MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 11 FEBRUARY 2026
Members present:
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr K Burn
Cllr G Huntley (Chairman)
Cllr M Jackson
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr L Watson
In attendance:
Ms A Brindley Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, Mr R Delap OM, David Nicholson DPC, David Iley FAO.
CD&E 31/25 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
None received
CD&E 32/25 2. MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(S).
None were received
CD&E 33/25 3. PUBLIC QUESTIONS.
The Parish Clerk reported no questions had been notified.
The meeting agreed to bring forward item 6 on the agenda – Presentation from members of the Holy Family Youth Club. This youth club is supported by the Parish Council.
CD&E 34/25 4. PRESENTATION FROM HOLY FAMILY YOUTH CLUB.
As part of its Youth Strategy, the Parish Council had resolved to promote and encourage the active involvement of young people in the work of the Council. An invitation was extended to the youth group located at the Holy Family Church and supported by the Parish Council. Four Youth Club members agreed to attend to update members on their activities and to request an additional session is put on for an older age group.
Members enjoyed the power point presentation which included some amusing graphics and questions were addressed by the youth club in a professional and confident manner. Members expressed their appreciation for the attendance of the group and agreed to take into consideration the points that had been made. It was hoped that they could be involved in future projects with the Parish Council.
CD&E 035/25 5. TO RECEIVE AND AGREE AS A TRUE RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 26 NOVEMBER 2025
Meeting agreed the minutes as a true record and approved the signing of the minutes by the Chairman
D&E 036/25 6. TO CONSIDER MATTERS ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES NOT ALREADY ON THE AGENDA
The Parish Clerk reported CD&E 025/25 that the Council is awaiting quotations for the barriers which will be considered at the Parish Council meeting on 11 March 2026.
CD&E 028/25 Safeguarding training has been arranged for Monday 23 March.
CD&E 030/25 Community Governance Review – stage 1 is now open for public consultation and closes 30 April 2026. The County Council is seeking views from local people, community groups, voluntary organisations and stakeholders regarding boundaries and number of Councillors for Parish Councils. The Parish Council’s initial informal submission was for the status quo. The Parish Council is now being asked to formally make a submission.
CD&E 037/25 7. TO RECEIVE A VERBAL UPDATE FROM THE PARISH CLERK ON CURRENT ISSUES INCLUDING:
- Wildflower Corridor. In anticipation of the local services review next year by NCC, the Council agreed during the budget-setting process to use this year to identify suitable areas within the parish where biodiversity can be encouraged to flourish, without compromising the visual amenity of green spaces. One consideration is the extension of the wildflower corridor along the hedge line of Ringway. Fortuitously, a net zero grant of up to £5K is available, which the wildflower corridor project may satisfy. The Operations Manager presented the meeting with images of where the proposed wildflower corridor would be but advised that this full scheme would take more than £5K to complete.
RESOLVED: Members approved the bid application.
- PlayZone. The Operations Manager advised that the PlayZone still required an electricity supply, the installation of the defibrillator and the activation of the booking system. In a further update Members were presented with images of proposed gym equipment supplied Kompan. The gym equipment was included in budget setting as phase 2 of Cleaswell Park. Members previous discussions had agreed on non-moving gym equipment and Members suggested that they should visit a park to experience the efficacy of similar gym equipment.
RESOLVED: To arrange a site visit to one of the parks in the area
Pathways. The Operations Manager presented images of the pathway from the proposed barrier to the play area at Liddells Field. The Parish Council would require CISWO approval to place a path on this ground. Budget setting discussions also included the widening of the path to Church Avenue play area.
RESOLVED: Members approved the seeking of quotations for this work
Cherry Tree Corner. Members were presented with proposals for the improvement of the corner opposite the Cherry Tree pub, at the junction of Wansbeck Avenue and Stakeford Lane. Whilst looking for a replacement seat for this area, it was apparent that the planters needed replacement and the area would benefit from a complete refurbishment, with the proposal that the existing flower beds and planters are replaced with decorative stones and tiered planters. The Operations Manager reported that highways would look at the unstable paving in the area, and the area required a clean. There are also decorative cobbles in the area that were past their best and required managing.
RESOLVED: Members approved the seeking of quotations for this work
Seating. The Operations Manager advised that current seating is a mix of styles, and it would be desirable for there to be one style of seating on the streets, however, he was considering a different style for the Riverside Park which requires more informal type of seating. Members were shown images of proposed styles of seating that were under consideration in metal and in wood.
Easter Activities. Members were updated on school holiday activities that included the commissioning of Melanie Fox of MAKE at Ashington to deliver 2 workshops as drop ins for Easter themed crafts during the 2nd week of the school holidays. One session would take place at Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare and the other at the Scout hut at Guide Post.
Large Bins. Cllrs G Huntley and L Watson had volunteered on one of the wettest and coldest days of the week to accompany officers and an NCC operative around the area, siting a large bin in areas of high usage to visualise if it looked too obtrusive in a busy environment. The group identified up to 9 places where these bins could be sited without problem. The Council will need to also liaise with highways before replacing the current bins.
RESOLVED: Members approved the placing of a minimum order of 10 bins in green
CD&E 038/25 8. TO RECEIVE THE REPORT ON INTERACTIVE SIGNAGE
The Parish Clerk introduced the report for information. Northumberland County Council’s Highways Department can install interactive speed signs as part of targeted road safety measures identified through its traffic monitoring and assessment processes. These devices are used to help improve driver awareness and encourage compliance with speed limits in locations where concerns have been evidenced. In addition, County Councillors may choose to fund interactive speed signs through their Members’ Local Infrastructure Scheme (MLIS) allocations. Where signs are provided through this route, ongoing maintenance arrangements may be agreed locally and undertaken by the relevant Parish Council.
The report details the interactive signs in the Parish, identifying those covered by Choppington Parish Council with the liability for maintenance by Choppington Parish Council. The expectation is for this to be agreed by Northumberland County Council as their understanding also of the situation. The Parish Clerk has shared the information with the Highways department as it is yet to receive confirmation from them.
RESOLVED: Members received the report
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.
No items for consideration
There being no further matters requiring consideration the meeting concluded at 7.20 pm
Chairman………………………………………………………..Dated……………………