Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor J Foster, Vice-Chair Planning in the Chair advised of the procedure to be followed during the planning part of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Dickinson.

Minutes of the meeting of the Castle Morpeth Local Area Council held on Monday 13 February 2023, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Castle Morpeth Local Area Council held on Monday 13 February 2023, as circulated, be confirmed as a true record and be signed by the Chair.

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

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.

Outline permission for the erection of up to 9 no. residential units (C3 use) (All Matters Reserved)

Butley Ben, North Lane End, Morpeth, Northumberland

NE61 3JR

Outline permission for the erection of up to 9 no. residential units (C3 use) (All Matters Reserved)

Butley Ben, North Lane End, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2JR

An introduction to the report was provided by R Laughton, Senior Planning Officer with the aid of a power point presentation.

Councillor A Byard addressed the Committee speaking on behalf of Morpeth Town Council (MTC).  Her comments included the following:-

·       The Morpeth Neighbourhood Plan highlighted that the approaches to Morpeth were open and green, with development largely screened from the roads right into the heart of the built-up area.

·       The Neighbourhood Plan Landscape Corridor policy, amongst others, sought to retain the character of those approaches within the Settlement Boundary. It was not thought necessary to extend that principle beyond the Settlement Boundary into open countryside.

·       MTC's objection was mainly an attempt to preserve the openness of these approaches and avoid development which made this part of the road network feel as though it was in a built-up area.  Otherwise, this land seemed to be largely unprotected by planning policy as Neighbourhood Planning relating to development inside the settlement boundary (supporting the character of the town) did not apply and nor did the Open Countryside policy.

·       The other main concern was that this outline permission would establish the principle of building, but with such comprehensive reserved matters, that the end product could not be effectively controlled by planning policy (including factors such as the final number of houses and character of development).

·       MTC would be prepared to withdraw their objection if several aspects were removed from reserved matters and conditioned in the outline permission, namely:

·       A firm limit on the total number of houses.

·       A layout screening the development from the road which at least met the requirements of the NP landscape corridor policy.

·       A layout which recognised the Wildlife Corridor along the edge of the site, and that the area was also a “wildlife reservoir” which feeds and supports the town wildlife corridors. The NP Wildlife Corridor policy was relevant.

·       The character of the development reflected the character of Morpeth. The town had suffered from housing planning consents granted before the Neighbourhood Plan or Local Plan were made, which had led to developments that eroded the character of the town and it was hoped to halt this trend if possible.

In response to questions from Members the following information was noted:-

·       This application would establish the principle of development and everything else would be considered at the reserved matters stage.

·       The application was for up to 9 properties, anything over this number would require a new planning application to be made.

·       Previously this site had been within the Green Belt which was the reason an appeal had been refused. However following the adoption of the Local Plan the site was no longer within the Green Belt, nor were any of the other edges of the roundabout.   In relation to the sense of arrival into Morpeth, design codes could be requested as a condition on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

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. 

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

A short break was held at this point in order to allow officers to leave/join the meeting.  Councillor Jones joined the meeting at this point.

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.

No questions had been submitted.

This item is to receive any new petitions. The lead petitioner handing in a petition at the meeting is entitled to briefly introduce their petition, and a response to any petitions received will then be organised for a future meeting;

(a)    Receive any new petitions:

A new petition had been received entitled :

Island outside Blossom Park, Pegswood – “The installed traffic island outside Blossom Park Estate in Pegswood has been a problem virtually since its inception.  The first accident happened in November 2021 and there have been other accidents on it since. Residents believe not enough has been done to make this safe in a timely manner.  In March 2022 NCC Highways recommended that:

1.     The island should be removed.

2.     The speed limit changeover point will be amended to slow traffic sooner.

3.     New road markings to provide visual constraints on the 60mph stretch.

There have been arguments since about who is responsible for the work to be carried out, Barretts or Northumberland County Council (NCC). When asked about safety over cost, and that NCC should make it safe and sort out the costs later, the elected County Councillor, David Towns has previously said that Northumberland County Council does not see the island as a danger.  With numerous accidents, we would beg to differ.

This has gone on for over 1 year and its clearly not acceptable.   Dark nights, lack of visibility of the island, especially at night, more accidents will happen.”

A report will be presented to the Local Area Council in May 2023.

(b)   Consider reports on petitions previously received:

Margaret Street Road Repair and One Way System – Report attached

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

(a) Receive New Petitions –  A petition had been received regarding the Island outside Blossom Park, Pegswood with details provided for Members information.

RESOLVED that the petition be accepted and that a report would be provided at the meeting on Monday 15 May 2023.

(b) Petitions Previously Received – Margaret Street Road Repair and One Way System

A petition with 129 signatories had been received requesting road repairs and a one-way system to be provided at Margaret Street, Widdrington Station. The petition recognised the efforts of Councillor Dickinson in trying to resolve the issues regarding road condition but residents had felt that they had no option but to petition for this work to be carried out.  An introduction to the report was provided by N Snowdon, Principal Programme Officer.  The requests for road repairs and a one-way system would be considered for inclusion in a future Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme and assessed and further prioritised alongside similar requests across Northumberland.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted and that the proposed actions be supported.

(c) Updates on Petitions previously received – No updates were provided.

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.

P Lowes, Neighbourhood Services Area Manager provided an update as follows:-

·       Winter works were drawing to a close and on target to complete all scheduled winter works tasks. Members were asked to report any work they believed had not been completed.

·       Grounds staff were still working reduced hours but they would change to summer hours in a few weeks.

·        Preparations had been finalised for the upcoming grass cutting season with all grass cutting equipment serviced and ready to go.  All routes had been reviewed with only very minor changes made in the Castle Morpeth area.

·       Interviews had been undertaken for seasonal grounds maintenance staff and the pre-appointment process was being worked through. It was hoped to have everything in place to get the seasonal staff started at the beginning of April.

·       Weed control activities would be undertaken in-house again this year and blue dye would again be used.

·       Street sweeping had been affected by the recent cold weather with staff deployed to support gritting activities.

·       Garden waste collections started on 6th March.  In order to keep up with the demands of the service, the Morpeth depot had deployed an additional collection vehicle this season. Routes were thoroughly reviewed over the winter and collection areas taken from other depots in order to best utilise the new resource and deal with new housing and increased demand for the service. Initial take up for the service was high and the scheme remained popular.

It was asked if delaying the first grass cut of the season had been considered following environmental charities advising that this would help with bee populations.  In response it was advised that this had not been considered, however, to do that would have a knock on effect on the cutting programme and it would take additional time for the cuts to make areas look acceptable.  Four native areas had been introduced last season in the Castle Morpeth area and all but one of these would go ahead again this year following feedback from residents.

There was no representative from Highways present to provide an update.  Councillor Dodd advised that he had a number of queries which he had hoped to have been able to raise including fly tipping and again requested that directional lines be provided on the roundabout used to join the A69.  It was expected that officers would attend future meetings and any queries should also be emailed to the Central Highways Inbox for a response.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

Councillor Dunn left the meeting at this point and Councillor Sanderson joined during the next item.

To receive a presentation from Councillor G Sanderson, Leader of the Council and S McMillan, Service Director.

G Sanderson, Leader of the Council and S McMillan, Service Director provided a presentation on the North East Devolution Consultation.  A copy of the presentation had been circulated with the papers, uploaded to the website and a copy filed with the signed minutes.  It was explained that a number of consultation events had been undertaken across the County involving Members, stakeholders, residents and businesses, and consultations were also ongoing across all the involved authorities in the North East.  The deal which was being put forward would see both NECA (North East Combined Authority) and NTCA (North of Tyne Combined Authority) cease to operate with a new combined authority formed to cover the seven local areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland and would be headed up by a Metro Mayor.   The deal would bring significantly more power and money with a potential £4.2bn of investment into the region over 30 years, made up of a number of different elements which were outlined.  It was clarified that devolution would not impact on the way Northumberland County Council operated and it would continue to provide the services it did at present. 

Public consultation would continue until 23 March following which feedback would be reviewed and individual Councils would decide if they wished to proceed. If all agreed then a summary of the consultations would be prepared and once approved by all Cabinets it would be submitted to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, who would decide if the statutory criteria had been met before making the statutory order to create a new MCA (Mayoral Combined Authority).   If successful, it would be likely that a new MCA would be created and an election held in May 2024 to appoint a  Mayor.

In light of the size of the proposed MCA, it was queried whether a specific Cabinet role would need to be created with responsibility for the MCA and if there would need to be a rethink of how the Council operated.  The Leader clarified that the Council would be responsible for making its own decisions and that there was currently a good and respectful relationship between the different authorities which had been shown to work well and it was expected that this would continue allowing all to move forward in a positive way.  As the MCA would operate on a wider geographical footprint than the current NTCA it would have louder voice in Government and would have more power  to do more than at present.  The consultation being carried out followed the Government’s requirements to ensure that the Secretary of State could be assured that the process had been undertaken correctly and those taking part had been given the opportunity to include their own views and suggested ideas.  An analysis of the responses from across the whole region  would be undertaken by a team at North Tyneside Council which would then be fed back to individual Councils in order for them to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

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).

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 11 April 2023 (Monday is Easter Monday) and will be Planning only.

The meeting of the Local Area Council was scheduled for 4.00 pm on Tuesday 11 April, however consideration was currently being given to changing the date due to the Easter holidays.  Members would be advised accordingly.