MenuMinutes of a meeting of Amble Town Council held on Thursday 10th November 2011 at 6.30pm in the Council Office, The Quayside, Harbour Road, Amble.
1. PRESENT: Councillors Bilboe, Arckless, Hinson, Weir, Rev’d Nicholson, Mrs Lewis and Mrs Morrison together with the Clerk, Miss Brown.
County Councillor Jeff Watson, Journalist James Willoughby and Police Community Support Officer Darren Fawcett were also in attendance.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: No apologies had been received.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: (maximum 15 minutes)
5. MINUTES: TOWN COUNCIL:
5.1: Minutes of Town Council Meeting held Thursday 13th October 2011 had been circulated and were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
6. CLERK’S REPORT:
6.1: Email to NCC confirming agreement to purchase 4 x small leafed lime trees for West Avenue; NCC to plant and take responsibility as previously agreed. 14/10/11 One week notice was to be given for planting.
6.2: Letter received by Cllr Hinson re: suggestions for improvements to signage at Holy Island Causeway forward to Holy Island Parish Council 14/10/11
6.3: Telephone call to plumbers to agree to quote to increase outflow pipe in clock tower to from 0.5’ to 1’ diameter 14/10/11. Start date awaited.
6.4: Email to Homes for Northumberland to book Kennedy Road Centre for the Mayor’s Christmas Reception on the evening of Thursday 15th December. Booking confirmed.
6.5: Request to JCSC to cut back hedges along Acklington Road; particularly at area of bus stop. 07/10/11
Reply received re: issue with nesting bird, but assurance hedge would be cut back. Confirmation on 03/11/11 that hedge was cut back at area of bus stop.
6.6: Town Council decisions re: NCC Services Handover forwarded to John Cooper on 03/11/11
6.7: Wynd Wall repair requested – work to commence for approx. 3 days on 31st October 2011. Work was now complete, the Clerk had taken photos for records, Cllr Hinson remarked on the good workmanship.
6.8: Zurich recovery team chasing up claim re: accident on the Wynd.
6.9: Enquiry from resident re: unsightly state of pathway/hedges between Gloster Park and the farmland due to not being cut back for some time. Email forward to NCC regarding concerns. Reply from Tony Derbyshire on same day saying that the works was scheduled to be done that same day. 27/10/11
6.10: Cllr Hinson requested to write a quote on ‘why the Town Council wanted a website and how it will benefit Amble’ for website developer. The Clerk also added a quote. The press release was approved by the Chairman and could be seen at request.
6.11: Observed that stone kerbing has been attached to the reverse of the Radcliffe Memorial; enquiries underway. 01/11/11
6.12: Details of Annual Parish meeting forward to Community Forum for their consideration. 01/11/11
6.13: Enquiry to NCC re: when the structural works at the top are Queen Street will be complete and what provision has been made for disabled access at the temporary pedestrian diversion 01/11/11. The Clerk informed that Anna Kruk (NCC) had arranged a site visit to take place with the contractor on 15th November. Cllr Arckless commented that he wished to attend the site visit, stating that it was worrying that no thought seemed to have been given for disabled access.
6.14: Fly tipping at the back of Henderson Street reported to NCC. Reply received confirming this is being dealt with. Cllr Morrison informed that the sofa had been removed but car parts were still there- still monitor situation
7. AGENDA ITEMS FROM CLERK’S REPORT: None.
8. BUSINESS EXPRESSLY REQUIRED BY STATUTE:
8.1: Timetable for Central Ward by-election still awaited.
9. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS and REPORT:
The report is attached.
9.1: Mayors’ Christmas Reception – Invitations for the reception to be held on Thursday 15th December were approved by the Mayor. A food hamper was being arranged to be raffled to raise funds for Amble Christmas Lights; this would be looked into further.
Cllr Mrs Lewis would co-ordinate Councillors’ donations of food for the Reception .
Amble Netball Club have invited the Mayor and Councillors to their match on Thursday 1st December at 7.30p.m. Sir James Spence College, where the Mayor would formally present them with the netball goal posts funded by the Council. This was also to be an opportunity to publicise the bid for Netball to be recognised as an Olympic Sport in the future.
10. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLORS:
10.1 County Councillor Arckless gave his report; copy attached. He also highlighted that Single Status had eventually been agreed to be implemented in 3 stages. The Town Council representation for bus improvements to the Radcliffe Estate was under consideration from NCC.
10.2 County Councillor Watson informed that the flashing speed sign at the entrance to the Wynd required improvements.
The plans for the outside seating area at the Bede Street were possibly going to appeal following residents objections. Cllrs Watson and Arckless were continuing to look at funding some new lights for Albert Street/Wellwood Street through members’ small schemes.
Warkworth Parish Council were interested in involvement in the Jubilee celebrations.
Cllr Watson raised an enquiry about Tesco and the 106 agreement as the development would effect the road through the Braid which was in the Warkworth Parish – would any landscaping be done at the entrance to the Braid from Rotary Way. Cllr Arckless informed that he believed that the funding was ring fenced for Town Centre improvements. Cllr Mrs Lewis believed landscaping was a planning condition being dealt with by NCC Highways. The Clerk would ask for details of all landscaping schemes for this application.
Amble Youth Project have secured funding for 3 years training from a professional football coach on Wednesday evenings- it was proving very popular..
Cllr Hinson enquired about Amble by-pass funding being withdrawn. Cllrs Arckless and Watson confirmed road works were dependant on funding and the Local Transport Plan and except for Pegswood to A1 all by pass funding was not included.
11. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES & REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS AS PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS:
Cllr Weir stated that the Steering Group was progressing well and that notes of meetings would be circulated to all members.
Cllr Weir had also attended CAN’s 60th birthday celebration and a report was available in the Council Office.
12. AGENDA ITEMS:
12.1: Consideration of Web information for approval – Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the web information for inclusion, this was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed
12.2: Consideration of the Creation of Unpaid Clerk Position – Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the creation of an ‘Unpaid Clerk Position’ for special instances when a meeting was called but the Clerk and Clerical Assistant were unavailable, this was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
12.3: Consideration of the Appointment of ‘First Aid Appointed Person’ – Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the Clerk be the Appointed person for the purposes of first aid, which would include providing first aid boxes, ensuring they were correctly stocked, displaying notices of their location and that of the nearest health centre for assistance. This was seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed.
12.4: Consideration of approval of News page (draft 31) – Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the news page, this was seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
12.5: Consideration of a Virtual Flower Show to run alongside the Annual Garden Awards – The Clerk detailed the concept which would have an implication in increasing the budget for the Garden Awards. Cllr Ms Lewis proposed this be agreed in principle with an addition of £50 to the budget, and finer details to be discussed in the future. This was seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
12.6: Consideration of NCC Local Councils Charter – The Clerk informed that the the deadline for the consultation was 31st December. Cllr Bilboe proposed this be discussed further and comments returned to the December meeting of the Town Council. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis who gave some comments to be noted and agreed.
12.7: Consideration of comment for Boundary Commission consultation – The Clerk stated that the only comment she had received from members was from Cllr Mrs Lewis stating she ‘supported Rothbury remaining in the constituency. Renaming should include Alnwick as it forms as large a part as Morpeth and Berwick, and if this was too wordy then an example would be ‘Lindisfarne.’’ Cllr Arckless expressed concerns about Cllrs being involved in our area who had no local knowledge. Cllr Bilboe proposed adopting these comments as the Councils formal response, this was seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed.
12.8: Consideration of public announcement made Monday 7th November – The Clerk made reference to the announcement that the Olympic Flame would pass through Amble as part of the Olympic torch relay. This was an exciting opportunity to promote the Town. Although the street level route would not be announced until the beginning of May 2012, the Clerk had sent a letter to NCC requesting that Queen Street be included in the route. An event to coincide would be discussed in the new year.
Cllr Rev’d Nicholson made her apologies and left the meeting at 8.00pm
12.9: Consideration of ideas for Community engagement – The Clerk suggested the Members utilised the meeting room more by having monthly drop in sessions for members of the public and community groups, possibly on a rota system, to improve Council communication and awareness of issues in the Town. Cllr Mrs Lewis whilst recognising that this was a good idea proposed deferring to the January meeting of the Council so that Members could think about their availability. This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
12.10: Consideration of Involvement in Amble First Schools ‘Amazing Amble’ week – The Clerk would request a programme for the week’s activities so the Members could individually decide times of availability.
13. REPORT FROM THE CEMETERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
13.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 27th October 2011 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
14. REPORT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:
14.1: The Minutes of the Meeting held Thursday 27th October 2011 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
15. REPORT FROM THE ALLOTMENT AND PLAYGROUNDS COMMITTEE:
15.1: The minutes of the meeting held Saturday 15th October 2011 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Mrs Morrison and agreed.
16. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE:
16.1: The planning report for the month on October 2011 was proposed for acceptance by Cllr Hinson who praised the new format, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed. Copies available in the office.
17. AMBLE COMMUNITY FORUM
17.1: The minutes from the Forum dated 7th November 2011had been circulated. It was noted the Parish Meeting would be held in conjunction with the Forum on 23rd April 2012 at 6p.m. Fourways 2.
18. COMMUNICATIONS:
18.1: Mobile Library Service; notification of consultation commencing 21st November. The Clerk suggested posting a hyperlink to the consultation on the Town Council website and also requesting posters and leaflets.
18.2: Treefest 2011 – as the erection of the trees was scheduled for the evening of 15th December when there would be Council meetings, the Clerk would enquire whether it was possible for the Council to gain access during the daytime. If St. Mark’s United Reformed were agreeable then the Town Council would once again take part on the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
18.3: Licencing query re: mobile catering unit at Coquet Enterprise Park – no objections. The Clerk would inform the Licencing Department and the unit owner.
18.4: NCC – Polling District and Station Review Results – For information.
19. INFORMATION ITEMS AND ITEMS FOR CIRCULATION:
19.1: Alnwick Citizens Advice open day – 26th October- details circulated 14/10/11
19.2: Regeneration Funding Bulletin No. 39, 40, 41 and 42
19.3: Clerks and Councils Direct – November 2011
19.4: The Ambler – Issue 71
(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.
20. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING:
20:1 The date & time of the next Meeting will be on Thursday 8th December 2011 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.
On the proposal of Cllr Arckless, seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
PUBLIC VERSION OF PRIVATE
P01. Report from Town Council
Minutes of Town Council Meeting held Thursday 13th October 2011 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed.
P02. Report from Cemeteries Management Committee
Minutes of the meeting held Thursday 15th September 2011 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
P03. Land adjacent to 62 High Street – A report was received.
P04. Office Staff Appraisals
Cllr Mrs Lewis gave a report of Clerk’s appraisal.
Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested ID tags be investigated for all staff and Councillors for use when on official business.
For office security reasons, it was suggested the lock to the filing room be repaired.
This was proposed for acceptance by Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed.
The Clerk gave a report of the Clerical Assistant’s appraisal
The Clerk suggested an addendum to the Clerical Assistant’s Job Description to include deputising for the Town Clerk in his/her absence. As this would include being responsible for other staff they would be informed by letter and an addendum added to their Job Descriptions. The Clerical Assistant’s increased duties and hours would continue to be monitored and due to the level of increased responsibilities, an increase to the salaries budget investigated. This was proposed for acceptance by Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Arckless and agreed.
The meeting closed at 8.53pm