Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Meeting Space - Block 1, Floor 2 - County Hall. View directions

Contact: Lesley Little 

Note: Guidance for Public Attendance at meetings: *The meeting venue requires access to the normal workplace, so the public are asked to wear face coverings and ensure good hand hygiene. *Arrangements are in place to reserve the required number of seats for meeting participants. Members of the public must contact democraticservices@northumberland.gov.uk if they wish to attend a meeting in person and should specify which meeting. *Members of the public are only allowed entry on a first come basis where capacity allows. *Any member of the press or public may view the proceedings of this meeting live on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/NorthumberlandTV *Signage will be posted once the room capacity has been reached. *Standard Covid secure controls are in place to book in, ensure hand hygiene, ventilate the meeting space and ensure people comply with agreed meeting protocols. *Public Speakers on planning applications must register as usual. 

Items
No. Item

70.

PROCEDURE AT PLANNING MEETINGS pdf icon PDF 184 KB

Minutes:

J Foster, Vice-Chair (Planning) (in the Chair) outlined the procedure which would be followed at the meeting.

 

71.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dunn and Towns.

 

72.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 379 KB

Minutes of the meetings of the Castle Morpeth Local Area Council held on Monday 11 October 2021, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of the Castle Morpeth Local Area Council held on Monday 11 October 2021 as circulated, be confirmed as a true record and be signed by the Chair.

 

73.

DISCLOSURE OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS

Unless already entered in the Council’s Register of Members’ interests, members are required to disclose any personal interest (which includes any disclosable pecuniary interest) they may have in any of the items included on the agenda for the meeting in accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council on 4 July 2012, and are reminded that if they have any personal interests of a prejudicial nature (as defined under paragraph 17 of the Code Conduct) they must not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must leave the room. NB Any member needing clarification must contact the monitoring officer by email at monitoringofficer@northumberland.gov.uk. Please refer to the guidance on disclosures at the rear of this agenda letter.

Minutes:

Councillor Murphy advised that she had a non-prejudicial interest in application 21/01614/FUL as she had friends who lived in Thorpe Avenue.

 

74.

DETERMINATION OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS pdf icon PDF 181 KB

To request the committee to decide the planning applications attached to this report using the powers delegated to it.   

 

Please note that printed letters of objection/support are not circulated with the agenda but are available on the Council’s website at  http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Planning.aspx

Minutes:

The report requested the Committee to decide the planning applications attached to the report using the powers delegated to it.  Members were reminded of the principles which should govern their consideration of the applications, the procedure for handling representations, the requirement of conditions and the need for justifiable reasons for the granting of permission or refusal of planning applications. 

 

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

 

75.

21/01614/FUL pdf icon PDF 420 KB

Construction of 5 residential apartments with undercroft parking and associated landscaping (amended plans received 02/09/21 - design changes, further amendments 01/11/21)

High End, 22 Thorp Avenue, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1JR

 

Minutes:

Construction of 5 residential apartments with undercroft parking and associated landscaping (amended plans received 02/09/21 - design changes, further amendments 01/11/21)

High End, 22 Thorp Avenue, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1JR

 

R Soulsby provided an introduction to the application with the aid of a power point presentation, advising that the application had been deferred from the previous meeting in order to allow a site visit to be undertaken.

 

A Welsh and C Routledge addressed the Committee speaking in objection to the application.  Their comments included the following information:

 

·       Mr Welsh lived at 21 Thorp Avenue with Ms Routledge living at 24 and they were speaking on behalf of 50 other local residents in objection to the application.

·       They would be happy to see development on the site but it should be appropriate and comply with planning guidance.

·       This application should be refused for being inappropriate, too high, too big and too intrusive and did not comply with planning guidance. It was not compatible with the locality which was comprised of single family homes.

·       The development contravened multiple policies such as Castle Morpeth Development Plan H15; Morpeth Neighbourhood Plan DES1; SUS1 and HOU9 and QOP1 of the Northumberland Neighbourhood Plan.  It did not achieve a sense of place by protecting or enhancing the character and distinctiveness of the settlement; it did not contribute to a sense of place which supported community identify and pride; and did not make a positive contribution to the local character.

·       The huge block of flats seriously violated the policies and its enormous size contravened the DES1 requirement that development must enhance the character of the site and its surroundings.

·       DES1 also forbid adverse impacts on occupants of neighbouring properties and QOP2 forbid unacceptable impact on users. The impact on existing residents would be immense.  The report stated that there would be no harm to the street scene or the wider area however over people in the community disagreed. The overbearing development would not only harm the privacy, but also the safety of residents due to increased traffic and on-street parking, along with increased noise levels.  The report did not sufficiently address concerns from objectors regarding separation distances, which were stated as being acceptable and had been compared to Greystoke site which it was felt was misleading due to the raised height and domineering height of the development.

·       Trees had been felled and the existing property demolished on the site and this was the third planning iteration with only minor tweaks being made which were insubstantial against the enormous overdevelopment. 

·       The proposed development was more than twice the footprint and twice the number of floors of the original dwelling, creating a top floor of 10m above the eaves of number 20 and 1m below the eaves of number 24, therefore overpowering and dominating neighbouring properties, overwhelming residents’ amenity.

·       The development would be overbearing and intrusive and contrary to the report would contravene both Articles 1 and 8 of the Human Rights Act which stated that a person had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

76.

APPEALS UPDATE pdf icon PDF 344 KB

For Members’ information to report the progress of planning appeals.  This is a monthly report and relates to appeals throughout all 5 Local Area Council Planning Committee areas and covers appeals of Strategic Planning Committee.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

 

A short recess was taken at this point with Councillors Bawn and Dickinson leaving the meeting. The meeting recommenced with Councillor J Beynon in the Chair. 

 

77.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

To reply to any questions received from members of the public which have been submitted in writing in advance of the meeting. Questions can be asked about issues for which the Council has a responsibility. (Public question times take place on a bimonthly basis at Local Area Council meetings: in January, March, May, July, September and November each year.)

 

As agreed by the County Council in February 2012, the management of local public question times is at the discretion of the chair of the committee.

 

Please note however that a question may possibly be rejected if it requires the disclosure of any categories of confidential or exempt information, namely information:

  1. relating to any individual;
  2. which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual;
  3. relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person
  4. relating to any labour relations matters/negotiations;
  5. restricted to legal proceedings
  6. about enforcement/enacting legal orders
  7. relating to the prevention, investigation of prosecution of crime.

And/or:

?      is defamatory, frivolous or offensive;

?      it is substantially the same as a question which has been put at a meeting of this or another County Council committee in the past six months;

?      the request repeats an identical or very similar question from the same person;

?      the cost of providing an answer is disproportionate;

?      it is being separately addressed through the Council's complaints process;

?      it is not about a matter for which the Council has a responsibility or which affects the county;

?      it relates to planning, licensing and/or other regulatory applications

?      it is a question that town/parish councils would normally be expected to raise through other channels.

 

If the Chair is of the opinion that a question is one which for whatever reason, cannot properly be asked in an area meeting, he/she will disallow it and inform the resident of his/her decision.

 

Copies of any written answers (without individuals' personal contact details) will be provided for members after the meeting and also be publicly available.

 

Democratic Services will confirm the status of the progress on any previously requested written answers and follow up any related actions requested by the Local Area Council.

 

Minutes:

No questions had been submitted.

 

78.

PETITIONS

This item is to:

 

(a)      Receive any new petitions: to receive any new petitions. The lead petitioner is  entitled to briefly introduce their petition by providing a statement in writing, and a response to any petitions received will then be organised for a future meeting;

     

(b)      Consider reports on petitions previously received: no reports are due to be considered at this meeting;

 

(c)      Receive any updates on petitions for which a report was previously   considered: any updates will be verbally reported at the meeting.

 

Minutes:

No new petitions had been submitted and there were no updates on previously considered petitions.

 

79.

LOCAL SERVICES ISSUES

To receive a verbal update from the Area Managers from Technical Services and Neighbourhood Services in attendance about any key recent, ongoing and/or future planned Local Services work for the attention of members of the Local Area Council, who will also then have the opportunity to raise issues with the Area Managers.

 

The Area Managers have principal responsibility for highway services and environmental services, such as refuse collection, street cleansing and grounds maintenance, within the geographic boundaries of the Local Area Council.

 

Minutes:

Neighbourhood Services

 

S Wardle, Neighbourhood Services Divisional Manager advised that front line staff had continued to deliver services throughout a very busy and challenging year and provided updates as follows:

 

·       Refuse collection had continued across the Christmas period with an amended schedule with operatives working across the period to ensure litter bins were emptied and streets remained clean and tidy.

·       Grounds maintenance crews continued to work on damage caused by Storm Arwen and winter maintenance activities with the Trees Team continuing to work on the devastation from the Storm.   The priority immediately after the storm was to assist in the clearance of the road network with Highways teams, then moving on to cemeteries and other places of high footfall.  The teams would move to woodland spaces and other areas in due course, however recovery would take a long time.  The huge efforts of the front line teams were recognised and staff thanked for all their work.

·       There had been 519 tonnes of refuse collected over the Christmas period which was 85 tonnes (or 20%) more than the previous two weeks.  Glass bring sites were well used with 30 tonnes (or 37%) more collected during that period compared with the previous two weeks. 

·       Street cleaning teams had made a great contribution to the post Arwen clean up.

·       Grounds maintenance programme had been severely impacted by the Storm, however they were working to recover schedules and complete on schedule.

·       Leaf clearance was close to being completed with additional sweepers in the area following the storm.

·       Members were asked to report any areas of concern.

 

The Chair thanked all staff involved for their efforts in relation to Storm Arwen.  It was confirmed that following negotiations with the operators, there had been a relaxation in the rules for the waste recycling centres for residents to allow with the clean up following the storm, with this possibly being extended into February.

 

Highways

 

M King, Highways Delivery Area Manager advised that there had been a tightening up of guidelines in respect of Covid following a sharp rise in cases with 7 members of staff testing positive between Christmas and the date of the meeting.  He provided updates as follows:-

 

·       Town Centres had been inspected in respect of Covid signage with replacements provided as necessary. 

·       A lot of work had been placed on hold following the storm to allow resources to be directed to the clear up following the significant damage within the Castle Morpeth area. It was expected that it would be a few months before the road network would be fully opened as problems were still being identified. 

·       There had been a knock on effect with debris being washed into the drainage system and with blocked ditches and culverts and work was being prioritised as best as officers could.  Extra gully and sweeping machines had been deployed with assistance being provided by Grounds Maintenance to try to stop debris entering the drainage system.  Staff had been working 6 days a week with cover initially being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

80.

BUDGET 2022-23 AND MEDIUM-TERM FINANCIAL PLAN

This presentation will outline the Council’s strategy to the 2022-23 Budget within the context of the Corporate Plan.?  The presentation will provide details of the approach to setting the budget for the next financial year and the broad impact this will have on the delivery of services.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Sanderson, Leader and Councillor Wearmouth, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services provided a power point presentation advising that this provided initial thoughts on the budget although no specific new initiative announcements would be made as these would come out closer to the budget being presented to Council.  A copy of the presentation would be attached to the signed minutes and provided with the meeting documents on the Council’s website.

 

It was highlighted that key services had continued through the second year of the pandemic and Councillor Sanderson stated that he was immensely proud to be the Leader of the Council in a County which looked as good as Northumberland despite the effects of Covid and Storm Arwen.   He took the opportunity to thank all front line staff for their continued work stating he was very proud of them.  He continued by advising that it was hoped that no cuts to any front line services would be made during the budget process as a thanks to the staff across the services.  The way services had continued to be run through the pandemic had been exemplary.

 

It was stated that the pandemic should have been a huge economic shock, however due to the Government funding with furlough and business support grants this had not been the case within Northumberland, with no increase in unemployment which was better than the national and regional averages.  There was a strong economy with the increase in staycations and the ability of businesses to keep going, along with major investors coming into the County such as BritishVolt and JDR Cable.  The Corporate Plan’s vision and aims were outlined with the overarching priorities of driving economic recovery, through growth, investment and jobs; and, tackling health inequalities in our communities through addressing the wider determinants, including income, education, housing and environment highlighted.

 

The overall funding context for the 2022/23 budget was provided with it being highlighted that any increase in Council Tax precept remained at 2% without holding a referendum with an additional 1% for Adult Social Care for the next three years.   Details were also provided on how the Council would continue to invest in the future of the County. 

 

In line with previous practice the Budget for the next year and the MTFP model had been reviewed. A savings requirement of £9.704 million had been identified as required to balance the budget for 2022-23.  A provisional savings requirement of £28 million had been calculated as necessary for the following two financial years.  The approach to identifying spend and savings within the budget were outlined and details provided on proposed savings by Portfolio Holder. 

 

Members were advised that 200 comments had been made on the public consultation on the budget proposals which would be fed into proposals along with the views of Overview and Scrutiny Committees before final proposals were put to full Council on 23 February 2022.

 

Councillor Dodd advised of concerns regarding proposals for tree planting and re-wilding of the countryside and problems the latter could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

81.

YOUTH SERVICE

To receive a presentation on the Youth Service within North Northumberland.

 

Minutes:

The Chair advised that this item was being deferred as the Officers were unable to attend due to Covid impacts on the service.

82.

NORTHUMBERLAND FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE: COMMUNITY RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022-26 CONSULTATION pdf icon PDF 230 KB

The Community Risk Management Plan 2022-26 has been developed, providing data and analysis on key fire and rescue related risks, and information on how Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service will work with communities to address and mitigate those risks.  The purpose of the report is to raise awareness of a public consultation on the Plan which opens on 5 January 2022 and closes on 16 February 2022 and to provide an opportunity for feedback from Local Area Council into the process.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report provided information on the public consultation and details of the draft Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP).  Paul Hedley, Chief Fire Officer provided a power point presentation, a copy of which would be attached to the signed minutes and made available with the papers for this meeting on the Council’s website.   It was explained that it was a statutory requirement under the Fire Service National Framework Document (NFD) for each Fire and Rescue Authority to have a CRMP. The NFD  detailed how each authority should discharge it’s functions, with the most relevant aspects to the CRMP highlighted as “identify and assess the full range of foreseeable fire and rescue related risks in their area” and “be accountable to communities for the service they provide”. 

 

A wide ranging public consultation exercise was now underway on the draft of the CRMP.   Members were advised that each plan must reflect up to date risk analyses; demonstrate how prevention, protection and response activities would best be used wholistically to best prevent and mitigate the impact of identified risks on its communities.  Separate strategies were in place for emergency response, protection and prevention which sat beneath the CRMP which all identified how strands of delivery complement and help risk reduction.   The CRMP must also cover a minimum three year time span, reflect effective consultation throughout its development and be easily accessible and publicly available.

 

Reassurance was provided that this was not a plan set in stone and would be flexible in order to respond not only to new and emerging risks but also unforeseen circumstances and impact. An annual update would take place where achievements and performance would be looked at along with what was needed for the forthcoming year, in order to assess if any changes to risk or service delivery models were required.   If anything in this update required further public consultation then this would be undertaken.  A range of partners, including  a specialist risk modelling company had also been involved in the production of the CRMP which had included providing simulation models to predict what the impact of potential changes on community risk and resilience would look like. This allowed greater confidence that these were defined and communicated across the area and how resources would be matched. 

 

The purpose of the CRMP was to provide assurance that the right resources were in the right places to respond effectively to the risks within Northumberland.   It was important that communities understood the process undertaken to analyse risk.  It was explained that risk was a combination of the likelihood and consequence of a hazardous event and the NFRS had a duty to work with communities and partners to minimise or prevent the likelihood of these happening.  In the last ten years there had been a 21% reduction in incidents attended, with 10 incident types identified as  responsible for 90% of the events.  It was explained that there was a corelation between outdoor fires and crime deprivation and good  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

83.

LOCAL AREA COUNCIL WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 199 KB

To note the latest version of agreed items for future Local Area Council meetings (any suggestions for new agenda items will require confirmation by the Business Chair after the meeting).

 

Minutes:

The Chair advised that this was for information and should Members wish to ask for any items to be added to the agenda, then they contact either himself or Democratic Services.

 

RESOLVED that the information be noted.