Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Birtley Parish Council held in the Supper Room of Birtley Village Hall starting at 8.00 pm. on 10th May 2010.

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Birtley Parish Council held in the Supper Room of Birtley Village Hall starting at 8.00 pm. on 10th May 2010.

Present Messrs EN Coulson (Chairman), DRB Burn, J Robson and Mrs SW Crone, A Lowes and WG White. Clerk: Robert Macfarlane, Unitary Councillor Cllr E Heslop

Apologies PC I Robertson

Declaration of Interest DRB Burn – Village Hall Committee, Cllr Heslop – Planning matters, Cllr Crone – Drainage issues.

Election of Chairman
Cllr David R B Burn proposed and Cllr Crone seconded Cllr EN Coulson as Chairman.

Election of Vice-Chairman
Cllr EN Coulson proposed and Cllr J Robson seconded Cllr David R B Burn as Vice-Chairman.

Representatives
Village Hall Committee DRB Burn
Birtley Parochial Church Council DRB Burn
Birtley Parochial Church Council SW Crone
Mid Tyne Community Trust DRB Burn

Minutes Minutes of the previous meeting held on 16th March were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising
 Notice Board All the necessary components of the Parish Notice Board have arrived and it will soon be erected.
 Play Area The matting has not been put down correctly and is being cut up by the lawn mower. Record RSS have carried out repair work but the problem still exists. The Clerk to contact them again. It was RESOLVED to purchase a seat to be sited in the play area

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Correspondence All councillors were circulated with a full list of correspondence.
War Memorial Bulletin No 41, CAN Annual Report and Training schedule, BDO Instructions, NHS Changes to Health Records, Boundary Committee for England, Information and Grant request, Tynedale Hospice, NALC Special General Meeting 18th May in Morpeth, CAN Spring meeting 13th May at Morpeth, AON Council Insurance, Rock Reports No 20, NHS Summary Care Record, CAN News, Northumberland Homefinder
• CAN – letter of thanks and receipt for grant.
• Internal Audit – letter from MMM Mitcheson re present audit.

Roads
A number of areas identified as being in a poor state of repair have had some work done however the Council regard pot-hole filling as only a temporary measure. Whilst responding to emergency measures less major work can be carried out.
Blocked drains outside of Birtley Hall – Chairman to contact NCC Highways and this will be followed-up by Cllr Heslop.
Cllr Heslop is involved with a group trying to promote the prominence of Wark Bridge and as a result of meetings further representations will be made to the Area Committee. Cllr Burn has been identified as a link and he will forward any appropriate communications to the rest of the Council.
NCC Advanced notification of surface dressing.
A68 south of Buteland crossroads, late May to early August.

Footpaths
No issues.

Planning
NCC have granted permission conditionally under delegated powers for the following applications:
20100097 Renewal of planning permission 20070619 for installation of 60m high meteorological mast for a period of 30 months. Tone Hall Birtley NE48 3JL. Granted 6th April 2010
20080984 Reserved Matter Construction of one agricultural worker’s dwelling. Buteland farm NE48 2EX Granted permission 27th April 2010.

20090663 Development of luxury self-contained eco holiday centre comprising single storey orangery fitness suite, conversion of existing outbuilding into 3 no holiday lets, new build equestrian centre for sixteen horses, new build carriage house for no. 3 coaches (equestrian), multi-use facility and associated restaurant, new build no. 18 holiday let chalets and associated leisure facility, associated landscaping, access roads and parking. The Waterfalls Birtley NE48 3JQ BPC oppose this development. It is scheduled to be heard at the meeting of West Area Planning Committee the third Wednesday in June (Community Centre at Hexham).

20100267 Construction of single storey side extension, raise height of existing roof. Marlene Cottage. BPC support the application.

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Reports
MTCT The Mid Tyne Community Trust is the Community Forum for the Mid Tyne group of councils. The new chairman is Phillip Wanless and Cllr Heslop is Vice chairman.
Village Hall The indoor decoration and painting project is nearly complete with very little left of the budget.
Play Area The Clerk to contact other play area groups and associations for advice and guidance.
NCC Cllr Heslop provided information relating to County Hall business and other issues detailed elsewhere in these minutes (MTCT and Roads)

Financial Matters
Bank Statements 31st March 2010: Treasurer’s Account £158.84, BMM £2,797.60
Income vat £57.75 Half precept £1250
Annual Financial Report: This was accepted by the Council and signed by the Chairman
Audit arrangements:
Statement of Assurance was Approved
Annual Governance Statement was Approved
Display the Audit Notice in Parish Notice Board from 6th April to 19th May
Make records available to general public 20th April to 18th May 2010
Completed Audit to BDO by 22nd May 2010
Internal Audit:
Completed by Miss MM Mitcheson
Approved Payments
The following were agreed:
Clerk’s salary £175, Clerk’s expenses £45.38 (£42,70 plus £2.68 vat), Hire of Hall £10 (May), Allianz Insurance (Aon) £302.08, MM Mitcheson for Internal Audit £50, Tynedale Hospice £20 (LGA 1972 s137), Petrol £72.08
Next Meeting
Tuesday 3rd August 2010 at 8pm in the Supper Room of Birtley Parish Hall
There being no other business the meeting was closed at 9.00 pm.

Signed Chairman………………………………………

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

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