Minutes of the Community Development and Environment Committee on 9 November 2022

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2022.

 

Members present:

 

Cllr H Allsopp

Cllr J Foster

Cllr K Grimes

Cllr G Huntley (Chairman)

Cllr A Iley

Cllr J Rowell

Cllr P S Vaughan (Chairman from 10.50)

 

In attendance:

 

Ms A Brindley Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, Mr D L Nicholson Deputy Parish Clerk, David Iley Admin/Finance Officer, Ross McKenzie and Alice Wallace Neighbourhood Police

 

CD&E 022/22           1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

 

Apologies were received for Cllr A Hart for work commitments and Cllr L Watson for illness, which were accepted as valid reasons for absence.

 

CD&E 023/22           2.         MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF DISCLOSABLE

PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(S).

No declarations were presented

 

CD&E 024/22           3.         PUBLIC QUESTIONS.

 

The Parish Clerk advised that no questions had been submitted.

 

CD&E 025/22           4.         TO RECEIVE AND AGREE AS A TRUE RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6th OCTOBER 2022.

 

The minutes were received and accepted as a true record. The Chairman was authorised to sign as such.

CD&E 026/22           5.         TO CONSIDER MATTERS ARISING.

There were no matters arising

CD&E 027/22           6.         REPORT FROM NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE.

 

This item was taken as the first agenda item to allow the police officers to return to duty.

Items discussed included:

Recent vandalism to newly installed benches and the arson attacks on two litter bins along the Riverside Park

Interventions from police and fire brigade in schools on the dangers of fire.

Improving communications with the public and promoting confidence in the police.

After this item, Cllr G Huntley left the meeting and Cllr P Vaughan took the Chair,

 

CD&E 028/22           7.         UPDATE FROM THE PARISH CLERK ON CURRENT

ISSUES.

 

  1. Public Seating. Members were advised of the vandalism occurring along Riverside Park. In addition, the Parish Council is continuing the replacement of vandalised glass panes in bus shelters with mesh panes.

 

Resolved: That no further benches are installed until the lighter nights.

 

 

  1. Trees and green areas. DPC reported that after a slow start to the season grass cutting is caught up

Some areas had deliberately been left uncut until later in the year for environmental reasons.  For same reason verges are being cut further from the hedge lines.  Trees are being delivered for Guide Post Square.  It has been recommended to use silver birch trees for Riverbank East and residents will be consulted this month.  We received a donation of horse chestnut and sycamore trees for the Welfare.

 

The Parish Clerk and Deputy Parish Clerk are members of the managing group for the River Wansbeck Estuary, led by Groundwork.  There will be a repeat of the opening of the barrage, to monitor the effects of the flushing of the river.  Last year was inconclusive as the rain fall was not as great as expected.

 

On the conclusion of this item Cllr Rowell gave her apologies and left to attend work

.

  1. Youth activities during the Christmas school holidays. Schools do not break up until 23rd December so there is no holiday play on the run up to Christmas. We have received funding for activities at West Sleekburn, and a trip to Sunderland lights had been arranged partnership with West Sleekburn Community Trust. In addition, Santa is coming to West Sleekburn Village hall at the end of November.  Our CDO has arranged a magic show in partnership with the Welfare for the week after Christmas.

 

  1. Festive Lights. Additional gateway sites are proposed

for the 2022 festive lights. At the crossings at Choppington and at West Sleekburn

 

Resolved: Members confirmed their approval of the additional sites

 

  1. Community Engagement – consultation for signage along Ashington Drive. Consultation letters were sent to households along Ashington Drive followed by a stall at the shops on Ashington Drive manned by County Councillors Julie Foster and Mary Murphy, Parish Councillor Jackie Rowell and PC and DPC.  The stall attracted many residents discussing speed and possible remedies.

Analysis of the feedback has taken place.  We received responses from 12% of residents along Ashington Drive with many suggestions for siting interactive signs, Analysis indicates that popular had sites were those around Leander Avenue and around Walton Drive.

 

Resolved: that these sites will be proposed to NCC Highways department.

 

  1. Correspondence – cycleways and pathways

The Parish Council has a priority to connect our parish by pathways and cycleways to the cycleways of Ashington, Bedlington and Morpeth.  Following a NALC meeting the Chairman opened communications with the Leader of Northumberland County Council and reinforced with a letter from the Parish Clerk.  This has resulted in an offer to meet with the Head of Economy and Regeneration at NCC.  Members welcomed this initiative.

 

 

 

 

There being no further matters requiring consideration the meeting concluded at 12.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman…………………