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COMMUNITY TRUST
PARISH COUNCIL
Agendas
& Minutes
Accounts
CHURCHES
LOCAL
GROUPS
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Minutes
MEETING OF CRASTER PARISH COUNCIL
Thursday 21st July 2016 - 7:15pm in the Craster Memorial Hall
Present
Chair: Cllr Owen
Parish Council members: Cllr
Pearson, Cllr Craster, Cllr Sutherland
Clerk: Ruth Younger
The meeting opened with
questions from the public. A local resident, Mrs Docherty, raised the
issues of installing speed humps on Heugh Wynd, which they do not
believe were necessary. She suggested that visitors already drive
slowly and local residents will continue to speed, even after the humps
are installed. She believes that traffic calming measures at the
entrance to the village will reduce traffic even further and resources
could be better spent elsewhere.
Cllr Owen thanked the
resident for her views and confirmed they would be considered when item
2092 (Local Transport Plan Priorities) were discussed.
2081. Declaration of interest
None declared
2082. Neighbourhood Planning Parish Meeting
Cllr Owen reported that
the meeting was a success with around 35 local residents attending. He
thanked the speakers at the event; David English from Northumberland
County Council and Cllr Jenifer Hall from Beadnell Parish Council.
Cllr Owen noted that no
residents had attended the meeting this evening and he questioned
whether there was any interest in establishing a Neighbourhood Plan.
After some discussion, it was agreed to delay this item until the
September meeting.
2083. Apologies received
Cllr Smith, Cllr Gallon,
Cllr Brooks, Cllr Punton.
Cllr Baird was not
present at the meeting
2084. Minutes of the previous meetings
Resolution: unanimous vote to
accept the minutes as an accurate record.
Proposed: Cllr Pearson
Seconded: Cllr Craster
2085. Matters arising from the minutes not covered
elsewhere on the agenda
None
2086. Parish Council vacancy
Cllr Owen reported that
no one had come forward to fill the vacancy
2098. Fixed Asset Maintenance
Nigel Fairbank attended
the meeting to discuss the maintenance of the seating benches around
the village. It was unanimously agreed to take this item earlier in the
meeting so Nigel could leave in good time.
Nigel noted that the
tender should have made clear that the benches need to be prepared and
painted. Nigel does not feel qualified to do the preparatory work, so
he has subcontracted the work to Daniel MacDonald.
The cost of only
painting the benches would have been £360. The cost to prepare and
paint is £550 (plus the cost of the paint).
Cllr Owen noted that he
had inspected some of the benches with Nigel and they were in a very
poor state of repair. Cllr Pearson added that the benches are an asset
to the village and used by locals and tourists. However, she was keen
to ensure only those in the care of the Parish Council, not local
families, were painted.
Resolution: the necessary work to
preserve the benches should be carried out.
Proposed: Cllr Craster
Seconded: Cllr Sutherland
2087. County Councillor's update.
Cllr Cairns circulated a
report in advance of the meeting to all Councillors. The contents were
noted.
2088. Planning Matters
Nothing to report
2089. Location filming of ‘Vera’ – update
Cllr Sutherland proposed
a vote of thanks to Cllr Gallon for his efforts on this issue. It was
unanimously supported.
2090. Proposed repairs to Craster Public Footpaths 17
and 24
The reply from NCC was
noted by Councillors. However, the Clerk is to write and confirm the
right of way is not being lost where the path reconnects to South Acres
/ Heugh Road.
Councillors raised the
issue of a dangerous channel that has opened up next to the bus stop
opposite the Shoreline Café. The Clerk is to ask NCC to repair this.
Councillors also raised
the issue of the footpath towards the Cinder Track near the Dunstan bus
shelter. It is privately owned and not being maintained. The Clerk will
write to the holiday home owners and ask if they can address this issue.
NCC’s commitment to
repair the signage at Habour Lights was also noted.
2091. Minute archive
Resolution: It was unanimously
agreed that the minute archive should be taken by Cllr Owen to Woodhorn.
Proposed: Cllr Craster
Seconded: Cllr Sutherland
2092. Local Transport Plan Priorities
Cllr Owen reported that
deciding the plans for next year was made more complicated because last
year’s priorities have not yet been actioned. However, it was agreed
that it should be assumed this work will be carried out by NCC as
agreed.
After some discussion,
and noting the comments at the Parish Meeting and the public at the
beginning of the meeting, it was decided the speed bumps on Heugh Wynd
should be included as there were more in the village in favour than
against. However, they would be the lowest priority on the list.
Resolution: The proposals for next
year are
1.
Footpath along the Bogue Road and up Smithy Bank
2.
Relaying paving slabs on Heugh Road and Heugh Wynd
3.
Speed humps on Heugh Wynd
Proposed: Cllr Craster
Seconded: Cllr Sutherland
2093. NCC: North Area Review of Supported Bus
Services 2016
Noted.
2094. Dunstan Road Works
Cllr Owen reported there
is no water coming off the field, showing the repair work may have
solved the problem, but it will need to be monitored over the next few
months to see the situation when there is heavy rain.
2095. EJBC
Cllr Owen reported an
event is being held on 25th July about the maintenance changes that are
being considered for the Spitalfield Cemetary. The changes under
consideration are to allow some of the grassland to revert to meadow
land. This will be in the area of the cemetery not in current use. The
presentation s to allow all interested persons to find ot what is being
proposed so an informed decision can be made at the October Committee
meeting.
2096. Craster Community Trust
Nothing to report. Cllr
Craster noted that Cllr Punton had done an excellent job painting the
gates at the play park red, to improve visibility.
2097. AONB
Cllr Craster reported
that a walk was held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Coastal
Path.
2098. Fixed asset maintenance
See earlier note in the
minutes.
It was also agreed that
the Clerk will ask Nigel to add some drainage holes to the grit bins to
prevent them from becoming water logged. NCC has given the Parish
Council permission to carry out this work.
2099. Tourist Amenities / Grant Funding
The Clerk read the
written report received from Cllr Brooks.
Cllr Owen confirmed that
prices were being sought for a noticeboard and map (with adverts from
local businesses) for the main car park. Smaller ones would be
installed at the entrances to the village on the Coastal Path. Finger
posts would be installed at the Harbour and the exit from the car park.
Councillors agreed that this was what was needed. Quotes will be
discussed at the next meeting. Cllr Craster will check this plan with
the AONB.
2100. Car Parking
Quarry Car Park: Cllr
Owen reported that he had seen a copy of the Geologist’s report, which
does not address whether the access to the quarry is safe. It was
agreed that the Clerk will query this with NCC (Cllr Owen will assist
drafting the letter).
Residents’ parking: Cllr
Craster will have a full report for the September meeting. Some
discussion followed about the use of the Turn Field, including the
installation of a hard surface from the entrance, the purchase of a
ticket machine and increasing the size of the gate. Cllr Craster will
continue his investigations and liaise with the Grey family as it was
felt the Council should not take any action unless there was a firm
agreement that they could lease and develop the land as necessary.
2101. Transparency Fund
The Clerk confirmed that
the application from Craster PC had been received by NALC.
2102. Financial matters
a. End
of year Financial Return and Audit
A vote of thanks was
unanimously agreed for Fraser Suffield, who served as the internal
auditor.
b.
Current Account Balance: £10,852.49 (28th June 2016)
c.
Spent & Received: Nil
d.
Clerk/HMRC wages & expenses: £293.47
e.
Cheques required
i.
Memorial Hall: £200.00
2103. Correspondence received
All noted.
2104. Items for Next Agenda
None
2105. Information Share
Nothing to report
2106. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Thursday 15th September
at 7:15pm in Craster Memorial Hall
Open to Press and Public
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