Item

Action

1)       

Apologies: Councillors David Duns, Kevin Holden, Peter Annett and Simone Neri. Clerk – Roger Clerk.

Present: Councillors David Denton, Judith Hill (Chairwoman), John Hobbis (Vice Chair), Donald Hume, Pat Murphy and George Ternent.

In attendance: Jenny Trapp, Acting Clerk.

1)       

Minutes of the Last Meeting:

A motion to approve them as a true record was proposed by Councillor John Hobbis, seconded by Councillor George Ternent, passed unanimously and signed by the Chairwoman.

1)       

Matters Arising from the Minutes:

a.             Compass Rose and Memorial Garden (3a).

b.   Councillor David Denton asked if a planting schedule had been finalised for the garden.  The Chairwoman replied that Anna Corbett had provided the plan for commencement in the spring and was now working on a maintenance plan.  Councillor George Ternent added that he recommended the fence be added as soon as possible and that he had obtained a quote, for £317.12, which he thought was reasonable and that the contractor had carried out other very satisfactory work in the village.  Councillor David Denton questioned only one quote being obtained and felt in future more quotes should be sought.  Councillor Ternent replied that if this was to be the procedure precise job specifications would need to be drawn up by the committee including measurements and sketches.  However, on this occasion he believed that the quote was a viable one.  Councillor John Hobbis proposed the quote be accepted and Councillor Pat Murphy seconded it the contract was accepted after a vote of 4 in favour and 1 against.  The Chairwoman asked Councillor George Ternent to go ahead with the quote but to ask the contractor to expand on the quote detail in terms of the materials and measurements before work actually commenced.

c.             Christmas Lights (8c).

The Chairwoman reported that the switch on of the Christmas lights had been a great success which everyone had enjoyed.  Plans for next year could include some children’s lantern making  prior to the switch on.

d.          New Bin in Park (10c).

Councillor David Denton asked about the price of the bin and why payment had been made. The Chairwoman explained that the Clerk had paid the invoice in between meetings; Councillor Pat Murphy suggested that in future cheques only be signed at actual meetings the Chairwoman agreed that cheques in future should be signed at the meetings.  In addition from the previous points more detailed job descriptions would be drawn up and multiple quotes would be obtained before contracts were awarded.  Councillor Don Hume still felt a letter should be written to Alnwick District council regarding the excessive cost.

e.         Ladder (11a).

The Chairwoman also reported that a ladder had now been purchased and had already been in use around the village.

Councillor GT to contact contractor re fence.

1)       

Large Lifeboat House:

a.             Councillor Judith Hill stated that only 3 of the Council members attended the separate meeting on Monday 24 November 08 to formulate conditions of the lease.  She reported the outline of these conditions and also reported that a letter was sent to Northumberland Estates regarding the subletting, as yet no response had been received.

b.             Councillor David Denton expressed his concerns about Coastwatch not being aware of the amount of repair work they would be responsible for and that any lease would need to be totally clear as to their responsibilities.  The chairwoman replied that the Council would need to go through the feasibility study in detail to prioritise the works required and also state a time target by which they were to be completed as part of the lease.  Councillor George Ternent said the Coastwatch team had already inspected the boathouse and were fully aware of the scale of required works. It was therefore decided that the whole Council should meet at the boathouse to inspect the works to be carried out and then have a specific meeting to formulate a detailed schedule of works and that this be sent to Coastwatch. Hopefully their initial response would be received in time for the next Committee meeting on the 12^th Jan 09.  The dates are as follows:

·         Inspection – Sunday 4^th Jan 09 at Noon meet at boathouse

·         Meeting - Monday 5^th Jan 09 at 7pm at Hindmarsh Hall.

Councillor Judith Hill

All Councillors

1)       

Memorial Seat:

The Chairwoman reported she had made contact with a Tom Dexter and Roger Brewis regarding a more natural form of bench to be created from a cross-section of trunk.  She would pursue this option for costs and designs after the Council gave this idea a positive response.

Councillor Judith Hill

1)       

Senior Citizen’s Luncheon:

Councillor David Denton asked if letters were normally sent out to local businesses by the Clerk or whether he should contact them directly.  As the Clerk is away it was suggested he contact Mel Ross as to determine the normal procedure.  Councillor Donald Hume commented in the past it was actually the local businesses who organised the lunch and not the APC.

Councillor David Denton

1)       

Footpaths

Due to the resignation of Councillor Kevin Holden this subject had not yet been followed up.  A complaint had been received from a parishioner who fell on lovers walk.  Councillor George Ternent also commented on the holes, the wall needing pointing and that the old steel fence posts were also becoming more visible and thus a potential hazard.  It was decided that a Footpaths Sub Committee be formed with Councillors Pat Murphy and David Denton.  The Chairwoman informed them that a point of contact would be Tony Derbyshire.

Councillors David Denton Pat Murphy

1)       

Reports from Subcommittees:

a.             Arts.   /

b.              

c.             Christmas Lights.  /

d.              

e.             Heritage.  /

f. 

g.             War Memorial.   /

h.             Pease’s Park.  Councillor Hobbis reported that the mower was to be serviced and also raised the point about one of the picnic benches being rotten.  Councillor George Ternent also said some other benches also needed to be replaced.  Councillor David Denton suggested an inventory of seats be collated along with the condition and any works required, he also suggested that they could be taken to the boathouse before it is leased for any work to be carried out undercover.  The Chairwoman proposed that benches just be replaced if they were really in bad state of repair, the committee agreed and that this matter be put on next months agenda to organise quotes.

Clerk

1)       

Communications:

1)       

Parish Finances:

1)       

Any Other Business:

a.         The Chairwoman reminded everyone about the presentation to the village Postlady on the 10^th Dec and reported that there had been a fantastic response.

b.         Councillor George Ternent reported that he had attended the Police forum and that the issue of parking on the pavement along Riverside Road had again been discussed and that more signs were due to be put up and that it was noted about the sandstone kerbs being damaged.  The Chairwoman decided this matter should be added to the agenda of the Jan 09 meeting. 

c.         It was also reported that the marquee fixings would be in place by the end of Feb 09.

d.         Due to the resignation of Councillor Kevin Holden a replacement Councillor would need to be recruited therefore, the Clerk would be asked to put up notices advertising the vacancy.

There being no further business the Chairwoman declared the meeting closed at 9.10 pm, and called for the next Committee meeting to take place on Monday 12^th January at 7.30 pm in the Hindmarsh Hall.

Clerk

Clerk

All Councillors