WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN
Cllr S M Fitton
The Granary, Town Farm
Great Whittington
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE19 2HA
01434.672100
www.whittingtonpc.org.uk
CLERK
Mr K W Dodd
19, St Wilfrid's Road
HEXHAM
Northumberland
NE46 2EA
01434.605786
e-mail: ken.dodd99@ic24.net
NOTICE OF MEETING
The 2010 Annual Meeting of Council will be held on TUESDAY 18 May 2010 in Great Whittington Village Hall at approximately 1930 hrs.after the Annual Parish Meeting Councillors are reminded of the need to declare a Personal or Prejudicial Interest before any item in which they may have an interest.
AGENDA
1. To elect the Chairman of Council.
2. Apologies for absence.
3. To elect a Vice-Chairman of Council.
4. To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 March 2010.
5. To receive a letter of resignation from Cllr Angus.
6. Matters arising from the Minutes, not already on the Agenda.
7. Planning matters:
7.1. Decisions:
20090880: Sycamore House, Gt Whittingon. Construction of two dormers. Application Withdrawn.
Application:
7.2. 20100284: Durkin, Sycamore House, Gt Whittington. Dormer on west facing gable to bedroom and construction of playroom to rear.
7.3. Aspen Ridge: Report on state of the site and enforcement process.
8. Expenditure authorisation:
Allianz Insurance - premium June 2010/June 2011 £398.96
Glasdon UK Ltd - dog bin £276.03 inc VAT
Income:
Bank interest March £0.50
County Council - 50% Precept 10/11 £1175.00
HMRC - VAT claim 09/10 £174.73
9. County Councillor's report.
10. To receive and adopt the unaudited accounts for 2009/10, to value the fixed assets, and and to be notified that the audit date is fixed for 16 July 2010.
11. To approve the Annual Return Statement of Accounts and the Annual Governance Statement for 09/10.
12. To consider any matters raised at the Annual Parish Meeting.
13. To fix the Clerk's salary for 2010/11.
14. The Parish Plan.
15. Mid Tyne Community Trust report.
16. Highway matters and Reports from Councillors.
17. Correspondence not otherwise on the Agenda.
18. Date and venue of next meeting.
19. Other business admitted by Chairman as urgent.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council
Potholes and other highway faults - ring 0845 600 6400
WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
CLERK CHAIRMAN
Mr K W Dodd Cllr S M Fitton
19, St Wilfrid's Road The Granary, Town Farm
HEXHAM GREAT WHITTINGTON
NE46 2EA NE19 2HA
01434.605786 01434.672100
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
TUESDAY 18th MAY 2010
THE 2010 ANNUAL WHITTINGTON PARISH MEETING WILL BE HELD IN GREAT WHITTINGTON VILLAGE HALL AT 1900hrs ON TUESDAY 18th MAY 2010.
ALL ELECTORS OF THE PARISH ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND MAY SPEAK AND MAKE PROPOSALS ON ANY MATTER RELEVANT TO THE PARISH. RESOLUTIONS MAY BE CONSIDERED AND PASSED PROVIDING SUCH RESOLUTIONS ARE GIVEN TO THE CHAIRMAN OR THE UNDERSIGNED AT LEAST THREE DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING.
AGENDA.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
2. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 18 MAY 2009.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
4. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.
5. PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNTS 2009/2010.
6. THE PARISH PLAN.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS MAY BE THEN BE DISCUSSED:
a. REPORTS BY ANY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
b. ANY OTHER MATTER RAISED BY AN ELECTOR.
The Chairman of the Parish Council will preside at the meeting. The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will follow this meeting.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council 10:05:2010
WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of a meeting of Council held on 22 March 2010 at 1900hrs in Great Whittington Village Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor S M Fitton Chairman
Councillor W J Angus
Councillor S Gregory
Councillor J M Kerr
Councillor P H Martin
Councillor E J Tiffin (from 640)
Also present: Mr K W Dodd Clerk
Mr Alex Kerr Parish Plan lead
An apology for absence was received from County Cllr Heslop.
633. MINUTES of the previous meeting held on 11 January 2010 having been circulated were taken as read and confirmed as a true record.
634. MATTERS ARISING.
Minute 631. Cllr Angus asked if an entry had been made for the Tynedale Visitor Hexham Courant supplement. Cllr Fitton was unsure whether that had been done.
635. PLANNING MATTERS.
Decisions:
20090419: Shellbraes (amendment to 20061380). Changes to plans for an agricultural building. Permitted by Development Control Committee.
20090831: Land North of East Farm. Construction of agricultural building (Agricultural Determination). Permitted under delegated powers.
Withdrawals:
20091024 & 20091025LBC: Hallington Hall. Construction of sun room in existing walled garden. These applications had been withdrawn.
Aspen Ridge.There had been no progress. Cllr Angus would speak again to the Enforcement Officer.
636. EXPENDITURE AUTHORISATION.
County Council - grass cutting 2009 £314.91 inc VAT
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary Jan/March 2010 incl £245.00
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses Jan/March 2010 £19.46 incl VAT
Community Action Northumberland - Sec 137 grant £30.00
Age Concern Northumberland - Sec 137 grant £100.00
Tynedale Sports Council - Sec 137 grant £100.00
Matfen & Ryal Churches - Sec 137 grant £125.00
St Oswald in Lee & Bingfield Churches - Sec 137 grant £125.00
Great North Air Ambulance - Sec 137 grant £100.00
Campaign to Protect Rural England - Subscription £30.00
637. COUNTY COUNCILLOR. Cllr Heslop had provided a written report. The Boundary Committee had now confirmed their proposal to move Whittington Parish into Ponteland West Division. Cllr Heslop had written to object to this but there had not been any other support with specific evidence. The Bingfield/Hallington Councillors were particulary concerned that the north end of the Parish would be out on a limb, as they tended to look westwards to Wall and Hexham rather than to Ponteland. However, the Boundary Committee had no mandate to split Parishes. Clerk to investigate the possibility of changing boundaries. The County budget had at last been approved. The £3 million which had been cut from Highways had been reinstated. The Community Chest budget for disbursement by Area Councillors had been increased from £50,000 to £90,000, but the day care closure proposals were still going ahead. He was aware of a motor cycle problem at Bingfield and had asked County Area officers to look into it.
Page 2 of Minutes of 22 March 2010.
638. MID TYNE TRUST. Cllr Gregory had attended the last meeting when the main subject was Sustainable Technology. As previously notified, Alex Kerr was stepping down as Chairman at the AGM. The Business Forum was being very successful and it was hoped that an Energy Forum would be just as successful. The Trust had bought ten energy monitoring devices to be fitted in public buildings in the MTCT area to encourage energy savings. Next meeting would be on 25th March at Stonehaugh Village Hall.
639. GRASS CUTTING. County Neighbourhood Services had quoted £130.00 + VAT for grass cutting at Great Whittington and £149.80 + VAT for seven cuts at Hallington War Memorial. The Great Whittington quote was thought to be good value, but Clerk to query the quote for Hallington, considering it was for a much smaller area. County had also offered to provide hanging baskets, but at a charge of £24 per basket instead of the free supply which Tynedale had provided.
Cllr Tiffin joined at this point.
640. PARISH PLAN. Alex Kerr informed members that of the 120 or so questionnaires distributed, 51 had been returned, which he thought was a good response. He had spoken to Community Action Northumberland who had asked about activity so far with the Plan and they were happy with progress. Alex was about half way through analysing the responses, and outlined some of the main answers. Most respondees were in the 50 - 55 age group and had lived in the Parish for more than 15 years. Several areas of concern were raised: (eg) bus parking on the Green; more recycling bins and in other sites (Bingfield) as well as the Village Hall; more frequent collection to prevent overflowing bins; action to prevent dog fouling; community energy schemes etc. In many categories the numbers for and against were fairly evenly divided, but there was a general consensus that yellow lines for parking restrictions were not wanted, nor street lights. There was a demand for more public transport which could attract passengers if it were more convenient.
In order to initiate some action, Clerk to ask County if the bottle banks could be emptied more frequently, and if one could be provided at Bingfield - although finding an acceptable site may be difficult. Clerk also to get quotes for supply of a dog bin and for emptying it.
Alex Kerr would provide an electronic copy of the Plan questionnaire to go on the website. It was agreed that the Parish Plan and possibly a Village Hall presentation should be the main items at the forthcoming Annual Parish Meeting.
Chairman thanked Alex for his hard work so far.
641. RISK ASSESSMENT. It was a mandatory requirement that a Risk Assessment of Council’s business be reviewed annually. Clerk went through the current Assessment which it was agreed needed little change. The only point highlighted was the Fidelity Guarantee cover which could be raised due to the higher bank balance resulting from the C.A.N. Parish Plan grant. However it was agreed that potential fraud by the Clerk did not justify raising the insurance cover by £1000, so it should be left at £5000.
642. INSURANCE COVER. Council’s cover would be due for renewal on 1st June and the renewal notice was expected this month. Clerk listed the current cover which was considered adequate. It was noted that personal accident cover for Councillors and Clerk travelling to and from meetings and on Council business was restricted to those aged 75 and under, unless a supplementary premium were paid. This would affect the Clerk and possibly a Councillor. If a revision of cover were required after the renewal notice was received it could be done at the next meeting.
643. INTERNAL AUDIT. It was also mandatory that the effectiveness of the Internal Audit be reviewed each year. It was considered that the service provided on a voluntary basis by Mr Hughes was very satisfactory. Clerk pointed out that all relevant invoices, statements, accounts book etc were available for inspection at every meeting, and suggested that a non-signatory Councillor carry out random checks occasionally.
644. OPEN SPACES STUDY. County Council was carrying out an audit of playing fields, play areas, open spaces etc as part of the Local Development Framework and was consulting on anything owned or managed by Council. Clerk to complete the “tick-box” form.
Page 3 of Minutes of 22 March 2010.
645. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. It was noted that Highways had been active in filling in a lot of pot-holes, which was appreciated. Cllr Tiffin reported a problem at the bridge on the Gt Whittington/Ryal road, where an unofficial gate had been inserted and only one drain pipe provided where there should be two so that surface water could not get away. Clerk to ask Highways to investigate.
Cllr Kerr had received several complaints about thorns left on the highway when hedges had been cut, resulting in many punctures. It was the responsibility of the occupier of the land to clear thorns off the road, as it was to clear mud and other droppings. Cllr Kerr had also had complaints about noise from motor cycle activity in the Bingfield area, but County Cllr Heslop already had that in hand.
646. NEXT MEETING was arranged for Tuesday 18 May 2010 at 1900hrs in Gt Whittington Village Hall. This would be the Annual Parish Meeting followed by the Annual Meeting of Council.
Meeting closed 2040hrs.
KD: 26:03:10
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN
Cllr S M Fitton
The Granary, Town Farm
Great Whittington
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE19 2HA
01434.672100
www.whittingtonpc.org.uk
CLERK
Mr K W Dodd
19, St Wilfrid's Road
HEXHAM
Northumberland
NE46 2EA
01434.605786
e-mail: ken.dodd99@ic24.net
NOTICE OF MEETING
A meeting of Council will be held on Monday 22 March 2010 in Great Whittington Village Hall at 1900 hrs. Councillors are reminded of the need to declare a Personal or Prejudicial Interest before any item in which they may have an interest.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence.
2. To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 January 2010.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes, not already on the Agenda.
4. Planning matters:
4.1. Decisions:
20090419: Shellbraes (amendment to 20061380). Changes to plans for an agricultural building. Permitted by Development Control Coimmittee.
20090831: Land North of East Farm. Construction of agricultural building (Agricultural Determination). Permitted under delegated powers.
4.2. Aspen Ridge: Report on state of the site and enforcement process.
5. Expenditure authorisation:
County Council - grass cutting 2009
£314.91 inc VAT
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary Jan/March 2010 incl
£245.00
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses Jan/March 2010
£19.46 incl VAT
Grant payments as approved.
Income:
Bank interest
Dec09/Jan10
£1.03
6. Grant applications for 2009/10:
Community Action Northumberland
Vitalise (breaks for people & carers)
Age Concern Northumberland
Citizens Advice Bureau, West Northumberland
Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Tynedale Sports Council
Matfen & Ryal Churches
Bingfield Church
Great North Air Ambulance
NSPCC
Campaign to Protect Rural England (subscription renewal).
7. County Councillor's report.
8. Mid Tyne Community Trust/Forum report.
9. To receive a quote from NCC for grass cutting in year 2010.
10. The Parish Plan.
11. The Parish Council website.
12. To review Council's Risk Assessment.
13. To review Council's insurance cover.
14. To review the effectiveness of the Internal Audit.
15. NCC Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study..
16. Highway matters and Reports from Councillors.
17. Correspondence not otherwise on the Agenda.
18. Date and venue of next meeting.
19. Other business admitted by Chairman as urgent.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN
Cllr S M Fitton
The Granary, Town Farm
Great Whittington
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE19 2HA
01434.672100
www.whittingtonpc.org.uk
CLERK
Mr K W Dodd
19, St Wilfrid's Road
HEXHAM
Northumberland
NE46 2EA
01434.605786
e-mail: ken.dodd99@ic24.net
NOTICE OF MEETING
A meeting of Council will be held on Monday 11 January 2010 in Great Whittington Village Hall at 1900 hrs. Councillors are reminded of the need to declare a Personal or Prejudicial Interest before any item in which they may have an interest.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence.
2. To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 November 2009.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes, not already on the Agenda.
4. Planning matters:
4.1. Decisions: None notified.
4.2 Application:
20090419: Shellbraes (amendment to 20061380). Hearing by Committee on 14 January.
4.3 Aspen Ridge: Report on state of the site and enforcement process.
5. Expenditure authorisation:
Northern Tree Surgery (Confirmation of payment made) £598.00 inc VAT
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary Oct/Dec 09 incl £245.00
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses Nov 09/Jan 2010 £19.04 incl VAT
Income:
Bank interest Oct/Nov 09 £1.11
6. Grant applications for 2009/10:
Community Action Northumberland
Vitalise (breaks for people & carers)
Age Concern Northumberland
Citizens Advice Bureau, West Northumberland
Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Tynedale Sports Council
7. To set a budget and Precept for 2010/11
8. Road safety and winter treatment - Bingfield and Hallington.
9. The Northumberland Unitary Authority - update and County Councillor's report.
10. The former Tynedale Housing Developer Funds for outdoor sport and play.
11. The Parish Plan.
Page 2 of Agenda for11 January 2010
12. The Parish Council website.
13. The Hexham Courant "Tynedale Visitor 2010".
14. Mid Tyne Community Trust/Forum report.
15. Highway matters and Reports from Councillors.
16. Correspondence not otherwise on the Agenda.
17. Date and venue of next meeting.
18. Other business admitted by Chairman as urgent.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of a meeting of Council held on 2 November 2009 at 1930hrs in Great Whittington Village Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor S M Fitton Chairman
Councillor W J Angus
Councillor J M Kerr
Councillor PH Martin
Councillor E J Tiffin
Also present: County Cllr E Heslop (from 606).
Mr K W Dodd Clerk
Mr Adam Keen, NCC Recycling Officer (to 605).
An apology for absence was received from Cllr Gregory.
605. RECYCLING. Mr Adam Keen, Recycling Officer for the County West Area, gave a presentation on Waste Management and Recycling. He had been Waste Management Officer for Tynedale Council but was now responsible for all aspects of waste management and recycling in the West Northumberland Area, including dealing with bin collections and associated problems. Landfill Tax was now £40 per tonne and gradually increasing, so the ideal was to dispose of all waste outside of landfill. As much as possible is recycled at the West Sleekburn Facility, but he explained problems with recycling certain materials which tended to contaminate useful recyclables. Materials which cannot be recycled are taken to the transfer station at Hexham and thence to Haverton Hill, Teesside, where it is burnt to generate power, with only the waste ash going to landfill. The realistic target is to reduce landfill to 8%. Mr Keen expected to improve the recycling percentage by effecting contamination improvement through “doorstepping” and educational means. As the different District arrangements were consolidated, there would be some collection route restructuring but service to residents should not be affected. After answering several questions, Mr Keen left at 2030hrs.
606. MINUTES of the previous meeting held on 1 September 2009 having been circulated were taken as read and confirmed as a true record.
607. MATTERS ARISING. Minute 587. It was noted that the grass had not been cut at the Military Road junction, also cutting in Great Whittington village had been left too late and had been done very badly. Cllr Angus to draft a letter of complaint to be sent to County.
608. PLANNING MATTERS.
Decisions: .
20090440LBC: Woodbine House, Gt Whittington. Listed Building Consent. Demolition and rebuild of west end gable wall. Consented by Development Control Committee.
20090518: Watson, Pheasant Rise, Bingfield. Construction of garden room and installation of new windows on first floor west elevation. Refused by Development Control Committee. Cllr Tiffin pointed out that the refusal had been based on the 33% limit of expansion, but this limit had been ignored for a development at Gunnerton, so an appeal was possible. Cllr Heslop reminded Council that any comments on planning must have regard to the Tynedale LDF which was still the effective planning document.
20090628 & 0629LBC: Hallington Hall. Replacement conservatory, new bedroom extension, internal alterations, Garage & summerhouse in grounds. Permitted and consented under delegated powers.
Applications:
09/00138/CCM: Kirkheaton Wind Farm. Variation of condition 9 of permission 97/D/551 to permit the retention of non-operational turbines for a further 12 month period. No objections but for no longer than 12 months.
Cllr Fitton declared a personal interest in the following two applications as he knew the applicant and took no part in the discussion. Cllrs Angus, Tiffin and at least one other to look into the applications and make a recommendation on behalf of Council by 16 November.
Page 2 of Minutes of 2 November 2009.
608.cont.
20090755: Abraham, Shellbraes. Construction of porch to the front and detached store to the east. Conversion of attached outbuildings to living accommodation, including two bedrooms, office, study, utility, outhouse and store. Construction of garden room extension.
20091419: Shellbraes. Amendment to application 20061380. Construction of agricultural building to include raising the ridgeline by 350mm; changes to windows and doors; insertion of rooflights and roof finish to be in second hand slate.
Cllr Kerr raised the matter of the planning approval at Eastside House, Bingfield, where three entrances had been specified, but work had not been completed. County Cllr Heslop would look into this.
609. EXPENDITURE AUTHORISATION:
BDO Stoy Hayward LLP- Audit 2008/09 fee £57.50 inc VAT
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal - wreath £30.00
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary July/Sept 09 incl £245.00
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses September/November 09 £18.56 incl VAT
Income:
Bank interest August/September 09 £1.06
County Council - balance of 50% Precept for 09/10 £1175.00
610. BANK SIGNATORIES. It was resolved that ex-Councillors Jones and Patterson be deleted from the signatory mandate, and that Cllr Simon Fitton be authorised as a new signatory on the Bank of Scotland Treasurers Account.
611. AUDIT 2008/09. The external audit report for Year 2008/09 had been received. An unqualified opinion had been given, with no matters to be brought to Council’s attention. The report was approved and the statutory Completion of Audit notice was displayed on the notice board.
612. TREES ON THE GREEN. Following a complaint by a resident, three quotes had been obtained and after scrutiny by Cllr Angus an order had been placed and the work done satisfactorily. On a related matter, Cllr Kerr reported that a Leylandii hedge opposite New Bingfield House was excessively high. It was not known whose ownership the trees were in, so until this was identified no action could be taken.
613. THE PARISH PLAN. Preparatory work on this was going ahead. A steering Group meeting was to be held in the Village Hall on 12 November, with a public sonsultation on 8 December between 4.00pm and 8.00pm.
614. MID TYNE COMMUNITY FORUM/TRUST. Cllr Heslop had been disappointed at the poor attendance at the Trust meeting on 30 September, but the Business Forum meeting on 1 October had been well attended and successful. He emphasised that the Community Forum (previously “Belonging Community”) would be a new start and not just the Mid Tyne Trust under another name as it would include other organisations as well as Parish Councils. However, for it to succeed, there must be a positive response from Parishes.
Cllr Heslop had objected to the proposal to move Whittington Parish out of the Humshaugh Division into Ponteland West to even out elector numbers, and that move had not yet been confirmed. He asked about the library service and was told that it had deteriorated now that Gt Whittington and Bingfield were being served by the Morpeth mobile library, which had a poor selection of books.
615. JOINT COUNTY/TOWN/PARISHES MEETING. A joint meeting for all West Area Town/Parish Councils had been held on 27 October, at which Cllr Angus had attended. The main speakers had been Richard Robson, previously Tynedale Chief Executive, now County Executive Director of Place and Cllr Styring, responsible for Finance. Mr Robson explained the new organisation and functions of the unitary authority at length, and Cllr Styring said that savings of £27 to £32 million would be required in the 2010/11 budget. Comment was made from the floor that publication of the Northumberland News each month was not necessary, and a quarterly magazine would be quite sufficient.
Page 3 of Minutes of 2 November 2009.
615 cont.
Cllr Heslop thought that lumping Town and Parish Councils together was not satisfactory as Town Councils were on a much bigger scale, employed more staff and had significantly higher precepts. If Parishes wished to take on more responsibilites, they could talk to County which may devolve powers and budget to go with them.
616. PARISH WEBSITE. The website was still not being updated satisfactorily. Cllr Fitton would discuss this with Cllr Gregory to see what improvements could be made.
617. NORTHUMBERLAND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY. Meetings were to be organised by the Northumberland Strategic Partnership to gather information on the needs and aspirations of Northumberland residents, with the aim of improving their quality of life. The nearest ones would be at Morpeth on 26 November and Hexham on 1 December.
618. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Chairman reminded members to make use of the freephone number to report highway faults.
Cllr Kerr complained about thorns being left on the highway after hedges had been cut. This had resulted in punctures and tyre damage to motorists. Cllr Heslop agreed to look into the liability for clearing up after hedge cutting, which was often done by contractors rather than farmers.
Cllr Martin reported that the Hallington sign posts which had been damaged had now been taken away but not replaced. Clerk to chase up Highways to have replacements fixed.
Cllr Angus reported that once again Great Whittington had been successful in the Northumbria in Bloom competition, gaining a silver gilt award.
619. NEXT MEETING was arranged for 11 January 2010 in Gt Whittington Village Hall. This would be the Precept setting meeting.
KD: 10:11:09
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN
Cllr S M Fitton
The Granary, Town Farm
Great Whittington
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE19 2HA
01434.672100
www.whittingtonpc.org.uk
CLERK
Mr K W Dodd
19, St Wilfrid's Road
HEXHAM
Northumberland
NE46 2EA
01434.605786
e-mail: ken.dodd99@ic24.net
NOTICE OF MEETING
A meeting of Council will be held on Monday 2 November 2009 in Great Whittington Village Hall at 1930 hrs.
Councillors are reminded of the need to declare a Personal or Prejudicial Interest before any item in which they may have an interest.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence.
2. Discussion on recycling with Adam Keen, NCC Recycling Officer.
3. To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 September 2009.
4. Matters arising from the Minutes, not already on the Agenda.
5. Planning matters:
5.1. Decision: .
20090440LBC: Woodbine House, Gt Whittington. Listed Building Consent. Demolition and rebuild of west end gable wall. Consented by Development Control Committee.
20090518: Watson, Pheasant Rise, Bingfield. Construction of garden room and installation of new windows on first floor west elevation. Refused by Development Control Committee.
5.2 Application:
09/00138/CCM: Kirkheaton Wind Farm. Variation of condition 9 of permission 97/D/551 to permit the retention of non-operational turbines for a further 12 month period.
5.3. Aspen Ridge: Report on state of the site and enforcement process.
6. Expenditure authorisation:
BDO Stoy Hayward LLP- Audit 2008/09 fee £57.50 inc VAT
Royal Briish Legion Poppy Appeal - wreath £30.00?
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary July/Sept 09 incl £245.00
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses September/November 09 £18.56 incl VAT
Income:
Bank interest August/September 09 £1.06
County Council - balance of 50% Precept for 09/10 £1175.00
7 To designate new signatories on the Bank of Scotland Treasurers Account.
8. To receive and approve the external auditor's report on 08/09 accounts.
9. The Northumberland Unitary Authority - update and County Councillor's report.
10. Maintenance of trees on Gt Whittington Village Green.
11. The Parish Plan.
Page 2 of Agenda for 2 November 2009
12. The Parish Council website.
13. Report on Joint County/Parishes meeting on 27 October.
14. Mid Tyne Community Trust/Forum report.
15. The Northumberland Sustainable Community Strategy (Northumberland Strategic Partnership).
16. Highway matters and Reports from Councillors.
17. Correspondence not otherwise on the Agenda.
18. Date and venue of next meeting.
19. Other business admitted by Chairman as urgent.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
MINUTES of a meeting of Council held on 1 September 2009 at 1900hrs in Great Whittington Village Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor S M Fitton Chairman
Councillor W J Angus
Councillor S Gregory
Councillor J M Kerr
Councillor PH Martin
Councillor E J Tiffin
Also present: County Cllr E Heslop
Mr K W Dodd Clerk
586. MINUTES of the previous meeting held on 18 May 2009 having been circulated were taken as read and confirmed as a true record.
587. MATTERS ARISING. Minute 583. County had cut verges around Bingfield area but had not done a very good job. County Cllr Heslop would try to get Highways to do another cut on road safety grounds, but if unsuccessful to ring Clerk so Cottons could be asked to cut the Bingfield/Hallington verges and the Gt Whittington/Military road junction corners.
588. PLANNING MATTERS.
588.1 Applications:
County Cllr Heslop withdrew from the chamber for the following three applications as he was a member of the Area Planning Committee.
20090405: Paterson, Roman View Cottage, Cocklaw Walls, Capheaton. Construction of an outdoor equestrian arena. No objections but this was in Capheaton Parish and had been sent in error.
20090440LBC: Wood, Woodbine House, Gt Whittington. Demolition and rebuild of west and gable wall of dwelling. Application supported as the wall was unstable and widening the entrance slightly would allow more vehicles to enter Scotts yard, thereby reducing parking around the Green.
20090518: Watson, Pheasant Rise Boarding Kennels, Bingfield. Construction of garden room and installation of new windows on first floor elevation. No objections. Planners had indicated that the support of the Parish Council should be sought. Cllr Fitton would speak on this if contacted.
Cllr Heslop returned to the chamber.
Amendment to application 20061380:Abraham, Shellbraes. Previous approval was for construction of an agricultural building. Now application is to amend the previous approval to:
Construction of two new build holiday lets including increase in height; insertion of additional windows; alterations to roof with installation of solar panels; water tabling; slate roof and two flues; construction of entrance porch. Objection entered but Cllr Heslop informed members that the application had been withdrawn.
20090628LBC and 20090629. Hallington Hall. Refurbishment of Hall to include replacement conservatory, new bedroom extension and alterations to internal layout. Garage and Summerhouse in grounds. As the reply date was not until 17 September, the substantial plans were taken by Cllr Kerr to discuss with Cllrs Martin and Gregory before making any comment.
588.2 Aspen Ridge. Cllr Heslop reported that the County legal department had been in touch with Mr Hindle’s solicitors with a view to proceeding through them because of the difficulty of corresponding with the owner in Thailand.
589. CLERK’S SALARY. Clerk left the chamber for this item and on return was informed that his salary for 2009/10 would be increased by approximately 3% to £980pa payable quarterly.
590. EXPENDITURE AUTHORISATION:
Expenditure:
Wheaton Design Associates - webmaster charges 2008/09/10 £285.20 inc VAT
K W Dodd - Clerk’s salary April/June incl £245.00
K W Dodd - Clerk’s expenses March/September £57.43 inc VAT
Income:
Bank interest April/July £2.05
NEDL - electricity wayleave 09/10 £13.43
Page 2 of Minutes of 1 September 2009.
591. COUNCIL WEBSITE. Although the operation of the website had not been altogether satisfactory, it was agreed to continue using WDA Ltd as webmaster. Cllr Gregory was asked to contact Steve Wheaton to have the site updated (eg) remove the 2006 newsletter; have agendas and minutes provided by the Clerk posted on the site promptly, and to have links to County Council, Village Hall, MTCT etc put on the site.
592. NORTHUMBERLAND UNITARY AUTHORITY. Cllr Heslop had the draft recommendations of the Boundary Committee to hand. They had noted Whittington’s objection to being transferred to the Ponteland West Division, but as no evidence to support remaining with Humshaugh Division had been provided, they had accepted the County Council’s recommendation of a move to Ponteland West. However, the Committee was willing to accept further objections provided that evidence was provided, with a deadline of 16 November 2009.
Cllr Heslop pointed out that the Mid Tyne Development Trust still had the £15,000 from his Small Schemes budget available for grants, and he was concerned that it should be taken up. Cllr Fitton undertook to speak to the Village Hall Chairman to try to arrange an application for improving the Hall, initially by contacting Alex Kerr of MTCT.
593. CAR PARKING. A questionnaire from County “Street Scene” asked for comments on car parking arrangements in the County and was completed by the Chairman.
594. COUNTY LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN. Council was invited to submit three priorities for the Local Transport Plan 2010/11. The two entries currently on the database were for passing places on the Bingfield/A68 road and a new footpath between Gt Whittington and Matfen. In order to emphasise the priority for Bingfield passing places it was agreed to withdraw the footpath request and submit only one priority.
595. TREES ON VILLAGE GREEN. As a result of a letter from a resident, it was agreed that trees on the Green should be inspected and action taken on pruning as necessary. Cllr Angus undertook to speak to the County Tree Amenity Officer, John Alderson and a contractor Rupert Haywood to seek advice.
596. DAY CARE FOR THE ELDERLY. Cllr Fitton declared an interest in this item but did not leave the chamber in order to provide information. County Council and Northumberland NHS Trust had been consulting on a proposal to close several day care centres. Public meetings which had been publicised had been held in June, but further comments had been invited with a deadline of 20 August.. Cllr Heslop had met with several people using the service and it was generally agreed that it was a retrograde step.
597. NCC BIG TIDY UP. Details of the latest Tidy Up organised by “Keep Britain Tidy” and County Council were to be passed to Lisa Scott for the Village Hall Committee. Keep Britain Tidy would provide a Tidy Up kit, while County would be able to provide extra sacks etc and arrange for disposal of litter.
598. NORTHUMBERLAND ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS. Following the transition to unitary government and the creation of new Parishes in the South East of the County, NALC was conducting a review of its activities and had sent a questionnaire for completion. This was done by the Chairman.
599. THE PARISH PLAN. Following an initial meeting in the Queens Head, at which it was noticed that more Bingfield residents attended than from Great Whittington, it was proposed to have a further public meeting at which residents of all ages and groups could indicate their interests and needs. A steering group meeting was proposed to be held in September with a public open meeting in October. While the Parish Council would not be organising these meetings it would give whatever support was necessary and was required to be responsible for finances. A list of suggested headings was provided by Alex Kerr to be used when developing a questionnaire after expressions of interests had been gathered at the open meeting.
600. NATIONAL HIGHWAYS SURVEY. A survey from the National Highways and Transport Network had been sent by County, seeking views of service users throughout the country. This was completed by the Chairman.
Page 3 of Minutes of 1 September 2009.
601. MID TYNE TRUST. Details of meetings had been circulated (Mid Tyne Trust/Community Forum on 30 September at Wark, and a Business Forum at Newbrough on 1 October), as had “Gossip” - notes and news from Alex Kerr on Mid Tyne matters. Councillors were asked to encourage any business people they knew, whether bed and breakfasts, farmers or other businesses, to attend the meeting on 1 October to set up a network to benefit all.
602. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Chairman reminded members to make use of the freephone number to report highway faults.
Cllr Gregory queried SLOW signs at Bingfield.
Cllr Angus had received comments that the T Junction sign on B6318 approaching the Gt Whittington junction from the west was too near the junction.
Cllr Heslop took note of these and also mentioned an unauthorised sign advertising the Queens Head on B6318.
Cllr Kerr reported that the seat at Hallington War Memorial needed attention.
603. OTHER CORRESPONDENCE. A collection of leaflets was sent by County Waste Management to encourage people to recycle and compost. This stimulated a discussion on recycling generally. The leaflets were displayed in the Village Hall.
An email concerning rural sustainability had been circulated. Cllr Angus was to discuss this with Peter Atkinson MP at his surgery in Gt Whittington.
604. NEXT MEETING was arranged for 2 November 2009 in Gt Whittington Village Hall.
KD: 07:09:09
WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN
Cllr S M Fitton
The Granary, Town Farm
Great Whittington
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE19 2HA
01434.672100
www.whittingtonpc.org.uk
CLERK
Mr K W Dodd
19, St Wilfrid's Road
HEXHAM
Northumberland
NE46 2EA
01434.605786
e-mail: ken.dodd99@ic24.net
NOTICE OF MEETING
A meeting of Council will be held on TUESDAY 1 September 2009 in Great Whittington Village Hall at 1930 hrs. Councillors are reminded of the need to declare a Personal or Prejudicial Interest before any item in which they may have an interest.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence.
2. To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 May 2009.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes, not already on the Agenda.
4. Planning matters:
4.1. Decisions: None received.
4.2 Planning applications:
20090405: Paterson, Roman View Cottage, Cocklaw Walls, Capheaton. Construction of an outdoor equestrian arena.
20090440LBC: Wood, Woodbine House, Gt Whittington. Demolition and rebuild of west and gable wall of dwelling.
20090518: Watson, Pheasant Rise Boarding Kennels, Bingfield. Construction of garden room and installation of new windows on first floor elevation.
Amendment to application 20061380:Abraham, Shellbraes.
Previous approval was for construction of an agricultural building. Now application is to amend the previous approval to:
Construction of two new build holiday lets including increase in height; insertion of additional windows; alterations to roof with installation of solar panels; water tabling; slate roof and two flues; construction of entrance porch.
4.3. Aspen Ridge: Report on state of the site and enforcement process.
5. To fix the Clerk's salary for 2009/10 (deferred from last meeting).
6. Expenditure authorisation:
Wheaton Design Associates - webmaster charges May 08/April 2010 £285.20 inc VAT
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary April/June 09 incl See above.
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses March/September 09 £57.43 incl VAT
LexisNexis - Arnold Baker Local Council Administration
(If required - copy on approval) £59.05
Income:
Bank interest April/May/June/July £2.05
NEDL - Wayleaves 09/10 £13.43
7. The Northumberland Unitary Authority - update and County Councillor's report, including Boundary Committee proposals.
8. County Council Car Parking Questionnaire.
Page 2 of Agenda for 1 September 2009
9. County Council Local Transport Plan - Priorities 2010/11.
10. Maintenance of trees on Gt Whittington Village Green.
11. Northumberlald NHS Care Trust - consultation on day care for older people.
12. NCC Big Tidy Up (Keep Britain Tidy).
13. Review of Northumberland Association of Local Councils.
14. The Parish Plan.
15. The Parish Council website.
16. Invitation to join the National Highways and Transport Survey.
17. Mid Tyne Community Trust report.
18. Highway matters and Reports from Councillors.
19. Correspondence not otherwise on the Agenda.
20. Date and venue of next meeting.
21. Other business admitted by Chairman as urgent.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
MINUTES of the 2009 Annual Meeting of Council held on 18 May 2009 at 2000hrs after the Annual Parish Meeting in Great Whittington Village Hall.
Present:
Cllr S M Fitton Chairman
Councillors: J Angus, J Kerr, P Martin and J Tiffin
Also present:
County Cllr E Heslop
Mr K W Dodd Clerk
An apology for absence was received from Cllr S Gregory who was in hospital.
569. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. On the proposal of Cllr Martin, seconded by Cllr Tiffin and there being no other nomination, Cllr S M Fitton was elected Chairman of Council and signed the Acceptance of Office.
570. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN. On the proposal of Cllr Fitton, seconded by Cllr Angus and there being no other nomination, Cllr J Kerr was elected Vice-Chairman of Council.
571. MINUTES of the previous meeting held on 30 March 2009 having been circulated were taken as read and confirmed as a true record. There were no matters arising not elsewhere on the agenda.
572. PLANNING MATTERS.
Decision.
572.1 20090085: Ralph, Grindstone Law Farm Cottage. Construction of stable block including tack room and store. Permitted under delegated powers.
572.2 Aspen Ridge. Cllr Heslop stated that the Enforcement Officer was still trying to achieve action but was finding it difficult due to the owner living abroad.
572.3 Shellbraes. Cllr Heslop pointed out that construction work was going ahead according to the planning permission granted on appeal, but once complete, it was still under an agricultural occupation condition. This point may be worth monitoring.
572.4 Northumberland L.D.F. The new draft Statement of Community Involvement had been published and was out for consultation until 26 June 2009. This document described how all sections of the County community could be involved in planning policy, and listed all comments received in previous consultations.
573. EXPENDITURE AUTHORISATION.
Payments.
Allianz Insurance – premium June 09/June2010 £371.91
Northumberland Assoc of Local Councils – subscription 09/10 £79.33
Receipts.
Bank interest March £0.46
NCC – 50% of Precept for 09/10 £1175.00
Community Action N/land – Parish Plan grant £1500.00
HMRC – VAT claim 08/09 £64.62
574. ACCOUNTS 2009/10. Clerk presented Council’s accounts for the year ending 31 March 2009. These showed an increase of balances carried forward of £884 due to an unexpected grant of £900 from Tynedale Council. The accounts were adopted.
575. REVIEW OF INTERNAL AUDIT. It was agreed that the current system of internal audit was adequate. Mr Hughes did a professional job on a voluntary basis; all account books, bank statements and invoices were available for inspection at each Council meeting and could be inspected at any other time by arrangement with the Clerk.
576. ANNUAL RETURN. The Annual Statement of Accounts and Governance Statement for year ending 31 March 2009 were approved. Chairman and Clerk were authorised to sign the Statements on behalf of Council.
577. COUNTY COUNCILLOR. Cllr Heslop reported that the transition to Unitary Authority had not been entirely seamless but it had to be lived with and made to work. The much smaller number of elected Councillors meant that it was sometimes difficult to fit in all the committees. Planning was to remain fairly local, with applications being dealt with on an Area basis, although those from the former Tynedale would be considered using the Tynedale LDF while those from the former Castle Morpeth area would be looked at under the CMBC LDF. Planning Committee meetings would be held every four weeks, not monthly as previously, so there would be an extra meeting in the year.
A consultation by the Boundary Committee for England had resulted in the County Council proposing that Whittington Parish be moved from the Humshaugh Division into the Ponteland West Division to even out elector numbers. This took no account of community preferences and as the time scale had been very short an objection had been sent to the Boundary Committee on Whittington’s behalf. This was approved. Cllr Heslop pointed out that there would be another opportunity to comment later in the summer after the Boundary Committee published its draft recommendations (see Minute 562). County had now paid 50% of Parish Precepts, instead of 100% in advance as Tynedale had done, but other Districts had all paid in stages in the past. In order to standardise charges throughout the County, anyone wishing to keep a brown bin for garden waste would now have to pay £20 a year or return their bin. Mobile Library services would be reduced as the service had lost vehicles in the Morpeth floods and budget restrictions meant that several villages would now get a visit only every three weeks instead of every two weeks.
578. PARISH PLAN. Melanie Hall had described the procedures for setting up a Parish Plan in the Parish Meeting, as had Jane Hart at a previous Council meeting. Cllrs Kerr and Angus volunteered to represent Council on any steering group to be formed.
579. PARISH WEBSITE. Some feelers had been put out for an improvement in the website but it was agreed to leave further discussion until the next meeting. Clerk to place on the agenda.
580. CLERK’S SALARY. This was deferred until the next meeting. Clerk to provide some relevant information.
581. PUBLIC SECTOR EQUALITY DUTIES. This document laid down what was expected of local authorities and other public bodies in respect of treating all people equally irrespective of gender, race, faith etc. The booklet is held by the Clerk for reference.
582. MID TYNE COMMUNITY TRUST. No report from the last MTCT meeting was available. The next meeting would be on 28th May. Alex Kerr would be continuing as Chairman. Cllr Heslop pointed out that in order that MTCT remain a useful organisation, commitment from the constituent Parishes was necessary. Some members were very keen particularly on specific matters (eg) heating systems for village halls.
583. COUNCILLORS REPORTS AND HIGHWAYS. Chairman invited members to use the County free phone number to report faults rather than wait until a Council meeting. Cllr Kerr said that verges were ready to cut in the Bingfield area. As County had cut them just before Cotton Contractors arrived last year, Cllr Heslop was asked to find out when or if County intended to cut them this year. If necessary, Cottons could be asked to do so.
Cllr Kerr also asked about road safety at a Bingfield site where three entries on a bend could be dangerous. Cllr Heslop would have a look at this.
Cllr Heslop reported that a County Highways officer was coming to look at the site of an accident near the A68/Errington junction, and he would also be asked to look at the Bingfield road to see if any speed restriction measures could be put in place. Cllr Kerr asked if the sightlines at the Hallington War Memorial crossroads could also be looked at.
584. CORRESPONDENCE. Dates for County Area meetings had been published. Those for the West Area were (all Thursdays at 6.00pm): 14 April; 12 May; 9 June; 7 July; (no August meeting) 15 September; 13 October; 10 November; 8 December; 19 January; 16 February; 16 March; 13 April. Anyone could attend the meetings and ask a question either verbally at the beginning of the meeting or in writing beforehand.
585. NEXT MEETING was arranged for TUESDAY 1 September 2009 (as Monday was a Bank Holiday) in Great Whittington Village Hall. Clerk to book the hall.
KD 28:05:09
MINUTES of the 2009 Annual Parish Meeting held on 18 May 2009 at 1900hrs in Great Whittington Village Hall.
Present:
Cllr S M Fitton Chairman
Mr K W Dodd Clerk
With four other Parish Councillors; Melanie Hall (Community Action Northumberland); a Hexham Courant reporter and eleven members of the public.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr S Gregory (in hospital) and County Cllr E Heslop (at another Parish meeting).
Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming all those present.
1. MINUTES of the 2008 Annual Parish Meeting held on 12 May 2008 having been circulated were taken as read and confirmed as a true record. There were no matters arising from the minutes.
2. PARISH ACCOUNTS for year ending 31 March 2009 were presented unaudited by the Clerk for information. There were no questions on the accounts.
3. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. Cllr Fitton reported that the Parish Council had met regularly throughout the year. It was mainly a consultative body, in particular being consulted on all planning applications within the Parish. Various matters of concern had been raised with Tynedale Council and Northumberland County Council, especially on road maintenance matters. There had been action in connection with damage to the village green by buses and other heavy vehicles and this had apparently been successful.
A recent consultation by the Boundary Committee for England had resulted in the County Council recommending that Whittington Parish should be moved from Humshaugh Division to Ponteland West Division. There was little support for this and an objection had been submitted.
Chairman then introduced Melanie Hall who would talk about the proposed Parish Plan.
4. PARISH PLAN. Melanie introduced herself as assistant to Jane Hart, the Senior Development Worker for C.A.N’s West Area, based in Hexham. Grants had been available towards the cost of a Parish Plan but funding had now run out and Whittington had received the last grant. Parish Plans were not a statutory requirement but were very useful in establishing what a community saw as its needs in the future, and being a great help in satisfying those needs. At a previous Parish Council meeting, Jane Hart had explained the processes of setting up a Plan (see minutes of the March 2009 meeting) and had emphasised that although the Parish Council as a statutory body had the responsibility of financing a Plan, the Council did not need to be the organising body which should encompass all sections of the community. Melanie ran through all the points that Jane Hart had made to Council, after which Chairman opened the meeting to questions and asked for volunteers to come forward to be part of the Steering Group.
Alex Kerr, Chairman of the Mid Tyne Community Trust, said that MTCT is asking all Parishes within the Trust area to set up Plans so that they could all be co-ordinated into a Mid Tyne Community Plan. That would be able to provide evidence of need to present to suppliers of services.
Cllr Fitton said that public transport was a subject which would interest most people, and Cllr Kerr described what she had seen in another Parish.
Page 2 of 2009 Annual Parish Meeting minutes
4. cont
Melanie agreed that roads and transport were often the starting points of a Plan which then expanded to cover other areas. She felt that the Village Hall Committee ought to be involved in the Steering Group as renovation of the hall could be an important part of the Plan but it must cover Bingfield and Hallington as well as the Great Whittington area, and she realised that the northern settlements were part of Wall church parish rather than Matfen church which Great Whittington was attached to.
Melanie also emphasised that it was very important to get young people involved as the Plan was a long term project and by the time it was delivering results the young people may not be so young!
It was suggested that an initial meeting be held on Monday 1st June, possibly in the Queen’s Head at 7.00pm for not longer than an hour.
A “Parish Plan Toolkit” gave details of everything that needed to be done with many suggestions and examples. Cllr Fitton had a copy of this, and he asked anyone who was interested or had any queries to phone him – and turn up at the meeting on the 1st.
There being no further business, Chairman thanked Melanie for attending and closed the Annual Parish Meeting. All present were invited to remain to attend the meeting of the Parish Council.
Closed 1945hrs
KD 29:05:09
CLERK CHAIRMAN
Mr K W Dodd Cllr S M Fitton
19, St Wilfrid's Road The Granary, Town Farm
HEXHAM GREAT WHITTINGTON
NE46 2EA NE19 2HA
01434.605786 01434.672100
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
MONDAY 18th MAY 2009
THE 2009 ANNUAL WHITTINGTON PARISH MEETING WILL BE HELD IN GREAT WHITTINGTON VILLAGE HALL AT 1900hrs ON MONDAY 18th MAY 2009.
ALL ELECTORS OF THE PARISH ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND MAY SPEAK AND MAKE PROPOSALS ON ANY MATTER RELEVANT TO THE PARISH. RESOLUTIONS MAY BE CONSIDERED AND PASSED PROVIDING SUCH RESOLUTIONS ARE GIVEN TO THE CHAIRMAN OR THE UNDERSIGNED AT LEAST THREE DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING.
AGENDA.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
2. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 12 MAY 2008.
3. SPEAKER FROM COMMUNITY ACTION NORTHUMBERLAND ON THE PARISH PLAN.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
5. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.
6. PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNTS 2008/2009.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS MAY BE THEN BE DISCUSSED:
a. REPORTS BY ANY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
b. ANY OTHER MATTER RAISED BY AN ELECTOR.
The Chairman of the Parish Council will preside at the meeting. The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will follow this meeting.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council 05:05:2009
CLERK CHAIRMAN
Mr K W Dodd Cllr S M Fitton
19, St Wilfrid's Road The Granary, Town Farm
HEXHAM Great Whittington
Northumberland NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE46 2EA NE19 2HA
01434.605786 01434.672100
e-mail: ken.dodd99@ic24.net www.whittingtonpc.org.uk
NOTICE OF MEETING
The 2009 Annual Meeting of Council will be held on Monday 18 May 2009 in Great Whittington Village Hall at approximately 1930 hrs.after the Annual Parish Meeting Councillors are reminded of the need to declare a Personal or Prejudicial Interest before any item in which they may have an interest.
AGENDA
1. To elect the Chairman of Council.
2. Apologies for absence.
3. To elect a Vice-Chairman of Council.
4. To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 March 2009.
5. Matters arising from the Minutes, not already on the Agenda.
6. Planning matters:
6.1. Decisions:
20090085: Ralph, Grindstone Law Cottage. Construction of stable block including tack room and store. Permitted under delegated powers.
6.2. Aspen Ridge: Report on state of the site and enforcement process.
7. Expenditure authorisation:
Allianz Insurance - premium June09/June2010 £371.91
NALC subscription 09/10 £79.33
Income:
Bank interest March £0.46
County Council - 50% Precept 09/10 £1175.00
C.A.N. - Parish Plan grant £1500.00
HMRC - VAT claim 08/09 £64.62
8. The Northumberland Unitary Authority - update and County Councillor's report, including Boundary Committee proposals.
9. To receive and adopt the unaudited accounts for 2008/09, to value the fixed assets, and and to be notified that the audit date is fixed for 17 July 2009.
10. To review the effectiveness of the Internal Audit (The Accounts & Audit (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006).
11. To approve the Annual Return Statement of Accounts and the Annual Governance Statement for 08/09.
12. To consider any matters raised at the Annual Parish Meeting.
13. To fix the Clerk's salary for 2009/10.
Page 2 of Agenda for 18 May 2009
14. The Parish Plan.
15. The Parish Council website.
16. Public Sector Equality Duties.
17. Mid Tyne Community Trust report.
18. Highway matters and Reports from Councillors.
19. Correspondence not otherwise on the Agenda.
20. Date and venue of next meeting.
21. Other business admitted by Chairman as urgent.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
CLERK CHAIRMAN
Mr K W Dodd Cllr S M Fitton
19, St Wilfrid's Road The Granary, Town Farm
HEXHAM Great Whittington
Northumberland NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE46 2EA NE19 2HA
01434.605786 01434.672100
e-mail: ken.dodd99@ic24.net www.whittingtonpc.org.uk
NOTICE OF MEETING
A meeting of Council will be held on Monday 30 March 2009 in Great Whittington Village Hall at 1930 hrs. Councillors are reminded of the need to declare a Personal or Prejudicial Interest before any item in which they may have an interest.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence.
2. Discussion with Jane Hart (CAN) on a proposed Parish Plan.
3. To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 January 2009.
4. Matters arising from the Minutes, not already on the Agenda.
5. Planning matters:
5.1. Decisions:
20081125: Whittington Mill. Construction of agricultural building. Permitted under delegated powers.
20090025. Durkin, Sycamore House, Gt Whittington. See below. Permitted under delegated powers.
5.2. Applications:
20090025. Durkin, Sycamore House, Gt Whittington. Demolition of conservatory and construction of single storey extension
20090085: Ralph, Grindstone Law Farm Cottage. Construction of stable block including tack room and store.
5.3. Aspen Ridge: Report on state of the site and enforcement process.
5.4 New Northumberland Development Management
6. Expenditure authorisation:
Grants as approved, applications below:
Tynedale Citizens Advice Bureau
Tynedale Community Hospice
Tynedale Sports Council
Tyneside Samaritans
Great North Air Ambulance
Age Concern Northumberland
Matfen Parish Church
Bingfield Church (St Oswald in Lee with St Mary's Bingfield)
Community Action Northumberland
Northumberland Theatre Company
CPRE (Renewal subscription for 09/10) £29.00
Northumberland & Newcastle Society (subscription 09/10) £15.00
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary Jan/Mar 09 inc £237.50
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses January/March 09 £23.32 inc VAT
Page 2 of Agenda for 30 March 2009
6.cont.
Income:
31:12:08 Bank interest December £3.78
30:01:09 Bank interest January £1.30
27:02:09 Bank interest February £1.07
7. The Northumberland Unitary Authority - update and Electoral Review consultation.
8. To receive a quote from Tynedale for grass cutting.
9. The Parish Council website.
10. Education and Learning in Northumberland - a consultation.
11. Mid Tyne Community Trust report.
13.1 Access to services
13.2 Transport matters
13.3 Health matters
13.4 Environmental matters
13.5 Skills Training
13.6 Young Peoples services
12. Highway matters and Reports from Councillors.
13. Correspondence not otherwise on the Agenda.
14. Date and venue of next meeting (Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of Council).
15. Other business admitted by Chairman as urgent.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
MINUTES of meeting of Council held on 6 January 2009 at 1930hrs in Great Whittington Village Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor S M Fitton Chairman
Councillor W J Angus
Councillor S R Gregory
Councillor J M Kerr
Councillor PH Martin (from 544)
Councillor E J Tiffin
Also present: County/District Cllr T E Heslop
Mr K W Dodd Clerk
540. MINUTES of the previous meeting held on 20 October 2008 having been circulated were taken as read and confirmed as a true record. There were no matters arising not dealt with elsewhere on the agenda
541. PLANNING MATTERS.
541.1Applications:
20081063: Npower Renewables. Construction of wind farm development at land north east of Bavington Hill Head and land to west of Northside, Harle. This application referred to sites outside the Parish but as the proposed turbines would be visisble from some parts of Whittington Parish, it was being consulted upon. No response was considered necessary as the visual impact would be negligible, but Cllr Martin took the illustrations of visual impact for reference.
20081125: Whittington Mill. Construction of agricultural store. No objections.
541.2. Aspen Ridge. The notice served on the owner would expire in mid January, but there was so far no evidence of any clearing up of the site. Some complaints had been received from neighbours about disturbance caused by a barking dog, and these had been referred to Matt Galley, Tynedale Environmental Health Assistant.
541.3. New Northumberland LDF. The Local Development Frameworks of the existing Districts and County Council would have to be integrated into a single LDF for the new authority, which was now consulting on a new Statement of Community Involvement. Northumberland to be informed that Whittington would wish to be consulted on future planning applications as at present.
542. EXPENDITURE AUTHORISATION:
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal - wreath for War Memorial £30.00
Tynedale Council - grass cutting at Gt Whittington & Hallington £302.91 inc VAT
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary Sept/Dec 08 inc £237.50
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses October 08/January 09 £18.90 inc VAT
Income:
30:09:08 Bank Interest September £4.75
31:10:08 Bank Interest October £4.53
30:11:08 Bank Interest November £3.01
19:12:08 Beacon Council grant from Tynedale £900.00
543. BUDGET & PRECEPT FOR 2009/10. Clerk presented a current budget report after which a budget for 2009/10 was agreed as at Annex “A”. It was resolved that a Precept of £2350 be demanded from Northumberland for the financial year 2009/10. This would be paid in two tranches - in April and September and represented a 2% increase on the current year.
544. NORTHUMBERLAND UNITARY AUTHORITY. Cllr Heslop reported that staff at both County and District levels were working hard to try to make the transition to unitary government a success, although many of them did not know whether they would still have a job in April. The proposed budget for 2009/10 was under consultation but the outlook was rather gloomy. Following comments about Councillors’ allowances, he pointed out that there would be savings as his own allowance as the new County Councillor would replace the current ones for one County Councillor and four District Councillors.
Cllr Martin joined at this point at 2020hrs.
Page 2 of Minutes of 6 January 2009
545. PARISH PLAN. No further action. To remain on the agenda.
546. GRANT APPLICATIONS from Tynedale CAB, Tynedale Community Hospice, Tynedale Sports Council, Tyneside Samaritans, Great North Air Ambulance and Age Concern Northumberland were deferred until the next meeting.
547. WEBSITE. It was pointed out that the Council website was not being kept up to date, and this reflected badly on the Parish Council. Cllr Angus mentioned that Stamfordham PC had a regularly updated site, although it cost £100 a year to have it maintained. After some discussion it was agreed that Cllr Gregory would speak to Steve Wheaton to see if the service could be improved.
548. RISK ASSESSMENT & INSURANCE COVER. The Risk Assessment of Council’s business which had been agreed in March 2008 was reviewed. As the precept due in April would be only about £1150, it was agreed that the Fidelity Guarantee of £5000 covered by insurance was adequate, and other current insurance cover was satisfactory.
549. GLASS RECYCLING. Tynedale had been in touch with the Village Hall Committee and it had been agreed that a recycling facility, which would be in the form of wheelie bins in a covered unit, could be sited in the village hall car park. This would take place in the near future.
550. PUBLICATIONS SCHEME. Council was required to adopt the Information Commissioner’s Model Publications Scheme and to maintain a schedule of information available. It was agreed to adopt the Model Scheme unchanged. Clerk was authorised to draw up a scheme indicating what information was available and where it could be found. It was also agreed that a charge of 10p per sheet of information requested be made, plus a charge of £10 per hour for any extra time involved after the first thirty minutes. The Commissioner advised that as much information as possible be available on a Council’s website.
551. MID TYNE TRUST. Cllr Gregory did not have any minutes from the last meeting. The next meeting was arranged for 22 January. Clerk would circulate details via email when received from the Trust.
552. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS & HIGHWAY MATTERS.
Cllr Heslop had received a complaint from a Bingfield resident about the state of the local roads. Cllrs Kerr and Gregory confirmed that the Bingfield area roads were in a very bad state, mainly because they were so narrow and there were quite inadequate passing places. Cllr Heslop was very aware of the situation and proposed a site meeting of himself and Cllrs Kerr and Gregory, with Colin Charlton, the County Highways Maintenance Manager. Cllr Angus reported again that the Great Whittington to Roses Bower road had a lot of water running down it and several big pot holes. Cllr Heslop took a note of this for action.
553. REGISTER OF ELECTORS 2009. The new Register had now been published. A copy of the edited version was displayed in the Village Hall, while the full version was held by the Clerk.
554. CONSULTATIONS. Consultation documents were received from Northumberland Council on (a) Licensing Policy and (b) Gambling Act Statement of Principles. Also from DCLG on (a) Codes of Conduct for Local Authority Members and employees and (b) Code of Recommended Practice on local authority publicity. No comment was proposed, but the documents are held by Clerk for reference if required.
555. OTHER CORRESPONDENCE.
A. Tynedale update on the dog warden service. Three wardens are in post and willing to attend a Council meeting if a dog fouling problem is identified.
B. Hexham Courant again offered space in the Tynedale Visitor for around 200 words about the Parish, to be submitted by 6 February to Myles Hodnett <myles.hodnett@hexham-courant.co.uk>
C. Anti-litter Tool Kit from the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Held by Clerk.
556. NEXT MEETING was arranged for Monday 30 March 2009 in Great Whittington Village Hall at 1930hrs.
Meeting closed 2040hrs. KD: 18:01:09.
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
CLERK CHAIRMAN
Mr K W Dodd Cllr S M Fitton
19, St Wilfrid's Road The Granary, Town Farm
HEXHAM Great Whittington
Northumberland NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE46 2EA NE19 2HA
01434.605786 01434.672100
e-mail: ken.dodd99@ic24.net www.whittingtonpc.org.uk
NOTICE OF MEETING
A meeting of Council will be held on Monday 28 July 2008 in GREAT WHITTINGTON VILLAGE HALL at 1930 hrs. Councillors are reminded of the need to declare a Personal or Prejudicial Interest before any item in which they may have an interest.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence. Cllr J Kerr.
2. To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 May 2008.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes, not already on the Agenda.
4. To elect a Vice-Chairman of Council. Cllr Kerr is willing to stand if proposed.
5. Planning matters:
5.1. Decisions:
20080145: Halton East Farm, Halton Shields. Construction of detached garage and infill paved area with formation of new steps. Permitted under delegated powers.
5.2. Applications:
20080607: Stable House, Gt Whittington. Construction of single storey extension to lobby.
20080612: Durkin, Sycamore House, Gt Whittington. Conversion of outbuilding into domestic annexe and garage.
5.3. Aspen Ridge: Report on state of the site.
5.4. Kirkharle Wind Farm Proposal.
5.5. SHLAA. Strategic Housing Land Availablity Assessment.
5.6. Tynedale L.D.F. Core Strategy Proposals Maps.
6. To fix the Clerk's salary for 2008/09
7. Expenditure authorisation:
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary April/June inc See Item 6 above.
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses April/July £51.84
Tynedale Council for Selefest 2008 £100.00
Income:
30:04:08 Bank Interest April £6.01
16:05:08 HMR&C - VAT claim for 07/08 £267.86
30:05:08 Northern Electric - wayleaves £13.19
30:05:08 Bank Interest May £5.16
30:06:08 Bank Interest June £5.03
8. To approve the internally audited accounts for 2007/08; to approve the Annual Return, Statement of Accounts and Annual Governance Statement.
9. The Northumberland Unitary Authority - update.
10. To consider setting up a Parish Plan.
Page 2 of Agenda for 28 July 2008
11. To consider a request from the Village Hall Committee for environmental support.
12. Local Transport Plan - Integrated Transport Programme 2009/10
13. Mid Tyne Community Trust report.
Extraordinary Meeting - 31 July 2008, 7.30pm, Wark Town Hall.
13.1 Access to services: Proposed Post Office Closures
13.2 Transport matters
13.3 Health matters
13.4 Environmental matters
13.5 Skills Training
13.6 Young Peoples services
14. Highway matters and Reports from Councillors.
15. Correspondence not otherwise on the Agenda.
16. Date and venue of next meeting.
17. Other business admitted by Chairman as urgent.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
CLERK CHAIRMAN
Mr K W Dodd Cllr S M Fitton
19, St Wilfrid's Road The Orchard, Town Farm
HEXHAM GREAT WHITTINGTON
NE46 2EA NE19 2HA
01434.605786 01434.672100
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
MONDAY 12th MAY 2008
THE 2008 ANNUAL WHITTINGTON PARISH MEETING WILL BE HELD IN GREAT WHITTINGTON VILLAGE HALL AT 1900hrs ON MONDAY 12th MAY 2008.
ALL ELECTORS OF THE PARISH ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND MAY SPEAK AND MAKE PROPOSALS ON ANY MATTER RELEVANT TO THE PARISH. RESOLUTIONS MAY BE CONSIDERED AND PASSED PROVIDING SUCH RESOLUTIONS ARE GIVEN TO THE CHAIRMAN OR THE UNDERSIGNED AT LEAST THREE DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING.
AGENDA.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
2. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 21 MAY 2007.
3. SPEAKER FROM COUNTY COUNCIL ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
5. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.
6. PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNTS 2007/2008.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS MAY BE THEN BE DISCUSSED:
a. REPORTS BY ANY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
b. ANY OTHER MATTER RAISED BY AN ELECTOR.
The Chairman of the Parish Council will preside at the meeting.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council 01:05:08
WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL - January Agenda
CLERK CHAIRMAN
Mr K W Dodd Cllr S M Fitton
19, St Wilfrid's Road The Granary, Town Farm
HEXHAM Great Whittington
Northumberland NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE46 2EA NE19 2HA
01434.605786 01434.672100
e-mail: ken.dodd99@ic24.net www.whittingtonpc.org.uk
NOTICE OF MEETING
A meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 21 January 2008 in Great Whittington Village Hall at 1930 hrs. Councillors are reminded of the need to declare a Personal or Prejudicial Interest before any item in which they may have an interest.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence.
2. To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 November 2007.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes, not already on the Agenda.
4. Planning matters:
4.1. Decisions:
20071026: OUTLINE. Oliver, Land to south of East Farm, Gt Whittington. Construction of an agricultural workers dwelling. Refused under delegated powers.
20071114: Quarry House, Gt Whittington. Construction of conservatory. Permitted under delegated powers.
2007156: Dodd, Land west of Rose Hill, Gt Whittington. Residential development with associated landscaping & infrastructure. Refused by Development Control Committee.
4.2. Applications:
20071285: Stable House, Gt Whittington. Construction of single storey extension to lobby.
20071294: North View Lodge, Bingfield. Construction of detached garage and conversion of existing garage to bedroom.
20080002: Sycamore House, Gt Whittington. Conversion of outbuilding into domestic annexe and garage.
4.3 Withdrawal:
20071097: The Hytte, Bingfield. Installation of 6kw domestic wind turbine..
4.4 Aspen Ridge: Report on state of the site.
4.5. Shellbraes: Appeal information.
4.6. To receive the adopted Tynedale District Core Strategy.
5. Expenditure authorisation:
Matfen & Ryal Church £120.00
Bingfield Church £120.00
Mid Tyne Development Trust £100.00
Tynedale Sports Council £100.00
Great North Air Ambulance £100.00
Tynedale Selefest £100.00
Campaign for the Protection of Rural England £30.00
Gt Whittington Village Hall £80.00
Community Action Northumberland £25.00
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary Oct/Dec 07 incl £228.75
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses Nov 07/Jan 08 £22.64 inc VAT
Page 2 of Agenda for 21 January 2008
5.cont
Income:
31:10:07 Bank interest £10.03
30:11:07 Bank interest £8.65
Note: Election expenses for the 2007 election have been notified as £271.50, to be paid in four yearly instalments starting with £67.50 to be deducted from the 2008/09 Precept payment.
6. To agree a budget and set a Precept for 2008/09.
7. To review Council's Standing Orders and Financial Regulations..
8. Proposed siting of bottle bank.
9. The Unitary Authority - Belonging Communities boundaries.
10. Northumberland Uplands - New Leader submission by National Park Authority.
11. Mid Tyne Community Trust report. Mr Coon.
11.1 Access to services
11.2 Transport matters
11.3 Health matters: The new GP contracts.
11.4 Environmental matters
11.5 Skills Training
11.6 Young Peoples services
12. Register of Electors 2008.
13. Highway matters and Reports from Councillors.
14. Grant application: Age Concern Northumberland.
15. Correspondence not otherwise on the Agenda.
16. Date and venue of next meeting.
17. Other business admitted by Chairman as urgent.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10
MINUTES of a meeting of Council held on 12 November 2007 at 1930hrs in Great Whittington Village Hall.
Present: Councillor S M Fitton Chairman
Councillor W J Angus
Councillor S R Gregory
Councillor J M Kerr
Councillor P H Martin
Councillor E J Tiffin
Also present: County Cllr A Kerr
District Cllr T E Heslop
Mr K W Dodd Clerk
452. MINUTES of the previous meeting held on 13 August 2007 having been circulated were taken as read and confirmed as a true record.
453. MATTERS ARISING.
Minute 442. County had notified receipt in the Local Transport Plan 2008-09 of the request for passing places. Cllr Heslop noted that the request had been approved by Tynedale, but it would be prioritised for funding by County along with all other requests.
Minute 458. Cllr J Kerr reported that after consultation with other Councillors, a notice board for Bingfield had been ordered, but delivery would depend on when the manufacturer’s transport was in this area. Cost would be between £400 and £500 depending on the carriage charge.
454. PLANNING MATTERS.
454.1 Decisions:
20070746: Pearson, West Bingfield House. Change of use & conversion of outbuilding to holiday let. Permitted under delegated powers.
454.2. Applications:
20071026: Oliver, East Farm. OUTLINE application for construction of an agricultural worker's dwelling on land south of East Farm, Gt Whittington. Objected.
20071097: Gregory, The Hytte, Bingfield. Installation of 6kw domestic wind turbine. No objection in principle but some concern over the height of the turbine.
20071114: Stone, Quarry House, Gt Whittington. Construction of conservatory. No objection.
20071156: Dodd & Sons, Land west of Rose Hill, Gt Whittington. OUTLINE ONLY. Change of use from agricultural to residential with associated landscaping & infrastructure. Objected but it was understood that because of an improper procedure, the response deadline had been extended.
454.3. Aspen Ridge. An Enforcement Officer had visited the site and talked to neighbours. This was now an active enforcement issue.
454.4. Shellbraes. The date of the Appeal hearing should be known within the next ten days, with the decision about five weeks after the hearing.
455. EXPENDITURE AUTHORISATION.
Expenditure:
BDO Stoy Hayward - audit fee for 2006/07 audit £58.75 inc VAT
Royal British Legion - wreath for War Memorial £30.00
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary July/Sept 07 incl £228.75
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses August/November £23.45 inc VAT
Income:
31:07:07 Bank interest £10.15
31:08:07 Bank interest £9.63
28:09:07 Bank interest £8.50
456. AUDIT 2006/07. The External Audit Report had now been received, with no points of concern. It was agreed to receive and approve the Report, with the Notice of Completion of Audit being displayed on the notice board and a copy of the Annual Return on display in the Village Hall.
457. BUDGET 2008/09. Tynedale had notified the deadline for setting a Precept for 2008/09 as 23 January 2008. It was agreed to approve a budget and set a Precept at the next meeting to be held before the deadline. Councillors were asked to notify the Chairman of any particular items they considered should be included.
458. PROPOSED BOTTLE BANK. As part of the recycling drive, Tynedale invited suggestions for a bottle bank to be sited in the Parish, offering either a large bin or a skip. It was agreed that the most appropriate site would be the Village Hall car-park, with a bin, but Cllr Fitton would consult with the Village Hall Committee and neighbouring residents before replying to Tynedale.
459. MID TYNE TRUST. Cty Cllr Kerr reminded Council that the AGMof the Mid Tyne Trust would be held on Thursday 22 November, when Jill Dixon, Deputy Chief Executive of the County Council and responsible for transitional arrangements for the new Unitary Authority would be speaking, with emphasis on “Belonging Communities”. It was strongly recommended that the Parish representative on MTCT should be an elected Councillor. The way ahead may be for groups of Parish Councils to get together to form Forums - these could consist of all elected members, or representatives from Councils. Representatives from the voluntary sector and other bodies would also be likely to be part of a Forum. It was agreed that Cllrs Fitton and Gregory should attend this AGM if possible, with Cllrs Martin and Angus attending a meeting arranged by Tynedale on 26 November.
460. NORTHUMBERLAND UPLANDS “LEADER”. The Northumberland National Park had been successful with a bid for a New Leader Partnership. This should lead to financing and co-operation for businesses and communities in the most rural parts of Northumberland. It was intended to involve Parish Councils in future development of the Partnership.
461. TYNEDALE’S COMPREHENSIVE EQUALITY SCHEME. This first comprehensive Scheme was now available for viewing on the Tynedale website via “Quick Links”. Details from the 2001 Census for the Ward were now available, giving information on gender, age, ethnicity, religion, employment, health and disability. Further information is available from Kevin Wilkinson, Head of Personnel and Training Services at Tynedale. Cllr Heslop mentioned that Tynedale Council was now operating under a “Cabinet” system of governance.
462. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS & HIGHWAY MATTERS.
Cllr Gregory had asked the Highways Inspector about passing places on the Bingfield road, but had been told there was nothing left in the budget for this year. He had received bus timetable information from County.
Cllr J Kerr asked if there was any information on the static caravans at Bingfield Farm which were apparently being used for residential purposes. Cllr Heslop said that Enforcement Officers had told him that there was no action to be taken when last they had visited, but he would have another word with them.
Cllr Angus commented on the Silver Award won by Great Whittington in the Northumbria in Bloom competition, and requested that Council authorise the payment of £10 for next year’s entry. This was agreed. Mrs Tuck had now taken over responsibility for co-ordination of the village entry.
Cllr Tiffin regretted the closure of Stamfordham and Matfen part-time post offices. Officially, the closure was temporary, but there appeared no immediate prospect of re-opening. She also mentioned a highway problem near Halton Red House, which Cllr A Kerr noted for attention.
463. GRANT APPLICATIONS. Councillors had been asked to consider preferred grants and donations within this year’s budget of £1000. After discussion, the following were approved:
Matfen & Ryal Church £120
Bingfield Church £120
Mid Tyne Development Trust £100
Tynedale Sports Council £100
Great North Air Ambulance £100
Tynedale Selefest £100
Campaign for the Preservation of Rural England £30
Gt Whittington Village Hall £80
Community Action Northumberland £25
Royal British Legion Wreath £30
464. NEXT MEETING was arranged for Monday 21 January 2008 in Great Whittington Village Hall.
465. OTHER MATTERS.
A. A request had been received from a resident to have a Village Green tree pruned as it had grown around her telephone line and was causing disruption to her phone service. Chairman had authorised Clerk to attend. Mr Harding of Corbridge who had done tree work for Council before had been asked to deal with the problem but had not yet done so.
B. County Fire & Rescue Risk Management Plan (draft) for 2008-10 was now available for viewing on <www.northumberland.gov.uk> and the Fire and Rescue Service was seeking comments on the Plan before 12 February 2008. Further information from <fwhyte@northumberland.gov.uk>
C. Corbridge Parish Council had set up a working group to improve Access and Public Rights of Way within that Parish. As several rights of way extended through this Parish, Council would be consulted if they were to be affected.
D. County Council was to hold a budget consultation meeting on Monday 26 November at 7.00pm in the Beaumont Hotel, Hexham. Representatives from the Rural West “Characteristic Community” Towns/Parishes are invited to attend.
Meeting closed 2055hrs.
KD: 18:11:07
NOTICE OF MEETING
A meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 12 November 2007 in Great Whittington Village Hall at 1930hrs.
Councillors are reminded of the need to declare a Personal or Prejudicial Interest before any item in which they may have an interest.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence.
2. To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 August 2007.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes, not already on the Agenda.
4. Planning matters:
4.1. Decisions:
20070746: Pearson, West Bingfield House. Change of use & conversion of outbuilding to holiday let.
Permitted under delegated powers.
4.2. Applications:
20071026: Oliver, East Farm. OUTLINE application for construction of an agricultural worker's dwelling on land south of East Farm, Gt Whittington.
20071097: Gregory, The Hytte, Bingfield. Installation of 6kw domestic wind turbine.
20071114 : Stone, Quarry House, Gt Whittington. Construction of conservatory.
20071156 : Dodd & Sons, Land west of Rose Hill, Gt Whittington. OUTLINE ONLY. Change of use from agricultural to residential with associated landscaping & infrastructure.
4.3 Aspen Ridge: Report on state of the site.
4.4. Shellbraes: Enforcement action.
5. Expenditure authorisation:
BDO Stoy Hayward - audit fee for 2006/07 audit £58.75 inc VAT
Royal British Legion - wreath for War Memorial £30.00?
K W Dodd - Clerk's salary July/Sept 07 incl £228.75
K W Dodd - Clerk's expenses August/November £23.45 inc VAT
Income:
31:07:07 Bank interest £10.15
31:08:07 Bank interest £9.63
28:09:07 Bank interest £8.50
6. To receive and if thought fit to approve the 2006/07 external audit report.
7. To agree a budget and set a Precept for 2008/09.
8. Proposed siting of bottle bank.
9. Belonging Communities - a final consultation.
10. Northumberland Uplands - New Leader submission by National Park Authority.
11. Mid Tyne Community Trust report. Mr Coon.
11.1 Access to services
11.2 Transport matters
11.3 Health matters
11.4 Environmental matters
11.5 Skills Training
11.6 Young Peoples services
12. Tynedale Council's Comprehensive Equality Scheme.
13. Highway matters and Reports from Councillors.
14. Grant applications: (deferred from last meeting).
15. Correspondence not otherwise on the Agenda.
16. Date and venue of next meeting.
17. Other business admitted by Chairman as urgent.
K W Dodd
Clerk to Council
Potholes and other highway faults - ring freephone 0808 100 8 9 10 |
