Present: 

Councillors: C. Hamilton (Chair), C. Hawman (Vice- Chair), D. Mole, A. Wilson, D. Anderson, S. Smith & K. Traill.
Clerk: C. Woodcock.  Members of the Public: One.

 

1. Apologies for absence: None
2. Code of Conduct (Declaration of Interest): No changes.
3. Opportunities for members of the public to raise issues: The member of the public relayed their concerns that neither county council nor Cllr J. Riddle had directly contacted them to follow up on the maintenance issues in East Woodburn they reported last year. Despite the ditches being cleared on Shaw Lonnen the road to Monkridge was not attended to nor has a new inspection or repair been seen to be done to the bridge. The clerk reported she was told by NCC Highways the bridge was structurally sound but could not speak to when the latest inspection occurred.
4. Minutes of Parish Meeting held on Monday the 4^th of December 2023: Signed as a true and accurate record.
5. Matters arising from the minutes: i. NCC have confirmed that responsibility for interactive flood signs lies with them and have offered to meet about this, clerk to arrange this. Cllr Smith suggested a record be kept of all the occasions the road is impassable. ii. Wording of the letter to our MP was discussed and some amendments made and action points included. Clerk to send & copy to other parishes. iii.
6. Notification of any other business for discussion, at the Chairman’s discretion, under item 16 below: Cllr K Traill one point.
7. County Councillor’s Report: None.
8. Ongoing Issues: 91. The WW signs were reported to TWM as only working intermittently. A fault has been found on all similar devices and a repair will be rolled out after testing, a delay is therefore expected. The repairs to the SWARCO signs from Ridsdale are hampered by the age of the devices, however not all avenues are yet exhausted. Options for what to do if these cannot be repaired were discussed. Quotes for replacement signs were felt to represent poor value given the expected lifespan so alternative traffic calming measures such as improved signage are to be explored. It was suggested that C.Cllr Riddle may have a fund he could use to fund the replacements on our behalf. CW to action.
9. Play Area: The animal mess report was investigated and several piles found along the back wall, seeming to come from a small animal. This was cleared. Cllr Hamilton has performed a recent inspection of the play equipment and all was found to be in order. The fence to the playing field as lost some boards which will be replaced in due course. The clerk has followed up the request for a drainage expert to visit the village green with no response yet. The double gate entry to the field was found to be failing. CW to seek quotes for repair.
10. Volunteers and Community Spending: ii. Two new bins have been installed in the parish however one at Fourlaws was put in the wrong place. CW to report to NCC to rectify. ii. Thanks were expressed to Ray Wind Fund who have granted £500 towards the replacement defibrillator and cabinet for Ridsdale. The application to the government for a discounted unit was successful. CW to finalise order and arrange installation. The old defibrillator is to be gifted to The Gun with instruction about ongoing care. iii. A parishioner has requested a bin in the layby by Sarelaw Cottages. NCC have quoted £437.40+VAT.  It was decide to approach Green Rigg fund and ask for a donation to cover the costs of two new bins for that area, for placement in the northbound and southbound laybys. This matter brought up the issue of littering and fly tipping – occurrences should be reported to NCC, ideally via Fix My Street, for recording and cleaning.
11. Wind Power Stations & BANTR: Shortly following the meeting A. Thomson sent a summary of the latest, November, RWF meeting “We fibre wi fi network in Bellingham was awarded a grant. This will affect 81 properties. Kevin Piggford Driving school was awarded a grant as was Phoenix 60+ social club and Rochester Festival Committee. The Jubilee playground in Bellingham was awarded a grant towards play equipment.”  
12. Parish Hall: i. Enquiries have been directed to the Parish Council about whether the hall should have opened during recent power cuts. This has highlighted several points, firstly that CPC is seen to be responsible for the actions of the Hall Committee and secondly, that little is known locally about the various options for emergency preparedness. The details of what constitutes a Warm Hub, and what if any conditions apply, was also subject to local speculation. CW to ask the hall and CAN for clarification. Cllr Smith to research Emergency hubs. ii. Ray Wind Farm have granted £20,000 to the Hall to be used for finalising the insulation process.
13. Planning Matters: Planning Matters  a) For decision –None

b) Decisions from NCC – i. 23/01962/VARYCO Land at Cold Law – GRANTED, ii. 23/03188/FUL Cragg Quarry West Woodburn – GRANTED, iii 23/04122/FUL - Land South of Jubilee Cottages, West Woodburn – REFUSED* *An appeal against this decision has been lodged with the Secretary of State commencing 17/01/24.

14. Other correspondence: i. The county council made CPC aware of funding available to be spent in several local parishes on capital costs for sporting or play equipment. It is hoped that this could form part of the funding for the proposed play area refurbishment (new surfacing and Clatterboard replacement) and Green Gym on the village green. CW to ensure this fund is advertised on Facebook to local groups, and to ask for suggestions on how this could be utilised by all three villages. Recent ideas to provide fitness equipment to the Gun were turned down due to a lack of space. ii. Suggestions for nominees to attend the King’s Garden Party, people who have been active in community work or public service are invited. iii. The Chair has written again to M.P. Guy Opperman to impress the importance of retaining the copper telephone wires so that emergency and other communication can be maintained during power outages.
15. Finances –a) Invoices for payment – i. NTC Play (£540) ii. Clerk Wages – December 21hrs (£288.33), iii. Corsenside Parish Hall – Room hire (£50), iv. NCC - Litter Bins (£486) v. Clerk expenses – refreshments - £52.60) vi. Clerk Wages – January 6hrs (£83.38), vii. Bank Fees (£18) viii. ICO – data protection license (£40) ix. Clerk - Back pay (£132). b) Income – Play ticket sales part one £290 ii. Play cash - coins £10.50 iii. Ray Wind Fund £500 (defibrillator) c) Bank Balance £ 12,406.62
16. Matters for discussion at the chairman’s discretion: i. Cllr K Traill raised the issue of the Parish Emergency Plan, is this a legal requirement? CW to find out.
17. Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on Monday 4th March at 7.00 – The Bay Horse.
    
    Meeting ended 9.25 pm.

 

Action Point List (February):