MenuMinutes of a meeting of Amble Town Council held on Thursday 8th March 2012 in the Council Office, The Quayside, Harbour Road, Amble.
1. PRESENT: Councillors Bilboe, Arckless, Hinson, Palin, Weir, Rev’d Nicholson, Mrs Dargue and Mrs Lewis, Miss Morrison together with the Clerk, Miss Brown.
Members of Public; Mrs Jones and Mr Skipper
Reporter James Willoughby
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: County Councillor Jeff Watson had sent his apologies.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: (maximum 15 minutes)
Mr Skipper raised concerns about lack disabled parking spaces and parking in general on Queen Street. Cllr Arckless confirmed that the responsibility of parking enforcement was being transferred to NCC from the Police from 1st April 2012. Cllr Mrs Lewis commented that the Parking Review stated that remarking and resigning was to take place before the NCC takeover.
Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed a letter to NCC requesting they make certain the re marking/signing on Queen Street had been completed and make it a priority for parking enforcement, also stating that the problems with indiscriminate parking on Queen Street may deter shoppers from visiting shops. A copy of the letter should also be forward to businesses on Queen Street. This was seconded by Cllr Rev’d Nicholson and agreed.
Mrs Jones suggested the Council make representations to the owners of the fenced off Turner Street car park for it to be reopened. The Chairman agreed now the site was under new ownership, the Council would once again make this request.
Mrs Jones raised her concerns about litter in Amble, particularly mentioning the Town Square and Straffen Court and the general ‘distressed’ look of the town overall- she suggested the Council organise a litter pick.
Cllr Dargue commented that a litter pick could be publicised as a rally to smarten up the town in preparation for the Jubilee event. Cllr Weir stated that getting volunteers was really difficult, particularly from those under retirement age. Cllr Arckless stated that the Neighbourhood Services budget was overspent and would inevitably be tightened. Cllr Bilboe suggested the Council organise a litter pick; Cllr Dargue commented that civic responsibilities was part of the school curriculum and school involvement should be encouraged. Schools would be consulted as to how this could fit into their curriculum and the idea would be looked at again in May before the Jubilee and Torch celebrations.
5. MINUTES: TOWN COUNCIL
5.1: Minutes of Town Council Meeting held Thursday 9th February 2012 were adopted with agreed amendments on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed.
5.2: Minutes of Town Council Meeting held Thursday 16th February 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
5.3: Minutes of Town Council Meeting held Thursday 23rd February 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
6. CLERK’S REPORT:
6.1: Email to Anna Kruk stating Town Council have no objections to lighting on Pier 10/02/12
6.2: Notes of meeting re: water based event for Jubilee celebration circulated.10/02/12
6.3: Damaged road signage at Percy Drive Roundabout reported to NCC following collision with 4×4 13/02/12
6.4: Request to WHC sent on behalf of Pride in Amble re: creating a floral display using an old rowing boat in the walled area in front of the bay window of the meeting room.
Response from WHC stating agreement to display
6.5: Cllr Miss Morrison notes of the meeting re: the Coal and Coast Project circulated.
6.6: Town Team Pilots info circulated to all members – lengthy document, hardcopy available on request
6.7: 4 x Small Leafed Lime trees planted purchased by ATC but planted by NCC on the Allotment side of West Avenue.
6.8: Sample of wood effect recycled plastic requested (notice board)
6.9: Letter to Tesco requesting meeting re: the new supermarket
Reply received agreeing to meeting, no date agreed yet, awaiting further reply from Doug Wilson.
6.10: Up to date quotes requested for Radcliffe Memorial restoration project
6.11: Request to meet with NCC officers and County Council re: potential Splash Play Park at Paddlers, no date yet agreed. 20/02/12
6.12 Minutes of Amble Action Group meeting held Tuesday 21st February 2012 circulated among members.
6.13: Details of suggestions for Dropped kerbs forwarded to NCC
6.14: Meeting with NCC Green Spaces Officer re: Planting in the Town; notes of meeting circulated.
6.15: Meeting with NCC re: Olympic Torch Relay Communities on Route
6.16: Complaints regarding property at Gloster Park – Cllr Hinson proposed the Clerk send a letter requesting the fence be repaired as it bordered a public right of way and the garden tidied; if no actions made then possibly involving environmental health. This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
7. AGENDA ITEMS FROM CLERK’S REPORT:
7.1: Consideration of priority planters/bedding from the meeting with the Green Spaces Officer – Cllr Hinson proposed the Council adopt the list of priorities as specified in the notes of meeting with the green spaces officer, this was seconded by Cllr Rev. Nicholson and agreed.
8. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS and REPORT:
The Chairman read out his report, copy available on request.
9. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLORS:
9.1 County Councillor Arckless circulated his report; copy available on request.
9.2 County Councillor Watson was not in attendance, but had emailed the Clerk a brief report which was read out.
10. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES & REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS AS PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS:
Cllr Hinson had attended a meeting of Amble Development Trust who were in the process of updating the Market Towns Initiative.
Cllr Palin had attended the Churches ‘Thursday Club’ where concerns were brought to his attention about litter and improving the Paddlers area.
Cllr Weir had attended a meeting with NCC Green Spaces Officer regarding planting/bedding in the town. It was agreed on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Hinson that the Clerk would forward letter to 3rd parties to clarify their ownership and commitment to maintain various beds.
Cllr Weir had also attended a meeting of Amble Business Club. Concerns were raised about the former Northumberland Foods Factory and the lack of activity at the Marina Arms, contact had been made with NCC Officer Lee Farrier. Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed a letter to Mr Farrier asking for an urgent update and possibly a meeting to discuss as well as enquiring about the Marina Arms- these sites were at the main entrances to the town and of great concern. This was seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
11. AGENDA ITEMS:
11.1: Consideration of covering insurance for a Greasy Pole fund raising event – The Clerk had prepared a risk assessment and method statement for a new horizontal greasy pole that the Insurance Company had approved. The event, planned under Amble Action Group, was to take place at Easter to raise funds for future events. Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed as the Town Council had already given the group funding that cover for the insurance should be from the funds allocated towards administration. This was seconded by Cllr Rev’d Nicholson and agreed with 7 in favour.
11.2: Consideration of deducting union contributions from wages – The Clerk detailed that this was not a legal requirement for an employer. Cllr Hinson proposed that employees make their own arrangements for paying contributions, this was seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
11.3: Consideration of News page – The content for the Newspage 33 was proposed by Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Morrison and agreed. Cllr Morrison suggested the Council focus on litter and dog fouling issues in the next news page.
11.4: The Hand over of the Mayoral Chain Book to the Town Council – Cllr Hinson formally handed over the Chainbook to the Town Council and advised it to be kept secure and a register of loan be maintained. The Chairman thanked Cllr Hinson for his efforts with the Chain book.
11.5: A report on Tesco.A1068 junction by Cllr Hinson reported after receiving a communication from Doug Wilson that at present there would be no roundabout on the A1068 entrance to the Tesco site.
11.6: Consideration of the Town Plan – Cllr Bilboe was waiting developments.
11.7: Consideration of dates for Amble Garden Awards and judging – The Clerk requested details. Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the Awards Ceremony take place on the evening of Friday 20th July at the Trinity Methodist Church Hall; Judging to take place week commencing 9th July – request the Head Gardener from Alnwick Gardens to do the judging. Cllr Bilboe agreed to judge the Allotments again and would agree a date with the Clerk. Shortlists should be submitted to the Town Council by 4th July. The awards would be judged by ward as per last year, with first and runner up receiving crystal, highly commended and commended receiving certificates. 1st in each ward would receive a shield and overall winner a cup.
A sunflower/ gardening competition run through the schools was thought of to be looked at in closer detail after the Clerk ascertained what each school undertook in this area.
The virtual garden awards (web based photographic competition) would be discussed in further detail at the next meeting of the Town Council.
11.8: Consideration of High School Prize – The Clerk was delegated with the Chairman and Vice Chairman to purchase up to 10 years of crystal awards for ‘Sporting Excellence’ for the High School from the earmarked funds available on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Dargue and agreed.
11.9: Consideration of Maintenance of Litter bins – It was formally agreed that the Town Council would take over responsibility of the litter/dog waste bins in the town on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
11.10: Consideration of Maintenance of Bus Shelters – as repairs had been done to the bus shelter on Church Street, Links Avenue and Acklington Road (near Middle School) it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Lewis that the Council formally agree to take over responsibility of these shelters, with all other shelters remaining under the responsibility of NCC. This was seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed by a majority vote.
11.11: Footpath to Industrial Estate adjacent to Southmead – Cllr Rev’d Nicholson proposed a letter be sent to NCC requesting drainage be looked at as this was a public right of way. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
12. REPORT FROM THE CEMETERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
12.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 16th February 2012 was adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
13. REPORT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:
13.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 23rd February 2012 was adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
13.2: Date of next Finance Committee Meeting – Due to staff absence this next meeting was deferred to 29th March.
13.3: Vitalise – Following a donation to Vitalise from the Town Council, the Chief Executive had extended an offer for the Council to visit one of their centres or for a talk to take place. They Council thought this was an excellent idea. Cllr Arckless suggested the Clerk make enquiries to arrange this.
14. REPORT FROM THE ALLOTMENT AND PLAYGROUNDS COMMITTEE:
The next meeting was due to be held on Saturday 21st April 2012
15. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE:
15.1: The planning report for the month on February 2012 was adopted on the proposal of Cllr Hinson, seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
15.2: Planning Training Events March 2012 – Cllrs Bilboe, Hinson, Mrs Lewis, Mrs Dargue, Miss Morrison and the Clerk were to attend.
16. COMMUNICATIONS:
16.1: Town Team Pilots – The Business Club wished to apply and as the application specified a Local Authority must be accountable for any bid, Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the Town Council agreed to support the bid if the County Council were unable to do so. This was seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed. The Clerk would ascertain if NCC were willing- if so, a letter of support from Amble Town Council would be sent with the bid.
16.2: Northumberland Wildlife Trust – Suggestion of the Paddlers grassland area be allowed to flourish to a wildflower area. Cllr Arckless commented this would be fine in principle subject to further discussions. A meeting would take place on Wednesday next at 9a.m. in the Council office.
16.3: Review of Public Rescue Equipment and Signage 20211-12 – The Town Council had no objections to signage being improved/erected at the car park near Link House, however required confirmation that the life belts would be looked at and information provided of further improvements.
16.4: Gerry Sayer – A request from a member of the public for the Town Council to erect a plaque to commemorate the Flight Lieutenant Gerry Sayer who made the fist flight in the Gloster E/28/39 but lost his life in a crash over Druridge Bay with wreckage being found off the coast of Amble. Cllr Mrs Lewis commented that it would be unfair to commemorate one brave man when others had died too, Cllr Palin suggested this information be forward to the British Legion and the Social History Group. Cllr Mrs Lewis added the Coast and Coal project may also like this information for a potential War Trail. A letter would be sent to the informant.
17. INFORMATION ITEMS AND ITEMS FOR CIRCULATION:
17.1: Regeneration Funding Bulletins – No. 6 – 8
17.2: Canny news February 2012
(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.
Acceptance was moved on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed.
18. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING:
18:1 The date & time of the next Meeting will be on Thursday 12th April 2012 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.
This was proposed for acceptance by Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Palin and agreed.
PUBLIC VERSION OF PRIVATE
P01. Report from Town Council
Minutes of Town Council Meeting held Thursday 16th and 23rd February 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
P02. Report from Cemeteries Management Committee
Minutes of the Cemeteries Management Committee held Thursday 16th February 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
P03: Consideration of Office Noticeboards – materials/design/size and quotes – The Clerk had quotes for powder coated stainless steel and recycled plastic wood effect noticeboards in A1 size with magnetic back boards and an ‘Amble Town Council’ header both landscape and portrait plus delivery.
Cllr Hinson proposed the recycled plastic in landscape be purchased. This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
P04: Consideration of financial contribution to removal of a wall – A discussion took place and was resolved on the proposal of Cllr Hinson, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm