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PONTELAND TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES, PONTELAND ON 9 SEPTEMBER 2009

Present: The Mayor, Councillor R G Ramsay (in the Chair)

Councillors Mrs E Armstrong, D Butler, Mrs J Butcher, A S Cave, T A Chilton,
R Hutchinson, Carl Rawlings and Mrs E E Thompson.


PRESENTATION BY STEVE HELM OF TRAIDCRAFT RE FAIR TRADE

The Town Council received a presentation from Mr Steve Helm relating to the possibility of Ponteland becoming a Fair Trade town.

He outlined the benefits of Fairtrade and what would be involved for Ponteland and the Town Council. The initiative would involve all the community including businesses, schools, churches and community organisations.

There were some 435 Fairtrade Towns in the UK including Morpeth, Hexham, Newcastle and Gateshead.

Mr Helm outlined the five core goals for Fairtrade towns which included:
- the Council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade and agrees to serve Fairtrade products
in meetings, offices etc.
- A range of Fairtrade products are available locally
- Schools, workplaces, places of worship and community organisations support Fairtrade and use Fairtrade products wherever possible
- Media coverage and events raise awareness and understanding of Fairtrade across the community
- A Fairtrade steering group comprising different sectors is formed to co-ordinate action around the goals and develop them over the years

The progress to date was outlined which included strong support from the Churches in Ponteland, one of the schools already a Fairtrade school with another expressing interest, the larger shops stocking a good range of Fairtrade products, circulation of a petition and forthcoming publicity article in Pont News and Views.

There was also the potential to link the concept with the Farmers Market initiative.

80. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence had been received by Councillor P M Armstrong.

81. DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

82. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD 12 AUGUST 2009

The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 12 August 2009 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

83. MATTERS ARISING

(i) Minute 54 Day Care Centre

The Consultation regarding changes to Countywide Day Care Services was now complete. Further discussion was required to clarify the exact services to be provided in Ponteland.

(ii) 198 CMBC Car Parking Order

The Council had received no further details from Northumberland County Council to progress the issue of enforcement of the Car Parking Order located at the back of Merton Way (north)

(ii) Minute 72 NALC Report

Following their review process NALC sought views on some aspects of their structure, relationships and communications.
A copy of the Council’s submission was circulated for information.

83. MATTERS ARISING

(iii) Minute 68 Application for Grants Ponteland Rotary Club Annual Duck Race

The Council awaited a letter of thanks from the above organisation for sponsorship of a boat at the recent Duck Race Event held in the Park.

84. PLANNING

(i) Planning Committee

Minutes of meetings held on 4 and 18 August were circulated for information.

84. PLANNING (contd)

(ii) Report on recent planning decisions

A decision on the application for a development on Land to the rear of 84-92 Runneymede Road Darras Hall Ponteland was still to be determined following a recent site visit by members of the Area Planning Committee.

An Appeal in respect of an application for construction of a dwelling on site of former barns and previous barns conversion approval at Callerton Grange Farm – Unit 2, Stamfordham Road Ponteland NR15 9TN had been dismissed with conditions by the Planning Inspectorate.

85. PROGRAMME OF WORKS REPORT

The Chairman reported on the progress of projects for 2008/2009 and additional projects for 2009/10.

(i) Park Entrance

The Park Entrance was now fully complete and it was a great addition to the appearance of Ponteland.

(ii) Welcome Signs

NCC Planning Department had requested some further information with regard to applications in respect of the welcome signs. The required details were to be supplied to the Council by the designer on his return from holiday .

(iii) Historical signs

Discussions with the Ponteland Historical Society and the designer regarding the information to be displayed and the layout of the historical signs were ongoing.

(iv) Skate Park – update

An acknowledgment had been received from ISOS Housing with regard to leasing additional land for the above facility. It was reported that there seemed to be some confusion as to ownership of the land and ISOS were looking into the matter.

v) Ponteland Park Tree Management Plan

All the tenders had been returned by the various companies. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Environment Working Party agreed to open the tenders on Thursday 10 September at 11.00 am and report back to the Council at the next meeting.

85. PROGRAMME OF WORKS REPORT (contd)

(vi) Slope Protection Works

The Hydrological Assessments and ecological survey findings were with the Environment Agency for comment. The consultants would report back when a response had been received.

(vii) CCTV

Confirmation had been received that the contractor would begin installation of five of the cameras next week.

(viii) Play Area

The Callerton Play Area project was now complete and proving very popular; it was anticipated that an official opening would take place later this month.

Following a number of requests to install some toddler swings the Clerk had made some enquiries and received a quote of £3500 to supply install and reposition existing equipment to accommodate the new swings.

RESOLVED :- Agree the expenditure above to improve the play area should be taken from reserves and include this amount in the 2010/2011 precept.

(ix) New Park Entrance Callerton Lane

The Council had received two quotes for the work involved in the proposals for a new entrance to the Park at Callerton Lane. Under delegate authority on this issue it had been agreed to award the work to Direct Construction.

(x) Purchase of a New Gritting Machine

The Council had received an offer to purchase an ex demonstrator gritting machine for £6999. An amount of £7000 had been set aside in the budget for this purchase.

RESOLVED: - Agreed

86. REGENERATION UPDATE

Progress on the regeneration of Ponteland had temporarily stalled due to the postponement of a meeting between landowners and MK Developments, at which it was hoped that an agreement could be reached for appointment of the preferred developer.

87. COMMUNITY FORUM

(i) Service Level Agreement

A formal Partnership agreement document between NCC and Ponteland Town Council was circulated for comment.

RESOLVED: - Agreed

In addition the Mayor and a representative of Ponteland Community Partnership were due to meet with Members of Stamfordham Parish Council next week to discuss the structure of the forum to ensure good cross sections of both communities were represented.

88. HIGHWAYS WORKING PARTY

(i) Minutes of meeting

Minutes of the meeting held on 18 August were circulated for information.

(ii) Car Park questionnaire

A copy of the reply sent to NCC had been circulated to the Town Councillors for information

(iii) LTP Submission

The Annual LTP had been finalised and submitted to Northumberland County Council.

(iv) Transport Survey

The National Highways and Transport Survey had been completed online by the Mayor in line with the general views of the Council.

89. ENVIRONMENT WORKING PARTY

The Working Party had met on 7 September for a site visits to Oxbow Lake Ponteland Park and Coates Green. Various matters were discussed recommendations included:-
obtaining prices for clearing vegetation and willows at Oxbow Lake
obtaining prices for hedging works and provision of Christmas lights in the Park.
A request to place a memorial seat on Coates Green.

RESOLVED: - Agreed

90. FAIRTRADE

As a background to proposals to make Ponteland a Fairtrade Town, Mr Steve Helm gave a brief informative presentation at the start of the meeting on his involvement and experience of the Fairtrade organisation covering its aims, ideals and benefits.

Councillors were asked for their support for the Fairtrade Town venture by passing the following resolution

‘’The Council supports the Ponteland Fairtrade Town initiative and will encourage the supply and use of Fairtrade by itself, retailers and other businesses as well as by using such products wherever possible. It will nominate a representative to sit on the Fairtrade steering group and support promotional work via Council publications and media outlets.’’

RESOLVED: - Agreed

91. APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE TO FARMERS MARKET COMMITTEE

Mr Nic Best was in attendance to discuss the situation regarding the Farmers Market initiative, in Ponteland.

Following a marked decline in support for the Farmers Market it appeared unlikely that the market would survive as dwindling numbers of customers was leading to producers no longer wishing to be involved.
A meeting of the Farmers Market Forum was to be held in Morpeth on 16th September at 4.30pm to decide the immediate future of the Market.

Mr Best asked if a representative of the Council could attend the meeting to give their support to help continue this local facility.


RESOLVED: - It was agreed that a representative of the Town Council would attend the meeting.
It was also agreed to publicise and promote the farmers market in an article in Pont News and Views.

92. BUDGET 2010/11 – WISH LISTS

A summary of ‘wish list’ items for possible inclusion in next year’s budget had been prepared and circulated.
Preliminary estimates were being sought and likely to be available in 2 – 3 weeks prior to consideration of the budget for 2010/11 in the autumn.
The Chairman commented on the various suggestions for the provision of public conveniences in Ponteland.

RESOLVED - Agreed

93. CHANGE OF DATE FOR OCTOBER MEETING FROM 14 TO 7 OCTOBER 2009

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Chairman would be unavailable for the following Town Council Meeting and requested that this be rescheduled to the 7 October 2009.

RESOLVED: - Agreed. Councillor Carl Rawlings gave his apologies as he would be unable to attend this meeting.

94. NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT

There were no County Councillors present at the meeting so therefore there was nothing to report

(i) Electoral proposals – preliminary report

A map showing the changes in electoral boundaries within Ponteland since formation of the Unitary Authority was available in the office for information. Councillors were urged to familiarise themselves with these changes which would be discussed at the next Town Council Meeting.

95. MAYORS REPORT ON RECENT EVENTS

(i) Transfer of Civic Regalia

The Council was now in receipt of all of the Civic Regalia items. Suggestions were invited to address the issue of display of the items.

(ii) Letter from Residents of Fairney Edge

A letter had been received from Fairney Edge residents association detailing a number of concerns on issues affecting the village; requesting that these be acknowledged and addressed.

(iii) Request for speed sign – Bell Villas

A letter had been received from a Ponteland resident to request an interactive speed sign at Bell Villas. This would be considered during the budget preparation for 2010/2011

95. MAYORS REPORT ON RECENT EVENTS (contd)

(iv) Meeting with Police re Merton Way – 26.8.09

Members of the Council had met with Inspector Oates and his colleagues to discuss practical ways to tackle the growing problem of disorder Ponteland following a particularly vicious attack which occurred in Merton Way. It was agreed to delegate authority to a meeting of all councillors to be held on [please insert date]with the police to discuss various measures to combat anti-social behaviour which involved alterations to the street scene.

(v) Resignation of Irene Brumwell

The resignation of Councillor Mrs Brumwell was reported.
The Council wished to record their thanks to Mrs Brumwell for all the great work she carried out as a Town Councillor and also the work she had carried out as Mayor to the former Castle Morpeth Borough Council.

Following Councillor Brumwell’s resignation the Council had received no request for a by-election and had been instructed to follow the procedure for co-option to the Town Council. Notices were to be displayed throughout the Parish inviting applicants to submit their C.V.

96. REPORTS BY TOWN COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ON LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

(i) LMAPS Meeting
Councillor Butler had attended the above meeting held at Prudhoe. The meeting involved organisations including the Police, the Council and local Schools to discuss measures to tackle anti social behaviour in the locality.

The next meeting would be held in Ponteland (at a venue to be decided) on Tuesday 13 October at 9.30 a.m. for public questions.

(ii) Airport Consultative Committee
Councillor Mrs Joyce Butcher reported on a recent meeting of the above committee which she had attended.
A report showing the airport had topped a recent punctuality league table and overall performance compared with other UK airports was circulated for information.

97. ACCOUNTS /BANK RECONCILIATION

The Accounts Committee approved payments totalling £21582.90 and the transfer of this sum from the Councils Deposit Account. The Bank reconciliation for August 2009 was also approved.

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT UNDER THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960 THAT THE PRESS AND PUBLIC BE EXCLUDED FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEM ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING – WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2009 AT 6.45PM AT THE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICE.

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