MenuMinutes of a meeting of Amble Town Council held on Thursday 14th March 2013 at 6.30pm in the Council Office, The Quayside, Harbour Road, Amble.
PRESENT: Cllrs Hinson, Bilboe, Palin, Weir, Mrs Lewis and Rev’d Nicholson, together with the Clerk.
County Councillor Watson and Journalist James Willoughby were also present.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllrs Arckless (prior commitments), Mrs Dargue (holiday) and Miss Morrison (prior commitments). It was RESOLVED these be accepted.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: (maximum 15 minutes) None.
5. MINUTES: TOWN COUNCIL
5.1: To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held Thursday 14th February 2013 – It was RESOLVED that these be accepted.
5.2: To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Review meeting held Thursday 21st February 2013 – it was RESOLVED that these be accepted.
6. CLERK’S REPORT:
RECOMMENDATION – That the Council notes the contents of the report
6.1: Letter sent to resident in response to Bird Scarer complaint 210213
6.2: Letter to NCC requesting signage on the roundabout at the southern entrance be removed 210213
6.3: Request for update regarding transfer of 0.6m stretch of land at High Street Garden 210213
6.4: Letter to Home for Northumberland re: Welfare Reform: Bedroom taxation 210213
6.5: Email to NCC Winter Services asking for a list of requests for grin bin in Amble, if any 210213
6.6: Admin Officer contacted NCC re: re-siting of litter bins – approved by NCC
6.7: Clerk attended Action for Market Towns workshop
The Clerk’s Report was noted.
7. AGENDA ITEMS FROM CLERK’S REPORT: None.
8. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS and REPORT:
The Chairman reported that he had attended the Joint NCC/Parish Council meeting where discussions had taken place regarding Highways Maintenance, the restructure of the health service and the Welfare Reform, specifically the under occupancy taxation. Copies of the paperwork were available to view. The Clerk also informed of the presentation that was given about the elections, stating the she was now in receipt of nomination packs.
9. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLORS:
County Councillor Arckless was not present to give a report.
County Councillor Watson, although present did not have a report to give.
10. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES & REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS AS PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS:
To receive the report of Councillors who represent ATC on outside bodies
The Clerk read out Cllr Miss Morrison’s report of Amble Puffin Fest, a copy was available for information.
Cllr Weir gave reports on the meeting of NALC, CAN and the Business Club, no written reports were provided.
11. AGENDA ITEMS:
11.1: To consider making representations to NCC regarding litter in general and the enforcement of dog fouling
fines – The Council discussed the increase in litter and dog fouling around the town. Very few fines have been issued and in some cases litter appears to have lain for weeks. We are aware there are fewer Northumberland County Council men working in the town and the increase in litter and dog fouling may be the result of cuts to the workforce. It should be pointed out to NCC how the look of the town has deteriorated and that the collection of litter is their responsibility. The Council would also like to see fines covering litter and dog fouling being enforced. It was RESOLVED that a letter to this effect be sent to Northumberland County Council. It was also suggested that a future News page could encourage residents to speak out about litter and dog fouling offenders.
11.2: To consider adopting responsibility of the bus shelter on High Street and carrying out necessary repairs to Perspex – This would be deferred to the next meeting of the Council pending a report from the working party.
11.3: To consider the revised grant awarding policy – Finance Committee recommended grants being determined on a 6 monthly basis, it was RESOLVED that the policy be adopted.
11.4: To consider the amended Financial Regulations – It was RESOLVED that the Financial Regulations be adopted.
11.5: To consider the amended Statement of Internal Control –It was RESOLVED that the Statement of Internal Control be adopted.
11.6: To consider the amended Financial Risk Assessment – It was RESOLVED that the Financial Risk Assessment be adopted.
11.7 To consider a revised Complaints Procedure – It was RESOLVED that the Complaints Procedure be adopted.
11.8: To consider the response to Local Development Plan: Preferred Options consultation; copy attached – It was RESOLVED that the response be adopted with the amendment of a comment regarding the district centre boundaries being out of date and requiring consultation on this.
11.9: To consider wording for the celebratory Olympic/ Jubilee year awards. It was RESOLVED that the three engraving strips would read as follows: ‘Diamond Jubilee’ (top line), ‘2012’ (middle line) and ‘Olympics’ (bottom line) if permitted.
12. REPORT FROM THE CEMETERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
12.1: It was RESOLVED to adopt the reports and recommendations of the meeting held Thursday 21st February 2013.
13. REPORT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:
13.1: It was RESOLVED to adopt the reports and recommendations of the Meeting held Thursday 28th February 2013.
14. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE:
14.1It was RESOLVED to adopt the reports in the month of February.
15. COMMUNICATIONS:
15.1: Homes for Northumberland – Welfare Reform; bedroom taxation – This was received for information.
15.2: Royal Air Force Boulmer 60th Anniversary Spring Reception – The Clerk would inform that Cllr Hinson would attend and enquire as to whether he was required to wear the Mayoral Chain.
16. INFORMATION ITEMS AND ITEMS FOR CIRCULATION:
RECOMMENDATION – That the Council note the information items.
16.1: Local Councils Update – March 2013
16.2: Clerks & Councils Direct – March 2013
16.3: The Clerk Magazine – March 2013
16.4: The Flagman: change of address
The Council noted the above items for information.
17. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING:
17:1 The date & time of the next Meeting will be on Thursday 11th April 2013 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. It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Review meeting held Thursday 21st February 2013 were an accurate record.
P02. Review of Services- To consider ideas for the job description/contract amendments prior to further consultation – It was agreed that a further review meeting be held on 27th March at 6.30pm, with a further meeting, after legal consultation, to be held on 24th April. RESOLVED a letter be sent to employees affected to inform Council considering revised contracts and job descriptions.
P03: To consider quotations for improvements to East Allotment Walkways – As the quotations were not very clear, the Clerk would investigate clarifying the quotes and also request additional quotations for consideration.