DINNINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 16th December, 2015 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. Anita Lower; Brian Hunter
(Newcastle City Council); Mr. Mark Pearson (Regeneration Project Co-ordinator - Your Homes
Newcastle); Ms. Victoria Ellis (Your Homes Newcastle); one member of the public.
Minute
No.

91.

92.
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95.

96.

97.
97.1
97.2

97.3

Agenda Item

WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Parish Council
(PC). Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Ian Graham;
(Newcastle City Council).
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Members were reminded to declare interests at relevant items.
POLICE ISSUES:
There was no-one from Northumbria Police present.
YOUR HOMES NEWCASTLE (YHN):
Mr. Mark Pearson and Ms. Victoria Ellis gave a presentation on Your
Homes Newcastles Your Vote, Your Choice initiative. Cllrs. Scott and
Hood were content with proposals to create a wider, symmetrical
carriageway at Sycamore Avenue, subject to consultation with residents.
Mr. Pearson agreed to investigate maintenance issues including broken
gates; a fence with rotten posts laid in a garden; and garage fascia
repairs in Elm Avenue.
OPEN FORUM:
Revd. Mark Edwards invited Members to attend and support a carol
service at St. Matthews Church at 3.00pm on Sunday 20th December.
PONTELAND MEDICAL GROUP:
Cllr. Phelps raised issues regarding the services of Ponteland Medical
Group at Dinnington surgery. He had received representations from
residents and was concerned about the way parishioners can currently
access GP's services, which he felt may worsen with the proposed
expansion of the village.
RESOLVED: To invite a GP and manager from Ponteland Medical
Group to the next meeting on Wednesday, 20th January, 2016 to
address Members' concerns.
MEMBERS ITEMS OF CONCERN:
Cllr. Scott raised an issue regarding dog fouling in the village. Cllr A.
Lower (NCC) agreed to contact the dog warden to check the signs.
Cllr. Scott raised an issue regarding surplus water on the road at corner
of Main Road/Sandy Lane.
RESOLVED: To write to Highways Department (NCC).
Cllr. Hood expressed concern about the untidy state of gardens;
leaves/twigs still piled up in village; and school footpath still not repaired.
Cllr. Lower agreed to investigate and ask the relevant department to

Action
Required

MARK
PEARSON

CLERK

CLLR
LOWER

CLERK
CLLR
LOWER

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97.4

97.5
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99.3
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103.
103.1

come back to clear the leaves if necessary.

Cllr. Dellow expressed concern at dog fouling (Mitford Way) and
disappointment that a tree root is still intruding into tarmac pavement
between Bracken Close/Shaftoe Way. Cllr. Hunter agreed to further
pursue the matter with the Highways Department.
Cllr. Porter raised a residents concerns about rowdy behaviour and
pointed out the mess on the roads.
Cllr. Biggins asked whether high voltage conversion work in Horton
Crescent was completed and was informed that work is still on-going.
Cllr. Biggins asked about construction traffic from Woolsington. Cllr.
Hunter agreed to review the route and report back at the next meeting.
Cllr. Laidler reported that the planter in Oak Avenue had been
vandalised and is now defunct. Cllr. Lower agreed to arrange for it to be
removed and placed in storage.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
The Clerk explained that the workings of the Parish Council should
always be as open and transparent as possible, but it is vital that the
Council strikes the appropriate balance between confidentiality about the
financial or business affairs of a particular person and what can be
mistaken for secrecy.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of confidential discussions will be kept
separate and not made available for inspection by anyone outside of the
meeting (excluding Freedom of Information Act requests); confidential
minutes will be clearly marked 'confidential' on pink paper.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 18th
November, 2015 shall be redrafted and submitted again at the next
meeting.
MATTERS ARISING:
Cllr. Porter asked when the 30mph road sign to north of the village
would be installed. Cllr. Lower explained that it should be installed within
8 weeks.
The Clerk confirmed that the application for 50% funding for the new
notice board had been completed and would be submitted at next Castle
Ward Committee for approval.
Cllr. Porter expressed concern that Post Office Limited did not send
consultation letters on changes to Dinnington Post Office to all residents.
CORRESPONDENCE:
A report of correspondence received was presented.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
No planning applications were received during the previous month.
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN:
Cllr. Wood announced that the Parish Council had received a grant of
5,969 to prepare the Neighbourhood Plan. The first meeting with the
consultant is scheduled for Thursday 17th December.
UPDATES:
Donkey Field development - Cllr Wood reported that this matter is still
delayed, but legal issues are almost finalised. Persimmon Homes Formal submission date in Jan/Feb 2016. Bellway Development Planning application submitted. It was agreed to defer discussion of any
objections to Bellway Development until the next meeting.

CLLR
HUNTER

CLLR
HUNTER
CLLR
LOWER

CLERK

CLERK

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108.
109.

Village Hall - Cllr. Porter reported that the Village Hall Committee is
awaiting a decision on application to Banks Group for 20k funding for
improvements to the Memorial Institute. [Cllr. Lower declared an interest
and took no part in the discussion relating to this item].
Newsletter - The Clerk was thanked for preparing and arranging printing
of the newsletter (Christmas edition).
Library - Cllr. Scott reported that the library would be closed between
23rd December 2015 and 7th January 2016.
Northumbria in Bloom - Cllr. Wood reported that the entry fee had been
paid and application submitted for competition in 2016. Cllr. Lower
agreed to organize a clean-up if informed nearer to the date.
Allotments - It was agreed to defer until the next meeting a decision
regarding future maintenance of hedgerow bordering the allotment site
and fears that Bellways scheme might flood land owned by the Parish
Council.
Website - Cllr. Phelps agreed to liaise with the Clerk and Cllr. Laidler on CLLR
the best way to improve the current websites document library to allow PHELPS
visitors to download documents such as minutes and statutory notices.
Dinnington Village Womens Institute (WI) - first meeting on Thursday
14th January 2016 at 7.00pm-9.00pm in the Village Hall.
REPORTS:
Cllr. Phelps gave a detailed report on a meeting of Newcastle Airport
Consultative Committee, including Spanish airline Vuelings first ever
service from Newcastle International Airport to Barcelona; proposals for
a field of solar panels; mobility assistance; consultation on aircraft noise.
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 Parish Council received the most recent schedule of accounts.
Neighbourhood Plan (Groundwork UK) payment (5,969) had been
received. Members approved and authorised the signing of cheques in
payment of the following invoices presented at the meeting:
100933 - 309.80 - HMRC (PAYE tax arrears)
100934 - 75.00 - Northumbria in Bloom (entry fee)
100935 - 200.14 - Clerk's salary (Dec)
100935 - 13.80- Clerks travel expenses (Dec)
100935 - 38.20 - Stationery/postage/telephone (Dec).
100936 - 170.00 - L&S Printers (Newsletter)
100936 - 30.00 - L&S Printers (Planning notices)
100937 - 72.00 RW Lynn Fencing Ltd (Allotment hedge)
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
The Chairman wished everyone a happy Christmas and invited
Members to attend the annual dinner on Wednesday 13th January 2016.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday, 20th January 2016 at 7.00 p.m.
CONCLUSION OF MEETING:
The meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.
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