EAST BEDLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting held on Tuesday 26 January 2010 at 6 pm at Bedlington Station Residents’ Association, Bedlington.

PRESENT:	

Councillors:	A Stewart (Chair)			Alyson Wallace
D Armstrong				B Richmond
A Douglas				Alex Wallace
R Major				I Harbottle
A Pegg		
									
IN ATTENDANCE:		
Parish Clerk and 9 members of the public.
 
OPEN SESSION

The Chair welcomed members of the public to the meeting and invited questions which would be limited to 3 minutes each for a maximum duration of 15 minutes.

There were no questions raised. 
		
CO95/09	1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been received on behalf of Councillors A Barrett and H Short.   

CO96/09	2. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING	
The minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2010 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

CO97/09	3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

The Chair asked whether any progress had been made regarding the raised flower beds outside Sleekburn House. County Councillor Val Tyler stated that she had raised the issue but that a satisfactory response had not been received to date. She stated that she would raise the matter further with Wansbeck Homes.

A member suggested that Wansbeck Homes had an obligation and the financial means to address this issue and that the Parish Council should not be taking on their responsibilities. It was agreed to write a letter to Wansbeck Homes.   

CO98/09	4. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS
There were no disclosures of interest.

CO99/09      5. Forecast Financial outturn 2009/10, BUDGET 2010/11 & Parish Precept

The Council considered two alternative budgets. Budget “A” had been prepared on the basis of the Council taking over all services proposed by Northumberland County Council under the Charter for Local Council’s. An alternative budget (Budget “B”) had been prepared on the basis of taking over allotments and seasonal lighting but deferring the take over of all other services until 2011/12.

The Clerk explained that Parish & Town Councils had been given the option to defer the take over of some services until 2011/12 whilst the Chair explained the rationale behind this. Councillor Brian Richmond (Chair of the Finance working Group) then outlined the Council’s spending plans.

Councillor Brian Richmond proposed and Councillor David Armstrong seconded the following motion;

That;
1	The Parish Council takes over allotments and seasonal lighting with effect from 1 April 2010 and that other services are deferred until 2011/12,
2	Draft Budget “B” is approved for 2010/11, and
3	The Parish Council sets its precept for 2010/11 at £75,002.

Resolved 

(i)	The motion was carried unanimously. 
	
CO100/09	16. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

	The Chair allowed a member of the public to speak regarding a planning issue.  Some general advice was given in relation to planning procedure. It was explained that the Parish was a statutory consul tee and as such would have the opportunity to consider the issues and make representation in due course.

CO101/09	DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
	The next meeting would be held on Tuesday 2nd February 2010 at 6.00pm at Bedlington Station Resident’s Association.	

Meeting Closed 7.15pm.

Signed by the Chairman: …………………

Date:………………………………………...