Wednesday 21^st January 2026, 7pm. Bellingham Town Hall – Meeting Room. 

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

Part A

Public Participation

i. No public comments.

Part B

1.

Apologies for Absence

Cllr Armstrong

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 noted that Northumbria Police reversed their original concerns over the residential (Childrens) homes in the Parish. The council expressed their disappointment in this and queried the reason. The position of the PC remains that the village is poorly served by public services and this puts undue risk on the future inhabitants of these properties should challenges arise. The Police are available to discuss this further. 

ii. Advance Northumberland have applied to vary the planning conditions at the site to be called Hareshaw Falls. The PC have not been invited to comment but note the concerns raised by parishioners. Advance Northumberland continue to dispute that the topsoil removed from the site could have contributed to the severe flooding which followed downhill. Similarly, repeated local concerns about the capacity of the planned suds pond to hold all surface water from the site and the areas uphill do not seem to been heard. Advance Northumberland are confident in the computer modelling of their plans, produced before the most recent local flood report. BPC plan to write a letter asking that the recommendations from the local flood plan are incorporated into the construction work, explaining that the council feel unable to support the development unless this is done. AK to action. 

iii. The council is grateful to Jamie Batey who has offered his free labour to repair a bench damaged in a traffic collision, payment of any materials costs to be organised by the parish. Thanks are also due to the owner of the car who took pains to find a councillor and offer to cover any repair costs. 

iv. A site meeting with NCC is planned to confirm the location of the vehicle activated (speed) signs. NCC dispute that the parish council’s choice of smiling signs are permitted. Discussion is ongoing as these are evidently used elsewhere and would be preferred for their welcoming impression. NCC’s attention should be drawn to the NCC operated signs at the school which need repair. AK to action. 

v. Although complaints are still being received the councillors have noted that after a request was made to the resident involved the commercial vehicle opposite the Black Bull has been parking without obstructing the pedestrian path. 

vi. Clerk to publish the landscape tender and all to share word.

6.

Planning 

6.1

Applications 
25/04595/FUL – Air source heating, Bellingham schools.
Comments have been submitted between meetings. BPC gave a neutral response but repeated the concerns of the flood report and how this impacts the best placement of the unit. It is understood that this has formed a part of the internal discussions at the school about this installation.

6.2

Decisions from NCC 
25/02046/FUL – Bellingham Family Hub - GRANTED

7.

Finances

7.1

Income

7.2

Expenditure

All expenses approved. 

7.3

Bank Balances

£48,372.89, £1006.73, £1008.48.

7.4

Grant Application - North Tyne & Redewater Choral Society.
£500 granted. 

8.

Correspondence

8.1

Parishioner re 25/04533/DISCON planning application change for Hareshaw Falls, Advance Northumberland. Discussed above under Matters Arising (5ii).

8.2

Forestry Commission - 022/3877/2025 North Tyne - Felling License Consultation. No objection.

8.3

Advance Northumberland – construction commencement and job vacancies. Update shared.

8.4

Green Council Biodiversity Solutions – meeting request re local projects. The council would support these projects should external funding be able to secured.

8.5

Northern Powergrid – expressions of interest invited for energy resilience grants. Grants are available to assist with resilience. Eligible organisations are encouraged to apply. The parish council will revisit this after the upcoming Emergency plans are finalised.

8.6

NCC - Community Resilience Forums 2026. It is hoped local organisations including the parish council and town hall can come together with the support of NCC to formalise an emergency plan. Community Action North East (CAN) to be invited. JK to action.

9.

Borderlands

Community Meeting - Tuesday 27^th January 5-7pm. Dene Park House, Hexham. 

10.

North Tyne & Redesdale Community Partnership

A memorandum of understanding is being prepared to formalise and refresh the working relationship between NT&RCP and Bellingham Parish Council. AK to action.

11.

Reports - None

11.1

Various – Cemetery maintenance (trees, holes in ground, wall). 
Natural sinkage and animal activity is causing cavities in the ground of the Cemetery. It’s hoped some topsoil can be secured and the holes backfilled as possible. Cllr Moore to check trees after reports received of loose branches. Clerk to chase quotes for the repairs of the unsafe memorials.

11.2

Cllr Irving – Parking on yellow lines

11.3

Cllr Irving –Cemetery Wall. Cllr Irving to check on the wall status and consider what repair work may be needed.

11.4

Cllr Irving –Manchester square railings. The railings by Manchester Square still appear unsafe with sections of the stone wall affected. This has been reported to NCC many times already. 

12.

Any urgent business 

i. An emergency helpline is available for anyone struggling with the effects from flooding surface water. Cllr Knudsen to share details. ii.The environment Agency have work planned in the river for April. iii. Additional cleaning of leaves to be carried out from Catholic corner to Riverdale. It is hoped that a local volunteer may be able to repair the council owned ‘billy goat’ so it could be used to clear leaves again in future.

13.

Any restricted business - none

14.

Date of next meeting 

Wednesday 18^th of February 2026, 7pm Meeting Room. 

Meeting Closed:

20.34