Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Thursday 11th May 2017 in Wall Village Hall at 7.30pm (Draft)
PRESENT: Cllrs: Kathy Rogstad (KR) (Vice Chair), John Lamb (JL), David Mason (DM), Bob Elliott (BE) Stephen Kendall (SK) Katherine Collier (KC) (retiring Clerk) Brian Alger (BA) Clerk
1891 Apologies for absence:
Received from Rupert Gibson (RG) and Tim McArdle(TM).
1892 Minutes of the last meeting:
The minutes were approved as being an accurate record of the previous meeting.
1893 Election of Vice Chair and Representatives
Vice Chair - Kathy Rogstad Proposed (JL) 2nd (BE)
Bonfire Rep. John Lamb Proposed (KR) 2nd (DM)
Village Hall, Dave Mason Proposed (KR) 2nd (JL)
Councillors agreed that Chair would be rotated with (BE) as chair for the next two meetings.
1894 Co-Opted.
Councillors agreed to Co-Opt Stephen Kendall as a councillor to serve on Wall Parish Council.
Proposed (KR) 2nd (BE)
1895 Chairman’s Report
The following report was written by KR.
Wall Parish Council Acting Chair’s Annual Report May 2017
In order to help write this report I read through the minutes from the last 12 months. It served as a poignant reminder of what a great Chairman and friend Dave Westle was. His presence, influence and wisdom is sorely missed.
Dave’s passing obviously left the Parish Council without a Chairman. As vice-chairman I have stepped into the breech and would like to thank everyone (including past and present Clerks) for their full support and guidance.
I believe that as a Parish Council we have achieved a great deal over the past 12 months to keep the Parish neat and tidy and modernise. Some of our achievements may not seem enormous but sometimes the small things have a noticeable impact. For example, the new waste bin in the North lay-by seems to be helping to keep this entrance to the village more litter free.
One of our larger achievements is taking over the cleaning of the public toilets meaning the village retains this asset for the wider community. Thanks go to Alan Dryden for keeping them in a good state of cleanliness.
Thanks should also go to Mr and Mrs Longlands who maintain the planters at the South entrance to the village which always looks welcoming. It’s a shame others don’t seem to value the importance of the entrance to the village and clearly felt it acceptable to remove a tree on County Council owned land that was in front of their property.
The creation of the Parish Council’s website is another major achievement. Our thanks go to Bob Elliot and his daughter for creating it, updating it and the Clerks (past and present) for uploading the information we are required to publish.
The purchase and installation of the defibrillator was a fantastically quick addition to the village. Our thanks go to Rose Lewis and all those who donated towards it. The Parish Council have agreed to meet the costs of maintenance so on-going fund raising isn’t necessary and is able to use spare funds to re-site it in the phone box on Main Street.
Regarding the old allotment land, it remains to be seen what happens to this piece of land and if/when the property that planning permission has been granted for, will be built. The community did a fantastic job in coming together to put a strong case forward for the prevention of 2 dormer bungalows being built on this land also.
The village looks well maintained thanks to the Strimming Group, which will continue its good work from this month. Thanks goes to David Mason for organising a planning meeting and rota for the members of the group.
November’s bonfire was a success once again with a fantastic firework display. A meeting has already been held to plan a fund raising event in September.
Our thanks also go to Mr and Mrs Harrington for keeping an eye on the footpaths and reporting in any problems and to the Harrison’s for allowing us to use their power supply for the Christmas tree lights and to Mike Douglas for supplying the tree. It is hoped that a permanent Christmas tree will be planted for the benefit of the village and last for several years to come.
Katherine Collier has been an outstanding Clerk for nearly 4 years. We are grateful to her for her commitment, diligence and efficiency and for helping with the handover to our new Clerk Brian Alger, who is already doing a brilliant job. Brian’s recent employment has brought about changes for the Parish Council in the way it employs Clerks, meaning we are now officially an employer. Our thanks go to Bob Elliot for helping with the process, contract writing and for taking the lead on setting up on-line banking for the Parish Council, which will make the payment process easier.
The village litter pick was well attended this year and had a real community feel to it. The village looks good and can only be improved upon once The Wildflowers Project has begun - potentially in the Autumn with the preparation work due to start then. Our thanks go to Ian Robinson for instigating and progressing this project.
Regarding the play equipment, it is anticipated grants will be applied for to help with the costs of renewing the toddler swings and maintain the larger swings.
I’d like to offer a warm welcome to our new Councillor Stephen Kendall and thank him for initially showing an interest in being a Parish Councillor and for joining us.
It is important that we continue to maintain this wonderful rural Parish we live in to the benefit of the community and pursue those things that will further enhance or protect our environment. One such project would be the installation of a permanent speed activated sign to try and slow drivers through our village approaching from the South. The mobile unit that Rupert Gibson County Councillor organised makes a noticeable difference to traffic speed approaching from the North when present.
Throughout the year Councillor Gibson has been a great support, not least when many residents were objecting to planning applications that would have had a massively detrimental effect to the area.
It was a relief to the village that our local pub is still in existence and will hopefully go from strength to strength. We wait with interest what happens to the Methodist Chapel but must keep watch that the parking problem in the village isn’t further exacerbated
Kathy Rogstad
Vice-Chair Wall Parish Council
1896 Any Other Business
No other business was raised.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 7:40pm.
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 11th May 2017 in Wall Village Hall at 7.55pm (Draft)
PRESENT Cllrs: Katherine Rogstad (Vice-Chair) (KR), David Mason (DM), Bob Elliott (BE) , John Lamb (JL), Stephen Kendall (SK), Katherine Collier (Previous Clerk) (KR) Clerk: Brian Alger (BA)
1860 Apologies for absence:
Apologies were received from Cllr. Tim McArdle (TM) and Rupert Gibson (RG)
1861 Minutes of the last meeting:
The minutes were approved as being an accurate record of the previous meeting.
Matters Arising
1862 a. Parish Council’s Strimmer
The rota continues to run successfully, (DM) suggested that the council should strim every 3rd cut and can the strimmer group strim around the church. KR & TM
1863 b. The Hollow Project
Discussion on the progress of the project. (KR) suggested that the quote from Northumberland Water be accepted for the preparation work. This was agreed by Councillors at the meeting.
1864 c. Follow-up from RoSPA Repor t
(DM) reports that he has painted the swings etc. One of the seats is cracked and will need replaced at some point. Discussion re possibility of grants from Wind FarmFund. (BA) to check last report from RoSPA regarding splay on swings. (KR) offered to check out suppliers for new equipment. BA, KR
1865 d. Toilets
(KR) reports that the door is still in need of creosoting which she will complete. (DM) reports the lighting is not working correctly (BA) to write to council re fixing and enquire about the removal of the Ivy from around the building. KR, BA
1866 e. Signs on Planters
A discussion regarding building up the walls on the planters resulted in the work being postponed and revisited later in the year due to the difficulty involved. (KR) to obtain more plants for the planters and (DM) to obtain plants for the tub and pant. KR, DM
1867 f. Flashing 30mph sign on A6079
(KR) wrote to 3 companies for quotes on the work to place a permanent speed sign on the A6079 through the village. Only one company replied with a quote of £3,618.32. A discussion took place with regards to the possible funding and organisations who could be approached. (DM) suggested a subcommittee could be formed to look into this. (JL) questioned whether a sign alone would be enough to calm the traffic. Acomb has now installed cobbles to slow the traffic down however there would be noise implications if they were installed at Wall.
(SK) to form sub group to examine implications and solutions to traffic calming through the village. (BE) also suggested that a one off precept rise may be one solution to the funding. (KR) if the speed signs were erected then extra funding would need to be found for maintenance. SK
1868 g. Meeting with Humshaugh Council
It was agreed that this would be postponed until later in the year and that matters discussed would be shared grass cutting and path clearing. BA
1869 h. Grass Cutting
Is going well and there have been 3 cuts this year there was a discussion about council strimming but decided that this could be looked into later in the year.
1870 i. Defibrillator / Phone Box
(BA) informed the Councillors that the BT phone box now belonged to the village and the paperwork and contract had been forwarded to the Clerk. (KR) to ask Stephen Calvert to move the Defibrillator and dim the light in the box. KR
1871 j. Dark Skies Proposal
A discussion took place regarding the Dark Skies Proposal. There has been no response from Allendale Estates. (DM) states he has a contact through Allendale Estates and he will speak to him regarding an update. DM
1872 k. Parish Council Website
(BA) website is ongoing and information needed for compliance is still being updated. BA
1873 l. Fencing Surrounding Former Allotments.
(JL) will make enquiries into ownership (possibly County Council) however it was agreed that this would be revisited when ownership is established. JL
1874 m. Christmas Tree
No response from Allendale Estates. Forestry Commission have stated they would provide a tree. (BA) to re contact re size of tree and if they will plant it. If not it was decided that W.P.C. would plant it. (BA) to contact Forestry Commission. BA
1875 n. Pothole outside church
This has been fixed - Completed.
1876 o. Dave Westle Memorial
(DM) suggested that planting of trees on the North layby may be appropriate as Dave had mentioned it in the past. (KR) to email (RG) re possibility of 4 trees being planted. KR
∞
1877 4. Planning Application: 16/04341/FUL proposed alterations to roof space 2, Folster Forge, The Green, Wall NE464DZ
This has now been passed.
∞
1878 5. Village Hall Report
(DM) report:
Meeting held 24th April 2017
Charges- to be maintained for this year and looked at again next year.
Expenditure –Over 7K spent on hall during 2016/17
Total funds at 20/4/17 - £9,022.00
Treasurer requests that a letter is sent from W.P.C. for a copy of annual accounts to comply with requirements of Charity Commission (Management Trustees must supply account copy to on an annual basis). BA
Security Box BA
Request filing cabinets are sorted out (disposed of if not required). How long do we need to keep planning applications. BA
Suggests talking to James Reynolds to try to ascertain who is Allendale Estates Manager(Francis Templer?).
Decided not to arrange and event on 17/6 for Jo Cox Day due to other events near that time i.e. NTC fundraiser and Fete.
Meeting held in Hadrian Tues 9/5 involving Hall Committee and Bonfire Committee to discuss a joint fundraiser for Bonfire/Fireworks event in November. It was suggested a joint fundraiser at the village hall with Hog Roast on 3rd September as £750 - £800 needs to be raised.
The possibility of W.P.C. purchasing the fireworks and claiming VAT back was discussed. (BA) to make enquiries. W.P.C. also agreed to increase their donation to the firework fund from £100 to £150. BA
Next meeting – 19th June 20117
∞
1879 6. Review of Risk Register and Finances
No new risks were raised.
BA reported on the spend to date for the current financial year.
∞
1880 7. Sign off accounts and audit forms
(KR) read audit form for the financial year 2016/17 to councillors – agreed.
(BA) to check if toilet cleaning money has been paid in. BA
1881 8. Agree Insurance Renewal
It was agreed to renew the current insurance policy for W.P.C. for a further 3 years which would give a saving of around £60 over the course of the cover. BA
∞
1882 9. Methodist Chapel
W.P.C. were given the opportunity to purchase the Methodist Chapel which will be going up for sale after 19th May 2017. Agreed that there will be no offer made.
∞
1883 10. Banking on line
(BA) reported on the options for banking on line and changing banks with the best deals. It was agreed after discussion that Lloyds Bank would be the preferred choice. The application would need to be made online with 2 signatories with the Clerk having access to set up standing orders etc KR, BE
∞
1884 11. NALC subscription.
NALC subscription due to be renewed. Agreed.
∞
1885 12. Northumberland Day celebrations.
There were no plans put forward.
∞
1886 13. Formally adopt policies regarding new Clerk.
The new Clerk has accepted grievance policies and will have appraisal once a year. No pension will be payable. Agreed.
∞
1887 14. Councillors accept to be contacted via email.
(BA) explained where councillors have agreed to be contacted by email they must formally accept. All agree.
1888 15. Date of next meeting Thursday 20th July 7:30pm
∞
1889 16. Any other business
Planning application 17/01479/FUL conversion of existing roof void into five hotel bedrooms including installation of conservation style rooflights to provide daylight and outlook. Hadrian Hotel, Front Street, Wall.
Brief discussion – no objections.
∞
1890 18. Path Clearing.
Proposed by (DM) to clear paths agreed date Saturday 17th June 2017 10:30 am.
There being no other business meeting closed at 9:45pm