Minutes of Choppington Parish Council 21 January 2026

WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY 2026 AT STAKEFORD AND BOMARSUND WELFARE

THOSE ATTENDING:

Cllr H Allsopp

Cllr K Burn

Cllr A Cottrell

Cllr D FitzGerald

Cllr M Jackson

Cllr L Watson

IN ATTENDANCE:

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

AGENDA PART 1

C070/25         1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies received from Cllr J Rowell and Cllr G Huntley (family commitments) which were accepted by the meeting

C071/25         2.         DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE PERSONAL INTEREST(S)

No declarations

C072/25         3.         PUBLIC QUESTIONS.

None received.  Members were reminded that a public meeting had just been held on the 19th January 2026 with an opportunity to discuss the budget and future Parish Council plans

C073/25         4.         TO CONSIDER AND SET THE PARISH COUNCIL BUDGET FOR 2026/27

4.1 Choppington Parish Council is a local community council and prepares its budget and sets its precept following community engagement including scrutiny by our Residents Forum. In this context our wider community have established the area’s strategic priorities and all the Parish Council’s expenditure contributes to the achievement of those objectives:

1. The protection and enhancement of our local environment.
2. The development of opportunities and services for the young and old.
3. To support the development of community facilities throughout the Parish.

4.2 The meeting considered the recommendation from the budget working group held on 7^th  and 19^th January 2026 and comments from Residents Panel of the 16^th January  2026

Noting the following:

1. Requirement for a balanced budget and a precept
2. Core services to be protected
3. New services budgets for Cleaswell Park, including insurances for park equipment, paths and skate park.
4. Increased community services budget
5. Staffing reduction
6. Reserves

 4.3 Earmarked balances and the contribution to the demands of 2026-27

1. Pathway improvements at Riverside Park and Butlers Wood.
2. Path hardening to play areas at Church Avenue and Liddells Field.
3. Street furniture replacement and maintenance following audits.
4. Seating and vegetation improvements at Cleaswell Park.
5. Installation of outdoor gym equipment.
6. Playzone activation and promotion.
7. Website redesign.
8. Improvement works at Bomarsund allotments.
9. Transfer of Choppington and West Sleekburn allotment sites.
10. Replacement of grasscutter and green spaces survey
11. Progression of the Neighbourhood Plan to referendum.

                                 4.4 Members also took into consideration the following factor:

1. Increase in tax base of  3.41%

RESOLVED: 

1. Members agreed to support the direction given by the budget working group in relation to the management of resources and for the delivery of services for the period 2026/27
2. Members agreed the budget for 2026/27 of £718,667

C074/25         5.         TO SET THE PARISH COUNCIL PRECEPT FOR 2026/27

The Parish Clerk/ Responsible Finance Officer advised that following adoption of the budget for 2026/27 that a precept for the year of £478,158 is required to support that expenditure.

RESOLVED: 

1. Members agreed to set the precept for 2026/27 at £478,158
2. The Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer was directed to advise Northumberland County Council of this requirement.
3. The Parish Clerk was given delegated powers to finalise all contracts and service level agreements as directed by the adopted budget and to develop business plans for the delivery of services for 2026/27.

Agenda – Part 2.  Members can resolve that in consideration of Standing Order 3 and  because of their special and confidential nature, items may require  consideration after the exclusion of press and public.

C075/25         RESOLVED: to grant Cleaswell School £366 to connect an AED to the outside of the fencing of the Appleby Centre ensuring 24 hour public access.  This will be linked to the Ambulance Service

Chairman……………………………………………..                    Date………………………

Finance Budget Working Group 7 January 9.30am at Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare Centre

1. Attendance

Cllr Hilary Allsopp (Chairman)

Cllr Allan Cottrell

Cllr David FitzGerald

Cllr M Jackson

Cllr Lynne Watson     

2.Apologies

Cllr J Foster, Cllr J Rowell, Cllr K Burn

In attendance Mrs A Brindley, Mr D L Nicholson, Mr R Delap and Mr D Iley

3. There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary and other registerable personal interest

4. Presentation of the budget by Parish Clerk highlighting following inclusions:

Staffing

• It was noted that there will be a staffing reduction following the retirement of the Deputy Parish Clerk.

Office Costs

• Members discussed office rent, confirming that the current year’s budget correctly includes an increase of £4,000.

Members’ Expenses

• Members’ expenses have been reduced and are now limited to office requisites only, provided they can be receipted.

 Fees and Charges

• An increase in insurance costs was noted for Cleaswell Park and PlayZone.
• ROSPA play inspections have been added to this budget area.
• Consultancy costs of £2,000 were included due to being short one member of staff which may require extra assistance for projects.
• Website costs have increased to allow for regular accessibility checks.

Local Services

• Local services are mostly delivered through the NCC Neighbourhood Services Agreement, which has a 3% increase this year.
• An additional contingency has been added to allow for potential salary pay rises in future years.

Community Services

• Additional funding has been included for a Warm Hub pilot at Guide Post.
• Additional accommodation charges have been included for Friends of Choppington Woods meetings.
• Funding for Bedlington Brass Band and a CVS grant has been included in the budget.
• The budget includes the Sports Development Worker employed by NCC, costing £7,000, shared by all PlayZone operators to initiate the PlayZone.
• The hourly rate for youth workers has increased compared to last year, and the budget has been adjusted accordingly.
• Additional funding has been included for non-sport children’s holiday activities and skateboarding tuition.

Income

• Partnership fee income may increase through MLIS County Councillors; a meeting is scheduled for next week to discuss this.

Tax Base and Council Tax Support

• A tax base increase of 1.30% was reported based on October information.
• Members noted the introduction of a new banded Council Tax Support Scheme.
  • Cabinet recommended approval at its meeting on 9 December 2025.
  • The scheme will be considered by County Council on 14 January 2026.
• The new scheme is expected to increase the tax base by 3.4%.

Finance Budget Working Group 16 January 9.30am at Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare Centre

1. In attendance

Cllr Hilary Allsopp (Chairman)

Cllr Allan Cottrell

Cllr David FitzGerald

Cllr J Rowell

Cllr Lynne Watson

In attendance Mrs A Brindley, Mr D L Nicholson, Mr R Delap and Mr D Iley

2. Apologies

Cllr J Foster, Cllr M Jackson, Cllr K Burn

3. There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary and other registerable personal interest

4. Presentation of the revised budget by Parish Clerk identifying 2 significant changes (appendix 1)

1. Partnership income:

County Councillor FitzGerald and County Councillor Jackson have identified capital schemes to be funded jointly with the Parish Council through their MLIS fund which had secured £10k each of their allocation

2. Precept:

Following the approval of a new banded council tax scheme by the County Council of 14 January, the Parish Clerk advised members that the tax base has increased to 3.41%.  This would allow members the discretion to increase the precept up to 3.41% without incurring an increase  to residents’ current charges.

RESOLVED:

The budget and precept was recommended to be presented for consideration at the Residents Forum on Monday 19^th January.

Meeting ended at 10.30

Minutes of the Residents Forum

Monday 19^th January 2026 at Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare Centre

Attendance:  Cllrs Burn, Rowell, FitzGerald, Watson, Jackson, Cottrell, Allsopp

Officers:  A Brindley, D Nicholson, D Iley, R Delap

7 members of public

1          Budget Presentation by Parish Clerk

The Parish Clerk reflected on the past year, noting that while it had felt as though the year had passed quickly, a review of activities demonstrated that a significant amount of work had been delivered across the parish.

Ashington Drive – Verge Hardening

Members were informed that verge hardening works along Ashington Drive had been completed earlier in the year. The project was delivered jointly with Highways as part of their flag-to-flex programme, replacing paving slabs with tarmac. The Parish Council funding enabled the works to be extended across the grass verges.

Noted:

• Improved appearance of the street.
• Reduced trip hazards and improved pedestrian safety.
• Positive feedback received from residents.

Cleaswell Play Area and Park Improvements

It was reported that the refurbished Cleaswell play area was officially opened around Easter last year.

Funding details were outlined:

• Northumberland County Council provided funding via the Queen’s Fund for the play equipment.
• Parish Council secured grants from the National Lottery Foundation and from Barbour Ltd.
• £50,000 from County Councillors’ small schemes allowances.
• Remainder contribution from the Parish Council.

Members noted that the Parish Council would be taking over management of the park to ensure ongoing maintenance and prevent future deterioration.

Playzone

An update was provided on the Playzone project, delivered in partnership with Northumberland County Council and the Football Foundation.

Reported:

• The facility is almost complete.
• Outstanding works relate to the electricity supply for floodlighting and the locking system.
• The Football Foundation provided funding, with a contribution from the Parish Council. NCC provided management of the project and will continue involvement, offering assistance for grant applications and sporting contacts.

The focus will now shift to ensuring the Playzone is well used and attracts people who may not usually participate in sport.

Neighbourhood Plan

Members were advised that work on the Neighbourhood Plan continues, with a particular emphasis on protecting green spaces.

• Feedback from the Residents’ Forum regarding favourite walks and green spaces has been passed to the consultant.
• A draft Neighbourhood Plan is being prepared for submission to Northumberland County Council.
• Subject to approval, the next stage will be a local referendum.

Noted: If successful, the plan will form part of the planning framework and strengthen the community’s voice in planning decisions.

Riverside Paths – Butlers Wood

Members discussed the wooden pathways installed through Butlers Wood along established desire lines.

Noted:

• Initial issues have been experienced, but accessibility has improved.
• Future works may include improved drainage and steps linking woodland paths to the riverside path.

Bin Audit

Members were informed that a full audit of all 120 bins across the parish had been completed.

Reported:

• Usage, size, and location were reviewed.
• Audit findings are guiding replacement decisions.
• Consideration is being given to larger bins at Guide Post shops and potentially Ashington Drive.

Outstanding Works for Completion in 2025–26

The following projects were noted as ongoing or planned for completion by the end of the year:

• Installation of a barrier at Liddells Field.
• Transfer of the Playzone and formation of a steering group.
• Purchase of larger bins.
• Standardisation of gates across play areas.
• Completion of a seating audit.

Budget and Precept

Members received an overview of the proposed budget and precept for the coming year.

Reported:

• The budget is balanced.
• The precept will increase; however, this is not expected to result in higher bills due to an increase in the tax base.

Key budget changes include:

• Increased maintenance budget for Cleaswell.
• Increased sports budget linked to the Playzone.
• Additional support for non-sporting activities, particularly craft-based school holiday provision.
• Increased community services funding, including website improvements and support for community hire at Wesleyan Church and the Scout Hut, Guide Post.
• Increased youth club funding.
• Higher insurance costs covering Cleaswell and the Playzone.

Noted: Staffing costs have reduced due to the anticipated retirement of David Nicholson, Deputy Parish Clerk. Members formally recorded their thanks to David for his long-standing contribution, including his role in establishing the Residents’ Panel.

2          Projects Planned for 2026–27

Members noted the proposed work programme for 2026–27, including:

• Pathway improvements at Riverside Park and Butlers Wood.
• Path hardening to play areas at Church Avenue and Liddells Field.
• Street furniture replacement and maintenance following audits.
• Seating and vegetation improvements at Cleaswell Park.
• Installation of outdoor gym equipment.
• Playzone activation and promotion.
• Website redesign.
• Improvement works at Bomarsund allotments.
• Transfer of Choppington and West Sleekburn allotment sites.
• Replacement of grasscutter and green spaces ecology improvements
• Progression of the Neighbourhood Plan to referendum.

Longer-Term Aims

Members discussed longer-term projects, including:

Cleaswell Park – Phase 2:

• Provision of public toilets.
• Café or refreshment facility.
• Improved car parking, including disabled access.

Verge Hardening – Morpeth Road Estate:

• Potential delivery of verge hardening works similar to Ashington Drive, subject to partnership opportunities with Highways.

Following the presentation, the meeting was open for questions.

Discussion Items

Mowbray School: Councillors David FitzGerald and Martin Jackson, who also serve as County Councillors, provided an update on building issues at Mowbray School. Martin Jackson reported that briefings had been received over the Christmas period regarding building safety and off-site teaching arrangements. The Headteacher was commended for coordinating the response. They are now awaiting the outcome of the building survey before making any decisions on the future of the school.

This led to wider discussion on the increasing number of SEND pupils and the resulting pressure on education budgets, particularly transport costs.

Vandalism: Members discussed incidents of vandalism, including damage to seating and litter bins along Riverside Park. While Cleaswell Park has not experienced vandalism to date, concerns were raised. A resident commented on the replacement of glass with mesh in bus shelters and suggested considering solid metal panels on sides facing away from oncoming buses.

Choppington Woods: The condition and accessibility of paths in Choppington Woods were discussed. It was agreed this area should be included in future planning. County Councillors confirmed that a management plan is currently in progress which will address access issues.

The meeting closed at 20.30