EAST BEDLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Second Annual Meeting held on Tuesday 4 May 2010 at 6 pm at Bedlington Station Residents Association, Bedlington.

PRESENT:	
Councillors:	
D Armstrong				
A Barrett				
		A Douglas				
I Harbottle						
		A Pegg		
		B Richmond
		A Stewart 
		Alex Wallace	(In the Chair for Item 2 onwards)
		Alyson Wallace

IN ATTENDANCE:		
R Thornton, Parish Clerk 
7 Members of the Public
 
Councillor Stewart welcomed guests to the meeting.
				
COO1/10	1. ELECTION OF CHAIR
Nominations were invited for the post of Chair.
		
RESOLVED: Having been proposed and seconded, that Councillor Alex Wallace be elected as Chair of East Bedlington Parish Council for the year 2010-11.

Councillor Alex Wallace took the Chair. Councillor Wallace thanked the outgoing chairman, Councillor Allan Stewart for his effort and achievements during his time in office.   

COO2/10	2. RECEIVE CHAIR’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Councillor Wallace signed the Chair’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
			
COO3/10	3. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR
Nominations were invited for the post of Vice Chair.

RESOLVED: Having been proposed and seconded, Councillor Brian Richmond be elected Vice Chair of East Bedlington Parish Council for the year 2010-11.

The Chair congratulated Councillor Richmond and acknowledged the contribution he had made in 2009/10 as Vice Chair and Finance Working Group Champion. 

COO4/10	4. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Ron Major and Helen Short.

COO5/10	5. MINUTES

RESOLVED – The minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting were noted

COO6/10	6. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS
The Clerk reminded members that they were required to keep their declarations of interest up to date and that they should inform him if their interests had changed. No additional personal or prejudicial interests were declared.

COO7/10	7. ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2009/10

The Clerk presented the Annual Accounts explaining that they had been prepared on an accruals basis. He also explained that fixed assets did not appear on the balance sheet but were accounted for on the Audit Commissions Annual Return.

RESOLVED – That the Accounts be approved. 	 

COO8/10	8. INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT

Members considered a report of the Internal Auditor. The Clerk explained that there had been no significant issues raised.

RESOLVED – 

(8.1)That the Internal Auditor’s report be received

(8.2) That Financial Regulation 11.1 be amended in accordance with the audit recommendation.

COO9/10	9. ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

The Clerk explained that the Council was required to provide certain assurances regarding its systems, procedures and controls as part of the external audit process.

RESOLVED – That the annual Governance Statement be approved. 

CO10/10	10.SCHEDULE OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR 2010/11

RESOLVED – That the schedule of Parish Council meetings be approved.
		
CO10/11	11. PUBLIC SESSION

	Concern was raised about the zebra crossing outside the Co-Op food store. There was no audible warning when the lights were about to change it was also felt that there was insufficient time delay to allow drivers to pull up safely. The Chair agreed that this would be taken up with NCC Highways department.

	A member of the public drew the Council’s attention to a surface water problem outside Ravensworth Terrace, Bedlington Station. It was suggested that NWA’s customer complaints procedure should be the next step. It was agreed by the Council that Mr A Douglas would work with the member of the public to help resolve this problem. 

		Meeting closed 8.33pm

Signed by the Chairman: …………………

Date:………………………………………...