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Minutes of the Parish Council meeting and AGM held on 14th May 2007 in the
Supper room of the Parish Hall at 7.45pm
Present: Councillors Horton, Cairns, Dunhill and Heslop. Also present were
County Councillor Thompson; and 7 members of the public.
1. Apologies were received from Cllr Latham, Cllr Howey, Cllr Thompson for
the main part of the meeting and from Peter Nitsch.
2. Cooption/Standing Orders: Peter Nitsch had agreed to be coopted back
onto the Council and this was agreed by members. The use of Standing Orders was
formally re-adopted, including a new policy on Complaints which had been circulated
to members earlier.
3. Election of Officers:
a) Chairman: Bob Horton was proposed by Cllr Dunhill and seconded by Cllr Cairns.
All members agreed and Cllr Horton formally took the Chair.
b) Planning: the subcommittee was agreed to be Cllrs Horton, Dunhill and Howey.
c) Playpark: Cllr Howey had agreed to continue with this pro tem and it was agreed
to ask Cllr Nitsch if he would alternate with her when necessary.
d) VHT: Cllrs Cairns and Heslop agreed to sit on the VHT Management Committee.
4. Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a true record.
5. Millfield Road: Cllr Horton summarised the position
to date and reviewed some of the public discussion which had been held prior
to the formal Council meeting. The main questions revolved around the methods
of payment for the work that is required to be done. A Fact sheet regarding the
possible sale of the tennis club site to help fund the tennis club move and repay
the road/bridge loan will be circulated to all residents. It is in the public
interest to have Millfield Road adopted by the County Council as it has long
been both a divisive issue in the village, and is now, a well used through route
providing multiple access to a variety of village facilities. The contract has
been awarded provisionally to Seymours, subject to funding being available. In
the short term, the best option is to have a ten-year interest free loan from
the District Council and a meeting will be held next month to discuss the issues
involved there. In the meantime, based on the figures provided by Tynedale Council
for the precept payment, the estimated increase in Council Tax for Band D properties
would be ~2.56% per annum. Cllr Heslop proposed accepting the loan, in principle,
on the basis of the estimated figures and in the interests of the community.
The members agreed unanimously with this. It was noted that Seymours would be
drilling a bore hole to test the ground prior to doing any design work.
Cllr Cairns asked what other options there might be and also
what would happen if the funding was not to be provided. Cllr Horton explained
there was a possibility of selling a small plot of land which would raise income
that could go towards the road upgrade and towards the redevelopment of the Tennis
Club and other sports facilities. This option, however, was much more problematical
and could not be relied on in the short term there being only a six month period
for acceptance of the tender proper. It would also be very important to consult
further with the Parish on this matter as amenity land is concerned. If the road
adoption does not go ahead, the most likely outcome is that the road would be
closed to traffic because of prohibitive costs to the Parish in insurance and
upkeep.
6. Planning: 2007/0248 Listed consent, West House 1 Hollin Hill terrace: Consent
under delegated powers
Roselea Cottage: Appeal to the Planning Inspectorate was dismissed.
7. Correspondence:
a) General, for circulation
8. Finance:
a) The financial statement and receipts were accepted by all councillors
b) The following payments were authorised by all councillors:-
M F Anderton/Salary/Apr £352.42
M F Anderton/Expenses/Apr £39.42
WardHadaway legal exp 06/07 £2205.72
NALC subs. £146.82
Contr. To Insurance for the Nick £200.00
(Previously agreed)
9. Minor matters:
A number of items were raised to be followed up:
- The large stones on the weir – a quote would be obtained;
- Grass round the planters at the entrances to the village: Cllrs Horton and
Dunhill said they would deal with this;
- There is still a problem with grass cutting on the cricket pitch but it
is in hand;
- Speed through the village was discussed. Slaley are looking into the cost
of mobile speed monitors which could be moved around a number of local villages;
- Cllrs are asked to think of ideas for alternate Parking outside the village
shop;
- It was agreed to put a bit in the Parish news about dog fouling in the
Sandy Bank area;
- Knotweed is a problem near the Stepping Stones. Although the Enviroment
Agency know about this, it was suggested a quote be asked for from our knotweed
contractor;
- The County Council would be asked to place mirrors opposite the two exits
to Wentworth Grange, at our expense;
- The Clerk would write to Milecastle Housing again about the illegal parking
in the turning circle in Dene Close;
- The Chairman noted formal thanks to Elaine Ryder for her hard work over
the last four years and a bunch of flowers would be sent from the Parish Council.
The meeting closed at 8.45
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