WHALTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held in the Whalton Village Hall on Wednesday 14 May 2003

 

Present:                      Councillor CB Scott (Chairman)

                                    Councillor WA Grix

                                    Councillor Mrs SC Richardson

                                    Peter Basnett (Clerk)

 

03/19               DECLARATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

 

The members, who had been sent a copy of the Council’s Code of Conduct, signed their declarations of acceptance of office.

 

It was resolved that those newly elected members not present, Councillor RR Dodd and Councillor Mrs PM Norton, be allowed to sign their declarations at a later date.

 

03/20               ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

 

There being only one nomination, it was resolved that Councillor CB Scott be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.  Councillor Scott then signed the declaration of acceptance of office.

 

03/21               ELECTION OOF VICE-CHAIRMAN

 

There being only one nomination, it was resolved that Councillor Mrs SC Richardson be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

 

03/22               FINANCIAL STATEMENT

 

The financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2003 was approved and the Chairman signed the accounts.  The notes to the accounts as amended were also approved. (Copies attached).

 

03/23               DATES AND TIMES OF MEETINGS

 

Due to the increase in business it was resolved that the Parish Council meet six times a year instead of four and that the meetings be held on the third Tuesday of the following months:

 

July 2003; September 2003; November 2003; January 2004; March 2004 and May 2004.  The meetings will start at 7.30pm.

 

03/24               MINUTES OF LAST MEETINGS

 

The Minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on 12th February 2003 and 3 April 2003, which had been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

 

 

03/25               MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

03/25/01          Whalton Article 4(2) Direction

 

Castle Morpeth Borough Council said that there had been a request for a public meeting.  It was too late to organise meeting before 8 May 2003. The  Parish Council had requested a public meeting and had asked for the deadline may be extended. 

 

It was resolved to contact Ian McCaffrey at Castle Morpeth Borough Council and tell him that the Village Hall was available on Wednesday 21 May 2003 for a public meeting.  The Clerk reported that he would be away on that date.

 

03/25/02          Rural West Partnership

 

The report of the workshop held on 20 March 2003 had been received.  Councillor Mrs Richardson reported that there was to be a Steering Group of six persons and that it would report to all the local organisations put forward by Parish Councils.  The next meeting was to be held on 21 May 2003

 

03/25/03          Grass cutting problems in Whalton

 

A reply had been received from both the Castle Morpeth Borough Council Chief Executive and from the Director of Strategic Services expressing an understanding of the concerns expressed by the Parish Council and saying that they were attempting to reach an agreement at officer level with Northumberland County Council  to restore the previous grass cutting regime.

 

03/25/04          Recognition of meritorious service

 

Councillor Grix reported on the ceremony in Town Hall on 7 May 2003 at which he had sponsored David Roberts of Middle Holding, Ogle for an award.  It had been a most enjoyable occasion.

 

03/25/05          Northumberland County Council  re A696 detrunking

 

A reply had been received from the Leader of Northumberland County Council, Councillor Davey, stating that they had refused to take over responsibility for the A696 unless funding was absolutely guaranteed.

 

03/25/06          Morpeth Mid Northumberland Gathering

 

A letter of thanks and a receipt for the donation of £25.00 had been received.

 

03/25/07          Whalton Taxi Voucher Scheme

 

Councillor Mrs Richardson gave an update. The first instalment of the grant (in the sum of £1.087) had been received from the Countryside Agency.  It was  resolved that an invoice from Comma Print for taxi books in the sum of £219.73 (includes £32.73 VAT) be paid.  Twelve books had been issued and Councillor Mrs Richardson said that she was expecting a claim for re-imbursement from a taxi firm. 

 

Rachel Oxley of the Countryside Association had examined the Scheme.

 

Councillor Mrs Richardson  said that she hoped that the scheme could be extended to the Rural West Partnership.

 

The Clerk reported that an application had been made to open a subsidiary bank account for the scheme but the paperwork was still being processed.  In the meantime income and expenditure would go through the Parish Council Treasurer’s Account and the necessary transfers would be made once the account was active.

 

The Chairman paid tribute to Councillor Mrs Richardson for her hard work in getting the Scheme operational.

 

 

03/26               PLANNING MATTERS

 

*03/D/288 J Goodwill - erection of detached dwelling house with detached garage - land opposite east of Twizell Cottage, Kirkley

 

Members were concerned that the plans gave no information as to dimensions such as the height of the building and the  footprint. It was resolved to write to Castle Morpeth Borough Council and request moe information and to ask for a site visit.

 

*03/D/303 J Atherton – erection of attached double garage and additional bedroom – Red House Cottage.

 

There were no objections to this application save to point out that existing trees should be protected if possible and that the turning circle may not be adequate. 

 

03/27               CORRESPONDENCE

 

03/27/01          Local Transport Plan 2003-2004 minor improvements programme

 

It is now possible to examine the Plan on the Northumberland County Council  web site.

 

03/27/02          Quality Parish Council initiative

 

A letter had been received from DEFRA saying that more information was due to be published in May.

 

03/27/03          Discover Northumberland

 

Three copies of the publication by Northumberland County Council had been received.  One copy was to be left in the Village Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

03/27/04          Parish insurance policy renewal

 

The renewal in the sum of £229.83 had been received from Allianz Cornhill.  It was resolved to renew the  policy.  It was further resolved to carry out a Risk Management Assessment together with an insurance review at the July meeting of the Parish Council.

 

03/27/05          Amendments to concessionary travel scheme

 

Details of the amendments resulting in restricted travelling times had been received from Castle Morpeth Borough Council.

 

03/27/06          Lloyds TSB Bank – new mandate for cheque signing

 

It was decided to defer this to the next meeting in the hope that there would be more members in attendance.

 

03/27/07          Otterburn Traffic Management – minutes of last meeting

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2003 were received.

 

03/27/08          Assistance with parish clean-ups

 

An offer of help had been received from Castle Morpeth Borough Council Environmental Services Department.

 

03/27/09          Northumberland Rural Stress Initiative – publicity material

 

A poster had been received for display on the Parish notice board.

 

03/27/10          DEFRA – Licensing Bill       

 

It was not the intention of the new Regulations to impose unnecessary regulatory and financial burdens on village halls and church halls.

 

03/27/11          Volunteer to sit on Fire and Rescue Service user group panel

 

 A request for a volunteer had been received from Northumberland County Council.

 

03/27/12          Rights of Way Improvement Plan Demonstration Project

 

Further details of the project are to be issued in the near future.

 

03/27/13          Public Right of Way Modification Order – Public Footpath No. 5

 

Details confirming the Order were received from Northumberland County Council .

 

03/27/14          Proposed roadworks to A696/A68

 

Leaflets had been received from Northumbria Trunk Roads Agency Partnership giving details of the work programme for the rest of the year.

 

03/27/15          Community News and training sessions

 

Copies of the latest edition of Community News had been received together with details of training courses for new councillors and new chairmen.

 

It was resolved to book places on the training courses.

 

03/27/16          Notice of movement of AS 90 and associated vehicles to Otterburn

 

Notice of the movement of vehicles on 15 May and returning 23 May had been received from Major RAG Young.

 

03/27/17          Mayor’s Sunday Parade and Service 18 May 2003

 

Details of the Castle Morpeth Borough Council Mayor’s Parade and Service had been received.    The Parish Council will not be represented.

 

03/27/18          Parish Plans

 

The Clerk reported on the receipt of guidance for town and parish councils that had been received from the Countryside Agency.

 

At 8.05 pm  the Chairman adjourned the meeting so that those members of the public present could ask questions and express opinions.

 

 

 

The Parish Council recommenced at 8.25 pm

 

03/28               FINANCE

 

It was resolved that the following payments be confirmed and authorised:

 

 

£   p

£   p

2002/2003 expenditure

 

 

31/03/03 HLB AV Audit  - external audit 2001/2002 accounts (includes £8.75 VAT)

 

58.75

Total

 

58.75

2003/2004 expenditure

 

 

15/4/03 Whalton Village Hall – donation towards website costs

 

50.00

PB Basnett   -  Clerk’s salary

210.00

 

                     -   Clerk’s Travel

25.00

 

                     - postage & telephone

10.75

245.75

Whalton Village Hall Committee – grant                  

 

3,000.00

Whalton Parochial Church council – grant

 

200.00

Age Concern Northumberland – donation

 

15.00

Community Council of Northumberland – donation

 

15.00

Castle Morpeth victim support –donation

 

15.00

Castle Morpeth CAB – donation

 

15.00

Allianz Cornhill – parish insurance policy

 

229.83

Comma Print – taxi vouchers inc £32.73 VAT

 

219.73

Total

 

4,005.31

 

The Clerk reported on the following income:

 

Castle Morpeth Borough Council – precept 2003/2004

6,000.00

 

Less election cost (fourth instalment 1999 election)

104.00

5,896.00

Bank Interest April 2003

 

4.55

HM Customs and Excise – VAT recovered for 2002/2003

 

14.74

Countryside Agency – Taxi voucher grant (part)

 

1,087.00

Total received

 

7,002.29

 

 

 Note that a subsidiary bank account is being set up to run the taxi voucher scheme and receipts and payments for the scheme to date will be transferred when the account opened.   

 

03/29               STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

 

It was resolved to adopt the adapted Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.

 

03/30               CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT AND JOB DESCRIPTION

 

It was resolved to adopt the Clerk’s Contract of Employment and the Clerk’s Job Description.  The Chairman and the Clerk signed the Contract of Employment

 

A member asked if changes could be made to the above documents.  The Clerk said that changes could be made and that it was prudent to review the documents from time to time.   The only things that could not be changed were those matters regulated by statute and in the Standing Orders these were printed in bold type.

 

03/31               CO-OPTION TO FILL CASUAL VACANCY IN OGLE WARD

 

Following the recent election there was a vacancy in the Ogle Ward.

 

There was only one nomination to fill the vacancy and it was resolved that Mr Len Waterworth of The House, Ogle Flatts, Ogle be elected to fill the vacancy.  Mr Waterworth then signed the declaration of acceptance of office.

           

03/32          REQUEST FOR A STREETLIGHT AT GARDEN HOUSES

 

There were a number of dwellings on either side at this location on the Meldon Road.  The road narrows and there is no footpath.  It is dangerous at the best of times and even worse at night time.

 

The point was also made that the road needs resurfacing.

 

It was resolved to write to Northumberland County Council Highways and ask for a streetlight to be installed at this location and to point out that the road needs resurfacing.

 

03/33               PARKING ON BANK COTTAGES

 

There were problems from time to time with vehicles parked on the access road over the Village Green.  This blocked the access for delivery vehicles and for any emergency services. 

 

After a discussion it was decided that the Clerk should compose a letter addressed to residents of Bank Cottages in a bid  to alleviate the problem.

 

03/34               URGENT BUSINESS

 

There was no urgent business for discussion.

 

03/35               DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Whalton Village Hall, starting at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 15 July 2003.