Monday 2^nd December 2024, 7pm.

Corsenside Parish Hall

1.     

Apologies for Absence – Cllrs A. Wilson, C. Hawman,

2.     

Declarations of interest – Cllr C. Hamilton in respect of The Gun at Ridsdale & the Corsenside Flood Resilience team, Cllr S. Smith in respect of the Corsenside Flood Resilience team. Cllr C. Hawman in respect of North Tyne Youth and The Gun at Ridsdale. 

3.     

Opportunities for members of the public to raise issues- none.

4.     

Minutes of the last meeting – signed and agreed as correct

5.     

Matters arising from the minutes

        Tickets for the Grimm Tales play are now for sale.  

6.     

Notification of any other business for discussion, at the Chair’s discretion, under item 16 below – none

7.     

County Councillor’s Report – none received

8.     

Ongoing Actions List – no changes

9.     

Play Area & Village Green

1.      Measurement and prices for the meadow plans discussed. CW to price up wooden posts for comparison.

2.      Friends of Corsenside, who manage a meadow at St Cuthbert’s Church, are open to further discussion around the ongoing management of the wetland meadow. They may be able to help access funding for the scheme not available directly to Parish Councils.

3.      Cllr Smith has kindly cleaned several bits of play equipment to great effect. Further cleaning will be done by hand. This will mean a professional clean will not be needed for some time. Cllr Hamilton will clean and repair the ball maze in due course. 

10.   

Volunteers and Community Spending - none

11.   

Wind Power Stations

1.      An update was read aloud (see Appendix)

2.      There is an education bursary available to over 16s in Further education or to employers looking to provide training. CW to help raise awareness by sharing a release from RWF.

12.   

Parish Hall  

1.      Due to bad weather the tabletop sale was rescheduled to Sun 8/12.

13.   

Planning Matters

a)

For decision - none

b)

Decisions from NCC - none

14.   

Correspondence - none

15.   

Finances

a)

Invoices for payment

i. Clerk Wages (15hours) £205.95, ii Chris Mowatt Landscaping £189.60 (13/9) iii. Chris Mowatt Landscaping £189.60 (5/11) iv. Parish Hall Rent £83
v. Clerk Backpay £82.86   All expenses approved.

b)

Bank Balance

£14,489.75

c)

Clerks Annual Appraisal.

CPC use the framework from the National Joint Council & Society of Local Clerks, where CW is within LC1, at scale point 12. It was recently announced that the rates of pay had been adjusted and the increase should be backdated to April, this equates to £82.86 owed to CW. New targets for the clerk were discussed.  It was decided to raise the clerk up one pay scale to 13 from December with the new hourly rate of £14.60.

d)

Budget Meeting

Having reduced the parish bank balance in accordance with advice from auditors we now have approximately one year’s budget in lieu. The budget for 25/26 has been set at £10,680 and a Precept of £10,500 will be requested. CW to action. 

16.   

Matters for discussion at the Chair’s discretion - none

17.   

Date of next meeting

Monday 3rd of February

Meeting closed at 8.05

Appendix - Wind Farm Report

Adverts went out for new directors - they are being interviewed in January.  School funding is to be continued including Bellingham Middle School. The Church and Community Partnership are operating a pilot volunteer driver scheme and they would like more volunteer drivers.  B4RN  is nearing completion of the Barrasford build and work has started on Kirkwhelpington. The Corsenside area has not received much local investment and the way leaves still need to be finalised.

Arising Actions list:

CW

Research NCC school transport

CW to price up wooden posts for meadow
Continued - Seek funding for meadow

Share RWF info re education bursary

Parish Clerk:

Christine Woodcock, 44 Brierley Gardens, Otterburn NE19 1HB. corsensideparishclerk@hotmail.com