1 Apologies for absence: Councillors Mr J Heir, Mrs C MacKay, Mr A Clark

2 Parking Issues: The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming PC Kilburn who has recently taken over as the Community Police Constable at Amble, and whilst he primarily covers Amble, he shares policing in Warkworth with Alnwick police.

PC Kilburn said that he was there to address some of the parking issues that the Council and the residents have and appreciated that whilst Warkworth was a medieval village layout, room had to be made for the motor car. He asked whether the cars parked on Castle Street were residents' or vistors', the Council agreed it was mostly residents, that this was not an issue for some of the residents living there, as they felt they have nowhere else to park (although there are frequently empty spaces in Dial Place). PC Kilburn said that he felt that there had to be a common sense approach, balancing the residents' desire to feel that their cars were safe outside their doors against the blocking of the footpath.
Discussion took place and it was agreed that a heavy handed approach would not be helpful, but if cars were parked in a manner that would cause danger to others, action would be taken. It was explained that although a Traffic Warden covers Warkworth occasionally he will normally only take action if complaints are made. Councillor Mr Watson said that he had received another letter from a resident complaining about the parking on Castle Street. He also explained to PC Kilburn the changes that will be made to the double yellow lines by the Council.
Visitors to the meeting then raised several suggestions to improve the situation as follows:
Q: Were traffic calming measures, similar to those on The Butts, possible?
A: No, as it is a class A road.
Q: Could a 20 mph speed limit be imposed?
A: The Council had tried to get this introduced without success.
Q: A residents' parking permit (one per household) be given to each householder on Castle Street.
A: Very difficult to enforce and monitor as the County Council would have to do this, and empty spaces could not be utilized during the day.

It was stated that in the last resort it was agreed that the only way to prevent parking on the pavements would be to introduce bollards.

The Chairman asked PC Kilburn about any other problems in the village, and he replied that poaching, road traffic accidents and damage to parked cars caused mainly by HGVs passing through the village were most common, that there was nothing on the drugs front and no disorder. Generally Warkworth enjoyed a low level of crime. Drinkers from the pubs gathering at the village cross was mentioned as a problem in the summer months, and it was felt that the new no smoking rules in pubs would push more people onto the street.

Parking on Barns Road was mentioned with both visitors and residents parking half on the pavement. PC Kilburn said that this could be remedied and action would be taken if information was supplied by residents.

Councillor Mr Watson explained that Warkworth started at the end of the Wynd at Amble, and various measures were discussed to slow the traffic at that point. Councillor Watson will try to get a red "30" sign painted onto the road surface.

The accidents on the Killicrankie bend on the road to Alnmouth were discussed, and the camber of the road at that point. It was felt that a different road surface would provide better traction and prevent the many accidents that occur. Councillor Mr Watson will write to Dick Fraser, Highways Dept, County Council and suggest that the road be straightened and the surface improved.

The Clerk to write to Cheviot Foods requesting that they ask the many HGVs visiting their plant to access the A1068 via the West Chevington Road, rather than travel through the village, as they can cause problems.

The Chairman thanked PC Kilburn for attending the meeting.

3 Minutes of the last meeting: The Minutes of the last meeting were approved, and had been posted on both boards and the Warkworth Web Site.

4 Matters Arising:

Notice Boards: The new Parish Council board is now in place, and the old wooden board refurbished. The larger Parish board does now enable plans to be displayed, for example the proposed traffic calming on The Butts, and a proposed Telecommunications Mast, that are on the board at the moment.

Tourist Information Boards: Councillor Elliott said that he was now in a position to apply for funding for this board in conjunction with the one being erected by the Rotary Club on Rotary Way. He also had been approached by Martin Paminter of the St Oswald's Way project, which is a proposed 90 mile walk from Holy Island, through the village, and on to Hadrian's Wall, via Rothbury. As most of the footpaths are already in place, it is hoped to open the St Oswald's Way during the Summer and Mr Paminter had requested an interpretive board be placed in Warkworth, funding being in place for a lectern style display. Discussion took place as to whether these should be side by side, back to back and where they should be placed. To be progressed further.

Seats: Both seats now delivered and Mr Kirkup's seat now in place. A brass plaque to be ordered. Mr Kirkup has requested that a planter be supplied with the balance of the funds and Warkworth in Bloom to meet to decide on the style of the planter.

The Pant: Councillor Dr Cox had contacted Northumberland Estates about ownership of the Pant but to date has had no reply, and had found on contacting the Archive Service that they were not dealing with enquiries at present as they were moving premises. Matter ongoing.

Sculpture: Councillor Dr Cox suggested that as the sculpture could not go on the bus island, the next best place would be the Millenium Garden. Marie Goodenough would like to be involved with the siting of the sculpture. Councillor Dr Cox to investigate funding.

Street Lighting: A proposal has gone into the County Council, for the supply of four heritage style street lamps, two on the corner at the Sun, one on Castle Terrace and one at the top of Castle Street. The money remaining in Councillor Mr Watson's NCC Small Schemes fund for this year should be enough to cover the cost of the lights.

Car Parking: The parking survey being undertaken by the Highways Dept of County Council is now complete. Councillor Wilson commented that the newly painted bays at Dial Place are 4 foot too long, and that if cars parked at the back of the bay they would obstruct traffic at the narrower sections. Councillor Ward said that a recommended size for a parking bay was 2.4 x 4 metres, and that the bays may be longer than those entered on the plan submitted by Warkworth Parish Council. He had also reduced the motor cycle bays, which were thought to be too large and car parking spaces lost as a consequence. The Clerk to write to Dick Frazer, Highways Dept regarding the removal of one of the motor cycle bays.

Stonework: Councillors Coulter, Heir and Watson met the Engineer in charge of the bridge works to discuss improvement in the approach to the bridge, and mentioned the erosion to the stonework. The Engineer will contact the Environment Department about this matter. Discussion took place about various ways to improve the approach, including painting the railings by the bridge, and the provision of a new planter. Councillor Coulter to progress, but is aware that this must happen in the next few weeks.

No 21 Bridge Street: Councillor Mr Watson said that he had spoken to Derek Redman, but that there was nothing his department could do about the house unless complaints were made about damp penetrating to adjoining buildings or vermin.

Dolphin See Saw: This is now in place in the play park.

5 Correspondence Received:

6 Finance:

7 Plans:

8 Any Other Business

Warkworth leaflet: Councillor Mr Watson showed the meeting a leaflet which is nearing completion, and will be delivered shortly to every house in the village by councillors. The leaflet would be an informative document explaining to residents what the Parish Council has done and is doing for the village.

Heritage Bins: Councillors Mr & Mrs Watson had carried out a survey of the signs and litter bins in the village, to check on numbers, style and condition. They found that there were two bins on the Stanners, both of which need replacing; two bins on lamp posts on Bridge Street in poor condition that need to be replaced and a heritage style bin is to be placed by the seat and telephone box on Morwick Road.

The Guilden Road: Sign is rotten and needs to be replaced.

Dial Place: The clamps holding the car parking sign on a post need to be replaced.

New bins to be ordered: Four heritage style and two bins suitable for fastening to posts.

Morwick Road Notice Board: It was suggested that the provision of paving slabs in front of the board, and a way of holding the board open, be investigated and provided if possible.

Sign for Playpark: Councillor Mrs Watson said that William Smith of Barnard Castle provides suitable boards and had given an estimate of approximately £44.00. The wording of the board would be as recommended by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The board to be ordered.

Street Furniture: The issue of too much street furniture was raised, as described in the English Heritage booklet produced at an earlier meeting.

Village Walk: Councillor Elliott suggested that when the Parish Council had their village walk, that they carried out a survey of unnecessary signs etc. at that time.

Heritage lamps and cycle rack: Councillor Ward said that there had been no further progress on the posts around the heritage lamps on Dial Place, or the provision of a cycle rack.

Overgrown Hedge: Councillor Mrs Watson said that an overgrown hedge at the bottom of Brewery Lane was obscuring the "no cycling/horse riding" sign. Councillor Wilson will speak to the residents of the house involved.
Dog Waste Bins. Councillor Wilson said that because of continued fouling of the Ember Path a dog bin was needed at one end, and that she had also been told of problems on the path at the back of Morwick Road, where dog walkers were not disposing of their dog waste bags properly. She suggested re-siting the bin which is on the road approaching the Waterworks, to the end of the Morwick path. A new bin was also needed by the Hermitage landing. Clerk to request more dog bins from the District Council.

Drainage of Castle Playing Field: Councillor Elliott said that Geoff Bell, Southside, had said that an appropriate figure for carrying out drainage work would be £7,000. It was possible that a grant would be available for this work, and this would be investigated.

Well at Wellfield: Councillor Elliott said that the developer of this site, Betts Homes, intends to reinstate the well, providing new stonework and making a path to it from Wellfield. They have approached the Parish Council about placing a plaque at the well giving its history. Costs will be investigated and Councillor Mrs Watson to visit the archives to research the history.

Litter Clean Up: A date of Saturday 8th April was suggested, and Councillor Elliott will contact the Rotary Club and Councillor Mrs Coulter the Youth Club.
Clerk to write to District Council to request black bags and litter spikes.

Beach Road Football Field: The Alnmouth Football Club has reported subsidence on one goal post. Councillor Elliott to inspect.

Warkworth Website: Councillor Mrs Watson suggested that the names of the war dead on the Warkworth War Memorial be put onto the Warkworth Website, in line with other village websites throughout the country. She will contact Joan Robinson with a list of names.

Waterworks: A visitor to the meeting reported that heavy vehicles occasionally took the wrong turning to the Waterworks and got stuck on the lane to the ford. A sign reading "No Heavy Vehicles" was suggested at the entrance to the lane.

9 Date and time of next meeting:

Thursday 6th April at 7.00p.m. in the Memorial Hall.

Stuart Elliott
CHAIRMAN
WARKWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

Tel: 01665 711111