HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT

2018 / 2019

Town Clerk: Mrs Susan Saunders CiLCA Scotchcoulthard, Haltwhistle, , NE49 9NH Tel: 01434 322601 Email: [email protected] Website: www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle

HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL

Contents

Members of Haltwhistle Town Council .. .. Page 3

Attendance Record of Councillors ...... Page 4

Representatives to Other Bodies ...... Page 4

Chairman’s Report on 2018/19 ...... Page 5

Precepts 2017/18, 2018/19 .. . Page 8

Bank Reconciliation at 31st March 2019 .. .. Page 9

Receipts & Payments 2017/2019 .. .. Page 10

2 Town Clerk: Mrs Susan Saunders CiLCA Scotchcoulthard, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9NH Tel: 01434 322601 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL

Councillors Contacts

POSITION NAME ADDRESS TEL/EMAIL Chairman Cllr Alan Sharp 1 East View, [email protected] Haltwhistle 07759 665200 NE49 9BD Vice-Chair Cllr M Ridley 20 Westlands 01434 321168 Haltwhistle [email protected] NE49 9BS Councillor Cllr Margaret Forrest 1 South View, 01434 320184 Haltwhistle NE49 9JU Councillor Cllr Graham Ridley The Pikes 01434 320346 Haltwhistle, [email protected] NE49 9JL Councillor Cllr Ivy Stott 1 Sunnyside 01434 321706 Fair Hill Haltwhistle NE49 9EA Councillor Cllr John Clark 01434 320202 Haltwhistle NE49 0JG

Councillor Cllr Julia Hunter Westgate Chambers 01434 321993 Haltwhistle [email protected]

Councillor Cllr Janette Kendrew High Banks 01434 321800 Fair Hill [email protected] Haltwhistle NE49 6EA Councillor Cllr John Elliott Stonehaven 01434 322010 Tyne View [email protected] Haltwhistle NE49 9HZ Councillor Cllr K Johnson 10 Westerly Terrace [email protected] Haltwhistle 01434 322773 NE49 9HS Councillor Cllr D Cadwgan Eden House [email protected] Edens Lawn 01434 320221 Haltwhistle 07968 307591 NE49 0AF Councillor Cllr M McGuire 18 Fairfield Park [email protected] Haltewhistle 01434 322906 NE49 9HE Clerk Mrs Susan Saunders Scotchcoulthard 07899 427829 Haltwhistle [email protected] NE49 9NH www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle

3 Town Clerk: Mrs Susan Saunders CiLCA Scotchcoulthard, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9NH Tel: 01434 322601 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL

Attendance of Councillors

Members of the Town Council have a duty to attend meetings. During the period May 2018 to April 2019 the attendance record was as below: members did not attend extra-ordinary meetings when they had an interest to declare with the item under discussion.

Number of Number of Number Number Number of apologies Name Regular Extra-Ordinary Attended attended offered and accepted meetings Meetings Cllr A Sharp 13 13 1 0 1 Cllr M Ridley 13 13 1 0 1 Cllr J Clark 13 13 1 0 1 Cllr M Forrest 13 11 1 0 3 Cllr J Hunter 13 13 1 1 Cllr Dr J G Ridley 13 11 1 0 3 Cllr J Kendrew 13 9 1 1 4 Cllr J Elliott 13 10 1 1 3 Cllr G Ward 1 0 9 2 8 (Resigned) 13 Cllr I Stott 6 1 0 8

Cllr S Hibberd 1 1 3 3 0 (Resigned)

2018/2019 Representatives to Other Bodies

The Town Council sends representatives to other bodies.

Haltwhistle and District Joint Burial Committee Cllrs A Sharp, M Ridley, J Kendrew

Haltwhistle Partnership Ltd Board of Directors Cllrs J Elliott, Dr J G Ridley, G Ward

Police Liaison Representative Cllr M Forrest

4 Town Clerk: Mrs Susan Saunders CiLCA Scotchcoulthard, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9NH Tel: 01434 322601 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL

Chair’s Report 2018-2019

During the last year the Town Council has been working very hard to progress various schemes and I am pleased to be able to report that much progress has been made but other projects still need to be progressed this year.

I would like to thank all of you for your support and commitment in your role as a Town Councillor which you all do voluntarily on behalf of the people of Haltwhistle. During the year Susan Hibberd and Gail Ward resigned from the Town Council and we thank them both for the work they have done. We welcomed David Cadwgan, Katrina Johnson and Mike McGuire to the Council in April.

The Town Council continue to provide financial assistance of £6,000 towards the monthly luncheon club and drop in centre which are very well received. Can I also thank Ellen Walton for all her help with all of these projects. We are also grateful to ADAPT, Helping Hands, and the Haltwhistle Partnership for their continued support. We also give £4,000 to the Haltwhistle Partnership as an annual grant towards the running costs.

The Town Council have given £4,000 for youth services and the money has been used to fund youth services in Haltwhistle for the benefit of our young people to help them build a future which we feel is very important. I would like to acknowledge the excellent work of Ayesha Jackson in organising the Youth Club. The Youth Club continues to operate from Hillside and the building has now been refurbished. The main project which they are undertaking at present is the refurbishment of the garden and it is very pleasing that the young children themselves are helping with this work. The tourist related development scheme on the south side of the A69 has not progressed but the Council is pleased that the area is being used by our young people to play football because we have a real shortage of football fields in our town. Many thanks to the Football Club and the volunteers for all of their help in maintaining the field.

With regards to the Hadrian Enterprise Park there has recently been a meeting in the town with the agents for the owners which was well attended by the residents where the plans which have been produced for the whole site were displayed showing mixed development for housing, industrial units and the creation of a hotel and filling station on the east end of the site.

I am pleased to report that Northumberland County Council have nearly completed the transfer of the land to the southwest of the Black Bull Public House to the Town Council and we will be responsible for maintaining it in the future. The Park is going to be re-named the Coronation Park.

The Town Council have agreed to install a new seat and picnic table on the site and it is very pleasing that the Women’s Institute have agreed to do the planting and maintenance of the flower beds.

With regards to the Burn football field, this was officially opened in the summer as the works have now been completed. There are still some issues with the drains which need to be resolved. The Jubilee Football team have won the league and the cup this year and both they and the Railway Hotel team continue to use the field.

The Village Green Working Group has also been established and I would like to thank them for all the work they have done and particularly to John Elliott who has chaired the group. It was good that Balfour Beatty cleared the scrub and the brambles away on the land below the car park which makes the area look more attractive.

We continue to receive reports from the police regarding the number of incidents which is appreciated as it is important that we work together and we have had several meetings with them during the last year. The Town Council has got concerns that there is not a presence around the town as much as we would like. I would like to record my thanks to Margaret Forest for her work as our representative.

The Town Council continue to be responsible for the maintenance of the three play areas on Comb Hill, the Fire Station and at Hadrian’s Rise. We still plan to provide further equipment in the future subject to obtaining grant assistance. We need to carry out major drainage improvements on the Comb Hill playing field and hopefully this work will be progressed during this year as we have allocated funds for this to be done.

5 Town Clerk: Mrs Susan Saunders CiLCA Scotchcoulthard, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9NH Tel: 01434 322601 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL

The Grounds Maintenance Contract has again been let to Northumberland County Council. We continue to replace seats and have carried out painting and repairs on several other seats around the town. We have also supplied and replaced several litter bins. Much of the maintenance work continues to be done by the Haltwhistle and District Joint Burial Committee staff, Michael, Alan and Sean who do a really good job.

The Town Council have increased the height of the stone work on the flower beds in front of the hospital which was done by George Reed and we plan to improve the flower beds and make them look tidier which is important when people enter the town. The hanging baskets looked really good last year and we will continue to keep the grass in as good a condition as we can during the season. We have received additional funding of £2,500.00 from a national initiative through Northumberland County Council to clean up the high streets and this money will be used to purchase a pressure washer, litter bins and litter picking items. We are also going to install 2 dog bag dispensers to improve the collection of dog waste and to give quick and easy access to waste bags.

This year we have again agreed to enter the Northumbria in Bloom competition in the small towns category and a working group of volunteers has been set up to organise this. I am pleased to report that the Spring Judging has taken place and the judges were impressed with the work which has been done in and around the town. I would like to thank everybody involved with this particularly the various organisations which have taken over responsibility for certain areas in the town. We continue to receive support from Chris Rogan and Sam Talbot from Northumberland County Council.

I would like to thank George Reed, Libby Scott and her volunteers for the work they do on the flower beds and the tubs around the town. I would also like to thank Derek Martin for his help in keeping the town tidy.

The Town Council installed a new memorial stone next to the cenotaph in the hospital grounds to remember those who have given their lives in service since the first and second world wars and many thanks to Northumbria Stone Products Ltd for donating the stone. I would also like to thank the Board Walkers for their financial assistance towards the new seat beside the cenotaph.

We also continue to press Northumberland County Council regarding public lighting and public footpaths. We are pressing the County Council to carry out much needed improvements on several footpaths around the town.

The Town Council continue to work with Northumberland County Council regarding the condition of the footpaths and the roads in and around Haltwhistle and we are pleased that the re-surfacing works on Park Road, the West End and Willia Road have been completed. The works at the junction at the Station corner have also made a big improvement and the planters have now been removed. We are also pleased that the drainage at the bottom of Park Road has been completed. We also continue to press for improvements of the A69.

Another major project which has been completed during the year is the much needed improvements on the whole length of the Hemmel Burn and replacing the necessary pipe work which should prevent any further flooding problems in the future. We would like to thank the County Council and the Environment Agency for all their support and for getting the funding in place to deliver the project.

With regards to the proposed one way system in the town this did not proceed because one of the bus companies was not happy with the proposals. We have however, provided with the assistance of Northumberland County Council additional car parking spaces and improved road signage particularly in the area opposite the working men’s club and a two hour waiting restriction on the main street has been introduced.

Once again the Town Council have funded the putting up and taking down of the Christmas lights and can I thank the Chamber of Trade and all of the volunteers for all of their continued support in assisting with the fund raising for improving and maintaining the lights and banners. I thought that they looked very impressive last Christmas.

I would also like to thank the Town Carnival and Walking Festival Committees which are a great success and bring visitors into the town. We will continue to work with the South Railway Preservation Society regarding their plans to reopen the railway from Alston to Haltwhistle which will bring economic benefits to our businesses.

6 Town Clerk: Mrs Susan Saunders CiLCA Scotchcoulthard, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9NH Tel: 01434 322601 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL

We have held several meetings with Wise Academies regarding the review of education in the west of Northumberland and about their proposals for one primary school in Haltwhistle on the middle school site. It is important that our children get the best education possible.

The Town Council continues to support the Swimming and Leisure Centre financially and the Council receives regular updates on the progress of the Centre. Recently work has been carried out on the refurbishment of the plant room which has reduced the heating bills in the centre. Further work is still required to be done on the pipework when the pools close in September.

The Council also financially assist the Haltwhistle and District Burial Committee and have representation on their committee. Haltwhistle Town Council is now going to be the host authority for the Haltwhistle and District Joint Burial Committee and we are working with Northumberland County Council to progress this. The Town Council will in future be responsible for the staffing and finances.

One of the challenges ahead for the Town Council is the continued service which is provided by Northumberland County Council and how this is going to be financed in the future because it is very important that the services which they provide continue to be financed by them otherwise the additional cost would have to be put onto the Parish precept. The Town Council have again incurred costs towards the cost of keeping the public toilets open during the winter months.

I would also like to thank Susan Saunders for all her hard work as Town Clerk which has made the running of the Council much more efficient and Michael Ridley my Vice-chairman for all of his support particularly with chairing the Grounds Maintenance Group.

Finally may I once again thank you all for your support to me as your Chairman and I hope that we can continue to work together in the future for the benefit of our residents and hopefully the various schemes will be completed as I have outlined during the coming year.

7 Town Clerk: Mrs Susan Saunders CiLCA Scotchcoulthard, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9NH Tel: 01434 322601 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL

Precepts

Expenditure for 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 is broken down as follows:

2017/2018 2018/2019 Expenditure Area £ % £ % Parks and 31638.29 20.29 26,971.76 22.32 Open Spaces Administration 49542.73 31.77 15,099.15 12.50

Grants 74760.57 47.94 78,758.28 65.18

Totals £155941.59 120,829.19

LESS Incomes (1200.09) (7263.84) Plus/Less Transfer (12241.50) (28,934.65) to/from Balances

Totals £142,500.00 £142,500.00

8 Town Clerk: Mrs Susan Saunders CiLCA Scotchcoulthard, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9NH Tel: 01434 322601 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL

Bank Reconciliation 31st March 2019

HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL BANK RECONCILIATION BANK £ £ Balance as at: 31st March 2019 Current Account £40,670.09 Petty Cash £100.00 £40,770.09

Plus outstanding lodgements Less outstanding payments R Skeet 33.18

NET BANK BALANCES AT: 31st March 2019 £40,736.91 The net balances reconcile to the Cashbook - receipts and payments account - for the year as follows

CASH BOOK £ £

Opening Balance as at 31st March 2018 £11,910.08 Petty Cash £100.00 £12,010.08

Add: Receipts in the Year £155,414.87

Less Payments in the Year £126,688.04

Net cash movement £28,726.83

£40,736.91 Closing balance per Cash Book [Receipts & Payments]

9 Town Clerk: Mrs Susan Saunders CiLCA Scotchcoulthard, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9NH Tel: 01434 322601 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle HALTWHISTLE TOWN COUNCIL

Income & Expenditure as at 31st March 2019 EXPENDITURE Precept Actual to date Detail

Parks and Open Spaces Grounds maintenance contract £12,500.00 12,461.44 12 months Play Areas Inspection £1,300.00 1,278.62 Rospa - £294 Volunteer Grant £1,450.00 1,453.45 500, 3.45, 400, 250, 250

Brackets for baskets - £427, bin - £138, shelters & sign cleaning - £225, GM - £1012.88, new seat £416.69, Planter repairs £1480, Hand rail Grey Bull £300, Repairs and renewals £7,930.00 8,737.12 Play bark, litter trolley Special Projects £17,000.00 2,087.80 £1502.80 memorial stone etc Plants/Hanging baskets £920.00 953.33 0 Total Parks and Open Spaces £41,100.00 26,971.76

Administration Clerk's salary £11,900.00 12,053.77 12 months Salary, training, PAYE payrolling £160.00 172.00 Paid Last legal invoice - 1800 credit received, 1108.8 Cartmell Shepherd £924 re- Audit/Professional fees £400.00 -718.00 imbursed, £400 audit Hire of meeting room £1,340.00 0.00 Outstanding Insurance £1,531.80 1,562.46 Increase in tax fees of £30.66 Subscriptions £700.00 736.79 SLCC, NALC, ICO Annual Meeting, Grounds advert, Comb Hill Advertising £450.00 515.20 advert

Postage/Stationery/ Photocopying £750.00 776.93 £75 website annual cost. Paper, ink, phone Election Expenses £0.00 0.00 0 Total Administration £17,231.80 15,099.15

Grants Swimming and Leisure Centre £34,513.78 34,513.84 Paid Less £924 Cartmell legal fees Joint Burial Committee £16,696.32 16,696.32 1st, 2nd Tranche Haltwhistle Partnership/Older People £10,000.00 10,000.00 £4000-Partnership, £6000 Older People Youth Services £4,000.00 4,000.00 0

Town Green charity £5,500.00 3,546.92 Inspections, R&R, signs updated,

Town Council Initiatives £8,500.00 9,052.57 Toilets inv, Memorial stone planning £0.00 0.00 0 Christmas Lights £300.00 78.63 0

£500 - Carnival, £50 British Legion - poppy, Other small grants £1,700.00 870.00 GNAA, Sport Tynedale Contingency £0.00 0.00 0 Total Grants £81,210.10 78,758.28

TOTAL Expenditures £139,541.90 120,829.19

*Income: Grants, Donations, £36.00 7,263.84 Total Incomes £36.00 7,263.84

Total Expenditure less Income £139,505.90 113,565.35 LESS Transfer from Balances 2,994.10 28,934.65 PRECEPT 201/2019 142,500.00 142,500.00

10 Town Clerk: Mrs Susan Saunders CiLCA Scotchcoulthard, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9NH Tel: 01434 322601 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.northumberlandparishes.uk/haltwhistle