MenuMinutes of a meeting of Amble Town Council held on Thursday 10th May 2012 in the Council Office, The Quayside, Harbour Road, Amble.
1. PRESENT: Councillors Hinson (Chairman), Arckless, Bilboe, Palin, Weir, Rev’d Nicholson, Mrs Dargue, Mrs Lewis and, Miss Morrison together with the Clerk, Miss Brown.
County Council Jeff Watson and Reporter James Willoughby were also in attendance.
Public attendance – Simone Dixon
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: (maximum 15 minutes) Simone Dixon requested to speak about agenda item 11.9. The Chairman agreed to this.
Ms Dixon proposed to locate a catering van on the weighbridge next to the Harbour Masters Office. The catering unit would be powered by gas which would be securely contained within the unit. She proposed the van to be located on the site permanently with opening hours from 7.30am to 4pm. She would ensure that litter would not be a problem. The Council raised concerns about potential vandalism if the unit was to be permanently on site, preferring the unit to be removed in the evenings, concerns about potential litter problems but supported creating employment in the town and in principle had no objections to a catering unit trading from this location.
5. MINUTES: TOWN COUNCIL
5.1: Minutes of Town Council Meeting held Thursday 12th April 2012 were proposed to be accurate by Cllr Hinson, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed. They were subsequently signed by the Chairman.
5.2: The minutes of Amble Parish Meeting held Monday 23rd April 2012 were proposed to be accurate by Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed. They were subsequently signed by the Chairman.
6. CLERK’S REPORT:
6.1: Members Briefing note on Civic Parking Enforcement circulated 12/04/12
6.2: Confirmation from NCC that they do not have a policy for ‘No Ball Games’ signage as they do not erect such signage
6.3: Letter to Grainger PLC re: land on Turner Street
Reply received stating fencing will not be removed due to insurance reasons
6.4: NCC Officer Alison Jones to be planting beds at Dilston Terrace and Gibson Street on 16th May.
The Clerk was requested to once again clarify the County Councils policy on ‘No Ball Games’ signage as Cllr Rev. Nicholson said NCC ones had replaced old ADC in some areas.
7. AGENDA ITEMS FROM CLERK’S REPORT: None
8. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS and REPORT: None.
9. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLORS:
9.1 County Councillor Arckless circulated his report; copies available on request. Cllr Mrs Lewis raised her concerns over the Arch Group being responsible for the Industrial Estate without any prior knowledge or correspondence to the Council nor any report from County Councillors. Cllr Arckless would seek clarification.
9.2 County Councillor Watson informed that he would be requesting the Highways department review the single yellow line on High Street, with the view of removing the one on the side that has businesses to allow parking. He requested the Town Council consider supporting his letter. The Chairman deferred this to the next meeting of the Planning Committee. He informed that the fencing along Rotary Way was to be renovated and a planter was to be placed at the entrance to Warkworth on Rotary Way dedicated to the Jubilee event. A planning application was also in the process for the demolition of the former Northumbrian Foods Factory.
10. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES & REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS AS PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS:
Cllr Weir reported on a meeting of CAN, copy available on request.
The Clerk reported on a meeting of Amble Business Club; copy available on request.
11. AGENDA ITEMS:
11.1: Approval of accounts and annual governance statement for year ending March 2012 was proposed by Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed. Is this the proper wording?
11.2: Retrospective approval of Town Council newspage (34) – this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed. Cllrs Ms Dargue offered to help with the production of future news pages.
11.3: Consideration of timing of meetings with Officers so that Members who are employed have the opportunity to attend – Cllr Mrs Dargue requested that consideration be given to Members in employment when arranging meetings where possible. This was agreed.
11.4: Consideration of parking on Queen Street; help for residents and the allocation of a disabled bay – Cllr Arckless requested representations be made to NCC regarding the addition of disabled parking bays on Queen Street and measures to help the residents of Queen Street. This was seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
11.5: Consideration of budgeted funds for Olympic events – The Clerk detailed the event that James Calvert Spence College South Avenue Site planned to hold and Cllr Arckless detailed Amble Links First School’s event. Following a donation to the Sea Angling Club, there was still a large proportion of the budget heading for Olympic celebrations remaining.
The Clerk would establish whether any funding could be given to the schools for awards/prizes. Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested looking into the cost of an oblong planter with the Council crest, the Olympic Torch and a Jubilee symbol as a permanent reminder of these historic occasions; it could be placed on Rotary Way or Amble’s main street entrance. The Clerk would investigate costs.
11.6: Consideration of distribution of tickets for the Festival of Northumberland; it was agreed that 10 be kept for Members of the Council, 8 to be given to both East Chevington and Togston Parish Councils and the remainder to be drawn for the community who take part in the litter pick.
11.7: Setting a date for working party to review seats, litter bins and bus shelters – The review was agreed to take place at 5.30pm before the meeting of the Finance Committee on 24th May.
11.8: Consideration of alterations to text of Amble Town Trail prior to reprint – After discussion, Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed a reprint with the suggested amendments. This was seconded by Cllr Miss Morrison and agreed.
11.9: Proposed catering unit to be place located on Harbour – Council comments required – As discussed during public participation session.
11.10: Confirmation of Amble Tidy up day details and promotion – The Clerk asked for confirmation of the Members who intended to take part in the Community Tidy up day. Cllr Miss Morrison, Mrs Dargue, Mrs Lewis, Rev’d Nicholson, Hinson and Palin confirmed they would. Posters would be distributed.
12. REPORT FROM THE CEMETERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
12.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 19th April 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Hinson, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
13. REPORT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:
13.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 26th April 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed.
13.2: Update of Years budget and Earmarked Funds – Cllr Mrs Lewis gave a report which is attached.
14. REPORT FROM THE ALLOTMENT AND PLAYGROUNDS COMMITTEE:
14.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Saturday 21st April 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
15. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE:
15.1: No plans were received in the month of April
15.2: The Clerk informed that planning application 12/00852/FUL for a proposed Kitchen/dining extension had been approved without any consultation with the Town Council; NCC had been informed of this.
16. COMMUNICATIONS:
16.1: Love Northumberland Awards – consideration of nominations; Members would contact the Clerk with ideas
16.2: ‘Rescued by the Sea’ Community Archaeology Project – The Clerk informed of a meeting that was taking place on 21st May. Cllrs Miss Morrison, Mrs Dargue, Rev’d Nicholson and Arckless stated their intention to attend.
16.3: NCC – Policy and Practice Relating to Outdoor Advertisements; Cllr Arckless recommended all Members looking at the document, stating it had been vastly improved. Cllr Mrs Lewis requested a copy.
17. INFORMATION ITEMS AND ITEMS FOR CIRCULATION:
17.1: Regeneration Funding Bulletins 13, 14
17.2: CAN e-news April 2012
17.3: Citizens Advice Bureau – Poster promoting Over 60’s Welfare Benefit Service
17.4: Clerk and Councils Direct May 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.
18. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING:
18:1 The date & time of the next Meeting will be on Thursday 7th June 2012 at approx. 6.30pm. in the Town Council Meeting Room, The Quayside, Amble, a week early to allow attendance at the Olympic Torch event .
The meeting closed at 8.20pm