Whalton Parish Council

Minutes of Meeting Held on 20th January 2004

1 Present : Councillors Scott (Chairman), Dodd, Norton, Richardson, Waterworth

Clerk D Feeney

Two Members of the Public

2 Apologies for Absence: Councillors Grix and Jeans

3 Declarations of Interest

3.1 In respect of the Village Hall: Councillors Norton, Richardson and Waterworth

3.2 In respect of “Northumbria in Bloom”: Councillor Richardson

4 Minutes of Previous Meetings

The following were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman:-

4.1 Meeting of the Parish Council held on 18th November 2003

4.2 Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 16th December 2003

5 Matters Arising

5.1 Parking of cars adjacent to and near Whalton First School. The matter is to be deferred until Councillor Jeans is present

5.2 Castle Morpeth Borough Council (CMBC), Planning Decisions. At present CMBC does not automatically notify Parish Councils of the outcome of planning applications with the result that the Council is not fully informed of developments. A meeting is to be arranged with Mr H Edmundson to seek a solution to this matter.

5.3 Boundary Committee. Comments are to be submitted on the basis that two unitary councils would retain the identity of the area and in the interests of informing the electorate there needs to be a full financial illustration of the consequences of each option.

5.4 Manor Close Paving. Progress was noted

6 Planning

The Clerk informed Members of the exemptions granted by the Castle Morpeth Borough Council Standards Committee in order that those Members who were either Members of the Village Hall Committee or otherwise involved in the use of the Village Hall could take part in this item.

6.1 The proposals in respect of the Village Hall were fully supported

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  7 Taxi Voucher Scheme

7.1 After a discussion about the benefits of the Scheme and noting that the Countryside Agency was content to see the Scheme extended it was decided to:-

A) consult adjacent Parishes about expanding the Scheme

B) apply for grant from the Countryside Agency of £1,818

C) note the gross cost of the Scheme at £2,440 (including £122 from the Parish Council “support in kind of £500)

8 Northumbria in Bloom . It was agreed that Whalton would enter the competition and that the Parish Council would meet the fee of £5

9 Northumberland National Park Authority/Northumberland County Council Joint Structure Plan. The “first Review” proposals were noted and it was decided not to offer any comment.

10 Castle Morpeth Borough Council , Additional Grass Cutting. Members decided to take up the offer of additional grass cutting at a cost of £150.94

11 Local Air Quality Review . In response to the review issued by Castle Morpeth Borough Council Members were of the opinion that the local air quality is poor. In addition Members expressed strong concern about “bio solids” and instructed the Clerk to seek further information about the matter being supplied by Agri Vert. In addition the attention of the various regulator authorities is to be drawn to the implications of storing and spreading the Agri Vert product.

12 Castle Morpeth Borough Council , Best Value Local Performance Plan. Noted

13 Countryside Agency , Rural Delivery Review. Noted

14 DEFRA , Equine Issues. Noted

15 Community Council of Northumberland , Schools in Northumberland. Councillor Waterworth is attending the Conference and the School; will also be represented.

16 Requests for Financial Assistance .

Requests from the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Community Council of Northumberland were deferred.

17 Information Items . The following were noted:-

17.1 Otterburn Training Area-Completion of A696 Upgrade

17.2 Northumberland County Council, Area Committee. Councillor Dodd spoke about Budget Proposals

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  17.3 Northumberland Community News. A copy was available for each Member

17.4 Rural West Bus Services. A copy of the leaflet was available for each Member

17.5 Northumberland Touring Theatre Company. Forthcoming productions.

18 Any Other Business

18.1 Parish Plan. In the light of potential costs and lack of definite advantages it was decided not to go ahead at this stage.

18.2 Broadband. Members are keen to see the introduction of Broadband and the matter is to be raised with the Rural West Partnership. The Chairman was authorised to give the support of the Parish Council in any discussions. It was noted that achieving the current “trigger level” may prove difficult.

19 Date and Time of Next Meeting : Tuesday 16th March 2004, Whalton Village Hall, 7.30pm

Chairman....................................................