Planning the Future of Broomley and Stocksfield
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NE43 Newsletter 6pp AW Issue 64 June 2018_Layout 1 05/06/2018 11:12 Page 3 THE NEWSLETTER OF BROOMLEY & STOCKSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL Planning the Issue 64 June 2018 future of Broomley and Stocksfield Broomley and Stocksfield Parish Council Chairman’s Annual Report May 2017 – April 2018 During another busy year, the Parish Council has continued to work on maintaining and improving facilities in the village and surrounding areas, with a strong focus on ensuring that all of our residents and visitors can enjoy a beautiful, safe, clean and pleasant environment. We have tried to provide the facilities that local people want, and to deal with any problems, very often by working in partnership with other community organisations and public bodies. anticipate that the new facility will be Stocksfield Scout Hut under completed and in use in the next few months. We are very grateful for the construction, a beneficiary of a advice and expertise of local resident Nick Council grant. Jones, who, as well as offering support so far, has also volunteered to act as Project In the past year, the Parish Council has Manager, alongside our Clerk. given grants and donations worth over £9,000 to a number of local groups, The 30 year lease on the eastern sports including Stocksfield Players, Stocksfield fields began in August 2017, and the Baptist Church, the Tuesday Club (at Parish Council is now in the process of Stocksfield Community Centre) and Our two play areas at Kate’s Plain and discussions with Stocksfield Cricket Club, Stocksfield Scouts. The funding supports Branch End receive many compliments, Stocksfield Football Club, Prudhoe and specific projects which benefit our and are kept in good condition by our Stocksfield Rugby Union Football Club, community and contribute to the life of Groundsman, who carries out weekly and other sports fields users about the the village. The Parish Council also makes inspections along with necessary repairs improvements they would like to see to an annual financial contribution to the and maintenance to ensure that they the pitches and playing surfaces. We Parochial Church Council’s Burial Board remain safe, enjoyable places to spend recognise that this development will take which looks after the cemetery at time in. During the year, thanks to a group time, not least because of the extent of St Margaret’s Church in Hindley. of Councillors and our Clerk, we fundraising involved, but we are hopeful organised the installation of additional play that it will result in high quality sports continued and fitness equipment at Branch End play facilities in the heart of our community area, with a view to offering options for which will benefit residents for years teenagers and adults, and this has proved to come. very popular. The majority of the funding Once again, the Remembrance Day for this development came from service at the War Memorial in Northumberland County Council’s November, led by lay minister Robert (NCC) Housing Developer Fund. Peers, was well attended by people of all Following a great deal of background and ages, including our local scouting and preparatory work, the Parish Council has guiding groups and officers from 3rd now awarded the contract for the long- Regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery. awaited car park extension at the sports As usual, Stocksfield Guides provided fields. We expect confirmation of the start welcome refreshments after the service, Designed and produced by 2B Graphics Ltd. 01661 844703 www.2bgraphics.com date for the project imminently, and raising £80 for the Royal British Legion. www.stocksfieldpc.org.uk NE43 Newsletter 6pp AW Issue 64 June 2018_Layout 1 05/06/2018 11:13 Page 4 continued from page 1 B&SPC Chairman’s Annual Report May 2017 – April 2018 Branch End Surgery The speed and volume of traffic in the Our Flood Wardens and the Clerk updated village, particularly on the A695 and New the Flood Plan during the year, and Changes to GP Staff Ridley Road, have continued to be a key distributed leaflets to those residents most Over the last few months we have concern for Councillors and residents, likely to be affected if flooding should occur. had some changes to the GP staff at along with the perennial problem of cars The Flood Wardens have also undertaken Branch End Surgery. obstructing the pavement. Responsibility for training to enable them to operate an Dr Lynn Corbett has stepped down as GP partner after 25 years’ service. She has highways lies with NCC, but the Parish emergency reception centre should the moved on to work at several GP-based Council has made strenuous efforts to raise need arise. locations, including our extended hours hub local issues with our County Councillor and Kath Pollock resigned from the Council in based at Corbridge; patients of Branch End NCC officers, and to work in partnership September for personal reasons. As a Surgery can book these appointments via with other organisations, such as member of the GGAG, Kath made a the surgery. It goes without saying that all the Northumbria Police, where appropriate. staff at the surgery will miss Dr Corbett and valuable contribution to our work, and was wish her all the best with her future. We have also indicated to NCC our also one of the Councillors who led on the priorities for the Local Transport Plan, Dr Corbett would like to send her best provision of additional play equipment, wishes to all the patients and staff she has placing the emphasis on safety for as well as representing the Parish Council pedestrians, particularly those who are had the pleasure of working with over the on a local community forum. I would years, and would like to thank all those that elderly or disabled, use a wheelchair or like to extend my thanks to Kath for have sent her cards and well wishes. She have young children. her commitment to our community. wishes to congratulate Dr Dornan who During the year the Parish Council’s In January we welcomed Helen Rae as succeeds her as partner. Advisory Groups have continued to work our newest Councillor; she brings Dr Charlotte Gooding has also left the on a specific aspect of our remit and to considerable expertise and experience surgery, Again we wish her well with her make recommendations for action to the which we appreciate. future career. Dr Lorien Dornan has taken on the role of full Council where appropriate. The The coming year will see concerted effort General Governance Advisory Group GP partner, helping to guide the future of on the production of a new Parish Council the surgery. Dr Dornan has been with the (GGAG) looks at financial matters, policies Plan to underpin our work, and we are surgery for 15 years and has a very good and other issues linked to managing the currently developing a survey which will be relationship with staff and patients, making Council’s affairs, while the Planning Advisory distributed to all residents and local her the ideal person to be a GP partner. Group (PAG) considers planning businesses, seeking views on how they see We are welcoming two new GPs to the applications and comments on pre- the village’s future. team at the surgery. application enquiries. The Communications Dr Victoria Parker has already started at the Advisory Group (CAG) covers all aspects of Two items of new keep fit equipment surgery and is working Mondays, Thursdays the Council’s communication with residents recently installed at Branch End and Fridays. Dr Parker has come from a and the public, and is currently undertaking Play Area Blaydon practice and has just completed her a review of our signs and notices, with a GP trainer’s course, allowing her to have view to rationalising them. The Rights of trainee GPs from as soon as August 2018. Way and Environment Advisory Group Dr Paul Eastaugh will start at the surgery at the end of June and will be working (ROWEAG), though chaired by a Parish Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Dr Eastaugh has Councillor, is mainly made up of local come from a Whickham practice and has residents who volunteer their time to also completed a Masters in Research of monitor the health of the river and the Medical and Molecular Biosciences with a burn, keep invasive species under control, specialism in Neuroscience. and review the footpaths and rights of way We would like to thank all of our patients for within the Parish boundary. This year they bearing with us during these changes and have also established the Stocksfield Station I’m sure our patients will give our two new Working Group to look after the planted team members a warm welcome. areas at the station. I would like to express For more information regarding the GP my sincere thanks to the members of changes and the extended access hub please this Advisory Group for their dedication to contact the surgery or visit our website: www.branchendsurgery.co.uk the village. Stocksfield Sports Fields car parking The Council hopes that the construction Finally, I would like to express my gratitude of the overspill car park will have and appreciation to our Clerk, Nick commenced before this edition drops Spencer, for his efficiency and through your letterbox. Once complete, professionalism, to Martin Stewart, our there should be no need for vehicles to Groundsman, for looking after our park on the A695 and the County Council has been asked to impose environment with such care and permanent parking restrictions outside commitment, and to my fellow Parish the Sports Fields once the work is Councillors for their hard work and team complete.