Councillors SJ Anderson, H Bettison, AR Bowlas, DGR Buckle, AB Douglas, GM Elliott, HE Elliott, WN Ferguson, CG Hallam-Baker, GP Horsburgh, EI Hunter, JD Lockie, D McClymont, GE Miller, AH Murray, JMF Nesbit, LW Robson, FI Simpson, JN Simpson, JE Smith JW Stephenson, J Waterhouse, W G R Weeks and MJ Young.
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APOLOGIES:
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors AE Breckons, JG Hutchinson, CM Liddell-Grainger and RJ Patterson.
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1. DECLARATION OF INTEREST
The following Members declared a personal (but non-prejudicial) interest in Item 15: Land at Newfields: Councillors H Bettison, GM Elliott, HE Elliott and FI Simpson.
Councillor JN Simpson and LW Robson and the Borough Secretary declared a prejudicial interest in the Additional Item: Berwick Rangers Football Club PLC – Shielfield Stadium – Repair of Floodlighting. Councillor D McClymont declared a personal (but non-prejudicial) interest in the same item.
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2. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD ON 24th JUNE 2004
DECISION: To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 24th June 2004, Minutes 117-134, pages 1-5.
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3. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Mayor reported on Civic Party participation in the following events:
• Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, 20th July 2004
• Crowning of the Salmon Queen, 22nd July 2004; and
• Tweedmouth Feast Service, 25th July 2004.
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4. COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (CPA) IMPROVEMENT PLAN
DECISIONS : (i) To note the report; (ii) to expect regular reports on progress at every meeting of Council; and (iii) to agree to adopt the outline Improvement Plan tabled at the meeting.
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5. REFERENDUM FOR AN ELECTED REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
DECISION : To note the report.
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6. DELEGATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND ENFORCEMENT UNIT
DECISION : To approve the proposed scheme of delegations circulated as an appendix to the Council Summons.
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7. 2003/04 DRAFT ACCOUNTS
DECISION: To approve the Draft Accounts for 2003/04, recognising that these will then be subject to external audit.
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8. PROPOSAL FOR A NEW POLITICAL STRUCTURE
[Note: It was agreed to withdraw this item, which would be brought back for consideration at a future date, pending the implementation of a training and education programme for Members and Officers, beginning with a presentation by the Leader of Blyth Valley District Council and the Borough Solicitor on the Leader with Cabinet Model at 6.00pm in Committee Room 1 on Wednesday, 11th August 2004, which all Members were encouraged to attend.]
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9. VISIT BY THE CIVIC PARTY TO BERWICK PENNSYLVANIA
DECISIONS : (i) To agree that the robes and chains can be taken to Berwick, Pennsylvania by the Civic Party for the duration of their visit from 10th – 18th September 2004; and (ii) to agree that the Sergeant-at-Mace accompany the Civic Party on the visit with costs being met from the Mayoral Budget.
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10. BORDER CROSSING AT LAMBERTON TOLL : DISPLAY OF NATIONAL FLAG
[Note: It was agreed to withdraw this item from consideration. Arrangements have been made for the Leader to meet with representatives of Scottish Borders Council on 12th August 2004, where, with the agreement of Council, he will propose that a flag bearing the Cross of St George be located on the English side of the Border at Lamberton; the Union Jack be flown from a flagpole located on the Border line; and the Saltire be flown from a flagpole located on the Scots side of the Border. Councillor D McClymont had suggested that the respective national flags be flown on both sides of the Border at Lamberton.]
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ADDITIONAL ITEM: BERWICK RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB PLC – SHIELFIELD STADIUM – REPAIR OF FLOODLIGHTING
DECISION: To agree to make a grant in the sum of £10,000 to Berwick Rangers Football Club PLC for essential repairs to floodlighting pylons at Shielfield Stadium.
[Note: Having declared an interest, Councillors LW Robson and JN Simpson and the Borough Secretary left the meeting during consideration of the item set out above.]
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11. MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE
DECISION: That the recommendations of Committee be approved and the Minutes adopted as Proceedings of the Council in respect of:
(a) Planning Committee: 6th July 2004, Minutes 135-139;
(b) Policy (Environment) Committee: 14th July 2004, Minutes 140-155;
Note: With regard to the following recommendations to Council from Policy (Environment) Committee, it was agreed:
• to re-open the public conveniences at Scotts Park, Wooler, with immediate effect until 31st October 2004 (Minute 147); and
• to approve a supplementary estimate in the sum of £10,000 from the general fund to meet the full costs of the tender submitted by PS Consultants (Minute 151).
(c) Policy (Corporate Services and Regeneration) Committee: 28th July 2004, Minutes 156-183.
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12. QUESTIONS
No questions were submitted under Rules of Procedure
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13. NOTICE OF MOTION
Members considered and agreed to support the following Motion, submitted in accordance with Rules of Procedure by Councillor GM Elliott and seconded by Councillor LW Robson:
DECISION: “That this Council resolves to support Northumberland County Council in seeking an independent assessment of options for the future shape of education in Northumberland, and urges Northumberland County Council to consult, through dialogue, with as many interested parties as possible.”
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14. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
DECISION : To exclude under Section 100 A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.
Minutes 201 and 202: Paragraph 9: Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.
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15. LAND AT NEWFIELDS
DECISIONS: (i) To agree to accept the new offer as set out in the report, for the sale of Land at Newfields to Cotfield Projects Limited; and (ii) to agree to sell the area of land shown hatched in black on the plan circulated as an appendix to this report with the Summons to Perryman’s Buses, subject to the formal surrender of the land by Spittal Rovers Football Club, for the purchase price set out in the report.
[Notes: (a) Councillor WGR Weeks left the meeting before consideration of this item began, and did not return; and (b) Councillor JN Simpson declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of the item set out above.]
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ADDITIONAL ITEM : FORMER JOBCENTRE PREMISES IN CASTLEGATE
DECISION: To authorise officers to increase the Council’s offer for the former Jobcentre Premises in Castlegate up to the ceiling referred to in the report.
