Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 7 June 2022 at Stocksfield Community Centre
Present: Mr J Harrison (Chair), Mr T Hills, Mrs L Joy, Mr C Liddle, Mr M Parker.
Mr N Spencer (Clerk to the Council).
Apologies: Miss A Brooks, Mrs A Dale, Mr J Lapping, Mrs K Pollock, Professor P Vickers.
The Chair opened the meeting at 7.30pm and welcomed those present.
22/6/86 Apologies for absence
It was AGREED to authorise the absences of Miss Brooks, Mrs Dale, Mr Lapping, Mrs Pollock and Prof Vickers.
22/6/87 Declarations of Interest
None.
22/6/88 Public Participation
Litter bins.
Mr Hills said that over the last few weeks residents had complained about overflowing litter bins at a number of locations and that he was working with the Clerk to monitor and resolve the problems.
Roadside equipment A695 Branch End
Mr Hills said that he had been contacted by a resident who complained about the installation of an electrical cabinet covered in graffiti outside their property. The work had been undertaken on behalf of Northumberland County Council (NCC). The graffiti has been painted over and discussions are ongoing with options to change the colour of the cabinet.
Cade Hill Road – hedges and trees
Mr Hill said he had received complaints about hedges and trees obstructing pavements in Cade Hill Road and Apperley Road. It was AGREED that the Clerk will report the matter to NCC. Action: Clerk
22/6/89 County Councillor update
Mrs Dale had provided a written update which had been circulated.
22/6/90 Minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2022
It was AGREED that the previously circulated minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2022 were a true and accurate record.
22/6/91 Matters Arising
a) Team building event
Mrs Joy reported that scheduling an event in June was proving to be difficult and she planned to arrange a suitable date in September.
b) Defibrillators
The Clerk said that his meetings with the Council’s webmaster, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and North East Ambulance Service are continuing. The situation remains that a significant proportion of emails sent to the Council by BHF’s new system has not been delivered. Further questions have been asked of the Council’s email host and suitable temporary backup communication has been arranged. Councillors noted the update.
22/6/92 Finance
a) Approval of May 2022 payments
It was AGREED (proposed Mrs Joy, seconded Mr Hills) to approve the payments for May 2022 as detailed in the previously circulated schedule and the summary of receipts and payments for the month was noted.
b) Budget 2022/23
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Hills, seconded Mr Parker) to vire £2,500 from the Contingency budget to Play Facilities. Action: Clerk
22/6/93 General Governance Advisory Group (GGAG)
a) Notes of the GGAG meeting held on 23/05/22
Members received the notes of the GGAG.
b) Email and internet policy
After discussion it was AGREED (proposed Mr Parker, seconded Mrs Joy) to make no amendments to the policy and review the policy further in May 2023. Action: Clerk
c) Grit bins
The Chair referred to an audit of grit bins within Stocksfield undertaken by Mr Hills and additional information provided by NCC. Councillors recognised that NCC had responsibility for the provision of grit bins and, despite some anomalies caused by NCC inheriting grit bins from developers and former Tynedale District Council, they were satisfied that the formal assessment by NCC was fair and consistent. It was AGREED that the Council will refer all applications for grit bins to NCC and where residents are unhappy with the decision of NCC, they will be advised to contact the County Councillor.
22/6/94 Planning Advisory Group
Members noted the planning report. There were no new applications.
22/6/95 Climate Change Emergency Advisory Group (CCEAG)
Councillors discussed the implications of the recent creation of the Stocksfield Climate Change Group (SCCG) and its impact on the work of the CCEAG. Mrs Joy reported that the SCCG’s intention is to implement the majority of the draft action plan previously presented to the Council by the CCEAG. Mrs Joy said that she had registered with NCC as a ‘climate change champion’ and believed that the Council still needed to look at its policies and procedures with regard to climate change. After further discussion it was AGREED to appoint Mrs Joy as the lead councillor for issues relating to climate change and to discontinue the CCEAG. Action: Clerk
22/6/96 Parish Council Representatives
None.
22/6/97 NE43 News: delivery
The Clerk said that the company used by the Council to distribute NE43 News had recently ceased to trade. In order to ensure delivery of the next edition, it had been necessary to refresh previous quotes and use delegated powers to contract with an alternative distributor. The delivery is scheduled for Tuesday 14 June and future deliveries will be considered by the Council in due course. The Clerk also reported that costs for an eight-page edition had risen by £110. Councillors noted the update. DISCHARGED
22/6/98 Use of plant protection products at Stocksfield Sports Fields
The Clerk informed councillors that arrangements are in hand for the Council to register with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in respect of its use of products such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides at the sports fields. The effect of registration is that the use of all such products requires notification to and permission of the Council. DISCHARGED
22/6/99 Stocksfield Climate Change Group
The Chair referred to a previously circulated grant application from the above newly formed group. After discussion it was AGREED to award a grant of £500 for the purpose of completing a habitat survey, under Sec 137 Local Government Act 1972. Action: Clerk
22/6/100 Any other business
Co-option
The Clerk reported that the mandatory notices of vacancies for councillors had been published and, as a result, the Council is now able to co-opt two new councillors. An item is included within the next edition of NE43 News and notices will be placed on the notice boards.
Stocksfield Cricket Club: use of the sports fields
The Clerk said that the dates of the cricket club’s planned events for which the Council has approved use of the fields have been amended to Friday 5 August and Saturday 6 August 2022. Councillors noted the update.
22/6/101 Date of next meeting
Tuesday 5 July 2022
The Chair thanked members for attending and closed the meeting at 8.43pm.