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:

Agenda Item 8

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

23/01717/FUL

Land at Whittonstall

 

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  

23/04582/FUL

Land south west of Hill Bank,

New Ridley Road

 

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

 

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

 

23/04391/FUL

Greystones

24 Painshawfield Road

 

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)

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:

23/02924/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

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

 

Granted 15 December 2023

23/03331/FUL

Brentcroft

42 Apperley Road

Proposed single storey rear extension

No comment

Note use of delegated powers

 

 

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

 

 

23/01717/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

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

  1. Sports fields – it was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Hills) to approve the costs for 2024/25 proposed by Stocksfield Cricket Club
  2. 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.