Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the Whalton Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 15 July 2003
Present: Councillor CB Scott (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs SC Richardson (Vice-Chairman)
Councillor WA Grix
Councillor L Waterworth
03/36 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Mrs PM Norton
03/37 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The last sentence of draft minute 03/25/01 relating was changed to read “The Parish Council had agreed to the request for a public meeting and had asked for the deadline to be extended.”
The Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14 May 2003, as amended, were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
03/38 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
03/38/01 Whalton Village Article 4(2) Direction
The Clerk reported that had been informed by telephone by Ian McCaffrey (Castle Morpeth Borough Council) that the Council’s Management Team had decided that a public meeting was not necessary.
The Clerk also reported that he had received a request for copies of the Council minutes relating to Article 4(2) directions and said that the Parish Council was entitled to charge for making copies. After a discussion it was resolved to charge 10p per sheet.
The Clerk also requested permission to disclose the confidential annexe to the January minutes relating to Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s proposal to introduce the Article 4 Direction. The Clerk explained that Castle Morpeth Borough Council had requested that the proposal remain confidential for the time being.
The Parish Council decided that as the decision was now in the public domain there was no objection to releasing the contents of the confidential annexe to the Minutes.
03/38/02 Grants and donations
Receipts and letters of thanks had been received from: Age Concern Northumberland, Community Council of Northumberland, Victim Support and Castle Morpeth Citizens Advice Bureau
03/38/03 Treasurer’s Account
The Clerk reported that as there were only two members remaining on the Parish Council who were signatories to the Parish Council’s Treasurer’s Account a new bank mandate needed to be completed. Two signatures were required on a cheque from the four members mandated as signatories.
It was unanimously resolved that the four members present be signatories, namely,
Councillor CB Scott, Councillor Mrs SC Richardson, Councillor WA Grix and Councillor L Waterworth.
They then completed the bank mandate form.
03/38/04 Additional streetlight near Garden Houses
A reply had been received from the Northumberland County Council Engineering Assistant – Traffic Safety, stating that this had been included for consideration in future programmes of work.
03/38/05 Recognition of meritorious service
A letter of thanks for his nomination had been received from David Roberts of Middle Holding, Ogle. He also thanked Councillor Grix for taking him and his wife to the Mayor’s Parlour.
03/23/06 Parking on Bank Cottages
The Clerk had prepared letters requesting residents not to park on the access road across the village green. Councillor Mrs Richardson had delivered the letters.
03/38/07 Road Surface near Garden Houses
A reply had been received from Northumberland County Council saying that repairs had taken place over the last two years to bring the road from Meldon to Whalton up to an acceptable standard as a good deal of damage had occurred due to the heavy traffic travelling to the grain drying plant. The road was due to be surface dressed towards the end of June and patching is being carried out at present.
03/38/08 Whalton in Bloom Action Group
A copy of letter to Castle Morpeth Borough Council from the Whalton in Bloom Action Group had been received. The letter thanked the Parks and Countryside Manager for the quality of the shrubs, roses and climbing plants delivered for the landscaping at Manor Close
03/39 PLANNING MATTERS
Change to Castle Morpeth Borough Council procedures
A letter had been received from Hugh Edmundson, Castle Morpeth Borough Council Development Services Manager saying that because of Audit Commission Best Value targets, Castle Morpeth Borough Council will henceforth require consultees to adhere to statutory deadlines. Parish councils are required to respond, under the Town and Country Planning General Development Procedure Order 1995, to respond to consultations by Local Planning Authorities within fourteen days. This is a national requirement. The Order also permits neighbours to application sites twenty one days to respond. The Council is therefore prepared to allow Parish/Town Councils 21 days to respond from the date of the consultation letter. Any responses which are dated after the 21 days will not be taken into account by the Council.
The Development Services and Licensing Committee meets monthly at County Hall Council Chamber usually at 6.00pm on the second Tuesday of the month. Copies of the procedure guidelines were given to members.
The current practice was for the Clerk to have delegated powers to canvass members' views on applications that fell outside the normal Parish council meetings. A special meeting would be called for any complicated or potentially controversial applications.
After a discussion it was resolved to form a Planning Committee with membership in the existing ratio of the Whalton and Ogle Wards., that is, 2 members from the Whalton Ward and one member from the Ogle Ward. It was resolved that the Committee consist of the following: Councillor WA Grix and Councillor Mrs SC Richardson (Whalton Ward) and Councillor L Waterworth (Ogle Ward). It was further resolved that the other members of the Parish Council be reserves in the event that any of the nominated members were unable to attend.
It was decided that the Planning Committee meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month if there was sufficient business.
Applications Received:
COUNCILLOR WATERWORTH HAS DECLARED AN INTEREST IN THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION. He then left the meeting.
03/D/386 L Waterworth – detached dwelling with detached garage – garden area east of The House, Ogle Flatts.
After a consultation with members it had been decided that there be no objection to this application. The only concern was that the development should not extend beyond the village envelope.
Councillor Waterworth then returned to the meeting.
*03/D400/lbc Mrs L MCMaster – conversion of stables to kitchen and living room – Beanley Cross House, Whalton
After a consultation with members it had been decided to object on the grounds that the big window was inappropriate. It was thought that windows with glazing bars would be more appropriate. There were also concerns on road safety grounds because the big window was close to the carriageway.
A response has been received from the Area Development Control Officer saying that the plans state “new window in existing opening. Layout of transoms and mullions to be agreed.” It is clear on the plans that the applicant will be inserting glazing bars. The Parish Council is also asked to clarify the objection on safety grounds as under building regulation toughened glass will be required because of its low level. As this is an existing opening it is not considered that the Planning Authority could raise a road safety issue in respect of the current planning application.
The Parish Council had replied further stating that it still considered that the big window was an inappropriate development.
03/D/427 S Richardson – Conversion of outbuilding to granny flat and erection of conservatory and double garage – Broadlaw Farmhouse, Shilvington.
After a consultation with members it had been decided that there be no objection to this application.
At 2038 hours the Chairman adjourned the Parish Council meeting so that those members of the public present could ask questions and make observations.
The Parish Council meeting recommenced at 2054 hours.
03/40 CORRESPONDENCE
03/40/01 The Quality Parish Council Scheme Explained
The Clerk had circulated a synopsis of the criteria for achieving Quality Parish Council status.
After a discussion it was decided that the additional work required outweighed the perceived benefits of quality status. There would be additional duties and responsibilities and no guarantee of additional income to fund the work.
It was unanimously resolved not to seek quality parish council status.
03/40/02 Local Government Review of the two-tier areas in the North East.
The Boundary Committee for England reported that the Secretary of State had decided that there was sufficient interest to hold a referendum on elected regional assemblies. Representations should made by 8 September 2003.
Posters and leaflets and copy of report to go to the Full Council at 5.00pm on 16 July 2003 had been received from Castle Morpeth Borough Council. Borough consultation days will be held at the end of July.
The Clerk reported that if the referendum was in favour of creating a Regional Assembly then the changes could include the abolition of both County and District Councils and the creation of one or more Unitary Authorities in Northumberland.
03/40/03 Northumberland Community News
The latest edition had been received from the Northumberland Association of Local Councils.
03/40/04 Castle Morpeth CAB notice of AGM and Annual Report
Received.
03/40/05 Standards Board for England
A copy of the new Code of Practice video and workbook had been received together with the revised edition of the guidance booklet.
The video and workbook were to be circulated among members and then returned to the Clerk.
03/40/06 Briefing sessions on Quality Parish Councils and vehicles crossing village greens
The Clerk reported on the briefing sessions.
03/40/07 Food hazard warning notice – methanol contamination of S.Petersbourg and St. Petersburg vodkas
Received.
03/40/08 A-one Integrate Highway Services
This was the new management arrangements for motorways and trunk roads in the North-East, effective from 30 June 2003.
Received.
03/40/09 Good councillor’s guide
This essential guidance for town and parish councillors had been received from the Countryside Agency. Copies were distributed to members.
03/40/10 Mayoress of Castle Morpeth Borough Council – At Home in the Town Hall, Morpeth on Friday 11th July 2003 between 3 to 5pm
Received.
03/41 PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES – DETERMINATION/CLARIFICATION OF POLICY
The Parish Council policy is, approved 21 November 2000, that only the approved minutes should be put on display in the Village Hall. The Clerk had inadvertently issued the draft minutes from the last meeting to the Parish Council page of the Whalton Village web site.
After a discussion it was resolved by 3 votes to 1 that the existing policy should continue and include minutes to be made available to the web site.
It was also unanimously decided that Councillors’ names, addresses and telephone numbers be posted on the web site.
0/42 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS
After a discussion it was unanimously resolved that a ten minute public participation
session be held at 7.30pm before the commencement of the Parish Council meeting.
03/43 PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE ON THE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE
Councillor Grix reported that this position needed to be filled. After a discussion it was unanimously resolved that Councillor Mrs SC Richardson be the Parish Council’s representative.
03/44 REPORT ON TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME
Councillor Mrs Richardson gave an update on the Scheme. Twelve books had been issued, all from Whalton and none from Ogle. Many pensioners were benefiting from the Scheme.
The Clerk reported that the new subsidiary bank account was not yet operational due to a signatory member not taking proof of identity and address to the nearest branch of Lloyds TSB Bank.
03/45 RURAL WEST PARTNERSHIP – UPDATE
Councillor Mrs Richardson gave a report on the meetings held to date. The draft constitution had been adopted and the steering group had become the Interim Executive. Interest groups were being developed and it was important that all groups in villages send representatives.
A logo had been created and a newsletter was to be delivered to every household.
The next meeting was to be held would be on 9 September 2003 with a workshop and the intention was to develop bids for funding. A big step forward was that the Partnership now shared a Partnership Officer with the Ponteland Partnership.
03/46 TRAFFIC CALMING SUBMISSION – UPDATE
There was concern that if money allocated for improvements in the current year was not spent it would be lost. It was resolved that the Clerk writes to County Councillor Jeans and asks for details on progress.
03/47 BOROUGH COUNCIL GRASS CUTTING
A member complained that Castle Morpeth Borough Council was moving the goalposts regarding the timing of cuts. There had been no cuts in March and the verges were not cut. The grass was being cut every 10 days rather than the 14 days decided at the start of the contract. This would mean that the Borough Council 9 cuts would be completed in early August and the Parish Council’s commitment to pay for 3/4 cuts still meant that the programmed 12 to 13 cuts would be completed well before the end of the grass growing season. Who would pay for the extra cuts?
It was resolved to express the Parish Council concerns to Castle Morpeth Borough Council.
There were also complaints that roadside verges were not being cut by Northumberland County Council . Locations mentioned were Ogle Village, the Shilvington road and the local roads to Ponteland.
It was resolved to write to the County Highways about the problem.
03/48 PARKING OUTSIDE WHALTON SCHOOL
There had been many complaints about the danger caused to children by parents parking outside the school at arrival and departure times.
It was resolved to write to the Headmistress and request that parents be asked to be more considerate and mindful of the danger to children caused by indiscriminate parking.
The question of parking by persons attending the Church on a Sunday was raised and it was considered that a similar letter should go to the Church.
03/49 REPORT RE EASEMENT ACROSS VILLAGE GREENS
Note that this agenda item was inadvertently overlooked and it will be an agenda item at the next meeting.
03/50 SAFETY ISSUES – (E.G. TREE BRANCHES CAUSING OBSTRUCTIONS)
It was reported that on trees in the public open space at Manor Close were potentially dangerous i.e. one branch hanging off and others with branches at eye –level. There had been prompt action when the problem had been reported to Castle Morpeth Borough Council and members agreed that a good job had been done.
The Chairman reported that a Whalton householder had made an irate complaint to him about the trees being cut back. This person suggested that hornbeams be planted instead of chestnuts which were prone to splitting. He also suggested that a 6 foot fence be erected.
It was considered that this was a problem for Castle Morpeth Borough Council as it was on their open space.
There was also a problem at the junction of the Meldon Road where a lime tree and a beech hedge were obscuring drivers’ sight lines. It was resolved to contact County Highways about the problem.
03/51 RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE COVER INCLUDING INVENTORY OF PARISH ASSETS AND ANNUAL MAINTENANCE CHECK
The document prepared by the Clerk was accepted in principle subject to a detailed
examination at the next meeting.
It was decided to examine the possibility of obtaining funding to bring all
of the posts and chains around the village green to a good state of repair.
03/52 ADOPTION OF REPLACEMENT NOTICE BOARD AT OGLE SUPPLIED BY THE OGLE MILLENNIUM COMMITTEE
It was confirmed that this had already been done.
03/53 FINANCIAL MATTERS
There were no accounts for payment
The Clerk reported that the Internal Auditor, Neil Weatherley, had completed his audit of the 2002/2003 accounts and had signed the return for the External Auditor. A payment of £5 to Northumbria in Bloom had not been recorded in the minutes of 12 February 2003. It was resolved that this payment be ratified.
The Chairman then signed the certificate of assurance.
The Clerk presented a budgetary control report comparing actual income and expenditure to date compared to the budget and offered explanations for the variations.
03/54 ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS THAT MAY BE LAWFULLY CONSIDERED I.E. CONSIDERATION
OF ITEMS OF INFORMATION OR SUBMISSION OF ITEMS FOR THE AGENDA OF THE NEXT MEETING
03/54/1 Parish Plan
This had been raised at the public session and it was agreed that this be placed on the agenda for the September meeting.
03/54/2 Speed limit for Ogle
Councillor Waterworth expressed his concern at the existing 60 mph speed limit through the village and requested that this be placed on the agenda for the September meeting.
03/55 DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Whalton Village Hall at 7.40pm on Tuesday 16 September 2003. The Parish Council meeting will be preceded by a ten minute public session.