Wednesday 17^th September 2025, 7pm. Bellingham Town Hall – Meeting Room. 

Present: Clerk. One member of the Public. C.Cllr John Riddle.
Councillors: Kirkbride, Tilley, Knudsen, Richardson, Turner, Armstrong, Moore, Wilkinson

Part A

Public Participation

i. The staff at the Mart site report that they are still waiting for permission to begin the path. This has been disputed by other staff, C.Cllr aware of situation and will follow up with NCC. 

ii. Could access across the railway line beyond the Mart site be gained by reopening the route where the school used to be?

Part B

1.

Apologies for Absence

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. New toilet roll holders have been installed to help improve cleanliness of the public toilet and reduce waste. ii. Some repairs to the park have been undertaken following the suggestions from the ROSPA safety report. Volunteers are covered by the council’s public liability insurance. 

iii. Ongoing: adjustments to the tender are to be considered by all councillors 

6.

Planning 

Cllr Knudsen noted that BPC hasn’t been notified of several planning recent applications. Clerk to contact NCC and ask them for an explanation and to rectify issue.

6.1

Applications – None received

6.2

Decisions from NCC – None received

6.3

Misc – National Park Appeal Notification.
The National park have issued an enforcement notice to Sunday Sight about work they felt should have obtained prior planning permission and would likely not have been allowed in current form. The property owners have appealed. BPC to express support for the National Park. Cllr Kirkbride to prepare some comments.

7.

Finances

7.1

Income

Precept £20,000. Toilet Honest Box £46.

7.2

Expenditure

All expenses approved. 

7.3

Bank Balances

£56,055.95, £1004.71, £1006.46.

8.

Correspondence

8.1

Clarification from August meeting - the new system for requesting Local Transport Priorities will be to only report these to NCC every three years.

9.

Borderlands

No updates, next meeting to be held 7^th of October. 

10.

Reports - None

10.1

Cllr Wilkinson – Allotments. Allotment rules discussed and clarified. Swapping of plots in not permitted. Several people are now on a waiting list which should mean all vacant plots will be filled.

10.2

Speed Signs. Quotes received for three Vehicle Activated signs. It’s hoped to install near Westlands, Mart Site and Briar Hill. NCC to allocate £2,500 towards the cost. Clerk to check specifications of devices and ensure that data can be recorded to evidence the speed of traffic in the village and confirm warranty length. The current speed sign near the school may be broken, Clerk to report to NCC.

11.

Any urgent business

i. Clerk to report to Karbon homes about overgrown trees at 24 Hillside.

12.

Any restricted business - None

13.

Date of next meeting 

Confirmed as Wednesday 15^th of October 2025, 7pm Meeting Room. Cllr. Tilley to clerk meeting.

Meeting Closed:

20.00