MINUTES OF A MEETING OF HAYDON PARISH COUNCIL
AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY THE 25TH MARCH 2010 AT
HAYDON BRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
Present : Cllrs. E. Brown, D. and E. Charlton, E. Faulks (Chair), V. Fletcher, J. Males, H. Oliver, M. Parkin, A. Sharp and J. Thompson; members of the public and press; C. McGivern (minutes).
- Andy Rutherford and Lynn Turner of NCC to discuss the proposed transfer of services to the Parish Council.
Mr. Rutherford began by outlining the progress so far with the transfer of services to Parish Councils. He then went on to discuss the proposal to transfer the maintenance of the play areas at Innerhaugh and the Showfield. He said that the two spring toys have been removed from phase 1 play area at the Showfield, as they were badly corroded. It was felt that there was no need to replace these as they are close to the phase 2 play area. This has been adopted by NCC and is very popular. Ms. Turner explained that with regard to section 106 agreements they could now provide information on three areas –
Phase 1 Showfield – No money left, as it was only to cover a period of 10 years.
Phase 2 Showfield – NCC have identified £42,525 for future maintenance. Ms. Turner confirmed that this money would come to the Parish Council if they agreed to maintain the site for 25 years. It is estimated that one year’s inspection + maintenance costs 1/25 of money set aside.
Innerhaugh – NCC have identified £24,625 paid to Tynedale Council at beginning of 2008; the remainder would pass to the Parish Council.
Cllr. Sharp confirmed that if the Parish Council agree to the transfer of these services, a cheque for the total sum would be provided, to be invested for future maintenance. Cllr. Brown queried whether the 1/25 portion for this year, (which has been billed on council tax as special expenses), would come out of the above funds. It was confirmed that it would not, and that if full amount was not spent, it would be carried over. Similarly the double taxation for libraries was raised, and Ms. Turner agreed to check this specific point. There then followed a discussion of possible areas for transfer in future, including cemeteries. This does not cover closed cemeteries.
Cllr. Brown queried the transfer of bus shelters, and it was agreed that NCC will confirm which bus shelters are included. Cllr. Brown went on to say that the dialogue which has developed with NCC over the last few weeks has been very helpful.
In closing Ms. Turner pointed out that the Northumberland Charter is to be reviewed in the next year. It is important for parish councils to make their views known at this stage. It is expected that in 2013-14 there will be a greater impact from the transfer of services. Appendix 3 of the Charter provides details of other areas to be considered.
The Chair thanked Ms. Turner and Mr. Rutherford for coming along, and they left the meeting.
- Public participation –
a)Members of the public informed Cllrs. that some students from the High School, who had been in the village for charity day on the 19th of March, had been drinking. They went on to say some of them were drunk, had to be thrown out of the newsagents, and had left a great deal of litter behind them. The Parish Council agreed that such behaviour was unacceptable and that students should be monitored by someone from the school. The Clerk will write to the Head and to the Governors.
b)A member of the public said that she had recently been trapped between the crossing gates, when they had closed as she was crossing. This is not the first time this has happened. Cllr. Fletcher said that she was in discussion with Network Rail about the gates, and said that she would follow this up. Another member of the public said that additional lights were needed facing into the lane alongside the railway.
- Apologies – were received from Cllr. R. Snowdon.
- Declarations of interest in items on agenda – none received.
- Minutes of the previous meeting – having been circulated these were approved and signed.
- Report from NCC by Cllr. Sharp –
Cllr. Sharp said that the 3 or 4 residents of Haydon Bridge who had been going to Greenholme day-care centre, were now to go to day-care at Haydon View. He hoped that this was a better option for them.
Dick Fraser is still working with the Highways Agency to resolve the issues with CVC. Ditches are to be improved by NCC. Cllr. Sharp hoped that this would be done by the next meeting.
Cllr. Sharp also promised to get the canopy of a tree on the verge next to the bungalows on the opposite side to Innerhaugh.
Cllr. E.Charlton said that the hedge on the Innerhaugh side is so overgrown that it has narrowed the path. Cllr. Sharp promised to investigate this with A. Bodsworth.
- Highways –
a)Parking survey for Shaftoe Street – The Clerk read out a response from Alan Bawn regarding the proposed questions. It was agreed that Mr. Bawn should be invited to the next meeting for further discussion, and that the meeting would be advertised in the Haydon News.
b)Station car park – Cllr. Parkin said that progress was slow. He had requested a method statement from the local contractor, and hoped to have this after Easter.
c)Flashing speed warning signs – Cllr. Parkin said that he was arranging a meeting with a representative of Solagen to look at possible sites for the signs, and at cost. It is thought that the signs used would be the ones that say “30mph slow down”.
d)Junction of Greenwich Gardens – Cllr. E. Charlton said that the estate roads were in a terrible condition. The Greenwich Gardens junction, between numbers 3 and 31 was turning into a large hole. The Clerk will write to Milecastle Housing.
- Planning applications –
20100060 – Listed building consent for construction of one storey extension to west elevation at Langley Castle Hotel – No objections.
20100152 – Construction of porch to front of 1 Rocksprings Crescent - No objections.
- Accounts – paid as budget.
- Correspondence -
a)A letter had been received from NCC outlining progress so far with the implementation of the N’land Charter for Local Councils.
b)A letter had been received from NCC explaining new arrangements for the supply of hanging baskets and plant material. There will be a charge of £24 per basket. Cllr. Fletcher said that she would get quotes from Down to Earth and from some local charities. There was discussion of the hanging basket competition held in previous years, and the suggestion that this could be re-instated. Cllr. Fletcher said that she would clear out the tubs but wondered if the Parish Council would pay for plant material. There was discussion of whether the money left after the street party might be used for this sort of thing.
c)Details of the new leaflet regarding composting were received from NCC.
d)A letter had been received from Smiths Gore giving details of recent tree survey at the riverside picnic area, and a request for the Parish Council to pick up the cost of work on three trees. The letter also suggests that the Parish Council might be interested in purchasing this piece of land. The Clerk will reply requesting that Smiths Gore pay for the tree work this time, and requesting more information on the possible purchase of land at the riverside.
e)A survey was received from the Boundary Commission.
f)An Open Space questionnaire was received from NCC and Strategic Leisure.
g)A letter had been received from Churches Together in Haydon Bridge, to say thank you for the Christmas trees and lights on the old bridge and next to the war memorial.
- Parish Projects –
a)Report from the Development Trust & library – Mr. Fletcher reported that the library was now open. The website is up and running. The tourism leaflet is being finalised, and will have a print run of 5,000 copies. There will be an advert in the North Tourism Days Out leaflet, highlighting the John Martin Trail to get people into the village. Cllr. E. Charlton said that more library training would take place in the next week. It is hoped that in the next week the coffee machine will be in place, and fund raising can begin with the sale of coffees etc. Mr. Fletcher went on to say that Ian Forster, who ran Tourist Information for Tynedale, has been very helpful. Funders are very positive about the work the Development Trust is doing. In the last two weeks the membership of the library has grown, and without any advertising. There is to be an open day in May. Mr. Fletcher said that people need to visit the library and see that it is quite different now. Cllr. Sharp said that he had come from the West Area Consultative Committee who were very complimentary of the work being done in Haydon Bridge. It was noted that there is a very talented group of volunteers in place now, with lots of ideas.
b)Report on progress with the project to light the old bridge – Cllr. Oliver has had discussions with Greene King, and the estates and general managers had also been contacted. There will be a meeting at the Anchor soon. Mr. Fletcher said that he would be sending a funding application to the National Park by the end of the month. He said that this project did not fit with the Northern Rock Foundation’s funding criteria. There will be a bat survey later in the spring.
c)Bypass plaque– Cllr. E. Charlton said that she had been instructed to get prices for the plaque, and that it was now being made by Northumberland Stone at Plenmeller. A builder will be needed to put the stone in place, and the bill is to go to the Highways Agency. It was agreed that once the plaque was ready the Parish Council would consider the ceremony.
d)Seat at Hordley Acres– The Clerk had received a second quote from a local business, and had a brochure from Glasdon with traditional seating. The Chair will look at examples of work and report back to the Parish Council.
e)Proposal from Sharon Brown to carry out a community analysis– The Chair asked what progress had been made, and the Clerk reminded him that she had given Ms. Brown details of where to find the Parish Plan, and that the Development Trust were to discuss the project.
- Any other business –
a)Cemetery gates – Cllr. Oliver said that Andy Gray had been struggling to remove the cemetery gates for repair. The drive is also in very poor condition. He said that he knows the Parish Council plans to carry out work on the cemetery in future, but in the meantime these two things ruin the appearance of the cemetery.
b)Parking on North Bank – Cllr. Males reported that she had been approached by two people regarding parking on North Bank. While work is going on at the surgery, the pedestrian access has been pushed out into the road. This narrows the road and this is exacerbated by cars parking on both sides. Coaches going to and from the High School are struggling to get through. The Clerk will inform NCC.