Minutes
Thursday 19th March 2009
Village Hall 7.15pm
Present
Chairman Alan Punton.
Clerk Helen Brewis.
Parish Council Members Joyce Shaw, Michael
Gibbs, Michael Craster, DC Carol Grey, Michael Taylor, Joan Angus &
Elizabeth Pearson.
In Attendance County Councillor John
Taylor.
Members of the public Mr & Mrs
Doherty, Mrs M Taylor, Mr P Howard, Mrs H Punton, Mr K Brown, Mr J
Gallon & Mr M Oxley.
1177. Apologies for absence.
Keith Williams & DC Tom Spence.
1178. Confirmation of minutes of last meeting.
The February Minutes were accepted as a true record.
1179. NWL Sewerage Update.
On 12 th March Alan Punton, Michael Craster, Michael
Doherty & John Gallon had a meeting with Hugh Fell to discuss the
forthcoming Inquiry. A letter was drafted to NWL informing them that we
were happy with the £13,000 for plot 10 but we thought their rental
terms for plot 11 – the play pitch were inadequate. NWL wish to rent
the pitch for only 13 months which is too short a time scale for the
necessary sewerage work to be carried out & the play pitch
re-seeded & reinstated back for public use. We would be happy to
consider the pitch being rented for 24 months & then in additional
6-month increments if necessary.
Hugh is hopeful that the Rectification Project Schedule can still be
agreed before the Inquiry, but we do need it in writing how the
rectification work will be carried out for the village’s benefit - so
it will be safe for the children. Since NWL will be using a contractor
for the rectification work we will also require a named point of
contact who can brief us as the work is ongoing.
The Inspector at the Inquiry will see how we did have
an agreement with NWL, which they reneged on, and that we do not object
to the sewerage work being carried out only the rectification
conditions.
Hugh Fell has made it clear to both NWL & the
Inquiry Inspector that we will withdraw the objection if we can have
written agreed terms to the pitch rectification.
A Public Meeting was arranged for
Monday 23 rd March @ 7pm to discuss our objection.
1180. Matters arising from minutes of last
meeting.
Dunstan Water Leak.
Mr S Grey has advised us that the water is from a
natural spring & not from a broken field drain.
Action Point: Clerk to write to Mrs
Thompson to advise her of the natural spring.
Windyside Bridge Road Hazard
Signs & Potholes on Littlemill Road.
CC John Taylor advised us that the road edging will
be sorted & he is hoping to get the cleaning of the drain sinks
re-instated shortly. There is 1½ million pounds Highway funding for the
re-instatement & upgrading of footpaths – is there any within
Craster to be looked at? Also the Council will do a large programme to
sort out potholes & general road maintenance which will cause
localised traffic problems in June/July.
Action Point: Michael Taylor & DC
Carol Grey will look at any drains/footpaths requiring attention.
The Net donation request.
On hold – until we have seen a copy.
Path improvement from Bark
Pots to Whin Hill.
Harry Armstrong will quote a price for the path
improvements & it may need a rail up either side, once laid any
water will run over it.
Mobile phone reception.
The Development Trust to look into possible sites.
Broken Stop Cock Cover.
Action Point: Clerk to contact NWL
again to find out when it will be replaced.
1181. Planning Matters.
CC John Taylor, DC Carol Grey, Michael Craster &
Michael Gibbs all declared an interest.
ADC – Variation of planning for Former
Stables & Coach House – Craster Towers. No objections.
1182. Financial Matters.
Bank Balance: £3,962.93
Cheques Required:
Clerk wages/expenses £386.30
Nov 08 till Feb 09
1183. Correspondence received.
Codes of Conduct Consultation. In
circulation.
AONB – Management Plan. Noted –
old style signs are very beautiful but expensive.
Final Version of the Northumberland Charter.
In circulation.
NCC – Committee Papers. Noted.
Community Forum Protocol & Guide to
Community Leadership – delivered to all Councillors. Noted.
CAN – Electoral Divisions. Noted.
1184. A.O.B.
NCC – Bollards on Heugh Wynd.
NCC claims the temporary bollards were to keep
builders vans off the area, but there have been no vans parked there
& no reports of any complaints. Everyone was in agreement that it
would be beneficial for the grassed areas on Heugh Wynd to be tarmaced
for car parking.
Community Forum.
The Community Forum may be more useful for
communities who do not have a voice i.e. no Parish Council or
Development Trust, once the Unitary Authority is active it may be an
idea for local Parish Councils to get together. CC John Taylor is
planning to do Surgery Forums which will include two members from each
of the parishes he covers.
Hawthorn bushes in the car park.
Action Point: Michael Craster
will cut back.
Craster History Books.
The books cost £4 wholesale & £5 retail and the
Development Trust will look at selling some this year at events.
Embleton Joint Burial Committee Update.
At the Cemetery House the remaining old windows were
replaced in February, along with a new front door. Two local roofers
have been requested for quotes to repair/renew the roof & the
Garden of Remembrance will hopefully be completed next month.
Siting of new Hospital.
Joyce & Jimmy Shaw are going to the meeting ref.
New Hospital to be built in Cramlington. It would be better sited
nearer to the A1 & more central in Northumberland.
WI -tidy up.
The Women’s Institute is looking for possible tidy up
site suggestions.
ADC Health Forum.
The Health Forum has been offered a room for their
meetings to continue.
Footpath gate near the Old School requires
repairing.
Action Point: Clerk to contact NCC
Footpath Officer concerning the rotten fixings.
Craster Signage.
One large sign showing the village’s amenities i.e.
pub, gallery, restaurant etc so tourists know there is more in Craster
than just the castle.
The sink & kerbing by the bus shelter.
CC John Taylor will be discussing this at Highways
tomorrow along with the steps down by the beach & the dropped
kerbs, which are already in the system.
A sincere vote of thanks goes to Carol Grey & Tom
Spence for their District Councillor work for us, and for Alan Punton’s
two years as Chairman.
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