MenuMinutes of a meeting of Amble Town Council held on Thursday 13th October 2011 at 6.30pm in the Council Office, The Quayside, Harbour Road, Amble.
1. PRESENT: Councillors Bilboe, Arckless, Hinson, Palin, Weir, Mrs Lewis and Mrs Morrison together with the Clerk.
Journalist James Willoughby was also in attendance.
As Chairman, Cllr Bilboe formally welcomed Cllr Morrison to her first meeting of the Town Council.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillor Rev Nicholson – unwell, this was proposed by Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: (maximum 15 minutes) No members of the public were present.
5. MINUTES: TOWN COUNCIL:
5.1: Minutes of Town Council Meeting held Thursday 8th September 2011 were circulated and adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
6. CLERK’S REPORT:
6.1: Request to Highways regarding information on why there is a build-out on Acklington Rd rather than a chicane. The Clerk detailed a reply from a NCC Traffic Design Engineer, that there was not enough space to fit a chicane between the start of the 30mph limit and Robson’s Way. The relocating of the build out and the converting to a chicane would require the 30mph limit being extended west and possible additional street lighting as well as public consultation.
6.2: Suggestions for Central Ward polling stations sent to elections office; reply stating suggestions have been noted.
6.3: Clerk attended WWYC training course covering Roles & Responsibilities, Law and Procedures, questions to be answered and sent to assessor. Next training day on 13th October – this was postponed to 3rd November.
6.4: Electrical engineer looked at clock tower mechanism and came to conclusion that a power cut on the circuit must have caused the failure on weekend of September 10th. Cllr Hinson proposed asking an electrician to look at the circuit for any faults, this was seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
6.5: Plumber looked at outflow pipe in clock tower and suggested damp conditions may be avoided if the radius of the pipe is increased from 0.5’’ to 1.0’’. Dampness caused due to pipe freezing in winter. Quote requested. Quote moved to private for discussion.
6.6: Quotes requested for wall repair and replacement seat at the Wynd following RTA. Cemetery men moved damaged seat to compound and cleared path of rubble. NCC informed or damage to planter. Police report received.
Insurance claim form requested and completed.
6.7: Email to Amble Links First School praising the attitudes of 3 students in the Town Square, email of thanks received from Head Teacher who had read the email in assembly and included it in the school newsletter.
6.8: Email to community groups/organisation informing of meeting re: Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to take place on Friday 7th October at 5.00pm in the Council Office. The Clerk informed that permission was required for the use of Royal names and titles when naming events. Cllr Mrs Lewis therefore proposed that this event be now know as the Diamond Jubilee Event.
6.9: Email to NCC enquiring if it is possible to move the ‘Welcome to Amble’ sign on Acklington Rd so that drivers are welcomed before passing Robson’s Way and Gloster Park – a reply had not yet been received.
6.10: Confirmation to NCC of Cllrs Hinson and Lewis attending the Joint meeting on 10th October.
6.11: Confirmation to Alnwick Playhouse of Cllr Bilboe attending an event on 10th October.
6.12: Details of NALC AGM forwarded to Cllr Weir
6.13: Costs of species of lime trees for West Avenue requested from NCC; quotes received. Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed this be moved to private to discuss, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
6.14: Email to County Highways re: concern of railing obstructing public right of way on Turner Street
6.15: Enquiry to NCC re: street lighting cut to shoulder height and taped; response confirming that some 300 like this around the County will be replaced in the current financial year.
The Clerks report was proposed for acceptance by Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
7. AGENDA ITEMS FROM CLERK’S REPORT:
None.
8. BUSINESS EXPRESSLY REQUIRED BY STATUTE:
8.1: Amble Central Ward – Kate Morrison elected unopposed.
8.2: 2nd Amble Central Ward vacancy; no nominations received. This will once again be advertised possibly in November.
9. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS and REPORT:
The Chairman gave his report, copy enclosed.
10. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLORS:
10.1 County Councillor Arckless gave his report; copy attached/ available to view on Town Council website/ available from office.
10.2 County Councillor Watson was not present.
11. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES & REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS AS PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS:
11.1: Cllr Weir would once again be representing Amble Town Council at NALC meetings. He informed that Amble’s subscriptions would be increasing by £112 per year. Cllr Bilboe proposed the subscription be renewed; this was seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed. Cllr Hinson commented that the advice of NALC would be extremely valuable while discussing the handover of services.
Cllr Weir had also attended a meeting of the Youth Project who were going from strength to strength, with many projects/trips arranged.
11.2: Cllrs Hinson and Mrs Lewis attended a Joint NCC/Parish Council meeting; notes attached/ available from office.
12. AGENDA ITEMS:
12.1: Consideration of Allotment Information for website – Cllr Mrs Lewis corrected this agenda item to say ‘allotment and other information’ and proposed the content which was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
12.2: Consideration of purchasing litter bins for Percy Drive/Priory Park/Philip Drive and area surrounding Percy Drive Allotments – Cllr Weir suggested that as dog waste can go in general litter bins can some of the dog waste bins be replaced by litter bins. Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested this be looked at when discussing the NCC services handover.
12.3: North View – Residents concerns of rubbish and mess of land behind gym – Cllr Weir thanked Cllr Arckless for pursuing this. Cllr Arckless proposed the Town Council make representations to Northumberland Estates informing that they need to take responsibility for the site. A copy of the letter should be sent to the Enforcement Officer, Tescos and the North View Residents association. This was seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
12.4: Factory on Coquet Enterprise Park – update requested – Cllr Weir was concerns about the appearance of the closed factory which was now boarded up may have due to being on a main entrance of the town. Cllr Arckless had requested an update from the regeneration team which suggested the County Council may be willing to come to an arrangement regarding the freehold of the site. Cllr Palin suggested that the lease for the site may have conditions regarding the external maintenance which may still be binding. The Clerk would investigate.
12.5: Hedge adjacent to bus stop on Acklington Road requires being cut back – Cllr Hinson raised concerns about the hedge desperately needing cut back as those waiting for buses at the shelter were having to step out onto the road to make themselves visible. The Clerk had contacted James Calvert Spence College who has informed that the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 had prevented them from having it cut back due to nesting dunnock and house sparrows. The groundsman would continue to check for the birds vacating the nests and cut back in the near future. The Clerk informed that NCC Transport Department were also pursuing this matter.
12.6: Consideration of a cycle barrier for Dovecote Street to Straffen Court – Cllr Hinson suggested enquiring whether a cycle barrier could be installed at the end of Dovecote Street to protect pedestrians using the back pathways of Straffen Court. Cllr Arckless raised concerns of this meaning no access for powered wheel chairs users. The Clerk would pose the question to NCC Highways to see if a solution could be found.
12.7: Suggestions for warning notices re: tide time for visitors of the Holy Island Causeway – Cllr Hinson had received a letter regarding suggestions for Holy Island warning signs and proposed forwarding it to Holy Island Parish Council, this was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
13. REPORT FROM THE CEMETERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
13.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 15th September 2011 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed
The Remembrance Day working party which was scheduled for the same evening would be moved to 6.30pm on 25th October.
14. REPORT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:
14.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 1st September 2011 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
14.2: The minutes of the meeting held Thursday 22nd September 2011 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
15. REPORT FROM THE ALLOTMENT AND PLAYGROUNDS COMMITTEE:
15.1: The minutes of the meeting held Saturday 9th July 2011 have been circulated and will be considered for accuracy and subsequent adoption – this was approved at the September meeting of the Town Council.
16. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE:
16.1: The planning report for the month on September 2011 was not clear in terms of format and information displayed. The Clerk would work with the Clerical Assistant to improve this.
17. AMBLE COMMUNITY FORUM
17.1: Report from the Community Forum dated 26th September 2011, copy attached/available from the Council Office. The next meeting would be held on 7th November.
The Clerk enquired whether the joint ATC/ADT meeting was now taking place within the Community Forum; Cllr Mrs Lewis confirmed this was not the case. The joint meetings were to take place prior to the Community Forum. The Clerk would clarify this to ADT. Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested the Community Forum may wish to hold the next Parish meeting rather than the Town Council.
18. COMMUNICATIONS:
18.1: Boundary Commission for England – Parliamentary Constituencies Review deadline December – Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested any comments should be forwarded to the Clerk to compile a response to be approved at the November meeting of the Town Council.
18.2: NCC – Access to Democracy Session – Berwick November 10th 6pm – For information
18.3: NCC Service Delivery letter – circulated to all Members
Bus Shelters – Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed declining the shelters on Albert Street and at Coquet Enterprise Park and enquiring about what if any works they intend to do bring the remaining shelters up to standard. This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
Bins – Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed taking responsibility of all bins apart from those on land under the responsibility of third parties. This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
18.4: NCC – Consideration of Parish involvement in Olympic Celebrations – The Clerk had attended this meeting but due to signing a confidentiality declaration could not disclose what was discussed.
18.5: Conservatives – Broadband for Northumberland online survey see www.surveymonkey.com/broadband4northumberland – For information
18.6: Warkworth Harbour Commissioners – letter confirming permission to erect a wall mounted notice board on exterior of building.
19. INFORMATION ITEMS AND ITEMS FOR CIRCULATION:
DIS Extra – NALC’s Direct Information Service 766
NCC Regeneration Funding Bulletin 35, 36, 37
Events at Druridge Bay – circulated to members
Pride of Northumbria Opening Event
NCC – North area briefing Sept/ October
Federation of Development Trust meeting – Morpeth Town Hall 19th October
NALC – e-news October 2011
Local Councils Update – October 2011
(All items will be placed on information table for interested Members)
Information items are not to be taken away from the Meeting but photocopies can be made, if required.
The information items were
20. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING:
20:1 The date & time of the next Meeting will be on Thursday 10th November 2011 at 6.30pm. in the Town Council Meeting Room, The Quayside, Amble
Under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public will be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following items on the Agenda due to sensitive nature.
PUBLIC VERSION OF PRIVATE
P01. Report from Town Council
Minutes of Town Council Meeting held Thursday 8th September 2011 have been circulated and will be considered for accuracy and subsequent adoption.
P02. Report from Cemeteries Management Committee
Minutes of the meeting held Thursday 15th September 2011 have been circulated and will be considered for accuracy and subsequent adoption
P03. Consideration of results of sites for Council location – Cllr Hinson noted the results in order of preference; the report was circulated to members. Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the amendment to the Tourist Information Centre Car Park to Tourist Information Centre and Car Park as had been agreed when the voting took place. This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed. The results were noted for future info.
P04. Consideration of request for donation in excess of price of wreaths for Remembrance Sunday – Cllr Mrs Lewis stated that the Council would only pay the invoiced cost of the wreaths. It was up to the Finance Committee to consider any donation over and above the cost of the wreaths. Alternative avenues for sourcing wreaths would be considered in the future.
At 9pm Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed a relaxation of the standing orders. This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
P05. Consideration of Office noticeboard quotes – Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested more natural effect notice boards be looked at.
P06. Consideration of quotes for repair to wall at the Wynd – The Clerk informed of the RTA that had damaged the planter, seat and wall at the bottom of the Wynd. NCC had been informed of the damaged planter which was under their responsibility. The Clerk had obtained 2 quotes for the repair to the wall and had requested a third quote. The seat was buckled and beyond repair. The Councils insurance company had been notified and they were pursuing a claim through the drivers insurance. Cllr Mrs Lewis expressed her concerns that it is not safe being left as it is. Cllr Weir suggested asking NCC Highways what advice they could give in having the wall made safe. The consideration of the quotes would be delegated to the Clerk with Cllr Weir.
P07. Consideration of purchasing replacement seat following – The Clerk was obtaining a like for like quote to the seat that was damaged.
P08. Consideration of request from tenant to purchase land or enter a long term lease – The Clerk would investigate whether this was possible and bring information back to the next meeting
P09. Consideration of quote to increase outflow pipe in clock tower The Clerk informed of the quoted cost to increase the diameter of the outflow pipe. Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed this be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
P10. Consideration of purchasing trees for West Avenue The Clerk informed of the cost per small leafed lime tree and Sandra Hagelburg the NCC tree specialist had advised that guards would not be necessary. The purchase of 4 trees was proposed by Cllr Hinson, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
The meeting closed at 9.25pm