Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair explained the procedure which would be followed at the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Daley, Dunbar, Ezhilchelvan and Ferguson.

Minutes of the meeting of the Cramlington, Bedlington & Seaton Delaval Local Area Council held on 20 July as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair. 

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley Local Area Council, held on 20 July, as circulated, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Robinson stated that Mr Dalton had still not received a reply to his request at the meeting of 18 May.  This would be followed up by the Democratic Services Officer.

(Councillor Wilczek in 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 no longer 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. 

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

Demolition of existing garage, construction of new garage, new external lighting, resurfacing of existing depot, drainage works and repositioning of existing welfare unit

Land East Of Astley Park, Park View, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland

Demolition of existing garage, construction of new garage, new external lighting, resurfacing of existing depot, drainage works and repositioning of existing welfare unit

Land east of Astley Park, Park View, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland

Stephanie Milne, Senior Planning Officer introduced the report and shared a presentation of the application site. 

Following the presentation and in response to questions from Members of the Committee the following information was noted:-

·                Highways had been consulted on the proposal and had no objections, subject to conditions.

·                Damage to the existing road would have to be taken up with Highways.

·                Lux light levels plan showed there was no spillage of light to neighbouring properties.

Councillor Flux proposed approval of the application, seconded by Councillor Swinburn and unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons in the report.

The Northumberland County Council (Land at Holywell Village First School, Valley Road, Holywell) Tree Preservation Order 2022 (No 03 of 2022)

The Northumberland County Council (Land at Holywell Village First School, Valley Road, Holywell)

Tree Preservation Order 2022 (No 03 of 22)

Adam Ali, Planning Officer informed members the purpose of the report was to seek a decision as to whether or not they wish to confirm the provisional Order following objections received during the statutory consultation.

Mr Ali continued with a presentation with the aid of photographs and slides.

Following the presentation, members made the following comments and responses provided:-

·                The TPO would protect the trees and ensure that the trees maintained their amenity value.  Previously residents had been hacking at the trees.

·                Had residents been cutting trees because they had been diseased?  The trees had been assessed by a Tree Consultant and some were worthy of protection.  The trees had become overgrown and residents were trying to trim them, if the TPO was granted, the trees would be managed and maintained correctly. 

·                Would NCC be responsible for looking after the trees in future?  The Planning Area Manager advised it would be the school as the trees were within the school boundary.

·                The trees had not been maintained by the school and dialogue had failed. Measures should be put in place to maintain the trees by the school.  The Planning Area Manager advised that the TPO could not force the school to maintain the trees and suggested dialogue with the school to work with them.

Councillor Flux sympathised with the residents, but he would support the recommendation that the Tree Preservation Order be confirmed. This was seconded by Councillor Swinburn.

Councillor Bowman stated that maintenance of the trees was important, and a maintenance plan be put in place.  The Headteacher had confirmed that this would be done.  There had been extensive damage when the school closed with residents taking it upon themselves to cut the trees back.  He supported the TPO and suggested a plan for maintenance on an annual basis.

Councillor Chicken agreed that a maintenance programme was needed.  Residents had tried to speak to the school in the past and the school would continue to leave the trees unattended.  Planning Officers confirmed they would speak to the school regarding future maintenance of the trees.

Upon being put to the vote, five members voted in favour of the TPO and 3 voted against.  It was therefore:- 

RESOLVED that the Northumberland County Council (Land at Holywell Village First School, Valley Road, Holywell) Tree Preservation Order 2022 (No 03 of 2022) be confirmed.

For Member’s 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.

In this report, the Cramlington, Blyth and Seaton Valley Local Area Council is asked to consider all the relevant evidence gathered in support and in rebuttal of the existence of public footpath rights over a route between Collywellbay Road and Seaton Sluice Harbour.

Alex Bell, Definitive Map Officer introduced the report in which members were asked to consider all the relevant evident gathered in support and rebuttal of the existence of public footpath rights over a route between Collywell Bay Road and Seaton Sluice Harbour.

Following questions from members to the Definitive Map and Search Officer, the following information was provided:

·                Further discussion would be required on the responsibility for the handrail.

Upon being put to the vote, members unanimously agreed.

            RESOLVED that:-

(i)            There is sufficient evidence to indicate that public footpath rights have been reasonably alleged to exist over the route L-M;

(ii)          The route be included in a future Definitive Map Modification Order as a public footpath.

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 received.

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 – None

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

This item was to:

a)    Receive any new petitions:  No new petitions had been received.

b)    Consider reports on petitions previously received:  None received.

c)    Receive any updates on petitions for which a report was previously   considered: None received.

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.

Michael Carle ,Neighbourhood Services Area Manager provided the following information:-

All Highways Inspectors and maintenance crews continued to work Inspecting, fixing carriageway defects, making repairs, and making safe category one defects across the Southeast area.

Gully emptier was fully deployed dealing with reported issues and cyclic maintenance.

Larger Tarmac Patching had been carried out in the following locations;

• A189 Spine Road
• Forum Way, Cramlington (Cycleway/Footway)
• O/S Lakes & Dales, Avenue Road S/Delaval
• Millfield Court, Bedlington
• Brockwell Centre, Cramlington
• Double Row, New Hartley

Drainage Improvements:

The area teams were continuously looking and programming future planed works, both patching and drainage improvements.

• Additional Gully Tanker deployed
• Klondyke, Cramlington
• Forum Way, Cramlington (Cycleway/Footway)
• A192 Astley Road, S/Delaval

LTP - Carriageway Resurfacing

LTP Carriageway Resurfacing schemes were being programmed and all affected members would be notified in advance.

• Durham Road, Cramlington
• Horton Road, Cramlington

Micro/Surface Dressing

• The Crescent, Seghill
• Poplar Grove Estate, Bedlington
• Nedderton Village

Other Work

• Bedlington Bank (Safety Scheme)
• DVC’s (Section 184) - Large influx in work – NCC (Northumberland County Council) continue to deliver.

Winter Maintenance

·         Winter Services observation starts on the 1st of October 22.

·         Full Winter Services starts on the 31st of October 22.

Over the summer the team had worked with Vaisala Weather Station and Bureau provider to upgrade and add additional weather stations countywide and would also be deploying several embedded road sensors at microclimate locations. These will all be coming online over the next few weeks ahead of full deployment on the 31st of October.

More info will be given to LAC’s in Novembers Winter Resilience Report.

In response to member questions, the following information was provided:

• The legalities of Enforcement would be looked at for the speed along High Pit Road and a highways consultation process for parking at Aged Miners Cottages.
• Shenstone had been in contact regarding the road at Dewley shops and an inspection would be carried out by officers.
• The ramp near the Hope Centre would be investigated.
• Dale Rumney, Principle Programme Officer would be contacted regarding the road at East Farm Terrace.
• Mr Carle would inspect the road at Dudley Lane.
•  

Tony Gribbin, Local Services Area Manager provided the following information:-

NEAT

• Grass cutting had been challenging due to the warm weather.
• Currently on cut 11 at Cramlington, 10 at Bedlington and 14 in Seaton valley.
• Street sweeping continued but would soon be diverted onto collecting leaves.
• Any areas of concern, members please get in touch.
• Winter works schedules being finalised and any suggestions would be welcome.
• Hedges cut in the winter programme, may also be cut back in the summer, if they became a safety issue. Bird nesting will be taken into account too.
• Weeds were a concern all across Northumberland, with 2 and 3 treatments per year.  A different approach was being looked at for next year.

Waste/Recycling

• There had been a few minor breakdowns and some staff shortages.  All machines were now working well.  The demand for bulky waste remained high.
• Domestic tonnages remained high.
• Kerbs/food  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

Details of the Members Local Improvement Schemes for the Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley area are provided for information.

Details of the Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley Members Local Improvement Schemes for the period 2022-23 were provided for information.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

The Chair advised that the work programme 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.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 19 October 2022.

The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 19 October 2022 (planning only).