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:
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Agenda Item 10 New application(s) for note/endorsement/decision: |
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Reference/ Address
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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 |
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22/03027/FUL Mickley Bank Farm
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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 |
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23/03890/FUL Dale Head 24 Cade Hill Road
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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
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23/03808/FUL Hindley Farm
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Single storey extension to east gable |
No comment Note use of delegated powers
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Existing planning applications (for information only) |
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Reference/ Address
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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: | |||
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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
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23/03331/FUL Brentcroft 42 Apperley Road |
Proposed single storey rear extension |
No comment Note use of delegated powers
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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
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Granted 17 October 2023 |
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23/02924/FUL The Ridings Broomley
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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
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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 |
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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 | |
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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 |
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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) | |
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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 |
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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 |
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| 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.