Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Daley, Flux, Lee, and Wilczek. 

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.

Brian Robson, NE22 6AN was in attendance on behalf of residents of Hartford Bridge concerning speeding and road surface structure and raised the following: 

• Residents had complained since 2010 of the inadequate substructure and asked if it would be addressed. 

• Concerns were raised regarding vibrations through properties as a result of passing traffic.  

• Could the Council enforce a weight limit on the road?  

• There was limited visibility to the south and to the bend to the bus stops. Would the Council take action to reduce speed to the south end of Hartford Bridge and install speed cameras?  

• Obstructions especially from the west of the road with electric vehicles not being heard.  

• He suggested chicanes to slow down traffic to give visibility from the Morpeth direction and convex mirrors on the blind bend. 

Councillor Robinson agreed with the comments and stated that he had previously been involved with the Highway Delivery Manager who had agreed that surface structure of the road was unsatisfactory. 

Janice Craggs of Hartford Resident’s Association referred to the sheer volume of traffic and referenced a Temporary Traffic Order for proposed parking restrictions. 

Matthew Bamburgh, Hartford Bridge resident referred to a recent collision with his vehicle and asked why there wasn’t traffic speed bumps. 

Councillor Taylor stated that the Town Council had erected speed signs which had not proved effective. 

The residents requested that action be taken on their concerns and that they be kept informed of any updates in the Local Transport Plan. 

The Chair stated that the residents' concerns would be fedback to the Local Services Director and Councillor Robinson copied in. 

Steve Barham, NE22 5HF referred to traffic on Station Road, Bedlington Station and speeding drivers using the large field behind properties at Waverley Avenue and concerned of a potential serious injury. He had attended a previous Town Council meeting during lockdown and residents had complained to the Council, Police and Bernicia who had all said that nothing could be done. He had also contacted his local MP.  

The Chair stated that obstruction was a police matter and advised Mr Barham to contact Councillor Wilczek, Ward Councillor who had asked the Chair to pass on her apologies as was unable to attend the meeting but had asked if the Chair update her on the matter and who could in turn speak to Highways to have the area surveyed. He was also advised to directly contact the Police & Crime Commissioner and the Neighbourhood Police Officer, and in addition mentioned the possibility of a Community Trigger which Councillor Wilczek could investigate further. 

The Chair requested a full report to come back to Committee on the Shields Road problem. 

RESOLVED that the information be noted. 

This item is to:

(a)      Receive any new petitions.

(b)      Consider reports on petitions previously received.

(c)      Receive any updates on petitions for which a report was previously considered.

No petitions to consider.

For members to receive an update on the Northumberland Line Project.

Neil Blagburn, Programme Delivery Director shared a presentation and gave progress update on the Northumberland Line. The key points included:

·       The rail corridor – 2 underbridges had been replaced and 1 restrengthened.  All successfully delivered on time with no impact to the operation of the railway 20 km of new rail track had been installed and multi-realignment of tracks. 6 under road / rail track crossings had been installed with lineside signalling equipment installations still ongoing.

·       Mining remediation – due to past mining in areas, some stations had required drilling and grouting, e.g., Seaton Delaval.  Recent discussions with Network Rail Mining Engineer had been positive insofar as no mining remediation required at Bedlington.  Northumberland Park due to commence in March/April 2023.

·       Stations and structures – piling underway at Newsham for road bridge and footbridge. Ashington station well underway.  Palmersville underpass and de-vegetation also underway and Northumberland Park de-vegetation complete.

·       Northern trains – mobilisation – Conductor Team Manager, Drivers and Driver Manager recruited and training underway for familiarisation of routes.  Fares and ticketing systems workstream underway.

·       Social value – included apprenticeships, food banks, Dales SEND School, women into construction pilot, STEM and career workshops in schools, community engagement events.

·       The Secretary of State visit in March which had confirmed the delivery of the project.

·       Local Projects – Bedlington Station, Bedlington Engineering Works, Seaton Delaval Station, Furnace Way Sidings and West Sleekburn junction.

(Councillor Ferguson left the meeting at 5:09 pm).

The following questions from members and responses were:

·       In response to reassurance and timelines.  Highways elements were in place and road disruption would be minimised.  With regards to potential flooding at Seaton Delaval – the car park would have a permeable surface and drains in the field to allow to drain freely.  A flood defence expert had reviewed the scheme and confirmed it would help with localised flooding. The platform and drainage at Seaton Delaval should be started within the next 3-4 weeks. The current target for first passenger trains commencing was August next year.

·       With reference to the fly-over at Blyth – piles were being installed for the bridge abutments and the road would sweep up and over the railway line to the south of the existing A1061  away from the houses adjacent to the current crossing.  Finance was in place for these works.

·       Analysis had shown that the closure time of level crossings at peak times would generally be less than at present and the vast majority would improve. A digital signalling system would be used to control the barriers.  With regards to specific concerns around Blyth Bebside it was confirmed that the barrier down instances, whilst more often, would not result in an accumulation of road traffic congestion.

·       At present the terminus for the train would be platform 1 at Newcastle Central Station, however platform capacity was strained at Newcastle and this could change and there may also be the opportunity in the future for potential onward travel, for example to the Metro Centre.

·       The estimated passenger  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

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.

Tony Gribbin, Neighbourhood Services Area Manager gave the following updates: 

NEAT?? 

?? 

• Winter works continue at a rate expected. 

• Since the last LAC (in January), a mild winter period had been experienced with the exception being w/c 6^th March? 
• The Grounds staff continued to work a 28-hour week during the winter period, which ended this week, and they would revert to longer, summer hours from Monday coming.? 
• Progress through scheduled work had been a challenge but ultimately successful.? 
• Mr Gribbin to be alerted if members believed any requested work had not been completed.? 
• Preparations had been finalised for the upcoming grass cutting season. All grass cutting equipment had either been serviced or was scheduled to be serviced.?? 

• Grass cutting to start within the next 2 weeks depending on ground conditions?? 
• No fundamental route changes? 
• Seasonal grounds maintenance staff were being recruited for this year.?? 
• Weed control activities will be undertaken in-house again this year.?? 
• Blue dye?WOULD be used this year.? 

?? 

?Street Cleansing? 

• Business as usual 
• Street sweeping was always affected by ground frost, the service had been suspended recently due to the winter weather event? 

??? 

Waste 

? 

Residual and recycling? 

• Business as usual for waste collection services.?? 
• Round Review - Work had been completed in readiness for deployment of the two new RCV’s. This is done to ensure they are deployed in the most efficient way possible.? 

?? 

Garden waste collections had started?? 

• Increasing housing/customer numbers had meant additional adjusting of rounds to accommodate the increase. (£49.50 for 20 collections)? 
• Initial take up for the service was high, the scheme remained as popular as ever.?? 

Bereavement Services 

? 

• No issues at the Crematorium.? 
• The Muslim burial area in Bedlington was now complete and ready.? 
• The drainage on the roundabout, in Bedlington cemetery would have a new section of drainage attached to the field drain system. This would commence from Wednesday 22 March 2023. 

Members made the following comments: 

• The team were thanked for their continued service 
• Dirt was not being cleaned around the new Miller housing development in Bedlington. 
• A request to clear leaves on the cycle path from Alexander Park and St Peter & Paul’s 
• Flooding caused by leaves and mud in Cramlington 

• Was there an update on the ownership of the fence 

?? 

Russell Mason, Interim Area Highways Manager introduced himself and provided the following updates: 

• 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.? 
• NCC were one of the top performers in a national Excellence award in Highway and street lighting Maintenance by APSE (Association for public service excellence). 
• The gully emptier was fully deployed dealing with reported issues and cyclic maintenance. 
• Larger capital tarmac patching had been carried out in Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval and Moorland Drive, Bedlington 

Drainage improvements 

• Crookham Way, Cramlington, Front Street, Seghill, B1505 East Field, Cramlington, Stead Lane, Bedlington, Spring Vale, Sleekburn, Hester Gardens to The Avenue, New Hartley 

LTP – Carriageway Resurfacing 

? 

The programme was completed for this year.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

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?Work Programme be noted.

The next meeting of the Cramlington, Bedlington & Seaton Valley Local Area Council is scheduled for Wednesday 19 April 2023.

The next meeting would take place on Wednesday 19 April 2023.