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Minutes
MEETING OF CRASTER PARISH COUNCIL
Thursday
19th January 2017 -
7:15pm in the
Craster Memorial Hall
Before the start of the meeting it was
reported by the Chair that the Clerk was not able to attend. Cllr Smith
agreed to take the minutes for the meeting.
Present
Chair: Cllr Bryn Owen
Parish Council members: Cllr John
Gallon, Cllr Elizabeth Pearson, Cllr Alan Punton, Cllr Margaret Brooks
Acting Clerk: Cllr Martin Smith
C. Cllr Kate Cairns
attended for part of the meeting.
Questions from the public - all
issues raised are covered elsewhere in the minutes
2154 Declaration of Interests
None
2155 Apologies
Cllr Michael Craster,
Cllr William Sutherland, Cllr Pauline Baird and Clerk Ruth Younger
2156 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes were
unanimously accepted as an accurate record of the meeting.
Proposed: Cllr Gallon
Seconded: Cllr Brooks
2157 Matters arising from the minutes not covered elsewhere on the
agenda
a. Local Transport Plan was discussed. The Clerk has asked NCC for
details on the issues. However, as the Officer dealing with the issue
is on sick leave, we do not currently have an answer. Our
understanding of the LTP list for the parish is:-
For 2015:-
1. Traffic calming
2. Footpath down Tower
Bank to protect pedestrians from road traffic
3. Additional speed
limit on Smithy Bank between Craster and Dunstan. Cllr. Cairns
confirmed that she would address the matter with the Highways
Department in view of their variation from documented best practice.
For 2016:-
1. Footpath on bottom
road
2. Heugh Road
flagging/tarmac
3. Heugh Wynd
traffic-calming measures
Action: Clerk to seek
confirmation from NCC of the status of these requests.
We have also asked for
explanation of the process for the past existing and future submissions
to the LTP. In August 2014 our listed requests were put to the
NCC committee and we understood from the report published in January
2015 that they were to be included in their work for the 2016/17
budgetary year. However, we have since been told that it is "just a
plan if money if there is money to do it". So, we are uncertain of the
process for confirming our proposal are to be implemented in the future.
Action: Clerk to seek
clarification of the process from NCC.
b. Public Spaces
Protection Order : Following a report prepared by Cllr Sutherland and
comments by other Councillors it was decided, as this issue had been
discussed at the meeting in September, no further action was
appropriate.
2158 Parish Council vacancy
No parties have come
forward to indicate an interest
2159 County Councillor's update
A written report was
submitted just prior to the meeting by Cllr Cairns and the relevant
points in it were addressed as part of the business of the meeting.
2160 Planning Matters
16/04208/FUL – Howick Community Hall
John Haughie
representing Howick Parish Council and Howick Community Trust offered
some detail on the planning application for Copley Hall. They are
looking to extend the existing property by knocking down the porch
entrance and replace with a larger section providing additional area to
enhance the facilities at the hall. We are told that there is
support from the local community as it is part of a project to upgrade
the hall with better kitchen and lighting. It was agreed
unanimously to support the application.
Proposed: Cllr Punton
Seconded: Cllr Pearson
Action: Clerk to confirm our
support for application on NCC web-site.
2161 Parish Meeting feedback
Thanks are to go to the
Ambulance Service and Stephen Carey Trust for their defibrillator
presentations. We also need to thank Marion Gallon and Pam Owen for
providing teas.
Action: Clerk to send
e-mails/letters accordingly.
2162 2017/2018 Parish Precept
The precept was
discussed including Cllr Sutherland's email with suggested
activities/projects the council could undertake. Many of the points are
already in the mix e.g. Leader grant for signage / Transparency Finding
for broadband. The Parish Council also covered the discussions
had at the Parish Meeting - we cannot raise more than we spend as we
already have very large reserves and it is whether we look to have a
neutral (£3000) or reductive (£2500) precept to enable the Council to
abide be the guidance that we hold no more than 1 year's precept in
revenue reserves. Concerns were raised relating to reduction of
residents due to holiday home in that for every 3-4 houses that convert
we lose about 2% of our precept.
We are also to be
recharged by NCC in the event of a Parish Council election being
necessary in May. However, we will be invoiced at the end of this year
to then be paid in the 2018/9 financial year i.e. can be included
within next year's precept.
It was unanimously
agreed to follow the majority of the residents who supported the
reduction of the precept from the current £5000 to £3000.
Proposed: Cllr Gallon
Seconded: Cllr Pearson
Action: Clerk to inform NCC.
2163 Parish Council Elections 2017
Despite discussions
during recent Parish Council meetings, changes to the Council i.e.
numbers of Councillors on roll cannot be effected prior to the
elections in May. Therefore any changes which may be wanted will
only take effect for the 2021 elections at the earliest. The
Clerk has been on a training course regarding the conduct of Parish
Council elections. Details of what was covered will be discussed in the
February Parish Council meeting. However, it should be noted that
all those who wish to stand for election must arrange for an
appointment and hand their nomination papers in to the returning
officer in person or by using a representative i.e. not by post, by 4pm
on 4th April 2017.
2164 Feedback on Christmas Carols at the Harbour and Memorial
Hall
Cllrs Brooks and Pearson
said that there has been plenty of positive feedback. The Parish
Council should thank Hillary Punton and Pauline Brown for their
suggestion to put memories" onto the tree.
The Parish Council
should try to ensure that next year we coordinate with other events in
the area i.e. Onion Club meeting at Cottage Inn & Skiff meeting
The Parish Council
should also thank Dougie Hogg and family and Richard Pearson for their
support (help putting tree up and supplying power for lights)
Action: Clerk to pass on
thanks to those named above.
Action: Clerk to include Xmas
Tree and Carols in agenda for October 2017 Parish Council meeting.
2165 Minute archive
Cllr Punton to check
with Jackie Reeves from the CCT to ensure the archive documents are
safe and report back.
2166 EJBC
a. Meeting on the
morning of 19th. January. Tenders were received from 2 parties (no
tender was received from the current party). The best tender
received and accepted was from Martin Smith based near Amble who will
be appointed subject to ratification in the 6th. February EJBC
meeting. The other tender from NCC was not competitive
b. Regarding the
caretaker, Jill Irvine, and the Cemetery House, as she is tenant, she
is not affected by the above. However, the EJBC would like the Parish
Councils to agree a
new
contingency policy in principle. If Jill decides to terminate her
tenancy agreement and leave the property, EJBC are to be enabled to
sell it in its' current state - the decision and pricing to be made
following receipt of a valuation from the County Valuer. Note,
the Cemetery House does not have its' own parking, garden or sewage
which are reliant on the neighbouring farmer who provides parking at £1
per annum, the garden at £1 per annum and use of a septic tank on a
grace and favour basis. It is also undecided how any proceeds
will be split at this time.
Proposed: Cllr Smith
Seconded: Cllr Gallon
It was carried with 4 in
favour and 2 abstentions.
c. An issue has been
raised which is currently under investigation by the EJBC clerk which
will be reported back to the Parish Council’s next meeting.
2167 Craster Community Trust
The CCT has proposed the
refurbishment of the playpark and media equipment in the
Hall. They will replace the park's safety surface,
purchase a lawnmower and a shed to store the mower and tools. The
safety surface will be replaced with grass re-enforced by plastic
webbing. The equipment for the Hall will include a Sapphire
electrically operated projection screen. Resident reaction has
been positive to this project. The Council will purchase the
above on behalf of the Trust and be gifted to them in accordance with
Section 19 of the Local Government Act (1972) which allows for gifts
for recreational purposes. The total cost is £9622 including VAT
which the Parish Council can reclaim (£1622) based on initial costings
done by the Trust. However, the Trust are to come back to the Council
once they have obtained tenders from in
accordance with the requirements defined in the Standing Orders which
ensure a rigorous procurement process. The Council will then debate the
best deal and purchase the goods.
Proposed: Cllr Owen
Seconded: Cllr Gallon
It was agreed with 5 in
favour and 1 abstention
2168 AONB
No report, however,
there are 3 roadshows on the Coastal Path advertised on 15th 16th and
17th February
2169 Fixed asset maintenance
a. Update on benches
Everyone is happy with
the final results to the benches
b. Dog bins / litter bins
Cllrs Owen and Smith
have inspected all the bins. It has been decided that we probably need
6 new ones. An internet site that supplies other local government
organisations was found and seems reasonable and can provide the most
appropriate bins. It has been unanimously decided to replace the
Rumbling Kern bin first as NCC has agreed to fit it for £50 all in and
it is the one most in need. We can then assess whether these bins are
suitable
and order from there.
Proposed: Cllr Owen
Seconded: Cllr Punton
c. Tenders for 2017
Asset Maintenance
It has been agreed
unanimously not to tender for the asset inspections but for
Councillors to do these going forward. If any work is
required, it will be on a piecemeal basis. Comment was made that
Martin Smith who tendered for the EJBC contract offered to do handyman
work but we should obtain quotes as the need rises.
Proposed: Cllr Gallon
Seconded: Cllr Owen
Action: Clerk to write to
Nigel Fairbank advising him that the inspections are no longer needed.
Action: Clerk to advertise
tenders for grass cutting.
2170 Tourist Amenities and Grant Funding
Leader grant - nothing
heard
Action: Clerk to report
progress.
2171 Car Parking
a. Quarry Car Park –
work to start 27/2/2017 to resurface and revise layout and this is
expected to take four days. During this work there will be a need for
alternative places for parking. Cllr Cairns was asked for NCC to
request if Michael Robson would allow for the Bark Potts to be used as
the carpark whilst work is undertaken. Also, whether the first 2 layers
of the carpark be done separately from the main area to allow some
parking.
b. Residents’ parking
Nothing to report
2172 Transparency Fund
a. Parish Council Website
It was unanimously
agreed the Parish Council should meet its legal requirements by
proceeding with the creation by a website under the NALC scheme.
We will be provided with appropriate running instructions/user guide
and an administrator password. The NALC websites for this will be set
up as www.northumberlandparishes.uk with crasterparishcoucil to
identify it to this parish.
Proposed: Cllr Punton
Seconded: Cllr Smith
Action: Clerk to liaise with
Cllr Owen/Gallon and respond accordingly to NALC.
b. Purchase of Scanner using Transparency Grant
Despite trying, we have
been unable to proceed with this purchase as it is currently out of
stock. Also, retailers do not usually accept cheques and online
can only be paid for electronically. As the Council currently
only uses cheques, this will be looked at once item 2173 e. has been
considered, as it will give us more options to obtain what we need on
the best terms.
c. Internet Connection
in the Memorial Hall
Cllr Gallon has
currently been unable to obtain broadband prices pending the activation
of the new cabinet at the entrance to the village. This will be
reviewed at the next meeting.
2173 Financial matters.
a. Current Account
Balance as at 12/12/16 £10,872.55
b. Spent &
Received 03/11/16 received £89.99 from NALC Transparency Fund
c. Clerk/HMRC wages
& expenses to be carried forward to February meeting
d. Cheques
required None
e. Electronic
Payments
Cllr Gallon has created
a form to provide a robust system of check to allow electronic payments
to be made from the Parish’s bank account by the Clerk. Councillors
have received a copy of the form and the protocol will presented at the
next meeting for consideration.
2174 Correspondence received
a. Bailiffgate Museum –
request for donation. The Council is unable to commit any further
monies to charity during this financial year
b. Northumberland AONB –
Drop in sessions about England Coastal Path
c. NCC - Consultation to
Changes to Planning Protocols (see Cllr Cairns email)
d. EJBC – letters on
maintenance of cemetery and precept for 2016/2017
e. NCC – 2017 elections
re-charge
2175 Items for Next Agenda
No additional items were
requested.
2176 Information Share
a. Cllr Owen put
forward a number of concerns that face the parish:-
-
There are now only circa 240 residents in our parish on the electoral
role.
- The
number of public bins therefore represents 1 for every 5 households.
- CCT
funds facilities for tourists to use e.g. playpark by running coffee
mornings
- The
cost of putting bollards up is circa £20,000.
Most issues that are
faced by the Council relate back to tourist provisions. As such, it is
unfair that this burden is borne solely by the residents with no
financial support from either NCC or businesses e.g. National Trust or
English Heritage provide no facilities. Cllr Owen has therefore
suggested that we seek a levy to be imposed by NCC on parking at
Craster.
It is recommended that the money raised by the levy would be
apportioned with 10% going to NCC for their administration costs, 20%
to go to the ward councilor for neighbouring councils and 70% to the
Parish Council. The money for the parish Council should be ringfenced
to fund tourist facilities in this parish, decided by the parish
council. If an extra £1 was applied, this would equate to circa £30,000
per annum. Cllr Pearson pointed out that we needed to consider
this along with Cllr Sutherland’s email. If this is to proceed,
the community can set up a petition in accordance with NCC’s protocol
on petitions from May 2015, which would require 50 signatures to ask
the NCC to apply the levy. This will need to be included on next
month’s agenda. It was agreed that we would start a petition to test
out public opinions and Cllr Punton undertook to collect signatures in
Craster so that the next meeting would have evidence of the depth of
feeling.
b. New Planning
Applications have been received since the Agenda was published and
require a response before our next meeting:
17/00011/PREAPP
Construction of 2 detached residential dwellings: Allotment Gardens,
Craster.
The outcome of the
discussion of the points raised was that:-
1. Access is poor.
2. It should not impinge
on off-road parking of other residents.
3.Cllr Owen suggested
that Section 106 money be used to improve road access.
4. We don’t want
piecemeal development of this area.
5. This should be used
as a primary residence only in perpetuity.
17/00007/PREAPP
Construction of a new dwelling in the garden of 16A Whin Hill, Craster
The outcome of the
discussion of the points raised was that:-
1. There are
concessionary rights of vehicular access across adjoining land owned by
Vincent Hope.
2. Rights of way are to
be maintained
3. It will affect
existing parking so existing parking must be made to garage parking
instead
4. Section 106 money be
used to improve the road.
5. This should be used
as a primary residence only in perpetuity
The Parish Council
cannot take a formal decision on these matters as they were raised
after the publication of the agenda but the Clerk is empowered to make
a response having taken advice from the Chair, Vice-Chair or two other
Parish Councillors as long as this is reported back to the Parish
Council at the first reasonable opportunity.
2177 Date and Time of Next Meeting
16th February 2017 at
7:15pm at the Memorial Hall
Open to Press and Public
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