MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 18 SEPTEMBER 2019
Members present:
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr A Iley
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr P S Vaughan
Cllr L Watson
In attendance:
Mr D L Nicholson, Parish Clerk, Ms A Brindley, Deputy Parish Clerk, Mr S Wardle, NCC Area Manager and Mr C Green NCC SNTL.
CD&E 010/19. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies were received from Cllr J Foster (family obligation), Cllr E A Barrell (holiday) and Cllr K Grimes (illness). The meeting accepted that these were valid reasons for absence.
CD&E 011/19. 2. MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(S).
No declarations were made.
CD&E 012/19. 3. PUBLIC QUESTIONS.
None received.
CD&E 013/19. 4. TO RECEIVE AND AGREE AS A TRUE RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2 JULY 2019.
The minutes were received, accepted as a true record with authority given to the Chairman to sign as such.
CD&E 014/19. 5. MATTERS ARISING.
- CD&E 009/19. Members expressed appreciation for the work undertaken by staff to deliver a new village hall for West Sleekburn.
- CD&E 009/19. Members requested an update on actions being taken to address vandalism to the Liddell Field play area.
CD&E 015/19. 6. INVITED SPEAKERS.
Mr S Wardle, NCC Area Manager and Mr C Green, NCC Senior Neat Team Leader (SNTL) presented an overview of the organisation and services provided by NCC Local Services, detailing the core service standard delivered throughout the county and various models developed to enhance service standards with Parish, Town and Community Councils.
Members expressed their satisfaction with the local partnership the Parish Council has developed with NCC and discussed the shared desire to increase opportunities for recycling and reusing materials.
The Chairman of the Committee thanked the speakers for their presentation.
CD&E 016/19. 7. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN.
The Parish Clerk presented those issues considered by the Local Transport Plan Working Group for inclusion in the Parish Council’s submission to Northumberland County Council. Items considered included:
- Extension of 30 mph restriction to include Wansbeck Cottages, Stakeford, NE62 5JG.
- Pedestrian Safety Refuge on the A196 at Johnson Villas, North Choppington, NE62 5PX.
- Road Safety at Barrington corner.
- Cycle track linkage to the Morpeth network.
- Additional dropped road kerbs to improve mobility.
- Waterproofing of roads on the Wansbeck Estate.
- Road safety measures to address problems caused by inadequate parking for cars on the Cleaswell and Morpeth Road Estates.
- Interactive road signage to address danger to pedestrians caused by speeding vehicles.
Northumberland County Council is inviting the top 3 priorities for the area.
RESOLVED: Members directed the Parish Clerk to prepare the Parish Council’s submission and gave delegated authority for its submission to the Local Transport Working Group.
CD&E 017/19. 8. COMMUNITY CINEMA
The Parish Council has previously considered supporting the development of a community cinema and agreed in principle to earmark £10,000 to underwrite its development.
Since this was last discussed a steering group has been formed of interested volunteers from the community and a draft constitution has been developed. This group is supported by the Parish Clerk and Deputy Parish Clerk and the intention is to apply to be a registered charity. A skills audit has been undertaken and the group includes those skills required to establish and operate the cinema. Provisional agreement has been reached to secure premises and relevant licencing is being secured.
Advice has been taken and quotations sought for the purchase and installation of equipment. A business plan is also being prepared in advance of grant applications.
RESOLVED: Members were encouraged by the progress being made, confirming their continued support for the suggested underwriting.
CD&E 018/19. 9. SPEED REDUCTION MEASURES ALONG A1147
The Parish Clerk explained that following a serious accident in 2018 causing substantial damage to residential property and risk to life the Parish Council has been involved in a series of discussions with residents, road safety groups and Northumberland County Council. The property involved has suffered structural damage from previous incidents caused by cars failing to negotiate the Barrington Corner. Evidence suggests that speed is a significant factor. It is considered that the risk posed is extremely serious in terms of likelihood of future occurrence and the danger to life and limb. County Councillor Julie Foster is actively involved in trying to secure Northumberland County Council’s commitment to undertake necessary safety measures.
An experimental scheme has been identified that utilises speed monitoring equipment linked to traffic lights that will stop vehicles travelling at excessive speeds. The Parish Clerk has viewed at first hand this scheme together with Councillor Graham Huntley and Councillor Paul Vaughan.
The experimental scheme has authority through Scottish Law and the Parish Council is asking Northumberland County Council to secure legal authority to develop a similar scheme for the A1147.
RESOLVED: Members gave support to the measures being taken, asking the Parish Clerk to continue to liaise with those involved in the experimental scheme.
Agenda, Part 2
Members, in consideration of Standing Order 46a and because of the special and confidential nature of the business to be transacted considered that press and public should be excluded during the consideration of items included in part 2 of the agenda.
CD&E 019/19. 10. CONSIDERATION OF GRANT REQUESTS.
A request was received from a group asking support for their work in providing sports coaching for disabled children. It was not apparent whether this was a voluntary or commercial group and officers were requested to investigate and report back to members.
CD&E 020/19. 11. CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REFERRED FROM PART 1 OF THE AGENDA.
There were no matters referred for consideration.
The meeting concluded at 11.35
Chairman……………………………………………………….. Dated…………………