Agenda and draft minutes

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

Contact: Heather Bowers 

Note: Due to Covid restrictions only those who have registered and are actively participating will be allowed access to the meeting. 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. Any questions from the public should be submitted to Democraticservices@northumberland.gov.uk by 12 noon on the working day before the meeting. 

Items
No. Item

1.

CHAIR'S OPENING COMMENTS

Minutes:

As this was the first meeting of the Cramlington, Bedlington & Seaton Valley Local Area Council since the Election in May, the Chair requested introductions from members and officers.

 

 

2.

MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE

The committee is asked to note the following membership and terms of reference for the Cramlington, Bedlington & Seaton Valley Local Area Council which were agreed by Council on 26 May 2021.

 

The membership is made up of the county councillors who represent the 12 electoral divisions in the Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley area.

 

Chair: M D Swinburn

Vice Chair: S Lee; Vice Chair (Planning): R Wilczek

Quorum – 4

 

Conservative

Labour

Non Aligned 

Liberal

Democrat

?

Independent 

W Daley 

L Bowman 

S Lee

?C Taylor 

C Dunbar 

R Wilczek 

M Robinson 

P Ezhilchelvan 

 

?? 

?? 

D Ferguson 

 

?? 

?? 

B Flux 

P Scott 

M Swinburn 

 

?? 

?? 

 

(1)        To enhance good governance in the area and ensure that the Council’s policies take accout of the needs and aspirations of local communities and do not discriminate unfairly between the different Areas.

 

(2)        To advise the Cabinet on budget priorities and expenditure within the Area. 

 

(3)        To consider, develop and influence policy and strategy development of the Council, its arms-length organisations, and other relevant bodies, to ensure that they meet local requirements and facilitate efficient and transparent decision making.

 

(4)        To receive information, consider and comment on matters associated with service delivery including those undertaken in partnership agencies, affecting the local area to ensure that they meet local requirements, including matters relating to community safety, anti- social behaviour and environmental crime. 

 

(5)       To consider and refer to Cabinet any issues from a local community perspective with emerging Neighbourhood Plans within their area, and consider local planning applications as per the planning delegation scheme.

 

  

(6)    To consider and recommend adjustments to budget priorities in relation to Local Transport Plan issues within their area, and to make decisions in relation to devolved capital highway maintenance allocations. 

(7)   To engage, through the appropriate networks, with all key stakeholders from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to facilitate the delivery of area priorities. This will include undertaking regular liaison with parish and town councils. 

 

(8)    To inform, consult and engage local communities in accordance with Council policy and guidance, through the appropriate networks. 

  

(9)    To, as appropriate, respond or refer with recommendations to local petitions and councillor calls for action. 

 

(10)  To make certain appointments to outside bodies as agreed by Council. 

 

(11)  To determine applications for grant aid from the Community Chest, either through Panels for individual Local Area Councils, or through the Panel of Local Area Council Chairs for countywide applications. 

 

(12)  To refer and receive appropriate issues for consideration to or from other Council Committees, and as appropriate invite Portfolio Holders to attend a meeting if an item in their area of responsibility is to be discussed. 

 

(13)   To exercise the following functions within their area:- 

 

(a)    the Council’s functions in relation to the survey, definition,maintenance, diversion, stopping up and creation of public rights of way. 

(b)      the Council’s functions as the Commons Registration Authority for common land and town/village greens in Northumberland. 

(c)    the Council’s functions in relation to the preparation and maintenance of the Rights  ...  view the full agenda text for item 2.

Minutes:

The Chair explained the Terms of Reference for the local area committee.  In response to a query, it was advised that any comments could be forwarded to Councillor Castle or Councillor Flux for consideration into the review of the local area committees.

 

RESOLVED  that the information be noted.

 

3.

PROCEDURE AT PLANNING MEETINGS pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Minutes:

The Chair advised members of the procedure which would be followed at the meeting.

 

4.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Ferguson.

5.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 437 KB

Minutes of the meeting of the Cramlington, Bedlington & Seaton Delaval Local Area Council held on 17 March 2021 as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.   

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Council held on Wednesday, 17 March 2021, as circulated, be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

 

6.

DETERMINATION OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS pdf icon PDF 126 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 no longer circulated with the agenda but are available on the Council’s website at??http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Planning.aspx? 

 

 

Minutes:

The committee was requested 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.

 

7.

20/03225/COU pdf icon PDF 342 KB

Retrospective permission for partial change of use of downstairs of property to childcare in a domestic setting with proposed front driveway (amended 07.06.2021) 

41A Southward, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay, Northumberland, NE26 4DQ 

 

 

Minutes:

Retrospective permission for partial change of use of downstairs of property to childcare in a domestic setting with proposed front driveway (amended 07.06.21)

41A Southward, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay, Northumberland, NE26 4DQ

 

It was confirmed that Members had no questions on the site visit videos which had been circulated.  G Horsman, Principal Planning officer introduced the application to the Committee with the aid of a power point presentation. 

 

Members were provided with an update that since the report had been issued, a further 7 letters of support had been received, including a letter from the Head Teacher of Seaton Sluice First School.  In addition to the reasons for supporting the applications, the further 6 letters of support referred to the business providing employment locally, and the Head Teacher of the first school had stated that the business complemented the school by providing local childcare outside of school hours for working parents, a service the school could not provide at present and care being provided by the nursery including children with special educational needs.

 

A further letter of objection had been received in relation to loss of privacy and inadequate refuse storage.

 

Further representations had also been received by the applicant and a planning consultant acting on behalf of the applicant in support.

 

Elaine Burt, applicant, was in attendance and spoke in support of the application:

 

  • Despite being informed on 2 July that her application would be recommended for approval, and the subsequent change in the recommendation to refuse the application, she had registered to speak in support of the application
  • She had been providing childcare for the past 14 years to local children and children with special educational needs with no issue until a recent dispute with her neighbour who was her husband’s mother and father
  • Four letters of objection had been received to the application and three of those had been from acquaintances of her parents-in-law, none who lived close by
  • At time of writing there had been 51 letters of support and a petition in support
  • In addition, Seaton Sluice First School had written in support
  • There had been overwhelming support not reflected in the report and a serious material consideration had been overlooked
  • The request to withdraw the application from the agenda was rejected and the report presented to members was  not a full presentation of the facts of the case
  • She was one of only three childcare providers with wrap around care and had continued an open door policy during the pandemic for key workers
  • There had been no complaints relating to noise in the 14 years she had been providing childcare
  • Recent complaints had been vexatious
  • Paragraph 2.4 of the report indicated that the proposal would result in an increased level of noise generated by the high volume of children and parents, there were over 50 letters of support from neighbours with no mention of noise and even the planning officer who had visited the site commented on how quiet the property was
  • Paragraph 109  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

20/03863/VARYCO pdf icon PDF 309 KB

Variation of conditions 2 (materials) and 3 (approved plans) pursuant to planning permission 18/00515/FUL in order to install a flat roof rather than a pitched roof 

41A Southward, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay, NorthumberlandNE26 4DQ

 

Minutes:

Variation of conditions 2 (materials) and 3 (approved plans) pursuant to planning permission 18/00515/FUL in order to install flat roof rather than a pitched roof.

          41A Southward, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay, Northumberland, NE26 4DQ

 

It was confirmed that Members had no questions on the site visit videos which had been circulated.  G Horsman, Principal Planning officer introduced the application to the Committee with the aid of a power point presentation.

 

Late representations had been received from the applicant stating that approval had been granted for the extension.  In terms of the building regulations, the Building Regulation Officer had not any concerns about the proposal.  Mr Horsman advised that Building Regulations and planning permission were two separate matters.

 

Photos had been supplied of seven other two storey extensions with flat roofs in the Seaton Sluice area, however, addresses of these properties had not been supplied and officers had been unable to check the planning history as the extensions appeared to have been erected a number of years ago when certain 2 storey extensions did not require planning permission from the Local Authority and policy requirements were different.

 

The applicant also referred to a proposal to site regarding carbon capture plants on the roof of the extension.  However, that did not form part of the proposal.  There were other ways in which Co2 reduction could be achieved.

 

Mr Horsman advised that the officer recommendation was as per the report for refusal, however amended wording was now proposed in respect of the refusal reasons.  The refusal reasons should read:

 

Condition 1

 

“The two-storey rear extension and proposed external staircase, by virtue of their siting, scale, mass and design do not respect or complement the style and character of the existing dwelling and constitute incongruous additions to the street scene, resulting in significant harm to the visual amenities of the  locality. This would be contrary to Policies DC1 and DC28 of the Blyth Valley District Local Development Framework:  Development Control Policies Development Plan Document (2007), Policy ENV 2 of the Blyth Valley Core Strategy and the NPPF”.

 

Condition 2

 

The two-storey rear extension by virtue of its siting, scale, mass and height results in a significant adverse impact on the amenity of the occupiers of the adjoining property at 39a Southward in terms of an unacceptable loss of daylight/sunlight, visual outlook, structural proximity and overbearing presence and the proposed external staircase would result in significant harms to the amenities of the occupiers of the neighbouring property at 41 Southward by virtue of increased  overlooking of their rear elevation and  rear garden.  This would be contrary to Policies DC1 and DC28 of the Blyth Valley District Local Development Framework: Development Control Policies Development Plan Document (2007) and the NPPF”.

 

Mr Alan Burt, applicant, was in attendance and spoke in support of the application:

 

  • He explained that when the design of the extension was changed, he had asked the Building Inspector if it was acceptable.  The Building Inspector advised Mr Burt that he would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

APPEALS UPDATE pdf icon PDF 169 KB

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. 

Minutes:

The report provided information on the progress of planning appeals.

 

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

 

(Councillor Swinburn in the Chair).

 

10.

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; 
  1. which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual; 
  1. relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person 
  1. relating to any labour relations matters/negotiations; 
  1. restricted to legal proceedings 
  1. about enforcement/enacting legal orders 
  1. 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 received.

11.

PETITIONS pdf icon PDF 130 KB

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: Petition for additional parking at Mayfield Dale, Cramlington. 

 

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

 

Minutes:

This item was to:

 

a) Receive any new petitions:

 

No new petitions had been received.

 

b) Consider reports on petitions previously received: Petition for additional parking  at Mayfield Dale, Cramlington

 

Councillor Lee reported that a petition containing 128 signatures had been received requesting additional parking spaces in the Mayfield Dale area of Cramlington.  Families were concerned about the safety of children and the elderly.  There was only one route into the estate which contained cul de sacs.  It was not clear on the petition that the estate contained a lot of green open space to the front and pockets of open space at the back where the parking was requested.

 

The report suggested that as the estate had private housing, it was not a social housing scheme, which Councillor Lee disputed.  The suggestion of money being used from County Councillor small schemes would be more expensive than £15,000 and he suggested that another scheme taking place in Cramlington to create 14 spaces should be looked at and that the report be deferred to look at that scheme.

 

Neil Snowdon, Principal Programme Officer was in attendance to respond.

 

Mr Snowdon stated that these types of schemes were not usually considered through the Council’s LTP scheme.  A lot of the houses were built when car ownership was so low and it was difficult to prioritise one area over another.  He suggested the option to spread the money from members’ local improvement schemes which could be the best way forward.

 

Mr Snowdon was unaware of the scheme referred to and Councillor Lee clarified that the scheme was for the excavation of grass verges at Hall Close Glade to provide 14 spaces; the funding had not come from the small schemes money.

 

Mr Snowdon stated that he would look into the scheme and was happy to discuss a scheme with Councillor Lee outside of the meeting and would request Reuben Morgan who was responsible for members schemes to email Councillor Lee information.

 

Members discussed the issues regarding costing of schemes.  The Chair referred to the scheme at Hall Close and stated that residents in the area had asked for many years for improvement to parking. 

 

It was suggested that Councillor Lee have a discussion with Homes for Northumberland as a practical way forward and contact Housing Services and use the example of Hall Close.

 

Some discussion took place regarding the Road Traffic 1984 Act; the review of policy and scoring mechanism and off street EV work that was being carried out and those that did not have the ability to charge.

 

It was suggested that an officer report on the issue could be taken to a Scrutiny Committee and possibly Cabinet.

 

Councillor Lee was advised to contact officers from housing if he wished a site visit to the area.

 

RESOLVED that the report be deferred to allow for further information.

 

c) To consider updates on petitions previously considered:

 

There were none to consider.

 

12.

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:

Members received the following updates and explanation of the impact of Covid-19 on front line services from Tony Gribbin, Neighbourhood Services Area Manager: 

 

Waste Service:

 

·       Following lockdown, there had been an increase of domestic waste.  This had reduced slightly but had not returned to pre lockdown levels.

·       Residual and recycling waste collection continued to perform well but the increase of new builds was a concern.  This was currently under review.

·       Garden waste had seen an increase in subscriptions and housing developments continued to place additional demands on the waste service

·       Perfect growing conditions also increased the weight of grass cuttings in the bins collected

·       As usual  a garden waste service review would be undertaken at the end of the season to look for efficiencies.

·       There were 569 new customers so far this year and a total of 9918 customers up to date.

 

Grass Cutting:

 

·       Now on cut between 7/8.  Grass cutting proved to be a significant challenge in the early part of the year

·       A long period of rain was experienced in May followed by very warm weather with the grass growing rapidly

·       This presented two challenges, the first was to complete cutting rounds efficiently to avoid having long grass on view.  The second was the inevitable grass arisings left following the cut of grass which was longer than usual.

·       Both situations meant that standards weren’t as high as usual for the month of June

·       Standards had stabilized and grass was returning to normal standards

 

Weed Control:

 

·       The service was being delivered in house again this year

·       This year  had seen an unprecedented growth in the grass and weeds as a whole

·       The in-house approach had worked well in previous years and was being adopted again for this round

·       Weed control was slightly behind this year and weather conditions above had also affected weed growth which created another challenge

·       All areas had received their first treatments on the first pass and weeds were already starting to show in the areas completed in May/June

·       The commencement of the second treatment was being reviewed to start earlier and it was likely that a third treatment may be undertaken in more stubborn areas

·       Teams had been using new weed rippers to remove more stubborn areas along with pedestrian sweepers.

·       There were some issues with Japanese knotweed which were being addressed and more staff being trained in treating Japanese knotweed

 

Glyphosate alternative trial:

 

·       Trials of alternative products was underway county wide in chose locations

·       Results would be analysed and products would either be considered for use in future or, excluded on the grounds of poor performance or prohibitive costs

·       The following alternative methods were being trialed:

o   Walk behind ripper brush

o   Nonanoic acid (Enclean) – a colourless oily liquid with an unpleasant smell

o   Pelargonic acid – which caused extremely rapid and non-selective burn down of green tissues and exhibit damage within 15-60 minutes of application

o   Burning with lance

o   Hot foam

o   Nomix Dual (glyphosate based)

·       A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES pdf icon PDF 47 KB

To make appointments to outside body organisations within the Local Area Council’s remit.? A list of outside bodies is attached to the agenda for consideration.? 

 

 

Minutes:

Members considered a list of appointments to outside bodies for 2021/22.

 

RESOLVED that the following list of appointments be confirmed:

 

·       Astley Park Management Committee  - Les Bowman

·       Beaconhill Community Association – Barry Flux

·       Cramlington Community Association  - Mark Swinburn

·       Cramlington Learning Village – Mark Swinburn

·       Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project - Barry Flux and Wayne Daley

·       East Hartford (and District) Community Association – Barry Flux

·       New Hartley Community Association – David Ferguson

 

As some members were not present this could be reported back to a future meeting.

 

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

 

14.

MEMBERS' LOCAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES 2021-2022 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

The Members Local Improvement Schemes for Cramlington, Bedlington & Seaton Valley Local Area Council are provided for information only. 

Minutes:

The Local Area Council received a progress update on Members’ Local Improvement Schemes as at 1 July 2021.  (A copy of the report is enclosed with the minutes.)

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

 

15.

LOCAL AREA COUNCIL WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 140 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:

A list of agreed items for future Local Area Council meetings was circulated.  (A copy is enclosed with the minutes.)

 

Members were invited to email any requests to the Chair and / or Democratic Services Officer between meetings.

 

Items to be added to the work programme following the last meeting of the LAC Chairs Briefing included:

 

  • Youth Service Provision
  • Enhanced Services with Town and Parish Councils
  • Off-street Electric Vehicle Charging Points
  • Cycling and Walking Board
  • Enforcement

 

RESOLVED that the work programme be noted.

 

16.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 18 August 2021 (Planning only).

 

 

Minutes:

The next meeting would be held on Wednesday 18 August 2021.  (Planning only).