Wednesday 19^th November 2025, 7pm. Bellingham Town Hall – Meeting Room. 

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

Part A

Public Participation

i. A joint approach is to be taken with North Tyne and Redesdale Community Partnership, Bellingham Parish Council, school Governors and Bellingham Beyond (for tourism). This is a return to the core values of the Partnership. It is hoped this will strengthen ties within the community and all access to funding not directly available to BPC or other public bodies. 

This negates the need for the new Bellingham Partnership planned by Cllr. Kirkbride. 

Part B

1.

Apologies for Absence

None

2.

County Councillor Report - None

3.

Declarations of interest

Cllrs Knudsen and Kirkbride drew attention to their role as school governors as may be pertinent to the planning application for the Family Hub. Cllrs Turner and Kirkbride declared potential conflicting interests re the planning application for the wine bar. 

4.

Minutes of the last meeting

Agreed as correct and signed. 

5.

Matters arising from the minutes

i. The landscape tender has been agreed and the clerk authorised to readvertise.
ii. The Christmas lights have been organised with thanks to Redesmouth Forestry. Some additional expenditure for new lights has been approved. 
iii. Benefits of moving the late-night Christmas shopping event to a weekend date for 2026 were discussed. iv The plans for the installation of the three vehicle activated (speed) signs (VAS) are progressing with an on-site meeting planned. 

6.

Planning 

6.1

Applications 
25/02046/FUL Family Hub – No objections. BPC comments to reinforce the flood statement and the material recommendations. 
25/03838/FUL 1&2 King Street. Wine Bar & Holiday Let. No objections. 
25/03840/LBC 1&2 King Street. Wine Bar & Holiday Let. No objections.

6.2

Decisions from NCC 
25/03482/COU Copseford, from dwelling to residential care facility: GRANTED

7.

Finances

7.1

Income

Allotments £ 25

Interest (Sept)  £ 0.53 

Interest (Sept)  £ 0.53 

Stripe  £.  43.03

7.2

Expenditure

Chris Mowatt Landscaping Grass Cutting £  968.00 

Natalie Green  Cleaning Services £  199.33 

Anglian Water Water Rates - Cemetery £ 14.00 

Anglian Water Water Rates - Toilets  £ 87.00 

Christine Woodcock  Clerk wages - Oct  £ 205.95 

Brierley Maintenance Street Cleaning  £ 720.00 

Lloyds Bank  Service Charges £ 4.25 

Stripe Admin (EV)  £  2.86

All expenses approved. 

7.3

Bank Balances

£50,499.43, £1005.74, £1007.49.

7.4

Budget update  - The Chair outlined the annual review of the parish budget. With recent cost increases that are likely to rise further, it is proposed to raise the of the Precept to £44,000. This increase of £4,000 roughly equates to an extra £0.53 on the monthly council tax of each Bellingham household.

8.

Correspondence

8.1

NCC – Local Governance Review – Cllrs responded to questions about the parish council size.

8.2

NCC – Winter Preparedness – an outline of the gritting schedule was received. 
Emergency plans for storms discussed. Cllr Knudsen to invite NCC. 

8.3

NCC – Precept – the PC have until late January to request the amount of next year’s income. 

8.4

A parishioner asked the PC to vote on whether to express ‘no confidence’ in C.Cllr John Riddle. As the County Councillor was re-elected this year the parish council took no action. 

9.

Borderlands

No updates. 

10.

Reports - None

10.1

Clerk - Leaf litter compiled during the street cleaning can, as needed, be transported to Fairstead (where it can degrade naturally) next year to reduce plastic use and the strain on the bins. 

10.2

Cllr Irving - A resident has reported a large van from Hutchinson is regularly parked on the public street opposite the Black Bull. Sight lines and pedestrian access are being restricted, the same resident has sent a letter to the van’s owners and asked for more considerate parking. Clerk to monitor.

10.3

Cllr Armstrong – damage caused by Esh & Northumbrian Water to a wall on Boat Road was reported some time ago. Recent repairs are deemed to be insufficient so follow up is required.

10.4

Cllr Wilkinson – the Town Hall bins are not being emptied. Clerk to contact NCC.

10.5

Cllr Irving – structural damage noted to the stonework under the railings at Manchester Square. Clerk to report.

11.

Any urgent business - None

12.

Any restricted business - None

13.

Date of next meeting 

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

Meeting Closed:

21.00