Minutes of the meeting of Rothbury Parish Council held on Wednesday 10th December 2008
 
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm
 
PRESENT                 Coun. Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Fendley, Murray, Reynalds, Sandford and the Clerk Coun. Bridgett, NCC
APOLOGIES            Coun. Gilson 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

POLICE PRESENCE
PC Laurie Ward present and reported a couple of burglaries had occurred in the outlying areas, thieves are identifying premises with no lights, security/isolated properties -  safety advice can be sought from the police.  Cars have been broken into at Lordenshaws, although two persons were arrested. Coun. Sandford asked if the Haugh car park was safe, Laurie replied no break in’s have occurred there, and said a park mark can be applied for.  Coun. Bridgett asked if the recent burglary report is correct, Laurie replied it is being investigated by PC Kilburn, but is not on same lines of high value property break-ins - the premises were vulnerable being a deceased person’s home.  Coun. Fendley said the PC were encouraged to seek support for the  possibility of road flashing posts, and subject to financial availability the chicane to the west  end may be progressed.  Coun. Bridgett said he was not totally in support of 30pmh flashing signs, but of the interactive signs which tell driver’s what speed they are going, however NCC do not allow these signs permanently.  Coun. Fendley noted these comments, and said the PC were asked by Dick Fraser NCC to get together with ADC/NCC/Police to discuss parking, the police did take it off priority at the current time but it will be back on the agenda after the New Year.  Coun. Murray asked why mileage signs are not permitted on a permanent basis, Coun. Bridgett said NCC take the view that they are illegal, Coun. Murray thought flashing lights with data cables across the road make a difference, Coun. Bridgett said the new signs can collect data, Coun. Morton said data collection added to the cost.  Coun. Sandford commented with the greatest respect for NCC some expression from the police would be more helpful.
 
MEETING WITH SUSTRANS/NCC
Bryn Dowson, Regional director of Sustrans and James Adamson  present who had carried out field studies for the Rothbury area proposal and are working particularly closely with NCC - Ian Jopling NCC also present.  The project has Re-discovering Rothbury as a working title, and the premise of encouraging people into public green space for physical/community benefits.  The riverside is to be looked at, and the Environment Agency had approached Sustrans to gain possibilities of community projects - the recent floods have brought an opportunity to bring a beneficial project forward, being a traffic free route between Rothbury & Thropton and to the Thrum Mill - there is a section which crosses the Coquet and will require negotiation with a private landowner, but the bulk of the project falls on public land.  Sustrans are looking to encourage schoolchildren to cycle to school, and are aware of traffic problems within Rothbury, particular with quarry traffic.  Sustrans have been associated with a national cycle network being developed since the mid nineties, and aiming to discourage small car journeys.  Rothbury sits close to the Penine cycleway, and it would be fairly simple to put Rothbury on the national cycleway.  Sustrans are looking at part of the old railway line, and hope to bring people into Rothbury through this.  The final link is Cragside - it would be perfect for cycling within and they are talking to the National Trust about cycleways, although access is pretty tricky.  Sustrans have asked the trust if it could be an option for Rothbury residents to gain free access to the estate for walking/cycling, Coun. Sandford said the PC had approached the trust with similar ideas on several occasions to no avail.  Bryn said the project should generate momentum and it will become harder for the National Trust to ignore it.  Sustrans have identified a physical link which relies on the support of Northumberland Estates, and suggesting the possibility of setting up a pool of bicycles within Cragside that can be kept on the premises.  The only construction required will be on the Duke’s land which will need reconstructed to be usable/accessible.  Sustrans are looking to build ideally a path 3 metres wide, and are in the process of producing a plan which will be submitted to NCC and consulted upon.  It is hoped to involve all kinds of community groups, schools, Northumberland Care Trust, Natural England.  The timescale for plan completion will be Spring 2009, project complete date Spring 2011.  The overall cost of the project will be the million pound mark.  A Community Arts programme can be developed, where a sculpturer can work with the community for ideas for marking the path, and engaging local people to become involved to create a sense of ownership.  Coun. Sandford said the project is extremely exciting, a wonderful opportunity and the best of luck.  Bryn said there are areas that are ambitious but if all parts happened it would have multiple benefits.  Coun. Edes liked to thank Sustrans for their enthusiasm, and said schoolchildren using the path would be between the ages of 9&13, and the  Scouts and Cadets could also be involved.  Coun. Fendley mentioned a group responsible for ramblers/guided tours, who may provide funding.  Coun. Murray said he took exception at the singling out of lorry drivers and quarries and thought there are idiots in all walks of life, and accidents on these roads are mainly with cars, and with regard to the path itself through the three fields to Blue House, can this not be done at Lady’s Bridge, as if children are cycling alone near rivers this could cause danger and expecting them to cross two bridges is naive.  Bryn said with the initial discussion he was led to believe the landowner in lady’s bridge area would not be particularly receptive.  Coun. Murray said part of Blue House area is pure bog and expense may therefore be more than anticipated, Bryn said they were not knocking particular members of the community with wagon drivers, the point being made was there is a large volume of quarry traffic, and Natural England will look at wagon statistics regarding funding.  Coun. Fendley thought local quarries may be prepared to provide funding.  Coun. Murray asked how many wagons per hour travel through Rothbury, Bryn replied he has these figures at his office, and there is a quota of wagons allowed daily at each quarry, and he would like an indepth report carried out covering vehicle speed/numbers.  Coun. Murray thought a pedestrian crossing at Townfoot would be beneficial for the aforementioned heavier traffic flow,  Ian Jopling replied the  pedestrian crossing would also have to warrant additional pedestrian numbers as well as traffic volume.  Coun. Bridgett offered his support to the project, and it  will cross Thropton PC boundaries, and Cartington where the old railway line is.   The Care Trust as part of the health agenda, appears to be the only organisation in the North East with huge amounts of reserve capital, and Coun. Bridgett also thought the groundwork trust could be approached, as cycle routes were highlighted by this body. 
 
Over the Bridge Report
Coun. Gilson to compile.
 Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed after minor amendments.   Coun. Gilson & Sandford wished a statement to be minuted regarding the Copletch works - to be discussed under flooding.
 
Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
 Crime & Disorder Forum
Discussed earlier.
 
Rural Transport/Shopping Bus
Coun. Morton said at the finance sub-committee meeting it was queried why the fares and invoices for the bus were coming through the PC - Coun. Murray said the Shopper’s Group is the responsibility of the PC.  Executive meeting to be held 12/12/08.  Five additional drivers have been trained.   
 
Play Areas
Nothing to report.
 
West End Entrance/NCC LTP
Coun. Bridgett said last weeks meeting was postponed. and rescheduled 18/12/08.  Coun. Fendley asked when problems with the yellow bus service could be discussed - later in meeting.
 
Turk’s Head Area Gulley
Coun. Mrs Dawson explained the situation, Ian Jopling NCC will look into it further.  Coun. Murray asked about  the footpath opposite the Catholic Church, Ian said the suggestion would have to be included into the system onto the next LTP, however the PC have already submitted their LTP suggestions for next FY.  A proposed chicane at the West end entrance is to be under discussion at meeting 18/12/08.  Coun. Murray reiterated the footpath, however it is too late for it to be included next F/Y LTP.  Coun. Sandford had spoken to Richard Stow NCC regarding a blocked drain at Hillside East who had said he would also put in a request for resurfacing on the road leading into Rothbury, Coun. Bridgett thought this project was on the plan. 
 
NHS Governor matters
Coun. Sandford mentioned day time care sessions at Rothbury hospital had been delayed due to a problem at Morpeth hospital - the sessions will go ahead in the New Year.
 
Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford could officially report Wentworth Grange Group at Riding Mill have the go ahead for the home - the current position being due diligence.  It will be a 30 bed home, and the owner has said he wishes to initially discover what the people of Rothbury wish to have.
 
Flooding/Dealing with Emergencies
Coun. Gilson had tried to contact Dick Thompson ADC.  Coun. Fendley asked when the Environment Agency will be furthering the early warning systems, Coun. Bridgett replied the EA are to attend the January PC meeting.  Coun. Murray asked if the statement will be included in the minutes as requested by Coun. Sandford - it was agreed to state the following - that this council was dismayed to learn negotiations had been ongoing for some years to gain access to this land, where the vital repairs were needed, and strongly questioned whether in circumstances where public safety is involved some form of compulsory action should be considered.  Coun. Bridgett displayed the EA plans devised in 2006 for flooding events, and as a result the EA did look at alternatives for Copletch diversions, but went with the existing culvert route, with funding from the Northumberland Defence Committee.  When the EA went inside the culverts, 80 tonnes of debris were taken out of Copletch Burn, and some walls collapsed as a result.  Only one point has not been upgraded, which is the area under discussion. 
 
Village Greens
Nothing to report.
 
Community Lights Committee
Coun. Dawson reported the lights had been erected, and Coun. Bridgett gave thanks to the fire service, electricians David Young & James Hammond and Phil Shadforth, who had really gone out of their way to ensure the lights went up.  The new stanchions should be installed February/March, with ADC funding helping with this, and there will be a big push next year to raise funds for new lights, the only disappointment being the Jubilee Hall is only permitted 12 function licences per year.  Coun. Edes said there is a bingo fund raiser on Sunday 430pm in the Jubilee Hall, and also reported the lights committee require a treasurer.  Coun. Murray said it is disheartening some business’s do not want collection tins in their premises, and thought licence restrictions for the main public community hall is ridiculous, Coun. Sandford said this is due to the Licence Committee involved with noise, Coun. Bridgett added it is central government legislation, Coun. Murray said it had been suggested an event could be held at Thropton village hall, Coun. Fendley suggested precept funds should be used towards the lights.  Coun. Murray said as far as he is aware Roz Tinlin had suggested a precept raise, however Coun. Dawson aware the public may have objected, and thought the fairer way was for the PC to make a donation.  Coun. Edes said the lights and gifts were never a Parish Council affair but down to each individual councillor, but if the event is getting bigger it will have to be paid for by public funds.  It was agreed the Committee would submit  a formal letter to the PC for funding.  The Gazette reporter said a notice would be put into the Gazette regarding funding and also looking for volunteers to aid in fundraising.  Coun. Murray asked if the PC have made a donation to flooding victims, however they have not been approached formally by the flood committee. 
 
Website
Nothing to report.
 
Signage
Nothing to report.
 
NSP Partnership
Nothing to report.
 
Turks Head area gulley
Discussed earlier
 
Churchyard Wall
Letter received from Smith’s Gore, Armstrong Estates agent, stating they are not  responsible for any maintenance, and querying the structural engineer‘s report.   Coun. Bridgett happy to defend the comments about the wall assessment.  Correspondence received from David Sutton, Coun. Mrs Dawson had also requested a quote from another builder but they were too busy to carry out work.  D Sutton unable to quote until a Structural Engineer’s report is carried out.   Coun. Bridgett to ask NCC if they have any contacts. 
 
Quality Parish Council
Coun. Sandford had read through the documentation and there are ten criteria to be met, with most already being met, and thought the advantages of being a QPC would be gaining more respect from the general public and more senior council’s and the knowledge the PC has reached the standards.  The PC would need to tighten up in some areas, and suggested two councillor’s follow it through, with progress continually reported at PC meetings - the process could take 6 months.  It was agreed Coun. Sandford & Fendley would make progress.
 
Clock Chiming
Coun. Mrs Dawson to speak to Coun. Dawson .
 
Hanging Baskets
Coun. Bridgett had spoken to R Thompson ADC, and the maintenance costs for 2008/09 he provided for Alnwick/Amble had been set at £30 per basket which included providing flowers and watering baskets, and £20 for watering only, and where more than two baskets can safely be watered at one time, £20 only would apply.  If the PC wished to continue with the baskets, R Thompson suggested initially establishing a link with ADC for when the new unitary authority take over.   It was thought if it is not too expensive the project could be viable.  It was agreed to write to D Thompson to establish a paper trail. 
 
Rothbury Plan
Hospital: Coun. Murray was not aware breast screening is only carried out at mobile units in Morpeth, and asked why can Rothbury not have screening or look to raising funds for purchasing a unit for the Rothbury hospital, Coun. Morton said it is only once every 3 years for women over 50 for screening and the price could not be justified.  Coun. Sandford happy to pursue this matter. 
Haugh Land:  Nothing to discuss.
Parking:  Dick Fraser very willing to attend PC meeting, Coun. Bridgett said he was happy to initiate bringing together the group of ADC/NCC/Police/PC.
Youth Project:  Coffee morning to be held. 
Footpaths: Nothing to report.
Recycling:  Nothing to report
Cyclepath: Discussed earlier.
Speed Cameras:  Nothing to report
Street Lighting:  Coun. Murray had spoken to NCC personnel, who had said they are looking to improve Bridge Street lighting, however Coun. Murray hadn’t realised this had a major problem, such as the village entrance, bridge, and main street lighting, but NCC will also look at these areas. Coun. Fendley thought Bridge Street certainly does not have a problem like the Eastern approach. 
Enhance Public Areas: Nothing to report.
Heritage Amenity Project: Nothing to report.
Information Signage: Nothing to report.
 
The following Accounts have been authorised 
Ÿ  C Miller - quarterly salary & expenses - £942.13
Ÿ  UCCT - £100.00 - November usage
Ÿ  North Northumberland Hospice Care - £100 proposed, seconded
Ÿ  M Evens - £285.00 - seat repair/gardening - thanks to be sent for tidying works at cross for Armistice.
Ÿ  G Stephenson - £220.00
Ÿ  T W Alderson - £5.60


Seats & Trees
Coun. Fendley wondered what basis the statement of ‘green’ seats not being viable for village greens was made, as minuted in November‘s minutes.
 
Paths & Verges
Coun. Sandford had received 3 complaints about the pathway between Addycombe & Hillside East -  after the fence works you cannot now step around muddy areas, and there is a particular problem at the bottom end, NCC Tony Derbyshire is looking into the matter.  Coun. Murray said with the barbed wire topping he had been in touch with T Derbyshire who subsequently contacted the landowner and the fence was removed, at the same time T Derbyshire was asking where to source a type of stone to make the footpath good.  Coun. Bridgett did ask to bear in mind the amount of work being done to restore paths through flooding and he had also received several complaints, and it is a priority for NCC.
 
Unitary Councillor Report
Coun. Bridgett reported a strong preference for the NCC name to be retained for the new unitary council.  Complaints had been received about the yellow buses, with some arriving late or not at all, and it also seemed the post bus service will be terminated shortly, as Royal Mail have asked for double the NCC subsidy.  Coun. Sandford understood when Royal Mail changed their bus times to be more in favour with their collection times it had knocked out the connecting times with other bus services.  Coun. Murray said other parishes could start up their own shopping groups through UCCT.  Coun. Bridgett reported a meeting tomorrow night and all welcome to attend but each PC needs to nominate a representative.  Coun. Bridgett reported ADC housing stock may possibly merge with Blyth valley council.  Voluntary redundancies will be occurring through the new Unitary Authority, and it was discussed all council tax  in the area would be equalised, but under the new budget proposals they will all be equalised over a 5 year period, and it was proposed to raise council tax by 4.8%, one promise made under the blueprint had been all council tax would be equalised in the first year.  Coun. Edes said the yellow buses travel empty, and thought it strange they run every hour when previous services had also been empty.
 
Correspondence
Ÿ  e-mail: Journal - website
Ÿ  M Hodgson - dog bin - Coun. Sandford supported this request - Coun. Mrs Dawson to action.
Ÿ  M Hodgson - Donkin’s lamp - Coun. Dawson in contact with ADC to arrange two new bulbs.
Ÿ  Smiths gore - closed churchyard - discussed earlier.
Ÿ  ADC - planning for renewables supplementary planning document - Coun. Mrs Dawson to look at.
Ÿ  ADC - Landscape character draft supplementary planning document - Coun. Mrs Dawson to look at.
Ÿ  L Mackay - seat - thanks for John Mackay seat repair.
Ÿ  Jubilee Institute - banners - for information.
Ÿ  Grace House - donation acknowledgement.
Ÿ  ICO - Freedom of Information - available for circulation.
Ÿ  UCCT - Christmas card.
 
PLANNING
Ÿ  Addycombe Development: Coun. Fendley and Mrs Dawson had met with the developers 4/12/08, and social housing at the south west corner is near to completion, and they are actively finishing the half built properties.  The north side social housing road surface needs completed, and the soil mound at the north west is to be substantially reduced and material taken off site.  There will be a  connection with the pathway to the social housing in the south corner.  It was pointed out the safety fencing had been breached.  The next informal meeting will be in February.  Coun. Bridgett had received a complaint about the wire meshes and rocks being unsightly and muck washing through them when raining.  Coun. Sandford asked how  existing Addycombe residents can  receive this knowledge, the Gazette reporter said they would publish Coun. Fendley’s update.  Coun. Murray concerned about the realigned pedestrian path, as residents of Addycombe Cottages have to pay a charge to maintain the area where it will lead onto, and why should they have to pay for the general public to use it.   Coun. Fendley said this path is nothing to do with the developers, and it must be ADC planning who have agreed to it, Coun. Bridgett suggested Ian Armstrong, Chairman of Cheviot Housing be approached.
Ÿ  Notice of Refusal of Planning Application
Ÿ  A/2008/0377: Mr P Rogers, 4 dwellings Birch Hill
 
Any Other Business
Ÿ  Coun. Murray had attended ADC forum - to be added to next agenda.
Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 14th January 2009 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hall.
 The meeting finished at  1015 pm.
 
Claire Miller, Clerk