HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING HELD ON THE 8th MAY 2006.

 

ATM.16      PRESENT. Councillor B Pickering, the Town Mayor in the Chair, together with Councillors J B Jonas, G C Ferguson, J M Lambert, J V R Hare, M Way, Mrs C J Robinson, N Wicks, T Robson and H J C Herron, together with 6 members of the public and press.

 

ATM.17. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs Mrs I C Whale, D Kennedy, Mrs J C Soulsby and M F C Donnelly.

ATM18.      MINUTES. The Minutes of the last Annual Town meeting held on the 9th May 2005 were received and having been circulated were approved and signed by the Mayor as a true record.

ATM19.      MATTERS ARISING. There were no matters arising.

ATM20.      ANNUAL REPORT. The Mayor presented his report to the meeting and copies were circulated and a copy is also attached to this Minute. It was AGREED his report be received. Thanks were expressed to the Mayor for the way he had represented Hexham’s interests and for all the hared work he had done, the success of the town in the Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions were mainly due to him.

ATM22.      RESOLUTIONS. No resolutions had been received.

ATM23.      POLICE MATTERS. Community Police Inspector Kevin Oates gave a short talk to the meeting on matters directly related to Hexham Policing. The very recent death of PC Joe Carroll had brought home to everyone the danger that sometimes lurked around the corner. Over the year there had been an 18% reduction in crime and the detect ion rate in Hexham was 48%, a far higher average than elsewhere. Indeed the Area Command was in the top six areas in the UK fro detection rates. In questions afterward the problems of cyclists on paths was again raised and Inspector Oates agreed to take this matter up with his staff. He was thanked for his attendance by the Mayor who asked the meeting to pass on the sympathy of the Council at the sad loss of PC Carroll.

ATM24.      YOUTH INITIATIVE. Ms K Norman presented her report to the Council on the work of the Youth Initiative. She thanked the Council for its continued financial support, this support helped to bring in far more funding from other areas. She gave an outline of the activities carried out by the members and the proposed activities for the future. She was thanked by the Mayor for her attendance.

ATM25.      REPORTS.

Cllr T Robson reported that sponsorship had raised £7580 for Hexham in Bloom and the Council had been well supported by traders during the year in this regard. He also felt the Hexham Traders Forum, which had been sponsored by the Council, could receive members from elsewhere in the district but it was pointed out that as the Forum had been sponsored by the Council, it should be involved and it should be a Hexham Traders Forum until the Forum actually commenced. If its members then wished to include traders from elsewhere in the District they could obviously do so. Cllr Mrs C J Robinson advised that as a potential member she was waiting for further discussions etc from the Forum Steering Group.

Cllr G C Ferguson reported on the work of the Tynedale Council Market Working Group. A report on how the Market may be improved was in preparation and will be issued shortly. He congratulated Tynedale Councillor Ann Dale on her Chairmanship of the Group.

Cllr M Way reported on Historic Hexham. He thanked Cllr H J C Herron for his work in the Historic Hexham Trust and noted the Shambles was to be renovated. He expressed concern at the ruins of the St Mary’s Church off St Mary’s Chare and hoped this could be ‘cared for’ in some way before it deteriorated any further. He mentioned also of plans for a visitor centre for Hexham Abbey.

ATM 26.     COMMON BANK FOOTPATH. Mr P Clark asked that the Council write to the Environment Agency contractors to ask if as a public-spirited gesture they could carry out some repairs to the path.

ATM 27.     IT was Agreed that future annual meetings should commence earlier or that the Council Planning Committee meeting be move to another date to allow more time for the annual meetings.

ATM28.      THERE being no further matters to discuss the Mayor declared the meeting closed.

 

 

______________________________ Chairman.

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

 

I  HEREBY  GIVE  YOU  NOTICE  THAT a Meeting of the Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Prospect House, Hexham on Monday 5th June 2006, at 7.30 pm, when the following items will be discussed:-

 

A G E N D A

 

1.        Apologies for absence.

2.        To agree the Minutes of the Annual Town Council meeting held on the 8th May 2006, enclosed.

3.        Matters arising, if any.

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

5.        Accounts for Payment [list enclosed].

6.        Planning Decisions [list enclosed].

7.        Committee reports.

7.1. To receive the minutes of the Town Council Planning Committee meeting held on 8th May 2006, enclosed.

7.2. To receive for information the minutes of the Annual Town Meeting held on 8th May 2006, enclosed.

7.3. To receive the minutes of the Town Council Remembrance Day Working Group meeting held on 8th May 2006, enclosed.

7.4. To receive the minutes of the Town Council Burial Board Committee meeting held on 22 May 2006, enclosed.

8.        [at 7.40pm] A presentation by Tynedale Council/Cheviot Housing on a proposal for housing development on Wydon Park allotment site.

9.        Correspondence.

10.     Transport Programme 2007/8. See attached list of current requests. The Council to consider these and to confirm or remove items as required. In addition Council to consider any additional requests from Councillors that are to be added.

11.     Accounts 2005/6. Enclosed are draft accounts details for 2005/6. A formal proposal that they are approved will be put to the July meeting.

12.     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.]

 

 

 

 

 

D Tiffin,

Clerk of the Council

26th May 2006

 

Hexham Town Council

Council Office, St Andrews Cemetery

West Road, Hexham NE46 3RR

Answerphone 01434609575 Mobile 07730647563

hagenda0606

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON THE 8th MAY 2006

 

3932.PRESENT. Councillor B Pickering the Town Mayor in the Chair, together with Councillors G C Ferguson, T Robson, J V R Hare, H J C Herron, Mrs C J Robinson, M Way, J B Jonas, J M Lambert and N Wicks.

3933.ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR. It was AGREED to re-elect Cllr B Pickering.

3934.DECLARATION. Cllr B Pickering gave and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of that office.

3935.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs:- Mrs J C Soulsby, M F C Donnelly, D Kennedy and Mrs I C Whale.

3936.ELECTION OF DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR. It was AGREED to re-elect Cllr J B Jonas.

3937.MAYORS ALLOWANCE. It was AGREED the Mayors allowance be in accordance with the 2006/7 Budget.

3938.BURIAL BOARD COMMITTEE. It was AGREED the Committee members would be:- Cllrs B Pickering and J B Jonas [ex officio], Cllrs. M Way, Mrs I C Whale, G C Ferguson, J M Lambert, T Robson and D Kennedy.

3939.PLANNING COMMITTEE. It was AGREED the Committee members would be:- 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.

3940.Remembrance Day Working Group. It was AGREED the Members would be:- 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.

3941.HEXHAM IN BLOOM Working Group. It was AGREED the Members would be:- 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.

3942.GRANT AID WORKING GROUP. It was AGREED the Members would be:- Cllrs B Pickering and J B Jonas [ex officio], Cllrs T Robson, M Way, D Kennedy and G C Ferguson.

3943.OTHER NOMINATIONS. For record it was noted the following persons served as nominees of the Council:-

a.       Hexham and Tynedale Community Trust – Cllrs Mrs I C Whale and J B Jonas.

b.      Hexham Community Partnership – Cllr M Way

c.       Hexham Carnival Committee – Mr Philip Clark

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

e.       Hexham Town Twinning Association – Cllr D Kennedy

f.        Hexham Historic Trust – Cllr M Way

g.       Tynedale C.A.B. – Cllr N Wicks

h.       Hexham Guild of [Town] Guides – Cllr J V R Hare.

i.         Tynedale Sports Council – Cllr D Kennedy

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

k.      Sele 1st School Governor – Mr B Waters

l.         Hexham East 1st School Governor – Ms J Dammers

m.     Henry Bell Homes – Cllr Mrs I C Whale

3944.MINUTES. It was AGREED the Minutes of the Council meeting held on the 3rd April 2006 having been circulated, be signed as a true record.

3945.MATTERS ARISING.

a.       ‘BUS SHELTER [opp. Hospital]. Minute 3922 refers. The County Council had replied it was not prepared to replace the existing shelter with one built in stone. After noting the reply it was AGREED if the shelter was replaced by the County Council then Hexham Council would not accept ownership or responsibility for future maintenance although it would not object to a replacement in a design of the County Council’s choosing.

3946.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were no declarations of interest.

3947.ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT. It was AGREED to authorise payments in accordance with the lists circulated and as attached hereto.

3948.PLANNING DECISIONS. It was AGREED to receive decisions of Tynedale Council on planning applications in accordance with the list circulated and attached hereto.

3949.COMMITTEE REPORTS:-

a.       It was AGREED to receive the minutes of the Town Council Planning Committee meetings held on 3rd April 2006 and 25th April 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.

3950.HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL AT WYDON PARK. It was AGREED the proposal for housing on the site being put forward by Cheviot Housing and Tynedale Council may be dealt with as an agenda item at the June meeting.

3951.TOWN TWINNING ASSOCIATION. It was noted the AGM would be held on 9 June 2006 in the Council Chamber at 7.00pm.

3952.LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK - CONSULTATION. It was AGREED Lowgate was a ‘local village’ within the Hexham town area and Tynedale will be so advised.

3953.STOPGAP – Proposed development of 5 Dean Street for homeless housing offices and accommodation. In view of the concerns of neighbours about the way the existing Stopgap property had been managed it was AGREED Stopgap should provide details of their proposals for the new facility and in particular how they will address neighbours concerns.

3954.PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY FORUM. It was noted the Local Access Forum would contact the Council if it had any rights of way and access issues to consider in the Parish.

3955.NORTHUMBERLAND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP – BELONGING COMMUNITIES. It was AGREED to receive without comment the correspondence received.

3956.NHS CARE TRUST. It was AGREED to receive notice of meetings being held to consider provision of ambulance services in the rural areas of Tynedale.

3957.WIND FARMS. An offer from Amec Wind Energy to speak to the Council on a date to be agreed on the provision of wind farms in the County was accepted.

3958.A69 ROAD LINK LTD. It was AGREED to receive the annual report for 2005/6 from Road Link A69 Ltd.

3959.BY LAWS – A DISCUSSION PAPER. It was AGREED to receive the paper on local authority byelaws from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Clerk will peruse it and make a report to Council if thought necessary.

3960.NCC LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN 2006/11. It was AGREED to receive the summary of the Local Transport Plan 2006/11, adopted by the County Council.

3961.OPEN SPACES STANDARDS. It was noted the request for Tynedale Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider the maintenance programme for open spaces by Milecastle Housing had been refused.

3962.GRANT AID 2006/7. Applications for grants deferred from the previous meeting were carefully considered and the grants AGREED are listed below. For record all grants made in the current year are listed on the attached schedule.

a.       Lifespan                                                          NIL

b.      Abbey Festival                                                £500.00

c.       Gt. North Ambulance                                           £50.00

d.      Hexham Town Twinning Association                £750.00

3963.ANNUAL TOWN MEETING. Following on from matters discussed at this meeting it was AGREED members of the Youth Initiative should be asked if they wished to attend a future Council meeting.

3964.TENDERS. Tenders for installation of electric lighting and power equipment within the Cemetery store chapel had been obtained as follows. It was AGREED the lowest tender be accepted.

a.       Bartram Walker                                                   £3425.34

b.      Brian Nichol Wark Ltd                                         £2595.00

c.       Paul Rock Electrical                                         £4110.00

d.      Burncliffe Electrical                                               £3504.68

3965.PROPOSAL – NO BALL GAMES. Cllr J B Jonas proposed and it was AGREED that a request for a ‘No ball games’ sign on Eastwood Grange Road be made to Tynedale Council’.

3966.MEETING STARTING TIME. It was AGREED in view of the time taken to deal with matters on the occasion of the annual meetings that the Planning Committee in future should meet on an alternative date to that of the Annual meetings.

3967.NEXT MEETING. The next meeting of the Council would be held on 5th June 2006.

 

 

 

________________________Chairman

Hexham Town Council

MINUTE 3962 refers

 

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

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

750

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

0

Abbey Festival

500

500

500

Gt. North Air Ambulance

n/a

Donation

50

Total grants

 

 

17000

 

 

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT ON 5 JUNE 2006

 

Payee
Detail

Cheque issued for

Vat

Net of vat

Cheque number

Ref.

Staff wages/Clerks fee

May total

7516.39

 

7516.39

104143

104151/6

-

Staff wages/Clerks fee

June total

7283.78

 

7283.78

104160/6

-

Northumberland C C

LG Pension Fund – April

1721.36

 

1721.36

104157

5050

Northumberland C C

LG Pension Fund – May

1770.75

 

1770.75

104167

5050

Northumberland C C

LG Pension Fund – June

1721.36

 

1721.36

104168

5050

Inland Revenue

PAYE 13

126.50

 

126.50

104158

5049

Inland Revenue

PAYE 1

2055.28

 

2055.28

104150

5049

Inland Revenue

PAYE 2

2047.49

 

2047.49

104169

5049

Npower

Cemetery account

556.28

82.85

473.43

Ddb

5023

Vodaphone

Accounts

107.20

15.96

91.24

Ddb

5032

Hexham Town Twinning Assoc

Grant aid 2006/7

750.00

 

750.00

104170

5036

Hexham Abbey Festival

Grant aid 2006/7

500.00

 

500.00

104171

5036

Gt. North Air Ambulance

Grant aid 2006/7

50.00

 

50.00

104172

5036

Community Centre Lantern Club

Grant aid 2006/7

200.00

 

200.00

104173

5036

Hexham Amateur Stage Society

Programme advertisement

20.00

 

20.00

104174

5015

Dale Garage

Diesel/Petrol

76.21

24.01

52.20

Ddb

5024

LexisNexis Buterworths

Updated law volume Local Council Administration

53.45

 

53.45

Ddb

5047

David Dixon

New wheel bushes and fit to Rover mower

28.26

4.04

24.22

104175

5027

David Dixon