Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council  held on Monday 6 November 2023

at Stocksfield Community Centre

 

Present:         Miss A Brooks, Mrs A Dale, Mr T Hills, Mr C Liddle, Mr M Parker, Professor P Vickers

Ms L Guthrie (Clerk to the Council)

                       

Apologies:     Mr K Graham, Mr J Harrison, Mrs K Pollock

 

Professor Vickers opened the meeting at 7 pm and welcomed those present to the meeting.

 

23/11/161 Election of Chair

Prof Vickers noted that Mr Harrison has stepped down as Chair. Mrs Dale proposed Prof Vickers for the position of Chair, Mr Hills seconded. All councillors voted in favour of the appointment and Prof Vickers accepted the position of Chair. The position of Vice Chair is to be decided at the meeting in December.

 

23/11/162 Apologies for absence

 It was AGREED to authorise the absences of Mr Graham, Mr Harrison and Mrs Pollock.

 

23/11/163 Declarations of Interest

Mrs Dale declared an interest in planning matters as a County Councillor. Mr Liddle declared an interest as a coach at Stocksfield Football Club. Prof Vickers declared an interest as a community volunteer of Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership.

 

23/11/164 Public Participation

Mrs Dale noted that meetings of PC Advisory Groups and Committees are advertised on the SICA noticeboard as being Parish Council meetings which could be confusing to the public. It was agreed that the Clerk will contact SICA to request that these meeting descriptions are changed for clarity.                               Action: Clerk discharged

 Mrs Dale requested that the Clerk include a map showing the location of defibrillators in the village in NE43 News and that this map should be put on the Parish Council noticeboards. Action: Clerk

Mr Liddle noted that the football pitches at the sports fields are water logged and asked the Clerk whether there has been any progress on the 3G pitch. The Clerk noted she has not heard further from Allendale Estates and will contact them to discuss further.             Action: Clerk discharged

 

23/11/165 County Councillor update

Mrs Dale had provided a written update which had been previously circulated to members. This included updates on traffic orders, highways flooding and FixMyStreet. Members noted the update.

                                   

23/11/166 Minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2023

It was AGREED (proposed Mr Hills, seconded Mrs Dale) that the previously circulated minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2023 was a true and accurate record.                                                                                                                                          Action: Clerk discharged

 

23/11/167 Matters Arising

a) SCATA Proposal for a collaborative energy and climate change survey

Members discussed the possible survey and agreed to await hearing further from SCATA in due course. It was noted that an article signposting residents to Community Action Northumberland will be included in the next edition of NE43 News.              Action: Clerk

 

b) Remembrance Service

The Clerk provided an update which the members noted. It was AGREED to make a donation of £250 to the Royal British Legion for the wreath they provided. Mr Liddle agreed to give a reading as representative for the Parish Council at the Remembrance Service. Action: Clerk discharged

 

c) Football pitch tree root removal

The Clerk provided an update which members received.                                         Action: Clerk

 

d) Proposed Play Areas Advisory Group

This item was discharged.

 

23/11/168 Finance

a) Approval of October 2023 payments

It was AGREED (proposed Mr Hills, seconded Miss Brooks) to approve the payments for October 2023 as detailed in the previously circulated schedule and the summary of receipts and payments for the month was noted.

b) Budget 2023/24

Members received the previously circulated Budget Report from the Clerk.

 

23/11/169 General Governance Advisory Group - draft budget 2024/25

Members discussed the 2024/25 budget and the proposals of GGAG at length. It was agreed that the Clerk will provide full information on each budget item in the next meeting to enable councillors to see where savings can be made, if possible, and to agree the budget.                                                                                                                                          Action: Clerk

 

23/11/170 Planning Advisory Group

Members noted the planning report and noted use of delegated authority as outlined below:

Agenda Item 10

New application(s) for note/endorsement/decision:

Reference/

Address

 

 

Description Parish Council recommendation – (see Planning Report for details if applicable)

NCC Decision/Date

Copies of the Planning Decisions can be found on NCC website

22/03027/FUL

Mickley Bank Farm

 

Retrospective application for the erection of storage sheds – appeal to Secretary of State

No further comment made. No comment was made for original application which was refused 04/11/2022

 

23/03890/FUL

Dale Head

24 Cade Hill Road

 

Proposed rear and side extension, replacement of conservatory with a single storey Orangery with roof lantern, replacement of porch with a single storey canopy and replacement of PVC window to timber frame windows. Proposed single storey extension to existing garage and associated external works including electric entrance gates.

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

 

 

23/03808/FUL

Hindley Farm

 

Single storey extension to east gable

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

 

 



Existing planning applications (for information only)

Reference/

Address

 

 

Description Parish Council recommendation – (see Planning Report for details if applicable)

NCC Decision/Date

Copies of the Planning Decisions can be found on NCC website

Pending or recently decided application(s) for information:

23/02815/FUL

20 Hall Farm Close

Ground and first floor extension and new summerhouse in existing rear garden.

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

 

 

23/03331/FUL

Brentcroft

42 Apperley Road

Proposed single storey rear extension

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

 

 

23/03111/VARYCO

1 The Oaks, Main Road

Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) to amend the proposed layout of and removal of condition 4 (trees) following revocation of TPO pursuant to planning approval 20/03977/FUL

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

 

Granted 17 October 2023

23/02924/FUL

The Ridings Broomley

 

Proposal to erect a greenhouse on the west facing gable end on top of a dwarf stone wall

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

 

 

23/02173/FUL

33 Baliol Road

Proposed rear extension, roof alterations, front porch, drive alterations

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

Granted 17 October 2023

23/01717/FUL

Land at Whittonstall, Consett

Construction and operation of a renewable energy scheme comprising ground mounted photovoltaics with associated battery storage and associated infrastructure. Objection made 21 July 2023  

17/01494/FUL and 17/01495/LBC

South Cottage, Broomley

Retrospective application for refurbishment of the west outhouse, external and internal works and amendment of glazed link corridor (together with listed building consent)

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

 

20/03997/FUL

Broomley House

Main Road

Construction of detached dwelling and garage, retaining wall to southern boundary, new boundary treatments and associated works and landscaping (retrospective) Objection. See Parish Council minute 21/9/116(a)  

23/000986/FUL

Land to NE of Merryshields Farm

Conversion and redevelopment of redundant farm buildings to create one dwelling

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

 

23/01670/FUL

The Whinns, 3 Apperley Road

Demolition of existing dwelling and replacement with a 2-storey 5 bedroom home with associated landscaping and infrastructure.

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

 
PRE APP      

23/11/171 Parish Council Representatives

No councillors had attended the most recent East Tynedale Forum, Mr Harrison had sent his apologies.

Mr Parker had met further with members of Shotley Low Quarter Parish Council and Exagen to discuss Highfield Energy Park proposals and provided an update to members.

                                                          

23/11/172 Contract for Grounds Maintenance Services 2024/27

Members AGREED to award the contract to Neetfleet Ltd (proposed Mr Hills, seconded Miss Brooks).                                                                                                Action: Clerk discharged

 

23/11/173 Transfer of land to Cricket Club

The Clerk provided an update which was received by members.

 

23/11/174 Stocksfield Football Club FA Pitch maintenance grant

Members received the report of the Clerk and it was agreed to continue discussions and the funding application in order to establish what is available, what match funding would be required and any other costs or liabilities associated with the funding.                                   Action: Clerk

 

23/11/175 Tyne Valley Communities Rail Partnership

It was AGREED (proposed Mr Hills, seconded Mr Parker) to vote in favour of TVCRP’s resolution to apply for charitable status.                                                                                 Action: Clerk discharged

 

23/11/176 NE43 News

Members discussed the content of the next edition and possible article subjects.

Action: Clerk discharged

 

23/11/177 Scope textiles bin at Cricket Club

Following a report from Mr Hills that the bin was overflowing, Members received an update from the Clerk.                                                                   

                              

23/11/178 Any other business

Mr Hills noted that the large bottle bank at the cricket club was full, although the smaller bins were not. Agreeing that the Clerk would alert the County Council to the issue and ask them for detail of the routine for emptying the bank. Mr Hills also noted that some waste bins have not been emptied and it was agreed that the Clerk would review the terms of the contract with NCC re emptying of litter bins.                                                                                           Action: Clerk

 

23/11/179 Date of next meeting

Monday 4 December 2023

 

 

The Chair thanked members for attending and closed the meeting at 8.47 pm.