Present:  Councillors: C. Hamilton (Chair), C. Hawman (Vice- Chair), S. Smith, D. Mole, D, Anderson, A. Wilson & K. Traill.
Clerk: C. Woodcock.  Members of the Public: None.

 

1. Apologies for absence: None
2. Code of Conduct (Declaration of Interest): Cllr C. Hamilton in respect of The Gun at Ridsdale & the Corsenside Flood Resilience team. Cllr C Hawman in respect of The Gun at Ridsdale and North Tyne Youth. Cllr K Trail in respect of North Tyne Youth. Cllr D Mole in respect of Friends of Corsenside. Cllr S. Smith in respect of Bellingham Middle School Parents, Teachers and Community Association & the Corsenside Flood Resilience team.
3. Opportunities for members of the public to raise issues: None
4. Election of Officers: Cllr K Traill nominated Cllr Carl Hamilton for Chair, seconded by Cllr C Hawman. Cllr S Smith nominated Cllr Carol Hawman for Vice Chair, seconded by Cllr D Anderson. Cllr Hawman specified that should the Chair position become vacant a new election be held, as it should not be assumed she would take on that role.
5. Minutes of Corsenside Parish Council meeting held on Monday the 3rd of April 2023: Signed as a true and accurate record.
6. Matters arising from the minutes: i. Plans for a litter pick using County Council equipment were postponed when it was discovered that working in the worst affected areas of the parish would not be permitted under NCC’s guidelines. Clerk to clarify the situation with CPC insurance in relation to this type of volunteer work. ii. Cllr D Anderson advised that if planned changes to the pension scheme system go ahead in future CPC may have to organise a pension scheme. Although the clerk would then be able to opt out, the onus would be on the employer to have a scheme established. This situation will be addressed should the need arise in future. iii. Following the contact made with businesses about litter on Shaw Lonnen a positive response and support to raise awareness of the issue was indicated from various companies.
7. Notification of any other business for discussion, at the Chairman’s discretion, under item 17 below: Cllr S Smith three points to raise, Cllr Hamilton one point, Clerk one point.
8. County Councillor’s Report: None.
9. Ongoing Issues (formally Action Point List): 91. Frustration with the slow progress of TWM continues, with delays to new signs for West Woodburn said to be caused by supply chain issues and faulty components. The repair of the Ridsdale signs has begun. Clerk authorised to pay invoice for the original inspection of faulty signs.
10. Play Area: i. The annual check from ROSPA is scheduled to take place soon. ii. C. Mowatt has agreed to spray the paths alongside the school field with a suitably safe moss treatment, CPC to request resprays as needed. iii. A quote for rubberised matting, intended to improve the longevity of the equipment which currently sits on grass, has been obtained. Ideas for other Play Area improvements are to be discussed in the near future alongside any recommendations from the ROSPA report.  At which time external funding would be sought to make any large updates.
11. Volunteers and Community Spending: i. The Clerk was given permission to attach a latch to the Village Green noticeboard to allow continued public access despite the original key having gone missing.
12. Wind Power Stations & BANTR: Nothing to report.
13. Parish Hall: Cllr D Mole intends to attend the upcoming Parish Hall AGM. Some suggestions were made about how the profile of the Hall could be raised with a view to increasing bookings. Ideas which Cllr Mole could pass on included, among others: requesting the public send in photographs of past events for publicity use; increased social media and online presence; a period of low/no cost bookings to encourage people back to the hall.
14. Planning Matters: a) For decision- None b) Decisions from NCC – None
15. Other correspondence: i. The Pension Regulator acknowledges the clerk has opted not to begin a pension scheme and that the necessary forms have been completed. ii. Councillors agreed to the request made by Redesdale Archaeology Group to support their bid for funding. Their proposed work aims to answer questions about local history, especially the area around Bremenium and will involve the community. CW to share the prepared letter of support.
16. Finances: a) Invoices for payment – i. NALC subscription - £123.88, ii. Microsoft Office Subscription - £59.99, iii. Thank you gift (audit) - £11.69, iv. Clerk’s Wages April (21 hours) - £262.50 v. Parish Show Programme advert - £30.00. b) Bank Balance £15,066.80 c) Income – i. Precept (1 of 2) - £4625.00 ii. Ray Wind Farm Grant (Speed sign repairs) - £500 iii. VAT reclaim - £909.04
    d) Audit:  Annual Governance and Accountability Return for 2022-2023.  i. Internal review of Financial Procedure – review of effectiveness of the system of internal controls, banking mandate, asset register recording. The Council are satisfied that current systems are working well. ii. To consider and agree any actions arising from the report of the internal auditor in 2021. The auditor’s recommendation to claim even small amounts of VAT back has been successful and will be maintained. iii. To consider the Annual Internal Audit Report. Full report read aloud to council. iv. To approve the Annual Governance Statement section 1. Statement read aloud and all councilors agreed on responses of ‘Yes’ to all points. The Clerk and Chair Signed page 5. v. To approve the Accounting Statement section 2. The Clerk and Chair Signed this as correct. vi. To confirm and approve the Certification of Exemption. After details were read aloud, all council in agreement. vii. The Chairman and clerk sign the Annual Governance Statement and the Chairman signs the Accounting Statements. This stage was completed. viii. RFO to set the period for the exercise of public rights.  In line with the suggested dates this period will be 5^th June 2023 – 14^th July 2023 ix. The Certificate of Exemption is signed by the Chairman & the RFO. The Clerk and Chair Signed.
17. Matters for discussion at the chairman’s discretion: i. Cllr S Smith reported that with cooperation from the local postal delivery worker further leaflets about NCC’s Communities Together department will be distributed. ii. Cllr Smith’s idea to request a table at the Parish Show in order to speak directly to parishioners and take suggestions was met with a positive response from the Council. iii. Cllr Smith noted the issue of dog mess at both the main entrances to Fourlaws. Clerk to try and organise installation of a bin on the road to Knowsgate. Cllr Hamilton volunteered to speak to Forestry England and request fouling signs for the entrance accessed via the A68. iv. The clerk reported on her attendance at the second Town and Parish meeting where information was shared from NCC about planning, cycleways, environmental concerns. v. Cllr C Hamilton again raised the issue of rats in Ridsdale. Dismay was expressed at a) the County Council policy to charge householders £60 each to assess the situation, and b) NCC’s unwillingness to address known concerns in properties who do not voluntarily report issues and pay this fee. The clerk was asked to request NCC take a wholistic approach to this widespread issue and request that the infestation, currently prevalent to the east of Westmacott Street, is investigated.
18. Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on Monday 3^rd July at 7.30 – Corsenside Parish Hall.
    Meeting ended 9.35 pm.

Please note this is a DRAFT COPY and as such, subject to change.
Christine Woodcock, Corsenside Parish Council Clerk,       07737518867 corsensideparishclerk@hotmail.com

 

Action Point List (May):