Wednesday 20^th August 2025, 7pm. Bellingham Town Hall – Meeting Room. 

Present: Clerk. One member of the Public. 
Councillors: Kirkbride, Tilley, Knudsen, Richardson, Turner, Armstrong, Moore, Irving

Part A

Public Participation

i. Car at foundry yard appears abandoned, as this is on private land this is a private matter. 

ii. No organisation is willing to take responsibility for the dead sheep in the river because of its position. iii. Tree on riverbank could be a flood risk. Although this falls outside the PC’s area of concern CW is to pass concern to Environment Agency. iv The Environment Agency are planning to lower the flood bank which predates Kielder Reservoir and the Dam which has regulated water levels. Cllr Knudsen to monitor this in her role with local flood wardens. 
v. Could Lock Up Lane be resurfaced and/or made a feature of the village? This lane is still classed as the Highway through Bellingham. CW to write to the chemist and request the bin be moved to keep the lane clear. vi. Work on a path to the Mart site (and beyond to the Bridge) is still waiting permission. Construction of the new Co-Op is to begin in April.

vii. The Heritage Centre are applying for an electronic hub which would contain local information. There is ongoing discussion about how to combine resources between organisations to best promote the area. 

Part B

1.

Apologies for Absence

Cllr Wilkinson. 

2.

County Councillor Report - None

3.

Declarations of interest

No changes. 

4.

Minutes of the last meeting

Agreed as correct.

5.

Matters arising from the minutes

i. When the landscaping tender is renewed Bellingham in Bloom have requested that the task of emptying the pots each autumn is added, this was agreed. CW to print 3 more signs to acknowledge local sponsors. ii. The Rospa safety inspection of the play area contained several amber warnings but nothing high risk, Cllr Kirkbride to address in due course. CW to check volunteer action is covered by BPC insurance. iii. Vehicular Activated Signs aimed at reducing speeding could be sourced from Elan City for £2500 each. Cllr Turner has a local contact who may be able to provide similar for cost price, this is to be followed up. iv. Narrow misses between pedestrians and cyclists has prompted the request for additional warning signage near the riverside, CW to action. v. The location for the bench in memory of Elaine Hunter has been approved, Cllr Kirkbride to follow up. 

6.

Planning 

6.1

Applications – None 

6.2

Decisions from NCC - None

7.

Finances

7.1

Income

Cemetery Fees £50. Interest: £0.64, £0.64. Pod Point £245.64

7.2

Expenditure

All expenses approved. 

7.3

Bank Balances

£39,611.02, £1004.15, £1005.90

7.4

Grant Application - £300 agreed towards Bellingham Fireworks Display. 

8.

Correspondence

8.1

NCC sent a request to all parishes for local sites suitable for development as part of their Local Plan. CW to share email with cllrs to consider.

8.2

Northumberland National Park Authority made contact to find out more information around the community rock snake at Hareshaw Linn and check who was overseeing it. 

9.

Borderlands

The discussion continues between the agencies involved.

10.

Reports - None

10.1

Cllr Irving – Yellow Lines. It has been observed that many of the cars parking across double yellow lines are local. CW to ask the public for their help to reduce this. There. has been traffic enforcement in the village during summer and some parking tickets have been issued.
Discussion ensued of what could form the next three Local Transport Priorities, which will be due to be submitted soon. Additional yellow lines from Manchester Square to Reed Hall and the entrance to hillside are felt to be needed; could the bus stop be moved to allow traffic to continue to flow through the center of the village? 

10.2

Cllr Armstrong - Public toilets. Several problems have been reported including no soap in the mens toilets, toilet rolls on the floor and flaking paint. CW to order new toilet roll holders. 

11.

Any urgent business

i. Request from Cllr Irving for CW to share publicly the location of the village defibrillators. ii Damage to the allotment wall will need repaired, it is unclear where responsibility lies. iii. Some allotments are observed to have trees. While trees are not specified in the rules only fruit trees should be permitted. iv. A formal letter is to be sent to NCC about the ongoing concern over proper Section 106 compensation for the parish upon the erection of the Mart Site Houses. There is evidence to suggest the local investment is far below the appropriate amount. Cllrs Knudsen and Kirkbride to action. 

12.

Any restricted business - None

13.

Date of next meeting 

Confirmed as Wednesday 17^th of September 2025, 7pm Meeting Room. 

Meeting Closed:

20.50