MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2026 AT STAKEFORD AND BOMARSUND SPORT AND SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRE
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Cllr H Allsopp (arrived at item 7)
Cllr K Burn
Cllr D FitzGerald
Cllr J Foster (arrived at item 3)
Cllr D Holmes
Cllr M Jackson
Cllr J Rowell (Chairman)
Cllr L Watson
IN ATTENDANCE:
Ms A Brindley Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, Mr D Iley Finance Officer, Mr R Delap (Operations Manager)
C044/26 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies of absence were received and accepted with a valid reason for absence from Cllr A Cottrell (annual leave)
C045/26 2. DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER DISCLOSABLE INTERESTS.
Members who are also County Councillors were assured by the Clerk that the Planning matters on the agenda were for information and would not be discussed. Cllr L Watson declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 3 and left the meeting during this discussion. Cllrs D FitzGerald, M Jackson and Cllr H Allsopp as Trustees of Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 14 and left the meeting during this discussion.
Cllr L Watson left the meeting
C046/26 3. CO-OPTION TO FILL A CASUAL VACANCY FOR STAKEFORD WARD.
Members considered the application for the casual vacancy and in a secret ballot elected David Holmes as a ward councillor for Stakeford.
Cllr L Watson returned to the meeting
C047/26 4. PUBLIC QUESTIONS.
No questions from the public had been received
C048/26 5. PLANNING MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION.
Members considered planning applications for this quarter without comment. Members were informed that a planning application for housing along Barrington Road that the Parish Council had commented on, had been granted.
C049/26 6. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF 1 July 2026
The minutes were received and approved as a true record, Cllr Foster requested that her apologies be added, which was approved.
C050/26 7. MATTERS ARISING
CO39/25 Planning Meeting for data centre have submitted concerns. Members noted a public meeting has been arranged by East Bedlington Parish Council on 6.30 1st October to discuss Data Centres.
C051/26 8. TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF 14 JULY 2026
The minutes were noted by the Parish Council
C052/26 9. TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF 22 JULY 2026
The minutes were noted by the Parish Council.
C053/26 10. TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF 2 SEPTEMBER 2026
The minutes were noted by the Parish Council.
C054/26 11. THE PARISH CLERKS REPORT
- Finance Report. Members received a report from the Finance Officer on expenditure made and income received in the 1st Quarter of the year. This information will be placed on the Parish Council website.
- Bank Reconciliation. Members considered the bank reconciliations for June, July and August and approved that they are signed by the Chairman
- Financial Performance for the 1st Quarter. Members referred this item to the Finance Committee for detailed consideration.
- Health and Safety Report. Members received the quarterly report for consideration, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.
RESOLVED: To approve actions in respect of the Health and Safety Report
5. Current issues. Members noted that this agenda item is for information and updates of current issues. Members are not required to make decisions but can note the information in preparation for consideration at future meetings.
Pantomime: There is an opportunity to bring a professional pantomime to the Welfare for one performance in November. Members were enthusiastic about the opportunity in principle and requested that it should appear on the Finance agenda for approval.
Festive lights: Members noted the usual display was taking place at the Half Moon roundabout, at West Sleekburn, at the Swan crossing and at Guide Post trees around the roundabout. Options are being discussed with the Lighting Manager at NCC regarding the Guide Post roundabout tree. Since a road traffic accident into the tree, the cascade method of dressing has been difficult. We may use floodlights on lighting columns to light up the tree on the roundabout itself. There are start up costs of over £5k associated with this method but it may pay for itself if it does not require recurring repair costs. The Council is awaiting further information regarding this option and will bring this back to the Finance Committee for confirmation.
Library: The Parish Council met with library staff at Guide Post Library last week. The space appears to be adequate to accommodate a table for small group meetings, while also allowing the existing book service to continue. The main discussion centred on the shared use of the building with the School Library Service.
Several practical points were raised:
- The building is not always staffed, so if we were to hold community activities there, we would need a way of opening and securing the building at the beginning and end of each session.
- The kitchen is located at the far end of the building, and some access issues which would need to be resolved if we were to use the facilities.
- The toilets are located upstairs at the end of the building that we would occupy and are suitable for our use. However, there is currently no public access to the toilets.
The Library Service is preparing an agreement setting out the terms and conditions of use, which should include solutions to the above issues and financial details. If proposed arrangements can be agreed, we may be able to begin using the space in January on a trial basis.
The library service has invited members to attend a volunteer led service at South Beach Library on 6th October.
Cleaswell Park: The introductory sessions to the gym equipment at Cleaswell Park have just ended – Fitness with Natalie- has been attended and enjoyed by several residents. Cleaswell School had some students in attendance for a couple of sessions also. Natalie was a great asset showing people how to use the equipment safely and creatively within their own limits. Some have said they will use independently and another person said they would try to get a group going to meet and use the equipment together.
Playzone – during the summer we sponsored PFC to go down to Playzone for informal football play which attracted up to twenty youngsters.
Young Futures Hub: Following a press release last week announcing that Northumberland County Council had received £600,000 to invest in two new Young Futures Hubs across the County, the Parish Council submitted a proposal for one of the hubs to be located within the Parish and had received an encouraging response from the Cabinet member leading the process.
Members expressed strong support for the project and thanked the Operations Manager for the initiative.
Neighbourhood Plan: Members were advised that the draft plan will be completed by the end of next week. There is however a lengthy process towards completion estimated to be around September 2027. Members noted the timetable provided by our consultant.
- PC agree initial draft of Plan – late September/early October 2026.
- NCC undertake HRA/SEA screening and prepare policies map – October 2026.
- PC undertake pre-submission consultation – November/December 2026
- PC consider consultation responses and update Plan – January/February 2027
- PC finalise submission documents and, if necessary, update HRA/SEA screening and policies map – March 2027
- PC submit Plan to NCC – April 2027
- NCC publicise submitted Plan and appoint examiner – May/June 2027
- Examination – June/July 2027
- Referendum – September 2027
Environmental Report: The operations Manager presented an environmental report provided in respect of the Climate funding received for the wild flower planting earlier in the year. It was circulated for information to members and signed off by the Chairman.
Grasscutter purchase: Members noted that during budget discussions it was agreed that purchase of a grasscutter would take place at the end of the season. Members were advised that an ex-demo grasscutter had become available and agreed that Officers and a NCC local services representative should inspect the vehicle with a view to purchase in the next week. A quotation had been obtained and will be presented to the Finance Committee.
C055/26 12. CASUAL VACANCY PROCEDURE.
RESOLVED: Members considered and approved the procedure
C056/26 13. PROCEDURE FOR THE ELECTION OF COMMITTEE POSITION
RESOLVED: Members considered and approved the procedure
Cllrs H Allsopp, D FitzGerald J Foster and M Jackson left the meeting
C057/26 14. GRANT REQUEST
RESOLVED: £500 awarded to Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare as a contribution towards Bomarsund cricket club pavilion costs.
Cllrs H Allsopp, D FitzGerald J Foster and M Jackson returned to the meeting
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20pm
Signed ……………………………………….. date