Ward Meeting May 21st
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Contents |
[edit] Present
- David Herring (Chair)
- Thérèse Lewis (Secretary)
- Sally Orrell
- Tony Pennell
- Dick Phillips
[edit] Apologies
- Carol Sutton
- Richard Turner
[edit] Minutes of last meeting
Correction to 5.7. The minute should read: David Herring had spoken with Paul Mercer of the Heritage Centre.
Minutes approved proposed: Sally Orrell and seconded Dick Phillips.
[edit] Matters arising out of the minutes
Agenda Item 5.5: no representation or report forthcoming from Nenthead Primary School despite invitation from David Herring to headteacher Mike Sheridan. David Herring will arrange to meet again with Mike Sheridan to discuss representative attending next ward meeting or report being submitted.
Agenda Item 5.7: no representation or report forthcoming from Nenthead Heritage Centre despite invitation from David Herring to Education Officer Paul Mercer. David Herring will arrange to meet again with Paul Mercer to discuss representative attending next ward meeting or report being submitted.
Agenda Item: Other relevant matters: Nenthead Surgery: Medical Centre had not been contacted to invite to this meeting to answer questions on the new arrangements on opening times for the Nenthead Surgery. David Herring will contact Kathleen Walton of the Medical Practice and invite a representative from the Practice to the next Ward Meeting.
[edit] Reports
[edit] Report from Parish Council meeting of 14th May 2007
Thérèse Lewis co-opted as Parish Councillor for Nenthead.
[edit] Response from Heritage Centre
It was reported at the Parish Council meeting that central access gates to the Heritage Centre had been locked and part of an essential access route had been narrowed. This had prompted several residents to register their concern that the emergency services might find it difficult to access the site in the case of an emergency. Tim Haldon as a member of the Parish Council and as representative of the Heritage Trust responded on behalf of the Trust that these measures had been taken to try and combat serious and systematic vandalism and that key emergency services would all be provided with keys for access gates.
Dick Phillips reported that two local residents had raised concerns with him that in addition to the locked central access gates the bridleway access gates had been altered and that furthermore that the new gates did not meet statutory requirements in terms of access parameters (being 4'4" wide rather than 5' wide) and hinge placement (hinges on the wrong side now necessitated that horse riders dismount and back their horses away from gate to open gate) and this had caused problems for walkers and horse riders.
Tim Haldon agreed to take this information back to the Trust. The Trust contacted Dick Phillips to explain that they had had to take rapid emergency measures to prevent vandalism and that they were aware of the issues and are in the process of fundraising to replace the new gates with specialist gates that would enable horse riders to open without dismounting and would also be suitable for walkers. They committed to send representation to this meeting to explain the access alterations and answer any questions. No representative attended as had been pledged. All present expressed disappointment.
David Herring will arrange to meet again with Paul Mercer to convey our disappointment and concern and to invite a representative to the next Ward Meeting.
[edit] Update report from Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee
On behalf of the Nenthead Community Village Shop Committee Sally Orrell reported the following progress: Following abortive attempt to secure the site of the Nenthead Post Office as premises for the Nenthead Community Village Shop the Committee were putting together an alternative plan.
Following the Over 60s AGM the Village Shop Committee had been approached by the Nenthead Over 60s Committee as responsible for the Over 60s Rest Room building to offer the building as an alternative site for the Community Shop.
The Community Village Shop Committee believe that this could be a possible and potentially viable alternative offering the space for the shop and a community meeting place for the villagers. Stock could be kept at levels that meet demands but also leave enough space for tables and chairs to be set up to create a comfortable and relaxed meeting area.
The Village Shop Committee is currently in discussions with: the charity commission, shareholder funders, the Post office, Eden District council and trustees of the Over 60s Rest Room building (Hazel Kendrick, Ken Rutherford, Sid Wilson and David Robinson).
Dick Phillips and Tony Pennell enquired about what would happen to the other users of the Rest Room building. Sally Orrell replied that the Over 60s and the W.I. would use either Nenthead Primary School or the Village Hall and the Methodist Chapel would use the Church or the Village Hall.
[edit] Any other business
[edit] Transforming Passenger Transport in Cumbria
Sally Orrell raised concern over the proposals for Transforming Passenger Transport in Cumbria. These propose overwhelming cuts to the bus services servicing Nenthead and Alston Moor (the 888 service between Nenthead, Alston and Hexham and return service; the 889 service between Garrigill and Alston and return service; the 681 service between Alston and Haltwhistle and return service.
The documentation accompanying the proposals that we have received and in particular the justification for the proposals as based on ‘research’ has caused us particular disquiet as we believe that the evidence being used to justify cuts is neither robust nor valid. Many of our community have family and social links with the communities of Hexham and Haltwhistle and the proposed cuts would impact upon our opportunities to meet family, friends and access the resources of Hexham and Haltwhistle.
All those present were particularly concerned that we have received very short notice of the proposals and that there has been no consultation with our communities.
Those present agreed that David Herring as Chair would write to Gary Strong as Those present agreed that David Herring as Chair would write to Gary Strong as Chair of Eden Local Committee (with copy to Isa Henderson) to express our concern and dismay at the proposals and to ask that any decisions be deferred until the proposals and the implications of the proposals for our communities can be discussed at the ATAG committee and there has been adequate and transparent local consultation. Letter to be composed and sent by 22.05.07.
[edit] Copies of Minutes
Dick Phillips proposed that we should resume our practice of sending copies of the minutes to our local newspapers. Agreed to start this after the next meeting.
[edit] Items for next month’s agenda
Draft agenda
- Update report from Nenthead Community Village Shop
- Committee Report from Heritage Centre on changed access arrangements
- Report from Nenthead Primary school
- Discussion of Rural Wheels scheme in particular how differs from our current voluntary social car services scheme
- Response from Gary Strong on our concern about proposals for overwhelming cuts to bus services made in Transforming Passenger Transport
Meeting closed: 20.40pm
[edit] Date of next meeting
Monday July 30th 2007, 7.30pm, Nenthead Over 60s Rest Room
All meeting dates are available on the calendar.
[edit] Postscript
Letter composed and sent 22.05.07 (see above agenda item 5 and see below for additional information).
The Eden Local Committee agreed to postpone the decision on the paper until there has been some consultation. There will be public meeting of the county council neighbourhood forum on June 13th at 7.30pm at Samuel Kings School in Alston. It will be chaired by Isa Henderson and attended by council officers who will be able to explain the new public transport policy and answer questions. They will also have information about the Rural Wheels Scheme.
