Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 8 April 2024
at Stocksfield Community Centre
Present: Mrs A Dale, Mr J Harrison, Mr T Hills, Mr C Liddle, Mr M Parker, Professor P Vickers
Ms L Guthrie (Clerk to the Council)
Apologies: Miss A Brooks, Mr K Graham, Mrs K Pollock
Professor Vickers opened the meeting at 7pm and welcomed those present to the meeting. He noted that Mrs Pollock has indicated her intention to resign and asked the Clerk to send a note of thanks for her service to the Parish Council and community.
24/04/1 Apologies for absence
It was AGREED to authorise the absences of Miss Brooks, Mr Graham and Mrs Pollock.
24/04/2 Declarations of Interest
Mrs Dale declared her interest as a county councillor in planning matters.
24/04/3 Public Participation
Mr Harrison noted that he had a query from a resident regarding the parking measures outside Boots at Branch End as the area has been painted with hatching to further deter parking. He noted that this junction remains dangerous for drivers to pull out from. Mrs Dale noted that there is a lack of funding at NCC for parking enforcement.
Mr Hills noted that a resident has asked whether the concrete bin at Broomley Woods can be highlighted as it is difficult to see which results in the other, more prominent bin becoming filled more quickly. The Clerk will look into whether it is possible to paint the bin and/or apply a sign to it. Action: Clerk
Professor Vickers noted that a resident had asked whether the Council could contribute to Northern Rail’s costs in running the station car park. It was noted that the Council does not own this land and councillors await until the outcome of the consultation period to establish whether car parking charges are to be brought in. It was agreed that the Clerk will respond to confirm the position re: legal ownership. Action: Clerk
24/04/4 County Councillor update
Cllr Dale provided a report which was circulated previously and reported on the following matters:
- Highways issues – the condition of highways continues to be of concern due to ongoing weather conditions. There have been over 350 insurance claims made on highways matters since November 2023
- Consultation by Northern Rail on introduction of car parking charges at Stocksfield station – Cllr Dale has received and forwarded on to NR over 150 written responses to the consultation and thanked everyone who has taken the time to respond.
- Northumbria NHS Foundation – Cllr Dale has been asked to take part in research into the delivery of local health services and asked for any comments from councillors.
- A brief summary of other issues which Cllr Dale is dealing with.
24/04/5 Minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2024
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Parker) that the previously circulated minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2024 were a true and accurate record. Action: Clerk discharged
24/04/6 Matters Arising
a) Football pitch tree and root removal (previous item 24/02/204(a))
Members noted the report of the Clerk. Action: Clerk, Chair and Vice Chair
b) SCC grass cutting of Broomley School Rainbow Orchard (previous item (24/02/207(f))
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Parker, seconded Mrs Dale) to accept the quotation provided by Stocksfield Cricket Club. Action: Clerk
c) Playground equipment grant application (previous item 24/02/211)
The report of Mr Liddle and Mrs Dale had been previously circulated and was discussed generally. It was AGREED (proposed Mr Liddle, seconded Mr Dale) to accept the recommendations of the report and the Clerk will submit an application for grant funding to NCC. Action: Clerk
d) Emergency planning: Stocksfield Community Centre (previous item 24/02/206(b))
Members received the update from the Clerk.
24/04/7 Finance
a) Approval of March 2024 payments
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Liddle, seconded Mr Harrison) to approve the payments for March 2024 as detailed in the previously circulated schedule and the summary of receipts and payments for the month was noted.
b) Budget position end of year 2023/24
Members noted the year end budget position.
c) Budget 2024/25
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Parker) to approve the proposed amendments to the 2024/25 budget and to carry forward sums that were incurred but not yet billed in the financial year 2023/24 to be held as earmarked reserves. Action: Clerk
24/04/8 General Governance Advisory Group (GGAG)
- Notes of the GGAG meeting held on 18/03/2024
Members received the notes of the meeting
- Parish meeting 2024
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Parker) to accept the recommendations of the GGAG to hold the Annual Parish Meeting immediately before the Annual Meeting in May.
- D-Day 80th Anniversary Commemorations
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mrs Dale) to accept the recommendations of the GGAG. Action: Clerk
- Renewal of Swarco contract
There was general discussion around the renewal of the contract for the maintenance of the VATCS and it was noted that Swarco installed two of the signs and maintains them under contract, at Brumwell Court and New Ridley Road. Swarco has carried out maintenance visits to the two units, the reports of which have yet to be received, and so further information is required to make an informed decision. It was agreed that the Clerk will request the reports of these visits and then present this to Members in the May meeting. The Clerk will also request further information about whether ad hoc maintenance can be carried out if a contract is not in place and, if so, how the costs of ad hoc woks would compare to the costs of an annual maintenance contract. Action: Clerk
- Dogs in play areas
It was AGREED (proposed Professor Vickers, seconded Mr Hills) to accept the recommendations of the GGAG and to authorise the Clerk to spend within her authorised budget of £500 on signage, with the approval of the Chair. Action: Clerk
24/04/9 Planning Advisory Group
Members noted the planning report and noted use of delegated authority as outlined below:
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Agenda Item 9 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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24/00837/FUL Eden House Ridley Mill Road |
North extension to create utility space, office, cloakroom and extend existing kitchen on ground floor, bathroom on ground floor and additional bedroom creation at first floor level. |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
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24/00834/FUL Fivepines 54 Meadowfield Road |
Single storey front extension |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
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24/00823/FUL Cuilfail 20 Apperley Road |
Garage extension to form home office and covered glass link between house and garage |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
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24/00680/FUL Willow Dene House Broomley |
Proposal to replace and reconfigure modern portion of existing dwelling |
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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24/00139/ADE Branch End News Alexandra House 13 Alexandra Terrace |
Advertisement consent for new fascia advertisement signboard |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
Granted 28 March 2024 |
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24/00138/FUL Branch End News Alexandra House 13 Alexandra Terrace |
Proposed changes to shop front and new advertisement signboard |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
Granted 28 March 2024 |
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24/00116/FUL Apperley Dene, Lead Road
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A new double garage, detached gym, with accompanying outdoor pool and landscaping works |
Objection on grounds of inappropriate development in the greenbelt |
Granted 26 March 2024 |
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24/00045/FUL Brook House, Ridley Mill Road
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The relocation and enlarging of the existing porch, demolition of the south conservatory extension and forming a new single-store extension, infilling the north footprint to provide a two-storey extension, addition of a new chimney and water table and adjustment to some of the materials used on the existing dwelling. |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
Refused 14 March 2024 |
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23/04445/FUL Bywell, New Ridley |
Proposal to remove front wall and drop the kerb to allow off street car parking |
No comment Note use of delegated powers |
Granted 25 March 2024 |
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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 |
Objection to extension to the planning lifetime to 10 years | |
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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) |
Objection on grounds of inappropriate development in the greenbelt |
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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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23/03331/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) | |
| PRE APP | |||
It was agreed to discuss the application 24/00960/OUT Land East of Stone house, New Ridley at the May meeting.
24/04/10 Parish Council Representatives
Professor Vickers, Mr Hills and the Clerk attended a meeting organised by Mrs Dale with Network Rail on 25 March 2024 relating to the proposed car parking charges at Stocksfield train station. Noting that the meeting was very well attended.
Mrs Dale and the Clerk attended the Town and Parish Council held by NCC on 14 March 2024 where the Clerk met representatives from NALC, SLCC and the Ambulance Service.
24/04/11 Change of web provider and move to .gov.uk domain
There was general discussion about the need to move to a new web provider, the quotes provided by the two possible providers and the possibility of moving to a .gov.uk domain. It was agreed that the Clerk would find out further details about whether the proposed storage volumes would be sufficient and the matter would be considered at the May meeting.
Action: Clerk
24/04/12 NE43 News
There was general discussion about the summer edition of NE43 News and the increased costs of production and delivery in recent years. It was AGREED (proposed Mr Hills, seconded Mr Parker) to pause production of the summer edition of NE43 News pending further discussion by the Communications Group. Mr Hills will convene a Communications Group meeting to discuss. The Clerk will look into alternative printers for quotes. Action: Mr Hills and Clerk
Members AGREED to suspend paragraph 2.18 of Standing Orders relating to the length of the meeting.
24/04/13 Proposed parking charges at Stocksfield train station
There was general discussion about the proposals and the views of residents discussed at the meeting on 24 March 2024. It was AGREED (proposed Professor Vickers, seconded Mr Hills) that the Clerk will draft a letter to be shared with all councillors, with councillors providing feedback on the draft before the final version is sent to the Chair for approval and submission to Network Rail within the consultation period. Action: Clerk and Chair
24/04/14 Sports Field User Group and MUGA Advisory Group
It was AGREED (proposed Mr Harrison, seconded Mr Parker) to appoint Mr Liddle as convener.
24/04/15 Future meetings of the Parish Council
The proposed dates of the meetings were AGREED (proposed Professor Vickers, seconded Mr Harrison). Action: Clerk
24/04/16 Defibrillator update
Members received the update from the Clerk.
24/04/17 Any other business
None.
24/04/18 Date of next meeting
Monday 13 May 2024
The Chair thanked members for attending and closed the meeting at 9.14 pm.