Minutes of the Meeting of Birtley Parish Council held in the Supper Room of Birtley Village Hall starting at 8.00 pm. on 6th December 2011.

Present Messrs EN Coulson (Chairman), DRB Burn, J Robson, Ms A Lowes, Mrs SW Crone and WG White. Also Clerk Robert Macfarlane

Apologies Unitary Councillor Cllr E Heslop and PC. I Robertson

Declaration of Interest
None

Presentation
In attendance were Duncan Fone (Construction Project Manager, EDF Energy Renewables), Neil McMullen (Project/Site Manager AGRILEK Ltd) and Bob Barber (Site Manager Waitings).

Duncan Fone explained that Freedom Agrilek Ltd has been engaged by EDF Energy Renewables Ltd. to install cabling and associated Switchgear to facilitate connection of Green Rigg wind farm, to the electricity distribution network at Fourstones. He hoped that work has been planned, (with the Highway Authority), to minimise disruption to the community and travelling public. It will be undertaken in a series of co-ordinated phases. The construction work will be monitored by an Independent Environmental Officer and an Independent Archaeological Officer. Construction is planned to begin in late October south of the River North Tyne and early November north of the river.

The Chairman thanked the three managers for coming to the meeting to explain the road closures and disruption. Members of the Council were concerned that not much notice had been given or explanation of the seemingly strange route of the cable. However these were perhaps issues to be addressed by the highway authority.

Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held on 9th August 2011 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

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Matters Arising
 Play Area The park bench has been acquired and will soon be installed in the play area. The Chairman will seek out an estimate for the second phase development of the play area, the artificial surfacing.
 Flooding and Bad Drainage After prolonged and protracted reporting of excess water outside of Birtley Hall and finally a formal complaint it was concluded that the 9” glazed drainage pipe was completely blocked. The necessary repairs have now improved the situation. The other drainage issues are still to be resolved.

Correspondence
All councillors were circulated with a full list of correspondence.
NALC Subscription- proposed increases, CAN AGM 3rd November, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons, Coal Industry Welfare Association, Tynedale Sports Council Annual Awards Ceremony, Memoriam 2014, Memorial Trust Bulletin 51, Gillian Orrell Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail, Guy Opperman re Boundary Changes, Boundary Commission consultation, CPRE How to respond to Planning Applications, “at home in the community”, MTCT, Northumberland Theatre Company, Joint Meeting of NCC/PCs October 11th, Future Framework for Developing Local Service Partnerships (Final Version), NCC Northumberland News, Mobile Library service, NALC AGM 22nd October, Tynedale Hospice – Light up a Life, NCC Highway Services in winter, Defra small electrical appliances waste recovery, Core Strategy sustainability consultation.

• Memoriam 2014 The Memorial Trust is promoting “smartwater” which will help identify metal elements of war memorials The St Gile’s War memorial may not be suitable.
• MTCT –Dissolution This was carried out at a meeting on 4th December.

Roads
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 – Section 14. As Amended by Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Act 1991. Temporary Road Closure U5029 Catreen to Cockplay Bellingham
The County Council intends making an Order under the above Act to prohibit the use by vehicular traffic on that section of the U5029 Catreen to Cockplay Bellingham, from its junction with the C214 Night Fold Ridge Old Mine to Cowden heading in a northerly direction for a length of 1000 metres in the County of Northumberland. The Temporary Order is to be effective from the 09th of January 2012 until the 30th of March 2012. It is anticipated that the road will only be closed from the 09th of January 2012 until the 24th of February 2012, however it will be closed at all times during this period. The alternative route for vehicular traffic will be to head east along the U5030 Pittland Hills to Middle Cowden turning right and heading southeast along the C214 Night Fold Ridge Old Mine to Cowden. **Please be aware the U5030 is a “gated” Road please ensure all gates are closed behind you** The closure has been requested by Waitings Drainage in order to carry out cabling works.

Footpaths
No issues

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Planning
Planning Application 11/000274/FUL Installation of eleven portakabins Steel Ranges Bellingham NE48 2EZ Birtley PC has no objections. NCC approval 12/8/11.
Planning Application 11/0002519/FUL Replacement of testing bunker. BEA Systems Ridsdale Range Bellingham NE48 2EZ Birtley PC has no objections. NCC approval 29/11/11.
Planning Application 11/0300/FUL Construction of one agricultural workers dwelling Buteland House Bellingham NE48 2EX Birtley PC has no objections.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacon Display takes place on Monday 4th June 2012. It is one of the celebrations announced by Buckingham Palace on the extended Bank Holiday central weekend of 2nd – 5th June 2012. It was RESOLVED to give every school child a commemorative mug. Further celebrations will be discussed at the March meeting when the Council has ascertained available funding.

Reports
Village Hall Hazel Pittick is the Treasurer. The new caretaker, Judith Neilson, will start in February. The biennial “Garden Walk About” will take place on 1st July 2012.
NCC No report.

Financial Matters
Bank Statements 1st December 2011: Treasurer’s Account £602.50, BMM £4099.78
Income To date: vat £70.71, PCC grass cutting contribution £100 and two half precepts £1250
Approved Payments The following were agreed: Clerk’s salary £200, Clerk’s expenses £42.99 (£39.66 plus £3.33 vat), Hire of Hall £10 (Paid), NCC Hire of Hall £10, Warden PC £21.83 (Notice Board), A Lowes (Flower displays) £90
Grant Aid
Tynedale Sports Council £20, West Northumberland CAB £25, Tynedale Hospice £20 (s137) and Great North Air Ambulance £25 (s137).

Budget and Precept
The clerk provided an outline budget for the following year. It was RESOLVED to keep the precept at £2,500.

Next Meeting
Tuesday 6th March 2012 at 7.30pm in the Supper Room of Birtley Parish Hall
There being no other business the meeting was closed at 10.00 pm.

Signed Chairman………………………………………

Date………………6th March 2012………………….

Chairman: Mr EN Coulson, Vice Chair: Mr DRB Burn,
Councillors Mr J Robson, Mrs SW Crone, Mr WG White and Miss A Lowes

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