SANDHOE PARISH COUNCIL

The minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 11th December 2008 at 7.00 pm in Beaufront County First School, Sandhoe, Hexham.

Present

Councillor J Pennie (Vice Chairman of the Council in the Chair), Councillors Mrs E Rodger, M Baxter, Councillor R Macfarlane (Chairman of the Council joined the meeting at 7.30 pm)

Also Present

Bill Grigg, Clerk to the Council and 3 residents of the Parish

Apologies

Councillor H Learman, County Councillor Mrs J B Fearon and District Councillor N Fearon

Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest declared.

1. The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 17th September 2008

The minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 17th September 2008 were signed as a correct record.

2. Matters arising from the minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 17th September 2008

i) Ref. 2. (5a) Parish Council Noticeboard

There has been progress on this issue as Tynedale Council has not allocated the planning grant monies to Parish Councils to date. It was decided to defer this matter to a later date.

ii) Ref. 3 NCC re. Road/Traffic Concerns

Still no report from Alan Wann on his actions following his meeting with the Council on the 17th September 2008. Some surveys appear to be taking place but unsure if these are the ones promised to the Parish Council.

3. Report of the Egger Liaison Working Group Meeting held on the 27th November 2008 - Councillor J Pennie

Councillor J Pennie gave a full report of the meeting of the Egger Liaison Working Group which held its meeting on the 27th November 2008. (Copy of notes of the meeting to be confirmed by Egger UK Ltd before they can be issued for general purposes.)

Main points discussed were:

a) Tree screening which is now progressing and good progress is being made with the scheme with no real problems foreseen.

b) Old plant hopefully completed by March 2009.

c) Log handling, planning application is imminent. Hopefully this will go to Tynedale Council's Development Control Committee February/March 2009 depending on when Egger UK Ltd submit the application and consultation time allowed.

d) Operating hours - the change of times in the operating times are now in operation and hopefully will benefit everybody. Residents are still concerned that there is still some disturbance from noise for residents. This could be staff not following the regulations. This issue will continue to be monitored.

e) New building - planning application now submitted and consultations taking place almost complete. It is hoped it will have an early decision in 2009. Work may not begin at once. There was a large amount of discussion in regards to noise and assurances were given that activities within the new building will not cause noise. The design of the building was intended to deliver a large measure of noise attenuation.

The Council and residents are still concerned in regards to the possible noise problem that could happen. It was agreed to write to the Planning Department at Tynedale Council seeking that the noise emissions are made a condition if planning permission is granted, also the maximising the entry of natural daylight is made a condition. Plus they consider reviewing the colour of the plant to blend in better with the environment.

The report was fully accepted and agreed.

(A full copy of the minutes of the meeting held on the 27th November 2008 are filed with these minutes.)

4. Planning Matters

Decisions

i) Ref. 20080798

Advertisement consent for three no. non-illuminated signs on wood buying office, sawdust silo and main office totem sign at main entrance and three flag advertisements at main entrance.

Egger UK Ltd, Bridge End, Hexham.

This application was issued a split division under delegated powers dated 3/11/08. (Papers available for Councillors on request to the Clerk on this planning decision.)

ii) Ref. 20080865

Construction of steel portal framed extension to increase the capacity of the existing building.

J S Hubbick Ltd, Bridge End Industrial Estate, Anick Road, Hexham. Granted permission dated 24/11/08.

iii) Ref. 20080877

Vehicular access upgrade to existing site including realignment of site access road and adjacent boundaries. Anick storage site, Ferry Road, Bridge End, Hexham.

Granted permission dated 10/11/08.

iv) Ref. 20080801

Construction of ground floor extension to provide sun room with exercise pool, potting shed and stores and modification to bedroom over garage.

Holly Hall, Sandhoe, Hexham. Granted permission dated 3/12/08.

5. Financial Matters

a) Payments

R Macfarlane (website)£ 35.18, Royal British Legion (wreath) £25.00, W. C. Grigg (administration) £42.00, Corbridge Parish Council (rent of room) £24.00, BDO audit fees £58.75, NCC (rent of room) £15.00, J Robinson esq (copying/stationery) £16.00, St. John Lee PCC Grant/churchyard £100.00, CAB (grant) £100.00, Tynedale Hospice (grant) £100.00

b) Precept 2009/2010

It was fully agreed a precept of £4500 be requested for 2009/2010. The Clerk was authorised to complete the paper work and request.

c) Audit 2008/2009

BDO Auditors have now returned the Council's accounts completed and signed off without any comments. The Council accepted the Auditors' report and accounts for 2008/2009.

6. Freedom of the Information Act

The present model held by the Council expires on the 31/12/08 following information from the Information Commissioner's Office. The Council agreed a new model to take effect from 1/1/09.

7. NCC Charter for Local Councils

Following a full discussion on this matter the Council fully agreed to accept the NCC Local Charter.

8. Correspondence

a) Letter from Tynedale Council re. dog fouling and the concerns of certain Parish Councils in regards to dog fouling within their parishes. The Council agreed to monitor the situation within the Parish and report any problems to the Clerk direct.

b) Notice from Northumberland Early Years Childcare Service asking for expressions of interest in the Year 2 Playbuilder Programme. The Council noted the contents.

c) Notice from the Communities and Local Government Department re. The Making and Enforcement of Bylaws Consultation. The Council noted the contents.

9. Any Urgent Business Allowed by the Chairman

There was no urgent business to discuss.

10. Date of Next Meeting

It was agreed the date of the next meeting would be the 26th March 2009 at 7.00 pm. The meeting closed at 8.25 pm.