MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 24 JUNE 2026.
Members present:
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr K Burn
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr M Jackson
Cllr L Watson (Chairman)
In attendance:
Ms A Brindley Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, Mr D Iley Admin/Finance, and Mr R Delap Operations Manager.
CD&E 001/26 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Cllr A Cottrell (family commitment), Cllr D FitzGerald (illness), Cllr J Rowell (prior commitment) all apologies were accepted.
CD&E 002/26 2. MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(S).
Cllr L Watson declared a personal interest in agenda item 10 due to being known to Hilary Elder the holiday play provider. The interest was not deemed prejudicial, therefore Councillor Watson was able to remain in the meeting, and participate fully in the decision making.
CD&E 003/26 3. TO APPOINT A CHAIRMAN TO SERVE FOR 2026/27.
Nominations were received for Cllr G Huntley and Cllr L. Watson. Both confirmed their willingness to stand. A ballot was held, and Cllr L Watson was elected by a simple majority. The Clerk agreed to prepare a detailed procedure note for contested elections to be included into our standing orders.
CD&E 004/26 4. TO APPOINT A VICE-CHAIRMAN TO SERVE FOR 2026/27.
There being no nominations neither prior to the committee meeting nor at the committee meeting it was agreed to add it to the agenda for the next CD&E committee.
CD&E 005/25 PUBLIC QUESTIONS.
The Parish Clerk confirmed the Council had not received any public questions
CD&E 006/26 6. TO RECEIVE AND AGREE AS A TRUE RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 FEBRUARY 2026
The minutes were received and accepted as a true record. The Chairman was authorised to sign as such.
CD&E 007/26 7. TO CONSIDER ANY MATTERS ARISING.
CD&E 037/35. The Parish Clerk advised that grant had been received and that wildflower seeds had been sown in 3 areas.
CD&E 038/25 The Parish Clerk advised that the council had not received a confirmation from highways regarding the responsibilities for interactive signage in the area.
CD&E 008/26 8. TO AGREE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE COMMITTEE.
The terms of refence were accepted as presented.
CD&E 009/26 9. UPDATE FROM THE PARISH CLERK ON CURRENT ISSUES.
- Green Services. The Parish Clerk reported on the meeting with Local Services officers from NCC. Cllr Cottrell was also in attendance for the first part of the meeting due to his specialist knowledge of our green areas. Discussion regarded the wilding of green areas along the Riverside Park. Cllr Cottrell will accompany CPC officers to identify where this can be accomplished before the next meeting with NCC. In the second part, the meeting was advised that early mechanical issues with the grass cutters, together with adverse weather conditions, had delayed the grass-cutting programme. Members agreed that the situation had now largely been rectified. It was further noted that discussions had identified the purchase of a new grass cutter and a striping deck for 2026.
RESOLVED: Members approved the actions arising from the meeting
- Bus Shelter maintenance programme. Members
were advised that quotations have been requested from
two contractors for consideration at the Finance Committee Wednesday 22nd July.
Litter bins – The Operations Manager reported that the bases for the first wheely bins have been put in and installation will follow. The intention to re-use the ground mounted bins that are being replaced may require review as some are in poor condition.
RESOVLED: Members thanked the OM for the work that had been undertaken
- Neighbourhood plan. Members were advised that our
consultant had requested further information for specific green areas. The OM had produced a workbook with our responses and these are to be shared with our steering group for additional comments.
- Parish News. The Council discussed the need to produce a parish newsletter and reaffirmed its importance as a key means of communicating with residents. Any items for content are to be forwarded to the Parish Clerk.
It was noted that the Parish staff have a number of projects currently and operating with one member of staff fewer than last year. With a reduced capacity to undertake the preparation and production of the newsletter, the Parish Clerk proposed to draft in temporary assistance for this specific project.
RESOLVED: To engage additional temporary assistance to support the production of the parish newsletter, with the associated costs to be met from the budget provision already available for this contingency.
- Cherry Tree Corner Refurbishment. Officers have discussed plans for this corner with highways who will draft some options for consideration. Trees overhanging the pavement were also reported.
- Liddells Field path. Proposals for a path across to the play area at Liddells Field have been submitted to land owners CISWO and we are awaiting a response.
- Verge Hardening. An exploratory inspection of the pavements along Sycamore Avenue has been undertaken by Highway’s officers to assess their suitability for inclusion in a future joint flags to flex programme. Following the inspection, Northumberland County Council advised that the condition of the pavements does not currently meet the threshold for inclusion in this year’s programme.
It was also noted that sections of Bothal Terrace have experienced pavement uplift caused by the roots of mature trees. The Highway officers advised that there is no straightforward remedy, as addressing the issue would require either significant investment in engineering works or the removal of healthy trees, which is unlikely to be permitted.
- Guide Post Library. As previously reported to the Council, Guide Post Library has been identified for transition to a Community Access Library (CAL), with the service to be supported by volunteers. The Library Service is consulting with the Parish Council and other local organisations to identify groups that may be able to support the future operation of the library.
The Parish Clerk reported that a meeting between the Library Service, the Welfare Secretary David Nicholson and the Parish Council had been arranged for earlier that day to discuss the proposals. However, this meeting was cancelled and has been rescheduled for the end of July.
The Council should note that, although the lead officer overseeing the transition remained available to attend the Council meeting, the Parish Clerk considered it more appropriate for the Council to meet with the Welfare Secretary and Library Service first, as this discussion would provide important context and inform any subsequent discussion with the lead officer. The invitation will therefore be extended for a future meeting following the rescheduled consultation.
- PlayZone. The OM reported that there had been an expectation that the shared sports development worker would have been in post before the school summer holidays but they were still to be appointed by NCC.
- Local Transport Plan. The feedback from the Council’s Local Transport Plan submission has been returned by Northumberland County Council.
- West Sleekburn Road Safety concerns regarding the approach to the Foresters pub corner.
Response; Road markings of ‘Slow’ on red tarmac have been actioned.
- Stakeford Lane road safety concerns.
Response: Consideration is being determined for the implementation of average speed cameras along the road.
- Pedestrian safety on the Wansbeck Bridge, this route is used by a significant number of people walking to and from Ashington and undertaking circular walks along both sides of Riverside Park. Concern was expressed about the pavement, where cyclists and pedestrians use the same route. Near-miss incidents have been reported in which pedestrians have been forced towards the road while attempting to avoid cyclists, creating a road safety risk.
Response: Rejected – cyclists should not be using the pavement it was a police enforcement issue.
12. Youth Provision. Mendes Management operates from the premises above Morrisons on Gordon Terrace. It provides alternative school provision and provides school holiday and after-school activities working with children and young people aged 6 to 16 years.
Members considered two options: a summer school holiday programme or a weekly youth club. Both would include broadcasting activities, offering a new opportunity for young people.
RESOLVED: To fund one week of the musical media week during the summer holidays for ages 9-16 years and an in principle interest in the youth club provision for 12-16 years.
CD&E 10/26 10. Holiday Play activity
Members considered a new creative writing activity for 8-11 year olds during the school holidays. There were 2 options: to run over one week or to run weekly sessions. This is a separate offer to Mendes Management but participants would include an opportunity to broadcasting their own work on Affinity radio.
RESOLVED: Members approved funding for the sessions in one week
CD&E 11/26 11. Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Council staff do not require enhanced DBS checks however they may come into contact with children or vulnerable adults and it is additional safeguarding assurance if they have had the check.
RESOLVED: Staff who wish to be checked are approved to go ahead, and the following members also wished to have that assurance for themselves – Cllr Allsopp, Cllr Burn, Cllr Huntley, Cllr Watson. Those members not attending will be offered the same opportunity.
CD&E 12/26 12. Barrier at Liddells Field. Due to the confidential nature of this item Members agreed for it to be considered in Agenda part 2
CD&E 13/26 13. Cleaswell Park Memorandum of Understanding. Due to the confidential nature of this item Members agreed for it to be considered in 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.
CD&E 14/26 Consideration of agenda item 12/26. In accordance with the Council’s procurement procedures, the OM had provided each supplier with the same information and specified the barrier that should be supplied, and anonymised quotations considered
RESOLVED: Approved the quotation submitted by Northumberland County Council.
CD&E 15/26 Consideration of agenda item 13/26.
RESOLVED: That the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with Northumberland County Council was considered and approved. The Council being satisfied that it adequately reflected and protected the Parish Council’s interests and objectives.