MINUTES OF A MEETING OF WARKWORTH PARISH COUNCIL - 08.05.08.
Present: Councillors Mr S Elliott, Mr J Watson, Mr J Heir, Mrs J Watson, Miss H Wilson, Mr A Clark, Mrs K. Fender, Mr C Ward.
1 Apologies for absence: Councillor Mrs C MacKay, Dr J Cox
2 Minutes of last meeting
The Minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed; they have been posted on village notice boards and the web site.
3 Matters Arising.
Cemetery Chapel
An application for grant aid has now been made from District Council’s Community Scheme, the maximum grant possible being £2,000. Discussion took place about the need for formal listed building and planning permission to be made, but Councillor Mr Watson reported that as the building was not in continuous use, and the repairs were replacing “like with like”, it may just be necessary to give the Conservation Officer a Schedule of Works for approval. The cost of the work is estimated to be approximately £3,800.
Beach Road Football Field
Councillor Mr Elliott brought to the meeting information on new goal posts for the football field, as the present posts do not meet safety requirements. He will liaise with Mr Ryan Jobson of Amble Football Club, the sub-tenants, and progress the matter.
Sign for the Stanners
The new sign indicating no overnight accommodation vehicles is now in place.
Guilden Play Park
Councillor Mrs Watson said that she had consulted with Phil Briggs about laying a footpath from the kissing gate to the existing pathway. He recommended a tarmac path with kerbs, details of which he will give to the Council. It was thought that the cost would be in excess of £3,000, not found any grant funding so far.
Disabled access
Councillor Mr Watson said he had received a reply from County Council that dealt with all queries put forward, which briefly are:
Beal Bank crossing – a pedestrian refuge will be considered, but will have to compete for future funding.
The Sun Hotel footway – dropped kerbs are planned for both ends of this section of footway.
Castle Street footway – dangerous defects in the footway should be reported using NCC’s freephone number 0808 100 8910.
Crossing Castle Street at the bus stop – a set of dropped kerbs will be considered and added to future programme if this crossing point is considered safe.
Ember Path
Councillor Mr Elliott said that Mr Peter Stewart could lay some gravel, discussion then took place about water draining from the garden of No. 45 Castle Street and the effect it would have. Information was given to the meeting about the source of the water, and steps that the resident is taking to rectify the situation. The situation will be monitored.
St. George’s Day events
Congratulations and thanks were given to the Councillors and all others who helped in the recent St. George’s day celebrations. St. George’s Day events held by both the Parish Council and the Black Bull were successful. £30.00 was raised from donations and has been sent to the Royal British Legion.
Litter Pick
A litter pick was carried out by the Parish Council on the 26th April and 20 bags of rubbish were collected, however it was reported that on the following day a considerable amount of litter was seen on the Beach Road adjacent to the football field. It is hoped to have a new bin placed in this location by District Council.
4 Correspondence Received.
ACTION
Ms Louise Wraith regarding tree for parents Golden Wedding Pass to W in Bloom
Warkworth over 60s Club – letter of thanks
ADC – Guilden Play Park inspection report.
Correspondence cont.
Letter of thanks from Mrs J Robinson.
Mencap - request for donation. Not agreed
ADC – regarding BT Payphone Review.
The Army Presentation Team – invitation to open day. CW to attend.
NCC – regarding attachment of litter bins to County standard
Bus stop poles Does not apply.
NALC – Burials information session Clerk & Mrs Watson
To attend.
Mr Roger Armsden re objections to Tesco development at Amble. Discussed.
5 Finance:
The Clerk presented the Annual return for the year ended 31 March 2008 this was approved and signed.
Great North Air Ambulance Service - donation £30.00
N.A.L. C annual subscription £208.83
Alnwick District Council – charges for cemetery refuse bin £124.68
Clerks Salary & Expenses £216.80
Mrs J Watson, expenses for St. Georges Day. £108.07
Wm. Smith & Sons Ltd. Sign for Stanners £38.20
The Royal British Legion donation from St. Georges Day. £30.00
6 Plans:
Proposed Development: Dormer window extensions to east and west elevations at 27 Mariners View, Amble..
Applicant: Mr I Simon and Ms T Sample, 27 Mariners View, Amble.
Comments: No objections
Proposed Development: Listed Building Consent – alterations to shop front colouring and lettering and internal alterations to create new WC and remove store, at 5 Dial Place, Warkworth.
Applicant: Miss L Keeble, The New Boathouse, Alnmouth.
Comments: No objections.
Proposed Development: Conservation Area Consent – demolition and rebuilding of existing single storey ground floor extension at side at Hillside, 4 Station Road, Warkworth.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs B Dobson, Hillside, 4 Station Road, Warkworth.
Comments: No objections.
Proposed Development: Certificate of Lawful Use: Occupation of caravan on permanent basis for residential use (of the Warden), at Pitch 18, Riverside Caravan Park, Acklington.
Applicant: Mr N Thompson, Northumbrian Leisure Ltd., Cresswell.
Comments: No objections, on condition that the Certificate attaches to the residence of the Site Warden in permanent employment and is not transferable.
7 Amble Supermarket Development
Discussion took place with visitors to the meeting, who explained their objections to the proposed Supermarket and housing development on land south of the Braid, and the proposed access road planned to cross the Braid, also set out in a detailed letter to the Council, copies of which were circulated. Councillor Mr Watson declared an interest and took no part in the discussion.
8 Wall on river side of Churchyard
Following receipt of a letter from Mr & Mrs T Hogg about the alarming lean on parts of the churchyard wall, the Council discussed its responsibility for the wall’s repair as this is a closed graveyard. It is considered likely that tree roots are causing the damage and that to repair or replace the wall could be a “massive” job, also the churchyard wall is listed It was agreed to have the problem assessed, to identify suitable stonemasons, to meet with the PCC and the vicar.
9 Any Other Business
Unmade road at the back of the Birling houses
Following discussion on the very poor state of this road, and reports that up to 40 low loaders have been using it to remove static caravans from the nearby site, the Clerk is to write to Northumberland Estates about the potholes and its poor state of repair. Councillor Mr Watson has already spoken to Mr Rory Wilson about the bad state of the road.
The Clerk is to write to Mr Richard Thompson of District Council to enquire whether a dog waste bin can be placed at the end of the cycleway to Alnmouth at the junction with the road that goes behind the Birling houses to the long stay car park.
Barbed wire around the Castle football field
Complaints about the danger of the barbed wire placed on the outside of the fencing to the Castle football field having been received from a resident, discussion took place as to whether a warning sign should be placed on the outside of the fencing. It was decided however, that as the barbed wire was placed by the tenant of the grazing field, it was not within the Parish Council’s domain and no action will be taken.
Carved seat on Rotary Way
Councillor Mr Watson said that further complaints had been received about this seat, tar is issuing from one of the sleepers used in its construction and the seat is so angled that it collects rain water making it unusable, and liable to damage clothing. The Clerk will write to Sustrans again on this matter asking if the seating part can be removed entirely.
Community work by H.M.Y.O.I. Castington
Councillor Mrs Watson said she had been contacted by Mr John Foster about the possibility of teams from H.M.Y.O.I. Castington carrying out community work in the village. The following work was suggested: clearing bracken, leaves and brambles in the upper churchyard, and carry out a survey in the churchyard and record the memorials. A plan is to be put together and presented to the Vicar.
Another area considered possible for improvement/clearing is the copse at the entrance to the Braid, the anchor in the park needs to be painted, and repair of the fence on Rotary Way. Contact will be made with County Council and the Rotary Club about these projects. The Clerk is to write to ask for a litter bin to be placed near the seats in the recess at that end of Rotary Way. Councillor Mrs Watson would welcome suggestions from the village for possible projects to be carried out by the teams.
Signs on the Stanners and Beal Bank.
It was reported that the tall metal pole on the Stanners has still not been reduced to the height of the others, and that the builders’ signs placed at the top of Beal Bank have not yet been removed as agreed previously. The caravan exhibition sign will also be removed.
Speeding at the top of Morwick Road
Discussion took place on the need for speed restriction in this area, and Councillor Mr Watson confirmed that this is now in County Council’s Local Transport Plan for this Financial Year.
Dial Place
It was reported that the ground is sinking near to the new lights on Dial Place, causing vibrations to nearby dwellings when vehicles travel over the area. Councillor Mr Watson will speak to County Council about this matter.
Request for grant for musical instrument
A request for a grant towards a new Clarinet for Rachel Chesney, who has won a place at the Royal School of Music, London, has been received. Discussion took place, and whilst the Council were sympathetic to the request it was felt inappropriate to provide funds from the public precept. This will be passed to the Village Trust, who may be in a position to help.
10 Date and time of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 5th June at 7.00 pm in the Memorial Hall.
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