Parish Council Minutes – November 2012

You can download a copy of these minutes here (PDF file).
Broomhaugh & Riding Parish Council

Minutes of the Council meeting of 12th November 2012 held in the Parish Hall at 7.45pm

Present: Cllrs Mills (in the Chair), Reid, and Dunhill. County Cllr Dale and 4 members of the public were also present

1. Apologies: Cllrs Howe and Carew

2. Declarations of interest: None

3. Cooption of Councillor: Brian Singer was co-opted onto the Council.

4. Minutes of the meeting of 8th October 2012 were agreed as a true record, subject to deleting ‘still’ in item 5(a); and substituting ‘had been painted’ in 9(d) for ‘would be’ painted.

5. Matters arising:

(a) Flashing lights: The solar panels have been changed for larger units and the warranty has been extended until November 2013. That the sign below Bobby’ shop is not working satisfactorily would be reported to Swarco. MA

b) Trees:  A quote was accepted to remove the two intertwined trees at Church Close for £800, as was a quote for £60 to remove a limb from a tree near the double tennis courts. Cllr Dunhill was given discretion regarding the decision for the 3rd tree at Church Close. Cllr Dale noted that the county council would remove one of the trees. MA

c) Weir: A quote of £220 to install the base and the bench at the Weir was accepted. The Clerk would ask Mrs Stephenson whether a similar quote would apply to a proposed new bench below Bobby’s. MA

d) Northumberland Core Strategy Meeting: The responses received by the County Council were reviewed.

e) Long Rigg: the Parish Council’s solicitors had quoted nearly £1000 for advice on the Long Rigg Association’s proposal to acquire the road. They felt this was too expensive without a commitment in principle from the Parish Council. The Council were not prepared to give a view without legal advice. Following some discussions, Cllr Reid felt that an informal response could be given which would in no way be binding on any subsequent action after legal advice had been received; the Council were sympathetic to the aims of the Long Rigg Association. Paul Goldsmith, who was present, would take these views back to the Association.

f) The Nick: The quote of £4069 given by the County Council for the work for the Parish Council’s account has been confirmed as a final figure. Cllr Dale had allocated funding for the rest of the work involving. The Clerk would confirm to Duncan Roberts at the County Council and with Cllr Howe. MA

g) Yellow lines near the Millennium Hall: these had been finished following the completion of the gas works. Cllr Dunhill reported that drivers were still parking illegally outside the Millenium Hall. The “Slow” sign on will probably not be painted on the Main Road at the East end of the village until the next financial year.

6. Handyman report/ Contract: Report given by Mrs Stephenson was accepted.

7. Parish Plan Update: Cllr Dunhill wished the Plan to be reviewed; although it was agreed to delay an update until after the Council elections next year, a preliminary review would be started with a working party including Cllrs Dunhill and Singer, Paul Goldsmith and Jason Tennant. AD/BS

8. Cycle Storage Facility: An offer of free stands has been received from the County Council.  Near the Parish Hall and in the Old Playground were the preferred sites. Cllr Dale would check with Highways as to their suitability. If so, Cllr Reid would order 2 for each site. MA/ADe

9. Footpath Grants: Cllr Dale had dealt with this. The footpath‘s officer from the County, Tim Fish, would meet with Cllr Dale, Keith Gibbard and Paul Goldsmith. ADe

10. Parking on Double Yellow lines: Cllr Dale would raise with the County Council the enforcement notices served on homeowners parking on the pavement within a double yellow lined area at Riding Cottages as the Police had previously informally allowed parking  there. ADe

11. Planning:

(a) Considered by Northumberland County Council and granted permission:

11/00903/FUL House at land west of Kingmead

12/01316/FUL New access at Shepherd’s Dene

12/01311/FUL Extension at 13 Station Close

12/01156/FUL Extension at 51 Station Close

12/01800/VARYCO Alteration at Grovefield

(b) Considered by the Parish Council with no objections:

12/03004/CCD Advertising signs on Broomhaugh roundabout

Following further discussion, the Council agreed to reverse its comment in (b) MA

12. Finances: a) the financial statement for October was accepted.

b) the following payments were authorised:

Wardhadaway – re Tennis Club and covenants £3,593.00

Wardhadaway – re Millfield Road Bridge £405.00

Tyne Rivers trust – Weir contribution £4,200.00

Tyne Valley RUG – annual subs. £5.00

Homevend/26 £75.00

RM Cricket Club – grasscutting contribution £667.00

MF Anderton, Salary/October £433.64

MF Anderton, Expenses/October £57.69

Following discussion, it was agreed to share the Torch Relay Fund surplus between the Tennis Club (£100), Cricket Club (£50) and the Karate Club (£50) because of their contributions to the events.

c) S.137 donations: It was agreed to make payments of £50 to the following: Royal British Legion, Great North Air Ambulance, Community Action Northumberland, Age UK, Tynedale Sports Council and Tynedale Hospice at Home.

d) Preliminary budget discussions were held. The Clerk would update the sheet accordingly and make some alterations in layout for a final discussion at the next meeting. MA

13. Minor Matters:

a) Cllr Dunhill reported that a meeting to progress Superfast Broad band would be held soon;

b) Molehills in the Play Park needed raking again.

The meeting closed at 10.53

Confidential matters: Pursuant to section 1(2) of the Public bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, it was resolved that, because of the nature of the business to be transacted, the public and press leave the meeting during consideration of these items. (Clerk’s conditions of service).

The Ross Seat – and the bees (Updated).

From John Ross, Cumnor, Oxford

The Ross seat on the Broomley Road, near the A68.

My brother and I set up this seat as a small token around 20 years ago shortly after our parents, Ronald and Peggy Ross of Staward, Long Rigg, died. Since then we have made fairly regular visits to do some maintenance and clearing of undergrowth and we have appreciated the thanks of those who have made use of the seat.

During my visits from Oxford in the past few years in we have had some (unwelcome !) attention as there are now half a dozen beehives just to the north of the seat and I have been stung on a couple of occasions. Maybe other residents have also been bothered by the bees and I suggest there are two options.

  • Option A is to move the seat about 100 yards along the road towards Broomley, to face in much the same direction. It would be a little more exposed here as there are no protecting trees from the westerly wind.
  • Option B is to move the seat about 50 yards to the west, as far as the road goes, before the cutting to the A68. While the seat would be just as welcome, there is not much view from here.

I would be very glad to have comments from any Riding Mill residents as whether option A or B is preferred, or if there are any other ideas we might take up. We are planning to do any work in the summer of 2013.

Please use the ‘Contact Us‘ page to pass your comments on to the Parish Council.

Have you ever thought about becoming a Parish Councillor?

Have you ever thought about becoming a Parish Councillor?

Would you like to find out more about the role?

Workshops will take place in the New Year in Hexham to provide information and advice.

At each session county council and Northumberland Association of Local Councils officers and Parish/Town councillors will be attending to give presentations and advice.

Sessions will cover the following:

· What are Parish and Town councils?
· What powers and freedoms do they have?
· How do they relate to the County Council?
· How can you apply or stand to become a Parish Councillor?

The session will take place on Thursday 24 January 2013 at Prospect House, Hexham.

Light refreshments will be provided at 6pm before the workshop begins at 6.30pm. The session will be chaired by the area chairman for Hexham: Councillor Colin Horncastle. There will be opportunities to ask questions throughout each session.

Paddy Gascoigne, service manager for democratic services at Northumberland County Council said: “Councils depend on the energy, enthusiasm and the commitment of local people. It can be immensely rewarding joining your local council and you can really improve local life. If you would like to know more about becoming a town or parish councillor, I would urge you to get in touch.”

If you are interested in attending, please telephone Mike Bird in democratic services on 01670 622616 or email demserv.ar@northumberland.gov.uk so that numbers for each event can be confirmed.