Venue: Meeting Room 1, Berwick Leisure Centre, Northumberland Rd, Tweedmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2AS
Contact: Rebecca Little
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MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE The committee is asked to note the following membership and terms of reference for the North Northumberland Local Area Council which were agreed by Council on 4 May 2022.? ? The membership is made up of the county councillors who represent the 13 electoral divisions in the North Northumberland area:? ? Chair: G Castle Vice Chair: S Bridgett; Vice Chair (Planning): C Hardy ? Quorum - 4? ??
Terms of reference
(1) To enhance good governance in the area and ensure that the Council’s policies take account 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 1. Minutes: The Membership and Terms of Reference for the North Northumberland Local Area Council, as agreed at Full Council on 4 May 2022 were provided for information.
RESOLVED that this was noted.
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MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE - NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND LOCAL AREA COUNCIL (RIGHTS OF WAY) SUBCOMMITTEE Members are asked to nominate six members drawn from the membership of the North Northumberland Local Area Council. Balance 4:1:1(4 Conservative, 1 Independent, 1 Labour/Liberal Democrat/ Green Party).
Terms of reference:
To exercise functions in relation to the survey, definition, maintenance, diversion, stopping up and creation of public rights of way in the north Northumberland area, on behalf of the North Northumberland Local Area Council.
Minutes: Members agreed that the North Northumberland Local Area Council (Rights of Way) Subcommittee would be:
G. Castle (Chair) C. Hardy M. Mather G. Renner-Thompson C. Seymour M. Swinbank
RESOLVED that this was noted.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillor S. Bridgett, Councillor T. Clark, and Councillor T. Thorne.
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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 Hill advised the committee that she had a personal but non prejudicial interest in item 7 of the agenda, 21/01355/FUL.
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Minutes of the meeting of the North Northumberland Local Area Council held on Thursday, 24 February 2022 and Thursday, 24 March 2022, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.
Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the North Northumberland Local Area Council held on Thursday, 24 February 2022, and Thursday, 24 March 2022, as circulated, be confirmed as a true record and be signed by the Chair.?
Councillor Hardy (Vice Chair – Planning), in the Chair.
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DETERMINATION OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS 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 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 this was noted.
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Resubmission: Re-development of a brown fried site to create 30
new homes. A mix of apartments houses. Minutes: D. Love – Senior Planning Officer introduced the application with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation. After showing the site videos, D. Love gave the following updates:
· The report should have consistently read: “That this application be approved, subject to conditions and section a s106 agreement to secure affordable housing, open space, healthcare contribution and coastal mitigation strategy payments · Paragraph 7.92 in the report should have read £615 not £600. · Advice from the Housing Enabling Officer indicated that the tenure mix, and type of housing should have been flexible, the offer of four onside flats could have been amended to include a single house, the committee would be asked to authorise delegation to negotiate the make-up of the affordable housing contribution. · There was an addition of two conditions covering consistency with the submitted Flood Risk Assessment and a suspensive condition for a CEMP. · The Lead Local Flood Authority and the EA agent had agreed their respective positions and there had not been anything missed in the assessment.
N. Craig, spoke in support of this application and gave the following information:
· GMC were a family run business based in Berwick, and had previously developed 150 homes in the town, using local workforce and supply chain. · GMC had previously acquired brown field sites and turned them into successful properties, including the former council officers. · The development would complement the area, and had been designed with Historic England, the Conservation Officer, and the Lead Planner. They had confirmed that the design complied with planning legislation and was appropriate for the area. · The project would include job stability for the GMC team and local network, including sub-contractors, suppliers, and professionals, keeping money within the micro-economy of Berwick Upon Tweed. · The site would include river defenders, which would require maintenance and some rebuilding, the defences were secured for the life of the development with the homeowners paying for the upkeep and maintenance of the river defence. · There had been a flood risk report and a contamination report, these had been scrutinised by Public Health, LLFA and Environmental Agency and had been approved by the statutory consultees.
Following questions from Members to the planning officers, the following information was provided:
· The site was a brownfield site, and that the Building Conservation Officer considered that the impact from the proposed development would cause less than substantial harm. · There would be 27 conditions on the development which would be rigorously monitored. · The materials that would be used in the development were stone and zinc, however there was a condition in the report to agree materials in line with the local vernacular. · The application included breaking up the original big block development into three separate blocks with different heights, which would suit the vernacular of the town. · The site could potentially be used as a storage facility if the application were to be refused. · There was a condition for EV charging points, but the number had not been confirmed at the time of the application.
Councillor Renner-Thompson proposed to ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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Outline Application with all matters reserved for demolition of
existing cottage and construction of up to 4no, residential
dwellings (Use Class C3)
Minutes: R. Campbell – Senior planning officer, introduced the application with the aid of site videos and a PowerPoint presentation, there had been no further updates since the submission of the report to the committee.
A. Hinchcliffe spoke in objection to the application and gave members the following information: · The site should be for one of two low-rise homes similar to the existing bungalow. Four houses on the site was unacceptable. · The design of the application was based on the design on the three semi-detached houses to the immediate south, which were built around 1940 with no space to take vehicles between the houses. · The submitted design code contains inaccuracies which gave false impression of the proposal and comparative proportions to the existing semi-detached houses were incorrect. · Beach View mainly consisted of low-height and low-density bungalows that were sat within a generous garden, an important characteristic of the village. · Boulmer had suffered from high levels of visitor parking, further resident parking on Beach Road would add to an already problematic situation. · Of the last eleven properties that were added to the housing market in Boulmer, nine had gone for second homes or holiday lets.
C. Bradshaw, spoke as a parish councillor in the Longhougton & Boulmer area and gave the following information: · The site was not a suitable size to hold four dwellings. · The application was out of character and scale for the street. · The rest of the properties on the street were bungalows. · Parking was inadequate. · Developments would need to attract young families. · Developments would need to be sympathetic and enhance the character of the village.
D. Puttick, spoke in support of the application and gave the following information: · The application was an all matters reserved application. · The application plans were detailed and supported by the Planning Officers. · The applicant planned to use old building styles to keep the development in characteristic of the village. · Highways had commented that the application site would have sufficient parking.
Following questions from members to the planning officers, further information was provided: · The committee could not impose conditions relating to second homes as the Parish did not have large amount of second homes, based on census data and in accordance with the Local Plan. · If approved, the committee could ask to have the reserved matters application brought before members, which would include parking, this would be considered through the chair referral process. · Planning officers were satisfied that the site could provide up to four dwellings. · Planning Officers had worked with the AONB, and the developer was aware of the concerns raised. · The street scene did not contain only bungalows.
Councillor Pattison proposed to refuse the application for the following reasons: Harmful visual impact on neighbouring amenity and general visual amenity, failure to conserve and enhance the special qualities of the AONB, failure to demonstrate sufficient car parking and over development of the site. This was seconded by Councillor Hill.
After a small debate from members, a vote was taken as follows: FOR; 6, AGAINST; ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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TREE PRESERVATION ORDER PDF 121 KB Land at Bank House Farm, Acklington, Northumberland
Minutes: The Planning Officer introduced
the preservation order with the aid of a PowerPoint
presentation.
Councillor Watson proposed to accept the officer’s recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Castle.
A vote was taken as follows:
FOR; 9, AGAINST; 1, ABSTAIN; 0
Councillor Watson proposed to accept the officer’s recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Castle.
A vote was taken as follows:
FOR; 9, AGAINST; 1, ABSTAIN; 0 rder is confirmed without modification for the reasons set out in paragraphs 7.1 - 7.3 in the report.
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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 this was noted. |
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For Members’ information to report the agreement monitoring and collection of s106 contributions in the planning process. This is a monthly report and relates to agreements throughout Northumberland during the previous monthly period.
Minutes: RESOLVED that this was noted.
A comfort break was announced for officers to change over. Councillor Castle (Chair) – In the Chair
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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:
And/or:
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 in writing.
Q.
Q.
J. Thomas, local resident,
asked several questions: Q1) A1) The chair explained that previous questions may have not been permitted and that only questions which adhere to the public question time policy would guarantee a written response.
Q2) A2) The chair explained that there had been a Storm Arwen working group and there had been a dedicated email address for any Storm Arwen concerns or feedback. The working group had agreed recommendations in principle, and they had used feedback and comments from local members, town and Parish Councils as well as members of the public, these recommendations were to be heard by full council in due course.
Q3) A3) Councillor Renner-Thompson, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, explained that the consultation had been completed formally and legally, with schools and the teaching staff consultation proceeding for four years previous. Councillor Renner-Thompson explained that he had confidence in officers that had completed the consultation but expressed that there could have been more in-person consultations, however explained that there was also an online platform where residents could express their views.
Q4) A4) The chair explained that Mr Thomas would receive a full written response to this question.
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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?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.?
Minutes: (a) Receive any new petitions:
There had been no new petitions received. ??????? (b) Consider reports on petitions previously received:
There were no reports presented on previous petitions. ??? (c)? Receive any updates on petitions for which a report was previously?considered:
There were no updates.
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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: Highways
Resurfacing Knocklaw – Rothbury Brewery Road – Wooler Harwood Village
Maintenance The maintenance teams had the use of two hot box loans, making it three in total. There would shortly have two
gully tankers
All of the gullies on the A697
from Weldon Bridge to Coldstream had recently been cleared, along
with all the gullies on the A698 from Cornhill to Berwick and all
of the gullies on the A1068 Druridge to
Alnwick. This process would continue on all of the major roads and
then move onto the secondary roads.
Following the update from G. Bucknall – Lead Highways Delivery Manager, members were invited to ask questions, in which the following information was provided:
· The list of C roads to be completed would be circulated to members after the meeting. · The sign team had been suspended as there had been an issue with getting poles. · The new gully wagon would be full time. · The jet patcher blows out all the water, ready for the mix to be inputted for filling potholes.
Members thanked Graham and the team for their continued hard work.
Neighbourhood Services
Waste
Services
Grass
Cutting
Holy Island Public Conveniences had opened since the previous North Northumberland Local ... view the full minutes text for item 14. |
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TWEED VALLEY RAILWAY CAMPAIGN To receive a presentation on the Tweed Valley Railway Campaign. Minutes: J. Boulton – Chairman, Tweed Valley Railway Campaign, and A. Russell – Secretary, Tweed Valley Railway Campaign introduced themselves and explained the background behind the Tweed Valley Railway Campaign with the aid of a PowerPoint Presentation, and stating the three-point plan for the Campaign: 1. Generate Support 2. Feasibility Study 3. Build it
The campaign objective was to establish a railway between Tweedbank and Berwick Upon Tweed, this would be a 34-mile route, with half in Northumberland and half in the Scottish Borders.
J. Boulton explained the reasons behind the idea, including: · Resilience - To assist with scheduled maintenance, poor weather, or any other unscheduled events. · Tourism & Leisure - To allow members of the public to access all that Northumberland and the Scottish Borders have to offer, without needing a motor vehicle. · Active Travel - To encourage the public to explore the region, with cycle paths nearby the line. · Access to Work, Education & Healthcare - To assist those without the use of a car or decent modes of public transport. Better public access to education and workplace encourages younger generations to stay within the region, encouraging it to develop and grow. · Attracting Investment – A 21st Century railway would attract investment in the form of housing, local amenities, car parks and cycle spaces. · Sustainable Transport – Reduces dependency on cars and fossil fuels. Increases the use of trains for freight.
J. Boulton explained what the campaign had achieved so far, including securing the funding for Year 1 from the Scottish Borders Council, transport strategy responses and building the stakeholder network.
Councillor Mather started the
discussion welcoming the idea, stating that the roads were
struggling, and it would save roads being so congested, with
Councillors Seymour, Hunter and Renner-Thompson agreeing that it
would better connect the East and West side of the county and bring
more employment to the region. Councillor Watson suggested
contacting expert officers in Northumberland County Council who
have previously worked with Borderlands and questioned about the
sustainability of the line with daily journeys.
The committee thanked J. Boulton and A. Russell for attending and wished them well on the Tweed Valley Railway Campaign.
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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: The following changes were made to the outside body appointments:
·
Glendale Gateway Trust no longer required a NCC
appointment. ·
North Sunderland Harbour Commission were weeks away
from signing a new Harbour Order which would no longer require a
NCC representative. The committee declined to appoint a
member. · Councillor Nick Morphet had been allocated to sit on Northumberland National Park Joint Local Access Forum.
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MEMBERS LOCAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES 2021-2025 PDF 1 MB Details of the North Northumberland Members Local Improvement Schemes for the period 2021-22 are provided for information only.?
Minutes: RESOLVED that this was noted. |
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LOCAL AREA WORK PROGRAMME PDF 117 KB Details of the North Northumberland Members Local Improvement Schemes for the period 2021-22 are provided for information only.?
Minutes: RESOLVED that this was noted. |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the North Northumberland Local Area Council is scheduled for Thursday, 23 June 2022 at 3.00 p.m. at St James’s URC, Pottergate, Alnwick, NE66 1JW
Minutes: RESOLVED that this was noted. |