Whalton Parish Council
Minutes of Meeting Held on Tuesday 16th March 2004 .
1 Present ; Councillors Scott (Chairman) Grix, Richardson, Waterworth
Mr D Feeney (Clerk)
A member of the public
2 Apologies for absence: Councillors Dodd, Norton
3 Declarations of Interest :
3.1 Northumbria in Bloom, Councillors Grix and Richardson
3.2 Whalton Village Hall, Councillors Grix and Richardson
4 Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th January 2004 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman
5 Matters Arising
5.1 Mrs Richardson informed the Meeting that the Judging Day for Northumbria in Bloom is 21st April 2004
5.2 An alternative date is to be arranged for Mr H Edmundson, Environmental Service Manager at Castle Morpeth Borough Council, to address Members about Planning Matters.
6 Dog Fouling
The Chairman read out a letter from Mrs M Swinton about Dog Fouling. A wide ranging discussion took place about notices, that had been displayed, responses of some dog owners and the actions of the Dog Warden. It was noted that some residents have complained that earlier notices were “high handed”. Notices have been prepared for display on the notice boards in Whalton and Ogle.
7 Planning Matters
7.1 School House. Members resolved to support the application subject to :-
> the siting of any skip away from the corner opposite the Meldon road (preferably at rear of property)
> windows being wood rather than UPVC
8 Taxi Voucher Scheme . Councillor Richardson reported that a grant of £1,818 has been awarded by the Countryside Agency for 2004/5, new vouchers have been prepared in a different colour and suggested that it may be appropriate to draw the attention of surrounding parishes to the merits of the scheme. Members agreed the suggestion and the Clerk will obtain the views of adjacent parishes.
9 Northumberland County Council . Flag Poles. There are none in Parish Council ownership.
10 Castle Morpeth Borough Council
A Standards Board. The correspondence was noted.
B Recognition of Meritorious Service. Mr J Dixon was nominated in the light of his various activities within the community.
C Review of Concessionary Travel. Noted
D Mayoress` Charity Ball. Noted
E Rural Crime Conference. Councillor Richardson will attend.
11 Northumberland Association of Local Councils
A Royal Garden Party. Opportunity for nomination, declined
B Democracy Commission. Noted
C Information Evening on the Licensing Act. Noted
12 Finance
A A donation to the Great North air Ambulance of £15 was approved
B Members declined to support the appeal from the “Winged Fellowship”
C The following payments made in respect of the Taxi Voucher Scheme since the last Meeting were approved:-
> J Turnbull £180.00
> Castle Taxis £16.00 and £24.00
D Clerk, Salary and Expenses for quarter ended 31st March 2004 £293.91
E Latest Bank Statement, 30 Day Notice Account, Balance £4,004.93
13 Information Items
The following were available to Members:-
> Note from traffic Management Liaison Committee, Otterburn Training Area
> Area Committee Papers, Northumberland County Council. Members commented on the lack of proposals concerning 30 MPH speed limits in the Village.
> Northumberland Community News
> Vital Villages Update (Countryside Agency)
> Parish Council Forum. (The Gold programme was noted)
> Northern rock Foundation, Training
14 Any Other Business
Whalton in Bloom. Following a discussion about issues arising from the location of waste bins it was agreed that Mrs Richardson would investigate costs before the matter was determined.
15 Date and Time of Next Meeting
Tuesday 18th May 2004, Whalton Village Hall
7.00pm Annual Assembly of the Parish
Followed by parish Council
Chairman.............................................
Date.....................................................