The meeting commenced at 7.15pm
PRESENT Coun. Mrs Dawson, Mrs Edes, Mrs Morton, Fendley, Gilson, Reynalds, Sandford and the Clerk Coun. Bridgett ADC/NCC
APOLOGIES Coun. Murray, Dawson
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Alistair Costley and Cheryl Lickiss present.
FLOODING
Coun. Mrs Dawson thanked all person’s who helped in the village with the recent flooding problems, and paid great thanks to Coun. Dawson & Bridgett, and sympathy to Coun. Fendley who was flooded out. The village had pulled together and ADC/NCC are now actioning clearing debris. Coun. Fendley reinforced these comments, the police, fire station and inhabitants had helped enormously and the community spirit really came into being. Coun. Sandford said a new pump was installed 6 years ago to protect riverside properties, and why did this not achieve its aim. Coun. Bridgett had spoken to the riverside residents, and hopes to speak to Environment Agency, however Coun. Fendley said nothing could have helped with the highest floods for years. Coun. Bridgett said planned work had started at Copletch, however a certain landowner was not happy with the arrangements and could the land be compulsory purchased.
Over the Bridge Report
Coun. Mrs Morton to compile.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed after minor amendments.
Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
Crime & Disorder Forum
Coun. Morton & Edes attended last meeting. PC Laurence Ward present, and reported a priority setting meeting last week with 3 areas drawn up of concern to residents - parking, traffic speed and police presence. Coun. Fendley said with approximately 20 empty properties in the area, looting and vandalism may occur as is already taking place in Morpeth. PC Ward had worked in Morpeth at the time of the flooding and was aware of the problems, and the police are to keep monitoring the properties, however at night Alnwick & Berwick police are responsible for Rothbury. Coun. Bridgett has asked NCC community safety officers to visit Rothbury. Coun. Fendley reported a mass of copper piping at Armstrong Cottages, and it is a shocking reflection people will take advantage of the circumstances.
Coun. Bridgett has requested the purchase of a sign displaying driver speed, NCC will make the initial capital purchase of the item, but will not provide revenue funding. The Speed Camera Partnership can take the responsibility for it, but this would mean it could be used anywhere within the county. Coun. Reynalds asked what the annual maintenance cost will be, Coun. Bridgett not too sure but will find out.
Rural Transport/Shopping Bus
Coun. Morton reported the scheme progressing well, with funding being sought - the bus is now wholly owned, run and funded by UCTG. A lift is to be hopefully placed on the back of the bus, and the group would be grateful for further users. Coun. Bridgett reported the lift has been supported by ADC but the amount requested does not fall within the outside bodies scheme, and has been referred to the small grants community chest, which will be discussed next month. Coun. Sandford asked if other PC’s had been approached for funding, Coun. Morton said this has to be discussed with the committee, Coun. Sandford said even a small amount from the other parishes would be beneficial, as it is an Upper Coquetdale transport bus.
Play Areas
Nothing to report.
West End Entrance/NCC LTP
Nothing to report.
NHS Governor
Coun. Sandford reported a meeting tomorrow, and cannot see any reason why progress will not go forward.
Nursing Home
Coun. Sandford reported one contractor had not provided enough detail and been given more time, with basically a crunch meeting 23/9/08, where all criteria will have to be met by the contractor’s. Coun. Fendley asked if the vacant Abbeyfields site has appeared in the debate, Coun. Sandford replied no, Coun. Fendley said in some ways the site is established with public amenities, Coun. Sandford said this negotiation is being trust led with a piece of land available.
ADC Local Wide Plan
Nothing to report.
Village Greens
Coun. Dawson in discussion with county solicitor, Coun. Bridgett said he had been contacted by Stephen Rickett ADC, and the Rights of Way Committee meet next month where the recommendation will be put forward.
Community Lights Committee
Nothing to report.
Website
Nothing to report.
Golf Club Entrance
Actioned - to be taken off agenda.
Signage
Coun. Fendley reported ADC meeting 2/10/08, to look at signage regarding village trail booklet
NSP Partnership
Nothing to report.
Turks Head area gulley
Nothing to report.
Churchyard wall
Coun. Gilson reported Eric Jensen had looked at the wall, which has been built in two stages several hundred years apart, and recommended as a matter of urgency an NCC civil engineer look at the area, as he thinks there needs to be a form of tie system. Coun. Sandford thought advice could be sought for free, Coun. Bridgett to request this from NCC.
Rothbury Plan
Haugh Land: To be discussed in private.
Parking: Coun. Bridgett reported a steering group to be progressed, with NCC Dick Fraser keen to be a part of this. Coun. Fendley said in the past getting all parties sitting around the table appeared to be difficult, Coun. Bridgett prepared to try and arrange this.
Hospital: Coun. Bridgett reported hospital employee Gillian Thompson’s retirement celebration, and thought PC representation would be appreciated.
Youth Project: Meeting tomorrow night, Coun. Sandford had resigned his Chairmanship, with Graham Lockwood incoming Chair.
Footpaths: Coun. Morton asked if the moss clearance requested at the last meeting had been actioned - Coun. Bridgett replied all works at ADC are currently on hold, with all staff on clearance duties after the recent flooding.
Recycling: Nothing to report
Cyclepath: Coun. Edes reported NCC had been in contact and they had met 10/9/08 with Tim Carpenter and discussed possible paths, with the likely route along the bridle path, or golf course road and across Ladies Bridge up into Tosson, and upgrading existing footpaths. Coun. Sandford said if they have some sort of written proposals, that is half way to action.
Speed Cameras: Nothing to report.
Street Lighting: Nothing to report.
Enhance Public Areas: Nothing to report.
Heritage Amenity Project: Nothing to report.
Information Signage: Coun. Fendley reported no signage for the new golf club - Coun. Bridgett replied a bid is in through NCC for signage.
The following Accounts have been authorised
UCCT - Request for Funding - Coun. Fendley suggested as John Barleycorn Festival postponed, could this sum be transferred to UCCT - £500 previously given to John Barleycorn . Coun. Gilson asked what percentage of Rothbury residents use the bus, Coun. Reynalds in possession of a usage chart, with mostly Rothbury residents, then Thropton. Coun. Sandford proposed £1K, Coun. Fendley seconded, carried.
Shopping bus - August - £125.00 - £135 received in fares.
C Miller - Quarterly Salary & Expenses - £842.32
John Barleycorn Festival - Request for Donation - now redundant, cancelled after funding.
T W Alderson - £11.15
J Gregory & Sons - £8.23
M Evens - £480.00
G Stephenson - £365.00
Coun. Edes reported gardeners will be charging £12 per hour next season.
Seats & Trees
Coun. Edes reported bed works being looked after to a high standard, Coun. Morton thought the War Memorial bed is well maintained. Coun. Sandford said yes the work is first class, but there is also a market rate for gardening. Coun. Edes reported posts & chains rectified, however there is a post down by United Reformed Church which Coun. Edes thinks redundant, and would councillor’s give their opinions. Coun. Fendley reported a seat missing at stepping stones after flooding.
Paths & Verges
Coun. Bridgett reported the riverside path has been reinstated temporarily by NCC, so clearing vehicles can access it, however it is private land.
Unitary Councillor Report
Coun. Bridgett reported the area structure in Northumberland has been voted for the 3 area structure which he supported himself. There will be a North, West and South East Committee, and will start functioning 01/04/09, with delegated powers for grass cutting, refuse collection, highways etc. The infamous Belonging Communities are now gone, with a proposal put forward for a Community Forum, with governing held with parishes sitting within the Rothbury division. Coun. Sandford asked what safeguards are in place with committees with representation from a number of PC’s, as when discussing apportioning money, Rothbury in Coquetdale terms will always be alone in the sense its infrastructure responsibilities are so different, there is no comparison - and he was very against moves with the now redundant Market Town Initiative, when the then Chairman wished to resurrect it by having all PC’s with equal voting powers, and Coun. Sandford concerned this may happen. Coun. Bridgett replied these issues will need discussed, at the present time he is taking a convening role, but very keen it is parish led, and has asked for 4 parishes to be moved out of the Rothbury division, for example Rothbury has half a workman daily, the rest of the valley receives so much manpower per year, and the main centre will receive the same standards. Coun. Fendley said there is a precedent for 19 PC’s working together, RPC are a bunch of volunteers, which has always been useful, pleasant, and an effective debating society, but this will be totally different with responsibilities for financial management, and what training will be available. Coun. Bridgett said PC’s will not be forced to have the responsibility, services will be held by the three area committees, NCC will not devolve duties if they do not think PC’s are capable of carrying them out. Coun. Sandford had read NALC magazine which mentions about Quality Parish Council’s, previously this had relied on so many elected members, but this has now been rescinded, and feels with the changes happening it would not do RPC any harm to become a QPC. Coun. Bridgett said areas such as Cramlington will become parished, and if parishes in rural Northumberland do not start grouping together they will become much smaller. Coun. Sandford asked with the demise of ADC, Rothbury will not be classed as a main settlement and will become much reduced. Coun. Bridgett said an administration budget will be delegated, with monies available to employ a full-time administrator. Coun. Edes said it will be totally different if full time persons are employed for grass cutting etc. Coun. Bridgett said all the administration would come from NCC, eg. Payment of salaries. Coun. Fendley commented he would look forward to hearing what attendance and responsibility allowances will be.
Correspondence
Magistrate’s Court - Role in community
NALC - Training Events
National Trust - Cragside retaining wall - works to be carried out to wall
North East War Memorials Project - Newsletter
NCC - LTP - requests received
Clerk’s & Council’s Direct - newsletter
NSP - Proposed NSP Partnerships
Community Action Northumberland - Newsletter
ADC - Chairman’s Civic & Youth Awards 2008 - nominations requested
Novera Energy - proposed wind farm at Wingates
NCC - LTP 2009-10
The Clerk - magazine
NCC - Post Office Network changes
ADC - Forum Minutes 30/7/08
CPRE - Newsletter
NHS - Consultation
NCC - Area Committee Meeting agenda 18/9/08
Police Forum - Minutes
PLANNING
Addycombe Development: No reply received from McKinery Homes regarding proposed meeting. Coun. Fendley felt very strongly Addycombe residents have the opportunity to attend a meeting, and was prepared to speak to site foreman, Coun. Gilson suggested the meeting should be formal, not informal, however Coun. Dawson had said at the last PC meeting he wished for an informal meeting, Coun. Mrs Dawson prepared to ring site office regarding arranging a meeting.
• Planning Applications received for the following:
A/2008/0435: Property Management, Boots the Chemist - signs - supported
A/2008/0420: Mrs N Rutherford, 6 Hurley Knowles - Conservatory - supported
A/2008/0443: Chemist - change shop colour - supported
• Approval of Planning Application have been received for the following:
A/2008/0384: Mrs D Reygate, Hillcote, Garleigh Road - sun room extension
Any Other Business
Coun. Sandford reported being asked for his views on behalf of Armstrong Estates regarding houses running Hillside East, they wish to take out mature trees behind the houses and most of the wood on the other side of the houses with the Forestry Commission physically taking them out - mature trees that overhang the main pathway. Coun. Sandford had asked if it was not prior to further development, however there is a line beyond which no development is permitted. Coun. Sandford thought it would be a shame to lose the wood as a pleasant amenity. Coun. Bridgett suggested ADC Tree Preservation Officer be contacted.
Coun. Sandford requested Quality Parish Council be added to next agenda.
Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 15th October 2008 commencing 715pm in the Jubilee Hall.
The meeting finished at 850pm.
Claire Miller, Clerk
