SANDHOE PARISH COUNCIL

 

 

The minutes of the Council Meeting held on Wednesday 18th April 2007 at 8.00 pm (following the APM) in Beaufront County First School, Sandhoe, Hexham.

 

Present

 

Councillor R Macfarlane (Chairman of the Council in the chair), Councillors M Baxter, H Learman, J Pennie, A Winstanley

 

Also Present

 

Bill Grigg - Clerk to the Council

 

Apologies

 

County Councillor J B Fearon, District Councillor N Fearon

 

Declarations of Interest

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

 

1.     The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 18th January 2007

 

       The minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 18th January 2007 were signed as a correct record.

 

2.     Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 18th January 2007

 

       (a)    Ref 2b Mirror, St. Camillus Bank

 

       The Trustees of J E Allgood, Quarry at Oakwood Bank have agreed to a safety mirror being installed on land at the quarry.  The Council are most grateful to the Trustees for allowing this and thanks expressed to the Council Chairman who contacted the Land Agent.

 

       It was agreed the Council Chairman would select a mirror from the list of suppliers provided by NCC and this would be ordered.  On delivery a local builder was to be asked to fix the mirror safely.

 

       It was agreed the Chairman and Clerk agree payment and costs as to avoid any further delays.

 

       It was decided to write to the two local bus companies whose buses operate in the Parish to ask if they would like to contribute towards the mirror.

       (b)    Ref 6a David Dodd Memorial Seat

 

Councillor A Winstanley agreed to carry out repairs as soon as possible and apologised for the delay.

 

3.     Planning Matters

 

(i)     Planning Decisions

 

a)     Ref. 20070107

       Mr J McBride, Sandhoe High House West, Hexham.

              Listed building consent.

 

       Alterations to existing windows and door opening up on existing blocked window opening.

 

              Granted permission under delegated powers 15/03/07.

 

b)     Ref. 20070010

       Mr & Mrs Walker, Holly Hall, Sandhoe, Hexham.

 

       Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of new dwelling with attached garage and construction of 1.5 metre boundary wall to the north boundary.

 

       Granted permission under delegated powers dated 02/03/07.

 

c)     Ref. 20070074

              J T Dove Ltd, Bridge End Industrial Estate, Hexham.

 

       Application to change colour of exterior cladding.

 

       Granted permission under delegated powers dated 20/03/07.

 

              d)     Ref. 20070049

                      Property Design Matters Ltd, Beaufront Park, Anick Road, Hexham.

 

                      Construction of offices associated car parking and landscaping.

 

                      Granted permission under delegated powers dated 08/03/07.

 

4.     Financial Matters

 

       a)     Income

 

              02/04/07   Precept 2007 - 2008                 £3500.00

                             (via Tynedale Council) less £69 election costs

                             Total amount banked                 £3431.00

              02/03/07   Bank Interest D/A                     £      1.87

       b)     Payments

 

              02/04/07   W C Grigg (fee)                        £   165.00

              02/04/07   Election costs                          £     69.00

              18/04/07   R Macfarlane (repayment for              £     35.18

                             I & C a/c re. website)

              18/04/07   J Robinson & son (printing/stationery)   £     23.50

              18/04/07   NCC (rent of room)                   £     15.00

              18/04/07   W C Grigg (administration)          £     30.00

              18/04/07   Allianz Cornhill (insurance)          £   356.69

              02/02/07   W C Grigg (fee)                         £   165.00

              02/03/07   W C Grigg (fee)                         £   165.00

              18/04/07   Hexham Courant (APM advert)     £     49.76

              18/04/07   Selefest (TC) (grant)                 £     50.00

              18/04/07   W C Grigg (adjustment to fees)    £     35.00

 

       c)     Bank Balances at 31/03/07

 

              Deposit a/c               £287.20

              Current a/c               £1092.92

 

       d)     Clerk's Fees

 

       The Council fully agreed to increase the Clerk's fees to £200 per month from April 2007.  Adjustment to the April fee and standing order was fully agreed.

 

5.     Village Plan

 

Following the presentation at the APM by Jane Hart the Council fully discussed a Village Plan and all that would be required.

 

It was felt more consultation needed to take place with all residents.  The most positive way is a letter to all residents asking them to respond to a small survey and work from the survey results.  It was agreed this would be an agenda item for the AGM in June.

 

6.     Correspondence

 

a)  Notice from the Northumberland Strategic Partnership in regards to the agreed Boundaries for Belonging Communities.  The Council noted the contents and will monitor this matter.

 

b)    Notice from the Communities and Local Government re. consultation on amendments to the model Code of Conduct for Local Authority members.  (This new code is expected to come into force on the 3rd May 07).

 

c)   Notices from NCC and Tynedale council re. Proposals to change to a unitary Authority NCC have proposed one Unitary Council for Northumberland and Tynedale Council have together with all the other district Councils in Northumberland are proposing two one for the Urban Area and one for the Rural Area both bids are with the Secretary of State and she is considering both bids and both councils are now contacting stakeholders.

 

The council discussed both options and felt it was not in a position to make any comment the council fully agreed it was a small Council and may have to accept changes in the future but felt no comment should be made councillors may make their own private comment direct if they so wished.

 

A decision is expected at the end of July 2007.      

 

Any urgent business allowed by the Chairman

 

       a)     Hexham Roundabout

 

       Following discussions at the APM, Roadlink are to be contacted in regards the safety measures for local residents, as the present works carried out are not what was expected.

 

b)     Egger UK Ltd

 

       There is a large amount of noise and artificial lighting on site and Tynedale Council were to be asked if this is only temporary during the redevelopment.

 

8.     Date of Next Meeting

 

       It was confirmed the AGM of the Council will take place on Wednesday 13th June 2007 at 7.00 pm.

 

          The meeting closed at 8.50 pm.