Seaton Valley Council

A Community Council

Minutes of a Meeting held on Wednesday 22 January 2014 at 6.30 pm at New Hartley Memorial Hall.

The meeting started at 6.28 pm.

PRESENT:

Councillors: L Bowman K Collier S Dungworth (Chair)

D Mullen B Nixon M Richards

A Stanners B Swinhoe D Swinhoe

IN ATTENDANCE:

C Hodgson – Clerk

D Launchbury – Office Administrator

14 Members of the public

CO529/14 / 1. Apologies for absence
No apologies were received.
CO530/14 / 2. Disclosure of interests
There were no declarations of interest.
CO531/14 / 3. Chair’s welcome and civic announcements
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
CO532/14 / 4. Public question time
The Chair explained that the public are welcome to ask questions and make comments during the open public session of the meeting but are not allowed to speak during the rest of the meeting.
Standing orders were suspended to allow members of the public to ask questions.
Michelle Brown queried the precept amount and this was confirmed at an increase of 57%, to be discussed later in the meeting.
Lynda Almond asked whether additional employment had been generated as a result of the increase in the precept. Cllr. Dungworth said that 5 full-time permanent roles would be created as a result of the partnership entered into with Northumberland County Council for services.
Lynda Almond remarked that there had been a 400% increase for Band D in Seaton Valley over the last 4 years and Cllr. Dungworth confirmed this was the case.
Standing orders were reinstated.
CO533/14 / 5. County Councillor Update
Cllr. Dungworth conveyed County Cllr. Pidcock’s apologies that he was not able to attend the meeting. The only item to be reported concerned the Northumberland Local Plan, which would be discussed at the Community Forum following this meeting.
CO534/14 / 6. Minutes of the last meetings
a)  The minutes of the Seaton Valley Council meeting held on 27 November 2013 were agreed as being a correct record and were duly signed and dated by the Chair.
b)  The minutes of the Staffing Sub-committee meeting held on 18 November 2013 were duly received.
CO535/14 / 7. Correspondence received since the last meeting on 23 October 2013
The correspondence since the last meeting was received and accepted.
11/13 Hadrian’s Wall Trust Fundraising Programme – Forthcoming fundraising
14/11/13 Unity Trust Bank – Update of signatories
19/11/13 Andrew J Fenny & Co Solicitors – Notification of outstanding legal matters
19/11/13 Unison – Information on The Living Wage
20/11/13 NCC – Pension Fund Annual Report & Accounts 2012/13
20/11/13 HM Revenue & Customs – Confirmation of PAYE affairs & NCC
21/11/13 NALC – Council Tax Benefit Support Grant update
26/11/13 NCC – Policy for Winter Services
28/11/13 NCC – Planning permission granted for jet wash, Astley Road, Seaton Delaval
29/11/13 NALC – Council Tax Benefit Support Grant update
02/12/13 Whitley Bay District Scout Council – Invitation to Gang Show in January
03/12/13 NCC – Planning permission granted for 28 new homes at Avenue Road, S Delaval
11/12/13 NCC – Planning permission granted for control kiosk, Cheviot View, Seghill
17/12/13 Northumberland & Newcastle Society – Response to NCC Core Strategy
17/12/13 NCC – Transfer of Play Areas from NCC
12/13 Adapt (NE) - Newsletter
17/12/13 Youth Work Northumberland – Details of The Youth Work Offer
19/12/13 NCC – Planning permission granted for variation to new build, Collywell Court, Seaton Sluice
19/12/13 NCC – Planning permission granted for garage at Callaly Bungalow, Annitsford Road, Seghill
13/01/14 NCC – Planning permission granted for repairs at Seaton Delaval Hall
CO536/14 / 8. Planning matters and consultations
The following planning applications had been received:-
13/0365/FUL – Mr & Mrs Burn, Deneside Farm, Station Road, Seghill – Replacement stable block and new access road.
14/00024/ADE – Mr Deryck Storey, Wheatridge Park Development, Seaton Delaval – Advertisement consent for illuminated canopy fascia signs (x 4) 16000 x 750mm each, blue LED edge lighting tubes, internally illuminated supermarket identification signs 1 x 3000 x 1500 and 1 x 4000 x 2000mm, internally illuminated building fascia sign 9000 x 800 mm, Internally illuminated forecourt identification and price sign 5000 x 1500 x 200mm and various non-illuminated direction signs
RESOLVED: All of the above applications be approved with no additional comments
12/02720/FUL - Mr Michael Burke – Application for the construction of 16 residential dwellings, including 9 single storey eco homes (Additional info. Received 12/12/13) – Proposed Housing Development Rose Park Estate, Seghill, Northumberland
The Council object to the above application on the following grounds:-
·  we recognise this area falls outside the village boundaries in the sense that this is greenbelt land
·  we do not and would not support the siting of many caravans as current planning would allow.
·  The Mill Lane road can either support the amount of building traffic or the historic bridge over the stream can support the weight of this traffic. This road is already dangerous with cars (especially taxi's) using it as a shortcut from Annitsford/Cramlington to Seghill. Mill Lane would need serious upgrading to cope with both the construction and increased resident traffic.
·  The bridge on Mill Lane is not wide enough to support the proposed layout of the site including a footpath for these new residents. We believe this proposed footpath could be dangerous especially if children are crossing it on their way to school
·  There is a need for construction to be time limited in total duration and restricted hours of work to Mon to Friday (8am to 5pm). These buildings will require piled foundations which are exceptionally noisy and disruptive so all building activities should be heavily controlled to minimise impact on local residents.
CO537/14
CO538/14
CO539/14 / 9. Matters of information and for decision
a)  Received an update on office usage and regular bookings from other organisations.
10. Financial matters
b)  RESOLVED that the list of payments to 31 December 2013 totalling £99,390.83 be accepted and approved.
c)  RESOLVED that the bank reconciliation as at 31 December 2013 be accepted and approved.
d)  RESOLVED that the budgetary report to 6 December 2013 be accepted and approved.
e)  RESOLVED that Cllr. Les Bowman and Dorothy Launchbury be added to the list of signatories at the bank, and Iain Hedley be removed.
Budget for 2014/2015 and setting the precept for 2014/2015
a)  It was proposed by Cllr. Dungworth that the draft budget be accepted, seconded by Cllr. Barbara Swinhoe, 8 members were in favour and 1 member objected.
RESOLVED that the draft budget for 2014/2015 be accepted (8 in favour and 1 objection) - copy attached at the end of these minutes.
Seaton Sluice Community Centre purchase – Donation of £10,000 requested. Agreed Letter of Intent advising that if monies are raised to within £5,000 of the purchase price they need, we will provide this. In this way, the monies would not be paid out at this time. Cllr. Mullen raised the question of a guarantee, this could be budgeted for in advance next year.
Agreed to continue Christmas lighting, Christmas trees, supporting Seaton Valley in Bloom, youth activities, village events, monies to be put aside for the replacement of litter bins, bus shelters, plus repair and replacement of playgrounds. Agreed to enter into partnership with Northumberland County Council (NCC) for services at a cost of £159,000, NCC will create a team within Seaton Valley dedicated to working in this area around environmental issues - additional grass cutting once a week, edging of grass, weekly litter picking, programme of repairs and maintenance of fences, painting of fences, more regular cleaning and maintenance of bus shelters and War Memorials and improved painting in the villages.
RESOLVED that the precept for 2014/2015 be set at £474,020 (with 8 in favour and 1 objection).
Cllr. Bobby Nixon commented that along with the proposed increases by Northumberland County Council of about 2% and the Fire/Police authority, this was a substantial increase from the previous year which, in his view, was unfair.
b)  RESOLVED that the allotment rental bands remain at the same rates as for 2013/2014 (unanimously agreed).
Cllr. Dungworth stressed that the allotments would have to pay their own way this year, further investment would have to be addressed in future years.
CO540/14 / 10. Dates of future meetings
26 February 2014 – SVC Council Offices, Seaton Delaval – 6.30 pm – Full Council.

The meeting closed at 6.53 pm.

Signed by the Chair: ………………………………………………..

Dated: ………………………………………………..

SEATON VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Agreed Budget for Financial Period Ending 31 March 2015
£
STAFFING COSTS
Staffing costs (inc. NCC fees) / 99,649.00
Travel/Subsistence / 1,500.00
Training & Conferences / 1,500.00
Recruitment costs / 500.00
Sub Total / 103,149.00
OFFICE PREMISES COSTS
Telephone & broadband / 1,500.00
Business rates / 3,500.00
Utilities - gas, electric & water / 4,000.00
Repairs & maintenance / 1,000.00
Office cleaning / 3,000.00
Office supplies & sundries / 750.00
Office equipment & furnishings / 500.00
IT equipment & software / 2,000.00
IT support and maintenance / 1,500.00
Office maintenance contracts / 2,000.00
Sub Total / 19,750.00
FLATS
Administration of flats / 1,100.00
Repairs & maintenance / 2,000.00
Sub Total / 3,100.00
ADMINISTRATION OF COUNCIL COSTS
Venue Hire / 500.00
Photocopying & printing / 500.00
Postage / 600.00
Stationery & materials / 1,000.00
Reference materials / 100.00
New website construction / -
Website hosting & maintenance / 500.00
Sub Total / 3,200.00
FEES & CHARGES
Insurances / 3,500.00
PWLB loan repayments / 21,500.00
Audit - internal & external / 2,000.00
Professional & legal fees / 2,000.00
Election expenses - casual elections / -
Public notices / 150.00
Subscriptions - NALC & others / 1,000.00
Bank & credit card charges / 75.00
Sub Total / 30,225.00
MEMBER EXPENSES
Member Expenses - travel etc / 500.00
Member training / 1,000.00
Sub Total / 1,500.00
SERVICES & COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Allotments / -
Seasonal Christmas Lighting & events / 22,500.00
Seaton Valley in Bloom / 3,000.00
Village events (financial support) / 5,000.00
Community Chest - General donations / -
Newsletters & noticeboards / 5,000.00
Floral planting / 23,000.00
Youth Leisure Activities provision / 22,225.00
Adult education programme (financial support) / -
Seaton Sluice Community Centre purchase / -
Annual Parish meeting / 150.00
Community Forum / 50.00
Youth Council / 1,000.00
Pit tub repairs / 1,500.00
Seaton Sluice Mound / 1,500.00
New litter bins / 5,000.00
Engagement & consultation / 1,000.00
Bus Shelters - replacement and repairs / 32,000.00
Playground - replacement & repairs / 15,000.00
Clocks - NH & SD / 300.00
Remembrance Day Wreaths / 125.00
SVCP youth project / 15,000.00
NCC Partnership / 159,746.00
Sub Total / 313,096.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURE / 474,020.00

For a total precept of £474,020.00 and a valuation base of £4,322.16, the amount payable for the year for Seaton Valley Council will be approximately…

Band A £73.12

Band B £85.30

Band C £97.49

Band D £109.67

Band E £134.05

Band F £158.42

Band G £182.79

Band H £219.34

Seaton Valley Council

Minutes 22 January 2014