MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING -   Tuesday 1st November 2011      


Present: Cllrs J Newton, D Barras, E Critchlow, G Budge, L Craig, T Corson, I Monkhouse, G Orr, A Sharpe and L Welch.
County Councillor Watson
The Parish Clerk in attendance – Mrs L Hamlin

42. Apologies for Absence: None

43. Declarations of Interest on the Agenda – Cllr Corson in the Play Area.

44. The minutes of the meeting 6 September 2011 were agreed and signed as a true record.

45. Standing Item – Public Questions –
Mrs Lillie thanked the Parish Council for the play area opening which was enjoyed by those who attended; it was just a shame that the numbers were low.
Mrs Lillie asked if the bus shelter could be painted. The Clerk stated she would put in a request to NCC however at present NCC is only undertaking works that are a health and safety issue. CC Watson suggested that the Councillors paint the shelter.
Mrs Lillie asked for more dog fouling signs to be put up on lampposts – Clerk to request signs from NCC.
Cllr Corson asked that the leaves be swept up in the village; Churchill Way is covered in leaves. Clerk to request NCC undertake this work.

46. Matters Arising from the meeting on 6 September 2011:
Item 5 – Planters at Seat by Inglenook – Cllr Critchlow has the paving stones and will arrange for the planters to be put in place.
Item 47 – Overhanging branches at Bank Top Cottages – Clerk to pursue with NCC.
Item 79 – Building works at The Hemmel at Bank House – The Enforcement Officer stated the camping is allowed under the 28 day rule however she will write to the owner flagging up the concerns.
Item 13 – Hole in grass by Chicane – NCC reported that they removed the flag stone covering the hole, filled the hole with soil and made the area safe.
Item 13 – Subsidence by cross roads – This area was inspected by NCC who state that they cannot see anything wrong with the area so no further action to be taken.
Item 18 – 20mph limit around Play Area – ongoing. There is a query as to whether this work can be paid for out of the members’ small scheme fund.
Item 23 – Asset maintenance – ongoing
Item 37 – Play Area Update
- Dog Fouling – a complaint has been received about dog fouling – Clerk informed the complainant that the dog warden has been alerted, signage has been installed and the only other avenue is for culprits to be reported to the dog warden.
- Stones on steps – A complaint has been received that these are being thrown down the slide, also Cllr Corson states some have been thrown into his garden. To be reviewed in the spring as to what alternatives could be used.
- Signage – the Clerk has asked NCC to install signage stating children’s play area at the entrance to Churchill Way however this will be a cost to the Parish Council of £2,000. CC Watson stated he may be able to fund this through Small Members Scheme.
- Seating – the benches have been made and are ready for installation – a working party to install the benches and dates to be confirmed by email.
- Parking – A letter of complaint has been received by a resident in relation to users of the play area parking across residents’ driveways and also on the pavement. The resident has threatened the Parish Council with going to the press and also is seeking legal advice. The Clerk has responded to the complainant and no further response has been forthcoming.
- Cllr Corson reported that the area around the roundabout is being worn down. Clerk to ask Geko to look at matting in this area. Cllr Corson also reported the matting has not been installed at the zip wire and the Clerk confirmed Geko are awaiting delivery.
- Cllr Corson asked if anything was being done about the sourcing of trees. The Clerk confirmed that discussions are still taking place at other Parish Councils however as it is a requirement to take 100 trees it is proving difficult to ascertain where all the trees would go.
- Thanks went to all those who helped on the day of the playground opening, especially putting up and taking down of the tent and then the drying out and repacking of it.
- CC Watson asked if the Chairman of NCC had been invited and the Clerk confirmed that a letter of invite had gone out to Councillor Todd. Clerk to check if she has kept any email response re the invite and forward to CC Watson.

47. Report by County Councillor - None

48. Finance
a. Financial Summary
The balance on account at 1 November 2011 is £7,457.37
b. Payments
The following list was put before members and approved for payment:
000276 L Hamlin (includes play area catering) 447.03
000277 BDO LLP (Audit) 342.00
000278 Donation to Village Hall 700.00
000279 Geko Landscapes (1 month retention) 1,459.20
000280 Geko Landscapes (3 month retention) – signed at meeting but to be held for payment 1,459.20
000281 Acklington First School donation 100.00
000282 The Pelican donation 50.00
000283 British Legion (wreath) 25.00
c. Receipts – None
d. Audit Conclusion – BDO informed the Parish Council that it had to restate last years fixed asset figure – this has been the case for every PC in the country. Also they recommended that the Fidelity Guarantee should be increased due to the funds held however as the funds were to be paid out within a couple of months of receipt it was felt the expense was not justified. The Annual Return was approved and accepted by the Parish Council.

49. Planning
a. To report on any planning decisions:
11/02498/LBC - 8 Guyzance Village - remove brick partition, plasterwork and skylights - APPROVED
b. To consider any planning matters:
11/01740/FUL - 1 Cheevely Steading - Demolish and reconstruct extension
11/02142/FUL - Guyzance Hall - Resubmission of 11/00482/FUL

50. Requested Agenda Items
Budget for 2012/13 – the budget was reviewed and discussed and it was agreed to increase the precept to £4,500. This increase is the first for many years (Clerk to check when the last increase was). Also details to be put in the Pelican as to the reason for the increase – future election costs and maintenance of play area.
Coal Road Access – no further action to be taken at present.

51. Correspondence Received
• Peel Energy – newsletter for Blue Sky Forest Wind Farm – for information
• Thank you letter from St John’s Church for the donation
• Ministry of Justice – offer of amenity land in Acklington. It was agreed that the Clerk ascertain if there is a cost involved in acquiring this land and also get quotes for cutting of the grass to see what maintenance costs could be involved.
• Queens Diamond Jubilee Beacons – passed to ACT
• NCC – co-location of Berwick and Alnwick to Allerburn House – planning officer are being relocation to Alnwick from Berwick with the exception of one officer and one part time admin person.
• Letter from Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan re Broadband for Northumberland – to help with the campaign to get better broadband into Northumberland a short questionnaire has been compiled and residents are encouraged to complete the questionnaire at www.surveymonkey.com/broadband4northumberland Clerk to advertise this in The Pelican.
• Boundary Commission for England – Review of Parliamentary Constituencies – the Boundary Commission wish the PC to help in advertising the review. Clerk has asked for posters
• NCC Grit Bin Request form – this is to be completed for future grit bins however NCC is levying a charge of £200 per bin which will only be filled twice and further filling would be charged to the Parish Council.

52. Items for Circulation
CPRE – How to respond to planning applications
Clerks and Council Direct
NCC – Revised Charter for comment

53. Urgent Items
• CC Watson stated he had been approached to see if the Parish Council would like to acquire a flag pole. It was agreed there was no need for one.
• It was agreed to hold a remembrance service at the soldier’s memorial at Guyzance Bridge on Sunday 13 November if Rev Barras is available to conduct a service. Cllr Barras to check availability (now confirmed Rev Barras is available and willing to conduct service). CC Watson to provide wreath. Service to take place at 12.10pm. Clerk to inform Mr Parker as the memorial is on his land.
• Residents of Guyzance have asked the Council to contact NCC in relation to Guyzance Hall fulfilling the conditions of their planning application approval by providing passing places along the roadway. Clerk to contact NCC about this.
• Cllr Welch reported that drain covers are still being stolen and people should be careful when walking along the roads at night as there may be an accident if a drain cover has been removed and not replaced.
• Cllr Corson reported that pick pockets are active in Alnwick.

54. Items for Next Agenda
Golden Jubilee Celebrations

Chairman closed the meeting at 9.05 pm
Next meeting: Tuesday 3 January at 7.30pm in Acklington Village Hall