Sandhoe Parish Council

 

The minutes of the Council Meeting held on Wednesday 21st July 2004, at 7pm in Beaufront County First School, Sandhoe.

 

Present

 

Councillor A, Winstanley (chairman of the council in the chair)

Councillors R. Macfarlane  M. Baxter  H. Learman

 

Also Present

 

District Councillor N. Fearon

Bill Grigg Clerk to the Council

 

Apologies

 

Councillor J. Pennie

County Councillor Mrs. J. B. Fearon

 

Declaration of Interest

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

1.                     The Minutes of the Council’s AGM held on 21st April 2004

 

The Minutes of the Council’s AGM held on 21st April 2004 were signed as a correct record.

 

2.                     Matters arising from the minutes of the AGM held on 21st April 2004

 

A) Ref: 4.1 Public Footpath bridleway no 12

 

NCC have now carried out the work requested by the Council.

 

B) Ref: 8.1 Hexham Waste Transfer Station

 

P. Jones NCC has written in reply to the Council’s concerns in regards to residents being turned away from the transfer station. The letter explained the problems they have been having with traders and builders etc and how they are having to control this problem. The letter also explains the pass system and how it operates.

Since the last meeting the Council feels things have improved and staff at the waste transfer station are being more helpful and the situation is improving.

 

C) Ref: 8.2 Stone Gateway Sandhoe Road

 

Councillor A. Winstanley reported this work was now complete.

 

 

 

 

D) Ref: 8.3 Blocked Drains Rat Bank

 

This work has still not been carried out NCC are trying to follow up the council’s request to clean the gullies as soon as possible on the Rat Bank.

 

E) Ref: 8.4 Highways Matters

 

NCC are going to try and deal with the council’s request as soon as possible there has been a problem with staffing and the area supervisor being away from work, who would investigate and authorise the work requested.

 

F) Ref: 7.5 Local Development Plan

 

Tynedale Council replied to the Council’s letter expressing concerns in regards to the local plan being changed to the LDF and that is this only a name change and the legislation would change also and what affect this on the community and the Council. Tynedale Council’s letter explains no work can be progressed until the new legislation is approved by government.

The forthcoming legislation requires that all local authorities involves Parish Council’s and the community in LDF preparation from the earliest stage. Tynedale Council will keep all Parish Councils informed of the progress of the LDF legislation. The Council noted the contents of the letter.

 

3.                     Planning Matters

 

Planning Decisions

 

Ref: 20040264

 

B. Griffin, The Priory, Oakwood

 

Construction of Stables and storage at above location.

 

Granted permission 22/4/04

 

Ref: 20040275

 

J. M. Jackson, Bridge End, Hexham

 

Change of dwelling to two office units and associated parking (amended plans) at 1 Ferry Road, Bridge End, Hexham.

 

Refused permission 22/4/04

 

Ref: 20040324

 

P. Stewart and A. Hunter, 11 Fairfield Crescent, Oakwood

 

Construction of twp storey rear extension at above location

 

Granted permission 29/4/04

 

Ref: 20040729

 

D& J Gibson, 4 Fairfield Crescent, Oakwood

 

Construction of ground floor side extension and first floor extension with pitched roof at above location.

 

Granted permission 14/7/04

 

Planning Applications

 

Ref: 20040931

 

C. Brunton, 9 Fairfield Crescent, Oakwood

 

Construction of side extension together with first floor balcony and pitched roof over existing flat roof.

 

Support the Application

 

Castlebeck Care (Teesdale) Ltd Oaklands, Bridge End, Hexham

 

Construction of new lift enclosure and escape stair externally new pitched roof over existing rear extension and loft conversion providing five additional bedrooms

 

Support the Application

 

R. T. Down, The Old Barn, Beaufront Woodhead, Sandhoe

 

Construction of single storey lounge extension

 

Support the Application

 

4.                     Financial Matters

 

Income

 

2/4/04               VAT Refund              £32.53

 

7/5/04               Repayment Gas Board   £40.00

 

Bank Interest

 

27/4/04             C/A                               £0.20

27/5/04             C/A                               £0.21

27/6/04             C/A                               £0.20

27/6/04             D/A                               £1.04

 

 

Payments

 

21/7/04             P. Stewart (Bus Shelter)             £90.00

 

21/7/04             G. Caldwell            (Audit Fees)               £80.00

 

5/5/04               W.C.Grigg        (Fees)                          £120.00

 

5/6/04               W.C.Grigg        (Fees)                          £120.00

 

6/7/04               W.C.Grigg        (Fees)                          £120.00

 

21/7/04             W.C. Grigg    (Admin)                         £20.00

 

21/7/04             NCC                 (Rent of room)               £15.00

 

21/7/04             NALC                (Subscription)               £68.70

 

21/7/04             Hexham L/D            (copying)                     £25.00

 

Bank Balances at 27/6/04

 

Current Account                         £2952.20

Deposit Account                                    £270.18

 

Total Balances 27/6/04             £3222.38

 

Statement of Account 2003-2004

 

The Council approved the presented accounts for 2003/2004 and also approved the statement of assurance being signed on behalf of the Council by the Chairman of the Council and the clerk. The internal auditor has checked all the records and signed the approved accounts.

 

5.                     Correspondence

 

1. Notice from NCC re LTP Integrated transport programme 2005/2006 informing the Council of the current request list. The Council was to ask all the requests to remain on the list but requesting that 30mph speed limits be placed on the road outside Beaufront County First School is given priority for safety reasons.

 

2. Notice from NCC in regards to the review of Transport contracts in West Northumberland the Council noted the Contents of this report.

 

3. Notice from NCC re: the changes to the fire and rescue services. The Council noted the contents of the report.

 

4. Letter from Tynedale Council re: code of conduct register of member’s interest informing the Council that the standards board for England have issued supplementary guidance on the code of conduct and register of interests.

 

5. Registering and declaring membership of Freemasons.

 

6. Registering and declaring membership of political party council associations.

 

The Council noted the contents of the letter and new forms if required are available from the clerk.

 

6.                     Any Urgent Business allowed by the Council’s Chairman

 

A) Meeting of the Bi-annual Joint Tynedale/Parish Council Discussion Forum

 

This meeting was hosted by Tynedale Council and Councillor R. Macfarlane attended this meeting and briefly outlined the discussion that took place.

 

The meeting was very well attended – very productive and informative.  Present were executive members of Tynedale Council, Tynedale Councillors, County Councillors and Parish Councillors from many parishes.

 

BOATS – talk given by Tom Warde Aldham from Clark, Scott Harden.

A very interesting and stimulating talk about re-establishing the original rights of way and the ensuing environmental impact.  Original drover’s roads would be 60 feet wide.  Identify a need to preserve and conserve the environment and Alum Michael’s consultation looks promising.  Parish councils must be pre-emptive.  Strategies – lobby to influence primary legislation and enlist support from NCC with reference to TROs.  There is a legal process -  -responsibility of NCC for surfacing and maintaining BOATS.

 

Update on Standards by Andrea Barker

Corporate responsibility (obligation) of all councillors to uphold standards.

 

Planning Procedures and Processes – Helen Winter

Tynedale Council approves 83% of applications and they received £237000 government grant for speed of operations.

20% of Appeals are lost by Tynedale (40% is the government target)

Outlined the changes that will occur when the Planning and Compulsory Act 2004 comes into effect.

Tynedale welcomes input from Parish Councils in particular issues affecting the environmental, economic and social well being of the community.

 

The chairman stressed the importance of Parish Council input and invited Parish Councils to submit items for the agenda of the next meeting.

 

B) Bus Shelter Oakwood

 

It was fully agreed to pay £90 to P. Stewart to repaint the bus shelter, and he will on a regular basis clean the shelter and the Council will cover these costs.

 

One of the windows has been broken again by vandals. It was agreed some costs be sought to replace the window and the chairman and clerk were authorised to accept the best costs on behalf of the council.

 

Northumbria Police are to be asked to monitor the area to see if this vandalism could be stopped.

 

7.                     Date of Next Meeting

 

It was agreed the date of the next meeting would be Thursday 21st October 2004 at 7pm.

 

The meeting closed 8.10pm