Stamfordham Parish Council

Transcription

1 No.173 Stamfordham Communicator Brian and Enid Redford Dec Brian and Enid, long-time members of the village community, were given a warm farewell party on Sunday 4 th Dec. by around sixty well-wishers from inside and outside of Stamfordham. Edward Trevelyan gave a short speech highlighting the great contribution the couple had always made to village life, in particular to the church and the village hall, with Brian applying skills in both the financial and the engineering and maintenance domains - quite diverse, but crucial to the running of both institutions. Brian responded and explained how he and Enid had greatly enjoyed living in Stamfordham and making so many friends, but in the end they had decided, albeit reluctantly, that they needed to be with their family, who were now permanently resident in Australia. Brian's and Enid's household, including the beloved Bond Bug, was 'containered' several days ago and they left on the 12 th Dec. with the good wishes of many people here. A few years ago this would have been a more severe break, but with the existence of modern social media, the couple are still within easy reach, electronically, if not physically. Bon voyage! Stamfordham Parish Council Minutes of meeting held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 17 th November 2016 Those Present: Councillor Trevelyan, Chairman; Councillors Boylan, Wilson, O Neil, Fitzpatrick, Green; C Miller (Clerk) 1. Apologies for absence: V Jones, County Councillor 2. To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 15 th September 2016: Agreed as a true record. 3. Matters arising from the Minutes, not otherwise on the Agenda Reply had been received from ISOS housing regarding replacement tree request, which had been turned down, however Parish Council could request replacement tree next financial year 4. Planning Matters. Determinations: 16/03708/FUL: Mr P Davey, land at Harlow Hill, proposed single storey extension to east and west facing elevations. Stamfordham Primary School single storey extensions - Parish Council had made comment agreeing with proposals but objecting to car parking. As part of the development proposals, the following is being recommended: introduce school zig-zag yellow markings particularly at the junction of the school access with the B6309; consider other mitigation measures such as raised kerbs, bollards and TROs in the form of single or double yellow lines particularly in the vicinity of junctions; as part of the travel plan, school monitors to advise parents not to park or drop-off/pick-up indiscriminately in the vicinity of the school particularly if such inconsiderate behaviour results in obstructing the free flow of traffic or has an impact on children s safety; consider implementing/introduction of school bus service and update the travel plan with actions, monitoring and reviews in line with the SMART criteria to be agreed with NCC travel plan officer. Received and Granted: 16/03243/FUL, Ms A Duggan, Hawthorn Cottage, Dalton replacement sunroom; 16/03151/FUL: Mr & Mrs Gormanley, Swinburne Arms, 31 North Side Retrospective Marquee for functions; 16/03146/FUL: Mr R Gledson, Stamfordham Cricket Club Construction of new pavilion and addition of storage container; 16/03589/CCD: GRANTED: Land North of Silver Hill Farm, Dalton change of use to equestrian; Henderson Lodge, Eachwick Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) and Condition 5 (fuels) in relation to Dragon Biomass Boiler It was agreed to write to owner of Bay Horse and request hedges be tidied up. Proposed 1800 homes for Ponteland: Invitations had been circulated from Dissington Estate to all Cllrs regarding preapplication consultation 16/11/16. Current consultation on Core Strategy underway involving these proposals, with drop in sessions being held. Dalton Holy Trinity Church: Correspondence had been received from Ian Blair regarding proposal on behalf of Diocese of Newcastle some years ago to convert the church in Dalton into a house, with the belief this proposal may be resurrected. 5. Financial Matters Expenditure Authorisation: DM Stanley, Communicator (149) British Legion, wreath (150) Stamfordham Village Hall (152) Thanks are due this month for a donation from Swinburne Arms for 20 for advertising. DM Stanley, Communicator (153) Request for Donation: Northumberland AgeUK agreed (154)/Great North Air Ambulance agreed(155) Cont d on page 3. 1

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3 BDO external auditor (156) Audit of Accounts year ending 31/3/16 External audit report had been received from BDO with issues relating to brought forward figure not agreeing to carried forward figure for 2015 by 12, which they believe is due to an error in the 2015 brought forward figure of To set precept : Draft budget circulated to all. Benches require work to be added to next year s expenditure; it was agreed the play area and pavilion should be paid 1,000 each out of reserves. It was therefore agreed to retain the precept at the current level of 5, County Councillor s Report: County Cllr not present. 7. Northumberland Local Plan Core Strategy further consultation 11/11/16 to 23/12/16: Discussed earlier. 8. Correspondence: Notice of Local Services Liaison meeting 6/12/16 2-4pm Stocksfield Community Centre Consultation on Ponteland Neighbourhood Plan 1/11/16 to 16/12/16 Vera Baird notice of public meeting to discuss policing priorities County Hall 23/11/16 commencing 530pm Northumberland County Council B.T. proposals to close telephone kiosks confirming they would be objecting to the proposals as mobile phone coverage is poor within the parish 9. Other business admitted by the Chairman as urgent had been received complaining about car parking on the pavement outside of Scots Gap Medical Surgery, with wheel/push chair users not being able to get past Clerk to contact surgery. County Council had asked if PC knows the ownership of land off Grange Road, Stamfordham Clerk had confirmed this was unknown. Query regarding the length of the lease at Stamfordham play area Clerk to contact County Council. With election possible 2017, present Cllrs, if wishing to re-stand, should liaise with Cllr Trevelyan regarding which ward to stand for. Cllr Boylan had spoken to personnel at Albemarle Barracks to gauge interest in joining the Parish Council. 10. To confirm the date of the next meeting: This will be held on Thursday 19 th January 2017 commencing 7.30pm in Stamfordham Village Hall. Christmas Shoe Boxes Christmas Shoeboxes were collected in response to the Samaritan's Purse appeal by Stamfordham, Matfen, Ryal villages and by Stamfordham First School. It was an excellent result and much appreciated. A large thank you to all those who so kindly decorated, filled and contributed a box. Jackie Nicholson. PDSA CHRISTMAS STAMP APPEAL Please remember animals needing veterinary treatment and their owners who can't afford the veterinary fees. When you open your Christmas cards please tear the stamps off the envelopes and push them through the letter box of Church House, South Side, Stamfordham, for the PDSA. Your contribution will be gratefully received, especially by the poor animals needing treatment! Thank you in anticipation! Viv Fitzpatrick 3

4 Advanced Notice: Date for your Diary Stamfordham Community Breakfast 4 th February Church on the Green. Full details next month Source: Philip Ballard

5 Hampers and Champers Night on New Year s Eve 2016 in Stamfordham Village Hall Gather your friends and family around you and see in the New Year together. Bring your own supper (Hamper?) TABLE CLOTH, DECORATION, CUTLERY AND FOOD PLEASE. PRIZE FOR BEST TABLE! and BYO liquid of choice! (Champers?) FRIDGE AVAILABLE BUT COOL BOX IS BETTER AND NEARER! Hall opens for table setting up and mingling at 8.00pm. Supper and polite conversation at 9.00 Dancing or swaying to THE KENTUCKY COW TIPPERS from till gone midnight! 12 per head to cover the cost of the band and the hall and expect some fundraising activities throughout the night! Proceeds will go to the much needed funds for our Village Hall and Stamfordham Play Park. To secure a table or part of a table please complete the slip below and enclose cash or a cheque for the amount per head. Deliver to or post to Charlotte Hancock, Jubilee House, Hawkwell NE18 0QT charlotte3hancock@btinternet.com I require... tickets for New Year s Eve in Stamfordham Village Hall. I enclose a cheque for... made payable to Stamfordham Playing Field and Village Hall Name: Address: Phone: 5

6 A BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! As announced in last month s Communicator, the Library Theatre Touring Company will be staging a performance of HAPPY JACK, a play by JOHN GODBER, on SATURDAY 4 th FEBRUARY at 7.30pm in STAMFORDHAM VILLAGE HALL. The performance will be in two parts with an interval of about minutes. It is a BYOB event for anyone wanting drinks, but there will be tea and coffee available during the interval for a donation. Tickets 7.50 Tickets available for purchase or reserving from 6th January by phoning Sue on , or buy on the door. There will be a raffle with winning tickets being drawn at the end of the interval. The proceeds from the performance, refreshments and raffle will go to Stamfordham Village Hall and Playing Field for the improvement of the pavilion facilities. PAVILION PROJECT UPDATE and an OPPORTUNITY for LOCAL BUSINESS to TENDER for WORK. major landmark has been reached! Planning permission has finally been obtained for the construction of a new pavilion at Stamfordham Playing field. There are still a few things to do before Sport England release their funds. They include providing a full and detailed cost estimate of the project and providing evidence that our fundraising total, inclusive of the Sport England grant, matches or exceeds the total project cost. We will be asked to tender the project to several providers and this is where we require YOUR assistance. Is there anyone in the village, or do you know of anyone, who would be interested in tendering for, or contributing towards, any of the following: Digging of the Foundations Erection of a block and beam base ahead of the installation of the timber frame. Plastering Boiler, Water Heating, Heating and Plumbing Advice on LPG Boiler Generator suitable to run the electric facilities in the pavilion Demolition of the existing building The power and heating is the only major outstanding issue to tackle and after looking into a number of options we will be using an LPG fired Boiler to heat the water. We are also looking at installing battery storage, which will be powered by a generator and enable the building to have power 24 hours per day which will mean we can have security lighting, cameras and emergency exit signs. We're speaking with several electricians about this, but if there is someone in the village who could assist, we would be grateful. We are hoping to have a final collection of estimates for the project within the next few weeks then we will know how our fundraising stacks up against the project cost. The timber frame provider we intend to work with has an eight week lead time on order to erection. With a fair wind, we will have the go ahead from sport England in early January, which will allow us to start building in March. It would be brilliant to have the Pavilion for the summer Cricket season but there is no need to rush the project at this stage. If you would like to see the plans for the pavilion there should be a board on show in the Swinburne Arms and the Village Hall in the next week. If you would like to find out more about tendering for any of the work please contact Richie Gledson on or at richie@skyhighsports.co.uk Alternatively please speak to Bill Telfer, who is the Village Hall and Playing Field chairman on STAMFORDHAM WOMEN S INSTITUTE Wednesday, 11 th January, 2017 When a Hobby becomes a Way of Life Sue Parker Competition: A Piece of Handwork Stamfordham WI was formed in We are still going strong and looking forward to our big birthday. If anyone has any memorabilia relating to our WI, we should like to hear from you. Please contact Lorna Telfer, Stamfordham WI, on SWI calendar of events for may be seen on Stamfordham Uniting Church YOUTH GROUP Weekly Tuesdays 7:30-9pm For more information Contact Helen or Philip on

7 ANYBODY LOST A FERRET? No not a joke! Sarah O'Neill has found a ferret in the Fenwick area, so if anyone's lost one they could call her on EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING is COFFEE MORNING! - at the Village Hall am Coffee, Biscuits and Chat! (For Donations) Proceeds to the Village Hall All Welcome! The Swinburne Arms 31, North Side, Stamfordham, NE18 0Q Shop opening hours The shop is closed Christmas Day. If you have papers and/or bread ordered, best to check direct in the shop for collection/opening hours. The shop has wonderful fresh bread supplied by The Geordie Bakers and is proving very popular, along with a selection of pies, savoury pastries. scones and cakes. We also now have installed a pie warmer so you can grab something warm on those chilly days! Logs and Kindling bags are available too. Stamfordham Stores would like to thank all of our customers for their support since we opened and wish them a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Quiz Night There will be no quiz this month. It will resume on the last Wednesday of January. The Swinburne Arms Leek Show is running a festive raffle fundraiser. Tickets are 1 each and there is a tremendous choice of prizes, including M&S Vouchers, Hamper, a case of wine, huge selection of spirits (more than 35 bottles available) and more......well worth a go and raising funds for a good cause too! Cont d over page 7

8 Pub Opening Times Christmas Day The pub will be open lunchtime on, but closed on Christmas evening. Boxing Day Open 12 noon: lunchtime on, with the annual Beagles meet on the village green. There will be various entertainment over the Christmas season, please check direct with the pub or look on the Swinburne Arms Facebook page for regular updates. The Swinburne Arms would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our customers a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year! Moan of the Month (..haven t had one of these for a while!) Unfortunately, it s more likely the problem is caused by outsiders coming into the village and it is, as always, only a small minority responsible and they probably won t see this. However, it needs to be said. If you park your car on a pedestrian footway (pavement), have you left enough room for a pedestrian to pass without having to go into the road even if they are naturally wide, or pushing a child s push-chair/buggy, operating a wheel-chair or a mobility scooter? An even more basic question, to which some drivers seem to never give a thought is whether it actually helps anybody to park half on, half off the road. For most roads in this village, if you park correctly, i.e. fully on the road, just about any vehicle, with the possible exception of a combined harvester, can get past you. Even if you park half off the road, if a vehicle meets another coming the other way, one of them will have to give way anyway. And don t we motorists do that all the time driving anywhere where there are parked vehicles? Items for SC 174 to Editor by Thursday 12 th January, please david@stanley92.freeserve.co.uk St. Quentin, Grange Ave. NE18 0PG Neither Stamfordham Parish Council nor the Editor endorses any advertisement in SC. Any article with attribution NNC was sourced from Northumberland County Council. 8