Sandhoe Parish Council

 

The minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 8th January 2004 at 7pm in Beaufront County First School, Sandhoe, Hexham.

 

Present

 

Councillor H. Learman (Chairman of the Council in the chair)

 

Councillors Winstanley  Macfarlane  Pennie  Baxter

 

Also Present

 

Bill Grigg (Clerk to the Council)

 

Declaration of Interest

 

Councillor J. Pennie (Beaufront County First School)

 

1.            The minutes of the Council meeting held on the 15th October 2003

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 15th October 2003 were signed as a correct record.

 

2.            Matters arising from the minutes of the Council meeting held on the 15th October 2003

 

A) Ref 6a   Parish Seats

 

The D. Dodd Memorial seat has now been repaired by the supplier.

 

B) Ref 6b   Highways Matters

 

N.C.C have followed Government guideline in regards to the 30mph signs and de-restriction signs and are not prepared to relocate the signs as they have followed all the legal requirements.

 

C) Ref 9a  Litter Problems

 

The problem with newspapers is still happening, on a daily basis and no one to date has been able to see anyone causing this problem.

 

D) Ref 4    Finance- Beaufront County First School

Beaufront County First School PTA have written to the Council informing the Council that they may not be able to accept the condition of the grant allowing the Playing field to be used by the community when the school is closed. They will be discussing this issue at the next governors in November 2003.  To date no further information has been received and the PTA has not banked the cheque until this issue is sorted.

 

It was agreed that the chairman of the Council would speak to Smiths Gore estate agents for the Beaufront estate who are providing the land for the playing fields to see if there are any problems with the lease and Councillor J. Pennie would speak to the governors.

 

In principal it was felt the grant of £200.00 should be given for community purposes but if this was not possible, this grant could be given on this occasion towards helping the project in its first year, if the problems are explained and resolved.

 

(Please note:

 The Council chairman spoke to Smiths Gore on the 9/1/04 and there is a restriction on the use of land.   The Playing Field can only be used when it is under the supervision of the school. They cannot allow the playing fields to be used by other groups or for fetes, shows etc. this is to protect the tenant farmers on the Beaufront Estate.  Following this information and taking into consideration that the PTA raised all the funds for this scheme and did not apply for grant aid for the scheme. The chairman decided to allow the PTA to have the grant aid on this occasion towards the first year if the grass cutting.)

 

3.            Mid-Tyne Community Trust

 

Following the Council meeting on the 15th October 2003 when it was decided to join the Mid-Tyne Community Trust the Council decided to re-discuss this matter. The mid-Tyne Community trust has informed the Council the yearly membership fee would be £100.00. Following a discussion on membership of the partnership and the benefits to the Parish and the Council a vote was taken and the decision was 4 against joining the membership and 1 for membership. Therefore it was decided not to go ahead with membership.

 

4.            Village/Parish Plan

 

The Council discussed the possibility of implementing a Village/Parish Plan, and the benefits and disadvantages of carrying out such a plan, and what was required etc.

Following discussion Councillor R. MacFarlane proposed that the Council carries out a village plan there was no seconder for this motion and therefore the chairman requested a vote, which was 1 for carrying out a village plan and 4 against the proposal of carrying out a village plan.

Therefore no village/ Parish plan will be carried out at the present time.

 

5.            Planning Matters

 

A)   Planning Decisions

 

1.   Ref: 20031324

Mr. J. Burns

Construction of side and rear extension at 18 Fairfield Crescent, Oakwood, Hexham.

 

Granted Permission dated 22/12/03

 

2.   Ref: 20031362

Northern Electric Distribution Ltd

Reconstruction of the Corbridge to Hexham double circuit line with single wood pole line, Corbridge to Hexham double circuit.

 

Granted permission dated 18/12/03

 

3.   Ref: 20031262

Mr. P. Ridley

Construction of cutting shed and covered storage area shed office port-a-cabin and use of site as trade and retail timber outlet at Foundry Industrial Estate, Anick Road, Hexham.

 

Granted permission dated 18/12/03

 

4.   Ref: 20031385

Castlebeck Care (Teesdale) Ltd

Construction of day care unit attached to existing care home Chesterholme day unit, Bridge End Hexham.

 

Granted permission dated 18/12/03

 

B)   Planning Applications

 

Ref: 20031472

Northern Trust Company Ltd

Bridge End Industrial Estate, Bridge End, Hexham.

Installation of 2.4 metre high palisades fencing and gate at above location.

 

The general feeling of the Council that this is not necessary and would not fit in with the area in general.

 

Ref: 20031489

Mr & Mrs Geaky

The Coach House, Sandhoe

Construction of stone and timber detached double garage at above location.

 

No Objections.

 

6.     Financial Matters

 

A) Income

 

27/10/03        Bank Interest    C/A        £0.12

27/11/03        Bank Interest    C/A        £0.08

27/12/03        Bank Interest    C/A        £0.07

27/12/03        Bank Interest    D/A        £0.86

 

B) Bank balances at 8/1/04: -      Current account £888.97

                                      Deposit account £268.18)

 

(Beaufront County First school cheque for £200.00 not yet cleared dated 15/10/03)

 

B)   Payments

 

10 Nov 03       W.C.Grigg  (Fees)     £105.00

10 Dec 03        W.C.Grigg  (Fees)     £105.00

10 Jan 04        W.C.Grigg  (Fees)     £105.00

8 Jan 04         NCC (Rent of room)    £15.00

8 Jan 04         W.C.Grigg (admin)     £18.00

                  Neat Ideas (stationary) £45.62

                          I&I Internet (Website)  £70.36

C) Precept 2004/2005

 

It was fully agreed the Precept for 2004/2005 would be £3,500.00.

 

D) Clerk’s Fees

 

It was fully agreed the clerk’s fees be increased to £120.00 per month from the 1st February 2004.

 

7.     Correspondence

 

1)   Notice received from the Community Council of Northumberland re: - schools in Northumberland and the possible mergers and closures etc in the future.

Two seminars are to be held on the 15/1/04 and 22/1/04. The Council noted the information.

 

2)   Details received from the Boundary committee for England on their recommendations for unitary local Government in Northumberland.

Option 1: - Single unitary authority Northumberland County Council.

Option 2: -

Two unitary authorities, A) North and West Northumberland (Alnwick, Berwick upon Tweed, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale Districts)

B)   South East Northumberland (Blyth Valley and Wansbeck Districts)

 

Following discussion the views of this Council is that there should be three unitary authorities as proposed by Tynedale Council and other district Councils in Northumberland.

 

Tynedale Council are hosting a special meeting on this matter on the 29th January 2004 at 6pm in the Mart at Hexham. Members are most welcome to attend this meeting.

 

3. The Council noted and received the Northumberland County and Northumberland National Park joint structure plan review alteration pre-examination in public changes.

 

4.The Council received and noted from NCC local government review of Northumberland.

 

5.   Bywell Parish Council’s chairman have invited the Council to attend a meeting on the 19th January 04 in regards forming a forum of Parish Councils in Eastern Tynedale and Western Castle Morpeth. At this stage the Council decided not to become involved in this forum.

 

6.   Tynedale Council are hosting an Inaugural meeting of the BI-annual joint Tynedale Council Parish/Town Council discussion forum on the 13th January 04. Members are invited to attend this meeting if they wish.

 

7.   Requests for grant aid was received from Age Concern Northumberland and the community council of Northumberland both applicants were declined on this occasion.

 

8.   Letter received from NCC re: Public Rights of Way Public Footpath/Bridleway 12.

 

Following the Council’s concerns this Public Rights of Way and Public Footpath/Bridleway 12 has been inspected and NCC report in their views no action is necessary in regards fencing but will cut back the grass and branches. The Council noted the contents of this letter.

 

8.     Any Other Business

 

There was no other business items.

 

9.     Date of next meeting

 

It was confirmed the date of the next meeting would be Wednesday 21st April 2004 at 7pm this would be the Council’s APM and AGM.

 

The meeting closed at 8.30pm.