OVINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL. Mrs. M. Davenport Jubilee Cottage Clerk Ovington Northumberland NE42 6DH

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1 OVINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL Mrs. M. Davenport Jubilee Cottage Clerk Ovington Northumberland NE42 6DH Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on at 7.15 p.m. in the Reading Room, Ovingham Present: Councillors Jordon, Heslop, L Holden, Chalmers, Moore, Gray and Hewitt, Hexham Courant Reporter and 1 member of the public. One resident queried the planning application for Piper Road development. This had just been received by the Clerk, and the Cllrs would look at the application during the meeting. 1. Apologies of absence were received from Cllr P Holden and County Cllr Kelly. 2. Cllr Heslop declared an interest in the Piper Road planning application, and Cllr Chalmers in the White Swan planning application. 3. The minutes of the last meeting, having previously been circulated, were taken as read, approved and signed apart from amendment to item 4iii) to read gritting the footbridge due to the weather Matters arising:- i) Traffic Issues: Cllr Jordon reported that a site meeting had been conducted with Neil Snowdon, NCC, last week. At first he confirmed that it was not possible to move the 30mph sign further away from the current position by the eastern entrance to the village as it did not meet the relevant criteria for a speed limit extension. However, when it was pointed out that the Ovington and Horsley 30mph signs had been moved, he said he would investigate further. Neil Snowdon felt that the interactive unit sign could be moved, if the 30mph traffic sign could be moved. The Cllrs were all in favour of the interactive unit being moved. He also raised the issue of 20mph through the village. County Council was planning to introduce 20mph outside schools, as a priority and Neil asked if the Parish Council wanted it elsewhere in the village. After discussion, it was agreed that it should be throughout the village and that outside the schools to be permanent. Neil had also quoted a price for removing the existing interactive unit, and providing a new one: 750. The Cllrs had also asked Neil to look at the question of a safety barrier outside the shop. He had just responded stating that it would not be possible due to the width of the footpath. However, the Clerk had also received an from Kris Westerby, Highways, asking if the Parish Council would be in a position to fund the barrier? The Clerk would check with both Neil and Kris as to what could be done. Further information was still expected from Neil and the Clerk would chase this up. 1

2 ii) iii) iv) The Clerk also advised that she had delivered a letter to the last 3 houses on Castle View asking for their thoughts on the moving of the interactive unit as they, potentially, would be the ones most affected by it. She had received one response who queried the exercise as a waste of time, referring to a previous meeting when PC Cross, had stated the only way to make drivers slow down was introducing physical barriers. Cllr Chalmers stated that evidence of what actually works was required and Cllr L Holden reminded the Cllrs that the moving of the interactive unit had been raised by the same resident in the first instance. It was agreed that further responses were required from Neil Snowdon about the on-site meeting last week before a decision could be made. Cllr Jordon reported on Ovingham Bridge. Work was still 7 weeks behind schedule and weekend work would continue. Grit blasting was almost complete, further repair work had been carried out. Span 1 at the Ovingham end of the bridge has received its jacking frame and it will be jacked week beginning 23 rd March. A barrier would be placed on the footbridge for safety and the path under the bridge would be closed for a short period of time notices would be put in place. A survey conducted by Dr. Affleck, Newcastle University, had produced 65 responses. The positive point was a quieter village, the negative further to travel. The Clerk advised that Land Registry had returned her request for ownership of the lane behind Castle View as they could not trace it and asked for an Ordnance Survey map of a particular scale, clearly marked. She would check with County Council regarding a map and Cllr Jordon suggested that the residents be contacted once a response is received from Land Registry. Following a request from the Clerk, NCC had put a new grit bin at the bottom of Horsley Road to replace the previous removed one. 5. County Councillor Kelly was not at the meeting to present his report. However, this had been circulated amongst the Cllrs. The main point was the proposed planning changes at County Level, which County Cllr Kelly endorsed and the information that Wylam had benefitted most this last financial year from the small members scheme. Cllr Jordon suggested that he be approached for the funding of the barrier outside the shop if it goes ahead and also the improvement to parking on the highway grass on Horsley Road. 6. Accounts to pay/be paid M. Davenport (Salary & expenses Jan/Feb) Reading Room rental (Mar) Npower (Final bill at Pavilion/daily charges) NALC (training) NWater (quarterly charge) Northumberland Estates (Playing Field rent) D Jordon (trees/plants/village gardens) Planning applications: 14/02939/Ful 10 Windsor Crescent amended application no objections 15/00715/ADE White Swan advertisement consent illuminated 2

3 signs/hoardings/ Up/down lights, low energy floodlights. The Cllrs had no objections to the application but would stipulate that the lights be energy efficient and that they be dimmed by 11.30pm. Cllr Gray also asked that the Clerk queried the reference to the intensity of the light as he did not know what this was. 15/00808/FUL erection of 22 affordable dwellings to land North of Piper Road. This now included an additional 2 dwellings, from the original 20, all of which would be 2 or 3 bedroomed houses and bungalows. Due to the sensitivity of the application and the number of plans involved, the Cllrs would look at it in depth once Cllr Grays circulated his initial comments. 8. Cllr Jordon proposed that the Parish Council consider making a donation to the Church Heating Fund. She had not been approached by anyone regarding this, but stated that something in the region of 190,000 was needed for all the work. Some years ago, the Parish Council had helped the Reading Room with window refurbishment. Cllr Hewitt asked if that figure was to be matched? Cllr Jordon said it was up to the Cllrs. It was agreed that 1,000 be given to the Heating Fund. 9. Each year the Parish Council considers requests from charities/local organisations asking for help to enable them to continue their work. 500 was allocated in the budget for such requests although the Clerk reminded the Cllrs this did not have to be used, nor did they have to share it amongst the organisations. This year requests had been received from Northumberland Citizens Advice Bureau, Tynedale Hospice at Home, Great North Air Ambulance and Legacare (charity offering legal advice to terminally ill people). After some discussion, Cllr Gray proposed that 200 be given to N land CAB and 150 each to Tynedale Hospice and GNAA. This was agreed. 10. Cllr Jordon gave an update on the Burnside landslide/stepping stones. It was hoped work would start on 23 rd March but depended on the weather and would take about days. The stones would be removed and replaced. The solution to the landslide could be that the bank needs stabilizing. The footpath is well used and leads to the river. Cllr Jordon proposed that the Parish Council and the Village Trust contact NCC asking that the path be restored. The schools had been informed of impending work so they could inform the pupils. Hard core would also be placed on part of the lane and village green. 11. Many ideas had been proposed for village projects:- Cllr Jordon gave examples of village signs which ranged in price but averaged She had contacted the High School about a design, and there was a possibility the Art department could look at the design project at the end of term. Cllr Chalmers felt it could give the pupils a sense of pride and it should be taken further. This was agreed. A planter by the village shop not necessary if barrier is put in place Wild flowers planted along grass verges. Cllr Chalmers had suggested this. Possibility of snowdrops and daffodils being planted on the bank in front of the bungalows on Piper Road was to be followed up by Cllrs Jordon and Hewitt. Village tubs had been repaired by Cllr Jordon and replacement was 3

4 not necessary this year. Stone trough by the pant This could prove expensive but Cllr Jordon had funds in her environment/garden fund. This was also agreed Xmas tree with lights or putting lights on the yew tree opposite the Reading Room. This was also agreed but depending on the type of lights purchased, an electric supply might be required. Wylam, who put up a tree with lights, would be approached for information. A village handyman/woman. Cllr Chalmers stated Wylam employed such a person who does a good job. However, this needed to be looked at further as it involved insurance etc. and possible employment matters. Village tidy up etc. Cllr Jordon reminded the Cllrs there was a set amount in the precept for such jobs which needed doing on a regular basis such as the allotment hedge, strimming the burn bankside, brambles and self-seeded tree growth on Horsley Road as well as annual pruning in the Church grounds and weed growth removal. Costs varied between 30 and 200 and recommended that they be done on an annual basis, some are the responsibility of NCC (weed growth). Again, this was agreed. Cllr Moore had suggested looking at a replacement for the Burma Bridge which had been recently removed. Cllr P Holden was looking at options including funding. 12. With effect from 1/1/2015, the hourly rate of pay for the Clerk had increased from 8.63 to This was duly noted. 13. Northumberland County Council had contacted all Town and Parish Councils with regards to proposed changes in their planning policy and invited comments. This had come about as a result of an audit by Deloittes and as a consequence, several changes had been proposed. Ovingham Parish Council, as well as the majority of other councils in Northumberland were very much against the changes which would seem to take away local knowledge and rely on one central area and recommendations of the planning officers. Cllr Gray had viewed some 57 pages of submitted comments which appeared to have been condensed into 5 bullet points. County Councillor Kelly, who was Chair of the planning committee, had stated in his report that the proposed changes were necessary if Northumberland was to continue to determine applications. It was noted that since his report, the planning committee had endorsed the changes. 14. Cllrs Jordon and Gray had met with Aaron McNeill, FCERM, on site, regarding the local flood risk strategy. It had been a very worthwhile meeting and Aaron confirmed some option appraisal work would be carried out to get a better understanding of the problems, damage and risk levels. Ideas and options would then be shared with the Parish Council and decision made on preferred solutions. He believed the SWAP plan was a big benefit to Ovingham. 15. Cllr Jordon advised dog fouling was a problem and this had been reported by the Clerk. Recent areas included the pedestrian bridge and by the Church. Cllr Hewitt will check the dene area for reports of litter. Cllr Jordon has spoken to the resident of Ovingham House regarding overhanging ivy. A step is missing from the path on Castle View to the 4

5 river. Beech hedge path on border between Wheatfield Close and Castle View has been cut back and tree branches and weeds on the path west side of Dene Garth have also been cut back. She had been informed by Paul Turnbull, NCC, that he received frequent complaints about fly tipping/rubbish at the lay by on the Wylam Road. He asked if the Parish Council would object to it being closed although he would need to confirm if this was possible. The Cllrs would have no objections. Cigarette ends were prevalent by the White Swan. A hole by the drain at the back of the Church had again been reported. 16. Cllr Gray advised there would be a Gosling Fair again this year, in place of the Goose Fair, on 20 th June. NCC had previously agreed to low level planting for the bank by the Reading Room. Burial Committee had not had a recent meeting. 17. The Clerk had distributed correspondence to the Cllrs:- a) S106 Funding for sport, play and recreation areas: Cllr Moore advised Cllr P Holden was looking at S106 funding as a means of obtaining funds towards new playing field equipment. b) BT had invited relevant authorities to adopt a telephone box for 1. The Clerk had confirmed that the one in Ovingham was one such box. It was agreed to put this on the agenda for April as it was felt the phone box was worth keeping. c) Correspondence had also been received regarding the ringing of church bells to coincide with the 800 th anniversary of the Magna Carta on 14 th June. The Church would support this. Included in the same letter was information about LiberTeas event. Cllr L Holden believed that the WI was arranging something but it would be discussed at the next meeting. 18. Distribution was still being circulated. 19. Cllr Jordon advised that the WW1Commemorative stone was to be laid and marked with a small service on 22 nd April. She was also organizing a Jumble Sale for 18 th April in aid of the Church Heating Fund. The Clerk had downloaded a copy of Changes to the smaller authorities local audit and accountability framework which she would forward. Changes were now in place involving smaller councils with a turnover of 25,000 or less. Legislation comes into effect from 1 st April 2015 but she believed had most things in place if they came under the 25,000 limit. Cllr Heslop asked for permission to display a poster on the notice board advertising a music event in Mickley. This was agreed. Cllr Moore had been unable to arrange a talk regarding a defibrillator but hoped someone would be able to come to the April meeting and suggested 7pm, before the meeting proper started. 20. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 16 th April 2015 at 7.15pm. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.10pm 5

6 MONTHLY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE March 2015 EXPENDITURE M Davenport (Sal & Exp Jan & Feb) Reading Room (Rental Mar) Npower (final daily charges) NALC (Training) Nwater (quarterly charge) N land Estates (Playing field rent) D Jordon (tees/plants/gardens) N land Citizens Advice (Donation) Tynedale Hospice (Donation) Great North Air Ambulance (Donation) St Mary the Virgin Church (Donation) Southern Electric (Quarterly charge) TOTAL INCOME Refund from NCC re cemetery TOTAL Opening Balance 21, Expenditure 2, Income Closing Balance 18, Deposit Account 15, TOTAL 33, Please note that due to an accounting adjustment, this summary supersedes previous entries. 6