Wednesday 16^th July 2025, 7pm. Bellingham Town Hall – Meeting Room. 

Present: Clerk. Two members of the Public. 
Councillors: Tilley, Wilkinson, Knudsen, Richardson, Turner, Armstrong, Moore

Part A

Public Participation

i. The Mart site staff are reporting that work on the footpath from Fountain Cottage towards the site and beyond cannot begin as permission has not yet been granted by NCC. CW to follow up.

ii. Repairs are scheduled for the EV chargers near the toilet block (those not associated with the Parish Council) after damage has been incurred by vehicles pushing the devices. It was suggested the operators could benefit if they also improved the signage.  

iii. The North Tyne flood bank is overgrown. This falls to the Environment Agency who used to cut three times a year. CW to follow up. 
iv. After a successful tour of The Heritage Centre Bellingham to discuss the Borderlands funding proposal, a second invitation has been extended to any of the council who could not attend the first visit. 

Part B

1.

Apologies for Absence

Cllrs Irving, Kirkbride. 

2.

County Councillor Report - None

3.

Declarations of interest

No changes. 

4.

Minutes of the last meeting

Agreed as correct and signed.

5.

Matters arising from the minutes

i. It was agreed to donate £349 towards a memorial bench for Elaine Hunter.

6.

Planning 

6.1

Applications – None 

6.2

Decisions from NCC - None

7.

Finances

7.1

Income

Toilet Honesty Box: £101. Allotments £75. Interest: £0.58, £0.58. Vat reclaim £7,929.04

7.2

Expenditure

All expenses approved. 

7.3

Bank Balances

£43,785.36, £1003.51, £1005.26
The council’s asset register was discussed. CW to seek advice about whether the Town Hall should be listed while under management of a separate committee. 
At a recent Town Hall committee meeting it was agreed by majority vote that the rent fees for PC meetings could be waived. It was also reiterated that a historical agreement means that the PC cover the annual hall insurance.

8.

Correspondence

8.1

Rabbits in Cemetery – rabbit control in the cemetery was felt to be unnecessary. 

8.2

Insurance renewal – details have not yet been received but this will need to be paid in advance of the August meeting to ensure continued cover. 

8.3

Thanks are extended to Chris Mowatt who has cut back branches along the riverside path and at the steps by Jubilee Field free of charge. 

8.4

The catch on the park gate at Jubilee field, although recently replaced has been broken again. A bolt to be fitted in hopes it is more durable against the gate being kicked. 

9.

Borderlands

A joint Heritage Centre and North Tyne & Redesdale Community Partnership venture is progressing through the funding application stages. 

10.

Reports - None

10.1

Clerk – Allotments. After a thorough examination of the budgets, it was agreed to raise the allotment rent this autumn from £25 per year for a full plot to £35. Further increases are likely to be required in coming years. The allotment site remains among the cheapest in Northumberland and is one of the few where the parish council pays for a water supply for the users.

10.2

Clerk – Landscape Tender. The current two-year contract is entering its final six months and as such councillors are asked to consider any necessary changes. It is hoped to secure this tender before the annual budget is set in November to ensure the next Precept will cover costs.

11.

Any urgent business

i. Overgrown foliage at the brown Heritage signs on the approach to Bellingham is to be reduced asap. Cllr. Moore to action. ii. Overgrown bushes at the corner of Redesmouth road are forcing pedestrians into the road. Cllr Turner to speak to homeowners. iii. The Town Hall committee are seeking quotes for new railings which may include the step area. A long awaiting repair by NCC is said to be in progress. iv. An area of Hillside is accumulating mess, CW to report to Karbon. v. Local people can now register for a home at the Mart Site. CW to share info online. vi. A request has been received for one of the swings at Briar Hill to be replaced with the style more suitable for older children. CW to explore options. 

12.

Any restricted business - None

13.

Date of next meeting 

Confirmed as Wednesday 20^th of August 2025, 7pm Meeting Room. 

Meeting Closed:

20.33