Minutes of the meeting of CORSENSIDE PARISH COUNCIL
on MONDAY the 8th of July 2024, 7pm
at Corsenside Parish Hall, West Woodburn.
Present: Cllr C Hamilton (Chair) Cllr C Hawman (Vice Chair), Cllr D Anderson, Cllr S Smith.
Clerk: C Woodcock, Members of the public: Three, including Parish Hall Trustee, Frederica McComb.
1) Apologies for Absence: A. Wilson, K Traill & D Mole.
2) Code of Conduct (Declaration of Interest): No changes.
3) Opportunities for members of the public to raise issues: i Fiona Wardlaw of Escape attended to share news about their work. Escape are a local charity offering free confidential support (including one-to-one phone calls, online help, group sessions and training) for families affected by substance abuse. More information is available at https://escapefamilysupport.org.uk/. CW to add link to website.
4) Minutes of Corsenside Parish Meeting held on Monday the 10th of June 2024: signed as a true and accurate record.
5) Matters arising from the minutes: None.
6) Notification of any other business: Two points.
7) County Councillor’s Report: None
8) Ongoing Actions List. 91: TWM have given access to an online portal which should show driver data. CW to ensure this is working and retrieve information. The Ridsdale repair is complete and should be re-installed this coming week.
9) Play Area & Village Green: i. The trye jumps were found to not be slippery in dry weather, regardless they have been cleaned and anti-moss solution applied. CW to monitor. ii. A quote of £7625 has been received to install drains in the village green. Landscaping / tree planting options to be investigated as a comparison – CW to action. iii. Plans to get parishioner input on the village green plans during the show were discussed – CW to action.
10) Volunteers and Community Spending: The application made to GreenRigg to fund the two new bins needed along the A68 has been rejected.
11) Wind Power Stations: i. The application CPC made for a grant to buy safety matting has been rejected. CW to invite a representative to the Sept PC meeting to ask how CPC may be more successful in future. ii. An update was read aloud (included below - appendix 1).
12) Parish Hall: i. Andrea Ashcroft is now CPH secretary and correspondence should be directed to her. ii. The renovations continue to progress well. iii. Discussion is being given to the use of the hall during a local emergency. Some financial concerns have been expressed, clarity needed over this point. Storage of a generator, which is quite large, is being discussed. iv. A meeting with Community Action Northumberland is being planned by Fiona Knox, details tbc. v. Cllr Hamilton has liaised with CPH and their solicitor about the legalities arising from the addition of solar panels. As custodian trustee CPC will be required to sign some of the documents. Further details are awaited however it is expected that this matter will be straightforward.
13) Emergency Plan: The Gun and the Parish Hall have given positive indications they are happy to be included in planning, details yet to be confirmed. Future plans to distribute the plan once complete need consideration. CW to continue draft of plan and share as required for feedback.
14) Safeguarding Policy: Further changes were discussed. CW to action.
15) Planning Matters a) For decision – None
b) Decisions from NCC – None.
16) Other correspondence a) NCC have requested our Local Transport Priorities due ti be submitted in September. Options were discussed. It was suggested to use the speeding data to support application – CW to action. Final decisions to be confirmed at September meeting. b) If an insurance quote for equal cover can be secured at a lesser price CPC will take that option otherwise the insurance renewal at £1316.96 will be accepted. CW to action, Cllr Hamilton to oversee and confirm. c) NCC contacted the council to inform them of garden waste being dumped near Brae Well. This is dangerous and illegal. Clerk has erected some signs and information can be shared online to educate about this.
17) Finances – a) Invoices for payment – i. Wet & Walk Away (cleaner, play area) – £29.99
ii. Clerk Wages (22 hours)– £260.87 b) Income: i. Vat rebate - £813.50 c) Bank Balance: £14, 370.05
18) Any other business for discussion at the chairman’s discretion: i. The grass verges after Armstrong Street are very overgrown, previously a narrow edge was cut allowing pedestrians to safely leave the road when cars passed, CW to report on fix my street. ii. Cllr Hamilton will write to the new Hexham MP Joe Morris about the copper line removal and reiterate the council’s strong concerns over the issue.
19) Next Meeting – Monday 2nd September 7pm.
Meeting closed 9.30 pm.
Actions List:
· CW to check for speed data (Share access with Cllr SS), ensure Ridsdale repair is complete.
· CW to add details of Escape to website and share locally.
· C Hamilton to respond to contact with Parish Hall solicitors as required
· CW to check of tyre jumps are clean
· CW to explore environmental options for VG drainage
· CW to continue work on Emergency Plan
· CW to implement final changes to Safeguarding policy and circulate
· CW to prepare explanation of VG options for public opinion during parish show.
· CW to ask RWF to attend next meeting
· CW to seek cheaper insurance quote, C Hamilton to oversee.
· CW to ask verges to be cut beyond AS Ridsdale.
Appendix:
1. Report from Ray Wind Farm.
NT & RCP £18,524.67
Request for a grant for replacement windows for Station House, Bellingham. Repairs are no longer possible and to make the office spaces more energy efficient they must be replaced. Match funding secured from Green Rigg and awaiting further decision from Northumberland Community Chest.
Wark Primary School £4,000
This application is requesting a grant towards the Key Stage 2 residential trip for Years 3 to 6, to Elterwater, where the pupil will undertake a varied programme of outdoor activities. Parents will contribute the remainder of the funding required.
Adapt Byrness to Morpeth Bus Funding
Adapt would like to continue to offer the Byrness to Morpeth bus which has been funded by RWF for several years. The cost of this has increased due to a rise in fuel prices and wages. This year’s cost will be £10,312.
Unanimous decision to award the funding for the 2024-25 service.
Discussion of the monitoring form took place; Directors would like the RWF to receive more publicity for the support and ensure residents in the area of benefit know about the service. DB, PR, LG and JW due to have a meeting with Adapt in June where plans for a potential application will be discussed along with feedback from Directors. A report to be requested for publication in the local parish magazines and online newsletters.
Bellingham Middle School Funding
KW has spoken to Bellingham Middle School, who have a similar number of children as Bellingham Primary School. Proposed to award the Middle School the same amount of money for the summer term.
Unanimous decision to award £1,360.
Succession Planning – Vice Chair and Chair of ARC JW
Discussions were had about recruiting new Directors as there are vacancies and 5 Directors are due to complete there term. Rothley & Hollinghill and Wallington Demesne parishes, have been contacted seeking interested parties to become a Director.
Notices in parish magazines and social media groups to ask if anyone in the community is interested.