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PONTELAND TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES, PONTELAND ON 10 MARCH 2010

Present: Councillor R G Ramsay (in the Chair)

Councillors P M Armstrong, Mrs J Butcher, D Butler, A S Cave, T A Chilton, P Cowey, A Mee, R Hutchinson, C Rawlings and Mrs E E Thompson.

Presentation by Liam Henry, Principal Solicitor, Northumberland County Council

Following a number of new appointments to the role of Councillor this year; Mr Liam Henry from Northumberland County Council was invited to give a presentation to the Council regarding the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

Mr Henry gave a shortened version of his usual presentation to Parish and Town Councils and covered such aspects as personal and prejudicial interest, receipt of gifts, respect to others and bullying.

Mr Henry was thanked for his presentation. He offered to attend a future meeting and speak on the topic in more depth if this was the wish of the Council.

195. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs E Armstrong.

196. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Butler declared a personal interest in item 208(iv)
Councillor Rawlings declared a personal interest in item 211(ii)

197. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 10 FEBRUARY 2010

The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 10 February 2010 were confirmed as accurate and signed by the Chairman.

198. MATTERS ARISING

(i) Winter Services Report – this was to be considered at the forthcoming
Highways Working Party
(ii) Community Forum – A meeting of the Forum was to be held in May and work
was progressing on this item.
(iii) Farmer Market – Letters of invitation had been sent out and it was hoped
to hold a meeting in early April.
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CHAIRMAN DATE
198. MATTERS ARISING (Continued)

(iv) Accounts Committee – Information was awaited from some Councillors.

(v) Review of Contracts of Employment – The group had reviewed contracts
and these were to be submitted to the North East Regional Employers
Organisation for comment.

(vi) Meritorious Service Award – Mr Andy Anderson had accepted the
award which would be made at the April meeting.

(vii) Music in the Park event – work was progressing in relation to this event.

199. PLANNING

(i) Planning Committee – Minutes of meetings held on 2 and 16 February 2010

Minutes of meetings held on 2 and 16 February 2010 were circulated for information.

(ii) Report on recent planning decisions

It was reported that the Area Planning Committee was to be held in Hexham the following evening.

200. PROGRAMME OF WORKS REPORT

The Mayor gave a brief progress report on the Town Council’s projects for 2009/10. A copy was supplied for information

(i) Welcome signs
It was stated that some concerns had been raised in relation to the positioning of these signs.
Further discussions were to be held with Northumberland County Council in relation to the original locations.

(ii) Historical Signs
Complete.
The location of the new Pele Tower sign on the rockery at Main Street was raised. It was felt this was out of keeping with the design of the historical signs.
This would be examined.

(iii) Skate Park
The Ponteland Community Partnership were dealing with the pre-application consultations.

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CHAIRMAN DATE
200. PROGRAMME OF WORKS REPORT (Continued)

(iv) Ponteland Park Tree Management Plan
The majority of the urgent works had been carried out with the exception of the large Beech tree on West Road.
Requests for quotes for the high priority work were in the process of being drawn up.

(v) Slope Protection Works
A separate report had been prepared on this issue..

(vi) CCTV
A location for the camera at Bell Villas had been suggested to the County Council and it was hoped this matter could now progress.

(vii) Play Area
Signage was still awaited from one of the funding organisations.
The artwork for the Council sign was also awaited.

201. SLOPE PROTECTION WORKS
A report relating to the current situation regarding the above project had been circulated.
It was reported that the various tree works had been carried out although one of the identified trees had been left for the time being.
It was also pointed out that advice had been taken in relation to the need for a Certificate of Lawful Development and it was found this was unnecessary.
Letters had been sent out to adjacent properties highlighting that this work was to be carried out in the near future. Information had also been included in Pont News and Views.

A meeting had been held with the consultants this week and a report of the various issues discussed at that meeting had been circulated. This dealt with issues such as the work compound area, programme dates, insurance, tender procedure, firms to be approached and the need for a Construction, Design Management (CDM) Co-ordinator. An officer from the County Council had been appointed.

The Council would be updated on this project on a monthly basis.

RESOLVED – The information be received.

202. STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

A copy of suggested amendments to the above had been circulated to all Councillors for consideration.

A draft copy of new Model Standing Orders had just been received from the National Association of Local Councils which could have a bearing on the Standing Orders.

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CHAIRMAN DATE
202. STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS(Continued)

It was therefore suggested that adoption of these documents be deferred pending consideration of the implications of the new Model Standing Orders.

RESOLVED - Agree to defer adoption pending consideration of the new Model Standing Orders.

203. GRANT APPLICATIONS
(i) Ponteland United Football Club

A grant application had been received from the above organisation requesting assistance towards expenses for running the junior and senior teams.

RESOLVED – A grant of £500 in total, representing £250 for both the junior and senior teams be approved.

204. O2 PROTEST GROUP – REQUEST FOR DONATION

A request for a donation towards the costs of the above group had been received.
In view of certain concerns raised, it was agreed to defer this matter pending further clarification being sought as to the legality of this payment.

RESOLVED – The request be deferred pending additional clarification being sought.

205. REGENERATION

The Council was informed of the good progress made in relation to this project. The group overseeing the project was meeting on a regular basis.

206. BORROWING APPROVAL

A report relating to the above was submitted for consideration.
Members were reminded that it had been agreed to seek to borrow funds to finance the slope protection works at Fox Covert.
In order to progress this, it was necessary to apply to the Department for Communities and Local Government via the Northumberland Association for Local Councils for borrowing approval. This was then valid for 6 months during which time funds could be applied for from various sources.

RESOLVED – The Council apply for a borrowing approval of up to £140,000 in order to fund the slope protection works.


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CHAIRMAN DATE

207. NORTHUMBERLAND AND NEWCASTLE SOCIETY

It was reported that the subscription for membership of the above Society was due in the sum of £15.
RESOLVED – The subscription be renewed.

208. ENVIRONMENT WORKING PARTY
Minutes of a meeting of the above Working Party held on 15 February 2010 were submitted for consideration.
RESOLVED – The following recommendations be approved:
Allotments –
(i) No action be taken in relation to the formation of an Association at the
present time.
(ii) That allotment number 2 be split into two for letting.
(iii) That the vacant allotments be let.
(iv) The allotment fees be increased by £1 across the board from 1 April 2010.
(v) Consultation be carried out with tenants during 2010/11 with a view to
altering the fee structure to have three bands for fees. Also hold a site
visit with tenants before October 2010 on either an evening or weekend
to ensure maximum attendance.
Oxbow Lake
(vi) The Northumberland Wildlife Trust be asked to provide a price for carrying
out the species survey.
Northumbria in Bloom
(vii) The Council continue with their entry for NIB in 2010 utilising additional
resources from the High School and this be managed by an NIB Working
Party comprising Councillors Mrs J Butcher, Mrs E Armstrong, A S Cave,
A Mee and Mrs E Thompson.

209. NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT
It was reported that the County Council’s budget had now been agreed.

Councillor Richard Dodd reported on the current situation regarding parking at Thornhill Road. The double yellow lines had been ‘plated’ and could now be enforced.

A meeting was to be held at the Ponteland Middle and High Schools on Callerton Lane regarding parking issues there on Wednesday 17 March at 1.00 p.m.

It was reported that information had been received from the Boundary Committee in relation to their proposals for Northumberland.

Comments on the Draft Economic Strategy for Northumberland had been submitted by the Town Council to NCC.


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CHAIRMAN DATE
210. MAYOR’S REPORT
(i)Pont News & Views
The Mayor reported on discussions being held with regard to the contract for Pont News
and Views. This related to new payment arrangements and the need to confirm a new
contract with the editor of this publication.

(ii)Darras Hall Centenary Year
The Mayor reported that this was the Centenary Year for Darras Hall and the Council
extended their congratulations and best wishes for another 100 years.

211 REPORTS BY TOWN COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ON LOCAL
ORGANISATIONS
(i) LMAPS Meeting
Councillors reported on this very useful meeting. One of the major issues discussed was that of inconsideration and illegal parking and this had also been the subject of complaint at a recent Police surgery held in Ponteland.

(ii) Richard Coates Education Foundation
Councillor Alan Mee submitted a report relating to his attendance at the above meeting.

(iii) Newcastle International Airport Consultative Committee
Councillor Mrs J Butcher submitted a report relating to her attendance at a meeting of the above held on 2 March 2010.

212. ACCOUNTS AND BANK RECONCILIATION

It was noted that the Accounts Committee approved payments totalling £27151.43 and the transfer of this sum from the Councils Deposit Account. The Bank reconciliation for February 2010 was also approved.


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CHAIRMAN

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DATE OF NEXT MEETING – ANNUAL MEETING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTORS, WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL 2010 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH HALL, BROADWAY, PONTELAND
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