MINUTES OF THE CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 14 DECEMBER 2016 IN STAKEFORD AND BOMARSUND SPORTS AND SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRE
THOSE ATTENDING:
Cllr A Barrell
Cllr R Butler
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr A Iley
Cllr P Munley
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr D L Nicholson JP, Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance
2 members of the public
AGENDA PART 1
C032/16 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr J Oswell and Cllr P Vaughan (work commitments). Members accepted that these were proper reasons for absence.
C033/16 2. DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND
OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(s)
Cllr A Iley indicated he had a interest to register that would allow him to participate in discussions under agenda item 12.3.
C034/16 3. PUBLIC QUESTIONS.
None received.
C035/16 4. PLANNING MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION.
The Parish Clerk was asked to summarise concerns raised by members in connection with a proposal to locate two steel containers in a garden at no 1 Thornley Terrace.
C036/16 5. TO RECEIVE AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH
COUNCIL HELD ON 12 OCTOBER 2016.
The minutes were accepted as a true record of proceedings and the Chairman was authorised to sign as such.
C037/16 6. CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING.
No matters were raised.
C038/16 7. TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
HELD ON 19 OCTOBER 2016.
Members received the minutes and noted the contents.
C039/16 8. TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE ALLOTMENT
COMMITTEE HELD ON 9 NOVEMBER 2016.
Members received the minutes and noted the contents.
C040/16 9. TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 23 NOVEMBER 2016.
Members received the minutes and noted the contents.
C041/16 10. ISSUES ARISING FROM THE RESIDENTS PANEL HELD ON
29 NOVEMBER 2016.
The Chairman reported that the Residents Panel had received a presentation from the site manager at Earth Balance and from the project team delivering the new Proton Treatment Centre. The meeting had appreciated the presentation and had been impressed by the detailed answers given to questions.
The Residents Panel also considered the Council’s performance during the summer and the 2016 resident survey currently being delivered to local households. Residents participated in a validation exercise in relation to the survey, results of which will be presented to the Residents Panel in January 2017.
C042/16 11. PROPOSED DELVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY HALL IN
SCOTLAND GATE.
The Parish Clerk explained that Local Councils have legal authority to develop facilities, including buildings, for the delivery of services for the community. Legal authority allows facilities to be managed by the council directly or through other approved governance arrangements. Legal authorities are variously contained in Local Government Act 1972 S.111 and S.133, Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 S.19, and other authorities.
Members were advised that the Parish Council has recognised the need to develop facilities for the delivery of local services and opportunities for young and older people, envisaging new facilities at Choppington/Scotland Gate, Guide Post, Stakeford and West Sleekburn.
To advance opportunities in Choppington/Scotland Gate the Parish Council has invited expressions of interest from community partners to share in the development of new services. The Parish Council has explored the following options:
- Development of services, together with Northumberland County Council.
- Development of services, together with Choppington Primary School.
- Development of services, together with Choppington Social Welfare Centre.
- Development of services, together with local community groups.
Those responses received from Northumberland County Council, Choppington Primary School and from local community groups have been very encouraging and have led to a proposal for the development of a facility together with Northumberland County Council, Choppington Primary School and other community groups. The responses from other parties have not identified opportunities for the shared development of new facilities.
The matter has been previously discussed by the Community Development and Environment Committee which considered actions required to take this proposal forward. After discussion members agreed the following actions.
RESOLVED:
- Members authorised the Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer to engage with Northumberland County Council and Choppington Primary School to secure an agreement for the Parish Council to take responsibility for the school building formerly used for early years education.
- Members agreed that the Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer be charged to develop an ‘in principle agreement’ for the development of a framework for the management and future governance of this facility.
- Members instructed a working group be established to steer the development of this facility. (members will be circulated to establish the members of this working group).
C043/16 12. PARISH CLERK’S REPORT.
12.1. Finance Report. The Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer presented all items of expenditure made and income received by the Parish Council since the last meeting, explaining that this information will be placed on the website
12.2. Financial Performance to the end of the 2nd quarter. Members noted that the Finance Committee has examined the performance report and have no items to refer to the Parish Council for consideration.
12.3 Approval of the contract of employment for the newly appointed Finance/Administrative Assistant. This item was referred to part 2 of the Agenda.
12.4 Councillor W Ogilvie MBE. Members resolved that the vacancy caused by the death of W. Ogilvie MBE should be filled during the May Council elections.
12.5 Parish Council Budget and Precept for 2017/18. Members instructed the Parish Clerk to prepare a budget that will be informed by the various residents surveys, the guidance received from committees and which conforms to the direction given by the Residents Panel in relation to precept. Members noted that the budget working group will be convened in January in advance of the Residents Panel on 24 January 2017.
Agenda – Part 2. Members considered Standing Order 46a and resolved that because of their special and confidential nature the following items should be heard after the exclusion of press and public from the meeting.
C044/16 1. APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THE
FINANCE/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.
RESOLVED: Members agreed the terms of appointment of this part time member of staff and confirmed the Parish Council’s intention that this post become a full time post during council year 2017/18.
C045/16 2. GRANTS. No requests for grants were considered.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20.55
Chairman Date