SANDHOE PARISH COUNCIL

 

 

The minutes of the Council Meeting held on Wednesday 17th  September 2008 at 7.00 pm in Beaufront County First School, Sandhoe, Hexham.

 

Present

 

Councillor R Macfarlane (Chairman of the Council in the Chair)

Councillors Mrs E Rodger, M Baxter

 

Also Present

 

N Barrett, Tynedale Council, A Bawn, NCC, S Dotlinger, Egger UK Ltd, B Stenlechner, Egger UK Ltd, Councillor N Fearon, District Councillor Tynedale Council

Bill Grigg, Clerk to the Council & 5 residents of the Parish

 

Apologies

 

Councillors J Pennie, H Learman, County Councillor Mrs J B Fearon

 

 

Declarations of Interest

 

Councillor R Macfarlane declared personal interests in Egger UK Ltd, Beaufront County First School

 

 

1.       The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 18th  June 2008

 

         The minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 18th June 2008 were signed as a correct record.

 

2.       Matters arising from the minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 18th  June 2008

 

         i)       Ref. 5(a) Parish Council Noticeboard

 

         One estimate had been received to replace the existing board with a new board at a cost of £80.00.  After a discussion on the matter and a vote by the Council it was decided to defer the decision until a later date.  The Chairman informed the Council that the Parish Council would be receiving an amount of money from Tynedale Council for minor works within the parish and it could be discussed at this stage.

 

3.       Discussion with Alan Bawn, NCC re. Road/Traffic Concerns

 

The Council discussed with Alan Bawn various problems with roads/highways and traffic problems within the Parish.

 

a)      Speed of traffic on the Beaufront Road and the accident hotspots.  A. Bawn agreed to carry out a survey in due course, and report the findings back to the Council.

 

b)      Reduction of speed limits within certain areas of the Parish.  A. Bawn explained the procedure for reducing speed limits together with the criteria and felt it would be difficult but he would investigate and report back.

 

c)       Beaufront First School.  Speeding past the school and parking problems.  He would discuss this matter with the Education Department and there is a special fund plus staff to advise schools on this issue as the problem occurs at many schools.

 

d)      30 mph interactive signs.  This would require discussions with County Councillor Mrs J B Fearon in regards to County Councillors' Small Allowance Scheme.

 

e)      Bridge End Rotary Way.  The Council have proposed a roundabout at this junction.  It was felt due to the high costs this is very unlikely; it could possibly be a 106 Section planning agreement or considered under a 106 Section with any future planning applications in the area.

 

f)       Attention is required to the Rat Bank.

 

A. Bawn agreed to forward a report to the Council in due course and would, where he felt needed attention, request they are placed on the local transport plan list of requests.

 

4.       Presentation on Proposals for Development on Land Adjacent to Egger UK Ltd, Anick

 

         The Chairman welcomed Simon Dotlinger and Bernard Stenlechner, Egger UK Ltd to the meeting who gave a presentation to the Council and residents on their proposals to develop land adjacent to their present site.

 

They outlined their proposals in full detail and answered questions from the public and Council members.

 

The Chairman of the Council thanked S. Dotlinger and B. Stenlechner for attending the meeting.  At this point both left the meeting.

 

5.       Report of the Egger Liaison Working Group held on the 31st July 2008

 

The report had previously been circulated and was accepted and agreed by the Council.

 

6.       Discussion with N. Barrett, Tynedale Council, update on Egger issues

 

N. Barrett reported on his visits/inspections to the Egger UK Ltd site.  There are still 45 conditions of the permit to discharge and these are being dealt with as soon as possible.  Any breaching of the conditions will be referred to the Enforcement Policy.

 

There are still some problems with noise.  One new door has been installed - it is shut all the time unless necessary.

 

There are three planning applications coming in, in the near future.  Some of these applications may have to have extra conditions attached to them.  There would have to be public consultation in regards to any new permit or additions to the present permit.

 

Noise testing took place during the first week in August with no publicity or warning.  4 sites plus one new additional site were used, including late night and very early morning visits.  The log handling was heard at night.  The reasons are being explored.

 

Local residents have complained and these are being dealt with by Tynedale Council.  Residents and businesses living nearby have complained about the state of the roads and gutters.

 

Tynedale Council street cleaning department have been and cleaned up and will continue to do so; a joint cleaning programme with Tynedale Council and Egger UK Ltd has been agreed.

 

There will be regular inspections, at least 4 per year.

 

There had been some problems with wagon contractors not using the protective sheets.  Egger UK Ltd have dealt with this and prepared procedures to make sure this does not happen in the future.

 

7.       Planning Matters

 

         Applications

 

         Ref. 2008081

         Mr & Mrs Walker, Holly Hall, Sandhoe.

 

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

 

Support the application.

 

8.       Financial Matters

 

         a)      Income                                                              £

 

                  06/06/08      Bank Interest D/A                                   7.09

                  05/09/08      Bank Interest D/A                                 13.25

                 

 

         b)      Payments                                                          £

                 

                  15/08/08      R MacFarlane (website)                        35.18

                  09/07/08      W. C. Grigg (clerk's fee)                      220.00

                  09/08/08      W. C. Grigg (clerk's fee)                      220.00

                  09/09/08      W. C. Grigg (clerk's fee)                      220.00

                  17/09/08      J Robinson (copying)                                      7.00

                  17/09/08      W. C. Grigg (administration)                           45.00

                  17/09/08      Dell (cartridges)                                  28.99

                  17/09/08      NCC (rent of room)                              15.00

                  17/09/08      CPC (hire of room)                              17.00

                  17/09/08      Beaufront Fruit & Flower (advert)            30.00

 

9.       Correspondence

 

i)       Notice from the Northumberland Strategic Partnership re. proposed NSP Area Partnership.  The Council noted the contents.

 

ii)       The Chairman reported on three applications for grant aid (which has not come to the Council Clerk, but to other Councils).  (1) Mencap, (2) CAB Berwick County Wide Bereavement Service, (3) The Samaritans.  It was agreed this matter would be looked at next meeting.

 

10.     Any Urgent Business Allowed by the Chairman

 

a)      Councillor Mrs E Rodger asked if Councillor M Baxter could give any update on the extensions to Beaufront County First School.  He reported that he had left the working group dealing with this matter, and felt to date there was nothing further to report.  The working group, school governors and the school are awaiting some decisions from NCC.

 

b)      Councillor R MacFarlane, Chairman of the Council, expressed regret and disappointment at the way members of the public left the meeting during the time the Council had visitors.

 

11.     Date of Next Meeting

 

It was agreed the date of the next meeting would be Wednesday 10th December 2008 at 7.00 pm.

 

The meeting closed at 9.55 pm.