HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

I HEREBY GIVE YOU NOTICE THAT the Annual Town Meeting will be held in the Council Chamber, Prospect House, Hexham, on Monday the 8^th May 2006 at 7.15pm when the following items will be discussed:-

A G E N D A

1. Apologies for Absence.

2. To receive the Minutes of the last Annual Town Meeting held on the 9^th May 2005.

3. Matters arising. [if any].

4. To receive the Report of the Town Mayor for the past year.

5. To consider any resolutions of which due notice has been given.

6. A talk by Community Police Inspector K. Oates on crime and related matters in Hexham over the past year.

7. A talk by Ms K Norman on the work of the Hexham Youth Initiative over the past year.

8. Brief reports from Councillors:-

8.1. Cllr Mrs J C Soulsby & Mrs C J Robinson [Businesses liaison]

8.2. Cllr G C Ferguson [Weekly Market]

8.3. Cllr J B Jonas [Churches liaison, Hexham in Bloom]

8.4. Cllr Mrs I C Whale [Hospital and Health]

8.5. Cllr M F C Donnelly [Street scene, Hexham in Bloom]

8.6. Cllr J M Lambert [Tynedale Council liaison]

8.7. Cllr T Robson [Hexham in Bloom sponsorship]

8.8. Cllr N Wicks [Police and Charities liaison]

8.9. Cllr M Way [Historic Hexham]

8.10.Cllr H J C Heron [Accounts and Finance]

8.11.Cllr D Kennedy [Audits]

9. Any other business.

D Tiffin,

Clerk of the Council

27^th April 2006

Hexham Town Council

Council Office, St Andrews Cemetery

West Road, Hexham NE46 3RR

Answerphone on 01434609575

Mobile on 07730647563

hatmagenda0506

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING HELD ON THE 9^th MAY 2005.

ATM.8 PRESENT. Councillor Mrs I C Whale, the Town Mayor in the Chair, together with Councillors J B Jonas, D Kennedy, G C Ferguson, M F C Donnelly, J M Lambert, C J Moss, M Way, Mrs J C Soulsby, Mrs C J Robinson, N Wicks, H J C Herron and B Pickering, together with 9 members of the public and press.

ATM.9. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. There were no apologies for absence.

ATM10. MINUTES. The Minutes of the last Annual Town meeting held on the 10^th May 2004 were received and having been circulated were approved and signed by the Mayor as a true record.

ATM10.1. MATTERS ARISING. There were no matters arising.

ATM11. Hexham Youth Initiative. Minute ATM7 refers. The success of the Community Garden at the High School, in the Britain in Bloom competition 2004 was reported. Congratulations were due to the youth team and the Leaders who had brought this success to the town.

ATM12. ANNUAL REPORT. The Mayor presented her report to the meeting on the past year. A copy was circulated and is also attached to this Minute. It was AGREED her report should be received. Thanks were expressed to the Mayor for the way she had represented Hexham over the last two years. Her dignity, common touch and approachability meant a job well done.

ATM13. RESOLUTIONS. No resolutions had been received.

ATM14. POLICE MATTERS. The Chief Constable of Northumbria Mr Michael Craik and his Deputy D Warcup had intended to be present but operational matters had prevented their attendance. However Chief Superintendent Graham Pears was present and gave a talk to the meeting on Police matters relevant to Hexham. Crime levels were at an historic low and crime detection at an historic high. There had been considerable increases in staff levels and dedicated community policing meant an improved response to public concerns and comments. ANPR [Auto number plate recognition] was now installed at Hexham and all cameras were able to work together checking all vehicles. This was a first in the region and has proved extremely effective. After answering questions he was thanked for his attendance by the Mayor. Community Police Inspector Kevin Oates was also present and presented a short talk to the meeting on matters directly related to Hexham Police HQ. During questions afterward requests were made for Police Community Surgeries to be better publicised and for starting and finishing times of Traffic Wardens to be staggered. Inspector Oates agreed to look into these requests.

ATM15. THERE being no further business to discuss, the Mayor declared the meeting closed.

______________________________ Chairman.

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

I HEREBY GIVE YOU NOTICE THAT the Annual Meeting of the Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Prospect House, Hexham on Monday 8^th May 2006, immediately following the end of the Annual Town Meeting which begins at 7.15 pm, when the following items will be discussed:-

A G E N D A

1. To elect the Town Mayor. {Note that it was agreed under normal circumstances the Mayor and Deputy Mayor would serve a term of office of two years [from 2005 until 2007]. [Minutes 3119 & 3122 refer].

2. To receive the Mayors Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

3. Apologies for absence.

4. To elect the Deputy Mayor.

5. To agree the Mayors allowance shall be in accordance with the 2006/7 budget.

[Note please names listed in items 6-11 below are those currently serving.]

6. To elect the Burial Board Committee:- Cllrs B Pickering and J B Jonas [ex officio], Cllrs. M Way, Mrs I C Whale, G C Ferguson, J M Lambert and D Kennedy.

7. To elect the Planning Committee:- Cllrs B Pickering and J B Jonas [ex officio], Cllrs: G C Ferguson, Mrs C J Robinson, J V R Hare, M F C Donnelly, N Wicks, T Robson and H J C Herron.

8. To elect a Remembrance Day Working Group – Cllrs B Pickering and J B Jonas [ex officio], Cllrs M Way, Mrs I C Whale, T Robson and N Wicks. Lay members co-opted as required.

9. To elect a Hexham in Bloom Working Group – Cllrs B Pickering and J B Jonas [ex officio], Cllrs Mrs I C Whale, N Wicks, M F C Donnelly and Mrs C J Robinson. Lay members co-opted as required.

10. To elect the Grant Aid Working Group – Cllrs B Pickering and J B Jonas [ex officio], Cllrs T Robson, M Way, D Kennedy and G C Ferguson.

11. For information:- currently serving on committees and organisations are

11.1. Hexham and Tynedale Community Partnership – Cllrs Mrs I C Whale and J B Jonas.

11.2. Hexham Community Partnership – Cllr M Way

11.3. Hexham Carnival Committee – Mr Philip Clark

11.4. Hexham Youth Initiative – Cllrs Mrs C J Robinson and J B Jonas.

11.5. Hexham Town Twinning Association – Cllr D Kennedy

11.6. Hexham Historic Trust – Cllr M Way

11.7. Tynedale C.A.B. – Cllr N Wicks

11.8. Hexham Guild of [Town] Guides – Cllr J B Jonas

11.9. Hexham Townscape Management Group – Cllrs M Way and Mrs I C Whale

11.10. Tynedale Sports Council – Cllr D Kennedy

11.11. Tynedale/Town & Parish Councils Forum – Cllr J B Jonas.

11.12. Sele 1^st School Governor – Mr B Waters

11.13. Hexham East 1^st School Governor – Ms J Dammers

11.14. Henry Bell Homes – Cllr Mrs I C Whale

12. To agree the Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on the 3^rd April 2006, enclosed.

13. Matters arising, if any.

14. Councillor’s declarations of interest, if any.

15. Accounts for Payment [list enclosed].

16. Planning Decisions [list enclosed].

17. Committee reports.

17.1. To receive the minutes of the Town Council Planning Committee meetings held on 3^rd April and 25^th April 2006, enclosed.

17.2. To receive a report on crime trends by Cllr N Wicks. [Copy enclosed]

18. Correspondence.

19. Grant aid 2006/7. To consider applications [details enclosed] deferred from the last meeting, Minute 3927 refers.

20. To consider any urgent matters that may have arisen during the preceding Annual Town Meeting.

21. To receive tenders for the installation of electrical fittings in Cemetery storage Chapel and to agree the lowest tender be accepted.

22. To consider a proposal [by Cllr J B Jonas] that the Council support residents request for a ‘No ball games’ sign[s] on Eastwood Grange Road.

23. Any urgent matters at the Chairman of the meetings discretion. [Please note matters to be raised under this item must be stated in writing and delivered to the Council office no later than the Friday preceding the day of the meeting.]

Please note starting time for this meeting.

D Tiffin,

Clerk of the Council

27^th April 2006

Hexham Town Council

Council Office, St Andrews Cemetery

West Road, Hexham NE46 3RR

Answerphone 01434609575 Mobile 07730647563

hagenda0506

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 3^rd APRIL 2006

3914.PRESENT. Councillor B Pickering the Town Mayor in the Chair, together with Councillors M F C Donnelly, G C Ferguson, T Robson, D Kennedy, Mrs I C Whale, J V R Hare, H J C Herron, J B Jonas and J M Lambert.

3915.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs:- Mrs C J Robinson, M Way, Mrs J C Soulsby and N Wicks.

3916.MINUTES. It was AGREED the Minutes of the Council meeting held on the 6^th March 2006 having been circulated, be signed as a true record subject to the insertion of the word ‘closed’ between “had [and] down” in line 4 Minute 3898.

3917.MATTERS ARISING.

a. STANDARDS BOARD. Minute 3911 refers. Cllr G C Ferguson declared a personal interest as a member of the Tynedale Standards Committee in this matter and left the Council chamber during discussion. Cllr J V C Hare considered the Council should not have concerned itself with this subject but other Councillors pointed out that the reason for the decision was not political or personal but a reflection of the view that any elected councillor should not be removed from office in this manner.

3918.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Cllr Mrs I C Whale declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 9 as a member of the Community Centre and Hexham Youth Initiative committees. Cllr J B Jonas declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 9 as a member of the Community Centre and the Hexham Youth Initiative committees. Cllr M F C Donnelly declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 9 as a member of Tynedale CAB and ADAPT committees.

3919.ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT. It was AGREED to authorise payments in accordance with the lists circulated and as attached hereto.

3920.PLANNING DECISIONS. It was AGREED to receive decisions of Tynedale Council on planning applications in accordance with the list circulated and attached hereto.

3921.COMMITTEE REPORTS:-

a. It was AGREED to receive the minutes of the Town Council Planning Committee meeting held on 6^th March 2006, presented by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr J B Jonas.

b. CRIME TRENDS. Cllr N Wicks had circulated a report on crime figures in the locality and it was AGREED it be received. A copy is attached to this minute. The continued high detection rate was particularly welcome to note.

3922. ‘BUS SHELTER [opp. Hospital] The development of the former hospital car park required the shelter to be re-sited and the NCC asked that it be replaced with a heritage style shelter. After noting the proposal it was AGREED any shelter should be in the same style as the recently erected stone shelter, built by the Council, to the east.

3923.PLANNING OBLIGATIONS. It was noted Tynedale Council had adopted new planning regulations which set out the obligations fro provision of play facilities when housing developments are approved.

3924.CRAWFORD HIGGINS. The fee to be charged by Crawford Higgins Associates while acting in the new storage shed/greenhouse project at the Cemetery would be 10% of the contract price plus disbursements. This fee rate was AGREED.

3925.NORTHUMBERLAND LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN 06/07. It was reported the County had agreed the Plan Programme. The programme included interchange improvements at the bus station, implementation of the Hexham Transport Study for the Market Place and dropped kerbs for Priestpopple/Corbridge Road.

3926.SKIP CLEARANCE CHARGE. The contractor [Purdy’s] had advised the charge to clear the Council’s skip will increase to £145.00 from £121 [vat inclusive]. The increase was due to government duties. It was AGREED the new charge be noted.

3927.GRANT AID 2006/7. Applications for grants were carefully considered. The AGREED grants are listed below. It was also AGREED the applications not dealt with be deferred to the next meeting. It was finally AGREED to request Tynedale CAB to give a short talk to the Council during the next year.

a. Lunch Club £100.00

b. Lunch Club [Capital grant] £100.00

c. Lantern Club £200.00

d. NE Pensioners Association NIL

e. Hexham Youth Initiative £12000.00

f. Tynedale CAB £3000.00

g. Hexham Holiday Club £200.00

h. Hexham Town Twinning Association DEFER

i. Children’s Christmas Market £100.00

j. Victim Support Northumbria NIL

k. ADAPT [Art project] NIL

l. Age Concern Northumbria NIL

m. Community Council of Northumberland NIL

n. Vitalise NIL

o. Lifespan DEFER

p. Abbey Festival DEFER

q. Gt. North Ambulance DEFER

3928.GAPRIGG COURT/GAPRIGG LANE PARKING. Cllr Mrs I C Whale reported the parking proposals being considered by the NCC Highways Committee were to be deferred for a further review.

3929.ADVERTISING SIGNAGE. Councillors were handed copies of a leaflet produced by the Council setting out details of planning legislation relating to advertising signage.

3930.HEXHAM IN BLOOM. It was noted the Northumbria in Bloom Judges would visit Hexham on the 24^th April 2006.

3931.NEXT MEETING. The next and annual meeting of the Council would be held on 8^th May 2006. This will also be the date for the Annual Town meeting.

________________________Chairman

Hexham Town Council

Grant Aid and Donation applications 2006/2007

Total Grant Aid in Budget agreed at £17,000.00.

Applicant	Grant paid 05/06	Grant requested 06/07	Grant agreed for 06/07	For Councillor’s use
Lunch Club	100	200	100	-
Lunch Club [Capital]	n/a	200	100	-
Lantern Club	200	544	200	-
NE Pensioners Assoc [Hexham]	0	100	0	-
Hexham Youth Initiative	12000	12000	12000	-
Tynedale C.A.B.	6000	7000	3000	-
Hexham Holiday Club	200	350	200	-
Hexham Town Twinning Assoc.	750 + A one off additional 200	750	To be agreed
Children’s Xmas Market	100	Donation	100	-
Victim Support Northumbria	250	250	0	-
ADAPT [Arts project]	n/a	200	0	-
Age Concern Northumbria	0	Donation	0	-
Community Council of Northumberland	0	Donation	0	-
Vitalise	n/a	Donation	0	-
Lifespan	n/a	Donation	To be agreed
Abbey Festival	500	500	To be agreed
Gt. North Air Ambulance	n/a	Donation	To be agreed
Total grants			15700
Balance			1300

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT ON 8 MAY 2006

Payee	Detail	Cheque issued for	Vat	Net of vat	Cheque number	Ref.
Community Centre Luncheon Club	Grant aid 2006/7	100.00		100.00	104120	5036
Hexham Youth Initiative	Grant aid 2006/7	12000.00		12000.00	104121	5036
Tynedale CAB	Grant aid 2006/7	3000.00		3000.00	104122	5036
Hexham Holiday Club	Grant aid 2006/7	200.00		200.00	104123	5036
Rickerby ltd	Washers	1.88	0.28	1.60	104117	5028
Allianz Cornhill	Insurance renewal 0607	6752.38		6752.38	104124	5022
T K Builders North Ltd	Call out to repair lodge CH boiler	231.47	34.47	197.00	104118