Minutes of Choppington Parish Council 18 September 2024

AGENDA

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2024

AT 6.00PM AT

STAKEFORD AND BOMARSUND SPORTS AND SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRE

Agenda – Part 1

1. To accept apologies for absence and to remind members that any Member not attending a meeting of the Council for six consecutive months will be deemed to be no longer a member of the Parish Council.
2. Members will identify any declarations of disclosable pecuniary and other registerable interest(s).
3. Public Questions (Please read the note below).
4. Any planning matters for consideration.
5. To receive and adopt the minutes of the Parish Council held on 10 July 2024.
6. Any matters arising.
7. To receive and note the minutes of the Finance Committee 24 July 2024
8. To receive and note the minutes of the Community Development and Environment Committee of 11 September 2024.
9. Parish Clerk’s Report
10. Finance Report. Members will receive a report from the PC/RFO on expenditure made and income received since the last meeting of the Parish Council.  This information will be placed on the Parish Council website.
11. Financial Performance to the end of the financial quarter. Members will be asked to refer this item to the Finance Committee for detailed consideration.
12. Health and Safety report. Members are requested to consider the report and advise if further action is required.
13. External Audit. Results of the AGAR are notified usually during the August and reported at this meeting.  The Parish Clerk has been advised by Mazars that this is awaiting review, and if it is received in time, it will be presented at the meeting.
14. Consideration of the submission to the Local Transport Plan. Northumberland County Council has requested that the Parish Council submit our 3 priorities for the LTP 2024-25 programme.  Members are asked to give this consideration. (deferred from meeting of 10 July 2024)
15. Authorised signatories. To review signatories to current and investment accounts (this item may be considered under part 2).

Agenda – Part 2.  Members will be asked to consider if there are matters that in consideration of Standing Order 3d and because of their special and confidential nature, require the exclusion of press and public.

1. Consideration of any matters referred from Agenda Part 1.
2. Members will consider requests for grants from community groups.

Notes to be read in connection with Agenda Items 2 and 3

Note for the Public – Members of the public may attend but access will be on a first come first served basis.  Public questions can be notified to the Parish Clerk before 12noon on the day of the meeting and will be read out in the meeting during the public session.  As usual, it is not the Council’s custom to respond during the public session.  Where appropriate the Chairman will inform the resident of the action to be taken, that is, passed to a committee; go on the next agenda; or the points will be taken into consideration if already on the agenda

 Angela Brindley

Parish Clerk

11 September 2024

MINUTES OF THE CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2024.

THOSE ATTENDING:

Cllr H Allsopp

Cllr J Foster (Arrived at the commencement of agenda item 9.3)

Cllr G Huntley

Cllr A Iley

Cllr J Rowell

Cllr Vaughan (Chair)

Cllr L Watson

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs A Brindley, Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, Mr D L Nicholson, Deputy Parish Clerk, Mr D Iley Admin/Finance Officer.

AGENDA PART 1

C049/24         1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Cllr K Burn (leave) The meeting accepted this as a proper reason for non-attendance.

C050/24         2.         DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(s).

Cllr J Foster previously indicated a registerable interest in Agenda item 4 should she be in attendance.

C051/24         3.         PUBLIC QUESTIONS.

The Parish Clerk reported no questions have been submitted.

C052/24         4.         PLANNING MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION.

Re 24/02182/FUL Ringway Primary School.  Members were advised that the Parish Clerk had informed residents of changes made to the planning application, reporting concerns they raised, which broadly reflect the comments made by the Parish Council to NCC. The Parish Clerk was requested to include residents’ comments in the final response to a consultation request from the planning authority.

C053/24         5.         TO RECEIVE AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 10 JULY 2024.

The meeting agreed the minutes represented a true record of the meeting and signed as such by the Chairman and placed in the public domain.

C054/24         6.         MATTERS ARISING.

C044/24 3. The Parish Clerk reported that all actions have been undertaken.

C055/24         7.         TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD ON 24 JULY 2024.
                                    Members received and noted the minutes.

C056/24         8.         TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2024.

Members received and noted the minutes.

C057/24         9.         PARISH CLERKS REPORT.

1. Finance Report. Members received a report from the RFO on expenditure made and income received since the last meeting of the Parish Council. Members examined the report and noting the items brought to their attention by the Parish Clerk.  This information will be placed on the Parish Council website.
2. Financial Performance to the end of the financial quarter. Members received the budget report and referred this item to the Finance Committee for detailed consideration.
3. Health and Safety report. Members received the quarterly report for consideration, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Members were advised that woodland paths were subject to 6 monthly joint inspections together with NCC with monthly debris checks performed by CPC.
4. External Audit. Results of AGAR, The Parish Council has received the results of the audit and this has been placed on the Website. Two items to bring to the attention of the Council.  The date of publishing the notice of public rights on the website that was given to the auditor was incorrect, we had published as we should have the day before this date.  In addition the auditor had suggested that the Parish Council should move to .gov.uk email address, which we are in the process of doing.

RESOLVED: Members expressed their appreciation of the work of Parish Council staff, particularly that undertaken by the Parish Clerk and the Admin/Finance officer in preparing AGAR returns.

C058/24         10.       CONSIDERATION OF THE SUBMISSION TO THE LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN 2025/26.

Northumberland County Council has requested that the Parish Council submit 3 priorities for the LTP 2024/25 programme. Members considered requests submitted by residents and known safety problems.

RESOLVED: The Parish Council proposed the following schemes be suggested to Northumberland County Council for inclusion in the Local Transport Plan 2025/26 after consultation with Highways in the next week.

1. Road safety measure along Stakeford Lane
2. Road safety measures to improve pedestrian safety Ashington Drive and associated areas.
3. Surface improvements to Stakeford Crescent, Cambridge Road and Oxford Road

C059/24    11.       AUTHORISED SIGNATORIES

The Parish Clerk invited members to review signatories to current and investment accounts.

RESOLVED:  Members agreed the following persons be authorised signatories:

PSV, JR, GH, AI, HA, AB and DLN

Agenda – Part 2.  No matters for consideration.

Chairman                                                                             Date

Item 9.1  18 September 2024

9.2

Item 9.3

Health and Safety report to Parish Council meeting 11 September 2024

Background

Health and Safety items covered in this report relate to:

1. Parish council as an employer

1. The following equipment/premises

1. Play areas
2. Bus shelters (not for the ground it stands on)

• Allotments (Site at Bomarsund)

1. Parish Office

1. Addition health and safety inspections for:

1. Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare Centre – the Council shares areas of the building has access to the car park and uses surrounding areas for sporting activities.
2. West Sleekburn premises and grounds on behalf of the Trustees of West Sleekburn Hall.

Employees

Covid update.  When working from the office staff are maintaining social distancing.  Moving around the public area staff are required to wear masks. 

Play areas

 The Parish Council maintains the following play areas

            West Sleekburn

            Milburn Grange

            Eastgreen

            Cambridge Road

            Liddells Field

            Welbeck Road

Weekly reports are received from inspections by Northumberland County Council which are reviewed by DLN and DI.  The reports are colour coded to alert the seriousness of any damage or defects. 

Anything marked as a serious alert (red) may be dealt with by the NCC inspector, but this will trigger a visit by a Parish officer and a course of action agreed. 

Allotment site

 DI undertakes monthly inspections of allotments noting the general condition of site, gates, locks, water taps and tracks and any general obstacles.

 Parish Office

All members of staff have responsibility for health and safety on a daily basis

 Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare

DI undertakes monthly inspections of the external area noting the general condition of site, paths, and surfaces.  These are reported to the Welfare Secretary for action.

 West Sleekburn Hall

 DI performs monthly hard surface inspections. 

Updated Report

 Play Areas

Outstanding issues and actions arising from NCC inspections, CPC inspections and ROSPA

Liddells Field – out of action until soft pore is replaced

The climbing frame is identified as a low risk with rusting and missing tabs, we have painted the underside bolts.  The ladybird rocker is missing a decorative bolt on the tail which has left a whole which needs to be covered. The goalposts require painting and perhaps require moving along to better grassed surface as the goal mouth is on well worn grass.  We are still on lookout for larger set of goals that can be modified with a batten on back to stop ball going through completely.

Currently replacing soft pore across all areas.

Cambridge Road

Caps missing that cover bolts on seesaw but no risk, rope on activity fraying but it is something to keep a watch on.   One of the 5 swings has been removed due to vandalism and requires a new shackle. General point that there is bird fouling on swings, which we are going to put cable ties on the apex.

Church Avenue

ROSPA made the comment that we should speak to Kompan regarding carousel which has a ground clearance of less than 400mm minimum clearance.  Parish Clerk has emailed for comment.  There is a cut in the rope which has been taped over and is to be monitored.

Morpeth Road

The stand and spin repair has been made.  The gate gets caught on the ground if it is opened wider than 90 degrees, however it closes correctly if this does not happen.  Matting is exposed under swing which will require replacing or reseeding.  Contractor has been advised of the work.

Eastgreen

There is a slight cut in the soft pore which needs monitoring.  Gate is not closing completely which requires oiling.  Swing has spare links which requires removing, pavement is cracked that requires removing.  The seat is damaged and requires replacing, we are researching smaller seats for this area to move away from perimeter fence.

Milburn Grange

Soft pore under swing and around roundabout is wearing but no risk.  Bird fouling over swing requires cable ties on apex.  The rocker bird has rusty spring which we will overpaint with hammerite.

All bins without lids have now been replaced

Allotment site

Issues to note

No change – Still awaiting plainings for pot holes to entrance of site

Water boxes require repair, DPC has had a template prepared.

Parish Office – No change

 Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare – the spectator barrier along the perimeter of the field is no longer used but it has concrete uprights strengthened with metal spikes.  As the uprights crumble the metal is exposed and it requires us to cut them down so that it is not a hazard.

West Sleekburn Hall – There is evidence of slight damage to the left had side of the external entrance.

Fire Regulations:  Both West Sleekburn Village Hall and Welfare have had fire extinguisher checks in recent weeks and have purchased new extinguishers.

Actions to be considered

To consider the report and direct the Parish Clerk on any issue raised that require further action.

A Brindley

Parish Clerk

11 September 202

Agenda Item 10

Local Transport Plan Capital Programme 2025-26

 Northumberland County Council requests 3 priorities from each Parish and Town Council to be considered for inclusion in their capital programme of interventions.

Requests are assessed against the following criteria:

1. a) Overcome Inequality and Grow Our Economy
2. b) Carbon Neutral Transport
3. c) Healthier North East
4. d) Appealing Sustainable Transport Choices
5. e) Safe, secure network.

Other Criteria:

1. f) Part of a package of measures
2. g) Community Priority
3. h) Attracts External Funding or Synergy with other projects

Scoring

2 = contributes to the criteria

1 = makes some contribution

0 = no contribution

The potential cost of schemes is also considered when developing the programme. For instance, the total funding provided annually by central government for LTP highways improvements is approximately £1.7m.

In the guidance it does say that it is unlikely that individual schemes requiring significant funding will be included in the LTP capital programme (eg major junction improvements, extensive cycleways)

The following is the result of our previous submission

The following is a list of request from residents reported to NCC