Minutes of Choppington Parish Council 11 March 2026

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2026

STAKEFORD AND BOMARSUND SPORT AND SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRE

MEMBERS PRESENT: 

Cllr H Allsopp

Cllr K Burn

Cllr D Fitzgerald

Cllr J Rowell (Chairman)

Cllr L Watson

IN ATTENDANCE:

Cllr J Beynon (NCC) Ms A Brindley Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, Mr D Iley Finance Officer and Mr R Delap Operations Manager.

C076/25         1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies of absence were received from Cllrs, A Cottrell, J Foster, G Huntley, M Jackson (family commitments) County Councillor R Spriddell was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.

C077/25         2.         DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND

OTHER DISCLOSABLE INTERESTS.

None – any planning matters raised on the agenda were for information only and would not be discussed in any detail.

C078/25         3.         ADDRESS BY Cllr J BEYNON.  The Chairman welcomed Cllr John Beynon, who serves as the politically neutral Chairman of the County Council and represents the authority in his role as Civic Head. Cllr Beynon spoke about his work and responsibilities and, in response to a question, shared his personal experience of the trial waste food collection service that had taken place in the area where he lives.

After his address, he presented a certificate to the inaugural  Parish Clerk, of Choppington David L.Nicholson who is retiring from the Parish Council at the end of March.

C079/25         4.         Public Questions. No questions had been received from the

public.

C080/25         5.         PLANNING MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION.

                        No planning matters

C081/25         6.         TO RECEIVE AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH

COUNCIL OF 19 NOVEMBER 2025 

The minutes were received and approved as a true record, and the Chairman authorised to sign them

C082/25         7.         MATTERS ARISING

C066/25 Internal controls.   Website is almost completed and is accessibility compliant 2.2A

C067/25 Parish clerk report H&S can advise that the roofs of vandalised bus shelters have been repaired at a cost of £1283.00

C083/25         8.         TO RECEIVE AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH

                                    COUNCIL (BUDGET)  OF 21 JANUARY 2026

The minutes were received and approved as a true record, and the Chairman authorised to sign them.

C084/25         9.         MATTERS ARISING

                                    C074/25  Parish Clerk has advised NCC of the precept.

C085/25         10.       TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF 11 FEBRUARY 2026.

 The Parish Council noted the minutes

C086/25         11.        THE PARISH CLERK’ S REPORT

1. Finance Report. Members received a report from the RFO on expenditure made and income received since the last meeting. This information will be placed on the Parish Council website.  Financial Performance for the end of financial quarter.  Members received the report and noted the information.Health and Safety Report. Members received the quarterly report for consideration, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

Maintenance and Repairs: The report identifies all items that are not currently functioning as new, and several of these require ongoing monitoring.

Play Area Gates: The current gates frequently fail to close fully or at the correct speed. The Council will seek to engage a contractor to repair and/or service the gates. The OM  has identified a supplier who can also provide spare parts, which may present a viable solution.

Health & Safety Audit: The Welfare and Parish Council offices have recently undergone a Health & Safety audit. A contractor still needs to be appointed to carry out the required electrical assessment.

Bus Shelters: While not a Health & Safety issue, as previously discussed, several bus shelter metal grills require touch-up work with galvanised paint, and some shelters have signs of graffiti. These locations are currently being identified so that an approved contractor can undertake the necessary painting and remedial work.

RESOLVED: To approve actions required in the report including the approval of engagement of contractors for the repainting of the bus shelters and repair/replacement of play area gates

• Current Issues for Information.  Officers and Councillors had attended a drop in to look at proposals for a data processing centre at West Sleekburn.  Plans showed the boundary as crossing the River Wansbeck around the Castle Island area.  Cllrs raised concerns about the cooling system, environmental issues, the closeness to the nature reserve of castle island and the visual aspect of the building. This was a pre-planning application event and should this progress further, there may be an opportunity to request financial assistance from developers to extend the Wansbeck River path towards the coast

C087/25         12.       ROUNDABOUT AT WILLOW FARM.  Cllr FitzGerald in

his role as County Councillor has requested that the Parish Council support him in reinstating the construction of a roundabout at the opening for Willow Farm.  The Parish Council supported the plans for the Willow Farm development which originally included a roundabout along the A1068 (planning application16/04411/FUL).  Since then a variation order 25/00562/VARYCOon 14 February 2025 removed the condition to construct a roundabout on the A1068.

RESOLVED: To write to Northumberland County Council supporting the reinstatement of the roundabout.

C088/25         13.       STREET FURNITURE.  Due to the confidential nature of this item members resolved to move this item to Agenda Part 2

C089/25         14.       OUTDOOR GYM EQUIPMENT CLEASWELL PARK.  Due to the confidential nature of this item members resolved to move this item to Agenda Part 2

Agenda – Part 2. 

Members resolved that in consideration of standing order 3 and because of

their special and confidential nature, the following items require discussion in

the absence of press and public.

C090/25         STREET FURNITURE. 

1. Members approved the purchase of 10 Glasdon large bins.
2. Deferred the decision on Liddells Field barrier until a further quotation had been received, to be reported at the Finance Committee of 18 March 2026 for a decision.
3. Delegated the decision on the design and colour of seating to the working group of Cllr Allsop, Cllr Rowell, Cllr Jackson and Cllr Watson. To report to the Finance Committeeof 18 March 2026.

C091/25         OUTDOOR GYM. 

Delegated the decision on the design and inclusion of equipment to the working group of Cllr Allsop, Cllr Rowell, Cllr Jackson and Cllr Watson. To report to the Finance Committee of 18 March 2026.

Agenda item 11.1            Parish Council  March 2026

11.3 Budget Report  Parish Council 11 March 2026

Agenda 11.4        Parish Council 11 March 2026
 
Health and Safety report to Parish Council meeting 11 March 2026
 
Background
Health and Safety items covered in this report relate to:
 
Parish council as an employer
 
The following equipment/premises
Play areas
Bus shelters (not for the ground it stands on)
Allotments (Site at Bomarsund)
Parish Office
 
Addition health and safety inspections for:
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.
West Sleekburn premises and grounds on behalf of the Trustees of West Sleekburn Hall.
Employees
 
Parish council has duty of care to employees, to maintain safe working environment
 
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. 
 
Bus Shelters
 
DI performs monthly hard surface inspections and bus shelter conditions
 
Updated Report
 
Play Areas
 
ROSPA inspection reported on 23 July and these outstanding issues and actions arise from NCC inspections, CPC inspections and the most recent ROSPA report
 
Liddells Field –
Although not a health and safety issue 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.  The goalposts still require painting and perhaps require moving along to better grassed surface as the goal mouth is on well-worn grass.  We are buying spray paint and have a contractor looking at this.
A gap has occurred between the treads and the covered handrail of the slide which we have filled with tape.  A better solution is being sought but it looks like a play specialist will be the best solution. ROSPA has identified rusted areas.
Side gate does not close completely; this is an ongoing problem on gates.
 
Cambridge Road
Toddler swing has crack in handle and red upright slightly bent probably due to older children sitting on top of the swing.  We are monitoring it for deterioration.
Rope on activity equipment is cut and is being monitored for deterioration.  
One of the 5 swings has been removed due to vandalism and requires a new shackle; we are awaiting a bigger order with Kompan as there is a disproportionately large delivery charge.  We are rotating the missing swing to allow grass to grow underneath it.
Carousel matting has been repaired by CPC
RoSPA have found the seat to be in poor condition and fixings to concrete require repair.
 
Church Avenue
There is a cut in the rope which will be monitored.
MUGA has a crack in the tarmac.
Statutory sign is cracked, which is currently taped
Fence has foundations exposed
Rocker has foundations exposed
Rocker springs are rusted
Slight bend in toddler swing
 
Morpeth Road
Concrete lip around metal grid at gate is slightly proud of ground, we are looking for a means to level out the ground around it.
Toddler swing has bent bars, and bolt is loose it needs monitoring and assessed as ver low risk
All matting has now been re-laid and seeded. There is some growth of grass coming through.
 
 
Eastgreen
There is a slight cut in the soft pore which needs monitoring. 
Gates are both not closing completely which requires repair. 
Pavement is cracked, whole paving surface may require relaying we are in discussions with contractor regarding repair. 
The seat is damaged and requires replacing, we are researching smaller seats for this area to move away from perimeter fence. 
Litter bin has been removed as bin door was off
3-way rocker requires sanding and rubber handle not in fixed position
Carousel requires painting and there is a loose fixing underneath which we are investigating.
There is a missing cap on the activity centre which requires replacing. This will be ordered once we have a large order due to the delivery charge.
We need to replace the statutory sign which has been removed due to vandalism
 
Milburn Grange
Matting under the swings is exposed and may need relaying.
Wetpour has a crack which requires monitoring.
Bird fouling over swing requires cable ties on apex. 
The rocker bird has rusty spring which we will overpaint with Hammerite however may require replacement.
Gate is closing too quickly
Flat swing is rusted internally and may need replacing monitoring it for deteriation
 
 
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
            Local services will regrass under exposed matting in spring
Swings on to be rotated – matting exposed under flat seats so we will swap cradle and flat seats to allow regrowth.
Annual contract to be obtained to inspect all gates and repair on rotation
Monitoring list to be compiled
All swings to have cable ties overhead to stop birds landing on frame
 
Allotment site
Issues to note
Overlay work on entrance completed
Local team have been into allotment to cut back grass and remove debris.
Maintenance work has been undertaken to bring back two allotments however there is rubbish to remove from the site
 
Parish Office – and Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare
Worknest annual visit re health and safety.  Rob Delap with David Iley lead
 
Outstanding items: 
PAT test required throughout building – has been undertaken
Electrical Assessment – Contractor has been identified
Fire Risk Assessment required – tests of equipment and alarms undertaken weekly however as assessment will formalise the arrangements
Legionella assessment- completed.
 
West Sleekburn Hall – Learning from Worknest will be passed onto Trustees.
There is evidence of slight damage to the left had side of the external entrance.
Outside lighting has been improved. 
 
One of the slats on one of the recycled bench seats in the garden has been snapped off at the end.
 
Bus Shelters
Metal grills may require repainting as there are rust issues in some.
Shelters have been cleaned however roofs need further attention.
 
Fire Regulations:  Both West Sleekburn Village Hall and Welfare have had fire extinguisher checks and purchased new extinguishers last year.
 
Actions to be considered 
To consider the report and direct the Parish Clerk on any issue raised that require further action.                                                                       
Angela Brindley
Parish Clerk
3 March 2026