Betley, Balterley & Wrinehill Parish Council

 

Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 April 2002

 

PRESENT            Ian M Ashbolt                                                                        (Chair)                              

Steven K Ball    

                        Ken Eaton

                        Reg E Jenks

                        Bob E Lindblom

Frank A Speed

John Price                                                                                

                        Roland P Seymour

Jennifer J Walton

G Roger Gleave                                                                             (Clerk)

                        Four members of the public

 

APOLOGIES            Rita Chisnall

                        Anne Mountford

 

ABSENT            Ronald C Howarth

 

PART 1 (open to the Public)

 

59/02   The Council considered the following planning application.

02/00183/OUT: Demolition of retail premises and erection of two dwellings; Former Butchers Shop and Art Dealer; Main Road, Betley.

RESOLVED that there could not be an objection in principle to this application but the Council would

(a)     wish to be assured that there had been an investigation as to the commercial vialibility of the premises especially in the light of increasing population catchment area for the Village is increasing;

(b)     wish to be informed of significant changes to the proposed outline development application.

(6 for; 1 against; 2 abstentions)

 

60/02   The Council was unable to consider the planning application (02/00260/FUL) as the plans had not been received.  As the Council did not complete the agenda the application would be considered at the adjourned meeting to be held on 29 April.

 

61/02   The Council considered the following planning application.

02/00269/FUL: Proposed garage; Strawberry Cottage, Post Office Lane, Balterley.

            RESOLVED that there was no objection to this application.

 

62/02   The Council considered the following planning application.

02/0188/REM: Erection of dwelling (change of house type); Land adjacent Rostherne, Common Lane, Betley.

RESOLVED that the Council maintains its previous decision that it has no objection to development on this site but would recommend rejection of this application on the grounds that:

(a)   a five bed roomed property on this scale is excessive for the size of the plot and in relation to neighbouring properties; and without benefit of the original application plans it is not possible to determine the degree of any changes in the height and footprint of the resubmitted application;

(b)   the diagram showing the height of properties down Common Lane includes one not yet completed and it assumed that this diagram is accurate – in the light of the Council’s experience with the Ambrose Garage development we rely on the Planning Authority to confirm this is an accurate representation.

(8 for; 1 against)

63/02   The Council received the results of the following planning applications.

a)      02/00070/ELD: The use of the building and land hatched green as a dwelling house and its garden (Use Class C3) and the use of the land and buildings hatched blue for car sales and repair (Use Class B2); Ivydene Garage, Main Road, Betley.

USES LAWFUL

b)      02/00095/FUL: Extension and alterations; The Spinney, Bow Hill Lane, Betley.

REFUSED

(Inappropriate to Green Belt and disproportionate additions)

c)      01/00101/LBC: Conversion of redundant agricultural building to form short-term lettable/tourist accommodation; Balterley Hall Farm, Back Lane, Balterley.

APPROVED

(No development until full details submitted)

 

64/02            RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting (copy in minute book) held on 26 March 2002 be approved.

 

65/02            RESOLVED that the following reports/actions consequent upon a consideration of matters arising be approved.

a)      46/02 (a) Den Lane. There was no new information.

b)      46/02 (b) Provision of noticeboard at Balterley.  It was reported that a suitable site had been agreed and that the noticeboard would be erected in the near future.

c)      46/02 (c) BT Telephone Box.   Further consideration was given to a complaint about the proposed site of the box on the Village Green.

RESOLVED that the Council reaffirms its earlier decision about the site of the BT telephone box.

d)      46/02 (d) Sign at Balterley. A drawing was awaited.

e)      46/02 (e) Road and pavement sweeping. The Chairman had been in discussion over this matter with the Newcastle authorities.

f)        46/02 (g) Noticeboard in centre of the Village.  Further costings to be obtained

g)      46/02 (j) Flooding by the Horse Trough Main Road, Betley.  Mr Goode had confirmed that new sewers would be installed.

h)      51/02 (a) The Butts.  The continual concern being expressed over the state of the surfacing in the Butts was not easy to resolve as this was a private road and required the agreement of all the residents despite all the efforts of the Chairman to solve this problem.

RESOLVED that a letter be sent to Beth Johnson Housing outling the continued problem and saying that the Council was unable to act any longer as honest broker in this matter.  A copy of this letter should be sent to all the residents in ‘The Butts’. 

i) 51/02 (b) Litterbin at bus stop in the Wilderness.

RESOLVED that the Clerk be given authority to purchase two bins (one for the bus stop opposite the former Black Horse) at a cost of not more that £130.

j) 50/02 Local Plan. A reply (copy in minute book) had been received to the issues raised in minute 50/02.  To clarify further the issues the necessary maps would be provided for a meeting to be held on 29 April so that a response could be forwarded to Newcastle.

 

66/02            RESOLVED that the financial statement (copy in minute) as at 31 March be received.

 

67/02   The Council considered the paper from the Audit Commission ‘External Audit Arrangements from April 2002’ (copy in minute book).  Some concern was expressed that the sub title ‘A Lighter Touch’ appeared not be entirely fulfilled by the new procedures. 

RESOLVED the Clerk should write and express these concerns.

 

68/02   Matters concerning further development at Laudy Croft were left to the end of the meeting and due to the lateness of the hour were to be considered at adjourned meeting on 29 April.

 

69/02   The following matters concerning highways were noted and action to be undertaken by the Clerk.

a)      Wrinehill Sign bent and lopsided.

b)     Church Lane signpost rotted.

c)      Concrete lump at junction with B5500/Post Office Lane.

 

70/02            RESOLVED that the payment of invoices (copy in minute book) be approved.

 

71/02   The letter from the Minister of Rural Affairs was received.

 

72/02            RESOLVED that the Council adopts the ‘Model Code of Conduct’ and will at a future meeting ask councillors to sign the ‘Register of Members’ Interests’ and the ‘Undertaking to observe the Code of Conduct’.  Individual councillors would have to decide if they wished to sign these documents.

 

73/02   The Chairman thanked those who had been responsible for a successful Annual Parish Meeting at which some 130 persons had attended.  A letter of thanks should be sent to Mike Hatton for all his work in preparing the power point presentation.  Some 50 persons had indicated an interest in being part of a team in the preparation of a Village Plan and these should be contacted as soon as possible.  It was hoped to arrange a meeting with a facilitator who had knowledge of the requirements for the preparation of a Village Plan.  The SPCA’s response to the Planning Green Paper would be circulated to all members.

 

74/02   The Council considered preparations for the Celebration of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and the invitation to the Mayor’s Church Service.  A meeting was arranged for May 8 for interested parties to finalise the arrangements.  Various events had been provisionally planned.  Frank Speed was thanked for his arrangements for the lighting of a beacon on the Monday 3 June.

            RESOLVED that the Chairman be given authority to arrange for the putting up of bunting in the Village at a cost of £200 (circa).

 

75/02   Bob Lindblom reported that he required any photographs to update the front page of the website. There was a requirement to register the website with a new operator within 14 days at a cost of  £28.19

            RESOLVED that this invoice be paid immediately.

 

76/02   There was discussion as to the most appropriate days/dates for the council meetings. 

RESOLVED that the Council should meet on Thursdays and the dates for the summer would be May 23, June 27 and July 25.

 

77/02            RESOLVED that all the items listed under agenda item14 be tabled and any item placed in the Reading Room as appropriate. 

 

78/02   Due to the lateness of the hours the Meeting adjourned to 29 April when the outstanding items (significantly the planning application for the development at Shuffer’s Wood, response to the Local Plan, Village Plan and developments at Laudy Croft) would be considered.

 

PART 2 (closed to members of the public)

 

79/02            RESERVED

80/02            RESERVED

 

Signed…………………………….

 

Date………………………………