Sandhoe Parish Council

 

The minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 15th October 2003 at 7pm in Beaufront County First School, Sandhoe, Hexham.

 

Present

 

Councillor A. Winstanley (Vice chairman of the council in the chair)

Councillor’s J. Pennie M. Baxter R. Macfarlane

 

Also Present

 

Bill Grigg Clerk to the Council

 

Apologies

 

Councillor H. Learman

 

Declaration of Interest

 

Councillor J. Pennie              Beaufront County First School

 

1.                  The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 18th June 2003

 

Councillor R. Macfarlane had written to the clerk on the 18th September 2003 stating that he did not propose or second Councillor H. Learman (chairman) or Councillor A. Winstanley (vice chairman) at the meeting of the Council on the 18th June 2003.

 

The chairman who was unable to attend this meeting had been informed of this letter and had sent a written statement explaining that it was his understanding that the minutes recorded were correct.  The vice-chairman also explained that his understanding of the minutes recorded of the meeting where correct.

 

Councillor R. Macfarlane explained his concerns and felt that the clarification he had requested at the meeting on 18th June 2003, in regards to members of the past Council wanting to re-stand but due to pressure of other commitments had overlooked to get the necessary nomination papers into election services on time and the informal agreement of a rota of Councillor’s taking it on a yearly basis to become chairman of the Council for one year, which he felt should of carried on into the life of this Council.

 

It was agreed that no formal agreement could be made in regards to a rota of Councillor’s taking on the role of Chairman and vice- chairman. This was just a pattern that had developed over the years and informally the Council could see no reason why this should not continue in the future. It was not possible to continue the rota from the past four years as one of the members required to be co-opted onto the Council on 18th June 2003 and a chairman and vice- chairman had to be elected first.

 

After a long discussion and the opportunity to call for a new election of chairman and vice-chairman for the year 2003-2004 it was agreed to leave matters as they were and as recorded in the minutes, councillor R. Macfarlane agreed informing the Council he had been asked by the chairman to propose and second the posts on 18th June 2003 as there were only three Councillors at that time who were able to cast a vote.

 

At this stage the Council discussed standing orders and it was agreed that the Council did not wish to have standing orders; they have the code of conduct which all councillors have signed.

 

Councillor A. Winstanley proposed that the minutes be signed as a correct record and this was seconded by Councillor M. Baxter and agreed.

 

2.                  Matters arising from the minutes of the Council meeting held

  On 18th June 2003

 

Ref: 6A           Parish Seats

 

All of the Parish seats have been repaired and painted except the new seat in memory of D. Dodd which requires attention, the supplier has agreed to repair and bring the seat back to the standard expected. A. Winstanley agreed to follow this up.

 

Ref: 6B           Highways Matters

 

Still no response from NCC accessibility team in regards to the relocation of the 30mph signs and de-restriction signs. The clerk was requested to write again to NCC.

 

Ref: 7D           Tree Works

 

All the work on the trees that required attention has now been carried out.

 

Ref: 9A           Litter Problems

 

This problem is still happening and no one can trace the person responsible. The council will continue to monitor this matter.

 

Ref: 9B           Grass Cutting

 

Tynedale Council will not cut the verges at the bottom of the Rat Bank when they cut the green opposite the Rat Inn. It is the responsibility of NCC who cut back the verges on a rota system.

 

3.                  Planning Matters

 

Planning Decisions made by Tynedale Council

 

June – October 2003

 

1.      Ref: 20030690

N E Carter

Construction of detached double garage with storage above at 10 Oakwood, Hexham.

Granted Permission dated 16/7/03

 

2.      Ref: 20030422/ 20030424

Miss G. Sewell & Mr G. Sewell

Change of use of existing agricultural barn to dwelling at Anick Bank Foot Farm, Hexham. (This includes listed building consent)

Granted Permission dated 18/8/03

 

3.      Ref: 20030777

Mr & Mrs K. Ramprogus

Construction of utility to rear of 2 Oakwood, Hexham.

Granted permission dated 11/8/03

 

4.      Ref: 20030724

Mr. G. Hunter

Construction of two-storey extension for living room, bedroom and bathroom at Engine Cottage, Sandhoe, Hexham.

Granted permission dated 6/8/03

 

5.      Ref: 20030623

Mrs. H. Stephenson, Redgate Hall, Redgate Bank, Wolsingham

Construction of one and two storey rear extension at Appletrees, Sandhoe, Hexham  (This includes listed building consent)

Granted permission dated 9/7/03

 

6.      Ref: 20030702

Northumbria Daybreak

Construction of Conservatory at St Camillus, Oakwood, Hexham

Granted permission dated 31/7/03

 

4.                  Financial Matters

 

A)    Income

 

27/6/03           Bank Interest C/A                                          £0.20

27/6/03           Bank Interest D/A                                          £1.02

27/7/03           Bank Interest C/A                                          £0.18

27/8/03           Bank Interest C/A                                          £0.16

27/9/03           Bank Interest C/A                                          £0.13

27/9/03           Bank Interest D/A                                          £0.97

 

B)    Payments

 

8/7/03             WC Grigg (fees DD)                                     £105.00

8/7/03             P. Hodman (Tree works)                              £300.00

8/7/03             G. Caldwell (Internal Audit)                           £80.00

8/8/03             WC Grigg (fees DD)                                     £105.00

8/9/03             WC Grigg (fees DD)                                     £105.00

15/8/03           W Butes (repairs seat)                                 £220.00

8/10/03           WC Grigg (fees DD)                                     £105.00

15/10/03         Royal British Legion (wreath)                      £25.00

15/10/03         WC Grigg (administration)                           £18.00

15/10/03         NCC (rent)                                                     £15.00

15/10/03         St John Lee Church                                      £250.00

15/10/03         CAB                                                                £250.00

15/10/03         HLB Audit (audit fees)                                  £58.75

15/10/03         Beaufront County First School (grant)        £200.00

 

 

C)    The Council audit year ending 31st March 2003

 

The Annual return for the year ending 31st March 2003 was presented to the Council following audit by HLB Audit and fully approved and accepted by the Council.

 

5.                  Correspondence

A)    The Council agreed fully that in future all correspondence would be noted and filed only necessary correspondence would be recorded in the minutes separately.

 

B)    All the general correspondence June-October 2003 was noted and the necessary action taken.

 

C)    A letter was received from Mrs. R. Dickinson parent governor Beaufront County First School asking on behalf of the school for Grant Aid towards the grass cutting account for the new Play area at school. Total cost for the year £600.00. It was fully agreed a grant of £200.00 be given for this year, providing that all children of the Parish are allowed to use the Play area when the school is closed. The clerk was requested to write to Mrs. Dickinson asking if this would be possible.

 

6.                  Any Other Business

 

A)    An email has been received from the mid Tyne Community Trust asking if the Council would like to join the trust. It was fully agreed the Council would become a member of the trust and the clerk would inform them of the Council’s decision and ask how much the yearly membership fee would be so the Council can deal with the fee in due course.

 

B) The Council’s Website

 

Councillor R. Macfarlane has organised for the Council to be linked to the local channel for local Council’s. This is a central link between Town and parish Council’s in the UK and integration of communications between other Council’s and will give the Council’s own website (www.sandhoe.info). Councillor R. Macfarlane also agreed to prepare some publicity for the noticeboards/ press etc on the Council’s website, hopefully more people will use the website.

 

C) Bridle-way/ Footpath

 

The bridle-way/ footpath from Beaufront County First School to Anick requires attention and there have been some complaints about a bull running loose and the fencing in a poor state of repair. The clerk was requested to speak to Cllr H. Learman and NCC footpath’s officer on these matters.

 

D) Drains Beaufront Road

 

NCC are to be requested to check the drains on Beaufront road beside Tyne Metal where there appears to be a blockage and flooding is occurring when it rains.

 

7.                  Date of next Meeting

It was agreed the next meeting would be Thursday 8th January 2004

The meeting closed at 8.50pm.