Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 8 January 2024
at Stocksfield Community Centre
Present: Mr K Graham, Mr J Harrison, Mr T Hills, Mr M Parker, Professor P Vickers
Ms L Guthrie (Clerk to the Council)
Apologies: Miss A Brooks, Mrs A Dale, Mr C Liddle, Mrs K Pollock
Professor Vickers opened the meeting at 7pm and welcomed those present to the meeting.
24/01/180 Apologies for absence
It was AGREED to authorise the absences of Miss Brooks, Mrs Dale, Mr Liddle and Mrs Pollock.
24/01/181 Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
24/01/182 Public Participation
There were no items of public participation.
24/01/183 County Councillor update
Mrs Dale had provided a written update which had been previously circulated to members. Members noted the update.
24/01/184 Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2023
Mr Hills noted that an amendment was required to the draft minutes to record the vote on the position of Chair. It was AGREED (proposed Mr Parker, seconded Mr Hills) that the previously circulated minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2023 were a true and accurate record. Action: Clerk discharged
24/01/185 Matters Arising
a) Election of Vice Chair of the Parish Council
Mr Harrison proposed that Mr Hills be elected and Mr Graham seconded the proposal and the subsequent vote was carried.
24/01/186 Finance
a) Approval of November and December 2023 payments
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Hills, seconded Mr Harrison) to approve the payments for November and December 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.
c) Bank reconciliations to 31/10/2023
Members noted the update.
24/01/187 Planning Advisory Group
Members noted the planning report and noted use of delegated authority as outlined below:
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Agenda Item 8 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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23/01717/FUL Land at Whittonstall
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Exagen - proposed Highfield Energy Park Further information has been made available in relation to Environmental Statement which has already been provided for this application |
For consideration by full council | |
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23/04582/FUL Land south west of Hill Bank, New Ridley Road
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Change of use of part paddock to private garden and associated operational development including decking with glass recreational dome and erection of domestic garage / workshop (not for business use) |
For consideration by full council – propose objection on grounds of inappropriate development in the greenbelt |
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23/04650/FUL 231 New Ridley Road |
Construction of single storey rear extension to replace existing conservatory and single storey rear extension |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
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23/04391/FUL Greystones 24 Painshawfield Road
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The creation of a new studio and office space and replacement of the greenhouse | For consideration by full council – propose restrictions to prevent future residential use | |
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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23/02924/FUL The Ridings Broomley |
Proposal to erect a greenhouse within residential cartilage (as amended – 12/10/2023) |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
Granted 1 December 2023 |
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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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Granted 15 December 2023 |
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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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23/02924/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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23/01717/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 |
Granted 13 December 2023 |
| PRE APP | |||
a) Planning application 23/04582/FUL land south west of Hill Bank, New Ridley Road
There was general discussion about the application. It was AGREED (proposed Mr Parker, seconded Mr Harrison) to object on grounds of inappropriate development in the green belt.
Action: Clerk discharged
b) Planning application 23/04391/FUL Greystones, 24 Painshawfield Road
There was general discussion about the application. It was AGREED (proposed Mr Parker, seconded Mr Harrison) that Mr Parker and the Clerk will look further into the matter and, if the application does exceed permitted development, an objection will be made on that ground; otherwise no comment will be made.
Action: Mr Parker and Clerk discharged
c) Planning application 23/01717/FUL land at Whittonstall
There was general discussion about the existing application, additional documents provided by the applicant and the application to extend the planning lifetime. Mr Parker noted that the Council has previously objected to the application. It was AGREED (proposed Mr Parker, seconded Mr Hills) to object to the extension to the planning lifetime to 10 years. Action: Clerk discharged
24/01/188 Parish Council Representatives
No councillors had attended any recent events.
24/01/189 Defibrillator electricity supply
Members AGREED to delegate authority to the Clerk, in liaison with the Chair, to enter into an agreement with an energy supplier in respect of supplies to those connections (proposed Mr Hills, seconded Mr Parker). Action: Clerk discharged
24/01/190 Northumberland Open Spaces Assessment
There was general discussion about the assessment questions and members AGREED the responses to be issued to NCC. Action: Clerk discharged
24/01/191 Kate’s Plain Bridge Report
Members received the report of the Clerk.
24/01/192 Bus shelter repairs
Members received the report of the Clerk and it was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Graham) to retrospectively approve the works to the bus shelters and the costs incurred in carrying out these repairs.
24/01/193 EasyPC Accounting package costs
Members received the report of the Clerk and it was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Graham) to accept the new package cost.
24/01/194 Contracts for service 2024/25
- Sports fields – it was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Hills) to approve the costs for 2024/25 proposed by Stocksfield Cricket Club
- Estates and verges additional grass cutting, play areas grass cutting and litter bin emptying on Council land – it was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Parker) to approve the costs for 2024/25 proposed by Northumberland County Council. Councillors noted an update from the Clerk that NCC has proposed to reduce the invoice for 2023/24 by £400 to reflect the times where standards have been less than expected.
24/01/195 Budget and precept 2024/25
Councillors discussed the amended draft budget for 2024/25 which had been previously circulated. It was AGREED to set the budget (prior to precept) as set out below:
Receipts (£) Payments (£)
Employment 21968
Administration 8875
Environment 750 38255
Communications 5780
Sports Facilities 3822 18955
Play Facilities 8855
Community Support 6400
Contingency 2500
4,572 111,588
After further discussion it was AGREED to use reserves of £2,000 towards the budget for 2024/25 and to set the precept for the year at £105,016, resulting in a rise of 2.53%.
24/01/196 Grant and donation requests:
a) Tynedale Hospice at Home
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Hills) to make a donation of £300 under Sec 137 Local Government Act 1974. Action: Clerk discharged
b) Broomley First School PTA Grant
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Graham) to authorise the reallocation of grant fund in the sum of £426 from the orchard project, such that these monies be awarded as a grant for the school playground equipment project. Action: Clerk discharged
24/01/197 Any other business
None
24/01/198 Date of next meeting
Monday 5 February 2024
The Chair thanked members for attending and closed the meeting at 8.52 pm.