SANDHOE PARISH COUNCIL
The minutes of the Annual Parish
Meeting held on the 18th
April 2007 at 7.00 pm in Beaufront County First School, Sandhoe, Hexham.
Councillor R Macfarlane (Chairman
of the Council in the Chair) Councillors M Baxter, A Winstanley, H Learman, J
Pennie
Eight residents of the Parish, Jane Hart (NCA re. Village Plan) and Bill
Grigg (Clerk to the Council)
County Councillor Mrs J B Fearon, District
Councillor N Fearon
1. Chairman's Welcome
The
Chairman of the Council gave a warm welcome to everyone present.
2. Annual Report by the Chairman of the
Council for 2006-2007
Councillor R Macfarlane
It has been a pleasure and a
privilege to serve Sandhoe Parish as chairman and I must thank my fellow
councillors for their support throughout the year.
We are quite a small parish with
422 electors from 186 households but never the less it has been quite a busy
and eventful year.
There were three main topics or
issues that have affected the Council.
The Local Government White Paper, (Strong and Prosperous Communities), PLF
initiative from NCC and Planning.
The issue which
may have the greatest impact on the Council and Community is The Local
Government White Paper - Strong and
Prosperous Communities. I quote from
the introduction, “The stated aim of this is to reduce the amount
of top-down control and to enable citizens and communities to play a more
important role.”
In essence the White Paper
provides an opportunity for councils in “two tier” areas such as Northumberland
to restructure. Northumberland County
Council have put in two bids, one for a single unitary authority and a second
for two unitary authorities in Northumberland.
The six District Councils in Northumberland have put forward a bid for
two unitary authorities – Rural Northumberland and South East Northumberland. Both bids claim that they will both save
Northumberland money. The bids have
been forwarded to the Government and are at present out to consultation. This could all happen within two years. The knock-on effect will mean smaller
councils may have to form “clusters” to provide various services. However I read from a press article
Shropshire are involved in litigation with the Government so the process may be
delayed or even stopped.
The
second percieved threat is the PLF (Putting the Learner First),
Post-16 Transport and the change to 2-tier education together with Academies in
Blyth and Ashington. There was extended
consultation at the East of the county after a legal challenge. However the West is likely to be last in the
county for reorganisation - 2010 at the earliest. At the moment lack of funding might also prevent this
happen.
Our local school, Beaufront First
School has 71 pupils and is in a healthy situation though these numbers need to
be maintained.
Tynedale Council have sent the
Council 24 planning applications for our views. Three of which were withdrawn
but eventually resubmitted and granted.
Tynedale Planning Department has refused permission for two
applications, Oakwood Cottage & Waste Transfer Station. We still have an on going debate over the
old Fewster’s site.
We were asked for our observations
on one of the largest controversial planning application Tynedale has ever
seen. Application 20060920 comprising
29 hectares development and 53m chimney.
Our concern as a council has been predominantly the environmental impact
of the Egger factory. The Visual and
Landscape Assessment describes how this development would have an adverse
impact on the landscape character of the locality and conflict with Local Plan
Policies GD2 and NE16. Tynedale decided
that any adverse visual impacts would be outweighed by economic benefits.
On
a very different note we have two new seats in the Parish and one new plaque
for another seat. I was very sorry to
hear of the demise of the Women’s Institute (90 years old) and they have sponsored
a seat on the Green. On a sadder note a
seat and a plaque will commemorate the late Joan Baxter and Anna Abraham (these
have been donated by their families)
We have seen great disruption
caused by Fastflow and I trust they will reinstate the land to everybody’s
satisfaction. They have a two-year
timescale in which to do this.
Other issues are pedestrians
crossing the A69, Litter on A69 and elsewhere and a possible Bridge End
roundabout. We are working towards
siting a safety mirror on Oakwood Bank and have just received permission from
the owners of the quarry to site the mirror on their property. We need to liaise with Acomb Parish and
discuss insurance.
I would have very much liked to
have initiated a Parish Plan during this year of office so I was pleased that
the Council agreed to invite Jane Hart from Community Action Northumberland to
talk on the subject.
3. Presentation by Jane Hart (CAN) re.
Village Plans
Jane Hart
introduced herself and explained what a Village Plan was, how the community
became involved, what a completed plan can do to benefit the community and
residents, how it can help with funding applications for projects.
She also
explained the various plans that have been done in other local areas, and that
smaller communities organise the size of the plan to meet and suit the
community requirements.
Following
the talk an open discussion between the Council and residents took place and
comments made were varied. The general
feeling was that all residents needed to be contacted by a possible survey or
something similar.
It was
agreed the Council would discuss this in the Council meeting and propose it
becomes an agenda item for the AGM of the Council for that meeting to decide
the best way forward.
Thanks
were expressed to Jane Hart by the Chairman.
4. The Minutes of the APM held on the 24th
April 2006
The Clerk
read the minutes of the APM held on the 24th April 2006. It was agreed these were a correct record
and signed.
5. Matters arising from the minutes of the
APM held on the 24th April 2006
There
were no matters arising.
6. Matters raised by residents of the
Parish
a) Hexham Roundabout
Works have
been carried out but hopefully not complete, as there has been very little done
for the general safety of the residents.
b) Concerns were expressed in
regards to the amount of litter on the roundabout.
It was agreed the Council
would write to Roadlink in regards to these matters.
c) Problems with Fastflow
There is a large amount of
concern in regards to the non-reinstatement to date by Fastflow. The Council will attempt to try and discuss
this problem with Fastflow.
d) Conditions of Roads to
Village Entrances
Concerns were expressed
about the conditions of the road entrances to the village. NCC to be contacted on this matter.
e) Mapping Systems
There appears to be problems
with the digital mapping systems as large wagons/trailers for Egger are coming
into the Parish and causing problems.
7. With no other business the
meeting closed at 8.00 pm.