SANDHOE PARISH COUNCIL

 

 

The minutes of the Council Meeting held on Wednesday 14th November 2007 at 7.00 pm in Beaufront County First School, Sandhoe.

 

Present

 

Councillor R Macfarlane (Chairman of the Council in the Chair), Councillors H Learman, J Pennie, M Baxter, Mrs E Rodger

 

Also Present

 

County Councillor Mrs J B Fearon, District Councillor N Fearon, Bill Grigg - Clerk to the Council and 7 Residents of the Parish

 

 

Declarations of Interest

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

1.       The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 12th September 2007

 

         The minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 12th September 2007 were signed as a correct record.

 

2.       Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 12th September 2007

 

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

 

         The mirror is now installed and residents and drivers appear to be happy with the mirror.

 

(b)     Ref 6a David Dodd Memorial Seat

 

The seat is now fully repaired and back on site.

 

Please note: At this stage of the meeting the Chairman proposed item agenda no. 7 be brought forward to agenda item no. 3.  Also allowing Mr J Halliday, a local resident to speak on the agenda item as Mr Halliday had requested in advance to speak on the subject.

 

3.       Egger UK Ltd

 

The Chairman of the Council Councillor R Macfarlane explained the recent meeting with himself, the Council Clerk, District Councillor N Fearon and County Councillor J Fearon, with the Directors of Egger UK Ltd which was followed by a full visit to the site.

 

At this meeting concerns expressed to the Council and Egger were discussed.  Egger explained the various problems they had been having and some of these are ongoing which hopefully they will overcome very soon and should make life easier for residents.

 

There were regular meetings with Tynedale Council and the consultation document in relation to their permit being granted was in the final stages of preparations and Egger were giving as much co-operation as possible.

 

The Directors of Egger proposed that any Liaison Group which had been proposed to them by local concerned residents should be with the Parish Council as the Elected Body of the Community. 

 

The proposal that was suggested for Council's approval that the Liaison Group would consist of Directors of Egger UK Ltd, Councillor R Macfarlane as Chairman of the Council, Councillor J Pennie, County Councillor Mrs J Fearon, District Councillor N Fearon and both sides asked the Clerk to administer the Liaison Group and be part of the Group.

 

Residents were asked to let the Clerk have their concerns which would be discussed at the Group meetings and hopefully resolved.

 

It was proposed the Group meet quarterly.

 

Any concerns in regards to the make up of the Liaison Group etc would be taken to the first meeting of the Liaison Group which is expected to meet in early January 2008.  The Chairman of the Council Councillor R Macfarlane asked the Council for their agreement to this proposal in principle which would be confirmed at the January meeting of the Council.

 

Councillor J Pennie outlined the history of Weyroc/Egger and all the problems over the years, including the vast noise problems and the operation of other plants in other parts of the world.  He also explained the proposed tree screening programme, and the expertise that would be required to make sure local residents benefit from the screening.

 

Councillor J Pennie also explained careful monitoring of the removal of the old site. 

 

J Halliday, a local resident, explained the involvement of local residents with Tynedale Council and Egger in trying to resolve the constant problems for the local residents.  Mr Halliday presented a paper to the meeting which was discussed and noted.

 

Councillor Mrs E Rodger also reported to the meeting the concerns of local residents and the need for Egger to act quickly to resolve the problems for the benefit of the residents.

 

The Council Chairman Councillor R Macfarlane thanked everyone for their contributions, informing the meeting that N Barrett regularly updated the website www.Tynedale.gov.uk/residents/service info in regards to Egger updates, also the community website  www.Sandhoe.info  will also keep residents informed.

 

4.       Village Plan Survey Results

 

The return of the Village Plan Survey had been very poor with 29 in favour of carrying out a village plan, 8 not in favour, 1 undecided.  After discussion it was decided by the Council not to proceed with a village plan but put the proposal on hold until possible re-organisation of local Government and the Belonging Communities are sorted.

 

The Chairman would reply to all responses thanking them for replying etc.

 

5.       Planning Matters

 

Applications

 

a)      Castlebreak Ltd.

 

         Construction of detached property to form new graded rehabilitation annex for residential care home at Oaklands, Anick Road, Hexham.

 

         Support the application

 

b)      Fewsters Ltd. 

 

         Temporary siting of storage containers on part of the site at Bridge End and the erection of some fencing.

 

         Support the application

 

6.       Financial Matters

 

         a)      Income

 

                  27/09/07      Bank Interest D/A                      £    21.93

        

         b)      Payments

 

                                    Bank Charges                         £    .40

                  27/09/07      Bank Charges                         £     88.00

                  01/10/07      W C Grigg (fee)                        £   200.00

                  01/11/07      W C Grigg (fee)                        £   200.00

                  14/11/07      NCC (rent of room)                   £     15.00

                  14/11/07      Royal British Legion (wreath)      £     25.00

                  14/11/07      M Swanson (seat repairs)          £     85.00

                  14/11/07      BDO (audit fees)                      £     88.13

                  14/11/07      W C Grigg (administration)         £     40.00

 

         c)       Balances up to 01/10/07

 

                  Deposit a/c                                                £ 1274.65

                  Current a/c                                                £   802.60

 

         d)      Audit 2006/2007

 

         BDO have now completed the Council's audit with no matters being brought to the Council's attention.  The Council fully agreed to the audit returns and accepted the audit for 2006/2007.

 

7.       Belonging Communities

 

A letter had been received from Tynedale Council in regards to further discussions being held in regards to the Belonging Communities Boundaries and a special meeting was to be held on Monday 26th  November 2007 at 6.30 pm in the Mart at Hexham to discuss the issue further as there was a vast amount of concern on this subject throughout Tynedale.

 

After a discussion on the matter this Council decided it did not wish to be involved with the Hexham proposal as suggested by N.S.P. but would prefer to be with the East Tynedale area, and this was agreed by the full Council.  The Clerk was asked to inform Tynedale Council and all the necessary bodies.

 

8.       Correspondence

 

a)      Northumberland Action News.  The Council took copies and the contents noted.

 

b)      Several papers from NCA in regards to Belonging Communities.  The Council noted the contents.

 

9.       Any urgent business allowed by the Chairman

 

Councillor R Macfarlane the Council Chairman reported on the Remembrance Day Service held on 11th  November 2007 at St. John Lee Parish Church, Acomb.  Councillor R Macfarlane laid a wreath on behalf of the Council.

 

10.     Date of Next Meeting

 

         It was confirmed the date of the next meeting would be 16th  January 2008.

 

The meeting closed at 9.00 pm.