Minutes of Community Development and Environment Committee 26 September 2018

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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL COMMUNITY DELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 26 SEPTEMBER 2018

Members present:

Cllr H Allsopp Cllr G Huntley Cllr Alley

Cllr J Rowell Cllr L Watson

In attendance:

Mr D L Nicholson, Parish Clerk, Mrs A Brindley, Deputy Parish Clerk and County Councillor D Ledger.

CD&E 008/18 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies were received from Cllr A Barrell (work commitment), Cllr J Foster (NCC commitment), Cllr K Grimes (holiday) and Cllr P Vaughan (work commitment). The meeting accepted that these were valid reasons for absence.

CD&E 009/18 2. MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF DISCLOSABLE

PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(S).

No declarations were made.

CD&E 010/18 3. PUBLIC QUESTIONS.

None received.

CD&E 011/18 4. TO RECEIVE AND AGREE AS A TRUE RECORD THE

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 3 JULY 2018.

The minutes were received and accepted as being a true record of the business transacted, with the Chairman being authorised to sign as such.

CD&E 012/18 5. MATTERS ARISING.

There were no matters arising.

CD&E 013/18 6. YOUTH PROVISION

The Parish Clerk reported that the Bedlington Academy has replaced the former Bedlington Community High School. One of the Academy’s early decisions has been to withdraw from community services such as those youth clubs operated in partnership with Choppington Parish Council in Guide Post. This decision was taken without consultation and with no advance warning. The Parish Clerk reported on actions taken following consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Parish Council to ensure the future of these youth clubs. The Parish Clerk detailed the various actions taken:

  1. The services of the youth leader and team previously employed by Bedlington Community High School have been secured to deliver 2 youth clubs throughout the academic year.
  2. Safeguarding policies have been developed and will be considered by members at the scheduled meeting of the Staffing and Policy Committee.
  3. Disclosure and barring has been considered with DBS passporting and applications being processed. Until full DBS can be demonstrated restrictions will apply to service provision.
  4. Risk has been considered and insurances are in place.
  5. The Deputy Parish Clerk has taken necessary actions to secure those resources and assets proper to the Parish Council. All consequential adjustments to the Parish Council’s asset register will be made and reported at year end.

The Parish Clerk reported that the measures taken have secured continuation of the youth clubs for the rest of this academic year and that further measures will be required to secure services for future years. The Parish Council is now responsible for 100% of the cost of provision.

Inevitably adjustments to the Parish Council budget for 2019/20 and future years and will be required and these will be considered by members as part of the budget process.

RESOLVED: Members approved the actions taken and thanked the Parish Clerk and the Deputy Parish Clerk for the speed and effectiveness of their interventions.

CD&E 014/18

CD&E 015/18

  1. PROJECT UPDATES.

    1. The Parish Clerk reported that a planning application has been submitted in respect of the development to improve sport and community facilities at Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare. This project is grant dependant and grant applications are now being prepared.
    2. Members were advised that early discussions were taking place with the Northumberland Wildlife Trust with a view of developing co-operative working to support planned environmental improvements. The Parish Clerk requested the allocation of no more than £500 from miscellaneous funds to support this work.

      RESOLVED: Members approved the requested allocation of funds.

  2. ROAD SAFETY CONCERNS.

County Councillor D Ledger reported on the continuing safety concerns expressed by residents living in School Avenue and on the various actions he has proposed be taken by Northumberland County Council.

Agenda, Part 2

Members considered Standing Order 46a, concluding that because of the special and confidential of the business to be transacted, consideration of grant requests required the exclusion of press and public.

CD&E 016/17 1. Consideration of requests fo grants:

Consideration was given to a request from a business located in the area to support environmental improvements to benefit their elderly clients. Members questioned whether this application met funding criteria and requested further information be obtained.

Chairman……………………………………………………….. Dated……………………..[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]