APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 1 ALNWICK DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL JUBILEE HALL, ROTHBURY TUESDAY, 16TH OCTOBER, 2007 AT 6.30 P.M. PRESENT: Councillors P. Dawson (Chairman), Mrs. A.M. Jones (Vice- Chairman), G.R. Arckless, Mrs. E. Bainbridge, L.G. Bilboe, E.M. Blakey, S.C. Bridgett, G. Castle, K. Gray, Miss C. Grey, Mrs. M.E. Haddow, A.M. Harrington, J.M. Hedley, I. Hinson, J.E. Hobrough, J.M. Hope, C.M. Mills, Mrs. M. Mills, H.W. Philipson, D.J.C. Rixon, T.M. Spence, R. Styring, J.A. Taylor, T.N. Thorne, J.G. Watson. Officers: Chief Executive, Director of Environment and Regeneration, Head of Legal and Democratic Services. Apologies: Councillors S.A. Bell, Mrs. S.E. Bolam, Mrs. Z.B. Frais, Mrs. E. Gray. Aldermen J. Hobson and R.H. Huggins. (* Denotes a Delegated Matter) 189. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS BY MEMBERS AND OFFICERS The Chairman reminded Members that it had been agreed that previous disclosures did not need to be made again at the Council meeting provided that this was agreed by Members after a motion had been moved and seconded. RESOLVED: that all disclosures of interest previously made by Members and Officers at the meetings of Committees, etc., the minutes of which are to be considered at this meeting, are also to be regarded as disclosures for the purposes of this meeting by those Members and Officers present. The Chairman also advised that interests should be disclosed at this meeting:- a) if they were not disclosed at previous meetings, the minutes of which were to be considered at this meeting or b) in respect of any other or new item on the Agenda. The following disclosures were made: 1 APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 1 Councillor Agenda Issue Interest Item G.R. Arckless 10a) Local Government Reorganisation Personal & Update prejudicial Mrs S.E. Bolam 10a) Local Government Reorganisation Personal & Update prejudicial E.M. Blakey 101 Planning Enforcement Personal & prejudicial E.M. Blakey 134 Capital Programme Personal & prejudicial G. Castle 10a) Local Government Reorganisation Personal & Update prejudicial K. Gray 133 Local Authority Business Growth Personal & Incentive prejudicial K. Gray 134 Capital Programme Personal & prejudicial K. Gray 140 Land at St. Georges Crescent, Personal & Alnwick prejudicial I. Hinson 18a) Trade Waste Investigation Working Personal & Group prejudicial H.W. Philipson 10a) Local Government Reorganisation Personal & Update prejudicial J.A. Taylor 10a) Local Government Reorganisation Personal & Update prejudicial T.N. Thorne 10a) Local Government Reorganisation Personal & Update prejudicial J.G. Watson 10a) Local Government Reorganisation Personal & Update prejudicial J.G. Watson 18a) Trade Waste Investigation Working Personal & Group prejudicial 190. PRESENTATION The Chairman was pleased to welcome Rothbury and Coquetdale Youth Project who wished to explain what activities the youth project had been involved in over the last few years. Representatives present included Tony Sandford, Graham Lockwood, Stuart Athey and students. The Rothbury and Coquetdale Youth Project were thankful for the opportunity to address the Council and showed a video which explained the history of the project. Activities included a gliding residential, trips to the Theatre Royal in Newcastle, Alnwick Playhouse and local productions in Rothbury, one to one sessions to assist with further education, finding jobs and personal problems. Mr. Athey explained that the gliding residential had been a one-off opportunity which had been enjoyed immensely by the students. It took time to build 2 APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 1 relationships with the young people and relationships were the key to good youth work. Councillor Bridgett explained that he had been involved in the project for a number of years and thanked all those involved which had helped him to develop to the position he now held. The funding from Alnwick District Council helped build a future for young people. In answer to a question, it was confirmed that the young people participated in community activities such as litter picks and the cleaning of telephone boxes. The students had particularly enjoyed the gliding activity but were also grateful for the opportunity to meet several times a week. The Chairman thanked those present for attending and was happy to see what could be done. 191. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE The Chairman reported that:- • He had attended various functions including: greeting new students from St. Cloud University; a preview of the Alnwick Music festival; Battle of Britain service; meetings with various Town and Parish Councils, presentation of Regimental Colours to the Queen’s Own Yeomanry at Alnwick Castle. • A trophy had been received for the work at The Park at the Northumbria in Bloom awards at Alnwick Garden. An award had also been given to Bill Pringle, the Council’s Environmental Services Supervisor in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Northumbria in Bloom. • A Remembrance Service was to be held on Sunday 11th November and was open to all Members who were able to attend. The Chairman of the Council referred to the recent tragedy on the A1 and suggested that a meeting should be arranged with representatives from the Highways Authority and Northumbria Police. Action to address the problem was long overdue and had been highlighted in a study by Arup four years ago. Several of the Members commented on the unsatisfactory crossings on the A1 and were in support of a meeting with the relevant authorities to progress the matter. It was noted that there were a larger number of speed cameras on the A1 and A697 north of the border. Problems also arose in Newton on the Moor which was not equipped for diversions when the A1 was shut. RESOLVED: that the Chairman of the Council arrange a meeting with the Highways Authority and Northumbria Police to address the problems on the A1. 3 APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 1 192. MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS The minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on the 17th July, 2007 and the Special Meeting of the Council held on 14th August, 2007, insofar as they were open to the public, were presented for confirmation. RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 17th July, 2007 and the Special Meeting of the Council held on 14th August, 2007, insofar as they were open to the public, be confirmed as a true and correct record. 193. MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS The minutes of the meetings of the following Committees, insofar as they were open to the public, were presented for confirmation. RESOLVED: that the minutes of the following Committees, insofar as they were open to the public, be confirmed as a true and correct record, subject to the above amendment:- Development Control Committee 24th July, 2007 Licensing Sub Committee (2) 25th July, 2007 Development Control Committee 28th August, 2007 Licensing Committee 11th September, 2007 Operations Executive Committee 11th September, 2007 Licensing Sub-Committee 18th September, 2007 Policy Executive Committee 18th September, 2007 Special Meeting of the Policy 24th September, 2007 Scrutiny and Overview Committee Development Control Committee 25th September, 2007 Operations Scrutiny and 2nd October, 2007 Overview Committee Policy Scrutiny and 9th October, 2007 Overview Committee 194. DECISIONS NOT SUBJECT TO THE CALL-IN PROCEDURES In accordance with paragraph 13.9 of Part 4 of the Constitution, it was reported that the following decisions had been made since the last meeting of the Council, which had not been subject to the Call-In Procedure due to the fact that they were urgent, namely:- Minute No./ Item Reason Committee 121/07-08 Regional Spatial Strategy Comments had been submitted – Comments on in advance of the deadline of 6th Operations Proposed Changes May August, 2007 prior to Executive 2007 consideration of the item by the Committee. 4 APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 1 122/07-08 Briefing on Comments had been submitted Northumberland County in advance of the deadline of Operations Council’s Minerals and 10th August, 2007 prior to Executive Wastes Development consideration of the item by the Framework preferred Committee. options for the Core Strategy, Site Specific Allocations and Policies and the Development Control Framework 195. LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION UPDATE At the Special Meeting of the Council on 14th August, 2007 it had been agreed that a Local Government Reorganisation Working Group be established. The first meeting of the working group had been held on 26th September, 2007 when consideration was given to the terms of reference. The proposed terms of reference were presented to Members of the Council for approval. The Chief Executive reported that concern had been expressed by the Chairman of the Policy Scrutiny and Overview Committee regarding the lack of accountability and scrutiny and depending on what was agreed by Members, it might be necessary to amend the fourth term of reference regarding delegation of authority to the Chief Executive in the event that an urgent decision was required. Members had been sent a copy of the judgement for the Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council High Court judicial review. The Chief Executive understood that an appeal against the decision was likely to be made to the Court of Appeal. He advised that the joint Northumberland judicial review action by Alnwick, Berwick, Castle Morpeth and Blyth Valley was ‘stayed’ awaiting the outcome of the Shrewsbury and Atcham case and neither side would incur any further costs until the earlier case was settled. It was suggested that members might wish to add a further recommendation giving delegated authority to the Chief Executive following consultation with the Leader of the Council to withdraw the legal challenge if this was considered appropriate in light of on-going discussions. The Leader of the Council stated that in some circumstances it would be necessary for the working group to respond quickly and it had therefore been decided that it should comprise of a small carefully balanced number of Members although all Members were invited to attend and take part in meetings and several had participated at the first meeting.