Planning Applications in North Northumberland 7th to11th May 2012
Notice Date : 19th May 2012
A. 1. 12/01045/RENE.
Erection of an anemometer mast up to 60 metres height. Land North of Belford Burn.
I mention this as this is often a precursor for a wind turbine. The applicant is from Leeds!
2. DL132UY.
Construction of landing platform and anchor pole for a zip wire at Ford Castle!
Minutes of Cornhill Parish Council May Meeting
Notice Date : 18th May 2012
Cornhill Parish Council
Minutes of a meeting held on Monday, 14th May 2012, at the Village Hall
Present: Cllrs. William Carrington (Chair), David Buckle, Marie Gillespie,
Margaret Mole, Rosemary Cott, County Cllr. Dougie Watkin, and
Angela Hallam-Baker (Clerk)
In attendance: PC Mark Lynn, Wooler Police
1) Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Mike Smith and Lynda Boland.
2) There were no parishioners’ questions.
3) Minutes of the meeting held on 19th March 2012 were agreed and signed.
4) Matters arising from the minutes:
i) Speeding traffic – PC Mark Lynn told the meeting that PC Paul Temple had applied for flashing 30mph signs for Cornhill, but was told there was no funding available. An enquiry had been made to Jim Long of the Highways Agency about providing a strip across the road to test speeds, but as yet there had been no reply. The speed gun, which had recently been used in Wark and Carham, was now in use in Berwick, and from there would be transferred to Alnwick. It had been ascertained that the white speed van seen in Wark was in fact an unmarked Police vehicle.
Another traffic accident at Goslaw Cut on the A697 had occurred this morning (reported to the meeting by Cllr. Gillespie) – the fifth in a short period of time. It was agreed that this is a dangerous double bend, and although 30mph signs were erected a few years ago, they appear to have been sited in the wrong place. The clerk would contact Jim Long to enquire whether anything could be done to make the road safer.
Criminal activity – PC Lynn spoke of the theft of BT cable from the A698 at Donaldson’s Lodge on 28th March, and the shed at Twizel Toll broken into 8th/9th May when fish was stolen.
ii) Service Level Agreement for play area – the promised new contract had not yet
been issued to the Parish Council, although it had been informed that the cost of
weekly inspections would be £40 per item per annum, totaling £120.00. The Parish
Council would be required to fund the insurance and the annual inspection.
iii) Slow and 30mph signs on the road surface – these had been logged for repainting by NCC.
iv) Grass cutting – the clerk had advised the new contractor of the paths to be cut and
the length as laid down by NCC in the original contract. These would be cut twice a
year in May and August/September, depending on the growth.
v) Newsletter printing – since the printer in the Village Shop, which had previously
been used, was not economical for such a large quantity, Cllr. Carrington had kindly
agreed to have the Newsletter printed on a commercial machine without charge, as long as
he received the copy on time. Donations already collected had been set against the high cost of ink already used.
vi) Road subsidence – it was noted that manholes due for repair had been sprayed.
vii)Tarmac surface by St. Helen’s Gardens – this would be inspected by NCC.
viii) Information awaited:
• Update on Neighbourhood Charter - no further information.
• Request for Parish Councils’ vote at Standards Board meetings – Cllr. Watkin reported that the Standards Board will cease to exist at the end of June, and a new facility will be created to deal with complaints. A local decision had been taken by NCC and Scottish Borders Council that the new body should have 8 elected county councillors, and either 3 or 4 parish councillors with no voting rights. The Councils are working with the NALC.
• Results of 5 pilot neighbourhood planning projects – these had just been started.
ix) Representation of Glendale Parishes on Glendale Gateway Trust – still no further
progress on this. Cllr. Buckle, Chair of the GGT, suggested that if there is a meeting of the LDF in early June, that might be an opportunity to discuss how parishes might nominate a representative.
x) Sustainable Community Transport – a survey had been suggested at the last meeting
to find out residents’ views on community transport, based on the 2006 Parish Plan.
However, Cllr. Carrington felt that such detail was not necessary. It was considered
that, rather than a questionnaire, it would be more useful to discuss this at a public meeting, when the LDF document had been released. It is hoped this meeting could be held mid-June, when residents would be invited to comment on wider issues in the community, and let the Parish Council know what they would like it to do.
5) Financial Report:
The clerk distributed copies of the statement of account as at today’s date showing transactions since the last meeting. The current bank balance stood at £4,515.08.
A request had been received from NALC for renewal of the Parish’s annual subscription for 2012/2013. This amounted to £68.01 based on 289 electors at 1st April 2012. It was agreed that this should be paid.
6) Report on Wind Turbines public meeting held on 12th May 2012:
The meeting had been called by Carham Parish Council and held in Cornhill Village Hall courtesy of Cornhill Parish Council. Flyers had been put through the doors in Cornhill and Carham Parish, but although Branxton Parish Council had been informed, none had been delivered by that parish.
Some 50 people from the two parishes and local area had attended to listen to the two speakers:
Simon Maden, on behalf of the wind turbine suppliers, who supplied information on the workings of wind turbines, and Andrew Joicey, who gave an illustrated and informative presentation on relevant facts and figures.
It was considered that Cornhill Parish Council had done a good job in creating awareness of this form of renewable energy, without commenting.
7) Planning applications:
It was considered that the NCC Planning website was not user-friendly and that it is a tedious job trawling through all applications on a regular basis to find the local ones. It was agreed that everyone should have access to all information regarding important planning applications, and to this end Cllr. Carrington agreed to look at the website on a weekly basis, report this to the clerk, who would pass it on to the parishes in the northern end of Northumberland. She would also mount the reference numbers on the Cornhill Community Website and have them printed in the Newsletter.
It was pointed out that this could be discussed at the proposed LDF meeting.
8) Cornhill School – possible uses for the site/building:
The decision whether or not to close the school would be made on or around 18th June 2012. It would then be up to the Parish Council to suggest uses for the building. It was thought this question could be posed to the residents at the proposed public meeting.
Cllr. Watkin, as a Governor of the school declared an interest and did not take part in any discussion on this topic.
9) Cornhill Community Website:
Nothing further to report.
10) Jubilee Celebrations:
It had been agreed that the Parish Council would organize and fund the planting of two trees either side of the War Memorial together with a plaque stating that these were in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It was suggested that flowering cherries would be appropriate, but the clerk would contact the grass-cutting contractor to ask his advice and to dig the holes for the trees.
The Village Shop had produced a Plan of Events in the Village Hall, which were being organized by residents of the village on Sunday, 3rd June. There was to be a church service at 3.00pm, after which the trees would be planted, followed by the Celebration Party in the Village Hall.
11) Parishioners’ question time on Agenda items:
No parishioners outside the Parish Council were present.
12) Any other business:
• Graffiti on the old bus shelter – the clerk would ask Mick Tully (NCC) for advice in removing this.
• Neighbourhood Watch signs – the clerk has put two up in Donaldson’s Lodge and Cllr. Boland has put two in Tweed Meadows. Some extra signs had been found, and the clerk would see about putting these up around the village.
13) Date of next meeting: Monday, 16th July 2012, at 7.00pm in the Village Hall.
This concluded the business of the meeting, and the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance.
Minutes of Cornhill Parish Council Annual General Parish Meeting
Notice Date : 18th May 2012
Minutes of the Annual General Parish Meeting
held on Monday, 14th May 2012, in the Village Hall
Present: Cllrs. David Buckle (Chair), William Carrington, Marie Gillespie,
Margaret Mole, Rosemary Cott; County Cllr. Dougie Watkin, and
Angela Hallam-Baker (Clerk).
In attendance: Residents, Derek and Veronica Sheldrick, and PC. Mark Lynn.
1) Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Mike Smith and Lynda Boland, also PC Daniel Perry.
2) Chair’s opening remarks:
David Buckle welcomed everyone to the meeting, and went through the significant events which had taken place in the Parish during the past year. These included:
• the transfer from NCC to the Parish Council of the Play Area, the old bus shelter, seats and litter bins.
• the re-painting of the ‘phone box.
• the launch in June 2011 of the Tweed Horizons booklet detailing cycle rides emanating from the Village Shop, and funded by a grant of £4,640 from Awards for All. It was noted that this was the fifth grant obtained during the last six years, the others being the Parish Plan, the Cornhill Community Website, the four Walks Leaflets and the Internet Café.
• the proposed closure of Cornhill First School discussed at meetings with NCC and the School Governors and followed by consultation processes. The final decision would be made by NCC, but it seemed likely that the school would close at the end of August. In this case, the future of the site would need to be discussed by the Parish Council, and if no viable alternative use is found, the County Council will consider its development.
• a second public meeting, attended by some 50 residents of Cornhill and neighbouring parishes, had been held a few days ago to discuss the pros and cons of wind turbines in the local rural area.
• it was with regret that Alison Malcolm’s resignation from the Parish Council had been received. Two new members, Rosemary Cott and William Carrington, had been co-opted to fill the vacancies. The Chair expressed his thanks to all the councillors for their time and work over the year.
• Speakers from NCC had been welcomed to discuss various items of responsibility which were going to be transferred to the Parish Council.
• Brian Watson gave an informative talk on ways of overcoming fuel poverty, and Rev. Linda Gardham had been welcomed to a meeting to update the Parish Council on the repairs to the church tower She expressed a her hope that the west end of the church might be used to display information relevant to the Parish.
After what had been a busy and productive year, David Buckle had already announced his intention to stand down from his position as Chair of the Parish Council, having held this post for the past seven years. Cllr. Buckle expressed his thanks to his fellow councillors for their commitment in working with him during that period.
3 & 4) The minutes of the Annual General Parish meeting held on 16th May 2011 were agreed and signed, and there were no matters arising.
5) Presentation of unaudited accounts for the year to 31st March 2012:
The clerk distributed copies of the accounts and went through them item by item, showing a. closing balance at the year end of £3,340.42. There were no questions from the floor, and the accounts would be submitted to the internal auditor, Susan McCall, and then made available for inspection by parishioners. The accounts, detailed in the Annual Return, would then be submitted to the external auditors before being re-presented to the Parish Council.
6) County Councillor’s Report for the year to 31st March 2012:
Cllr. Watkin referred to the following items:
• His sadness at the proposed closure of Cornhill First School
• The Local Development Framework document (planning) would be made available to parishes within the next week or so. Cllr. Buckle stated that the Glendale Gateway Trust is planning a meeting with its statutory members and possibly parishes to discuss the LDF.
• NCC is continuing to define and rationalise the transfer of services to parishes, but he felt this would take another year of administration to complete this.
• The maintenance of churchyards would not be transferred to parishes.
• Council tax is set to continue the same for next year.
Cllr. Carrington requested that a further report on rationalisation of transfers be issued, and that adequate notice be given of what is likely to happen to the school site.
7) Election of Chair and Deputy Chair for the year to 31st March 2013:
In accordance with the statuatory rules, the Chair and Deputy Chair stepped down from their posts. Cllr. Buckle had declared that he would not stand, and nominations for his successor had been requested from the other councillors. There was just one nomination – Cllr. William Carrington – and it was proposed by Cllr. Cott and seconded by Cllr. Gillespie, that he be elected as the new Chair. The vote on this was unanimous.
Cllr. Mike Smith, although absent from the meeting, has expressed his wish to stand again for the position of Deputy Chair, and he was proposed by Cllr. Mole and seconded by Cllr. Carrington. The vote again was unanimous.
It was pointed out by Cllr. Buckle that in 2013 all councillors would stand down, and that he hoped that residents would think about putting their names forward for the election.
8) Programme of meetings for the year:
It was agreed that Parish Council meetings should continue to be held on the third Monday of alternate months at 7.00pm at Cornhill Village Hall:
16th July, 17th September, 19th November, 21st January, 18th March.
Cllr. Cott said she would present a gavel and block to the Parish Council for use at meetings.
9) Any other business:
Thanks were expressed to Cllr. Buckle by Cllr. Watkin and David and Veronica Sheldrick for his work as Chair over the last seven years, and they wished Cllr. Carrington well in his new
Cornhill Parish Council May Meeting
Notice Date : 9th May 2012
Cornhill Parish Council
Notice of a meeting to be held on Monday, 14th May 2012, at the Village Hall at approximately 7.30pm immediately following
the Annual General Parish Meeting
Agenda
1) Apologies for absence
2) Parishioners’ questions (15 minute time limit) to be submitted in writing to the Clerk by Thursday evening.
3) Minutes of the meeting held on 19th March 2012 to be agreed and signed.
4) Matters arising from the minutes:
i) speeding traffic
ii) Service Level Agreement for play area
iii) slow and 30mph signs to be repainted
iv) grass cutting
v) Newsletter printing
vi) road subsidence at Mill bridge
vii) tarmac surface by St. Helen’s Gardens
viii) information awaited: update on Neighbourhood Charter
request for Parish Councils’ vote at Standards Board meetings
results of 5 pilot neighbourhood planning projects
ix) Representation of Glendale Parishes on Glendale Gateway Trust
5) Financial Report
6) Report on Wind Turbines public meeting
7) Cornhill School – possible uses for the site/building
8) Planning applications
9) Cornhill Community Website
10) Jubilee celebrations
11) Parishioners’ 15 minute question time on Agenda items
12) Any other business
13) Date of next meeting: Monday, 16th July 2012, at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
Cornhill Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting
Notice Date : 9th May 2012
Cornhill Parish Council
Notice of the Annual General Parish Meeting
to be held on Monday, 14th May 2012, in the Village Hall at 7.00pm
Agenda
1) Apologies for absence
2) Chairman’s opening remarks
3) Minutes of the Annual General Parish Meeting held on 16th May 2011 to be agreed
and signed.
4) Matters arising from the minutes
5) Presentation of unaudited accounts for the year to 31st March 2012
6) County Councillor’s Report for the year to 31st March 2012
7) Election of Chair and Deputy Chair for the year to 31st March 2013
8) Programme of meetings for the year
9) Any other business
