Minutes Minutes of meeting of Bavington Parish Council held on Thursday November 2017, commencing 7pm at Great Bavington URC Church meeting room Those Present: In Attendance: Present: Peter Acton (Vice Chairman), Nicola Bell, Richard Taylor, John Spearman, Catherine Hogg In Attendance: Claire Miller (Clerk), two members of the public, John Riddle (County Cllr)

With regret, Chairman Carol Brodie had sadly passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, and it was thought appropriate the Parish Council should donate to the Gynae Oncology Fund at Freeman Hospital, and this would be discussed further down the agenda.

## 2017/38 Apologies for Absence

None.

## 2017/39 Disclosure of interests by members regarding agenda items

Nicola Bell declared an interest in Church Hall annual hire charge.

## 2017/40 Vacancy

Notice of Vacancy needs to be displayed and if ten electors request an election within 14 working days, an election would take place. However if this does not occur, a member can be co-opted.

## 2017/41 Election of Chairman and Election of Vice Chairman

As the present Vice Chairman, John Spearman proposed Peter Acton to Chair tonight’s meeting, Richard Taylor seconded, all in agreement. Election of Chairman to be confirmed at a later meeting.

## 2017/50 Dangerous bend, B6342 Little Bavington – item moved up the agenda

Member of the public wished to speak about a recent accident that had occurred to a visitor whilst pulling out the junction, with a collision involving two motorbikes, this being among many near misses in the area, and there was grave concern regarding danger with heavy wagons in this area. The ideal scenario would be a 30mph speed limit, along with concealed driveway signage. County Council had been contacted who had stated if there was the backing of the Parish Council and County Councillor, they would take the matter seriously, and would be prepared to carry out traffic surveying. Nicola Bell proposed and Richard Taylor seconded the Parish Council fully support the initiative, all in agreement - clerk to contact Neil Snowdon and County Cllr John Riddle.

Cllr John Riddle arrived after this discussion and was given an update, and would himself speak to County Council Highway’s, however realistically, granite sets across the road could be the answer, as maintenance on flashing lights are high cost. Sharp bend/Concealed entrance signage would be beneficial. Other road areas in need of concern discussed, conduit on road to Kirkwhelpington causing flooding, which had been reported on numerous occasions by Kirkwhelpington Parish Council. A drain had been dug out last winter near to Bavington Mount’s boundary on the road between farm entrance and Hallington, which is now causing flooding on the road. Discussions ongoing at County Hall regarding what was to be the new County Hall site at Ashington, with quite a few large retail companies interested in the site. Renovations to County Hall to commence this month. Development company Arch are under investigation; loan for Garden Village at Dissington had been cancelled; old planning policies still being relied on; County Council had recently lost planning decision in April 2016 for houses at New Hartley as County Council could not demonstrate the five year supply of available housing land. Community Led Housing involves building houses for local people in perpetuity with Community Action Northumberland carrying out information sessions, and funding available. North of Tyne devolution deal decision awaited; Border lands initiative ongoing; forensic auditors employed to assess the true finances of the County Council; corporate plan to be released in the next couple of months.

## 2017/42 2017/42 Approval of minutes taken at the meeting held August 2017

John John Spearman proposed and Richard Taylor seconded the minutes of the previous meeting held August 2017 be accepted as a true record, all in agreement.

## 2017/43 Ray Wind Farm Update

Nothing to report.

## 2017/44 2017/44 Matters arising from meeting held August 2017