Present:-        Coun. Reynalds, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Fendley, Gilson, Murray,
                          Sandford, and the Clerk,  District Coun. Bridgett

Police Presence -
Inspector Peart present and explained the police are conscious the community are not involved in priority setting, and which issues are important. At the Crime & Disorder Forum it was decided to agree local problems and set a number of priorities concerning speeding and aiming to reduce serious accidents, general danger, inconsiderate driving, with the impetus currently on drink driving at Christmas. The second priority is on engagements, people are not aware of their local officers, and they have undertaken to deal with this as a priority with a poster campaign starting in the New Year to integrate with the community more, with police generally being more visible/approachable. Officers to report back to the forum in 3 months time. Inspector Peart reported a huge drop in crime, with 60 crimes reported last year, and this year only 36, which is down to the visible police presence, and it is pleasing to see assaults have reduced dramatically, and attributes this to the success of the Pub Watch scheme. However the scheme has lifted bans on person’s recently barred from local pubs, which the police are not happy about and advised against. Licensees are to be monitored closely, and it is important people know they cannot misbehave and get away with it. The crime detection rate is good, with half of all crimes reported cleared up, and officers on the rural beat are consistently complimented on the use of forensic science. Coun. Murray asked if the press had a part to play, Inspector Peart said yes as when something happening in London is in the press it causes concern, but city crimes would certainly not occur in rural areas such as Rothbury. Coun. Sandford said the Journal prints big headlines and often the foundation of the stories are not there, Inspector Peart agreed with this and would like to see even handedness. Coun. Murray asked if the police think there is a problem with noise outside pubs with smokers, Inspector Peart replied yes, and the new legislation has not been supportive of licensees and there has been a huge increase in police being called out to noise complaints. There is a scheme working which involves licensees covering items such as how to turn small gardens into smoking areas, and how drink can be prevented from going outside, and the licensee officer at ADC has trawled nationally for good practice. Coun. Murray thought groups of smokers could be intimidating, and not solely a noise issue. Inspector Peart agreed with this, and said Alnwick licensees are trying to limit the amount of person’s being outside at once. Inspector Peart reported Special Constables are being sought. The Neighbourhood Watch scheme is to be relaunched nationally, there are very few schemes in the area, but it is a huge way forward to get the community to become eyes and ears, and this will be the biggest deterrent for travelling criminals. Coun. Sandford thought schemes had fallen into non-activity, and only need reviving. The Community Beat Officer will e-mail the co-ordinators on a fortnightly basis, so there will be information for co-ordinators to feed to the rest of the group. Coun. Gilson asked if the system has the capacity to deal with persons lodging a complaint/comment, Inspector Peart replied the police have been poor in this issue, as they do not keep people informed or get back to persons quickly enough, and if any members of NW do phone in, logs will be checked, and feedback is so important. Coun. Murray asked if there was literature on NW, Inspector Peart said there is an information pack for co-ordinators, and a website, and information can be downloaded. If anybody is interested in setting up a small group they should contact Inspector Peart. Coun. Murray thought there was reticence on NW. Coun. Sandford said people were strategically picked to be members when he was involved in NW, and if anything suspicious was observed, members rang each other and it worked very well. Coun. Gilson asked if there was a movement within community policing to be able to telephone somebody centrally other than HQ at Ponteland. Inspector Peart said you cannot speak to local police anymore, but something will be in place by January for non emergency calls, but for reporting instances it will be the central number. Coun. Murray asked if a system could be developed whereby a beeper or something could be utilised, Inspector Peart said it is prohibitive in terms of cash, and in an emergency dial 999. Coun. Reynalds thanked Inspector Peart for attending.

Over the Bridges
Coun. Mrs. Dawson to compile report.

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

Crime & Disorder Forum
Discussed earlier.

Rural Transport
Coun. Reynalds reported the forthcoming AGM will include a decision for Tinn’s proposal to run the bus, date of meeting to be arranged.

Play Areas
Coun. Gilson has been trying to seek free rubber and has obtained scraps, but remembers the PC withheld a retention sum for the contractor’s who installed the equipment Coun. Reynalds said to go ahead with purchasing materials if the amount is under the retention sum of £411. Coun. Murray thought concerns the inspector has about the seat was not with people sitting on it but that swings may hit persons walking behind them. Coun. Gilson to look at the area again, but the seat will have to be removed if that is the reason.

West End Entrance
Coun. Reynalds said the traffic officer was asked his opinion on a chicane, and had said this was not possible at the Police Forum. Coun. Murray said table tops could be an alternative.

Rothbury Shoppers Group
Nothing to report.

NHS Governor -
Coun. Sandford attended a meeting at Alnwick Area Health Forum where the Head of Dentistry was present, and it had been said improvements are continuing to be made with the provision of NHS dentists. Alnwick Infirmary was on the agenda, Coun. Sandford fairly convinced all the rumours about cutbacks are untrue and certainly all persons present were denying any plans for this. Representatives were present from the Citizens Advice Bureau/McMillan Cancer who were illustrating help/advice is available to families and cancer patients.

Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford had spoken to the Estates Dept at the Local NHS Trust, and they have put out a tender with 7 organisations having registered an interest, all having to write a paper explaining what their development would be and giving details. Coun. Sandford had spoken to Head of Estates who said initially there could be much interest, but it is not unusual for persons to then withdraw interest. Applications will go to the NHS Board Trust and the results known by April.

Ambulance Service/Patient Transfer
Nothing to report.

ADC Local Wide Plan
Coun. Reynalds said there had been discussion about Belonging/Characteristic Communities, and complaints made there had not had been a consultation paper, Coun. Fendley said there had been a meeting with David Francis, NALC, with further information given and he had hoped the PC would support a particular model by 30/11/07, and thinks it will be part of the Unitary Authority. Coun. Reynalds knew of some PC’s wishing to request a meeting with ADC and this had been arranged for 12/12/07 230pm at ADC Council Chamber. Coun. Bridgett said after the elections next year the Boundary Commission will be re-structured. Coun. Reynalds thought the PC should write to ADC and state with the short notice of the meeting nobody is able to attend and requesting a further meeting be arranged.

Village Greens
Nothing to report.

Bridge Closure
Nothing to report.

Christmas Lights Committee -
Coun. Mrs Dawson reported the Christmas procession was unable to go ahead as the police would not support it, however the pipe band, school children and Santa Claus were there. The time had also been changed from 5.30 to 5pm, with one poster not being amended which had caused problems. Coun. Fendley wished to re-emphasise appreciation for the lights, and noted several dwellings/businesses within the centre are very well decorated. Coun. Mrs Dawson said there is further fund raising to be carried out, and a replacement Chairman and new committee members being sought.

Spar Shop
Nothing to report

Picnic Area
Nothing to report.

Village Shrubbery
Nothing to report.

Web Site
Coun. Sandford thought this saga had been going on far too long, and what is the current position? Coun. Reynalds reported a councillor was required to liase with Duncan Elson, Coun. Gilson thought there was somebody willing to manage a web site - Michael Hodgson had offered his services. Coun. Murray thought it was previously said an evening would be set aside to discuss requirements for a web site. Coun. Sandford proposed Michael Hodgson be taken up on his offer, Coun. Edes seconded this. It was agreed to write to Duncan Elson and say as we understand he is about to retire we have somebody to take over the onerous task. Coun. Gilson said if Michael does take it over he is willing to liase with him. Coun. Murray thought there were facilities within NCC to access for PC websites.

Graffiti
Nothing to report.

Signage
Coun. Mrs Dawson reported a resident of Addycombe Cottages had rung her and said there was no sign indicating the cottages - the lady is housebound and in need of oxygen and has had problems with it being delivered. Coun. Murray said there are several areas within the village, Station Road for instance, which would benefit from signage and he is prepared to make a report, however this may take a while. Coun. Reynalds had obtained copies of the Ordnance Survey Rothbury Street Map and give all present a copy. Coun. Fendley thought signage in the village was 95% improved compared to 5 years ago. Coun. Murray said cost was a factor, but thought cheaper signs could be purchased, Coun. Fendley replied not in a conservation area, that is part of the problem.

Joint Burial Committee Minutes
Coun. Sandford reported new wire basket type bins are being purchased. Coun. Bridgett asked about the rabbit problems, Coun. Sandford replied a wire fence has been put in on the Haugh side as that is where most of the warrens were, but it doesn’t seem to have had much effect, and gassing has been carried out on a regular basis, however because of dampness, the gassing effect has been nullified. Coun. Bridgett thought shooting an option. Coun. Fendley pointed out there is a hospital next door, so shots may not be appropriate. Coun. Murray mentioned All Saints churchyard poor grass cutting, Coun. Sandford said it has been cut back very recently, and the other closed area has been partially cut and will be completed shortly. Coun. Reynalds said the main area had been cut privately, and could this person ask for a donation to be made to the local football club. Coun. Gilson had not been aware it was the PC’s responsibility to cut grass in the churchyard. Coun. Sandford said if there was to be some recompense the PC should have been asked beforehand, and in all fairness this year has been exceptional due to the weather, and did not think problems had occurred until this year. Coun. Gilson proposed the finer details are confirmed regarding a football club donation and if worthwhile he would support it. Coun. Fendley thought the person who cut the grass should make a written statement as the PC does have a Code of Conduct, Coun. Reynalds agreed this should be requested.

Community Action
Coun. Fendley reported the group has representatives of the geographical area, and its purpose is to meet and receive bids for grants through Leader Plus, with the next meeting being 13/12/07. Requests have been received from the Jubilee Hall, Bridges publication and other PC’s. Coun. Sandford asked what the maximum amount was, Coun. Fendley said 25% has to be secured from elsewhere from the bidder.

Letter from Kickstart, which is an organisation to help individuals career/development, details available.

There are rumours of cuts in Adult & Youth Education, and Coun. Reynalds has information of job losses in Rothbury, and would like to write for further details of these proposals, and assurances there will be the same range and type of courses that are currently available. Coun. Bridgett said .the consultation period had ended last Friday, and the level as at present cannot be maintained. Coun. Sandford felt it worth writing to NCC stating the PC understands the decision has been made and the PC were not consulted about it.

Seats & Trees
Nothing to report.

Cherry Trees
Nothing to report.

Paths & Verges
Nothing to report.

Post Office Barrier
To be taken off agenda.

Allotments
Coun. Reynalds has information which can be used to devise contracts for allotment holders.

Correspondence
E Mail
i].    Alnwick Playhouse - programme
ii].   NEDL - Christmas Lights - confirming they will provide quote
iii].   NCC - Path to Hospital- acknowledgement - Coun. Fendley asked if NCC would carry out remedial repairs to posts and chains on the path, Coun. Sandford said they have already repaired them and further accidents have since occurred.
iv].  ADC - Parish Forum Minutes 17/10/0 - available for circulation
v].   ADC - St Oswald’s Way Walks - for information - Coun. Fendley said part of the debate is about highlighting a sign by the CO-OP nick.
vi].   Felton Parish Council - Characteristic Communities - discussed earlier

Coun. Murray understood the meeting with P Biggers was to demonstrate the electronic planning application system, however the Internet in the meeting room had been unable to connect.

Any Other Business
Coun. Bridgett said ADC had carried out a satisfaction survey and Rothbury was ranked top in 2 categories out of 16 wards which were parks and open spaces and cleansing and litter control, however it was equal bottom on refuse collection. Coun. Gilson does not think the system of green bins emptied fortnightly adequate.

Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 16^th January 2008 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hall.

The meeting finished at 10pm.
Claire Miller, Clerk