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

 The meeting commenced at 7.15pm 

PRESENT                 Coun. Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Dawson, Fendley, Gilson, Murray, Reynalds, Sandford and the Clerk  Coun. Bridget, ADC 

APOLOGIES           

 PRESENTATION BY RAF

Carol Bell carried out RAF presentation -  and explained the biggest change within the RAF over the past 20 years is with technology, and the type of equipment now used requires particular people/computer skills.  The RAF is now more expeditionary, and very much in the front line - the RAF in its entirety has a direct impact on what it does abroad.  Conflict operations have been involved in the Falklands, Balkans, Afghanistan & Iraq, and humanitarian & UN Operations have worked in areas including Lebanon and Sierra Leone, and military aid has been given to Civil Authorities, eg with the foot & mouth crisis.   Currently the search & rescue and mountain rescue teams operate 24/7 cover, and 40,000 personnel are employed within the RAF.   Low flying is carried out as there is less chance of being attacked when flying low and fast.  Simulators are also used and subsequently low flying has been reduced dramatically, but physiological effects are not felt with simulation.  Low flying times are Monday to Friday 7am to 11pm, and it has to be practiced as an essential operational training to prepare for future conflicts.   

Coun. Mrs Dawson thanked Carol for her attendance.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Addycombe Development

Coun. Fendley reported the current development is having to face market realities, he had met with the site foreman who was extremely frank and explained they are not stopping building works, however they are under pressure to only complete properties that are sold, but the social housing second phase will be completed.  Most of the current workforce have had their current employment terminated, but some are being put on short-term contracts.  There are 4 large detached houses almost finished and sold, which are to the corner of Armstrong Cottages, Coun. Fendley asked what would happen to the pit heap, the foreman had said not all of it will be moved.  Coun. Dawson in discussion with ADC Development Control who were to meet with the developer, but have not reported back as yet.  There are also concerns about the long awaited road junction improvements, and Coun. Dawson had been expecting a verbal report but this has not materialised.  Coun. Sandford asked how many houses have been finished, Coun. Fendley replied if the houses currently inhabited are included, it was thought well over one third of the 85 planned would be completed. 

Over the Bridge Report

Coun. Mrs Dawson to compile.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed after minor alterations.

Matters Arising from Previous Minutes 

Crime & Disorder Forum

Next forum 9/9/08. 

Rural Transport/Shopping Bus

Correspondence received regarding rental of the bus to UCCTG.  Coun. Murray said when UCCTG separated from Tinn, the fuel card and operating permit had to be handed back, and the insurance was cancelled.  Applying for the permit had to go through officialdom, and during the whole of June whilst the bus operated without a permit, UCCTG could not charge for person’s using the vehicle, however a permit is now in place.  Voluntary drivers did provide their own vehicles one week, as there were problems with the mini-bus brakes, and Coun. Murray would like to thank all that helped in this. 

Play Areas

Coun. Gilson still unhappy with improvements to Addycombe play area, the rough parts of the wood are covered, however a child was grazed on the slide which Newtown Engineering have re-welded. Coun. Gilson thought a letter of thanks should be forwarded to Newtown, Coun. Murray said children had been bouncing on the slide and damaged it, and one child had cut themselves.  A member of the public had contacted Coun. Gilson and reported graffiti on a table inside the riverside play area, he had been to inspect it but cannot see anything he would class as graffiti, but it does require cleaning, and the fence locks are broken - clerk to contact ADC.   Coun. Murray also raised the problem of the area where the previous equipment was requiring attention.

West End Entrance

Coun. Fendley said the police were to come forward with reaction/proposals.  Coun. Sandford said the various requests made from Rothbury are listed in correspondence from NCC.   The Bridge Street edge line for access opposite the Post Office has still not been actioned, Coun. Sandford had rang NCC, however Jim Long was not available.  Coun. Morton had received complaints about grass lying on the banks opposite the old hospital, in comparison to further down where there is none.  Coun. Bridgett reported numerous complaints received about grass cutting and had spoken to ADC, and Addycombe residents are complaining it is not cleaned off the paths but has been assured staff do have leaf blowing machines used to blow grass back onto the grass.  Complaints have also been received about Jacob’s Ladder grass not being cleared, which  Coun. Bridgett is following up.

NHS Governor

Coun. Sandford reported a meeting to be held next Thursday 7pm in Parish Hall with the PC and NHS North of Tyne, Coun. Sandford had booked the hall, and Coun. Edes is to arrange tea.  The trust paid for printing of the leaflets, and could the PC  pick up the bill for the Parish Hall rental, this agreed.  Coun. Murray asked if leaflets had been put in the Queen’s Head, Coun. Sandford replied he is to display leaflets in pubs.

Nursing Home

Coun. Sandford said two developers are being interviewed early August, with the result known soon after this. 

ADC Local Wide Plan

Coun. Sandford had information on a land availability assessment, which is a list of  building land available for possible building on in Rothbury for the future, but will not be in operation until 2012. 

Community Lights Committee

Coun. Dawson did arrange a date for a meeting but most people were to be on holiday so the meeting was postponed yet again.

Website

Coun. Gilson would like to query the web-site following an e-mail received from M Hodgson regarding not receiving minutes, however the clerk had been forwarding minutes, Coun. Murray said last month M Hodgson had received the minutes one month before Coun. Murray had received his, Coun. Mrs Dawson to speak to M Hodgson, Coun. Gilson thought publishing the minutes on the PC web-site detracts from the Rothbury forum, Coun. Murray said he was including the PC minutes on his site as he thought more people would read them there.   Coun. Gilson said the web-site needs to be professionally run.  Coun. Reynalds asked if June minutes had been sent, clerk confirmed they are sent after authorisation.  Comments mentioned on the web-site in the past month had been about heavy vehicles through the village. 

Golf Club Entrance

Under discussion.

Signage

Nothing to report

NSP Partnership

Nothing to report.

Turks Head area gulley

Coun. Gilson thought the area looks more dangerous every time he passes.

Dog Bins

Coun. Mrs Dawson reported all bins ordered are now in place, Coun. Murray passed on thanks from Addycombe residents.  Coun. Morton reported dog mess parcels had been dropped in Bridge Street for the past 10 days, Coun. Mrs Dawson suggested the dog warden be contacted.  Coun. Gilson thought the problem occurs 1030 - 11pm. 

Posts & Chains

Reply received from NCC stating the area is the PC’s responsibility, Coun. Murray said they are a hazard and the PC should go ahead and action repair.  Coun. Sandford seconded this proposal, and thought the area is vulnerable to them being knocked down, Coun. Dawson to look at paperwork and see whose responsibility the area is.  Coun. Reynalds

reported a wooden post in disrepair at the top of the village, Coun. Edes thought the gardeners could action this.  Coun. Gilson said he knew of somebody who may be able to carry out the post & chains work, which could be completed in half a day, and would obtain a quotation initially but suggested if a quote of £200 or less was sought could the work be carried out before the next PC meeting, this agreed.

Churchyard wall

Coun. Gilson had asked Eric Jensen, Civil Engineer, to look at the area, and he will chase this up.

Signage

Nothing to report.

Rothbury Plan

Haugh Land: To be discussed in private.

Parking: Correspondence received from the Round Table about PC comments printed in the Gazette, and they would appreciate public acknowledgement that the police were informed and problems should not be attributed to the RT.  Coun. Gilson did not read  the Gazette article, but having read the PC minutes he cannot see what the fuss is about.  Coun. Dawson stated he had reported to the PC what was said at the Police Forum that organisations did not report to the police about forthcoming events and it had been said it would be extremely helpful if new police officers were informed of the date/time of the nature of events.  Coun. Reynalds thought it would be useful to arrange a meeting with RT, as there were minor problems.  Coun. Bridgett said when comments were made at the police forum they had been by the previous sergeant. 

Hospital: Nothing to report

Youth Project: Nothing to report

Footpaths: Coun. Sandford thought correspondence would be received from Thropton PC about the possibility of a footpath between Rothbury & Thropton. 

Recycling:  Nothing to report

Cyclepath: Coun. Edes did ring personnel who said the survey would hopefully be carried out by September.

Speed Cameras: Nothing to report

Street Lighting:  Is included on NCC list.

Enhance Public Areas: Nothing to report.

Heritage Amenity Project: Nothing to report.

Information Signage: Nothing to report.

The following Accounts have been authorised 

?  TINN - May transport - £126.70

?  M Evens - Gardening - £390

?  G Stephenson - Gardening - £300

?  RAW Clark Solicitors - £241.00

Cheque book currently with internal auditor.

Seats & Trees

Coun. Edes in receipt of estimate for works at the Turk’s Head stump for £1,000 + VAT, Coun. Sandford said more than one quote needs to be sought for amounts of this size.  Coun. Fendley thought the money would not be well spent, and all the area requires is grassing over.   Coun. Gilson thought it could be done in conjunction with ADC/NCC with the gulley problem and could it not be properly paved around.  Coun. Edes thought levelling would not be too hard to do, and the present gardeners could action works during the winter.  Coun. Dawson queried whether the stump actually needs taking out.  Coun. Sandford said Newtown Engineering have said a machine needs to be hired to take out the stump at quite an expense.  Coun. Murray said if the stump is to be covered over it will add height, Coun. Edes replied this has no relation to the gulley area.  It was proposed the area be levelled, Coun. Sandford thought it would be beneficial if somebody devised a plan of what will be done, Coun. Dawson said it should just be grassed, Coun. Gilson said if grassed it can be cut on a regular basis, and the growth over the years has often been long enough to restrict vehicular view.  Coun. Edes thought the gardeners could action the area in the winter, this was agreed.  Coun. Edes reported the riverside seat is being fixed and the tree to be pruned at Armstrong Cross will be actioned in October, as debris would spoil the flower beds at the present time. 

Paths & Verges

Nothing to report.

Correspondence

?  E Mail 

?  Email:

?  Mavis Murray - Post Office closures - Coun. Dawson reported Rothbury is not proposed to be closed at the present time.  Coun. Gilson led to believe the PO already have a list of those which will be closed. 

?  Strategic Housing Land - discussed earlier.  Coun. Morton had read a notice advertising affordable housing at the mart, and will there be a partnership?  Coun. Dawson said they will be affordable for sale.  Coun. Bridgett said Anna Crook ADC can be contacted on the matter and is to be present at Coun. Bridgett’s information day 8/8/08

?  D Thompson - grass cutting - discussed earlier

?  Electoral Review Parish & Town Council’s - for information

?  TINN - UCCTG - breakdown of communications between parties

?  Rock Reports - newsletter

?  Clerks & Councils Direct

?  The Clerk magazine

?  Urban scape - product catalogue

?  NCC - posts & chains - discussed earlier

?  Jubilee Institute - regular users annual meeting 22/9/08 - Coun. Edes to attend

?  Community Action Northumberland - newsletter

?  Citizens Advice Bureau - Review 2007/08

?  UCCT - Minibus Hire - discussed earlier

?  NCC - LTP 2008/09

?  NCC - Alnwick Area Committee 18/7/08

?  Community & Local Government  - Spatial Strategy - CD available

?  ADC - Registration of village greens

?  CE Electric UK - PC Liaison

?  LTP Plan - copies to be made

PLANNING

?  Addycombe Development:

?  Bridge Street:    Access still being parked across.

·    Planning Applications received for the following:

?  Approval of Planning Application received for the following:

?  A/2008/0207: Mr G Nixon, United Reformed Church - tree pruning

?  A/2008/0167: Mr M Adamson, Rothbury Butchers - change of use craft shop to butchers

?  A/2008/0193: Mr J D Mason, Stanton, Pondicherry - windmill

?  A/2008/0312: Rev J Wilma - Nether House - Garage demolition

Any Other Business

?  Coun. Morton wished to clarify overnight camping on the South bank of the Haugh, and did think there was a No Camping sign there.   Coun. Dawson thought the only restriction was on the Haugh Car Park itself.  Coun. Fendley thought NE would need approached for permission for camping, otherwise it would be trespassing.  Coun. Gilson said if they are trespassing it is up to the land owner to action, however if person’s  have been seen urinating openly it would be a criminal public order offence and police would have the duty to attend the site.  Coun. Morton did inform the police who had attended within 10 minutes and spoken to the persons involved. 

?  Coun. Sandford mentioned the Joint Burial Committee minutes, and there had been public concern about rabbits in the cemetery, but everything that can possibly be done is being carried out, and JBC currently looking at installing chicken wire, warrens are being gassed weekly, and the gate is secured at night. 

?  Coun. Bridgett mentioned an information day 8/8/08 to be held by himself, with a ward walk in the morning, ADC/NCC officers to be present. 

?  Coun. Murray asked if anybody had seen the newly erected sign outside the doctor’s surgery and would it have required planning permission.  Coun. Mrs Dawson to look at the sign.  Coun. Gilson volunteered to enquire at the surgery about the sign.

Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 14^th August 2008 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hall. The meeting finished at 930pm.

 Claire Miller, Clerk