Minutes of Choppington Parish Council 17 Sepember 2025

MEMBERS PRESENT: 

Cllr J Rowell (Chairman)

Cllr H Allsopp

Cllr K Burn

Cllr D Fitzgerald

Cllr M Jackson

Cllr L Watson

Cllr J Foster

IN ATTENDANCE:

Ms A Brindley Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer,  Mr D L Nicholson Deputy Parish Clerk, Mr D Iley Finance Officer and Mr R Delap Operations Manager.

C046/25         1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

 Apologies of absence were received from Cllrs, G Huntley, A Cottrell (family commitments). Members accepted these apologies.   County Councillor  R Spriddell had been invited but was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.

C047/25         2.         DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER DISCLOSABLE INTERESTS.

None – members who are also County Councillors were assured by the Parish Clerk that any planning matters raised on the agenda  were for information only and would not be discussed in

any detail.

 C048/25         3.         PUBLIC QUESTIONS.

No questions from the public had been received

C049/25         4.         PLANNING MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION.

As point of information only, the Parish Clerk informed members of a  residential planning application submitted along Barrington Road. The plans were made available for members after the meeting.

C050/25         5.         TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF 09 July 2025

The minutes were received and approved as a true record.

C051/25         6.         MATTERS ARISING

          No matters arising.

C052/25         7.          TO NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF  23 JULY 2025

The Parish Council noted the minutes.

C053/25         8.         TO NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT  AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF 10 SEPTEMBER 2025

The Parish Council noted the minutes.

C054/25         9.         THE PARISH CLERKS REPORT

Finance Report. Members received a report from the PC/RFO on expenditure made and income received since the last meeting. This information will be placed on the Parish Council website. The balance sheet was presented and Members authorised that it could be signed

Financial Performance for the end of financial quarter. Members referred this item to the Finance Committee for detailed consideration.

Health and Safety Report. Members received the quarterly report for consideration, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

RESOLVED: To approve actions required in the play  areas report. Re: Cambridge Road safety surfacing,  quotes are being sought and due to the urgency of the  repair the decision to appoint        a  contractor was delegated to the Parish Clerk in consultation with the  Chairman and Vice Chairman.

External Audit. The Parish Council received some follow up questions from the external auditor which have been returned.

 C055/25   10.       SUBMISSION TO THE LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN.

Northumberland County Council has requested that the Parish Council is required to submit our 3 priorities for the LTP programme. Members were asked for  proposals for discussion at a liaison meeting with County Councillors on Tuesday 23 September, which included:

Safety improvements on Stakeford Lane

Road surfacing on Stakeford Crescent and

Road surfacing Riverbank East.

C056/25         11.       Internal Auditor.

The Clerk reported that the internal auditor confirmed at a previous meeting has been unable to continue with us.  The Parish Clerk has approached Gareth Davies.

Internal auditors need experience of local council regulations as well as finance experience. Gareth Davies has that experience, he is a former local council clerk, and currently an internal auditor for other authorities and is a member of the Smaller Authorities Internal Audit Forum.

RESOLVED: Members considered the experience and background of Gareth Davies and approved the appointment.

C057/25         12.    NCC Community Governance Review.

The County Council is the Principal Council and has the responsibility to undergo a process of review of the governance arrangements for Parish and Town Councils every 10-15 years to ensure that they are working efficiently.  Members will be asked for their input into this process which NCC has begun with a survey.  NALC has an important role in this process and Members will be required to contribute as the review unfolds.

Agenda – Part 2.  There were no matters referred for consideration from part 1 of the agenda.

There being no further business the meeting concluded at 20:15  

Agenda item 9.1 Finance Report

 Agenda item 9.2 Financial Performance

Agenda item 9.3

Health and Safety report to Parish Council meeting 17 September 2025

Background

Health and Safety items covered in this report relate to:

1. Parish council as an employer

1. The following equipment/premises

1. Play areas
2. Bus shelters (not for the ground it stands on)

• Allotments (Site at Bomarsund)

1. Parish Office

1. Addition health and safety inspections for:

1. Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare Centre – the Council shares areas of the building has access to the car park and uses surrounding areas for sporting activities.
2. West Sleekburn premises and grounds on behalf of the Trustees of West Sleekburn Hall.

Employees

 Parish council has duty of care to employees, to maintain safe working environment

 Play areas

 The Parish Council maintains the following play areas

            West Sleekburn

            Milburn Grange

            Eastgreen

            Cambridge Road

            Liddells Field

            Welbeck Road

Weekly reports are received from inspections by Northumberland County Council which are reviewed by DLN and DI.  The reports are colour coded to alert the seriousness of any damage or defects. 

Anything marked as a serious alert (red) may be dealt with by the NCC inspector, but this will trigger a visit by a Parish officer and a course of action agreed. 

 Allotment site

 DI undertakes monthly inspections of allotments noting the general condition of site, gates, locks, water taps and tracks and any general obstacles.

 Parish Office

All members of staff have responsibility for health and safety on a daily basis

 Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare

DI undertakes monthly inspections of the external area noting the general condition of site, paths, and surfaces.  These are reported to the Welfare Secretary for action.

 West Sleekburn Hall

 DI performs monthly hard surface inspections. 

 Bus Shelters

 DI performs monthly hard surface inspections and bus shelter conditions

 Updated Report of 17 September 2025

 Play Areas

ROSPA inspection reported on 23 July and these outstanding issues and actions arise from NCC inspections, CPC inspections and the most recent ROSPA report

Liddells Field –

The ladybird rocker is missing a decorative bolt on the tail which has left a hole which is bigger than an adults finger therefore not considered a finger trap for a child.

Although not a health and safety issue we are still on lookout for larger set of goals that can be modified with a batten on back to stop ball going through completely.  The goalposts still require painting and perhaps require moving along to better grassed surface as the goal mouth is on well-worn grass.  We are buying spray paint and have a contractor looking at this.

A gap has occurred between the treads and the covered handrail of the slide which we have filled with tape.  A better solution is being sought from contractors. ROSPA has identified rusted areas.

Front gate does not close completely, this is an ongoing problem on most of the gates.

Cambridge Road

Rope on activity equipment is cut and is being monitored for deterioration.

One of the 5 swings has been removed due to vandalism and requires a new shackle we are awaiting a bigger order with Kompan as there is a disproportionately large delivery charge.  We are rotating the missing swing to allow grass to grow underneath it.

Carousel and see saw have matting exposed, the carousel matting has been deliberately pulled loose and therefore a danger to be used.  We have closed the play area until we can repair.  Kompan and Straughans (who are making similar repairs to Morpeth Road Estate have been contacted to quote for repair.

RoSPA have found the seat to be in poor condition and fixings to concrete require repair.

Church Avenue

There is a cut in the rope which will be monitored.

MUGA has a crack in the tarmac.

Statutory sign is cracked

Fence has foundations exposed

Rocker has foundations exposed

Rocker springs are rusted

Slight bend in toddler swing

Morpeth Road

Concrete lip around metal grid at gate is slightly proud of ground, we are looking for a means to level out the ground around it.

Matting is exposed under swing, roundabout and seesaw.  As discussed at CD&E meeting a contractor has been commissioned to take up matting, turf and relay new matting within the month.

Eastgreen

There is a slight cut in the soft pore which needs monitoring.

Gates are both not closing completely which requires repair.

Pavement is cracked, whole paving surface may require relaying we are in discussions with contractor regarding repair.

The seat is damaged and requires replacing, we are researching smaller seats for this area to move away from perimeter fence.

Litter bin has had lining removed and front opening removed.  Contractor is being sourced to replace and repair.

3 way rocker requires sanding and rubber handle not in fixed position

Carousel requires painting and there is a loose fixing underneath which we are investigating

Milburn Grange

Soft pore under swing and around roundabout is wearing but no risk.

Bird fouling over swing requires cable ties on apex.

The rocker bird has rusty spring which we will overpaint with hammerite however may require replacement.

Gate is closing too quickly

Flat swing is rusted internally and may need replacing.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Local services will regrass under exposed matting in spring

Swings on to be rotated – matting exposed under flat seats so we will swap craddle and flat seats to allow regrowth.

Annual contract to be obtained to inspect all gates and repair on rotation

Monitoring list to be compiled

All swings to have cable ties overhead to stop birds landing on frame

Allotment site

Issues to note

Overlay work on entrance completed

Local team have been into allotment to cut back grass and remove debris.

Maintenance work has been undertaken to bring back two allotments however there is rubbish to remove from the site

Parish Office – and Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare

Worknest annual visit re health and safety.  Rob Delap with David Iley lead

Outstanding items:

PAT test required throughout building – has been undertaken

Electrical Assessment – Contractor has been identified

Fire Risk Assessment required – tests of equipment and alarms undertaken weekly however as assessment will formalise the arrangements

Legionella assessment required – showers are run weekly, however this will advise on any further actions required.

West Sleekburn Hall – Learning from Worknest will be passed onto Trustees.

There is evidence of slight damage to the left had side of the external entrance.

Outside lighting in disrepair.  West Sleekburn trustees have received grant funding towards this.

One of the slats on one of the recycled bench seats in the garden has been snapped off at the end.

Bus Shelters

Metal grills may require repainting

Shelters have been cleaned however roofs need further attention.

Fire Regulations:  Both West Sleekburn Village Hall and Welfare have had fire extinguisher checks and purchased new extinguishers last year.

Actions to be considered 

To consider the report and direct the Parish Clerk on any issue raised that require further action.

Angela Brindley

Parish Clerk

10 September 2025

Agenda Item 10   Local Transport Plan

Local Transport Plan Capital Programme 2026-7-8-9

Northumberland County Council requests 3 priorities from each Parish and Town Council to be considered for inclusion in their capital programme of interventions, as a departure from previous years, the LTP will move from a 1 year to a 3 year programme.

Requests are assessed against the following criteria:

1. a) Overcome Inequality and Grow Our Economy
2. b) Carbon Neutral Transport
3. c) Healthier North East
4. d) Appealing Sustainable Transport Choices
5. e) Safe, secure network.

Other Criteria:

1. f) Part of a package of measures
2. g) Community Priority
3. h) Attracts External Funding or Synergy with other projects

Scoring

2 = contributes to the criteria

1 = makes some contribution

0 = no contribution

The potential cost of schemes is also considered when developing the programme. For instance, the total funding provided annually by central government for LTP highways improvements is approximately £1.7m.

In the guidance it does say that it is unlikely that individual schemes requiring significant funding will be included in the LTP capital programme (eg major junction improvements, extensive cycleways).

Integrated Transport (Highway Improvement) Schemes

Integrated Transport schemes provide improvements to the existing highway network. They can include improvements to footways and cycleways, pedestrian crossings, road safety schemes, dropped kerbs, bus stop improvements, junction improvements, improvements to signs and road markings, speed management and changes to parking restrictions. The below provides some further information on some of these issues.

• Safety Schemes are assessed according to the number and severity of personal injury accidents from Police records.

• Speed management requests will be first discussed with the Police to consider any necessary enforcement intervention and may, if appropriate, be subject to a formal speeding survey before being considered for inclusion in the programme.

• This authority has a set policy for the introduction of local speed limits, which is based on national guidelines provided by the Department for Transport. This is predominantly based on road environment and the length and density of frontage development sufficient to justify the limit. The minimum requirement is for a distance of 600 metres of continuous frontage development.

• The County Council does not fund speed limit interactive signs. These are usually funded through Members Local Improvement Scheme allocations or by Town or Parish councils’ contributions with agreements necessary to ensure Town or Parish Councils are aware of their commitments to fund the future costs of management and maintenance of these signs.

• ROSPA national guidance recommends that 20mph zones only be considered in residential areas and streets or in urban environments with a significant pedestrian interaction. 20mph zones should not be considered on strategic routes or through routes.

• When a request for a pedestrian crossing facility is received and is felt to be feasible for consideration a pedestrian/vehicle (PV2) survey is carried out for a two and a half hour period in the morning and afternoon, during school term. The survey involves recording the traffic flow and pedestrian crossing flow over a 50m length either side of the proposed crossing point. The policy adopted by the County Council is that where sites return a PV2 value of 0.2 or higher the provision of a crossing facility will be investigated further (this is dependent on funding being identified for the scheme and the location being suitable for introduction of a pedestrian crossing). However, where the PV2 value is below 0.2 the site is considered inappropriate for such a facility and no further investigation takes place.

• Northumberland County Council does not fund Resident Permit Schemes through the LTP. Although we receive regular requests for the introduction of Resident Permit Schemes as a means easing parking pressures in residential areas these are usually funded through Members Local Improvement Scheme allocations or by Town or Parish councils’ contributions. The primary aim of a ‘Resident Permit Parking’ scheme is to protect residents, who live adjacent or close to settlement centres, from external parking pressures. They generally do not solve the majority of resident parking issues and in many circumstances create further ongoing problems. It should be noted that there is no right to park on a particular part of the highway and the only legal right a driver has is to pass and re-pass.

• Issues concerning traffic regulation (e.g., parking restrictions) are also considered as part of this annual review, rather than on an ad hoc basis throughout the year. This enables county wide priorities to be established.

Roads, Bridges & Public Rights of Way Maintenance

• The road, footway and bridge maintenance programme is developed largely from condition surveys. Foot/cycleway maintenance is prioritised from condition surveys, and on lengths where a lot of reactive maintenance work has been carried out and/or complaints from the public have been received.

• Public rights of way schemes are identified by the Countryside Access Team following consultation with path users. Works focus on meeting the Council’s statutory duty by repairing flood damage or river erosion and improving the surface and drainage of damaged and well used paths in popular walking/riding areas.

The following is the result of the submissions for last year.