Dawson said a meeting had been held ADC 29/7/08 and assurance given the new council would be consulting
with PC’s - the PC would need to know what the consultation would be about if they are asked to take on extra
responsibilities, what they would be, and at what cost. Coun. Fendley in receipt of correspondence, and understands
the need to put forward models, Coun. Bridgett said the PC’s will be consulted about the proposed models, and
boundary reviews are also being considered,. Coun. Sandford said whatever model is taken on, geographically,
Coquetdale, let alone Rothbury, is a wide area, and the isolation this could bring in terms of determining an area
committee could leave the PC out on a limb, Coun. Bridgett understood this, and if 5 area committees are given with
statutory obligations, eg planning, he did not think there will be enough councillor’s.

Turks Head area gulley
Nothing to report.

Posts & Chains
Coun. Sandford reported a post in need of repair at the URC Church, Coun. Edes said the gardeners are actioning
a post at the top of the village and they could also look at this, agreed.

Churchyard wall
Coun. Gilson reported Eric Jensen has not yet inspected the wall.

Rothbury Plan
Haugh Land: To be discussed in private.
Parking: Dick Fraser wishing to set up a parking steering group, Coun. Bridgett said comments received with regard to parking at NCC open day last Friday were 50% wishing no restrictions in the centre of the village, and he is to ask the public himself on their views. Coun. Fendley said the village has been divided for some time, ADC paid Ove Arup for a survey which was looked at, and action still awaited for some aspect of traffic management. The disc parking seemed to be favourable, however all communication had then broken down. Coun. Sandford said there is many people outside of central Rothbury who use the centre for banking, shopping, etc, and their views would also need sought. Coun. Bridgett happy to expand the survey to residents further up the valley.
Hospital: Nothing to report
Youth Project: Nothing to report
Footpaths: Nothing to report.
Recycling: Nothing to report
Cyclepath: Footpath area to be looked at in September between Rothbury & Thropton.
Speed Cameras: To be discussed at next Crime & Disorder Forum.
Street Lighting: Nothing to report.
Enhance Public Areas: Nothing to report.
Heritage Amenity Project: Nothing to report.
Information Signage: Nothing to report.

The following Accounts have been authorised
 D Metcalf - Accounts internal audit - £113.75
 Northumberland & Newcastle Society - Membership - £15.00
 ADC - Dog Bins - £146.99
 Northumberland Estates - £30.00
 UCCTG - July Shopping Bus - £100.00
 T W Alderson - £15.45
 M Evens - £365.00
 G Stephenson - £230.00. Coun. Edes said there is another person aiding the gardeners, who may submit an invoice. Coun. Fendley asked if they were being paid for from the budget, Coun. Edes replied the gardeners are paid 8 hours per week for flower beds, and payment for this person is for seat painting.
 Playsafety Ltd - Addycombe play area inspection - £70.50
 A D Sandford - £10.00
 Craig Scott - £290.00

Seats & Trees
Coun. Edes reported the gardeners are to submit a quotation for planting flowers and work would come within their 8 hours. Coun. Edes in possession of an advert for crocuses and could these be purchased, if buying 100 an additional 50 are received free of charge - £16.00. This agreed, scouts to plant in bed in front of vets. Coun. Edes reported the broken seat had been fixed and placed between the library door and next house. Coun. Reynalds asked if permission was needed for placing on a pavement, Coun. Morton replied the librarian has asked authorities if permission is required. Coun. Fendley said if crocuses’ are to be priced, could the price of daffodils and tulips be sought also, as the southern part of the river the PC were directly involved with would benefit from planting, Coun. Edes to action.

Paths & Verges
Coun. Morton said from the white house to Rothbury House there is overgrown moss on the paths on both sides, which becomes slippy in wet weather. Clerk to contact R Thompson, ADC.

Correspondence
 E-Mails: R Thompson - Play Area - discussed earlier
 I Cameron - Union Flag - Requesting a flag be flown at all times - Coun. Bridgett happy to provide a Northumberland Flag. Coun. Dawson replied the PC do have a flag which has never been flown, and previously, due to the nature of the flagpole, a flag was stolen and never traced.
 S Rickett - Village Greens - to be discussed in private
 ADC - Review of Parish Boundaries - for information
 NNPark - Local Development Strategy for information
 NHS North of Tyne - move of premises - for information
 Northumberland Strategic Partnership - for information
 Post Office Network Change Programme - for information
 The Boundary Committee - electoral review - Coun. Dawson said this should have been actioned 3 years ago before the decision about ADC/NCC - and it could have serious implications for the new unitary authority, and looking at the areas to be covered it is ludicrous - there is a cut off point for comments 15/9/08. Coun. Sandford said would it be fair to consider additional annual expenditure, Coun. Dawson replied this a separate issue, the Boundary Commission only work on population. Coun. Bridgett said the BC are only bothered about electoral numbers, with 3957 electors in the Rothbury area. Coun. Dawson thought it grossly unfair it is only based on numbers. Coun. Fendley said the PC could express concern and thought the number of councillors linked to this area should be doubled, Coun. Dawson said it does not work that way, and there would be no guarantee an extra councillor would be in the Rothbury ward. ADC are stating the overall number should be 90, and this can be quoted to the BC. Coun. Sandford recommended saying the PC is unsatisfied with the small representation, and would suggest the number is increased to at least 90 which is being advocated by ADC, this agreed.
 NCC - Post Office Review - for information
 Jubilee Institute - presentations - powerpoint equipment available to hire for presentations.
 Alnwick Continental Market - for information
 NCC - Area Committee Meeting - for information.
 Rospa - Addycombe play area inspection report - Coun. Gilson to look at.
 NCC - LTP - Coun. Dawson thought the War Memorial should be top priority. Coun. Sandford said 2nd priority should be west end approach, Bridge Street 3rd priority, and eastern approach 4th. It was agreed these areas the most important requests, and affecting many person’s.

PLANNING
 Addycombe Development: Coun. Fendley reported repetitive problems on the site, and suggested an informal meeting of the residents, planners and developers be arranged and there is concern being expressed by residents. Coun. Bridgett said P Gee ADC had also visited the site, and he should be invited to such a meeting. Coun. Dawson suggested the developers be contacted and asked if they are prepared to hold a meeting with the residents, as it is the developers causing the problems, clerk to contact Mckinery Homes.
• Planning Applications received for the following:
 A/2008/0376: Mr & Mrs I Gutherson, 1 Market Place - Bungalow - supported
 A/2008/0377: P Rogers, 4x4 Centre - 4 Dwellings, Birch Hill, Hillside - Coun. Sandford - unoccupied for quite considerable time, 4 dwellings grossly overdeveloped - comments to be forwarded to ADC.
 A/2008/0384: Mrs D Reygate, Hillcote, Garleigh Road - sun room extension -
• Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:
 A/2008/0230: Ms D Mennim, Dalmatia, Garleigh Road - half storey extension

Any Other Business
 Coun. Gilson had received comment the PC notice board seemed to be 50% PC business and 50% private enterprise business, Coun. Dawson replied any notice is attempted to be accommodated in the board, and there are times it could give the impression of a private enterprise, eg. advertising guided walks, photography services, but if there is space in the board and material is not offensive, it will be placed there.
 Coun. Murray has requested the new unitary councillor devise a report every month - item to be added to agenda.
 Coun. Fendley had correspondence regarding free-range poultry farming in the Thropton area
 Coun. Dawson to contact W Potts regarding clock chiming fault.
 Coun. Bridgett left contact detail forms for councillor’s and clerk to complete.


Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 17th September 2008 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hall.

The meeting finished at 930pm.

Claire Miller, Clerk