MINUTES OF THE ONLINE MEETING OF MATFEN PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 AT 7.00PM
PRESENT: Cllr Stuart Mills, Chairman of the Council together with Mrs Ann Gregory Smith, Keith Mavin, Frank Robson, Kevin George and Justin Dempsey.
In attendance: Mrs M Senior, Clerk to the Council and County Councillor Mrs V Jones
Cllr Stuart Mills opened the meeting and advised that Robin Douglass had sadly passed away a short while ago.
Robin had been chairman of Matfen Parish Council for many years serving the Council and the Community.
Condolences were expressed to his family and friends.
0321.01 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. None.
0321.02 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – None
0321.03 DECLARATION OF INTEREST. None
0321.04 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – Cllr Mrs Jones gave her verbal report in matters relating to Northumberland County Council and Matfen Parish.
a) Street Lighting. The additional posts should be installed by mid April and the existing posts are to be painted. Complaints had been received over the LED conversion. It was noted that NCC can install filters onto any lights which are shining into properties. Action: Cllr Mrs A Gregory Smith to contact Gavin Barlow, NCC.
b) Broadband. Northumberland had had success with the Gigabit Scheme with significant funding to get fibre to the premise. It was noted there are still some areas with poor reception within the Parish.
c) Member Funding. Cllr Mrs Jones advised that she would like her future member funding to be spent on Community projects instead of propping up the NCC, Highways budgets. Cllr J Dempsey enquired whether the funding of a new shed for Stamfordham After School Club would be possible. There is a minimum spend of £2000
d) Road repairs. Repairs had been carried out on the Bog House Farm road however the road is still in a poor state. Burnside Road is also still in a poor state.
e) Elections 2021. The elections are still going ahead in May and further information will be available in the next few weeks.
0321.05 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 26 JANUARY 2021. It was proposed by Cllr F Robson, seconded by Cllr Mrs Gregory-Smith and AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 26TH JANUARY 2021 as an accurate record.
0321.06 ACTIONS ARISING FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 26th JANUARY 2021
a) STREET LIGHTING. Minute 121.04a refers. It was noted that the light outside the Village Shop was still not working. Cllr Mrs A Gregory-Smith will report this to Gavin Barlow, NCC.
b) NOTICE BOARDS AND PICNIC BENCHES. Minute 121.06b refers. Ian from Go Local had kindly offered the use of his trailer to assist with the moving of the benches from Ingoe and delivered them to the Village Green. Cllrs J Dempsey and K George installed the benches on Matfen Village Green. Matfen Hall Cricket Club supplied the tools to do the job. Letters of thanks will be sent to Ian and the Cricket Club.
c) WEBSITE Minute 121.06c refers. The new website is currently being put together and will be live within the next week or so. The existing domain will be transferred to the new website. Anyone who would like any information placed on the website should contact the clerk.
d) WHITE BRIDGE REPAIRS. Minute 121.06e refers. Cllrs J Dempsey and K George had made a temporary repair to the railing by the little white bridge. The clerk continues to pursue Northumbrian Water for a permanent repair. It was noted that some self-seeding cherry trees were growing by the watercourse wall which would need to be removed. Action: The clerk will contact Northumbrian Water.
e) PUBLIC TOILETS. Minute 121.10c refers. The public toilets had been closed since March 2020. It was suggested that they could be opened once the current restrictions are lifted. The clerk will check the current government guidance and refer back to the Council.
0121.07 FINANCE
a) ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT. It was proposed by Cllr S Mills, seconded by Cllr Mrs A Gregory Smith and AGREED to approve the expenditure on the list circulated.
b) TO CONSIDER TRANSFERRING BANK ACCOUNTS TO UNITY TRUST BANK. The Parish Council currently banks with Barclays Bank. All payments are made by cheque and signed by 2 councillors. This has been problematic during the current restrictions. Problems had been experienced with Barclays Bank in the past when trying to change signatories, addresses or other details. It was felt with the upcoming elections and a potential change of council that this was the appropriate time to consider transferring bank accounts to Unity Trust. Unity Trust Bank provide bank accounts specifically for Parish Councils and allows payments to be made via electronic banking using a triple authority system. It was proposed by Cllr S Mills, seconded by Cllr K Mavin and AGREED to transfer the accounts from Barclays Bank to Unity Trust. This will be done once the statement of persons nominated has been published. Action: The clerk to make the necessary arrangements to open the new bank accounts and set up internet banking.
c) TO CONSIDER DONATION TO GREAT NORTH AIR AMBULANCE ON BEHALF OF GO LOCAL. Ian from Go Local had kindly assisted with the installation of the seats and would not take any payment. It was proposed by Cllr J Dempsey, seconded by Cllr S Mills and AGREED to donate £25 to the Great North Air Ambulance on behalf of Go Local.
PAYEE | DESCRIPTION | NET OF VAT | VAT | CHEQUE AMOUNT | CHEQUE NO |
Northumberland CC | Additional grass cutting | 369.88 | 61.65 | 308.23 | 101155 |
Netwise UK | New website & 1 year hosting | 749.00 | 749.00 | 101156 | |
Mrs A Senior | Clerical services | 469.23 | 469.23 | 101157 | |
HM Revenue and Customs | PAYE | 117.20 | 117.20 | 101158 | |
Mrs A Senior | Play area inspections | 75.00 | 75.00 | 101159 | |
J Dempsey | Seat installation materials | 10.00 | 10.00 | 101160 | |
Parkinsons UK (M Cook) | Mole trapping on village green | 20.00 | 20.00 | 101161 | |
Northumberland CC | Public toilet non domestic rates | 329.34 | 329.34 | 101162 | |
Matfen Village Hall | Cheque number 101107 cancelled | -£10.00 | -£10.00 | 101107 | |
GJP Services | Cheque number 101088 cancelled | -£75.00 | -£75.00 | 101088 | |
Income | |||||
Barclays Bank | Bank account interest | 0.32 | 0.32 | 08.03.21 |