Parish Council Monthly Minutes – 2nd December 2009

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A Regular Meeting of Whitmore Parish Council was held on Wednesday 2nd December 2009 at 7.15 p.m. in the Whitmore & District Village Hall.

PRESENT
Councillors NDK Hopper (Chairman), PC Ford, P Maskery, WP Murray, Mrs A Pedley and ID Webb plus Mr RN Haysom, Clerk. Mrs D Burns, Village Agent and County Cllr F Chapman, by invitation. There were no Parishioners present.

248:12/09 TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr AJ Wilkinson (Holiday).

249:12/09 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS IN THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Cllr P Maskery declared an interest in Planning Matters. No other interests were declared. The Chairman reminded Councillors that Interests could be declared during the Meeting.

250:12/09 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN NOVEMBER 09
Cllr Webb proposed, Cllr Ford seconded and it was resolved that the Minutes of the last Regular Meeting be approved and signed as a true record. The Chairman signed the Minutes.

251:12/09 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS AND OFFICERS
Borough Councillor P Maskery reported on his involvement in trying to overcome further flooding in the Station Stores.

252:12/09 TO RECEIVE VILLAGE AGENT'S REPORT
Mrs Burn reported on:

• Parish Plan – she had hoped for more comments concerning her Action Plan and agreed to circulate this again via the Clerk. It was agreed that the Action Plan would be a regular Agenda Item and that the Committee would meet on the 13th January 2010 in the Sheet Anchor to discuss future action.
• Grant Funding – she was reviewing possible grants for Parish Projects. She had not been asked to look at funding for the Village Hall IT training.
• Mother & Toddler Group – this had been formed with funding from County Council

253:12/09 TO CONSIDER MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE LAST REGULAR MEETING NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA
There were no matters arising.

County Councillor Chapman apologised for his late arrival and joined the Meeting.

254:12/09 TOWN AND COUNTRYSIDE PLANNING
Cllr Maskery declared an interest and it was agreed that he stay in the Meeting and comment if he so wished. The Clerk tabled a Summary Report on this item.

1. To consider Planning Applications, Appeals and Results
   1. New Applications for consideration
      The Clerk reported that there was one application under review:
      09/625/FUL – Front and side extensions and roof alterations – Craggan, Birch Tree lane, Whitmore Heath
      
      
   2. New Applications – Review Completed
      The Clerk reported that three applications had been reviewed:
      09/521/FUL – New garage/stable building & change of use of land for the keeping of horses – Butterton House, Butterton – Strong Objection.
      09/585/FUL – Replacement rear conservatory – Long Barrow, Butterton – No Objection.
      09/560/FUL – Amendments to Approval 08/889/FUL for alterations to a garage and link extension – The Old Barn, Manor Road, Baldwins Gate – No Objection.
      
      
   3. Appeals
      There were no Appeals to discuss.
      
      
   4. Results
      The Clerk reported that five Applications had been approved by NULBC.
      09/431/FUL – 5-bay horsewalker – Acton Hall Equestrian Centre, Acton – No Objection.
      09/455/FUL – New replacement house – Hallaton House, Heath Road, Whitmore Heath – No Objection in principle.
      09/476/FUL – Changes to the Doctors Surgery – The Poplars, Tollgate Avenue, Baldwins Gate – No Objection.
      09/515/FUL – Stables and Tack Room – Hillingswood, Whisper Lane, Newcastle – No Objection
      09/512/FUL – Two-storey side extension – Long Barrow, Butterton Rd Butterton – Strong Objection
      The Clerk reported that two Applications had been refused;
      09/447/FUL – Rear two–storey extension with first floor extension over the existing garage and link extension – Janston, Acton – Strong Objection
      09/504/FUL – Deletion of Condition 2 to Application 09/117/FUL – The Haven, Butterton
      
      
   5. Applications Withdrawn
      The Clerk reported that one Application had been withdrawn.
      09/315/FUL – Single storey rear extension – Netherwood, Shutlanehead
      
      
2. To confirm the letters sent to Newcastle Borough Council
   The Chairman informed the Meeting that there were three letters to consider relating to 09/521/FUL, 09/585/FUL and 09/560/FUL which had been sent to NULBC. Cllr Webb proposed, Cllr Ford seconded and it was agreed, with one abstention, that the letters suitably conveyed the Council's feelings.
   
   
3. To consider Enforcement Matters
   The Clerk informed the Meeting that he had still not received a reply from NULBC regarding the level of the external light emissions at The Spinney, Whitmore Road, Butterton neither had the Department Manager, Mr Benson, replied. He hoped to clear this matter before the next Meeting. He had requested an inspection of The Lodge at Whitmore Hall by the NULBC Conservation Officer and it had been confirmed that the white extension was not a permitted building in a Conservation Area. He was awaiting further information from NULBC.
   
   
4. To Consider General Planning Matters
   1. WMPAS literature – This was noted.
   2. Newcastle Borough Council Planning Committee Calling Notices – The Clerk tabled the latest Calling Notices for the Planning Committee.
   3. Newcastle Borough Council Conservation Working Party Calling Notices – The Clerk tabled the latest Calling Notices for the Working Party and Cllr Webb reported on various matters.

255:12/09 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS AND OFFICERS continued
County Councillor F Chapman reported on:

• The County Council view on Social Care.
• Children and Lifelong Learning.
• A possible new County Council IT system.
• The new County Council building at Tipping Street.
• The problems associated with blocked drains.

It was agreed to bring forward two items on the Agenda while Cllr Chapman was present.

256:12/09 TO CONSIDER HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE MATTERS
The Clerk reported that he had contacted the Community Gang Manager and arranged for prior notification of its arrival in the Parish, notification of the work to be undertaken and confirmation that it had been done. This would start in January 2010. It was agreed not to report the problems of water flowing off Whitmore Heath into Whitmore until after the inspection by the Environment Agency. Specific CLARENCE Reports were not discussed.

257:12/09 TO CONSIDER HIGHWAY MATTERS

1. To consider the A53 and road safety
   Cllr Chapman agreed to check on the validity of the "No overtaking" signage at the junction of the A53 and A5182. Cllr Maskery reported that the Traffic Lights on the Pedestrian Crossing by the Sheet Anchor had been replaced.
2. To receive a progress report on the Speedwatch Project
   There were no matters to report.
   
   

County Councillor Chapman left the Meeting.

258:12/09 FINANCIAL MATTERS
The Clerk tabled supporting documents and spoke on this item with the Chairman's approval.

1. To Consider Donations and Purchases
   The Clerk requested that Council support the cost of his fees to the SLCC as in past years for £90.00. Cllr Maskery proposed that the expenditure be approved, Cllr Webb seconded and it was agreed.
   
   
2. To Receive a Report on the Current Financial Situation
   Councillors approved this and there were no questions.
   
   
3. To Authorise the Payment of Accounts
   The Clerk tabled and explained the accounts for payment. Cllr Maskery proposed, Cllr Hopper seconded and it was agreed that the following accounts be paid:

4. To consider general finance matters
   The Clerk covered the following subjects;
   1. Bank Reconciliation
      A Bank Reconciliation as at the 25th November 09 had already been circulated. There were no queries.
   2. Grants
      An application for funds from the LCF for the Civic Society Blue Disc to be placed on the Ticket Office had been made and £500 had been approved. A Grant being made available by Bovril had been checked by Mrs D Burns, Village Agent, who reported that it was not relevant to Parish Councils.
   3. Community Chest Application
      The Clerk informed the Meeting that there was still approximately £520 left to claim from the Community Chest and that he had received an Application from the Village Hall Management Committee to assist in the acquisition of a Defibrillator for the Hall. Cllr Maskery proposed its support, Cllr Ford seconded and it was approved.
   4. Bus Shelter Notice Boards
      The Clerk tabled two quotations:
      £140 from the Kitchen Door Company to supply and fit three wooden Notice Boards and £240 from Shelutions to supply and fit two metal/Perspex Notice Boards.
      It was agreed to consider the metal Notice Boards for the similar Shelters at a later date. Cllr Murray proposed the purchase of three wooded style boards, Cllr Webb seconded and it was agreed. The Clerk was asked to arrange the supply.
   5. Section 137 Value
      The Clerk informed the Meeting that the value per elector for Section 137 expenditure remained at £6.15.
   6. VAT Course
      The Clerk informed the meeting that the SPCA intended to run a course on handling VAT which he would attend.
   7. Parishioner request for funding
      The Chairman informed the Meeting of a request for funding support from a parishioner. It was agreed that support could not be given in this particular case and the Clerk was requested to inform the Parishioner.
   8. Filing On-line
      The Clerk informed the meeting that HMRC had reminded him that Filing On-line was mandatory. He confirmed that this was now routine.
   9. IT Training in the Village Hall
      Cllr Mrs Pedley informed the Meeting that the Village Hall Committee would be applying for £450 funding from the Locality Action Partnership.

259:12/09 TO RECEIVE A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PARISH PLAN
It was agreed that this had been suitably covered in the Village Agent's report earlier in the meeting.

260:12/09 TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE INFORMATION CENTRE
Cllr Mrs Pedley reported that the Centre had been very quiet during the last few weeks. Cllr Murray reported that one of the Laptop PCs needed a software improvement and the Clerk agreed to arrange to have this remedied by PC World.

261:12/09 TO CONSIDER COUNCILLOR TRAINING
The Clerk had no new training opportunities to report on.

262:12/09 TO CONSIDER QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL ACCREDITATION
The Chairman reported that he and the Clerk had QPC Reaccredidation in hand.

263:12/09 TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk had nothing to report but issued the latest edition of the SPCA newsletter.

264:12/09 TO RECEIVE A PROGRESS REPORT ON FILLING THE COUNCILLOR VACANCY
There was no progress to report. It was agreed to insert an advert in the Newsletter and on the Website.

265:12/09 TO CONSIDER A FESTIVAL IN 2010
It was agreed that a Festival would be organised along the same lines as in September 2008 with assistance from the County Safety Team, NULBC and the LAP.

266:12/09 TO CONSIDER THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE NEWSLETTER
Cllr Hopper tabled the Newsletters and their delivery by Councillors was agreed.

267:12/09 TO CONSIDER THE PARISH APPEARANCE AND PARISH HANDYPERSON TASKS
The Clerk reported that he had received the Monthly Reports from the Handyperson and no new tasks for the Handyperson had been requested. The Clerk informed the Meeting that he had not yet received a reply from BT regarding the grassed area at the junction of Fair-Green Road and the A53 and would chase this. He also confirmed that a letter of thanks had been sent to MC Landscaping congratulating them on the excellent appearance of the flower tubs in the Village.

268:12/09 TO CONSIDER ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND COMMUNITY POLICING MATTERS
The Clerk reported and explained why Crime Detection statistics could not be made available.

269:12/09 TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE LATEST LOCALITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP MEETING
Cllr Webb informed the Meeting on the last Locality Action Partnership Meeting and the Draft Action Plan.

270:12/09 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS ON ANY RESPONSIBILITIES NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA
Cllr Webb reported that he had attended the Borough Conservation Advisory Working Party Meeting and Cllr Murray reported that the last meeting of the Borough Standards Committee had been cancelled as there was nothing to discuss. The Clerk was requested to contact Mr Allman to obtain his files concerning Parish Footpaths and pass them to Cllr Ford.

271:12/09 TO CONSIDER VILLAGE HALL & RECREATION FIELD MATTERS
The Clerk confirmed that the Annual Inspection by Playdale had taken place.

272:12/09 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES TO BOROUGH AND COUNTY PARTNERSHIPS AND FORA
Cllr Maskery gave a detailed report on the Rural Runabout. There were no further reports.

273:12/09 TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE NOT ALREADY DEALT WITH IN THE MEETING
The Clerk tabled the correspondence that had not been dealt with during the meeting and highlighted specific items.

274:12/09 TO NOTE COUNCILLORS' AND THE CLERK'S PLANNED ABSENCE
Councillors and the Clerk informed the Meeting of their planned absence. The actual dates were advised to the Clerk.

275:10/09 TO CONFIRM THAT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING WOULD TAKE PLACE ON THE 6TH JANUARY 2010
It was agreed that the next Regular Meeting of the Council would take place on Wednesday 6th January 2010 at 7.15 p.m. in the Whitmore & District Village Hall.

The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and, as there was no further business, he closed the Meeting at 9.57 p.m.

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