MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 22 JULY 2015
Members present:
Cllr J Foster
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr J Oswell
Cllr P Vaughan
Co-opted Mrs M Dudman
In attendance:
Mr D L Nicholson, Parish Clerk and Mrs A Brindley, Assistant Parish Clerk and
1 visitor
CD&E 011/15 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr A Barrell (work commitment), Cllr R Butler (prior Council business), Cllr P Munley (long standing engagement), Cllr W Ogilvie (approved absence). The meeting accepted that these were valid reasons for absence.
CD&E 012/15 2. MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF INTEREST, PREJUDICIAL AND NON-PREJUDICIAL
The Parish Clerk advised that although Cllr Huntley and Mrs Dudman were involved with the Choppington Disabled Group, they were not required to make a declaration of interest as the item on the agenda was a report for information.
CD&E 013/15 3. TO RECEIVE AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 20 MAY 2015.
The minutes were accepted as a true record of proceedings and the Chairman was authorised to sign as such.
CD&E 014/15 4. CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING
Members had agreed to contribute £7,500 to the repair and recovery of the path leading from Carlow Drive. The Parish Clerk informed the members that NCC officers were of the opinion that remedial work may solve the problem which when split with NCC would cost CPC around £700. He warned that the remedial work might not be the solution and more extensive work may be required at the original cost
RESOLVED:
That the Parish should take the advice of NCC and contribute £700 towards this repair.
CD&E 015/15 5. LITTER BIN REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME
For reasons for commercial confidentiality this item was referred to part 2 of the agenda.
CD&E 016/15 6. PUBLIC SEATING
Members were aware that CPC’s preferred supplier to install public seats, Morpeth Welding may not be available in the near future, therefore the Parish Clerk reported that he is market testing other suppliers, in the first instance to install ‘talking point’ seating.
RESOLVED:
- Members agreed the proposal that the Parish Clerk identify a preferred supplier through market testing.
- That the Parish Clerk write to community organisations offering to install public seating in their grounds.
CD&E 017/15 7. WORKS PROGRAMME 2015/16 AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT FOR 2016/7
The Parish Clerk reported to members on the strain placed on service delivery as a consequence of Northumberland County Council budget cuts and service reorganisation. This has resulted in a 0.5 FTE reduction which had impacted on grass cutting and other environmental services. NCC’s reorganisation has resulted in a reduction in the number of Team Leaders across the County and a dilution of the skill base. This is most apparent in horticultural services.
The Parish Clerk signalled that during August and September he would be discussing this with Louise Hayward, Area Manager and Paul Jones, Acting Executive Director to identify those actions required to redress the situation for 2016/17. NCC are indicating that 2016/17 and 2017/18 will see further financial cuts and service reductions and the Parish Clerk will be undertaking a significant costing exercise as part of the budget process to identify the impact of this on Choppington services.
RESOLVED: The Parish Clerk was thanked for his report and asked to assess any impact that service cuts would have on the Parish Council’s management and support function.
CD&E 018/15 8. HOLIDAY PLAY PROGRAMME
CPC has play arranged play in Choppington, Guide Post and Stakeford on every day of the week for most of the weeks during the summer holidays.
Bad Apples will provide play 3 times per week at the Welfare at Stakeford. They will also be at doorstep green at Choppington 2 days per week. On Wednesday for CPC and on Monday for Bernicia. The football court with PFC is at Eastgate and for the first time at the field behind Scott’s Garage at Guide Post
Soft Play for the under 5’s will be available once during the holiday at the Welfare.
CPC has also provided trip money for Choppington Community Association to take a group to Blackpool fun beach for the day and Toddle-in to visit Whitehouse Farm.
RESOLVED:
To write to PFC and Bad Apples to thank them for their commitment to the programme. To contact Bernicia regarding their play programme.
CD&E 019/15 9. CHOPPINGTON DISABLED GROUP
Members received a report from Cllr Huntley and Mrs Dudman on the success of the CDG. Membership is growing, and the CDG is attracting a number of speakers to their coffee mornings. They have also successfully received grants from NCC Community Chest for seating and a hearing loop and have won electrical equipment from local recycling company Repic.
They would like to target more members from those socially isolated due to disability.
RESOLVED:
That a working group is formed to include Cllr Oswell, Cllr Huntley and Mrs Dudman with the remit to look at ways to combat isolation.
Agenda, Part 2
Members considered Standing Order 46a, and resolved that in view of the special and confidential nature of the business to be transacted, it was advisable in the public interest that the press and public be excluded and asked to withdraw.
CD&E 0020/15 1. LITTER BIN REPLACEMENT
Members examined market testing in relation to the supply of litter and dog waste bins
RESOLVED:
Members agreed to appoint Gladson as the preferred supplier for litter and dog waste bins.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.10
Chairman Date