Dinnington Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish meeting held on
18th March 2015
Present:
Cllr Raymond Thompson
Chairman
Cllr Mike Wood
Vice Chairman
Cllr Audrey Dellow
Cllr Sylvia Hood
Cllr Tom Laidler
Cllr Steven Phelps
Cllr Joyce Porter
Cllr Gill Smith
In Attendance:
Brenda Joyce
Clerk
Cllr Ian Graham
Newcastle City Council (NCC)
Cllr Philip Lower
Newcastle City Council (NCC)
1 resident
PCSO Jonathan Dunn 5634
Northumbria Police
Minute
103.
Action
WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Parish Council (PC).
Apologies were received from Cllr Brenda Scott and Cllr Anita Lower (NCC).
104.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
105.
DONKEY FIELD PROPOSALS
The Clerk advised that the NCC Planning Committee had granted planning
permission for the Phase 1 development of the field (subject to an additional
condition relating to the airport).
106.
PUBLIC FORUM
106.1
Northumbria Police – PCSO Jonathan Dunn was present in place of PC Parker
who was detained on business. CSO Dunn informed the PC that there had been
one domestic incident reported since the last meeting and that there were no
concerns about anti-social behavior (ASB).
The Vice Chairman (VC) informed everyone present that the new plants in the
two stone troughs/planters outside Fenwick Cottage had been repeatedly
vandalized. The PC paid a local gardener to plant up and maintain the troughs
and the plants had already been replaced free of charge. CSO Dunn was asked
to keep an eye on the location and to let his colleagues know about the situation.
These actions would upset a lot of people and the behavior had to be stopped.
Attendees were asked to ring 101 with any information as established
procedures were in place to deal with ASB.
Northumbria Police had been asked at the last meeting to monitor the situation
with regard to inconsiderate parking at the school. A member stressed that the
problems were now getting worse. CSO Dunn reminded members that causing
an obstruction was a police matter. Cllr Lower also said that he would talk to civil
enforcement and to the Highways/Traffic Manager about this situation.
Cllr P Lower
It was pointed out that parking spaces were included in the Donkey Field
proposals and that the school would be accessible via a new path.
Members urged CSO Dunn to visit the street during peak times to witness the
problems first hand.
CSO Dunn
Although a long term solution was required it was also noted that the school
governors had written to parents about inconsiderate parking last year.
Consideration should be given on how parents could be encouraged to adopt a
healthy approach and walk to the school.
107.
MEMBERS ITEMS OF CONCERN
107.1
Sycamore Avenue – the problems with inconsiderate parking were raised again.
107.2
Litter – several residents had complained about the amount of litter and rubbish
in the gutters and streets prior to the last meeting. Cllr P Lower informed
attendees that this was a big problem across the city. Neighbourhood staff
worked very hard in the ward but there was a limit to what they could respond to.
Cllr P Lower agreed to report this back to NCC. With regard to the litter down
Venture Bank, Cllr Lower said he would look at this.
107.3
Knotweed – with regard to the knotweed problem on Venture Bank, Cllr Graham
advised that NCC were dealing with this and with a very long list of the problem
in other areas. Treatment could take several years.
107.4
Footpath between Bracken and Shaftoe – a member had reported that tree roots
were growing through the tarmac at the last meeting. Cllr P Lower said that he
would ask Cllr A Lower about this.
107.5
107.6
107.7
Pavement at church gate – although one side of the pavement had been
repaired the other side had not; also, the barrier had not been replaced. Cllr P
Lower said that he would take this back.
Drain near church – the Chairman raised the issue of the smell from the drain.
The Clerk had written to Northumbria Water who had inspected the drain and
reported no faults. Cllr P Lower agreed to ask the NCC highways team to
investigate.
Dog fouling – the problem was getting worse with particular problems on Mitford
Way, the school footpath, The Lonnon (behind The Crest) and the Recreation
Field. Enforcement had advised Cllr Dellow that they would try to visit the village
if dog owners or specific times could be identified. Cllr P Lower agreed to report
this back again.
Cllr P Lower
Cllr P Lower
Cllr P Lower
Cllr P Lower
108.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING
108.1
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.
Matters arising
Minute No 87.1 (21st January 2015)
Fish and chip van – it was moved and duly seconded that the situation be
monitored for another month. If there were any complaints this would be
considered at that time.
Minute No 76.3 (17th December 2014)
Untidy gardens –Cllr Anita Lower had reported she understood from YHN that
the property was privately owned. Cllr P Lower said he would check the situation
with Cllr A Lower.
Cllr P Lower
Minute No 65 (19th November 2014)
The Clerk was asked again to contact Steve Charlton to arrange a suitable
date/time to meet members for a walkabout in the near future as proposed by
Mark Lamb (NCC Horticultural Specialist) last year.
Clerk
Minute No 66.1 (19th November 2014)
Standing water – Cllr P Lower was asked to check with Cllr A Lower what the
response had been from Derek Robinson at NCC.
109.
CORRESPONDENCE
109.1
Northumberland Clubs for Young People – the PC noted that an email had been
received (13 March 2015) which advised that this organization had decided to
set up a youth session at the Brunswick Surestart Centre.
109.2
Newcastle Carers – an email had been received from the Service Co-ordinator
for the British Red Cross Newcastle Emergency Carers Card scheme. The
project, commissioned by NCC for people/carers who look after a relative or a
friend, provided cover if they were unable to care for the person they look after.
The PC agreed to display posters on the parish notice board and in the village
hall buildings to enable the service to reach more carers in the village.
109.3
Northumberland Association of Local Councils – the Clerk shared the details of a
North East Regional Event on 28th March at Durham County Hall. Information
had also been circulated electronically.
109.4
Northumbria in Bloom – judges would be in the village from 10:30am on Monday
13th April for the Spring judging. It was agreed that volunteers would be able to
meet with the judges in the Memorial Hall. The judges would also return in July
for Summer judging.
110.
PLANNING
110.1
Planning information and applications
Mitford Way – notification of extensions had been received for No 15.
Cllr A Lower
Church Close – notification of an extension and internal alterations had been
received for No 7.
Mill Hill Farm – an appeal had been lodged against refusal of planning consent
for the conversion of vacant farm building unit 3.
Notification of Temporary Traffic Regulation Order – details had been received
of the closure of a section of Horton Grange Road for resurfacing works.
Diversion signs would be in place. Further details had been circulated by the
Clerk on 6th March.
110.2
One Core Strategy
As noted at the last meeting the final strategy would be ratified by Gateshead
Council and Newcastle City Council at separate public meetings on 26th March
2015.
110.3
Neighbourhood Plan
The VC advised that a quote for £4750 had been received from a consultant to
assist with the write up of the Neighbourhood Plan (NP) if this was how the PC
wanted to take this forward. A grant was likely to be available to cover this type
of expenditure. A meeting with David Cross (NCC) would be held followed by a
preliminary discussion with the consultant. A report would be brought back to a
future meeting of the PC.
111.
UPDATES
111.1
Village Hall – tickets for £8.50 were available for a production on 21st March.
Work was starting on the Memorial Hall to the roof and the windows in the near
future. A generous donation had been received from the St Matthew tithe and
the Village Hall Committee would decide on the next phase of work in May. It
was also noted that an equal amount had also been donation to the 1 st
Dinnington Scouts.
111.2
Adopt a Planter – see 106.1 above.
111.3
Newsletter – the next edition of the newsletter would be distributed after the
formal pre-election period (27th March – 7th May). It would include the
Chairman’s annual report.
111.4
Library update – there were now two new additional volunteers and the library
was running smoothly. A printer had kindly been donated this evening; it would
be connected in the near future and costs for its use would be confirmed.
111.5
Allotments – the Clerk was asked to synchronize rent payments for the
allotments, the quarry pond and the pleasure ground. Information on the retail
price index and allotment rent increases would be sourced from NCC.
111.6
Website – the website was up to date.
112.
FINANCIAL MATTERS
Cheques for approval / signing
None.
Clerk
113.
REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
Castle Ward Committee meeting Thursday 12 March 2015
The ward committee had been informed that members of the public could now
been trained to use speed guns by Northumbria Police.
It was possible that the village could apply for ward grant funding for specific
projects in the future.
114.
MEETING DATES – MUNICIPAL YEAR 2015/2016
RESOLVED - That the PC agreed the provisional dates below for meetings
during the 2015/2016 municipal year. The dates would be ratified at the annual
meeting in May. Please note that the July meeting would be held on the second
Tuesday of the month – 8th July 2015*.
20th May 2015
17th June 2015
8th July 2015 *
16th September 2015
21st October 2015
18th November 2015
16th December 2015
20th January 2016
17th February 2016
16th March 2016
20th April 2016
115.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
7.00pm on Wednesday 15th April 2015
(Meeting ended 8:45pm)