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 4 December 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 Town Council meeting held on the 6 November 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 6 November 2006, enclosed.

7.2. To receive the minutes of the Town Council Burial Board Management Committee meetings held 13 November 2006 and 20 November 2006, enclosed.

7.2.1.        Cllr J B Jonas, Burial Board Management Committee Chairman, will propose a change to Committee responsibilities in accordance with his enclosed memorandum.

8.        Correspondence.

9.        [at 7.35pm] Talk by Mike Weaver, Medical Director, Dr Derek Thompson, Medical Director and Mrs A Wright Asst. Director from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust on future plans for Hexham Hospital.

10.     A briefing by Community Police Inspector Kevin Oates on crime matters in Hexham.

11.     Budget 2007/8. Draft Budget enclosed.

12.     To adopt revised Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. See enclosed memorandum.

13.     To agree to apply for borrowing approval to the Public Works Loan Board and secondly to agree to borrow the finance required in order to carry out the previously agreed improvement works at the Council’s St Andrews Cemetery, Hexham.

14.     Any urgent matters at the Chairman of the meetings discretion. [Matters to be raised under this item should be written out [if possible] and handed to the Chairman of the meeting or the Clerk of the Council before the meeting begins.]

 

 

 

 

D Tiffin,

Clerk of the Council

27 November 2006

 

 

 

Hexham Town Council

Council Office, St Andrews Cemetery

West Road, Hexham NE46 3RR

Answerphone 01434609575 Mobile 07710055051

Hagenda1206


HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 6 NOVEMBER 2006

 

4060.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, J B Jonas, M F C Donnelly, Mrs C J Robinson, J M Lambert, D Kennedy and Mrs I C Whale.

4061.PRESENTATIONS. The Mayor presented certificates to residents and businesses that had, by their gardens and flower displays, helped Hexham to bloom in 2006. A full list of the prizewinners is included within the archive copy of the minutes of the Council.

4062.DAVID OLIVER DECEASED. Cllr D Kennedy, as the Council representative on the Town Twinning Association, spoke about the recent death of David Oliver, President of the Twinning Association. David had been involved with town twinning for twenty-five years and had been one of its most active supporters. He will be missed not only in Hexham but in Metzingen and Noyon too. The meeting stood for a minute in silence in his memory.

4063.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs: Mrs J C Soulsby, M Way and N Wicks.

4064.MINUTES. It was AGREED the Minutes of the Council meeting held on the 2 October 2006 having been circulated, be signed as a true record.

4065.MATTERS ARISING.

a.       PUBLIC BYWAY 12. Minute 4054 refers. It was AGREED the Council’s objection to the Order be withdrawn as it had no new evidence to submit. However the NCC had confirmed that a private individual had stated he would apply for a Traffic order to prevent vehicular traffic as soon as the Right of Way order is confirmed. A traffic order would be the best way to deal with any nuisances of motor vehicles using the route.

b.      REMEMBRANCE DAY Minute 4048c refers. Councillors were reminded to attend the Remembrance ceremonies on the 11 and 12 November.

c.       ONE NORTH EAST. Minute 4058 ref6ers. It was noted the Mayor had received no reply to his email to One NE. It was AGREED to request One NE to attend a meeting to explain what the organisation did for Hexham.

d.      TOWN TWINNING. Cllr D Kennedy spoke about an article in the Courant that had referred to remarks reportedly made by Cllr M Way. Cllr D Kennedy deplored the articles content but the Council AGREED, after noting other Councillors remarks and the fact that Cllr Kennedy had not been present at the relevant meeting and also that Cllr Way was not present at the current meeting that no further comment should be made on the subject.

e.       BRITAIN IN BLOOM. Minute 4044c refers. The Mayor, Cllr B Pickering had ordered a duplicate of the Britain in Bloom trophy and it was AGREED it should be displayed in the Tourist Information Office where the many visitors to the Town would see it.

f.        HALLSTILE BANK. Minute 4044d refers. Cllr Mrs I C Whale advised that the road will be resurfaced in 2007 and traffic calming will be included. It was AGREED to request the Highway Authority discuss with service companies this work and to endeavour to ensure that any service undertakings carried out work to their services before or during such resurfacing work.

4066.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were no declarations of interest.

4067.ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT. It was AGREED to authorise payments in accordance with the lists circulated and as attached hereto.

4068.PLANNING DECISIONS. It was AGREED to receive the decisions of Tynedale Council on planning applications in accordance with the list circulated and attached hereto.

4069.COMMITTEE REPORTS:-

a.       It was AGREED to receive the minutes of the Town Council Planning Committee meeting held on 2 October 2006, presented by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr J B Jonas.

b.      CRIME MATTERS. Cllr N Wicks was not present but his report on crime trends in Hexham had been circulated and was presented by Cllr M F C Donnelly. Although Inspector K Oates had intended to be present at the meeting due to other business his visit had been postponed.

4070.TYNEDALE COMMUNITY PLAN. Tynedale Council will hold drop in sessions to consider the new Plan which is being prepared to replace the 2003 Plan. Councillors were advised one session will be on the 14 November 2006 in the Council Chamber.

4071.JOINT FORUM TYNEDALE COUNCIL AND TOWN COUNCILS. The next meeting will be held on 20 November 2006 and Cllr J B Jonas will attend as the Council representative. Other Councillors may be attending as Tynedale Councillors rather than as Hexham Councillors.

4072.DOTLAND CLOSE. Council had agreed a request for a ‘no ball games’ sign previously however Tynedale Council could not proceed to install it as the roadside verge was privately owned. It was AGREED to request permission from the landowner.

4073.HENCOTES. A copy of a letter sent to the Courant and sent by a business on Hencotes was noted. It was AGREED the Council sympathised with the correspondent’s complaint that road works for the water pipeline should have been completed without stopping for school holidays.

4074.HEXHAM COAT OF ARMS. On the request by Hexham Leazes Cricket Club it was AGREED the Club should have permission to reproduce the Town Coat of Arms shield on its kit and letter headings.

4075.COMMUNITY COUNCIL. It was AGREED to receive notice of the AGM of the Community Council on 7 November 2006.

4076.HEXHAM HOSPITAL. This subject had been on the agenda but due to clinical problems the Hospital Officers could not attend. The subject will be deferred to the December meeting.

4077.CHRISTMAS LIGHTING DISPLAY. The switch on by Santa Claus will be at 5.00pm on Friday 24 November 2006 in the Park at the bandstand. It was AGREED Cllrs J B Jonas, D Kennedy, M F C Donnelly and J Lambert will assist Cllr Mrs I C Whale in the purchase and distribution of sweets for the children. Tynedale Council will also be asked what fees are payable should unauthorised hawkers attend the event. It was also noted that Santa had been arranged this year but his attendance at future switch on ceremonies may not be possible. It was AGREED this was a matter for the next Council to consider and the subject would be raised in Council after the coming elections. In respect of the tenders received for the erection and removal of the displays it was noted the NCC had quoted £9782.08 and Bartram Walker Ltd £30,004.00. It was AGREED the NCC tender be accepted. It was also AGREED an order be placed in 2007 for the new light units to be sited on Beaumont Street, finance had been allowed in current budget and will be carried forward.

4078.TOWN TWINNING GIFTS. The proposal stated in Minute 4046 was considered. After some discussions the following was AGREED ‘Any gifts received by Councillors when visiting twin towns shall be held by the recipient on behalf of the Council unless the Council determines otherwise and any gifts and hospitality that exceed £25.00 in value shall be entered in a hospitality register to be retained with other Council registers’.

4079.HEXHAM IN BLOOM 2007. The memorandum on this subject was noted. As a number of Councillors and private individuals had now volunteered their assistance to Cllr B Pickering it was AGREED

a.       Hexham should be entered and the Council will pay the entry fee for the 2007 Northumbria in Bloom competition.

b.      The Council will provide pedestrian barrier flower baskets as it has done in the past and will also fund the provision of approximately 80 hanging flower baskets throughout the town. Funding for these items to be allowed for in the 2007/8 budget.

The meeting AGREED that it record the grateful thanks of the Council for the work by Cllr B Pickering in leading this matter over the last three or more years with all the success he had brought to Hexham.

4080.AUDIT 2005/6. It was AGREED to receive and approve the Audit report on the Accounts for 2005/2006, as circulated. It was noted the Clerk would make a report to Council on this matter shortly.

4081.MILECASTLE HOUSING ASSOCIATION. The Association was not enforcing its tenancy agreements and many tenants’ gardens were so neglected they were a disgrace. It was AGREED to request a meeting with the Association management as soon as possible. Cllrs B Pickering, J B Jonas and Mrs I C Whale were delegated to attend and to report to Council thereafter.

4082.NEXT MEETING. The next meeting of the Council would be held on 4 December 2006.

 

 

 

 

________________________Chairman


 

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT ON 4 DECEMBER 2006

 

Payee
Detail

Cheque issued for

Vat

Net of vat

Cheque number

Ref.

Arco Ltd

Workwear

16.27

2.42

13.85

103948

5019

HSBC

Bank charges

19.69

 

19.69

Ddb

5018

Dale Garage

Diesel/petrol

111.50

16.60

94.90

Ddb

5024

NPower

Account for floodlights

336.91

50.18

286.73

Ddb

5013

David Dixon

Propane gas

34.97

1.67

33.30

103949

5024

Gardening Direct [DPA Direct Ltd]

Plants

170.80

25.44

145.36

Ddb

5021

Tynedale Council

One dog bin clearance cost 2006/7

285.41

42.51

242.90

103950

5041

Viking Direct

Stationery items

149.42

22.25

127.17

103947

5047

Rei-Lux UK

Testing street lamp posts for Xmas lights

235.00

35.00

200.00

103946

5056

Top Signs

HTC coat of arms stickers

63.45

9.45

54.00

103951

5048

Orange PCS

Accounts

128.27

19.10

109.17

Ddb

5032

Hexham Courant

Remembrance Day advertisement

153.93

22.93

131.00

103952

5048

S Dunne

Remembrance Day Piper fee

50.00

 

50.00

103953

5048

Brampton Silver Band

Remembrance Day Band fee

350.00

 

350.00

103954

5048

British Telecom plc

Account

78.88

11.74

67.14

103955

5032

David Dixon

Angle grinder and parts

81.87

12.19

69.68

103956

5026

Allianz Cornhill Commercial

Motor policy renewal due 16/12/06

1910.37

 

1910.37

103957

5022

Trees Please

Woodland burial site trees

291.16

43.36

247.80

103958

5021

 


 

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT ON 4 DECEMBER 2006

 

Payee
Detail

Cheque issued for

Vat

Net of vat

Cheque number

Ref.

D Tiffin

Postage refunded

64.03

 

46.03

103959

5045

Staff wages/Clerks fee

December total

7344.56

 

7344.56

103959/66

5049

NCC LG Pension fund

January

1721.36

 

1721.36

103967

5050

Best Western Beaumont Hotel

Remembrance Day lunch

648.80

96.63

552.17

103945

5048

Viking Direct

Staff refreshment

65.57

1.22

64.35

103968

5028

Hexham Courant

Advertisement for Christmas lights

76.96

11.46

65.50

103969

5048

Hexham Courant

Copy photos of Remembrance Day

66.00

11.00

55.00

103970

5048

Tynedale Council

Grant for Hexham Community Partnership

4000.00

 

4000.00

103972

5042

David Dixon

Screwdrivers

7.99

1.19

6.80

103

5025

 

HEADSTONES REPAIR - ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT [These totals will be part refunded [35%] by Corbridge PC in due course]

Payee
Detail

Cheque issued for

Vat

Net of vat

Cheque number

Ref.

J T Dove Ltd

Concrete mix

114 24

17.01

97.23

103971

5038

 

MAYORS ALLOWANCE - ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

Payee
Detail

Cheque issued for

Vat

Net of vat

Cheque number

Ref.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance balance

2006/7

487.03

 

 

 

5043

 

 

INCOME RECEIVED NOVEMBER 2006

 

Received
Detail

Credited

Invoice

Date

Ref.

HSBC

Bank interest

289.78

 

311006

4002

Various

Cemetery fee

550.00

06/63

011106

4003

Various

Cemetery fee

635.00

06/64

011106

4003

Various

Cemetery fee

275.00

06/65

011106

4003

Various

Cemetery fee

1150.00

06/59

141106

4003

Various

Cemetery fee

2200.00

06/68

141106

4003

Various

Cemetery fee

50.00

06/69

141106

4003

Various

Cemetery fee

400.00

06/70

271106

4003

Various

Cemetery fee

275.00

06/71

271106

4003

Various

Cemetery fee

680.00

06/72

271106

4003

Various

Cemetery fee

325.00

06/73

271106

4003

 

 


HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

THE FOLLOWING PLANNING DECISIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM TYNEDALE COUNCIL at 4 DECEMBER 2006

[If there is no entry in the comment column, the application was supported]

Details of any conditions imposed can be made available for perusal by Councillors by making a request in advance to the Clerk]

 

Reference

Description

Decision

Comment

20061173LB

Customer information screens at Railway Station Hexham

GRANTED

 

20061155

Front and rear dormer windows at 3 Tynedale Terrace Hexham

GRANTED

 

20061178

One illuminated pole sign and fascia signs at 27 Haugh Lane Hexham

WITHDRAWN

 

20061275

Side extension and porch at 32 Valebrook Hexham

GRANTED

 

TPO/00174

Fell sycamore tree at Wylam Garage Haugh Lane Hexham

GRANTED

 

20061229

First floor extension at 3 Dukes Road Hexham

GRANTED

 

20061242

One non illuminated projecting sign at 33 Fore Street Hexham

GRANTED

 

20061228

Side extension at 25 Tyne Green Hexham

WITHDRAWN

 

20061210

Change of use of land for sale of motor vehicles at 1 & 2 Burn Haugh Estate Hexham

GRANTED

 

20060785

Change of use of parking spaces to car wash operation and office and canopy at car park Tesco Stores Alemouth Road Hexham

GRANTED

 

20061025

New swimming pool with associated complex linking to Leisure Centre at Wentworth Car Park Hexham

GRANTED

 

20061336

Two storage containers to eastern elevation at Waitrose Wentworth Car Park Hexham

GRANTED

 

20061267

Raise wall and rebuild roof at 41 Elvaston Road Hexham

GRANTED

 

20061249

Install rear dormer for loft at 3 Shaftoe Crescent Hexham

GRANTED

 

 


HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

 

STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

 

MEMORANDUM TO COUNCIL ON 4 DECEMBER 2006

 

 

 

1.       The Council should review its standing orders once during the term of the Council.

2.       The enclosed Standing Orders and Financial Regulations are RECOMMENDED to the Council to be adopted by it on 4 December 2006. They incorporate a number of amendments to current standing orders and these are:

a.       The addition of Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 being included, in [para. 25e].

b.       The updating of paragraph 35 and in particular an updating of the amounts in paragraph 35e.

c.       Additional paragraph 37 to take account of legislation since the last Orders were adopted and also the addition of paragraph 36. The Council has already adopted these headings but including them in standing orders seems to be a better way to ‘keep them in mind’.

 

 

 

 

 

D Tiffin, Clerk of the Council

15/11/2006


 

HTC BUDGET 2007/2008

0607

BUDGET

0607 TOTAL TO DATE

0607 FINAL TOTAL

0708 BUDGET

 

Credits

AGREED

ACTUAL

ESTIMATED

DRAFT

NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allotment rents

2850

2955

2955

3300

4001

Bank interest

500

1404

1600

1500

4002

Cemetery Fees

50000

41303

55000

55000

4003

Contract work

0

0

0

0

4004

CPC contribution - Headstone repairs

4000

275

6000

6000

4006

Donations

0

0

0

0

4007

Other credits

0

0

0

0

4008

Sponsorship Hexham in Bloom

0

3690

3690

0

4009

Total credits

57350

49627

69245

65800

-

Expenses

 

 

 

 

-

Flood lights – RCosts

2000

460

1000

1000

5013

Flood lights Repairs

150

104

104

200

5014

Advertising

100

60

250

300

5015

Allotment expenses

500

626

1000

4000

5016

Audit/Accountancy charges

1500

1625

1625

1700

5017

Bank charges

300

207

300

300

5018

Cemetery expenses:-

0

0

0

0

 

```Clothing

1400

994

1000

1200

5019

```Debt charges

664

0

664

6500

5020

```Gardening and plants

2500

1442

1600

4500

5021

```Insurance/valuations thereof

9000

7856

7856

8500

5022

```Light and Heat

1100

820

1100

1300

5023

```Machinery expenses:-

0

0

0

0

-

````Diesel/Petrol/Gas

1500

1567

1700

1800

5024

````Miscellaneous Equipment expense

500

464

500

500

5025

````Renewals machinery

12400

16723

17000

10000

5026

````Repair & Maintain Machinery

3000

1768

2000

2000

5027

```Miscellaneous Cemetery expense

1000

3236

3500

1000

5028

```Stock items

5000

3593

3600

3000

5029

```Rates

1600

3871

3900

4000

5030

```Repair & Maintain premises per committee list

24050

2011

4000

9000

5031

``` Refurbish western WC’s

0

0

0

6000

 

```Telephones

1000

1028

1200

1200

5032

Dukeswood

0

0

0

0

5033

Election expenses

0

0

0

1000

5035

Grant Aid

17000

16900

16900

17000

5036

Grant Aid  s137

0

0

0

0

5037

Headstones repairs – materials

2600

2164

2500

2500

5038

Headstone repairs – wages

9900

8069

11000

11500

5039

Hexham in Bloom

6500

5692

5700

2000

5040

HighwaysSeatsSheltersDogBins

250

0

0

250

5041

Community Partnership grant

4000

0

4000

4000

5042

Mayors Allowance

1000

408

1000

1500

5043

Miscellaneous/Contingency

18600

70

15000

18000

5044

AdminCosts:-

0

0

0

0

-

```Postages

550

292

420

450

5045

```Rent/purchase/repair office equipment

300

144

300

300

5046

```Stationery/Photcopying

1000

364

500

500

5047

Remembrance Day

2500

1385

2000

2500

5048

Salaries and Clerks Fee

115519

70150

120300

127000

5049

Local Govt Pension Fund

23755

15552

20700

22000

5050

Subscriptions

700

632

650

700

5051

Town Clock

200

0

0

9000

5052

Town Twinning

300

78

78

250

5053

War Memorial - Repair/refurbish

0

0

0

0

5054

Xmas displays – put up take down

17000

0

9500

10000

5055

```Xmas displays – Miscellaneous

300

0

150

300

5056

```Xmas displays – Renew/Improve

5000

0

0

4000

5057

TOTALS

296238

170355

264597

302750

 

 


 

[May I remind Council the figures below are all estimated apart from those in bold]

 

Debit balance at current year end is 264597 – 170355 =      -94242

 

Credit balance at current year end is 69245 – 49627 =         +19618

 

Net balance at current year end is 94242 - 19618 =              -74624

 

 

 

 

Balance October 2006 is 128540 [per balance sheet] - 74624 = Balance at end of current year = +53916

 

Debit balance at 2007/8 year end is 302750 - 65800 = -236950

 

Deduct current year-end balance 236950 - 53916 = 183034 [Precept required]

 

The precept last year was 213138 and precept this year is 183034 - a reduction of 30104

 

I RECOMMEND a Precept of 183000 a reduction of 30138 from last year. [213138-183000].