NEWBROUGH PARISH COUNCIL
Meeting of the Council held on 7th March 2007
Present: Cllrs MW Gibson (Chair), JR Wood, Mrs H Brooks, Mrs S Burrows, Mr H Forster and Mr JK Steven
Also present County, Kathryn Forte (Home Housing) Barbara Mansfield (Haydon Bridge High School) and Clerk: Robert Macfarlane
Apologies: Cllrs Mrs CM Dickinson and Cllr A Kerr
Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting of Newbrough Parish Council held on 10th January 2007 in Newbrough Town Hall were approved and signed by the Chairman.
Matters Arising:
Butt Bank Signage: Now the Fastflow road works have been completed TDC Officer (TN) will liaise with Cllr H Brooks
War Memorial: Holden Conservation Service’s report has been circulated
Town Entrance Signs: NTA have quoted £380 for each stone construction and Top Signs £150 plus vat for each nameplate. Clerk will make enquires in search of grant aid.
Declaration of Interest: None
Communications:
K Forte Home Housing Elections 3rd May
RSPP Red Squirrels NNPA Electronic Consultation
NCC One Council One Future TDC One Northumberland Two Councils
Audit Commission External Auditor TDC Selefest (£50) Grant
NSP SCS to 2010 NALC Survey
Communities and Local Government CPRE Winter overview
TDC Bytes and Briefs NALC Quality Town/Parish
NSP Boundaries Belonging Communities TDC Hanging Baskets
NALC Royal Garden Party & Info MTCT 31st January meeting
TDC Minutes CAN Thank you letter
Ø War Memorial – A Conservation Condition Report has been produced by Holden Conservation Ltd. Councillors have been given a copy and will share observations at the next meeting of the Council.
Ø One Northumberland Two Councils etc – submissions have been received from District Council Group and NCC to run Unitary Authorities within Northumberland and these have been passed on to councillors.
Roads: NCC have acted promptly and re-painted the yellow lines outside of the School. They have also put in an order for the potholes down Sidgate Lane.
Footpaths: Still the perennial problem of dogs fouling pavements.
Planning:
20061296 Change of use from agricultural land to school playing field. Newbrough C of E First School Newbrough NE47 5AQ Approved TDC November 2006
20061488 Construction of first floor extension 16 The Terrace Settlingstones NE47 5BB TDC Granted permission 22 January 2007
* Newbrough C of E First School Newbrough NE47 5AQ application pending.
Reports
Youth Provision: Kathryn Forte (Home Housing) and Barbara Mansfield (Haydon Bridge High School) gave an update regarding the current position of the Youth Service Restructure. Clerk has requested further information and will lobby on behalf of the Council, Community and Youth Service. The Council has put aside a substantial sum to support the current service and an approach will be made to TDC for financial assistance.
MTCT: Next meeting will be held on 15th March..
TDC: Tynedale have decided on a Council tax increase of about 1.9%
Town Hall: Cllr Brooks served notice that she intends to resign from the Town Hall Committee but will be willing to induct a new member.
Village Society: The “Forties Night” was a roaring success.
NCC: Sportsfield Association: No report.
Newbrough C of E First School: The School has been successful in an application for grant aid from Home Housing. This substantial sum will be used to re-site the play area in front of the school. A press release is impending.
Financial Matters
Bank Accounts: 7th March 2007 Treasurer’s Account £230.87, BMM £4549.55
Payments Agreed. Clerk’s Part Salary £380, Clerk’s Expenses £36.91, Meeting Room Rental £25 (March), Planning Meeting 15th August £25, Daffodil Bulbs £11.94.
Clerk’s Salary: It was agreed to increase this to be more in line with SLCC recommendations (1st Increment on Band 3). Salary in April to be £2500
Public First Focus: No members of the public were present.
Resignations: Cllr Sheila Burrows and Cllr Jonathan K Steven informed the Council that they wished to resign from the Council and would not be standing at the forthcoming election. The Chairman on behalf of the Council expressed his regret at the loss of two very able and conscientious councillors and he thanked them for their selfless commitment to the parish over the past six and eleven years respectively.
Next Meeting: 7.00pm on May 9th 2007 in Newbrough Town Hall
Dates of Meetings: 2007: 9th May, 4th July, 5th September & 7th November
The meeting was closed at 9.30 pm.