Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 7 December 2021 at Stocksfield Community Centre
Present: Ms M Hunt (Chair), Miss A Brooks, Mr C Chance, Mrs A Dale, Mr J Harrison, Mr T Hills, Mr J Lapping, Professor P Vickers.
Mr N Spencer (Clerk to the Council).
Also present: T Stobbart (resident)
Apologies: Mrs L Joy, Mr C Liddle, Mr M Parker, Mrs K Pollock.
The Chair opened the meeting at 7.30pm and welcomed those present to the meeting of the Council. It was AGREED to authorise the absences of Mrs Joy, Mr Liddle, Mr Parker and Mrs Pollock.
21/12/164 Declarations of Interest
Mrs Dale declared an interest in all planning matters and a personal but non prejudicial interest in the item relating to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
21/12/165 Physical meetings: Covid-19 risk assessment
Members AGREED the previously circulated Covid-19 risk assessment.
21/12/166 Public Participation
B6309 and its junction with Lead Road at Apperley Dene
The Clerk had received an email from a resident asking the Council to consider the need for enhancement to the above junction following a series of road traffic collisions over many years. Mrs Dale said that there is funding set aside for traffic calming measures at that location but the proposals are not yet known. The Clerk was asked to respond to the resident accordingly.
Action: Clerk
NE43 News
Mrs Dale had been contacted by a resident of New Ridley Road who stated that their copy of NE43 News had been left in a bush in the garden. The Clerk said that he will discuss this with the delivery company in the near future. Action: Clerk
21/12/167 County Councillor update
Mrs Dale had provided a written update. In particular she referred to bonfires, Factco and the impact of Storm Arwen. Mr Chance asked whether the Council has a role in providing support to those in difficulty where that support is not provided by Northumberland County Council (NCC). The Chair recognised that issue and agreed to discuss it further at a future meeting.
21/12/168 Minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2021
It was AGREED (proposed Ms Brooks, seconded Mr Chance) that the previously circulated minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2021 were a true and accurate record.
21/12/169 Matters Arising
a) Remembrance Service
The Clerk reported that the Service was held with the assistance of Mr Hills who provided a public address system following the last-minute absence of the contractor, and there may be an opportunity to use this equipment in future years. The Chair thanked Mr Hills for his efforts.
b) Planning processes in respect of Burnside Yard
The Clerk has recontacted the Director of Planning at NCC about the Council’s request to meet and a formal response is awaited.
21/12/170 Finance
a) Approval of November payments
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Prof Vickers) to approve the payments for November as detailed in the previously circulated schedule and the summary of receipts and payments for the month was noted.
b) Budget monitoring to 30/11/21
The budget monitoring report was noted.
Mr Chance left the meeting.
21/12/171 Planning Advisory Group
Members noted the use of delegated authority of the Clerk as outlined below.
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21/04341/FUL 1 The Oaks, Main Rd |
TPO application to fell T1 Apple due to poor form due to close proximity and group pressure from adjacent Goat Willow |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
|
21/04422/FUL Station Bungalow Main Road |
Change of use of existing dwelling to veterinary practice |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
|
21/04538/FUL Windbury, Main Rd |
Extension to kitchen to form kitchen/dining area |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
Mr Chance rejoined the meeting.
21/12/172 Parish Council Representatives
The Clerk updated members in respect of a meeting between himself, Mr Parker and members of the Next Generation Flood Resilience Project at Stocksfield Burn. The project members are optimistic that significant detail will become available that will enable the Council to formulate an enhanced flood plan although the results are unlikely for some years.
21/12/173 Climate Change Emergency Advisory Group (CCEAG)
a) Notes of the CCEAG held on 11/11/21 and 29/11/21
Members received the notes of the above meetings.
b) Habitat and species survey
Members AGREED to the proposed habitat and species survey and to the formation of a CCEAG sub-group for that purpose. Action: Mr Chance
c) Community consultation event
Mr Chance referred to the proposed community consultation event on 12 March 2022 at Stocksfield Community Centre. Members discussed the potential legal restrictions which may apply to meetings and the requirement to comply with the Council’s relevant Covid-19 risk assessment, and Mr Chance agreed to liaise with the Clerk.
Action: Mr Chance and Clerk
d) Climate Change Budget 2021/22
After discussion it was AGREED (proposed Mr Chance, seconded Mrs Dale) to allocate £900 split between Administration, Environment and Communications for the purposes of Climate Change as recommended by the CCEAG. Action: Clerk
e) Climate Change Budget 2022/23
After discussion it was AGREED (proposed Mr Chance, seconded Mrs Dale) to allocate £2,963 split between Administration, Environment and Communications for the purposes of Climate Change as recommended by the CCEAG. Action: Clerk
21/12/174 Footbridge over Stocksfield Burn
The Clerk referred to a previously circulated report of the 2021 inspection of the footbridge over Stocksfield Burn and a previous decision of the Council to undertake repairs. It was AGREED (proposed Mr Lapping, seconded Prof Vickers) to reaffirm the previous decision to approve repairs by NCC at a cost of £1,000. Action: Clerk DISCHARGED
21/12/175 Grant Applications and donation requests
a) Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The application relates to a request for a grant towards the costs of a proposed celebratory event at Bywell Hall in June 2022. Members expressed support for the event but discussed issues relating to compliance with the Council’s Grant Policy and to the potential for the event to make a profit. It was AGREED to set aside £1,000 in the budget for 2022/23 and to defer a decision until the Clerk has clarified the issues raised. Action: Clerk DISCHARGED
b) Tynedale Hospice
Members AGREED (proposed Mr Lapping, seconded Prof Vickers) to make a donation of £300 to the registered charity Tynedale Hospice under Sec 137 Local Government Act 1972.
Action: Clerk DISCHARGED
21/12/176 East Tynedale Town and Parish Councils’ Forum (ETTPCF)
It was AGREED to renew the Council’s subscription to the ETTPCF at a cost of £80.
Action Clerk DISCHARGED
21/12/177 Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC)
It was AGREED to renew the Clerk’s membership of the SLCC at a cost of £186.
Action Clerk DISCHARGED
21/12/178 Review of Policy and Procedure
a) Grievance procedure
It was AGREED that the Grievance Procedure should remain unchanged and be reviewed in twelve months. Action: Clerk
b) Disciplinary policy
It was AGREED that the Disciplinary Policy should remain unchanged and be reviewed in twelve months. Action: Clerk
21/12/179 Budget and precept 2022/23
Members considered a report of the Clerk itemising anticipated receipts and payments in 2022/23 based on previous decisions and discussions of the Council. After discussion it was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Prof Vickers) to approve the budget for 2022/23 as presented (with minor reallocation between budgets) to show overall receipts and payments before precept as below:
| Receipts | Payments | |
| (£) | (£) | |
| Employment | 20120 | |
| Administration | 9378 | |
| Environment | 680 | 40530 |
| Communications | 6290 | |
| Sport Facilities | 2600 | 14772 |
| Play Facilities | 7495 | |
| Community Support | 6410 | |
| Contingency | 3000 | |
| 3280 | 107995 |
After further discussion it was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Prof Vickers) that the precept for 2022/23 will be set at £99,006, unchanged from the current year, and that £5,709 will be used in 2022/23 from the Council’s reserves. Action: Clerk
21/12/180 Any other business
There was no other business
21/12/181 Date of next meeting
Tuesday 4 January 2022.
Members AGREED to exclude the press and members of the public from the meeting under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted in the following items.
21/13/182 Defibrillator equipment
The Clerk updated members on matters connected to the Council’s defibrillators.
The Chair then thanked councillors for their attendance, wished all present a Happy Christmas and New Year, and closed the meeting at 9.28pm.