DINNINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 17th February, 2016 at 7.00 p.m. in
Dinnington Memorial Institute.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Cllrs. Raymond Thompson (Chairman); Mike Wood (Vice-Chairman);
Alan Biggins; Tom Laidler; Joyce Porter; Audrey Dellow; Brenda Scott; Sylvia Hood; Gill Smith;
Steven Phelps.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr. K. Murray-Hetherington (Parish Clerk); Cllrs. Ian Graham; Brian Hunter
(Newcastle City Council); Messrs. Andy Hunter; Derek Rootham; Dave Murray (Northern
Powergrid); Mr. Anthony Hoggins (Newcastle City Council); PCSO 4328 Mark Thompson.
Minute
No.

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130.
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136.
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Agenda Item

Action
Required

WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES: The Chairman

welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Parish Council (PC). Apologies
for absence were received from Cllr. Anita Lower (Newcastle City Council).
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Members were reminded to declare
interests at relevant items.
POLICE ISSUES: PCSO Mark Thompson gave a report of crime incidents
for the previous month: 1 crime reported. Community Speedwatch camera
had been used in Prestwick Road.
NORTHERN POWERGRID: Representatives of gave an update on ongoing electrical work in the village and addressed Members concerns
relating to the extensive development taking place in Dinnington and the
associated HV electrical work. Northern Powergrid aimed to minimise
customer interruptions (customer minutes lost) and ultimately strengthen
the electricity supply.
RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP CAMPAIGN: Mr. Anthony Hoggins CLERK
(Senior Environmental Health Technical Officer) gave a report on tackling
dog fouling issues in Dinnington. There were 3 active complaints. The City
Council plans to put a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place.
Residents may have to put a dog on a lead if told to by a police officer,
police community support officer or someone from the council; stop a dog
going to certain places - like farmland or parts of a park; clear up after a
dog. Residents can be fined. It was agreed that the Clerk shall write to
Leisure Services to request a sign at playing fields and to include some
wording in parish newsletter.
OPEN FORUM: There were no members of the public present.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the
previous meetings held on Wednesday 18th November 2015 and
Wednesday 20th January 2016 be agreed as a true record and signed by
the Chair.
MATTERS ARISING:
Cllr Hood expressed concern that a broken gate had still not been repaired.
Cllr Dellow reported that the tree root on pavement had been repaired.
Cllr Phelps wished to know why Cllr Hunter (NCC) was recorded as voting
against the road repairs budget. Cllr Phelps felt that Cllr Hunter should
represent the ward and not his party. Cllr Hunter did not believe he had
been recorded as voting as alleged and asked for the source of Cllr Phelps
information.
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Cllr Hunter (NCC) had reviewed the route relating to construction traffic
from Woolsington and reported that the travel plan was for traffic to travel in
from the A1 and not through Dinnington village.
Cllr Laidler reported that he had updated the website with details of
Neighbourhood Planning and had met the Clerk and Cllr Phelps to update
the websites document library to allow visitors to download documents.
MEMBERS ITEMS OF CONCERN:
Cllr Smith raised the problem of flooding at Prestwick Carr and the effect CLLR
on low-lying houses along Prestwick Road. She welcomed Cllr Biggins BIGGINS
contact with
the Defence
Infrastructure Organisation (DIO);
Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT); and local residents. Cllr Biggins
agreed to report any responses to Members.
Cllr Scott expressed disappointment that work to the carriageway at CLERK
Sycamore Avenue had not been carried out despite assurances from Mr
Mark Pearson and Ms Victoria Ellis (Your Homes Newcastle). It was
agreed that the Clerk shall write to YHN to ask them to clarify the position.
Cllr Scott raised an issue regarding surplus water on the road at Hazlerigg CLERK
junction. It was felt that the gullies in that area require clearing. It was
agreed that the Clerk shall write to the Highways Department (NCC).
Cllr Hood raised issues regarding polystyrene in ditches; potholes on
Horton Grange Road; standing water beside the school crossing; no grit in
icy weather near the school. Cllr Thompson believed that buses were
causing the edges of the road to break away. Cllr Graham (NCC) felt that
the water near the school was not standing longer than 24 hours and
Neighbourhood Services usually carry out pre-salting in icy conditions.
Cllr Hood expressed concern that Donkey Field contractors are using the CLLR
car park at the pavilion despite an agreement not to do so. She also PHELPS
expressed concern about wagons driving through the village and rumours
that Newcastle Airport may be extending the runway. Cllr Phelps stated
that no such extension plans had been discussed at the Airport
Consultative Committee but he would raise the matter on 1st March.
Cllr Laidler raised an issue regarding the dangerous state of a footpath at CLERK
22-24 Oak Avenue. It was agreed that the Clerk shall write to the Highways
Department (NCC).
Cllr Phelps stated that he had asked Cllr Lower (NCC) to inspect and CLLR
arrange repair of a footpath damaged by a car fire outside nos. 30 & 32 LOWER
The Crest.
Cllr Thompson stated that invoices are required to be produced by the CLERK
Parish Council to obtain payment of licence fees for the use of land at
Dinnington and allotment rents. The Clerk agreed to pursue the matters.
CORRESPONDENCE: A report of correspondence received was
presented including: Local Government Boundary Commission - Electoral
review of Newcastle upon Tyne; Mrs Rachael Clark - Diversion of footpath
6 Dinnington. [Cllr R Thompson declared an interest and took no part in the
discussion relating to this item]; Northumberland Association of Local
Councils (NALC) - Retirement of Dr David Francis.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS: No planning applications were received
during the previous month.
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN: Cllr Wood stated that the Chair of the Elders
Council of Newcastle is interested in engaging in conversation with older
people in Dinnington about their quality of life. It was agreed to involve the
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Elders Council in the work of the Neighbourhood Plan Group.

UPDATES:
Notice Board: Cllr Wood stated that the new notice board would be
delivered and in place week commencing 22nd February.
Donkey Field development - Cllr Wood reported that construction of an
access road had begun and a health and safety visit to the school had
taken place. Persimmon Homes - Formal submission date still expected in
Feb 2016. Bellway Development - Planning application submitted. Cllrs
Graham and Hunter (NCC) were unable to confirm the outcome of a
planning committee meeting on 12th February.
Village Hall - Cllr Porter reported that the Village Hall Committee has
received 20k funding from Banks Group for improvements to the Memorial
Institute.
Newsletter - It was agreed that articles for the Spring/Summer edition will
be required by 30th April.
Library - Cllr Scott reported that volunteers had been recruited.
Northumbria in Bloom - Cllr Wood reported that Spring judging would
take place during April as usual this year.
Allotments - There was nothing to report.
Website - Cllr Laidler confirmed that he had updated the websites
document library to make it easier for users to download documents. It was
agreed to restrict the record of previous minutes on the website to a
maximum of 1 year.
REPORTS: Cllr Thompson gave a report on meetings he had attended
including Banks Mining and NALC.
EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC: In accordance with section
100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, it was RESOLVED that the
press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the
following items of business on the grounds that it involved the likely
disclosure of exempt information.
FINANCIAL MATTERS: The Clerk presented a report on the most recent
schedule of accounts. Members approved and authorised the signing of
cheques in payment of the following invoices presented at the meeting:100943 - 1054.45 - Planning Advice Plus (Consultant) Fee
100944 - 200.14 - Clerks salary
100944 - 4.60 - Clerks travel expenses
100944 - 27.56 - Stationery/postage/telephone
100945 - 130.00 - Members Basic and Special Responsibility Allowance.
Zurich Municipal Insurance renewal cost: 452.12. The Clerk volunteered
to seek other quotes based on the same schedule of terms.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Cllr Porter reported that the annual St Matthews Church Strawberry Fair
will be extended to a Village Fte to mark HM The Queens 90th birthday
on a date to be confirmed.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday 16th March 2016 at 7.00 p.m.
CONCLUSION OF MEETING:
The meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.

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