MenuMinutes of a meeting of Amble Town Council held on Thursday 12th July 2012 at 6.30pm 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.
James Willoughby from the Gazette and PCSO Darin Fawcett were also in attendance.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: County Councillor Watson had sent his apologies.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: (maximum 15 minutes)
PCSO Darin Fawcett thanked the Town Council for the donation of the awards for the Amble and Warkworth Good Citizen Awards.
The Chairman agreed to move item 16.5 to be discussed. The Clerk read out the letter for the benefit of the Councillors. PCSO Fawcett commented that he was aware of the issues and the area was patrolled as much as possible.
Cllr Arckless proposed a meeting take place with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Ward members, Clerk and the residents at a mutually agreeable time to agree to an agenda as soon as possible. As a result of the agenda a meeting to take place with the aforementioned parties and also representatives from LMAPS, Northumbria Police and the County Councillor as a mutually agreeable time as soon as possible. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
5. MINUTES: TOWN COUNCIL
5.1: The Minutes of the meeting of Amble Town Council held Thursday 7th June 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Mrs Dargue and agreed.
6. CLERK’S REPORT:
6.1: Letter of support sent for ‘Rescued from the Sea’ project 13/06/12
6.2: Letter of support sent to Amble Development Trust re: Town Teams Pilot 13/06/12
6.3: Civic Party viewing space for Olympic torch relay details circulated to members.
6.4: Email of support sent to NEED and Age UK Northumberland re: transport project 22/06/12
6.5: Vacant plot 19/2 on Coquet Enterprise Park reported to NCC for untidy state 27/06/12
6.6: Litter bins in Leazes Street car park removed; third party not informed of their responsibility by NCC
6.7: Letter to land owner re: possible transfer of ownership of land
6.8: Composite Traffic Regulation Order – Proposed amendments to schools ‘keep clear’ zigzag markings – forwarded to Planning Committee for consultation
6.9: Following enquiry re: grass cutting in Robson’s Way, email to developers querying their grass cutting contract.
6.10: Email to HMP Northumberland requesting details of policy and costs of workshop projects 04/7/12
6.11: Email to solicitor requesting update on the removal of the wall at High Street
6.12: NCC Community Asset Transfer Policy circulated to Members
7. AGENDA ITEMS FROM CLERK’S REPORT:
7.1: Consideration of bins and seats on third party owned land – this item was deferred pending further information awaited from NCC.
8. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS and REPORT:
8.1: The Chairman stated that the parking arrangements on Queen Street needed looked at urgently. Cllr Arckless proposed a meeting take place with the appropriate highways officers and the Business Club with the possibility of a public meeting taking place in the future. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
9. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLORS:
9.1 County Councillor Arckless circulated his report. A copy is available upon request
9.2 County Councillor Watson had informed the Clerk that his representations to have the yellow lines removed from the North Side of High Street which were supported by the Town Council had been approved and NCC Highways would begin the process.
10. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES & REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS AS PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS:
Cllr Bilboe attended a meeting of the Library Standing Board, commenting that the Committee have done a excellent job on their available budget. He would forward the minutes of the meeting to the Clerk for records.
Cllr Weir had attended a meeting with the NCC Chief Executive regarding the Amble, ‘Amble Brand’ and future prospects; he also attended a meeting of the Business Club where parking was a prominent issue.
He attended a meeting of Amble Action Group who hoped to hold 2/3 events per year. As Deputy Mayor he attended the Amble and Warkworth Good Citizen Awards.
Both Cllr Weir and Cllr Mrs Lewis attended the Development Trust AGM and gave reports, Cllr Mrs Lewis requested the Clerk to include Amble 2020 on the September agenda for the Council to discuss the final draft before it is published. The Clerk would contact the Development Trust for the final draft and circulate it to Members before the meeting.
Cllr Weir and Mrs Lewis also informed they had been invited as private individuals to workshops that were taking place to establish a future for the former Northumbrian Foods site on Coquet Enterprise Park.
11. AGENDA ITEMS:
11.1: Consideration of Standing Orders – These had been circulated before the meeting; Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed for acceptance with amendments, this was seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
11.2: Consideration of annual donation of Good Citizen Award – Cllr Arckless proposed adding a separate budget heading when considering the precept, this was seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
11.3: Correspondence – Guidance required – Cllr Bilboe proposed all correspondence to be sent from the Clerk relating to Council business, this was seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed with one abstention. Cllr Arckless proposed the Mayor to use the Mayoral Crest on personal correspondence for civic functions/arrangements, in prior consultation with the Clerk. This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed with 7 in favour.
11.4: Review of Council Services – date of next meeting – The next review meeting would take place on Tuesday 17th July at 6.30pm in the Town Council Offices continuing to follow the existing agenda.
11.5: Approval of newspage content – Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the content. This was seconded by Cllr Miss Morrison and agreed.
11.6: Consideration of Registration of new Public Footpaths/ Rights of Way – Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested this be looked at as the rules for registration would change in 2016. A working party would be arranged. Cllrs Hinson, Rev’d Nicholson, Mrs Lewis, Miss Morrison and Mrs Dargue all stated their interest in taking part.
11.7: Radcliffe War Memorial – Panel update – The Clerk informed of the progress on this- awaiting a quotation after an onsite inspection.
11.8: Consideration of courtesy information from third party authorities incluing utility companies, when conducting works in Amble – Cllr Weir requested the Town Council be kept informed of works to be done in Amble as it was embarrassing being a Councillor and not being able to answer residents questions when approached. Representations would be made to NCC with the suggestion that a database be set up to save on officer time on the proposal of Cllr Weir, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
11.9: Pre budget setting request re: planters/flower beds and Seasonal worker – Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested a working party be set up to meet in September when more details are available of the intentions for the flower beds. Cllr Arckless informed that Northumberland County Council would be removing the tree that is leaning against the wall of the old vicarage . The tree was in a planter next to the bus stand on Church Street.
11.10: Consideration of adoption of new Code of Conduct – Cllr Arckless proposed the adoption of the new model code of conduct. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed. Members would receive individual copies as soon as available.
11.11: Consideration of utilising Prison workshop for the replacement/refurbishment/supply of town seats and litter bins – Cllr Mrs Dargue requested this be deferred pending further information.
12. REPORT FROM THE CEMETERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
12.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 28th June 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Weir, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
13. REPORT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:
13.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 28th June 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Dargue, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
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14. REPORT FROM THE ALLOTMENT AND PLAYGROUNDS COMMITTEE: None.
15. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE:
15.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Tuesday 12th June 2012 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Hinson, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
15.2. Planning report in the month of June.
16. COMMUNICATIONS:
16.1: NCC – Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation; deadline 15th August – Cllr Hinson suggested the Town Council meet on 2nd August to discuss, then to have a further meeting possibly on 9th August inviting Amble Development Trust and Amble Business Club to participate. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Dargue and agreed.
16.2: ADT – Information regarding Royal Visit – The Clerk informed of the Royal visit which would take place on 23rd July. Cllrs Hinson, Arckless, Mrs Lewis and the Clerk were to meet HRH Prince Charles. This was being organised by Amble Development Trust
16.3: NCC Joint County Council and Parish Council meeting dates – would be detailed at September’s meeting and Councillors delegated to attend.
16.4: NCC – Local Transport Plan Programme 2013-14 deadline 28th September – This would be circulated to the members and deferred to the Planning Committee
16.5: Letter from residents of North Street/North View – This was discussed under public participation.
16.6: NCC – Information relating to floods – Following the recent floods as a result of heavy rain, information was required on areas affected within the Parish. The Clerk would consult with Cllr Rev. Nicholson regarding a problem at the rear of Glendale.
16.7: NCC – Grass cutting briefing note – NCC acknowledged there was a problem.The Clerk would circulate
17. INFORMATION ITEMS AND ITEMS FOR CIRCULATION:
17.1: Coastal Views – June
17.2: NCC July Bus news
17.3: NCC External Funding Bulletins 17-19
17.4: CAN news summer 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 13th September 2012 at approx. 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 on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed..
Public Version of Private
P01. The minutes of the Cemeteries Management Committee were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Weir, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
P02. Consideration of the purchase of a replacement Mower – Cllr Weir proposed the purchase of a new mower, this was seconded by Cllr Arckless and was voted against with a majority of 7. Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed due to the exceptional circumstances of inclement weather and staff shortages, the Clerk get prices for hiring a contractor to cut the East Cemetery to alleviate the situation. This was seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
Cllr Hinson proposed suspension of the Standing orders, this was seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
P03: Consideration of website proposal from an Amble business – The Clerk informed of the proposal. After discussion, Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed allowing our contact details to be displayed only. No link to the business would be displayed on the Town Council website. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Dargue and agreed.
P04: Consideration of amendments to employee contract – The Clerk informed of the suggested amendments to a contract following discussions with the employee. It was agreed on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis that Clerical Assistant became Administration Assistant, with a salary starting at scale point 10 (to be reviewed annually) and increase of hours from 9 to 14 per week. The job description and contract would be amended accordingly. This was seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
P05. Response to letter enquiring about possible transfer of ownership of land – The Clerk was requested to seek clarification on the letter which the Council would discuss further in a future meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.15pm