MenuMinutes of a meeting of Amble Town Council held on Thursday 10th January 2013 at 6.30pm in the Council Office, The Quayside, Harbour Road, Amble.
PRESENT: Cllrs Hinson, Arckless, Bilboe, Palin, Weir, Mrs Dargue, Mrs Lewis and Rev’d Nicholson.
County Councillor Watson, PCSO Fawcett, Journalist James Willoughby and one member of the public were also present.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies were received from Cllr Miss Morrison- holiday; these were accepted.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
No declarations were received.
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: (maximum 15 minutes)
The following questions were asked:
An update of the supermarket development – Cllr Hinson stated the works were to commence in the spring.
An update of the Rotary Way planter – The Clerk informed that the location had been agreed, funding had been approved and a formal quote was required from the builder.
PCSO Fawcett updated on crime during the month of December. Cllr Bilboe queried about a car that had been parked in Gloster Park for a long period of time, PCSO Fawcett would look into this.
5. MINUTES: TOWN COUNCIL
With an amendment it was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held Thursday 13th December 2012 were an accurate record.
6. CLERK’S REPORT:
6.1: RECOMMENDATION – That the Council notes the contents of the report
Letter sent to Right of Way Officer requesting actions on report be dealt with as soon as possible 14/12/12
Letters to adjacent parish councils informing of Rights of Way Report and encouraging them to consider undertaking their own reviews.
Meeting held with Terry Garnick to discuss various issues – report to follow
The Clerk updated on the progress with the Radcliffe War Memorial restoration; a working party would be set up to progress this consisting of Councillors Bilboe, Mrs Lewis and the Clerk who would report back to full Council.
The Clerk informed of the state of the footpath following ‘improvement’ works on North Street, Cllr Arckless had already been in contact with the relevant officer. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk write a letter to NCC stating the Council’s concerns.
7. AGENDA ITEMS FROM CLERK’S REPORT: None.
8. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS and REPORT:
The Chairman reported that he had attended an honorary alderman celebration at Northumberland County Council by invitation of the Chairman of Northumberland County Council.
9. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLORS:
County Councillor Arckless circulated his report; a copy is available upon request. Cllr Mrs Lewis stated her concerns over future precepts, due to the new method of assessing the Council Tax base, if it is not supported by a Northumberland County Council Grant.
County Councillor Watson reported that if the proposed social housing in Warkworth is approved it will be on offer to NE65 residents via home finder.
10. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES:
(Believe it was decided to leave this heading as it was until May Annual meeting.)
To receive the report of Councillors who represent ATC on outside bodies
The Clerk reported on the meeting of Amble 2020 where it was suggested the aesthetics of the Percy Drive entrance to Amble could be improved. Parking was also discussed. The Clerk suggested the Town Council investigate covering the cost of the Insurance for the Turner Street car park for a temporary period of time to alleviate the lack of parking in the town. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk investigates and returns her findings to the Finance Committee.
Cllr Miss Morrison – Druridge Bay Coal & Coast 14th December 2012 – the report is available on request.
11. AGENDA ITEMS:
11.1: To consider the landscaping of the High Street garden – It was RESOLVED that a working party be set up to look into the landscaping of the site. This would consist of Cllrs Mrs Lewis, Mrs Dargue, Weir and the Clerk who would report back to full Council.
11.2: To consider releasing the Mayoral chain book into the Mayor’s care for public viewing on a temporary basis – It was RESOLVED that the Mayoral Chain Book be released into the Chairman’s care for civic events/group visits, but private individuals wishing to view it should make an appointment at the office.
11.3: To consider the Town budget for 2013/14, it was RESOLVED that the budget be agreed with several amendments. The agreed precept would be £106840 which was a reduction of approx. 1 %.
11.4: To consider Members ideas for the planter to be located on the concrete base at the Percy Drive entrance to Amble as deferred from the December meeting of the Town Council – It was RESOLVED to investigate a small coal truck (or replica) to be planted up, this would be delegated for designs, costings etc. to Cllrs Weir and Mrs Dargue together with the Clerk who would report back to full Council.
11.5: To consider the future format of Amble Garden Awards – It was RESOLVED that a working party be held consisting of Cllrs Bilboe, Rev’d Nicholson and Mrs Lewis who would report back to full Council.
12. REPORT FROM THE CEMETERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
12.1: It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held Thursday 20th December be accepted and adopted.
13. REPORT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:
13.1: It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 20th December 2012 be accepted and adopted
14. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE:
14.1: There was no planning report for the month of December.
15. COMMUNICATIONS:
15.1: NCC – County Council member’s local improvement schemes – a contribution had been received for the Rotary Way planter (updated in Public question time).
15.2: Amble Food Hub – A feasibility study into the viability of the site was being carried out.
16. INFORMATION ITEMS AND ITEMS FOR CIRCULATION:
RECOMMENDATION – That the Council note the information items.
16.1: Community Action Northumberland News – Winter Issue
The information item was noted.
17. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING:
17:1 The date & time of the next Meeting will be on Thursday 14th February at approx. 6.30pm. in the Town Council Meeting Room, The Quayside, Amble
It was RESOLVED that 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
PUBLIC/PRIVATE
P01. REPORT OF THE CEMETERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held 20th December be accepted and adopted.
P02. THE MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held Thursday 19th December 2012 be accepted and adopted.