SANDHOE PARISH COUNCIL

 

The minutes of the Council's Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 27th May 2009 at 7.30 pm in Beaufront County First School, Sandhoe.

 

Present

Councillors R Macfarlane, Mrs E Rodger, M Baxter, J Pennie        Also Present Bill Grigg, Clerk to the Council 5 Residents of the Parish

 

Apologies

Councillor H Learman and County Councillor Mrs J B Fearon

 

Councillor H Learman Resignation

Councillor R Macfarlane made the announcement that the Council have just received the resignation of Councillor H Learman with deep regret.

Councillor H Learman has given many years service to this Council and the community and thanks were expressed from the Council and the community for the many years of service he has given to the community. A card will be sent to Councillor Learman and the Council will decide in due course a suitable presentation. Councillor R Macfarlane agreed to look into a suitable presentation.

 

1. The Election of the Council Chairman for the Year 2009/2010

Councillor R Macfarlane was nominated by Councillor M Baxter and seconded by Councillor J Pennie.

Councillor Mrs E Rodger requested it be minuted that she abstained from this item and did not wish to take any part in the appointment of Councillor R Macfarlane as Chairman of the Council.

With no other nominations Councillor R Macfarlane was elected Chairman for the year 2009/2010.

 

2. The Election of the Vice Chairman of the Council for 2009/2010

Councillor J Pennie was nominated by Councillor Mrs E Rodger and seconded by Councillor M Baxter.

With no other nominations Councillor J Pennie was elected Vice Chairman of the Council for 2009/2010.

 

3. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

 

4. The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 26th March 2009

The minutes of the Council meeting held on the 26th March 2009 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

 

5. Matters arising from the minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 26th March 2009

Ref. 8a Doq Fouling

N Barrett, Area Manager (West) NCC Environmental Services has been in contact with the Clerk. We have one dog warden for the whole of West Northumberland. New literature will be sent to the Council when it is re­printed for the new Council and all the signs in the Parish will be looked at in due course and replaced or new ones placed in relevant sites.

 

6. Planning Matters

a) There were no planning applications to date of the meeting.

b) Other Planning Issues  Re. Egger UK Ltd Planning Ref. 20080948

There seems at present some confusion over which Committee will hear the Egger UK Ltd Planning Application. If it is examined by the West Area Committee it would be on 9th July. The Principal Planning Officer at this point in time favours the Central Committee NCC because the application is a departure from the Development Plan so at the present time it looks as if application will go to the Central Committee NCC on 7th July. If members are minded to refuse the application it is expected Egger UK Ltd would appeal. If members are minded to approve the application it will be referred to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State may call in the application and hold a public enquiry because it contravenes National Planning Policy. The Secretary of State could also send it back to NCC to make the final decision.

Sandhoe Parish Council were in favour of the application going to the Central Committee at NCC due to the departure from the Development Plan.

 

c)Planning Decisions

Ref. 09/00051/CCM, NCC

SITA UK

Retention and relocation of an existing mobile unit at Hexham Waste Transfer Station, French Garden Industrial Estate, Hexham.

Granted permission 08/05/09.

Ref. 09/00059/CCD, NCC Beaufront First School

Extension for plant room at Beaufront First School, Sandhoe. Granted permission 08/05/09.

 

7. Financial Matters

a) Accounts for Payment

Income

Precept £2250.00

 

Payments

27/03/09 –27/05/09    

W. C. Grigg (fee) £220.00, W. C. Grigg (fee) £220.00, W. C. Grigg (fee) £220.00, NCC (Rent of Room) £15.00G Caldwell (Audit) £80.00, W. C. Grigg (admin) £45.00, J Robinson (Copying) £7.00, Allianz Insurance £396.37, NALC (fees)         £79.20, Hexham Courant (advert) £45.20.

 

b) Audit of Accounts 2009/2010

The Council fully agreed the Statement of Accounts for 2008/2009 and fully agreed the accounts be signed.

The Council fully agreed also the Statement of Governance 2008/2009 and fully agreed to the signing of the Statement of Governance.

 

8. Correspondence

a) Notice received from the Equality and Human Rights Commission re. Public Sector Duties. The Council noted the contents of this communication.

b) Notice from NCC re. Garden Waste Collection Service. From June there will be a yearly charge of £20 for the collection of the brown bin.

This Council did not support this charge and decided to write to NCC objecting to the charge.

c) NCC Road Conditions. Letter received from NCC informing the Council they are looking into all the concerns raised by a local resident and Council.

d) Notice received from NALC re. NSP nominations. The Chairman of the Council informed the Council the request for nominations to NSP (Western Area) had been sought and he had contacted several Councillors in regards to this matter as he was interested in standing for election to the NSP. The Councillors contacted had agreed to him putting his name forward and the Chairman had asked the Clerk to complete the form and send it off.

 

9. Discussion with Local Residents

a)  Items discussed at APM to be decided by the Council.

i) Noticeboard

Estimates will be sought for the upgrading of the noticeboard for use by the Council and a new noticeboard for residents/local organisations.

ii) Bus Shelter

It was agreed estimates will be sought for the repairs to windows and the general upgrade of the bus shelter.

iii) Parish Website

This matter was discussed at length and it was agreed P Rodger, a local resident would prepare a report/costings for the next Council meeting with a view to hosting the Parish Website. This matter would be discussed at length to the next meeting of the Council.

iv) Other Issues Equality/Human Rights

A local resident was very concerned that the Council was not following the Equality re. Public Duties. The resident's comments were noted by the Council.

 

10.  Any Other Business

a) Oakwood Bank

There is some confusion over the bridleway at Oakwood Cottage It was agreed to ask NCC to look into this issue.

b) A69 Highways

With the resurfacing taking, place it is hoped the Highways Agency would be using the materials requested to reduce the noise of the heavy vehicles using the A69.

c) Declarations of Interest

The Clerk was asked to check with NCC legal section in regards declarations of interest in regards to Egger UK Ltd's application on behalf of members to clear up any confusion or concerns.

 

11.  Date of Next Meeting

It was confirmed the date of the next meeting would be 16th September 2009. The meeting closed at 9.00 pm.